Document Document Title
US08135017B2 Arrangement and method in a mobile communication network
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for obtaining efficient radio resource allocation in a mobile communication network comprising a communication network entity (15) and at least one user equipment (18) transmitting data to said mobile communication network entity (15) over a radio interface. A first data transmission from said at least one user equipment (18) is received, whereby said first transmission is decoded and a message (ACK/NACK) based on a result of the decoding is sent on a downlink channel (13) comprising information of said first received data transmission. A second data transmission from said at least one user equipment (18) is received, whereby the power on said downlink channel (13) is adjusted depending on the result of said decoding and the content in said received second data transmission.
US08135016B2 System and method for identifying upper layer protocol message boundaries
Systems and methods that identify the Upper Layer Protocol (ULP) message boundaries are provided. In one example, a method that identifies ULP message boundaries is provided. The method may include one or more of the following steps: attaching a framing header of a frame to a data payload to form a packet, the framing header being placed immediately after the byte stream transport protocol header, the framing header comprising a length field comprising a length of a framing protocol data unit (PDU); and inserting a marker in the packet, the marker pointing backwards to the framing header and being inserted at a preset interval.
US08135010B2 System and apparatus thereof for Ethernet PON communication
A communication system includes a station-side terminal apparatus and multiple subscriber-side terminal apparatuses connected to the station-side terminal apparatus. The station-side terminal apparatus is configured to, in response to receipt of a packet from a subscriber-side terminal apparatus, a packet indicating whether data distribution is required, identify the subscriber-side terminal apparatus that has transmitted the packet, and transmit a packet indicating an address for which whether the transfer of distribution data is required is designated to the subscriber-side terminal apparatus based on whether data distribution is required. Each subscriber-side terminal apparatus is configured to, in response to receipt of a distribution packet, if the distribution packet has the address for which whether the transfer of distribution data is required is designated, transfer the distribution packet to host apparatuses accommodated thereto or prohibit the distribution packet from being transferred to the host apparatuses accommodated thereto.
US08135006B2 Last mile high availability broadband (method for sending network content over a last-mile broadband connection)
This disclosure provides a method transmitting a network content, comprising: receiving a first data stream of a network content over a first link; forming a second and third data streams from the first data stream; sending the second data stream over a second link and the third data stream over a third link; and aggregating the second and third data streams to form the first data stream. In the present method, the first data stream may be split or load-balanced over the second and third data streams. The method further provides pulling packets from the second and third data streams; discarding duplicate packets; and assembling the remaining packets according to a protocol sequence number. The method also provides for monitoring links and for switching the data stream from a link that may be degraded.
US08134975B2 Network initiated context establishment
The invention relates to a method for configuring a context for a connection delivering a packet data service to a mobile terminal via a target wireless access network. The mobile terminal is initially connected to an originating wireless access network and the packet data service may be provided to the mobile terminal via the originating wireless network. Moreover, the invention provides an authentication server, a packet data gateway and a packet data service support node which participate in the context configuration method. To provide a method that allows establishing connection for packet service delivery to a mobile terminal from a wireless access network, as for example a UMTS, as fast as possible the invention suggests to preconfigure service provision of the packet data service via the target wireless access network by establishing a context prior to the mobile terminal connecting to the target wireless access network.
US08134969B2 IP layer-handoff using mobility domains and IP caching
The disclosure relates to fast roaming techniques which can reduce L3 handoff delay when a mobile access point and/or a mobile host roams back to a previously visited subnet. These fast roaming techniques can allow the mobile access point and/or the mobile host to skip a lengthy DHCP exchange when loading an IP address thereby reducing L3 handoff delays.
US08134968B2 Wireless communication method and wireless communication apparatus
When wireless communications are performed with a plurality of wireless stations using a spatial division multiple access scheme, there are included a moving speed grasp step, a priority grasp step, a channel assignment order determination step, a channel assignment order adjustment step for modifying, based on the priority grasped by the priority grasp step, so that the high-priority wireless station is placed high in the channel assignment order and a channel assignment control step for controlling, for the wireless stations after the wireless station to which a channel for frequency division multiple access has been assigned based on the channel assignment order, so that at least a channel for spatial division multiple access which has been spatially divided for the last channel is assigned.
US08134967B2 Method and apparatus for use in wireless communications
A method (700) of operation in a cellular communication system including at least one base station and, associated with the at least one base station, a plurality of user terminals in sectors to allow separate communications between the base station and the user terminals in different sectors, the method including providing (701, 703) a set of communication resource slots for distribution to the sectors for use in sending uplink traffic data, dividing (705, 707) at least part of the set into groups of slots having equal numbers of resource slots and allocating (709, 711) the groups of slots to the different sectors. A system, a base station and a mobile station operable using the method are also described.
US08134957B2 Method for controlling signal power level to control contention beween mobile terminals, and signal power level controller in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system
The present invention relates to a device for controlling a power level to control contention between mobile terminals in an uplink contention period in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing access (OFDMA) system, and a method thereof. In the method, cell broadcasting information broadcasted from the base station is received by the mobile terminal, the transmission power information of the base station is obtained from the cell broadcasting information by the mobile terminal, a received power level of the received cell broadcasting information is obtained by the mobile terminal, transmission power of a signal transmitted to the base station is determined based on the transmission power information and the received power level, and the signal is transmitted to a contention period based on the determined transmission power.
US08134955B2 Method and apparatus for media independent handover
A method and apparatus for performing a handover are disclosed. An Internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) client registers with an IMS network and establishes a media independent handover (MIH) session with an MIH application server using a session initiation protocol (SIP). The IMS client establishes a session for IP-based service, (e.g., voice over IP (VoIP)), with a communication peer using an SIP. MIH messages are exchanged for handover with the MIH application server over IP. After handover, the session is resumed. A serving call session control function (S-CSCF) triggers the MIH application server based on a string “MIH services” and a unique identifier included in an INVITE request. The IMS client may send a REFER request to the MIH application server after the handover to resume the session. Alternatively, the IMS client may send a RE-INVITE request to the MIH application server and the communication peer.
US08134954B2 System and method for controlling configuration settings for mobile communication devices and services
A system for controlling configuration settings for mobile data communication devices and services includes a redirection server and a policy generation system. The redirection server detects a triggering event in a host system and in response to the triggering event continuously redirects data items from the host system to a wireless network. Each mobile data communication device receives data items from the wireless network and includes a device configuration stored in a memory location on the mobile data communication device. The device configuration of each mobile data communication device controls one or more functions of the mobile data communication device. The policy generation system receives a policy setting from a user interface and stores the policy setting in a user information record associated with a mobile data communication device. The redirection server detects the policy setting in the user information record and in response to detecting the policy setting transmits the policy setting over the wireless network to the mobile data communication device associated with the user information record. The mobile data communication device automatically modifies the device configuration to include the policy setting. Methods of controlling a configuration setting in mobile data communication devices are also disclosed.
US08134949B2 Efficient use of the radio spectrum
A communication device including a receiver for receiving information via a first radio protocol directly from a first communication device concerning at least a second radio protocol; and a controller for controlling communication of the communication device in dependence upon the received information.
US08134936B2 Methods, systems and computer-readable media for dynamically recognizing and processing service order types in a network management system
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for dynamically recognizing and processing service order types in a network management system. Service type data for a new service order type is registered in a database table while the network management system is operating. Then, a service order is received in the network management system and the service order is parsed to determine if the received service order corresponds with the new service order type based on the service type data registered in the database table. If the service order corresponds with the new service order type, then the service order is processed by the network management system. If the service order does not correspond with the new service order type, then updated service type data may be registered in the database table.
US08134934B2 Tracking network-data flows
A network-equipment-implemented method and apparatus for tracking durations of flows received at a network node in consecutive intervals utilizes two counting bloom filters in ping-pong operation to reduce memory and processing. Identifiers for flows that exceed a predetermined duration or number of intervals are stored in a long-duration flow-identifier table. Hash functions used within the counting bloom filters and optionally used in the long-duration flow-identifier table are chosen to minimize the probability of false positives in the detection of long-duration flows. In some embodiments, flows are sampled to conserve memory and processing resources at the risk of missing detection of some long-duration flows.
US08134932B2 Method and arrangement in a telecommunication system
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements in a multi-antenna radio communication system, in particular to methods and arrangements for improved multiple HARQ transmission in such systems. While HARQ transmission schemes, as known in the art, only can consider the fact whether or not a transmission attempt has been successful the present invention provides a HARQ retransmission scheme that considers the reception quality for already performed transmissions of a same data packet when selecting a resource allocation for necessary re-transmissions. Resource allocation for retransmissions is based on a pre-defined metric indicating a quality of the reception of the previous transmission attempts. Such a metric can be derived from a quality measure derived in the receiver unit, e.g. a CQI or CSI-based value, or an appropriate measure of the mutual information, e.g. the accumulated conditional mutual information (ACMI).
US08134929B2 Communication system
In a communication system subject to variations in channel quality, transmit power control is used to reduce the variations in received signal quality. If the channel quality degrades to such an extent that a high transmit power would be required to ensure good received signal quality, the transmit power is decreased and is not increased until the channel quality recovers sufficiently to enable an acceptable transmit power level to be used. While the power is at the decreased level, transmission of a data block may continue, or may be suspended, with the data block being truncated if the whole block has not been transmitted by the end of the time period available for transmission of the data block.
US08134928B1 Technique for identifying a failed network interface card within a team of network interface cards
A method for identifying a failed network interface card in a system having two NICs configured as a team includes the steps of transmitting a first data packet from the first NIC to a third NIC, wherein the third NIC is not a member of the team, and transmitting a second data packet from the first NIC to the second NIC or from the second NIC to the third NIC, depending on whether the third NIC responds to the transmission of the first data packet. One advantage of the disclosed method is that it specifically identifies which NIC within the team has failed, which is something that cannot be determined by simply exchanging packets between the two NICs.
US08134923B2 Discovery of virtual private networks
A method is described of discovering at least one Virtual Private Network (VPN) automatically within a network comprising a plurality of network elements including the steps of: discovering the network elements which provide functionality for VPNs within the network; discovering the role of each network element, as identified in the preceding step, comprising identifying network elements whose role is as customer premise equipment (CPE); discovering, for each element identified as customer premise equipment, the VPN the customer premise equipment is associated with.
US08134921B2 CMTS upstream channel bandwidth scheduler
In one embodiment, a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) generates a bandwidth grant message corresponding to a time segment. The CMTS identifies a portion of the time segment to be assigned according to received bandwidth request messages originating from downstream cable modems. The CMTS determines whether a remaining portion of the time segment can accommodate more than N broadcast contention slots, and if so, selects at least one of the cable modems for receiving an upstream bandwidth boost.
US08134917B2 Automatic protection switching using link-level redundancy supporting multi-protocol label switching
A computer network has a plurality of routers that deliver data packets to the network via a plurality of links. At least one router provides automatic protection switching in the event of a link failure. The at least one router includes a plurality of data interfaces for streams of data packets to enter and exit the at least one router; and a backup controller. The backup controller includes a backup path manager, a link monitor, and a backup packet processor. For at least one link of the routing node, the backup path manager identifies a backup routing path for forwarding affected data packets in the event of a failure of the at least one link. The link monitor monitors the plurality of links to determine when a link fails. When a link which has a backup routing path fails, the backup packet processor attaches backup routing path instructions to affected data packets routed over the failed link, and forwards the affected data packets via the backup routing path.
US08134908B2 Diffractive optical element and optical pickup
An optical pickup with a simplified structure in which, according to the type of optical disc, diffracted light from three types of laser light can be directed efficiently onto a photodetector and appropriate focus control can be performed based on the signals detected by the photodetector, and a diffractive optical element that can be used in the optical pickup, which has a semiconductor laser 10 that can emit three types of laser light, a diffractive optical element 42 that diffracts the laser light reflected from the optical disc 31, and a single photodetector 43 that detects the diffracted light exiting the diffractive optical element 42. The diffractive optical element 42 is structured so that 0-order light is the maximal component of the diffracted light generated from each of two of three types of laser light, the two having close wavelengths (with a small wavelength difference), and +1-order light or −1-order light is the maximal component of the diffracted light generated from the remaining one type of laser light.
US08134906B2 Apparatus and method to optimize the performance of a holographic data storage system
A method is disclosed to optimize the performance of a holographic data storage system, where that holographic data storage system comprises a plurality of calibratable components, and where each of the plurality of calibratable components comprises one or operational parameters, and where each of those operational parameter is associated with a nominal range. The method seriatim tests each calibratable component and measures the one or more operational parameters for that device. The method determines if the one or more operational parameters associated with each of the calibratable components fall within the associated nominal ranges. If an operational parameter associated with a selected calibratable component fall outside the associated nominal range, then the method recalibrates that selected calibratable component.
US08134905B2 Information storage device and storage media
In an information memory apparatus having minute areas for storing information arranged in x, y and z directions three-dimensionally, parallel rays are irradiated to a memory area MA in a direction perpendicular to a z-axis to take projection images of the memory area MA while rotating the memory area MA around the z-axis little by little. The light rays irradiated at this time have a size which covers at least a direction of an x-y plane of the memory area. A computation unit PU finds data and addresses of minute areas distributed three-dimensionally by performing computation based upon the principle of computer tomography on the projection images. As for data writing, a change is given to optical transmissivity or light emission characteristics by irradiating laser light focused by a lens OL placed outside the memory area to a desired minute area and causing heat denaturation within the pertinent minute area.
US08134903B2 Method and apparatus for digital data accompanied by degradation
Degraded digital data is distributed from a server 1 to each user A, B, C, and D. An encrypted degradation compensation module is also delivered to the digital data duplicating apparatus 2 for the user A. The digital data duplicating apparatus 2 decrypts the encrypted degradation compensation module using its own encryption key, when playing digital data, to generate a 100% degradation compensation module. This module is applied to the degraded digital data to compensate the degradation thereof. An encrypted degradation compensation module of which the degradation compensation capability is reduced is delivered from the user A to the user B. The user B can use the encrypted degradation compensation module of which the degradation compensation capability is reduced from the user A to replicate the degraded digital data.
US08134900B2 Recording and reproducing apparatus and laser-driving pulse adjusting method
A recording and reproducing apparatus includes optical head means for writing and reading information expressed by a mark and a space on an optical recording medium by irradiating laser light to the optical recording medium, laser-drive pulse generating means for creating and supplying a laser-driving pulse in accordance with information to write to the optical head means and causing the optical head means to perform the irradiation of laser light for writing, mark edge error detecting means for detecting an error of the edge position of the mark from a signal read out from the optical recording medium by the optical head means; and adjustment control means for defining the adjustment on a laser-driving pulse generated by the laser-driving pulse generating means.
US08134897B2 Current gain control system
A current gain control system is described and comprises first and second gain blocks respectively associated with the first and second input channels, wherein first and second gain blocks transmit first and second gain signals in response to receiving first and second input signals; first and second converters adapted to be respectively coupled to the first and second gain blocks, the first and second converters operative for setting gains associated with the first and second input channel and for transmitting first and second converted signals in response to receiving the first and second gain signals; and first and second switches for selectively coupling the first and second converters to first and second channel drivers, respectively, wherein the first and second channel drivers transmit channel gain signals in response to receiving the first converted signal, and the channel gain signal allows control of the gain associated with the input channel.
US08134891B2 Apparatus for generating a seismic source signal
A seismic source signal generator having feed-forward control uses pressure, current, and/or valve position sensors to detect system component parameters. Initial and operating parameters are processed during source operation to remove, partially or wholly, harmonic distortions from the seismic source signal.
US08134889B1 Systems and methods for augmenting gunshot location using echo processing features
Systems and methods are disclosed for processing weapon fire information such as gunfire. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a method of processing gunshot information to determine source location information involving echo/reflection processing features. Moreover, the method may include processing gunshot information received from a source at a sensor having a reflecting surface at a given distance, processing direct arrival time and echo arrival time information, and determining source location information as a function of a virtual sensor calculated behind the surface.
US08134888B2 Method and apparatus of location tracking
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method of location tracking. The location tracking apparatus may calculate a location of an object using an ultrasound. In this instance, an intensity of the used ultrasound may be determined based on a distance to the object, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.
US08134887B1 Directional acoustic density sensor
The invention as disclosed is a fiber optic interferometric directional acoustic density sensor that increases the directionality of a vector sensor that is much smaller in size than the wave length of an acoustic wave. This is accomplished through the use of second order directionality by measuring the acoustic fluctuations of fluid density at a point, wherein the acoustic density fluctuations are determined according to the principles of fluid compressibility and conservation of mass using a density fluctuation measuring apparatus that restricts two of the three vector components of the particle velocity of the acoustic wave and that employs a laser interferometer to measure the fluid density fluctuation along the remaining vector component.
US08134885B2 High-speed compression architecture for memory
Memory design techniques are disclosed that provide a high compression ratio at no loss in speed. The techniques can be embodied, for instance, in heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) based ROMs. By embedding compression logic (e.g., XOR) functionality directly into the address decoders and sense amplifiers of the memory device, a high compression ratio is achieved at no loss in speed. For example, the logic-based compression functionality can be directly implemented into the buffers that form the address decoder as well as the sense amplifiers.
US08134873B2 Flash memory device and programming/erasing method of the same
A flash memory device includes a bulk region, first through nth memory cell transistors arranged in a row on the bulk region, first through nth word lines respectively connected to gates of the first through nth memory cell transistors, a first dummy cell transistor connected to the first memory cell transistor, a first dummy word line connected to a gate of the first dummy cell transistor, a first selection transistor connected to the first dummy cell transistor, a first selection line connected to a gate of the first selection transistor, and a voltage control unit connected to the first selection line, the voltage control unit being adapted to output to the first selection line a voltage lower than a voltage applied to the bulk region, in an erasing mode for erasing the first through nth memory cell transistors.
US08134870B2 High-density non-volatile read-only memory arrays and related methods
In an embodiment, a read-only memory array includes a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit-lines including first and second bit-lines, and a plurality of memory cells configured to represent data values. Each memory cell can include a transistor having a control terminal coupled to one of the plurality of word lines, a drain terminal, and a source terminal. Connections associated with the drain and source terminals of a particular memory cell can determine a data value represented by the memory cell. The memory cells of the plurality of memory cells that are coupled to less than two bit-lines are configured to represent one values.
US08134865B2 Operating method of electrical pulse voltage for RRAM application
Metal-oxide based memory devices and methods for operating and manufacturing such devices are described herein. A method for manufacturing a memory device as described herein comprises forming a metal-oxide memory element, and applying an activating energy to the metal-oxide memory element. In embodiments the activating energy can be applied by applying electrical and/or thermal energy to the metal-oxide material.
US08134861B2 Memory access method and semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array provided with blocks each having a plurality of memory cells arranged in columns and rows, a column selection circuit selecting a column via bit lines based on a column section signal, a word line driver circuit selecting a row via a word line based on a row selection signal and the column selection signal, and a write/read circuit writing data to and reading data from a selected memory cell via the bit lines based on a write and read switching signal. The selected memory cell is arranged at a position determined by the column selected by the column selection circuit and the row selected by the word line driver circuit within one block. Rows corresponding to the blocks are provided in common with the same number of word lines as the columns, and the memory cells arranged in one row within one block are coupled to mutually different word lines.
US08134858B2 Semiconductor device for supplying stable voltage to control electrode of transistor
A semiconductor device comprises an internal voltage generator circuit which includes a first transistor having a first and a second main electrode and a control electrode, a control circuit controlling a voltage between the second main electrode and the control electrode of the first transistor such that a voltage at the first main electrode of the first transistor remains at a predetermined voltage, and a second transistor having a first and a second main electrode and a control electrode. A voltage between the second main electrode and the control electrode of the first transistor is applied between the second main electrode and the control electrode of the second transistor.
US08134827B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor having thermal compensation
An aspect of the present invention provides a solid electrolytic capacitor that comprises: an anode mainly formed of a valve metal or an alloy thereof; an anode lead terminal a part of which is buried in a side surface of the anode; a dielectric layer formed on surfaces of the anode and mainly formed of an oxide; a conducting polymer layer formed on the dielectric layer; a cathode layer formed on the conducting polymer layer on an outer circumferential surface of the anode, the cathode layer comprising: a carbon layer; and a silver paste layer formed on the carbon layer; a thermal expansion layer provided on the side surface of the anode and on a part of the outer circumferential surface continuing from the side surface; and a rein outer package provided to cover the anode, dielectric layer, cathode layer, and thermal expansion layer, wherein a thermal expansion coefficient in a temperature range lower than a glass transition temperature of the thermal expansion layer is larger than that of each of the silver paste layer and the resin outer package.
US08134823B2 Stacked capacitor structure and manufacturing method thereof
In order to avoid the capacitors in a stacked capacitor structure suiting a miniaturization process from collapsing to cause a short-circuit, separated reinforced structures are used and disposed at the outer-sidewalls of the capacitor, which not only reduces the space occupied by the reinforced structure to increase the surface areas of the upper electrode and the lower electrode of the capacitor, but also allows the capacitor to be deflected but collapse-proof and there are more spaces between the capacitors, so as to solve the filling difficulty problem due to a too small filling space in a successive process of depositing conductive material into the filling space.
US08134821B2 Static eliminator and discharge electrode unit built therein
There is provided a static eliminator capable of weakening an electric field between a discharge electrode and a ground electrode, to generate a strong electric field between the discharge electrode and a workpiece, in which a first-stage circumferential chamber, a second-stage circumferential chamber and a first gas pool are arrayed in series along the longitudinal direction of a discharge electrode, the first gas pool is disposed in the mode of diametrically overlapping a gas outflow channel for shielding located on the inner circumferential side of the first gas pool, a gas is supplied to the first gas pool through the chambers disposed at multi-stages by means of the circumferentially spaced multi-stage orifices (the first and second chases), a ground electrode plate member in plate shape is buried in an insulating resin member on the bottom surface side of the half base in a position as high as where the first gas pool is located, and the ground electrode plate member includes a circular ring section concentric with the discharge electrode.
US08134813B2 Method and apparatus to reduce footprint of ESD protection within an integrated circuit
An input/output (“I/O”) circuit has a first N-channel metal-oxide semiconductor (“NMOS”) field-effect transistor (“FET”) coupled to the input pin with a silicide block. A first P-channel metal-oxide semiconductor (“PMOS”) FET is directly connected to the input pin, with its N-well electrically coupled to an ESD well bias circuit. An NMOS low-voltage differential signal (“LVDS”) driver is also directly connected to the input pin, and has cascaded NMOS FETs. The first NMOS FET of the LVDS driver is fabricated within a first P-tap guard ring electrically coupled to ground and an N-well guard ring coupled to the ESD well bias. The second NMOS FET of the LVDS driver is fabricated within a second P-tap guard ring electrically coupled to ground.
US08134808B2 Hard disk drive
A hard disk drive includes a head stack assembly including an actuator arm, a voice coil coupled to a bobbin, and a pivot shaft holder, rotatably coupled to a pivot shaft, disposed between the actuator arm and the voice coil. The hard disk drive also includes at least one magnet, disposed adjacent to the voice coil, which interacts and with the voice coil when current flows in the voice coil, thus generating an electromagnetic force to pivot the actuator arm around the pivot shaft, and a flux fringe prevention layer comprising a magnetic material and coupled to the voice coil, to prevent magnetic flux generated in the magnet being bent in the voice coil.
US08134799B1 Gripper assembly for data storage system
A gripper assembly for use with a media cartridge includes a gripper support and first and second gripper members supported by the gripper support. The gripper members are moveable asymmetrically with respect to the gripper support for gripping the media cartridge.
US08134796B2 Embedded track information for patterned media
A bit-patterned magnetic media (BPM) includes with respect to each data track a first sub-track and a second sub-track, each sub-track comprised of a plurality of bit-islands. A transducer head placed over a data track generates a readback signal. Channel response circuitry demodulates the readback signal and detects fine positioning information based on a comparison of a readback signal generated in response to the first sub-track and a readback signal generated in response to the second sub-track.
US08134794B1 Method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording head in a wafer packaging configuration
A method and system for providing energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) heads are described. The heads include sliders having leading and trailing edges. An EAMR transducer for each head is fabricated on a front face of a substrate that corresponds to the trailing edge of the slider. An overcoat layer that includes transducer and laser contact(s) is provided on the transducer. A laser for providing light to the transducer is provided on each slider. The laser is electrically coupled to the laser contact(s) and electrically insulated from at least part of the transducer contacts. The laser is enclosed in a capping layer, which has a laser-facing surface including a laser cavity, via(s), a trailing surface, and pads on the trailing surface. The laser cavity encloses the laser between the overcoat and capping layers. The via(s) provide electrical connection to the transducer contacts. The substrate is separated into the heads.
US08134791B2 Disc operation selection
A method of identifying a string or chain of efficient or “good enough” disc operations for processing (a pseudo optimal chain) is provided. A “pseudo optimal chain” comprises a string or chain of operations that, while not necessarily the optimal string or chain, provides an efficient sequence of operations that can be determined by comparing individual operations to predetermined selection criteria. In contrast to a true optimization technique that can require computing up to N! combinations for N operations, the string or chain of efficient or “good enough” disc operations allows for relatively simpler computations.
US08134780B2 Prism and lighting device
A prism includes a light incident portion that has first and second convex portions, the first and second convex portions each are a convex portion that refracts rays of light incident to a prism body and reduces a spread angle after incidence to the prism body via the convex portion to be smaller than that before the incidence, the spread angle is an angle between a given two of the rays, a first reflecting surface, provided on the prism body, that can reflect a first ray of light that has entered the prism body via the first convex portion, a first emitting portion, provided on the prism body, that emits, to the outside, the first ray reflected by the first reflecting surface, and a second emitting portion that emits, to the outside, a second ray of light that has entered the prism body via the second convex portion.
US08134778B2 Monolithic eccentric Mersenne-Cassegrain telescope
A Mersenne-Cassegrain telescope provided in a single block of glass in which opposed parabolic elements are precision milled through diamond turning of a glass boule, with the magnification power of the telescope determined by the differences in focal length between the two parabolas. The result is a volumetrically small telescope with pre-aligned surfaces that are maintained by the structural rigidity of the glass itself and in which thermal coefficients of expansion, vibration and the like have no effect due to the single glass element structure.
US08134777B2 Optical switch assembly and network incorporating same
An optical switch assembly comprising at least two optical amplifiers (10, 20), means for applying a first input signal to one end of both amplifiers (10, 20) and a second input signal to another end, and means for simultaneously driving one or other of the amplifiers into a saturated state whilst the other is unsaturated such that only the amplifier that is unsaturated provides any significant amplification to the input signals at each end, and means for feeding the amplified output signals from the amplifiers to at least two output nodes such that the two amplifiers (10, 20) are connected to the two output nodes in opposite connections.
US08134768B2 Light adjusting apparatus
A light adjusting apparatus for use with a small-size image pickup equipment. The light adjusting apparatus includes two substrates, out of which, one has an aperture, a spacing portion which regulates a distance between the two substrates, at least one incident-light adjusting unit which has a shaft member which becomes a center of rotation, and which is turned in a plane perpendicular to an optical axial direction, between the substrates, and at least one driving unit which drives the incident-light adjusting unit. Incident light which passes through the aperture is adjusted by turning the incident-light adjusting unit alternately, to the aperture and to a retracted position which is retracted from the aperture, by the driving unit. The light adjusting apparatus includes a notch which receives the shaft member, formed in the substrate, and a retaining portion which prevents the incident-light adjusting unit from dropping.
US08134754B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and image processing apparatus
An image forming apparatus which executes an image creation on the basis of image creation data including a first document identifier has: an input unit which inputs the image creation data; a storing unit which previously stores a second document identifier for limiting an output; and a discriminating unit which discriminates permission or inhibition of the output on the basis of the second document identifier stored in the storing unit and the first document identifier included in the inputted image creation data. The image creation is performed on the basis of only the image creation data which has previously been permitted, thereby preventing the unnecessary image creation from being executed.
US08134753B2 Original size detecting apparatus, original size detecting method, and program for original size detection
An original size detecting apparatus is capable of carrying out accurate original size detection without erroneous detection of the size of an original due to the influence of external scattered light. A CCD reads reflected light of light irradiated from a light source onto an original placed on an original platen glass. Optical sensors detect two open states of the original presser plate, and a scanner controller performs predetermined control corresponding to each of the open states of the original presser plate detected by the optical sensors, to determine the size of the original based on the result of the reading by the CCD.
US08134752B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a determining section for determining if a value indicative of a size of the background portion in the background pattern is smaller than a predetermined threshold value; and a background pattern correcting section which corrects the background portion and the latent image portion, when the determining section determines that the value is smaller than the threshold value, so that the value indicative of the size of the background portion becomes equal to or larger than the threshold value, and which forms a background pattern having a corrected background portion in which a copy prohibiting pattern is embedded, wherein the image forming section forms on a sheet the background pattern when the determining section determines that the value is smaller than the threshold value, and forms on the sheet the background pattern when the value is equal to or larger than the threshold value.
US08134749B2 Multi-bit-depth error diffusion for the reproduction of color or monochrome images
An image processing system including a lookup table having multi-bit printer output levels and an imaging input level. The imaging input level may be associated with a range of input pixel densities. The system further includes a processor configured to compare the imaging input level with one or more preconfigured threshold output values associated with the printer output levels. The imaging input level may be preferentially weighted to select a printer output level having an increased bit depth.
US08134748B2 Image data management processing apparatus, medium recording image data management processing program and image data management processing method
There has been a problem in that original image data should be saved with another name so as not to be altered, resulting in complexity and an increase in a necessary storage region.Image data are housed in a folder managed as a film metaphor and a database of photographic data 30b corresponding to each image data is prepared. When a desirable image processing is selected for desirable image data, the selected image processing is updated as modification information in the database structure. When display, output or print is actually required, various image processings are executed by referring to modification information on only a work area with original image data left. Therefore, it is possible to easily enjoy image modification or the like with the original image data left as they are.
