Document Document Title
US08009692B2 Bit and power allocation scheme for full-duplex transmission with echo cancellation in multicarrier-based modems
The present invention provides a method, data modulator, modem, computer readable medium and system for allocating bits to sub-carriers of data channel frequencies for spectrally efficient full-duplex transmission. Bits are allocated successively to a plurality of sub-carriers for a data channel based on minimal power consumption, a power mask for each sub-carrier, a bit capacity of each sub-carrier, and a predetermined data rate. Allocation of bits is ceased when at least one of: a predetermined total power budget has been substantially exhausted, power masks for the plurality of sub-carriers have been substantially exhausted, bit capacities for the plurality of sub-carriers have been substantially exhausted, and the predetermined data rate has been reached.
US08009690B2 Wind turbine data acquisition system
Sensor networks, methods and computer program products for state monitoring of a wind turbine. The sensor network may include one or more standard sensor modules each having a sensor for measuring a parameter of the wind turbine or its surroundings. The wind turbine includes a processor for receiving input from the one or more standard sensor modules, and a data transfer channel for transferring sensor output from the one or more standard sensor modules to the processor. The data transfer channel has one or more auxiliary connection points for connection of one or more additional sensor module. The one or more additional sensor modules are in surplus of the standard sensor modules in a standard set-up of the wind turbine sensor network. The embedded turbine data acquisition system takes advantage of an existing turbine back-bone network for data transport.
US08009687B2 Measurement of network performance in transporting packet streams
A method and apparatus for measuring network performance. A packet from a stream of multimedia data packets is received from across a network during a measurement interval. The time interval from the start of the measurement interval to receiving the packet is measured. The response of a buffer to the received packet is determined. The level of the buffer just before the packet arrives is calculated, based on the time interval. The level of the buffer just after the packet arrives is calculated, based on the previous level. A performance measure for the network is determined based on at least one of the two levels.
US08009680B2 System and method for a private wireless network interface
A private wireless network interface provides wireless signaling and protocols of a wireless macro network to allow a consumer to operate over a private wireless network. The private wireless network interface receives wireless signals compatible with a wireless macro network and transmits the signals over a broadband connection to a wireless service provider's wireless macro network. The private wireless network interface allows the use of mobile stations which are compatible with a wireless macro network to operate in a residence and have the signals backhauled over the residence's broadband connection. The private wireless network interface can provide wireless macro network coverage in any location with some type of coupling to the Internet.
US08009669B2 System of path computation element protocol support for large-scale concurrent path computation
A system for a global concurrent path computation in a communication network is disclosed. The system includes a path computation element communication protocol, wherein the protocol includes an indicator field indicating the global concurrent path computation, a global objective function field providing an overarching objective function, a global constraint field specifying at least one global constraint, a global concurrent vector field specifying at least one path computation request, and another indicator field indicating an outcome of a path computation request.
US08009659B2 Providing congestion and travel information to users
Processing link information related to traffic and travel information, in which link information is received including a link identification value associated with a particular link, a link identifier component enabling a determination of a link system to be employed in identifying the particular link referenced by the received traffic information, and a location type information component enabling a determination of a link location type of the particular link. Based upon the received information, a link system to be used to identify the particular link is determined. In addition, the link location type and the link identification are determined.
US08009656B2 Apparatus and method for providing feedback information in response to subcarrier reception
A radio communication apparatus capable of alleviating a burden in setting a transmission format and suppressing increases in the scale of the apparatus. In this apparatus, space multiplexing adaptability detection section (108) detects space multiplexing transmission adaptability for divided bands (DB-1 to DB-Nd) obtained by dividing a communication band to which Ns subcarrier signals belong in multicarrier transmission and to which a plurality of subcarrier signals belong, and outputs the detection results (#1 to #Nd). Transmission format setting section (110) sets a transmission format when carrying out radio transmission based on the detection results (#1 to #Nd) from space multiplexing adaptability detection section (108).
US08009651B2 Neighbouring device aiding in receiving sets of data
According to one embodiment, a first wireless communication device may receive a data file via a first wireless network interface, determine if the whole file has been properly received, receive at least the data of the file that have not been properly received via the first wireless interface from a neighboring second wireless communication device and combine the data received via the first wireless network interface with data received from the neighboring wireless communication device in order to obtain the complete file. The second wireless communication device may also receive the data file via a second wireless network interface and send at least the data of the file that have not been properly received over a neighbor device interface.
US08009645B2 Method for requesting and allocating upstream bandwidth in a multi-hop relay broadband wireless access communication system
A method of requesting and allocating an upstream bandwidth in an RS in a multi-hop relay BWA communication system is provided. The RS receives an upstream bandwidth request message including an upstream bandwidth from at least one MS for a predetermined time period, detects the requested upstream bandwidth from the upstream bandwidth request message, calculates a total requested upstream bandwidth by summing the requested upstream bandwidth from the at least one MS, generates a new upstream bandwidth request message including the total requested upstream bandwidth, and sends the new upstream bandwidth request message to a BS.
US08009644B2 On-demand services by wireless base station virtualization
Initiating a virtual presence at a physical access point in response to a request for a service from a wireless access device is provided. A particular wireless service may be provided to a subscriber on an on-demand basis according to location and/or type of service requested. The service may be terminated when demand for the service comes to an end whereby a common wireless service infrastructure may be shared amongst service providers thus eliminating the need for radio channel coordination and otherwise enhancing service quality for those service providers.
US08009640B2 Method of creation of a new communication network by a wireless terminal and terminal implementing the method
The invention relates to a method of creation of a new communication network by a wireless terminal. The wireless terminal is initially part of an existing centralized network that includes an access point able to control the association of wireless terminals to its network. In the event of disassociation of the terminal from the network, the method makes provision to initiate a procedure for creating a new network including a declaration of the terminal as access point of the new network, where the operating parameters of the new network are such that communications on the new network do not interfere with the existing network.
US08009628B2 Private mobility management enhancements
A method and apparatus described herein uses a mobility server to supplement the mobility management operations of a conventional mobile switching circuit (MSC). The mobility server receives mobility messages from a wireless terminal, and updates a location register associated with the MSC responsive to the received mobility messages. According to one exemplary embodiment, the mobility server has a pre-determined network address, such as a phone number, IP address, etc. The wireless terminal sends the mobility messages as user-plane messages to the pre-determined network address over a traffic data channel. In one exemplary embodiment, the mobility messages indicate the imminent loss of usable base station signals at an identified wireless terminal. For this embodiment, the mobility server may identify a satellite beam associated with the wireless terminal's location based on the received mobility messages, and update the location register accordingly.
US08009619B1 Server-side wireless communications link support for mobile handheld devices
A server-based method for implementing a communications link. The method includes receiving via a communications network a request for a communications link from a client communications component executing on a handheld device and establishing a wireless communications link with the handheld device by using a server communications interface executing on the server. An optimized protocol is automatically implemented between the client communications component and the server based on the wireless communications link type and the handheld device type, wherein the optimized protocol is implemented while maintaining a standardized application programming interface for the server communications interface, and wherein the communications link is established via the communications component functioning with a device API component to configure hardware of the handheld device.
US08009618B2 Apparatus and method for operating a communications device in a mobile communications network
Apparatus and a method for handling discard of a service data unit in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment. Strategies for the radio resource control entity to handle discard of a service data unit by the radio link control entity are presented.
US08009612B2 Method of establishing an HRPD signal link
A method (10) of establishing an alternate HRPD signaling link between an HRPD access network and an access terminal over a non-HRPD access is disclosed. It includes: providing (12) a signal forwarding function (SFF) (22) between an access terminal (AT) (24) and a high rate packet data (HRPD) access network (AN) (26); establishing (14) a data tunnel (28) between the access terminal (24) and the SFF (22); exchanging (16) HRPD signaling messages and HRPD data via the data tunnel (28); identifying (18) the HRPD access network (26) and the access terminal (24) over non-HRPD access by the SFF (22), by reading a header with certain identifiers and mapping the header to an address of the access terminal or network; and forwarding (20) the HRPD signaling messages and the HRPD data that arrive at the SFF (22) from the access terminal (24) and the HRPD access network (26) to the HRPD access network (26) and the access terminal (24), respectively. The method (10) performs an initiation and session establishment procedure, minimizes the time, disruption and packet loss during handoff to a HRPD access network and enables seamless mobility.
US08009606B2 Method and apparatus for indicating deactivation of semi-persistent scheduling
A method and apparatus for performing semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) deactivation in a wireless mobile communication system are disclosed. A base station (BS) transmits a downlink control channel to a user equipment (UE), and deactivates the SPS when a binary field indicating resource allocation information contained in the downlink control channel is entirely filled with ‘1’.
US08009603B2 Transmitting page and broadcast control channel through the same time frequency resources across the sectors in a wireless communications system
The present invention describes transmitting the page channel, which may comprise a quick page channel and a regular page channel, and the broadcast control channel, which conveys the system information, through the same time-frequency resources across the sectors of a wireless communications network.
US08009602B2 Method for low power radio operation in a wireless packet network
A system and method allows devices to send and receive packets while using power to do so to the extent needed, thereby conserving power.
US08009601B2 Power saving when using aggregated packets
In a communications packet directed to multiple addresses and having a directory of the addresses in order of transmission, a device receiving the packet may use the directory to help determine when the last frame in which the device has an interest is received, and then enter a low power mode for the remainder of the packet reception. The device constructing the packet for transmission may arrange the frames in a manner that promotes overall power savings in the group of addressed devices.
US08009599B2 Wireless communication device and wireless communication method
A wireless communication device that transmits packets, on the basis of a packet transmission scheme for allocating wireless bands with virtual carrier sensing, has: monitoring module for monitoring packets communicated between other wireless communication devices and base stations for a local cell and another cell; determination module for determining whether a possibility exists that a local station receives other-cell interference resulting from communication between the wireless communication device in the other cell and the base station, on the basis of the monitoring result; occupancy period detection module for detecting an occupancy period occupied due to communication between the wireless communication device in the other cell and the base station, on the basis of the monitoring results, when determination is made that receiving the other-cell interference is possible; and timing recognition module for recognizing a timing for avoiding the other-cell interference in a predetermined period on the basis of the occupancy period.
US08009596B2 Data transmitting apparatus, data receiving apparatus, and data communication system
A data transmitting apparatus generates a block that includes identification information including the number of times divided data can be transmitted and data for error detection for detecting an error in the identification information associated with each other with respect to each divided data, and transmits the block to a data receiving apparatus. If the number of times divided data can be transmitted is one or more, the data transmitting apparatus stores the corresponding block in a transmission memory, and retransmits it upon a request for retransmission from the data receiving apparatus.
US08009590B2 Method for linking several communication busses using wireless links
Method for linking a first and a second communication bus through a wireless link, comprising a first portal connected to the first bus and a second portal connected to the second bus, said first and second portal communicating over a wireless connection. The method comprises the steps of: associating the two portals to the wireless network; exchanging, between the two portals of self identification packets of nodes connected to their respective local busses, including the self identification packets of the portals themselves; generating a reset on each bus; carrying out a self identification procedure on each bus, where each portal generates self identification packets for itself and for nodes of the respective remote bus, using the self identification packets received following the association step.
US08009588B2 System and method for transparent mobile IP registration within PPP negotiation
A system and method for transparent Mobile IP registration within PPP negotiation uses a mobile telephone to relay messages between terminal equipment and a Foreign Agent (FA). An IPCP configuration request message by the terminal equipment requesting the assignment of an IP address is modified by the mobile telephone to delete the IP address request option. Other configuration options are forwarded unchanged by the mobile telephone to the peer/network. The peer/network responds with an acknowledgement of the requested configuration options and flow control between the terminal and the MT is asserted to permit Mobile IP registration. In the course of Mobile IP registration, and IP address is assigned to the mobile unit by the FA. Upon completion of the Mobile IP registration, flow control between the mobile telephone and the terminal is deasserted and the IP address assigned during Mobile IP registration is provided to the terminal equipment. In addition, the previously requested options may also be acknowledged.
US08009584B1 System and method for implementing an IRC across multiple network devices
A system includes a plurality of network devices and an external memory. Each network device includes an address table. The external memory includes a group of address tables corresponding to the address tables of the network devices. The system monitors the address table associated with each of the network devices, detects whether one of the address tables has been updated, and updates the corresponding address table in the external memory in response to detecting an update to one of the address tables.
US08009582B2 Method and apparatus for performance monitoring in a communications network
A method and device for determining a packet drop indicator, for use in a communication system is described. The method comprises the following steps: A. determining the number of packets sent at a sending side within a first time period; B. determining the number of packets received at a receiving side within a second time period; and C. calculating a packet drop indicator on the basis of said number of sent packets and said number of received packets.
US08009574B2 Power level settings for transmission lines
A method, wherein the following steps are iteratively repeated: providing each of a plurality of signals at a respective one of a plurality of transmission links; transmitting each of the plurality of signals over the respective one of the plurality of transmission links; and measuring signal-to-noise ratios of the plurality of signals transmitted over the plurality of transmission links, wherein an input power level of each of the plurality of signals is set such that the signal-to-noise ratios of the plurality of signals converge when measured after their transmission over the plurality of transmission links.
US08009572B2 Peer-to-peer telephone system
There is provided a peer-to-peer telephone system comprising a plurality of end-users and a communication structure through which one or more end-users are couplable for communication purposes. The system is distinguished in that the communication structure is substantially de-centralized with regard to communication route switching therein for connecting the one or more end-users. One or more end-users are operable to establish their own communication routes through the structure based on exchange of one or more authorization certificates, namely User Identity Certificates (UIC), to acquire access to the structure. The structure comprises an administration arrangement for issuing said one or more certificates to said one or more end-users.
US08009569B2 System and a method for maintaining quality of service through a congested network
In flow control, such as in Ethernet communication, the data is divided into queues of different priorities so that, when transmission is enabled, quality of service may be provided by first transmitting data of high priority. A networking element, such as a switch, a router, a bridge or a MAC, is adapted to transfer flow control information without awaiting its own buffer to fill. This reduces latency and facilitates the providing of networking elements without buffers.
US08009566B2 Packet classification in a network security device
Methods and apparatuses are described for inspecting data packets in a computer network. One or more data packets through the network have associated header data and content. One method includes receiving a data packet, examining the data packet to classify the data packet including classifying the data packet using information included in the header and content, determining flow instructions for processing the packet based on both the header information and the content and processing of the packet using the flow instructions.
US08009565B2 Switch with function for assigning queue based on a declared transfer rate
In an asynchronous transfer mode switch, a plurality of queues is provided for accumulating transfer cells, and a queue assignment processing section, receives a message for establishing a connection and assigns to the connection one of the queues having a forwarding rate close to a declared rate included in the message and not exceeding the declared rate.
US08009563B2 Method and system for transmit scheduling for multi-layer network interface controller (NIC) operation
Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for multi-layer network interface controller (NIC) operation. An aspect of the invention may utilize a two (2) level work-conserving scheduling system for network interface controller operation and may comprise tracking for all L4/L5 offload connections with active transmit requirements as well as layer 2 (L2) level transmit requirements. The first level may comprise a round-robin scheme that may be utilized to select the next high priority, normal priority, and layer 2 (L2) transmit requirement independently. The send level arbitration may comprise a work-conserving programmable weighted round-robin priority scheme that may be utilized to select amongst the transmit tasks selected by the first level priority scheme.
US08009543B2 Hologram optical device, compatible optical pickup including the hologram optical device, and optical information storage medium system including the compatible optical pickup
A hologram optical device, a compatible optical pickup including the hologram optical device, and an optical information storage medium system including the compatible optical pickup are provided. The hologram optical device includes: a first hologram area having a hologram that is asymmetric with respect to an optical axis to diffract an incident light in a 0th order diffractive light and a 1st order diffractive light, wherein light spots are formed by focusing the 0th order and 1st order diffractive lights using a lens. Accordingly, a light spot of the 1st order diffractive light is formed at a position separated from an optical axis of the lens when a light spot formed by the 0th order diffractive light is formed on the optical axis of the lens.
US08009536B2 Recording and reproducing apparatus
A recording and reproducing apparatus includes an access display unit of a hard disk and a failure diagnosis unit to carry out a failure diagnosis by using error information of data reproduced from the hard disk, in which either a video recorded in the hard disk is displayed on the access display unit or an access on the reproduction is displayed thereon, and a warning content obtained from a diagnostic result of the hard disk is displayed after the access is completed.
US08009534B2 Method of recording data in multilayered recordable optical recording medium, recording and reproducing apparatus for recording the data in the recording medium and the recording medium
A method of recording data in a multilayered recordable optical recording medium is disclosed. When test recording is executed in a multilayered recordable optical recording medium having N recording layers (N is an integer of 2 or more), a test recording range in a test recording area of an (m+1)th recording layer is shifted relative to a test recording range in a test recording area of an mth recording layer by an amount greater than a difference of decentration amounts between the mth and the (m+1)th recording layers or a maximum decentration amount in the N recording layers. The shifting direction is inverse to a test recording range adding direction in a radius direction of the recording medium.
US08009531B2 Methods for overwite cycle improvement of optical storage medium and related machine readable media
A method of recording data onto an optical storage medium includes: before starting recording data onto the optical storage medium from an expected link point on the optical storage medium, setting a current recording condition corresponding to the expected link point according to at least one previous recording condition corresponding to the expected link point; and controlling an operation of recording the data onto the optical storage medium according to the current recording condition.
US08009528B2 Method for recovering management information of a recording medium and apparatus therefor
A method for recovering disc management information of a recording medium. (a) When the recording medium is not closed, a readable TDMS which is included in an in-use TDMA of TDMAs of the recording medium and is readable is searched for. (b) It is determined whether a piece of information associated with an inconsistency flag of the readable TDMS is reliable. (c) If the associated piece of information is unreliable, at least a detection condition is determined according to the information included in the readable TDMS and the in-use TDMA. (d) A detection procedure, constrained by the at least the detection condition, is performed on the recording medium for determining an update on the piece of information associated with the inconsistency flag. (e) An update TDMS is generated according to the readable TDMS and the update on the piece of information associated with the inconsistency flag.
US08009522B2 Focusing servo device, optical disc recording/reproducing device and focus-searching method
A focusing servo device, an optical disc recording/reproducing device and a focus-searching method are provided for making a focus of an energy beam emitted by a pick-up unit to fall in an accessible range of a data layer of a disc. The method comprises the following steps: recording the deviation of the focal point during each predetermined period when the focal point of the energy beam is fallen in the accessible range such that the optical disc recording/reproducing device is operated in a feedback control mode; determining a focus-searching range based on the recorded deviation of the focal point; and moving the focal point in the focus-searching range to make the focal point to fall in the accessible range when the focal point of the energy beam is fallen out of the accessible range such that the optical disc recording/reproducing device is operated in a focus-searching mode.
US08009518B2 Ultrasonic sensor with piezoelectric elements and vibration isolator
An ultrasonic sensor includes a transmitting device, receiving devices arranged in an array, and a circuit device. One receiving device is configured as a reference receiving device. The circuit device includes a reference signal generator and first and second synchronous detectors. The reference signal generator generates a reference signal by using a received signal of the reference receiving device. The first synchronous detector performs synchronous detection of a received signal of one of the receiving devices based on the reference signal to detect a distance to an object. The second synchronous detector performs synchronous detection of received signals of the receiving devices except the reference receiving device based on the reference signal to detect a direction of the object.
US08009517B2 Wireless communication system, transmitting device, receiving device and information processing apparatus
A wireless communication system includes a transmitting device and a receiving device, in which the transmitting device generates a signal including information and transmits the signal by electromagnetic waves and ultrasonic waves in the same frequency in parallel, and in which the receiving device extracts the signal from at least one of the electromagnetic waves and the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmitting device and acquires the information included in the extracted signal.
US08009516B2 Underwater acoustic positioning system and method
A method for determining the position of an underwater device includes placement of a plurality of station keeping devices on or below the surface of the water in known positions. A device to locate is provided for placement below the surface of the water, and the device to locate and the station keeping devices are provided with a synchronized time base and a common acoustic pulse time schedule. Each station keeping device sends an acoustic pulse at a time according to the common acoustic pulse schedule. The device to locate receives pulses sent by the station keeping devices and calculates a distance between itself and each station keeping device based upon the time that the acoustic pulse is sent and the time that the pulse is received. The device to locate then calculates its position based upon the distances between the device to locate and the station keeping devices.
US08009515B2 Ground threat location for an aircraft
Systems and methods are provided for locating threats to an aircraft that are located on the ground. Associated bearings are determined from an aircraft for each of a plurality of detected shots from a threat at ground level. A plurality of pairs of bearings are selected, and a weight value is calculated for each selected pair of bearings. An estimated position for the threat is determined from each selected pair of bearings. An improved estimation of the position for the threat is calculated as a weighted combination of the estimated positions.
US08009503B2 Card controller controlling semiconductor memory including memory cell having charge accumulation layer and control gate
A card controller includes an arithmetic processing device. The controller writes data to a semiconductor memory having a first memory block and a second memory block each including a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells each configured to hold at least 2 bits, data in the first memory block and data in the second memory block being each erased at a time. The arithmetic processing device writes the data to the memory cells in the first memory block using an upper bit and a lower bit of the at least 2 bits and writes the data to the memory cells in the second memory block using only the lower bit of the at least 2 bits.
US08009491B2 Memory access strobe configuration system and process
A memory access strobe configuration system and process operable to generate a strobe signal having a selected phase. Based on the strobe signal, a write/read cycle using a first logic value at a memory location of a memory device generates a result logic value. The result logic value provided by the write/read cycle is compared to the first logic value. Where there is a mismatch between the result logic value and the first logic value, the phase of the strobe signal is updated. The process is then repeated using a strobe signal having the updated phase.
US08009487B2 System and method for mitigating reverse bias leakage
The present disclosure includes devices, methods, and systems for programming memory, such as resistance variable memory. One embodiment can include an array of resistance variable memory cells, wherein the resistance variable memory cells are coupled to one or more data lines, a row decoder connected to a first side of the array, a column decoder connected to a second side of the array, wherein the second side is adjacent to the first side, a gap located adjacent to the row decoder and the column decoder, and clamp circuitry configured to control a reverse bias voltage associated with one or more unselected memory cells during a programming operation, wherein the clamp circuitry is located in the gap and is selectively coupled to the one or more data lines.
US08009482B2 High temperature methods for enhancing retention characteristics of memory devices
Methods are described for improving the retention of a memory device by execution of a retention improvement procedure. The retention improvement procedure comprises a baking process of the memory device in a high temperature environment, a verifying process of the memory device that checks the logic state of memory cells, and a reprogramming process to program the memory device once again by programming memory cells in a 0-state to a high-Vt state. The baking step of placing the memory device in a high temperature environment causes a charge loss by expelling shallow trapped charges, resulting in the improvement of retention reliability.
US08009475B2 Device selection circuit and method
Embodiments of the invention take advantage of an unused state of an interface protocol (or specification), such as the ONFI specification, to control a selector circuit to assert one of a plurality of relatively localized device selection signals (e.g., chip enable signals).
US08009474B2 Semiconductor storage device and read voltage correction method
A semiconductor memory device comprises a semiconductor memory, a corrected voltage storage circuit which stores a corrected voltage produced by correcting a read voltage of the semiconductor memory, and a memory controller which reads the corrected voltage from the corrected voltage storage circuit and performs a read operation of the semiconductor memory using the corrected voltage.
US08009464B2 Magnetic random access memory and manufacturing method thereof
A magnetic random access memory includes a semiconductor substrate in which a step portion having a side surface and a top face is formed, a gate electrode formed on the side surface of the step portion through a gate insulating film, a drain diffusion layer formed in the top face of the step portion, a source diffusion layer formed in the semiconductor substrate below the drain diffusion layer to be separated from the drain diffusion layer, a magnetoresistive effect element which is connected with the drain diffusion layer, and has a fixed layer, a recording layer and a non-magnetic layer, the magnetization directions of the fixed layer and the recording layer entering a parallel state or an antiparallel state in accordance with a direction of a current flowing through a space between the fixed layer and the recording layer, and a bit line connected with the magnetoresistive effect element.
US08009452B1 Multiple driver power supply
A power supply includes a power source having at least one power source output, and a plurality of drivers connected to the at least one power source output. At least one of the plurality of drivers includes a bridge network having a first switch, a second switch and a bridge network output. The first switch is connected between the at least one power source output and the bridge network output. The second switch is connected between the bridge network output and a ground. The bridge network further includes at least one control input connected to the second switch. The bridge network is adapted to change a state of the first switch based on a state of the second switch.
US08009449B2 DC-to-AC power inverter and methods
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to semiconductors for power generation and conversion applications, and more particularly, to devices, integrated circuits, substrates, and methods to convert direct current (“DC”) voltage signals to alternating current (“AC”) voltage signals. In some embodiments, an inverter can include a modulator configured to convert a direct current signal into a first variable signal, and a transformation module configured to step up the first variable signal to form a second variable signal. The transformation module can be configured to generate a first portion of the second variable signal and a second portion of the second variable signal. Further, the inverter can include a waveform generator configured to synchronize the first portion and the second portion of the second variable signal at a frequency to generate an alternating current (“AC”) signal.
US08009448B2 Forward-flyback converter with active-clamp circuit
The present invention discloses a forward-flyback converter with active-clamp circuit. The secondary side of the proposed converter is of center-tapped configuration to integrate a forward circuit and a flyback circuit. The flyback sub-circuit operating continuous conduction mode is employed to directly transfer the reset energy of the transformer to the output load. The forward sub-circuit operating discontinuous conduction mode can correspondingly adjust the duty ratio with the output load change. Under the heavy load condition, the mechanism of active-clamp flyback sub-circuit can provide sufficient resonant current to facilitate the parasitic capacitance of the switches to be discharged to zero. Under the light load condition, the time interval in which the resonant current turns from negative into positive is prolonged to ensure zero voltage switching function. Meanwhile, the flyback sub-circuit wherein the rectifier diode is reverse biased is inactive in order to further reduce the power losses.
US08009445B2 Switching power source apparatus
A switching power source apparatus includes a switching element connected through a primary winding of a transformer to a voltage terminal of a DC input voltage, a rectifying-smoothing circuit to rectify and smooth a voltage induced by a secondary winding of the transformer and provide a DC output voltage, a control circuit for controlling ON/OFF of the switching element, and a delay circuit to generate a predetermined delay time. The control circuit detects the DC input voltage, starts a switching operation of the switching element if the DC input voltage has increased to or above a threshold value, and stops the switching operation of the switching element if the DC input voltage is lower than the threshold value and that a period during which the DC input voltage is continuously lower than the threshold value has reached the predetermined delay time.
US08009436B2 Integrated circuit package system with channel
An integrated circuit package system provides a substrate and contact pads are formed on the substrate. A channel is formed in the substrate between the contact pads. A circuit component is electrically connected to the contact pads, with the circuit component over the channel. The circuit component, the contact pads, and the channel are encapsulated in encapsulant, the encapsulant flowing into the channel.
US08009431B2 Computer housing and computer including the same
A computer housing is adapted for receiving a motherboard and at least one electronic component therein, and includes a housing unit and a support board. The housing unit has an opening, and includes at least one first sliding portion that is provided at each of two opposite sides of an inner surface of the housing unit, that extends along a sliding direction, and that is connected to the opening. The support board is adapted for securing the motherboard and the electronic component, and includes a second sliding portion provided at each of two opposite edges of the support board and slidable relative to the first sliding portion in the sliding direction.
US08009418B2 Information processing apparatus
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a heating device, a heat radiation module, a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature at a first position on a printed circuit board, a second temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature at a second position on the printed circuit board, which is farther from the heating device than the first position, a temperature difference detection module configured to detect a temperature difference which is obtained by subtracting the temperature at the second position from the temperature at the first position, and a performance determination module configured to execute a monitoring process of monitoring the temperature difference between the temperature at the first position and the temperature at the second position, and to determine whether a performance of the heat radiation module has lowered or not.
US08009408B2 Laminated ceramic capacitor
Better high-temperature load characteristics are obtained in a laminated ceramic capacitor including a dielectric ceramic layer with a thickness of 1 μm or less. The laminated ceramic capacitor includes a plurality of stacked dielectric ceramic layers, a plurality of internal electrode layers, each disposed between dielectric ceramic layers, and external electrodes that are electrically connected to internal electrode layers. In this laminated ceramic capacitor, when the thickness of each dielectric ceramic layer is denoted by tc and the thickness of each internal electrode layer is denoted by te, tc is 1 μm or less, and tc/te is equal to or less than 1.
US08009405B2 Low maintenance AC gas flow driven static neutralizer and method
A low maintenance AC gas-flow driven static neutralizer, comprising at least one emitter and at least one reference electrode; a power supply having an output electrically coupled to the emitter(s) and a reference terminal electrically coupled to the reference electrode(s) with the power supply disposed to produce an output waveform that creates ions by corona discharge and to produce an electrical field when this output waveform is applied to the emitter(s); a gas flow source disposed to produce a gas flow across a first region that includes these generated ions and the emitter(s), the gas flow including a flow velocity; and wherein, during a first time duration, the output waveform decreases an electrical force created by the electrical field, enabling the gas flow to carry away from the emitter(s) a contamination particle that may be located within a second region surrounding the emitter(s), and to minimize a likelihood of the contamination particle from accumulating on the emitter(s). The first region may include the second region.
US08009400B2 Interface circuit and portable electronic device employing the same
An interface circuit for connecting with a universal serial bus (USB) data cable includes a USB connector for connecting with the USB data cable, an over voltage protection (OVP) circuit connected to the USB connector, and a time delay circuit connected to the USB connector and the OVP circuit to control the OVP circuit. The OVP circuit is switched off in a predetermined delay time of the time delay circuit when the USB data cable is connected to the USB connector, and is then switched on after the delay time of the time delay circuit.
US08009393B2 Thermoelectric device utilized as voltage snubber
An electric circuit includes a plurality of electric circuit elements. The circuit is prone to creating voltage spikes on a pair of spaced lines. A jumper line connects the pair of spaced lines. A thermoelectric element is connected on the jumper line such that the voltage spike will pass through a hot node on the thermoelectric element. A cool node of the thermoelectric element is positioned adjacent to components which require cooling.
US08009384B1 Cast baseplate for a disk drive having an arcuate shroud wall and adjacent arcuate groove
A disk drive includes a cast baseplate, and a disk having a major surface and an outer circumference. The cast baseplate includes a casting inlet gate region, a planar area underlying the disk, an arcuate shroud wall that is substantially orthogonal to the planar area, and an arcuate groove immediately adjacent the planar area. The planar area is separated from the disk major surface by less than 0.8 mm. The arcuate shroud wall is disposed less than 0.8 mm from the disk outer circumference, and includes a first shroud wall portion and a second shroud wall portion. The first shroud wall portion is more proximate to the casting inlet gate region than is the second shroud wall portion. The arcuate groove is immediately adjacent the first shroud wall portion, and defines a groove depth in the range 0.2 mm to 2 mm relative to the planar area.
US08009382B2 Position control apparatus and disk apparatus using the same
According to one embodiment, a position control apparatus includes: a digital control module that performs position control including disturbance adaptive control with a predetermined sampling period using a control constant, in accordance with a position error; and a table that stores the control constant corresponding to one of values sin(ωT), cos(ωT), and sin(ωT/2), wherein the digital control module determines a control value of the actuator in accordance with the position error, calculates a value of one of estimated errors of sin(ωT), cos(ωT), and sin(ωT/2) according to an adaptive law from a signal based on the position error, multiplies the calculated estimated error by an adaptive gain in accordance with a value of the angular frequency ω, updates one of the values, reads the corresponding control constant from the table based on the updated value, and updates the control constant.
US08009377B2 Tape architecture and a head architecture for a linear tape drive having a reduced actuator stroke
A tape architecture and a head architecture for a linear tape drive having a reduced actuator stroke is disclosed. In one embodiment, the linear tape drive head assembly includes a top portion having a plurality of write elements and no read elements at a first side and a plurality of read elements and no write elements at a second side opposite of the first side, and a bottom portion laterally offset from the top portion having a plurality of read elements and no write elements at the aforementioned first side and a plurality of write elements and no read elements at the aforementioned second side. The tape is recorded with all the data tracks within each logical band oriented in the same direction.
