Document Document Title
US07856663B2 Security screening of electronic devices by device identifier
A method, system, and program for security screening of electronic devices by device identifier are provided. A security scanning system detects an identifier from an electronic device. The identifier may be a radio frequency identifier or other type of identifier which is preferably detectable by the security scanning system regardless of the operating status of the electronic device. The security scanning system queries a database with the identifier for information about the electronic device. Responsive to receiving the information about the electronic device from the central database, at least one real-time scanned characteristic of the electronic device is compared with this information. The information includes characteristics of the components of the electronic device and an x-ray overlay of the electronic device. If the real-time scanned characteristics and the information match, then electronic device is designated as secure.
US07856662B2 Denying unauthorized access to a private data processing network
Systems and methods for denying access to a data processing system by an intruder are provided. Input/output (I/O) on the intruder's connection may be taken over and responses mimicking a local terminal session passed back. On an attempted reconnect by the intruder, the user name and password used by the intruder to access the system may be captured. The password may then be changed on the edge system and the intruder's terminal session disconnected, or alternatively, continue to log the intruder's activity.
US07856658B2 Method and system for incorporating trusted metadata in a computing environment
A method and system for incorporating trusted metadata in a computing environment is described. One illustrative embodiment is a system comprising at least one functional module configured to query a personalized database of trusted metadata including at least one report from an informer network that includes the computer user and at least one informer, each informer in the informer network being trusted by the computer user either directly or indirectly, each indirectly trusted informer being trusted directly by at least one other informer in the informer network, each of the at least one report including a subjective assertion regarding the quality of an item or an expression of a degree of trust in an informer; and at least one functional module configured to perform a task in the computing environment based at least in part on results of a query of the personalized database of trusted metadata.
US07856650B1 Signal processing apparatus and methods
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.
US07856649B1 Signal processing apparatus and methods
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.
US07856648B2 Method for processing VOD data in mobile station
Disclosed is a method for processing VOD data in a mobile station including a multimedia processor and an MSM for controlling the mobile station. The method comprises the steps of negotiating PPP option information by performing PPP negotiation for making communication with a server when the mobile station accesses to a WAP through the MSM; transmitting the PPP option information negotiated through the MSM to the multimedia processor; setting a VOD data route using the transmitted PPP option information as PPP information of the multimedia processor; processing VOD data, which are received in the MSM according to the VOD data route, up to an RLP layer of the VOD data, and then transmitting the VOD data to the multimedia processor; and processing the VOD data, which are transmitted to the multimedia processor, from a PPP layer which is a lowest layer in the multimedia processor.
US07856642B2 Chucking mechanism, brushless motor having the chucking mechanism, and disk driving apparatus having the brushless motor
A tip portion of a claw member is, when the same is at a lowest position, axially above a bottom surface of an upper disk base of a multi-layered disk. By virtue of such configuration, the tip portion will not be caught between the upper disk base and a lower disk base of the multi-layered disk.
US07856641B2 Disk drive device and centering members therefor
A disk drive device includes a device main body in which a disk slot for inserting and removing a disk-like recording medium is provided, a disk holding unit that rotatably holds the disk-like recording medium, a main chassis that supports the disk holding unit and a base unit, an arm unit rotatably supported on one or the other side in a plane parallel to the disk-like recording medium, an urging arm that urges the disk-like recording medium, a first centering member that supports the side of the disk-like recording medium, and a second centering member that supports the side of the disk-like recording medium. The first centering member and the second centering member are regulated in positions to support the side of the disk-like recording medium. The first centering member and the second centering member support the disk-like recording medium in a centering position.
US07856639B2 Monitoring and controlling applications executing in a computing node
A method and system for monitoring and controlling applications executing on computing nodes of a computing system. A status request process, one or more control processes, an untrusted application and one other application are executed on a computing node. The status request process receives and processes requests for the statuses of the untrusted and the other application. A first control process controls the execution of the untrusted application. A second control process controls the execution of the other application. The execution of the untrusted application terminates based on a failure of the untrusted application. A capability of the status request process to receive and process the requests for statuses, and a capability of the second control process to control the execution of the other application are preserved in response to the termination of the untrusted application.
US07856634B2 Load distribution system, and event processing distribution control apparatus, and an event processing distribution control program
In a load distribution system, a plurality of processing servers are installed and a context-dependent distributor is arranged in a stage before the processing servers such that a distribution rule is set to the distributor to appropriately distribute an event to an associated processing server, the event being necessary for the server to execute a processing rule set thereto. To achieve the processing distribution in a system of this type, a plurality of processing servers are disposed and an event processing distribution control unit sets event processing rules to the respective processing servers for individual applications. The distribution controller sets a distribution rule associated with context of an event to a distributor so that the event is distributed to an associated server beforehand designated to process the event. This makes it possible to accomplish load distribution for the processing servers.
US07856620B1 Systems and methods providing interaction interfaces
A method for creating an application comprises receiving input specifying a plurality of elements of a software application, said elements including interactions between a user and said software application, generating a dialog that includes a listing of said user interactions from said plurality of elements and is adapted to receive user input to edit one or more of said user interactions, and generating said software application based at least partly upon said received input and said user input to edit.
US07856614B2 Programmable system-on-chip apparatus and method for updating firmware
A programmable system-on-chip (SOC) apparatus is disclosed. After connecting with a computer host, the apparatus temporarily stored boot loader codes into a volatile memory originally installed in the apparatus. Further, during the whole updating firmware procedure, no burner is required. Accordingly, the invention not only saves the hardware cost of both a non-volatile memory and the burner, but also simplifies the operation procedure.
US07856613B1 Method for self-aligned doubled patterning lithography
Various embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for semiconductor device fabrication and generation of photomasks for patterning a target layout of line features and large features. Embodiments of the invention are directed towards systems and methods using self-aligned double pattern to define the target layout of line features and large features.
US07856612B1 Lithography mask design through mask functional optimization and spatial frequency analysis
In an electronic design automation technique for optical proximity correction, a mask is represented by a function with an exact analytical form over a mask region. Using the physics of optical projection, a solution based on a spatial frequency analysis is determined. Spatial frequencies above a cutoff are determined by the optical system do not contribute to the projected image. Spatial frequencies below this cutoff affect the print (and the mask), while those above the cutoff only affect the mask. Frequency components in the function below this cutoff frequency may be removed, which will help to reduce computational complexity.
US07856604B2 Method and system for visualization and operation of multiple content filters
A system for operation and visualization of multiple content filters, including a plurality of filter interfaces for setting parameters of corresponding content filters that filter a catalog of assets, each content filter having a lock status being in a locked or an unlocked state, and each filter interface having a display generator for rendering a user interface display, wherein at least one such user interface display for a content filter is dependent upon the lock status of another content filter, and a lock processor for setting the lock status of at least one content filter. A method and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed.
US07856601B2 Dynamic service presentation
A method is provided for exchanging an organizational scheme, such as a tag-based structural framework, that can be applied to data describing and containing information relating to Web service providers to facilitate creating, updating, and interpreting the data so that Web service providers are suitably presented to a user, depending on the user's country, language, locale, and the availability of Web service providers.
US07856595B2 Structured document compressing apparatus and method, record medium in which a structured document compressing program is stored, structured document decompressing apparatus and method, record medium in which a structured document decompressing program is stored, and structured document processing system
Structured documents can be compressed without impairing visual recognizability of data structure or flexibility/expandability of structured documents. This invention provides a tag list generating unit for generating a single tag list in which tags in a structured document are listed in the order of appearance, a structured document compressing unit for generating a compressed document in which tags in each of the structured documents are replaced with predetermined delimiter codes, and an outputting unit for outputting the single tag list generated by the tag list generating unit along with a plurality of compressed documents generated from a plurality of structured documents by the structured document compressing unit, in correspondence with one another. This invention is applied to XML and SGML structured documents, and is effective, for example, when a number of slips having the same format are compressed/decompressed.
US07856583B1 Techniques for enhanced reliability of data transfer with dynamic scaling
A recovery chunk is generated based on information found in each chunk in a group of chunks. For example, the group of chunks includes three chunks of which information in the three chunks is used to generate a recovery chunk. The recovery chunk is then used to recover a single lost chunk in the group of chunks. The three chunks and the recovery chunk are sent to a receiver over a network. If one of the three chunks is lost, the recovery chunk is used to generate the lost chunk. The recovery chunk is used to recover a single lost chunk, however, the recovery chunk is not used to recover more than one lost chunk in the group. The number of chunks is also dynamically adjusted based on chunk loss at a receiver. This adjustment is based on the bandwidth used and reliability desired.
US07856577B2 Command language for memory testing
A memory testing system for testing a plurality of memory locations in an electronic memory device is provided. The system includes a programmable memory device integrated into the electronic memory device capable of receiving and storing a compiled memory testing program. A processor is in communication with the programmable memory device to read and execute instructions from the compiled testing program stored in the programmable memory device and a command interpreter is configured to receive data from the processor related to commands to be executed during memory testing.
US07856576B2 Method and system for managing memory transactions for memory repair
In one embodiment, a controller for an associative memory having n ways contains circuitry for sending a request to search an indexed location in each of the n ways for a tag, wherein the tag and an index that is used to denote the indexed location form a memory address. The controller also contains circuitry, responsive to the request, for sending a set of n validity values, each validity value indicating, for a respective way, whether the indexed location is a valid location or a defective location. Additionally, the controller contains circuitry for receiving a hit signal that indicates whether a match to the tag was found at any of the indexed locations, wherein no hit is ever received for a defective location.
US07856575B2 Collaborative troubleshooting computer systems using fault tree analysis
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for troubleshooting of computer systems using a fault tree analysis. In one embodiment, data parameters describing a status of a system may be monitored to determine the existence of a fault. In the event of a fault, fault tree analysis metadata may be evaluated to attempt to determine a root cause of the fault. If a root cause can be automatically determined, it may be presented to a user in a troubleshooting console, or may be used to trigger an automated corrective action. Alternatively, if a root cause cannot be automatically determined, the user may be presented with additional fault tree analysis metadata and any relevant data parameters in the troubleshooting console, so that the user may determine the root cause of the fault event.
US07856573B2 WPAR halted attack introspection stack execution detection
Responding to an event at a server that supports workload partitions. An event is detected. The event is an activity that can degrade an ability of the server to function according to an intended purpose. The event is triggered by a communication from a client to the server. Responsive to detecting the event, a connection of the client to the server is temporarily suspended. A first workload partition is created. The connection is re-established between the client and the server. Responsive to re-establishing the connection, all data is routed from the client to the first workload partition. In an illustrative example, the event is allowed to continue on the first workload partition while forensic data is collected on the event.
US07856562B2 Selective deactivation of processor cores in multiple processor core systems
A method includes applying a voltage to a first processor core of a plurality of processor cores to deactivate the first processor core, the voltage less than a retention voltage of the first processor core. The application of the voltage can be in response to a software setting. The software setting can be configured via a user input, a software application, an operating system, or a BIOS setting. Alternately, the application of the voltage can be in response to a permanent hardware setting, such as the state of a fuse associated with the first processor core.
US07856559B2 Packet communication node apparatus for authenticating extension module
A module type node apparatus for packet communication of this invention includes an extension module for executing predetermined processing and a node apparatus main body for forwarding packet data to the extension module, the extension module including a memory for storing connectivity authentication data, and a module controller for transmitting the connectivity authentication data stored in the memory to the node apparatus main body for packet communication when the connectivity authentication data is requested from the node apparatus main body for packet communication, the node apparatus main body for packet communication being characterized by further including a connectivity authentication unit for authenticating permission of connection of the extension module based on the connectivity authentication data received from the extension module, and a connection controller for receiving the packet data from the extension module when the connectivity authentication unit permits the connection.
US07856555B2 Write accessibility for electronic paper
A system and method to control the writing on electronic paper (e-paper). An e-paper device may incorporate authentication indicia as part of informational data written on e-paper material. The informational data is protected by a security methodology that is accessible to authorized entities. A reader device may be used to help make a verification determination of whether encrypted or encoded data has been altered. In some instances an output alert operably coupled to the reader device serves as a verification status indicator.
US07856554B2 Method of authenticating an object
A method of authenticating an object comprising an identifier is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) reading the identifier using a data reader to generate identity data; (ii) sending an authentication request from the data reader to a computer system, the request comprising the identity data; (iii) receiving, in the data reader, an authentication message from the computer system, the authentication message comprising an indication of authenticity, a description of an object associated with the identity data and a digital signature of the authentication message; (iv) verifying the digital signature; and (v) conveying the description of the object to a user if the signature is valid.
US07856549B2 Regulating power consumption
A system for dynamically regulating power consumption in an information technology (IT) infrastructure having a plurality of compute nodes interconnected over a network is provided. The system includes at least one virtual machine (VM) host deployed at each of the plurality of compute nodes, the at least one VM host is operable to host at least one VM guest, and the VM hosts on different ones of the plurality of compute nodes are version compatible to enable migration of the VM guests among the VM hosts. The system further includes a management module connected to the plurality of compute nodes over the network to receive a native measurement of a performance metric of a computing resource in each of the plurality of compute nodes, the management module is operable to dynamically regulate power consumption of the plurality of compute nodes by migrating the VM guests among the VM hosts based at least on the received performance metrics of the plurality of compute nodes.
US07856540B2 System and article of manufacture for removing alias addresses from an alias address pool
Provided are a system and article of manufacture for removing alias addresses from an alias address pool. A plurality of alias addresses are assigned to an alias address pool, wherein the alias addresses in the alias address pool are capable of being dynamically assigned to a device to service I/O requests to the device. An operation is initiated by a process to remove a specified alias address from the alias address pool. An indicator is set to prevent additional processes from removing one alias address from the alias address pool in response to initiating the operation. The specified alias address is removed from the alias address pool.
US07856538B2 Methods, systems and computer readable medium for detecting memory overflow conditions
Representative is a computer-implemented method of detecting a buffer overflow condition. In accordance with the method, a destination address for a computer process' desired right operation is received and a determination is made as to whether the destination address is within an illegitimate writable memory segment within the process' virtual address space (VAS). If so, the process is preferably alerted of the potential buffer overflow condition. A determination may also be made as to whether the destination address is legitimate, in which case the process may be informed of the memory segment which corresponds to the destination address.
US07856530B1 System and method for implementing a dynamic cache for a data storage system
A dynamic cache system is configured to flexibly respond to changes in operating parameters of a data storage and retrieval system. A cache controller in the system implements a caching policy describing how and what data should be cached. The policy can provide different caching behavior based on exemplary parameters such as a user ID, a specified application or a given workload. The cache controller is coupled to the data path for a data storage system and can be implemented as a filter in a filter framework. The cache memory for storing cached data can be local or remote from the cache controller. The policies implemented in the cache controller permit an application to control caching of data to permit optimization of data flow for the particular application.
US07856527B2 Raid system and data transfer method in raid system
There is provided a novel storage system in which the number of signal lines will not increase even if the number of storage devices to be connected in a RAID system increases, and a novel data transfer method to enable a high-speed data transfer even when the transfer rate of the IDE device side is low. A RAID system (10) which is a storage system in which a RAID controller (11) connected to an ATA host and a plurality of IDE devices (12A to 12D, and 22A to 22D) are connected by an IDE bus, characterized in that at least two or more IDE devices are connected to one channel of the IDE bus and said RAID controller and each of said IDE devices are connected by a common data bus and a common address bus within the same channel.
US07856526B2 Storage apparatus and power-saving control method of storage apparatus
Access to the physical disks is differentiated as access from a host computer, and access based on processing (data migration processing, copy processing) for storage management. Whether to switch the state of the physical disks from a normal power consumption mode to a power saving mode is determined according to the access from the host computer after the access based on processing for storage management is complete, and the state of the physical disks are switched from the normal power consumption mode to the power saving mode based on the determination result.
US07856520B2 Control bus for connection of electronic devices
A method and apparatus for a control bus for connection of electronic devices. An embodiment of a method includes coupling a transmitting device to a receiving device, including connecting a control bus between the transmitting device and the receiving device, with the control bus being a bi-directional, single-line bus. The method further includes obtaining control of the control bus for either the transmitting device or the receiving device, with the device obtaining control becoming an initiator and the other device becoming a follower. One or more control signals are converted to one or more data packets, with each of the one or more control signals representing one of multiple different types of control signals. The generated data packets are transmitted from the initiator to the follower via the control bus.
US07856511B2 Processing of data to suspend operations in an input/output processing system
A computer program product, an apparatus, and a method for processing communications between a target and an initiator an input/output processing system are provided. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes: sending a message between the initiator and the target, the message requesting suspension of input/output operations between the initiator and the target for a period of time, the period of time being defined by the message; and responsive to the message, suspending input/output operation messages for the period of time.
US07856509B1 Transparently providing layer two (L2) services across intermediate computer networks
A device provides layer two (L2) services between customer networks that are coupled by one or more intermediate computer networks. The device comprises a routing process that receives label information for a label switched path (LSP) through the intermediate networks. The device further comprises a L2 service that receives L2 service information from a device associated with second customer networks. In accordance with the label information, the device transports L2 communications between the first and second customer networks through the one or more intermediate networks. By utilizing label information in this manner, the device may minimize the impact of providing L2 services through the intermediate networks.
US07856502B2 Cheap paxos
A distributed computing system can be operated in a fault tolerant manner using a collection of auxiliary computing devices and more main computing devices than the number of faults the system can tolerate. A quorum of all of the main computing devices can be used. In the event of a failure, an alternative quorum from a selected set of quorums, comprising at least one main computing device and some or all of the auxiliary computing devices, can be used to complete pending operations and to select a new set of quorums. Alternatively, another state machine, comprising at least one main computing device and some or all of the auxiliary computing devices, can select a new quorum comprising the currently operating main computing devices, and the new quorum can then complete pending operations and can continue to select proposals using the proposal number assigned by the other state machine.
US07856492B2 Methods and systems for managing media content
An information processing device is capable of handling changes occurring in values of information possessed by targets. Relationships between information are expressed as relationship structures through connection in a hierarchical manner using links expressing topic nodes expressing content of information as reference information. The relationship structures are generated for each provider providing information and generate an overall relationship structure for all of the information. A weighting is assigned to links so that values can be calculated for the topic nodes using just the weightings of nodes linking to topic nodes. These values are such that in a case where user information is utilized, topic node values relating to this information are added. It is therefore possible to know the value of information with respect to a user using these topic nodes.
US07856489B2 Simplify server replacement
There is provided techniques for automating attachment of a server to a storage area network (SAN). In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided which includes storing identifiers in a memory associated with an enclosure adapted to house one or more servers. The identifiers are correlated to a particular location of the enclosure. Additionally, the method includes providing the identifiers from the memory to host bus adapters (HBAs) associated with a particular location when a server is placed in the particular location.
US07856486B2 Method and system for implementing a global lookup in a global ecosystem of interrelated services
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a global enterprise lookup (enterprise repository) is disclosed for providing a client with a mechanism for locating a needed service without knowing where that service is currently running in the enterprise. Whenever a service is launched in a container, that service registers itself with its domain registrar in order to make itself visible to the client in its own local domain but is visible only in the domain in which the service is running. A service must be registered with an enterprise level registry, the global enterprise lookup, to be visible throughout the enterprise. Clients needing a particular service that is not listed in the local registrar as running locally are directed to a global enterprise lookup (which may be implemented as a service for finding an enterprise repository) for the location of a global enterprise lookup within the enterprise. Additionally, the global enterprise lookup also manages VM container leases. When a service is launched, it acquires an enterprise lease with a local registrar. It must periodically renew the enterprise lease with the registrar to maintain its listing in the global enterprise lookup. If a service does not renew its lease within the time period of the lease, it is de-listed from the global enterprise lookup. If renewals are handled by the local domain registrars through replication and the like, the registrar may notify the global enterprise lookup of an enterprise lease renewal. Alternatively, specialized enterprise leasing services may be employed for tracking individual leases for services and notify the global enterprise lookup whenever an enterprise lease expires. Still alternatively, the enterprise employs a series of enterprise registrar services that trawl local registrars for registrations of services and registers the service with the enterprise repository.
US07856484B2 Web and lotus notes adapter layers
An adapter layer architecture that provides a consistent protocol for interactions between client and server side code. The architecture, which is particularly well suited for an enterprise application development platform (EADP), isolates what function operates at what side of the request (“client” and “server”). The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a number of specific features. These include: 1. a uniform mechanism to pass data between client and server; 2. a server side mechanism to handle client requests; 3. a client side request handler; 4. a mechanism to provide interactive conversational sessions, with each client session able to maintain multiple concurrent conversations; 5. a mechanism to purge sessions; and 6. unit of work control. In addition, the adapter layer architecture of the invention allows some adjustment in practice for various implementations to meet the adapter requirements. As new external sources (for example MQ series) are encountered, they can be mapped to the adapter architecture and incorporated into EADP functions.
US07856476B2 E-mail proxy
A system and method for providing e-mail messages to a user in a more efficient manner. Specifically, the system and method of the present invention enable attachments to be downloaded separately from the text-part of the e-mail message, which requires less bandwidth to download. Instead, these attachments are represented by links in the message which is downloaded to the e-mail client of the user, such that the user can “click on” or otherwise select a link in order to retrieve the attachment. Preferably, the attachment is downloaded to the computational device of the user in a streamed manner.
US07856460B2 Device, method, and computer program product for structuring digital-content program
A program structuring device includes a play-list collecting unit that collects a play list for a content in which a time series is defined; a first storage unit that stores cutoff points that appear in the play list and are breakpoints of a program structure of the content, in correspondence with a frequency of appearance of each of the cutoff points; a calculating unit that calculates a level of relevance between scene segments defined by the cutoff points from the frequency of appearance of each of the cutoff points; an extracting unit that extracts multi-level chapter divisions based on the level of relevance; and a second storage unit that stores the extracted multi-level chapter divisions structured into a tree form.
US07856456B2 System and method for electronically managing medical data files
A network server arrangement including a processor with a machine readable storage encoded with software for execution by the processor. The network server arrangement is responsive to requests to access a medical record of an individual and generates summary medical record data including summary information having a plurality of data elements associated with the individual, at least one of the data elements conveying medical information about the individual, and a pointers component including at least one pointer pointing to a network location containing importable medical information in connection with the individual that is not contained in the summary information component. The pointer includes a machine readable address part for processing by the client, allowing the client to import the medical information from the network location, and a label part for displaying to a user the nature of the medical information residing at the network location.
US07856454B2 Data model for business relationships
A data model that allows for relationships between entities, also referred to as parties, to be modeled as attributes of an entity and for customization of the data model in a manner that facilitates upgrading of the data model. The data model defines a party class that includes a party identifier and a list of relationships of that party with other parties. The relationships may include represented-by relationships, customer-of relationships, contact-of relationships, or employee-of relationships. The party class can be sub-classed (i.e., be a base class for a derived class) depending on the type of party that is being model.
US07856453B2 Method and apparatus for tracking functional states of a web-site and reporting results to web developers
A software tool for enabling automated tracking of activity related to the status and usage statistics of a plurality of Web sites on a data packet network is provided. The software tool comprises a network communication capability for establishing network communication between the software tool and the tracked Web sites; a plurality of data-reporting modules for obtaining and reporting data about tracked Web sites; a data input function for excepting data from the reporting modules and from external sources; a data recording function for recording and logging the data received from the reporting modules and from the external sources; and a data management function for organizing and storing the received data and rendering the data accessible for use in software development. A software engineer or developer accesses the site-tracking software and connected database through a Web browser from a network-connected workstation in order to utilize data mined from Web sites for the purpose of creating routines enabling automated navigation and site manipulation by proxy for subscribed users.
US07856452B2 Data processor
To provide a technique of writing data efficiently on a storage medium and thereby play back a content continuously. Specifically, the file allocation table (FAT) of a storage medium is supposed to be read on a partial FAT basis and data is written by a preferred method for that reading method.A data processor writes a content data stream on a storage medium, on which a data storage location is defined based on a file allocation table (FAT). The processor includes: a control section for determining the amount of data to be read continuously until a portion of the data stream, which should be played back during a data stream reading suspended period, is acquired, the suspended period including at least a time for reading a partial FAT forming a part of the FAT; an area detecting section for detecting an available area, in which that amount of data is storable, from a partial area managed by a single partial FAT; and a writing section for writing the content data stream on the available area, whereby the data stream is readable, and the content is playable, based on the partial FAT.
US07856449B1 Methods and apparatus for determining social relevance in near constant time
A computer system includes a database configured to store a plurality of social network relationships, a graphing system coupled to a database, wherein the graphing system includes a processor and random access memory, wherein the random access memory is configured to store at least a portion of the plurality of social network relationships from the database, wherein the processor is configured to determine a social map for a user in response to at least the portion of the plurality of social network relationships in the random access memory, and wherein the random access memory is configured to store the social map for the user, and a server coupled to the database and the graphing system, wherein the server is configured to receive an indication of the user, and wherein the server is configured to provide the indication of the user to the graphing system.
US07856448B2 Access control decision method and system
An access control method and system. The method includes enabling, by a computing system for a requester, access to the computing system. The computing system comprises group based access control data and computing resource data organized based on an XML schema that comprises a recursive format used to support a plurality of branch levels in a resource tree. The computing system associates first group data of the group based access control data with the requester. The computing system receives a request from the requester to access the computing resource data. The computing system determines an access control decision associated with the request to access the computing resource data. The computing system presents the access control decision to the requester.
US07856446B2 Method and apparatus for determining usefulness of a digital asset
The invention comprises a set of complementary techniques that dramatically improve enterprise search and navigation results. The core of the invention is an expertise or knowledge index, called UseRank that tracks the behavior of website visitors. The expertise-index is designed to focus on the four key discoveries of enterprise attributes: Subject Authority, Work Patterns, Content Freshness, and Group Know-how. The invention produces useful, timely, cross-application, expertise-based search and navigation results. In contrast, traditional Information Retrieval technologies such as inverted index, NLP, or taxonomy tackle the same problem with an opposite set of attributes than what the enterprise needs: Content Population, Word Patterns, Content Existence, and Statistical Trends. Overall, the invention emcompasses Baynote Search—a enhancement over existing IR searches, Baynote Guide—a set of community-driven navigations, and Baynote Insights—aggregated views of visitor interests and trends and content gaps.
US07856440B2 Method and system for separating content identifiers from content reconstitution information in virtual machine images
A method for performing software operations on virtual machine images, includes: receiving a virtual machine image that includes a mapping from a first file name to first file content; reformatting the virtual machine image by: creating a store that contains the first file content and that associates a content descriptor with the first file content, wherein the first file content can be reconstructed by using the content descriptor; and decoupling the mapping by creating an image manifest that maps the first file name to the content descriptor; and performing a software operation on the virtual machine image using the reformatted virtual machine image.
US07856439B2 Method and system for using semantic information to improve virtual machine image management
A method for performing software operations on virtual machine images, includes: receiving a first virtual machine image that includes a mapping from a first file name to first file content; reformatting the first virtual machine image by: creating a unique ID for the first file content; and decoupling the mapping of the first virtual machine image by creating an image manifest that maps the first file name to the unique ID, and creating a store that contains the first file content and that maps the unique ID to the first file content; and performing a software operation on the first virtual machine image using the reformatted first virtual machine image.
US07856416B2 Automated latent star schema discovery tool
A method, computer program product, and data processing system for computer-aided design of multidimensional data warehouse schemas are disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a software tool for identifying a latent star schema structure within an existing database. This software tool performs a heuristic analysis of the existing database schema to locate potential keys and measurement fields. Database tables within the existing schema are scored heuristically as to their suitability as fact tables based on the key candidates and measurement fields. For each fact table, other tables from the existing schema are identified as possible dimension tables. Data from the database is then used to test the suitability of the fact tables and dimension tables. The identified fact tables and their associated dimension tables are then reported to the user to reveal a basic star schema structure, which can be used as a basis for further design.
US07856411B2 Social network aware pattern detection
Enabling dynamic, computer-driven, context-based detection of social network patterns within an input graph representing a social network. A Social Network Aware Pattern Detection (SNAP) system and method utilizes a highly-scalable, computationally efficient integration of social network analysis (SNA) and graph pattern matching. Social network interaction data is provided as an input graph having nodes and edges. The graph illustrates the connections and/or interactions between people, objects, events, and activities, and matches the interactions to a context. A sample graph pattern of interest is identified and/or defined by the user of the application. With this sample graph pattern and the input graph, a computational analysis is completed to (1) determine when a match of the sample graph pattern is found, and more importantly, (2) assign a weight (or score) to the particular match, according to a pre-defined criteria or context.
US07856409B2 Nucleotide sequence screening
A system for screening nucleotide sequences, a method therefor, a program, a recording medium, and a server on which the screening of nucleotide sequences is executed. The solution comprises a step of storing target nucleotide sequence data and a probe nucleotide sequence, a step of generating complementary sequence data from a probe nucleotide sequence that may be bound to the target nucleotide sequence, and storing a maximum acceptable edit distance between the target nucleotide sequence and the probe nucleotide sequence, a step of reading out each nucleotide sequence data and the maximum edit distance from each storing unit, and evaluating the binding possibility of the target nucleotide sequence data and the complementary sequence data in descending order of edit distance, and a step of storing the result of the binding evaluation in a storage unit.
US07856404B2 Playlist burning in rights-management context
A method is provided for a computing device to copy (burn) a playlist of tracks to a portable medium, where each track corresponds to a piece of digital content. At least one of the pieces of content is rights-management (RM) protected and accordingly is burned to the portable medium only in accordance with a corresponding digital license.
US07856401B2 Self-service terminal
A self-service terminal for reading wireless tags incorporated into media items is described. The terminal comprises a media acceptor for receiving media items, such as banknotes incorporating an RFID tag, and a wireless tag reader for reading received media items incorporating wireless tags. The terminal may also include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items that are being transported to determine if multiple superimposed media items are present. The terminal may include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items presented as a bunch, and subsequently retracted, to determine if any of the presented media items had been removed.
US07856397B2 System and method for creating financial assets
A method, the method comprising decomposing each of a plurality of home mortgage loans into a plurality of sub-loan level cash flows, repackaging the plurality of sub-loan level cash flows to form a plurality of financial assets backed by the plurality of sub-loan level cash flows, making a determination of accounting rules that apply to the plurality of financial assets, and storing and tracking accounting data for the plurality of financial assets based at least in part on the accounting rules.
US07856395B2 Short-term option trading system
Option contracts are traded by valuing an option that has at least one of a) strike price or b) expiration time unknown at the time the option is valued. The previously unknown values of the option are assigned at the time or after the time the trade is completed. An implied underlying price stream is generated from the option prices through the use of feedback between market participants and the marketplace. The resulting system is useful in trading option contracts of short time duration.
US07856394B2 Computer system and a method for managing a financial transaction
The invention relates to a computer system and a method for managing a financial transaction between an issuer of a note and an investor buying the note, wherein the note is exchanged into one or more exchange traded items of the issuer's portfolio. The computer system comprises an index database for storing data relating to a specific time varying benchmark index, an item database for storing data relating to the exchange traded items to be exchanged, a calculating unit for calculating an exchange ratio between the note and at least one exchange traded item to be delivered to the investor based on at least a current level of the benchmark index and a current price of the at least one exchange traded item, and a transaction unit for delivering at least one exchange traded item in accordance with the exchange ratio to the investor upon an exchange request of either the issuer or the investor or upon maturity of the note.
US07856391B2 Stock purchase indices
A method and system for determining investor participation driven stock purchase indices. Raw customer trading data is received from an accounting system. The raw customer trading data is then aggregated to generate daily transaction total counts for all stocks (that is, total shares bought and sold, total market value, etc.) as well as daily transaction total counts for each individual stock. Aggregation of the raw customer data also addresses customer privacy concerns. The aggregated data is processed to produce moving averages, stock purchase indices, and stock rankings. The stock purchase indices are based on a diffusion index technique of segregating buyers from sellers, and with these relative counts, measures the breadth of investor purchasing participation. The stock purchase indices are then displayed to a graphical user interface. The display includes stock buy and sell ranking lists.
US07856388B1 Financial reporting and auditing agent with net knowledge for extensible business reporting language
A system and method utilizes intelligent agents for searching, analyzing, and reporting business, financial, or non-financial information available through communication networks, particularly the Internet, regardless of inconsistencies in formats and granularity of that information. This information may then be used by users for financial and non-financial information for business decisions, developing risk profiles and credit worthiness. The intelligent agent may search Internet resources for business information of companies upon a user's request. The intelligent agent parses the retrieved information consisted with series of texts and identifies tables containing various financial statements. Each extracted table may be parsed into line items and every line item may be identified by matching to the appropriate XBRL taxonomy. Finally, the intelligent agent tags the information using XBRL taxonomy and generates financial statements in XBRL. The intelligent agent may be utilized to search through the internet for financial and non-financial information for business decisions, developing risk profiles and credit worthiness.
US07856384B1 Systems and methods for providing security in international money exchanges
Disclosed are systems and methods for effecting international online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. In one embodiment, one aspect of the invention is to provide an authentication system and security monitoring system to detect and prevent fraud. User usage patterns may also be identified and a user risk profile developed. In another embodiment, transactional amount limits may be updated based on the user risk profile. In addition, the user risk profile may be updated based on credit and debt information for the user.
US07856381B2 Musical contents storage system having server computer and electronic musical devices
A musical contents system comprises a contents providing server comprising a connecting unit that connects to a communication network, and a contents storage unit that stores musical contents in a storage area corresponding to a user of an electronic musical device; and an electronic musical device comprising a connecting unit that connects to the contents providing server via the communication network, an accessing unit that accesses to the contents storage unit via the communication network, and a contents operating unit that performs an operation to the musical contents stored in the contents storage area corresponding to the user. The musical contents purchased or created by the user can be stored in a data center; therefore, convenience of using the musical contents is improved and the cost is decreased or cut off.
US07856377B2 Geographic loyalty system and method
The invention facilitates a loyalty system which is associated with pre-determined geographic locations and/or services and goods offered in a specific geographic area. The system is configured with one product platform with a modularized approach to facilitate the development of market specific rewards and communication materials. The loyalty points may be earned within a specific geographic location, then redeemed in one geographic location, a subset of locations or without restrictions. Similarly, the loyalty points may be earned in one geographic location, a subset of locations or without restrictions, then redeemed only in a specific geographic location. The geographic features of the system may be implemented using existing data that is associated with geographic areas such as, for example, zip codes, retailer identification codes, service establishment codes and/or the like. The geographic area information may be associated with the consumer, merchant, processing system and/or any other part of the overall system.