US08134747B2 Print control device and print control program
A print control device that controls a printing process using registered color conversion information includes: a generating unit that, when a user edits the registered color conversion information, adds access authority information indicating that the color conversion information is user color conversion information used by only a predetermined user or common color conversion information that can be used by all users to the color conversion information to generate new edited color conversion information; and a registration unit that determines whether the edited color conversion information generated by the generating unit can be registered and whether the edited color conversion information is registered as the user color conversion information or the common color conversion information, on the basis of the access authority information and the registration state of the color conversion information, and registers the edited color conversion information on the basis of the determination result.
US08134746B2 Printing device, printing method, and print program for coloring a white area of a print image
There is provided a printing device that generates print data used for a printing process based on a print source. The printing device includes a duplication unit that duplicates a spool file that is generated from a single print source in a case where a direction for coloring a margin area in a predetermined color is received, a rendering unit that generates a print image by drawing one of the spool files, a halftone unit that generates first position data indicating a white area of an object included in the print image to be also an area in which the object exists by drawing the spool file by using a technique different from that used by the rendering unit and performs a halftone process for the area, in which the object is determined to exist based on the first position data, of the entire area of the print image, and a print data generating unit that generates the print data based on halftone data generated by the halftone unit.
US08134744B2 Method for setting color conversion condition for use in image forming device, and image forming device
A method for setting a color conversion condition for use in an image forming device. The image forming device includes: a first color conversion unit that converts input image data into first output image data by using a first three-dimensional LUT; and second-first, second-second and second-third color conversion units for sequentially converting the input image data into intermediate image data α and β by using at least one LUT. The method includes: setting, in a form of values expressing a color conversion relationship on a second three-dimensional LUT, a relationship between the intermediate image data α and the intermediate image data β to ensure that first colorimetric data of an image formed on the basis of the first output image data is equal to third colorimetric data of an image that is formed on the basis of image data obtained by sequentially converting the same input image data.
US08134742B2 Output device and method for outputting density data corresponding to a color material to a printing unit
An output device which outputs pixel data corresponding to a color material used by a printing unit to the printing unit includes an image buffer which stores image data, a generation unit which generates density data corresponding to the color material based on image data read out from the image buffer, a print buffer which stores density data generated by the generation unit, and a conversion unit which converts density data read out from the print buffer into pixel data corresponding to the resolution of the printing unit synchronously with the printing unit.
US08134740B2 Spot color controls and method
A method of color management for image marking devices utilizes an automated spot color editor having a control module accessing a graphical user interface. The method includes receiving image data input, in either device-dependent color space or device-independent color space, for a marking job. It is determined whether spot colors are present within the image data input and whether the CMYK values for each of the spot colors present within the image data input are included in the marking device spot color dictionary. Operational parameters for the automated spot color editor are initialized, with operational parameters including the desired performance criteria to be minimized by the automated spot color editor through selection of one or more matrices from a plurality of possible gain matrices to identify new CMYK values. The quality level of the new CMYK values is assessed and new CMYK values are transmitted to image printing device(s).
US08134739B2 Information processing device for outputting reduced-size pages
An information processing device includes an acquiring unit, a reducing unit, and an outputting unit. The acquiring unit acquires at least two files each including a page on which at least one of character and image is carried. The reducing unit generates a reduced-size page. If the file includes a plurality of pages, the reducing unit reduces size of the plurality of pages. The outputting unit outputs the plurality of reduced-size pages generated from at least two files.
US08134732B2 Communication apparatus
A communication apparatus for transmitting a document to a recipient address specified out of multiple address-book addresses displayed based on address-book data stored in an address book includes a controller configured to control a display order of the address-book addresses displayed in accordance with one transmission-address specifying mode selected out of a plurality of transmission-address specifying modes.
US08134727B1 Message preview control
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computing devices and systems, as well as software, computer programs, applications, and user interfaces, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods to facilitate message preview control. For example, the method may include generating representations for messages to present on an interface, and detecting selection of the representation for the message. Further, the method can include presenting preview information for the message, which can be an electronic facsimile. The representations for the messages can include a representation for an electronic facsimile, as well as a voice message and an email.
US08134724B2 Policy based system and method for optimizing output device submission, use and wait times
Disclosed is a system and method for optimizing submission of output jobs to a network of output devices, using an output job manager to assign jobs to devices. The assignments are done automatically, based on policies associated with users, output devices, organizations responsible for the output devices, and the system as a whole. User output preferences are expressed as one or more user policies. System and organizational constraints associated with users and output devices and the managing of groups of output devices are also expressed as policies. An optimizing scheduler calculates tradeoffs between user preferences, and factors in constraints to optimize submission of jobs to output devices, and to optimize use and wait times on the output devices.
US08134723B2 Information processing apparatus, and method discriminating between sheet feed from cassette and manual port, and image transfer based thereon
An information processing apparatus which controls a host-based printer includes a determination portion which determines designation of feed from a feed unit or manual feed port, a display control portion which, when it is determined that feed from the manual feed port is designated, causes a display portion to display a display to prompt the operator to insert a print medium into the manual feed port, an identification portion which identifies compressed-image data transfer permission corresponding a user instruction, and a transfer portion which transfers compressed image data of one page to the host-based printer.
US08134722B2 Image forming apparatus, method of controlling the same, program, storage medium, printing system, and method suitable for the printing system
There is provided an image forming apparatus capable of realizing a trial printing function that minimizes unnecessary consumption of time and supplies. Images that are inputted are accumulated in a memory. An output mode is set and a setting is made as to whether trial printing is to be carried out in the output mode or not. A CPU provides control to read out a corresponding image from the memory according to the set output mode and form the readout image on a sheet. When it is determined that the trial printing is to be carried out during image formation according to the set output mode, the CPU provides control to set the number of trial print pages according to predetermined conditions and carry out the trial printing for the set number of trial print pages.
US08134716B2 Methods and apparatus for measuring wavefronts and for determining scattered light, and related devices and manufacturing methods
A method and apparatus for spatially resolved wavefront measurement on a test specimen, a method and apparatus for spatially resolved scattered light determination, a diffraction structure support and a coherent structure support therefor, and also an objective or other radiation exposure device manufactured using such a method, and an associated manufacturing method. An embodiment involves carrying out, for the wavefront measurement, a first shearing measuring operation, which includes a plurality of individual measurements with at least two first shearing directions and spatially resolved detection of shearing interferograms generated, and an analogous second shearing measuring operation with at least one second shearing direction, the at least one second shearing direction being non-parallel to at least one first shearing direction. From the shearing interferograms detected, it is possible e.g. to determine a wavefront spatial frequency spectrum and/or a point response of the test specimen and to carry out a spatially resolved scattered light determination with a point spread function. The embodiment may be used, e.g., for spatially resolved scattered light determination of projection objectives for microlithography.
US08134704B2 Systems and methods for detecting normal levels of bacteria in water using a multiple angle light scattering (MALS) instrument
A particle detection system to identify and classify particles is programmed to capture digitized images of the particle generated by directing a light source through a fluid that includes the particle. The particle scatters the light and the scattered light is detected using a detector. The detector creates a digital signal corresponding to the particle, which is used by the system to generate Bio-Optical Signature. This Bio-Optical Signature can then be used to classify the event, or particle. Count rate and trends of the classified particles are monitored to detect a change that is representative of the overall health safety of the water or by knowing the levels of bacteria in process water, such as Reverse Osmosis (RO) feed water, reject brine, and product water, the operator may better monitor the life and condition of the RO membrane.
US08134700B2 Systems and methods for inspection of stents
A system and method for inspecting stents can involve an inspection camera to take an image of the stent and a computer system for analyzing the image to determine the presence of any coating defects. The determination can be made by masking out a portion of the stent, identifying deviations from a strut edge, and/or highlighting features protruding from a stent external boundary defining an outer diameter. The image can be taken after a focus feedback camera determines the position of the stent.
US08134693B2 Traffic violation detection, recording and evidence processing system
A traffic violation or event detection, recording and processing system and method is disclosed which includes at least one camera (20 and 30) for monitoring a region under surveillance (31 and 33); means for supplying independently sourced and verifiable time, date and location of a violation; a storing means (54) for storing continuous images taken by the camera; a non-intrusive violation detection means for detecting vehicle presence and movement and for providing an indication of a violation; and processing means for identifying images stored in the storage means and which relate to a violation detected by the violation detection means so that images associated with a violation are identifiable and can be processed to provide evidence of the violation and also identify the vehicle associated with the violation.
US08134680B2 Manufacturing method of liquid crystal panel
A manufacturing method of a liquid crystal panel 10 includes a panel manufacturing process, a substrate detachment process and a reuse-panel manufacturing process. A first liquid crystal panel 10A and a second liquid crystal panel 10B, which differ from each other in position of a sealant portion 20A, 20B to be formed thereon, are manufactured by the panel manufacturing process. Substrates 17, 18 are detached from a defective liquid crystal panel, i.e., from any one of the first liquid crystal panel 10A and the second liquid crystal panel 10B having a defect, by the substrate detachment process. The reuse-panel manufacturing process manufactures a third liquid crystal panel 10C by attaching the substrate 18A detached from the first liquid crystal panel 10A and the substrate 17B detached from the second liquid crystal panel 10B to each other. The reuse-panel manufacturing process includes a sealant-portion forming process that forms a third sealant portion 20C on the substrate 18A detached from the first liquid crystal panel 10A. The third sealant portion 20C is located to differ in position from both of a first sealant portion 20A on the first liquid crystal panel 10A and a second sealant portion 20B on the second liquid crystal panel 10B.
US08134678B2 Liquid crystal display panel with improved display characteristics and mask used to fabricate the same
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel with improved display characteristics includes a first display plate and a second display plate which face each other with a liquid crystal layer therebetween, a seal bonding the first display plate to the second display plate to prevent leakage of the liquid crystal layer, and an impurity blocking and liquid crystal flowing structure disposed inside a perimeter of the seal to prevent impurities from flowing from the seal to an active region in the first and second display plates while providing a flow path allowing liquid crystals to flow to the seal.
US08134676B2 Display apparatus having a main and sub FPC and a receiving container which receives the main and sub FPC
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a light guiding unit, a main flexible printed circuit board (FPC) and a sub FPC. The light guiding unit is disposed adjacent to a first side of the display panel. The main FPC is electrically connected to a second side of the display panel to apply an electrical signal to the display panel. The sub FPC is electrically connected to the main FPC. A light emitting device generates light supplied to the light guiding unit, and is mounted on the sub FPC.
US08134675B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes at least: a liquid crystal display panel; a light source provided on a back side of the liquid crystal display panel; and a frame accommodating the liquid crystal display panel and the light source and having an upper opening and a lower opening in an upper portion and a lower portion of the frame, respectively. The liquid crystal display panel includes a TFT substrate provided on a side of the light source, a CF substrate, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the TFT substrate and the CF substrate, a thin film driving circuit formed on the TFT substrate for driving the liquid crystal layer, and a front polarizing plate provided on a front surface of the CF substrate and having an overhanging portion overhanging from a periphery of the CF substrate. The front polarizing plate covers the upper opening of the frame and the overhanging portion is fixed to an upper end surface of the frame.
US08134671B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device including a pair of substrates sandwiching liquid crystal molecules, a plurality of gate bus lines, and a plurality of data bus lines, with each of the data bus lines extending to intersect the gate bus lines and bending in a zigzag manner. A plurality of pixels are formed in areas enclosed by the data and gate bus lines, with a plurality of pixel electrodes, each covering a substantial area of one of the pixels. A plurality of domain regulating structures for regulating orientation directions of the liquid crystal molecules and for forming multiple domains are formed in each of the pixels. At least one of the domain regulating structures bends along a first side edge of the pixel electrode and domains are divided in accordance with the bending of the domain regulating structure.
US08134667B1 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate disposed on an observer side of the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a transparent cover affixed by a first bonding member to a surface of the liquid crystal display panel on the observer side. The transparent cover has an optical member affixed by a second bonding member to a surface of the transparent cover facing the second substrate, and when viewed in plan, an edge of the transparent cover and an edge of the optical member protrude outside the second substrate.
US08134664B2 Liquid crystal display device
The liquid crystal display device according to this invention comprises: a first substrate having a first polarization layer on a light incident side; a second substrate having a second polarization layer on a light outgoing side; a first birefringent medium disposed between the first polarization layer and the liquid crystal layer; a second birefringent medium disposed between the second polarization layer and the liquid crystal layer; a pixel electrode and a common electrode arranged on one of the first substrate and the second substrate; wherein an absorbing axis of the first polarization layer and an absorbing axis of the second polarization layer form an angle of from 88 degrees to 92 degrees; wherein the liquid crystal layer has a property that an in-plane refractive index anisotropy is induced in the liquid crystal layer by an electric field produced by the pixel electrode and the common electrode.
US08134658B2 Liquid crystal display module
To provide a liquid crystal display module that eliminates the loss of light emitted from a light source. The present invention provides a liquid crystal display module including: a liquid crystal display panel; and a backlight, wherein the liquid crystal display panel includes an upper polarization plate and a lower polarization plate, the backlight is configured by a light source and a light guide plate, the light guide plate is configured in such a manner that the thickness of an incident face where light of the light source enters is larger than that of a portion opposed to the lower polarization plate, a light shielding member and a reflection member arranged on the light shielding member are provided at portions, of the liquid crystal display panel, corresponding in the upper direction to the incident face of the light guide plate, and the reflection member is formed along the light guide plate.
US08134656B2 Backlight device, display device, and television receiver
A backlight device is provided with a cold cathode fluorescent tube as a first light source that emits light of green, and a cold cathode fluorescent tube as a second light source that can be switched on independently from the first light source and emits light of red and blue. A diffusion member provided on the light source side of a diffusion plate is disposed opposite to the first light source so as to diffuse green light.
US08134653B2 Method for fabricating an LCD panel comprising applying first and second curing voltages simultaneously and respectively on second and third common electrodes
An LCD panel includes a pixel unit having a first and a second pixel electrodes. The method includes: providing a first and a second curing voltages Vcuring1, Vcuring2 based on V1=[Cst1/(Cst1+Clc1)]×Vcuring1 and V2=[Cst2/(Cst2+Clc2)]×Vcuring2, in which, V1=a voltage of the first pixel electrode and V2=a voltage of the second pixel electrode, Clc1=a first liquid crystal capacitor formed by the first pixel electrode, a liquid crystal layer and a first common electrode, Cst1=a first storage capacitor formed by a first capacitor electrode, a dielectric layer and a second common electrode, Clc2=a second liquid crystal capacitor formed by the second pixel electrode, the liquid crystal layer and the first common electrode, Cst2=a second storage capacitor formed by a second capacitor electrode, the dielectric layer and a third common electrode, and applying the first and the second curing voltages simultaneously onto the second and the third common electrodes of the pixel unit to result in a ratio of the voltage of the first pixel electrode to the voltage of the second pixel electrode ranging from 0.9 to 1.1.
US08134646B2 Video signal processing device and video signal processing method
According to one embodiment, a video signal processing device includes an input unit to which a brightness signal is input, a high band emphasis unit that extracts a first high band component from the brightness signal and outputs an output signal by adding the first high band component to the brightness signal, an acquisition unit that acquires a first histogram data of brightness levels for one frame of the input brightness signal, and a first processing unit that performs a high band emphasis processing on the input brightness signal based on the first histogram data.
US08134629B2 Image sensor driving unit and camera
An image sensor driving unit, comprising a signal generator and a controller, is provided. The charge-transfer channel transfers the signal charges at a speed according to the frequency of a transfer signal. The signal generator transmits the first discharge signal and the second discharge signal to the image sensor. The first and second discharge signals are the transfer signals for the charge-transfer channel to carry out rapid discharge. The frequency of the second discharge signal is greater than that of the first discharge signal. The controller orders the signal generator to generate the first discharge signal during an overlap period when a driving period is at least partially overlapped with a discharge period. The controller orders the signal generator to generate the second discharge signal when the driving period is not overlapping with the discharge period.
US08134627B2 Digital photographing apparatus and method of operating image pickup device
A digital photographing apparatus and a method of operating an image pickup device reduce generation of smear. The image pickup device includes a matrix of photoelectric converters which generate charges from incident light, vertical transfer paths for reading charges generated in the photoelectric converters and for transferring the read charges in a vertical direction, and a horizontal transfer path for transferring the charges on the vertical transfer paths in a horizontal direction. The method includes: applying vertical and horizontal transfer signals for causing the charges generated in photoelectric converters defining a subset of rows of the photoelectric converters to be read by the vertical transfer paths and to be transferred in the horizontal direction along the horizontal transfer path; and providing a predetermined period of time in which the horizontal transfer signals are not applied to the horizontal transfer path while charges are being transferred to the horizontal transfer path.
US08134621B2 Rolling-reset imager
An imaging system comprises a rolling-reset imager that forms an electronic image of an object, a light source illuminating the object with pulsed light, and a bandpass optical filter disposed between the object and the rolling-reset imager. The pulsed light has an illumination frequency spectrum and an illumination pulse width defining an effective exposure time for forming the image of the object. The bandpass optical filter has a frequency pass band permitting transmission of a significant portion of the illumination frequency spectrum while at least approximately inhibiting transmission of at least some light having frequencies outside the illumination frequency band. An imaging method illuminates an object with light in a given frequency range, so that the illumination light reflects from the object along with background light. The method filters the reflected light so as to attenuate at least some of the background light by a greater attenuation factor than the illumination light. The method forms a pixelized electronic image based on the filtered light on a rolling-reset basis.
US08134616B2 Imaging apparatus and pixel defect compensation method implemented therein
Pixel signals output from an imaging device having pixels arranged in horizontal and vertical directions are compensated if there are pixel defects. Extracted from the pixel signals are: a first signal from a target pixel; second signals from second pixels having the same color as the target pixel; and third signals from third pixels having a different color from the target pixel, the second and third pixels being located as close to the target pixel on both sides thereof in each direction. Extracted from the second signals are a highest-level signal having the highest luminance level and a second-level signal having the second luminance level. An average luminance level of the second signals is calculated. It is determined whether a particular pixel among the second pixels and causing generation of the highest-level signal is defective by using the highest and average levels. The highest-level signal is selected when the particular pixel is not defective, otherwise, the second-level signal. It is determined whether the target pixel is defective by using the levels of the first and selected signals. The first signal is output when the target pixel is not defective, otherwise, the selected signal.
US08134609B2 Imaging system, imaging apparatus, portable terminal apparatus, onboard apparatus, medical apparatus and method of manufacturing the imaging system
An imaging system is provided and includes: an imaging lens; an imaging device; a coefficient storage section; and a signal processing section. When a maximum diameter of an effective region of a point image projected onto a light receiving surface of the imaging device through the imaging lens 10 is a size covering three or more pixels, a restoration coefficient corresponding to a state of the point image expressed by first image data output from the imaging device is stored in the coefficient storage unit. The signal processing section executes restoration processing on the first image data output from the imaging device by utilizing the restoration coefficient stored in the coefficient storage unit, the restoration processing being executed to generate second image data equivalent to the first image data output from the imaging device when the resolving power of the imaging lens is higher. The imaging lens has a first lens group, which includes at least one lens and has a positive power, and a second lens group, which includes at least one lens and in which a lens positioned closest to the image side has a negative power, in order from the object side.
US08134608B2 Imaging apparatus
Disclosed is an imaging apparatus capable of enlarging a portion of an image captured by an imaging device of a fisheye camera and displaying the enlarged image on a display screen with little distortion. The imaging apparatus enlarges a section, which is a portion of an image captured by a fisheye camera, and displays the section on a display screen such that the enlargement ratios of points in the section are different from each other. An image processing method uses a change function that changes the enlargement ratio of a field angle depending on the place is used, and converts a portion of the captured image into a central projection image to generate a display image. The use of the change function makes it possible to generate a display image having high visibility.
US08134606B2 System and method for creating composite images by utilizing an imaging device
A system and method for creating composite images by utilizing a camera comprises a cradle device that transports the camera across a target area during a scanning procedure that captures and stores image data. During the scanning procedure, a motion detector captures and provides scan motion data to a scanning manager from the camera. The scanning manager may then responsively utilize the scan motion data to accurately extract still frames corresponding to the target area from the captured image data at pre-determined time intervals. A stitching software program may then access and combine the still frames generated by the scanning manager to thereby create composite images.
US08134599B2 Scanning image display apparatus
A scanning image display apparatus includes: a scanning unit rotating a mirror to scan a light flux from a light source; an input unit to input a display condition of an image; and a controller changing a rotation angle of the mirror in the scanning unit in accordance with a signal from the input unit. According to the scanning image display apparatus, the display condition (e.g., size, aspect ratio) of the image can be changed without using trimming.
US08134598B2 Picture quality monitoring apparatus
Picture having a band of 6 MHz is distributed to the set-top box (STB) 14 via the compression encoder 11, the distribution server 12, and the network 13. The low-pass filter 151 in the picture quality monitoring apparatus 15 removes high-frequency components of an inputted digital signal and inputs luminance signal, the band of which is limited to 4 MHz, into the PSNR calculator 153. The Y/C separator 152 separates a luminance signal from NTSC analog composite signal, which are sent out from the set-top box 14. The separated luminance signal has a band of 4 MHz. The PSNR calculator 153 calculates PSNR between the luminance signal from the low-pass filter 151 and the luminance signal from the Y/C separator 152.
US08134591B2 Display using bidirectionally scanned linear modulator
A method for forming a stereoscopic image forms separate left-eye and right-eye images in a repeated cycle that forms the left-eye image by providing data for lines of the left-eye image, ordered in sequence from a first to a second edge of an image frame, then forms successive lines of modulated light according to the ordered sequence by progressively scanning lines of modulated light across a display surface by rotating a scanning element forward from a first to a second position. The right-eye image is formed by providing data for lines of the right-eye image, ordered in sequence from the second to the first edge of the image frame and forming successive lines of modulated light, progressively scanning the lines of modulated light across the display surface by rotating the scanning element in reverse from the second to the first position. The left-eye image is distinguished from the right-eye image.
US08134590B2 Stereoscopic display apparatus
In a stereoscopic display apparatus having optical directory elements such as lenticular elements (4) extending parallel to each other and being slanted at an angle to one of the rows and columns of picture elements the appearance of so called dark bands is prevented by certain combinations of the slant angle and the lens pitch.
US08134589B2 Zoom by multiple image capture
An image sensor assembly includes a fixed focal length optical lens; a mirror that reflects light from the scene to an optical lens and moves into a plurality of positions; and an image sensor that receives the light after it passes through the optical lens and captures a plurality of images that represents each image captured from each position of the mirror; wherein at least portions of the plurality of images are stitched together to form a composite image with a desired zoom factor.
US08134583B2 To color flat panel display sub-pixel arrangements and layouts for sub-pixel rendering with split blue sub-pixels
Various embodiments of a sub-pixel octal grouping are disclosed. The octal grouping may comprise three-color (red, green and blue) sub-pixels with blue colored subpixel comprising twice the number of positions within the octal sub-pixel grouping as the red and green colored sub-pixels. Various embodiments for performing sub-pixel rendering on the sub-pixel groupings are disclosed.
US08134582B2 Color display apparatus
A color display apparatus is of the type wherein a unit pixel is constituted by at least three subpixels including first to third subpixels, and at each subpixel, a medium for changing an optical property depending on a voltage applied thereto is disposed. The color display apparatus includes means for applying a voltage, to each of the first to third subpixels, for changing the optical property of the medium within a brightness change range in which light passing through the medium is changed in brightness and a hue change range in which the light passing through the medium assumes chromatic color and a hue of the chromatic color is changed while including combinations of red and green, red and blue, and green and blue for the first to third subpixels, respectively.
US08134576B2 Method and apparatus for background replacement in still photographs
A first digital image is acquired of a framed area while illuminating the background and foreground object under a first lighting condition. A second digital image is then acquired of the same framed area while illuminating the background and foreground object under a second lighting condition. Preferably, the first lighting condition illuminates the background without illuminating the foreground object so that a silhouette of the foreground object is acquired in the first image. The second lighting condition illuminates the foreground object (e.g., with frontal lights). Due to the difference in the illumination between the background and silhouette in the first image, an alpha mask can be created from the first acquired image. Using the mask, the background from the second image can be removed and replaced by virtually any other desired background image.
US08134575B2 Maintaining graphical presentations based on user customizations
A method and system for rendering graphics based on user customizations in a computer graphics application are disclosed. The customizations relate to various properties of one or more graphical elements in the graphic. Such properties include positioning, size, formatting and other visual attributes associated with the graphical elements. These properties may be defined as either semantic properties or presentation properties. Semantic properties are persistent across all graphic definitions. Presentation properties are specific to the graphic definition to which each particular graphic belongs. Thus, a customization to a semantic property of a displayed graphic is preserved in memory for application not only to the currently displayed graphic, but also to all other graphic definitions that may be displayed in the future. In contrast, a customization to a presentation property is only preserved for the currently displayed graphic, and thus not preserved for all other graphic definitions.
US08134565B2 System, module and method of enabling a video interface within a limited resource enabled information handling system
A system, module, and method of enabling a video interface within a limited resource enabled information handling system are disclosed. In a particular form, a processing module can include a processor configured to initiate an outputting of a video signal to a host processing system including a video display. The processing module can further include a Mini-card enabled interface operable to be coupled to the host processing system to the host processing system to allow the video signal to be transmitted there between. The processing module can also include a video output channel configured within the Mini-card enabled interface and accessible to the processor to output the video signal to the host processing system.
US08134563B2 Computing system having multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem (MMPGRS) employing real-time automatic scene profiling and mode control
A parallel graphics rendering system is embodied within a host computing system and includes a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) and graphics processing modules. The parallel graphics rendering system supports one or more modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division. a plurality of graphic processing pipelines The GPPLs support a parallel graphics rendering process that employs one or more of the object division, image division and/or time division modes of parallel operation in order to execute graphic commands and process graphics data, and render pixel-composited images containing graphics for display on a display device during the run-time of the graphics-based application. An automatic mode control module automatically controls the mode of parallel operation of the parallel graphics rendering system during the run-time of the graphics-based application. The graphics processing modules of the parallel graphics rendering system can be embodied within diverse system architectures.
US08134552B2 Method, apparatus, and medium for efficiently rendering 3D object
A method, apparatus and medium to render three-dimensional (3D) objects for 3D graphics. The method includes detecting the presence of a motion by performing local coordinate calculations with respect to each 3D object, performing global coordinate calculations with respect only to objects that each has a motion among the 3D objects, and rendering 3D objects for which local and global coordinate calculations have been performed.
US08134550B2 Display device, driving method thereof and display driver therefor
A digital driving system for a display includes a scan driver adapted to supply scan signals serially to scan lines of the display, a data driver adapted to supply a first data signal and a second data signal to data lines of the display, a timing controller adapted to control the scan driver and the data driver in accordance with a main clock, and to supply external data to the data driver, and a vertical synchronizing signal synchronizing circuit adapted to synchronize an internal vertical synchronizing signal and an external vertical synchronizing signal.
US08134548B2 DC-DC converter switching transistor current measurement technique
A method is described comprising conducting a first current through a switching transistor. The method also comprises conducting a second current through a pair of transistors whose conductive channels are coupled in series with respect to each other and are together coupled in parallel across the switching transistor's conductive channel. The second current is less than and proportional to the first current.
US08134534B1 High transparency integrated enclosure touch screen assembly for a portable hand held device
An integrated enclosure/touch screen assembly. A touch screen assembly consisting of a display mechanism and optical sensor mechanism are enclosed within a single piece cover. The optical sensor mechanism consists of lens structure and optical sensor couple to the lens structure. The single piece cover includes a transparent top surface and the lens structure is embedded within the transparent top surface. The transparent top surface of the single piece cover provides an enclosure that is both dust free and waterproof.The lens structure of the single piece cover functions by columnating light across the transparent surface. The optical touch sensor is coupled to the lens structure to register contact with the transparent surface via the lens structure by detecting disturbances in the columnated light. In one embodiment, the single piece cover is constructed by embedding the lens structure directly into the transparent surface. This process forms the single piece cover and also may be used to provide various shapes for the outer edges of the cover. The single piece cover eliminates exposed seams of the touch screen assembly. Additionally, the transparent surface is disposed directly above the display without any intervening layers, thereby improving the transmission of light to the display.
US08134531B2 Source line driving circuit, active matrix type display device and method for driving the same
If the frequency of a clock signal is increased, the pulse width of a sampling pulse is decreased, and the amount of time for a video signal to be written to a source line is inadequate. Sampling pulses (sam) rise sequentially in synchronization with the rise of a start pulse (SP). As the start pulse (SP) rises, synchronized with the rise of clock signals (CK, CKB), the sampling pulses (sam) fall off sequentially, delayed by half the period of the clock signals (CK, CKB) for every step. As a result, the sampling pulses (sam) with a pulse width longer than one period of the clock signals (CK, CKB) are generated. In a period Ta, a desired video signal (VIDEO) is written to its corresponding source line. In this way, the time for half a period of the clock signal can be secured for writing to the source line.
US08134521B2 Electronically tunable microwave reflector
Exemplary embodiments of a structured surface are described which can efficiently reflect, steer or focus incident electromagnetic radiation. The surface impedance may be adjustable and can impart a phase shift to the incident wave using tunable electrical components of the surface. An array of electrodes interconnected by variable capacitors may be used for beam steering and phase modulation. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrodes have a circular configuration.
US08134509B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes a housing that has a rectangular plate section and a sidewall section provided with a control opening for slide control member provision, and an antenna housing groove extending in a longitudinal direction of the sidewall section; a protrusion that is provided upright at a point adjacent to one end of the antenna housing groove; a plate piece-like antenna unit that has a length to be completely housed in the antenna housing groove and including a radio communication antenna; a control member that is placed to extend across inside and outside of the housing through the control opening provided with a control piece to be slid; and a lever member that is placed in the housing, the lever member rotating about the rotation shaft in response to slide of the control piece, and thereby pushing out the antenna unit from the housing.
US08134508B2 Wireless, computer-peripheral device
A CWUSB, ExpressCard card has a body with an internal slide in the form of a deep rectangular slot. Accommodated in the slot is an aerial unit in two parts pivotally connected together. The slot has sides to the slot and slightly over-hung ends. The first part has a major portion with a width to slide in the slot and a minor portion with a reduced width that is able to protrude between the over-hung ends in an extended position of the aerial unit. The minor portion has pivot points. The second part is longer and has the reduced width whereby it can pass between the overhung ends. The inner end of the second part has complementary pivot points, whereby the parts are pivotally connected. The parts molded to locate a torsion spring, which biases the second part upwards with respect to the first part.