US08009365B2 Projection optical system
The projection optical system uses a plurality of wavelengths or a wavelength band within a wavelength range from a visible region to a near ultraviolet region. The double-telecentric projection optical system includes: a first lens group with a positive power; a second lens group with a negative power, including a predetermined lens or lenses; and a third lens group with a positive power, including a stop and at least two positive lenses satisfying a predetermined condition relating to refractive index. The projection optical system satisfies a predetermined condition relating to a composite focal length of the first lens group and the second lens group, and a focal length of the third lens group.
US08009361B2 Lens array and line head
A lens array includes: a lens array substrate having a light transmissive property; a first lens disposed on the lens array substrate; and a second lens disposed on the lens array substrate in a first direction from the first lens and different from the first lens in peripheral shape.
US08009355B2 Optical element having periodic structure and optical apparatus using the same
An optical element includes a first periodic structure portion being formed on a base portion and having a one-dimensional periodic structure in which a first medium and a second medium with a smaller refractive index than that of the first medium are alternately disposed in a first direction, and a second periodic structure portion being formed on the first periodic structure portion and having a periodic structure in which a third medium and a fourth medium with a smaller refractive index than that of the third medium are alternately disposed in the first direction. At an interface between the first and second periodic structure portions, a ratio of the first medium in the first periodic structure portion and a ratio of the third medium in the second periodic structure portion are different from each other. The element has a good form birefringence effect and a high reflection-suppressing effect.
US08009354B2 Fresnel lens and projection display device using one such lens
A Fresnel lens comprises at least one first prism and one second prism. Each prism has a first side and a second side which forms with a main axis an angle greater than that formed by the first side and the main axis. Conventionally, the second side of the first prism collimates the light received from a light source in line with the main axis. In order to improve the optical effectiveness, the second side of the second prism transmits the light received from the source in a first direction slightly different from the main axis.
US08009346B2 Interference light modulator and display apparatus employing the same
The present invention relates to an interference optical modulator and a display apparatus having the same. The display apparatus includes a metal thin film and a dielectric multiple thin film spaced apart from the metal thin film. The display apparatus may realize colors by changing an interval between the metal thin film and the dielectric multiple thin film, and may realize a black color by applying a voltage to each respective sub-pixel.
US08009334B2 Receipts scanner and financial organizer
The system contains a scanner, an apparatus for scanning receipts into a computer and a unique software program which automatically processes, organizes and saves expense information that can be viewed in various formats, namely, tabular statements, pie-charts, etc. The scanner, which accommodates paper of differing sizes, is used to input bills, receipts, bank statements, etc. The scanner is usually connected to a computer through a Universal Serial Bus or a parallel port for easy installation. The software program creates a text file of the scanned data by inclusion of sorting, categories, etc., and automatically saves the information in Quicken Interchange Format, allowing it to be imported into any financial management software for further processing. Each receipt is treated as an individual transaction. Multiple items in the receipt are used to create a “split” transaction with proper customizable categories added. Further, the software also allows for record keeping, budgeting and budget balancing.
US08009330B2 Method for imaging flexographic plates
A method for reducing waste in imaging of flexographic plates comprises the steps of: receiving an electronic art file (10); displaying the file on a computer display; selecting a set of polygonal areas (11, 12) from the displayed file in response to cost calculation associated with the selection of the set of polygonal areas; automatically offering alternative polygonal areas based on automatic cost calculation analysis based on the selection of the polygonal areas; ganging the polygonal areas into a compacted slugs file (208); imaging the compacted slugs file on a flexographic imaging device to produce compacted flexographic plate (209); cutting the compacted flexographic plate according to the selection the polygonal areas into independent flexographic slug plate pieces (210); and mounting the flexographic slug plate pieces on a carrier (211) while matching the original structure of the electronic art file.
US08009327B2 Method and apparatus for image processing
This disclosure relates to decreasing the required buffer memory capacity while reducing the impact of an arithmetic error in error diffusion processing. A quantization circuit (4) quantizes input image data and outputs an output code. The quantization error generated in the quantization circuit (4) is calculated by an inverse quantization circuit (5) and subtracter (6). The calculated quantization error is stored in a buffer (8). Since the buffer (8) only needs to have a size capable of storing the quantization error, the size can be made smaller than before. A diffusion filter (9) diffuses the quantization error using a quantization error or the like, which is stored in the buffer (8). A latch (3) and bit connector (1) can usefully reduce the impact of an arithmetic error in error diffusion processing on the next input image data.
US08009325B1 Controlling black levels using a three dimensional intermediate color space
A method includes identifying multiple preferred color values in a destination color space. Each preferred color value is one of a set of colorimetrically equivalent color values. The destination color space has color values defined by a particular number of color components. The method further includes defining intermediate color values in an intermediate color space. The intermediate color values correspond to the multiple color values and the intermediate color space has a number of color components that is less than the particular number of color components of the destination color space. The method also includes identifying a known mapping from the destination color space to a source color space and using the intermediate color values and the known mapping to determine a conversion process for converting source color values to preferred color values.
US08009324B2 Methods and apparatuses for printer calibration
A test pattern printed by a printer is assessed—without colorimetric equipment—to provide data used in recalibrating the printer. The assessment may be made by an unskilled operator, and can include discerning whether a particular pattern is visible in the printed test pattern, or whether a feature in the test pattern is relatively wider or narrower. From such assessment, needed changes to the printer's calibration data are inferred and implemented. A variety of other printer calibration techniques are disclosed. The technology is illustrated in the context of dye sublimation printers, and is particularly useful in optimizing printing of digitally-watermarked graphics.
US08009322B2 Information processing apparatus and control method thereof, and program
Bleed widths are set for finishing pages. An imposition method that requires to execute binding processing of sheets is set. Bleed regions including the finishing pages are determined based on the set bleed widths for the finishing pages, and the size of the finishing page. The allocation of manuscript data is so determined as to align the center of the manuscript data to be allocated to that of a bleed region on the side to undergo the binding processing of the determined bleed regions, based on the setting contents.
US08009321B2 Determine movement of a print medium relative to a mobile device
A method of using a mobile device to determine movement, relative to the mobile device, of a print medium being printed on by the mobile device is disclosed. The mobile device includes a printer. The mobile device further includes a sensor in a media feed path of the printer and a processing means. A surface of the print medium bears coded data indicative of a plurality of locations on the surface. The method uses the sensor to sense the coded data at a plurality of locations on the surface. The sensed coded data is decoded in order to determine the locations, and the movement of the print medium relative to sensor is determined from the locations.
US08009320B2 Image forming device capable of controlling auto color registration and method of controlling auto color registration
An image forming device capable of controlling an auto color registration (ACR) and a method of controlling an ACR. In the image forming device, a sensor detects preliminary test patterns by colors on a conveying belt; a color registration correction unit determines a present alignment state of the respective colors using data detected using colors by the sensor, and judges whether to perform a correction work of relative registration positions of the respective colors on the basis of the result of the determination; and a control unit forms actual test patterns on the conveying belt if it is judged that the correction work should be performed, and controls the sensor and the color registration correction unit to re-detect the data using colors and to perform the correction work.
US08009318B2 Preparing form data and page data for printing, image processing device, image processing method, and computer readable recording medium stored with image processing program
A print server which functions as an image processing device extracts the reusable data of each object to be used on multiple pages within the file and prepares the form data by synthesizing the extracted reusable data. The print server prepares page data to be used for printing by synthesizing the prepared form data and the data of each object that is not contained in the form data.
US08009311B2 Output system, network device, device using apparatus, output control program and output request program, and output method
A host terminal transmits print request information including an IP address to a network printer and provides the network printer with print data in storage in response to an acquisition request. When the print request information is received, the network printer saves the received print request information in storage. When authentication information is received together with a print request, the network printer judges eligibility for using print data on the basis of the authentication information received. When it is judged that a user is eligible to use the print data, the network printer acquires the print data form the host terminal and performs printing. When print request information is not present in the storage, the network printer acquires print request information from other network printers.
US08009304B2 Printing control apparatus and printing control method
A printing control apparatus is provided which can produce an appropriate copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image by adding a monochrome copy-forgery-inhibited pattern even if monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which a color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set. When the monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which the color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set, and if the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern color is output with its color unchanged, the color is not converted into 100% black. Considering this, when a forced monochrome mode is selected, even if the user's setting for the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is color, the color is changed to monochrome (black) before output. If the designated copy-forgery-inhibited pattern setting is for color, the designated copy-forgery-inhibited pattern setting is changed to the monochrome copy-forgery-inhibited pattern setting so that the printing processing is performed in the monochrome mode using the designated copy-forgery-inhibited pattern setting.
US08009302B2 Obtaining print system settings for selected print media attributes in a networked print job environment
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for automatically retrieving and configuring the print device to a set of device specific system settings tailored for user selected media attributes. In one embodiment, an operator selects media attributes desired for a particular print job on a print device which then automatically queries a database over a network for a set of device specific system settings tailored to the selected media attributes. The database system determines the existence of at least one record stored in the database and provides that matching record data back to the print device. The matching record data is received and displayed on a user interface for review by an operator. The operator accepts/modifies the displayed system settings. The print device then automatically configures the device to the accepted device specific system settings.
US08009287B2 Method and system for high throughput mass analysis
The invention relates to a test method, especially for mass spectroscopy of biomolecules, including the following steps: one or several samples (2-4) that are to be analyzed are introduced into a carrier liquid of a micro liquid jet (1) in rapid succession; at least some of the samples (2-4) are desorbed from the micro liquid jet (1); and the sample (2-4) that is desorbed from the micro liquid jet (1) is analyzed. According to the invention, the sample (2-4) is spatially delimited in the spraying direction in the micro liquid jet (1) while extending only along a subarea of the micro liquid jet (1) in the spraying direction.
US08009283B2 Dichroic beamsplitter for high energy laser diagnostics
Wavefront control techniques are provided for the alignment and performance optimization of optical devices. A Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor can be used to measure the wavefront distortion and a control system generates feedback error signal to optics inside the device to correct the wavefront. The system can be calibrated with a low-average-power probe laser. An optical element is provided to couple the optical device to a diagnostic/control package in a way that optimizes both the output power of the optical device and the coupling of the probe light into the diagnostics.
US08009279B2 Characterization of non-linear optical materials using bragg coupling
Methods of characterizing non-linear optical materials and fabricating wavelength conversion devices are provided. The method of characterizing non-linear optical materials comprising a periodically poled waveguide layer and at least one waveguide region includes coupling at least one diagnostic laser beam into the waveguide region at one or more input locations positioned on the waveguide layer of the non-linear optical material, and out-coupling the diagnostic laser beam from the waveguide region by applying an electric field to the periodically poled domains at one or more output locations positioned on the waveguide layer. The method also includes measuring an intensity level of the out-coupled beam and determining at least one optical property of the waveguide region based at least in part on the measured intensity level of the out-coupled beam. The characterization method may be implemented into a wavelength conversion fabrication process.
US08009266B2 Process for producing liquid crystal display
A process for producing a liquid crystal display having less alignment defects, which seldom causes aligning disorder at the boundary where ferroelectric liquid crystals allowed to flow are brought into contact with each other when the ferroelectric liquid crystals are coated on the substrate flow. The process includes a first alignment layer formation step and a liquid crystal coating step. The liquid crystal coating step is a step of linearly coating the ferroelectric liquid crystals on a first alignment layer of a liquid crystal side substrate in a direction substantially perpendicular or substantially parallel to the alignment treatment direction conducted in the first alignment layer formation step.
US08009260B2 Flexible printed circuit and liquid crystal module using the same
A flexible printed circuit used for being disposed between a frame and a conductive casing of a liquid crystal module is provided. The frame includes a main plate and a side plate which is connected to a side of the main plate. The flexible printed circuit includes a body and a grounding portion. The body is used for being disposed on the main plate of the frame. The grounding portion extends from the body. The grounding portion is bent to a predetermined angle with respect to the body, so that the grounding portion is disposed on the side plate of the frame. The grounding portion has a metal layer contacting an inner wall of a side plate of the conductive casing. The flexible printed circuit has a hole located at the position where the grounding portion is connected the body.
US08009257B2 Liquid crystal display including a spacer and passivation formed of the same material
A liquid crystal display includes first and second substrates. The first substrate has a first insulating substrate, and a pixel electrode formed on the first insulating substrate with a first opening pattern. The second substrate has a second insulating substrate, and a common electrode formed on the second insulating substrate with a second opening pattern. The first and the second opening patterns proceed parallel to each other while being arranged in an alternate manner. A liquid crystal material is injected between the first and the second substrates. A spacer is positioned at an end of the second opening pattern to maintain the distance between the first and the second substrates.
US08009247B2 Light source apparatus, backlight apparatus, liquid crystal display apparatus, and manufacturing method of backlight apparatus
A light source apparatus used in a backlight apparatus is disclosed. The light source apparatus includes a light-emitting diode unit and a wiring board. The light-emitting diode unit is provided as one unit by nonlinearly and closely placing respective light-emitting diodes of red, green, and blue colors, at least the light-emitting diode of one color out of the light-emitting diodes of the respective colors being constituted by first and second light-emitting diodes having different chromaticities such that an average chromaticity of the first and second light-emitting diodes is a predetermined chromaticity. On the wiring board, a plurality of light-emitting diode units are arranged at predetermined intervals in a predetermined direction.
US08009244B2 Liquid crystal display device having spacers disposed between an edge lit optical guide and light-emitting elements
Plural light-emitting diodes are disposed in an on-line arrangement on a surface a circuit board facing an optical guide and spacers having a projecting dimension larger than the projecting dimension of this light-emitting diode from the surface are disposed adjacent to the light-emitting diode on the surface of the circuit board.
US08009232B2 Display control device, and associated method of identifying content
A display control device is provided for specifying a notable scene in content based on characteristic data included in one of video data and audio data of the content to be reproduced. A predetermined scene in the content is detected, based on an evaluation value, and a related image is displayed, in response to the detection of the notable scene in the content. A related image with a predetermined size based on an image of the notable scene may be presented to a display.
US08009217B2 Solid-state imaging device
In a solid-state imaging device, provided is a solid-state imaging device in which a first gate insulation film 22 for the readout transistor 12 in a pixel is formed so as to be thicker than a second gate insulation film 23 for an amplification transistor 14 in the pixel, and the second gate insulation film 23 for the amplification transistor 14 in the pixel is formed so as to be thicker than a third gate insulation film 24 for an n-type micro transistor 17 and a p-type micro transistor 18 in a peripheral region outside the pixel, whereby it is possible to suppress a 1/f noise of the amplification transistor 14 and also possible to increase a saturated charge amount.
US08009211B2 Image sensing apparatus and image capturing system
An image sensing apparatus includes a pixel unit which has an array of a plurality of groups each including a plurality of pixels arrayed in a row direction and a column direction, and an adding unit configured to add, of pixel signals output from the plurality of pixels arrayed in the groups, homochromatic pixel signals. The adding unit has, for each group, a common pixel amplifier commonly connected to homochromatic pixels. The adding unit adds the pixel signals of the homochromatic pixels in the gate portion of the common pixel amplifier so that the spatial centers of gravity of the pixels added in the group are arranged at equal pitches in at least one of the row direction and the column direction.
US08009209B2 Methods and apparatus for detecting defects in imaging arrays by image analysis
Methods for detecting defective pixels in imaging arrays involve establishing probabilities that individual pixels are defective and updating those probabilities by analysing images acquired by the imaging arrays. Probabilities may be evaluated for each of two or more defect conditions. The methods may be used to detect defects such as stuck-low, stuck-high, high-sensitivity, low sensitivity, hot, and defect-free conditions. Other more complicated defect conditions can also be detected. Apparatus for detecting defective pixels may be integrated with a camera or other imaging device or provided separately.
US08009207B2 Noise reduction device for reducing noise in image using blackout image, electronic camera, program, and method
The noise reduction device includes an image storage unit, a blackout image processing unit, and a noise processing unit. The image storage unit captures image data obtained by imaging a field with an image sensor, and stores the image data therein. The blackout image processing unit captures blackout image data obtained by imaging by the image sensor that is shaded, and extracts a specific noise component of the blackout image data. The noise processing unit reduces a noise in the image data based on the specific noise component of the blackout image data.
US08009203B2 Digital photographing apparatus, tracking method, and recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the tracking method
A digital photographing apparatus, a tracking method, and a recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the tracking method are provided which effectively determine a target image as a partial image corresponding to a reference image in a frame image. The digital photographing apparatus includes: an image pickup device; a mask preparer which prepares a mask having the same size as a reference image that is smaller than a current frame image; a matching data obtainer which obtains a plurality of pieces of matching data by applying the mask to a plurality of matching images having the same size as the reference image; and a target image determiner which determines one of the matching images as a target image by using the matching data.
US08009202B2 Device and method for capturing an image of a human face
An image capturing device includes an image sensing unit for sensing an image of a human face, an image processing unit, and a memory device. The image processing unit includes a face detection module, a brightness obtaining module, a comparing module, and an adjustment module. The face detection module is configured for detecting human faces in images sensed by the image sensing unit. The brightness obtaining module is configured for obtaining the brightness of a set of areas in the image corresponding to a set of preset portions of each human face. The comparing module is configured for comparing brightness of each of the areas to a threshold value. The adjustment module is configured for adjusting the image by decreasing the brightness of the areas whose brightness is greater than the threshold value. The memory device is able to store the images adjusted by the image processing unit.
US08009200B2 Multiple sensor input data synthesis
New systems and methods are hereby provided that inherently and naturally resolve the challenges of synthesizing coordinated inputs from multiple cameras. For example, a multi-sensor mediator may collect the input data from multiple sensors, and generate a composite signal that encodes the combined data from the different sensors. The multi-sensor mediator may then relay the composite signal to a sensor controller, as if the signal were coming from a single sensor. A computing device that receives the input from the sensor controller may then generate an output based on the composite signal, which may include processing the composite signal to combine the separate signals from the different sensors, such as to provide a stereo image output, for example. The multi-sensor mediator makes such an output possible by ensuring coordinated input and processing of the input from the multiple sensors, for example.
US08009190B2 Optical scatter correction for film scanners
A film scanner of the type which uses diffuse illumination and an array sensor such as a line array or area array CCD includes an integrating optical element in the form of an integrating sphere to provide diffuse illumination to film. The diffuse illumination ensures that light is provided to film at a range of angles thereby improving the light level reaching the array sensor from film that has been scattered by defects such as scratches thereby reducing the visibility of such defects. A lens is provided at the exit aperture of the integrating sphere so as to define a particular area of the surface within the integrating sphere from which light that is not scattered by film is derived. The area has a lower reflectivity than the remainder of the integrating sphere thereby increasing the amount of light derived from scratches that reaches the sensor to further reduce the visibility of scratches. An additional light source can also be provided at the area of the integrating sphere so as to increase the visibility of scratches to produce a separate signal by which a main image signal may be corrected.
US08009188B2 Video data processing apparatus utilizing viewer influence, picture reproducing apparatus, and computer programs related thereto
Every prescribed unit of video data is analyzed to estimate a degree of influence of pictures represented by every prescribed unit of video data on a viewer. For example, every prescribed unit of three-dimensional video data is analyzed to estimate a degree of influence of a depth in three-dimensional pictures represented by every prescribed unit of three-dimensional video data on a viewer. Information is generated which represents the estimated influence degree. Every prescribed unit of video data and the generated information are outputted while they are related to each other.
US08009185B2 Thermal head with protective layer
A thermal head (A) according to the present invention includes a substrate (1) on which a heat-producing resistor (5), a common electrode (3) and individual electrodes (4) for energizing the heat-producing resistor (5), and a protective layer (6) having a double-layer structure and formed on the heat-producing resistor (5) to cover at least the heat-producing resistor are provided. A second protective layer (6B) constituting the upper layer of the protective layer (6) is conductive, and a first protective layer (6A) constituting the lower layer of the protective layer (6) has thickness (t1) which is not less than three times the thickness (t2) of the second protective layer (6B).
US08009178B2 Augmenting images for panoramic display
Methods and systems are provided methods and systems for augmenting image data (e.g., still image data or video image data) utilizing image context data to generate panoramic images. In accordance with embodiments hereof, a position and orientation of received image data is utilized to identify image context data (e.g., three-dimensional model data, two-dimensional image data, and/or 360° image data from another source) rendered based upon the same position or a nearby position relative to the image data and the image data is augmented utilizing the identified context data to create a panoramic image. The panoramic image may then be displayed (e.g., shown on a LCD/CRT screen or projected) to create a user experience that is more immersive than the original image data could create.
US08009173B2 Rack interface pod with intelligent platform control
Rack Interface Pods can be augmented with non-KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) functionality that can enable greater analysis of the state of the computer to which the RIP is attached. A RIP can be augmented to include a non-KVM input connection (e.g., an Intelligent Platform/Chassis control protocol input) that is used to communicate between the server and the RIP. The RIP can then multiplex the received information with the KVM signals for transmission to a PEM or to an ARI port. Video and computer environment-style data can be multiplexed across a communications medium exiting the RIP such that they can be received by a remote computer.
US08009154B2 Plasma display device and method of driving the same
A plasma display device to generate a stable reset discharge and to reduce background luminance and a method of driving the same. The plasma display device produces images by dividing the frames of displayed images into a plurality of sub-fields, which include a reset period, an address period, and a sustain period. The method includes: supplying a first main reset pulse in the reset period of ith frames (where, i is natural number); and supplying second and third main reset pulses in reset periods of (i+1)th frames, which are alternatively produced with the ith frames. The first main reset pulse having a different voltage than the second and third main reset pulses.
US08009150B2 Method of interacting with software using printed form identity
A method of enabling user interaction with computer software including, in a computer system transferring print data to a printer, printing a form responsive to the print data by printing information indicative of a text field coincident with coded data indicative of the text field, so that when a sensing device is moved relative to the text field the sensing device can sense the coded data and generate the indicating data indicative of its relative movement, using the indicating data to determine the movement and then perform an action associated with the text field based on the movement. Further in the computer system, the information, an identity indicative of the text field, and a layout defining an arrangement for coded data indicative of the identity and information are determined, and the print data is generated to be indicative of the identity, layout and information.
US08009149B2 Method of interacting with software using form identity
A method of enabling user interaction with computer software including, in a computer system, transferring print data to a printer, printing a form responsive to the print data by printing information indicative of a text field coincident with coded data indicative of the text field, so that when a sensing device is moved relative to the text field the sensing device can sense the coded data and generate the indicating data indicative of its movement relative to the text field, using the indicating data to determine the movement and then perform an action associated with the text field based on the movement. The coded data is indicative of an identity and, in the computer system, the identity is determined using the indicating data, a page description is determined using the identity, and the text field is identified using the page description.
US08009132B2 Display device and driving method thereof
A display device and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix with each pixel including first and second subpixels. First gate lines are connected to the first subpixel and transmit a first gate-on voltage, second gate lines are connected to the second subpixel and transmit a second gate-on voltage, and data lines are connected to the first and second subpixels and transmit first and second data voltages. The respective first and second data voltages that are applied to the first and second subpixels are obtained from the same image information, the first data voltage is not higher than the second data voltage, and the second data voltage is precharged in the data lines before applying the first data voltage to the first subpixel.
US08009130B2 Liquid crystal display device and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display device and a method of driving the same is disclosed, which can decrease the number of source drive integrated circuits ICs used to supply data, and can also decrease a flexible printed circuit and a printed circuit board to supply signals to the source drive integrated circuits ICs in size. The liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal panel including a plurality of data lines formed along a long-axis direction of substrate, and a plurality of gate lines formed along a short-axis direction of substrate, wherein each gate line is orthogonal to each data line; a data driving circuit to supply data voltages to the data lines; a gate driving circuit to supply scan pulses to the gate lines; and a timing controller to supply digital video data to the data driving circuit, and to control the data driving circuit and the gate driving circuit.
US08009129B2 Electroluminescence display apparatus
During a blanking period of a video signal, an element driving transistor for controlling a drive current supplied to an EL element is operated in its saturation region to thereby set the EL element to an emission level, and a current flowing through the EL element at that time is detected. Each current detector includes a current detection amplifier and a successive approximation type AD converter, and a DA converter of the successive approximation type AD converter is commonly shared among a plurality of the AD converters. With this arrangement, sufficient AD converting speed can be attained while using a simple structure to execute current detection for correcting display variations.
US08009128B2 Passive matrix type display device
A passive matrix type display device includes: a display unit having a display area; first electrodes on the area for switching between a conductive state and a non-conductive state; second electrodes on the area; a driving current source for supplying a driving current to the second electrodes; light-emitting elements at an intersection between the first and second electrodes; a first circuit for controlling a part of first electrodes to the conductive state and for scanning the first electrodes; a second circuit for deciding a part of second electrodes corresponding to a part of light-emitting elements emitting a light; light-emission adjustment elements coupled with the second electrodes for branching an adjustment current from the driving current; and a light-emission adjustment controller for controlling the light from each light-emitting element by controlling the adjustment current.
US08009124B2 Plasma display and driving method thereof
A plasma display and a driving method for the plasma display. The plasma display is constructed with a control type plasma display panel having a closed barrier rib configuration, and each pair of column-wise neighboring discharge cells have different electrode arrangement. In the driving method, when the control type plasma display panel has an alignment error for a first electrode and a second electrode, a scan pulse having a first width is applied to an odd-numbered first electrode, and the scan pulse having a second width that is different from the first width is applied to an even-numbered first electrode.
US08009123B2 Method for grayscale display processing for multi-grayscale display to reduce false contours in a plasma display device
In the PDP device, for example, two types of SF lighting patterns (A and B modes) are equally divided and arranged in spatially different regions in a field. For example, the patterns are arranged in a zigzag manner in units of pixels. At all lighting steps, existence of an absence of light-on SF which becomes a cause of false contour is permitted only in one mode. Accordingly, a generation rate of absence of light-on SF per field when the modes are combined is low, and the level of false contour can be reduced. Further, the spatial arrangement of each mode is optionally changed among the fields.
US08009122B2 Plasma display device
A plasma display device includes a plasma display panel provided with plural discharge cells each having discharge gas, a pair of sustain electrodes which generate sustain discharge, and a phosphor, and a driving circuit which applies a sustain pulse voltage between the pair of sustain electrodes for generating the sustain discharge. The sustain pulse voltage is formed of a first portion having a main portion of a first voltage Vp and a second portion succeeding the first portion in time and having a main portion of a second voltage Vs higher than the first voltage Vp, the sustain discharge is formed of a pre-discharge and a main discharge succeeding the pre-discharge in time, and the first voltage Vp is selected to satisfy Vpmin≦Vp
US08009115B2 Reconfigurable antenna using addressable conductive particles
An antenna made up of small addressable conductive segments, or pixel elements, located in a dielectric space positioned over a two-dimensional pixel element actuator is presented. The small pixel elements can be actuated in less than a millisecond by the actuator to form patterns that create an array of patch antennas and associated transmission lines on the upper surface of the dielectric space. The pixel elements can be formed using small movable conductive particles such as metal flakes or metal chips.
US08009108B2 Antenna apparatus for explosive environments
Antenna assemblies for wireless communications in explosive environments are described. An example antenna assembly has a housing, a base member at one end of the housing, and an antenna extending through the base member and into the housing. A sealing compound within the base member encapsulates the antenna to seal the antenna at the base member.
US08009106B2 Dual frequency antenna and communication system
A dual frequency antenna includes a first scythe-shaped arm and a second scythe-shaped arm. The first scythe-shaped arm is configured for operating in a first band. The second scythe-shaped arm is configured for operating in a second band and includes an inverted-T-shaped strip with a foot of the inverted-T-shaped strip connected to the second scythe-shaped arm. The first scythe-shaped arm is attached to the second scythe-shaped arm at an apex. A head of the inverted-T-shaped strip is closer to the apex than the foot. A communication system is also provided.
US08009104B2 Single layer adaptive plane array antenna and variable reactance circuit
A single-layer adaptive plane array antenna device includes a variable reactance circuit including a variable capacitance circuit controlled by bias voltage, a resonating folded line bias circuit having an AC grounding node for supplying the bias voltage to the variable capacitance circuit, for transmitting the bias voltage to the variable capacitance circuit including a thin line interconnecting spacer for transmitting the bias voltage to the variable capacitance circuit side and first and second open folded stubs each of which is connected to the thin line interconnecting spacer, each of which is also disposed in parallel with a longitudinal direction of each other in a prescribed small gap with the thin-line interconnecting spacer, each of which has a folded shape and each of which functions as an inductance element and a capacitance element respectively for separating the variable capacitance circuit from the AC grounding node.
US08009099B2 System and methods for direction finding using a handheld device
A system for indicating the relative direction of a target object or location as determined from the current position of a wireless communication device. The system employs Direction of Arrival determination using an antenna array for indicating the direction of a target device and includes facilities to activate a location-indicating transmission in a target device, the ability to request that a location-indicating transmission be activated in a remote target device, relevant information reception from a target device and the display of all potential target devices within effective transmission range of the wireless communication device.
US08009090B2 System and method for dynamic voltage scaling in a GPS receiver
Systems and methods are disclosed herein to dynamically vary supply voltages and clock frequencies, also known as dynamic voltage scaling (DVS), in GPS receivers to minimize receiver power consumption while meeting performance requirements. For the baseband circuitry performing satellite acquisition and tracking, supply voltages and clock frequencies to the baseband circuitry are dynamically adjusted as a function of signal processing requirements and operating conditions for reducing baseband power consumption. Similarly, the supply voltage and clock frequency to the processor running navigation software and event processing are dynamically adjusted as a function of navigation performance requirements and event occurrences to reduce processor power consumption.
US08009079B2 Methods for two-dimensional autofocus in high resolution radar systems
Provided are two-dimensional autofocus methods in a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system which include: (1) two-dimensional pulse pair product algorithm including shear PGA, eigenvector phase history (“EPH”), shear PGA/EPH); (2) two-dimensional optimization algorithms including parametric one-dimensional estimate/two-dimensional correction, parametric two dimensional estimate/two-dimensional correction, unconstrained two-dimensional nonparametric and constrained two-dimensional nonparametric methods; (3) a two-dimensional geometry filter algorithm; (4) a two-dimensional prominent point processing algorithm; (5) a one-dimensional phase estimate of higher order two dimensional phase errors; and, (6) a fast SHARP parametric autofocus algorithm.
US08009075B2 Analog to digital converter (ADC) with extended dynamic input range
A method and apparatus is disclosed to extend a dynamic input range of an analog to digital converter (ADC). A composite ADC may include one or more ADCs. The one or more ADCs compare a signal metric of an analog input signal to quantization levels to produce intermediate digital output signals using one or more non-clipping input values. The composite ADC may select among the one or more intermediate digital output signals based on the signal metric of the analog input signal to produce a final digital output.
US08009067B2 Method and apparatus for coding and decoding using bit-precision
Discussed are a method and an apparatus of encoding/decoding by using a bit precision. In accordance to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to encoding and decoding an image or a video by using a bit precision. Accordingly, compression efficiency can be improved and the decoding complexity can be reduced by encoding/decoding video data by use of the bit precision.
US08009063B2 Audio system and navigation device
An audio system for a vehicle includes: a hard disk drive for storing an audio data; an output element for converting the audio data to an electric signal and for outputting the electric signal to a reproducer; a memory; a position determination element for determining whether the vehicle is disposed in a predetermined area; an output data specification element for specifying the audio data outputting from the output element when the vehicle is disposed in the predetermined area; and a memorizing data control element for storing the specified audio data as a transfer data in the memory. The output element converts the transfer data and outputs the converted transfer data to the reproducer.
US08009056B2 Movement monitor for medical patients
A movement monitor includes a sensor pad for sensing when a weight is placed on the sensor pad and when the weight is removed from the sensor pad. A sleeve encloses the sensor pad. A control flap is formed in the sleeve for enclosing an alarm circuit coupled to the sensor pad.
US08009054B2 Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting a low battery detection threshold of a remote control
Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a low battery detection threshold in a remote control. An embodiment of a method includes determining a type of a battery powering a remote control of an entertainment device and determining a first low battery threshold for the battery based on the type of the battery. The first low battery threshold indicates a low battery condition of the remote control. Responsive to measuring a voltage of the battery, a determination is made regarding whether the voltage of the battery is below the low battery threshold. Responsive to determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold, a low battery message is transmitted to an entertainment device. The entertainment device utilizes the message to present an indicator to a user regarding the low battery condition of the remote control.