US07856376B2 Internet-based frequency and award redemption system and method
An on-line frequency award program is disclosed. A user may access the program on-line and may browse a product catalog for shopping. The user may electronically place an order, upon which the program automatically checks the user's credit and electronically issues a purchase order to the supplying company. The program also calculates award points, updates the award account of enrolled users, and communicates that number of awarded points to the user. Enrolled users may browse through an award catalog and electronically redeem an amount of awarded points towards an award. The program then electronically places an award redeeming order with the fulfillment house and updates the user's award account.
US07856373B2 Targeting content to network-enabled devices based upon stored profiles
Methods and systems are disclosed herein for managing content, including advertising content, delivered to various network-connected devices, including screens, mobile devices, computers, televisions, radios, and the like, based on usage profiles associated with device-specific identifiers for mobile devices, short-distance wireless technologies for transmission of content and detection of proximity, and content targeting and management techniques.
US07856367B2 Workers compensation management and quality control
A system and method, via an internet website, has been developed for the efficient implementation of workers' compensation cost containment practices, more particularly relating to indemnity (lost wages) and medical costs of workers' compensation claims. The site analyzes information about the user's current workers' compensation injury handling practices and provides quantified results and customized recommendations. The system provides the tools necessary to implement the recommendations suggested.
US07856364B1 Systems and methods for retaining or shifting prescription market share
Systems and methods are provided for retaining or shifting prescription market share. The systems and methods may include receiving a claim from a pharmacy computer, where the claim is associated with a drug requested by a customer, routing the claim to an adjudication engine for benefits processing, and receiving, from the adjudication engine, coverage information for the claim, where the coverage information indicates an amount payable by the customer. The systems and methods may further include determining whether a discount or payment is available to reduce the amount payable by the customer, where the discount or payment is associated with funding by a pharmaceutical manufacturer. If the discount or payment is available, the systems and methods may include transmitting at least a notice of availability of the discount or payment to the pharmacy computer, or automatically adjudicating the claim back to the pharmacy with the reduced amount payable by the customer.
US07856362B2 System and method for early identification of safety concerns of new drugs
A system and method for identifying safety concerns regarding a drug identify a first group of patients that have received the drug from a database of healthcare claims and extract one or more medical events that the first group of patients have experienced from the database. The system and method also identify a second group of patients that have received a comparator drug in the database and extract one or more medical events that the second group of patients have experienced. The medical events of the first group are compared to the medical events of the second group to determine at least one common occurrence therebetween. The common occurrence(s) is then filtered based upon one or more user defined outcomes, each including at least one diagnosis, procedure or therapeutic classification; non-medical criteria; and/or patient laboratory test data.
US07856359B2 System and method for airline purchasing program management
A method and system for air carrier contract management and optimization is disclosed. In particular, a system is described that facilitates travel contract optimization by generating contract terms and conditions desirable for optimizing client expenditure. Once the contract terms and conditions are determined, a yield management system facilitates compliance with contract terms and conditions by generating and providing selling instructions to booking systems to facilitate compliance with contract terms by travelers. Booking activity is provided back to yield management system to update contract compliance system and to revise selling instructions accordingly.
US07856356B2 Speech recognition system for mobile terminal
A speech recognition system for a mobile terminal includes an acoustic variation channel unit and a pronunciation channel unit. The acoustic variation channel unit transforms a speech signal into feature parameters and Viterbi-decodes the speech signal to produce a varied phoneme sequence by using the feature parameters and predetermined models. Further, the pronunciation variation channel unit Viterbi-decodes the varied phoneme sequence to produce a word phoneme sequence by using the varied phoneme sequence and a preset DHMM (Discrete Hidden Markov Model) based context-dependent error model.
US07856355B2 Speech quality assessment method and system
In one embodiment, distortion in a received speech signal is estimated using at least one model trained based on subjective quality assessment data. A speech quality assessment for the received speech signal is then determined based on the estimated distortion.
US07856343B2 System and method for design evaluation of mobile devices using virtual reality based prototypes
A design evaluation system of mobile devices using virtual reality based prototypes is proposed. The system includes: a storage unit for storing therein 3-dimensional computer-aided design data of a virtual mobile device; a component selection unit for performing a selection among the 3-dimensional computer-aided design data stored in the storage unit and fetching the selected data therefrom; a design parameter setting unit for setting design parameters of the virtual mobile device; a 3-dimensional model visualization unit for visualizing the virtual mobile device to a 3-dimensional model by using the design parameters and the fetched data; a product motion control unit for simulating motions and functions of the visualized virtual mobile device; and a design preference display unit for displaying user design preference for the visualized and simulated virtual mobile device.
US07856340B2 Multi-functional sensor and method of sensing
A multi-functional sensor for deriving information on a recording sheet material comprising an impact-applying unit for applying an external mechanical force onto the recording sheet material, a signal-detecting unit for detecting a signal of response of the recording sheet material to the external mechanical force, a signal-processing unit for processing the signal, and a signal-judging unit for deriving a property of the recording sheet material by comparison of a signal from the signal-detecting unit or the signal processing unit with information memorized preliminarily, wherein the signal-processing unit comprises a separation section for separating the signal from the signal-detecting unit into output signals on the properties of the recording sheet material, and a processing section for deriving, by statistical treatment, a correlation equation showing a correlation between the separated output signal and the properties of the recording sheet material.
US07856336B2 Forward-looking altitude detector
An altitude dead reckoning system using a measured forward speed and a measured forward-looking acceleration in a dead reckoning (DR) altitude calculator to calculate an altitude change. The DR altitude calculator may also use a measured yaw angle rate to provide compensation to improve the accuracy of the altitude change calculation.
US07856332B2 Real time system for monitoring the commonality, sensitivity, and repeatability of test probes
A system and a method for effectively determining the measurement sensitivity, repeatability, and probe commonality to assist a test engineer determine if the tester meets the specified resolution at every test. A statistical measurement of inherent tester specifications are provided with the added accumulation of the probe contact resistance during the probing process. It further provides a feedback to the test probe card noise level while testing is in progress. Moreover, the system and the method determine the test probing integrity in-situ when testing integrated circuit chips or wafers, dynamically detecting probing errors, and modifying data associated with defective test probes.
US07856327B2 State and topology processor
A State and Topology Processor (STP) may be communicatively coupled to one or more intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) communicatively coupled to a electrical power system to obtain one or more current measurements, voltage measurements, and dynamic topology data therefrom. The STP may receive the measurement data and may determine a current topology and a voltage topology therefrom. A current processor may use the current topology and the current measurements to refine the measurements, perform KCL, unbalance, symmetrical component, and consistency checks on the electrical power system. The voltage processor may use the voltage topology and the voltage measurements to perform similar checks on the electrical power system. One or more alarms may be generated responsive to the checks. The data may be displayed to a user in a display of a human machine interface and/or may be transmitted to a user programmable task module, and/or an external control unit.
US07856321B2 Modeling biological effects of molecules using molecular property models
Method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for modeling the biological effects of a molecule are disclosed. A machine learning application may be configured to process a set of training examples regarding a biological property of interest. Once trained, the machine learning application may be configured to generate a prediction regarding a property of interest for a test molecule. Embodiments of the invention provide a meta-model configured to generate a biological effect prediction for a molecule based on the predictions generated for the test molecule by a plurality of molecular property models.
US07856307B2 Fuel injection control device and method for multi-fuel engine
A fuel injection control device for a multi-fuel engine includes a corrector and a reviewer. An alcohol concentration learning unit is provided to learn an alcohol concentration in an injected fuel based on an oxygen concentration detected in an exhaust gas. A fuel injection amount controller is provided to control a fuel injection amount based on a learning value corresponding to the oxygen concentration. The corrector is configured to reduce the fuel injection amount corresponding to the learning value for a predetermined time period when the learning value is higher than a threshold value when an engine is started. The reviewer is configured to review the learning value to provide a revised learning value based on the oxygen concentration while the corrector reduces the fuel injection amount. The fuel injection amount is controlled based on the revised learning value after the corrector reduces the fuel injection amount.
US07856303B2 Method of determining wheel slippage and engaging a differential lock in a work vehicle
A method of determining wheel slippage in a work vehicle includes the steps of: sensing an absolute ground speed of the work vehicle; calculating a ground speed of the work vehicle using at least one drive train component; comparing the absolute ground speed with the calculated ground speed; generating a scaling factor based upon the comparison; and adjusting the calculated ground speed using the scaling factor. The method may also include the steps of scaling the absolute ground speed to a threshold value; comparing the calculated ground speed with the threshold value; and engaging a differential lock if the calculated ground speed is greater than the threshold value.
US07856295B2 Device for issuing authorization to act on the operating conditions of an aircraft engine and engine control system comprising same
A device for issuing authorization to act on the operating conditions of an aircraft engine and engine control system includes a first unit for determining particular parameters concerning the aircraft, including the position of a power lever controlling the supply of fuel to the engine, and a second unit for determining, based on the particular parameters, whether the aircraft is in a state authorizing an action on the operating conditions of the engine and for issuing, as the case may be, a corresponding authorization signal.
US07856294B2 Intelligent system and method for spacecraft autonomous operations
The intelligent system for autonomous spacecraft operations includes an on-board Autonomous Operations subsystem integrated with an on-ground Web-based Remote Intelligent Monitor System (RIMS) providing interface between on-ground users and the autonomous operations intelligent system. The on-board Autonomous Operation subsystem includes an On-Orbit Checkout Engine (OOCE) unit and an Autonomous Tasking Engine (ATE) unit. Spacecraft Command Language (SCL) engine underlies the operations of the OOCE, ATE and RIMS, and serves as an executer of commands sequences. The OOCE uses the SCL engine to execute a series of SCL command scripts to perform a rapid on-orbit checkout of subsystems/components of the spacecraft in 1-3 days. The ATE is a planning and scheduling tool which receives requests for “activities” and uses the SCL scripts to verify the validity of the “activity” prior to execution, and scheduling the “activity” for execution or re-scheduling the same depending on verification results. Automated Mission Planning System (AMPS) supports the ATE operations. The ATE uses a priority schedule if multiple “activities” are to be executed.
US07856292B2 System and method for lowering a temperature of liquid exiting a heat exchanger in a vapor compression system
A pull-down control process for a chiller system is provided. The pull-down control process can override the capacity control process for the chiller system to pull-down the leaving chilled liquid temperature faster than the capacity control process. The pull-down control process can maintain pre-rotation vanes in a fully open position to pull-down the leaving chilled liquid temperature as quickly as possible to a predetermined setpoint.
US07856291B2 Cleaning robot and method for controlling the same
A cleaning robot may be provided having a case and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly may include a sensor hole having a first opening provided at an outer surface of the case and a second opening provided inwardly of the first opening, with respect to a center of the case. Additionally, the sensor assembly may include a sensor element configured to receive a signal and the sensor element may be provided inwardly of the first opening.
US07856288B2 Imprint system and imprint method
An imprint system has a design data storing section which stores template information and remaining film thickness set value information, a vaporization-to-be-compensated storing section which stores a plurality of distributions of applied amounts for compensating vaporization, an arithmetic section which calculates a distribution of an applied amount for filling a pattern based upon the template information, calculates a distribution of an applied amount for forming a remaining film thickness based upon said remaining film thickness set value information, calculates a pattern density of the template from the template information, extracts a distribution of an applied amount for compensating vaporization, corresponding to this pattern density, from the vaporization-to-be-compensated storing section, and adds up this extracted distribution of an applied amount for compensating vaporization, the distribution of an applied amount for filling a pattern, and the distribution of an applied amount for forming a remaining film thickness, to calculate a distribution of an applied amount of the imprint member, and an application section which applies the imprint member on the substrate based upon the distribution of an applied amount of the imprint member.
US07856287B2 Large scale supply planning
A production planning technique inputs demands for products. Each of the demands having multiple due dates, and the multiple due dates having different priorities. An explosion process utilizing linear programming and heuristics is performed to identify demands for components that are used to make the products (the explosion process maintains the multiple due dates and corresponding priorities for the components) and performs an implosion process utilizing linear programming and heuristics to assign resources to the components considering the multiple due dates and corresponding priorities.
US07856286B2 Processing of shape data of a dental prosthesis
The invention relates to the processing of data regarding the three dimensional shape of a dental prosthesis, having two prosthesis sections and a connector section, wherein the connector section is connected to the two prosthesis sections and is less stable than the two prosthesis sections. The method includes the steps of (a) determining a stability parameter and a stability criterion for the connector section, (b) calculating the actual value for the stability parameter from the data, (c) checking the connector section to determine whether the actual value fulfills the stability criterion, and if not, generating a warning signal is to the user.
US07856281B2 On-line adaptive model predictive control in a process control system
A method of creating and using an adaptive DMC type or other MPC controller includes using a model switching technique to periodically determine a process model, such as a parameterized process model, for a process loop on-line during operation of the process. The method then uses the process model to generate an MPC control model and creates and downloads an MPC controller algorithm to an MPC controller based on the new control model while the MPC controller is operating on-line. This technique, which is generally applicable to single-loop MPC controllers and is particularly useful in MPC controllers with a control horizon of one or two, enables an MPC controller to be adapted during the normal operation of the process, so as to change the process model on which the MPC controller is based to thereby account for process changes. The adaptive MPC controller is not computationally expensive and can therefore be easily implemented within a distributed controller of a process control system, while providing the same or in some cases better control than a PID controller, especially in dead time dominant process loops, and in process loops that are subject to process model mismatch within the process time to steady state.
US07856279B2 Module structure and use for industrial control systems
A logical module for an industrial automation system is provided. This includes one or more resources to perform an action and a logic component to control a state of the resources. A module employs the resources and the logic component to expose functionality of the module while providing generic interfaces to external components of the module.
US07856264B2 Systems and methods for patient interactive neural stimulation and/or chemical substance delivery
Systems and methods for patient interactive neural stimulation and/or chemical substance delivery are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes affecting a target neural population of the patient by providing to the patient at least one of an electromagnetic signal and a chemical substance. The method can further include detecting at least one characteristic of the patient, with the characteristic at least correlated with the patient's performance of an adjunctive therapy task that is performed in association with affecting the target neural population. The method can still further include controlling at least one parameter in accordance with which the target neural population is affected, based at least in part on the detected characteristic.
US07856262B2 Volume specific characterization of human skin by electrical immitance
This invention relates to a sensor assembly and a method for measuring characteristics of a surface, preferably skin, comprising a first pair of current supply electrodes coupled to a current source, providing an electrical current to the skin, at least one pickup electrodes at chosen positions relative to the current supply electrodes, at least a first of said pickup electrodes being coupled to an instrument for measuring the voltage between said first pickup electrode and at least one of the pickup or current supply electrodes.
US07856258B2 Portable device
The portable device includes: a first casing; a second casing; and a hinge which joins the first and second casings, the first and second casings being capable of turning on the hinge to open and close with respect to each other, wherein when the portable device is in a closed state where the first and second casings close, a first part of the first casing and a first part of the second casing face each other, a second part of the first casing protrudes from behind the second casing, and a second part of the second casing protrudes from behind the first casing, the second parts of the first and second casings being opposite to each other across the first parts of the first and second casings.
US07856255B2 Electronic apparatus
Provided is an electronic apparatus including a casing, a first jog dial, and a pressing operation detection unit. The casing includes a first surface and a second surface. The first jog dial is exposed from the first surface and the second surface, is capable of rotating around a first axis substantially parallel to the first surface and the second surface as a center, and is capable of being pressed from a first direction substantially perpendicular to the first surface and a second direction substantially perpendicular to the second surface. The pressing operation detection unit detects a first pressing operation from the first direction and a second pressing operation from the second direction.
US07856254B2 Mobile communication terminal and method of controlling the same
A mobile communication terminal including a first rotary key configured to generate a first signal when the first rotary key is rotated, in which the first signal indicates a direction and an amount the first rotary key is rotated, a second rotary key configured to generate a second signal when the second rotary key is rotated, in which the second signal indicates a direction and an amount the first rotary key is rotated, a display unit configured to display a screen thereon, and a controller configured to control a specific operation on the displayed screen based on the first and second signals.
US07856253B2 Power supply IC having switching regulator and series regulator
An integrated circuit for supplying power includes an IC chip having a rectangular shape and having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, a switching regulator implemented on the IC chip and having a driver transistor whose ON time of switching is controlled to adjust an output voltage of the switching regulator, and a series regulator implemented on the IC chip, wherein the driver transistor of the switching regulator is positioned near the first edge, and the series regulator is positioned near the second edge.
US07856252B2 Method for seamless noise suppression on wideband to narrowband cell switching
A method for seamless noise suppression on wideband to narrowband cell switching is described. In one embodiment the method includes applying noise suppression to a telephone signal using a first noise suppressor while operating a telephone in a first operating mode, the first noise suppressor generating an estimate of a noise components of the telephone signal; switching the telephone from the first operating mode to a second operating mode; providing the estimate of the noise component as an input to a second noise suppressor different from the first noise suppressor, when the switching step is performed; and applying noise suppression to the telephone signal using the second noise suppressor by using the estimate of the noise component provided by the first noise suppressor when the switching step is performed.
US07856251B2 Device and method for using a rotating key and controlling a display in a mobile terminal
A device and method for using a rotating key on a mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a plurality of dome switches which can detect a contact signal when pressed and a plurality of contact surfaces which can detect the position of the rotating key in each direction of rotation. The device and method comprises a folder opening/closing sensor for detecting whether a folder of the mobile terminal is opened or closed; first and second display sections for displaying menus or data according to the operation of the rotating key; and a control section for controlling the mobile terminal to display a menu or data selected by the operation of the rotating key on the first display section or the second display section according to an output from the folder opening/closing sensor.
US07856245B2 Multimode wireless communication device
A multimode wireless communication device includes a first circuit having a digital baseband processing module to convert outbound data into outbound digital baseband signals and to convert inbound digital baseband signals into inbound data, an analog to digital converter module to convert inbound analog baseband signals into the inbound digital baseband signals, and a digital to analog converter module to convert the outbound digital baseband signals into outbound analog baseband signals. A second circuit includes a first radio section and a third circuit includes a second radio section. A diversity antenna arrangement includes a first antenna, a second antenna, a first diplexer coupled to the first antenna, and a second diplexer coupled to the second antenna, that selectively couples the first radio section to one of the first antenna and the second antenna, and that selectively couples the second radio section to one of the first antenna and the second antenna.
US07856243B2 Power control for a radio transceiver that uses interference cancellation
A signal power associated with a signal received in a current time period is determined. The determined signal power is combined with a predicted effective interference to form a predicted signal-to-interference indicator. The predicted signal-to-interference indicator is compared to a target signal-to-interference indicator. One or more transmit power control commands are generated based on the comparison. In one example embodiment, the predicted effective interference is based on an effective interference estimated for a previous time period. In another example embodiment, the predicted effective interference is based on interference contributions estimated in a current time period and a predicted interference cancellation efficiency. The predicted interference cancellation efficiency is based on the estimated interference cancellation efficiency for a previous time period. The technology is particularly useful in receivers that use interference cancellation and achieves excellent transmit power control performance both in terms of accuracy and speed.
US07856240B2 Distributed sound enhancement
Sound quality is enhanced in a sound system including handsets and headsets. Handset sound enhancing algorithms are implemented in a handset. The handset automatically determines which, if any, of a plurality of headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in a headset in communication with the handset. The handset determines how to use the handset sound enhancing algorithms in a sound processing channel based on which of the headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in the headset.
US07856237B1 Method for transmission of location-specific information
A method for transmission of location-specific information is described. Content transmitters are positioned at different locations and information which is specific for this location is stored in a content memory for each content transmitter. Each content transmitter transmits this location-specific information in a spatially narrowly bounded transmission area. On entering the transmission area, a mobile receiving unit receives the location-specific information, processes it further and causes it to be displayed.
US07856230B1 System and method for reconnecting dropped mobile telephone calls
The present invention provides a system and method for reconnecting a dropped mobile telephone call without input from the dropped party or the remaining party. In accordance with the present invention, the system determines that a call has been terminated abnormally, possibly due to an unsuccessful transition between cell towers. The system then initiates reconnection of the dropped party with the remaining party with no input from either party. The remaining party may optionally hear a recorded message while the call is reconnected.
US07856229B2 System for personal management information applications
The present invention relates to a system comprising a processor, a memory unit and a display screen, wherein said memory contains instructions that when executed implement a method of importing selected information into a first application, comprising the step of capturing within a displayed screen of a second application a first format of information that includes a plurality of selectable information value types, whereby at least two out of the plurality of information value types have a different value type attribute, whereby each value type attribute is correlated with a local position of the system. The invention relates further to a process for establishing a connection between a portable computer system comprising a processor, a memory unit and a display screen and a plurality of subgroups consisting of interconnected computer systems comprising the steps, wherein said memory contains instructions that when executed implement a method of importing selected information into a first application.
US07856228B2 Measurement, collection, distribution and reporting of atmospheric data
For improved reliability and relevancy of reporting of atmospheric condition data, faster access to the data, and more geographically granular collection of data, data pertaining to atmospheric conditions is measured at network towers, collected, managed, distributed and presented according to a requested service. Weather data is measured and collected at a granularity greater than previously existing systems by communicatively coupling and generally co-locating weather or atmospheric measuring instruments to existing mobile network towers, and collecting and distributing the data as part of enhanced services for end users. Accordingly, when weather data is collected from the measuring instruments placed on network towers according to the present invention, and aggregated at one or more servers, the weather data may be distributed to end users of the communications networks with greater relevancy. Any of the voice/data, control and broadcast channels of an applicable mobile communications network may be utilized.
US07856221B1 Mixer topologies having improved second order intermodulation suppression
Mixer topologies that have sufficiently high IIP2 and sufficiently low quadrature error to make zero IF receivers possible without special calibration techniques. This simplifies the receiver, avoids circuit startup delay and provides more stable performance over time and temperature. The methodology to achieve this performance in preferred embodiments consists of as many as three elements: (a) a high power local oscillator buffer circuit capable of driving low impedance loads coupled to the bases of the bipolar mixer transistors, (b) an optimized bias block for the mixer core and (c) incorporating two or more electronically programmable quad sections and selecting the best quad for use. Other types of transistors may also be used.
US07856219B2 Transformer coils for providing voltage isolation
A circuit package providing voltage isolation includes at least one output and first circuitry located in a substrate of the circuit package for performing an operation. A transformer located in the metal layers of the circuit package provides voltage isolation between the first circuitry and the at least one output.
US07856213B2 Method, system, and device for specifying selective override of do-not-disturb functionality
The present invention provides methods, systems, and devices for selective override of do-not-disturb in a wireless communications network, in which a user is provided with the option to query and modify the ignoring of do-not-disturb (DnD) for certain reasons. In some embodiments, DnD is ignored when an incoming call is an urgent call. In other embodiments DnD is ignored when an incoming call is an emergency call. In some embodiments a call processing server manages and performs selective override of do-not-disturb in an OMA compatible system. In yet other embodiments, a mobile device is adapted to send to a dispatch network a request to query or set an ignoreDnD flag, along with associated ignoreDnD reasons.
US07856209B1 Method and system for location estimation in wireless networks
A method of estimating a location of a wireless device providing a wireless attack. The method includes disposing a number of sniffers in a geographic region and receiving a number of wireless signals at one or more of the number of sniffers. The method also includes processing the number of wireless signals to identify a subset of the number of wireless signals that are associated with the wireless device and determining a number of received signal strengths associated with the subset of the number of wireless signals. The method further includes providing an estimation of the location of the wireless device utilizing the determined received signal strengths associated with the subset of the number of wireless signals.
US07856200B2 Semiconductive belt, semiconductive roll and image forming apparatus using these members
A semiconductive belt includes: at least one different resistance portion that is configured to partly differ in surface resistance from surroundings, wherein the at least one different resistance portion is at an angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to a belt end portion.
US07856197B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method including toner replenishment
An image forming apparatus including a toner bottle, accommodation unit, door unit, drive unit and developing unit. The toner bottle stores toner. The accommodation unit accommodates the toner bottle such that the toner bottle lies in the accommodation unit. The door unit covers the toner bottle. The drive unit rotates the toner bottle to supply the toner stored in the toner bottle and renders the toner bottle not to be rotated during a time the door is opened. The developing unit is set in a printable state during a time the toner bottle is detached from the accommodation unit after the door unit is opened. A corresponding method is also described.
US07856193B2 Endless member driving device and image forming apparatus
An endless member driving device, includes: an endless member that rotates by receiving a driving force; a cooling path that extends in a widthwise direction along at least one of an obverse surface and a reverse surface of the endless member; and a gas transfer unit that transfers a gas in the cooling path along the widthwise direction of the endless member, wherein the cooling path includes a downstream-side cooling path that is formed on a downstream side in a gas transferring direction of the cooling path, and the downstream-side cooling path being directed in an opposite direction to a moving direction of the obverse surface or the reverse surface of the endless member perpendicular to the widthwise direction with respect to the moving direction.
US07856172B2 Jiggle measuring system and jiggle measuring method
A camera shake measurement system includes a display unit for sequentially displaying a plurality of distinguishable test patterns, a first storage unit for storing as a template each of the plurality of test patterns to be displayed, a second storage unit for storing a composite image produced by photographing at least two test patterns as still images from the plurality of test patterns to be sequentially displayed by a photographing apparatus, and a pattern recognition unit for recognizing images that match each of the templates from the composite image by calling the templates from the first storage unit, calling the composite image from the second storage unit, and moving, for each of the called templates, the template while superposing the template on the composite image.
US07856166B2 High-density patch-panel assemblies for optical fiber telecommunications
Patch panel assemblies (150) that contain patch panel modules (50) for use in optical fiber telecommunication systems are disclosed. One of the patch panel assemblies includes a front mounting frame (210F) and at least one internal mounting frame (210I) that support a plurality of patch panel modules. The patch panel assembly also includes a hinge assembly (224) configured allow bend-insensitive fiber cables (70) to be routed therethrough. One of the patch panel assemblies includes a housing (152) with a drawer (270) that supports a plurality of patch panel modules. The patch panel modules employ bend-insensitive optical fibers (12C) to connect front and rear ports (92, 98) so that the patch panels have a reduced size as compared to conventional patch panel modules. The patch panel assemblies include a cable distribution box (300) that can store excess cable and that assists in routing bend-insensitive fiber optic cables within the patch panel assembly interior (200) in order to connect to select patch panel module jacks (90).
US07856163B2 Planar lightwave circuit, design method for wave propagation circuit, and computer program
A planar lightwave circuit is provided which can be easily fabricated by an existing planar-lightwave-circuit fabrication process, which can lower the propagation loss of signal light and which can convert inputted signal light so as to derive desired signal light. A planar lightwave circuit having a core and a clad which are formed on a substrate, has input optical waveguide(s) (111) which inputs signal light, mode coupling part (112) for coupling a fundamental mode of the inputted signal light to a higher-order mode and/or a radiation mode, or mode re-coupling part (113) for re-coupling the higher-order mode and/or the radiation mode to the fundamental mode, and output optical waveguide(s) (114) which outputs signal light. The mode coupling part or the mode re-coupling part is an optical waveguide which has core width and/or height varied continuously.
US07856155B2 Light modulator and its fabrication method
It is an object of the invention to provide a light modulator using a thin plate having a thickness of 20 μm or less and capable of stably holding a conductive film suppressing troubles such as resonance phenomenon of microwaves in a substrate and pyro-electric phenomenon and to provide a method of fabricating the light modulator. The light modulator includes: a thin plate (10) formed of a material having an electro-optic effect and having a thickness of 20 μm or less; a light waveguide (11) formed on the front or rear surface of the thin plate; and modulation electrodes (13, 14) formed on the front surface of the thin plate to modulate light passing through the light waveguide. The light modulator further includes a reinforcing plate (16) bonded to the rear surface of the thin plate and a conductive film (17) continuously formed in the range from the side surface of the thin plate to the side surface of the reinforcing plate.
US07856151B2 Method for edge-based multi rate image sharpness enhancement
The present invention relates to a method for processing digital image data (ID), wherein the process of multi rate, multi resolution and/or multi scale signal processing is involved in order to realize a respective multi rate, multi resolution and/or multi scale sharpness enhancement with respect to said image data (ID).
US07856144B2 Image retrieving apparatus, image retrieving method, program, and storage medium
An image retrieving apparatus that can suitably retrieve a similar image of image data whose density has changed. Image data is inputted from image input unit 12. Image feature amount extraction unit 14 divides normalized image data to plural regions, and extracts a feature amount in units of region. Feature amount label matrixing unit 15 generates a feature amount matrix. The feature amount matrix and image data are stored in image management DB 18 in association with each other. When query image data is designated, pattern matching unit 16 determines a similarity level between a feature amount matrix of the query image data and the feature amount matrix of the image data stored in the image management DB 18.
US07856143B2 Unauthorized copy preventing device and method thereof, and program
The pattern (pattern characteristic quantity) extracted from the pattern image carried by original printing paper is stored on the original printing paper and the validity of the original printing paper is verified according to the pattern stored on code-added printing paper at the time of copying the printed contents of the code-added printing paper so as to determine if the code-added printing paper is truly original or not by means of the pattern carried by the printing paper itself. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying with ease without using any special paper and hence appropriately protect the printed contents.
US07856130B2 Object recognition system for medical imaging
An improved system and method (i.e. utility) for segmentation of medical images is provided. The utility fits an estimated boundary on a structure of interest in an automated selection and fitting process. The estimated boundary may be a model boundary that is generated actual boundaries of like structures. In one arrangement, the boundaries may be selected based on the age and/or ethnicity of a patient. In further arrangements, narrow band processing is performed to estimate the actual boundary of the structure of interest.
US07856128B2 Method of compensating for distortion caused by fingerprint input sensors of heterogeneous fingerprint recognition systems
A method of correcting distortion caused by fingerprint input sensors of heterogeneous fingerprint recognition systems. The method includes a first step of fabricating a measurement pattern for measuring resolutions of a fingerprint input sensor, a second step of measuring image resolutions of an image, acquired by the fingerprint input sensor, using the fabricated measurement pattern for predetermined locations and directions, a third step of designing control lines for compensating for the distortion caused by the fingerprint input sensor, based on the measured resolutions, a fourth step of obtaining average horizontal and vertical resolutions of the acquired image, a fifth step of modeling the control lines based on a ratio of the average horizontal resolution to the vertical average resolution, and a sixth step of compensating for the distortion of the acquired image based on results of the modeling.
US07856118B2 Methods for recommending a personal care product and tools therefor
A method of product recommendation includes receiving an image taken of a tool, disposed against a target substrate and including a frame with an aperture in which the substrate is visible and a color correction scale disposed proximate to the aperture, the scale having at least a first color correction region and a second color correction region, the color of the first region being different than the color of the second region. The method also includes locating a color correction scale region of the image corresponding to the scale and a target substrate region of the image corresponding to the substrate visible in the aperture, analyzing the scale region to determine a color correction, correcting the image according to the color correction, extracting a set of substrate region values from the substrate region of the image, and generating a product recommendation according to the set of substrate region values.
US07856109B2 Audio signal switching apparatus
An audio signal switching apparatus at least comprises an audio jack, a speaker jack, a detection circuit and a control circuit. The audio jack and the speaker jack are separately configured in a computer system. The detection circuit detects whether the computer system is turned on or turned off. The control circuit is connected to the detection circuit and electrically connects the audio jack to the speaker jack when the computer system is turned off.
US07856105B2 Apparatus and method for processing of amplifier linearization signals
A feed-forward amplifier includes a main amplifier having input signals and amplified output signals and an error amplifier for amplifying distortion signals to be added to the amplified output signals of the main amplifier to produce an amplifier output. A pilot tone modulation and recovery circuit modulates a pilot tone to be coupled to the input signals of the main amplifier and recovers the pilot tone from the amplifier output. The pilot tone modulation and recovery circuit includes a digital filter and a signal source. The signal source is used to both modulate the pilot tone and control the digital filter for recovering the pilot tone.
US07856099B2 Secure data transmission between two modules
The invention relates to a method for secure data transmission in connections between two functional modules of an electronic unit. A first module of a message of k bits in a word code of n bits is injection coded with a constant Hamming weight of w. The word of code is transmitted to a second module. An error signal is generated when the Hamming weight of the word of code of n bits, received by the second module, is different from w. In the absence of error, the code word is decoded, where k, w and n are whole numbers. The invention further relates to a corresponding electronic circuit.
US07856090B1 Automatic spim detection
A spim detection manager automatically detects and blocks spim. The spim detection manager detects a first incoming instant message from an unrecognized source, and sends a response to that source. The spim detection manager receives a second incoming instant message from the unrecognized source in reply to the sent response. The spim detection manager examines the second incoming instant message, and determines whether the incoming instant messages comprise spim based on its content. In some embodiments, the spim detection manager concludes that at least one of the incoming instant messages was generated by an automated process, and that therefore the incoming messages comprise spim. Where the spim detection manager determines that an incoming instant message comprises spim, it blocks that incoming message. Where the spim detection manager determines that an incoming instant message is legitimate, it forwards that message to the target user.
US07856087B2 Circuit method and system for transmitting information
Disclosed is an echo suppresser or cancellation circuit including a speech signal extrapolation unit. The speech extrapolation unit may provide extrapolated signal segment approximations to an echo segment replacement unit. The echo segment replacement unit may replace a segment of a first speech signal suspected of being corrupted with an echo component of a second signal using the extrapolated signal segment approximated to represent the corrupted signal segment.
US07856083B2 System and method to account for cross-talk among coherent scatter detectors
A method to account for cross-talk among a plurality of coherent scatter detectors of a multi-detector inverse fan beam x-ray diffraction imaging (MD-IFB XDI) system. The MD-IFB XDI system includes a multi-focus x-ray source (MFXS) that emits radiation sequentially from a plurality of focus points denoted by F1, F2, . . . Fn with a running index i. The method includes measuring a diffraction profile Xk for each coherent scatter detector Dk of the plurality of coherent scatter detectors. The diffraction profile includes a spectrum of a number of photons measured in a plurality of corresponding coherent scatter detectors. Each coherent scatter detector Dk is corrected to remove scatter from a plurality of primary beams directed to remaining coherent scatter detectors of the plurality of coherent scatter detectors.