US08134500B2 Method and apparatus for enhanced autonomous GPS
Method and apparatus for locating position of a remote receiver is described. In one example, long term satellite tracking data is obtained at a remote receiver. Satellite positioning system (SPS) satellites are detected. Pseudoranges are determined from the remote receiver to the detected SPS satellites. Position of the remote receiver is computed using the pseudoranges and the long term satellite tracking data. SPS satellites may be detected using at least one of acquisition assistance data computed using a previously computed position and a blind search. Use of long term satellite tracking data obviates the need for the remote receiver to decode ephemeris from the satellites. In addition, position of the remote receiver is computed without obtaining an initial position estimate from a server or network.
US08134494B1 Simulating the mutual performance of an antenna array coupled to an electrical drive circuit
According to one embodiment, simulating the mutual performance of an antenna array coupled to an electrical drive circuit includes receiving one or more cross-coupling matrices and a number of electrical circuit parameters. Each cross-coupling matrix comprises matrix elements that each represent a cross-coupling factor of one antenna element to another antenna element of the antenna array. The electrical circuit parameters model one or more characteristics of the electrical drive circuit. Performance of the microwave antenna array and the electrical drive circuit in a far-field environment is modeled according to the electrical circuit parameters and the cross-coupling matrices.
US08134492B1 Method for scanning a radar search volume within an allowable scan time
A radar volume in a cued direction is searched with sequential pencil beams. The allowable scan time is limited. The cued direction and uncertainty identify a search face, and the range gives a search volume. The number of beams required to scan the volume is determined, and compared with the maximum time. If less than the maximum, the scan is initiated. If greater than the maximum time, the scan region about the cued volume is subdivided into smaller portions, each of which is scanned sequentially.
US08134480B2 Image processing system and method
An image processing system is provided, which includes: a front monitoring device that obtains an image of a view ahead of a vehicle; a vehicle position detecting device that detects the position and orientation of the vehicle; a map database that stores road maps; a traffic indicator position estimating portion that estimates the position of a traffic indicator (23) based on the shape of a road ahead of the vehicle that has been extracted from the map database, according to the position of the vehicle that has been detected by the vehicle position detecting device; an image processing region setting portion that sets an image processing region within the image obtained by the front monitoring device based on the position of the traffic indicator that has been estimated by the traffic indicator position estimating portion; and a traffic indicator detecting portion that detects the traffic indicator from the image processing region.
US08134474B2 Remote monitoring of real-time industrial automation information
A method for remote monitoring of real-time information is provided. In the method, a representation is displayed of each of a plurality of items configured to generate the real-time information. Also displayed is a representation of each of a plurality of destinations configured to receive the real-time information. The real-time information is received from the items. A command is received which selects one of the items and one of the destinations. After receiving the command, at least a portion of the real-time information received from the selected item is transmitted to the selected destination.
US08134467B2 Automated antenna trim for transmitting and receiving semiconductor devices
A radio frequency communication device and methods of testing and tuning an antenna attached thereto are described. A radio frequency communication device comprises internal circuitry and an antenna having a plurality of antenna segments associated therewith. Each antenna segment is associated with the antenna in either series or parallel relation through at least one of a fuse and an antifuse. In testing and tuning, a comparison is made to indicate whether the antenna is too short or too long.
US08134463B2 Wheelchair accessory
My invention is an improvement upon the previously existing wheelchair warning lamp apparatus that fails to allow the wheelchair to fold and be used indoors when installed onto the wheelchair and require drilling to be installed. My apparatus, a clamp-on extendible and retractable cylinder shaped erected pole has a safety light and an audible alert equipment installed on top of the inner casing and a pole lock nut installed on the outer casing whereas the outer pole casing is attached to the battery housing support member with three C-Clamps vertically and horizontally attached on the battery housing allowing the pole and battery safety light assembly with audible alert apparatus to be clamped onto one side only of the wheelchair without drilling required and allows the chair to fold and be used indoors without removal of the installed pole and battery with safety light with audible alert apparatus from the wheelchair.
US08134461B2 Device and method for controlling a lighting system by proximity sensing of a spot-light control device and spotlight control device
The invention relates to controlling a lighting system by proximity sensing of a spotlight control device, particularly to controlling a spotlight generated by a lighting system such as a large LED lighting array by means of a spotlight control device. The invention provides a device (10) for controlling a lighting system (12) by proximity sensing of a spotlight control device (14), wherein a predefined area (24) around the spotlight control device (14) is illuminated if a proximity sensor (16) signals presence of the spotlight control device (14) within the predefined area (24). The invention has the main advantage that it allows to control complex lighting systems containing dozens or even thousands of lighting devices such as large LED arrays with one device, the spotlight control device.
US08134457B2 Method and system for spatio-temporal event detection using composite definitions for camera systems
A system and method for monitoring events includes defining alert events based on primitive event types in an environment monitored by monitoring devices. Alert parameters are set for each alert event, and alert events are combined to create a composite alert event based on a plurality of alert events. A plurality of engines is monitored to determine if multiple events comprising the composite alert event have occurred.
US08134447B2 Electrical multilayer component and method for producing an electrical multilayer component
An electrical multilayer component has a stack of dielectric layers and electrode layers arranged one above another. Electrode layers of identical electrical polarity are jointly contacted to an external contact arranged at a side face of the stack. A resistor sintered to the stack and containing ceramic resistance material is arranged on an end face of the stack.
US08134441B1 Nanomagnetic signal propagation and logic gates
A method and system for propagating signals along a line of nanomagnets. Nanomagnets having an easy axis and a hard axis are provided a biaxial anisotropy term, which increases metastability along the hard axis. The nanomagnets are forced into hard-axis alignment. A magnetization direction of a first nanomagnet is caused to cant upward. Dipole coupling interactions between the first nanomagnet and an adjacent nanomagnet cause a magnetization direction of the adjacent nanomagnet to cant downward in an anti-parallel alignment. This cascade continues reliably along the line of nanomagnets. The biaxial anisotropy term provides additional stability along the hard axis to ensure the nanomagnets do not prematurely align along the easy axis. Various logic gates using nanomagnets, stabilizer nanomagnets, destabilizer nanomagnets, and magnetic diodes are also disclosed.
US08134439B2 Solenoid
A solenoid, in particular for switching pressure controllers or pressure valves, including an armature movable in an armature space, and a coil which can be impinged by current. When the coil is impinged by current, a magnetic field is generated serving for moving the armature, and the armature space can be filled with oil. For de-airing the armature space at least one de-airing channel is provided. In the de-airing channel at least one backflow-preventing element is provided which is permeable in the direction of de-airing.
US08134435B2 Flux mitigation
Aspects relate to mitigation of a magnetic field produced by one or more units to be shipped such that a magnitude of magnetic field measured is maintained at or below a threshold level. A counter-flux is applied through the use of one or more magnets, magnet arrays, or a geometrical arrangement of magnet arrays. The strength of the counter-flux is varied by altering size, shape, number, polarity and/or location of the one or more magnets or magnet arrays. The one or more magnets or magnet arrays can be constructed as standard assemblies and/or customized magnet assemblies. Additionally, magnet tiles or configurations can provide a return path for stray field leakage and mitigation. Additionally or alternatively, the placement and orientation of the magnets or magnet arrays allows the flux of one or more units to be mitigated, thus, allowing more than one unit to be shipped at the same time.
US08134411B2 Computation spreading utilizing dithering for spur reduction in a digital phase lock loop
A novel and useful apparatus for and method of spur reduction using computation spreading with dithering in a digital phase locked loop (DPLL) architecture. A software based PLL incorporates a reconfigurable calculation unit (RCU) that is optimized and programmed to sequentially perform all the atomic operations of a PLL or any other desired task in a time sharing manner. An application specific instruction-set processor (ASIP) incorporating the RCU is adapted to spread the computation of the atomic operations out over a PLL reference clock period wherein each computation is performed at a much higher processor clock frequency than the PLL reference clock rate. This significantly reduces the per cycle current transient generated by the computations. The frequency content of the current transients is at the higher processor clock frequency which results in a significant reduction in spurs within sensitive portions of the output spectrum. Further reduction in spurs is achieved by dithering the duration of the software loop of atomic operations and/or by randomly shuffling one or more non-data dependent instructions within each iteration of the software loop.
US08134409B2 Radio frequency power amplifier
A radio frequency power amplifier includes an input terminal to which a radio frequency signal is applied; a first hetero-bipolar transistor (HBT), which amplifies the radio frequency signal; a second HBT, which amplifies the radio frequency signal; a matching circuit connected to an output node of the second HBT; a switch connected to an output node of the matching circuit; and an output matching circuit connected to an output node of the first HBT. The output node of the switch is connected to the output node of the first HBT via the output matching circuit, and an impedance looking into an output side of the radio frequency power amplifier from the output node of the switch is higher than an impedance looking into the output side of the radio frequency power amplifier from the output node of the first HBT.
US08134406B2 Systems and methods for minimizing static leakage of an integrated circuit
A leakage manager system for adequately minimizing static leakage of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The leakage manager system includes a generator configured to generate a control signal to be applied to a sleep transistor. A monitor is configured to determine whether to adjust the control signal to adequately minimize the static leakage. In some embodiments, the monitor includes an emulated sleep transistor. A regulator is configured to adjust the control signal depending on the determination.
US08134403B2 Reduced current charge pump
This document discusses, among other things, a charge pump having a plurality of switching devices, coupled in parallel, and configured to selectively provide a variable available drive current for a capacitor using a comparison of an output voltage to at least one reference voltage.
US08134398B2 Device having gate with two buried portions with different widths
A dummy transistor and a field effect transistor are arranged in a second direction. The dummy transistor is located at least at one end in a second direction.
US08134397B2 Minimum leading edge blanking signal generator and method for generating minimum leading edge blanking signal
A minimum leading edge blanking (MLEB) signal generator is provided. The MLEB signal generator includes a buck unit and a signal generation unit. The buck unit receives an error amplification signal, and generates a reference blanking signal. The reference blanking signal has a voltage lower than a voltage of the error amplification signal. The signal generation unit receives the reference blanking signal, and generates the MLEB signal according to the current sensing signal. When the current sensing signal is equal to the reference blanking signal, the MLEB signal changes its voltage level. As such, the width of the MLEB signal is a time width of the high level or low level of the MLEB signal before the voltage level of the MLEB signal changes. The MLEB is provided to an external unit, such that the external unit can be prevented from misoperation, thus improving the electric performance in its entirety.
US08134389B2 Programmable frequency divider
A clock divider and method of operating the same. In various embodiments, the clock divider may be configured to divide clock frequencies by both even and odd divisors. The divisor may be an integer that is represented by an N-bit value, and the clock divider may be programmable by writing the N-bit value to a register. The divisor may be even or odd. During operation, the clock divider may decrement a counter down from an initial value (derived from the N-bit value representing the divisor) to a trigger value. When the trigger value is detected, the clock divider may cause the output clock to toggle. The trigger value may depend on whether the divisor is even or odd. The clock divider may be re-programmed during operation by writing a new N-bit value into the register. Re-programming may include changing the divisor from an even value to an odd value.
US08134383B2 LSI test apparatus, LSI test method, and computer product
An LSI test apparatus includes a test circuit synthesizing unit that synthesizes a test circuit and inserts the test circuit in a pre-test-synthesis net list; a test pattern generating unit that, based on a post-test-synthesis net list acquired by the test circuit synthesizing unit, generates a test pattern that simultaneously activates selected gated clock buffers; a simulating unit that, using the test pattern generated by the test pattern generating unit, simulates operation of a circuit created from the post-test-synthesis net list; and a power source analyzing unit that analyzes voltage drop in terms of amount, based on operation rate information acquired by the simulating unit.
US08134381B2 Connection board, probe card, and electronic device test apparatus comprising same
A probe card is provided which includes: probe needles electrically contacting input/output terminals of an IC device formed on a semiconductor wafer W; a mount base on which the probe needles are mounted; a support column supporting the mount base, a circuit board having interconnect patterns electrically connected to the probe needles via bonding wires; and a base member and stiffener for reinforcing the probe card. The mount base and the circuit board are noncontact.
US08134376B2 Method of measuring electronic device and measuring apparatus
In a method for measuring an electronic device which is an object to be measured, a passive element is connected to the electronic device in parallel, and electric parameters of the electronic device are extracted by measuring an impedance of the entire circuit.
US08134374B2 Evaluation circuit for capacitance and method thereof
In an evaluation method, voltages at ends of a to-be-measured capacitor and a capacitance-adjustable circuit are switched in response to a first set of clock signals so as to adjust an integrated voltage to be a sum of the integrated voltage and a first difference voltage. Next, whether a first control event is received is judged. If not, the previous step is performed. If yes, an integration operation is performed to switch a voltage of an end of a known capacitor in order to adjust the integrated voltage to be a sum of the integrated voltage and a second difference voltage. Next, whether an integrating period ends is judged. If not, the first step is repeated. If yes, a capacitance of the to-be-measured capacitor is obtained according to the number of times that the integration operation is performed in the integrating period and a capacitance of the known capacitor.
US08134372B2 Pressure tank fault detector and method
A pressure tank fault detector and method provides a system for detecting a fault in a pressure tank, such as a well water tank. The system includes a current transformer positioned adjacent a pump power wire. A circuit includes a timer, a data recorder, and a system status indicator. When the pump operates, the current transformer sends a signal to the circuit and the timer measures the signal duration. The data recorder logs a short cycle when the timer measures less than a selectable predetermined amount of time. When two or more short cycles are recorded, a signal indicates that a tank fault has been detected. Preferably, the system includes a test circuit and permits a user to select the number of short cycles before the alarm and whether to record only consecutive short cycles. Optionally, the system detects and signals pump cycles that exceed a predetermined excessive run time.
US08134363B2 Test object for use with diffusion MRI and system and method of synthesizing complex diffusive geometries using novel gradient directions
A test object for use with diffusion MRI and a system and methods of synthesizing complex diffusive geometries. The test object, which includes anisotropic structures, can be used to monitor DTI measures by providing a baseline measurement. Using measurements of the phantom, data characteristic of more complicated diffusive behavior can be “synthesized”, or composed of actual measurements re-arranged into a desired spatial distribution function describing diffusion. Unlike a typical DTI scan, the ADC measurements of the present invention are treated in a “reconstruction” phase as if the gradients were applied in different directions. Given a set of reconstruction directions, a judicious choice of acquisition directions for each reconstruction direction allows for the synthesis of any distribution.
US08134349B2 Power supply circuit that outputs a voltage stepped down from a power supply voltage
A power supply circuit has a constant voltage circuit, a first MOS transistor, a second MOS transistor, a third MOS transistor, a first voltage dividing circuit that outputs a first divided voltage obtained by dividing the voltage of the output terminal by a first voltage dividing ratio, and a first differential amplifier circuit which is fed with a reference voltage and the first divided voltage and has an output connected to a gate of the second MOS transistor. The first differential amplifier circuit outputs a signal to turn on the second MOS transistor when the first divided voltage is higher than the reference voltage, and the first differential amplifier circuit outputs a signal to turn off the second MOS transistor when the first divided voltage is lower than the reference voltage.
US08134348B2 DC-DC converter
A DC-DC converter includes an error amplifying circuit to output an error signal by amplifying differences between a reference voltage and a feedback voltage for an output voltage generated by switching an output transistor between on and off, a triangular wave generation circuit to generate a triangular wave, a PWM comparison circuit to compares the triangular wave with the error signal and output a duty control signal having a duty ratio based on the comparison, a pulse width control circuit to control a pulse width of the duty control signal output from the PWM comparison circuit, and a drive circuit to drive the output transistor according to a signal output from the pulse width control circuit.
US08134346B1 System and method for power factor correction
A system and method for dynamically adjusting capacitance added in parallel to an electrical line input for improving efficiency of an electrical system. A microprocessor monitors in real time the current and voltage wave forms of a system and selects the optimum amount of capacitance from a bank of capacitors of different values. The system is implemented at the watt-hour meter to encourage adoption of the device by utility companies and customers.
US08134345B2 Cryogenic exciter
The disclosed technology is a cryogenic static exciter. The cryogenic static exciter is connected to a synchronous electric machine that has a field winding. The synchronous electric machine is cooled via a refrigerator or cryogen like liquid nitrogen. The static exciter is in communication with the field winding and is operating at ambient temperature. The static exciter receives cooling from a refrigerator or cryogen source, which may also service the synchronous machine, to selected areas of the static exciter and the cooling selectively reduces the operating temperature of the selected areas of the static exciter.
US08134341B2 Energy harvesting based on user-interface of mobile computing device
Embodiments of the invention relate to a mobile computing device with ambient energy harvesting capability. Embodiments of the invention, when manually operated by a user, convert the kinetic motion of a part of the user's hand, applied onto a controller of the device, to electrical energy. The energy can be used to power the device, or to charge the battery of the device. Embodiments of the invention include an electrical power storage device disposed in a housing, a display screen attached to the housing to display a plurality of user-interactive interfaces, and a manually operable input controller interactable with the interfaces and being coupled to an energy transformer in the housing to electrically charge the power storage device when operated.
US08134339B2 Integrated circuit and method for preserving vehicle's battery charge and protecting trailer load
A method and integrated circuit for preserving a battery's charge and protecting electrical devices is disclosed. A maximum and a minimum battery voltage value at the output port are stored in a memory. A steady state battery voltage at the output port is measured and stored in the memory. A processor compares the measured steady battery voltage value to the maximum and the minimum battery voltage values. If the measured steady state battery voltage value is greater than the maximum battery voltage value, an over voltage state is reported by the processor. If the measured steady state battery voltage value is less than the minimum battery voltage value, a low battery voltage state is reported by the processor.
US08134338B2 Battery management system and driving method thereof
A battery management system is provided for managing a battery that supplies power to a vehicle. The battery includes a plurality of cells. The battery management system includes a sensing unit for measuring a voltage of each of the plurality of cells. The battery management system detects at least one first cell among the plurality of cells that needs to be balanced according to the measured voltage of each of the plurality of cells. In addition, the battery management system performs a cell balancing operation on said at least one first cell by using different methods according to a driving state of the vehicle.
US08134334B2 Vehicle
Light applied from an illumination unit illuminates a space formed of an accommodation unit, and facilitates a user's operation of coupling a charging connector to an electric power-receiving unit. When a lid unit is in a closed state, a part of the light applied from the illumination unit toward the accommodation unit transmits through a light transmission member provided at the lid unit and leaks toward a space outside a vehicle body. The leaked light enables a user to visually perceive the position of the charging port at a glance even if the lid unit is in the closed state.
US08134326B2 Motor drive apparatus and method for electric power steering system
In a motor drive apparatus for an EPS motor, which provides steering assist torque in an electric power steering system, a three-phase inverter applies three phase-voltages to the EPS motor, and a controller controls the three-phase inverter. The controller drives the EPS motor by implementing a two-phase modulation method and a three-phase modulation method, when at least one of the assist torque, a steering angle acceleration and a function value of a predetermined function is greater and less than a predetermined threshold value indicative of a rapid steering operation, respectively.
US08134318B2 System and method of current shaping control for retract
A system for implementing current shaping for retract of a voice coil motor (VCM) includes drive circuitry coupled to drive the VCM according to a logic state of the system. Current shaping circuitry is configured to temporarily decrease the bandwidth of a VCM transconductance loop in response to a control signal. The transconductance loop includes at least the VCM, the current shaping circuitry and the drive circuitry. The system also includes logic configured to provide the control signal at an end portion a drive logic state to enter a current shaping logic state as a transition from the drive logic state to a floating logic state to reduce current through the VCM such that acoustic emissions from the VCM are mitigated during the retract.
US08134311B2 Light source and method for operating a lighting system
The invention relates to a light source for generating light having a spectral emittance in at least a part of the range of 380 nm to 780 nm, the light having a spectral power distribution E(λ) as a function of the wavelength λ, and a general color-rendering index Ra, wherein the ratio of the integral spectral power distribution over a first range of 575 nm≦λ≦650 nm to that of a second range of 380 nm≦λ≦780 nm is given by the relation: and wherein Bb, ≦0.15 and Ra≧20. The light generated by the light source has a relatively small disturbing effect on migrating birds, while it still allows acceptable visibility for human beings.
US08134309B2 Lamp power tabulation
An operating lamp includes a plurality of illumination elements arranged in discrete groups. The illumination elements include at least one white illumination element, adapted to emit a white light, and multiple colored illumination elements, each adapted to emit a non-white, colored light. The operating lamp also includes a controller in communication with the illumination elements, and one or more storage devices configured to communicate with the controller. Each of the storage devices is associated with one or more of the groups of illumination elements, and each of the storage devices contains a set of power values for each associated group. The controller is configured to control illumination of each group of illumination elements individually, based on the associated power values.
US08134304B2 Light source driving device capable of dynamically keeping constant current sink and related method
A light source driving device for driving a light emitting component is disclosed. The light source driving device includes a voltage converter coupled to the light emitting component for converting an input voltage into an output driving voltage according to a voltage control signal, a dimming unit coupled to the light emitting component for implementing a dimming process according to a dimming signal, a current source coupled to the dimming unit for providing a driving current to drive the light emitting component, and a control unit coupled to the dimming unit and the voltage converter for detecting a dimming state to generate a dimming detection signal and generating a reference voltage according to the dimming detection signal, wherein the control unit controls the voltage converter to generate the output driving voltage so as to driving the light emitting component.
US08134299B2 LED control system using modulated signal
An LED control system using a modulated signal includes a computer, a data storage unit, an AC power, a power conversion circuit, a control circuit, and an LED lamp string. The AC power is converted into a DC power by the power conversion circuit to supply a DC voltage to the control circuit and the LED lamp string. A computer control data is sent to the control circuit through the data storage unit by a user using the computer. The computer control data is modulated to a modulated signal by the control circuit. The modulated signal is sent to the LED lamp string with the same transmission line sending the DC voltage. The light of the LED lamp string is changed according to the modulated signal. The cost is reduced because the DC voltage and the modulated signal are sent in the same transmission line.
US08134294B2 Low pressure discharge lamps with coated inner wires for improved lumen maintenance
Disclosed herein is a low pressure discharge lamp having a coating disposed upon at least a portion of inner lead-in wires, wherein the coating comprises refractory nanoparticles. Also disclosed herein, in particular, are fluorescent lamps having a coating disposed upon at least a portion of inner lead-in wires, the coating comprising refractory oxide nanoparticles having a median primary particle size of less than about 70 nm, with a thickness of from about 0.5 micrometer to about 10 micrometer. Disclosed advantages may include lessened end discoloration over the operational lifetime of the lamp, enhanced lumen maintenance, and inhibited mercury consumption.
US08134289B2 Electrode for cold cathode tube and cold cathode tube employing it
An electrode (1) for cold cathode tube of the present invention includes a cylindrical sidewall portion (2), a bottom portion (3) provided at one end of the cylindrical sidewall portion, and an opening portion (4) provided at the other end of the cylindrical sidewall portion. The electrode is formed of a sintered body of a high melting point metal (W, Nb, Ta, Mo or Re). When an overall length of the electrode is L, an inside diameter of the cylindrical sidewall portion at a position of L/2 is d1, an inside diameter of the bottom portion is d2, and an arc of an inner surface (5) of the cylindrical sidewall portion connecting a portion of the inside diameter d1 and a portion of the inside diameter d2 is R, the electrode satisfies the following condition; L≧6 [mm], d2>d1, R≧20 [mm].
US08134288B2 Electron-emitting device, electron source, and image display apparatus
An electron-emitting device includes an electron-emitting film containing molybdenum. A spectrum obtained by measuring a surface of the electron-emitting film by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has a first peak having a peak top in the range of 229±0.5 eV and a sub peak having a peak top in the range of 228.1±0.3 eV.
US08134283B2 Vibrating element and vibrator
A vibrating element includes: a vibrating body having frequency temperature dependency; and a temperature characteristic correcting part provided on a surface of the vibrating body. The temperature characteristic correcting part has a temperature characteristic of at least one of a Young's modulus and a thermal expansion coefficient and is expressed by a temperature characteristic curve which has at least one of an inflection point and an extremal value. In the vibrating element, a temperature of at least one of the inflection point and the extremal value is within an operating temperature range of the vibrating body.
US08134282B1 Wide-band vibration energy harvester with restoring spring
A device for harvesting an external source of energy includes an electricity generating device, a flexure, and a restoring spring. The electricity generating device generates electricity based on movement of the flexure. The flexure has a first stable position. When disregarding presence of the restoring spring the flexure also has a second stable position different from the first stable position. The restoring spring is positioned so when the flexure snaps from the first stable position toward the second stable position the restoring spring provides a restoring spring force to restore the flexure toward the first stable position. Substantially greater force is needed to snap the flexure from the first stable position toward the second stable position to overcome the restoring spring force than is required to snap the flexure from the second stable position toward the first stable position.
US08134275B2 High efficiency 4-π negatron β-3 particle emission source fabrication and its use as an electrode in a self-charged high-voltage capacitor
The present invention is directed to an encapsulated β− particle emitter that comprises a sol-gel derived core that comprises a β−-emitting radioisotope and an encapsulant enclosing the core through which at least some of the β− emissions from the β−-emitting radioisotope pass, wherein the encapsulant comprises a substrate and a cover and at least a portion of the encapsulant is electrically conductive, and a method for making the same. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a capacitor comprising such an encapsulated β− particle emitter and a method of performing work with such a capacitor.
US08134272B2 Dynamoelectric machine
The present invention provides a dynamoelectric machine that suppresses the occurrence of insulation failure that accompanies oxidation of a stator core without lowering output, and that also suppresses stator temperature increases by transferring heat that is generated in a stator coil efficiently to a frame.A stator core is configured by laminating and integrating thin magnetic plates, and has an outer circumferential surface that has a cylindrical surface, and receiving grooves are formed on inner circumferences of openings of frames. The receiving grooves are constituted by: an annular axial surface that is constituted by a flat surface that is perpendicular to a central axis of the stator core; and a radial surface that is constituted by a cylindrical surface that is centered around the central axis. Metal surfaces of the thin magnetic plates at two axial ends of the stator core are held between each of the axial surfaces of the pair of frames in a state of close contact around an entire circumference.
US08134268B2 Wound field electrical machine flat braided wire main rotor crossover assembly
A high speed aircraft generator may utilize a prefabricated crossover subassembly to interconnect field coils. The crossover may include two attachment leads interconnected with a section of braided wire. The braided wire may remain free of brazing filler metal after the crossover subassembly is brazed into position between field coils of the generator. Consequently, the crossover may remain flexible and may have reduced susceptibility to fatigue failure that may otherwise result from circumferential relative displacement of the field coils from one another during changes of rotational speed of the field coils.
US08134266B2 Electric motor
It comprises stator including stator core having yoke and a plurality of teeth protruded from yoke, which is formed with slots between adjacent teeth, and rotor having rotor core and permanent magnet formed with a plurality of magnetic poles, which confronts tip ends of teeth via gaps, wherein rotor core is formed by rotor core materials circumferentially equally divided into the predetermined number of divisions, and the least common multiple being N for the number of slots and the number of magnetic poles and the least common multiple being M for the number of slots and the number of divisions, then N is equal to M.
US08134259B2 Linear vibrator
Disclosed herein is a linear vibrator. The linear vibrator includes a stationary unit which has on an upper portion thereof a magnet generating a predetermined magnetic force and a yoke, and defines an internal space. A vibratory unit includes a coil mounted to face the magnet and applying an electric current, and a mass body. A spring is secured at a lower end thereof to the stationary unit and secured at an upper end thereof to the vibratory unit, thus elastically supporting the linear motion of the vibratory unit. A lubricating part is provided between an outer circumference of each of the magnet and the yoke and the coil, thus preventing noise and abrasion when the vibratory unit moves linearly, in addition to maintaining a vibration.
US08134249B2 Wind system for converting energy through a vertical-axis turbine actuated by means of kites and process for producing electric energy through such system
A wind system for converting wind energy including at least one kite that can be driven from ground immersed in at least one wind current and a vertical-axis wind turbine placed at ground level. The wind turbine includes at least one arm connected through two ropes to the kite, the kite configured to be driven through the turbine to rotate the arm and convert wind energy into electric energy through at least one generator/motor system operating as a generator that co-operates with the turbine. The ropes are configured both to transmit mechanical energy from and to the kites, and to control the flight trajectory of the kites. A process produces electric energy through such a system.
US08134247B2 Portable wind-driven alternator
This is a new model of windmill. This new invention thoroughly changes the model of “Horizontal Axle Three Propellers” to the “Special Squirrel Cage made from the Paddle Blade and the Wind Wheel”. This “Portable Wind-driven Alternator” can output great amount of power and become practically useful. This “Portable Wind-driven Alternator” can be installed on ships, trains, automobiles and many other vehicles. The portable wind-driven alternator's design resistance is very small, safe and the model is able to charge the battery of vehicles when the vehicles travel at high speeds.
US08134245B2 Device and method for generating reciprocating motion
A device for generating substantially vertically-reciprocating motion uses a plurality of chambers in substantial vertical alignment. Each chamber has an air pocket and a buoyant member which floats at the air/water interface, and such air pockets expand and contract upon receipt of additional amounts of air from below and release of some of the air, usually to a chamber above. As the air pockets expand and contract, the interfaces are raised and lowered, and the buoyant elements are raised and lowered with the interfaces. A method uses such device to generate such reciprocating motion, which optionally may be used to drive electric generators.
US08134244B2 Hybrid start/run apparatus
Hybrid start/run apparatus for engines includes a transport assembly and a hybrid start/run assembly. The transport assembly includes a multi-wheeled truck with at least a front wheel and two rear wheels, a drive motor attached to the rear wheels, transport control apparatus connected to the drive motor and including forward, reverse, and speed controls, and steering apparatus coupled to the at least one front wheel. The hybrid start/run assembly includes an engine, a mating generator couple to be driven by the engine and a plurality of batteries mounted on the transport assembly, and cables adapted to be coupled to a remotely located engine. The control apparatus couples the generator and the plurality of batteries to the cables in at least a start/run position.