US08009051B2 Sleep warning apparatus
A sleep warning apparatus includes a stimulation generating portion, a reaction detecting portion, a warning determining portion, and a warning generating portion. The stimulation generating portion generates stimulation to a person before a warning is given to the person. The stimulation is used to take reaction of the person. The reaction detecting portion detects the reaction of the person to the stimulation when the stimulation generated by the stimulation generating portion is given to the person. The warning determining portion determines whether or not the warning is required to be given to the person depending on whether or not the reaction detecting portion detects the reaction of the person to the stimulation. The warning generating portion gives the warning to the person when the warning determining portion determines that the warning is required to be given to the person.
US08009050B2 Wireless system, semiconductor device, and communication device
A highly reliable and inexpensive wireless system, which includes a communication device and a semiconductor device having a plurality of functional circuits with the same function, is provided. The semiconductor device transmits the processing results of the functional circuits to the communication device by a time-division system.
US08009044B2 Motion detector having asymmetric zones for determining direction of movement and method therefore
A detector, system including a detector and method for sensing motion within a detection region. The detector has a detection element and a focusing element aiming received energy corresponding to a presence within the detection region toward the detection element. The focusing element has a plurality of sections in which each of the plurality of sections establishes a corresponding detection zone within the detection region. The plurality of sections are arranged to allow a motion vector to be determined for an object passing through the detection region. The system includes a detector that generates pulses each time presence in a detector zone is detected as well as a central alarm panel. The central alarm panel receives the pulses and has processor that evaluates the timing between electrical pulses to determine the motion vector.
US08009043B2 Method for determining sensor coverage, a design tool and a border protection system using the method
A method is disclosed for determining sensor performance of a border element of homogeneous terrain, weather and vegetation properties. The border element includes a number of areas of interest, as well as a plurality of sensors. The method includes determining coordinates of the border element and areas, and determining performance data for each sensor. The coordinates and performance data is used as input parameters to a Line-Of-Sight tool for determining a coverage factor of each sensor. The coverage factor is modified for time per time unit in which function of each sensor is impaired by conditions such as bad weather, light or mobility. Then, the modified coverage factors for each sensor are summed to obtain a total sensor performance for the border element.
US08009034B2 Integrated tracking, sensing, and security system for intermodal shipping containers
A security system for freight containers comprises: a locking device to reliably attach to the container and prevent unauthorized opening of the container doors; a sensing device to sense conditions affecting the container; and, a communication system configured to transmit the output of the sensing device to a system administrator located remotely from the container. The locking and sensing devices may be capable of two-way communication with the system administrator, whereby the administrator may interrogate the locking/sensing device at selected times. The locking device may contain a GPS receiver whereby its geographic location at various times may be monitored either continuously, periodically, or after a trip is completed. The system may include a visual display on the exterior of the container capable of displaying selected messages. The messages may be preprogrammed or may be changed as the container moves from one geographic location to another.
US08009028B2 System for recommending maintenance for fuel economy improvement
A method of optimizing fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions of a vehicle may entail utilizing an interior vehicle display to alert a driver as to the state of various vehicle components and parameters and their effect on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. The components and parameters may be monitored by or direct information into a vehicle efficiency ECU which communicates with the display. The method may entail reading and displaying a real-time tire pressure into the efficiency ECU and displaying the corresponding fuel economy. a manufacturer's recommended tire pressure and corresponding fuel economy could also be displayed. The method may also entail reading a variety of real-time weather conditions into the efficiency ECU that correspond to a plurality of different road routes to a driver-selected destination. The fuel economy of each route may be displayed for driver selection to optimize fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions.
US08009026B2 Vehicle statistical measurement game
A vehicle communication system is operable to calculate and compare vehicle statistics based on information received from a vehicle sensor. This statistic information can be used by the vehicle communication system to execute a plurality of statistic based games. Additionally, relevant statistic information may be transmitted to a remote network for the purpose of playing games against other drivers. The vehicle communication system can report statistical changes to a driver, thus appraising the driver of the driver's success in achieving statistical game goals. Network rankings may also be provided to the driver in a real-time basis by the vehicle communication system.
US08009025B2 Method and system for interaction between a vehicle driver and a plurality of applications
A method and system for at least one of communication and interaction between a vehicle driver and a plurality of at least one of integrated and non-integrated applications like, e.g., native vehicle applications and/or aftermarket applications and/or nomad applications is disclosed. Especially, such a method and system for managing the at least one of communication and interaction by means of an interaction manager is provided, by which this at least one of communication and interaction is conducted or managed in such a way that risks and impairments for the safety and comfort of the driver are reduced considerably and workload and distraction of the driver are reduced considerably as well.
US08009021B1 Emergency call panel for hospital communication system
A patient controlled single gang signaling device for use within a hospital communication network. The device contains two actuators, one for initiating an emergency distress call while the other initiates a non-emergency distress call. The emergency distress call actuator is controlled with a pull cord, thus enabling a patient to send out an emergency distress signal from a position away from the unit. The device also includes a third actuator providing the user with the option of terminating the transmission of any message.
US08009020B2 Remote monitoring
Remote monitoring and inspection of measurement devices, emergency equipment, parking spaces, and other items is accomplished by using a digital image sensor (e.g., a CMOS sensor) to capture a digital image containing information about the monitored item. A signal containing information about the digital image (e.g., data representing the captured digital image or data indicating the state of the captured digital image) is transmitted to a remote central station.
US08009017B2 Contactless type communication tag, portable tag reader for verifying a genuine article, and method for providing information of whether an article is genuine or not
Provided are a contactless communication tag, a portable tag reader, and a method of providing genuineness of a product. The tag reader specifies an encryption key corresponding to an encryption key stored in the tag from its own plurality of encryption keys based on a signal received from the tag. The tag reader receives an encrypted product code or product information from the tag and decrypts the received product code or product code using an encryption key. Also, the tag reader outputs a result of decryption on a 7-segment display window, a plurality of color light emitting diodes (LED), and/or a liquid crystal display (LCD) window or as beep sounds or voices.
US08009016B2 Tag identification system
The present invention relates to a tag identification system comprising: a plurality of tags, each tag being identifiable by an associated tag identifier, and at least one tag comprising at least one link to at least one other tag in said group.
US08009009B2 Coil module
A coil module comprises a circular core and a winding is provided. The circular core comprises an outer circular portion and an inner circular portion. The winding is wound around the outer circular portion in a single-layer configuration and around the inner circular portion in a multi-layer configuration. The coil module comprises a first thickness after the winding is wound around the outer circular portion and comprises a second thickness after the winding is wound around the inner circular portion, wherein the first thickness is greater than or equal to the second thickness.
US08009007B2 Inductance part
Since there exists a draw-out portion of a triple insulated wire in a winding structure of a transformer in which the triple insulated wire is used as a secondary winding, the thickness of the transformer is increased by an amount corresponding to the wire diameter of the draw-out portion. Further, when reduction of the thickness of the transformer is prioritized, the secondary winding can be provided only on one side, making it impossible to achieve the sandwich structure. Thus, the coupling between the primary and secondary windings has been sacrificed. An inductance part provided with a magnetic core, two or more sheet coils, and a winding includes: a bobbin constituted by at least two or more sheet coils; and a winding formed by winding a triple insulated wire between the two or more sheet coils constituting the bobbin. A triple insulated wire draw-out portion on the center side of the winding is drawn out to one outer surface side of the bobbin.
US08009004B2 Electric coil and core cooling method and apparatus
Provided is an electrical apparatus comprising a magnetic core, a conductive coil wound around at least a part of the core, a cooling element configured to receive a cooling fluid to cool the core and the coil during operation, and at least one biasing element operatively associated with the core to urge the core and the coil into engagement with the cooling element despite differential expansion or contraction of the core and the coil and manufacturing tolerances. Further provided is a method for making an electrical apparatus comprising disposing a conductive coil wound around at least a part of a magnetic core, disposing a cooling element between the core and the coil, the cooling element configured to receive a cooling fluid to cool the core and the coil during operation, and urging the core and the coil into engagement with the cooling element despite differential expansion or contraction of the core and the coil and manufacturing tolerances.
US08009002B2 Detachable magnet holder
The invention relates to a universally applicable detachable magnet holder with a fixed magnet and an opposite-lying magnet which can rotate about a point of rotation and which is provided with magnet pole surfaces, wherein each magnet pole surface comprises at least two poles which, when closed, attract each other and which, when open, repel each other once the rotatable magnet has been rotated by means of an actuation device. According to the invention, a distance element (7), made of a non-ferromagnetic material, is fixed to one of the magnet pole surfaces, whereby the bearing surface on the opposite magnet pole surface is a maximum ⅓ of the surface and a centering engaging device (10a, 10b; 11) is arranged in the vicinity of the magnet poles in order to receive magnetic sheer forces.
US08009001B1 Hyper halbach permanent magnet arrays
Higher-order Halbach permanent magnet arrays that produce higher flux densities in the air gaps of electromotive machines are described. In one embodiment, a second order “Hyper” Halbach array includes a plurality of magnets arranged immediately adjacent to each other so as to define a rectangular matrix having rows and columns in which the respective magnetic fields of a first row of the array are arranged so as to define a conventional first order Halbach array, and, proceeding in a column direction of the array, the respective magnetic fields of the magnets of each of a second and succeeding rows of the array are respectively rotated counter-clockwise about an axis perpendicular to the column direction of the array through successive 90 degree rotations relative to those of the immediately preceding row.
US08008995B2 Stripline filter and manufacturing method thereof
The element size of a stripline filter that achieves a high efficiency percentage with optional stable filter characteristics, is reduced. A stripline filter includes substantially L-shaped top surface resonant lines. The top surface resonant lines include connection electrode parts, first line parts, and second line parts. The connection electrode parts are formed so as to have a width greater than line widths of side surface resonant lines. Each line part faces an edge of a corner portion of a central top surface resonant line at an interval. An edge of each first line part on an edge side of a dielectric substrate, other than a connection portion with the connection electrode part, faces an edge of the dielectric substrate at an interval.
US08008994B2 Tunable capacitive input coupling
Various exemplary embodiments include a cavity having a tuning assembly with tunable capacitive coupling. The tuning assembly may have a recess having a specified depth, designed for a default magnitude of coupling into the cavity. A sleeve may be fully inserted within the recess to have the structure operate at that default coupling magnitude. If a different amount of coupling is desired, the sleeve may be inserted to a particular depth that only includes part of the recess, enabling repeatable tuning of a plurality of cavities.
US08008986B2 Apparatuses and methods for coupling a signal to and/or from a cable
Apparatuses and methods for coupling a signal to and from a twisted pair cable by non-contact coupling with twisted pairs in the twisted pair cable, such that the signal propagates along the cable between at least two of the twisted pairs. In particular, a coupling unit for coupling a voltage signal to and/or from such a cable, the coupling unit having a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrodes may be electrically isolated from a voltage signal generator and/or a voltage signal processor.
US08008979B2 Frequency synthesizer and radio transmitting apparatus
A frequency synthesizer (100) can selectively set an output band of VCO, and consumes less power. The frequency synthesizer (100) has a frequency converting circuit (110) that has a mixer (111) and a frequency divider (112) connected with each other in parallel. The frequency synthesizer (100) uses the frequency divider (112) upon frequency band selection in VCO (101) and uses the mixer (111) upon transmission.
US08008977B2 Field-plated transistor including feedback resistor
Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including a unit cell having a source electrode, a gate electrode to receive an input radio frequency (RF) signal, and a drain electrode to output an amplified RF signal. A field plate may be coupled with the source electrode, and a feedback resistor may be coupled between the field plate and the source electrode.
US08008976B2 High-efficiency power amplification apparatus using saturated operation and method for controlling the same
A saturated power amplification apparatus and a method for controlling the same are provided, in which a power device is provided, and an output matcher matches a load impedance of the power device. The load impedance is a complex impedance exceeding an impedance generated during power matching in the saturated power amplification apparatus.
US08008968B2 Multipath amplifier
Because of variations in open loop gain and bandwidth in successive approximate register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), designing amplifiers with the desired characteristics is difficult. Here, a multipath amplifier is provided that accounts for the variations in open loop gain and bandwidth. Preferably, a number of cascaded amplifiers are provided that can auto-zero to account for offset voltages so as to allow the multipath amplifier to be stable over the desired open loop gains and bandwidths.
US08008954B2 Multi-phase signal generator and method
Multi-phase signal generators and methods for generating multi-phase signals are described. In one embodiment, the clock generator generates quadrature clock signals including those having 90, 180, 270 and 360 degrees phase difference with a first clock signal. One of the intermediate clock signals may be used as an enable signal to guide locking of all signals. For example, the 180 degree clock signal may be inverted and used as an enable signal to guide locking of the initial and 360 degree signals in a single phase adjustment procedure. The 0 and 360 degree signals may be delayed before their phase is compared to compensate for duty cycle error in the clock signals.
US08008952B2 Buffer circuit having switch circuit capable of outputing two and more different high voltage potentials
A buffer circuit outputs a low voltage and high voltages as opposed logic signals and a first high voltage and a second high voltage that is higher than the first high voltage as the high voltages. The buffer includes a logic control circuit, a first MOS transistor provided between a power supply for feeding the first high voltage and an output terminal, the first MOS transistor including a gate receiving a control signal of the first high voltage level outputted from the logic control circuit, and a backgate receiving the first high voltage, a second MOS transistor provided between a power supply for feeding the second high voltage and the output terminal, the second MOS transistor including a gate receiving a control signal of the second high voltage level outputted from the logic control circuit, and a backgate receiving the second high voltage, and a first switch circuit provided between the first MOS transistor and the output terminal and controlled ON/OFF state thereof by the control signal of the second high voltage level.
US08008933B2 System and method for baseband calibration
A system includes at least one of a first generator, at least two of a second generator, and a load board. The at least one of a first generator one of receives and transmits analog signals. The at least two of a second generator one of receives and transmits digital signals. The load board is disposed between the first generator and the second generators and electrically coupled therebetween to calibrate parameters relating to communications. The load board includes a direct path for each of the analog signals between the at least one of the first generator and a corresponding number of devices under test and for each of the digital signals between the at least two of the second generator and a corresponding number of devices under test.
US08008929B2 Method and apparatus for measuring a lifetime of charge carriers
An apparatus for measuring a lifetime of charge carriers that has a measuring probe and a component for directing ultraviolet radiation to a measuring position. The measuring probe also includes at least one electrode provided at a predetermined spatial relationship to the measuring position. A microwave source is adapted to direct microwave radiation to the measuring position, a microwave detector is adapted to measure an alteration of an intensity of microwave radiation reflected at the measuring position in response to the ultraviolet radiation and a semiconductor structure holder is adapted to receive a semiconductor structure and to provide an electric contact to a portion of the semiconductor structure. Additionally, a device for moving the substrate holder relative to the measuring probe is provided for positioning at least one portion of the semiconductor structure at the measuring position. The apparatus includes a power source adapted to apply a bias voltage between the semiconductor structure holder and the electrode.
US08008917B2 Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatus having an open U- or C-shaped magnet structure, wherein the magnet structure has at least one vertical connection member for joining two horizontal wall members which lie one above the other and are supported in a cantilever fashion and in a predetermined spaced relationship by the vertical member, the vertical member being eccentrically connected to the two wall members at a side edge thereof. The horizontal wall members and the vertical member delimit the upper and lower sides and at least a vertical lateral band of a space for receiving at least one part of a patient body. The horizontal wall members also support means for generating a static magnetic field that permeates the patient receiving space. The apparatus further includes a patient table, supported in an intermediate position between the two horizontal wall members, and lies slightly above the lower horizontal wall part, the table being displaceable in at least one displacement direction, having at least one component of motion towards and/or away from the vertical connection member, and the table being rotatable about a vertical axis outside the magnet structure, i.e. outside the horizontal wall members.
US08008913B2 Automatic lift-off compensation for pulsed eddy current inspection
Variations in the lift-off separation between a probe and the surface of a structure to be tested often mask the detection of defects in the structure. A method and apparatus for automatically classifying and compensating for variations in the lift-off is described. A reference signal at a known lift-off may be weighted by a corresponding calculated ratio parameter and subtracted from a test signal to compensate for lift-off. A number of reference signals are preferably obtained and the largest magnitude gradient for each reference signal is preferably determined. The largest magnitude gradient for subsequent test signals is also obtained and the corresponding reference signal with the closest largest magnitude gradient to the test signal is identified and the corresponding reference signal is selected in the related compensation procedure. Such a method has been found to restore the signal such that lift-off is removed and defects are easily identified.
US08008908B2 Low power magnetic field sensor
A magnetic field sensor for low power applications includes a magnetic field sensing element that, during sample intervals, provides a signal proportional to a sensed magnetic field and also includes a comparator circuit that, during the sample intervals, compares the magnetic field signal to threshold levels to generate a sensor output signal indicative of a strength of the magnetic field. According to a dual sample rate feature, initially the magnetic field signal is sampled at a first predetermined sample rate and, following detection of a transition of the sensor output signal, is sampled at a second, faster predetermined sample rate for a predetermined interval. According to a user-programmable sample rate feature, a user may select to operate the sensor at a fixed, predetermined sample rate or at a user-specified sample rate. The magnetic field sensor may also or alternatively detect the speed and/or direction of rotation of a rotating magnetic article.
US08008900B2 DC-DC converter
A DC-DC converter providing a DC output voltage at an output node. The DC-DC converter comprises an output stage, a digital controller, and a controller. The output stage comprises a pull-up circuit having a control terminal and coupled between a first fixed voltage and a internal node, a pull-down circuit coupled between the internal node and a second fixed voltage, and a low pass filter coupled between the internal node and the output node. The digital controller is powered by the DC output voltage and adjusts the DC output voltage by controlling the output stage. The controller controls a connection of a feedback path, comprising the digital controller, between the output node and the control terminal according to the DC output voltage.
US08008899B2 Method of controlling a DC-DC convertor in discontinuous mode
A DC-DC converter includes an induction coil cooperating with two switches, which operate alternately, to supply output voltage of a determined level relative to input voltage. The converter control method includes, in each cycle, a first phase of first duration with first switch controlled to make it conductive, and to increase current in the induction coil, and a second phase with second switch controlled to be conductive and to decrease current in the induction coil during a second adjustable time period. Detection device detects, at the end of the second phase, sign of overvoltage across one terminal of the induction coil connected to the switches, and supplies a detection signal kept in a high or low state, depending upon sign of detected overvoltage. Timing device receives detection signal for adapting, in each successive cycle, the second duration of the second phase to cancel out current in the induction coil.
US08008897B2 Boost converter with integrated high power discrete FET and low voltage controller
A boost converter for high power and high output voltage applications includes a low voltage controller integrated circuit and a high voltage, vertical, discrete field effect transistor, both of which are packed in a single package.
US08008895B2 Static exciter system for a generator and method of operation
A static exciter system (20) for the field winding (17) of a generator (16) which is connected to a grid system via a busbar (19) includes a first device (12, 18, 21) for production of a DC voltage, which is connected to the field winding (17) and together with the field winding (17) form an exciter circuit, as well as a second device (23; 29, C1, . . . , C3) for emission of electrical energy, which second device (23; 29, C1, . . . , C3) briefly feeds additional energy into the exciter circuit when required. An exciter system such as this results in the capability to briefly increase the excitation in a simple, functionally reliable and space-saving manner, by inserting a forward-biased diode (22) into the exciter circuit, and by the capability to connect the second device (23) to the diode (22), in the reverse-bias direction, in order to feed the energy into the exciter circuit.
US08008893B2 Battery analysis system
A battery analysis system includes a control module, a measurement module, and a pulse power module. The control module controls current to a battery to one of charge and discharge the battery. The measurement module determines N voltages across the battery at N times during a period when the control module controls the current and when the battery is at a predetermined temperature and a predetermined state of charge. N is an integer greater than 1. The pulse power module determines N resistances corresponding to the current and the N voltages across the battery and determines a pulse power value of the battery based on the N resistances. The pulse power value indicates a dynamic power of the battery to one of charge and discharge.
US08008891B2 Simple method for accurately determining a state of charge of a battery, a battery management system using same, and a driving method thereof
A battery management system using a measurement model modeling a battery, and estimating a SOC (state-of-charge) of the battery, and a battery driving method thereof. The battery management system is constructed with a sensor, a predictor, a data rejection unit, and a measurement unit. The sensor senses a charging and discharging current flowing through the battery, a temperature of the battery, a terminal voltage of the battery. The predictor counts the charging and discharging current, and estimates the state-of-charge of the battery. The data rejection unit generates information associated with an error generated from the measurement model, as a function of at least one of the battery temperature, the charging and discharging current, the state-of-charge, and a dynamic of the charging and discharging current. The measurement unit corrects the estimated state-of-charge of the battery, using the measurement model and the information associated with the error.
US08008889B2 Charging circuit for secondary battery, power supply switching method in charging circuit for secondary battery, and power supply unit
A charging circuit charges a secondary battery by using a first direct current power supply that generates and outputs a first voltage. A highest voltage among the first voltage of the first direct current power supply, a second voltage generated from power supplied from outside, and a secondary battery voltage of the secondary battery is supplied as a power supply to the charging circuit.
US08008886B2 Power converter
A power converter is provided with a rectifying circuit, an inverter circuit, and a common mode filter including a common mode choke coil and a capacitor. The switching frequency of a PWM rectifying circuit is set at three times the switching frequency of a PWM inverter. Alternatively, the resonance frequency of the common mode filter is set at twice the carrier frequency of the rectifying circuit or the PWM inverter circuit or more.
US08008883B2 Method of adjusting a motorized solar protection installation with no hard end-stop
A method of adjusting a motorized solar protection installation (1) comprising a screen (3) that can be displaced by activation of an actuator (6) provided with an electronic position counting device (7) and means (9) of detecting an obstacle to the movement, comprising the following steps: storage of a first end-of-travel position, displacement of the screen by activation of the actuator towards the first stored end-of-travel position, continued beyond the first stored end-of-travel position as far as a position that can be assimilated to an end-stop, detected by the means of detecting an obstacle to the movement, measurement of the position difference between the first stored end-of-travel position and the position that can be assimilated to an end-stop, storage of this measurement in memory.
US08008874B2 Brightness adjusting device and brightness adjusting method
A brightness adjusting device has: a warm-up time determining unit which calculates a temperature difference between the outside temperature detected by an outside temperature detecting unit and the inside temperature detected by an inside temperature detecting unit and reading and determining a warm-up time corresponding to the calculated temperature difference, as an estimated warm-up time, from a product inside temperature table stored in a product inside temperature table storing unit; a target brightness value determining unit which reads and determines a target brightness value, which corresponds to the estimated warm-up time read and determined by a warm-up time estimating unit, from a target brightness value table stored in a target brightness value table storing unit; and a brightness value setting unit which sets a brightness value of the display device according to the target brightness value read and determined by the target brightness value calculating unit.
US08008870B2 Constant-current drive circuit
A voltage supplied from a power supply is boosted by a boosting circuit unit to generate a direct-current voltage, and the pulse-shape direct-current voltage is applied to LED while a constant-voltage control unit controls the direct-current voltage. The operation of LED is controlled by a control unit and a PWM unit. When the current is passed through LED, the constant-voltage control unit obtains information on the current passed through LED from a potential difference between both ends of a resistor, and on-and-off control of the voltage applied to LED from the boosting circuit unit is performed at a high frequency based on the information. Therefore, the voltage applied to LED can be controlled to keep the current passed through LED constant.
US08008863B2 Driving system and method for color sequential liquid crystal display (LCD)
A driving system and method for color sequential liquid crystal display (LCD) are described. The driving system includes a sensor, scanning modules, switching modules and a control unit. The control unit receives the sensing signal from the sensor and controls the first switching module based on the sensing signal for switching the scanning module to select one of the scanning modes in response to the environment temperature. The control unit adjusts the scanning direction of the liquid crystal display according to the switched scanning mode. The control unit controls the switching module based on the driving mode corresponding to the sensing signal. Further, the switching module switches the gamma voltage-setting module for selecting one of the voltage-setting values in response to the sensing signal and driving the liquid crystal display.
US08008852B2 Organic light-emitting display device and production method of the same
An organic light-emitting display device is provided which achieves high efficiency by reducing the number of steps for vapor deposition using a mask with a fine pattern and photolithography. A blue light-emitting portion (B), a green light-emitting portion (G) and a red light-emitting portion (R) placed on a substrate 10 have a thickness relationship represented as (blue light-emitting portion (B)
US08008846B2 Flat display apparatus
An optical filter 17 is attached to the display screen surface of a flat display panel 3 of a flat display apparatus. The optical filter 17 is constituted of a lamination of an electromagnetic-wave blocking sheet 17A, an infrared-radiation absorbing and color-tone correcting sheet 17B and an ambient light antireflective sheet 17C.
US08008845B2 Lighting device which includes one or more solid state light emitting device
There is provided a lighting device which has at least one solid state light emitter and a substantially transparent heat sink. The heat sink and the solid state light emitter are positioned and oriented relative to one another such that if the solid state light emitter is illuminated, light emitted by the solid state light emitter which exits the lighting device passes through at least a portion of the heat sink. Also, there is provided a lighting device which has at least one solid state light emitter and means for extracting heat from the solid state light emitter.
US08008839B2 System and method of providing a thermally stabilized fixed frequency piezoelectric optical modulator
A device for generating controlled vibration in an uncontrolled temperature environment includes a driving circuit that generates a signal having a first frequency and has a temperature-sensitive driving unit, a vibratory element coupled to the driving unit that vibrates at the first frequency according to the generated signal, and a temperature control circuit to control the temperature of the driving unit.
US08008838B2 Lamb wave type elastic wave device
Provided is a device of a high-frequency resonator using Lamb wave type elastic wave having excellent frequency temperature characteristics, the device having a significantly small frequency change, and including an interdigital transducer for generating at least one Lamb wave type elastic wave, or the interdigital transducer and a reflector, arranged on a quartz substrate. The cut angle of the quartz substrate and a propagation direction of the Lamb wave type elastic wave expressed in Euler angles (λ, μ, θ) satisfy any one of following expressions (Expressions 1 to 3): λ=90°, μ=17° to 21° or μ=159° to 163°, θ=0° to 10°  (Expression 1) λ=210°, μ=17° to 21° or μ=159° to 163°, θ=0° to 10°  (Expression 2) λ=330°, μ=17° to 21° or μ=159° to 163°, θ=0° to 10°.  (Expression 3)
US08008837B2 Surface acoustic wave device and method of manufacturing the same
A surface acoustic wave device excellent in reliability and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The surface acoustic wave device comprises a piezoelectric substrate (1) for propagating an surface acoustic wave thereon, an IDT (2) formed on a first main surface of the piezoelectric substrate (1) and a protective cover (6) formed of a photocurable material and covering a formation region of the IDT (2), thereby forming a hollow containing space (7) together with the first main surface, which has an acid generating portion containing an acid-generating agent in a region at its lower end. The surface acoustic wave device further comprises a connecting line (3) formed on the first main surface and connected to the IDT (2), being drawn out from the inside of the protective cover (6) to the outside thereof to have an end portion at the outside of the protective cover (6), and a bonding film (8) formed of an insulating material and so formed as to be interposed at least between the acid generating portion of the protective cover (6) and the connecting line (3).
US08008836B2 Piezoelectric phase shifter
The disclosed is a piezoelectric phase shifter, which comprises: an input part for inputting input voltages; an output part for outputting output voltages; and a control part for tuning phase difference between the output and input voltages, which are made of a piezoelectric ceramic plate. Further, the input, output and control parts are separated by insulating gaps respectively. The wide phase shift range and good ability to manage high power and relatively high energy transmission efficiency may be obtained by the disclosure.
US08008828B2 Electric rotating machine
The electric rotating machine includes a rotor around which a field coil is wound, and a stator including a stator core around which an armature winding is wound. The armature winding includes a first three-phase winding whose phase coils are delta-connected to form a delta winding, and a second three-phase winding whose phase coils are connected to corresponding nodes of the delta winding to form a star winding. The delta winding and the star winding are wound around the stator core such that the phase coils of the delta winding and the phase coils of the star winding share the same slots of the stator core.
US08008805B2 Power conversion apparatus and motor drive system
A power conversion apparatus includes a plurality of power modules, a plurality of capacitors and a bus bar. Each of the power modules has a direct current terminal section and an alternating current terminal section. Each of the power modules is configured and arranged to convert a direct current inputted from the direct current terminal section into a respective phase of a multiple-phase alternating current and to output the multiple-phase alternating current to the alternating current terminal section. Each of the capacitors is arranged with respect to a corresponding one of the power modules. The bus bar forms an inter-phase current path between the power modules that are adjacent and forms an intra-phase current path between one of the power modules and a corresponding one of the capacitors such that an impedance of the inter-phase current path is smaller than an impedance of the intra-phase current path.
US08008804B2 Methods, systems and apparatus for regulating frequency of generated power using flywheel energy storage systems with varying load and/or power generation
Featured are methods for regulating the AC frequency of the electrical power be supplied on an electrical distribution system or grid. Such a method includes electrically coupling an energy storage sub-system to the electrical distribution network, where the energy storage sub-system includes one or more flywheel energy storage systems. Also featured as devices, systems and apparatuses embodying such methodologies or for use in implementing such methodologies of the present invention.
US08008793B2 Wind power system and method of operating it
The wind power system comprises an installation (1) for generating electrical power from wind by means of at least one power generating turbine arranged to be rotated by wind, and a control system (2) including a power controller (22). The power controller (22) is configured to keep the magnitude of the total current below a pre-set maximum magnitude (Imax).
US08008791B2 Right-and-left-wheel differential torque generator of vehicle
A right-and-left-wheel differential torque generator makes a deceleration acted on a vehicle body to be corrected in small even when a rotating electric machine for generating a right-and-left-wheel differential torque is operated to generate a yaw moment of the vehicle, for this purpose, a correcting throttle opening is added to a throttle operation by a driver to correct a torque amount of an engine brake causing a power supply, two power generators A, B coupled independently to each of the left and right wheels and a rotating electric machine C for generating a torsional torque are provided, the power generator A absorbs (brake) the torque from one wheel to generate a power, and this power is supplied so that a torsional torque is generated by the rotating electric machine C in a direction toward which the other wheel (coupled with the power generator B) is accelerated.
US08008789B2 Substrate for a display panel, and a display panel having the same
A substrate for a display panel includes an alignment accuracy measurement mark which is used for measuring alignment accuracy between patterns on the substrate without decreasing an aperture ratio of a pixel. The substrate for a display panel includes the alignment accuracy measurement mark in an isolated configuration which is used for measuring alignment accuracy between a pattern of a gate signal line and an auxiliary capacitance line and a pattern of a source signal line and a drain line, where the alignment accuracy measurement mark has a shape such that at least one straight line portion is included, is formed in a layer where the pattern of the source signal line and the drain line is formed, and is positioned on the gate signal line.
US08008785B2 Microelectronic assembly with joined bond elements having lowered inductance
A microelectronic assembly includes a semiconductor chip having chip contacts exposed at a first face and a substrate juxtaposed with a face of the chip. A conductive bond element can electrically connect a first chip contact with a first substrate contact of the substrate, and a second conductive bond element can electrically connect the first chip contact with a second substrate contact. The first bond element can have a first end metallurgically joined to the first chip contact and a second end metallurgically joined to the first substrate contact. A first end of the second bond element can be metallurgically joined to the first bond element. The second bond element may or may not touch the first chip contact or the substrate contact. A third bond element can be joined to ends of first and second bond elements which are joined to substrate contacts or to chip contacts. In one embodiment, a bond element can have a looped connection, having first and second ends joined at a first contact and a middle portion joined to a second contact.
US08008784B2 Package including a lead frame, a chip and a sealant
A package and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The package includes a lead frame, a chip and a sealant. The lead frame has a notch and a plurality of first notch-side leads, a plurality of first notch-side pads, a plurality of second notch-side leads and a plurality of second notch-side pads. The first notch-side leads extend to a first side of the notch. The first notch-side pads are correspondingly disposed on the first notch-side leads. The second notch-side leads extend to a second side of the notch. The second notch-side pads are correspondingly disposed on the second notch-side leads. The sealant seals up the chip and the lead frame and exposes a lower surface of the lead frame. The notch exposes a portion of the sealant.
US08008768B2 Semiconductor device having heat radiating configuration
A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes: a casing, a board and a semiconductor chip. The chip includes: an element part; a heat sink bonded to the element part; an insulting layer located on the heat sink so that the heat sink is located between the element part and the insulating layer; and a side wall insulating layer covering all of end faces of the heat sink. The semiconductor chip is located between the casing and the board, so that the insulating layer is directed to the casing to enable heat radiation from the heat sink toward the casing via the insulating layer.