US07856078B2 Method and X-ray CT system for generating computed tomography displays
A method is disclosed for generating computed tomography displays, in which with the aid of at least one X-ray source, an examination object is scanned in a rotationally circulating fashion with a measured dose rate dependent on the circulation angle, projection data are collected from a multiplicity of viewing angles, and at least similarly redundant projection data from angularly identical or angularly complementary projection angles with a different measured dose are interpolated with distance weighted relative to a projection value and are used for reconstruction. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, during the distance weighted interpolation of the at least similarly redundant projection data an additional noise optimizing weighting is carried out as a function of the noise present per projection value. Furthermore, an X-ray computed tomography system is disclosed for generating tomographic displays of an examination object with the aid of an arithmetic logic unit, including computer program code for evaluating detector data and carrying out a reconstruction, the arithmetic logic unit including program code that during operation executes at least one embodiment of the method.
US07856073B2 Digital gain adjustment in a wireless receiver
A radio receiver includes a communication interface, a mixing module, an analog to digital converter, a digital gain block, and a gain setting block. The communication interface receives a continuous time radio signal. The mixing module down converts the continuous time radio signal to a continuous time analog signal. The analog to digital converter converts the continuous time analog signal to a sequence of input digital samples. The digital gain block receives the sequence of input digital samples and gain adjusts the sequence of input digital samples based upon a gain setting to produce a sequence of output digital samples. The gain setting block produces the gain setting at any time as one of a first fixed gain setting, a second fixed gain setting, and a filtered time varying gain when transitioning between the first fixed gain setting and the second fixed gain setting.
US07856069B2 Distortion compensation apparatus
A distortion compensation apparatus includes an amplifier for amplifying an input signal, a calculation unit for obtaining a distortion compensation coefficient of the amplifier corresponding to an amplitude level of the input signal, based on the input signal input to the amplifier and an output signal output from the amplifier, a memory for storing the distortion compensation coefficient, obtained by the calculation unit, into a write address being made to correspond to the input signal amplitude level, a distortion compensation processing unit for reading out the distortion compensation coefficient from the readout address of the memory, and for performing distortion compensation processing of the input signal using the distortion compensation coefficient, and an address generator for generating the write address and the readout address, based on the input signal amplitude level.
US07856066B2 OFDM receiver and doppler frequency estimating circuit
A radiofrequency signal is converted to an intermediate frequency signal by a tuner, which is amplified by a variable gain amplifier. The so-amplified signal is converted into a digital signal by an ADC, which is supplied to an FFT, where it is separated into signals set every carrier, followed by being supplied to equalizers different in characteristic. The digital signal outputted from the ADC is further supplied to a level converting circuit from which a control signal is generated. The control signal is supplied to a DAC and a Doppler frequency detector. The DAC generates a gain control signal and supplies the same to the variable gain amplifier. The Doppler frequency detector outputs a frequency component of the control signal as a Doppler detection signal. The Doppler detection signal is compared with a threshold value by a comparator. A selector selects one of signals outputted from the equalizers, in accordance with a select signal indicative of the result of comparison.
US07856064B2 OFDM communication apparatus and OFDM communication method
An OFDM communication apparatus that can set an optimum repetition number to data to be transmitted, thereby improving the error rate characteristic and hence the communication quality. In this apparatus, a repetition number deciding part (153) decides, based on quality information outputted from a quality information extracting part (152), a required repetition number. A systematic bit repetition number deciding part (154) decides, based on the repetition number notified of by the repetition number deciding part (153), an optimum repetition number for the systematic bit. A parity bit repetition number deciding part (155) operates similarly. Repetition parts (103-1, 103-2) repeat the bits in accordance with instructions from the systematic bit repetition number deciding part (154) and from the parity bit repetition number deciding part (155).
US07856059B2 Determining the number of unidirectional and bidirectional motion compensated frames to be encoded for a video sequence and detecting scene cuts in the video sequence
Methods for processing a set of successive video frames in two passes to determine the number of bidirectional (B) and unidirectional (P) motion compensated frames to be encoded in a video coding system. During the first pass, motion vectors and motion costs are computed for each frame and a derived cost value is computed based on the motion cost of at least one frame. The derived cost value is used to determine the number (NB) of B-frames to be encoded in the set of successive frames. In the second pass, the set of successive frames are encoded where NB frames are encoded as B-frames and some or all motion vectors computed in the first pass are re-used in the second pass. A scene cut detection method is also provided where an impulse-like increase in a ratio of motion costs is monitored.
US07856057B2 Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus for motion compensation prediction
A video decoding apparatus includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included.
US07856056B2 Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus for motion compensation prediction
A video encoding method includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations each including a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture, generating a prediction picture signal in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination, generating a predictive error signal representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal, and encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination.
US07856054B1 Scene change identification during encoding of compressed video
A video encoder identifies scene changes during the encoding of video sequences based on the distribution of macroblock types within each image. Once an image is identified as a scene change, control information is sent to a quantizer to adjust the quantization of the image to improve image quality. The image quantization is improved without changing the frame or picture type of the image within its group of pictures. To improve the image quality, the quantizer can directly or indirectly change the quantization parameter used to quantize the DCT coefficients for the image.
US07856053B2 Image coding control method and device
Image coding having high coding efficiency is provided with a small computational complexity by properly determining a prediction mode and a quantization parameter. When an image is coded by a prediction mode selected from plural prediction modes every any coding unit, an undetermined multiplier λ is first calculated from a quantization parameter (function S301). Subsequently, the cost of each of R-D points (pairs of number of coded bits and coding distortion that correspond to plural combinations of prediction modes and quantization parameters) is calculated (function S305) on the basis of the undetermined multiplier λ while generation and estimation of the R-D points and deletion of the points (functions S302-S304) are repeated every coding unit, for example, every macroblock, and the optimal combination of the prediction mode and the quantization parameter is determined on the basis of the R-D point providing the minimum cost.
US07856052B2 Method and system for low complexity conjugate gradient based equalization in a wireless system
Methods and systems for processing signals in a receiver are disclosed herein and may include updating a plurality of filter taps utilizing at least one channel response vector and at least one correlation vector, for a plurality of received clusters, based on initialized values related to the at least one channel response vector and the at least one correlation vector. At least a portion of the received signal clusters may be filtered utilizing at least a portion of the updated plurality of filter taps. The update may be repeated whenever a specified signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the received signal clusters is reached. The initialized values may be updated during a plurality of iterations, and the update may be repeated whenever a specified number of the plurality of iterations is reached.
US07856044B2 Extendable electrode for gas discharge laser
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for extending one or both of the discharge electrodes in a transverse discharge gas laser chamber in which one or both the electrodes are subject to a dimensional change due to erosion. Electrode extension can be performed to increase the chamber life, increase laser performance over the life of the chamber, or both. Operationally, the inter-electrode spacing may be adjusted to maintain a specific target gap distance between the electrodes or to optimize a specific parameter of the laser output beam such as bandwidth, pulse-to-pulse energy stability, beam size, etc.
US07856043B2 Vertical external cavity surface emitting laser with pump beam reflector
A vertical external cavity surface emitting laser (VECSEL) using end pumping in which a pumping beam is recycled using a pumping beam reflection layer to increase pumping beam absorption is provided. The VECSEL includes: an active layer for generating and emitting signal light; an external mirror that is separated from and faces a top surface of the active layer and transmits a first portion of the signal light and reflects a second portion of the signal light to the active layer; a first reflection layer contacting a lower surface of the active layer and reflecting the signal light to the external mirror; a pump laser for emitting the pumping beam toward the lower surface of the active layer to excite the active layer; and a second reflection layer contacting the top surface of the active layer and reflecting a portion of the pumping beam back to the active layer.
US07856036B2 Point to multipoint crosslink
A communication network comprises a first central digital subscriber line (DSL) unit having at least one application port and a plurality of DSL ports; a first remote DSL unit having at least one application port and at least one DSL port, wherein the first remote DSL unit is communicatively coupled to the central DSL unit via a first single independent DSL pair having a first EOC channel; and a second remote DSL unit having at least one application port and at least one DSL port, wherein the second remote DSL unit is communicatively coupled to the central DSL unit via a second single independent DSL pair having a second EOC channel; wherein the at least one application port in the central DSL unit is communicatively coupled to an application port in at least one of the first remote DSL unit and the second remote DSL unit.
US07856035B2 Method and apparatus for wireless transmission of data
There are provided methods for selecting a communication protocol for formatting data and for wirelessly transmitting data, preferably medical data, e.g., electrocardiogram data, methods for reducing data and/or selecting from data, methods for adding data, methods for generating trend data, methods for rendering data, methods for inputting and/or transmitting addressee data and for transmitting data to the addressee(s) and/or notifying the addressee(s), and methods for wirelessly transmitting data to a server and transmitting data from the server, as well as systems for carrying out such methods.
US07856034B2 Method and system for generating digital video broadcast (DVB) transport stream from direct satellite system (DSS) transport stream
A system and method for packet processing are disclosed. The method may include performing using at least one processor, generating a DVB transport stream packet from a DSS transport stream packet. The generation may include mapping a prefix portion of a DSS transport stream packet into a header portion of the DVB transport stream packet comprising an inserted adaptation field. The inserted adaptation field may increase a size of the header portion of the DVB transport stream packet, and may decrease a size of a payload portion of the of the DVB transport stream. The generation may also include mapping a payload portion of the DSS transport stream packet into the payload portion of the DVB transport stream packet comprising the decreased size. The adaptation field may be at least fifty six (56) bytes in size.
US07856022B1 Non-disruptive data migration with external virtualization engine
Transferring I/O from a first storage device coupled to a storage area network to a second storage device coupled to the storage area network includes blocking I/O operations for a first port of the first storage device coupled to the storage area network, where the first port is associated with a first identifier. Transferring I/O also includes coupling the second storage device to the storage area network via a port associated with a second identifier different from the first identifier, coupling a virtualization engine to the storage area network via a first port provided with the first identifier and via a second port, and causing at least a portion of I/O operations received by the virtualization engine through the first port thereof to be routed through the second port thereof to the second storage device without host/application disruption.
US07856019B2 Convergence of multicast traffic
A multicast data packet sent from a source node is received by a transit node. The multicast data packet includes a source address and a multicast group address. A hardware cache miss is detected at the transit node for the multicast data packet. The multicast data packet is hardware-flooded onto ports of the network. The flooding consists of forwarding a copy of the multicast data packet to neighbor nodes of the transit node based on virtual local area network (VLAN) membership. A cache-miss copy of the multicast data packet is sent to an out-of-line processing unit where it is processed in software. The processing includes establishing, via a hardware abstraction layer, a hardware cache entry for the multicast data packet. The cache-miss copy is not forwarded onto the network.
US07856010B2 Circulating switch
A circulating switch comprises switch modules of moderate capacities interconnected by a passive rotator. Data is sent from a one switch module to another switch module either directly, traversing the rotator once, or indirectly through at least one intermediate switch module where the rotator is traversed twice. A higher capacity extended circulating switch is constructed from higher-capacity switch modules, implemented as common memory switches and having multiple ports, interconnected through a multiplicity of rotators preferably arranged in complementary groups of rotators of opposite rotation directions. A polyphase circulating switch having a low switching delay is derived from a multi-rotator circulating switch by providing programmable rotators having adjustable relative rotator-cycle phases. A low delay high-capacity switch may also be constructed from prior-art medium-capacity rotator space switches with mutually phase-shifted rotation cycles.
US07856006B2 Mobile communication apparatus, mobile communication system, and power consumption reducing method for use therewith
A mobile communication apparatus including a transmission portion which transmits data after varying an amount of data to be transmitted under control of scheduling from at least a base station, including a schedule portion that stops an operation of an unnecessary circuit by controlling an operation rate of the transmission portion.
US07855998B2 Gb parameter based radio priority
A system and method for transmitting data packets to a wireless client is presented herein. The data packets are received by a wireless content switch in the wireless network. The wireless content switch assigns the priority of transmission for the data packet based on both the purchased level of service by the subscriber receiving the data packet, as well as the application the data packet is transmitted.
US07855992B2 Multi-antenna solution for mobile handset
A mobile terminal with multi-antenna (200) based on CDMA, comprises a plurality of groups of radio frequency signal processing modules (202), for transforming received multi-channel radio frequency signals based on CDMA to multi-channel baseband signals; a multi-antenna module (206), for combining said multi-channel baseband signals output from the plurality of groups of radio frequency signal processing modules into single-channel baseband signals according to control information received one-off when said multi-antenna module enables a multi-antenna baseband processing; and a baseband processing module (203), for providing said control information to said multi-antenna module and baseband processing said single-channel baseband signals outputted from said multi-antenna module.
US07855983B2 Time division duplex front end module
An RF module adapted for direct surface mounting to the top surface of the front end of the motherboard of a wireless base station such as, for example, a femtocell. The module comprises a printed circuit board having a plurality of direct surface mounted electrical components defining respective signal transmit and receive sections for RF signals. The signal transmit section is defined by at least a power amplifier, a coupler, and a lowpass filter. The signal receive section is defined by at least a receive bandpass filter and a low-noise amplifier. A lid covers selected ones of the electrical components except for at least the power amplifier. An RF switch is located between and interconnects the respective transmit and receive sections to an antenna pin.
US07855981B2 Network system, spanning tree configuration method, spanning tree configuration node, and spanning tree configuration program
A node that configures a spanning tree over a network to which a plurality of nodes are connected generates a tree after a cost change using another LAN while continuing to operate the tree that existed before the change, and switches the tree that is used for forwarding after the new tree has been stable.
US07855974B2 Method and apparatus for network packet capture distributed storage system
This is invention comprises a method an apparatus for Infinite Network Packet Capture System (INPCS). The INPCS is a high performance data capture recorder capable of capturing and archiving all network traffic present on a single network or multiple networks. This device can be attached to Ethernet networks via copper or SX fiber via either a SPAN port (101) router configuration or via an optical splitter (102). By this method, multiple sources or network traffic including gigabit Ethernet switches (102) may provide parallelized data feeds to the capture appliance (104), effectively increasing collective data capture capacity. Multiple captured streams are merged into a consolidated time indexed capture stream to support asymmetrically routed network traffic as well as other merged streams for external consumption.
US07855972B2 Creating, modifying and storing service abstractions and role abstractions representing one or more packet rules
The present invention provides a method and system for controlling usage of network resources on a communications network. The method comprising acts of: (a) creating one or more packet rules for analyzing packets received at one or more devices of the communications network, each rule including a condition and action to be taken if a packet received at a device satisfies the condition; and (b) creating one or more service abstractions associated with a user of the communication network, each service abstraction representing a named set of one or more of the packet rules. In some embodiments one or more role abstractions may be created, each role abstraction representing a role of a user with respect to the communications network, and each role abstraction including a set of one or more packet rules, and possibly one or more service abstractions.
US07855970B2 Method for retransmission in mobile communication system
Provided is a method for retransmission in a mobile communication system; and, more particularly, to an integrated operation method of Automatic Retransmission Request (ARQ) and Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request (HARQ) in a mobile communication system. The method includes the steps of: a) shifting to a 2nd layer waiting status upon receipt of 1st layer reception failure information in a sending status that a fragment block of 2nd layer transmission data is transmitted to the a receiver according to the predetermined retransmission number; b) shifting to a 1st layer receiving status upon receipt of 1st layer reception success information in the sending status; and c) shifting to the transmission completion status upon receipt of the 2nd layer reception success information in the sending status.
US07855947B2 Method for transmitting pilot for multiple carrier system
A method of transmitting pilot signals in a system which performs communication using two or more earners comprises transmitting first pilots and second pilots from at least one user equipment to a base station, the first and second pilots, which are transmitted from the at least one user equipment, being multiplexed by code division multiplexing, and the first and second pilots, which are transmitted from a specific user equipment, having different transmission powers, and transmitting data from the at least one user equipment to the base station depending on the first pilots and the second pilots. Since many UEs can transmit CQ pilots, exact channel estimation can be performed and thus communication efficiency can be improved.
US07855933B2 Clock synchronization circuit and operation method thereof
A semiconductor memory device with a clock synchronization circuit capable of performing a desired phase/frequency locking operation, without the jitter peaking phenomenon and the pattern jitter of an oscillation control voltage signal using injection locking. The device includes a phase-locked loop that detects a phase/frequency difference between a feedback clock signal and a reference clock signal to generate an oscillation control voltage signal corresponding to the detected phase/frequency difference, and generates the feedback clock signal corresponding to the oscillation control voltage signal. An injection locking oscillation unit sets up a free running frequency in response to the oscillation control voltage signal and generates an internal clock signal which is synchronized with the reference clock signal.
US07855930B2 Power-on management circuit for memory
A power-on management circuit for a memory device is provided. The power-on management circuit comprises a first external power-on voltage detector, a second external power-on voltage detector, a delay unit, a logic circuit, an internal power-on voltage detector, a voltage control circuit, a plurality of first electric pumps and a second electric pump. The first external power-on voltage detector has a first voltage threshold, receives a first external voltage, and generates a first control signal when the first external voltage is higher than the first voltage threshold. The second external power-on voltage detector has a second voltage threshold, receives a second external voltage, and generates a second control signal when the second external voltage is higher than the second voltage threshold.
US07855923B2 Write current compensation using word line boosting circuitry
Apparatus and method for write current compensation in a non-volatile memory cell, such as but not limited to spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) or resistive random access memory (RRAM). In accordance with some embodiments, a non-volatile memory cell has a resistive sense element (RSE) coupled to a switching device, the RSE having a hard programming direction and an easy programming direction opposite the hard programming direction. A voltage boosting circuit includes a capacitor which adds charge to a nominal non-zero voltage supplied by a voltage source to a node to generate a temporarily boosted voltage. The boosted voltage is applied to the switching device when the RSE is programmed in the hard programming direction.
US07855922B2 Memory device bit line sensing system and method that compensates for bit line resistance variations
Systems, devices and methods are disclosed, such as a system and method of sensing the voltage on bit lines that, when respective memory cells coupled to the bit lines are being read that compensates for variations in the lengths of the bit lines between the memory cells being read and respective bit line sensing circuits. The system and method may determine the length of the bit lines between the memory cells and the sensing circuits based on a memory address, such as a block address. The system and method then uses the determined length to adjust either a precharge voltage applied to the bit lines or the duration during which the bit lines are discharged by respective memory cells before respective voltages on the bit lines are latched.
US07855917B2 Semiconductor memory device and driving method thereof
The disclosure concerns a memory including a floating body provided in a semiconductor layer between a source and a drain and storing data; a first gate dielectric provided on a first surface of the body; a first gate electrode provided on the first surface via the first gate dielectric; a second gate dielectric provided on a second surface of the body different from the first surface; a second gate electrode provided on the second surface via the second gate dielectric; a driver driving the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode; and a sense amplifier writing into the memory cells first data showing a sate of a small charge amount in a state that a voltage of the second gate electrode at a data writing time is brought closer to a potential of the source layer than a voltage of the second gate electrode at a data holding time.
US07855915B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device capable of high-speed writing
A memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells in each of which a plurality of bits are stored. A sense amplifier detects data read from a memory cell selected from the memory cell array. At the time of a write verify operation for verifying write data, when a threshold voltage of the memory cell exceeds a predetermined checkpoint, the data control unit converts write data to be written to the memory cell into data of the number of times indicating the remaining number of write voltage application times, inverts only one bit of the data of the number of times each time a write voltage application operation is performed, and changes a definition of the data of the number of times to thereby perform a subtraction operation.
US07855914B2 Semiconductor memory device capable of suppressing peak current
A memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells, in which n (n is a natural number equal to 3 or larger) cells are simultaneously written. A control circuit controls the memory cell array. A conversion circuit converts data constituted of k (k is equal to n or smaller, and is a natural number equal to 3 or larger) bits stored in the memory cells into data of h (h is equal to k or larger, and is a natural number equal to 2 or larger) bits on the basis of a conversion rule.
US07855906B2 DC bus voltage control for two stage solar converter
Systems, methods, and apparatus for supplying AC power to an AC power grid from a DC power source, such as a photovoltaic (PV) array are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a converter coupled to the DC power source that provides DC power to a DC bus at a DC bus voltage. The systems and methods can further include an inverter coupled to the DC bus for converting the DC power of the DC bus to an output AC power. The systems and methods can further include a control system configured to regulate the DC bus voltage of the DC bus to operate at a variable DC bus voltage setpoint. The control system can adjust the DC bus voltage setpoint based at least in part on the DC bus voltage and the output AC current of the inverter.
US07855900B2 Method and arrangement in connection with half-controlled network bridge
A method and an arrangement are provided for controlling phase-specific thyristors of a half-controlled network bridge. The method includes identifying continuously a thyristor to be controlled on the basis of magnitudes of supplying phase voltages, controlling the thyristor by enabling a current flow to its gate current circuit through an inductive component of a constant current regulator, which is common to all the gate current circuits. The thyristor control includes determining a magnitude of the gate current at the potential of the gate conductor in the constant current regulator, alternately switching off the voltage producing the gate current from the gate current circuit when the gate current is higher than a first predetermined limit, and switching on the voltage producing the gate current in the gate current circuit when the gate current is lower than a second predetermined limit.
US07855897B2 Electronic device
An electronic device including a first portion, a second portion, and a circuit board is provided. The first portion has a first surface including a first conductive region. The second portion has a second surface including a second conductive region and a second nonconductive region. The second conductive region and the second nonconductive region are respectively in contact with a part of the first conductive region. The circuit board has a plurality of electronic components thereon, and the circuit board is disposed at one side of the first portion and the second portion.
US07855896B2 RF circuit modules and integrated chassis with power interface for RF circuit modules
An RF management system especially suitable for use in CATV head end environments is disclosed. The system is characterized by a basic rack-mountable chassis component that can be configured for both front and rear mount applications, for different cable management solutions and for accepting eighteen passive RF modules or nine active RF modules or a combination of passive and active RF circuit modules. The active configuration of the chassis has an integrated power bus with at least nine connectors for receiving up to nine active RF circuit modules. The active RF circuit modules, such as power supplies and amplifiers are each provided with a “floating” connector for ease in connecting the power supply module or amplifier module to the power bus. The RF power supply module is capable of supplying power to all the active RF modules in the chassis as well as to active RF modules mounted in one or more other chassis in the rack.
US07855894B2 Printed circuit board
Chip capacitors 20 are provided in a printed circuit board 10. In this manner, the distance between an IC chip 90 and each chip capacitor 20 is shortened, and the loop inductance is reduced. In addition, the chip capacitors 20 are accommodated in a core substrate 30 having a large thickness. Therefore, the thickness of the printed circuit board does not become large.
US07855888B2 Cooling manifold assembly
A cooling apparatus comprising a cooling manifold assembly is disclosed. The cooling manifold assembly comprises a manifold inlet end cap, a manifold outlet end cap and at least one cooling manifold. Cooling fluid flows into the manifold inlet end cap, through the cooling manifold, and the exits from the manifold outlet end cap. The cooling manifold is configured to rotate from a closed position into an open position without breaking a fluid seal between the manifold inlet end cap, the cooling manifold, and the manifold outlet end cap.
US07855876B2 Portable computer
A portable computer includes a main body including a bottom sheet and a panel which cooperatively form a receiving cavity, a display, a pivot shaft connecting the main body to the display, a keyboard, a pushing member including a pushing body, two connecting rods, and two restricting members. The panel includes a first surface facing the bottom sheet. The keyboard includes a first side, a second side, a flexible blocking member, and at least one auto-flick pivot on the second side. The restricting members are received in the receiving cavity corresponding to the connecting rods. Each restricting member includes a liftable restricting portion positioned on the bottom sheet. The auto-flick pivot connects the keyboard to the main body. Each connecting rod movably connects the keyboard to the main body. The pushing body is movably connected to the first surface and moves from a first position to a second position.
US07855872B2 Toolless mounting system and method for an adjustable scalable rack power system
Systems and method for installing computer equipment and power distribution equipment in facilities is provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides a power distribution rack, and uninterruptible power supply rack and a plurality of equipment racks. A plurality of power cables are run from the power distribution rack to each of the plurality of equipment racks using power cable tracks located on the roofs of the equipment racks. A plurality of data cables run between the plurality of equipment racks using data cable tracks located on the roofs of the equipment racks. The power cable tracks and data cable tracks are designed to be installed on the roofs of the equipment racks without the need for tools.
US07855871B2 Generator ready load center
The present invention relates generally to a load center. More particularly, the invention encompasses a generator ready load center (GRLC). The present invention is also directed to a novel generator ready load center (GRLC) that operates as a standard load center but is ready to accommodate an automatic transfer switch (ATS) for a standby generator, or a manual transfer switch (MTS) for a portable generator. Further the generator ready load center provides an automatic and manual transfer between primary and secondary power sources. The generator ready load center solves the problem of dangerous back-feeding between the primary power source and the secondary power source.
US07855868B2 Aerosol charge neutralizing device
An aerosol charge neutralizing device simple in structure and easy to maintain, comprising an aerosol passing container that has a conductive material-made tube body constituting an aerosol passing path permitting aerosol to flow therethrough and has an opening pair consisting of openings in pair disposed oppositely across the center line of the tube body and penetrating through the wall surface of the tube body, and insulation tube that has an insulation material-made tube, has a window pair consisting of windows in pair disposed oppositely across the center line of the tube and penetrating through the wall surface of the tube, and is fitted concentrically over the outer surface of the aerosol passing container with the windows coinciding with the openings, a bipolar ionizing element that has a discharge electrode on a dielectric film and is attached to the insulation tube with the windows closed and the discharge electrode exposed to the aerosol passing path, and an outer tube that includes air-tightly the insulation tube and the bipolar ionizing element between it and the aerosol passing container.
US07855862B1 Electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit and method that includes P-channel device in signal path
One example of an ESD protection circuit (100) can include a p-channel field effect transistor (PFET) (110) having a source-drain path connected between a pad (102) and a protected circuit (106). In an ESD event, PFET (110) can provide an ESD discharge path between pad (102) and a high power supply node (114) or low power supply node (112).
US07855856B2 Disk device employing a CSS system head supporting unit
A disk drive includes a magnetic recording medium rotatably supported, a spindle motor for spinning the recording medium, a slider having a head, a supporting arm having the slider at a first end facing the recording medium, a bearing for holding the supporting arm rotatably along a recording surface of the medium and pivotably in a vertical direction with respect to the recording surface, a leaf spring giving thrusting force to a first end of the supporting arm toward the medium, and a driver for rotating the supporting arm along the recording surface. When the driver rotates the supporting arm along the recording surface and parks the head in a given evacuation area on the recording surface, a second end of the supporting arm is depressed.
US07855855B2 Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus including a recording head having an actuator and operable to perform recording on a recording medium by an operation of the actuator, a head holder holding the recording head, a circuit board having a heat-conductive substrate and provided on the head holder, a drive circuit operable to drive the actuator, a flexible wiring member on which the drive circuit is mounted and which connects the circuit board and the actuator such that a signal outputted from the circuit board is transmitted to the actuator via the drive circuit, and a radiator plate provided on the head holder, held in heat conductive contact with the drive circuit, and also held in heat conductive contact with the circuit board.
US07855851B2 Storage device
A magnetic disk device includes a head that reads position information, a position-information correction value for correcting the position information, and an error correcting code for the position-information correction value from a storage medium; a microcontroller unit (MCU) and an error check and correct (ECC) circuit for correcting an error in the position-information correction value based on the error correcting code; and a static var compensator (SVC) that performs position control based on either one of the position-information correction value read by the head and the position-information correction value with the error corrected by the MCU and the ECC circuit, and the position information read by the head so that the head is located at a target position on the storage medium.
US07855844B2 Objective lens and optical measuring device
An objective lens used for a microscope includes a lens(es), an iris diaphragm and a tubular body. The lens(es),which is provided in a manner facing an object, transmits light reflected from a measuring surface of the object. The iris diaphragm, which is provided behind the lens(es), changes an aperture diameter of a light-transmissive aperture of a light-transmissive surface that is substantially orthogonal to a main optical axis of the light transmitted through the lens(es). The tubular body, which is detachably mounted on a revolving nosepiece of a trunk that includes a zoom imaging lens(es) for forming an image from the light transmitted through the light-transmissive aperture, holds the lens(es) and the iris diaphragm.
US07855841B2 Reflex, magnifying optical system
A first lens group in a reflex, magnifying optical system includes sequentially from the side of an object, a first lens that has a negative refractive power and is a meniscus lens having a concave aspect facing toward an image, an optical element (prism) that refracts an optical path, a second lens having a negative refractive power and a concave aspect facing toward the object, and a third lens having a positive refractive power. A portion of an image-side aspect of the first lens abuts a plane of incidence of the optical element. A portion of an object-side aspect of the second lens abuts a plane of transmission of the optical element.
US07855828B2 Electrophoretic display device and method of manufacturing the same
An electrophoretic display device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes forming a first mother substrate that has a first thin structure, and forming a second mother substrate that has a second thin structure. The second mother substrate faces the first mother substrate. The manufacturing method also includes disposing an electrophoretic material on one of the first mother substrate and the second mother substrate, and enclosing a region on which the electrophoretic material is disposed with a sealant. The manufacturing method further includes combining the first mother substrate and the second mother substrate using pressure applied thereto to form an electrophoretic layer between the first mother substrate and the second mother substrate.
US07855822B2 Photosensitive electrochromic device
A photosensitive electrochromic device includes a transparent non-conductive substrate, a thin-film solar cell module and an electrochromic solution. The thin-film solar cell module is a monolithic series-connected module and includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of thin-film solar cells located on the transparent substrate, wherein all the thin-film solar cells in the thin-film solar cell module are connected in series, and the above-mentioned electrochromic solution is located between the transparent non-conductive substrate and the thin-film solar cell module.
US07855818B2 Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
In an optical scanning apparatus, an aperture is provided between a semiconductor laser in a light source unit and an oscillating mirror, and between a cylindrical lens and the oscillating mirror. When a light beam from the semiconductor laser comes into an reflection surface of the oscillating mirror, the optical scanning apparatus is configured to limit a beam width of the light beam to a width appropriate to the reflection surface, and then to ensure an irradiation position of the light beam in a main-scanning direction to come into the reflection surface of the oscillating mirror, by causing the light beam to pass through an opening of the aperture.
US07855810B2 Method for automatically organizing a digitized hardcopy media collection
A method, system and software program for automatically organizing digital images obtained from a plurality of hardcopy media. A plurality of hardcopy media are scanned so as to obtain both the image side and non-image side the of hardcopy media including capturing any watermark present on non-image side. The watermark on the non-mage side is used for automatically organizing digital images.
US07855805B2 Printing a competition entry form using a mobile device
A system for printing a competition entry form on a print medium, the system comprising: a mobile telecommunications device which comprises: a printer module to print the competition entry form on the print medium; and, a sensor module to sense a print media identifier of the print medium.
US07855800B2 Apparatus and method for providing printer separator pages
An arrangement is provided wherein a printer used with a host device is operated to generate print batch separator pages using the same blank sheets as are used to print respective pages of successive print jobs. The printer is directed to print a visually distinctive graphic indicator, such as a separator border, trim, header, visible banner or other visual indicator or markings. This eliminates the need for an additional printer separator page tray. Usefully, a host device is operated to generate a separator command in a specified PDL language. A printer control device receives the page separator PDL command, and software contained in the printer control converts the PDL command into a printer readable format (PRF). A printer component responsive to the PRF command then operates the printer to print the specified separator page.
US07855799B2 Print workflow automation
Illustrative systems and methods provide a graphical user interface for establishing parameters for printing and finishing print jobs. In an illustrative system and method, print job parameters are defined, for example: by establishing print parameters corresponding to the position of a document in a print job and/or the position of a page in document; by establishing associations between values of fields in file names and print parameters; and by establishing associations between text at a particular position on a page of a document and print parameters. The user's inputs defining the printing and finishing parameters are stored in a file such as, for example, an XML file. The system retrieves the printing and finishing parameters and formats PDL and JCL commands which can be forwarded onto the printing and finishing system.
US07855779B2 Display device and detection method
A display device includes display pixels that display an image on a display screen. First and second optical sensors correspond to one or more of the display pixels and detect the amount of incident light. An optical member allows light coming from a first direction to enter the first optical sensors and light coming from a second direction to enter the second optical sensors. A memory circuit stores a first detection result that is detected in a first time period by means of the first optical sensors and stores a second detection result that is detected in the first time period by means of the second optical sensors. A comparison circuit compares sequential detection results to permit a judgment circuit to determine whether the display screen has been touched with a detection target medium.
US07855776B2 Methods of compensating lens heating, lithographic projection system and photo mask
Embodiments relate to compensating for lens heating, lithographic projection system and photo mask. Accordingly, lens heating is compensated by providing a layout pattern including a regular pattern being arranged substantially symmetrical in a first region and a sub-resolution pattern including a plurality of sub-resolution structural elements, wherein the sub-resolution pattern in a second region, so as to minimize non-homogenous lens heating of a projection apparatus in case of a lithographic projection.
US07855775B2 Liquid crystal display device
In a semi-transmissive liquid crystal display device provided with a liquid crystal panel DP and a backlight BL, black spacers and transparent spacers are mixed and provided in a space between two opposing transparent substrates 4a and 4b, and let r be a radius of the spacers and S be a dimension of a light transmissive region T in a single pixel, then a value of πr2/S is set in a range from 0.001 to 0.01. A stable display is thus enabled by eliminating display irregularities.
US07855769B2 Liquid crystal display panel having particular sub-pixels
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is provided, which comprises a plurality of array units. Each array unit comprises a first pixel and a second pixel which are equal in number; sub-pixels in the first pixel and the second pixel have respective single domain inclination directions; and the domain inclination directions of the sub-pixels in the first pixel are different from those of the corresponding sub-pixels in the second pixel. A better effect on color bias and viewing angle can be achieved with the LCD panel of the present invention.