US08134243B2 Energy converter
A rotor rotates about a spindle and has one or more sliders which are movable between two stop points. An actuator is activated by pressurized fluid and causes the slider or sliders to move back and forth between the stop points. The back and forth movement causes the spindle to rotate and the rotational energy of the spindle is harnessed to produce electricity.
US08134239B2 Address line wiring structure and printed wiring board having same
An address signal line having a stub structure connects between at least three memory elements and a data transferring element and transmits address signals for the memory elements. An address terminal of the data transferring element has an impedance lower than a characteristic impedance of the address signal line. A wiring length TL0 from the data transferring element to a first branch point S1 where a branch line is branched at a shortest distance from the data transferring element is configured to become equal to or greater than a wiring length TL1 from the first branch point S1 to a second branch point S2 where a second branch line is branched. A wiring length TL3 from the second branch point S2 to a third branch point S3 where a third branch line is branched is configured to become greater than the wiring lengths TL0 and TL1.
US08134235B2 Three-dimensional semiconductor device
A three-dimensional semiconductor device using redundant bonding-conductor structures to make inter-level electrical connections between multiple semiconductor chips. A first chip, or other semiconductor substrate, forms a first active area on its upper surface, and a second chip or other semiconductor substrate forms a second active area on its upper surface. According to the present invention, when the second chip has been mounted above the first chip, either face-up or face-down, the first active area is coupled to the second active area by at least one redundant bonding-conductor structure. In one embodiment, each redundant bonding-conductor structure includes at least one via portion that extends completely through the second chip to perform this function. In another, the redundant bonding-conductor structure extends downward to the top level interconnect. The present invention also includes a method for making such a device.
US08134228B2 Semiconductor device for battery power voltage control
A voltage generated in any of a plurality of semiconductor chips is supplied to another chip as a power supply voltage to realize a stable operation of a semiconductor device in which the semiconductor chips are stacked in the same package. For example, two chips are stacked with each other, first to third pads are disposed along corresponding sides of the respective chips, which are arranged close and in parallel to each other, and these pads are commonly connected to each other with first to third metal wires respectively. In another example, fourth and fifth pad are disposed along a side different form a side along which the first to third pads are disposed, and further connected to each other with a fourth metal wire directly between the chips.
US08134227B2 Stacked integrated circuit package system with conductive spacer
A stacked integrated circuit package system is provided including providing a first device and a second device with the first device, the second device, or a combination thereof having an integrated circuit die; forming a conductive spacer structure over the first device with the conductive spacer structure having a spacer filler around a conductive element; mounting the second device over the conductive spacer structure and the first device; and encapsulating the first device, the second device, and the conductive spacer structure.
US08134215B2 MEMS diaphragm
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) diaphragm is provided. The MEMS diaphragm includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and a dielectric layer. The first conductive layer is disposed on a substrate and having a plurality of openings. The dimenisons of the openings are gradually reduced toward the edge of the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the substrate. The dielectric layer is partially disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, so that a portion of the first conductive layer is suspended.
US08134209B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
Multi-gate metal oxide silicon transistors and methods of making multi-gate metal oxide silicon transistors are provided. The multi-gate metal oxide silicon transistor contains a bulk silicon substrate containing one or more convex portions between shallow trench regions; one or more dielectric portions over the convex portions; one or more silicon fins over the dielectric portions; a shallow trench isolation layer in the shallow trench isolation regions; and a gate electrode. The upper surface of the shallow trench isolation layer can be located below the upper surface of the convex portion, or the upper surface of the shallow trench isolation layer can be located between the lower surface and the upper surface of first dielectric layer. The multi-gate metal oxide silicon transistor can contain second spacers adjacent to side surfaces of the convex portions in a source/drain region.
US08134206B2 Semiconductor device
This invention provides a semiconductor device, which is used to manufacture two lateral high-voltage devices on the same substrate, where the voltages between maximum voltage terminals and minimum voltage terminals of the two devices have not too much difference. Both devices are formed on two different surface regions with a small isolation region in-between the two regions. When the semiconductor region(s) of the isolation region is fully depleted, its effective electric flux density emitted to the substrate is of a value between the values of its adjacent regions of said two semiconductor devices. The figure presented here schematically shows the structure used to form a low-side high-voltage n-MOST and high-voltage n-MOST and M1, where their terminal voltages are very close.
US08134201B2 Semiconductor memory device provided with stacked layer gate including charge accumulation layer and control gate, and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell transistor and a first MOS transistor. The memory cell transistor includes a first insulating film, a second insulating film, a control gate electrode, and a first diffusion layer. The first insulating film formed on the first active region. The second insulating film formed on the first insulating film. The control gate electrode formed so as to include a first metal film formed on the second insulating film and a first conductive film formed on the first metal film. The first MOS transistor includes a second conductive film, a second metal film, a third conductive film, and a second diffusion layer. The second conductive film formed on a second active region. The second metal film formed on the second conductive film. The third conductive film formed on a second metal film.
US08134198B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes active regions . . . AAj−1, AAj, AAj−1, . . . formed in a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of word lines WL0, WL1, . . . in the row direction; memory cell transistors, each including a floating gate provided on the semiconductor substrate via a tunneling insulating film, an inter-gate insulating film disposed on the floating gate, and a control gate disposed on the inter-gate insulating film, disposed on intersections of word lines and active regions; select gate lines SGD in the row direction; bit line contacts CB disposed on the active regions; and a plurality of bit lines in the column direction and connected to the active regions via the bit line contacts; and the bit line contacts are formed by forming an electrode material for the bit line contacts in lines in the row direction and cutting the electrode material for each of the bit lines to avoid contact-failure of bit line contacts CB.
US08134194B2 Memory cells, memory cell constructions, and memory cell programming methods
Some embodiments include memory cells including a memory component having a first conductive material, a second conductive material, and an oxide material between the first conductive material and the second conductive material. A resistance of the memory component is configurable via a current conducted from the first conductive material through the oxide material to the second conductive material. Other embodiments include a diode including metal and a dielectric material and a memory component connected in series with the diode. The memory component includes a magnetoresistive material and has a resistance that is changeable via a current conducted through the diode and the magnetoresistive material.
US08134193B2 Magneto-resistance effect element and magnetic memory
It is possible to reduce a current required for spin injection writing. A magneto-resistance effect element includes: a first magnetization pinned layer; a magnetization free layer; a tunnel barrier layer; a second magnetization pinned layer whose direction of magnetization is pinned to be substantially anti-parallel to the direction of magnetization of the first magnetization pinned layer, and; a non-magnetic layer. When the second magnetization pinned layer is made of ferromagnetic material including Co, material for the non-magnetic layer is metal including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf, Rh, Ag, and Au; when the second magnetization pinned layer is made of ferromagnetic material including Fe, material for the non-magnetic layer is metal including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Rh, Pt, Ir, Al, Ag, and Au; and when the second magnetization pinned layer is made of ferromagnetic material including Ni, material for the non-magnetic layer is metal including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf, Au, and Ag.
US08134186B2 Integrated circuit including at least three linear-shaped conductive structures at equal pitch including linear-shaped conductive structure having non-gate portion length greater than gate portion length
A cell of a semiconductor device includes a diffusion level including a plurality of diffusion regions separated by inactive regions. The cell also includes a gate electrode level including conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent ones of the conductive features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are fabricated from respective originating layout features that are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing having a size that is substantially equal across the gate electrode level region and is minimized to an extent allowed by a semiconductor device manufacturing capability. Some of the conductive features form respective PMOS and/or NMOS transistor devices. A total number of the PMOS and NMOS transistor devices in the cell is greater than or equal to eight. The cell also includes a number of interconnect levels formed above the gate electrode level.
US08134177B2 Switching element, semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A switching element includes a first electrode having a first surface; a second electrode having a second surface which stands off from the first surface; and a channel region constituted by a plurality of unit channels, each unit channel having opposite ends thereof being in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode, and including fine particles which are aligned in lines in a first direction from the first surface of the first electrode to the second surface of the second electrode, and the unit channels being separated from one another in a second direction across the first direction.
US08134170B2 Nitride semiconductor light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
A nitride semiconductor light emitting device, and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The nitride semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate, an n-type nitride semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate and including a plurality of V-shaped pits in a top surface thereof, an active layer disposed on the n-type nitride semiconductor layer and including depressions conforming to the shape of the plurality of V-shaped pits, and a p-type nitride semiconductor layer disposed on the active layer and including a plurality of protrusions on a top surface thereof. Since the plurality of V-shaped pits are formed in the top surface of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer, the protrusions can be formed on the p-type nitride semiconductor layer as an in-situ process. Accordingly, the resistance to ESD, and light extraction efficiency are enhanced.
US08134169B2 Patterned substrate for hetero-epitaxial growth of group-III nitride film
A circuit structure includes a substrate and a film over the substrate and including a plurality of portions allocated as a plurality of rows. Each of the plurality of rows of the plurality of portions includes a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions. In each of the plurality of rows, the plurality of convex portions and the plurality of concave portions are allocated in an alternating pattern.
US08134160B2 Chip-type LED having an insulating substrate in which a first concave hole and a second concave hole are formed
An embodiment of the present invention has an insulating substrate in which a first concave hole for mounting an LED chip and a second concave hole for connecting a metallic small-gauge wire are formed, where a metallic sheet that serves as a first wiring pattern is formed at a portion that includes the first concave hole, a metallic sheet that serves as a second wiring pattern is formed at a portion that includes the second concave hole, an LED chip is mounted upon the metallic sheet inside the first concave hole, the LED chip is electrically connected to the metallic sheet inside the second concave hole via a metallic small-gauge wire, and the chip-type LED is sealed with a clear resin.
US08134157B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same
A semiconductor device with high reliability and operation performance is manufactured without increasing the number of manufacture steps. A gate electrode has a laminate structure. A TFT having a low concentration impurity region that overlaps the gate electrode or a TFT having a low concentration impurity region that does not overlap the gate electrode is chosen for a circuit in accordance with the function of the circuit.
US08134155B2 Liquid crystal display device capable of reducing leakage current, and fabrication method thereof
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal display device which can improve quality of image by reducing a leakage current by a backlight, and a fabrication method thereof. The liquid crystal display device includes: a substrate; a plurality of gate lines aligned on the substrate in a direction; gate electrodes connected to the gate lines; a plurality of data lines for defining a plurality of pixels by vertically crossing the gate lines; source electrodes and drain electrodes formed on the gate electrodes and separated from the data lines with a predetermined gap; pixel electrodes formed in the pixel regions and electrically connected to the drain electrodes; connecting patterns for electrically connecting the data lines to the source electrodes; and semiconductor layers disposed between the gate electrodes and the source/drain electrodes.
US08134154B2 Thin film transistor and display
A thin film transistor capable of reliably preventing the entry of light into an active layer, and a display including the thin film transistor are provided. A thin film transistor includes: a gate electrode; an active layer; and a gate insulating film arranged between the gate electrode and the active layer, the gate insulating film including a first insulating film, a first light-absorbing layer and a second insulating film, the first insulating film arranged in contact with the gate electrode, the first light-absorbing layer arranged in contact with the first insulating film and made of a material absorbing light of 420 nm or less, the second insulating film arranged between the first light-absorbing layer and the active layer.
US08134150B2 Hydrazine-free solution deposition of chalcogenide films
A method of depositing a film of a metal chalcogenide including the steps of: contacting an isolated hydrazinium-based precursor of a metal chalcogenide and a solvent having therein a solubilizing additive to form a solution of a complex thereof; applying the solution of the complex onto a substrate to produce a coating of the solution on the substrate; removing the solvent from the coating to produce a film of the complex on the substrate; and thereafter annealing the film of the complex to produce a metal chalcogenide film on the substrate. Also provided is a process for preparing an isolated hydrazinium-based precursor of a metal chalcogenide as well as a thin-film field-effect transistor device using the metal chalcogenides as the channel layer.
US08134148B2 Stilbene derivatives, light-emitting element, display device, and electronic device
A novel stilbene derivative is provided with motivation of providing a blue emissive material showing excellent color purity. The use of the stilbene derivative of the present invention allows the fabrication of a blue-emissive light-emitting element with excellent color purity. The invention also includes an electronic device equipped with a display portion in which the stilbene derivative is employed. The stilbene derivative of the present invention is represented by formula (1), in which Ar1 and Ar2 may form a 5-membered ring by being directly bonded to each other. In formula (1), A11 represents any one of substituents represented by general formulas (1-1) to (1-3). The variables shown in formula (1) and (1-1) to (1-3) are as defined in the specification.
US08134144B2 Thin-film transistor
There is provided herein a performance-enhancing composition comprising inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer selected from the group consisting of polysiloxane, polysilsesquioxane, and mixtures thereof. This composition, when applied to a thin-film transistor, such as a bottom-gate thin-film transistor, as an overcoat or top layer, improves the carrier mobility and current on/off ratio of the thin film transistor. Also provided is the thin-film transistor produced utilizing this process and/or composition.
US08134139B2 Programmable metallization cell with ion buffer layer
A programmable metallization device, comprises a first electrode; a memory layer electrically coupled to the first electrode and adapted for electrolytic formation and destruction of a conducting bridge therethrough; an ion-supplying layer containing a source of ions of a first metal element capable of diffusion into and out of the memory layer; a conductive ion buffer layer between the ion-supplying layer and the memory layer, and which allows diffusion therethrough of said ions; and a second electrode electrically coupled to the ion-supplying layer. Circuitry is coupled to the device to apply bias voltages to the first and second electrodes to induce creation and destruction of conducting bridges including the first metal element in the memory layer. The ion buffer layer can improve retention of the conducting bridge by reducing the likelihood that the first metallic element will be absorbed into the ion supplying layer.
US08134138B2 Programmable metallization memory cell with planarized silver electrode
Programmable metallization memory cells having a planarized silver electrode and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The programmable metallization memory cells include a first metal contact and a second metal contact, an ion conductor solid electrolyte material is between the first metal contact and the second metal contact, and either a silver alloy doping electrode separates the ion conductor solid electrolyte material from the first metal contact or the second metal contact, or a silver doping electrode separates the ion conductor solid electrolyte material from the first metal contact. The silver electrode includes a silver layer and a metal seed layer separating the silver layer from the first metal contact.
US08134135B2 Multiple beam charged particle optical system
The invention relates to a multiple beam charged particle optical system, comprising an electrostatic lens structure with at least one electrode, provided with apertures, wherein the effective size of a lens field effected by said electrode at a said aperture is made ultimately small. The system may comprise a diverging charged particle beam part, in which the lens structure is included. The physical dimension of the lens is made ultimately small, in particular smaller than one mm, more in particular less than a few tens of microns. In further elaboration, a lens is combined with a current limiting aperture, aligned such relative to a lens of said structure, that a virtual aperture effected by said current limiting aperture in said lens is situated in an optimum position with respect to minimizing aberrations total.
US08134131B2 Method and apparatus for observing inside structures, and specimen holder
An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for observing inside structures and a specimen holder, wherein aging degradation of a good sample to a bad sample can be tracked in the same field of view, using the same specimen in order to determine the mechanism of failure. The present invention is a method for observing inside structures. The method comprises irradiating a specimen with a corpuscular beam generated from a corpuscular beam source, detecting transmitted particles transmitted by the specimen, applying a voltage to a portion of the specimen, and observing of a detection status of the transmitted particles in the voltage-applied portion as needed.
US08134130B2 Ion source with corner cathode
An ion source may include first, second, and third electrodes. The first electrode may be a repeller having a V-shaped groove. The second electrode may be an electron emitter filament disposed adjacent the base of the V-shaped groove. The third electrode may be an anode that defines an enclosed volume with an aperture formed therein adjacent the electron emitter filament. A potential of the first electrode may be less than a potential of the second electrode, and the potential of the second electrode may be less than a potential of the third electrode. A fourth electrode that is disposed between the electron emitter filament and the anode may be used to produce a more collimated electron beam.
US08134128B2 Method and system for plasma-induced terahertz spectroscopy
A method of analyzing a remotely-located object includes the step of illuminating at least a portion of a targeted object with electromagnetic radiation to induce a phase transformation in the targeted object, wherein the phase transformation produces an emitter plasma, which emits terahertz radiation. The method also includes the step of ionizing a volume of an ambient gas to produce a sensor plasma by focusing an optical probe beam in the volume and the step of detecting an optical component of resultant radiation produced from an interaction of the focused optical probe beam and the terahertz radiation in the sensor plasma. Detecting an optical component of the resultant radiation emitted by the sensor plasma facilitates detection of a characteristic fingerprint of the targeted object imposed onto the terahertz radiation produced as a result of the induced phase transformation.
US08134126B2 Far-infrared radiation image processing apparatus, far-infrared radiation imaging apparatus, far-infrared radiation image processing method, and far-infrared radiation image processing program
Disclosed herein is a far-infrared radiation image processing apparatus configured to process an image taken by detecting far-infrared rays radiated from an object, the far-infrared radiation image processing apparatus including: an image signal reception section configured to receive an image signal indicative of a far-infrared radiation image taken by a far-infrared radiation camera; an area designation reception section configure to receive area designation information input to designate a specific area of the far-infrared radiation image; and a resolution conversion section configured to convert the resolution for the amount of the far-infrared rays applicable to the specific area designated by the area designation information in the far-infrared radiation image, thereby creating resolution-converted image information.
US08134113B2 Dynamically configurable photodetector arrays
In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a photodetector (PD) array including a plurality of electrically isolated PD sections. Additionally, the circuit includes a switching matrix that includes a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, and that can be selectively configured in a plurality of different switch configurations. Each of the electrically isolated PD sections is adapted to detect light (if any) and provide an electrical output signal, indicative of the light detected by the PD section (if any), to a different one of the inputs of the switching matrix. The switching matrix is adapted to combine the electrical output signals provided by the electrically isolated PD sections in a plurality of different manners, in dependence on which of the plurality of different switch configurations is selected.
US08134110B2 Solid-state imaging device and solid-state imaging device manufacturing method
A solid-state imaging device 1 includes: a semiconductor substrate 11 on which pixels are placed like a matrix; and each of the pixels having a photoelectric conversion element 13 and a color filter layer 21 which is formed on the photoelectric conversion element 13. The solid-state imaging device 1 includes resin parts 20 which are formed at the boundaries of these photoelectric conversion devices 13 which are adjacent to each other, each of the resin parts 20 having an upward convex shape. Each color filter layer 21 of the device is formed so that the color filter layer covers the area ranging from the summit of a resin part to the summit of an adjacent resin part, and each color filter layer 21 is thinner in the peripheral part than in the center part around the summit.
US08134102B2 High-speed cooking oven with cooking support
An improved oven is aimed at optimizing heat transfer and delivering an optimal cooking efficiency in comparison to conventional high-speed cooking ovens. The oven includes a support for supporting a food product in a cooking chamber of the oven, which utilizes impingement of hot air and microwave energy. The support includes a metal plate having a surface for receiving a food product thereon and at least one aperture located at an outer periphery of the metal plate adjacent the surface. The aperture permits heated air to flow therethrough as the heated air flows in a return path from the cooking chamber. The aperture also limits the reflection of microwave energy within the cooking chamber.
US08134101B2 Food container
One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a heated food container including an interior chamber with an upper portion, a lower portion, and a wall defining an opening into the interior chamber. The opening is configured to permit the movement of food into and/or out of the interior chamber. The heated food container further includes a fan configured to supply air to a duct system and a heater configured to heat the air in the duct system. The duct system includes a first air duct configured to direct the heated air across the opening such that the heated air forms a barrier between the interior chamber and an exterior environment and a first bypass duct configured to deliver heated air directly to the lower portion of the interior chamber without being directed across the opening.
US08134100B2 Heat processing furnace and method of manufacturing the same
A heat processing furnace comprises: a processing vessel for receiving an object to be processed by a heat process; a cylindrical heat insulation member surrounding the processing vessel; a helical heating resistor arranged along an inner peripheral surface of the heat insulation member; a support member for supporting the heating resistor. The support member includes a base part positioned on an inside of the heating resistor, and a plurality of support pieces extending radially outward from the base part through spaces between adjacent portions of the heating resistor so as to support the heating resistor, the support member being formed to have a comb-like shape. An upper surface part of each of the support pieces is formed to have a curved shape in order to reduce a frictional resistance generated when the heating resistor is moved upon a thermal expansion and a thermal shrinkage thereof.
US08134092B2 Circuit breaker cover attachment
A circuit breaker includes a base holding an ampoule assembly, a mechanical cover that fits on the base, and a trim cover which fits on the mechanical cover. The circuit breaker can include cover supports positioned between the ampoule assembly and the base. The cover support includes a coupling member that fits within receiving apertures of the mechanical cover and has a threaded through-channel which aligns with apertures of the trim cover. Screws inserted through the trim cover are received in the through-channel to secure the trim cover, the mechanical cover and the base together. The mechanical cover and the base can have interlocking mechanisms which snap-fit together to further support coupling of the cover and base. The circuit breaker can incorporate a retainer clip which engages an ampoule pin, wherein the clip mounts to the mechanical cover to further support holding of the cover and base together.
US08134083B2 Circuit carrier
A circuit carrier having a metal support layer, at least some portions of which are covered by a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer having a plurality of pores, with the pores being sealed by glass at least on the opposite side of the dielectric layer to the support layer.
US08134076B2 Grommet
A grommet includes a small tubular section, an enlarging tubular section continued from an end of the smaller tubular section, and an annular recess on an outer surface at a large diameter end of the enlarging tubular section. The small tubular section is inserted into a through-hole from one side of a vehicle body panel so that the annular recess engages the vehicle body panel. Stepped projections extend axially from the small tubular section to the annular recess . Each stepped projection has an angle rib that protrudes from a connecting end of the small tubular section to a position where the angle rib contacts a peripheral edge around the through-hole. Slopes of the angle ribs at upper positions contact a peripheral edge around the through-hole at a position where the slopes at the upper positions do not pass the annular recess.
US08134071B2 Apparatus for a connection point between two electrical high-voltage cables
An apparatus is provided for a connection point between a paper-insulated electrical high-voltage cable, which is impregnated with an insulating medium which can flow, and a plastic-insulated electrical high-voltage cable, in which an end termination, which is surrounded by a pressure-resistant partition isolator (12), is provided at the end of the paper-insulated high-voltage cable, and in which the connection point of the conductors of the two high-voltage cables is surrounded by electrical screening elements and a sleeve body (18). The sleeve body (18) is in the form of an elongated, integral component composed of elastic insulating material with an aperture hole for holding the two high-voltage cables (3, 4), and the sleeve body (18) is equipped at its two axial ends, which are intended to hold the high-voltage cables (3, 4), with electrical control funnels (21, 22) which, in the fitted position, rest on electrically conductive layers of the two high-voltage cables (3, 4). The internal diameters of the aperture hole in the sleeve body (18) at its two axial ends which are equipped with the control funnels (21, 22) are of different defined sizes, in order to hold the two high-voltage cables (3, 4), whose external diameters differ by at least 10 mm in the contact areas of the sleeve body (18), matched to these different external diameters.
US08134068B2 Paste for back contact-type solar cell
Disclosed is a method for producing a solar cell electrode, comprising the steps of: (1) applying a paste comprising (a) electrically conductive particles containing silver particle having a particle size of 0.1 to 10 microns and an added particle comprising a metal alloy comprising metal particles selected from the group consisting of Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, W, Re, Os, Ir and Pt particles onto the opposite side from the light receiving side of a back contact-type solar cell substrate, wherein content of the silver particle is 40 to 90 wt %, and content of the added particle is 0.01 to 10 wt % based on the weight of the paste; and (2) firing the applied paste.
US08134067B1 Thin film photovoltaic device
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a photovoltaic module. In one embodiment, the photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells spatially formed on a substrate in an array along a transverse direction. Each photovoltaic cell has a first conductive layer formed on the substrate, having a first end portion and an opposite, second end portion defining a body portion therebetween, where the body portion has a first thickness and at least one of the first and second end portions has a second thickness being variable from the first thickness to zero along the transverse direction, an active layer at least partially formed on the first conductive layer and extending onto the substrate at the at least one end portion, and a second conductive layer at least partially formed on the active layer. The plurality of photovoltaic cells is electrically coupled to each other in series such that the second conductive layer in any one but the last photovoltaic cell is electrically connected to the first conductive layer of the immediately next photovoltaic cell.
US08134064B2 Method of improving sound quality of a musical instrument
An apparatus and method are disclosed for artificially aging a musical instrument is provided. The apparatus and method include oscillating the sound board of the instrument by an energy source at specific frequencies over the playing frequency range of the instrument.
US08134062B2 Apparatus and method for generating music using bio-signal
An apparatus and method for generating music is provided. A bio-signal measurer measures a bio-signal of a user. A bio-signal configuration information extractor extracts bio-signal configuration information from the measured bio-signal. A music composition information setter matches the extracted bio-signal configuration information to music composition information for composing a music file and sets a result of the matching as set music composition information. A melody composer composes a melody including the set music composition information. A music file generator generates a music file including the composed melody.
US08134057B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH354074
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH354074. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH354074, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH354074 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH354074.
US08134054B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV158320
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV158320. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV158320, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV158320 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV158320.
US08134050B2 Soybean cultivar S080180
A soybean cultivar designated S080180 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S080180, to the plants of soybean S080180, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S080180 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S080180 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety S080180, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S080180 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S080180 with another soybean cultivar.
US08134043B2 Absorbent articles with improved acquisition rate
A disposable absorbent product (20) such as, e.g. a baby diaper, an adult incontinence pad, a sanitary napkin or the like, includes a liquid pervious topsheet (24), a liquid impervious backsheet (26), and an absorbent core (28) positioned between the topsheet (24) and the backsheet (26). The absorbent core (28) has a liquid receiving surface directed towards said topsheet (24), and the absorbent core (28) is provided with at least one embossing (50) forming a channel for liquid drainage at said receiving surface. Preferably an acquisition layer (40) is provided between the topsheet (24) and the absorbent core (28). The acquisition layer preferably extends into the embossing (50), while a resilient absorbent member (30) is preferably provided between the absorbent core (28) and the acquisition layer (40) in the form of stripes arranged longitudinally spaced along the upper longitudinal sides of the channel (50) formed by the embossing.
US08134042B2 Wetness sensors
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure a method for detecting the presence of urine is described. The method includes providing a urine indicating sensor with a porous matrix, the matrix having a pH indicator non-diffusively immobilized thereon, the pH indicator being capable of a color transition when in contact with urine. Urine is contacted with the matrix of the sensor and the presence of urine is determined based on whether the pH indicator undergoes a color transition.
US08134028B2 Method for producing 1,2-diamino-3-methylcyclohexane and/or 1,2-diamino-4-methylcyclohexane
A process for preparing 1,2-diamino-3-methylcyclohexane and/or 1,2-diamino-4-methylcyclohexane by reacting 2,3- and/or 3,4-diaminotoluene with hydrogen at elevated pressure and elevated temperature in the presence of a heterogeneous rhodium catalyst, wherein a mixture comprising 2,3- and/or 3,4-diaminotoluene, a dialkyl ether and/or alicyclic ether as a solvent and ammonia is initially charged in an autoclave in the presence of the catalyst and subsequently hydrogenated while supplying hydrogen.
US08134027B2 Sulfonylimide salt and method for producing the same
The present invention provides a method for producing fluorosulfonylimides more safely, rapidly and efficiently, which enables suppression of production of by-products, and fluorosulfonylimides. The method for producing a fluorosulfonylimide salt of the present invention includes a step of reacting a fluoride compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements of Group 11 to Group 15 and Period 4 to Period 6 (excluding arsenic and antimony) with a compound represented by the following general formula (I) to give a fluorosulfonylimide salt represented by the general formula (II):[Chemical Formula 1] wherein R1 denotes at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements of Group 11 to Group 15 and Period 4 to Period 6 (excluding arsenic and antimony); R3 denotes fluorine, chlorine or a fluorinated alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R4 denotes fluorine or a fluorinated alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and m denotes an integer of 2 or 3.
US08134026B2 Process for the preparation of Cilastatin and sodium salt
The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of Cilastatin Sodium of formula (I). The present invention also provides an isolation technique for Cilastatin acid from the reaction mixture.
US08134015B2 Compound inhibiting in vivo phosphorous transport and medicine containing the same
An objective of the present invention is to provide compounds that can effectively suppress the concentration of phosphorus in serum to effectively prevent or treat diseases induced by an increase in concentration of phosphate in serum. The compounds according to the present invention are compounds represented by formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof: wherein A represents an optionally substituted five- to nine-membered unsaturated carbocyclic moiety or a five- to nine-membered unsaturated heterocyclic moiety, and  represents a single bond or a double bond, R5 represents optionally substituted aryl or the like, Z represents —N═CHR6R7 or the like, R6 and R7 represent H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or the like, R101 and R102 together form ═O, and R103 and R104 represent H, or R101 and R104 together from a bond, and R102 and R103 together form a bond.
US08134005B2 Preparation and use of magnesium amides
The present application relates to mixed Mg/Li amides of the general formula R1R2N—Mg(NR3R4)mX,.m zLiY (II) wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are, independently, selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl containing one or more heteroatoms, linear, branched or cyclic, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or silyl derivatives thereof; and R1 and R2 together, or R3 and R4 together can be part of a cyclic or polymeric structure; and wherein at least one of R1 and R2 and at least one of R3 and R is other than H; X and Y are, independently, selected from the group consisting of F; Cl; Br; I; CN; SCN; NCO; HaIOn, wherein n=3 or 4 and Hal is selected from Cl, Br and I; NO3; BF4; PF6; H; a carboxylate of the general formula RXCO2; an alcoholate of the general formula ORX; a thiolate of the general formula SRX; RXP(O)O2; or SCORX; or SCSRX; OnSRx, wherein n=2 or 3; or NOn, wherein n=2 or 3; and a derivative thereof; wherein Rx is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl containing one or more heteroatoms, linear, branched or cyclic, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or derivatives thereof, or H; m is O or 1; and z>O; as well as a process for the preparation of the mixed Mg/Li amides and the use of these amides, e.g. as bases.