US08008735B2 Micromachine device with a spatial portion formed within
A semiconductor element of the electric circuit includes a semiconductor layer over a gate electrode. The semiconductor layer of the semiconductor element is formed of a layer including polycrystalline silicon which is obtained by crystallizing amorphous silicon by heat treatment or laser irradiation, over a substrate. The obtained layer including polycrystalline silicon is also used for a structure layer such as a movable electrode of a structure body. Therefore, the structure body and the electric circuit for controlling the structure body can be formed over one substrate. As a result, a micromachine can be miniaturized. Further, assembly and packaging are unnecessary, so that manufacturing cost can be reduced.
US08008729B2 Integrated circuit with a contact structure including a portion arranged in a cavity of a semiconductor structure
An integrated circuit includes a contact structure with a buried first and a protruding second portion. The buried first portion is arranged in a cavity formed in a semiconductor structure and is in direct contact with the semiconductor structure. The protruding second portion is arranged above the main surface of the semiconductor structure and in direct contact with a conductive structure that is spaced apart from or separated from the main surface of the semiconductor structure. An insulator structure is arranged below and in direct contact with the contact structure.
US08008716B2 Inverted-trench grounded-source FET structure with trenched source body short electrode
This invention discloses bottom-source lateral diffusion MOS (BS-LDMOS) device. The device has a source region disposed laterally opposite a drain region near a top surface of a semiconductor substrate supporting a gate thereon between the source region and a drain region. The BS-LDMOS device further has a combined sinker-channel region disposed at a depth in the semiconductor substrate entirely below a body region disposed adjacent to the source region near the top surface wherein the combined sinker-channel region functioning as a buried source-body contact for electrically connecting the body region and the source region to a bottom of the substrate functioning as a source electrode. A drift region is disposed near the top surface under the gate and at a distance away from the source region and extending to and encompassing the drain region. The combined sinker-channel region extending below the drift region and the combined sinker-channel region that has a dopant-conductivity opposite to and compensating the drift region for reducing the source-drain capacitance.
US08008706B2 Non-volatile memory cell and non-volatile memory cell array with minimized influence from neighboring cells
The present invention relates to a non-volatile memory cell and a method of fabricating the same. The non-volatile memory cell according to the present invention comprises a substrate, a first oxide film formed over an active region of the substrate, a source and drain formed within the active region, a charge storage unit formed on the first oxide film, a second oxide film configured to surround the charge storage unit and formed on the first oxide film, and a gate formed to surround the second oxide film. According to the non-volatile memory cell and a cell array including the same in accordance with the present invention, the charge storage unit is fully surrounded by the gate or the gate line, thus a disturbance phenomenon that may occur due to the memory operation of cells formed in other neighboring gate or gate line can be minimized.
US08008699B2 Semiconductor device with circuit for reduced parasitic inductance
Parasitic inductance of the main circuit of a power source unit is reduced. In a non-insulated DC-DC converter having a circuit in which a power MOSFET for high side switch and a power MOSFET for low side switch are connected in series, the power MOSFET for high side switch and the power MOSFET for low side switch are formed of n-channel vertical MOSFETs, and a source electrode of the power MOSFET for high side switch and a drain electrode of the power MOSFET for low side switch are electrically connected via the same die pad.
US08008690B2 Amorphous-silicon thin film transistor and shift register having the same
An amorphous-silicon thin film transistor and a shift resister shift resister having the amorphous-silicon TFT include a first conductive region, a second conductive region and a third conductive region. The first conductive region is formed on a first plane spaced apart from a substrate by a first distance. The second conductive region is formed on a second plane spaced apart from the substrate by a second distance. The second conductive region includes a body conductive region and two hand conductive regions elongated from both ends of the body conductive region to form an U-shape. The third conductive region is formed on the second plane. The third conductive region includes an elongated portion. The elongated portion is disposed between the two hand conductive regions of the second conductive region. The amorphous-silicon TFT and the shift resister having the amorphous TFT reduce a parasitic capacitance between the gate electrode and drain electrode.
US08008681B2 Diode having vertical structure and method of manufacturing the same
A light emitting diode includes a conductive layer, an n-GaN layer on the conductive layer, an active layer on the n-GaN layer, a p-GaN layer on the active layer, and a p-electrode on the p-GaN layer. The conductive layer is an n-electrode.
US08008671B2 Light-emitting device and method for fabricating the same
A transparent conductive semiconductor substrate 70 comprising a light emitting layer section 24 is directly bonded on one of main surfaces on a main compound semiconductor layer 50 composed of Group III-V compound semiconductor, wherein an alkali metal atom concentration on a bonded boundary surface between the main compound semiconductor layer 50 and the transparent conductive semiconductor substrate 70 is adjusted to be equal to or greater than 1×1014 atoms/cm2 and equal to or less than 2×1015 atoms/cm2. Herewith, it provides a light emitting device capable of sufficiently decreasing boundary surface resistance between the light emitting layer section and the transparent conductive semiconductor substrate.
US08008670B2 Light emitting device
An object is to provide a light emitting element using an inorganic compound as a light emitting material, which has ever-higher luminous efficiency and can be driven with low voltage. The chance of excitation of light emitting centers (atoms) in a light emitting layer is increased to enhance luminous efficiency by providing a carrier supply layer in order to increase the number of carries in the light emitting layer of a light emitting element using an inorganic compound, and drive voltage of the light emitting element or a light emitting device is reduced.
US08008669B2 Programmable anti-fuse structure with DLC dielectric layer
In one embodiment an anti-fuse structure is provided that includes a first dielectric material having at least a first anti-fuse region and a second anti-fuse region, wherein at least one of the anti-fuse regions includes a conductive region embedded within the first dielectric material. The anti-fuse structure further includes a first diamond like carbon layer having a first conductivity located on at least the first dielectric material in the first anti-fuse region and a second diamond like carbon layer having a second conductivity located on at least the first dielectric material in the second anti-fuse region. In this embodiment, the second conductivity is different from the first conductivity and the first diamond like carbon layer and the second diamond like carbon layer have the same thickness. The anti-fuse structure also includes a second dielectric material located atop the first and second diamond like carbon layers. The second dielectric material includes at least one conductively filled region embedded therein.
US08008656B2 Organic light-emitting transistor and display device
An organic light-emitting transistor having a source electrode layer; a drain electrode layer facing the source electrode layer; an organic light-emitting layer formed between the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer; a semiconductor layer formed between the organic light-emitting layer and the source electrode layer; and a gate electrode layer deposited to face through a gate insulation film to one face of the source electrode layer opposite to the other face facing the drain electrode layer. The organic light-emitting transistor further comprises: a charge-carrier suppression layer formed between the organic light-emitting layer and the source electrode layer to have an aperture; and a relay region formed between the charge-carrier suppression layer and the source electrode layer to relay charge-carriers from the source electrode layer to the aperture.
US08008654B2 Thin-film transistor device and a method for manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a thin-film transistor device improves performance of a complementary TFT circuit incorporated in a thin- and light-weighted image display device or a flexible electronic device, and reduces power consumption manufacturing cost. Electrodes forming n-type and p-type TFTs and an organic semiconductor are made of the same material in both types of TFT by a solution-process and/or printable process method. A first polarizable thin-film is formed on an interface between a gate insulator and a semiconductor, and a second polarizable thin film provided on an interface between source and drain electrodes and the semiconductor film. A complementary thin-film transistor device is manufactured by selectively exposing either the n-type TFT area or the p-type TFT area to light to remove the polarizing function from the first and second polarizable thin films.
US08008653B2 Resistive organic memory device and fabrication method thereof
Disclosed herein are an organic memory device and a method for fabricating the memory device. The organic memory device may include a first electrode, a second electrode and an organic active layer between first and second electrodes, wherein the organic active layer is formed of a mixture of a conductive polymer and a metallocene compound. Because the organic memory device possesses decreased switching time, decreased operating voltage, decreased fabrication costs and increased reliability, the organic memory device may be used as a highly integrated large-capacity memory device.
US08008645B2 Memory cell array with low resistance common source and high current drivability
In the present resistive memory array, included are a substrate, a plurality of source regions in the substrate, and a conductor connecting the plurality of source regions, the conductor being positioned adjacent to the substrate to form, with the plurality of source regions, a common source. In one embodiment, the conductor is an elongated metal body of T-shaped cross-section. In another embodiment, the conductor is a plate-like metal body.
US08008642B2 Computed radiography system for mammography
A computed radiography system including a stimulating light source such as a laser, a photostimulable glass imaging plate (PGIP) substantially transparent to the stimulating light positioned such that the stimulating light impinges the PGIP perpendicularly thereto producing photostimulated luminescence light (PLL), a light collector having a light reflecting inner surface proximate the PGIP for collecting PLL emitted from the PGIP and having a hole or slot therein for admitting stimulating light into the light collector and onto the PGIP. An optical filter in communication with the light collector for blocking stimulating light waves and passing PLL therethrough. A light detector receives PLL from the optical filter and the light collector, mechanism providing relative movement between the PGIP and the stimulating light source, and mechanism including an analog to digital converter for converting the collected and detected PLL to a diagnostic readout. The system is particularly useful in mammography.
US08008639B2 System for processing an object
A processing system comprises a gas supply apparatus with which process gas is supplied to an object. An activation beam activates the gas thereby inducing a chemical reaction between material at the surface of the object and the process gas causing ablation of material from the surface or deposition of material at the surface. The gas supply apparatus is formed from a stack of plates providing a gas conduit system between at least one gas inlet and at least one gas outlet.
US08008634B2 Radiation image converting panel
A radiation image converting panel has a structure capable of arbitrarily controlling a change in luminance distribution of an entire panel surface after formation of a moisture-resistant protective film. The radiation image converting panel comprises a radiation converting film doped with Eu and covered with a moisture-resistant protective film. The Eu concentration in the radiation converting film is preliminarily adjusted such that the Eu concentration at a central portion or peripheral portion of the film falls within an optimal range, and the other film portion is provided with a positive or negative concentration gradient such that the Eu concentration thereof gradually become higher or lower than the optimal range. The luminance distribution of the entire panel in which the moisture-resistant protective film has been formed can be controlled by providing the Eu concentration to be added with a concentration gradient.
US08008633B2 Specimen stage-moving device for charged-particle beam system
A charged-particle beam system is offered which is equipped with a Z-motion mechanism to enable tomography. The Z-motion mechanism includes a rotary disk having three tapering surfaces on which balls are nested. The rotary disk is rotated via a worm gear to cause the balls to go upward along the tapering surfaces. This pushes an overlying elevatable disk upward, i.e., in the Z-direction. Consequently, the specimen stage is pushed up in the Z-direction.
US08008631B2 Method of acquiring offset deflection amount for shaped beam and lithography apparatus
A method of acquiring an offset deflection amount for a shaped beam, includes forming reference images of first and second figures which can be shaped by first and second aperture plates placed on a lithography apparatus, and a reference image of a mark; forming first and second convolution reference images based on the reference images of the mark and of the first and second figures; scanning over the mark with charged particle beams shaped into the first and second figures to acquire optical images of the first and second figures; forming first and second convolution synthesis images based on the first convolution reference image and respectively the optical images of the first and second figures; and calculating an offset deflection amount for the charged particle beam shaped into the second figure to match reference positions of the first and second figures based on center-of-gravity positions of the first and second convolution synthesis images.
US08008627B2 Radiation imaging element
A radiation imaging element that includes a plurality of pixel portions each having a phosphor layer that absorbs radiation transmitted through a subject to emit light, a photoelectric conversion portion that includes an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and a TFT which outputs a signal corresponding to an electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion layer, wherein the TFT includes at least a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, and an electric insulating layer is further provided so as to be electrically connected between the active layer and at least one of the source electrode or the drain electrode.
US08008618B2 Multipole ion guide for providing an axial electric field whose strength increases with radial position, and a method of operating a multipole ion guide having such an axial electric field
A mass spectrometer having an elongated rod set, the rod set having a first end, a second end, a plurality of rods and a central longitudinal axis is described as is a method operating same. Embodiments involve a) admitting ions into the rod set; b) producing an RF field between the plurality of rods to radially confine the ions in the rod set, wherein the RF field varies along at least a portion of a length of the rod set to provide, for each of the ions, a corresponding first axial force acting on the ion to push the ion in a first axial direction; and, c) for each of the ions, providing a corresponding second axial force to push the ion in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction; wherein the corresponding first axial force increases relative to the corresponding second axial force with radial displacement of the ion from the central longitudinal axis in any direction orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis such that the first corresponding axial force is less than the corresponding second axial force when the ion is less than a threshold radial distance from the central longitudinal axis and the corresponding first axial force exceeds the corresponding second axial force when the ion is radially displaced from the central longitudinal axis by more than the threshold radial distance in any direction orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis.
US08008600B2 Fiber laser apparatus
The fiber laser apparatus comprises an amplifying section for amplifying seed light by cladding-pumping, and has a structure for further using a residual component of pumping light for cladding-pumping in order to heat the object. A guiding optical fiber is provided between an amplifying optical fiber of the amplifying section and an output optical system converging the single-mode amplified seed light on the object, the guiding optical fiber serving to increase the degree of freedom in arranging the output optical system. The guiding optical fiber has a structure enabling the single-mode propagation of the amplified seed light outputted from the amplifying optical fiber and multimode propagation of the residual pumping light. Because the object is irradiated with the converged amplified seed light, while being heated with the residual pumping light outputted from the output optical system, even an object with a complex shape can be subjected to efficient laser processing.
US08008597B2 Sheet post-processing apparatus
A sheet post-processing apparatus which is capable of reliably producing desired labels and suppressing increases in user office expenses, job time, and environmental load. A laser cutting unit cuts a sheet being conveyed along a sheet conveying path or a sheet discharged onto a post-processing tray, with a laser beam, and a CPU circuit section and a sheet post-processing apparatus control section control the laser cutting unit such that the laser cutting unit cuts a label sheet as the sheet, based on layout information in a label sheet mode of the image forming apparatus.
US08008594B2 Vacuum insulated switchgear
A vacuum insulated switchgear has a busbar compartment, in which phase-segregated double-break, three-position vacuum circuit breakers are disposed; and feeder compartments disposed at both sides of the busbar compartment respectively, in each of which phase-segregated double-break, three-position vacuum circuit breakers are disposed. The busbar compartment and the feeder compartments are aligned in a row, and a second-phase insulated busbar is provided to connect one of the fixed contacts of a second-phase breaker in the busbar compartment to a fixed contact of a second-phase breaker in one of the feeder compartments. A first-phase insulated busbar is provided to connect one of the fixed contacts of a first-phase breaker in the busbar compartment to a fixed contact of a first-phase breaker in one of the feeder compartments adjacent to the busbar compartment, and the second-phase insulated busbar and the first-phase insulated busbar are disposed in different positions in height.
US08008593B2 Switch for seesaw key
A switch comprises a key top to be pushed down; an operation knob pushed down by the key top to rotate around a pivot point, having a working portion; and a contact rubber switch pushed down by the working portion of the operation knob. The rubber switch is provided with a push-button portion having an upper surface pushed down by the working portion of the operation knob and an under surface formed with a movable contact; and a skirt portion extending obliquely downward from an edge of the push-button portion. The skirt portion has a thinner portion on the side of the pivot point of the operation knob and a thicker portion on the opposite side of the pivot point. The push-button portion has an upper surface inclined upward toward the side of the pivot point. The switch has advantages such as simple structure, reliable conduction, and excellent click feeling.
US08008588B2 Contact switch
A contact switch includes a case, a first contact provided in the case, a second contact provided in the case, an actuator for causing the first contact to contact the second contact, and an oil-repellent agent applied to at least one of an outer edge of the first contact or an outer edge of the second contact The oil-repellent agent includes a fluorine-based polymer. The switch has a simple structure and connects between the contacts reliably.
US08008585B2 Switching apparatus comprising a plurality of switching assemblies, and associated method
An improved electrical switching apparatus comprises a plurality of electrical switching assemblies in a ganged configuration. A bridging device mechanically connects together the actuator devices of the electrical switching assemblies to cause the simultaneous tripping of all of the electrical switching assemblies when an overload or an arc fault is detected on any electrical switching assembly of the gang.
US08008581B2 Circuit board, electronic device including a circuit board, and method of manufacturing a circuit board
A circuit board includes a board, a first conductive pad provided on the board, a second conductive pad provided with a first distance from the first conductive pad. A mask extends over the board and has an opening that extends over at least a part of the first conductive pad, at least a part of the second conductive pad, and at least a part of an intervening region of the board between the first and second conductive pads. A conductive material is provided in the opening, and extends over the at least a part of the first conductive pad, the at least a part of the intervening region, and the at least a part of the second conductive pad.
US08008580B2 Flexible printed circuit board
A flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) includes a signal layer, upper and lower ground layers, and two dielectric layers. The signal layer includes a differential pair comprising two transmission lines to transmit a pair of differential signal. The dielectric layers are respectively located on and under the signal layer to sandwich the signal layer. The upper ground layer is attached to the dielectric layer on the signal layer. The lower ground layer is attached to the dielectric layer under the signal layer. Each ground layer defines a void therein aligning with the differential pair. Dielectric coefficients of the two dielectric layers are different.
US08008576B2 Energy distribution system
An energy distribution system (2) is provided having a metering box (6) having a housing portion (14) and a cover (16), the cover being lockable to the metering box. An energy meter (32) is provided in the metering box with a first connector (34) extending to a wall (20) of the metering box with a connectable portion of the connector extending through an opening (26). Incoming or outgoing cables to or from the power source can be connected to the connector (34), and the connectors (34,36) are lockable to each other where the disconnection of the connectors can only be made by opening the metering box cover (16) and disconnecting the connectors from the inside of the metering box.
US08008574B2 Photo cell with spaced anti-oxidation member on fluid loop
A fluid tube routes a fluid adjacent to a source of heat to heat the fluid. The heated fluid is passed adjacent to cells which receive infrared radiation from the heated fluid. An anti-corrosion member is positioned on a portion of the tube adjacent to the cells. The anti-corrosion member is spaced from an outer periphery of the tube to provide a chamber between the portion of the tube and the anti-corrosion member.
US08008572B2 Integrating sphere photovoltaic receiver employing multi-junction cells
A photovoltaic module for converting laser radiation from a laser emitting light at a wavelength to electrical power is provided. The module comprises: (a) a housing having a cavity of generally optimized closed shape inside the housing, the cavity having an internal surface area As and including an opening for admitting the laser radiation into the cavity, the opening having an entrance aperture area Ai that is substantially smaller than As; and (b) a plurality of photovoltaic cells within the cavity, the photovoltaic cells having an energy bandgap to respond to the wavelength and generate the electrical power.
US08008568B2 Information processing device and method, and recording medium
The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium for analyzing chord progressions more accurately. A featuring quantity extraction unit 41 extracts respectively a probability of given chords appearing simultaneously, a probability of transition from a given chord to another chord, if the given chord appeared, and a probability of transition of a given chord originating from another chord, if the given chord appeared, from chord progressions of musical compositions by analyzing waveforms of said musical compositions. A chord similarity calculation unit 42 calculates the similarities between the chord progressions of musical compositions and the user-input chord progressions based on those extracted these possibilities. A musical composition retrieving unit 43 retrieves musical composition chord progressions similar to the user-input chord progression based on the calculated similarities. The present invention is applicable to the information processing apparatus.
US08008567B2 Music reproducing system for collaboration, program reproducer, music data distributor and program producer
A music reproducing system includes a musical instrument for reproducing a music tune on the basis of the MIDI music data, a sound reproducer for reproducing a music tune and/or narration from audio data codes and a server computer for distributing programs, MIDI files and audio files to the musical instrument and sound reproducer, and a program contains plural music tunes and narration; while a program is being reproduced in collaboration between the musical instrument and the sound reproducer, the audio data codes are converted to an audio signal expressing the narration through the sound reproducer, and the music tunes are reproduced on the basis of the MIDI files through the musical instrument; and the duration data codes of audio file are supplied to the musical instrument so as to make the musical instrument and the sound reproducer synchronized with each other.
US08008564B2 Harmony hat
The Harmony Hat is a musical instrument which greatly improves the portability of an electronic musical instrument by: (1) integrating the keyboard surfaces into the visor of a hat; and (2) deploying a portable battery supply so as to eliminate any need for alternating current supplies or AC wall sockets. Additionally, the Harmony Hat integrates all the electronic components of an electronic organ or synthesizer into a portable and wearable hat so that a musician can use the hat to experiment with musical notes in any environment, such as while traveling in a car or plane, and even while jogging or walking. The Harmony Hat includes additional electronic controls to adjust the octaves of musical notes available on the keyboard.
US08008563B1 Electronic circuit driven, inter-active, plural sensory stimuli apparatus and comprehensive method to teach, with no instructor present, beginners as young as two years old to play a piano/keyboard type musical instrument and to read and correctly respond to standard music notation for said instruments
Electronic circuit controlled inter-active multi sensory prompting and monitoring musical keyboard instrument for teaching user—as young as two years old—how to play keyboard instrument without instructor assistance. Instrument comprised of black and white keys arranged in conventional order, made of suitable translucent material that can be illuminated by lights such as LEDs. Indicated child size right-hand and left-hand palms and fingers defined by shapes, each shape made wholly or partly from suitable colored and transparent material in order to function as a colored lens illuminated by light placed underneath each shape. Fitted with integrated vibration mechanism capable of vibrating each individual finger shape or key singly or jointly. Includes flat panel display screen capable of providing related musical instruction. Electronic circuit outputs to user audio instruction coupled with appropriate functions by components to develop the skill of playing instrument, reading and responding to standard musical notation.
US08008560B2 Musical system
A musical system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems including: a frame with an interior cavity, a tuning system coupled within the interior cavity of the frame, the tuning system configured to be accessed by way of an aperture through of the frame, and a drum head retained at a first end of the frame, wherein the tuning system configured to apply uniform pressure that circumscribes an axis of interior surface of the drum head.
US08008559B1 Tremolo block
A tremolo assembly includes a metallic block having an upper end near a pivoting mounting point. The lower end of the block depends downwardly into a space within a guitar body. The tremolo block has a proportionately greater mass near the lower end relative to the upper end that enhances the “vibrato” effect of the tremolo assembly.
US08008552B2 Sweet pepper line SBR28-1220
The invention provides seed and plants of the pepper line designated SBR28-1220. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper line SBR28-1220, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing a plant of pepper line with itself or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of pepper line SBR28-1220, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08008549B2 Soybean variety D5568543
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5568543. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5568543. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5568543 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5568543 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08008541B2 Phenotypic screen for plants
The present invention is directed to a method of identifying plants with enhanced agronomic traits within a larger population of plants grown from a randomly planted set of seeds.
US08008540B2 Transgenic non-human animal for use in research models for studying Parkinson's disease
The invention relates to a transgenic mouse model with deficient respiratory chain function in dopamine (DA) neurons. By suppressing or deleting the mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) in DA neurons, a mouse model is obtained, which reproduces key pathophysiological features of Parkinson's disease (PD), i.e., slow progressive loss of DA terminals in striatum and loss of DA neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta; alpha-synuclein immunoreactivity including intracellular inclusions similar to Lewy bodies in affected areas prior to and during cell loss; progressive movement disorder associated with abnormal gait, tremor and rigid limbs. The mouse model can be used to develop pharmacological, gene therapy or cell therapy treatments for PD.
US08008539B1 Generation of transgenic human soluble amyloid precursor protein alpha expressing mice
The present invention relates to a novel animal model for neurological degenerative diseases, especially autism, relating to overexpression of human secreted APP-alpha. This novel animal model exhibits several aspects of amyloidopathy. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the double transgenic animals, to cells and cell lines derived from these animals. Moreover, a method for the evaluation of the in vivo effects of a test compound on secreted APP-alpha expression and autism pathology in these animals is provided.
US08008537B2 Method for eliminating pollutants contained in an elastic part
A method of eliminating pollutants contained in an elastomer part, the method including a step of extracting pollutants by immersing the part in a solvent, the solvent being ethanol.
US08008535B2 Process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins and liquid hydrocarbons
A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes is reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid vapor. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid are then reacted over a synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst, such as an X or Y type zeolite, at a temperature of from about 250° C. to about 500° C. so as to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrobromic acid vapor. Various methods are disclosed to remove the hydrobromic acid vapor from the olefins and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and to generate bromine from the hydrobromic acid for use in the process.
US08008534B2 Liquid phase hydroprocessing with temperature management
A method of hydroprocessing hydrocarbons is provided using a substantially liquid-phase reactor having first and second catalyst beds with a heat transfer section positioned therebetween. The first and second catalyst beds and the heat transfer section are combined within the same reactor vessel. Each catalyst bed having an inlet temperature and an exit temperature and having a hydroprocessing catalyst therein with a maximum operating temperature range. The method hydroprocesses the hydrocarbons and removes sufficient heat from the hydrocarbons using the heat transfer section so that the exit temperature of the hydrocarbons existing the first catalyst bed is substantially maintained below the maximum operating temperature range of the hydroprocessing catalysts in the first bed and, at the same time, also providing the hydrocarbons to the second catalyst bed at the inlet temperature so that the exit temperature of the hydrocarbons at the exit of the second catalyst bed also does not exceed the maximum operating temperature range of the hydroprocessing catalyst in the second bed.
US08008531B2 Compounds and methods of arylmethylation (benzylation) as protection for alcohol groups during chemical synthesis
A process for benzylating an alcohol includes mixing 2-benzyloxy-1-methylpyridinium triflate in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent having a predetermined boiling point; adding an acid scavenger to the mixture; combining the alcohol to be benzylated with the mixture; reacting the alcohol with the 2-benzyloxy-1-methylpyridinium triflate by heating above ambient temperature to generate the benzylated alcohol; and separating the benzylated alcohol from the mixture.
US08008527B1 Octafluoropentaerythrityltetramine (octafluoro-peta) and process for its preparation
A composition and method of manufacturing the same. Embodiments of an aspect of the invention relate to the formula C(CH2NF2)4 having the name octafluoropentaerythrityltetramine (octafluoro-PETA). In embodiments of another aspect generally relate to a method for manufacturing octafluoropentaerythrityltetramine (octafluoro-PETA) including, basifying pentaerythrityltetramine tetrahydrochloride in an aqueous solution with an aqueous alkali and treating with alkyl chloroformate for producing a tetraalkyl pentaerythrityltetra carbamate, extracting the compound into a nonaqueous solvent suitable for extraction from water and removing the solvent for providing a pure form of tetraethyl pentaerythrityltetracarbamate, bubbling elemental fluorine and/or mixtures of fluorine with an inert gas through tetraalkyl pentaerythrityltetracarbamate in a solvent suitable for direct fluorinations of protected amines until excess fluorine appears, and purifying the resultant octafluoropentaerythrityltetramine.
US08008524B2 Process for the preparation of thiocarboxylate silane
An aqueous process is described in which thiocarboxylate silane is produced from haloalkyl silane by reaction of the haloalkyl silane with an aqueous solution of thiocarboxylate salt. Also described is a process for the preparation of aqueous thiocarboxylate salt from a sulfide and/or hydrosulfide and an acid chloride and/or acid anhydride.
US08008502B2 Thiazoline acid derivatives
The present invention relates to novel thiazoline acids and derivatives thereof useful as chelators of trivalent metals in therapeutic applications. For example, the thiazoline acid derivatives are useful in diagnosing and treating pathological conditions associated with an excess of trivalent metals in humans and animals.
US08008498B2 1,2-dihydroquinoline derivative having substituted phenylamino lower alkyl group and ester-introduced phenyl group as substituents
The compounds represented in general formula (1) and a salt thereof are useful for glucocorticoid receptor modulator. The R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R3 and R4 may be the same or different and represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R5 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R6 represents a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a hydroxy group, a lower alkoxy group, a nitro group or a cyano group; X represents —C(O)—, —C(O)NR8—, —S(O)2— and the like; R7 and/or R8 may be the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, a heterocyclic group which may have a substituent, a lower alkoxy group which may have a substituent and the like; Y represents a lower alkylene group; and P represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.
US08008497B2 1,2-dihydroquinoline derivative having (substituted phenyl or substituted heterocyclic) carbonyloxy lower alkyl group and ester-introduced phenyl group as substituents
The compounds represented in general formula (1) and a salt thereof are useful for glucocorticoid receptor modulator. The R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R3 and R4 may be the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R5 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R6 represents a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a hydroxy group, a lower alkoxy group, a nitro group or a cyano group; X represents —C(O)—, —C(O)NR8—, —S(O)2— and the like; R7 and/or R8 may be the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, a heterocyclic group which may have a substituent, a lower alkoxy group which may have a substituent and the like; Y represents a lower alkylene group; Z represents a benzene ring or a heterocyclic ring; and P represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.
US08008492B2 Compounds that act as a vehicle for delivery through the blood-brain barrier and charge delivery vehicle constructions
Compounds of formula (I), where R1 and R3 are H or (C1-C4)-alkyl; R2 is H or a C-radical derived from one of the known ring systems with 1-4 rings; X1 is a (C1-C6)-alkyl biradical derived from a linear or branched carbon chain; and X2 is —NH—, —NH—(CH2)1-3—COO—, —NH—(CH2)1-3—S—, or —NH—CO—(CH2)1-3—S—, are useful as blood-brain barrier shuttles (BBB). BBB shuttle-cargo constructs, the cargo being a substance susceptible to form an amide or an ester or a disulfide bound with X2 and being unable to cross the blood-brain barrier by itself, are useful as medicaments.
US08008491B2 Substituted AZA-indoles as inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)
The present invention relates to a series of substituted aza-indole derivatives of the formula I: wherein R, R1, R2, R3, R4, X and Y are as defined herein. This invention also relates to methods of making these compounds. The compounds of this invention are inhibitors of poly(adenosine 5′-diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) and are therefore useful as pharmaceutical agents, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of a variety of diseases, including diseases associated with the central nervous system and cardiovascular disorders.
US08008477B2 Method for preparing a composition containing at least one internal dehydration product for a hydrogenated sugar
The subject of the present invention is a novel method for preparing a composition of internal dehydration product of a hydrogenated sugar, comprising: a) a step of distilling a medium containing the said internal dehydration product in order to obtain a distillate enriched with this product, b) optionally, at least one subsequent step of purifying the distillate thus obtained, c) a subsequent step of bringing the distillate obtained during step a), and then optionally subjected to step b), into contact with an agent capable of improving the stability of the internal dehydration product predominantly contained in the distillate, the said agent not being in gaseous form, d) optionally, a subsequent step of shaping the resulting composition of internal dehydration product of a hydrogenated sugar. This method makes it possible in particular to obtain a stable isosorbide composition, characterized by its purity and/or its content of certain stabilizing or nonstabilizing species.
US08008471B2 Nucleic acids for inhibiting hairless protein expression and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides DNAzymes and ribozymes that specifically cleave Hairless protein mRNA. The present invention also provides antisense oligonucleotides that specifically inhibit translation of Hairless Protein mRNA. The present invention also provides various methods of inhibiting the expression of Hairless Protein. Finally the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing the instant DNAzymes, ribozymes and antisense oligonucleotides as active ingredients.
US08008464B2 SSX-4 peptides presented by HLA class II molecules
The invention describes HLA class II binding peptides encoded by the SSX-4 tumor associated gene, as well as nucleic acids encoding such peptides and antibodies relating thereto. The peptides stimulate the activity and proliferation of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Methods and products also are provided for diagnosing and treating conditions characterized by expression of the SSX-4 gene.
US08008460B2 Polynucleotide fragments of an infectious human endogenous retrovirus
Nucleotide sequences and fragments which code for a human endogenous retrovirus which is infectious. “Fragments” according to the present invention relate also to specific fragments of the sequences inserted into the vector pCR4-Topo and deposited as MERV-env, MERV-gag, MERV-prt and MERV-pol as mentioned above. Additionally, methods of using such sequences, polypeptides encoded by such sequences, antibodies directs against such sequences, and methods and compositions relating to the same are all contemplated.
US08008454B2 Fusion protein having the enhanced in vivo activity of erythropoietin
The present invention relates to a fusion protein in which a carboxy terminal of human erythropoietin (EPO) is fused with a carboxy terminal peptide fragment of β subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), to DNA encoding the fusion protein, and to a method for preparation of the fusion protein. The fusion protein has the enhanced in vivo activity of erythropoietin.