US07855762B2 Liquid crystal module
A liquid crystal module includes: a first support part for receiving and affixing ends of a plurality of lamps; an optical plate disposed above an upper surface of the first support part; a second support part for retaining the optical plate and having a lower surface above the optical plate, wherein the upper surface of the first support part or the lower surface of the second support part has a recessed portion contacting the optical plate such that a gap is formed between the optical plate, and one of the upper surface of the first support part and the lower surface of the second support part.
US07855761B2 Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device which uses light emitting diodes as a light source, a backlight can efficiently house a heat radiation plate even when an area of the heat radiation plate is increased by taking the radiation of heat from the light emitting diodes into consideration. Light emitting diodes are arranged on a metal substrate to form a plate-shaped light source portion. A heat radiation effect is enhanced by adhering a heat radiation plate to the plate-shaped light source portion. The heat radiation plate to which the plate-shaped light source is adhered is constituted as a housing casing thus efficiently housing the heat radiation plate. A problem which occurs due to the use of the metal-made housing casing can be overcome by mounting a resin-made light guide plate fixing member on the housing casing.
US07855756B2 Stereoscopic display device using electrically-driven liquid crystal lens
A stereoscopic display device using an electrically-driven liquid crystal lens is disclosed. The stereoscopic display device includes a display panel, a light source to emit light, and an electrically-driven liquid crystal lens provided between the display panel and the light source and having a reflective electrode to intercept a part of the light emitted from the light source, the electrically-driven liquid crystal lens enabling a wide viewing angle or narrow viewing angle display according to whether or not voltages are applied thereto.
US07855753B2 Digital correction module for video projector
A geometry correction module for a fixed pixel raster projector to project an image onto a projection surface is provided. The geometry correction module includes a receiver and a geometry corrector. The receiver collects an input pixels grid that represents an input image. The geometry corrector generates an output pixels grid representing an output image that compensates for the geometry of the projection surface by repositioning image data interpolated from at least two input pixels. The output image represents an altered input image that when projected onto the projection surface will display a correctly proportioned input image. A method of correcting geometry distortion when projecting an image is also provided.
US07855752B2 Method and system for producing seamless composite images having non-uniform resolution from a multi-imager system
A method and system for producing seamless composite images having non-uniform resolution from a multi-imager system is disclosed. A plurality of lower resolution source images is acquired. In addition, a plurality of higher resolution source images is acquired. The plurality of the lower resolution images and the higher resolution images are then layered to produce a composite image, wherein the layering of the plurality of the lower resolution images and the higher resolution images to produce a composite image having a plurality of resolutions therein.
US07855744B2 Image pickup apparatus and a notification operation control method
An image-pickup apparatus which includes an imaging unit configured for obtaining object images, a notification unit configured to perform notification that images are being obtained by the imaging unit, a macro-mode setting unit configured to set the imaging unit in a macro mode, and a notification control unit configured to control the notification operation of the notification unit in accordance with whether the macro mode is set or not by the macro-mode setting unit.
US07855732B2 Hand producer for background separated images
An image formation and production system provides improved capabilities for producing background separated product images for print and on-line display. The image formation system provides lighting of a product to facilitate acquiring images that can be automatically processed to generate high resolution item-only images free of quality defects and imaging artifacts. Image processing programs accurately detect an outline of an item in a set of digital images taken using the image formation system and automatically store processed images in an image library. The images in the library may be repurposed for print, sales display, transmission to a user, on-line customer support, and the like. A user display configured with an adaptable user interface facilitates user interaction with images in the library. An interactive user interface and image library facilitates automatically producing sets of background separated images.
US07855727B2 Endoscopy device supporting multiple input devices
The present invention provides a remote-head imaging system with a camera control unit capable of supporting multiple input devices. The camera control unit detects an input device to which it is connected and changes the camera control unit's internal functionality accordingly. Such changes includes altering clock timing, changing video output parameters, and changing image processing software. In addition, a user is able to select different sets of software program instructions and hardware configuration information based on the head that is attached. The remote-head imaging system utilizes field-programmable circuitry, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), in order to facilitate the change in configuration.
US07855715B1 Switch with depth and lateral articulation detection using optical beam
A key switch to sense and give feedback to a computer of depth, acceleration, velocity, and lateral or vibrato movement. The key switch is suitable for computer keyboards, musical keyboards, foot pedals and the like. Lateral or sideward key movements can be for mouse functions or multi code output from multi directional key movement from one key outputting a single key code or key sequences.
US07855714B2 Method and apparatus for controlling a display in an electronic device
A novel method and apparatus for controlling a display of an electronic device is provided. In an embodiment, the device is a portable electronic device with the combined features of wireless email and telephony. The portable electronic device also includes a camera. The device includes a trackball which can be used to control the image shown in the viewfinder when the device is being used as a camera.
US07855708B2 LED backlight luminance sensing for LCDs
A liquid crystal display (LCD) system having LED backlight luminance sensing is disclosed. An array of LEDs in a backlighting position includes a plurality of LED strings. At least one LED from at least one string is identified as a sampling LED. The light emitted from the sampling LED is detected via an optical path using a light sensor. The reading from the sensor is contrast with a command, which results in a power compensation to the array accordingly. In one embodiment, the system includes a sampling enclosure encasing the sampling LED and light sensor. The sampling LED's direction of emission is altered from the string and reflected from the inside of the enclosure. In another embodiment, the system includes a direct sensing optical path between the light sensor and the sampling LED.
US07855705B2 Color liquid crystal display panel design
A method of forming a liquid crystal display includes determining an illuminant blue peak wavelength, an illuminant green peak wavelength, and an illuminant red peak wavelength, and assembling a liquid crystal display with a blue light reflecting liquid crystal layer having a blue peak reflection wavelength being a shorter wavelength than the illuminant blue peak wavelength, and a green light reflecting liquid crystal layer having a green peak reflection wavelength substantially equal to or longer than the illuminant green peak wavelength, and a red light reflecting liquid crystal layer having a red peak reflection wavelength being a longer wavelength than the illuminant red peak wavelength. Liquid crystal displays are also described.
US07855703B1 Liquid crystal display and an information processing apparatus having the same
A liquid crystal display capable of being minimized, in which a backlight assembly has a light source portion for generating light, a liquid crystal display panel receives the light from the backlight assembly to display images. A mold frame for sequentially accepting the backlight assembly and liquid crystal display panel is formed to be gradually thinner as further advancing from a first side of accepting to place the light source portion toward a second side opposing to the first side. Also, a chassis coupled to be opposite to the mold frame for closely fixing the backlight assembly and liquid crystal display panel to the mold frame is formed to be gradually thinner as further advancing from the first side of accepting to place the light source portion toward the second side opposing to the first side. Thus, the liquid crystal display can be slimmed.
US07855702B2 Scaling-friendly architecture for LED (backlight) drivers to minimize PCB trace lines
This invention is a new LED back lighting architecture that each individual LED is controlled by its associated LED drive cell. The LEDs are sequentially connected one after another. A host controller transmits image displaying signals by signal scanning-flows. The current flow for controlling each LED's color lighting is by either binary current flow control or two-steps progressive current flow control.
US07855692B2 Method of aligning antenna azimuth
There is disclosed a method of aligning an azimuth of an antenna by use of an antenna azimuth aligning instrument capable of economically and precisely aligning the azimuth in a case where a direction of a main beam of a directional antenna is matched with a counter antenna. There is provided a method of aligning the azimuth of the directional antenna by use of the antenna azimuth aligning instrument to be attached to the antenna for use in radio communication, the azimuth aligning instrument includes an aiming hole whose central axis is constituted in parallel with a main beam azimuth of the antenna and in which a diameter of an opening 2C on an operator's viewing side is set to be larger than that of an opening 2B on a target side, and the azimuth of the antenna is aligned using the centers of the two openings of the aiming hole as aims for a target.
US07855683B2 Methods and apparatuses for GPS coordinates extrapolation when GPS signals are not available
Systems and methods for extrapolating GPS coordinates beyond line of sight are disclosed. A coordinate extrapolation system (CES) can include a memory, a processor, and a GPS receiver. The CES can receive GPS signals and determine GPS coordinates corresponding to a location. If GPS signals are unavailable, the CES models the surface of the earth and extrapolates the GPS coordinates corresponding to the location at which GPS signals are unavailable. Methods for extrapolating the GPS coordinates and calibrating the CES are also disclosed.
US07855668B2 Delta sigma A/D modulator
A multibit quantizer is provided, at its input terminals, with a variable gain circuit and an offset addition circuit to perform tracking control in which for each sampling time, the level of an offset signal of the offset addition circuit is adjusted based on output digital data of an output processing circuit and the preceding control signal of an offset control circuit so that the quantizer operates without causing a saturation operation. As a result, the output digital data, in which the number of bits is greater than the number of bits of the quantizer by the offset value controlled by the offset addition circuit, is outputted from the output processing circuit for each sampling time.
US07855661B2 Apparatus for monitoring individual parking positions
Apparatus for the individual monitoring of parking positions of a parking facility comprises a sensor (9) for vehicle detection and optical indicator means (5) for indicating the occupied/free status of a parking position (4). Sensor (9) has a transmit aerial (10) to radio the occupied/free status of parking position (4) to the parking facility control center. The optical indicator means (5) comprises a bistable indicating element.
US07855658B2 Method for controlling light
Provided is a method for controlling light, including retrieving accelerations along an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis with a 3-axis accelerometer sensor; matching the retrieved accelerations with RGB values; and transforming the RGB values and displaying a color of the transformed RGB values. The 3-axis accelerometer sensor retrieves the accelerations Ax, Ay, and Az along the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis and calculates a velocity Vi along the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis using the accelerations Ax, Ay, and Az, with i denoting directions x, y, and z, Vi=Vio+Ait expressing a terminal velocity in the direction i, Vio denoting an initial velocity in the direction i, Ai denoting the acceleration in the direction i, and t denoting time, thereby allowing variation of brightness to be controlled in eight modes.
US07855656B2 Method for monitoring movement with a medical installation and associated medical installation
The invention relates to a method for monitoring the movement of at least one mobile object with a medical installation. A current three-dimensional position of the at least one mobile object is detected by at least one position sensor that is arranged on the at least one mobile object. The invention also relates to the associated medical installation.
US07855655B2 Current switch with automatic calibration
A current switch is automatically calibrated when a flow of electric current is initiated in a power cable.
US07855652B1 System and method for detecting sleepwalking
A system and method of detecting possible sleepwalking episodes that include generating one or more signals indicative of the movement of an individual while sleeping, determining whether the movement signals indicate a possible sleepwalking episode, causing one or more motion based alert signals to be emitted if the movement signals do indicate a possible episode, monitoring a proximity of the individual to a position within a sleeping environment, and causing one or more proximity based alert signals to be emitted when the individual is determined to be at least a certain distance away from the position.
US07855643B2 Tracking systems, passive RFIDs, methods of locating and identifying RFIDs, and methods of tracking items
Some embodiments include observable properties triggered upon interrogation of RFIDs. The RFIDs can be passive RFIDs, and the observable properties can be visible changes that require little power to generate, and little or no power to maintain. The visible information can include information about items tracked with the RFIDs, such as shipping information. Some embodiments include passive RFIDs utilizing a single antenna to power an integrated-circuit chip and a visual identifier. Some embodiments include methods of locating interrogated RFIDs. Some embodiments include methods of tracking items.
US07855640B2 Method and system of determining alarm conditions
A method and system for determining alarm conditions of a slope under inspection whereby one or more dimensionless threat estimate values are calculated for one or more time periods. The maximum dimensionless threat estimate value calculated is selected and compared with a threshold alarm value. If the maximum dimensionless threat estimate value exceeds the threshold alarm value alarm conditions are set to indicate that the slope under inspection is exhibiting unsafe movement.
US07855633B2 Remote control automatic appliance activation
A programmable remote control automatically learns characteristics necessary to generate an appliance activation signal. A sensor is positioned proximate to the appliance. A sequence of different activation signals is transmitted. A determination as to which signal activated the appliance is made based on a received sensor signal. Data representing the determined activation scheme is associated with an activation input.
US07855632B1 Temperature sensor and method of manufacturing
A temperature sensor includes an autonomous sensing element and a plurality of conductive wires connected to the sensing element. An electrical insulator surrounds the sensing element and the conductive wires for firmly holding the sensing element and conductive wires. The insulator includes substantially crushed and compacted powder insulation. A tube encases the insulator in a compressed manner and has a first end, a second end, a first portion having a first inside diameter located in the proximity of the first end and a second portion having a second inside diameter. The second inside diameter being greater than the first inside diameter. The sensing element is positioned within the second portion of the tube. Methods of manufacturing a temperature sensor are also included.
US07855627B2 Common-mode choke coil
A common-mode choke coil has induction immunity characteristics that are improved by a coil structure preventing a transmitter IC and a receiver IC from malfunctioning during an induction immunity test and which controls a decrease in ESD resistance and a decrease in self-resonance frequency. The common-mode choke coil includes a core, external electrodes, a pair of coils, and a top plate. The core includes a core section and a pair of flange sections. The pair of coils are wound around the core section of the core, and the ends of the coils are connected to the external electrodes, respectively. An underside and a side surface of the top plate are plated with a metal film, and bonded to the top surfaces of the flange sections preferably by an adhesive agent. The metal film is segmented into two separate portions so as to define two separate metal sections with a gap therebetween so that the metal sections are electrically disconnected.
US07855601B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including: a gain control circuit; a first circuit which is controlled a gain to be constant by the gain control circuit; and a bias circuit connected to the first circuit, wherein the first circuit including a first transistor; and a load resistance, an amplification factor or an attenuation factor of the first circuit is proportionate to a product of a transconductance of the first transistor and a resistance value of the load resistance, and a voltage applied to the load resistance is set as an output of the semiconductor device, the bias circuit generates and outputs a differential current of a current that is proportionate to a drain current flowing into the first transistor and a current that is inversely proportionate to the load resistance value, and an output of the bias circuit is connected to an output node of the first circuit.
US07855600B2 Two-stage operational amplifier with class AB output stage
An operational amplifier includes a differential amplifier including an active load, a current mirror including a first branch and a second branch, a first switch connected between a first power source and an output node and switched in response to a voltage of a first output terminal of the differential amplifier, a first bias circuit to control an amount of a reference current flowing in the first branch in response to a voltage of a second output terminal of the differential amplifier, a second bias circuit to control a voltage of the second branch in which a mirror current flows, in response to a voltage of the first output terminal, a second switch connected between the output node and a second power source and switched in response to a voltage of the second branch, and a capacitor connected between the output node and the first output terminal.
US07855592B1 Charge pump
A charge pump circuit has at least three stages: a pre-stage, a common stage and post stage. Each stage has three devices which are common. An NMOS device, which is called the charge injection device (CID), is controlled by a PMOS device during charge injection and an NMOS device during charge trapping. Also, each of the stages includes comparison stages for the CID in order to minimize the bulk to source voltage (Vbs) or bulk to drain voltage (Vbd). This greatly improves efficiency during the charge injection phase. Furthermore, the post-stage includes a comparison stage for the PMOS device since the threshold voltage increases as you increase the number of stages with the bulk tied to VPWR. The PMOS comparison stage should be inserted at the stage where the PMOS device begins to operate in the sub-threshold region, which is technology and voltage dependent.
US07855590B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device including an I/O circuitry capable of low-voltage high-speed operation at low cost is provided. In the I/O circuitry, when an I/O voltage (for example, 3.3 V) is lowered to a predetermined voltage (for example, 1.8 V), portions causing a speed deterioration are a level conversion unit and a pre-buffer unit for driving a main large-sized buffer. In view of this, a high voltage is applied to a level up converter and a pre-buffer circuit. By doing so, it is possible to achieve an I/O circuitry capable of low-voltage high-speed operation at low cost.
US07855579B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit and design method thereof
In a layout process of a semiconductor integrated circuit, a power supply is initially formed in an arrangement in which the current threshold value is not exceeded. In a case where the excess over the current threshold value occurs after the power supply is formed, the power supply arrangement is changed according to the current threshold value, design rule data base, and power supply wiring density so as not to exceed the current threshold value.
US07855578B2 Domino logic circuit techniques for suppressing subthreshold and gate oxide leakage
Circuits are provided for simultaneously reducing the subthreshold and gate oxide leakage power consumption in domino logic circuits. Sleep transistors and a dual threshold voltage CMOS technology may be utilized to place idle domino logic circuits into a low leakage state. The circuits may significantly lower the total leakage power as compared to the standard dual threshold voltage domino logic circuits at both the high and low die temperatures. The energy overheads of the circuit techniques may be low, justifying the activation of the proposed sleep schemes by providing net savings in total power consumption during short idle periods.
US07855576B1 Versatile common-mode driver methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus are provided for selectively setting a CM voltage for a transceiver, reducing the effect of current mismatch, and generating a voltage step that can be used for receiver detection. A circuit of the invention can include voltage generator circuitry operable to generate a plurality of voltage signals of substantially different voltages. The circuit can also include multiplexer circuitry with voltage inputs coupled to the voltage signals. The multiplexer circuitry can be operable to select a reference signal from among the voltage inputs. In addition, the circuit can include operational amplifier (“op-amp”) circuitry with a first input coupled to the reference signal and a second input coupled to an output signal of the op-amp circuitry.
US07855574B2 Programmable multiple supply regions with switched pass gate level converters
A level conversion architecture that accommodates signals traveling between logic blocks operating at corresponding voltage levels is provided. The architecture includes pass gates connected in series between the logic blocks. One of the gates of the pass gates is supplied with a selectable gate voltage supply. The selectable gate voltage supply is selected from a plurality of voltages based on a configuration random access memory (CRAM) setting. In one embodiment, a half latch is connected to one of the pass gates. In this embodiment, the half latch is part of a feedback loop to minimize power leakage of a logic element in one of the logic blocks. A method for managing power consumption and providing voltage level conversion between regions of an integrated circuit is also provided.
US07855573B1 Controller area network active bus terminator
A terminator for a CAN bus includes an electronic relay and a termination impedance. The electronic relay has first and second control input conductors and switched output conductors. The electrical connection between the switched output conductors is normally closed. The first control input conductor is connected to the power conductor and the second control input conductor is connected to a fifth terminal of the first CAN bus connector. The termination impedance is connected in series at the end node of the CAN bus with the switched output conductors across the high data conductor and the low data conductor. By this arrangement, the termination impedance is effectively connected across the high data conductor and the low data conductor at the end node of the CAN bus until an extension of the CAN bus is plugged into the first CAN bus connector. When an extension of the CAN bus is plugged into the first CAN bus connector, the fifth terminal of the CAN bus connector is connected to the ground conductor. This actuates the relay and opens the switched output conductors.
US07855571B2 Testing circuit board for preventing tested chip positions from being wrongly positioned
A testing circuit board used in a testing system with a tester and a handler is disclosed. The testing circuit board is used for transmitting a plurality of testing signals provided by the tester to test at least two devices under test located on the handler. The testing circuit board includes a connecting board, a load board and at least two connecting interfaces. The connecting board coupled to the handler has at least two connecting sockets for respectively connecting to the devices under testing. The load board coupled to the tester has two joining sockets located corresponding to the connecting sockets. The at least two connecting interfaces are coupled between the connecting sockets and the joining sockets for transmitting the testing signals for testing the devices under testing.
US07855568B2 Probe apparatus with mechanism for achieving a predetermined contact load
A probe apparatus includes a mounting table having a mounting table main body and a chuck top, cylinder mechanisms surrounding a mount of the chuck top, and a connecting mechanism to releasably connect the cylinder mechanisms to a head plate horizontally supporting a probe card. When a semiconductor wafer, mounted on the mount, comes into contact with probes of the probe card, a control unit operates the cylinder mechanisms and the connecting mechanism to connect the cylinder mechanisms to the head plate. Thereafter, the control unit further operates the cylinder mechanisms, to move the chuck top upward from the mounting table main body by a predetermined overdrive amount. Accordingly, the probe apparatus achieves an originally required contact load between the semiconductor wafer and the probes of the probe card while preventing the probe card from being displaced upward during overdriving of the semiconductor wafer, thereby enabling a highly reliable test.
US07855559B2 Circuit and apparatus for decoupling RF surface coils
A decoupling circuit for a radio frequency (RF) surface coil having a plurality of tuning capacitors includes at least two decoupling points and a DC source coupled to the at least two decoupling points. Each decoupling point is associated with one of the plurality of tuning capacitors. Each decoupling point includes a decoupling inductor connected in parallel with a tuning capacitor, a diode connected in series with the decoupling inductor and in parallel with the tuning capacitor, a resistor connected in parallel with the diode and at least one isolating inductor connected between the resistor and the diode to RF isolate the resistor. The value of the resistor in each decoupling point is selected to maintain a high quality factor (Q) of the RF surface coil and to reduce the switching speed of the decoupling circuit.
US07855553B2 Test components fabricated with large area sensors used for determining the resistance of an MR sensor
Test methods and components are disclosed for testing resistances of magnetoresistance (MR) sensors in read elements. Test components are fabricated on a wafer with a first test lead, a test MR sensor, and a second test lead. The test leads and test MR sensor are fabricated with similar processes as first shields, MR sensors, and second shields of read elements on tie wafer. However, the test MR sensor is fabricated with an area that is larger than areas of the MR sensors in the read elements. The larger area of the test MR sensor causes the resistance of the test MR sensor to be insignificant compared to the lead resistance. Thus, a resistance measurement of the test component represents the lead resistance of a read element. An accurate resistance measurement of an MR sensor in a read element may then be determined by subtracting the lead resistance.
US07855550B2 Velocity-detecting device
A velocity-detecting device is mainly based on detection of charge, including a circuit board provided thereon with at least two capacitance sensors with potential difference. The two capacitance sensors are provided at different locations for detecting the time difference when a living thing moves and has its charge respectively reaching the critical one preset by the two capacitance sensors for calculating the moving velocity of the living thing, able to detect and calculate the moving velocity of a living thing for carrying out relative reaction to a machine.
US07855537B2 Voltage supply circuit
A voltage supply circuit includes an output transistor causing a first current to flow to an output terminal of the voltage supply circuit based on a control voltage applied from an error amplifier to a control terminal of the output transistor; and an overcurrent protection circuit including a reference transistor causing a second current to flow to the output terminal, the second current having an amount corresponding to an amount of the first current, the overcurrent protection circuit regulating a level of the control voltage based on comparison between a detection voltage caused based on the second current and a reference voltage.
US07855531B2 Charge and discharge control circuit and battery device
When pulse charging is performed in an overcharge state or an overdischarge state in a charge and discharge control circuit and a battery device, a problem in that a pseudo overcurrent phenomenon occurs repeatedly to hinder normal operations of the charge and discharge control circuit and the battery device is addressed, thereby providing a safe battery device. Thus, there are provided a charge and discharge control circuit and a battery device having a structure in which charge overcurrent detection in the overcharge state and discharge overcurrent detection in the overdischarge state are invalidated.
US07855527B2 Inverter device
The inverter device contains the following structure: an inverter circuit which has upper-arm switching elements that are connected on a positive side of a DC power source and lower-arm switching elements that are connected on a negative side of the DC power source; a current sensor that detects current flowing between the DC power source and the inverter circuit; and a control circuit that controls the inverter circuit by a PWM driving so that the inverter circuit outputs AC current to the motor. The control circuit provides a carrier cycle with a first correction and provides the successive cycle with a second correction, by which the current sensor can detect phase current of the motor. A ripple current caused by the first correction and a ripple current caused by the second correction are opposite in polarity.
US07855520B2 Light-emitting diode driving circuit and secondary side controller for controlling the same
A light-emitting diode (LED) driving circuit and a secondary side controller for controlling the same control an output voltage of the LED driving circuit at a first driving voltage or a second driving voltage. When the output voltage is controlled at the first driving voltage, an LED module driven by the LED driving circuit is in a stably lighting state; and when the output voltage is controlled at the second driving voltage, the output voltage is approximately a threshold voltage of the LED module but higher than zero volt, so that the LED module is close to not emitting light. Therefore, in a dimming operation, the variation of voltage applied across the LED module is smaller than that in the conventional LED driving circuits to thereby protect the LED module against an excessive voltage stress and avoid the problem of inaccurate dimming.
US07855518B2 Dimming algorithms based upon light bulb type
A lighting control circuit for dimming a light is provided with different algorithms that are utilized to dim fluorescent and incandescent lights. Some method of identifying the type of light which is to be dimmed, reports to a control for the lighting control circuit, and the appropriate algorithm is then selected and utilized.
US07855516B2 Controllable power supply circuit for an illumination system and methods of operation thereof
A method for reducing acoustic noise produced during use of a lamp dimmer detects whether the dimmer is a leading edge (101) or a trailing edge dimmer (102). A nominal firing time of a leading edge dimmer is determined and a post-correction applied to a voltage applied to the dimmer starting from the nominal firing time so as to build-up the voltage gradually during a predetermined post-correction time period and thereby reduce the rate of rise of the leading edge thereof. A nominal cutoff time of a trailing edge dimmer is determined and a pre-correction applied to a voltage applied to the dimmer starting from the nominal cut-off time so as to diminish the voltage gradually during a predetermined pre-correction time period and thereby reduce the rate of rise of the leading edge thereof. Other methods are disclosed for soft starting filament lamps and controlling dimmer circuits.
US07855504B2 Display panel and fabricating method thereof
A fabricating method of display panel is provided. A first substrate having display area and non-display area is provided. A pixel array and a spacer layer are respectively formed in the display area and non-display area by forming many first strip electrodes parallel to each other and on the substrate, by forming an organic function layer on the substrate and covering the first strip electrodes, and by forming many second strip electrodes parallel to each other and on the organic function layer. An extension direction of the first strip electrodes is different to that of the second strip electrodes. The spacer layer surrounds the display area. A sealant is formed in the non-display area, and the spacer layer is disposed between the sealant and the pixel array. A second substrate is arranged above the first substrate, and the first substrate and the second substrate are fixed by using the sealant.
US07855503B2 Flat panel display and method of manufacturing the same
A flat panel display capable of preventing a pixel circuit from electrically short-circuiting, and a method of manufacturing the flat panel display are disclosed. In one embodiment, the flat panel display includes an insulating film having an aperture, a pixel electrode having a portion exposed by the aperture of the insulating film, a conductor formed on the insulating film, and a capping layer covering the conductor. According to embodiments of the present invention, the conductor is formed from a conductive paste and the rough surface of the conductive paste is passivated by a capping layer formed on the conductor, and thus, a short circuit between the conductor and an opposing pixel electrode can be prevented.
US07855502B2 Display device and method of driving the same
A display panel includes a first plurality of scan lines, a second plurality of scan lines, and a cell section that includes first and second electrode layers that cross form a plurality of display cells. Each cell includes a light-emitting layer which is formed between the first and second electrode layers. The panel also includes a plurality of contacts, each of which electrically couples at least one of the first or second scan lines to a corresponding one of the second electrode layers. One or more of the contacts have a dimension which is different from a dimension of one of the display cells.
US07855497B2 Dielectric barrier discharge lamp comprising an UV-B phosphor
A dielectric barrier Xe discharge lamp include discharge vessel with a gas filling containing Xe or a Xe/Ne mixture and a luminescent layer of a UV-B phosphor emitting in the UV-B range 280 to 320 nm. The luminescent layer includes a Gd3+ activated phosphor according to at least one the formulas of (Y1-x-yGdxSy)Al3(BO3)4, (La1-x-yGdxSy)Al3(BO3)4, (La1-x-yGdxSy)B3O6, (Y1-x-y-zGdxSyLuz)PO4, (Y1-x-y-zGdxSyLuz)BO3, (Y1-x-y-zGdxSyLuz)3Al5O12, Me(Y1-x-yGdxSy)F4 (Me=Li, Na, K; S═Bi, Nd, Pr; 0.0
US07855496B2 Boron nitride nanotube paste composition, electron emission source including the same, electron emission device including the electron emission source, and backlight unit and electron emission display device including the electron emission device
Boron nitride nanotube paste compositions, electron emission sources including the same, electron emission devices including the same and backlight units and electron emission display devices including the same are provided. A boron nitride nanotube paste composition includes about 100 parts by weight boron nitride nanotubes, from about 500 to about 2000 parts by weight glass frit, from about 1000 to about 2000 parts by weight filler, from about 2000 to about 4000 parts by weight organic solvent, and from about 4000 to about 6000 parts by weight polymer binder. Electron emission devices including the boron nitride nanotube electron emission sources have longer lifespan and improved uniformity among pixels.
US07855489B2 Microactuator substrate
The substrate includes a stroke amplifier for generating an amount of amplified motion converted from a force received thereon. The substrate also includes a rotating device coupled to the stroke amplifier, the rotating device comprising supporting rotational springs. The rotating device is separate and independent from the stroke amplifier and has a center of rotation substantially proximal to a center of mass of an object disposable thereon. The rotating device causes a rotation in a portion of the substrate upon receiving said amplified motion. The substrate further includes a piezoelectric actuator that is coupled to the stroke amplifier and is for generating the force. The stroke amplifier and the rotating device are integrated within the substrate.
US07855487B2 Generator end turn stress reduction collar
A collar is to be positioned on a generator and includes an inner bore sized to be received on an outer periphery of a generator shaft. The collar has an outer periphery, which is generally hexagonal. The collar has an axially extending ledge to be received within an inner periphery of an end turn support in a generator.
US07855484B2 Insulating member and stator
An insulator is provided between a stator core and a conductive wire provided on the stator core. The insulator includes a wound portion, around which the conductive wire is wounded, having a substantially rectangular shape; and a flange, formed in the axial end of the wound portion in the stator tooth tip side, for pressing the conductive wire in the axial direction (radial direction relative to the rotation axis of a rotor in a configuration of a rotating electrical machine). The flange includes four corner portions at its four corners, and intermediate portions formed between the four corner portions to have a width (B2) narrower than the width (B1) of the four corner portions. In addition, the flange has a tip with a curved shape.
US07855475B2 Movable barrier operator with energy management control and corresponding method
A movable barrier operator system wherein one or more of the various components of the system is configured to operate selectively in at least either of two operational modes. Each operating mode is characterized by a corresponding energy usage profile. The operational status of the system is monitored and operating modes are selected that serve both to substantially ensure proper operation given current likely operational expectations and an overall desire to reduce energy consumption.
US07855474B2 System and method for pre-detection in a power over ethernet system
A system and method for pre-detection in a power over Ethernet (PoE) system. A power sourcing equipment (PSE) is designed to measure a port voltage upon application of a small current source. A microcontroller controls the current source based on a comparison of the measured port voltage to a threshold voltage.
US07855464B2 Semiconductor device having a semiconductor chip and resin sealing portion
A semiconductor chip has a main surface. A conductive portion is provided on the main surface and made from a material having conductivity and malleability. A sealing resin portion has a surface facing the main surface. An electrode is provided on the conductive portion and passes through the sealing resin portion between the conductive portion and the surface. As a result, there is provided a semiconductor device that can be downsized.
US07855463B2 Method for producing a circuit module comprising at least one integrated circuit
An integrated circuit module comprises a chip, the chip comprising a substrate with a first main area and a second main area, the first main area comprising two half-sets of pads, the chip further comprising an integrated circuit with components and two half-sets of connection lines, the connection lines connecting the components of the integrated circuit to the pads, the integrated circuit further comprising a changeover device, the changeover device having two switching states in order to interchange the electrical assignment between the half-sets of the connection lines and the half-sets of the pads, and a carrier, the carrier comprising contact pieces. The chip is arranged on the carrier with one of the two main areas of the chip facing the carrier and the contact pieces of the carrier are connected to the pads of the chip, wherein one of the two switching states of the changeover device is selected, depending on which of the two main areas of the chip is the area facing the carrier.
US07855455B2 Lock and key through-via method for wafer level 3 D integration and structures produced
A three dimensional device stack structure comprises two or more active device and interconnect layers further connected together using through substrate vias. Methods of forming the three dimensional device stack structure comprise alignment, bonding by lamination, thinning and post thinning processing. The via features enable the retention of alignment through the lamination process and any subsequent process steps thus achieving a mechanically more robust stack structure compared to the prior art.
US07855447B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device, PDP driver, and plasma display panel
In a semiconductor integrated circuit device of the present invention, temperature increase of a bonding wire can be suppressed even when conductive leads are short-circuited with each other, and reliability of the semiconductor integrated circuit device is improved. The conductive leads of a resin package for supplying a power supply section of a semiconductor integrated circuit chip with power from an external power supply are connected with bonding pads of the semiconductor integrated circuit chip by a plurality of bonding wires. Furthermore, the conductive leads connected to a GND for supplying the power supply section of the semiconductor integrated circuit chip with a grounding potential are connected with the bonding pads of the semiconductor integrated circuit chip by a plurality of bonding wires.
US07855445B2 Circuit device including rotated stacked die
In a particular embodiment, a circuit device includes a first die coupled to a circuit substrate and having a substantially planar surface. The first die includes electrical contacts distributed on the substantially planar surface adjacent to at least three edges of the first die. The circuit device further includes a second die attached to the substantially planar surface of the first die. The second die is rotated by an offset angle about an axis relative to the first die. The offset angle is selected to allow horizontal and vertical access to the electrical contacts.
US07855444B2 Mountable integrated circuit package system with substrate
A mountable integrated circuit package system includes: providing a substrate having an opening provided therein; providing an encapsulated integrated circuit package having an external leadfinger; mounting the encapsulated integrated circuit package by the external leadfinger proximate to the opening in the substrate; and connecting the external leadfinger and the substrate.
US07855439B2 Molded ultra thin semiconductor die packages, systems using the same, and methods of making the same
Disclosed are molded ultra-thin semiconductor die packages, systems that incorporate such packages, and methods of making such packages. An exemplary package comprises a leadframe having an aperture formed between the leadframe's first and second surfaces, and a plurality of leads disposed adjacent to the aperture. The package further comprises a semiconductor disposed in the aperture of the leadframe with its top surface substantially flush with the leadframe's first surface, and at least one gap between at least one side surface of the semiconductor die and at least one lead of the leadframe. A body of electrically insulating material is disposed in the at least one gap. A plurality of conductive members interconnect leads of the leadframe with conductive regions on the die's top surface, with at least one conductive member having a portion disposed over at least a portion of the body of insulating material.