US08134003B2 Indazoles, benzothiazoles, and benzoisothiazoles, and preparation and uses thereof
The present invention relates generally to the field of ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), activation of nAChRs, and the treatment of disease conditions associated with defective or malfunctioning nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, especially of the brain. Further, this invention relates to novel compounds (indazoles and benzothiazoles), which act as ligands for the α7 nAChR subtype, methods of preparing such compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and methods of use thereof.
US08133994B2 Preparation of aprepitant
A process for preparing aprepitant.
US08133989B2 Nucleic acid primer/construct compositions
This invention provides novel processes for amplifying nucleic acid sequences of interest, including linear and non-linear amplification. In linear amplification, a single initial primer or nucleic acid construct is utilized to carry out the amplification process. In non-linear amplification, a first initial primer or nucleic acid construct is employed with a subsequent initial primer or nucleic acid construct. In other non-linear amplification processes provided by this invention, a first initial primer or nucleic acid construct is deployed with a second initial primer or nucleic acid construct to amplify the specific nucleic acid sequence of interest and its complement that are provided. A singular primer or a singular nucleic acid construct capable of non-linear amplification can also be used to carry out non-linear amplification in accordance with this invention. Post-termination labeling process for nucleic acid sequencing is also disclosed in this invention that is based upon the detection of tagged molecules that are covalently bound to chemically reactive groups provided for chain terminators. A process for producing nucleic acid sequences having decreased thermodynamic stability to complementary sequences is also provided and achieved by this invention. Unique nucleic acid polymers are also disclosed and provided in addition to other novel compositions, kits and the like.
US08133987B2 Primer array synthesis and validation
Methods are presented for generating large sets for polymers. The methods employ high density oligonucleotide array.
US08133986B2 Methylated CpG island amplification (MCA)
The present invention provides a method for identifying a methylated CpG containing nucleic acid by contacting a nucleic acid with a methylation sensitive restriction endonuclease that cleaves unmethylated PcG sites and contacting the sample with an isoschizomer of the methylation sensitive restriction endonuclease, which cleaves both methylated and unmethylated CpG sites. The method also includes amplification of the CpG-containing nucleic acid using CpG-specific oligonucleotide primers. A method is also provided for detecting an age associated disorder by identification of a methylated CpG containing nucleic acid. A method is further provided for evaluating the responses of a cell to an agent. A kit is useful for detection of a CpG containing nucleic acid is also provided. Nucleic acid sequences encoding novel methylated clones.
US08133985B2 Peptide nucleic acids conjugated with multi-amine linkers and nucleic acid detecting device using the same
The present invention relates to a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) conjugated with multi-amine linkers, and a method to prepare the same and utilization thereof. More specifically, the method is characterized by conjugating monomers having multi-amine functionality sequentially at a PNA terminal, and effectively immobilizing the PNA conjugated with multi-amine linkers on a solid surface. A PNA array prepared using the PNA conjugated with multi-amine linkers exhibits improved sensitivity and specificity of signals for detecting target nucleic acids as compared to a PNA array using PNA probes having only one amine group. The PNA conjugated with multi-amine linkers can be utilized in nucleic acid detecting devices or kits for gene diagnosis such as PNA microarrays, PNA chips, PNA field-effect transistors and impedance detectors.
US08133983B2 Agonistic binding molecules to the human OX40 receptor
The present invention provides binding molecules, such as human binding molecules, that bind to and stimulate the human OX40-receptor. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding such binding molecules. Methods for producing such binding molecules are also provided by the present invention. The binding molecules and nucleic acids are useful in the stimulation of human T-cells and can be used to enhance antigen-specific immune responses.
US08133982B2 FcγRIIB specific antibodies and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to humanized FcγRIIB antibodies, fragments, and variants thereof that bind human FcγRIIB with a greater affinity than said antibody binds FcγRIIA. The invention encompasses the use of the humanized antibodies of the invention for the treatment of any disease related to loss of balance of Fc receptor mediated signaling, such as cancer (preferably a B-cell malignancy, particularly, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), autoimmune disease, inflammatory disease or IgE-mediated allergic disorder. The present invention also encompasses the use of a humanized FcγRIIB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, in combination with other cancer therapies. The invention provides methods of enhancing the therapeutic effect of therapeutic antibodies by administering the humanized antibodies of the invention to enhance the effector function of the therapeutic antibodies. The invention also provides methods of enhancing the efficacy of a vaccine composition by administering the humanized antibodies of the invention with a vaccine composition.
US08133978B2 Humanised anti-interleukin-18 antibody
The present invention discloses humanised anti-IL-18 antibodies, methods of manufacture, and methods of treatment with said antibodies. Further disclosed are screening methods using for example surface plasmon resonance to identify antibodies with therapeutic potential.
US08133977B2 Polymer-factor VIII moiety conjugates
Conjugates of a Factor VIII moiety and one or more water-soluble polymers are provided. Typically, the water-soluble polymer is poly(ethylene glycol) or a derivative thereof. Also provided are compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of making the conjugates, and methods of administering compositions comprising the conjugates to a patient.
US08133975B2 Coagulation factor VII polypeptides
The present invention relates to novel coagulation Factor VII polypeptides, polynucleotide constructs encoding such polypeptides, as well as vectors and host cells comprising and expressing the polynucleotide, pharmaceutical compositions, uses and methods of treatment.
US08133969B2 Method for removing a carbonization catalyst from a graphene sheet and method for transferring the graphene sheet
A method for removing a carbonization catalyst from a graphene sheet, the method includes contacting the carbonization catalyst with a salt solution, which is capable of oxidizing the carbonization catalyst.
US08133948B2 Nitrile rubber composition, cross-linkable nitrile rubber composition and cross-linked rubber
Disclosed herein are a nitrile rubber composition comprising a nitrile rubber (a) including an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer unit and having iodine value of 100 or less, an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid metallic salt (b), and silane-treated fumed silica and/or calcinated wet silica (c); a cross-linkable nitrile rubber composition comprising the above nitrile rubber composition and a crosslinking agent (d); and a cross-linked rubber obtained by crosslinking the cross-linkable nitrile rubber composition. The present invention can provide a nitrile rubber composition and a cross-linkable nitrile rubber composition, capable of giving a highly-saturated cross-linked nitrile rubber having high tensile stress and excellent heat resistance, and a cross-linked rubber thereof.
US08133945B2 Defoaming agent for water based paint
A defoaming agent which can effectively eliminate foams generated in the occasions of preparation, coating, drying and baking of water-based paint, by addition thereof by itself, without combined use of other kind(s) of defoaming agent(s), and furthermore without impairing appearance of baked coated film of the paint or recoatability of the paint is provided. Such a defoaming agent for water-based paint has the composition comprising (1) polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil triisostearates and (2) polyalkyl vinyl ether, polybutadiene, polybutene or polyisoprene, which are dissolved in (3) liquid normal paraffin, liquid isoparaffin or liquid cycloparaffin, at such a ratio that the blended amount of (1) occupies 2-90% by weight of the total composition.
US08133943B2 Polylactic acid/polycarbonate resin composition and molded product using the same
Disclosed is a polylactic acid/polycarbonate resin composition including (A) about 100 parts by weight of a mixed resin including: (a1)) about 10 to about 90 wt % of a polycarbonate resin and (a2) about 10 to about 90 wt % of a polylactic acid resin; (B) about 1 to about 50 parts by weight of a flame retardant based on about 100 parts by weight of the mixed resin; (C) about 1 to about 30 parts by weight of an acryl-based copolymer based on about 100 parts by weight of the mixed resin; and (D) about 1 to about 20 parts by weight of an impact-reinforcing agent based on about 100 parts by weight of the mixed resin.
US08133929B2 Method for incorporating long glass fibers into epoxy-based reinforcing resins
A structural reinforcing material and method of making the same is disclosed and described. The material is prepared by coating glass reinforcing fibers with a molten epoxy-based composition. The glass fiber reinforced material can then be formed into a preform suitable for injection molding into an expandable sealing baffle.
US08133924B2 Demulsifiers and methods for use in pharmaceutical applications
Demulsifiers containing an anionic surfactant selected from alkylsulfosuccinates, alkylsulfonates, alkylphosphonic acids, and their salts; a nonionic surfactant selected from ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers, ethoxylated fatty acids of polyethylene glycol, terpene alkoxylates, and modified alkanolamides; or a combination of an anionic and a nonionic surfactant, and methods of use thereof in breaking emulsions.
US08133920B2 Growth hormone-containing formulation and method of use
A growth hormone formulation includes an enzyme inactivating component and a preservative. The formulation can also include a fertilizing additive, and a surfactant. The growth hormone can be a natural one such as that found in kelp or a synthetic one or a combination of both.
US08133916B1 Control of milk production and mammary involution
The present invention is a method for increasing serotonin activity in mammary glands such that involution of milk secretion of the same mammary glands occurs. The present invention further is a composition that can be implanted, or infused into the mammary glands to cause involution of milk secretion.
US08133911B2 (R)-4-(heteroaryl) phenylethyl derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions containing them
The present invention relates to a novel class of (R)-4-(heteroaryl)phenylpropionic derivatives of formula (I), useful in the inhibition of the chemotactic activation induced by the fraction C5a of complement. Said compounds are useful in the treatment of pathologies depending on the chemotactic activation of neutrophils and monocytes induced by the fraction C5a of the complement. In particular, the compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), psoriasis, bullous pemphigoid, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, idiopathic fibrosis, glomerulonephritis and in the prevention and treatment of injury caused by ischemia and reperfusion.
US08133910B2 Thiophene derivatives as S1P1/EDGE1 receptor agonists
The invention relates to novel thiophene derivatives, their preparation and their use as pharmaceutically active compounds. Said compounds particularly act as immunomodulating agents.
US08133898B2 Renin inhibitors
The invention provides compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, kits, method of preparing, and method of using the compounds which exhibit renin and other S9 proteases activities and consist of the formula:—wherein the variables are as defined herein.
US08133896B2 Pyrimidine derivatives which are antagonist of the vitronectin receptor
A subject of the invention is the compounds of formula (I); in which R1, R2, R3, R4 and R have the meanings indicated in the description, their preparation process, their use as medicaments having an antagonist activity on the vitronectin receptor and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US08133895B2 Fused pyrazine compounds useful for the treatment of degenerative and inflammatory diseases
Novel fused pyrazine compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis and others.
US08133894B2 N-benzyl-4-methyleneamino-3-hydroxy-2-pyridones
Compounds of Formula (I) are effective in the treatment of a microbial infection.
US08133873B2 Recombinant chemokine-antigen vaccine
A recombinant gene sequence that comprises human SLC gene, antigen gene, and IgG1-Fc fragment gene, wherein the SLC gene is linked upstream to the antigen gene, and the IgG1-Fc fragment is linked downstream to the antigen gene. This invention also relates to the application of the recombinant gene sequence in the preparation of gene vaccine.
US08133872B2 Use of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate or derivative thereof as agent for treating type-2 diabetes
The administration of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a host in need thereof for the treatment of type-2 diabetes has been disclosed.
US08133869B2 Compositions containing poly[beta(1,4)-2-amino-2-deoxyglucopyranose] oligomers in a solution of modified lignin phenols and their uses
The present invention refers to biocidal mixtures with disinfecting and microbicidal activity which also enhance root growth, containing as active ingredients poly[beta(1,4)-2-amino-2-deoxyglucopyranose] oligomers as per formula I, and oxidized natural lignin phenols with a low molecular weight. It also refers to agronomically efficient compositions against fungi, bacteria, insects and nematodes which are harmful to plants in agricultural crops, as well as their uses in agriculture.
US08133863B2 Stabilizing alkylglycoside compositions and methods thereof
The present invention relates to alkylglycoside-containing compositions and methods for increasing the stability, reducing the aggregation and immunogenicity, increasing the biological activity, and reducing or preventing fibrillar formation of a peptide, polypeptide, or variant thereof, for example amylin, a monoclonal antibody, insulin, Peptide T or analog thereof, gastrin, gastrir releasing peptides, gastrin releasing peptide-like (GRP) proteins, epidermal growth factor or analog thereof.
US08133857B2 NOTCH inhibition in the treatment of atherosclerosis
The present invention is directed to methods of treating or preventing atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases by administering agents that inhibit or modulate the NOTCH signaling pathway. In addition, the invention encompasses methods for assaying compounds for their ability to treat atherosclerosis based upon their effects on NOTCH signaling, and for measuring levels of amount, function, or activity of NOTCH pathway components in biological samples.
US08133851B2 Heteroaroyl-substituted serine amides
The present invention relates to heteroaroyl-substituted serinamides of the formula (I) in which the variables A and R1 to R6 are as defined in the description, and to their agriculturally useful salts, to processes and intermediates for their preparation, and to the use of these compounds or of the compositions comprising these compounds for controlling unwanted plants.
US08133850B2 Dispersions comprising hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitors
The present invention relates to dispersions comprising A) one or more herbicidal active substances from the group of the HPPD inhibitors, B) one or more oils, C) one or more surface-active substances, D) diammonium oxalate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate or ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, E) one or more rheological additives, F) optionally one or more agrochemical active substances other than A), such as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, safeners or growth regulators, G) optionally formulation auxiliaries from the group consisting of antifoams, evaporation inhibitors, perfumes, colorants, antifreeze agents and preservatives. The dispersions are suitable for use in the field of plant protection.
US08133845B2 Glass paneling with a sublimated image and process for making the same
Disclosed herein is a glass sheet substrate and process for making the same with a first wear surface, an obverse, second surface including a thermoset image receiving coating having a complete, unitary sublimated ink image that is viewable with minimal loss of resolution and clarity from the first side through the thickness of the glass sheet substrate.
US08133843B2 Heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet
A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, comprising a support, and at least one heat insulation layer containing hollow polymer particles and at least one receptor layer provided for the support in this order, wherein the receptor layer contains a latex polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of lower than 50° C. and a latex polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 50° C. or higher, the latex polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of lower than 50° C. is contained in an amount, as solid content, larger than that of the latex polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 50° C. or higher, and the latex polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of lower than 50° C. is a latex polymer having the recurring unit obtained from vinyl chloride monomer in an amount of 50 mol % or more.
US08133834B2 Oxidation catalyst
An oxidation catalyst for use in the oxidation of a substrate with a molecular oxygen, comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of a specific hydrazyl radical (such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and a specific hydrazine compound (such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine). A method for producing a chemical compound, comprising contacting a substrate with a molecular oxygen in the presence of the above-mentioned oxidation catalyst.
US08133829B2 Frit
The present invention provides a frit containing substantially no lead, which is applicable to a member having α of at most 50×10−7/° C.A frit comprising a low-melting point glass powder and a refractory filler powder, containing substantially no lead, having a thermal expansion coefficient of at most 50×10−7/° C., and being processable at 500° C. or lower, wherein the above low-melting point glass powder satisfies a softening pour point range of at least 30° C., and the above refractory filler powder satisfies the following relationship: 1
US08133827B2 Fibers comprising copolymers containing structures derived from 4,4 diamino diphenyl sulfone and a plurality of acid monomers and methods of making same
The invention concerns a fiber, obtainable by spinning a copolymer from the polymerization solution, derived from 4,4′diaminodiphenyl sulfone amine monomer and a plurality of acid monomers, wherein the plurality of acid monomers has 55 to 85 mole percent of the monomer containing a para-oriented aromatic group and 15 to 45 mole percent of the monomer containing a meta-oriented aromatic group; and yarns, fabrics and garments comprising this fiber, and methods of making the same. This fiber has use in heat-resistant protective apparel fabrics and garments.
US08133819B2 Plasma etching carbonaceous layers with sulfur-based etchants
Etching of carbonaceous layers with an etchant gas mixture including molecular oxygen (O2) and a gas including a carbon sulfur terminal ligand. A high RF frequency source is employed in certain embodiments to achieve a high etch rate with high selectivity to inorganic dielectric layers. In certain embodiments, the etchant gas mixture includes only the two components, COS and O2, but in other embodiments additional gases, such as at least one of molecular nitrogen (N2), carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon dioxide (CO2) may be further employed to etch to carbonaceous layers.
US08133812B2 Methods and systems for barrier layer surface passivation
This invention pertains to methods and systems for fabricating semiconductor devices. One aspect of the present invention is a method of depositing a gapfill copper layer onto a barrier layer for semiconductor device metallization. In one embodiment, the method includes forming the barrier layer on a surface of a substrate and subjecting the barrier layer to a process condition so as to form a removable passivated surface on the barrier layer. The method further includes removing the passivated surface from the barrier layer and depositing the gapfill copper layer onto the barrier layer. Another aspect of the present invention is an integrated system for depositing a copper layer onto a barrier layer for semiconductor device metallization. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises at least one process module configured for barrier layer deposition and passivated surface formation and at least one other process module configured for passivated surface removal and deposition of copper onto the barrier layer. The system further includes at least one transfer module coupled so that the substrate can be transferred between the modules substantially without exposure to an oxide-forming environment.
US08133811B2 Semiconductor device manufacturing method, semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus, computer program and storage medium
A semiconductor device, which suppresses formation of an organic impurity layer and has excellent adhesiveness to a copper film and a metal to be a base, is manufactured. A substrate (wafer W) coated with a barrier metal layer (base film) 13 formed of a metal having a high oxidation tendency, such as titanium, is placed in a processing chamber. At the time of starting to supply water vapor or after that, a material gas containing an organic compound of copper (for instance, Cu(hfac)TMVS) is supplied, and a copper film is formed on the surface of the barrier metal layer 13 whereupon the oxide layer 13a is formed by the water vapor. Then, heat treatment is performed on the wafer W, and the oxide layer 13a is converted into an alloy layer 13b of a metal and copper which constitute the barrier metal layer 13.
US08133804B1 Method and system for modifying patterned photoresist using multi-step ion implantation
A method of reducing the roughness profile in a plurality of patterned resist features. Each patterned resist feature includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, wherein each patterned resist feature comprises a mid frequency line width roughness and a low frequency linewidth roughness. A plurality of ion exposure cycles are performed, wherein each ion exposure cycle comprises providing ions at a tilt angle of about five degrees or larger upon the first sidewall, and providing ions at a tilt angle of about five degrees or larger upon the second sidewall. Upon the performing of the plurality of ion exposure cycles the mid frequency and low frequency linewidth roughness are reduced.
US08133802B2 Silicon-germanium hydrides and methods for making and using same
The present invention provides silicon-germanium hydride compounds, methods for their synthesis, methods for their deposition, and semiconductor structures made using the compounds. The compounds are defined by formula: SiHnI (GeHn2)y, wherein y is 2, 3, or 4 wherein n1 is 0 1, 2 or 3 to satisfy valency and wherein n2 is independently 0, 1, 2 or 3 for each Ge atom in the compound, to satisfy valency.
US08133797B2 Protective layer to enable damage free gap fill
In-situ semiconductor process that can fill high aspect ratio (typically at least 6:1, for example 7:1 or higher), narrow width (typically sub 0.13 micron, for example 0.1 micron or less) gaps without damaging underlying features and little or no incidence of voids or weak spots is provided. A protective layer is deposited to protect underlying features in regions of the substrate having lower feature density so that unwanted material may be removed from regions of the substrate having higher feature density. This protective layer may deposits thicker on a low density feature than on a high density feature and may be deposited using a PECVD process or low sputter/deposition ratio HDP CVD process. This protective layer may also be a metallic oxide layer that is resistant to fluorine etching, such as zirconium oxide (ZrO2) or aluminum oxide (Al2O3).
US08133790B2 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. A method may include forming a first well by injecting first conduction type impurity ions on and/or over a semiconductor substrate, forming an extended drain region overlapped with a region of said first well by injecting second conduction type impurities on and/or over a semiconductor substrate, and/or forming a first conduction type second well on and/or over a semiconductor substrate under an extended drain region to overlap with another region of a first well by injecting second conduction type impurities on and/or over a semiconductor substrate. A method may include forming a gate over a first well overlapped with an extended drain region, and/or forming a drain region by injecting second conduction type impurities on and/or over an extended drain region at one side of a gate.
US08133785B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, that buried gate electrodes are formed in a pair of trenches in a substrate, so as to be recessed from the level of the top end of the trenches, a base region is formed between a predetermined region located between the pair of trenches, and a source region is formed over the base region.
US08133784B2 Method of fabricating non-volatile memory device having vertical structure
A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory device according to an example embodiment may include etching a plurality of sacrificial films and insulation films to form a plurality of first openings that expose a plurality of first portions of a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of channel layers may be formed in the plurality of first openings so as to coat the plurality of first portions of the semiconductor substrate and side surfaces of the plurality of first openings. A plurality of insulation pillars may be formed on the plurality of channel layers so as to fill the plurality of first openings. The plurality of sacrificial films and insulation films may be further etched to form a plurality of second openings that expose a plurality of second portions of the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of side openings may be formed by removing the plurality of sacrificial films. A plurality of gate dielectric films may be formed on surfaces of the plurality of side openings. A plurality of gate electrodes may be formed on the plurality of gate dielectric films so as to fill the plurality of side openings.
US08133780B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device and process for manufacturing the same
A SRAM of complete CMOS type having its memory cell composed of six MISFETs, in which a pair of local wiring lines for connecting the input/output terminals of CMOS inverters are formed of a refractory metal silicide layer formed over a first conducting layer constituting the individual gate electrodes of the drive MISFETs, the transfer MISFETs and the load MISFETs of the memory cell and in which a reference voltage line formed over the local wiring lines is arranged to be superposed over the local wiring lines to form a capacity element. Moreover, the capacity element is formed between the local wiring lines and the first conducting layer by superposing the local wiring lines over the first conducting layer. Moreover, the local wiring lines are formed by using resistance lowering means such as silicification. In addition, there are made common the means for lowering the resistance of the gate electrode of the transfer MISFETs and the means for forming the local wiring lines.
US08133778B2 Layout method of semiconductor device with junction diode for preventing damage due to plasma charge
Provided is a layout method of junction diodes for preventing damage caused by plasma charge. The layout method includes operations of forming an active layer so as to form a plurality of active regions in a unit layout pattern; forming a gate layer so as to form a plurality of gate regions on the active regions; forming a first conductive type doping region in at least one of the plurality of active regions within a well layer where a second conductive type well region is formed so as to form a first conductive type active region; forming a second conductive type doping region in at least one of the plurality of active regions outside of the second conductive type well region so as to form a second conductive type active region; and forming a second conductive type doping region connected with the gate regions so as to form a junction diode in at least one active region between the first and second conductive type active regions.
US08133774B2 SOI radio frequency switch with enhanced electrical isolation
At least one conductive via structure is formed from an interconnect-level metal line through a middle-of-line (MOL) dielectric layer, a shallow trench isolation structure in a top semiconductor layer, and a buried insulator layer to a bottom semiconductor layer. The shallow trench isolation structure laterally abuts at least two field effect transistors that function as a radio frequency (RF) switch. The at least one conductive via structure and the at interconnect-level metal line may provide a low resistance electrical path from the induced charge layer in a bottom semiconductor layer to electrical ground, discharging the electrical charge in the induced charge layer. The discharge of the charge in the induced charge layer thus reduces capacitive coupling between the semiconductor devices and the bottom semiconductor layer, and thus secondary coupling between components electrically disconnected by the RF switch is reduced.
US08133768B2 Method of manufacturing a light emitting, photovoltaic or other electronic apparatus and system
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device having light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating device having photovoltaic diodes. The exemplary method includes depositing a first conductive medium within a plurality of channels of a base to form a plurality of first conductors; depositing within the plurality of channels a plurality of semiconductor substrate particles suspended in a carrier medium; forming an ohmic contact between each semiconductor substrate particle and a first conductor; converting the semiconductor substrate particles into a plurality of semiconductor diodes; depositing a second conductive medium to form a plurality of second conductors coupled to the plurality of semiconductor diodes; and depositing or attaching a plurality of lenses suspended in a first polymer over the plurality of diodes. In various embodiments, the depositing, forming, coupling and converting steps are performed by or through a printing process.
US08133764B2 Embedded inductor and method of producing thereof
A method of manufacturing an inductor embedded into a semiconductor chip package (100) is described, which method comprises providing a carrier (102; 202; 302) having, between a first side and an opposite second side, a first conductive layer (104; 503), an intermediate layer (205; 505), a second conductive layer (106; 504), forming an inductor and contact pads for the chip by patterning the first conductive layer (104; 503) from the first side of the carrier (102; 202; 302), assembling the chip and providing an encapsulation (514) and forming terminals of the package, by patterning the second conductive layer (106; 504) from the second side of the carrier.
US08133760B2 System and method for backside circuit editing on full thickness silicon device
A system for accessing circuitry on a flip chip circuit device with active circuitry and full-thickness bulk silicon includes a moveable surface for supporting and locating the circuit device in a plane, an infrared (IR) imaging device located at a defined perpendicular distance from a surface of the bulk silicon, the surface of the bulk silicon parallel to the plane and a milling chamber configured to direct an etchant and a focused ion beam to the surface of the bulk silicon, resulting in a gas-enhanced milling process that creates a milled cavity in the bulk silicon. The system produces an IR reflective material located at a base of the cavity, wherein the circuit device is located within a field of view of the IR imaging device such that the IR reflective material is brought into focus by moving the IR imaging device an adjustable distance perpendicular to the surface of the bulk silicon, and where the adjustable perpendicular distance is indicative of a depth of the cavity.
US08133759B2 Leadframe
A leadframe includes a die paddle and leads, in which the back side of the die paddle has a fillister. The fillister defines a rim surrounding a recess, and the recess accommodates protrusion of fusible material. Also, a package includes such a leadframe. Also, a method for making a leadframe includes patterning a sheet of metal to form a die paddle and leads, and forming a fillister in the back side of the die paddle.
US08133754B2 Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same
An image sensor is disclosed that includes a first substrate including an electric junction region, a transistor, and a metal line connected to the electric junction region or the transistor; and a photodiode formed on the first substrate. The first substrate is formed at an upper portion thereof with a reflective layer to reflect light back to the photodiode.
US08133731B2 Production of primate neural stem cells through expression of pax6
A transcription factor both necessary and sufficient for human neuroectoderm specification, Pax6, as well as applications thereof, is disclosed.
US08133729B2 Biomimetic urothelium
Urothelium is the specialized endothelium that lines much of the mammalian urinary tract. This invention relates to the field of in vitro urothelial culture. Previous methods produce tissue lacking much of the functionality of native urothelium. In this invention, stratified, differentiated mammalian urothelium is produced by passaging urothelial cells through a nutrient medium containing serum, and redispersed, before going on in a like medium to form said urothelium.
US08133720B2 Biosensor
The invention provides a biosensor comprising a microbe-binding aptamer(s) in the substrate recognition element. It is possible to obtain a stabilized biosensor wherein the detection sensitivity for target microbe (target bacterium) is not impaired depending on the storage condition or measuring sample, and target bacterium in a body fluid can be directly measured by insertion of the substrate recognition element of the biosensor.
US08133715B2 Reduced by-product accumulation for improved production of isobutanol
The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of 3 keto-acid (e.g., acetolactate and 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate) and/or aldehyde-derived by-products. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
US08133710B2 Oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS)
The invention describes novel pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of virus infections and cancer. The pharmaceutical compositions include mutant oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) that have either enhanced cell permeability, reduced oxidative potential, improved antiviral activity, improved enzymatic activity, or absent enzymatic activity. The pharmaceutical compositions have improved drug properties and retain or have enhanced antiviral activity relative to their native forms. The pharmaceutical compositions further include chemically modified oligoadenylate synthetases, such chemical modifications being designed to increase serum stability and reduce immunogenicity in vivo. Such chemical modifications further increase drug stability and manufacturability in vitro. Compositions composed of more than ninety novel modifications are described. Also described are antibodies to polypeptides of the invention.
US08133696B2 Method for determining thrombin activity
Methods and kits to determine thrombin activity are provided. They have the great advantage that there is no need to measure the whole calibrator curve in each individual medium, since a single-point measurement is adequate.
US08133690B2 Method for inhibiting the formation of SET1 family core complexes
Disclosed in this specification is a method for inhibiting the formation of SET1 family core complexes. A guanidinium-containing molecule is used to competitively inhibit the binding of the N-SET region of a SET1 protein to WDR5, thus inhibiting the formation of the SET1 family core complex. The guanidinium-containing molecule may be, for example, an arginine-containing peptide. When bound to WDR5, the guanidinium moiety is bound between the F-133 and F-263 residues of the WDR5 when a crystal structure of the bound complex is obtained.
US08133685B2 AMPK modulation as a method of regulating stem cell and cancer stem cell proliferation, self-renewal and differentiation
Methods are disclosed for decreasing stem cell proliferation, including cancer stem cell proliferation. These methods comprise administering to stem cells inhibitors of AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK). Methods for promoting stem cell growth by increasing stem cell proliferation, self-renewal and/or differentiation are also disclosed. These methods comprise administering AMPK activators to stem cells. Methods of achieving selective differentiation of stem cells are also disclosed. These methods comprise administering small molecules to stem cells that modulate AMPK activity. Applications of these methods are also disclosed, such as methods of increasing numbers of neuronal progenitor cells. These methods can be used therapeutically, such as for repair of spinal cord injuries, or for stimulating neurogenesis in the hippocampus, and other cell-based therapies. The methods can also be used for screening of compounds that can be activators or inhibitors of AMPK activity.
US08133683B2 Methods for detecting biomolecules in a sample
The invention develops a high-throughput screening method based on charcoal-sorbent peptide binding assay (CPBA) which does not need a solid phase and can simultaneously detect plural target biomolecules in a sample. The method of the invention can achieve high-throughput screening of biomolecules (such as antibodies and antigens) with a molecular weight of more than 10 KD.
US08133678B2 COT102 insecticidal cotton
The present application relates to an insect resistant transgenic cotton plant. In particular, it relates to a specific event, designated COT102. The application also relates to polynucleotides which are characteristic of the COT102 event, plants comprising said polynucleotides, and methods of detecting the COT102 event. The COT 102 event exhibits a novel genotype comprising two expression cassettes. The first cassette comprises a suitable promoter for expression in plants operably linked to a gene that encodes a VIP3A insecticidal toxin, useful in controlling a wide spectrum of lepidopteran insect pests, and a suitable polyadenylation signal. The second cassette comprises a gene which, when expressed, can be used as a selectable marker.