US08008447B2 Crystallization of antibody or fragment thereof
The present disclosure concerns methods of crystallization and/or concentration of antibody or antibody fragments. The methods comprise contacting an antibody or antibody fragment with a solution comprising a salt of a divalent cation. Crystals and/or protein gels of antibody or antibody fragments are useful in compositions and formulations.
US08008445B2 Metalloproteinase 9 binding proteins
Proteins that bind to matrix metalloproteinase 9 and methods of using such proteins are described.
US08008438B2 High affinity NY-ESO T cell receptors
The present invention provides T cell receptors (TCRs) having the property of binding to SLLMWITQC (SEQ ID NO:126)-HLA-A*0201, the SLLMWITQC (SEQ ID NO:126) peptide being derived from the NY-ESO-1 protein which is expressed by a range of tumor cells. The TCRs have a KD for the said that peptide-HLA complex of less than or equal to 1 μM and/or have an off-rate (koff) of 1×10−3 S−1 or slower.
US08008436B2 Adenovirus 36 E4 orf 1 gene and protein and their uses
Expression of the E4 orf 1 gene of Ad-36 alone has been discovered to be responsible for the increased insulin sensitivity observed in Ad-36 infected animals, including increased adipogenesis. Ad-36 E4 orf 1 protein can be used to increase insulin sensitivity and ameliorate diabetes. Additionally, drugs that mimic the action of Ad-36 E4 orf 1 protein could be found. Ad-36 E4 orf 1 could also be used to increase fat cells in lipodystrophy. We have also discovered that Ad-36 infection in human skeletal muscle cells increased differentiation and insulin independent glucose uptake. It is expected that infection with Ad-36 E4 orf 1 gene will also cause these effects.
US08008434B2 Preparation of solid phase bound peptides or PNAs
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of at least one solid phase bound peptide. PNA or a chimera.
US08008431B2 Tumor-associated peptides that bind to MHC-molecules
The invention relates to a tumor-associated peptide with an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 to SEQ ID NO. 577 from the attached sequence protocol, the peptide being capable of binding to a molecule of the human major histocompatibilityg complex (MHC) class I. The invention further relates to the use of the peptides for preparation of a drug and for the treatment of tumor diseases and/or adenomatous diseases. Furthermore, a pharmaceutical composition is described comprising at least one of the peptides.
US08008424B2 Photovoltaic cell with thiazole-containing polymer
Photovoltaic cells with thiazole-containing polymers, as well as related components, systems, and methods, are disclosed.
US08008418B2 High-molecular copolymer containing metal coordination compound and organic electroluminescence element using the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a copolymer containing a metal coordination compound that has blue phosphorescence emission with excellent color purity and, furthermore, to provide a copolymer containing a metal coordination compound that has luminescence of various colors from blue to red and a long operating life. The present invention relates to a metal coordination compound-containing copolymer that contains a metal coordination compound monomer unit represented by any one of Formulae (1) to (12): and at least one type of monomer unit selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted quinoline monomer unit, a substituted or unsubstituted arylene and/or heteroarylene monomer unit, a substituted or unsubstituted branched monomer unit, and a substituted or unsubstituted conjugated monomer unit.
US08008417B2 Polymeric material and its manufacture and use
Disclosed herein is a polymer composition, its manufacture and use, said composition may comprise greater than about 90 mole % propylene monomer, and having a unique combination of properties, including one or more of the following: a heat of fusion of more than about 108 J/g, a melting point of 165° C. or higher, a Melt Flow Rate so low that it is essentially not measurable and a molecular weight of greater than about 1.5×106. Further disclosed herein are blends or mixtures of the present novel polymer composition and products, such as, for example, microporous film structures and the like comprising same.
US08008415B2 Photoreactive exo-rich norbornene polymer and method for preparing the same
The present invention relates to a norbornene polymer that comprises a norbornene monomer having a photoreactive functional group, and a method of manufacturing the same. The norbornene polymer comprises at least 50 mol % of exo isomers among the norbornene monomers having the photoreactive functional group. Since the norbornene polymer according to the present invention comprises at least 50 mol % of exo isomers among the norbornene monomers having the photoreactive functional group, a molecular weight is significantly increased while the yield is not reduced during the manufacturing of the polymer. In views of the three dimensional structure, stability is ensured because the polymer has a planar structure in which the photoreactive groups between the molecules are close to each other. Therefore, the distance between the photoreactive groups is reduced, thus increasing the photoreaction rate.
US08008413B2 Method for preparing copolymers
A method for the preparation of copolymers of ethylene and α-olefins having a fraction (%) of the molecular weight component of >1,000,000 of less than 6% comprises polymerising ethylene and an α-olefin in the presence of a supported polymerisation catalyst system comprising (a) a transition metal compound (b) a porous support material, and (c) an activator characterized in that the support material has been (i) dried at a temperature in the range 0° C. to 195° C. in an inert atmosphere, and (ii) treated with an organometallic compound. The resultant supported catalyst systems show improved productivity and allow for control of the resultant polymer properties. Particularly preferred supported catalyst systems are those comprising metallocene complexes.
US08008411B2 Proton-conductive material, proton-conductive electrolyte for fuel cell comprising the material and fuel cell employing the electrolyte
The present teachings encompass proton-conductive material comprising a new polymer compound. A proton-conductive electrolyte comprising the proton-conductive material, and a fuel cell comprising the proton-conductive electrolyte are disclosed. A proton-conductive material comprising poly(phosphophenylene oxide) that comprises polyphenylene oxide as the main chain, and at least one phosphonic acid group as a side chain of the main chain, a proton-conductive electrolyte comprising the proton-conductive material, and a fuel cell employing the proton-conductive electrolyte, are also disclosed.
US08008407B2 Process for preparing silicone polyethers
A process is disclosed for the preparing silicone polyethers by reacting; (A) a polyether having at least one terminally unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group and an alkali metal content of less than 50 ppm, (B) an organohydrogensiloxane having an acid number of less than 0.005, via a hydrosilylation reaction. The process is particularly useful to prepare silicone polyethers of improved quality via a continuous process.
US08008405B2 Method of stabilizing metal pigments against gassing
The present invention is directed to a passivating material suitable for passivating a metal surface. The passivating material comprises a polymer which comprises (a) at least one nitro group, and/or pyridine group, and/or phenolic hydroxyl group; and (b) at least one group selected from a phosphorous-containing group and/or a carboxylic acid group, wherein the at least one phosphorous-containing group is selected from a phosphate, a phosphite, or a non-nitrogen substituted phosphonate.
US08008404B2 Composite membrane
A composite membrane for fuel cell applications includes a support substrate with a predefined void volume. The void volume is at least partially filled with an ion conducting polymer composition. Characteristically, the ion conducting polymer composition includes a first polymer with a cyclobutyl moiety and a second polymer that is different than the first polymer.
US08008388B2 Weatherable glass fiber reinforced polyolefin composition
Glass fiber reinforced olefin compositions comprise polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers, opacifying pigments, fibrous reinforcers, light stabilizers, lubricants and antioxidants. The opacifying pigments are advantageously ZnO, ZnS or surface treated anatase TiO2.
US08008367B2 Composite material and use of a composite material
Composite material with a polymerisable organic binder, characterised in that it contains a filler with filler particles which have the shape of a torus.
US08008361B2 Method for preparing a poly(aryl ether) anion-exchange membrane
A method for preparing a polymer anion-exchange membrane by forming a chloromethylated polymer, quaternizing the chloromethylated polymer, and casting. The method is simple to use and the obtained polymer anion-exchange membrane has good mechanical properties, improved thermal and chemical stability, as well as high ion-exchange capacity.
US08008359B2 Method of operating a fluid bed reactor
Method of operating a three-phase slurry reactor includes feeding at a low level at least one gaseous reactant into a vertically extending slurry body of solid particles suspended in a suspension liquid, the slurry body being contained in at least two vertically extending shafts housed within a common reactor shell, each shaft being divided into a plurality of vertically extending channels at least some of which are in slurry flow communication and the slurry body being present in at least some of the channels. The gaseous reactant is allowed to react as it passes upwardly through the slurry body present in at least some of the channels of the shafts, thereby to form a non-gaseous and/or a gaseous product. Gaseous product, if present, and/or unreacted gaseous reactant is allowed to disengage from the slurry body in a head space above the slurry body.
US08008358B2 Fluorosurfactants
The present invention relates to the use of end groups Y, where Y stands for CF3O— or F5S—, as hydrophobic end group in surface-active compounds, corresponding novel compounds, and processes for the preparation of these compounds.
US08008351B2 Methods for prophylaxis or treatment of conditions associated with cortical spreading depression
The present invention is directed to the use of a class of peptide compounds for the prophylaxis and treatment of chronic headache, particularly migraines.
US08008349B2 Stable pharmaceutical preparation comprising levothyroxine sodium, gelatin and fillers and which is free of organic solvent residues
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical preparation comprising levothyroxine sodium, gelatine and fillers, which is free of organic solvent residues.
US08008346B2 Chemotherapeutic agents for inhibition of protein translation
The present invention relates to a anti-proliferative target for designing chemotherapeutic agents, which comprises a EIF4A protein having an amino acid sequence, as defined in claim 1.
US08008339B2 Non-fluorescent chlorophyll catabolites
The invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a pharmacologically or cosmetically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, wherein R1 to R5 are selected from the groups R1 representing -alkyl, -vinyl, —CHOH—CH2OH, R2 representing H, —OH, —Oalkyl, —Oacyl, saccharide groups, modified saccharide groups (e.g. malonylated), R3 representing —H, —OH, —Oalkyl, —Oacyl, modified —Oacyl (e.g. malonylated), saccharide groups, modified saccharide groups (e.g. malonylated), R4, R5 representing —COOH, -carbonic esters, for use as drug, antioxidant, food supplement. The invention also relates to a method for producing the compound of formula (I).
US08008336B2 Condensation compound between fluorinated cyclopentane ring and aromatic ring, and process for producing the same
A condensation compound of a fluorinated cyclopentane ring and an aromatic ring, which is useful, for example, for electronic materials, and a process for producing the same are provided. For instance, according to Scheme 1 below, a compound (68) containing a condensed structure formed of a hexafluorocyclopentane ring and an aromatic ring is synthesized. The aromatic ring is not limited to a thiophene ring but can be any ring and any substituent can be used. Thus a compound containing a condensed ring structure formed of a hexafluorocyclopentane ring and an aromatic ring, particularly, for instance, a thiophene ring, which was impossible to produce conventionally, can be produced easily with high yield. The compound of the present invention is particularly suitable to be applied to, for example, electronic materials or semiconductors. When it is polymerized and thereby the π-electronic conjugation is extended, it also is expected to be applied to, for example, n-type organic semiconductors and molecular wires that are indispensable for developing molecular electronics elements.
US08008328B2 Methods for the treatment of diabetes-associated dyslipdemia
Methods for the treatment of insulin resistance, diabetes, and/or diabetes associated dyslipidemia by administering niacin and meloxicam are disclosed.
US08008326B2 4-benzyledene-piperidin derivatives
The present invention relates to new 4-benzylidene-piperidin derivatives of formula (I), useful as NMDA, in a particular NR2B subunit containing receptor antagonists and analgesica.
US08008324B2 Indole derivatives and their use as medicament
The invention relates to novel indole derivatives of the general formula 1, to their preparation and to their use as medicaments, in particular for treating tumors.
US08008322B2 Substituted pyrazolopyridines, compositions containing them, method for the production thereof, and their use
The disclosure relates to substituted pyrazolo-pyridines, compositions containing them, methods for the production thereof, and to their use as medicaments, in particular, as anticancer agents.
US08008316B2 Azonafide derived tumor and cancer targeting compounds
An azonafide-based compound of Formula I, a composition comprising the compound, and a method of using the compound to deliver a cytotoxic azonafide derivative to a cell, as well as related compounds and methods for the use thereof to pre-pare an azonafide-based compound of Formula I.
US08008299B2 Urotensin II receptor antagonists
This invention is directed to a compound of Formula (I): and forms thereof, wherein A, B, E, G, X and L2 are as defined herein and their use as urotensin II receptor antagonists.
US08008298B2 Pyrrolopyrazine kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to the use of novel pyrrolopyrazine derivatives of Formula I, wherein the variables Q1, R, and X are defined as described herein, which inhibit JAK and SYK and are useful for the treatment of auto-immune and inflammatory diseases.
US08008297B2 Lysine based compounds
The present invention provides lysine based compounds of the formula; and when the compound of formula I comprises an amino group, pharmaceutically acceptable ammonium salts thereof, wherein R1 may be, for example, (HO)2P(O)—, (NaO)2P(O)—, alkyl-CO— or cycloalkyl-CO—, wherein X may be, for example, F, Cl, and Br, and wherein R2 and R3 are as defined herein.
US08008293B2 Bicyclic oxomorpholine derivative
The present invention relates to a compound represented by formula (I): wherein R1 represents a C1-3 alkyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-3 alkyl group, Ar represents a phenyl group or the like which may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, X represents an oxygen atom or the like, n and m are the same or different and integers of 0 to 2, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, and use thereof as a medicament.
US08008292B2 Condensed benzamide compounds and inhibitors of vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) activity
To provide a compound having an excellent inhibitory effect on vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) activity which is effective in treating diseases to which the vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) activity is involved, such as pain, acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis pain, neuralgia, etc. and a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound. The object has been attained by a condensed benzamide compound represented by the following formula (the symbols in the formula have the same meanings defined in the specification) or its salt:
US08008291B2 3-aminoalkyl-1,4-diazepan-2-one melanocortin-5 receptor antagonists
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I) that are useful for modulating the biological activity of the melanocortin-5 receptor (MC5R). Compounds of this invention can be used to treat diseases and/or conditions in which downregulation of MC5R is beneficial. Such diseases and/or conditions include, but are not limited to, acne, seborrhea, seborrheic dermatitis, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.
US08008289B2 α-aminocyclolactam ligands for G-protein coupled receptors
The invention relates to the generation of a library of compounds enriched in agonist and antagonists for members of the G-protein coupled class of receptors (GPCRs). The library contains compounds of general formula (I) wherein y is any integer from 1 to 8; z is one integer from 0 to 8 with the proviso that y and z cannot simultaneously be 1; X is —CO—(Y)k—(R1)n or SO2—(Y)k—(R1)n; k is 0 or 1; y is a cycloalkyl or polycyloalkyl group (such as an adamantyl, adamantanemethyl, bicyclooctyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropyl group); or y is a cycloalkenyl or polycycloalkenyl group; each R1 is independently selected from hydrogen or an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylamino, alkylaminoalkyl, alkylaminodialkyl, charged alkylaminotrialkyl or charged alkylcarboxylate radical of 1 to 20 carbon atoms; or each R1 is independently selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxy, oxyalkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, aminodialkyl, charged aminotrialkyl, or carboxylate radical; and n is any integer from 1 to m, where m is the maximum number of substitutions permissible on the cyclo-group Y; or alternatively R1 may be selected from a peptido radical, for example having from 1 to 4 peptidic moieties linked together by peptide bonds (for example a peptido radical of 1 to 4 amino acid residues).
US08008285B2 Droxidopa and pharmaceutical composition thereof for the treatment of fibromyalgia
The present invention provides methods of treating fibromyalgia or other diseases or conditions causing widespread pain and/or fatigue. In particular, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising droxidopa alone, or in combination with one or more further active agents, that can be used in the inventive methods. The methods of treatment can comprise treating, preventing, reducing, or eliminating a variety of symptoms recognized as indicative of fibromyalgia, such as chronic pain, allodynia, hyperalgesia, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression.
US08008278B2 Diarylmethyl and related compounds
This invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, Ar1, Ar2, E, a, b, c and z are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof. The compounds of this invention possess both β2 adrenergic receptor agonist and muscarinic receptor antagonist activity and therefore, such compounds are useful for treating pulmonary disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
US08008275B2 Fucose containing proteoglycan or acidic glycan and their pharmaceutical use
A class of proteoglycans containing fucosylated acidic glycans, e.g., as produced by marine sponges and sea urchin embryos, have been found to stimulate selective proliferation of mammalian natural killer (NK) cells and γδT cells. These compounds are useful as pharmaceuticals, particularly as immunostimulants, e.g., in the treatment of cancer and viral infections.
US08008273B2 SHIP-deficiency to increase megakaryocyte progenitor production
The invention concerns a method for increasing megakaryocyte and megakaryocyte progenitor numbers in vitro or in vivo by suppressing SH2-containing inositol-5-phosphatase (SHIP) function in megakaryocytes or megakaryocyte progenitors expressing the SHIP gene. SHIP function can be suppressed by administering an interfering RNA, or other SHIP inhibitor, to the megakaryocytes or megakaryocyte progenitors in vitro or in vivo.
US08008272B2 Nuclease-resistant RNA aptamer inhibiting replication of hepatitis C virus replicon
Disclosed is a nuclease-resistant RNA aptamer for inhibiting the replication of HCV replicon. This aptamer is capable of binding specifically to HCV NS5B and inhibiting the proliferation of the HCV replicon, and includes at least one sequence selected from a group consisting of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 4, in which a fluoro group is substituted for 2′-hydroxy of both U (uracil) and C (cytosine) bases, and SEQ ID NO. 17, in which the fluoro group is substituted for the 2′-hydroxy of both the U (uracil) and the C (cytosine) bases, and which is tagged with a cholesteryl group at a 5′ end and with idT at a 3′ end. The RNA aptamer is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of HCV infection.
US08008264B2 1′-substituted carba-nucleoside analogs for antiviral treatment
Provided are pyrrolo[1,2-f][1,2,4]triazinyl, imidazo[1,5-f][1,2,4]triazinyl, imidazo[1,2-f][1,2,4]triazinyl, and [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-f][1,2,4]triazinyl nucleosides, nucleoside phosphates and prodrugs thereof, wherein the 1′ position of the nucleoside sugar is substituted. The compounds, compositions, and methods provided are useful for the treatment of Flaviviridae virus infections, particularly hepatitis C infections.
US08008260B2 Methods of protecting against apoptosis using lipopeptides
The use of lipopeptides as inducers of NF-κB for the protection of mammals from the effects of apoptosis is described.
US08008254B2 Methods and compositions for the repair and/or regeneration of damaged myocardium
Methods, compositions, and kits for repairing damaged myocardium and/or myocardial cells including the administration of cytokines are disclosed and claimed.
US08008245B2 Fabric care compositions and systems comprising organosilicone microemulsions and methods employing same
Systems, compositions and methods for fabric laundering comprising selected organosilicones which are formulated into microemulsions for improved deposition onto fabrics to provide fabric care benefits.
US08008239B2 Acylalkylisethionate esters and applications in consumer products
The present invention provides acylalkylisethionate esters useful in consumer products. The acylalkylisethionate esters are produced by reacting one or more carboxylic acids with one or more alkyl-substituted hydroxyalkyl sulfonates under esterification reaction conditions. The alkyl-substituted hydroxyalkyl sulfonates used as a raw material in producing the esters are prepared by reacting bisulfite with one or more alkylene oxides.
US08008237B2 Method for making a titanium-containing lubricant additive
A method for making a titanium-containing lubricant additive, a lubricant additive concentrate made by the method and a lubricating composition containing the additive concentrate. The method includes reacting titanium alkoxide with water in a reaction medium that includes a dispersant to provide a homogeneous titanium-containing additive product. The additive product made by the method is substantially devoid of acidic components.
US08008233B2 Coated conductor with simplified layer architecture
A coated conductor with simplified layer architecture includes a biaxial textured substrate, a template buffer layer composed of a material having the general formula RE2−xB2+xO7 with RE being at least one lanthanoid metal, B being at least one metal selected from Zr and Hf and −0.4≦x≦+0.7, where the superconductor layer is obtainable by hybrid liquid phase epitaxy and can be deposited directly onto the template buffer layer.
US08008230B2 Synergistic antifungal DDAC compositions
The present invention relates to synergistic antifungal compositions comprising didecyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) and a post-harvest antifungal agent selected from the group consisting of imazalil, boscalid, fenhexamid, pyrimethanil, thiophanate-methyl, triflumizole, azoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, picoxystrobin, and pyraclostrobin for protecting plants, fruit or seeds against phytopathogenic fungi.
US08008227B2 Mixed oxide catalysts for the catalytic gas-phase oxidation of olefins and processes for producing them
The invention relates to mixed oxide catalysts for the catalytic gas-phase oxidation of olefins and methylated aromatics, processes for producing the catalysts and the reaction with air or oxygen in the presence of inert gases in various ratios at elevated temperatures and pressure to form aldehydes and carboxylic acids.
US08008222B2 Dielectric ceramic composition and electronic device
The present invention relates to a dielectric ceramic composition comprising a main component expressed by a general formula: (Ba1-x-ySrxCay)m(Ti1-zZrz)O3, a first subcomponent comprising Mg oxide, a second subcomponent comprising at least one kind of oxide selected from oxides of Mn and Cr, a third subcomponent comprising R oxide (note R is selected at least one kind from Y, La Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Yb), and a fourth subcomponent comprising an oxide including Si.
US08008199B2 Microstructure modification in copper interconnect structure
Cobalt is added to a copper seed layer, a copper plating layer, or a copper capping layer in order to modify the microstructure of copper lines and vias. The cobalt can be in the form of a copper-cobalt alloy or as a very thin cobalt layer. The grain boundaries configured in bamboo microstructure in the inventive metal interconnect structure shut down copper grain boundary diffusion. The composition of the metal interconnect structure after grain growth contains from about 1 ppm to about 10% of cobalt in atomic concentration. Grain boundaries extend from a top surface of a copper-cobalt alloy line to a bottom surface of the copper-cobalt alloy line, and are separated from any other grain boundary by a distance greater than a width of the copper-cobalt alloy line.
US08008196B2 Method to create a metal pattern using a damascene-like process
A method of forming a metal pattern on a dielectric layer that comprises forming at least one trench in a dielectric layer formed from a photosensitive, insulative material is disclosed. A conformed metal layer is formed over the dielectric layer and into the at least one trench and a photoresist layer is formed over the metal layer. The photoresist layer may be deposited so that a photoresist material fills the at least one trench. At least a portion of the photoresist layer is selectively removed. For instance, portions of the photoresist layer surrounding the at least one trench may be removed while a portion of the photoresist layer remains therein. At least a portion of the metal layer is selectively removed, such as portions of the metal layer surrounding the at least one trench. The photoresist layer remaining in the at least one trench may subsequently be removed. Intermediate semiconductor device structures are also disclosed.
US08008195B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An insulator layer is formed on a part of semiconductor substrate to form an isolation layer that insulates and separates active elements from each other in the first region, and to form a dummy portion which is composed of a base material of the semiconductor substrate exposed in the insulator layer in a second region. Active elements are formed in the first region. A silicide layer is formed on the first and second regions excluding at least a portion in which the TSV electrode should be formed. At least one TSV hole extending from a reverse surface side of the semiconductor substrate to an electrode pad via the second region is formed. A conductive film is formed on the inner wall of the TSV hole to form a TSV electrode electrically connected to the electrode pad.
US08008192B2 Conductive interconnect structures and formation methods using supercritical fluids
Conductive interconnect structures and formation methods using supercritical fluids are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes forming a via in a substrate, with the via having a width and a length generally transverse to the width, and with a length being approximately 100 microns or more. The method can further include disposing a conductive material in the via while the via is exposed to a supercritical fluid. For example, copper can be disposed in the via by introducing a copper-containing precursor into the supercritical fluid and precipitating the copper from the supercritical fluid. Interconnect structures can be formed using this technique in a single generally continuous process, and can produce conductive structures having a generally uniform grain structure across the width of the via.
US08008188B2 Method of forming solid blind vias through the dielectric coating on high density interconnect substrate materials
A method is provided comprising: coating an electrically conductive core with a first removable material, creating openings in the first removable material to expose portions of the electrically conductive core, plating a conductive material onto the exposed portions of the electrically conductive core, coating the conductive material with a second removable material, removing the first removable material, electrophoretically coating the electrically conductive core with a dielectric coating, and removing the second removable material.
US08008181B2 Propagation of misfit dislocations from buffer/Si interface into Si
Misfit dislocations are redirected from the buffer/Si interface and propagated to the Si substrate due to the formation of bubbles in the substrate. The buffer layer growth process is generally a thermal process that also accomplishes annealing of the Si substrate so that bubbles of the implanted ion species are formed in the Si at an appropriate distance from the buffer/Si interface so that the bubbles will not migrate to the Si surface during annealing, but are close enough to the interface so that a strain field around the bubbles will be sensed by dislocations at the buffer/Si interface and dislocations are attracted by the strain field caused by the bubbles and move into the Si substrate instead of into the buffer epi-layer. Fabrication of improved integrated devices based on GaN and Si, such as continuous wave (CW) lasers and light emitting diodes, at reduced cost is thereby enabled.
US08008179B2 Methods using silver compositions for micro-deposition direct writing silver conductor lines on photovoltaic wafers
Embodiments of the invention relate to a silicon semiconductor device, and a conductive thick film composition for use in a solar cell device.
US08008178B2 Method for fabricating semiconductor device with an intermediate stack structure
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive layer over a substrate, forming an intermediate structure over the first conductive layer, the intermediate structure formed in a stack structure comprising at least a first metal layer and a nitrogen containing metal silicide layer, and forming a second conductive layer over the intermediate structure.
US08008174B2 Continuous feed chemical vapor deposition
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a method for forming a multi-layered material during a continuous chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. In one embodiment, a method for forming a multi-layered material during a continuous CVD process is provided which includes continuously advancing a plurality of wafers through a deposition system having at least four deposition zones. Multiple layers of materials are deposited on each wafer, such that one layer is deposited at each deposition zone. The methods provide advancing each wafer through each deposition zone while depositing a first layer from the first deposition zone, a second layer from the second deposition zone, a third layer from the third deposition zone, and a fourth layer from the fourth deposition zone. Embodiments described herein may be utilized to form an assortment of materials on wafers or substrates, especially for forming Group III/V materials on GaAs wafers.
US08008171B2 Method of fabricating polycrystalline semiconductor
Disclosed is a method of providing a poly-Si layer used in fabricating poly-Si TFT's or devices containing poly-Si layers. Particularly, a method utilizing at least one metal plate covering the amorphous silicon layer or the substrate, and applying RTA (Rapid Thermal Annealing) for light illuminating process, then the light converted into heat by the metal plate will further be conducted to the amorphous silicon layer to realize rapid thermal crystallization. Thus the poly-Si layer of the present invention is obtained.
US08008169B2 Method for manufacturing photoelectric conversion device
A fragile layer is formed in a single crystal silicon substrate, a first impurity silicon layer is formed on the one surface side in the single crystal silicon substrate, and a first electrode is formed thereover. After one surface of a supporting substrate and the first electrode are bonded, the single crystal silicon substrate is separated along the fragile layer to form a single crystal silicon layer over the supporting substrate. Crystal defect repair treatment or crystal defect elimination treatment of the single crystal silicon layer is performed; then, epitaxial growth is conducted on the single crystal silicon layer by activating a source gas containing at least a silane-based gas with plasma generated at atmospheric pressure or near atmospheric pressure. A second impurity silicon layer is formed on a surface side in the single crystal silicon layer which is epitaxial grown.
US08008166B2 Method and apparatus for cleaning a substrate surface
The present invention generally provides apparatus and method for forming a clean and damage free surface on a semiconductor substrate. One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that contains a cleaning chamber that is adapted to expose a surface of substrate to a plasma cleaning process prior to forming an epitaxial layer thereon. In one embodiment, a method is employed to reduce the contamination of a substrate processed in the cleaning chamber by depositing a gettering material on the inner surfaces of the cleaning chamber prior to performing a cleaning process on a substrate. In one embodiment, oxidation and etching steps are repeatedly performed on a substrate in the cleaning chamber to expose or create a clean surface on a substrate that can then have an epitaxial placed thereon. In one embodiment, a low energy plasma is used during the cleaning step.
US08008165B2 Nitride semiconductor wafer and method of processing nitride semiconductor wafer
Nitride semiconductor wafers which are produced by epitaxially grown nitride films on a foreign undersubstrate in vapor phase have strong inner stress due to misfit between the nitride and the undersubstrate material. A GaN wafer which has made by piling GaN films upon a GaAs undersubstrate in vapor phase and eliminating the GaAs undersubstrate bends upward due to the inner stress owing to the misfit of lattice constants between GaN and GaAs.
US08008164B2 Wafer bonding method and wafer structure
A wafer bonding method includes providing a primary wafer and a plurality of secondary wafers, wherein the primary wafer is larger than the secondary wafers. An intermediate material layer is formed on at least one of a bonding surface of the primary wafer and bonding surfaces of the secondary wafers. The intermediate material layer has a thermal expansion coefficient greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the primary wafer and the thermal expansion coefficient of the secondary wafers. The secondary wafers are bonded onto the primary wafer.
US08008159B2 Semiconductor device and semiconductor device manufacturing method
A semiconductor device includes: a first interlayer insulating film; a first conductive member provided lower than the first interlayer insulating film; a contact plug that penetrates through the first interlayer insulating film, and is electrically connected to the first conductive member, the contact plug including a small-diameter part, and a large-diameter part arranged on the small-diameter part, an outer diameter of the large-diameter part being larger than an outer diameter of the small-diameter part, and the outer diameter of the large-diameter part being larger than an outer diameter of a connection face between the second conductive member and the large-diameter part; and a second conductive member that is provided on the first interlayer insulating film, and is electrically connected to the contact plug.
US08008151B2 Shallow source MOSFET
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a hard mask on a substrate having a top substrate surface, forming a trench in the substrate, through the hard mask, depositing gate material in the trench, where the amount of gate material deposited in the trench extends beyond the top substrate surface, and removing the hard mask to leave a gate structure that extends substantially above the top substrate surface.
US08008144B2 Dual work function recessed access device and methods of forming
A recessed access device having a gate electrode formed of two or more gate materials having different work functions may reduce the gate-induced drain leakage current losses from the recessed access device. The gate electrode may include a first gate material having a high work function disposed in a bottom portion of the recessed access device and a second gate material having a lower work function disposed over the first gate material and in an upper portion of the recessed access device.
US08008132B2 Etched surface mount islands in a leadframe package
A method of fabricating a leadframe-based semiconductor package, and a semiconductor package formed thereby, are disclosed. The semiconductor package includes a leadframe and one or more semiconductor die affixed to a die paddle of the leadframe. The leadframe is formed with a plurality of electrical terminals that get surface mounted to a host PCB. The leadframe further includes one or more extended leads, at least one of which includes an electrically conductive island which gets surface mounted to the host PCB with the electrical terminals. The islands effectively increase the number terminals within the package without adding footprint to the package.
US08008125B2 System and method for stacked die embedded chip build-up
An embedded chip package (ECP) includes a plurality of re-distribution layers joined together in a vertical direction to form a lamination stack, each re-distribution layer having vias formed therein. The embedded chip package also includes a first chip embedded in the lamination stack and a second chip attached to the lamination stack and stacked in the vertical direction with respect to the first chip, each of the chips having a plurality of chip pads. The embedded chip package further includes an input/output (I/O) system positioned on an outer-most re-distribution layer of the lamination stack and a plurality of metal interconnects electrically coupled to the I/O system to electrically connect the first and second chips to the I/O system. Each of the plurality of metal interconnects extends through a respective via to form a direct metallic connection with a metal interconnect on a neighboring re-distribution layer or a chip pad on the first or second chip.
US08008121B2 Semiconductor package and method of mounting semiconductor die to opposite sides of TSV substrate
A semiconductor package has a first conductive via formed through a substrate. The substrate with first conductive via is mounted to a first carrier. A first semiconductor die is mounted to a first surface of the substrate. A first encapsulant is deposited over the first die and first carrier. The first carrier is removed. The first die and substrate with the first encapsulant is mounted to a second carrier. A second semiconductor die is mounted to a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface of the substrate. A second encapsulant is deposited over the second die. The second carrier is removed. A bump is formed over the second surface of the substrate. A conductive layer can be mounted over the first die. A second conductive via can be formed through the first encapsulant and electrically connected to the first conductive via. The semiconductor packages are stackable.
US08008114B2 Phase change memory device and manufacturing method
A phase change memory device comprises a photolithographically formed phase change memory cell having first and second electrodes and a phase change element positioned between and electrically coupling the opposed contact elements of the electrodes to one another. The phase change element has a width, a length and a thickness. The length, the thickness and the width are less than a minimum photolithographic feature size of the process used to form the phase change memory cell. The size of the photoresist masks used in forming the memory cell may be reduced so that the length and the width of the phase change element are each less than the minimum photolithographic feature size.