US07855437B2 Semiconductor device and semiconductor package having the same
A semiconductor device having no voids and a semiconductor package using the same is described. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having a circuit section which is formed in a first area and a peripheral section which is formed in a second area defined around the first area, and an insulation layer covering the first and second areas and having at least one void removing part which extends from the first area to the second area to prevent a void from being formed.
US07855434B2 Semiconductor device capable of decreasing variations in size of metal resistance element
A semiconductor device is provided wherein a foundation insulating film is formed over a semiconductor substrate, a metal resistance element is formed on the foundation insulating film, and contacts are formed at both ends of the metal resistance element in a longitudinal direction of the metal resistance element and connected to the metal resistance element. The foundation insulating film comprises a single upwardly concave curved surface constituting not less than about 40 percent of an upper surface of the metal resistance element between the contacts in the longitudinal direction thereof. The curved surface of the foundation insulating film causes the metal resistance element to comprise a single upwardly concave curved surface constituting not less than about 40 percent of upper and lower surfaces of the metal resistance element between the contacts in the longitudinal direction thereof.
US07855429B2 Electronic circuit device having silicon substrate
An electronic circuit device comprises a silicon substrate having front and rear surfaces, a semiconductor element formed on the front surface, and at least one through-hole penetrating through the front surface and the rear surface. At least one passive element is supported by the silicon substrate. At least one connecting element is disposed in the through-hole of the silicon substrate for electrically connecting the semiconductor element to the passive element.
US07855428B2 Conductive liner at an interface between a shallow trench isolation structure and a buried oxide layer
The invention relates to a design structure, and more particularly, to a design structure for a conductive liner for rad hard total dose immunity and a structure thereof. The structure includes at least one shallow trench isolation structure having oxide material and formed in an SOI. A dielectric liner is formed at an interface of the SOI within the at least one shallow trench isolation structure. A metal or metal alloy layer is formed in the at least one shallow trench isolation structure and between the dielectric liner and the oxide material.
US07855423B2 Semiconductor mount
A mount for a semiconductor device has a first surface with at least one contact region and a second surface. The mount has a substrate to receive the second surface of the semiconductor device and a planar element. The planar element has an aperture sized to surround the semiconductor. A first surface of the planar element is mounted to the substrate and is located to surround the semiconductor device such that the semiconductor device is aligned by the aperture. The mount further has means for mounting the semiconductor device to the substrate in an aligned position. Some embodiments include a method of making and/or using such a mount.
US07855417B2 Non-volatile memory with a stable threshold voltage on SOI substrate
A non-volatile memory disposed in a SOI substrate is provided. The non-volatile memory includes a memory cell and a first conductive type doped region. The memory cell includes a gate, a charge storage structure, a bottom dielectric layer, a second conductive type drain region, and a second conductive type source region. The gate is disposed on the SOI substrate. The charge storage structure is disposed between the gate and the SOI substrate. The bottom dielectric layer is disposed between the charge storage layer and the SOI substrate. The second conductive type drain region and the second conductive type source region are disposed in a first conductive type silicon body layer next to the two sides of the gate. The first conductive type doped region is disposed in the first conductive type silicon body layer and electrically connected to the conductive type silicon body layer beneath the gate.
US07855414B2 Semiconductor device with increased breakdown voltage
Optimization of the implantation structure of a metal oxide silicon field effect transistor (MOSFET) device fabricated using conventional complementary metal oxide silicon (CMOS) logic foundry technology to increase the breakdown voltage. The techniques used to optimize the implantation structure involve lightly implanting the gate region, displacing the drain region from the gate region, and implanting P-well and N-well regions adjacent to one another without an isolation region in between.
US07855413B2 Diode with low resistance and high breakdown voltage
A transistor and diode having a low resistance and a high breakdown voltage are provided. When the bottom portion of a narrow trench having the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped is filled with a semiconductor grown by epitaxial method, a {1 0 0} plane is exposed at the sidewalls of the narrow trench. The semiconductor is epitaxially grown at a constant rate on each sidewall of the narrow trench; thereby, creating a filling material with no voids present therein. The concentration and width of the filling material are optimized. This allows the portion located between the filling materials in a drain layer to be completely depleted when the filling material is completely depleted; thereby, making it possible to establish an electric field having a constant strength in the depletion layer extended in the drain layer.
US07855404B2 Bipolar complementary semiconductor device
A complementary BiCMOS semiconductor device comprises a substrate of a first conductivity type and a number of active regions which are provided therein and which are delimited in the lateral direction by shallow field insulation regions, in which vertical npn-bipolar transistors with an epitaxial base are arranged in a first subnumber of the active regions and vertical pnp-bipolar transistors with an epitaxial base are arranged in a second subnumber of the active regions, wherein either one transistor type or both transistor types have both a collector region and also a collector contact region in one and the same respective active region. To improve the high-frequency properties exclusively in a first transistor type in which the conductivity type of the substrate is identical to that of the collector region, an insulation doping region is provided between the collector region and the substrate.
US07855397B2 Electronic assemblies providing active side heat pumping
An electronic assembly may include a packaging substrate, an integrated circuit (IC) semiconductor chip, a plurality of metal interconnection structures, and a thermoelectric heat pump. The integrated circuit (IC) semiconductor chip may have an active side including input/output pads thereon and a back side opposite the active side, and the IC semiconductor chip may be arranged with the active side facing the first surface of the packaging substrate. The plurality of metal interconnection structures may be between the active side of the IC semiconductor chip and the first surface of the packaging substrate, and the plurality of metal interconnection structures may provide mechanical connection between the active side of the IC semiconductor chip and the first surface of the packaging substrate. The thermoelectric heat pump may be coupled to the packaging substrate with the thermoelectric heat pump being configured to actively pump heat between the IC semiconductor chip and the packaging substrate. Related methods and structures are also discussed.
US07855388B2 Alternating current light-emitting device and fabrication method thereof
An alternating current light-emitting device includes a substrate, a plurality of microdie light-emitting elements formed on the substrate, a rectifying element-dedicated member formed on a surface of a portion of microdie light-emitting elements, a rectifying unit formed on the rectifying element-dedicated member and provided with at least four rectifying elements forming a Wheatstone bridge circuit, and an electrically conductive structure electrically connecting the rectifying elements and the microdie light-emitting elements. With the rectifying unit being formed on the rectifying element-dedicated member, the rectifying elements are highly tolerant of reverse bias and feature low starting forward bias. Also, the present invention provides a method for fabricating an alternating current light-emitting device.
US07855379B2 Electron device using oxide semiconductor and method of manufacturing the same
In an electron device in which plural thin film transistors each having at least a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconductor region including a channel, a gate insulation film and a gate electrode are provided on a substrate, a device separation region provided between the plural thin film transistors and the semiconductor region are constituted by a same metal oxide layer, and resistance of the semiconductor region is formed to be lower than resistance of the device separation region.
US07855372B2 Non-streaming high-efficiency perforated semiconductor neutron detectors, methods of making same and measuring wand and detector modules utilizing same
Non-streaming high-efficiency perforated semiconductor neutron detectors, method of making same and measuring wands and detector modules utilizing same are disclosed. The detectors have improved mechanical structure, flattened angular detector responses, and reduced leakage current. A plurality of such detectors can be assembled into imaging arrays, and can be used for neutron radiography, remote neutron sensing, cold neutron imaging, SNM monitoring, and various other applications.
US07855371B2 Image detection apparatus and method for producing the apparatus
An image detection apparatus includes a substrate, a middle layer formed on the substrate, the middle layer having a quadrilateral hole, and a photoelectric conversion layer deposited on the middle layer. The curvature radius of each of the corner portions of the quadrilateral hole is greater than or equal to 2 μm. Further, the photoelectric conversion layer is made of an amorphous material.
US07855370B2 Pileup rejection in an energy-dispersive radiation spectrometry system
A method of detecting edges of a preamplifier signal including identifying a first portion of the signal wherein each part thereof has an instantaneous slope having a first polarity, identifying a second portion immediately following the first portion wherein each part thereof has an instantaneous slope having a second opposite polarity, and identifying a third portion immediately following the second portion wherein each part thereof has an instantaneous slope having the first polarity. The method further includes determining a first difference between the magnitudes associated with an end point and a beginning point of the second segment, determining a second difference between the magnitude associated with an end point of the third segment and the magnitude associated with a beginning point of the first segment, and detecting an edge if: (i) the first difference exceeds a threshold, and (ii) the second difference exceeds a fraction of the threshold.
US07855366B2 Bipolar junction transistor-based uncooled infrared sensor and manufacturing method thereof
A BJT (bipolar junction transistor)-based uncooled IR sensor and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The BJT-based uncooled IR sensor includes: a substrate; at least one BJT which is formed to be floated apart from the substrate; and a heat absorption layer which is formed on an upper surface of the at least one BJT, wherein the BJT changes an output value according heat absorbed through the heat absorption layer. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a BJT-based uncooled IR sensor capable of being implemented through a CMOS compatible process and obtaining more excellent temperature change detection characteristics.
US07855358B2 Method and an ion source for obtaining ions of an analyte
A method of obtaining ions of an analyte is disclosed. The method includes aerosolizing a sample using a thermal liquid jetting device or a piezoelectric liquid jetting device to obtain an aerosol without ionizing the sample. The sample includes the analyte in a solvent. The method further includes drying the aerosol to obtain gas phase solvent and gas phase analyte, and ionizing the gas phase analyte to obtain ions thereof. An ion source using the method for obtaining ions of an analyte is also disclosed.
US07855357B2 Apparatus and method for ion calibrant introduction
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for introducing calibrant ions into a conduit, ion source and/or mass spectrometry system.
US07855356B2 Determination of chemical empirical formulas of unknown compounds using accurate ion mass measurement of all isotopes
A method of determining an empirical formula of an analyte ion from a measured mass spectrum including a main peak and one or more isotope peaks. The method comprises comparing a relative isotopic intensity of the measured isotope peak to a calculated relative isotopic intensity of an isotopic ion of a proposed empirical formula and comparing a relative mass defect of the measured isotope peak to a calculated relative mass defect of the isotopic ion of the proposed empirical formula. The proposed empirical formula is identified as a potential candidate for the analyte ion based on these comparisons.
US07855354B2 Measuring device and method for the 3D-measurement of dental models
A scanning system for carrying out 3D scanning of dental models in a scanning direction V including a holding device for a whole jaw model which spans an occlusal plane E over a line-shaped mandibular arch, a base, a swivel bearing on a swivel axis normal to the scanning direction V and a stage mounted for rotation on the swivel bearing relatively to the base, on which the dental model to be scanned can be mounted. The stage can be rotated through an angular range δ of at least 150° about the swivel axis, and the whole jaw model can be mounted such that said occlusal plane E is aligned parallel to said scanning direction V. An evaluation unit receives data from a detector to generate a 3D data set.
US07855347B2 Member for push button switch and method of manufacturing the same
To obtain a member for a push button switch having a natural metallic impression and an upscale impression; enabling a precise arrangement of the push buttons; being capable of being made thinner; and being difficult to get stained, there is provided a member for a push button switch having a configuration in which a gap between adjacent metal push buttons is filled with a transparent organic polymer material, the transparent organic polymer material including a transparent resin sheet extending from an interior surface of the gap to a ceiling surface side of the push button, and a transparent rubber-like elastic material disposed inside the transparent resin sheet.
US07855346B2 Data processing apparatus and removal recording media
A data processing apparatus includes a manipulation member, a protection cover, a latch member, a coupling device, and a control unit. The protection cover covers a removable recording medium attached to the data processing apparatus. The latch member engages the protection cover to set the protection cover in a closed condition. The coupling device couples or uncouples the manipulation member and the latch member. The control unit controls a coupling condition of the manipulation member and the latch member. The control unit selectively transmits a first signal for coupling the manipulation member and the latch member and a second signal for uncoupling the manipulation member and the latch member depending on whether or not data processing for the removable recording medium is in progress.
US07855345B2 Differential pressure switch
The invention relates to a field adjustable pressure switch that incorporates a manually adjustable differential to set the pressure level for the trip point for the pressure switch used in conjunction with a submersible sump pump system requiring trip levels corresponding to the desired water level in the sump well for operation of the pump motor.
US07855342B2 Semiconductor element, method of manufacturing semiconductor element, multi-layer printed circuit board, and method of manufacturing multi-layer printed circuit board
A transition layer 38 is provided on a die pad 22 of an IC chip 20 and integrated into a multilayer printed circuit board 10. Due to this, it is possible to electrically connect the IC chip 20 to the multilayer printed circuit board 10 without using lead members and a sealing resin. Also, by providing the transition layer 38 made of copper on an aluminum pad 24, it is possible to prevent a resin residue on the pad 24 and to improve connection characteristics between the die pad 24 and a via hole 60 and reliability.
US07855341B2 Methods and apparatus for a flexible circuit interposer
A substrate having a bending region and conductive paths formed therethrough is provided. In one embodiment, conductive paths are formed from a first region on the bottom surface of the substrate, through the bending region and to a second region on the top surface of the substrate. Methods of using the flexible substrate are also provided.
US07855334B2 Music edit device and music edit method
A music editing apparatus is provided that uses so-called time line meta data that describe a beat and melody structure of a song to automatically accomplishes an automatic DJ remix play with a low load. The apparatus also includes a synchronous reproduction controlling section which sends a master beat to the remix processing section and reproduces a plurality of songs corresponding to a remix process which the remix processing section designates corresponding to a remix pattern and the meta data and a mixing section which mixes the songs reproduced by the synchronous reproduction controlling section. The synchronous reproduction controlling section also includes a phase comparator which compares a phase of a beat synchronous signal generated from the meta data supplied from the remix processing section with that of the master beat signal; an integrating circuit which integrates a phase compared output of the phase comparator; and a correcting section which corrects a tempo based on an integrated output of the integrating circuit.
US07855325B2 Use of nitric oxide modulators in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation
Use of nitric oxide modulators during the transformation process can enhance Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plants.
US07855320B2 Generation of plants with altered protein, fiber, or oil content
The present invention is directed to plants that display an improved oil quantity phenotype or an improved meal quality phenotype due to altered expression of an IMQ nucleic acid. The invention is further directed to methods of generating plants with an improved oil quantity phenotype or improved meal quality phenotype.
US07855317B2 Non-dehiscent sesame variety Sesaco 32
Improved non-dehiscent sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) designated Sesaco 32 (S32) is herein disclosed. Its degree of shatter resistance, or seed retention, makes S32 suitable for mechanized harvesting.
US07855312B2 Method for processing an olefin-containing product stream
A method is described for processing an olefin-containing product stream (1) that contains, besides ethylene and propylene, longer-chain olefins and compounds of hydrocarbons with oxygen (oxygenates). Such a product stream (I) can occur in particular in olefin synthesis from methanol. The product stream is dewatered in successive process steps, optionally compressed in several steps and dried. Then it is subjected to fractionation. For removal of the undesired oxygenates it is proposed that the oxygenates be washed out of the gaseous product stream after the compression steps and before the drying step in a column (12) with methanol.
US07855305B2 Process to produce an enriched composition
A process is provided for producing an enriched carboxylic acid compositions produced by contacting composition comprising a carboxylic acid with an enrichment feed in an enrichment zone to form an enriched carboxylic acid composition. This invention also relates to a process and the resulting compositions for removing catalyst from a carboxylic acid composition to produce a post catalyst removal composition.
US07855303B2 Integrated process for the production of vinyl acetate from acetic acid via ethylene
This invention provides an integrated two stage economical process for the production of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) from acetic acid in the vapor phase. First, acetic acid is selectively hydrogenated over a hydrogenating catalyst composition to form ethylene either in a single reactor zone or in a dual rector zone wherein the intermediate hydrogenated products are either dehydrated and/or cracked to form ethylene. In a subsequent second stage so formed ethylene is reacted with molecular oxygen and acetic acid over a suitable catalyst to form VAM. In an embodiment of this invention reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen over a hydrogenation catalyst and subsequent reaction over a dehydration catalyst selectively produces ethylene, which is further mixed with acetic acid and molecular oxygen and reacted over a supported palladium/gold/potassium catalyst.
US07855301B2 Silane and silicic acid polycondensates with radicals containing branched-chain urethane, acid amide and/or carboxylic acid ester groups
The invention relates to silane of formula (Ia), wherein the radicals and indices have the following meaning: R is an alkylene, arylene or alkylenearylene group that can be interrupted by one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms or carboxyl or amino groups or can carry said atoms/groups on their ends opposite the silicon atom; R1 is a Z′-substituted alkylene, arylene or alkylenearylene group, which can be interrupted by one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms or carboxyl or amino groups or can carry said atoms/groups on one of their ends; R′ is an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl group; B and B′ can be identical or different, both radicals can have the meaning of a straight-chained or branched organic group with at least one C═C double bond and at least 2 carbon atoms; B′ can mean instead thereof but also —R2aSi(OR3)4-a or —R2aR′bSi(OR3)4-a-b, wherein R2 is an alkylene group and R′ has the meaning defined above; X represents a group that can enter into a hydrolytic while forming Si—O—Si bridges; Z′ means —NH—C(O)O—, —NH—C(O)— or —CO(O)—, wherein the first two radicals are bonded to radical B′ by means of the NH group, whereas the carboxylate group can point in both directions except for a minor exception; a represents 1 or 2, and b is 0 or 1. The invention also relates to silicic acid poly (partial) condensates which can be produced by hydrolysis and condensation of said silane, and to the polymer materials with or without filling materials produced therefrom. The invention further relates to a method for the production of the inventive silane.
US07855299B2 Preparation method of porous organic inorganic hybrid materials
The present invention relates to a synthesis method of porous hybrid inorganic-organic materials that can be applied for adsorbents, gas storages, sensors, membranes, functional thin films, catalysts, catalyst supports, encapsulating guest molecules and separation of molecules by the pore structures. More specifically, the present invention relates to the synthesis method of nanocrystalline porous hybrid inorganic-organic materials.
US07855298B2 Azabicyclo (3.1.0.) hexane derivatives useful as modulators of dopamine D3 receptors
The present invention relates to novel compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: 1. wherein G is selected from a group consisting of: phenyl, pyridyl, benzothiazolyl, indazolyl; p is an integer ranging from 0 to 5; R1 is independently selected from a group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C1-4alkyl, haloC1-4alkyl, C1-4alkoxy, haloC1-4alkoxy, C1-4alkanoyl; or corresponds to a group R5; R2 is hydrogen or C1-4alkyl; R3 is C1-4alkyl; R4 is hydrogen, or a phenyl group, a heterocyclyl group, a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic group, or a 8- to 11-membered bicyclic group, any of which groups is optionally substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents selected from the group consisting of: halogen, cyano, C1-4alkyl, haloC1-4alkyl, C1-4alkoxy, C1-4alkanoyl; R5 is a moiety selected from the group consisting of: isoxazolyl, —CH2—N -pyrrolyl, 1,1-dioxido-2-isothiazolidinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, 2 -pyrrolidinonyl, and such a group is optionally substituted by one or two substituents selected from: halogen, cyano, C1-4alkyl, haloC1-4alkyl, C1-4alkoxy, C1-4alkanoyl; and when R1 is chlorine and p is 1, such R1 is not present in the ortho position with respect to the linking bond to the rest of the molecule; and when R1 corresponds to R5, p is 1; or a salt thereof which are useful as modulators of dopamine D3 receptors, e.g. to treat drug dependency or as antipsychotic agents.
US07855288B2 Pyrrolo [1,2-d] [1,2-4] triazine as inhibitors of c-Jun N terminal kinases (JNK) and p-38 kinases
A compound of formula (I): wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification as inhibitor of C-Jun N terminal Kinases (JNK) and P-38 Kinases.
US07855286B2 Titanyl phthalocyanin crystal, method for preparing the same and electrophotographic photoconductor
According to the present invention, a titanyl phthalocyanin crystal excellent in storage stability in organic solvents, a method for preparing the same and an electrophotographic photoconductor using the same are provided. In the titanyl phthalocyanin crystal, the method for preparing such a titanyl phthalocyanin crystal and the electrophotographic photoconductor using the same, the titanyl phthalocyanin crystal is characterized by having the maximum peak at a Bragg angle 2θ±0.2°=27.2° in a CuKα characteristic X-ray diffraction spectrum and one peak within the range of 270 to 400° C. other than a peak accompanied by the vaporization of adsorbed water in a differential scanning calorimetric analysis.
US07855285B2 Methods for selective N-9 glycosylation of purines
A process for providing regiospecific and highly stereoselective synthesis of 9-β anomeric purine nucleoside analogs is described. The introduction of the sugar moiety on to 6-(azolyl)-substituted purine bases is performed so that highly stereoselective formation of the β anomers of only the 9 position regioisomers of the purine nucleoside analogs (either D or L enantiomers) is obtained. This regiospecific and stereoselective introduction of the sugar moiety allows the synthesis of nucleoside analogs, and in particular 2′-deoxy, 3′-deoxy, 2′-deoxy-2′-halo-arabino and 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′-halo-threo purine nucleoside analogs, in high yields without formation of the 7-positional regioisomers. Processes for providing novel 6-(azolyl)purines for the regiospecific and highly stereoselective synthesis of 9-β anomeric purine nucleoside analogs are described. The compounds are drugs or intermediates to drugs.
US07855281B2 Cleavable thiocarbonate linkers for polynucleotide synthesis
In various embodiments of the invention, novel compositions having a polynucleotide bound to a substrate via a cleavable linker are provided, and methods of cleaving a polynucleotide from a substrate are provided.
US07855276B2 Framework residue substituted humanized COL-1 antibodies and their use
The present disclosure provides humanized COL-1 monoclonal antibodies that retain CEA binding affinity, compared to a parent antibody. Also disclosed herein are humanized COL-1 monoclonal antibodies that have reduced immunogenicity, compared to a parent antibody. The disclosed humanized COL-1 antibodies include substitution of framework residues with residues from the corresponding positions of a homologous human sequence. In several embodiments, methods are disclosed for the use of a humanized COL-1 antibody in the detection or treatment of a CEA-expressing tumor or cell in a subject. Also disclosed is a kit including the humanized COL-1 antibodies described herein.
US07855269B2 Method for treating inflammation
A method for treating down-regulating IL-19 or mda7 by administering the soluble IL-20RA/IL-20R heterodimeric receptor.
US07855258B2 Propylene olefin copolymers
Improved thermoplastic polymer blend compositions comprising an isotactic polypropylene component and an alpha-olefin and propylene copolymer component, said copolymer comprising crystallizable alpha-olefin sequences. In a preferred embodiment, improved thermoplastic polymer blends are provided comprising from about 35% to about 85% isotactic polypropylene and from about 30% to about 70% of an ethylene and propylene copolymer, wherein said copolymer comprises isotactically crystallizable propylene sequences and is predominately propylene. The resultant blends manifest unexpected compatibility characteristics, increased tensile strength, and improved process characteristics, e.g., a single melting point.
US07855256B2 Fluoropolyether adhesive composition
An adhesive composition comprising the following components: (A) a linear polyfluoro compound having at least two SiH bonds per molecule and a perfluoropolyether residue in a main chain of the linear polyfluoro compound (A); (B) an organohydrogensiloxane having a fluorinated group and at least two hydrogen atoms each bonded to a silicon atom per molecule; (C) a compound of a platinum group metal; (D) hydrophobic silica powder; (E) an alkoxysilane represented by the following formula (1) (RO)3—Si-T  (1) wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, T is a group represented by the formula, —OR1 or —CHR2—COOR3, wherein R1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, which may be the same with or different from R, R2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and R3 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group; and (F) an organosiloxane having at least one SiH bond and at least one group selected from the group consisting of an epoxy group and a trialkoxysilyl group. The composition has no quality variation from lot to lot and gives a cured product having good resistance to solvents and heat, and durability.
US07855251B2 Impact-modified polyamide compounds
A tri-block copolymer is disclosed for use as an impact modifier in polyamide compounds also containing a compatibilizer, preferably also having reinforcing organoclay exfoliated and dispersed therein. The tri-block copolymer comprises an aromatic monomer, an olefin monomer, and a alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer.
US07855248B2 Highly dispersible precipitated silica
The present invention relates to a highly disperse precipitated silica which has a high surface area, to a process for preparing it, and to its use as a tire filler for commercial vehicles, motorbikes, and high-speed vehicles.
US07855245B2 Adhesive composition and a method of using the same
An adhesive composition comprising 100 parts by weight of (A) an alternating copolymer composed of repeating units having alcoholic hydroxyl groups and represented by the following formula (1): 10 to 1,000 parts by weight of (B) an epoxy resin having at least two glycidyl groups per molecule, and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of (C) a curing promoter. The composition is particularly suitable as a die bonding agent.
US07855240B2 Formulated resin component for use in spray-in-place foam system to produce a low density polyurethane foam
The subject invention provides an open-celled polyurethane foam formed from a polyurethane spray foam system that mixes a formulated resin component with an isocyanate component. The resultant open-celled polyurethane spray foam has a density of about ½ pound per cubic foot. The resin component includes water as a blowing agent, a first aliphatic, amine-initiated polyol having a number-average molecular weight of from 150 to 500 and having tetra-functionality, and a second polyol having terminal hydroxyl groups and having a number-average molecular weight of from 3500 to 8000. A curing component having at least one primary amine group and having a number-average molecular weight of from 150 to 5000 is also included in the resin component. The spray foam system reacts a) the resin component and b) the isocyanate component in a volumetric ratio of a) to b) of from 1:1.2 to 1:5 and having an isocyanate index of from 15 to 70.
US07855238B2 Molding compositions containing polyalkylene terephthalates and modified polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) random copolymers derived from PET
A molding composition comprising (a) from 5 to 90 wt % of a modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymer that (1) is derived from polyethylene terephthalate component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers and (2) at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component, and (b) from 5 to 40 wt % of a polyalkylene terephthalate component; wherein the modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymer, the polyalkylene terephthalate component, and optionally, at least one additive, have a combined weight % of 100 wt %. Methods for making the composition and articles made from the composition.
US07855236B2 Method to start a process for producing hydrocarbons from synthesis gas
Method to start a steady state process for producing normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas, which process comprises the steps of: (i) providing the synthesis gas; and (ii) catalytically converting the synthesis gas at an elevated temperature and a steady state total reactor pressure to obtain the normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons; the method comprising admixing the synthesis gas of step (i) with one or more inert gases to form an admixture stream prior to catalytically converting the synthesis gas in step (ii) at the steady state total reactor pressure and wherein as the activity of the catalyst converting the synthesis gas proceeds towards a steady state, the amount of inert gas(es) in the admixture stream is reduced.
US07855232B2 Organoselenium compound for cancer chemoprevention
A compound containing an alkylene selenocyanate or an alkylene isoselenocyanate moiety effective to prevent the occurrence or progression of cancer or a precancerous condition. The compound can be provided and administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition, a cosmetic, a food additive, supplement, or the like. Methods for synthesis and use of the chemopreventive compound of the invention are also provided.
US07855228B2 Antibiotics targeting MreB
The identification of MreB as essential for bacterial chromosome segregation provides a new target for antibiotic action. The MreB function is useful in the development of screening assays for new antibiotics, which may use, for example, genetic mutants in MreB, tests of MreB mediated chromosome segregation, and the like. In one embodiment of the invention, the antibiotic is an isothiourea compound, which may comprise a polyhalogenated benzyl group, e.g. at the 4 position, the 2,4 position, etc. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an MreB targeted antibiotic as an active agent is administered to a patient suffering from a microbial infection, particularly bacterial infections.
US07855224B2 Indole derivatives as histamine 3 receptor inhibitors for the treatment of cognitive and sleep disorders, obesity and other CNS disorders
This invention relates to compounds having pharmacological activity, to compositions containing these compounds, and to a method of treatment employing the compounds and compositions. More particularly, this invention concerns certain indole derivatives and their salts and solvates. These compounds have H3 histamine receptor antagonist activity. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and to a method of treating disorders in which histamine H3 receptor blockade is beneficial.
US07855214B2 Fused cyclic systems useful as inhibitors of TEC family protein kinases
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of Tec family protein kinases. These compounds have the general formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, G, Cy1, and X are as defined herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders.
US07855213B2 Compounds
This invention relates to novel compounds having the structural formula I below: and to their pharmaceutically acceptable salt, compositions and methods of use. These novel compounds provide a treatment or prophylaxis of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer Disease, neurodegeneration and dementia.
US07855210B2 Therapeutic agents useful for treating pain
A compound of formula: wherein Ar, Ar1, Ar2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R13, m, t, and x are disclosed herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (a “Hydroxyiminopiperazine Compound”); compositions comprising an effective amount of a Hydroxyiminopiperazine Compound; and methods for treating or preventing pain and other conditions in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a Hydroxyiminopiperazine Compound are disclosed.
US07855209B2 Allosteric modulators of the A1 adenosine receptor
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and Q have a meaning as defined herein in the specification. The compounds of formula (I) are allosteric modulators of the A1 adenosine receptor and, thus, may be employed for the treatment of conditions mediated by the A1 adenosine receptor. Accordingly, the compounds of formula (I) may be employed for treatment of pain, in particular, chronic pain such as neuropathic pain; cardiac disease or disorder such as cardiac disarrhythmias, e.g., peroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, angina, myocardial infarction and stroke; neurological disease or injury; sleep disorder; epilepsy; and depression.
US07855207B2 6-alkenyl and 6-phenylalkyl substituted 2-quinolinones and 2-quinoxalinones as poly(adpribose) polymerase inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) and compounds of formula (VII-a) as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds and their use as PARP inhibitors wherein n, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, Re, Rd and X have defined meanings.
US07855204B2 Derivatives of gefitinib
This invention relates to novel quinazoline derivatives, their derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by inhibiting cell surface tyrosine receptor kinases.
US07855202B2 Imidazopyridine derivatives as A2B adenosine receptor antagonists
The present disclosure relates to imidazopyridine derivatives of formula (I): The present disclosure also relates to a method for treating a subject afflicted with a pathological condition or disease susceptible to amelioration by antagonism of the A2B adenosine receptor.
US07855201B2 Morpholine carboxamide prokineticin receptor antagonists
The present invention is directed to morpholine carboxamide compounds which are antagonists of prokineticin receptors, in particular antagonists of prokineticin 2 receptors, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which prokineticin receptors are involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which prokineticin receptors are involved.
US07855197B2 Biologically active methylene blue derivatives
A phenothiazinium compound of Formula (I) wherein: A and B each independently is in which R′ and R″ each independently is a linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group, or R′ and R″ together with the N atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring; and where XP− is a counteranion and P is 1, 2 or 3; except for the compounds in which A and B are both either —N(CH3)2 or —N(CH2CH3)2 for use in a treatment that requires removal, deactivation or killing of unwanted tissues or cells.
US07855196B2 Composition comprising a benzodiazepine agonist and a benzodiazepine antagonist
A composition comprising a benzodiazepine agonist, a benzodiazepine antagonist, and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier in an effective ratio so as to preserve the therapeutic effects of the benzodiazepine agonist while modulating the side effects of the benzodiazepine agonist.
US07855195B2 Method of treating mental disorders using D4 and 5-HT2A antagonists, inverse agonists or partial agonists
The present invention relates to methods of treating of the underlying dysregulation of the emotional functionality of mental disorders (i.e. affect instability-hypersensitivity-hyperaesthesia-dissociative phenomena- . . . ) using compounds and compositions of compounds having D4 and/or 5-HT2A antagonistic, partial agonistic or inverse agonistic activity for. The invention also relates to methods comprising administering to a patient diagnosed as having a neuropsychiatric disorder a pharmaceutical composition containing (i) compounds having D4 antagonistic, partial agonistic or inverse agonistic activity and/or (ii) compounds having 5-HT2A antagonistic, partial agonistic or inverse agonistic, and/or (iii) any known medicinal compound and compositions of said compounds. The combined D4 and 5-HT2A antagonistic, partial agonistic or inverse agonistic effects may reside within the same chemical or biological compound or in two different chemical and/or biological compounds.
US07855192B2 Macrolactams by engineered biosynthesis
Macrolactams are made by feeding aromatic amino acids as replacement starter units to a mutant strain of the geldanamycin-producing microorganism Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. geldanus NRRL 3602, wherein the gene cluster encoding enzymes for the biosynthesis of the natural starter unit 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid has been deleted.
US07855191B2 Agent having a destructive effect on malignant tumors and method for the production thereof
Disclosed is an agent which has a destructive effect on malignant tumors and contains alpha-ketoglutaric acid, N-acetyl-seleno-L-methionine, N-acetyl-L-methionine, and a compound that is capable of forming azomethine and is selected among the group 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, dehydroascorbic acid, maltol, and vanillin as an active substance, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural being preferred. The inventive agent can be used in the form of an infusion, in an oral or rectal form of administration, or as an irrigation in cancer therapy.
US07855188B2 Quarternized amino glucosamine compound for exerting anticancer effect
The present invention relates to the quaternized amino glucosamine, it can exert an anticancer effect via induction of apoptosis in a dose and time dependant manner through which an anticancer treatment effect can be increased.
US07855187B1 Alkylated semi-synthetic glycosaminoglycosan ethers, and methods of making and using thereof
Described herein is the synthesis of alkylated and semi-synthetic glycosaminoglycosan ethers, referred to herein as “SAGEs.” The synthesis of sulfated alkylated SAGEs is also described. The compounds described herein are useful in a number of applications including wound healing, drug delivery, and the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases and skin disorders.
US07855183B2 Methods of treatment of a bcl-2 disorder using bcl-2 antisense oligomers
The present invention is directed to the use of bcl-2 antisense oligomers to treat and prevent bcl-2 related disorders. These disorders include cancers, tumors, carcinomas and cell-proliferative related disorders. In one embodiment of the invention, a bcl-2 antisense oligomer is administered at high doses. The present invention is also directed to a method of preventing or treating a bcl-2 related disorder, in particular cancer, comprising administering a bcl-2 antisense oligomer for short periods of time. The present invention is further drawn to the use of bcl-2 antisense oligomers to increase the sensitivity of a subject to cancer therapeutics. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more bcl-2 antisense oligomers, which may comprise one or more cancer therapeutic agents.