US08133670B2 Method for making populations of defined nucleic acid molecules
The present invention provides methods of making a population of nucleic acid molecules, wherein each nucleic acid molecule comprises a predetermined nucleic acid sequence, each of said methods comprising the steps of: (a) synthesizing, on a substrate, a population of nucleic acid molecules wherein: i) each synthesized nucleic acid molecule comprises a predetermined nucleic acid sequence; and ii) each synthesized nucleic acid molecule is localized to a defined area of said substrate; (b) harvesting said population of synthesized nucleic acid molecules from said substrate to yield harvested nucleic acid molecules; and (c) introducing said harvested nucleic acid molecules into vector molecules.
US08133657B2 Method for making a lithographic printing plate
A method for making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of (i) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including a coating, the coating including an image-recording layer which includes hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles, a binder, and an infrared absorbing dye, wherein the hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles have an average particle diameter, measured by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy, of more than 10 nm and less than 40 nm, and the amount of the IR-dye, without taking into account an optional counter ion, is more than 0.70 mg per m2 of the total surface of the thermoplastic polymer particles, measured by Hydrodynamic Fractionation, and the amount of hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles relative to the total weight of the ingredients of the imaging layer is at least 60%; (ii) exposing the precursor to infrared light; and (iii) developing the exposed precursor in an alkaline aqueous solution.
US08133656B2 Oxime ester compound and photopolymerization initiator containing the same
An oxime ester compound represented by general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent R11, OR11, COR11, SR11, CONR12R13, or CN; R11, R12, and R13 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, an arylalkyl group having 7 to 30 carbon atoms, or a heterocyclic group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, R3 and R4 each independently represent R11, OR11, SR11, COR11, CONR12R13, NR12COR11, OCOR11, COOR11, SCOR11, OCSR11, COSR11, CSOR11, CN, a halogen atom, or a hydroxyl group; a and b each independently represent 0 to 4; X represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a selenium atom, CR31R32, CO, NR33, or PR34; R31, R32, R33, and R34 each independently represent R11, OR11, COR11, SR11, CONR12R13, or CN.
US08133653B2 Positive resist composition for forming thick-film resist, thick-film resist laminate, and method of forming resist pattern
A positive resist composition for forming a thick-film resist having a film thickness of 1 to 15 μm, the composition comprising: a resin component (A) that includes a polymer compound (A1), which has a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 50,000, and includes a structural unit (a1) derived from a hydroxystyrene and a structural unit (a2) derived from an acrylate ester containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group, an acid generator component (B) that generates acid upon exposure and includes an onium salt-based acid generator having an anion moiety represented by general formula (I): R4″SO3− (wherein, R4″ represents a linear or branched alkyl group or fluoroalkyl group of 4 carbon atoms), and a nitrogen-containing organic compound (D) that includes a tertiary aliphatic amine.
US08133650B2 Polyester resin and toner including the same
A polyester resin which includes acid components having aromatic dibasic acid component and trivalent or higher acid component; alcohol components including aliphatic, aromatic or cycloaliphatic diol component, and trihydric or higher alcohol component; polyolefin polyol having 1,800 to 2,500 number average molecular weight and hydroxyl value of 40 to 55 KOHmg/g; and wax having melting point of 80 to 110, wherein the amount of the polyolefin polyol is 0.1 to 2 weight % and the amount of the wax is 0.5 to 15 weight % with respect to the total polyester resin. Also disclosed is a method for preparing polyester resin by (a) carrying out an esterification reaction or an ester exchange reaction with the acid components, the alcohol components, and the polyolefin polyol; and (b) carrying out a polycondensation reaction for reaction product of the esterification or ester exchange reaction in the presence of the wax.
US08133647B2 Black toners containing infrared transmissive
A toner formulation is disclosed comprising a binder, an IR absorbing colorant, and one or more infrared transmissive colorants, wherein the colorants are configured to provide a low reflectivity in the visible region of the spectrum and an intermediate reflectivity in the near infrared region of the spectrum when the toner is printed and fused onto paper.
US08133642B2 Metal optical grayscale mask and manufacturing method thereof
A metal optical grayscale mask includes a layer of metal film which is deposited on transparent substrate, and different transparency pattern which is formed by laser writing on the surface of the metal film. The pattern is continuous, in type of array or random pattern. The grayscale is within 3.0 OD-0.05 OD. The thickness of the metal film is 5-100 nm. A manufacturing method of the metal optical grayscale mask includes that the selected transparent substrate is rinsed by the general semiconductor rinse process, the metal film is deposited on the transparent substrate then different transparency pattern is formed by laser writing on the surface of the metal film. The pattern is continuous, in type of array or the random pattern. The grayscale mask is low in price, antistatic electricity performance is good, the resolution can surpass optical diffraction limit. The manufacturing method is simple. There is a wide band application for micro-optical components and large-scale production of micro-electro-mechanical systems.
US08133634B2 Fuel cell with porous frit based composite proton exchange membrane
A fuel cell includes a porous frit based composite proton exchange membrane. The pores of the porous frit are filled with a proton-conducting material.
US08133630B2 Fuel cell module with membrane swelling control structure
A fuel cell module including a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a pressing plate, an anode collector, an anode flow channel plate, a cathode collector, and a cathode flow channel plate is provided. The MEA has a protrusion, and the pressing plate presses an edge of a cathode of the MEA. The pressing plate has a first opening to expose the protrusion. The anode collector is disposed on an anode of the MEA. The anode flow channel plate is disposed on anode collector. The anode collector is disposed between the anode and the anode flow channel plate. The cathode flow channel plate faces the cathode collector disposed on the cathode and the pressing plate to form a flow channel between an inner surface of the cathode flow channel plate and the cathode collector. The cathode flow channel plate has a concave portion corresponding to the protrusion.
US08133629B2 Fluidic distribution system and related methods
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a fluid distribution system. The system may include one or more electrochemical cell layers, a bulk distribution manifold having an inlet, a cell layer feeding manifold in direct fluidic contact with the electrochemical cell layer and a separation layer that separates the bulk distribution manifold from the cell feeding manifold, providing at least two independent paths for fluid to flow from the bulk distribution manifold to the cell feeding manifold.
US08133620B2 Polymer electrolyte secondary cell
A polymer electrolyte secondary cell with high safety against overcharging includes a positive electrode containing a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode containing a negative electrode active material; a polymer electrolyte containing a non-aqueous solvent, an electrolyte salt, and a polymer. The non-aqueous solvent contains a tertiary carboxylic acid ester shown in Formula 1 below. The polymer is formed from monomers containing alkylene glycol (meth)acrylate and/or N,N-dialkyl (meth)acrylamide. where R1 to R4 each denote a straight-chained or branched alkyl group having 4 or less carbon atoms and may be the same or different.
US08133617B2 Non-aqueous electrolyte battery, method of manufacturing the same and method of using the same
A non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes a non-aqueous electrolyte containing an electrolytic salt and a non-aqueous solvent, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode having a negative active material that intercalates/deintercalates lithium ions at a potential not lower than 1.2 V relative to the potential of lithium, wherein a film coat having a carbonate structure and a thickness of not less than 10 nm exists on the surface of the negative electrode. A non-aqueous electrolyte battery is operated in a region of potential of the negative electrode higher than 0.8 V relative to the potential of lithium.
US08133615B2 Alkaline electrochemical cell
An alkaline electrochemical cell is provided which efficiently utilizes active materials within the cell to achieve enhanced cost efficiency. The electrochemical cell includes a container defining a sealed volume and an anode and cathode disposed in the sealed volume of the container. The cathode includes manganese dioxide and the anode includes zinc. A ratio of zinc weight to anode volume is less than 1.8. An alkaline electrolyte is disposed in the container in contact with the anode and cathode, and water is disposed within the container. A weight ratio of water to manganese dioxide is greater than 0.28, and a weight ratio of water to zinc is greater than 0.65.
US08133611B2 Method of making polypyrrole and silver vanadium oxide composite
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a composite electrode for a battery is provided. The composite electrode includes silver vanadium oxide present in an amount from about 75 weight percent to about 99 weight percent and polypyrrole present in an amount from about 1 weight percent to about 25 weight percent.
US08133605B2 Method of manufacturing power storage device
The invention provides a method of manufacturing a power storage device which enables facilitation of manufacturing of the power storage device while a plurality of terminal portions are prevented from overlapping one another when viewed from a stacking direction. The method of manufacturing the power storage device including a plurality of electrode elements stacked with electrolyte layers interposed between them, the method includes a first step of forming the electrode element which has a generally rotationally symmetric outer shape when viewed from a stacking direction and includes a terminal portion protruding in an outward direction of the power storage device in an area of the outer shape, and a second step of stacking the plurality of electrode elements formed in the first step with the electrolyte layers interposed between them at varying angles in a stacking plane such that the terminal portions do not overlap one another when viewed from the stacking direction.
US08133604B1 Electrochemical device assembly having electrode tabs connected to a clad spacer
The electrochemical device assembly includes an anode tab in electrical communication with one or more anodes. The anode tab includes a first material. The assembly also includes a spacer having a third material and a fourth material. The third material is connected to the first material of the anode tab. The assembly also includes a cathode tab in electrical communication with one or more cathodes. The cathode tab includes a second material connected to the fourth material of the spacer. The second material is different from the first material and the fourth material is different from the third material.
US08133585B2 Thermally and electrically conductive structure comprising a carbon nanotube and a carbon coating, and method of reducing a contact resistance of same
A thermally and electrically conductive structure comprises a carbon nanotube (110) having an outer surface (111) and a carbon coating (120) covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the carbon nanotube. The carbon coating may be applied to the carbon nanotube by providing a nitrile-containing polymer, coating the carbon nanotube with the nitrile-containing polymer, and pyrolyzing the nitrile-containing polymer in order to form the carbon coating on the carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube may further be coated with a low contact resistance layer (130) exterior to the carbon coating and a metal layer (140) exterior to the low contact resistance layer.
US08133580B2 Coating composition for a urinary catheter
The invention relates to an article comprising a coating, which coating comprises at least two layers, of which the inner layer is a primer layer, comprising a supporting polymer network which is composed of a supporting polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethers and polythioethers, including copolymers thereof, the supporting network optionally comprising a functional non-ionic hydrophilic polymer entangled in the supporting polymer network; and the outer layer is a functional layer comprising a functional non-ionic hydrophilic polymer and a polyelectrolyte.
US08133576B2 Coated cutting insert and manufacturing method thereof
A coated cutting insert according to the present invention includes a substrate, a base layer formed on the substrate, and an indicating layer formed on a part of the base layer. The base layer exhibits a color different from that of the indicating layer. The indicating layer is formed on the base layer, in at least a part of a surface including a cutting-edge portion and a rake face except for a flank face. When a surface relative roughness Ra of a breaker recess portion or a land portion of the rake face is set to Aμm and a surface relative roughness Ra of the flank face is set to Bμm, relation of B/A≦1 is established.
US08133573B2 Scratch-resistant optical multi-layer system applied to a crystalline substrate
A process for producing a crystalline substrate with an optical multi-layer system thereon and the crystalline substrate obtainable thereby. The process comprises the successive application of at least two free-flowing compositions which comprise nanoscale inorganic solid particles comprising at least one of a polymerizable and a polycondensable organic group to a surface of the crystalline substrate and the polymerization and/or polycondensation of the organic groups of the solid particles to form organically crosslinked layers on the substrate and a single-stage thermal consolidation of these layers with a burnout of organic constituents thereof. The at least two compositions give rise to layers with different refractive indices.
US08133567B2 Information recording medium and method for producing the same
An information recording medium ensuring high recording and erase function and excellent archival characteristic at a high linear velocity and over a wide range of linear velocities is provided. Such a medium is obtained by constructing a recording layer which has a composition that can generate phase change as a whole, of a first through an M-th constituent layers (wherein M is an integer of 2 or greater) which are stacked in a thickness direction, such that elemental compositions of contiguous an m-th constituent layer and a (m+1)th constituent layer are different from each other (wherein m is an integer and satisfies 1≦m≦M) assuming that the constituent layer located at an m-th position from a laser light incident side is the m-th constituent layer. In this information recording medium, at least one m-th constituent layer constituting the recording layer preferably includes at least one element selected from Te, Bi, Sb, Ge, In, Ga, Al, Sn, Pb, Se and Si.
US08133562B2 Plastic formed articles having a vapor deposited film and method of producing the same
A plastic formed article comprising a plastic substrate and a vapor deposited film formed on the surface of the plastic substrate by a plasma CVD method, wherein the vapor deposited film includes an organometal vapor deposited layer having an element ratio C/Si of 2.5 to 13 and an element ratio O/M of not larger than 0.5, and a hydrocarbon vapor deposited layer; and the hydrocarbon vapor deposited layer has a thickness in a range of 40 to 180 nm, exhibits peaks stemming from CH, CH2 and CH3 over a region of wave numbers of 3200 to 2600 cm−1 as measured by FT-IR, and has a CH2 ratio of not larger than 35% and a CH3 ratio of not less than 40%. A film is deposited on a plastic formed article without deteriorated by oxidation, without thermally deformed or without thermally deteriorated not only when PET or polyolefin is used but also when polylactic acid is used as the plastic substrate.
US08133549B2 Method for modifying insulating or semi-conductive surfaces, and resulting products
The present invention relates to the use of a R—N2+ diazonium salt carrying an aromatic group R, for grafting of the aromatic group onto insulating, semiconductor, binary or ternary compound or composite material surfaces, the diazonium salt being present at a concentration close to its solubility limit, notably at a concentration higher than 0.05 M, and preferably varying between approximately 0.5 M to approximately 4 M.
US08133548B2 Method for preparing an oriented-porosity dielectric material on a substrate by means of electromagnetic and/or photonic treatment
Provided a method for producing an oriented-porosity dielectric material on a substrate. The method includes depositing a vapor phase on a substrate of a composite layer comprising a material forming a matrix and a compound comprising chemical groups capable of being oriented under the effect of an electromagnetic field and/or photonic radiation; treating the composite layer to obtain the cross-linking of the material forming a matrix; and subjecting the substrate coated with the composite layer to an electromagnetic field and/or a photonic radiation.
US08133542B2 Resin-coated metal plate and drawn cans using these plates
The present invention offers resin-coated metal plates and methods of making, in which the resin-coated metal plates prevent wicket scars from occurring during processes of varnish, print and dry, and there are few scars on the resin-coated surface, the inner surface side of the can and that have superior corrosion resistance and workability, and drawn cans using these metal plates. Therefore, resin film that is applied to the metal plates, is comprised of two layers of a crystallized saturated polyester resin layer [A] and a layer composed of resin [B] that is comprised of saturated polyester resin (i) and ionomer resin (ii), wherein the layer composed of resin [B] is laminated on the above-mentioned metal plate to tightly contact with it, and on the polar surface of the saturated polyester resin layer that is crystallized [A] a highly crystallized layer (X) is formed. A drawn can is formed using the resin-coated metal plate.
US08133537B2 Method of forming a multi-layered fiber
A method for forming multi-layered fiber including a core, a first layer, and a second layer. The core has an exterior surface portion containing polypropylene. The first layer is applied to at least a portion of the core and contains a first polymer. The first polymer contains a polymer having at least 70% α-olefin units and is characterized by a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the exterior surface portion of the core. The second layer is applied to at least a portion of the first layer and contains a second polymer. The second polymer contains a co-polymer having at least 50% α-olefin units and is characterized by a number-average molecular weight of about 7,000 g/mol to 50,000 g/mol, a viscosity of between about 2,500 and 150,000 cP measured at 170° C., and a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the exterior surface portion of the core. The viscosity of the second polymer is not greater than about 10 percent of the viscosity of the first polymer measured at 170° C.
US08133533B2 Method for producing functional film
The method for producing a functional film includes a step of forming an organic film on a surface of a substrate and a step of forming an inorganic film by vacuum deposition on a surface of the organic film to produce the functional film. Prior to forming the inorganic film, a member contacts the surface of the organic film in a vacuum chamber at portions where the organic film does not exhibit its functions.
US08133532B2 Method of densifying porous articles
The present invention describes a method of CVI densification in which particular arrangements and mixtures of undensified porous substrates and partially densified porous substrates are arranged in particular ways in order to use the thermal characteristics of the partially densified porous substrates to better distribute heat throughout a CVI furnace and thereby improve densification.
US08133530B2 One magnetic sided media for low cost and low capacity applications
One-sided magnetic media for a hard disk drive. Methods are implemented to create a magnetic media with only one surface capable of recording data. The second surface is a non-data recording side of the media and is constructed so that it does not interfere with the recording properties of the recording side or the structural usefulness of the media. Additionally, the second surface can be a low quality surface capable of limited magnetic recording.
US08133515B2 Alkynes and methods of reacting alkynes with 1,3-dipole-functional compounds
1,3-Dipole-functional compounds (e.g., azide functional compounds) can be reacted with certain alkynes in a cyclization reaction to form heterocyclic compounds. Useful alkynes (e.g., strained, cyclic alkynes) and methods of making such alkynes are also disclosed. The reaction of 1,3-dipole-functional compounds with alkynes can be used for a wide variety of applications including the immobilization of biomolecules on a substrate.
US08133511B2 Drug delivery system based on cationic siloxanyl macromonomers
Matrix controlled diffusion drug delivery systems are described herein which are based on one or more silicon-containing monomers of the general formula: wherein L, X−, n, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and V are as set forth herein.
US08133506B2 Drug delivery systems comprising weakly basic drugs and organic acids
The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making such compositions, wherein the compositions comprise a plurality of TPR and RR particles, wherein: the TPR particles each comprise a core coated with a TPR layer; the core comprises a weakly basic, poorly soluble drug and a pharmaceutically acceptable organic acid separated from each other by an SR layer; the RR particles each comprise the weakly basic, poorly soluble drug, and release at least about 80 wt. % of the weakly basic, poorly soluble drug in about 5 minutes when dissolution tested using United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) dissolution methodology (Apparatus 2—paddles@50 RPM and a two-stage dissolution medium at 37° C. (first 2 hours in 0.1N HCl followed by testing in a buffer at pH 6.8).
US08133502B2 System for delivering a composition to the nasal membrane and method of using same
A quick and easy system and method for delivering a composition to a nasal membrane is presented. The applicator assembly includes a sleeve member which encases a swab having a portion that contacts a gelled composition. The sleeve member is manually severed to expose the applicator and the composition. The gelled composition contained on the applicator is applied to the nasal membrane.
US08133500B2 Compressed high density fibrous polymers suitable for implant
An embodiment of the present invention may be made by the following steps: providing a mixture comprising a plurality of fibers, a lubricant, and a suspension fluid, with the suspension fluid filling a void space between said fibers and subjecting said mixture to at least one compressive force. The compressive force causes the migration and alignment of said fibers; and may remove substantially all of the suspension fluid from said mixture. The mixture may further comprise a biologically active agent, or a reinforcing agent.
US08133495B2 Live attenuated antigenically marked classical swine fever virus
Classical swine fever virus is a world-wide distributed highly-contagious disease affecting swine. The two main strategies for diseases control are prophylactic vaccination and non-vaccination stamping out policies. Marker vaccines are a promising strategy. Here we report the rational development of a doubly antigenic marker CSFV experimental live attenuated candidate strain vaccine (Flag/T4 virus). Flag/T virus (Flag/T4v) is based in the combination of two Brescia derived recombinant attenuated viruses: RB-C22 and T4. RB-C22v contains a 19mer insertion in the structural glycoprotein E1, while T4v posses mutated CSFV amino acid residues 830 to 834 in the structural glycoprotein E2, deleting the highly conserved epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody (mAb) WH303. Flag/T4 virus contains a positive foreign antigenic marker, due to the insertion of the highly antigenic epitope Flag in the 19mer insertion of E1, as well as a negative antigenic marker, the lack of reactivity with mAb WH303. Immunized with Flag/T4v induced a complete protection against the challenge with virulent strain Brescia both at 3 and 28 days post infection when nasally administered and since the second day post infection when intramuscularly administered. These results constitute an example of rational design of a CSFV antigenically marked LAV.
US08133489B2 Inhibition of macrophage-stimulating protein receptor (RON) and methods of treatment thereof
The invention provides antibodies or fragments thereof, including human antibodies, specific for Macrophage-Stimulating Protein Receptor (MSP-R or RON), which inhibit RON activation. Also provided are methods to inhibit RON, particularly the use of RON antibodies to treat diseases such as cancer.
US08133476B2 Calcium phosphate complex and salts in oral delivery systems
The present invention relates to oral delivery systems, such as confectionery and chewing gum compositions, and methods for remineralizing tooth enamel in mammals. In particular, the oral delivery systems include a phosphopeptide or phosphoprotein stabilized calcium phosphate or calcium fluoride phosphate complex and a salt selected from calcium salts, phosphate salts and combinations thereof. The delivery systems promote remineralization of tooth enamel of consumers.
US08133472B2 Cyclopeptides containing RGD mimetics as imaging markers for integrins
Radiolabeled cyclic polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising radiolabeled cyclic polypeptides, and methods of using the radiolabeled cyclic polypeptides. Such polypeptides can be used in imaging studies, such as Positron Emitting Tomography (PET) or Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).
US08133467B2 Processes for conjointly producing bromine and calcium chloride
Processes are provided for conjointly producing Br2 and a concentrated aqueous solution containing at least about 5 wt % CaCI2, based on the weight of the concentrated aqueous solution, from an aqueous HBr rich stream and, optionally, a feed brine dilute in CaCI2. Such processes can comprise feeding the aqueous HBr-rich stream and the feed brine to a tower, oxidizing bromide moieties within the tower with Cl2 to produce Br2, recovering Br2 from the tower, removing a bromide-depleted bottoms from the tower, such bottoms containing HCI, adding a Ca++ source to the bromide-depleted bottoms to convert substantially all of the HCI in the bottoms to CaCI2, and, as necessary, removing water from the treated bottoms to produce the concentrated aqueous solution.
US08133465B2 Polymer-carbon nanotube composite for use as a sensor
A polymer-carbon nanotube composite film is provided for use as a sensor for detecting chemical vapors. The composite film is formed by coating perpendicularly-aligned carbon nanotubes with a polymer selected from poly(vinyl acetate), poly(isoprene), or blends thereof. The sensor may be formed by attaching at least two electrodes to the polymer-carbon nanotube composite film. The sensor may be used in any applications where the sensor is capable of detecting a change in conductivity in the composite.
US08133463B1 Pyrochlore-type catalysts for the reforming of hydrocarbon fuels
A method of catalytically reforming a reactant gas mixture using a pyrochlore catalyst material comprised of one or more pyrochlores having the composition A2-w-xA′wA″xB2-y-zB′yB″zO7-Δ. Distribution of catalytically active metals throughout the structure at the B site creates an active and well dispersed metal locked into place in the crystal structure. This greatly reduces the metal sintering that typically occurs on supported catalysts used in reforming reactions, and reduces deactivation by sulfur and carbon. Further, oxygen mobility may also be enhanced by elemental exchange of promoters at sites in the pyrochlore. The pyrochlore catalyst material may be utilized in catalytic reforming reactions for the conversion of hydrocarbon fuels into synthesis gas (H2+CO) for fuel cells, among other uses.
US08133460B2 Method for the preparation of a reducing agent composition
The invention relates to a method for preparing a reducing agent composition, which is used in the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides and which contains from 20 to 40% by weight of urea, from 20 to 40% by weight of ammonium formate, and water. The composition is prepared by adding urea to the aqueous solution of ammonium formate that is prepared in situ, and by preparing the aqueous solution of ammonium formate using, as starting materials, a source of ammonium, a source of formate, and water.
US08133452B2 Biochip package and biochip packaging substrate
A biochip package allowing biochips optimized for high-volume production to be compatible with general-purpose devices and a biochip packaging substrate of the biochip package are provided. The biochip package can include a biochip having a probe array mounted thereon and a biochip packaging substrate on which the biochip is mounted and which has a through cavity exposing a rear surface of the biochip.
US08133451B2 Sample preparation apparatus
A capture and purification apparatus is configured as a stand-alone apparatus or as part of a larger system. The capture and purification apparatus can be configured as a microfluidic cartridge that includes microfluidic circuitry and individually controlled valves. The microfluidic cartridge can be configured to function independently, or can be configured to be coupled to a separate instrument that provides the actuation to perform the capture and purification process. The capture and purification apparatus is configured as a volume-driven system that applies single-direction valves, a single fluid driving device, and fluid lines to control and discretely direct fluid flow within a full-loaded fluidic system. Such control enables various fluid sample processing techniques to be performed including, but not limited to, lysis, thermal cycling, and/or target analyte capture and purification, for example using a combination of ion-exchange chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC).
US08133444B2 Exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine
An object of the present invention is to suppress, in a system in which an NOx selective catalytic reduction catalyst and a particulate filter are provided in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine, discharge of ammonia from the NOx selective catalytic reduction catalyst. In the exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention, when a condition for executing a filter temperature raising control is satisfied, the supply of urea to the NOx selective catalytic reduction catalyst by urea supply means is stopped, and the filter temperature raising control is executed by filter temperature raising means after a specific time has elapsed since the time of stoppage of the supply of urea to the NOx selective catalytic reduction catalyst.
US08133442B2 Method to enhance clarification in a mixing reactor and said mixing reactor
The invention relates to a mixing reactor for mixing a liquid and pulverous solid, clarification the solution that is formed and discharging the clarified solution from the mixing reactor, in the lower section of which a fluidized bed is formed. The invention also relates to a method for mixing a liquid and pulverous solid into each other in a fluidized bed, for clarification the solution that is formed and for discharging the clarified solution from the mixing reactor.
US08133441B2 Apparatus and process for metal oxides and metal nanoparticles synthesis
The present invention provides an approach to control the generation and grow of nanocrystal with membrane diffusion method and related apparatuses to produce inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles. With this method, the size and size distribution of inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles can be tuned. It overcomes the shortcomings possessed by the common chemical and physical method of preparing nanoparticles.
US08133440B2 Aromatic nebulizing diffuser
An aromatic nebulizing diffuser includes a base panel, a lower housing, power adapter, an electric fan, a speaker, a music control circuit, an ultrasonic oscillator carrying a light source, a fluid container, a waster shutter and a transmissive cover. When electrically connected, the ultrasonic oscillator is started to generate high frequency sound waves and to cause atomization of the aromatic fluid contained in the fluid container so that a mist of aerodynamic breakup of fine water drops is seen through the transmissive cover and at the same time, the music control circuit outputs a music through the speaker and the light source emits a mixed color of light to light up the mist of aerodynamic breakup of fine water drops that is forced out of the hole on the top side of the transmissive cover.
US08133439B2 GMR biosensor with enhanced sensitivity
A sensor array comprising a series connection of parallel GMR sensor stripes provides a sensitive mechanism for detecting the presence of magnetized particles bonded to biological molecules that are affixed to a substrate. The adverse effect of hysteresis on the maintenance of a stable bias point for the magnetic moment of the sensor free layer is eliminated by a combination of biasing the sensor along its longitudinal direction rather than the usual transverse direction and by using the overcoat stress and magnetostriction of magnetic layers to create a compensatory transverse magnetic anisotropy. By making the spaces between the stripes narrower than the dimension of the magnetized particle and by making the width of the stripes equal to the dimension of the particle, the sensitivity of the sensor array is enhanced.
US08133435B2 Sterile device and method for producing same
A sterile device immersed in a sterile buffer and a method for providing same. The sterile device may be a medical device such as a biosensor having a biomolecule as a sensing element such as, for example, a glucose oxidase enzyme. The buffer may be a bicarbonate solution. Both the device and the buffer may be packaged and stored over long term while maintaining sterilization. The sterilization method may comprise a combination of gaseous, liquid and light sterilization.
US08133431B2 Austenitic stainless steel
An austenitic stainless steel, which comprises by mass %, C<0.04%, Si≦1.5%, Mn≦2%, Cr: 15 to 25%, Ni: 6 to 30%, N: 0.02 to 0.35%, sol. Al≦0.03% and further contains one or more elements selected from Nb≦0.5%, Ti≦0.4%, V≦0.4%, Ta≦0.2%, Hf≦0.2% and Zr≦0.2%, with the balance being Fe and impurities, and among the impurities P≦0.04%, S≦0.03%, Sn≦0.1%, As≦0.01%, Zn≦0.01%, Pb≦0.01% and Sb≦0.01%, and satisfy the conditions F1=S+{(P+Sn)/2}+{(As+Zn+Pb+Sb)/5}≦0.0075 and 0.05≦F2=Nb+Ta+Zr+Hf+2Ti+(V/10)≦1.7−9×F1 has not only excellent liquation cracking resistance in the HAZ on the occasion of welding and excellent embrittling cracking resistance in the HAZ during a long period of use at high temperatures but also excellent polythionic acid SCC resistance and high temperature strength.
US08133419B2 Method for making automotive headliners
Vehicle headliners are prepared with a core layer of a fiber-reinforced polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam is prepared from a polyurethane-forming composition that uses water as a blowing agent and polyol or polyol mixture that has a high functionality and an average hydroxyl equivalent weight of 100-130. The selection of polyols permits cycle times to be reduced by allowing for faster demolding and shortened aging times before post-molding heat lamination steps can be performed.
US08133414B2 Light filters using yellow melanin and melanin-like oligomers and photochromic dyes
Selective fractionation and separation of melanin and use of fractionated or separated melanin in connection with light filters is disclosed. Further, light filters that use yellow melanin or melanin like materials prepared to have a yellow color and a melanin transmission spectrum in combination with a photochromic dye are disclosed. The yellow form of melanin has minimal impact on the perception of light intensity with transmission values greater than 80%. The combination allows for a single light filter suitable for both night driving and sunglass applications and which also preserve color perception.
US08133412B2 Anisotropic conductive film
An anisotropic conductive film 2 contains electrically conductive particles 6 dispersed in an adhesive agent 30 for electrode connection, the adhesive agent containing an epoxy resin, which is an insulating thermosetting resin, as a main component, a phenoxy resin having a molecular weight of 30,000 or more, a latent hardener, a polyvinyl butyral resin having a glass-transition temperature of 100° C. or higher, and a polyvinyl butyral resin having a glass-transition temperature of 90° C. or lower. There is provided the high-heat-resistant anisotropic conductive film which suppresses a reduction in repairability and which can be used for electrodes having a finer pitch, i.e., having a minimum pitch of 150 μm or less, when electrodes are connected with the anisotropic conductive film.