US08008112B1 Bulk chloride species treatment of thin film photovoltaic cell and manufacturing method
A method for forming a thin film photovoltaic device. The method includes providing a transparent substrate comprising a surface region. A first electrode layer is formed overlying the surface region. A copper layer is formed overlying the first electrode layer and an indium layer is formed overlying the copper layer to form a multi-layered structure. The method subjects at least the multi-layered structure to a thermal treatment process in an environment containing a sulfur bearing species to form a bulk copper indium disulfide material. The bulk copper indium disulfide material comprises one or more portions of copper indium disulfide material and a copper poor surface region characterized by a copper-to-indium atomic ratio of less than about 0.95:1. The method subjects the copper poor surface and one or more portions of the bulk copper indium disulfide material to a chlorine species to convert the copper poor surface from an n-type characteristic to a p-type characteristic and to convert any of the one or more portions of the bulk copper indium disulfide material having the copper-to-indium atomic ratio of less than about 0.95:1 from a n-type characteristic to an p-type characteristic. A window layer is formed overlying the copper indium disulfide material.
US08008111B1 Bulk copper species treatment of thin film photovoltaic cell and manufacturing method
A method for forming a thin film photovoltaic device. The method includes providing a transparent substrate comprising a surface region. A first electrode layer is formed overlying the surface region. A copper layer is formed overlying the first electrode layer and an indium layer is formed overlying the copper layer to form a multi-layered structure. The method subject at least the multi-layered structure to a thermal treatment process in an environment containing a sulfur bearing species to form a bulk copper indium disulfide material. The bulk copper indium disulfide material includes one or more portions of copper indium disulfide material characterized by a copper-to-indium atomic ratio of less than about 0.95:1 and a copper poor surface comprising a copper to indium atomic ratio of less than about 0.95:1. The method subjects the copper poor surface and one or more portions of the bulk copper indium disulfide material to copper species to convert the copper poor surface from an n-type characteristic to a p-type characteristic and to convert any of the one or more portions of the bulk copper indium disulfide material having the copper-to-indium atomic ratio of less than about 0.95:1 from a p-type characteristic to an n-type characteristic. A window layer is formed overlying the copper indium disulfide material.
US08008108B2 Solid-state imaging device, method of producing the same, and camera
To provide a solid-state imaging device able to improve light transmittance of a transparent insulation film in a light incident side of a substrate, suppress the dark current, and prevent a quantum efficiently loss, wherein a pixel circuit is formed in a first surface of the substrate and light is received from a second surface, and having: a light receiving unit formed in the substrate and for generating a signal charge corresponding to an amount of incidence light and storing it; a transparent first insulation film formed on the second surface; and a transparent second insulation film formed on the first insulation film and for retaining a charge having the same polarity as the signal charge in an interface of the first insulation film or in inside, thicknesses of the first and second insulation film being determined to obtain a transmittance higher than when using only the first insulation film.
US08008105B2 Methods for fabricating micro-electro-mechanical devices
A method for fabricating a micro-electro-mechanical device (such as a cMUT) is disclosed. The method combines a substrate, a middle spring layer and a top plate using wafer bonding technology or sacrificial technology. A cavity is formed on either the top of the substrate or the bottom of the middle spring layer. A connector is formed on either the top of the middle spring layer or the bottom of the top plate. Upon joining the three layers, the connector defines a transducing space between the top plate and the middle spring layer. The connector is horizontally distanced from the sidewall to define a cantilever anchored at the sidewall. The cantilever and the cavity allow a vertical displacement of the connector, which transports the top wafer in a piston-like motion to change the transducing space. Multiple device elements can be made on the same substrate.
US08008079B2 System and method for fertilizer selection
A system, method and computer readable program is disclosed for facilitating the selection of a fertilizer. The basis for selecting the fertilizer includes determining the water type based on the water chemistry and taking into consideration the crop type that is to be grown.
US08008076B2 Method of producing a nucleic acid encoding an antibody
An objective of the present invention is to facilitate the acquisition of antibody-producing cells that are infiltrating virus-infected cells, cancer cells, abnormal cells forming a benign hyperplasia, and the like, and to improve the efficiency of the production of antibodies as well as nucleic acids encoding them from the antibody-producing cells.The present inventors discovered that, when cancer tissues comprising infiltrating lymphocytes are transplanted into highly immunodeficient animals that do not have T cells, B cells, and NK cells and further exhibit a low IFN production ability, the differentiation and proliferation of infiltrating lymphocytes are unexpectedly promoted, and the number of plasma cells that produce antibodies recognizing cancer tissues increases dramatically, plasma cells can be separated easily, and antibodies or nucleic acids encoding them can be easily prepared from the plasma cells.
US08008073B2 Anti-Mpl antibodies
Anti-human Mpl antibodies were isolated and purified. Anti-human Mpl diabodies and anti-human Mpl sc(Fv)2 were prepared using genetic engineering techniques and anti-human Mpl sc(Fv)2 was also humanized. The diabodies and sc(Fv)2 were assayed for TPO-like agonistic activity, and were found to have activities higher than those of anti-human Mpl antibodies, or activities equivalent to or higher than those of naturally-occurring human TPO ligand.
US08008069B2 Apparatus and method for machining microchamber for cell culture
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for process cell cultures. The apparatus comprises a micro-chamber comprising no more than one absorption layer and at least one gel layer, in this order, laminated on a transparent base plate having no conspicuous absorbency in visible and infrared regions, and at least one light source. The absorption layer has absorbency in visible and infrared regions, and the gel-like material is a substance which has a gel dissolution temperature of 100 degree C. or less, solates when heated and is in a gel state at room temperature and has absorbency for a specific wave length of visible and infrared regions. The light source is monochromatic light in the specific wave length. The light source is disposed such that it irradiates on the absorption layer and/or gel layer, with the exception that when no absorption layer is provided, at least two layers each composed of a gel-like material are laminated on the transparent base plate.
US08008067B2 Microwave trigger metal-enhanced chemiluminescence (MT MEC) and spatial and temporal control of same
The present invention relates to a method of imaging structures and features using plasmonic emissions from metallic surfaces caused by chemiluminescence based chemical and biological reactions wherein imaging of the reactions is enhanced by the use of microwave energy and further enhanced by using metallic geometric structures for spatially and temporally controlling the biological and chemical reactions.
US08008066B2 System for performing multi-formatted assays
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.
US08008064B2 Calibration procedure for investigating biological systems
Use of calibrant in extraction phase is described for quantification of components of interest in samples in laboratory application as well as in on-site monitoring. This approach is particularly useful for in-vivo investigation of living systems.
US08008062B2 Production of (R)- and (S)-4-(1-aminoethyl) benzoic acid methyl ester sulfate by lipase acylation of racemic 4-(1-aminoethyl) benzoic acid methyl ester and sulfuric acid precipitation
A method for preparing optically active methyl 4-(1-ammoniumethyl)benzoate sulfate by reacting racemic methyl 4-(1-aminoethyl)benzoate with an acylating agent in the presence of a lipase to give methyl 4-(1-aminoethyl)benzoate and subsequently precipitating methyl 4-(1-ammoniumethyl)benzoate sulfate by adding sulfuric acid.
US08008061B2 Trophic conversion of obligate phototrophic algae through metabolic engineering
Most microalgae are obligate photoautotrophs and their growth is strictly dependent on the generation of photosynthetically-derived energy. In this study it is shown that the microalga Phaeodaclylurn tricornutum can be engineered to import glucose and grow in the dark through the introduction of genes encoding glucose transporters. Both the human and Chlorella kessleri glucose transporters facilitated the uptake of glucose by P. tricornutum, allowing the cells to metabolize exogenous organic carbon and thrive, independent of light. This is the first successful trophic conversion of an obligate photoautotroph through metabolic engineering, and it demonstrates that methods of cell nourishment can be fundamentally altered with the introduction of a single gene. Since strains transformed with the glucose transport genes are able to grow non-photosynthetically, they can be exploited for the analysis of photosynthetic processes through mutant generation and characterization. Finally, this work also represents critical progress toward large-scale commercial exploitation of obligate phototrophic algae through the use of microbial fermentation technology, eliminating significant limitations resulting from light-dependent growth.
US08008051B2 Butynol I esterase
The invention relates to novel proteins from Pseudomonas glumae, having esterase activity, in particular butynol I esterase activity, to nucleic acid sequences coding therefore, to expression cassettes, vectors and recombinant microorganisms; to methods for preparing said proteins and to the use thereof for enzymic, in particular enantioselective enzymic, ester hydrolysis or transesterification of organic esters.
US08008046B2 Thermal cycling method
This invention provides a method for carrying out nucleic acid amplification reactions involving heating and cooling of samples in sample vessels utilizing a heat block comprising a liquid. The method can be used to perform multiple nucleic acid amplification reactions simultaneously in which each of the reactions is performed so as to have temperature profiles. The apparatus can be used for performing PCR, and real time PCR in particular, with control and uniformity.
US08008037B2 Matrix composition with alkylphenazine quaternary salt and a nitrosoaniline
A chemistry matrix for use in determining the concentration of an analyte in a biological fluid includes a glucose dehydrogenase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, an alkylphenazine quaternary salt, and/or a nitrosoaniline. The chemistry matrix is used with an electrochemical biosensor to determine the concentration of an analyte after a reaction occurs within the biosensor, at which time an analysis is completed to determine the concentration. A method of determining the concentration of an analyte using the chemistry matrix of glucose dehydrogenase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, an alkylphenazine quaternary salt, and/or a nitrosoaniline is another aspect that is described. The method also further features test times of five seconds or less. Methods utilizing the new chemistry matrix can readily determine an analyte such as blood glucose at concentrations of from about 20-600 mg/dL at a pH of from about 6.5 to about 8.5.
US08008034B2 Reducing optical interference in a fluidic device
This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications. In particular, the medical device reduces interference with an optical signal which is indicative of the presence of an analyte in a bodily sample.
US08008025B2 Biomarkers for neurodegenerative disorders
The present invention provides methods for diagnosing neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and dementia with Lewy body disease by detecting a pattern of gene product expression in a cerebrospinal fluid sample and comparing the pattern of gene product expression from the sample to a library of gene product expression pattern known to be indicative of the presence or absence of a neurodegenerative disease. The methods also provide for monitoring neurodegenerative disease progression and assessing the effects of therapeutic treatment. Also provided are kits, systems and devices for practicing the subject methods.
US08008018B2 Determination of fetal aneuploidies by massively parallel DNA sequencing
The present methods are exemplified by a process in which maternal blood containing fetal DNA is diluted to a nominal value of approximately 0.5 genome equivalent of DNA per reaction sample. Digital PCR is then be used to detect aneuploidy, such as the trisomy that causes Down Syndrome. Since aneuploidies do not present a mutational change in sequence, and are merely a change in the number of chromosomes, it has not been possible to detect them in a fetus without resorting to invasive techniques such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Digital amplification allows the detection of aneuploidy using massively parallel amplification and detection methods, examining, e.g., 10,000 genome equivalents.
US08008017B2 Compositions and methods for detecting the presence of cryptosporidium organisms in a test sample
The present invention describes novel oligonucleotides targeted to nucleic acid sequences derived from Cryptosporidium organisms, and Cryptosporidium parvum organisms in particular, which are useful for determining the presence of Cryptosporidium organisms in a test sample. The oligonucleotides of the present invention include hybridization assay probes, helper probes and amplification primers. The present invention further describes a novel method for obtaining purified ribonucleic acid from viable oocysts.
US08008014B2 Capture, recapture, and trapping of molecules with a nanopore
In a molecular analysis system, there is provided a structure including a nanopore and first and second fluidic reservoirs. The two reservoirs are fluidically connected via the nanopore. A detector is connected to detect molecular species translocation of the nanopore, from one of the two fluidic reservoirs to the other of the two fluidic reservoirs. A controller is connected to generate a control signal to produce conditions at the nanopore to induce the molecular species to re-translocate the nanopore at least once after translocating the nanopore. This enables a method for molecular analysis in which a molecular species is translocated a plurality of times through a nanopore in a structure between two fluidic reservoirs separated by the structure.
US08008011B2 Genetic variation in pro-melanin-concentrating hormone gene affects carcass traits in cattle
An A-to-T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identified at position −134 relative to the ATG start codon, in the Pro-Melanin-Concentrating Hormone (PMCH) gene of Bos taurus and Bos indicus animals of both British and Continental type, is associated with changes in the average fat and grade fat. The A allele occurred in 67% of cattle examined and was associated with higher average fat and grade fat levels. The cattle industry may make use of these findings to genetically select for, and/or sort, cattle using this SNP.
US08007999B2 Real-time detection of influenza virus
The present invention provides system and methods for detecting an analyte indicative of an influenza viral infection in a sample of bodily fluid. The present invention also provides for systems and method for detection a plurality of analytes, at least two of which are indicative of an influenza viral infection in a sample of bodily fluid.
US08007984B2 Method for producing flexographic printing forms by thermal development
Flexographic printing plates are produced by thermal development by a process in which an imagewise exposed flexographic printing element is developed by heating and removing the softened, unpolymerized parts of the relief-forming layer, the flexographic printing element containing a styrene/butadiene block copolymer as a mixture with a plasticizer, and the proportion of butadiene which is present in 1,2-linked form being from 15 to 50% by weight, based on the block copolymer.
US08007981B2 Resist composition and method of forming resist pattern
A resist composition of the present invention is obtained by dissolving a resin component (A) that displays changed alkali solubility under action of acid and an acid generator component (B) that generates acid upon exposure in an organic solvent (S), wherein the organic solvent (S) includes an aromatic organic solvent (S1). According to the present invention, a resist composition and a method of forming a resist pattern, in which the level of LWR is reduced, can be provided.
US08007979B2 Acrylic polymer-containing gap fill material forming composition for lithography
There is provided a gap fill material forming composition for lithography that is used in dual damascene process and is excellent in flattening property and fill property. Concretely, it is a gap fill material forming composition characterized in that the composition is used in manufacture of semiconductor device by a method comprising coating a photoresist on a semiconductor substrate having a hole with aspect ratio shown in height/diameter of 1 or more, and transferring an image to the semiconductor substrate by use of lithography process, and that comprises a polymer, a crosslinking agent and a solvent.
US08007975B2 Colorant and toner
A colorant comprising an aggregate of a molecule having a squarylium skeleton and having a maximum absorption wavelength at about 500 nm to about 600 nm in a molecular dispersion state.
US08007972B2 Electrophotographic photoconductor, and image forming apparatus, process cartridge and image forming method using the same
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus containing an electrophotographic photoconductor, a charging unit, an exposing unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit and a cleaning unit, wherein the electrophotographic photoconductor contains a support and at least a photosensitive layer disposed on the support, wherein the photosensitive layer contains a charge generating material and a compound expressed by the following Structural Formula (1), and wherein, in the Structural Formula (1), “R1” and “R2” may be identical to each other or different, and represent any one of hydrogen atom, alkyl group which may be substituted, cycloalkyl group which may be substituted and aralkyl group which may be substituted. “R3”, “R4”, “R5”, “R6”, “R7”, “R8”, “R9”, “R10”, “R11”, “R12”, “R13” and “R14” may be identical to each other or different, and represent any one of hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano group, nitro group, amino group, hydroxyl group, alkyl group which may be substituted, cycloalkyl group which may be substituted and aralkyl group which may be substituted. “n” is a number of replication and represents an integer of 0 to 100.
US08007969B2 Tri-level xerography for hypochromatic colorants
A xerogrpahic system and method use a tri-level development process in which at least one xerographic imaging unit includes a photoreceptor and a pair of developer units. A first developer unit includes a conventional first toner of a given color (CYMK) and a second developer unit includes a hypochromatic light form of the first toner. By use of a specific tri-level process, excellent color-to-color registration can be achieved for each processed color separation because overlap between colorants can be prevented. Moreover, by use of two forms of the same colorant, a smoother tone reproduction curve can be achieved when an aggressive blending strategy is used. Gamut loss and ink limit violation can be avoided by adjusting the blending curve in certain situations. An exemplary implementation uses a four drum, eight color tandem architecture with formulations of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, as well as corresponding hypochromatic light colorants of light Cyan, light Magenta, light Yellow, and light Black (gray).
US08007961B2 Mask blank substrate set and mask blank set
A substrate set is a mask blank substrate set including a plurality of substrates each for use in a mask blank for producing a photomask to be chucked on a mask stage of an exposure apparatus. In each of the substrates in the mask blank substrate set, a main surface, on the side where a thin film for forming a transfer pattern is to be formed, has a convex shape being relatively high at its center and relatively low at its peripheral portion. In each substrate, the flatness in a 142 mm square area, including a central portion, of the main surface is 0.3 μm or less and the difference upon fitting to a reference main surface of a reference substrate is 40 nm or less.
US08007960B2 Light reflecting mask, exposure apparatus, and measuring method
A light reflecting mask includes a reflecting layer which is provided on a substrate and reflects light, an absorbing layer which is provided on the reflecting layer and absorbs light, a device pattern which is formed in a first region of the absorbing layer, and a reflectance measuring pattern which is formed in a second region of the absorbing layer. The reflectance measuring pattern is a diffraction grating.
US08007958B2 PEM fuel cell with improved water management
A product including a polymer electrolyte membrane, an electrode over the membrane, a gas diffusion media layer over the electrode, and a hydrophilic layer over the gas diffusion media layer.
US08007954B2 Use of sulfur-containing fuels for direct oxidation fuel cells
Provided are solid oxide fuel cells that include a solid electrolyte and a porous ceramic anode, the fuel cells being capable of operating on a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur content of from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm and an oxygen source. Also provided are processes of producing electrical energy with the disclosed fuel cells.
US08007953B2 Process for producing membrane/electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cell
To provide a membrane/electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells capable of obtaining a high output voltage even in a high current density region, by providing electrodes having good gas diffusion properties, conductivity, water repellency and durability.A membrane/electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, comprising; an anode and a cathode each having a catalyst layer containing a catalyst and having a gas diffusion layer; and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the catalyst layer of the anode and the catalyst layer of the cathode, characterized in that at least one of the above anode and cathode, has a carbon layer containing a fluorinated ion exchange resin and carbon nanofibers having a fiber diameter of from 1 to 1,000 nm and a fiber length of at most 1,000 μm, disposed between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer.
US08007933B2 Vehicle power storage unit and vehicle
A vehicle power storage unit, has: a power storage assembly; a coolant for cooling the power storage assembly; a casing having a coolant inlet through which the coolant is filled into the casing and containing the coolant and the power storage assembly; a gas-discharge pipe through which gas produced by the power storage assembly is discharged from the casing to the outside of a passenger compartment or a trunk of the vehicle; and a first pressure-release valve which is provided at the coolant inlet and through which the pressure in the casing is released to the outside when gas is produced by the power storage assembly.
US08007930B2 Zinc containing glasses and enamels
This invention relates to lead free, cadmium free, bismuth free low melting high durability glass and enamel compositions. The compositions comprise silica, zinc, titanium, and boron oxide based glass frits. The resulting compositions can be used to decorate and protect automotive, beverage, architectural, pharmaceutical and other glass substrates.
US08007929B2 Surface coated cutting tool
A surface coated cutting tool having, on a surface of a substrate, a hard coating layer including at least an aluminum oxide layer, the surface having a rake face on a main face thereof and a flank on a side face thereof, wherein, when a value calculated by the following equation (I) is a texture coefficient TC of the (HKL) plane of the aluminum oxide layer, a ratio of a texture coefficient TCR on the rake face to a texture coefficient TCF on the flank, TCF/TCR, is in a range of 0.3 to 0.95. TC = I ⁡ ( HKL ) / I O ⁡ ( HKL ) 1 / 6 ⁢ ⁢ ∑ [ I ⁡ ( hkl ) / I 0 ⁡ ( hkl ) ] ( I ) where I(HKL), I0(HKL) and Σ[I(hkl)/I0(hkl)] are as described in the specification.
US08007925B2 Organic electroluminescence device and display apparatus
The present invention provides an organic electroluminescence device using a novel phosphorescent metal complex compound and having high efficiency, high luminance, and high durability. The organic electroluminescence device includes a pair of electrodes including an anode and a cathode, and one or more organic layers each containing an organic compound, the one or more organic layers being interposed between the pair of electrodes, wherein at least one of the one or more organic layers contain a phosphorescent metal complex compound having at least one ligand structure represented by the following general formula (1): where at least one of X, Y and Z represents an aromatic oligomer having 13 or more carbon atoms and bonded directly or via a linking group.
US08007914B2 Two layer LTO temperature oxide backside seal for a wafer
A two layer LTO backside seal for a wafer. The two layer LTO backside seal includes a low stress LTO layer having a first major side and a second major side, the first major5 side of the low stress LTO layer adjacent to one major side of the wafer. The two layer LTO backside seal further includes a high stress LTO layer having a first major side and second major side, the first major side of the high stress LTO layer adjacent the second major side of the low stress LTO layer.
US08007909B2 Carbon film
Disclosed is a carbon film which has optical characteristics of retaining a high transparency and being high in refractive index and low in double refractivity, is excellent in electric insulating performance, can be applied to various base materials with good adhesiveness, and can be formed at low temperature. Also disclosed is a laminate including a carbon film and a method for producing the laminate.
US08007904B2 Metal-coated fiber
A multicomponent fiber having a metal phobic component and a metal philic component that allows for the selective distribution of metal across the surface of the fiber is disclosed. The inventive multicomponent fibers may be used in fabrics and other products manufactured therefrom for economically imparting at least one of an antistatic quality, antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy, and ultraviolet and/or electromagnetic radiation shielding.
US08007901B2 Optical article having an antistatic, antireflection coating and method of manufacturing same
An antireflection, antistatic transparent coating for an optical article, comprising at least one electrically conductive layer, wherein said electrically conductive layer contains at least one metal and has a thickness lower than or equal to 1 nm. The invention also relates to a an optical article having two main faces, at least one which being coated with the above antireflection, antistatic transparent coating and a process for depositing the above antireflection, antistatic transparent coating onto said optical article.
US08007897B2 Insulating sheet and method for producing it, and power module comprising the insulating sheet
An insulating sheet includes an adhesive component of a thermosetting resin and containing a filler member. Heat conductivity of an adhesive face region of the insulating sheet is smaller than heat conductivity of an inner region of the insulating sheet.
US08007895B2 Transparent film
The present invention provides a novel technology and a novel transparent material having high thermal stability, excellent pliability, surface smoothness, dimensional stability and gas barrier properties, for the technical fields of packaging materials, sealing materials and display materials, and the invention relates to an inorganic layered compound film having oriented inorganic layered compound particles, exhibiting high surface smoothness, high dimensional stability, high transparency, excellent pliability, excellent gas barrier properties and high heat resistance, that is obtained by dispersing an inorganic layered compound of high transparency and a small amount of water-soluble polymer of high transparency in water or a liquid having water as a main component thereof, to thereby obtain a homogenous dispersion containing no agglomerates, applying thereafter this dispersion onto a support having a flat and water-layered compound particles, and separating the liquid, as a dispersion medium, according to any of various solid-liquid separation methods, for example, centrifugation, filtration, vacuum drying, vacuum freeze drying, evaporation by heating or the like to thereby attain formation into a film shape, and optionally followed by methods such as drying/heating/cooling to thereby effect detachment from the support.
US08007892B2 Touch fastener
A touch fastener has a plurality of interspaced bonding elements arranged on a backing. Each element has a head (12) connected to the backing by a stem (14). To allow the head (12) to always remain fastened to a body in the immediate vicinity, even if the backing is axially displaced over a predeterminable distance on a plane extending parallel to the body, the head (12) has a disc with a diameter greater than the diameter at any point on the stem (14). The stem is conical and connected to the disk in an articulated manner by an articulated part (16).
US08007888B2 Fire protection blanket and associated method
A fire protection blanket comprising: at least two fibrous subassemblies arranged substantially parallel to a principal surface of the blanket in which each fibrous subassembly comprises at least two mineral fiber wool layers, substantially parallel to the principal surface of the blanket, separated by at least one mineral fiber fabric and in which refractory particles are arranged inside at least one mineral fiber wool layer; at least one layer of refractory adhesive attaching the fibrous subassemblies to each other; and a covering comprising a mineral fiber fabric impregnated with a fire-resistant silicone and enclosing all of the fibrous subassemblies.
US08007879B2 Recording medium and producing method thereof, and inkjet recording method
The invention provides a recording medium excellent in the water resistance and image fixability and a producing method thereof and an inkjet recording method using the recording medium, comprising: sequentially laminated, a base paper; a first layer containing a binder; and a second layer containing a white pigment and at least one selected from the group consisting of a urethane resin and an acrylic resin, each having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or less, wherein a Cobb water absorption degree during a contact time of 120 sec in a water absorption test in accordance with JIS P8140 on a surface of the first layer disposed on the base paper is 2.0 g/m2 or less and an amount of water absorption during a contact time of 0.5 sec in the Bristow method on a surface of the second layer is 2 to 8 mL/m2.
US08007867B2 Multilayered information recording medium and process for producing said multilayered information recording medium, and apparatus for producing multilayered information recording medium and screen constituting said production apparatus for producing multilayered information recording medium
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a multilayer information recording medium including at least two information recording portions and a resin layer interposed between the information recording portions, both of which are disposed on a signal substrate. The method includes a first process of forming a predetermined information recording portion on one principal surface of the signal substrate and a second process of passing a part of a resin-containing coating, which is supplied on a screen having an application region with a plurality of first pores and a removal region with a plurality of second pores, through the first pores by sliding a squeegee on the screen so as to form a coating layer on the predetermined information recording portion, and curing the resin contained in the coating layer so as to form the resin layer. The first process and the second process are carried out respectively a predetermined number of times. In each second process, at least a part of the resin-containing coating that has not been applied on the predetermined information recording portion and that remains on the screen is allowed to pass through the second pores so as to be removed from the screen surface.
US08007866B2 Simulated patina for copper
A process for imparting a simulated patina appearance to a copper substrate including selecting a colorant having the desired initial patina color tone and producing a noncontinuous layer of the colorant on a surface of the copper substrate to provide the appearance of patination of the desired tone via interspersed spots of the colorant. The remaining portion of the substrate is exposed for natural patination.
US08007852B2 Method for production of frozen vegetables or fruits
The present invention relates to a method for producing frozen and dehydro-frozen vegetables and fruits, wherein the method includes the method of cryogenically freezing the fruits or vegetables.
US08007845B2 Method and system for recovering and preparing glacial water
Methods and systems for grouping, recovering, and processing ice obtained from an ice source, i.e., a glacier, ice sheet, ice cap, etc., are described herein. In particular, the ice obtained from the ice source is separated and grouped according to common unique properties and processed as a beverage for consumption having the same unique properties.
US08007844B2 Process for producing a cheese with a natural moldy rind
Process for producing a soft cheese with a natural moldy rind, the starting material being a milk, this process comprising the steps of preparing a cheese slurry, inoculation with microorganisms, ripening, heat treatment by immersing in an atmosphere saturated with steam or in a water bath. This process makes it possible to obtain a cheese which may be packaged and preserved in the form of slices.
US08007829B2 Method to fabricate inhomogeneous particles
A method for making inhomogeneous microparticles comprises a) providing an amount of each of at least two polyelectrolytes having a charge, b) providing an amount of a counterion having a valence of at least 2, c) combining the polyelectrolytes and the counterion in a solution such that the polyelectrolyte self-assembles to form inhomogeneous aggregates, and d) adding nanoparticles to the solution such that nanoparticles arrange themselves around the inhomogeneous aggregates to form inhomogeneous particles. The polyelectrolyte may have a positive or negative charge. The charge ratio R of total charge of the counterions to the total charge of the polyelectrolyte may be greater than 1.0.
US08007821B2 Substrates containing polyphosphazene as matrices and substrates containing polyphosphazene with microstructured surface
The invention relates to substrates containing polyphosphazene with a forming surface as matrices for producing biological materials that can be implanted in a mammal. The invention also relates to a method for producing said substrates and substrates containing polyphosphazene with a microstructured surface.
US08007812B2 Flagellin related polypeptides and uses thereof
The use of flagellin and flagellin related polypeptides for the protection of mammals from the effects of apoptosis is described.
US08007806B2 Vaccine composition comprising a fibronectin binding protein or a fibronectin binding peptide
The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one fibronectin binding protein, and/or at least one a truncated fibronectin binding protein and/or at least one fibronectin binding peptide, all comprising at least one fibronectin binding domain; and at least one Iscom matrix complex and/or liposome and/or at least one lipid and at least one saponin, whereby the at least one lipid and the at least one saponin may be in complex, solution or suspension. Further, it regards use thereof for the production of a vaccine against a micro organism that comprises at least one one fibronectin binding domain. It also regards a kit of parts comprising at least two compartments, wherein one compartment comprises at least one truncated fibronectin binding protein and/or a fibronectin binding peptide, that comprises at least one fibronectin binding domain, and another compartment comprises an instruction for use and/or an Iscom matrix complex and/or an iscom complex and or a liposome. Further it relates to a method for vaccination of an individual.
US08007803B2 Polypeptides and immunizing compositions containing gram positive polypeptides and methods of use
The present invention provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a Staphylococcus spp. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides.
US08007801B1 Antibodies to Lawsonia intracellularis
The present invention relates to the field of animal health and in particular to Lawsonia intracellularis. In particular, the invention relates to a method of diagnosing Lawsonia intracellularis infection and a diagnostic test kit using Lawsonia intracellularis-specific antibodies. The invention also relates to the use of the method or test kit for diagnosing Lawsonia intracellularis infections.
US08007799B2 Vascular endothelial cell growth factor antagonists and uses thereof
The present invention provides vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) antagonists and methods of using VEGF antagonists. VEGF antagonists contemplated by the invention include VEGF antibodies and VEGF receptor fusion proteins. Methods of treating edema and stroke using VEGF antagonists are also provided.
US08007793B2 Stabilized liquid anti-RSV antibody formulations
The present invention provides liquid formulations of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof that immunospecifically bind to a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigen, which formulations exhibit stability, low to undetectable levels of aggregation, and very little to no loss of the biological activities of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, even during long periods of storage. In particular, the present invention provides liquid formulations of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof which immunospecifically binds to a RSV antigen, which formulations are substantially free of surfactant, inorganic salts, and/or other common excipients. Furthermore, the invention provides method of preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with RSV infection utilizing liquid formulations of the present invention.
US08007784B1 Antigenic modulation of cells
The present invention is directed to a non-immunogenic cellular composition comprising: a cell having a cell surface and antigenic determinants on the cell surface; an optional linker molecule covalently attached to the cell surface; and a hydrophilic, biocompatible, non-immunogenicity providing compound or polymer (e.g., polyethylene glycol or a derivative thereof) covalently attached to the linker molecule or directly to the cell. In one embodiment, the linker molecule is covalently attached directly to the antigenic determinant on the cell surface. In an alternate embodiment, the linker molecule may be covalently attached to a non-antigenic site on the cell surface, but will camouflage the antigenic determinant on the cell surface. Various uses of the resulting non-immunogenic cell are also provided, including a method of decreasing phagocytosis of a cell, a method of decreasing an adverse reaction to a transfusion, a method of decreasing rejection of a transplanted cell, tissue or organ, and a method of decreasing antibody-induced aggregation of cells.
US08007780B2 AAV vectors for gene delivery to the lung
Methods of making and using recombinant AAV vectors and virions for gene delivery to the lung are described. The recombinant AAV virions are derived from caprine AAV and bovine AAV, both of which display tropism for lung tissue.
US08007778B2 Use of calcium binding proteins to improve cardiac contractile function
Methods useful in the regulation of myocardial contraction are disclosed. The methods are useful in the regulation of heart function. The invention reveals that sorcin overexpression enhances cardiac contractile performance and establishes the concept of sorcin as a regulator of myocardial contractility. The invention also provides screening assays that allow for the identification of agents that modulate sorcin expression. Such agents are useful, for example, for diagnosing cardiac contractile function associated disorders in subjects, and treating the subjects with the agents identified as being able to modulate sorcin expression.
US08007777B2 Delivery system for biological component
The invention relates to a controlled release formulation for a probiotic. The formulation contains a hydrophilic agent, an electrolytic agent and a polysaccharide and is in the form of a monolithic tablet for oral delivery to the intestinal system. The probiotic can be lactic acid bacteria.