US07855163B2 Low coefficient of thermal expansion bonding system for a high porosity ceramic body and methods of manufacture
A porous ceramic body comprises a plurality of fibers and a bonding system bonding a portion of at least two fibers of the plurality of fibers. The plurality of fibers has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The bonding system has a second coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. In some embodiments, when the plurality of fibers and the bonding system are combined the resulting porous ceramic body has a third coefficient of thermal expansion which is at least about 10% less than the first coefficient of thermal expansion.
US07855157B1 Multi-functional layered structure having structural and radiation shielding attributes
A cosmic and solar radiation shielding structure that also has structural attributes is comprised of three layers. The first layer is 30-42 percent by volume of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene fibers, 18-30 percent by volume of graphite fibers, and a remaining percent by volume of an epoxy resin matrix. The second layer is approximately 68 percent by volume of UHMW polyethylene fibers and a remaining percent by volume of a polyethylene matrix. The third layer is a ceramic material.
US07855154B2 Methods of forming intermediate semiconductor device structures using spin-on, photopatternable, interlayer dielectric materials
A cap layer that enables a photopatternable, spin-on material to be used in the formation of semiconductor device structures at wavelengths that were previously unusable. The photopatternable, spin-on material is applied as a layer to a semiconductor substrate. The cap layer and a photoresist layer are each formed over the photopatternable layer. The cap layer absorbs or reflects radiation and protects the photopatternable layer from a first wavelength of radiation used in patterning the photoresist layer. The photopatternable, spin-on material is convertible to a silicon dioxide-based material upon exposure to a second wavelength of radiation.
US07855149B2 Treatment method for surface of substrate, method of fabricating image sensor by using the treatment method, and image sensor fabricated by the same
Provided may be a treatment method to remove defects created on the surface of a substrate, a method of fabricating an image sensor by using the treatment method, and an image sensor fabricated by the same. The treatment method may include providing a semiconductor substrate including a surface defect, providing a chemical solution to a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and removing the surface defect by consuming the surface of the semiconductor substrate and forming a chemical oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate.
US07855146B1 Photo-focus modulation method for forming transistor gates and related transistor devices
A method for forming a transistor gate includes performing a first exposure of a photo-resist material on a semiconductor device. The first exposure defines a line pattern in the photo-resist material. The method also includes performing a second exposure of the photo-resist material, where the second exposure trims a resist profile of the line pattern. The method further includes etching a conductive material on the semiconductor device to form a transistor gate based on the line pattern. The first exposure could represent a best focus exposure of the photo-resist material, and the second exposure could represent a positive focus exposure of the photo-resist material. The trimming of the line pattern's resist profile may cause the transistor gate to have at least one of a rounded edge and a rounded corner. This may allow a thicker insulating material, such as tetraethylorthosilicate, to be deposited around portions of the transistor gate.
US07855145B2 Gap filling method and method for forming semiconductor memory device using the same
A gap filling method and a method for forming a memory device, including forming an insulating layer on a substrate, forming a gap region in the insulating layer, and repeatedly forming a phase change material layer and etching the phase change material layer to form a phase change material layer pattern in the gap region.
US07855141B2 Semiconductor device having multiple wiring layers and method of producing the same
A method of producing a semiconductor device having a plurality of wiring layers forms a first interlayer-insulating film, forms a plurality of grooves for wiring in the first interlayer-insulating film, fills metallic films in the grooves to form wirings, etches the first interlayer-insulating film with the wirings as a mask and removes the interlayer-insulating film between the wirings to provide grooves to be filled, and fills a second interlayer-insulating film made of a material of low dielectric constant in the grooves to be filled.
US07855136B2 Method of mounting semiconductor chip to circuit substrate using solder bumps and dummy bumps
A semiconductor chip comprises a silicon substrate on which semiconductor elements are formed, pads, each of which is formed on the silicon substrate and electrically connected to at least one of the semiconductor elements, a first insulating layer having an opening over each one of the pads, a first wiring layer formed on the first insulating layer, electrically connected to the pads and having connecting parts, a second insulating layer formed on the first wiring layer and having openings over the connecting parts of the first wiring layer, electrically functioning solder bumps, each of which is formed on one of the openings of the second insulating layer with electrically connecting to one of the pads via the first wiring layer, and dummy bumps for self adjustment, each of which is formed on one of the openings of the second insulating layer without electrically connecting to the pad.
US07855135B2 Method to reduce parastic capacitance in a metal high dielectric constant (MHK) transistor
A method is disclosed to reduce parasitic capacitance in a metal high dielectric constant (MHK) transistor. The method includes forming a MHK gate stack upon a substrate, the MHK gate stack having a bottom layer of high dielectric constant material, a middle layer of metal, and a top layer of one of amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon. The method further forms a depleted sidewall layer on sidewalls of the MHK gate stack so as to overlie the middle layer and the top layer, and not the bottom layer. The depleted sidewall layer is one of amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon. The method further forms an offset spacer layer over the depleted sidewall layer and over exposed surfaces of the bottom layer.
US07855131B2 Manufacturing method of a semiconductor device
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device comprises a process of doping conductive impurities in a silicon carbide substrate, a process of forming a cap layer on a surface of the silicon carbide substrate, a process of activating the conductive impurities doped in the silicon carbide substrate, a process of oxidizing the cap layer after a first annealing process, and a process of removing the oxidized cap layer. It is preferred that the cap layer is formed from material that includes metal carbide. Since the oxidation onset temperature of metal carbide is comparatively low, the oxidization of the cap layer becomes easy if metal carbide is included in the cap layer. Specifically, it is preferred that the cap layer is formed from metal carbide that has an oxidation onset temperature of 1000 degrees Celsius or below, such as tantalum carbide.
US07855130B2 Corrosion inhibitor additives to prevent semiconductor device bond-pad corrosion during wafer dicing operations
An improved method of dicing a semiconductor wafer which substantially reduces or eliminates corrosion of copper-containing, aluminum bonding pads. The method involves continuously contacting the bonding pads with deionized water and an effective amount of a copper corrosion inhibiting agent, most preferably benzotriazole. Also disclosed, is an improved apparatus for dicing a wafer, in which a copper corrosion inhibiting agent is included in the cooling system for cooling the dicing blade.
US07855129B2 Method for manufacturing direct bonded SOI wafer and direct bonded SOI wafer manufactured by the method
A direct bonded SOI wafer having an entire buried oxide film layer covered and not exposed is manufactured by: (A) forming a laminated body by laminating a semiconductor wafer and a support wafer via an oxide film; and (B) forming a thin-film single crystal silicon layer on the support wafer using a buried oxide film layer by film-thinning the semiconductor wafer to a predetermined thickness. In a process (C) the entire buried oxide film layer is covered by a main surface on the laminating side of the support wafer and the single crystal silicon layer. The covering of the entire buried film layer is carried out by, between process (A) and (B), removing the oxide film formed on the circumferential end edge of the main surface on the laminating side and the chamfered portion to leave the oxide film only on the laminated surface except the circumferential end edge.
US07855126B2 Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device using a cyclic selective epitaxial growth technique and semiconductor devices formed using the same
Devices and methods of fabricating a conductive pattern of such devices comprise a non-single crystalline semiconductor pattern formed on a single crystalline semiconductor substrate, an insulating spacer formed on a sidewall of the non-single crystalline semiconductor pattern, the non-single crystalline semiconductor pattern selectively recessed using a cyclic selective epitaxial growth (SEG) process, and a silicide layer formed on the recessed non-single crystalline semiconductor pattern.
US07855121B2 Method of forming organic thin film and method of manufacturing semiconductor device using the same
Provided are a method of forming an organic semiconductor thin film and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the. According to example embodiments, a method of forming an organic semiconductor thin film at least may include exposing a lower substrate coated with an organic semiconductor solution using a method of generating a shearing stress to the portion of the lower substrate coated with the organic semiconductor solution. A guide structure may be formed adjacent to the organic semiconductor solution.
US07855120B2 Methods for forming resistors including multiple layers for integrated circuit devices
Methods of forming an integrated circuit device may include forming an insulating layer on an integrated circuit substrate, forming a first conductive layer on the insulating layer, and forming a second conductive layer on the first conductive layer so that the first conductive layer is between the second conductive layer and the insulating layer. Moreover, the first conductive layer may be a layer of a first material, the second conductive layer may be a layer of a second material, and the first and second materials may be different. A hole may be formed in the second conductive layer so that portions of the first conductive layer are exposed through the hole. After forming the hole in the second conductive layer, the first and second conductive layers may be patterned so that portions of the first and second conductive layers surrounding portions of the first conductive layer exposed through the hole are removed while maintaining portions of the first conductive layer previously exposed through the hole.
US07855115B2 Method for forming laterally extending dielectric layer in a trench-gate FET
A field effect transistor (FET) is formed as follows. A trench is formed in a silicon region. An oxidation barrier layer is formed over a surface of the silicon region adjacent the trench and along the trench sidewalls and bottom. A protective layer is formed over the oxidation barrier layer inside and outside the trench. The protective layer is partially removed such that a portion of the oxidation barrier layer extending at least along the trench bottom becomes exposed and portions of the oxidation barrier layer extending over the surface of the silicon region adjacent the trench remain covered by remaining portions of the protective layer.
US07855112B2 Fabrication method of pixel structure
A fabrication method of a pixel structure includes providing a substrate. A semiconductor layer and a first conductive layer are formed on the substrate in sequence and patterned to form a semiconductor pattern and a data line pattern. A gate insulation layer and a second conductive layer are formed on the substrate in sequence and patterned to form a gate pattern and a scan line pattern connected to each other. A source region, a drain region, a channel region, and a lightly doped region are formed in the semiconductor pattern. A third conductive layer formed on the substrate is patterned to form a source pattern and a drain pattern. A protective layer is formed on the substrate and patterned to form a contact window to expose the drain pattern. A pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain pattern through the contact window is formed on the protective layer.
US07855111B2 Border region defect reduction in hybrid orientation technology (HOT) direct silicon bonded (DSB) substrates
Hybrid orientation technology (HOT) substrates for CMOS ICs include (100)-oriented silicon regions for NMOS and (110) regions for PMOS for optimizing carrier mobilities in the respective MOS transistors. Boundary regions between (100) and (110) regions must be sufficiently narrow to support high gate densities and SRAM cells. This invention provides a method of forming a HOT substrate containing regions with two different silicon crystal lattice orientations, with boundary morphology less than 40 nanometers wide. Starting with a direct silicon bonded (DSB) wafer of a (100) substrate wafer and a (110) DBS layer, NMOS regions in the DSB layer are amorphized by a double implant and recrystallized on a (100) orientation by solid phase epitaxy (SPE). Crystal defects during anneal are prevented by a low temperature oxide layer on the top surface of the wafer. An integrated circuit formed with the inventive method is also disclosed.
US07855109B2 Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device capable of preventing the generation of a bridge between a recess gate and a PLC plug
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention, comprising the steps of: forming a screen oxide layer over the surface of an active region of a semiconductor substrate in which an isolation structure defining the active region is formed; forming a first recess pattern in the active region and a second recess pattern in the isolation structure by etching a gate forming area in the active region and the isolation structure part extended thereto; removing the screen oxide film and simultaneously expanding the width of the second recess pattern; forming a first insulation dielectric layer over the resultant of the substrate having the second recess pattern with the expanded width so that the first insulation dielectric layer is blocked at the upper end thereof in the first recess pattern and it is deposited along the profile in the second recess pattern; forming a second insulation dielectric layer over the first insulation dielectric layer so that the second recess patter is not filled; forming a third insulation dielectric layer over the second insulation dielectric layer so that the second recess pattern is filled; and removing the third, second, and first insulation dielectric layers formed over the active region including the first recess pattern and the isolation structure between the second recess patterns.
US07855092B2 Device for emitting white-color light
A device for emitting white-color light comprises: a light emitting diode including: an LED chip comprising a gallium nitride compound semiconductor containing indium and being capable of emitting a blue color light, and a phosphor capable of absorbing a part of the blue color light and emitting a light having longer wavelength than the blue color light, the blue color light and the light from the phosphor being mixed to make the white-color; a control unit for converting an input to pulse signals; and a driver receiving the pulse signals from the control unit to drive the LED chip, wherein the brightness of the white-color light from the light emitting diode is controlled by a width of the pulse signals.
US07855086B2 Method for monitoring fabrication parameter
A method for monitoring fabrication parameters comprises steps of: obtaining a normal parameter variance curve and a comparing parameter variance curve; defining a plurality of normal parameter points on the normal parameter variance curve; defining a plurality of comparing parameter points on the comparing parameter variance curve; finding out the corresponding comparing parameter points nearest to the normal parameter points; calculating the distances between the normal parameter points and the corresponding comparing parameter points thereof; summing up the distances so as to receive a total distance; and determining whether or not the total distance exceeds a limit. Via this arrangement, when fabrication parameter of tool is abnormal, it can be efficiently and immediately determined.
US07855085B2 System and method for reducing shorting in memory cells
An MRAM device includes an array of magnetic memory cells having an upper conductive layer and a lower conductive layer separated by a barrier layer. To reduce the likelihood of electrical shorting across the barrier layers of the memory cells, spacers can be formed around the upper conductive layer and, after the layers of the magnetic memory cells have been etched, the memory cells can be oxidized to transform any conductive particles that are deposited along the sidewalls of the memory cells as byproducts of the etching process into nonconductive particles. Alternatively, the lower conductive layer can be repeatedly subjected to partial oxidation and partial etching steps such that only nonconductive particles can be thrown up along the sidewalls of the memory cells as byproducts of the etching process.
US07855079B2 Methods for assaying percentage of glycated hemoglobin
The invention provides enzymatic methods for direct determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples without the need of a separated measurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples. The methods utilizes one or two different types of oxidizing agents which selectively oxidize low-molecular weight reducing substances and high-molecular weight (mainly hemoglobin) reducing substances in blood samples, coupled with enzymatic reactions catalyzed by proteases, fructosyl amino acid oxidase, and peroxidase. The invention provides kits for performing the methods of the invention.
US07855072B2 System for detecting protease
Disclosed is a system for detecting a protease inside a cell. In one embodiment, the system includes a chimeric protein that comprises as covalently linked components: 1) at least one optionally masked signal protein; 2) at least one protease-specific cleavage site; and 3) at least one detectable amino acid sequence. The invention has a wide spectrum of applications including use in the detection of novel protease inhibitors inside cells and tissue.
US07855068B2 Methods and kits for detecting a target cell
The present invention concerns the identification of specific target cells in whole blood. The present invention discloses methods for detecting and optionally quantifying a target cell in untreated or substantially untreated whole blood. The present invention further discloses kits for detecting and optionally quantifying a target cell in untreated or substantially untreated whole blood.
US07855060B2 Method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family by inactivating a gene encoding a toxin of a bacterial toxin-antitoxin pair
The present invention provides a method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly a bacterium belonging the genus Escherichia or Pantoea, wherein said bacterium has attenuated expression of a gene encoding a toxin of a bacterial toxin-antitoxin pair.
US07855055B2 DNA polymerases with enhanced length of primer extension
A formulation and kit of thermostable or other DNA polymerases comprising at least one thermostable or other DNA polymerase which lacks 3′-exonuclease activity, and at least one thermostable DNA polymerase exhibiting 3′-exonuclease activity. Also provided is an improved method for enzymatic extension of DNA strands, especially while, but not limited to, amplifying nucleic acid sequences by polymerase chain reaction wherein the above formulation is made and used to catalyze primer extension.
US07855043B2 Silicon-containing film-forming composition, silicon-containing film, silicon-containing film-bearing substrate, and patterning method
A silicon-containing film is formed from a heat curable composition comprising (A-1) a silicon-containing compound obtained by effecting hydrolytic condensation of a hydrolyzable silicon compound in the presence of an acid catalyst and removing the acid catalyst, (A-2) a silicon-containing compound obtained by effecting hydrolytic condensation of a hydrolyzable silicon compound in the presence of a basic catalyst and removing the basic catalyst, (B) a hydroxide or organic acid salt of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium or cesium, or a sulfonium, iodonium or ammonium compound, (C) an organic acid, and (D) an organic solvent. The silicon-containing film allows an overlying photoresist film to be patterned effectively.
US07855028B2 Separator plate for molten carbonate fuel cell
Disclosed is a separator plate for a molten carbonate fuel cell, which functions to reform a fuel gas while allowing it to efficiently flow therein and thereout, thus producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which are then supplied into an anode, and which functions to realize the electrical connection between the anode and the cathode. In the center plate, having a central portion and peripheral portions of the separator plate, the central portion has gas flow paths, that is, guide protrusions and guide grooves, and the peripheral portions are formed into sidewall parts through a folding process, and thus the number of constituents of the separator plate is minimized, thereby reducing the area to be welded. Further, the sidewall parts are integrally structured with the center plate, thereby increasing airtightness and solving problems of corrosion which may be caused in the welded area.
US07855027B2 Methods and apparatus for breath alcohol testing
A fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell, a fuel cell housing, and a diaphragm. The fuel cell housing includes an endwall and an inlet port extending through said endwall. The inlet port is for admitting a breath sample into the housing. The diaphragm is coupled within the housing such that a cavity is defined between the housing and the diaphragm. The fuel cell is positioned within the cavity and is substantially concentrically aligned with respect to the inlet port.
US07855026B2 Fuel cell stack
The object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell stack with improved corrosion resistance of metal separators and reduced cost. To attain this object, the fuel cell stack according to the present invention has a cell stack constituted by stacking a prescribed number of unit cells obtained by sandwiching both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane between an anode and a cathode and sandwiching the outer sides thereof with a pair of metal separators, wherein the metal separator positioned on the plus side of the cell stack is subjected to surface treatment providing for relatively higher corrosion resistance than the metal separator positioned on the minus side of the cell stack. Cost reduction can be realized, while maintaining corrosion resistance comparable with that obtained in the case when all the separators are subjected to the anticorrosive surface treatment to the same degree.
US07855021B2 Electrocatalysts having platium monolayers on palladium, palladium alloy, and gold alloy core-shell nanoparticles, and uses thereof
The invention relates to platinum-coated particles useful as fuel cell electrocatalysts. The particles are composed of a noble metal or metal alloy core at least partially encapsulated by an atomically thin surface layer of platinum atoms. The invention particularly relates to such particles having a palladium, palladium alloy, gold alloy, or rhenium alloy core encapsulated by an atomic monolayer of platinum. In other embodiments, the invention relates to fuel cells containing these electrocatalysts and methods for generating electrical energy therefrom.
US07855020B1 Hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant
The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10). An anode flow path (24) is in fluid communication with an anode catalyst (14) for directing hydrogen fuel to flow adjacent to the anode catalyst (14), and a cathode flow path (38) is in fluid communication with a cathode catalyst (16) for directing an oxidant to flow adjacent to the cathode catalyst (16) of a fuel cell (12). Hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between the anode flow path (24) and the cathode flow path (38). A hydrogen reservoir (66) is secured in fluid communication with the anode flow path (24) for receiving and storing hydrogen during fuel cell (12) operation, and for releasing the hydrogen into the fuel cell (12) whenever the fuel cell (12) is shut down.
US07855014B2 Secondary battery
A secondary battery has a protrusion formed on a first electrode tab welded to a terminal plate of a cap assembly to increase the contact resistance between the first electrode tab and the terminal plate for easy welding.
US07855006B2 Fluid manager including electrical contacts and a battery including the same
A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.
US07855003B2 Ceramic and alloy anode solid oxide fuel cell
A solid oxide fuel cell is provided. The solid oxide fuel cell includes a cathode, at least an electrolyte membrane, and an anode having a ceramic material and an alloy of nickel and at least a second metal, selected from aluminum, titanium, molybdenum, cobalt, iron, chromium, copper, silicon, tungsten and niobium, the alloy having an average particle size not higher than 20 nm. The provided solid oxide fuel cells shows enduring efficiency when fuelled with different fuels, including hydrogen and hydrocarbons, in a wide range of operating temperatures.
US07855000B2 Optical element with anti-reflection unit
An optical element includes a substrate and an anti-reflective unit provided on one surface of the substrate. The anti-reflective unit includes a first coating layer, a second coating layer, a third coating layer, a fourth coating layer, and a fifth coating layer arranged on the substrate sequentially. The thickness of each of the first coating layer, the third coating layer, and the fifth coating layer is in the approximate range from 6 to 100 nanometers, and the thickness of each of the second coating layer and the fourth coating layer is in the approximate range from 10 to 200 nanometers. The first coating layer, the third coating layer, and the fifth coating layer are made of SiO2, and the second coating layer and the fourth coating layer are made of TiO2. The optical element can provide a high rate of light transmission.
US07854998B2 Organic EL devices
The present organic EL devices have at least one luminescent layer and a cathode sequentially provided on their anode, which luminescent layer contains an electron-transporting material, a hole-transporting material, and a luminescent dopant. Preferably, an electron-transporting layer is further provided between the luminescent layer and the cathode. According to the present invention, organic EL devices can be provided giving improved whiteness, colour reproducibility, luminescent efficiency, and lifetime compared to conventional ones.
US07854994B2 Barrier film
A barrier composition which is injection mouldable and able to be made into a transparent film or incorporated (by co-extrusion and/or lamination) into multi-layer film products, the composition on dry basis: a) from 45 to 90% by weight of a starch and/or a modified starch selected from starches modified by reaction with a hydroxyl alkyl group, an acetate or a dicarboxylic acid anhydride or a grafting polymer; b) from 4 to 12% by weight of a water soluble polymer selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylacetate, and copolymers of ethylene and vinylalcohol which have a melting point compatible with the molten state of the starch components c) from 5 to 45% by weight of a non-crystallising mixture of sorbitol and at least one other plasticizer selected from glycerol, maltitol, xylitol, mannitol, glycerol trioleate, epoxidised linseed or soybean oil, tributyl citrate, acetyl tri-ethyl citrate, glyceryl triacetate, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate; polyethylene oxide or polyethylene glycol; d) from 0.3 to 2.5% by weight of a C12-22 fatty acid or salt; e) from 0.25% to 3% of an emulsifier system having a hydrophilic lipophilic balance value between 2 and 10. The barrier film may be co-injection moulded with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polylactic acid (PLA) for blow moulding into beverage bottles, with polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) or biodegradable polymers for high gas-barrier containers or closures, or may be co-extruded with polyethylene, polypropylene or polylactic acid for thin film packaging applications or for blow-moulded containers.
US07854993B2 Sound reducing polymer interlayers
The present invention is in the field of polymer interlayers and multiple layer glass panels comprising polymer interlayers, and, more specifically, the present invention is in the field of polymer interlayers comprising multiple thermoplastic sheets.
US07854989B2 Covering sheet and wire harness
A covering sheet for being wound on a sheathed wire, includes a base sheet that has a strip shape, and an adhesive tape that has an adhesive surface formed only on one side thereof. The adhesive tape is bonded to the base sheet so as to project from one side edge portion of the base sheet.
US07854988B2 Lignocellulose-based molded product and process of making same
A lignocellulose-based molded product is made by mixing furan resin with steam-treated lignocellulose-based material, and molding the resulting mixture by applying heat and pressure.
US07854986B2 Building board and method for production
A building board, in particular of wooden material, plastic or a mixture of wooden material and plastic, with a top side and an underside and side edges. A polyurethane layer is applied at least on the top side. A decorative layer imitating a natural material is applied onto the polyurethane layer.
US07854979B2 Memo pad including memo sheets that can present a three-dimensional appearance
A memo pad includes a stack of memo sheets, each memo sheet including an inscribing portion, a pair of supporting portions, a pair of adhering portions, and a pair of adhesive layers. The adhesive layers are applied to the bottom side of the adhering portions such that an upper one of the memo sheets is adhered releasably to a lower one in the stack. When a memo sheet is removed from the memo pad, and the adhesive layers are used to attach the adhering portions to a supporting surface, the supporting portions are disposed to support the inscribing portion such that the inscribing portion is raised relative to the supporting surface, thereby configuring the memo sheet to present a three-dimensional appearance.
US07854972B2 Ornament and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is an ornament comprising a spherical body (D) with a through-hole (10) and a hanging wire member (6) inserted into the through-hole (10). The through-hole (10) is formed by connecting through a first hole (1) and a second hole (2) that are drilled toward the center (S) of the spherical body (P), respectively from right-left symmetrical positions in the upper half section (U) of the spherical body (D). A curved surface (5) is formed by cutting off the vertical type (4) of the inclined angle formed by the first hole (1) and the second hole (2) in the through-hole (10).
US07854962B2 Gas supply method using a gas supply system
Disclosed herein is a processing system that can supply a material gas produced inside a material reservoir tank into a processing apparatus while generating almost no pressure loss. The processing system has a processing apparatus including a gas injection injector for injecting a specific material gas into a processing vessel in order to provide specific processing to an object to be processed W, the material gas being produced from a metallic compound material M with low vapor pressure; and a gas supply system for supplying the specific material gas to the gas injector, the gas injector is a shower head portion and the gas supply system provides: a gas passage extending upwardly from the showerhead portion; a material reservoir tank attached to the upper-end portion of the gas passage for containing the metallic compound material therein; and an open/close valve for opening/closing the gas passage.
US07854955B2 Corn fiber hulls as a food additive or animal feed
The present invention provides a novel animal feed or food additive that may be made from thermochemically hydrolyzed, solvent-extracted corn fiber hulls. The animal feed or food additive may be made, for instance, by thermochemically treating corn fiber hulls to hydrolyze and solubilize the hemicellulose and starch present in the corn fiber hulls to oligosaccharides. The residue may be extracted with a solvent to separate the oil from the corn fiber, leaving a solid residue that may be prepared, for instance by aggolmerating, and sold as a food additive or an animal feed.
US07854954B2 Compositions with a chicken flavour, use and production thereof
The present invention provides with a method for producing compositions with a chicken flavor. The compositions of the invention can be obtained by applying the following method: (a) preparing a mixture comprising at least one reducing carbohydrate and at least one amino acid; (b) keeping the mixture at a temperature sufficient for the reducing carbohydrate and amino acid to react with each other; (c) adding to the mixture a composition comprising arachidonic acid, whereby said arachidonic acid is esterified for at least 50% w/w, preferably at least 65% w/w, more preferably at least 80% w/w, most preferably at least 90% w/w to the glycerol moiety of a triglyceride; and (d) keeping the mixture at a temperature sufficient for the chicken flavor to develop; and possibly: (e) drying the composition under mild conditions. The use of an oil rich in arachidonic acid, whereby said arachidonic acid is esterified to the glycerol moiety of a triglyceride, confers an enhanced stability to the compositions obtained. A composition of the invention is stable at room temperature for at least one year.
US07854951B2 Method and device for treating milk, in particular breast milk
The present invention relates to a method for treating milk, preferably breast milk, in which the milk is briefly heated in a container, said method comprising the following steps: The container is moved, preferably set in rotation, so that a milk film forms on its inner wall, the milk is heated to a treatment temperature during a heating phase, the milk is maintained at the treatment temperature for a treatment period of less than 20 seconds, and the milk is cooled to room temperature.
US07854935B2 Herbal therapy for the treatment of asthma
The present invention provides herbal formulas, and compositions thereof, that can treat or reduce the severity, intensity, or duration of asthma and asthma-related symptoms. The compositions may optionally include one or more adjuvants, cytokines, encapsulating materials, or pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, and may be administered prior to, during, or after the development of asthmatic symptoms in a patient in need thereof.
US07854933B2 Compositions and methods for identifying and targeting cancer cells of alimentary canal origin
Screening and diagnostic reagents, kits and methods for primary and/or metastatic stomach or esophageal cancer are disclosed. Compositions for and methods of imaging and treating primary and/or metastatic stomach or esophageal cancer are disclosed. Vaccines compositions and methods of for treating and preventing primary and/or metastatic stomach or esophageal cancer are disclosed.
US07854928B2 Method for limiting the growth of cancer cells using an attenuated measles virus
A method for treating cancer cells is provided comprising directly or systemically administering a therapeutically effective dose of an attenuated measles virus. In one embodiment, the therapeutically effective dose is from about 103 pfus to about 1012 pfus and is delivered by direct injection into a group of cancer cells or via intravenous injection.
US07854924B2 Methods and compositions for treatment of ion imbalances
The present invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of ion imbalances. In particular, the invention provides compositions comprising sodium-binding polymers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods of use of the polymeric and pharmaceutical compositions for therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefits are disclosed herein. Examples of these methods include the treatment of hypertension, chronic heart failure, end stage renal disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal insufficiency, fluid overload, or sodium overload.
US07854922B2 Skin preparation for external use characterized by containing sugar derivative of α, α-trehalose
The present invention has an object to provide an external dermatological formulation having satisfactory blood flow-promoting effect, antiinflammatory effect, antibacterial effect, moisturizing effect, whitening effect, UV-absorbing effect, UV-scattering effect, antioxidant effect, hair growing effect, hair nourishing effect, emusifying effect, astringent effect, wrinkle-reducing effect, cell-activating effect and/or transdermal absorption-promoting effect with a satisfactory safety and skin feeling; The object is solved by providing an external dermatological formulation comprising a saccharide derivative of α,α-trehalose and one or more members selected from substances having any one of blood flow-promoting effect, antiinflammatory effect, antibacterial effect, moisturizing effect, whitening effect, UV-absorbing effect, UV-scattering effect, antioxidant effect, hair growing efect, hair nourishing effect, emulsifying effect, astringent effect, wrinkle-reducing effect, cell-activating effect and transdermal absorption-promoting effect.
US07854918B2 Composition for medical use having improved water-solubility of peptide and metal-labeling efficiency and preparation for medical use comprising metal-labeled peptide
By preliminarily dissolving a basic organic compound in an aqueous solvent in which a peptide usable in metal-labeling is to be dissolved, the solubility of the peptide is improved and thus metal-labeling can be carried out without heating. A composition for medical use containing a peptide usable in metal-labeling and a basic organic compound acceptable as a pharmaceutical additive can be utilized as a preparation useful in image diagnosis, radiotherapy and so on.
US07854917B2 Methods of controlling the particle size of titanium dioxide produced by the chloride process
A process for manufacturing titanium dioxide by the chloride process is provided. In one embodiment, a particle size control agent comprising an ionizing agent such as potassium chloride is introduced into the reaction zone of the oxidation reactor to control the particle size of the titanium dioxide. In a first aspect, the effectiveness of the particle size control agent in controlling the particle size of the titanium dioxide is improved by adding the particle size control agent to at least one of the reactant streams at a sufficient distance upstream of the oxidization reactor to allow the ionizing agent to efficiently ionize and the particle size control agent to thoroughly admix with the stream(s) prior to entering the reaction zone. In a second aspect, the particle size control agent comprises an ionizing agent and fumed silica. In another embodiment, the amount of alumina added to the reaction zone of the oxidization reactor is increased in order to control the particle size of the titanium dioxide.
US07854915B2 Method of producing sulfuric acid and installation for carrying out the method
The invention relates to a method of producing sulfuric acid wherein an SO2-containing raw gas produced in a sulfuric-acid recovery plant is passed through at least one reactor in which a catalytic reaction of SO2 to SO3 takes place, and the SO3 thereby formed is converted into sulfuric acid. According to the invention, at least a partial stream of the gas stream leaving the sulfuric-acid recovery plant is hydrogenated with an H2-rich gas in a post-treatment stage. The H2S-containing gas stream formed by the hydrogenation is fed into the H2S gas scrubber of a coke oven plant or a petrochemical plant. The invention also relates to an installation for carrying out the method.
US07854912B1 High strength Zr (Hf or Ti)-Ta-B ceramics
The crystal structure of three compositions of matter has been determined to be iso-structural with FeB ortho-rhombic (space group Pnma). The crystalline structures are: Ti0.5Ta0.5B, Zr0.5Ta0.5B and Hf0.5Ta0.5B. A process for preparing ceramics is disclosed. Molded ceramics including the compositions of matter are useful for applications such as rocket nozzles, leading edges on hypersonic missiles, engine parts and other applications requiring a structural component to operate at temperatures of 1600° C. to 2400° C.
US07854910B1 Air preheater design that controls mercury emissions in exhaust gases and method of operation of the same
A conventional air preheater or the conventional design of a preheater is split into two separate sections which are then communicated or connected by a thermally insulated reaction section that is maintained within a predetermined temperature range selected for optimization of heterogeneous chemi-deposition of mercury. The reaction section contains thin stainless steel sheeting which provide an enhanced area of collisional surfaces. Testing has confirmed that this design modification alters the energy heat exchanger to also enhance the oxidation of gaseous elemental mercury in combustion or high temperature source flue gases by providing the surfaces and time for the heterogeneous mechanisms to occur and so control mercury emissions in exhaust gases from coal combustion or other high temperature systems that contain traces of mercury.
US07854909B2 Method and device for treating a fine-particled feedstock especially containing metal
A process for treating a finely particulate, in particular metal-containing, charge material: The charge material and a treatment gas, in particular a reduction gas, are introduced into a fluidized bed chamber of a fluidized bed reactor to form a fluidized bed. After at least partial reaction in the fluidized bed, the treatment gas is discharged from the fluidized bed and, outside the fluidized bed, is at least partially reprocessed, preferably oxidized, by an exothermic, chemical reaction with a reactant, preferably with a gaseous and/or liquid oxidizing agent. The thermal energy of this reaction is at least partially introduced into the fluidized bed chamber, in particular into the fluidized bed, or being discharged therefrom to affect the temperature of the particulate material above the bed. Also an apparatus for operating such a fluidized bed includes the chamber, lines into and out of the chamber for gas and material and a cyclone at the chamber for the material.
US07854898B2 Multi-well platforms, caddies, lids and combinations thereof
The present invention relates to multi-well platforms, lids, caddies and any combination thereof. The multi-well platforms comprise a plurality of wells that can be of any shape and can be arranged in any ornamental pattern. The lid comprises an area corresponding to the well field. The caddy has a footprint approximately that of a standard 96-well microtiter plate. When the multi-well platform is engaged with the caddy, the wells of the well-field of the multi-well platform are preferably not obscured by the caddy when viewed from the bottom of the combination.