US08133411B2 Fluorescent polymers soluble in an aqueous solution and a method for the production thereof
The invention relates to fluorescent polymers soluble in an aqueous solution carrying at least 5 fluorophores which are distributed on the polymer and which exhibit the following properties: the fluorophores are water-soluble, the fluorophores are not self-associated in water at a concentration of less than or equal to 10−4 mol/l, preferably at a concentration of less than or equal to 10−3 mol/l, the fluorophores which are free in the aqueous solution have a molar extinction coefficient of greater than 1000 M−1·cm−1, preferably greater than 5000 M−1·cm−1, the fluorophores which are free in the aqueous solution have a quantum yield of greater than 0.3, preferably greater than 0.6, said polymers having a fluorescence amplification factor of greater than or equal to 0.35 per kg/mol of polymer, preferably greater than 0.45 per kg/mol of polymer.
US08133400B2 Portable ozonation apparatus for storing and purifying liquid
A portable ozonation apparatus for storing and purifying liquids includes a container having an opening for receiving a liquid and a treatment cap. The treatment cap is preferably detachably mounted to the container at the opening. Preferably, the treatment cap includes a main body portion having provided therein an electricity generating device and an ozone generating device. With this arrangement, un-purified liquid, such as water, is introduced into the container. The container is then inverted to bring the un-purified liquid into contact with the ozone generating device. At this point, the electricity generating device is activated to deliver an electrical current to the ozone generating device. Once powered, the ozone generating device produces ozone which is introduced into the liquid container. The ozone gas transforms un-purified liquid into a purified liquid suitable for consumption.
US08133392B2 Three-phase cascade separator
A three-phase separator for separating gas and solids from a three-phase mixture containing liquid, gas and solids includes an inlet region for the three-phase mixture, an outlet for a fraction rich in solids, an outlet for liquid, a first separator for separating gas from the three-phase mixture, forming a two-phase mixture which contains liquid and solids, and a second separator for separating solids from the two-phase mixture formed in the first separator, the first separator and the second separator in each case having at least one plate block each having at least three mutually parallel plates, between which a flow channel is formed in each case, the first separator being configured such that the mixture entering through the inlet region is led from top to bottom in the at least two flow channels, relative to the vertical, the second separator being configured and arranged in relation to the first separator such that the two-phase mixture emerging from the first separator enters the at least two flow channels of the second separator from below, relative to the vertical, and is led upward in said channels, and wherein the three-phase separator is configured in such a way that the three-phase mixture can enter the first separator of the three-phase separator only via the inlet region.
US08133390B2 Reversed endcapping and bonding of chromatographic stationary phases using hydrosilanes
A process for producing a chromatographic stationary phase for use in reversed-phase chromatography. Chromatographic stationary phases prepared according to the methods of the current invention and liquid chromatography columns, which include the stationary phases, are also provided.
US08133389B2 Method and apparatus for preparing platelet rich plasma and concentrates thereof
The PRP separator-concentrator of this invention is suitable for office use or emergency use for trauma victims. The PRP separator comprises a motorized centrifugal separation assembly, and a concentrator assembly. The centrifugal separator assembly comprises a centrifugal drum separator that includes an erythrocyte capture module and a motor having a drive axis connected to the centrifugal drum separator. The concentrator assembly comprises a water-removal module for preparing PRP concentrate. The centrifugal drum separator has an erythrocyte trap. The water removal module can be a syringe device with water absorbing beads or it can be a pump-hollow fiber cartridge assembly. The hollow fibers are membranes with pores that allow the flow of water through the fiber membrane while excluding flow of clotting factors useful for sealing and adhering tissue and growth factors helpful for healing while avoiding activation of platelets and disruption of any trace erythrocytes present in the PRP.
US08133386B1 Biological waste digester and method of operation
A method of mixing liquid waste material in a digester tank by extending a supporting beam between opposing walls of the tank, securing a paddle to the supporting beam, fixturing the paddle for rotation about the supporting beam, securing a pair of inflatable air sacks to the paddle at opposing ends, and selectively inflating and deflating the sacks to force the paddle to tilt in cyclic motion thereby mixing the liquid waste containing bacteria, waste material, and oxygen uniformly throughout the digester tank.
US08133382B2 Method for electrocoagulation of liquids
An electrocoagulation treatment device includes a plurality of spaced reaction plates disposed within a reaction chamber. A voltage is applied to selected reaction plates to create an electrical field within the electrocoagulation chamber. The plates are arranged vertically which induces a vertical flow of liquid through a device. The device includes various embodiments adapted for use as a large industrial unit, a portable unit or for use within the home. The voltage and amperage of the electrical field chamber may be adjusted by placing selected reaction plates in electrical contact with the voltage source. One embodiment is especially adapted for treatment of oil slop to remove water from the oil, and for treatment of seawater to desalinate the same.
US08133379B2 Method for electrochemically realizing a hydrophilic area on a hydrophobic substrate
The invention relates to a method for producing at least one hydrophilic area on a hydrophobic substrate. The method consists in performing an electrochemical reduction of the surface under the following conditions: the reduction is performed in an electrochemical cell which contains an electrolytic solution containing a compound that is a precursor of a reducing agent, said compound having a standard potential of less than −2.7 V relative to the saturated calomel electrode (SCE); the reducing electrode is placed relative to the substrate surface to be treated such that said surface is facing the surface of the electrode, which is the image of the area to be reduced; the reducing electrode is subjected to the formation potential of the reducing agent.
US08133377B2 Method and apparatus for producing conductive material
A photosensitive film, which has a transparent support and a silver salt emulsion layer containing a silver salt formed thereon, is exposed and developed to form a metallic silver portion. The base material to be plated is electrified in an electrolytic solution free of plating substances, using the metallic silver portion as a cathode. Then, the electrified base material is subjected to an electroless plating treatment to form a first plated layer only on the metallic silver portion. The base material is subjected to an electroplating treatment to form a second plated layer on the first plated layer, further form a third plated layer on the second plated layer.
US08133371B2 Scodaphoresis and methods and apparatus for moving and concentrating particles
Methods and apparatus for moving and concentrating particles apply an alternating driving field and an alternating field that alters mobility of the particles. The driving field and mobility-varying field are correlated with one another. The methods and apparatus may be used to concentrate DNA or RNA in a medium, for example. Methods and apparatus for extracting particles from one medium into another involve applying an alternating driving field that causes net drift of the particles from the first medium into the second medium but no net drift of the particles in the second medium.
US08133368B2 Encapsulated sputtering target
Embodiments of the invention provide encapsulated sputtering targets and methods for preparing such targets prior to a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. In one embodiment, an encapsulated target for PVD is provided which includes a target layer containing lanthanum disposed on a backing plate and an encapsulation layer containing titanium disposed on or over the target layer. In one example, the target layer contains metallic lanthanum or lanthanum oxide and the encapsulation layer contains titanium. The encapsulation layer may have a thickness within a range from about 1,000 Å to about 2,000 Å. In another embodiment, a method for preparing an encapsulated target prior to a PVD process is provided which includes positioning an encapsulated target within a PVD chamber and exposing the encapsulation layer to a plasma while removing the encapsulation layer and revealing an upper surface of the target layer.
US08133366B2 Stainless steel electrolytic plates
There is provided a substantially permanent stainless steel cathode plate suitable for use in electrorefining of metal cathodes, the cathode being composed of a low-nickel duplex steel or a lower grade “304” steel, wherein operational adherence of an electrodeposition thereon is enabled by altering various qualities of the cathode surface.There is also provided a method of producing the above duplex or Grade 304 cathode plates, such that the desired operational adherence of the deposit upon the plate is not so strong as to prevent the deposit being removed during subsequent handling.
US08133357B2 Panels including renewable components and methods for manufacturing same
A panel includes about 0.1% to about 95% by weight of a ground renewable component. In an embodiment, the panel has at least one core comprising: from about 0.1% to about 95% by weight of the ground renewable component; from about 0.1% to about 95% by weight of one or more fibers; and from about 1% to about 30% by weight of one or more binders, all based on dry panel weight. In an embodiment, the ground renewable component has a particle size distribution whereby less than 5% of the particles are retained by a mesh screen with openings of about 0.312 inches and less than 5% of the particles pass through a mesh screen with openings of about 0.059 inches. A method for manufacturing such panels is also provided.
US08133350B2 Deinking a cellulosic substrate using magnesium silicate
A composition and method for deinking is disclosed. The composition and method contain an activated magnesium silicate or a magnesium silicate.
US08133348B2 Plasma generating apparatus and plasma treatment apparatus
A plasma generating apparatus includes a coaxial convertor for coaxial-converting a microwave, a generally annular ring slot that passes the coaxial-converted microwave, and a dielectric window that propagates the microwave passed through the ring slot. A plasma is produced by the microwave propagated through the dielectric window. This enables stable formation of a plasma having a uniform distribution over a large area.
US08133346B2 Medical device having bonding regions and method of making the same
Medical devices comprised of bonded joints are disclosed. The bonded joints comprise two surfaces bonded by a layer of phenoxy resin therebetween. In the preferred embodiments, bonded surfaces are comprised of materials that are suitable for medical devices. Most preferably, Nitinol comprises at least one bonded surface, however, other preferred materials may include, but are not limited to cobalt chromium, stainless steel, titanium, tantalum, and plastic. An intraluminal device comprised of a plurality of locations with a phenoxy resin layer is also disclosed wherein the phenoxy resin is further comprised of a radiopaque additive, a lubricious additive, or both radiopaque and lubricious additives. Also disclosed is an intraluminal device comprised of contiguous heterogeneous structural elements comprised of metallic members and non-metallic sections that are bonded together by a layer of phenoxy resin therebetween.
US08133333B2 Processing method for the production of nanoscale/near nanoscale steel sheet
The present disclosure relates to an iron alloy sheet comprising α-Fe, and/or γ-Fe phases wherein the alloy has a melting point in the range of 800 to 1500° C., a critical cooling rate of less than 105 K/s and structural units in the range of about 150 nm to 1000 nm.
US08133332B2 Method for preparing FePt media at low ordering temperature and fabrication of exchange coupled composite media and gradient anisotropy media for magnetic recording
A method includes: constructing a multilayer structure including a first layer of Pt, a first layer of A1 phase FePt on the first layer of Pt, and a second layer of Pt on the layer of FePt, and annealing the multilayer structure to convert the A1 phase FePt to L1o phase FePt.
US08133330B2 High yield ratio and high-strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet excellent in workability and production method thereof
A high-strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet excellent in workability according to the present invention: contains C, Si, Mn and other elements; has a dual phase structure containing ferrite and martensite as the metallographic structure; and, in the ferrite structure, satisfies the expression 0.2≦(Lb/La)≦1.5 when the length per unit area of the grain boundaries of crystal grains the crystal orientation differences of which are 10 degrees or more is defined as La and the length per unit area of the grain boundaries of crystal grains the crystal orientation differences of which are less than 10 degrees is defined as Lb, and further satisfies the requirements that the average value of D is 25 μm or less and the area ratio of crystal grains satisfying the expression D≦30 μm in the ferrite grains surrounded by the grain boundaries of crystal grains the crystal orientation differences of which are 10 degrees or more is 50% or more when the circle equivalent diameter of each of ferrite grains surrounded by the grain boundaries of crystal grains the crystal orientation differences of which are 10 degrees or more is defined as D; and has a tensile strength of 980 MPa or more.
US08133324B2 Methods for removal of polymeric coating layers from coated substrates
The invention provides a method for the at least partial removal of one or more polymeric coating layers from a coated substrate having at least one coated surface. The method includes generating at least one reactive species in an ionized gas stream discharged at atmospheric pressure; and placing the coated surface in the ionized gas stream. The at least one reactive species reacts with the one or more polymeric coating layers such that one or more coating layers is at least partially removed from the coated surface of the substrate at atmospheric pressure.
US08133317B2 Cement additive and cement composition
A cement additive contains industrial waste and has the effect of inhibiting formation of monosulfate in a hardened cementitious material. The cement additive contains specifically calcium carbonate, gypsum and coal ash and/or blast-furnace slag powder. This enables efficient use of industrial waste, allows inhibiting monosulfate formation in the hardened cementitious material, and allows producing a hardened cementitious material having good durability (sulfate resistance).
US08133310B2 Method and apparatus for in-situ testing of filtration systems
Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus and method for certifying a filter in a containment system without decontaminating the containment system prior to certification. The apparatus generally comprises a valve assembly selectable between at least three operational states. A first state prevents flow from prevents flow through a port of a housing. A second state fluidly couples the port to test equipment necessary to test a filter disposed within the housing. A third state seals the port but fluidly couples the test equipment to a decontamination system.
US08133307B2 Dehumidification type air system
A dehumidification type air system is configured such that a switching valve and an air-used device are connected through a dehumidifying member made of a polymer permeation membrane with moisture permeability, and by bringing a moisture emitting face of the dehumidifying member into contact with the atmosphere, supply air supplied from the switching valve through the dehumidifying member to the air-used device is dehumidified by the dehumidifying member, while the moisture permeating through the dehumidifying member is diffused from the moisture emitting face to the atmosphere through natural evaporation.
US08133302B2 Process for purification of hydrocarbons
The present invention relates to a process for the removal of sulfur contaminants from a hydrocarbon stream comprising: (a) providing a gaseous hydrocarbon stream having sulfur contaminants, but having less than 10 ppmw of said sulfur contaminants as thiophenes, to a bed of adsorbent material, said material having at least one Group VIII metal compound with at least one Group VI, IA, IIA, IB metal compound on an inorganic metal oxide support material, without substantial added hydrogen, to absorb said contaminants; (b) periodically stopping said providing of said gaseous hydrocarbon feed stream of (a); (c) then, regenerating said adsorbent bed by introducing at least one regenerant, in any order, in the place of said stream; and, (d) continuing to alternate (a) and (b) plus (c) as needed.
US08133295B2 Method and apparatus for lead smelting
A method for producing lead involves feeding lead concentrate, flux and solid fuel passing to a feed preparation unit. The prepared, mixed feed is then passed to a lead smelting furnace, such as an ISASMELT furnace or other top entry, submerged lance furnace. Air or oxygen, is injected into the molten charge in the ISASMELT furnace via the submerged lance. The feed mixture is converted into lead bullion and a lead-containing slag. The slag removed from the furnace is formed into lumps having a desirable size range. The slag lumps, together with coke and flux are fed into a blast furnace. In the blast furnace, the slag is converted into lead bullion and discard slag. The lead bullion removed may be subsequently fed to a lead refinery for further treatment.
US08133293B2 Air cleaner boattail
An air cleaner suitable for use with a heavy-duty vehicle includes a cylindrical body that can be mounted to the vehicle so that the body is exposed to an air stream when the vehicle moves in a forward direction. The air cleaner has a boattail, which includes a fin attached to a rear portion of the body. The fin has a vertical orientation and extends in a substantially rearward direction from the body. When the vehicle moves in a forward direction, the boattail reduces the amount of low-pressure air located behind the air cleaner.
US08133292B2 Air cleaner assembly for a small V-type engine, engine incorporating same, and motorcycle incorporating same
An air cleaner for a V-type internal combustion engine includes a filter housing with introduction ports formed in both left and right lateral walls communicating with respective air intake ducts and a pair of cleaner elements fixedly disposed in the filter housing to partition the inside thereof into an upper unfiltered air chamber communicating with both the introduction ports and a filtered air chamber disposed below the unfiltered air chamber. The cleaner elements are disposed on both sides of a vertical plane passing through a vehicle body centerline, extend forward and rearward of the air introduction ports, and are inclined to be gradually lowered as they extend away from the vertical plane to face the respective air introduction ports.
US08133291B2 Air filtration for aircraft ground support equipment
Air filtration devices and systems are provided to filter conditioned air after air exits an air conditioner module located on a ground support equipment unit but prior to entering a grounded aircraft. Disclosed embodiments include a system with the air filtration unit located along a hose originating from an aircraft ground support unit and a system with the air filtration unit located along a hose originating from an aircraft. Certain embodiments of the air filtration unit include a diffuser, which is configured to couple to a filter and direct air through the filter during operation.
US08133290B2 Tartaric acid derivatives in fuel compositions
Formulations using tartaric compounds of the present invention in a low sulfur, low ash and low phosphorous lubricant lower wear, and friction and improves fuel economy.
US08133280B2 Methods and devices for expanding a spinal canal
Devices and methods are disclosed for expanding a spinal canal. An implantable device having a shaft with a first cross-sectional dimension distinct from a second cross-sectional dimension can be inserted into an opening in a lamina and rotated 90 degrees to hinge the lamina away from the spinal canal. The implant can have one or more radiused edges, a bulleted tip, one or more lateral extensions for fastening the implantable device to bone, one or more hinged lateral extensions, one or more arcuate protrusions for biting into adjacent bone, an enlarged proximal head to prevent over-insertion, and/or a sleeve disposed therearound to reduce friction. Various embodiments of an insertion apparatus that can be selectively coupled to the implantable device are also disclosed, along with methods of expanding a spinal canal in minimally-invasive procedures using an implantable device and/or an insertion apparatus.
US08133267B2 Apparatus for engrafting a blood vessel
The present invention relates to an apparatus for deploying an endoluminal prosthesis for engrafting a blood vessel. The apparatus includes a bifurcated graft that is able to conform to the interior surface of the blood vessel and can be deployed through a single entry site.
US08133265B2 Guide catheter, and stent delivery system
This stent delivery system includes: a guide catheter inserted inside a stent, and inserted into the interior of the living body with the stent by a guide member inserted inside the guide catheter; a guide member inserted inside the guide catheter, and which guides the guide catheter and the stent to the interior of a living body; a pusher catheter inserted into the interior of the living body with the guide catheter in a state where the guide catheter is inserted inside the pusher catheter, and which pushes the stent along the guide catheter; and an engaging portion disposed on a head section of the guide catheter protruding from the stent, which engages with the stent in a state where the guide member is inserted into the head section, and which releases the stent in a state where the guide member is retracted away from the head section.
US08133262B2 Large diameter bone anchor assembly
Bone anchor assemblies having a large diameter for fixing a spinal connection element to bone and methods of assembly are described. The assembly includes a receiver member for receiving the spinal connection element, a bone-engaging shank for engaging bone, a retaining member for retaining the head of the shank within the receiver member and a locking member for locking the retaining member within the receiver member.
US08133248B2 Methods and devices for blood vessel harvesting
Methods and devices for harvesting veins from the body. The methods and devices allow vein harvesting using laparoscopic procedures. A working space is created over the vein using standard laparoscopic procedures and a side-hooked wire is inserted into the working space and twisted to insert the side-hook under the vein. The wire is then pulled or drawn along the vein to separate the vein from the surrounding tissue. In an alternative embodiment, vein separation is accomplished by threading a soft rubber tube under the vein, grasping the ends of the tube so as to surround the vein, and then pulling the tube along the vein. In other embodiments, the working space is created with everting balloons.
US08133247B2 Tool assembly for harvesting and implanting follicular units
A multi-part tool assembly for harvesting and implanting follicular units, comprising an outer cannula having an open, tissue-piercing distal end, and an inner cannula coaxially positioned in a lumen of the first cannula, the second cannula having an open, tissue-coring distal end sized to engage and retain single hair follicular units. An obturator may be positioned in the lumen of the second cannula, wherein at least one of the first cannula, second cannula, and obturator are movable relative to the other ones.
US08133242B1 Image-guided extraluminal occlusion
A method for occluding an anatomical structure (such as a vessel or duct) having a lumen comprises: introducing percutaneously into the body of the patient a delivery device; advancing the delivery device to an occlusion site outside the lumen of an anatomical structure; deploying an occlusion instrument from the delivery device; and occluding the anatomical structure with the occlusion instrument. The advance of the delivery device and the deployment of the occlusion instrument are guided by near-real-time imaging of a target region of a body of a patient, the target region including the occlusion site on the anatomical structure. The delivery device is guided to the occlusion site outside the lumen of the anatomical structure, and the structure is occluded with the deployed occlusion instrument engaging the exterior of the structure.
US08133238B2 Tissue closing device
A tissue closing device includes an elongate arrangement device of which a distal end portion can penetrate an opening on a wall of living body cavity and which has a hand-operated portion on the proximal side, and a closure detachably retained at the distal end portion of the arrangement device and operative to close the opening. According to one embodiment, the arrangement device can include a thread for detachably retaining the closure and for pulling the closure in the proximal direction, a cover tube, and a fixed tube. The hand-operated portion has a canceling mechanism for canceling the retained state of the closure. A series of operations from deformation of the closure resulting from pulling the closure by the thread to canceling the retained state of the closure by the canceling mechanism after completion of the deformation are performed continuously by operating the hand-operated portion.
US08133236B2 Ultrasound catheter having protective feature against breakage
An ultrasound catheter has an elongate flexible catheter body having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, and an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter body. The ultrasound transmission member has a proximal end that is coupled to a separate ultrasound generating device, and a distal end that terminates at the distal end of the catheter body, with at least a portion of the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member extending outside the lumen of the catheter body and beyond the distal end of the catheter body, and with the ultrasound transmission member directly attached to the catheter body via an attachment device.
US08133228B2 Chisel system for osteochondral implants and a surgical procedure involving same
A chisel system for harvesting an implantable graft from an area of a human having a cartilage overlying a condyle, according to which a module is provided that has one end connected to a handle. A cutting surface is formed at the other end of the module that cuts through the cartilage and condyle.
US08133226B2 Intramedullary fixation device for fractures
An intramedullary fixation device for fractures having a core guide wire, and distal and proximal petal segments mountable on the core guide wire and being able to be moved towards each other. Each petal segment has multiple petals able to be expanded for gripping an internal wall of a medullary canal; expansion segments are also mountable on the core guide wire, each expansion segment having a tapered engagement surface for engaging with and expanding the petals of the distal and proximal petal segments. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US08133219B2 High frequency operation apparatus and high frequency operation method
A high frequency operation apparatus includes: a treatment section provided with electrodes for performing treatment of a living tissue; a switch section connected to each of the electrodes and switching conduction of the electrodes to configure paired electrodes from the electrodes; a power supply section for supplying high frequency power to the living tissue via the paired conductive electrodes; a biological information measuring section for sequentially measuring biological information; a determining section for determining if the measured values of biological information are within a predetermined range; and a control section for performing control so that the high frequency power is supplied to the living tissue by using only the paired electrodes corresponding to the measure value determined as being within the predetermined range.
US08133212B2 Disposable diaper
In a disposable diaper, the crotch region is divided by a front folding guide and a rear folding guide into a front section, a rear section and an intermediate section. The crotch region is provided on the side of its inner surface with a pair of contracting members extending in a longitudinal direction and spaced from each other. Front portions of the respective contracting members are fixed to the inner surface of the diaper in positions anterior to a line bisecting a longitudinal dimension of the intermediate section, while rear portions of the respective contracting members are fixed to the inner surface of the diaper in positions posterior to the intermediate section, so that intermediate portions of the respective contracting members may be spaced from the inner surface of the diaper and elastically contractible in the longitudinal direction.
US08133211B2 Reduced pressure, compression systems and apparatuses for use on joints
A system for providing reduced-pressure treatment to a moveable tissue site, such as a joint, includes a flexible dressing bolster. The flexible dressing bolster has a first side and a second, inward-facing side, and a plurality of flexion joints formed on the flexible dressing bolster. The system further includes a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the flexible dressing bolster and the patient's epidermis and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced-pressure subsystem are operable to deliver a reduced pressure to the moveable tissue site. The flexible dressing bolster is operable to allow articulation or movement of the moveable tissue site. The sealing subsystem may include a drape with folds. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented.
US08133199B2 Electroactive polymer activation system for a medical device
An activation circuit for selectively providing an electrical current to one or more electroactive polymers (EAPs) in a medical device is disclosed. The activation circuit may include a sensor for sensing a measure related to a parameter of an elongated member and/or a balloon of the medical device. The electrical current may be provided to the one or more EAPs according to the sensed parameter of the elongated member and/or the balloon of the medical device. In some cases, the activation circuit may include a comparator for comparing the sensed measure to a threshold to determine when the electrical current is applied to the EAPs. The parameter may be a pressure, a fluid flow, a temperature, and/or other suitable parameter.
US08133182B2 Multi-dimensional transducer array and beamforming for ultrasound imaging
The electrodes for a CMUT are split to provide separate transmit and receive bias and alternating current electrodes. The transmit electrodes of different elements are interconnected, such as rows sharing bias and columns sharing transmit alternating signals. The bias is used to select an aperture in elevation, and only a sufficient number of transmit beamformer channels to use the selected aperture are needed. On receive, the full multi-dimensional array may be used with integrated beamformer electronics.
US08133177B2 System and method for assessing capillary vitality
A device for assessing capillary vitality comprises an inflatable cuff, a blood flow sensor and a pressure sensor in communication with the cuff, a pressure instrument in fluid communication with the cuff for inflation and deflation thereof, a microprocessor coupled to the pressure instrument for controlling airflow, at least one metabolic sensor for measuring a metabolic condition, and a computer program executable by the microprocessor. The pressure instrument includes a source of pressurized air and a conduit connecting the source of pressurized air to the cuff. The microprocessor is arranged to receive inputs from the blood flow, pressure and metabolic sensors. When executed by the microprocessor, the computer program causes the microprocessor to initiate an automatic inflation sequence resulting in a no flow condition, initiate an automatic deflation sequence, automatically qualify a perfusion measurement as an SPP value upon one or more conditions being met during the deflation sequence, and initiate the measurement of at least one metabolic factor.
US08133168B2 Remediation of functional cardiac mitral valve regurgitation
A dynamic device for reducing functional mitral regurgitation is described. The device is disposed externally to the heart and effectively acts as a splint for reducing further dilation of the heart in patients diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and for reducing tethering of the papillary muscle on the mitral valve. The device does not require cardiopulmonary bypass for its installation since it is attached to the outside of the left ventricle, thereby reducing surgical risk, and is not exposed to the patient's blood once installed, thereby reducing the risk of thromboembolic disease.
US08133166B2 Apparatus and method for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body
The invention relates to an apparatus for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body comprising: a group of n hollow treatment channels being inserted at one or more pre-planned positions in said pre-selected anatomical portion; a group of m delivery channels to be connected to a corresponding number m from said group of n hollow treatment channels with m being 2 or more and n being 1 or more; identifying means for identifying which one of said m delivery channels is being connected with which one of said n hollow treatment channels, said identifying means comprising a tracking element accommodated in a tracking channel, said tracking element being intended to be displaced from said tracking channel through each of said interconnected m delivery channels and m treatment channels; storage means for storing k energy emitting sources in a corresponding source-channel, with k≦m; delivery means for temporarily inserting said k energy emitting sources from their source-channels through a corresponding one of said interconnected m delivery channels and m treatment channels towards one of said pre-planned positions in said anatomical portion; coupling means for coupling at least one of said m delivery channels with a corresponding treatment channel.
US08133165B2 Expandable processing and expression chamber
A flexible processing and/or expressor chamber for a biological cell processing apparatus is provided which may include a first side and a second side and having a expandable wall, wherein a first end of the expandable wall is attached to a circumference of the first side of the flexible chamber and a second end of the expandable wall is attached to a circumference of the second side of the flexible chamber. Either or both sides of the chamber may include an axial opening.
US08133149B2 Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed.
US08133147B2 Clutch
A clutching device that achieves torque modulation and/or speed trimming by manipulating only a fraction of torque transferred, but over a wider speed range, is provided. The clutching device has a planetary gear set connected to a prime mover. The planetary gear set includes a ring gear, a planet carrier with at least one planet and one sun gear disposed in the planet carrier the said planet gear engaged at one side with the ring gear, and at the other side with the sun gear. The device further includes a modulating device connected to the sun gear, and an output device connected to the planet carrier. Speed modulation between the prime mover and the output device is controlled by controlling the speed of rotation of the sun gear. Energy from the speed modulation is recoverable by the modulating device.
US08133140B2 Control apparatus for continuously-variable transmission of vehicle
A control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a control section having a target secondary pressure setting section configured to set a target secondary pressure within a strength limit of the belt, and an operation switching section configured to switch a shift operation from a normal speed to a high speed higher than the normal speed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The control section is configured to control the secondary pressure regulating valve by a feedback control based on the target secondary pressure and the actual secondary pressure sensed by the hydraulic pressure sensor. The target secondary pressure setting section is configured to modify the target secondary pressure by adding a predetermined quantity when a correction initiation condition is satisfied, the condition initiation including a first condition that the shift operation is performed at a high speed by switching of the operation switching section.
US08133136B2 Multi-piece solid golf ball
The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core, a cover, at least one intermediate layer interposed therebetween, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of the ball. The respective initial velocities (m/s) of the core, a sphere I composed of the core encased by the intermediate layer, and the golf ball satisfy formula A below, and the respective deflections (mm) of the core, the sphere I composed of the core encased by the intermediate layer, and the golf ball, when compressed under a final load of 130 kg from an initial load of 10 kgf, satisfy formula B below: (initial velocity of core−initial velocity of sphere I)2+(initial velocity of sphere I−initial velocity of golf ball)2<0.40;   Formula A: 0.30<(deflection of core−deflection of sphere I)2+(deflection of sphere I−deflection of golf ball)2<0.70.   Formula B: The golf ball of the invention has a good feel, an excellent spin performance on approach shots and an excellent distance, in addition to which it has an excellent scuff resistance and durability.
US08133132B2 Golf club
A golf club 2 is provided with a head 4, a shaft 6, and a ferrule 8. The head 4 has a hosel hole 22. The hosel hole 22 has a large-diameter part 24 and a small-diameter part 26. The ferrule 8 has a base part 30 interposed between the large-diameter part 24 and the shaft 6. The large-diameter part 24 is disposed coaxially with the small-diameter part 26. The shaft 6 has a tip end surface 40 disposed in the small-diameter part 26. The large-diameter part 24 has an axial directional length longer than that of the small-diameter part 26. Preferably, the base part 30 has an end surface 52 separated from the bottom surface 54 of the large-diameter part 24. Preferably, an adhesive v1 is disposed in an enclosed part 62 defined by the end surface 52 of the base part 30, the bottom surface 54 of the large-diameter part 24, the outer peripheral surface 58 of the shaft 6, and the inner peripheral surface 60 of the large-diameter part 24. The shaft 6 and the large-diameter part 24 are bonded by the adhesive v1.