US08007774B2 Matrix composed of a naturally-occurring protein backbone cross linked by a synthetic polymer and methods of generating and using same
The present invention relates to biodegradable scaffolds composed of a naturally-occurring protein backbone cross-linked by a synthetic polymer. Specifically, the present invention provides PEGylated-fibrinogen scaffold and methods of generating and using same for treating disorders requiring tissue regeneration.
US08007772B2 Compositions to be applied to the skin and the integuments
The present disclosure relates a cosmetic composition comprising in a physiologically acceptable medium at least one composite pigment comprising an inorganic core at least partially coated with at least one organic coloring substance, wherein the color variation ΔE between the color of the bulk composition and the color after application is less than about 20.
US08007769B2 Method for diagnosing an increased risk of preeclampsia by measuring the level of HIF-α
Methods are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with increased risk of preeclampsia. The methods involve measuring levels of TGF-β3, receptors of cytokines of the TGβ family, or HIF-1α.
US08007762B2 Silica gel compositions containing alkali metals and alkali metal alloys
The invention relates to Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions comprising silica gel and an alkali metal or alloy, wherein Group 1 metals or alloys are absorbed into the silica gel pores. The invention relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition reacts with dry O2. The invention also relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition produced does not react with dry O2.
US08007755B2 Carbon fibrous structure
A method for forming a carbon fibrous structure having a plurality of granular parts, to which a plurality of carbon fibers are bound, includes heating a mixture of a carbon source and a catalyst at a temperature between 800 ° C. and 1300 ° C. to produce aggregates of a first intermediate, heating the aggregates of the first intermediate to remove hydrocarbons, at a temperature between 800 ° C. and 1200 ° C. to produce aggregates of a first product, heating the aggregates of the first product at a temperature between 2400 ° C. and 3000 ° C. to produce aggregates of a final product; and pulverizing the aggregates of the final product such that area-based circle-equivalent mean diameter of each aggregate of the carbon fibrous structure of the product is 50-100 μm, bulk density of the carbon fibrous structure is 0.0001-0.02 g/cm3, and powder resistance under pressed density of 0.8g/cm3 is not more than 0.02 Ω·cm.
US08007748B2 Method of treating fluid containing vapor phase metals, vapor phase metal compounds, or both
Perlite, particularly, perlite in powdered form, is employed to adsorb metals and metal compounds from fluids, in particular gases at elevated temperature. Treatment of perlite by boiling with sulfuric acid or suspending in a suspension of sulfur in carbon disulfide has been shown to significantly expand the surface area of perlite, thus increasing the efficiency of the process. In select embodiments, powdered perlite is treated to expand its surface area and injected into a fluid stream, such as flue gas, held for a specific retention period, and removed for subsequent disposal. In other embodiments powdered perlite is provided in an adsorption bed. Fluids containing metals or metal compounds in vapor form are permitted to pass through the adsorption bed until the expanded perlite powder is saturated (exhausted) with the metal and metal compounds adsorbed thereon. The perlite is then replaced, disposing of the exhausted perlite.
US08007746B2 Microfluidic devices and methods of using same
An M.times.N matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.
US08007738B2 Western blot by incorporating an affinity purification zone
An upstream affinity purification region is used to bind one or more component of interest in a mixture of components prior to separating the mixture of components. Detection of the separated components and a released component of interest provide identification of the component of interest. In addition, post separation dilution is optionally used to improve detection of the mixture of components and the released component of interest. Microfluidic devices and systems suitable for performing such analyses are also provided.
US08007729B2 Apparatus for feed preheating with flue gas cooler
Hydrocarbon feed to a catalytic reactor can be heat exchanged with flue gas from a catalyst regenerator. This innovation enables recovery of more energy from flue gas thus resulting in a lower flue gas discharge temperature. As a result, other hot hydrocarbon streams conventionally used to preheat hydrocarbon feed can now be used to generate more high pressure steam.
US08007722B2 Analyzer
An analyzer comprising: a reagent suction unit for suctioning reagent from a reagent container; an analyzing unit for analyzing an analyzing specimen comprising a sample and the reagent; a container raising and lowering unit comprising a mounting platform, wherein the container raising and lowering unit is configured to raise and lower the mounting platform; and a container holder configured to hold a plurality of reagent containers, wherein the container holder comprises a reagent container holding portion; wherein the mounting platform is configured to move a reagent container mounted thereon from a first position to a plurality of second positions, wherein the plurality of second positions comprises a position at which the reagent container is in contact with the reagent container holding portion is disclosed.
US08007716B2 Steel wire for high strength spring excellent in workability and high strength
A steel wire has tempered martensite, comprises, as essential components, by mass, C: 0.53 to 0.68%; Si: 1.2 to 2.5%; Mn: 0.2 to 1.5%; Cr: 1.4 to 2.5%; Al: 0.05% or less; further comprises, as a selective component, Ni: 0.4% or less; V: 0.4% or less; Mo: 0.05 to 0.5%; or Nb: 0.05 to 0.5%; and further comprises remainder essentially consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the grain size number of prior austenite is 11.0 or larger, and the proof stress ratio (σ0.2/σB), namely, a ratio of 0.2% proof stress (σ0.2) to tensile strength (σB) is 0.85 or lower. Satisfying the above requirements makes it possible to produce a steel wire for high-strength spring excellent both in workability (cold workability), and in sag resistance and fatigue properties.
US08007715B2 Welding additive material
A steel has the following chemical composition (amounts in % by weight): 0.05-0.14 C, 8-13 Cr, 1-2.6 Ni, 0.5-1.9 Mo, 0.5-1.5 Mn, 0.15-0.5 Si, 0.2-0.4 V, 0-0.04 B, 2.1-4.0 Re, 0-0.07 Ta, 0-60 ppm Pd, remainder Fe and unavoidable impurities. The steel can be used effectively as a welding additive material and has outstanding properties at very high temperatures, in particular a good creep rupture strength/resistance and a good oxidation resistance.
US08007710B2 Method and apparatus for manufacturing pneumatic tyres
A green tire disposed on a toroidal support is introduced into a vulcanisation mold. The mold is closed through axial approaching of a pair of sidewall plates acting against the sidewalls of the tire. Circumferential sectors set to operate against the tire tread band are maintained spaced apart from the tread band itself during admission of a working fluid designed to press the tire against the toroidal support. Subsequently, the sectors are centripetally approached for penetration into the tread band concurrently with a step of full molding and vulcanisation of the tire carried out through admission of steam under pressure into the tire itself.
US08007709B2 Synchronized temperature contol of plastic processing equipment
A system for processing plastic feed material includes a machine having a barrel and a screw that rotates in a repetitive cycle in the barrel. An induction winding encircles and extends along an outer surface of the barrel. A control system includes a controller that determines a duty cycle referenced to a length of the machine cycle in response to an error between a desired barrel temperature and a current barrel temperature. The controller electrically connects the power supply to the induction winding at least once during each cycle for a period whose length corresponds to the duty cycle.
US08007704B2 Insert molded actuator components
The present invention relates to electrostatically actuated device components and methods of making the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of making an electrostatically actuated device component including providing a multilayered structure comprising a first layer comprising a first polymer, a second layer comprising a conductive material, the second layer disposed over the first layer, a third layer comprising a dielectric material, the third layer disposed over the second layer, positioning the multilayered structure within an injection mold, and injecting a second polymer into the mold and bonding the first layer to the second polymer to produce an electrostatically actuated device component. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of injection molding a stator component for an electrostatically actuated valve.
US08007696B2 Method for preparing a porous ceramic material with high heat resistance
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous ceramic material, particularly for thermal insulation, comprising the steps of: providing a first composition in the form of a stable aqueous colloidal solution of silica and oxides of alkaline metals; providing a second stable composition in the form of a suspension in an organic liquid of inorganic and/or organic particles, the second composition containing compounds which, when the second composition is mixed with the first composition, can destabilize the first composition, forming gel, and can form an organic polymeric net together with a blowing agent; mixing the first composition and the second composition to form a mixture; forming from the mixture a porous structure in gel form, where an organic structure supports inorganic structures being formed; solidifying the porous structure in gel form, obtaining a porous ceramic material in which an organic polymeric net surrounds inorganic portions.
US08007693B2 Zinc oxide based transparent electric conductor, sputtering target for forming of the conductor and process for producing the target
Provided is a zinc oxide transparent electric conductor having zinc oxide (ZnO) as its principal component, containing an element to become an n-type dopant to zinc oxide, containing metal M in which P(P=(G+H mix)/RT, wherein G is the Gibbs free energy at temperature T of the metal, H mix is the mixing enthalpy at temperature T of zinc oxide and the metal, R is the gas constant, and T is the temperature) as a parameter showing the wettability with zinc oxide is 6 or less and in which its resistivity is smaller than the resistivity of zinc oxide added with the n-type dopant, and wherein concentration of metal M in relation to the total atomicity of zinc and the n-type dopant and metal M, which are all metal atoms configuring the zinc oxide transparent electric conductor, is 0.05 to 2.0 at %. In the development of a transparent electric conductor that does not contain raw material In which is expensive and with concern of resource depletion, provided is a low resistivity transparent electric conductor by exceeding the limits of the conventional development technique of the single dopant method, presenting guidelines for selecting a secondary additive material effective in achieving low resistivity, and indicating types of specific materials and the appropriate concentration range.
US08007691B2 Fine particle of perovskite oxide, particle having deposited perovskite oxide, catalyst material, catalyst material for oxygen reduction, catalyst material for fuel cell, and electrode for fuel cell
A catalyst for electrodes in solid-polymer fuel cells which comprises metal oxide particles themselves. The catalyst contains fine transition-metal oxide particles having, in the main phase, a perovskite structure represented by the general formula ABO3 (wherein A represents one or more elements selected among lanthanum, strontium, cerium, calcium, yttrium, erbium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, silicon, magnesium, barium, niobium, lead, bismuth, and antimony; and B represents one or more elements selected among iron, cobalt, manganese, copper, titanium, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum), the fine oxide particles having lattice constants satisfying the following relationship (1): 1.402<2b/(a+c)<1.422  (1) wherein a and c represent the minor-axis lengths of the perovskite type crystal lattice and b represents the major-axis length thereof.
US08007686B2 Nitride red phosphors and white light emitting diode using rare-earth-co-doped nitride red phosphors
Disclosed are nitride red phosphors and white light emitting diodes using the same. More particularly, the present invention provides a nitride red phosphor with easily controlled composition of phosphor fraction and improved uniformity and color gamut thereof, a method for preparation thereof, a white light emitting diode with excellent color rendition and high light emitting efficiency, and a white light emitting diode package using the same.
US08007683B2 Carbidonitridosilicate luminescent substance
The invention relates to a luminescent substance consisting of a doped host lattice which absorbs at least one part of exciting radiation when it is excited by a high-energy radiation, thereby releasing an energy-poor emission radiation. The host lattice is embodied in the form of a carbidonitridosilicate-based compound. An illuminant which is used for producing white light and comprises a light emitting element and said luminescent substance are also disclosed.
US08007668B2 Dialysis device with access port
A device for dialysis of a sample includes a sample chamber formed by a gasket and dialysis membranes affixed to each side of the gasket in facing relationship. A housing supports the dialysis membranes and gasket. An air chamber causes the device to float in a generally upright position when the device is immersed in a dialysate. An access port is provided through the gasket and between the dialysis membranes. The access port is accessible from outside the housing and in communication with the sample chamber such that a dispensing end of a dispensing device can be inserted through the access port to dispense sample into the sample chamber. In one embodiment, the gasket is impermeable or essentially impermeable to the sample being dialyzed.
US08007661B1 Modified absorption recovery processing of FCC-produced light olefins
Processing schemes and arrangements are provided arrangements are provided for the processing a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock via hydrocarbon cracking processing with selected hydrocarbon fractions being obtained via absorption-based product recovery while minimizing or avoiding loss of light olefins via system purging.
US08007659B2 Reduced puffing needle coke from coal tar distillate
A reduced puffing needle coke is formed, which includes a reduced nitrogen content within the coke so that the coke particles do not experience as much puffing during the formation of graphitized carbon articles produced from such coke upon heating to graphitization temperatures.
US08007640B2 Embossing process including discrete and linear embossing elements
An apparatus for producing a deep-nested embossed product including a first embossing member and a second embossing member. The first embossing member has a plurality of discrete embossing elements disposed in a first non-random pattern. The second embossing member has a plurality of second embossing elements including at least one linear embossing element. The second embossing elements are disposed in a second non-random pattern such the first non-random pattern and the second non-random pattern nest together to a depth of greater than about 0.01 mm.
US08007638B2 Sheet-like products exhibiting oleophobic and hydrophobic properties
A method of manufacturing a cellulosic sheet having at least one of hydrophobic and oleophobic properties comprises the steps of depositing a stock of cellulosic fibers onto at least one forming fabric at an impingement zone and forming a web therefrom in a formation process; combining a water-based composition comprising an adhesion promoter, an organic nanoparticulate polymer and a fluorocarbon with the web at a preselected combination stage prior to a heating stage at which the web is subjected to a temperature exceeding 60° C.; and heat-curing the composition with the web during a drying process. A water-based composition for imparting at least one of hydrophobic and oleophobic properties to a cellulosic sheet during manufacture comprises an adhesion promoter, an organic nanoparticulate polymer and a fluorocarbon. A cellulosic sheet or layer thereof has at least one of hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. Improved resistance of cellulosic sheets to oil or water is obtained.
US08007635B2 Lignocellulosic materials and the products made therefrom
A process comprising treating a lignocellulosic material preferably pulp in the presence of a transition metal catalyst with a oxidizing agent selected from a group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid and any combination thereof to form a treated lignocellulosic material having a viscosity equal to or less than about 17 cp and having reducing functional groups selected from the group consisting of aldehyde and aldehyde type functional groups at the C6 and C1 positions but predominating at the C1 position.
US08007633B2 Surface processing apparatus
This surface processing apparatus has a reactor in which plasma is generated and a substrate whose surface is to be processed by the plasma is arranged, and a magnet plate for creating a point-cusp magnetic field distributed in an inner space of the reactor, in which the plasma is generated. The magnet plate has a plurality of magnets. These magnets are arranged by a honeycomb lattice structure in a circular plane facing in parallel a surface of the substrate. One magnetic pole end face of each of magnets is arranged at a position of each of the lattice points forming hexagonal shapes on the circular plane. The polarities of the magnetic pole end faces of two adjoining magnets are arranged to become opposite alternately. The magnet plate may be provided with a plurality of magnets arranged by a lattice structure forming a square and the magnetic force (coercive force) of some of the magnets arranged at the outermost region is reduced. Thereby, the periodicity of the point-cusp magnetic field in the inside space is maintained as much as possible even at the peripheral edge and the asymmetry of the distribution of the magnetic field at the region where the periodicity is disturbed at the peripheral edge is reduced.
US08007632B2 Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a chamber, a gas supplier, a vacuum pump, an electrode, a conductive knitted wire mesh and a radio frequency power supply. The electrode is placed outside of the chamber and fixed to the chamber. The gas supplier supplies gas into the chamber. The vacuum pump exhausts the chamber. The radio frequency power supply supplies radio frequency power to the electrode through the conductive knitted wire mesh.
US08007627B2 Electronic component mounting method and apparatus
A chip is bonded on a circuit board by aligning in position bumps with board electrodes with interposition of an anisotropic conductive layer between the chip and the circuit board. The anisotropic conductive layer is a mixture of an insulating resin, conductive particles and an inorganic filler. The chip is pressed against the board with a pressure force of not smaller than 20 gf per bump by virtue of a tool, while warp of the chip is corrected and the board is connected, the bumps are compressed, and the insulating resin is hardened.
US08007621B2 Method of making color fan deck
The present invention is directed to a paint color sample display device for the illustration of paint colors and a method for making such a color display device. The color display device may be a color fan deck which displays color on each side of the blades of the fan deck. The fan blades include a painted polymeric film laminated to both sides of a base paper to form a painted film/base paper/painted film laminate for the fan blades.
US08007613B2 Method and apparatus for manufacturing tyres
The constituent elements of a carcass structure of a tire are formed by laying elementary components on a building support including an inflatable bladder set in an inflated condition in which it substantially reproduces the inner configuration of the carcass structure to be obtained. A belt structure carrying a tread band, both produced separately, is coaxially disposed around the carcass structure formed on the building support and applied thereto following a radial expansion of the inflatable bladder. In a vulcanization mold, the building support is submitted to an over-inflation step to press the tire against the inner walls of the mold. The circumferential edges of the inflatable bladder are in engagement with respective anchoring flanges with possibility of movement in a radial direction, so as to be submitted to an elastic expansion during the over-inflation step.
US08007611B2 Method for the production of composite elements based on mineral or organic thermal insulation materials with the aid of an adhesive
The invention provides a method for the production of composite elements composed of at least one outer layer a) and a thermal insulation material b), where between the outer layer a) and the thermal insulation material b) an adhesive c) has been applied, the outer layer a) being moved continuously, the thermal insulation material b) being applied to the outer layer a) and, if appropriate, a further outer layer a) being applied to the thermal insulation material b), and the adhesive c) being applied to the thermal insulation material b) or to the outer layer a), which comprises applying the adhesive c) by means of a rotating flat body which is mounted horizontally or with a slight deviation from the horizontal, of up to 15°, preferably parallel to the outer layer a) or to the thermal insulation material b).
US08007605B2 Method of forming a non-circular stent
A method for manufacturing a stent, includes the steps of winding stent wire around the outer surface of a longitudinal axis of a mandrel into a desired final shape that is polygonal in an elevation orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and forming a stent by setting the wound stent wire in the desired polygonal final shape. The outside diameter of the stent formed will be in co-columnar apposition with a blood vessel in which it is implanted. The mandrel employed in the methods can have a multiple-sided outer surface and a longitudinal axis.
US08007592B2 Plants with increased activity of a starch phosphorylating enzyme
The present invention relates to plant cells and plants, which are genetically modified, whereby the genetic modification leads to an increase in the activity of a starch-phosphorylating OK1 protein in comparison to the corresponding wild type plant cells or wild type plants that have not been genetically modified. In addition, the present invention concerns means and methods for the manufacture of such plant cells and plants. These types of plant cells and plants synthesise a modified starch. Therefore, the present invention also concerns the starches synthesised from the plant cells and plants according to the invention, methods for manufacturing these starches, and the manufacture of starch derivatives of these modified starches, as well as flours containing starches according to the invention. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to nucleic acids, coding starch-phosphorylating OK1 proteins, vectors, host cells, plant cells, and plants containing such nucleic acid molecules. In addition, the present invention relates to OK1 proteins that have starch-phosphorylating activity.
US08007591B2 Substrate holder having a fluid gap and method of fabricating the substrate holder
A substrate holder (20) for supporting a substrate (30). A heating component (50) is positioned adjacent to a supporting surface and between the supporting surface and a cooling component (60). A fluid gap is positioned between the cooling component and the heating component, the fluid gap configured to receive a fluid to increase thermal conduction between the cooling component and the heating component. A brazing material is disposed between the cooling component and the heating component, the brazing material disposed adjacent to the fluid gap.
US08007590B2 Electronic device including a guest material within a layer and a process for forming the same
There is provided a portable substrate carrier enclosure. The carrier enclosure has a carrier support; a displaceable cover; spacers between the support and cover; a gas inlet; and a removable lid. There is also provided an assembly and a process for depositing an air-sensitive material onto a substrate using the portable substrate carrier enclosure.
US08007586B2 Clay plaster
A clay plaster formulation and application. The clay plaster is a mixture of various clays, and aggregate. This plaster is both functional and decorative and is for use on new and existing construction.
US08007584B2 Compositions for use in construction and methods of applying the same
A composition for use in construction that is substantially free of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that when applied to a surface produces a smooth or textured, water-shedding (hydrophobic properties), aesthetically-pleasing, protective continuous coating. The coated surface as well as the method of preparing and applying the composition is also provided.
US08007577B2 Ink, color filter, and method for manufacturing the same, and display device
The present invention provides an ink including at least a monomer and/or an oligomer and a coloring agent, wherein the coloring agent includes 16 to 56% by mass of a pigment C.I.P.R. 254 and 4 to 14% by mass of a pigment C.I.P.R. 177 based on the solid content of the ink, 14 to 49% by mass of a pigment C.I.P.G. 36 and 6 to 21% by mass of a pigment C.I.P.Y. 150 based on the solid content of the ink, or 19 to 51% by mass of a pigment C.I.P.B. 15:6 and 1.0 to 2.7% by mass of a pigment C.I.P.V. 23 based on the solid content of the ink. The invention also provides a color filter using the ink, a method for manufacturing the color filter, and a display device provided with the color filter.
US08007571B2 System for separating a waste liquid from a produced gas and injecting the waste liquid into a well
Produced natural gas containing carbon dioxide is dehydrated and chilled to liquefy the carbon dioxide and then fractionated to produce a waste stream of liquid carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas liquids may be first separated and removed before fractionation. After fractionation, the waste stream is pressurized and transmitted to a remote injection well for injection either for disposal of the waste stream and preferably to urge hydrocarbons toward the producing well. A hydrocarbon stream proceeds from fractionation to a methanol absorber system which removes carbon dioxide gas. The hydrocarbon stream is thereafter separated into at least hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen and helium. Some of the nitrogen is reintroduced into a fractionation tower to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons. A methanol recovery system is provided to recover and reuse the methanol. The hydrocarbons are sold as natural gas and the helium is recovered and sold. Excess nitrogen is vented.
US08007570B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for capturing CO2 using a solvent
Systems, methods, and apparatus for capturing CO2 using a solvent are provided. A gas that includes carbon dioxide may be mixed with a solvent that is operable to absorb at least a portion of the carbon dioxide from the gas. The solvent containing the carbon dioxide may be provided to at least one removal system operable to remove at least a portion of the liquid contained in the solvent. The solvent output by the removal system may be stripped to extract at least a portion of the carbon dioxide from the solvent.
US08007565B2 Powered air cleaning system and air cleaning method
A powered air cleaning system has a flow path extending through the system from an inlet to an outlet. A motor-driven fan is located along the flow path to draw particulate debris laden air into the inlet and rotate it about an axis to form a rotating flow that stratifies the debris laden air with the heaviest particles in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow. An ejector port ejects particulate debris laden air from the stratified rotating flow in the system. At least one de-swirl component located within the rotating flow aerodynamically redirects clean air from the innermost orbits of the stratified rotating flow toward the outlet to provide a positive airflow pressure out of the outlet. The system has a variable speed fan motor and an integrated controller for adjusting the speed of the motor and thereby the flow rate of clean air through the outlet of the system. The controller receives a signal that is a function of airflow requirements of a device supplied with clean air by the system. The system can be mounted above or below a hood housing an engine to be supplied with clean air.
US08007562B2 Semi-continuous magnesium-hydrogen reduction process for manufacturing of hydrogenated, purified titanium powder
The cost-effective hydrogenated, purified titanium powder is manufactured by the semi-continuous process including: (a) magnesium-thermic reduction of titanium chlorides at 830-880° C. in the hydrogen atmosphere characterized by the formation of a hollow porous block of the reaction mass having an open cavity in the center of the block, (b) full thermal-vacuum separation of the hollow block from excessive Mg and MgCl2 at 850-980° C. and residual pressure of 26-266 Pa using a multi-step cycle including: (i) purging hydrogen at 800-950° C. into the reactor at the pressure 10 kPa to 24.5 kPa, (ii) directive squeezing-out of a separated liquid phase containing magnesium and magnesium chloride into an additional vessel, and (iii) application of alternate pressure to small portions of the liquid phase in porous titanium compound from different sides which provides removal of the liquid from small pores of the titanium compound and fast evaporation of said liquid, (c) simultaneous hydrogenation and cooling of the titanium sponge down to 600° C. by purging cold hydrogen using multiple recirculation of hydrogen, (d) holding the hydrogenated porous titanium compound in the hydrogen atmosphere at 450-600° C. for 20-70 minutes, (e) removing the hydrogenated porous titanium compound from the reactor, and (f) crushing and grinding the crushed hydrogenated porous titanium pieces into the powder having a predetermined particle size.
US08007552B2 Cubic boron nitride compact
A CBN compact comprises CBN and a matrix phase incorporating a secondary hard phase selected from TiCN, TiC, TiN and mixtures and solid solutions thereof and a maximum amount of titanium diboride where the XRD peak height of the (101) titanium diboride peak (after background correction) is less than 12% of the peak height of the (111) CBN peak.
US08007549B2 Electric coupling of a connection to an electrochemical bundle
The subject of the present invention is a system for electric coupling of a plane connection (64, 67) to the electrodes of the same polarity of an electrochemical bundle (63) comprising an alternating sequence of at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode framing a separator, each electrode comprising a metal strip less than 50 □m thick, serving as current collector, at least one surface of which is coated with a paste containing the electrochemically active material, the strips of the electrodes of each polarity comprising a non-coated lateral band emerging respectively from the opposite ends of said bundle, characterized in that the lateral bands of the strips of the same polarity are folded in a direction approximately perpendicular to their initial direction at a height at least equal to the distance separating them from the adjacent strips of the same polarity in order to form an approximately plane and continuous base (65, 68) to which said plane connection is welded.
US08007546B2 Method of increasing depth shade
The invention relates to a method of increasing the depth of shade of dyed natural or synthetic polyamide fiber materials, which comprises treating the fiber material before, during or after dyeing with a liquor comprising a compound of formula (1) wherein R is halogen, C1-C12alkyl, C5-C24aryl, C6-C36aralkyl, —OR1, or —NR1R2, R1 and R2 being, each independently of the other, hydrogen, C1-C12alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more hydroxy, amino, mercapto, carboxyl, sulfo, C1-C12alkylsulfonyl, C5-C24arylsulfonyl or C6-C36aralkylsulfonyl groups, C5-C24aryl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more hydroxy, amino, carboxyl, sulfo, C1-C12 alkylsulfonyl, C5-C24arylsulfonyl or C6-C36aralkylsulfonyl groups, or C6-C36aralkyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more hydroxy, amino, carboxyl, sulfo, C1-C12alkylsulfonyl, C5-C24arylsulfonyl or C6-C36aralkylsulfonyl groups, X and Y are, each independently of the other, mercapto, —NR3R4 or —N+R3R4R5A−, wherein R3, R4 and R5 are, each independently of the others, hydrogen or C1-C12alkyl and A− is chloride, bromite, iodide, sulfate or methylsulfate, R6 and R7 are, each independently of the other, hydrogen or C1-C12alkyl, and x and y are, each independently of the other, a number from 2 to 12.
US08007543B2 Vacuum attachment system
A vacuum socket system pertaining to the field of prosthetics wherein an enhanced suspension mechanism is provided by incorporating a vacuum source, circuitry, and a power source. A virtually air-tight seal between residual limb and prosthesis allows a vacuum fit to be generated via a vacuum source. The vacuum source is in constant interaction with circuitry and software for a means of vacuum pressure control, data recordation, and other means. A sound dampening method is employed to lessen both the sound and vibration generated from the vacuum source.
US08007540B2 Ureteral stent with end-effector
A system and related methods for maintaining the patentcy of the ureter comprising a pusher tube having a pusher tube lumen and an inflate lumen disposed within a wall of the pusher tube and a urinary stent having a proximal and distal portions with an elongated body portion therebetween configured to fit the ureter of the patient and defining a lumen. The system further includes an end-effector that may comprise an inflatable balloon positioned at the proximal portion of the urinary stent for retaining the proximal portion in the urinary bladder. At the distal portion, a retention end-piece is positioned for retaining the distal portion of the stent in the renal pelvis. The end-effector and the retention end-piece of the stent maintain the elongated body portion in situ. The end-effector may also include an inflatable balloon and may contain pharmaceutical or biologic agents for controlled release into the bladder.
US08007533B2 Progressive grip assembled bone-tendon-bone grafts, methods of making, and methods of use
The present technology is related to the field of bone-tendon-bone implants, grafts, and components thereof, for implantation in mammals, particularly for implantation in humans. More particularly, the present technology relates to assembled implants that comprise a length of tendon and at least two bone components or intermediate bone blocks that are assembled to form a bone-tendon-bone implant, and methods of making such implants. In some embodiments, implants of the present technology provide a first grip on the tendon prior to implantation and a second grip during or after implantation. In some embodiments, bone block assemblies or intermediate bone blocks of the present technology have a first geometric configuration prior to implantation and a second geometric configuration during or after implantation.
US08007525B2 Method for endovascular management of body temperature
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the internal body temperature of a patient. According to the present invention, a catheter is inserted through an incision into a large blood vessel of a patient. By selectively heating or cooling a portion of the catheter lying within the blood vessel, heat may be transferred to or from blood flowing within the vessel and the patient's body temperature may thereby be increased or decreased as desired. The invention will find use in treating undesirable conditions of hypothermia and hyperthermia, or for inducing a condition of artificial hypothermia when desired.
US08007521B2 Percutaneous spinal implants and methods
A method includes positioning a medical device within a body between adjacent spinous processes, moving the medical device from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within the body using an actuator removably coupled to the medical device, and removing the actuator from the body while the medical device remains between the adjacent spinous processes.
US08007515B2 Suture retention device
A tissue retractor for displacing body tissue during surgery includes a tissue piercing member such as a surgical needle, a wire-like filament such as a suture line affixed to the surgical needle, a fixed element such as an anchoring port being associated with a stable surgical platform such as a sternum retractor and a movable element such as an anchoring plug cooperating with anchoring port to engage a portion of suture line after the suture line is threaded through the body tissue with the surgical needle and after the suture wire is tensioned to effect a predetermined displacement of the body tissue. The predetermined displacement of body tissue is maintained by retention of the engaged portion of suture line by the fixed anchoring port and the movable anchoring plug.
US08007513B2 Partially reusable surgical stapler
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for performing a surgical stapling procedure by providing a stapler comprising a handle and a staple cartridge with an opposing anvil. The staple cartridge contains a plurality of surgical staples. The stapler also has an actuator module for deploying staples, wherein the actuator has a longitudinally movable member for sequentially ejecting staples towards the anvil. The method involves operating the actuator module so as to eject the plurality of staples, and removing the actuator module from the body and discarding the actuator module. The method also involves sterilizing the body.
US08007509B2 Coil assemblies, components and methods
Coil assemblies and related components and methods are disclosed. The coil assemblies can include two or more embolic coils having one or more different coil parameters.
US08007508B2 System for tissue dissection and retraction
A system for tissue dissection and retraction is disclosed herein. A tissue dissection assembly generally comprises an elongate body shaft, an actuation member movable relative to the elongate body shaft, and at least one dissector arm member having at least a first end attached to the elongate body shaft, wherein the at least one dissector arm member is adapted to reconfigure within a plane from a low profile to an expanded profile when urged via the actuation member, and wherein the at least one dissector arm is further adapted to dissect tissue within the plane. In use, the assembly dissects tissue within the plane typically by advancing the elongate body shaft into the tissue region where the dissector arm member or members are then reconfigured within the plane from its low profile to its expanded profile to thereby dissect the tissue region along the plane.
US08007507B2 Intragastric bag apparatus and method of delivery for treating obesity
A delivery system and method of use thereof for introducing an intragastric bag and filler strip into a gastric lumen are described. The delivery system includes a multi-lumen overtube, one or retractable hooks, an endoscopic looping device, and a pusher rod. The intragastric bag is attached and loaded into the overtube. The overtube is then deployed within the gastric lumen. A pusher rod pushes the distal end of the intragastric bag out of the overtube and into the gastric lumen. With the intragastric bag open, the filler strip is advanced into the intragastric bag using the pusher rod. The endoscopic loop is then tightened around the proximal end of the intragastric bag so that the filler strip remains entrapped within the intragastric bag.
US08007503B2 Apparatus and method for manipulating or retracting tissue and anatomical structure
Integrated systems and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchoring devices for such purposes.
US08007499B2 Variable geometry occipital fixation plate
A fixation device for connecting a stabilization device to a bone comprises a first member comprising a first portion for attachment to a bone; a second member comprising a second portion for attachment to a bone and connected to the first member by a pivotal connection such that the first and second portions are spaced apart by an adjustable distance, at least one of the first and second members further comprising a portion for mounting a connector adapted to secure a stabilization device.