US07854892B2 Specimen-transport module
A specimen-transport module adapted for use with each of a plurality of specimen-processing instruments of a multi-instrument clinical workcell. Such module is adapted to transport individual racks of specimen-containers relative to a specimen-aspiration probe of an associated instrument in a workcell, as well as to transfer selected racks of specimen-containers to an adjacent and identical specimen-transport module associated with another clinical instrument of the workcell. Since the same transport system is used to both present specimens for aspiration and to transfer specimens between instruments, there is no need for two independent conveyances as is characteristic of the prior art. Preferably, the specimen-transport module includes a magnetic X/Y transport system that operates beneath a rack-supporting surface to advance racks in mutually perpendicular directions across a supporting surface via magnetic forces.
US07854889B2 Process for decontamination by radiation of a product such as a packaging containing medical devices
A process for decontamination by radiation of a product. The process comprises at least one exposing step during which at least a first part of the product is exposed to a first radiation level, and at least a second part of the product is exposed to a second radiation level. The invention also relates to an equipment suitable for such a process.
US07854888B2 Methods for determining effectiveness of waste water tank deodorizers and synthetic waste compositions for use in said methods
A method for determining the effectiveness of a waste water tank deodorizer includes the steps of (i) providing a synthetic waste water media and a hydrogen sulfide generating microorganism; (ii) introducing in any order to the synthetic waste water media the hydrogen sulfide generating microorganism and a waste water tank deodorizer to be tested, and (iii) measuring the time or delay for the generation of hydrogen sulfide to occur beginning with combining of the hydrogen sulfide generating microorganism, the waste water tank deodorizer and the synthetic waste water media. Alternatively, measurement is also disclosed involving the number of bacteria present in the waste water during the test period. The invention includes a novel synthetic waste composition for use in the above method comprising at least a peptone, an animal protein extract, urea or a urea-containing compound, a metallic salt, a fiber-containing grain product and a cellulose-containing product.
US07854885B2 Method of making an article
A method of making an article having at least one re-entrance surface includes the steps of (a) forming a layer of metal powder on a base, (b) selectively laser fusing portions of the layer, and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to form the article, each step (a) being performed on the preceding layer characterised in that prior to performing step (a) in a layer which will initiate the formation of a re-entrant feature reversibly bonding at least some of the unfused underlying powder such that it is stable under the application of the laser.
US07854880B2 Polylactic acid molding and process for producing the same
A polylactic acid formed article and a production process therefor. A resin composition for the formed article comprises polylactic acid having an optical purity of not lower than 90% and a residual lactide amount of 0.1 to 0.6% by mass, and 1 to 25% by mass of a crystal nucleus agent. The formed article is characterized in that a difference (|ΔHm|−|ΔHc|) between the absolute value of a crystal fusion heat amount ΔHm as measured at a heat-up rate of 20° C./min by means of a differential scanning calorimeter and the absolute value of a heat-up crystallization heat amount ΔHc generated by heat-up crystallization is not lower than 25 J/g, and has a crystallinity of not lower than 35% as determined by X-ray measurement and a crystallization speed of not lower than 0.05 min−1 at 130° C.
US07854876B2 Apparatus and methods for modular preform mold system
Apparatus and methods for a preform mold system include multiple preform core side modules having preform mold cores, a core side clamp plate connectable to a moving platen of an injection mold machine and operable to receive the preform core modules, multiple preform cavity side modules having preform mold cavities, each of the preform cavity side modules operable to matingly engage a respective core side module to form multiple preform molds having a respective preform design, and multiple ejector housing assemblies for connecting the core side modules to an ejector platen of the mold machine, each of the ejector housing assemblies corresponding to a respective core side module. The preform mold system may also include a manifold and valve gate assembly connectable to a stationary platen of an injection mold machine and operable to receive the cavity side modules and place the mold cavities in fluid communication with an injector of the mold machine to control the injection of fluidized plastic in a uniform flow into the preform molds, simultaneously.
US07854871B2 Method for producing polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet and polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet
The present invention provides a method for producing a polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet which is excellent in heat resistance and flexibility, has a small diameter of cells, can be developed in various utilities, and is excellent in vacuum moldability. The method for producing a polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet according to the present invention comprises the steps of supplying a foamed sheet with closed cells, comprising a polyolefin-based resin, to a gap between one pair of rolls which have different circumferential speeds, and are rotated so that rotation directions on facing surfaces are the same direction, and applying a compression force and a shear stress to the foamed sheet with closed cells simultaneously to rupture a part of closed cells of the foamed sheet with closed cells to communicate closed cells into open cells.
US07854867B2 Method for detecting a particle in a nanoimprint lithography system
A method for detecting a particle between a nanoimprint mold assembly and a substrate in a nanoimprint lithography system.
US07854866B2 Thermal curing methods and systems for forming contact lenses
Contact lens curing systems and methods are described. A contact lens curing system includes an oven that has a plurality of curing zones a mold advancement system for moving the contact lens mold assemblies between the plurality of zones and a controlled atmosphere within the curing zones that provides a substantially chemically inert environment in which contact lens precursor materials can be polymerized in contact lens mold assemblies located in the curing zones. Methods of producing contact lenses include curing contact lens precursor materials in contact lens mold assemblies in the lens curing system. As an example, an oven for curing contact precursor materials in molds the curing process being done in an inert atmosphere, includes a plurality of heating zones, such as three heating zones 106, 107, 108 or two heating zones 307, 308 and a mold advancement system for moving the molds between the plurality of zones, wherein a first zone and second zone of the plurality of zones are maintained at different temperatures 106, 107 or 307, 308.
US07854857B2 Formulation for dust abatement and prevention of erosion
A safe, biodegradable, environmentally benign, non-toxic, water-soluble solution consisting of water, sugar, starch, sodium phosphate, and surfactant that can be applied to dust and sand particles to bind the particles and form a hardened crust. Also disclosed is the related method for abating dust and preventing erosion.
US07854855B2 Electrolytic solution
There is provided an electrolytic solution comprising a fluorine-containing cyclic carbonate (I) represented by the formula (I): wherein Rf1 is a fluorine-containing ether group (Ia), a fluorine-containing alkoxyl group (Ib) or a fluorine-containing alkyl group (Ic) having two or more carbon atoms; X1 and X2 are the same or different and each is H, F, Cl, CF3 or CH3; X3 is H, F, Cl or an alkyl group in which hydrogen atom may be substituted with halogen atom and hetero atom may be contained in its chain, and an electrolyte salt (II). The electrolytic solution is excellent in flame retardance, low temperature characteristics and withstand voltage, high in solubility of an electrolyte salt and excellent in compatibility with a hydrocarbon solvent.
US07854850B2 Screen blockage measurement and flow performance optimization system
An apparatus and method are provided that enable the control of a screening operation based on a calculated screen blockage percentage and the velocity throughput of the screen. The apparatus includes an upstream level detector, a downstream level detector and a flow determining device which determines the volumetric flow through the screen. The apparatus may further include a blockage determination unit which determines the percent screen blockage based on the flow level upstream of the screen, the flow level downstream of the screen and the volumetric flow.
US07854849B2 Compact multiphase inline bulk water separation method and system for hydrocarbon production
A method and apparatus for inline, controlled water separation from a multiphase hydrocarbon production stream. The method includes the steps of directing the multiphase hydrocarbon production stream to a gas/liquid separator in order to separate into a gas stream and a liquid stream. The level of liquid in the gas/liquid separator is monitored and controlled. The liquid stream removed from the gas/liquid separator is directed to an enlarged pipe section in order to separate into an oil portion and a water portion. The level of the oil portion in the enlarged pipe section is monitored and controlled. The water portion from the enlarged pipe section is directed to a liquid-liquid cyclone centrifugal separator in order to separate into a water stream and a hydrocarbon concentrated stream. The water stream from the liquid cyclone centrifugal separator is directed to at least one de-oiling hydrocyclone separator. The oily water stream is directed back to the production stream for further processing and the water stream is delivered for disposal.
US07854836B2 Process for improving and recuperating waste, heavy and extra heavy hydrocarbons
A process for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon includes the steps of obtaining a heavy hydrocarbon; contacting the heavy hydrocarbon with a solvent at upgrading conditions so as to produce a first product comprising a mixture of upgraded hydrocarbon and solvent and a second product comprising asphaltene waste, water and solvent; and feeding the first product to a separator to separate the upgraded hydrocarbon from the solvent. A system is also provided.
US07854834B2 Catalyst based on solid microporous crystalline material and method of improving diesel fraction quality using said catalyst
The invention relates to a catalyst consisting of at least: one matrix comprising at least one oxide which is selected from an amorphous oxide, an oxide with low crystallinity and a mixture of both; at least one solid microporous crystalline material which, in the calcined and anhydrous state, has the molar compositions X2O3:nYO2:mZO2, in which X is a trivalent element such as, for example, Al, B, Fe, In, Ga, Cr, Y is at least one trivalent element that is different from Ge and Z is Ge, the value (n+m) is at least equal to 5 and can be between 5 and ∞, and the value of n/m is at least equal to 1; and at least one hydrogenating compound, preferably Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, Rh, and Re or a combination of same. The invention also relates to the use of said catalyst in a process in order to improve the quality of diesel fractions.
US07854825B2 Symmetical double contact electro-winning
A symmetrical double-double contact mechanism for an electro-deposition mechanism. Using a base insulator, a cap block insulator is formed to support four series of electrodes of two different types (anode and cathode). Because of the contact mechanism employed, redundant contacts are provided so that should a short occur, alternative electrical pathways are available to maintain operation of the affected cathode or anode.
US07854822B2 Plasticizing formulation for fluff pulp and plasticized fluff pulp products made therefrom
A plasticizing formulation for producing plasticized fluff pulp. The plasticizing formulation, which preferably is an aqueous solution, includes a primary plasticizing agent, and optionally a secondary plasticizing agent. Preferably, the primary plasticizing agent is 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and the secondary plasticizing agent is triacetin. When the plasticizing formulation is applied to a cellulosic fluff pulp, a plasticized fluff pulp is produced. The resultant plasticized fluff pulp may have one or more of the following: reduced Kamas energy, Mullen strength, and fiber knot and nit contents, when compared to the base cellulosic fluff pulp fiber that is not plasticized.
US07854821B2 Substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing apparatus includes a heat transfer gas supply mechanism to supply a heat transfer gas through a supply passage into a portion between a worktable and a substrate to improve thermal conductivity between therebetween. Under the control of a control section, the pressure inside the supply passage is measured to obtain a pressure measurement value while the substrate is placed on the worktable. Then, a preparatory flow rate of the heat transfer gas to be supplied through the supply passage into the portion between the worktable and substrate is determined, in accordance with the pressure difference between the pressure measurement value and a pressure reference value, prior to a main process to be performed on the substrate. Then, the heat transfer gas is supplied through the supply passage into the portion between the worktable and substrate at the preparatory flow rate, prior to the main process.
US07854817B2 Methods and assemblies for attaching articles to surfaces
Herein are disclosed methods and assemblies for mounting an article to a surface by a double-faced adhesive. At least one spacer is used that is deflectable upon the application of sufficient force. When in a first, undeflected condition, the spacer provides sufficient space between the mounting surface and the double-faced adhesive such that the double-faced adhesive does not contact the mounting surface, thus the position of the article can be adjusted. When in a second, deflected condition, the spacer allows the double-faced adhesive to contact the mounting surface such that a bond can be established between the double-faced adhesive and the mounting surface.
US07854810B2 Methods for manufacturing a clip and clip
The present invention relates to a method of making clips which can be used to engage body tissue for the purpose of closing wounds. Such clips are generally annular in shape and have radially inwardly extending tines. The present invention first forms a precursor which, in one embodiment, has the tines extending radially outwardly from the annular body and then forms the clip by inverting the precursor such that the tines extend radially inwardly. In an alternate embodiment, the precursor is formed with an over-sized lateral dimension and then compressed inwardly to bring the tines closer together and to reduce the lateral dimension of the precursor. It is preferred to manufacture such clips from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium, in which case the inverted or compressed precursor must be heated and quenched to heat set the clip in its final shape.
US07854809B2 Heat treatment system for a composite turbine engine component
A heat treatment process for a component of a turbine engine formed from multiple materials, such as steel and nickel. The heat treatment process includes two stages: a first stage for austinitizing the steel and solutioning the nickel, and a second stage for ageing and tempering the materials. The heat treatment process may include heating a component formed from a steel portion and a nickel portion such that the steel portion austinitizes and the nickel portion undergoes solutioning, cooling the component to prevent the excessive formation of gamma prime ({grave over (y)}), and subjecting the component to a temper heat treatment during which martensite tempering occurs.
US07854804B2 Nitride crystal, nitride crystal substrate, epilayer-containing nitride crystal substrate, semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A nitride crystal is characterized in that, in connection with plane spacing of arbitrary specific parallel crystal lattice planes of the nitride crystal obtained from X-ray diffraction measurement performed with variation of X-ray penetration depth from a surface of the crystal while X-ray diffraction conditions of the specific parallel crystal lattice planes are satisfied, a uniform distortion at a surface layer of the crystal represented by a value of |d1-d2|/d2 obtained from the plane spacing d1 at the X-ray penetration depth of 0.3 μm and the plane spacing d2 at the X-ray penetration depth of 5 μm is equal to or lower than 2.1×10−3. The above configuration provides the nitride crystal having a crystal surface layer that is evaluated directly and reliably without breaking the crystal so that it can be used in a preferred fashion as a substrate for a semiconductor device as well as the nitride crystal substrate, an epilayer-containing nitride crystal substrate, a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same.
US07854800B2 Alkanolamine-stabilized dispersed rosin sizing agents and their preparation
This invention teaches the stabilization a dispersion of rosin using an alkanolamine salt of the rosin. The stabilized dispersion is used as a sizing agent in papermaking processes.
US07854797B2 Porphyrazine coloring matter, ink, ink set, and colored product
The present invention relates to a porphyrazine coloring matter represented by the following formula (1) or a salt thereof; wherein, each of the rings A to D independently represents a benzene ring or a 6-membered nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic ring, at least one or more thereof is a benzene ring, at least one of the rest is a nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic ring, E represents alkylene, X is an anilino group having a substituent and the like, Y represents an amino group; a hydroxy group; a mono- or di-alkylamino group or a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group which may have a substituent, excepting for the combination in which Y is an amino group or a hydroxy group and X is a substituted anilino group, b is 0 to 2.9, c is 0.1 to 3, and the sum of b and c is 1 to 3. According to the present invention, a porphyrazine coloring matter suitable for inkjet recording which has a good hue as a cyan ink, is excellent in light fastness, ozone fastness and moisture fastness, and causes no bronze phenomenon can be provided.
US07854791B2 Method and means for simultaneously generating an aqueous froth and numerous micro-droplets for use in filtering a contaminated air stream
A method and apparatus are provided for improving the efficiency of an aqueous froth filter. An array of saturated mesh assemblies interacts with an incoming contaminated air stream. As the air stream flows through the saturated mesh assemblies, an aqueous froth is generated immediately downstream of each mesh assembly. As the bubbles of the froth move downstream towards the next saturated mesh assembly, the velocity of the air stream causes at least some of the bubbles to burst. The bursting bubbles rupture into hundreds or thousands of micro-droplets. The micro-droplets are used together with the aqueous froth to coalesce with or otherwise bind with contaminants in the air stream. An optional feature is that massive particles greater than three microns in diameter are removed by inertial impaction, whereby those heavy particles collide with the walls of serpentine shaped vanes of a mist eliminator. The method and apparatus are capable of filtering chemical and biological warfare agents out of an air stream. The invention is also useful in removing contaminants from industrial air streams.
US07854790B2 Method of processing volatile organic compound, adsorption and desorption apparatus, and system for processing volatile organic compound
A method of processing a volatile organic compound is provided, wherein a volatile organic compound contained in gas to be treated is adsorbed in an adsorbent; the thus-adsorbed volatile organic compound is desorbed with the aid of steam and mixed in the steam; and the steam containing the volatile organic compound is combusted. This method further includes: separating a vessel for the adsorption and desorption into an inner side room and an outer side room by means of a separation member part of which is formed of the adsorbent; thermally retaining the vessel for the adsorption and desorption; at the time of adsorption, supplying the gas to be treated to the inner side room and therefrom to the outer side room; and at the time of desorption, supplying the steam to the outer side room and therefrom to the inner side room.
US07854785B2 Method and apparatus for the recovery of the secondary metallurgy (LF) slag and its recycling in the steel production process by means of electric furnace
A Method for the recovery of the secondary metallurgy (LF) slag from a plant for the production of steel, the method comprising a cooling step of the slag, by means of the passage of air and/or other gas, a breakdown step, a step of extracting the powder, wherein the breakdown step is accelerated by means of forced convection of a cooling fluid and/or another reaction, gas and by means of moving the slag mass by overturning and vibrating support gratings. The overturning and vibrating support gratings are provided inside closed metallic boxes which are connected in series and closed with movable containment partitions to form a treatment module. The breakdown, step is accelerated by means of overturning the slag mass from the support grating of one metallic box to the support grating of an adjoining box.
US07854779B2 Dust separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner
A dust separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner which is compact in configuration and is capable of preventing dirt from piling up on an entrance channel is provided. The dust separating apparatus includes a dust collecting receptacle adapted to collect dirt, and a cyclone unit eccentrically disposed in the dust collecting receptacle and adapted to whirl air drawn in through an inflow channel thereof, and the inflow channel may have an inclined upper surface which slopes downward toward a bottom of the dust collecting receptacle by a predetermined angle.
US07854777B2 Polishing compound, method for production thereof, and polishing method
A heterocyclic benzene compound such as benzotriazole, is dissolved in at least one substance selected from the group consisting of a primary alcohol having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a glycol having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, an ether represented by the Formula 2 (wherein m is an integer of from 1 to 4), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, γ-butyrolactone and propylene carbonate, and an aqueous dispersion of fine oxide particles which constitute abrasive grains is mixed therewith, whereby a polishing compound is obtained. By use of this polishing compound in polishing a substrate provided with an insulating film 2 on which a wiring metal film 4 and a barrier film 3 are formed, the formation of an embedded wiring 5 is made possible with low dishing, low erosion and low scratching at a high removal rate.
US07854776B2 Reactor including a plurality of substrates to form a reactor main body portion and an envelope portion
A reactor causing reaction of a reactant includes a plurality of substrates provided with top and bottom substrates having provided therein recessed portions for forming closely sealed regions and a plurality of intermediate substrates having provided therein at least openings that communicate with each other, a reactor main body portion including a reaction unit at which the intermediate substrates are formed to be laminated and joined with each other and a reaction flow channel reactant flows formed therein, and an envelope portion which houses the reactor main body portion therein except one end side thereof, via a closely sealed space formed by sandwiching the laminated intermediate substrates between the top and the bottom substrates and by communicating the opening and the closely sealed region on the substrates, and including a support portion which supports the reactor main body portion via the one end side of the reactor main body portion.
US07854770B2 Detergent composition comprising a surfactant system and a pyrophosphate
A detergent composition comprising: from 0.01% to 90% by weight of a surfactant system, one or more detergency builder(s), comprising a phosphate builder, and the phosphate builder containing pyrophosphate, wherein the composition comprises at most 12% by weight of phosphate builder(s) and the phosphate builder(s) comprise(s) at least 40% by weight of pyrophosphate(s).
US07854763B2 Intraparietal aortic valve reinforcement device and reinforced aortic valve
An intraparietal reinforcement device (1) for use in a biological prosthesis (10), as well as a biological prosthesis (10) provided with a device of this type, is particularly suitable for use within the organic tissue of the biological prosthesis (10), and for reinforcing the structure of the prosthesis so that it retains its shape once implanted.
US07854755B2 Vascular catheter, system, and method
A catheter including an elongate body, a first cutting head and a second cutting head both having a blade, where the blades moves relative each other to provide a shearing action for cardiac tissue. The catheter can further include a stent positioned over an inflatable balloon, where the inflatable balloon can deploy the expandable stent over sheared cardiac tissue. The catheter can further be included in a system having a sheath, where at least a part of the catheter resides in the lumen of the sheath. The sheath further includes a cardiac valve and an expandable filter. The sheath can move relative the cardiac valve and the expandable filter to deploy the cardiac valve and at least a portion of the expandable filter proximal the inflatable balloon and the expandable stent.
US07854748B2 Device and method for excluding blood out of a limb
A device for applying pressure in progression to restrict the blood content of a limb, whereby at least an elastic tight sleeve is unfolded directionally on that limb towards the center of the body. The unfolding is streamlined using at least one auxiliary application strap. In certain embodiments a constricting toroid is used as a major restriction agent.
US07854746B2 Retrieval catheter
A retrieval catheter having a wall that defines a catheter lumen and a distal tip that is tapered towards an open distal orifice that defines the distal end of the lumen, the wall over the length of said tapered tip being distensible to allow the orifice to expand, and a distender within the lumen that can be urged distally along the lumen such that the distender presses radially outwardly the catheter wall within the distal tip, so as to distend said orifice.
US07854743B2 Catheter for the delivery of therapeutic agents to tissues
A catheter for placement of an in situ implant is provided. This catheter may include a first elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a second elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a first sharpened distal tip disposed at the distal end of the first shaft and a second sharpened distal tip disposed at the distal end of the second shaft. The first shaft and the second shaft may also be secured to one another at the distal end of the first shaft according to the invention. Still further, according to other teachings, the first sharpened distal tip may extend beyond the second sharpened distal tip in a catheter that practices the invention.
US07854740B2 Intraluminal guidance system using bioelectric impedance
A system using bioelectric impedance to guide a flexible elongate transluminal device through an occlusion in a vessel. The device can be a guidewire or a device for performing an atherectomy, discectomy, ablation or similar technique. The device includes a first electrode disposed on a distal portion of the device. A second electrode is disposed in electric contact with the patient separate from the first electrode. An electric current is supplied between the first and second electrodes and a voltage drop is measured between the first and second electrodes. The voltage drop is converted to bioelectric impedance. Based on the impedance measurement, a clinician can determine if the device is approaching the vessel wall, permitting the clinician to redirect the device away from the vessel wall.
US07854734B2 Control system and process for application of energy to airway walls and other mediums
The present invention includes a system for delivering energy to an airway wall of a lung comprising an energy delivering apparatus and a PID controller having one or more variable gain factors which are rest after energy deliver has begun. The energy delivering apparatus may include a flexible elongated member and a distal expandable basket having at least one electrode for transferring energy to the airway wall and at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature. The PID controller determines a new power set point base on an error between a preset temperature and the measured temperature. The algorithm can be Pi+1=Pi+G(αei+βei−1+γei−2) where α, β and γ are preset values and α is from 1 to 2; β is from −1 to −2; and γ is from −0.5 to 0-5. In another variation, the controller is configured to shut down if various measured parameters are exceeded such as, for example, energy, impedance, temperature, temperature differences, activation time and combinations thereof. Methods for treating a target medium using a PID algorithm are also provided.
US07854729B2 Supply chain method and apparatus for sealing and unsealing a vacuum draw path
This application teaches a disposal chain and a supply chain system for sealing and unsealing a vacuum draw path embodying a thrust handle capable of imparting assembly and disassembly thrust forces said system conferring the potential of reducing the amount solid waste mass contributed to the waste stream.
US07854718B2 Dual-ventricle pump cartridge, pump and method of use in a wearable continuous renal replacement therapy device
A dual channel pulsatile pump for use with a completely wearable renal replacement device is provided.
US07854712B2 Knitted substrate for use in medical bandaging product, bandaging product and method of forming the same
A medical bandaging product having a predetermined length suitable for a given medical use, including an enclosure formed of a moisture-impervious material sealable to prevent entry of moisture and a medical bandage material positioned in the enclosure and sealed therein against entry of moisture until use. The medical bandage material includes a substrate formed from a single integrated knitted fabric layer having a plurality of interconnected knitted fabric yarns forming a three-dimensional structure. A reactive system is impregnated into or coated onto the substrate. The system remains stable when maintained in substantially moisture-free conditions and hardens upon exposure to sufficient moisture to cooperate with the three-dimensional structure to form a rigid, self supporting structure. A soft, flexible protective wrapping encloses the substrate along its length for providing a cushioning barrier interposed between the substrate and a patient when the medical bandage material is in use.
US07854710B2 Massaging apparatus for a massage chair
A massaging apparatus comprises a frame, an elevating base, a kneading device and a pounding device. The frame is composed of a bottom base, two rails, an upper transversal rod and a threaded rod. The elevating base has two U-shaped boards symmetrically mounted at two sides thereon. A rod holder is attached to a lateral section of the elevating base to combine with the threaded rod. The kneading device comprises a first motor, divider and multiple kneading rings in pairs. The pounding device comprises a second motor, two first bearing mounts, a transmitting shaft, two pulling arms, two second bearing mounts and two pounding arms. When both motors actuate individually or simultaneously, the kneading device and the pounding device provide the kneading efficiency and the pounding efficiency respectively and at the same time.
US07854704B2 Systems, methods and products for diagnostic hearing assessments distributed via the use of a computer network
The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a computer network to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements.
US07854700B2 Capsule-type endoscope
A capsule-type endoscope includes a capsule, an objective optical system, an image pickup element, and at least one illumination light source having a light-emitting surface, and a transparent cover. In several embodiments of the capsule-type endoscope according to the present invention, an inner surface of the transparent cover is spherical within a field of view of the objective optical system so as to have a center of curvature, the center of curvature is offset from the optical axis of the objective optical system, and a specified condition is satisfied so as to avoid flare in the objective optical system caused when light from the one (or more) illumination light source(s) enters the entrance pupil of the objective optical system. In another embodiment, the inner surface of the transparent cover has the shape of an ellipsoid. Observation methods using the capsule-type endoscope are also disclosed.
US07854699B2 Endoscope inserting direction detecting method
An endoscope inserting direction detecting method includes receiving an endoscopic image and judging from the endoscopic image whether or not an endoscope is located too closely to an object of observation. When it is judged that the endoscope is located too closely to the object of observation, information is produced for prompting pull-back of the endoscope. When it is judged that the endoscope is not located too closely to the object of observation, a detecting algorithm is selected and applied according to the endoscopic image from among plural detecting algorithms for detecting an inserting direction of the endoscope.
US07854698B2 Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations
Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a dental implant are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon the implant to form a hearing assembly. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.
US07854689B2 Ice skating training device
An ice skating training device including an arcuate conveyor belt, the belt having a skateable surface; and a plurality of conical rollers supporting said arcuate conveyor belt, at least one of said frusticonical rollers being driven by a motor, ends of said rollers being mounted so that one end is vertically adjustable relative to the opposite end depending on the speed that the ice skater is going.
US07854672B2 Structure of ball
A ball includes a core and a surface cover that is formed by sewing together two shape-mated covering pieces. Each covering piece has a close-to-edge area defining inboards an inward circumferential zone in which spaced through apertures are defined. The through apertures are circumferentially distributed along the inward circumference of the close-to-edge area. The close-to-edge area has an outward circumference forming a turn-back section. The turn-back section is foldable over and attached to itself by adhesives so as to form a smooth and regular outer circumference of the covering piece. When the surface cover of the ball is completely sewn, a sewn portion between the two covering pieces shows a smooth and regular configuration so that no secondary finishing of the sewn portion of the covering pieces is needed. The manufacturing time of the ball can thus be shortened and the manufacturing costs reduced.
US07854670B2 Preformed lacrosse pocket and packaging for same
Included herein is a pocket for a lacrosse head. The lacrosse head includes a scoop, a throat, first and second sides, a front and a back. The pocket comprises a mesh material preformed to a desired shape so that when the pocket is placed on a stick, the location of the deepest or bulbous portion will be at an optimal location and a channel may also be formed. The mesh material is preformed using a mold and/or a heat source. A package is provided to maintain the shape of the pocket during shipment and inventory.
US07854666B2 Structural response modifying features for a golf club head
A golf club head having a crown, a sole having a length, ls, a strike face, a structural response modifying element having a constraining portion and a cantilever portion, the constraining portion extending from the sole to the crown and having a length lsc that is between about 10% to about 40% of length ls, wherein the cantilever portion extends from the constraining member toward the strike face. In another embodiment the constraining portion extends from the crown to a skirt portion of the club head, but is not connected to the strike face.
US07854650B2 Knife sharpener
A knife sharpener comprises a base, a motor, a grinding wheel assembly, a rotary shaft and a spring. The working channel between the edge of the grinding disc and the grinding awl is automatically adjustable to accommodate different blade of different thickness. When the knife sharpener performs grinding operation, the grinding wheel assembly can simultaneously grind both cutting sides of the knife. In addition, the knife can be clamped firmly through the three contacting points of the grinding disc, the grinding awl, and the cutting edge, so that the operation of knife grinding can be successfully performed.
US07854645B2 Method for polishing
A method is disclosed, whereby a reduced wear of the polishing tool and a reduced duration for the polishing process may be achieved and also free form surfaces and non-rotating workpieces may be polished. The above may be achieved whereby the surface of the tool actually in contact with the workpiece lies off the tool axis. The invention further relates to a method for polishing a surface of a workpiece, via a tool rotating about a tool axis, whereby the workpiece, at least in one region of the workpiece surface has a contacted surface which is part region of a surface for machining, which for its part is at least part of a polishing surface of the tool, whereby the tool axis intersects the polishing surface.
US07854639B1 Flotation assembly with monitoring device
A flotation assembly preferably, but not necessarily, of the type installed beneath the seat of a commercial airline and comprising a base structured and configured to define a life vest of the type intended to support an individual in a body of water. A monitoring device preferably comprises a radio frequency identification device or RFID tag, structured for wireless communication, is connected to the life vest in a predetermined location which generally restricts physical access thereto, but does not interfere with wireless communication therewith. As such, an appropriate reader assembly may be brought into the general vicinity of the RFID tags associated with a plurality of the life vests, thereby facilitating the efficient inspection of each of the life vests.
US07854631B2 Ultra-compact, high-performance motor controller
Featured is a controller for a motor that is ultra-compact, with a power density of at least about 20 watts per cubic cm (W/cm3). The controller utilizes a common ground for power circuitry, which energizes the windings of the motor, and the signal circuitry, which controls this energization responsive to signals from one or more sensors. Also, the ground is held at a stable potential without galvanic isolation. The circuits, their components and connectors are sized and located to minimize their inductance and heat is dissipated by conduction to the controller's exterior such as by a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material (e.g., potable epoxy). The controller uses a single current sensor for plural windings and preferably a single heat sensor within the controller. The body of the controller can also function as the sole plug connector.
US07854623B2 Electrical connecting device having mating state indication means
This connecting device has a connector and a counterpart connector suitable to mate therewith, and at least one RFID tag attached to one of said connectors and suitable to communicate with reader, said RFID tag including an antenna. The device further includes a switch adapted to put the RFID tag either in a first communication state or in a second communication state, depending on the full or incomplete mating state of the connectors.
US07854617B2 Grounded power adapter
A power adapter includes an adapter base defining a plug member channel between a first channel wall and a plurality of second channel walls that are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first channel wall. A power member connector is located on the first channel wall. A ground member connector is located on at least one of the plurality of second channel walls. A plug member includes a plug base having a first plug wall and a plurality of second plug walls that are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first plug wall, a power member located on the first plug wall, and a ground member is located on at least one of the second plug walls. The plug member is operable to be inserted into the plug member channel to engage the power member with the power member connector and the ground member with the ground member connector.
US07854615B1 Rotational connector for welding torch
A rotational connector for connecting a welding power cable to a welding torch may include an enclosure, an end cap, a torch stud, a cable stud, and a biasing member. The enclosure may have an internal surface. The end cap may have an end cap biasing surface. The end cap operably connects to the enclosure. The torch stud may include a flange that has a contact surface and a biasing surface. The cable stud may include a flange that has a contact surface and a retention surface. The cable stud retention surface may have a shape corresponding to the enclosure internal surface. The biasing member may be disposed between the end cap biasing surface and the torch stud biasing surface urging the torch stud contact surface into engagement with the cable stud contact surface and urging the cable stud retention surface into engagement with the enclosure internal surface.
US07854613B2 Demonstration kit and method for enhancing and/or demonstrating photoactive properties
A method is provided for simulating and/or demonstrating and/or enhancing photoactive properties, such as hydrophilicity, of a surface, such as a photoactive surface. One embodiment includes providing a photoactive surface and applying a peroxide-containing material, such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, over at least a portion of the surface. An optional resinous layer, such as an at least partly hydrolyzed polymethoxysiloxane layer, can be applied over the surface. A kit to practice the method and an article made using the method are also provided.
US07854605B2 Injection moulding device comprising needle valve nozzles in a back-to-back arrangement
The present invention relates to injection molding apparatus (10) comprising a main manifold plate (16) fitted with at least several flow ducts (18), further at least two auxiliary manifold plates (22) fitted with several flow ducts (24), said auxiliary manifold plates being configured above and underneath the main manifold plate (16), the flow ducts (24) of the particular auxiliary manifold plates (22) fluidly communicating with those of the main manifold plate (16), further with needle valve nozzles (26) configured in mutually opposite and back-to-back manner and fluidly communicating with the flow ducts (24) of the auxiliary manifold plates (22), where the needle valve nozzles (26) each comprise one valve needle (28) to open/close a nozzle outlet aperture, and further pneumatically or hydraulically actuated plunger units (units (30; 71) driving the valve needles (28), said plunger units being received in at least one separate receiving plate (32; 70) configured between the auxiliary manifold plates (22), and further means cooling and/or thermally insulating the minimum of one receiving plate (32; 70).
US07854601B2 Lubricant-tight vane rotary vacuum pump
A lubricant-tight vane rotary vacuum pump includes at least one pump stage (17, 18) having a safety valve (3) for controlling gas flow to the pump stage, a lubricant pump, a lubricant reservoir (30) at least partially surrounding the pump stage housing (10, 40), and a hydraulic conduit (31) connecting the lubricant pump outlet (22) with the safety valve (3), with a pressurized lubricant flow through the hydraulic conduit (31) opening the safety valve (3), and a channel (32) branching from the hydraulic conduit (31) for delivering a pressurized lubricant into the lubricant reservoir (30).