US08007497B2 Ablation probe with heat sink
An ablation device includes an electrode having an enclosed lumen, and a heat sink located within the lumen. An ablation device includes an elongated body, an electrode secured to the elongated body, and a heat sink connected to the electrode, wherein the heat sink is confined by the electrode and at least a portion of the elongated body. An ablation device includes an electrode, and a heat sink connected to the electrode, wherein the heat sink is not connected to a pump.
US08007494B1 Device and method to prevent surgical burns
A surgical instrument and safety system comprises a safety shield having an inner surface and an outer surface, an active conductor having a first end adapted to connect with an electrode and a second end adapted to connect with an electrosurgical generator, the electrosurgical generator including contact quality monitoring circuitry, an insulator surrounding the active conductor and disposed between the active conductor and the safety shield, and a circuit interruption device in electrical communication with the safety shield. The circuit interruption device is adapted to couple to the contact quality monitoring circuitry of the electrosurgical generator and disable the flow of current to the electrode upon the occurrence of a fault condition.
US08007479B2 Implantable injection port
A surgical fastening system for implantable devices is disclosed. The implantable device may contain a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, may have a housing fitted over or around it which contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, or may be a part of a two-part system into which it fits. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses a deployment system or tool that optionally positions the implantable device, and which causes the fasteners to move into post-deployment position. The fasteners may be staples, metal loops, coils, springs or hooks formed of biocompatible materials, including shape memory alloys such as NiTi.
US08007470B2 Minimally invasive medical device and method for delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic agents into a vessel wall
The invention relates to minimally invasive device for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic agents into a vessel wall. The device includes an introducer tube, a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen extending therebetween, the tubular member being slidably disposed within the introducer tube; a plurality of hollow delivery struts, each delivery strut adapted to pierce through inner most layers of the vessel wall and each comprising at least one exit port and at least one stopper to prevent the delivery strut from piercing through the outer most layers of the vessel wall. The delivery struts are disposed on the distal end of the tubular member and are in fluid communication with the first lumen. The invention also relates to methods of delivering the device of this invention and methods of treating conditions or diseases of body lumens.
US08007465B2 Implantable device fastening system and methods of use
A surgical fastening system for implantable devices is disclosed. The implantable device may contain a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, may have a housing fitted over or around it which contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, or may be a part of a two-part system into which it fits. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses a deployment system or tool that optionally positions the implantable device, and which causes the fasteners to move into post-deployment position. The fasteners may be staples, metal loops, coils, springs or hooks formed of biocompatible materials, including shape memory alloys such as NiTi.
US08007464B2 Tissue approximation device
A medical device includes a first catheter; a second catheter slidably disposed within the first catheter; a first expansible member disposed about the first catheter; a second expansible member disposed about the second catheter; and a locking mechanism for interlocking the first catheter and the second catheter to prevent relative movement between the first catheter and the second catheter. The first expansible member and the second expansible member are structured so as to approximate a first vessel and a second vessel.
US08007460B2 Patient hydration system and method
A patient hydration system including an infusion device for administering hydration fluid to a patient, and a hydration fluid measurement device responsive to a source of hydration fluid, a patient urine output measurement device. A controller is responsive to the hydration fluid measurement device and the patient urine output measurement device. The controller operates the infusion device, in response to the patient urine output measurement device and the hydration fluid measurement device, to hydrate the patient based on the patient's urine output. The controller also monitors the operation history of the infusion device thereby providing redundancy in the measurement of the amount of hydration fluid administered to the patient.
US08007457B2 Elasticized garment and strapping system to aid in body mobility support and maintenance
A therapeutic garment system for use on a mammalian body, and associated method of donning, whereby the garments are adapted for donning and releasably securing in a close-fitting fashion so that a plurality of elasticized pieces may be releasably applied, utilizing fasteners, against an outwardly facing surface of at least one—and more often two—of the garments in an operative therapeutic configuration. At least one elasticized garment is included for donning around an area of a torso such as the upper-torso, lower-torso, or full-torso area; a second elasticized garment is included for donning and releasably securing in a close-fitting fashion around a portion of the body, other than that around which the first garment will (or has been) be donned. In addition to an outwardly facing surface adapted for accepting releasable fasteners, each garment has an under-layer with an inwardly facing surface to resist slippage. A wide variety of operative therapeutic configurations are available to one donning garment system components, including those that address generally targeted objectives.
US08007452B2 Medical slings
A medical sling made from material that is suitably shaped for use in a medical application has sides, portions of which are smoothed to prevent abrasion of surrounding tissue.
US08007450B2 Systems, devices, and methods for interpreting movement
According to some exemplary embodiments, a method or system can involve associating a plurality of biokinetographic comparison results with a first specific dysfunction from a group of specific dysfunctions, each of the biokinetographic comparison results obtained from a comparison of a biokinetographic value to a standard for a corresponding biokinetographic variable.
US08007443B2 Asymmetric inductive band
The present invention includes an asymmetric inductive band that preferably has a conductor affixed from a first edge of a conductor substrate and looped across said substrate. A first and a second section of the conductor preferably is formed having “hairpin-like” features at some or all intermediate endpoints, or pivot locations, at discrete points along the length thereof. In addition, the first and the second section are arranged in an asymmetric relation to each other and, in general, each, of the hairpin-like features do not preferably directly oppose another of said features. The hairpins are preferably connected by a sawtooth shaped conductor that also contributes to the change in self-inductance when stretched, in addition to the apex, or hairpin, shape of the conductor.
US08007441B2 Pulse oximeter with alternate heart-rate determination
A pulse oximeter which determines multiple heart rates, and selects between them based on the metrics of only one of the heart rate calculations. A primary heart rate calculation method is selected, and is used unless its metrics indicate questionable accuracy, in which case an alternative rate calculation is available and is used instead.
US08007434B2 Variable stiffness medical device shaft
A medical device shaft with varying flexibility along its length is provided. The shaft includes at least first and second elongate shaft portions that have differing geometries and differing flexibilities. The elongate shaft portions can be made of different materials.
US08007433B2 Electronic endoscope
An electronic endoscope according to the present invention has a video-scope that has a first image sensor and a second image sensor, and a light supplier that selectively irradiates white light and excitation-light on an observed portion. The electronic endoscope further has a first color filter that has spectral transmitting characteristics, such that light having a first wavelength range corresponding to blue color is transmitted, and a second color filter that has spectral transmitting characteristics, such that light having a second wavelength range corresponding to green and red colors is transmitted. The electronic endoscope has a first signal processor, a second signal processor, and a third signal processor. The first signal processor generates normal image video signals. The second signal processor generates narrow-band video signals. The third signal processor generates auto-fluorescent video signals.
US08007427B2 Products and methods for brachytherapy
A radioactive member for use in brachytherapy comprising a hollow elongate bioabsorbable suture member with radioactive seeds and spacer members without different coloration and diameter from the radioactive seeds alternately disposed therein, and methods for the manufacture and the use thereof. The radioactive members may be used in the treatment of, for example, prostate cancer.
US08007424B2 Motor-driven machine tool
A motor-driven machine tool (1) for tools which are to be driven rotationally has, configured as a hand-held machine tool, a pistol-shaped basic shape, in which, lying one behind the other in the stock part (2) in the direction of the main axis, a motor (4), a gear mechanism (5) and a tool changing magazine (6) are provided as a structural unit, wherein the tool changing magazine (6) which is designed, in particular, as a drum magazine is mounted on a neck (24) of the gear mechanism housing (22) and is penetrated by the output shaft (23) of the gear mechanism (5).
US08007421B2 Trunk rotation
This trunk rotation device uses dynamic movement of one's body such as, shoulder, hip, knee, back, thigh, and abdominal musculature. The device provides a method for exercising the spinal column and the muscles of the torso, including those in the abdominal lumbar and thoracic regions involving rotational torque. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a golf exercise and flexibility apparatus. The golf exercise apparatus provides resistance to a golfer during a golf swing to strengthen and condition the muscles of the axial skeleton of the golfer in a functional posture.
US08007413B1 Exerciser with length-adjustable inelastic straps
An exerciser includes two straps and a handle mounted to an end each strap. A connecting member is mounted to the other end of each strap. The exerciser further includes a suspension member having an inelastic strap. A stop is engaged with an end of the inelastic strap. A retaining ring is engaged with the other end of the inelastic strap. A plurality of rings is fixed to the inelastic strap. The retaining member is releasably engageable with one of the rings, so that the inelastic strap forms a loop. The connecting member is releasably engaged with one of the rings. The inelastic strap is mounted around a rod or the like or extended through a gap between a door and a door frame, allowing user to perform exercises resisting the weight of the user.
US08007407B2 Wheelchair accessible treadmill
A wheelchair-accessible treadmill with a safety system allowing wheelchair users to exercise without the risk off steering off-course, tipping over, or rolling backwards off the treadmill. The wheelchair is secured by straps or similar means to two or more linear bearings that move along the side of the treadmill on rods or in tracks. When securely fastened, these allow the wheelchair to move forward and backward on the treadmill belt. The treadmill belt may be wider than standard, the height may be lower than standard, and a ramp may be used for access. An optical sensor may be used to determine the forward and backward movement of the wheelchair user. Wheelchair specific programs may be available through the control panel.
US08007403B2 Work vehicle having hydraulic stepless speed changing apparatus
A work vehicle includes a hydraulic stepless speed changing apparatus and a gear type speed changing apparatus operable to receive output from the hydraulic stepless speed changing apparatus to convert it into a plurality of stages of speed. A return oil passage connected to a high-pressure side circuit of the hydraulic stepless speed changing apparatus is connected to a hydraulic tank. The return oil passage incorporates an unload valve and a throttle valve, between which an operably coupling mechanism is provided. This operably coupling mechanism switches over the unload valve to an unload condition in response to an operational displacement of a brake operating member for operating a brake to its braking side.
US08007400B2 Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. A first interconnecting member continuously interconnects the third member of the first planetary gear set with a stationary member, a second interconnecting member continuously interconnects the first member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary member, a third interconnecting member continuously interconnects the third member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set, and a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnects the third member of the third planetary gear set with a third member of the fourth planetary gear set. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches.
US08007398B2 Multi-speed transmission having at least ten speed ratios
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.
US08007397B2 Multi-speed transmission
An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may be either brakes or clutches. Eight forward speeds or gear ratios and reverse are achieved by engaging various combinations of the brakes and clutches.
US08007395B2 Ten-speed transmission
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08007392B2 Automatic transmission
A second clutch (C2) which couples a carrier (Cr) of the compound planetary gear set (6) to a speed ring gear (Rf) of the single planetary gear set (5) is arranged between the single planetary gear set (5) and the compound planetary gear set (6). Then, a first clutch (C1) which couples a second sun gear (Sr2) of the compound planetary gear set (6) to a carrier (Cf) of the single planetary gear set (5), and a third clutch (C3) which couples a sun gear (Sr1) of the compound planetary gear set (6) to carrier (Cf) of the single planetary gear set (5) are arranged at the side of the compound planetary gear set (6) opposite to the single planetary gear set (5).
US08007381B2 Bat used for baseball or softball
A bat used for baseball or softball includes a bat body including a grip part, a taper part and a first tube, a fixing component including a first fixing component and a second fixing component and a cylindrical second tube having two opened ends, the inner diameter of the cylindrical second tube being larger than the diameter of the first tube, the second tube being placed on the outer circumference of the first tube and being latched so that a gap is formed between the bat body and the second tube via the first fixing component and the second fixing component.
US08007378B2 Ping-pong table/locking with an indexing finger
The invention relates to a folding ping-pong table including a support, two flat boards mounted on the support and mobile between a raised position and a lowered position, the support including a central structure and, for each flat board, two legs positioned at each end of the flat board relatively to the central structure and two braces connecting both legs to the central structure, as well as locking means and remote actuation means for simultaneous control of the locking means of a same flat board. Said table is characterized in that, for each flat board, the locking means are positioned so as to allow direct blocking of the angular position between a leg and the corresponding brace, in the raised position and in the lowered position.
US08007374B2 Multi-layer core golf ball having thermoset rubber cover
An all rubber golf ball with one or more thermosetting rubber core layers and one or more thermosetting rubber cover layer. At least one of the ball's layers has moisture vapor barrier property, and in one aspect the moisture vapor barrier layer is an intermediate layer. In one embodiment, the thermosetting rubber layers follow a cis- or a trans-polybutadiene gradient from the center of the ball to its cover.
US08007369B2 Golf club head with stiffening and sound tuning composite member
A golf club head with sound tuning composite members forming at least a portion of the surface of the golf club head is disclosed herein. The composite members being a composite layer made out of a sandwiched core layer that is interposed inside the midsection of the composite member to provide vibration damping and sound tuning characteristics.
US08007368B2 Methods, apparatus, and systems to identify address position of golf club heads
Embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems to identify address position of golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08007367B2 Miniature radar for measuring club head speed and tempo
A golf club head swing timing device that uses radar to measure the duration of a golf swing. Club head speed measurement is also provided. The details of the disclosed embodiments include the ability of detecting the start and end of a golf swing, and to do so from information from the radar signal. Preferably, RF Doppler radar is used. Various modes of use and display are provided.
US08007365B2 Video game processing device, video game processing method and video game processing program
A video game processing device for controlling progress of a video game includes a storage unit for storing a map-related data including a map information indicating a predetermined area and a status information of a non-player character, a communication establishing unit for establishing communication connection for carrying out data communication with another video game processing device, a map acquisition requirement receiving unit for receiving a map acquisition requirement of the map-related data by an operation of a player, an acquisition requirement informing unit for informing the other video game processing device of the acquisition requirement received in an occasion when the communication connection with the other video game processing device is established, a map-related data acquisition unit for acquiring the map-related data provided by the other video game processing device, and a map-related data renewal unit for renewing content stored in the map-related data storage unit.
US08007361B2 Facilitating a flat rate play session with a parallel game
A gaming device adapted to operate in a flat rate play mode has two credit meters. The first credit meter shows a credit balance associated with the flat rate play session. The second credit meter shows a concurrent credit balance associated with a parallel transactional play session. The player may cash out the balance of one, but not both credit meters.
US08007351B1 Mobile personnel bio isolation device and method for protecting the interior of an ambulance from contamination
An enclosure which forms a biological chemical barrier system and has a bottom wall that rests on a gurney so as to be mobile while housing a patient on a backboard or mattress placed therein. A front wall of the enclosure has biomedical ports and an air filtration system therein. A rear wall of the enclosure has an access door therein formed by a hinged portion thereof cut therefrom and selectively closed by a zipper. Side walls of the enclosure have sleeve gloves therein. A top wall of the enclosure has a plurality of hanger straps thereon that extend upwardly therefrom, for wrapping around an associated personnel pole, and are relaseably maintained thereon by complementary portions of hook and loop pile fasteners disposed on themselves.
US08007349B2 Dual surface sanding block
A sanding block is disclosed having an elongate shape having a constant cross section along most of its longitudinal axis. The sanding block is formed of a flexible material and has a curved upper surface and a flat lower surface. The curved upper surface has a width less than that of the flat lower surface but has an arc length about equal to the width of the flat lower surface. The sanding block is used by securing strips of sand paper to one or both of the upper and lower surfaces. The width of the lower surface and the arc length of the upper surface are preferably chosen to be about equal to the width of the sandpaper.
US08007343B1 Bust support
A bust support device utilizing a pillow member having a top, a bottom, and a pair of curving side portions to permit the pillow to be placed in the cleavage area of the bust. The side portions adjoining the bottom of the pillow underlie the breasts. The pillow may be supported to a garment worn by the user, or directly to the torso of the user by a pair of straps.
US08007341B2 Wheel assembly for toy car
A wheel assembly includes a shaft and a pair of wheels rotatably connected to opposite ends of the shaft. Each wheel includes an inner cover, an outer cover connected to the inner cover, and a steering member sandwiched between the inner cover and the outer cover. The steering member includes a motor, a rotating plate, at least two elastic elements equidistant from each other around the inner cover, and at least two pawls rotatably connected to the outer cover. The motor is fixed on the inner cover and includes a rotating shaft. The rotating plate is fixed to the rotating shaft and is driven by the motor to rotate. Each elastic element connects the rotating plate to each pawl. Each pawl extends out of the inner cover by rotation of the rotating plate, thereby changing the radius of the wheel.
US08007334B2 Display panel and manufacturing method of display panel
A manufacturing method of a display panel including a light emitting element including a first electrode, a carrier transporting layer constituted of at least one layer and a second electrode so as to layer the first electrode, the carrier transporting layer and the second electrode, and the manufacturing method includes forming the first electrode in a predetermined region on a substrate, forming an opening from which only a predetermined region of the first electrode is exposed by patterning an insulation film by carrying out an etching after forming the insulation film on the substrate including the first electrode and forming the carrier transporting layer at least on the first electrode which is exposed from the opening.
US08007319B2 Electrical connector contacts retained by releasable first and second inserts held by releasable first and second shells
In accordance with one aspect, a connector includes contacts meeting MIL-C-39029/57 or MIL-C-39029/58 without requiring a retaining clip to hold such contacts in place and without embedding such contacts in a plastic housing. The contacts are attached to electrical power or data conductors and loaded into apertures in a rear and front insert. The rear and front insert are held together by a rear and front shell so the contacts remain secure in the apertures. In accordance with another aspect, a latching mechanism provides a robust, reliable mechanism for securing a socket portion of a connector to a plug portion of a connector.
US08007313B2 Attaching structure of connector
An attaching structure of a connector for attaching a connector to an attached portion, includes: a holding unit which holds the connector at an attaching position by sliding the connector in a direction of intersecting with a superimposing direction of the connector and the attached portion to superimpose the connector on the attached portion; and a pair of holes provided at the connector and the attached portion for passing a screw member by being communicated with each other when the connector is disposed at the attaching position.
US08007306B2 Electrical connection system
An electrical connection system 200 comprises a rail 202 and a plurality of electrically conducting posts 204 fixed to the rail 202. The rail 202 is in the form of a tube or rod provided with complimentary electrical connectors 208 and 210 at opposite ends. Each post 204 is coupled to a rail 202 by a short transverse link 205. A fitting 216 is provided at a free end 206 of each post 204 to facilitate mechanical and electrical connection with a through hole terminal. Pairs of rails 202 may be disposed side by side to form nominal positive and negative rails with the posts of the rails 202 interleaving each other and in mutual alignment. In some instances, photovoltaic tiles 10 that include holes 28 and 30 forming conductive terminals are fitted over posts 204.
US08007299B2 Apparatus, mounting structure, inserting and pulling jig, and fixing method
An apparatus includes a first substrate, a first connector disposed on a top face of the first substrate, a to-be-fixed member disposed on a back face of the first substrate, a second substrate disposed facing the first substrate, a second connector disposed on the second substrate and connected to the first connector, and a fixing module disposed on the second substrate and pivoting a locking arm using a rotating shaft, wherein the to-be-fixed member is pushed by a pushing portion provided at a tip of the locking arm when the locking arm is at a first position.
US08007295B2 Rotatable and concealable electrical power receptacle
Disclosed is a reversible and concealable electrical power receptacle, comprising: a main body, a shaft section, an accommodating section, and an electrical outlet assembly. The electrical outlet assembly is disposed on the main body; the accommodating section is for receiving the main body; the shaft section, comprises a first shaft member and a second shaft member. The second shaft member, being coupled to the main body and is perpendicular to the first shaft member, and the main body is rotatable with respect to the first and the second shaft members transversely respectively. Consequently, the main body is able to rotate transversely and perpendicularly with respect to the accommodating section in accordance with the rotational movements of the first shaft and the second shaft members, for resulting in an exposed state in use or a concealed state when not in use, thereby achieving effective space utilization.
US08007293B2 Grounding rebar connector
Disclosed herein is an electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a bolt member, a first connector member, and a second connector member. The bolt member has a general “U” shape. The first connector member includes a first surface, a second surface, and first openings. The second connector member includes second openings. The second connector member is a one-piece member. The first end and the second end of the bolt member extend through the first and second openings. The electrical connector is adapted to receive a bar member between the bolt member and the first connector member. The electrical connector is adapted to receive an electrical conductor between the first connector member and the second connector member. The first surface of the first connector member is adapted to electrically contact the bar member. The second surface of the first connector member is adapted to electrically contact the electrical conductor.
US08007289B2 Connector apparatus
An electrical connector for coupling two electrical connectors is described, the electrical connector configured to couple with a first complementary connector by means of a tongue portion and a pair of end walls, the tongue portion comprising first, second and third tongue sections; a plurality of contacts positioned in the connector housing; and wherein the contacts are grouped into first set and second sets of contacts positioned in the first and second tongue sections respectively. In another embodiment, the contacts are grouped into first, second and third sets of contacts positioned in the first, second and third tongue sections respectively. In another embodiment, an interconnect system having at least one electrical connector coupled to two electrical connectors is described.
US08007278B2 Periodontal surgery operation methods and instruments
The present invention relates generally to methods of performing periodontal surgeries, and instruments for performing said surgeries. A method of performing periodontal surgery to correct a gingival defect of a patient according to a general embodiment comprises the steps of making an incision at or near a fornix of the patient near the gingival defect, inserting an instrument into the incision to detach a flap, advancing the flap horizontally without enlarging the incision, elevating a papilla within the flap, stretching the flap to cover the gingival defect, and pressing against the flap to promote fibrin formation. An instrument for performing periodontal surgery according to one general embodiment comprises a handle, a first shank connecting to and extending from the handle, a connector section, and a blade section. The connector section further comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end connects to the first shank at a first angle, and the second end connects to the blade section at a second angle. Further, the blade section is approximately perpendicular to a plane formed by the handle and the connector section, and a cutting surface of the blade section is parallel to the second end of the connector section.
US08007277B2 Non-custom dental treatment trays and mouth guards having improved anatomical features
A non-custom, dental tray device includes a moisture-resistant barrier layer having a labial-buccal wall, a lingual wall, and a bottom wall. The dental tray device includes at least one of the following structural features to enhance the fit of the device; (1) the bottom wall includes an abrupt reduction of width at a location corresponding to where the first bicuspid meets the canine; (2) a bottom wall in the posterior region having a width that is equal to or less than the width of the bottom wall in the anterior region, with no lingual wall in the posterior region; or (3) a transition portion between the bottom wall and either the labial-buccal wall or the lingual wall has a larger radius of curvature as compared to a radius of curvature at a transition portion between the bottom wall the other of the labial-buccal wall and the lingual wall.
US08007274B2 Fuel nozzle assembly
A fuel nozzle assembly is provided. The assembly includes an outer nozzle body having a first end and a second end and at least one inner nozzle tube having a first end and a second end. One of the nozzle body or nozzle tube includes a fuel plenum and a fuel passage extending therefrom, while the other of the nozzle body or nozzle tube includes a fuel injection hole slidably aligned with the fuel passage to form a fuel flow path therebetween at an interface between the body and the tube. The nozzle body and the nozzle tube are fixed against relative movement at the first ends of the nozzle body and nozzle tube, enabling the fuel flow path to close at the interface due to thermal growth after a flame enters the nozzle tube.
US08007273B2 Premixing burner for generating an ignitable fuel/air mixture
A premixing burner has a swirl generator with at least two burner shells (1) which jointly enclose an axia conically widening swirl space and delimit tangential air inlet slits (3) through which combustion supply air passes into the swirl space in which an axially propagating swirl flow is formed, and with fuel injection devices at least partially along the tangentially running air inlet slits (3). The fuel injection devices include a fuel line (6) separate from the burner shell (1) and which is firmly attached to the burner shell (1) so as to be longitudinally movable with respect to the burner shell (1) and releasable perpendicularly to the surface of the burner shell (1). In the burner shell (1), orifices (4) are provided, into which issue fuel injectors (7) which are provided along the fuel line (6) and which project beyond the circumferential edge of the fuel line (6).
US08007270B2 Press molding tool and method for production of a component by press molding
The invention relates to a press moulding tool for the production of a component from at least one first material layer (1) and a second material layer (2) with a moulding tool, determining the shape of the component for production with two tool pieces (11, 12), to carry out the forming of the first material layer (1) and the second material layer (2) and the connection together of both material layers by the bringing together of the first and the second tool piece and with a clamping frame device which comprises a first (21), a second (22) and a third (23) clamping frame element, a cutting device (100), arranged on the third clamping frame element for cutting a projection of the second layer extending between the first and the second tool piece and a method for production of a component.
US08007258B2 Portable air pump
A portable air pump includes a tubular body, a barrel, a piston mechanism, a head, and a dispensing head. The tubular body has an upper cover having air inlet holes and a sealed bottom cover. The barrel has an air passage running through it along its axis direction. The piston has a center hole and a through hole, and a check valve is in positioned between the second end of the barrel and the bottom end of the piston. As the tubular body is moved in relation to the barrel away from the head, air flows into the tubular body through the air inlet holes and to the bottom of the tubular body through the through hole. Air is prevented from flowing out through the center hole of the piston by use of a check valve disc. As the tubular body is moved in relation to the barrel towards the head, air in the bottom of tubular body flows into the air passage of the barrel through the center hole, and out through the head and the dispensing head.
US08007251B2 Radial piston fuel supply pump
A high pressure radial piston fuel pump is featured having an hydraulic head with two or three individual radial pumping pistons and associated pumping chambers, annularly spaced around a cavity in the head where a rotating eccentric drive member with associated actuation ring are situated. A rolling interaction is provided between the actuation ring and the inner ends of the pistons for intermittent actuation. Relative rotation is provided between the actuation ring and the drive member. Respective inlet and outlet valve trains are situated in the head. The head is attachable to a removable mounting plate, and the drive member is rigidly carried by a drive shaft that is supported by two bushings, one located in the mounting plate and the other in the hydraulic head.
US08007249B2 Tile flood pump
A tile flood pump for attachment to a tile or drain pipe and pumping water from a field. The pump includes a pump housing, a flange bolted to the tile and an impeller housing enclosing one or more, lower rotating impellers, and extending into the pump housing for pumping water from the field through the impeller housing and the tile. A flapper valve can be provided on the intake end of the pump housing to facilitate flow of water through the pump housing and the tile. A shaft housing extends into the pump housing for enclosing a drive shaft that mounts the lower impeller(s) and connects to an external drive system. A shaft housing extension is removably fitted into the shaft housing for enclosing an upper impeller to flood and cool the upper marine and load bearings which carry the impeller shaft, upon which the upper impeller is mounted.
US08007229B2 Variable area turbine vane arrangement
A ring vane nozzle for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a multiple of fixed turbine vanes between an inner vane ring and an outer vane ring and a multiple of rotational turbine vanes between the inner vane ring and the outer vane ring, each of the rotational turbine vanes rotatable about an axis of rotation.
US08007226B2 Fuel pump
A fuel pump includes a rotatable impeller having a plurality of blades and blade ditches on the periphery thereof, a motor section for driving the impeller, and a casing member which accommodates the impeller and has at least one fuel passage along an outer periphery of the impeller. The fuel passage communicates with the blade ditches. Moreover, a radially-inside inner surface of the fuel passage, with respect to an axis of rotation of the impeller, from a centerline on a bottom of the fuel passage to a radially inside edge of the fuel passage is formed as an approximately quadrant curved surface.
US08007217B2 Arrangement for the backlining or the headbanding of a book block spine
An arrangement performs backlining or headbanding of a spine of a book block conveyed on a conveying section of a book production line through a backlining station. A feeding device feeds backlining material in a transfer direction perpendicular to a book block conveying direction. A unit includes a cross cutter to cut the backlining material into backlining sections, a transfer mechanism to transfer the backlining sections onto the book block spine, and a support table to support the backlining section being transferred onto the book block spine. A guide element is disposed above and at a distance to a book block spine in a production position, which guide element is advanced to bridge the book production line to transfer the backlining material through the book production line to allow at least one of outfitting or retrofitting of the backlining station.
US08007215B2 Fastening mechanism
A fastening mechanism which is easy to handle and operate. The fastening mechanism includes a bolster, a bolt, at least two elbows, and a support bracket. The bolster is provided with several retainer walls externally disposed, one side thereof being formed into an opening and the inside thereof being formed into a hollow space with a passage through which the bolt can pass. At least two elbows extend from the bottom end of the retainer walls. When the bolt mates with the inner thread formed in the retainer wall, a friction plate formed with the support bracket lodges into a tapered slot between two retainer walls so that the support bracket cannot move against the retainer walls. The at least two elbows angle outwards to retain the support bracket when the bolt is traveling along the inner thread.
US08007214B2 Container securement device
A container securement device enables a user to secure a cargo container to a carrier deck. The device includes a base having a projecting shear block received in the lock-actuating opening of the container. A shaft-mounted head rotates between an unlocked or loading position in which the head moves through the locking opening and a locked position in which the container is secured. Automatic entry and release are provided by a selected interchangeable spring element within the base biasing the head to the locked position but permitting movement to the unlocked position when torque is applied by engagement of the container with a cam surface on the head. The spring element may be interchanged as may be required by anticipated climactic and/or temperature conditions. Each spring element is actuable by a uniquely configured shaft member having a spring-receiving end capable of cooperating with at least two types of springs.
US08007210B2 System and method for breaking chips formed by a drilling operation
A drilling machine is provided for breaking chips formed by drilling action into manageable lengths. The drilling machine comprises a first gear having a first axis of rotation, and a cam follower surface. It has a second gear having a second axis of rotation coincident with the first axis of rotation. A housing is provided configured to support the first gear and the second gear, the housing having an undulating cam plate surface, a spring and a tool holder spindle having a third axis of rotation. The first and second gears are configured to impart both a linear feed and a rotation to the spindle. The first and second axes of rotation are coincident with the third axis of rotation such that the cam surface is urged into contact with the cam follower surface by the spring. The cam surface includes a plurality of steel balls positioned to follow the cam plate surface such that when the first gear rotates, the first gear is caused repeatedly to retract and then to advance, breaking chips that are formed.
US08007203B2 Method and installation for connecting a rigid submarine pipe and a flexible submarine pipe
A method and an installation for connecting a rigid submarine pipe and a flexible submarine pipe. The rigid pipe terminates in a free connection end. The flexible pipe has a flow-line portion and a suspended portion. The flow-line portion has an input end connected to the free connection end. The installation comprises an anchoring device to hold the flow-line portion anchored at an anchor point and to allow the flow-line portion to form an undulation. The anchoring device is suitable for holding the anchor point at a distance and close to the free connection end to form the undulation between the anchor point and the free connection end.
US08007201B2 Septic system
A modular or integral appendage for a septic collection housing having a first section for connected to a lateral side of the housing with the first section having a number of apertures thereon. The first section has a first area. The lateral side of the housing has a second area. The first area is greater than the second area for increased drainage and thus adds capacity to the housing. The second area having a plurality of protuberances thereon.
US08007191B2 Packaging and applicator device for a composition
A packaging and/or applicator device may include: a first element including an axis and at least one slot extending almost perpendicularly to the axis, and a second element that is engaged, at least in part, inside the first element, and that is capable of turning relative to the first element about the axis. The second element may also be capable of being axially displaced in the first element. The second element may include at least one lug that is engaged in the slot and that is visible from an outside of the device. The slot and the lug may be configured in such a manner that displacement of the lug in the slot while the first and second elements are turning relative to each other causes the two elements to be displaced axially relative to each other.
US08007186B2 Method of constructing a normal joint structure of a superconducting cable
Provided is a method of constructing a normal joint structure for connecting superconducting cables having a cable core and an optical fiber arranged along the cable core. With the method, which includes the steps of: pulling out an optical fiber from the end of each of two superconducting cables to be connected together and splicing the optical fibers thus pulled out; returning the excess length of the pulled-out optical fiber to a superconducting cable side upon the completion of splicing; and connecting the cable cores, it is possible to reduce the quantity of optical fiber housed in a joint box, and accordingly to downsize the joint box.
US08007182B2 Asymmetrical triple-row anti-friction bearing
The invention relates to an anti-friction bearing comprising a first bearing race, a second bearing race and a plurality of anti-friction bodies that are located between the first bearing race and the second bearing race. According to the invention, the anti-friction bearings are arranged in several rows, which are asymmetrical in the longitudinal direction of the anti-friction bearing in relation to any plane that runs perpendicularly to said longitudinal direction of the anti-friction bearing.
US08007181B2 Rolling bearing
A grease composition having an apparent viscosity at −30° C. of 5 to 200 Pa·s is sealed in a rolling bearing which retains a plurality of rolling elements between an inner ring and an outer ring in such a way that the rolling elements can freely roll. Thereby, there is provided a rolling bearing which has a satisfactory lubricating performance and generates less abnormal noise even under a low temperature of around −40° C.