US07854600B2 Tube pump
A tube pump includes tubes, hooks, tube receivers, three or more fingers, and a drive mechanism. The tubes each include intermediate tubes, connectors, and end tubes. The tubes are attached by engaging the connectors with the hooks provided on upper and lower sides. The intermediate tubes are provided along the tube receivers. Tube press portions of the fingers are provided between the intermediate tubes. The fingers are driven by the drive mechanism so that the tube press portions are reciprocated between a position where one of the intermediate tubes is squeezed and a position where the other of the intermediate tubes is squeezed.
US07854598B2 Fuel supply device having a heat sink support
An apparatus (20) may comprise a fuel tank (10), a cover (22), a fuel discharging unit (30), a control unit (26), and a heat sink (28). The cover (22) closes an opening (12) in an upper portion of the fuel tank (10). The fuel discharging unit (30) is disposed within the fuel tank (10), and the fuel discharging unit (30) draws fuel into the fuel tank and discharges the drawn fuel outside the fuel tank. A biasing member (25) may be disposed between the fuel discharging unit (30) and the cover (22), and bias the fuel discharging unit (30) toward the bottom surface of the fuel tank (10). The control unit (26) controls the fuel discharging unit (30). The heat sink (28) is thermally connected to the control unit (26), and dissipates heat from the control unit (26). The heat sink (28) may include an extended portion (28b) extending in an up-down direction in the fuel tank (10). The fuel discharging unit (30) may be slidably supported by the extended portion (28b).
US07854595B2 Wind turbine blade tip shapes
A blade for a wind turbine includes a chord of length “c” positioned with a leading edge tip chord angle and trailing edge tip chord angle of between approximately 45 and 75 degrees; a tip having a shear web plane radii distribution in the ranges of L/c (%)R/c (%)  0-10%1.03-3.68% 30-40%2.91-5.79% 60-70%1.77-2.5%   90-100%0.229-.350%  where “L/c” is a range of an approximate normalized location along the chord line expressed as a percentage of the chord length from a leading edge of the blade; and where “R/c” is a range of an approximate normalized shear web plane tip radius expressed as a percentage of the chord length, for each normalized location L/c.
US07854594B2 Segmented wind turbine blade
A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes a plurality of individual blade segments, with each blade segment defining an internal passage extending between the longitudinal ends of the blade segment. A rigid spar member extends longitudinally through the internal passages of the individual blade segments such that the blade segments are aligned and connected end-to-end on said spar member to define a complete rotor blade from a root to a blade tip. The spar member has a cross-sectional profile that is keyed to the cross-sectional profile of the internal passage in the blade segments. The spar member includes oppositely facing spar caps that engage against the inside surfaces of the blade segments within the internal passages.
US07854588B2 Stamped torque converter stator blades and a torque converter stator with stamped blades
The present invention broadly comprises a blade for a torque converter stator including a body, a first end, and a second end; a stator blade assembly; and a stator for a torque converter including a plurality of blades, a housing, and a core ring. The first end is arranged to engage the housing and the second end is arranged to engage the core ring. In some aspects, the blade is stamped or the body is arcuate. The assembly includes a plurality of separate blades. In some aspects, each blade is stamped or bodies for adjacent blades at least partially overlap with respect to a radial plane through an axis for the stator. In some aspects, an axial opening between blades widens radially outward or inward.
US07854586B2 Inlet guide vane inner air seal surge retaining mechanism
An inner air seal carrier for use in a gas turbine engine having an inlet guide vane surge retainer comprises a body, a stationary sealing element and an outcropping. The body secures around an inlet guide vane inner diameter shroud. The stationary sealing element is disposed on a radially inward face of the body for engaging with a rotatable sealing element of a compressor rotor. The outcropping is positioned on the radially inward face of the body forward of the stationary sealing element for engaging with the surge retainer.
US07854585B2 Variable geometry compressor
A variable geometry compressor for use in, for example, a turbocharger. A swing-vane diffuser is provided down-stream of the centrifugal compressor wheel. A nozzle ring is adjustable mounted on a center housing, and defines the nozzle face for the compressor diffuser. No spacers are deployed in the diffuser thereby improving efficiency, yet by stacking only the vanes and the nozzle ring, the diffuser clearances are maintained within strict tolerances. Further, seals, such as O-rings, are situated between the nozzle ring and the compressor housing and back plate to eliminate deleterious gas leaks between the diffuser and the spaces behind the nozzle ring.
US07854583B2 Stator joining strip and method of linking adjacent stators
A compressor having a plurality of vane units each having at least one airfoil projecting from the base. Each base has a groove, so that when the vane units are disposed circumferentially adjacent, the grooves of the respective vane units are circumferentially aligned. A metal strip is disposed in the groove of a plurality of adjacent vane units to link the vane units forming a more rigid ring of vanes that are less susceptible to vane motion, e.g., caused by pressure fluctuations within the compressor of a gas turbine.
US07854579B2 Air cargo rollout stop
A cargo rollout stop includes a base having a first end and a second end. A first guide head is movably mounted to the base proximate to the first end, and a second guide head is movably mounted to the base proximate to the second end. The guide heads each are movable between a raised blocking position and a lowered non-blocking position. A blocking member is movably mounted to the base, and is disposed between the guide heads. The blocking member includes a first portion engaged with the first guide head, and a second portion engaged with the second guide head, and is movable between a first position and a second position. The first and second portions prevent substantial downward movement of the guide heads when the guide heads are in their raised blocking positions and the blocking member is in its first position. The guide heads are restrained in their lowered non-blocking positions by the blocking member when the blocking member is in its second position.
US07854566B2 Nozzles incorporated into a milling machine
In one aspect of the invention, a system for removing a layer of a paved surface comprises a vehicle adapted to traverse a paved surface in a selected direction. The vehicle also comprises a milling drum with an axle connected to the vehicle, the drum being adapted to rotate around the axle substantially normal the selected direction. A moldboard is positioned rearward of the milling drum and also connected to the vehicle. A plurality of nozzles is disposed proximate a bottom end of the moldboard and is in communication with a fluid reservoir through a fluid pathway and the plurality of nozzles is adapted to move independent of the moldboard.
US07854559B2 Pen with double pen barrel
A pen with double pen barrels is revealed. The pen with double pen barrels includes two pen barrels connected in parallel, a pen refill in each pen barrel, and a driving member disposed between the two pen barrels. When one of the pen barrels is pressed and moved downward, a pen refill extends out of a front end of the pen barrel, located to be in writing state. Then by releasing a stopper of the pen barrel, the pen barrel moves upward and the pen refill retracts to be in storage state. Thus the pen barrel and the pen refill extends and contracts synchronously. Moreover, interests in use of the pen are increased.
US07854556B2 Camera mounting system
A camera mounting system comprises a pair of rail members, a camera mount arranged to support a video camera on the pair of rail members and a base mount arranged to support the pair of rails on a tripod. The camera mount and the base mount are supported for adjustment relative to one another along the rail members. The camera mount supports the video camera thereon and is supported on the rail members by a pair of link members, each pivotally coupled at a lower end on the rail members and at an upper end on the camera mount. The linkage permits the camera mount and camera thereon to be adjusted in elevation relative to the rail members by pivoting the linkage while being arranged so as not to project below the rail members in both lowered and elevated positions such that the linkage does not interfere with relative movement between the base mount and the camera mount.
US07854547B2 Bidirectional and expandable heat flow measurement tool for units of air cooled electrical equipment
A tool is disclosed, for measuring the important thermal characteristics of a unit of electronic equipment, which obtains air flow and temperature readings at both air inlet and air outlet openings of the unit without disturbing cable or wiring connections or otherwise interrupting device operation. The tool pressure sensing element is rotatable between detented positions to permit the tool to be used at both air inlet and air outlet openings. The tool air duct portion may be formed of separate duct portions to enable a single duct portion including the sensing instrumentation to be used with multiple duct portions that conform to electronic device air inlet and outlet openings to impart added flexibility to the tool.
US07854536B2 LED devices for offset wide beam generation
A light source is combined with an optic and a reflector. Light incident onto to the reflector is reflected with a single reflection. The reflector occupies a portion of a solid angle around the light source to the exclusion of the optic at least with respect to any optical function. The reflector directly receives a second portion of light. The optic occupies substantially all of the remaining portion of the predetermined solid angle to directly receive a first portion of light from the light source. A reflected beam from the reflector is reflected into a predetermined reflection pattern. The inner and/or outer surface of the optic is shaped to refract or direct light which is directly transmitted into the optic from the light source from a first portion of light and/or reflected into the optic from the reflector from the reflected beam into a predetermined beam.
US07854533B2 Light source and backlight module with the same
The invention disclosed a light source, comprising a light tube and a plurality of prism members disposed on an outer surface of the light tube for reducing amount of external lights entering the light tube. According to the invention, the prism members disposed on the outer surface of the light tube can not only focus the light emitting from the light tube, but also increase the possibility of total reflection of the incident light.
US07854528B2 Illumination apparatus for bag toss game
A light array for illuminating the circular opening in the platform of a bag toss game includes a circular frame and mating cover that define a hole, at least equal in area to the opening. A plurality of lights (LEDs) is positioned in the annular enclosure formed by the frame and cover. The cover includes a transparent wall through which light is projected to the opening in the platform. An annular printed circuit board is supported in the annular enclosure and mechanically supports and electrically connects the LEDs to a switched battery source. Different embodiments for blinking and sequencing the LEDs are shown. A laser diode arrangement for producing a cross hair pattern of beams in the platform hole is also described.
US07854526B2 Lamp holder
A lamp holder applied in a backlight module includes a base and at least one clamp element. The base has a high reflectivity, while the clamp element is of a transparent and fluorescent characteristic. In addition, the clamp element has a clamp part to hold the lamp. When light radiates from the lamp, the light of the lamp can penetrate through the clamp element.
US07854523B2 Optical relay for compact head up display
An optical relay (500) includes a glare trap (512) that in one embodiment has one or more surfaces configured to reflect light impinging the surface (550) at an angle less than a first angle (722) relative to a normal line (710), and to transmit light impinging the surface (550) at an angle greater than a second angle (723) relative to the normal line (710). In other embodiments, the glare trap (512) reflects light impinging at an angle greater than a first angle and transmit light impinging at an angle that is less than a second angle. The separation between the first angle (722) and second angle (723) can be on the order of 20 degrees or more, but this angle can be reduced or eliminated when polarized light is used within the optical relay (500).
US07854521B2 Projector
There is provided a projector having a point light source disposed to an edge of an optical fiber for transmitting exciting light and including a fluorescent illuminant for emitting fluorescence by being exited by the exiting light, a light collecting optical system for collecting the fluorescence emitted from the point light source, a reflective display device for reflecting the fluorescence collected by the light collecting optical system and overlapping the fluorescence with an image signal, an outgoing aperture for stopping down the fluorescence overlapped with the image signal by the reflective display device, wherein the outgoing aperture and the point light source are disposed side by side in the vicinity of the front focusing surface of the light collecting optical system. With this arrangement, a bright projected image can be obtained while disposing the outgoing aperture and the point light source sufficiently near to each other, reducing aberration, and reducing the diameter of a collecting lens so that the overall size of the projector can be reduced.
US07854511B2 Apparatus, methods and systems for non-invasive ocular assessment of neurological function
A portable, non-invasive binocular scanning apparatus for rapid assessment of neurological function in cases of potential trauma, disease, and/or exposure to chemical treat agents. The scanning apparatus may utilize a combination of light sources for the measurement and assessment of pupillary response, retinal imagery, and/or other ophthalmologic biomarkers. The scanning apparatus can detect and assess a wide range of neurological and physiological conditions by obtaining pertinent measurements from the retina and pupil in real time.
US07854508B2 Plastic lens and manufacturing method of plastic lens
A plastic lens includes: a plastic lens base material; a hard coat layer formed on the plastic lens base material; an organic antireflection film formed on the hard coat layer; and a primer layer between the plastic lens base material and the hard coat layer. The plastic lens base material contains at least a sulfur atom. The hard coat layer contains at least: fine metal oxide particles containing a titanium oxide having a rutile-type crystalline structure; and an organosilicon compound represented by a general formula of R1SiX13. The antireflection film contains a coating composition containing at least: an organosilicon compound represented by a general formula of XmR23−mSi—Y—SiR23−mXm; an epoxy group-containing organic compound containing one or more epoxy group in a molecule; and fine silica particles with average particle size of 1 to 150 nm, the antireflection film having a refractive index lower than that of the hard coat layer by 0.10 or more.
US07854506B1 Curved lenses configured to decode three-dimensional content on television and computer screens
Curved lenses configured to decode three dimensional content and method of fabricating the same. The lenses decode three-dimensional content displayed on televisions or computer monitors. Sheets from which the lenses are cut have either (i) a polarizing axis of 0 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at −45 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal; (ii) a polarizing axis of −45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal; or (iii) a polarizing axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal.
US07854498B2 Piezoelectric actuator
A piezoelectric actuator includes a vibration plate, a first piezoelectric layer formed on one surface of the vibration plate, a second piezoelectric layer stacked on a surface of the first piezoelectric layer, a plurality of individual electrodes arranged on a surface of the second piezoelectric layer in a predetermined direction, a first common electrode having a plurality of first electrodes formed between the first piezoelectric layer and the second piezoelectric layer, and which are arranged in the predetermined direction to face the individual electrodes respectively, and a first wire electrically connecting all of the first electrodes, and a second common electrode having a plurality of second electrodes formed between the vibration plate and the first piezoelectric layer, and which are arranged in the predetermined direction to face the individual electrodes respectively, and a second wire electrically connecting all of the second electrodes.
US07854496B2 Inkjet printer with small drop size
An inkjet printer configured for ejecting ink droplets having a volume in the range of 1 to 2.5 pL, the printer comprising: a printhead having a plurality of nozzles assemblies, each nozzle assembly comprising: a nozzle chamber for containing ink, the chamber having a nozzle opening and an ink inlet, the nozzle opening having a maximum dimension in the range of 4 to 12 microns; and a bend actuator for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle opening by generating a positive pressure pulse in the ink during bending of the actuator; and an ink supply system configured for supplying ink to the printhead at a positive hydrostatic pressure in the range of 1 to 300 mm H2O.
US07854495B2 Liquid storage tank
A liquid storage tank includes a circuit chip equipped with a pair of chip contact points on a flat connection outer surface on a chip main body positioned at a predetermined position of a tank main body, and a pair of connection terminal plates each including a chip contact piece positioned around the circuit chip and extending from one side of the connection outer surface to make contact with the corresponding chip contact point, and another circuit connection portion conductively connected to a contact point of another circuit.
US07854491B2 Printer having driven printhead sealing arrangement
A printer is provided having a printhead, an arm supporting a sealing arrangement for sealing the printhead, and a clutch for selectively coupling the arm to a driven print media roller to move the sealing arrangement into and out of sealing engagement with the printhead.
US07854485B2 Closing and opening device for drawers
Closing and opening device for drawer pull-out guides (10) with a guide rail (12) to be fixed on a carcass wall of a piece of furniture and a running rail (14) which is mounted so as to be displaceable relative to the guide rail—optionally with a central rail (11) interposed—and is to be fixed on the drawer. On a latch housing (22) disposed on one of the two aforementioned outer rails there is provided a movable catch component (24) which is pretensioned by a spring arrangement in a bistable manner into two end positions spaced from one another in the direction of movement of the drawer, and the catch component has a seat (36) for a dog (26) which is provided on the other rail and which moves into the seat during the relative displacement of the rails as the closed position is approached and pivots the pretensioned movable catch component (24) and thereby unlocks it from the associated end position. The catch component is moved under the action of the spring tension into the other end position and by way of the dog (26) held in the seat (36) it entrains the rail associated therewith in the direction of retraction of the drawer. An opening and closing device (20) which acts on the catch component (24) on the one hand and on or in the catch housing (22) on the other hand and which, when a pushing in movement in the direction of closing the drawer is exerted on the drawer which is retained in the closing position by the closing and opening device, displaces the catch component (24) and by way of the dog (26) engaging in the seat (36) of the catch component it displaces the running rail (14) and thus a drawer held on the running rail by a predetermined amount in the direction of opening the drawer.
US07854478B2 Vehicle seat
The invention relates to a vehicle (1), particularly a motor vehicle (1), comprising a vehicle seat (2), wherein the vehicle (1) comprises an actuator (25) for generating a load reducing movement of the vehicle seat (2) in case of a rear collision and a control means (10) for actuating the actuator (25) when a first threshold value relating to the amount of the rear collision is exceeded and a second threshold value relating to the amount of the rear collision is not exceeded.
US07854468B2 Self-deploying drag reducing device
A drag reducing apparatus is hingedly mounted to the rear of a truck or trailer vehicle so that the apparatus can be pivoted clear of the rear doors of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a hinge assembly that allows the apparatus to open substantially flat against the side of the vehicle so as not to impede the full movement of the doors. The apparatus includes an arrangement of connected panels that are initially folded flat against the back of the vehicle but automatically open to a drag reducing configuration at a sufficient vehicle speed. The connected panels are further configured so that the force of gravity automatically returns the panels to their initial folded configuration when the vehicle speed falls below a threshold. The apparatus incorporates a modular construction that allows replacement of individual panel sections. The mounting frame is constructed to augment the drag reduction characteristics of the apparatus.
US07854467B2 Airflow control devices based on active materials
An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.
US07854464B2 Sun visor apparatus for vehicle
A sun visor apparatus for a vehicle includes a sun visor body, a supporting member supported on a roof panel and supporting the sun visor body so that the sun visor body moves in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a first position where the sun visor body is positioned in a storage space provided on an underside of the roof panel and a second position where a rear end of the sun visor body is positioned behind a mirror body of an interior rearview mirror when viewed from a driver, and a shade extending from the sun visor body to the storage space in accordance with a movement of the sun visor body.
US07854462B2 Folding head restraint
A seat assembly is provided that has a head restraint pivotally mounted to the seat back for movement between an operative position and a stowed position. The seat assembly has a seat mounting assembly that comprises at least one floor latch assembly. The floor latch assembly is operable between a latched position locking the seat assembly to the floor and a released position allowing the pivotal movement of the seat assembly to a folded position. The floor latch assembly is operatively coupled to the head restraint to release the head restraint from the operative position when the floor latch assembly is in the released position and prevent the head restraint from being locked in the operative position until the floor latch assembly is back in the latched position.
US07854445B2 Equalizer for a suspension system
An equalizer for a suspension system for a trailer is configured to absorb or dampen the harsh shocks or vibrations coming off of the leaf springs proximate to a center frame hangar, thus allowing for a “softer” ride. The equalizer utilizes one or two independent equalizer arm assemblies or castings which are each rotatably secured within the equalizer. Each equalizer arm assembly or casting is operatively associated with one of the leaf springs such that upon upward movement of the leaf spring, the associated equalizer arm assembly or casting is forced to rotate within the equalizer and to deform a shock absorber provided within the equalizer. The shock absorber, upon the deformation thereof, absorbs the harsh shocks or vibrations which would otherwise normally be transferred from the leaf springs, to the equalizer, and thus to the frame of the trailer.
US07854443B2 System for connecting supply lines
A system for connecting supply lines between a tractive vehicle and a semi-trailer that can be coupled to the latter, a semi-trailer coupling and an automatic line coupling system comprising at least one connector jack being situated on the tractive vehicle and the semi-trailer having at least one supply circuit comprising a first supply console for connecting to the tractive vehicle and for receiving a plug-in element that is located on at least one supply line of the tractive vehicle and/or a plug that is configured to fit the connector jack. The aim of the invention is to provide a system for connecting supply lines for tractive vehicles, comprising an automatic line coupling system that permits the coupling of conventional semi-trailers. To achieve this, a second supply console is located on the tractive vehicle and is permanently connected to the connector jack of the line coupling system and the plug-in element can be selectively connected to the first or second supply console.
US07854434B2 Ring seal with axially-opposed radially-offset seal beads
A ring seal includes a sealing ring including an asymmetric body portion having axially-opposed and radially-offset seal beads. The ring seal may also include a reinforcement ring carried at least partially in the sealing ring to distribute load across the seal beads. The ring seal may further include a skirt depending generally axially from the body portion and defining an inner diameter of the sealing ring and preferably having frusto-conical cross-sectional shape.
US07854430B2 Card shuffling device and method
A device for shuffling a deck of playing cards is described. The cards are placed in a compartment having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and dimensioned so that the cards are constrained in rotation in two of the three axes. The device is oriented so that a thickness dimension of the deck is horizontal, and groups of cards of the deck of cards are ejected in a vertical direction so as to provide a spacing of between a top edge of cards at rest and a bottom edge of the cards being ejected. The time duration of the ejection process is sufficient to effectively randomize the deck of cards. The ejection of cards may be by a plurality of pistons, and the pistons may be actuated by a motor, a solenoid or by air pressure.
US07854429B2 Apparatus for transferring sheet
The present invention is directed to providing an apparatus capable of transferring a sheet while reducing wear and using a relatively small driving force. The present invention is also directed to providing an apparatus capable of effectively obtaining a vacuum suction force with a simple structure. An apparatus 1 for transferring a sheet according to the present invention comprises a conveyer belt 30 provided with a plurality of vacuum suction holes 30c for allowing the belt member to vacuum-suck a sheet using an evacuation mechanism 12, a belt support member 8 having a plurality of evacuation passages 8c communicated with the vacuum suction holes, and a sheet support member 4 adapted to support the sheet in such a manner as to define an interspace between an uppermost region of an outer peripheral surface of the conveyer belt and a bottom surface of the sheet when the evacuation mechanism is in a deactivated state, whereby, when the evacuation mechanism is in an activated state, an air in the interspace S between the conveyer belt and the sheet D is evacuated from the vacuum suction holes and through the evacuation passages, so that the conveyer belt is displaced upwardly by a resulting vacuum suction force to transfer the sheet while vacuum-sucking the sheet.
US07854417B2 Height adjustable stand
An exemplary stand (60) includes a housing (610), an adjustable base (68), a pulley (630), a sleeve (635), a rotating member (636), a resilient member (632), a sliding member (62), and a cable. The adjustable base is fixed to one end of the housing. The adjustable base has a driving component (681), a follower (682), and a rotation shaft (683). The driving component is configured to rotate the follower. The rotation shaft is fixed to the follower. The pulley is rotatably connected to the housing. The sleeve is slidably disposed on the housing, and engages the rotation shaft. The rotating member is rotatably received in the sleeve. The resilient member is fixed to the adjustable base. The cable partially coils around the pulley, and connects the resilient member to the rotating member. A sliding member is slidably connected to the housing and fixed to the cable.
US07854415B2 Motorized support for a television or other electronic display
A support for an electronic display is provided. The support is movable through a panning motion by both manual manipulation and a motor. The support may include a clutch that facilitates both manual and motorized panning of the electronic display. The support is manually movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The support is also capable of supporting a relatively heavy load, such as a television or a computer monitor, and rotating the heavy load through a panning motion with a relatively small motor. The support may include a thrust bearing to facilitate panning of the heavy load. The support also includes a clutch that prevents stripping or damage of electrical components in the event panning motion is inhibited, such as by engagement of the electronic display with a wall. The support also includes a plurality of mechanical components that are removable as a single unit.
US07854414B2 Cable clamps
A cable clamp device for use in a well bore to secure cables to pipes and the like includes a flexible fastening member of relatively uniform cross-section, and a block that accepts the fastening member as it encompasses the circumference of the pipe in a loop. The cable clamp also and accepts the cable running axially along the pipe. The flexible fastening member overlaps itself, and is secured in a loop by deformation of its material. The height of the block from the surface of the pipe is greater than the height of the outer surface of the flexible fastening member and the surface of the pipe. The end surfaces of the clamp are angled with respect to the perpendicular of the pipe's surface.
US07854403B2 Electrostatically atomizing device
An electrostatically atomizing device includes a housing and an electrostatically atomizing unit disposed within the housing. The atomizing unit includes an emitter electrode and an heat exchanger. The heat exchanger cools the emitter electrode to develop condensed water. A high voltage is applied to the emitter electrode in order to electrostatically atomizing the condensed water and generate a mist of charged minute water particles. The housing accommodates a fan generating an air flow accelerating a heat radiation of the heat exchanger, and a high voltage source generating the high voltage applied to the emitter electrode. The heat exchanger has its heat radiator section exposed to a flow passage of the air flow. The atomizing unit is formed with an air inlet for introducing the air flow which carries the mist of the charged minute water particles and release the mist. The atomizing unit and the high voltage source are arranged on opposite sides of the flow passage. A first air intake port for feeding the forced air flow from the fan and a second air intake port for feeding the air flow into the high voltage source are positioned upstream of a second air intake port which introduce the forced air flow into the flow passage.
US07854400B2 Fuel injector
A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine includes a solenoid coil which is actuable by an electrical line, a valve sleeve which forms an outer coat of the fuel injector in a discharge-side region, and a valve housing. The fuel injector further includes a plastic sleeve, which houses the solenoid coil and the electrical line. The plastic sleeve is slid over the valve sleeve in assembly. The plastic sleeve has two parts interconnected by a crosspiece, with a recess formed in a radial region adjacent to the region of the crosspiece.
US07854396B2 Sprayer for a gardening purpose
A sprayer includes a base, a container, a drive device, a pumping device, and an outlet pipe. The drive device includes a drive shaft and a drive handle. The pumping device includes a pressure tank, a pressure release valve, a piston cylinder, a barrel, a piston, a piston rod, two guard brackets and a crank. The container is provided with a plurality of fixing plates secured in the fixing brackets of the base so that the container is combined with the base solidly and stably to enhance the strength of the sprayer. The piston rod is encompassed and protected by the barrel, and the crank is encompassed between and protected by the two guard brackets, so that the piston rod and the crank are operated exactly and stably.
US07854393B2 Air freshener
A clip on type air freshener device having a housing with openings in walls thereof permitting air flow through a cavity in the housing. A bottle that holds a supply of fragrance bearing liquid is mounted on the housing and has a wick with a portion thereof projecting into the cavity in the housing. An open ended sleeve is mounted on housing in axial alignment with such projecting wick portion and is adjustably moveable axially along the wick selectively in one position to completely cover the wick projecting portion and in another position leave at least a major portion thereof exposed to air flow through said housing openings. The wick cover is exposed through an opening in the housing giving the user a visual indication as to the amount of wick exposed for evaporation of the fragrance during usage of the device.
US07854391B2 Flow regulating articles and methods of manufacture
A flow regulating article is provided. The flow regulating article, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a patterned structure. The patterned structure includes a shape memory alloy capable of changing shape at predetermined temperatures.
US07854387B2 Open access sleeve for heated fluid units
A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.
US07854386B2 Printing currency documents
A method of printing a security document having a security feature, the method including, receiving the security document, and encrypted identity data at least partially indicative of an identity of the security document. The identity is decrypting using a secret key associated with the public key, allowing a signature to be generated using the determined identity. The signature is a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The signature is used in generating coded data at least partially indicative of the identity of the security document and at least part of the signature. The coded data is then printed on the security document.
US07854381B2 Shipment tracking method, device for the implementation of the method and printing device
A method for tracking shipments of a letter or package shipped by at least one shipper to an address of at least one addressee including printing a bar code on each shipment to be tracked, wherein the bar code includes at least one part for identification of the shipper of the shipment, which is invariable for each shipper, and a shipment rank identification part of each shipment, which is variable for each shipment; and a device for tracking shipments of a letter or package shipped by at least one shipper to an address of at least one addressee including at least one database having at least one user data table listing bar codes of the shipper and address information, and a data table of shipments being tracked listing each shipment by shipper.
US07854378B1 Automated banking machine system and method
A banking transaction processing system includes customer stations and at least one server provider station. The customer stations include automated banking machines. Each automated banking machine includes a card reader that reads indicia on user cards corresponding to financial accounts. Each automated banking machine also includes a cash dispenser. Service providers at service provider stations are enabled to communicate with customers at automated banking machines to help carry out transactions. Customers at automated banking machines may also carry out banking transactions without the involvement of service providers. Pneumatic tube transport systems may be used for moving items between local service providers and customers. In some embodiments, computers operating facial image transformation software and vocal sound transformation software enable outputs at customer stations which correspond to facial images and vocal sounds that customers may find more acceptable than those produced by the actual service provider.
US07854375B2 Deposit beverage container counting device
A deposit beverage container counting device in which containers can be visually inspected while sliding down an inclined feed channel having an abrupt downward bend of about 15 degrees to cause the containers to accelerate suddenly, singulating the containers; that is, creating or increasing the space between containers, which enables accurate counting. The singulated containers pass into a sensor housing that contains a photoelectric sensor that senses the passing of each container and sends a signal to one or more counters. The counter(s) keeps track of the count, and displays the count on a LCD or LED display. Multiple counters can be provided to enable both the operator and customers to see the count display. The electronic components are preferably low voltage, low current devices using transistorized circuits. The counting device preferably is battery-powered, and has no moving parts.
US07854372B1 Box closure clip
A rectangular box closure clip engages the two top flaps of a shipping container holding them securely without damaging the carton enabling the boxes to be reused without the need for being reformulated. The closure clip includes a pair of lower surfaces and a pair of upper surfaces interconnected by a central web that extends substantially throughout the length of the clip. The edges of the two upper surfaces are set back to facilitate insertion into the box. In a second embodiment, a vertically extending endstop is provided to prevent a box stacked atop the clip from sliding axially relative thereto. In still a third embodiment, a recess allows a binder strap to be installed around the clip to retain it in place. A programmable, scanable chip may be incorporated into the closure clip to facilitate tracking and/or to tamper-proof the package.
US07854365B2 Direct die attach utilizing heated bond head
A method is provided for bonding a die comprising a solder layer which has a melting point Tm. A bond head is heated to a bond head setting temperature T1, which is higher than Tm, and a substrate is heated to a substrate setting temperature T2, which is lower than Tm. The bond head then picks up the die and heats the die towards temperature T1 so as to melt the solder layer. The solder layer of the die is pressed onto the substrate so as to bond the die to the substrate, and thereafter the bond head is separated from the die so that the solder layer is cooled towards T2 and solidifies.
US07854360B2 Driving power tool having a control circuit
It is an object of the invention to provide a technique for preventing power tool from being operated by a malfunction of the control circuit. A representative driving power tool includes a movable element, a drive unit to drive the movable element, an actuation circuit to actuate the drive unit, a control circuit and an operation switch that outputs an operation signal. The control circuit outputs a control signal when the operation signal for instructing driving of the movable element is outputted from the operation switch. The actuation circuit actuates the drive unit when the control signal is outputted from the control circuit. Actuation of the drive unit is blocked when the control signal outputted from the control circuit is abnormal. According to the invention, a movable element can be prevented from being moved by malfunctioning of the control circuit.
US07854355B2 Prodigio pump
A pump for dispensing a liquid contained in a bottle including a shrunk-fit section including an orifice for communicating with the liquid, a pushbutton including an orifice for ejecting the liquid, a dosing sleeve integrating a needle for plugging the ejection orifice and a device for bi-directional movement of the needle, a dosing piston including a channel equipped with a closing valve for the orifice, the piston being mounted in translation, in a leak-tight manner, inside the shrunk-fit section, between an open position and a closed position of the orifice, by means of the valve, an actuating member integral with the device for moving the needle and slidably mounted inside the dosing piston, by pressing on the pushbutton, the sliding assembly being set up to actuate the moving device and to position the valve in closed position so as to enable ejection of the liquid from the dosing chamber.
US07854354B2 Docking station for a liquid container including a liquid dispenser
A docking station for use with a liquid container which supports the container in a convenient fixed location. The docking station is designed to accept a liquid container having a predetermined height and diameter. The docking station includes a cam operated actuator which is movable between an upper “open” position to a lower “closed” position. When the actuator is moved to its lower closed position, the actuator opens a valve in the liquid container to permit liquid to be drawn from the container. When the actuator is in its upper position, the valve in the container is closed. A manually controlled dispenser is mounted on the upper end of the docking station which is in communication with a source of water under pressure and the liquid being drawn from the container so as to mix the same and to dispense the same.
US07854338B2 Water tank and method for manufacturing a water tank
A water tank T of plastic material which is joined by using at least two open and identical tank parts 1 and a joining plane 2, the tank parts having respective opening structures R with a flattened inner opening edge, a sealing channel 26 being open towards the joining plane, and an outer flattened opening edge, the inner and outer opening edges within the opening edge structure are situated in each tank part 1, 35 in the joining plane 2, the opening edge at the same time defining inner and outer fitting surfaces 16, 17, respectively with a width exceeding the thickness X of the tank part wall 30 and the sealing channel wall 34 by at least about the half, such that the water tank T selectively can be manufactured from the same tank parts 1, 35 either monolithically by welding the fitting surfaces 16, 17 without sealing means in-between to each other or separable by clamping the opening edge structures R from the outer side with sealing means 33 provided between both tank parts 1, 35.
US07854333B2 Rear loading gate for merchandising system
A merchandising and product display system includes a space defined between a pair of generally parallel dividers. At a rear end of each divider, a rear loading gate is mounted to permit product containers to be inserted through the rear into the opening and to prevent products from being pushed from within the space through the rear of the space. The loading gate includes a pair of wings extending less than halfway across the width of the opening. The wings are hingedly mounted to a central portion permitting the wing to be deflected forward and rearward, and include a rearward extending bulkhead that engages the central portion. The engagement of the bulkhead and the central portion prevents the wings from being deflected sufficiently to permit a product container from passing the gate.
US07854331B2 Self storing bicycle display
A display for a bicycle includes a mount, a support arm pivotally mounted to the mount for movement between a storage position and an access position, the support arm having a hanger thereon for hanging the bicycle therefrom, and a cylinder assembly including a dampening cylinder operably connected to the mount and to the support arm to dampen movement of the support arm and to return the support arm to the storage position. The cylinder assembly includes a locking member configured to lock the cylinder in a retracted position to maintain the support arm in the access position and to release the cylinder to permit the support arm to return to the storage position. A clamp arm is mounted to the support arm for pivoting between a securing position to secure the bicycle on the hanger when the support arm is in the storage position and a release position to allow for removing the bicycle from the hanger when the support arm is in the access position. An actuating element is operably connected to the cylinder assembly and to the clamp arm to pivot the clamp arm between the securing position and the release position as the support arm is moved between the storage and access positions.