US08133128B2 Golf club head and system
A golf club head system and a golf club head for inclusion into a golf club are provided. The golf club head system includes two or more rear or secondary body members, each configured for interchangeable attachment to a front or main body member. Each rear body member may have a different external shape, and each rear body member may have a different combination of center-of-gravity and moment-of-inertia characteristics. The system further includes a detachable attachment element for interchangeably and detachably attaching the rear body members to the front body member. The system may further include the front body member, wherein the front body member has a striking surface.
US08133126B2 Golf club having alignment markings
The present invention relates to a golf club having alignment markings that assist a golfer in finding a proper and consistent posture before addressing the ball. In one embodiment, a golf club according to the present invention includes a shaft, a club head having a striking face, a hosel coupling the club head to the shaft, and one or more alignment markings at a position substantially elevated from the club head and substantially behind the shaft. Embodiments of the golf club may further comprise an appendage extending outwardly from the golf club and carrying alignment markings thereon in a direction substantially parallel to the striking face. Such alignment markings provide a golfer with a proper setup when the shaft is seen by the golfer as interposed between, and parallel to, the alignment markings. A golf club according to the present invention may be configured in a variety of shapes, for example, as a putter, an iron, a driver or a wood.
US08133123B2 Method for laying a passable surface, for instance a playing ground, and surface thus formed
The invention relates to a method for laying a playable surface such as a playing field, comprising the steps of forming a hard substrate, arranging on the hard substrate a layer of resilient and/or damping material, and arranging a top layer on the resilient and/or damping layer, wherein during or after arranging of the hard substrate and/or the resilient and/or damping layer air chambers are formed therein. The behavior of the playing field becomes more natural due to these air chambers, and excessive resilience and energy restitution are avoided. The air chambers can be formed for instance by creating recesses in the relevant layer from the top, or by removing material from the layer at different locations after arranging thereof, for instance by melting or biological decomposition of inclusions. The invention also relates to a playing field obtain by application of this method.
US08133122B2 Miniature spool
A miniature spooling apparatus is described. The miniature spooling apparatus includes a housing having a miniature motor attached within the housing. The miniature motor has an axle extending therefrom, with a mechanically powered miniature spool attached with the axle. The miniature spool includes a top portion having a tapered indentation formed circumferentially around the top portion, and a bottom portion having slits formed therein. The slits intersect one another at a point of intersection to form an axle receptacle for receiving the axle from the miniature motor.
US08133116B1 Social supply harvest mechanic for interactive social games
Systems and methods that provide a social supply harvest mechanic for interactive social games are described. In some embodiments, a method receives a request for supplies from a first player in an interactive social game. The method presents multiple supply options to the first player, where each supply option has an associated processing time. A supply option selection is received from the first player as well as an identity of a second player. A supply fulfillment invitation is distributed to the second player. The processing time associated with the selected supply option is shortened if the second player accepts the supply fulfillment invitation. A visual indicator is presented to the first player upon completion of the processing time for the selected supply option. The visual indicator represents an availability of the requested supplies to the first player.
US08133111B2 Wagering game with symbol array defined by multi-symbol objects
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying a plurality of multi-symbol objects having a plurality of sides so that the objects appear as three-dimensional objects. Similar to the reels in a traditional gaming machine, the multi-symbol objects randomly move into locations on the display forming an array wherein one side of each multi-symbol object is displayed, the displayed side having a symbol. The location of the multi-symbol objects in the array and the side of each multi-symbol object that is displayed is based on a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game.
US08133109B2 Game system and controlling method thereof
A game system of the present invention has a plurality of gaming machines capable of communicating with each other via a communication line. The plurality of gaming machines each have an input device operable to input an insurance BET. The plurality of gaming machines carry out the following processing. The plurality of gaming machines set a predetermined value to be shared among the plurality of gaming machines. The gaming machines count the insurance BET thus input and sum up the insurance BET number accumulated in the plurality of gaming machines. Then, the plural types of symbols displayed on the display are automatically re-arranged. The gaming machines count the number of times for a game on a one-game basis and at the same time, sums up the number of times for the game accumulated in the plurality of gaming machines. As a result of repeating a game, if it is judged that the total number of times for the game in the plurality of gaming machines has reached the predetermined value set in advance, a prize including the resulting total insurance BET is awarded to at least one gaming machine from among the plurality of gaming machines.
US08133098B2 Tool spindle device
In a tool spindle device, a tool head is slidably guided along guide members on a support table and is movable by a tool head feed mechanism. A tool spindle with a machining tool such as grinding wheel attached thereto is rotatably supported through antifriction bearings in the tool head. A lubrication mechanism is provided in the tool head for lubricating the antifriction bearings with oil air or oil mist. A space section is formed between the support table and the tool head to house the tool head feed mechanism and the guide members therein. A release passage is provided for releasing the oil air or the oil mist after lubricating the antifriction bearings, into the first space section therethrough to lubricate the tool head feed mechanism and the guide members housed in the space section.
US08133086B2 Boat propelling apparatus and boat
A boat propelling apparatus is compact and capable of making an adjustment on its engine output characteristic. The boat propelling apparatus includes an engine, a surge tank and an intake manifold. The intake manifold includes therein an internal space for air to flow from the surge tank, and air intake passages branching from the internal space. The intake manifold includes recesses and a boss arranged to fit an extension member to define extension passages inside the internal space.
US08133083B2 Water jet propulsion boat
A water jet propulsion boat is constructed such that a fuel pressure detection device is free from a detection error or breakdown and a restart ability of an engine is protected against malfunction. A fuel tank is provided in a boat body of the water jet propulsion boat through vibration absorbing members. A fuel pump unit including a fuel pump is provided in the fuel tank. A fuel pressure sensor is provided in the fuel pump unit. An electric control device stops the fuel pump if the value detected by the fuel pressure sensor is out of the normal value range. Additionally, an electric control device stops operation of the fuel pump if the fall sensor detects the overturning of the boat body and if the detected value of the fuel pressure sensor is out of the normal value range. A regulator and a filter are provided to the fuel pump unit.
US08133082B2 Electrical conductor and method for manufacturing an electrical conductor
An electrical conductor, e.g., a terminal pin, includes a conductor body, a first layer at least partially applied to the conductor body, and a second layer at least partially applied to the first layer, the material of the second layer containing thiol, and the material of the first layer containing nickel.
US08133081B2 Automation appliance having a terminal module
An automation appliance includes a terminal module, in which a function module that is plugged into the terminal module, the automation device being suitable for modular extension by arranging in a row further terminal modules. The terminal module comprises a first holding device for holding the function module, a second holding device including a first contact device for holding a connecting module which has a second contact device, where a supply voltage for the function module is passable through the connecting module, and where a voltage monitoring device for monitoring the supply voltage is integrated in the function module.
US08133079B2 Connector having improved housing to position contacts thereof reliably
An electrical connector comprises an insulative housing having a base portion, and a tongue portion extending forwardly from the base portion, the base portion defining a cavity recessed from an upper surface thereof and communicating with a mating port, a bottom wall below the cavity and having a plurality of receiving slots, and a plurality of retaining slots which each is communicated with each two adjacent receiving slots. A plurality of first contacts each has a contact portion, a retaining portion extending rearwardly from the contact portion, and a pair of projections protruding outwardly from two lateral sides of the retaining portion along a transverse direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The retaining portions are received in the corresponding receiving slots downwardly. The projections are positioned in the corresponding retaining slots to prevent the first contacts from moving along the front-to-back direction.
US08133067B2 Electrical connector with locking engagement between an actuator and an insulative housing
An electrical connector for connecting a flexible printed circuit board comprises an insulator, a plurality of terminals and an actuator mounting onto the insulator. The insulator comprises a top wall, a bottom wall opposite to the top wall and a pair of side wall joining with the top wall and the bottom wall thereby defining a cavity therebetween. The terminals arranged exposed into the cavity. The actuator can rotate between an opened position where the flexible printed circuit board can be inserted into the cavity and a closed position where the flexible printed circuit board can be abutted against the terminals. A post protrudes from the bottom wall. The actuator defines a locking beam for locking with the post and a through hole for receiving the post when the actuator is located at the closed position.
US08133066B2 Connector apparatus and receiving connector of the connector apparatus
A connector apparatus includes a receiving connector connected to a power source and including first and second power jack terminals, a control jack terminal, a control switch including first and second contact points, and an insulative spring positioned below the control switch, and an inserting connector connected to an electronic device and including first and second power plug terminals connected in correspondence with the first and second power jack terminals for receiving power from the power source, and a control plug terminal that extends towards the control switch and applies pressure to the insulative spring for causing the first and second contact points to connect and enabling the power from the power source to be supplied to the electronic device. A part of the insulative spring is configured to melt when an electric arc is generated by disconnecting the connection between the first and second contact points.
US08133059B1 Angle-adjustable night lamp assembly for aroma diffusing night lamp system
An angle-adjustable night lamp assembly includes an electrical plug unit, which includes housing having a stepped rear coupling portion and an electrically insulative locating block tightly fitted into a front opening of the electrically insulative plug housing to hold first and second metal conducting blades and a grounding prong, a lamp socket unit for holding a low-voltage lamp bulb and transferring electric current from the electrical plug unit to the low-voltage lamp bulb for causing the low-voltage lamp bulb to emit light, and a collar configured subject to the configuration of the stepped rear coupling portion of the electrically insulative plug housing and coupled to the stepped rear coupling portion and affixed to the lamp socket unit to secure the lamp socket unit to the electrical plug unit and to allow adjustment of the angle of the lamp socket unit relative to the electrical plug unit.
US08133058B2 Apparatus and related methods for the controlled illumination of a convex surface
Illumination provided to the interior of a convex surface can be controlled using a plurality of internal barriers separating light sources such as light emitting diodes. Such controlled illumination can simulate phases of the moon using logic which can be limited to yes or no Boolean decisions, thereby minimizing the complexity of required input.
US08133053B2 Electric motor for use in a dental, dental-medical or dental-technical handpiece and stator therefor
In an electric motor for use in a dental, dental-medical or dental-technical handpiece, having a rotatably mounted rotor and a stator surrounding the rotor, the stator is surrounded by a sheathing having an inner sleeve, on the outside of which there are arranged functionally relevant components of the stator, for example stator winding(s), return plates, and/or contact pins, and an outer sleeve embedding the inner sleeve with the functionally relevant components.
US08133052B1 Dental mirror with mirror-cleaning suction
A dental suction mirror with a plurality of suction ports on the periphery of the reflective surface spaced apart substantially about a forward half of the mirror with the ports directed across the reflective surface. The mirror also includes a plurality of lower suction holes directed out of the cavity downward from a bottom of the mirror. The reflective surface of the mirror is replaceable.
US08133047B2 Injection molding metal mold and shaped article
An injection-molding die including: a fixed die; a movable die; a cavity defined by the fixed die and the movable die; and a gate for injecting a melt resin into the cavity. The cavity includes: a flow-dividing structure that divides a flow of the melt resin injected into the cavity into a plurality of resin flows; and a flow-advancing area in which the resin flows generated by the flow-dividing structure are merged together. The flow-advancing area is formed thicker than a flow-hesitating area of the flow-advancing area in the cavity.
US08133035B2 Method for controlling the capacity of a peristaltic pump and peristaltic pump
A method for controlling the flow rate of a peristaltic pump includes compressing a flexible tube, forming at least one occlusion region that moves cyclically downstream from the upstream end of the pump, and compressing the tube in the direction of a counter surface to form an occlusion. A peristaltic pump can be used to carry out the method so as to suppress reverse flow without altering the speed of the motor. The occlusion in the most downstream part of the pump remain in the occluding position for a longer portion of the cycle than the occlusion in a more upstream part of the pump, preferably for longer than the compression in the most upstream part of the pump.
US08133033B2 High voltage bus capacitor pre-charger circuit
A precharge circuit (20, 20′, 20″) charges at least one capacitor (22, 22′, 22″) associated with an electrical device with high capacitance, such as a motor (14) which drives a compressor (16) of the pneumatic system. One end of the at least one capacitor is connected with a high voltage bus (10). The other end of the at least one capacitor is connected by at least one charge limiting resistor (24, 24′, 24″) with a low reference node. When the at least one capacitor is charged at least to a preselected level, a control circuit (28, 28′, 28″) controls a switch (26, 26′, 26″) to bypass the current limiting resistor. In this manner, the current limiting resistors limit the surge current to charge the capacitors. Once the capacitors are charged, the resistors and their associated heat dissipation are removed from the circuit and only ripple current from across the capacitors flows through the switch reducing a required current carrying capacity and needed heat sinking for the switch.
US08133031B2 Lightning protection device of windmill blade
The present invention proposes a lightning protection device of a windmill blade, comprising a tip receptor assembly having receptors which are mounted, in particular to, the tip end part of the blade where the blade profile becomes smaller, and having a simple structure so as to be readily assembled, and an intermediate receptor assembly having a receptor which is set at the outer surface of the blade so as to exhibit an effective countermeasure against increasing of the air pressure in the blade upon a lightning striking upon the blade, a lightening current being discharged to the ground from the receptors through connection equipment such as lead wires laid through the inside of the blade the windmill body and bypass brushes, characterized in that a base plate made of an electrically conductive material and connected thereto with the lead wires is embedded in the blade, and the receptors are secured and supported to the base plate, being exposed at the outer surface of the blade. Further, the present invention also proposes a method of assembling the lightning protection device.
US08133029B2 Rotor blade attachment
The invention relates to a rotor blade attachment (17), in particular of a wind power plant (1), for the connection of a rotor blade (5) with an attachment device (4), including a transverse pin (20, 20′) and a connecting device (13, 21), which can be brought together to establish an operative connection, wherein the connecting device (13, 21) defines a longitudinal axis. The rotor blade attachment (17) is characterized in that the transverse pin (20, 21′) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the connecting device has a higher bending stiffness than transversally to the longitudinal axis (18). An alternative rotor blade attachment (17) is characterized in that the transverse pins (20, 20′) are arranged in at least two rows (33, 34), wherein at least a first row (33) is arranged closer to the blade-root-side end (19) of the rotor blade (5) than at least a second row (34). Another rotor blade attachment (17) is characterized in that the transverse pin (20, 20′) is completely encapsulated by the rotor blade (5).
US08133025B2 Turbine blade system
A turbine blade system relating to a tip device appended to the blade tip of a turbine. The tip device controls the flow of air to ultimately reduce noise signatures while increasing aerodynamic efficiency. Passive or actively controlled configurations also permit the user to adjust the pitch angle of the tip device for maximum efficiency rather than making less effective adjustments to the entire turbine blade.
US08133024B1 Turbine blade with root corner cooling
The turbine rotor blade with an aft flowing serpentine flow cooling circuit that discharges into a trailing edge cooling circuit and then into a row of exit cooling slots to cool the trailing edge, in which a vortex cooling chamber is formed in the blade platform and root section just below the trailing edge of the airfoil, the vortex chamber receiving cooling an bled off from the root turn of the serpentine flow circuit to produce a vortex flow of the cooling air and provide cooling for this section of the blade root. The vortex cooling air is then discharged through a row of exit cooling holes that open onto the side edge of the platform on the pressure side to cool the blade mate-face and to purge an aft rim cavity.
US08133018B2 High-pressure turbine of a turbomachine
A high-pressure turbine of a turbomachine, including at least one upstream guide vane element and an impeller mounted so as to rotate inside ring sectors attached to an annular support which is suspended from an outer casing, the upstream guide vane element including, at its radially inner end, a mechanism for attachment to an inner casing and, at its radially outer end, a mechanism for pressing axially on a fixed element of the turbine that is suspended from the outer casing independently of the annular support for attachment of the ring sectors.
US08133017B2 Compressor diffuser
A diffuser for a turbine engine, including an annular casing to seal compressor discharge air and struts attached to the casing to delimit an annular array of intra-strut regions, is provided and includes a ring portion, including a ring shaped annular body with a forward face disposed on a forward side thereof, the ring portion being supportable by one or more of the struts, and a splitter portion, including a ring shaped annular body with an aft face disposed on an aft side thereof to mate with the forward face of the ring portion body, the splitter portion further including a lead edge, on a forward side of the splitter portion body, which is extendable into a flow path of the compressor discharge air to split the flow path into secondary flow paths defined radially outside of and inside of the splitter portion body.
US08133015B2 Turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine
A turbine nozzle includes: a hollow, airfoil-shaped turbine vane; and an arcuate first band disposed at a first end of the turbine vane, the first band having a flowpath face adjacent the turbine vane, and an opposed back face. The back face includes at least one open pocket, the at least one pocket defined in part by a bottom wall recessed from the back face, opposed ends of the bottom wall merging with the back face. The bottom wall is substantially free of interior corners.
US08133007B2 Multiple-stage centrifugal pump including a controlled leakage hydraulic balancing drum
A multiple-stage centrifugal pump comprises a balancing drum coupled to the pump shaft, being axially locked, and turning in a pump body cavity with a minimum clearance; a rotary ring element mounted on the balancing drum and rotating therewith, but being able of axially moving with respect to the rotary shaft, and a fixed ring element mounted on the bottom of the body, a face of the rotary ring element having an annular surface and forming with the fixed ring element a radial breakage path therethrough the fluid flows, the outer diameter of the drum and rotary ring element forming an annular surface providing an axial pushing force, the outer diameter of the rotary ring element, forming a narrowed portion, being less than the diameter of the balancing drum, a pressure difference operating on these surfaces providing a contactless leakage between the rotary ring and fixed ring elements, the axial position of the rotary ring element depending on a combined action of two pushing forces, thereby providing a very stable operation of the pump, the rotary ring element participating in applying the balancing force of the pump rotor thereby limiting the leakage flow loss.
US08132996B2 Gate valve and substrate-treating apparatus including the same
A substrate-treating apparatus includes: a plurality of modules disposed along a first direction, each of the plurality of modules having an inner space for containing a substrate; a transfer unit transferring the substrate among the plurality of modules, the transfer unit including at least one track disposed along the first direction and at least one movable transfer chamber moving along the at least one track; and a gate valve fixed to each of the plurality of modules and combined with the at least one movable transfer chamber. The at least one movable transfer chamber is isolated from an exterior atmosphere while moving.
US08132992B2 Fastening assembly
A fastening assembly is provided for fixing an object to a profiled element with flanges which bound a longitudinal slot between them. The fastening assembly includes a metal washer element having a bearing face arranged for resting against the outside of the profiled element, and an elongated metal anchoring member situated on the underside of the bearing face of the washer element. The assembly furthermore includes a support connected to the washer element and supporting the anchoring member. The support includes a head with one or more connecting members engaging with the washer element, and legs, each extending from the head in a direction away from the washer element to a bottom end of the corresponding leg situated below the anchoring member. The support below the anchoring member includes one or more spring members supported upon the bottom ends of the legs and resiliently supporting and engaged with the anchoring member from underneath.
US08132988B2 Retaining wall block
A method of making a wall block and a mold box therefore. The wall block design maximizes the use of the mold box. The method produces wall blocks having a large surface area front face compared to the front face size of prior art blocks. The blocks have about one third more front surface area. This results in faster construction of walls and a faster construction sequence. The method of making the blocks makes efficient use of mold space and material, resulting in higher production yields and/or higher total daily production square footage.
US08132980B1 Spike strip system and method for deploying said system from a vehicle
A system whereby a disabling spike strip is deployed from the rear undercarriage of a vehicle is enabled by a dashboard-mounted switch powered by the vehicle electrical system. The spike strip comprises a main body and two (2) extensions which are deployed outwardly from each side of the main body by the action of internal compression springs. The undersides of the main body and each extension are provided with a plurality of skid pads. The spike strip further comprises front and rear stabilizer bars. The purpose of the pads and the stabilizers are to retain the location of the spike strip against the pavement and against the action of a trailing vehicle's wheels. The top portion of the spike strip comprises a plurality of fixed and spring-loaded spikes being designed to shred the tires of the trailing vehicle.
US08132978B2 Tool positioning system
A tool positioning apparatus permitting tool adjustment in two planes, the apparatus generally including an articulating joint apparatus and a resistance thread mechanism for rotatably positioning a tool about a central axis. In one embodiment the joint includes two halves rotatable about a central axis. The two halves are positionable through use of a push-button release that disengages a gear member and permits movement of the two halves relative to each other. In one embodiment, a gear has teeth disposed on one surface, two opposing substantially straight sides, and two opposing substantially curved sides, with a triangular protrusion mounted on each of the gear's two straight portions. The thread resistance mechanism utilizes an elastomeric threading in a narrowing taper.
US08132968B2 Bearing unit for wheel
A cylindrical pilot portion (72) to be fitted to an inner periphery of a wheel (80) is formed at an inner diameter part of a brake rotor (70). A shape of a hub wheel, in particular, the shape on an outboard side is thus simplified, and the hub wheel can be formed at low cost through cold forging or the like.
US08132965B2 Hydrodynamic type oil-impregnated sintered bearing
A hydrodynamic type oil-impregnated sintered bearing includes a porous bearing body of sintered metal having a bearing surface in which hydrodynamic pressure generating grooves slating against an axial direction are provided. Lubricating oil or the base oil of lubricating grease to be impregnated into the bearing body is selected from among (a) mixtures of poly-α-olefin or hydrogenated compound thereof and ester and (b) ester. The ester is preferably polyol ester. In the cases of the lubricating grease, the thickener of the lubricating grease is preferably composed of urea compound. A plurality of bearing surfaces may be formed on the inner periphery of the bearing body so as to be separated from one another. The hydrodynamic type oil-impregnated sintered bearing may be suitably applied to a spindle motor for information equipment.
US08132959B2 Medical cement monomer ampoule cartridge for storing the ampoule, opening the ampoule and selectively discharging the monomer from the ampoule into a mixer
A monomer handling unit for storing a ampoule of monomer and releasing the monomer from the ampoule when desired is provided. The monomer handling unit can be used to attach to an enclosed mixer and release a monomer component of the bone cement into the mixer to be mixed with a powder component of the bone cement. The monomer handling unit can also be used to release the liquid monomer into another mixer, such as one that is not enclosed.
US08132954B2 Planar lighting device
The planar lighting device includes a light guide plate having the light exit plane, two pairs of light entrance planes formed at the four sides of the light exit plane, and rear planes formed opposite to the light exit plane and inclined such that the light guide plate grows thicker toward the center thereof, a pair of main light sources and a pair of auxiliary light sources disposed opposite their respective light entrance planes to emit light to the respective light entrance planes, and illuminance distribution control unit to adjust the amount of light emitted by the main and auxiliary light sources to form a designated local illuminance distribution for any position desired in the light exit plane. The planar lighting device performs area control and line control to adjust illuminance at a light exit plane for any area desired and along any line desired, respectively.
US08132953B2 Light emitting diode substrate module and method of manufacturing the same, and backlight unit and method of manufacturing the same
There are provided a light emitting diode substrate module and a method of manufacturing the same, and a backlight unit and a method of manufacturing the same. A light emitting diode substrate module according to an aspect of the invention includes: a metal plate; an insulating film having a predetermined thickness and provided on an entire outer surface of the metal plate; a reflective film having a predetermined thickness and provided on an entire outer surface of the insulating film; and at least one light emitting diode package electrically connected to a driving circuit provided on the reflective film by pattern printing.Unnecessary material costs can be avoided by forming a predetermined driving circuit by pattern printing, and optical characteristics can be improved by stably maintaining reflection characteristics.
US08132950B2 Light source device for endoscope
A light source device includes a xenon lamp, a rotary shutter, a main CPU for controlling drive of these components, and a sub CPU. The main CPU operates when receiving a reset cancel signal from a reset circuit. Between the sub CPU and the reset circuit, an AND circuit is provided. When the reset cancel signal from the reset circuit and a lighting completion signal indicating completion of lighting the xenon lamp are both input, the AND circuit outputs the reset cancel signal to the sub CPU. After the output of the lighting completion signal, the sub CPU operates to drive the rotary shutter. When high-frequency noise which occurs at the time of discharging the xenon lamp stops, the rotary shutter is activated and thereby generating pulses of illumination light.
US08132946B2 Automobile headlamp adjuster
An adjusting apparatus for an automobile headlight or similarly situated work piece comprising a housing with a first opening and a second opening, a thread-less drive shaft extending through said top opening and having one end having a drive shaft connector connected via a first stop bolt to a first end of a pivot arm and the second end of said drive shaft for connection with said automobile headlight, a threaded input shaft extending through said second opening engaging an input shaft mounting bracket with a threaded portion of said threaded input shaft wherein said input shaft mounting bracket is further connected via a second stop bolt to a second end of said pivot arm, wherein said pivot arm is secured to said housing via a central pivot bolt, wherein a rotational adjustment of said input shaft will alter the position of said input shaft mounting bracket thereby altering the position of said second end of said pivot arm thereby altering the position of said first end of said pivot arm thereby causing said drive shaft to move forward or backward, wherein said input shaft mounting bracket engages said threaded portion of said input shaft as to prevent undesired movement of said drive shaft.
US08132944B2 Recessed LED lighting fixture
A recessed lighting fixture for mounting into a structure facing an illumination area. The fixture includes a support member configured for mounting into the structure and including a front end-portion having an edge defining a light opening and a back end-portion recessed from the opening. The support member and opening have a centerline. A mounting board is disposed at the back end-portion and defines with the support member an open space extending to the opening. An LED arrangement includes (a) LED emitter(s) on the mounting board for directing light toward the opening, each emitter defining an emitter axis, and (b) a lens for each emitter at least one of which is off-centerline in a first lateral direction. The lens is configured for distribution of emitter light in off-axial direction across the open space and passing through the opening at an edge portion that is off-centerline in the opposite lateral direction, thereby to widen the illumination angle from the fixture while having no more than minimal light directed onto the support member.
US08132942B2 LED devices for offset wide beam generation
A light source is combined with an optic and a reflector. Light incident onto to the reflector is reflected with a single reflection. The reflector occupies a portion of a solid angle around the light source to the exclusion of the optic at least with respect to any optical function. The reflector directly receives a second portion of light. The optic occupies substantially all of the remaining portion of the predetermined solid angle to directly receive a first portion of light from the light source. A reflected beam from the reflector is reflected into a predetermined reflection pattern. The inner and/or outer surface of the optic is shaped to refract or direct light which is directly transmitted into the optic from the light source from a first portion of light and/or reflected into the optic from the reflector from the reflected beam into a predetermined beam.
US08132938B2 Indoor light balancing
An illumination system (1) is based on a window (21) having controllable transmittance and a light guide system (31) arranged for transferring light from a light guide input (33) to a light guide output (34). The light guide output is located in a same space (50) as the window (21), but at a distance therefrom (21). The illumination system includes elements for balancing (40) the transmittance of the window and a throughput of the light guide system. Preferably, the window is an outer window, the light guide input (33) is arranged for gathering day light and the light guide output (34) is arranged to illuminate an area (52) within sight from the window (21). Preferably the transmittance of the window (21) and/or the light throughput of the light guide system (31) are controlled. A method for illuminating a space (50) having a window (21) with controllable transmittance is presented.
US08132936B2 Kinetic flame device
An apparatus creating a flickering flame effect. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior space with first and second stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electromagnetic field extending into the first stage. A first pendulum member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the first stage and includes first and second magnets on first and second ends, with the first end proximate to the drive mechanism such that the first magnet interacts with the varying electromagnetic field to cause movement of the pendulum member. The apparatus includes a second pendulum member pivotally mounted in the second stage with a magnet on a first end proximate to the second end of the first pendulum member. A flame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum member, and a light source transmits light onto the flame silhouette, which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of the pendulum members.
US08132934B2 Light emitting device and light unit having the same
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a light unit having the same. The light emitting device includes a body; a first light emitting diode for emitting a light having a first main peak in a wavelength range of a first color; a second light emitting diode for emitting a light having a second main peak in the wavelength range of the first color; and a plurality of lead electrodes electrically connected to at least one of the first and second light emitting diodes on the body. The first main peak of the first light emitting diode and the second main peak of the second light emitting diode have a wavelength difference of at least 75% based on the wavelength range of the first color.
US08132932B2 Recessible task lighting
A recessible task lighting device comprises lighting source (207), retracting box (203), and vertically polarized gooseneck (209) connected between (207) and (203). Lighting source (207) is disposed inside a recessed location when not in use. The recessed location can be the tableside under a work table, an adjacent wall, or a pole stand or floor stand. Lighting source (207) can be pulled out from the recessed location to a task lighting position over a tabletop or over the lap area of the user and directed selectively to the viewing spot. Due to the special mechanical properties of the vertically polarized gooseneck, the lighting source can be supported up to about three or four feet horizontally from the recessed location. With pushbutton (55) pressed, lighting source (207) will move out of the way towards retracting box (203).
US08132925B2 Projector
A projector includes: a light source; a light modulation device which modulates a light emitted from the light source and forms image light; a projection device which magnifies and projects the image light; and an exterior casing, wherein on a light exiting surface for the image light of the exterior casing, a first opening is formed and a projection direction change unit which opens and closes the first opening is provided, and the projection direction change unit has: a cover which has a second opening for passing the image light from the projection device and which is provided rotatably in an off-plane direction with respect to the light exiting surface and thus opens and closes the first opening; a shutter which is movably provided along an inner surface of the cover and thus opens and closes the second opening; and a reflection mirror which is provided on an inner surface of the shutter and reflects the image light from the projection device.
US08132924B2 Light source device and projector
A light source device includes: a light emitting tube; a reflecting mirror; and a tubular member disposed on a forward side of light emission of the reflecting mirror, and surrounding the light emitting tube, the tubular member has a pair of air circulating units communicating inside and outside of the tubular member and adapted to allow introduction of external air from the forward side toward a backward side of the light emission in a vertically symmetrical manner on a center axis of the light emitting tube, inside the air circulating unit there is disposed a air flow guide member, and the air flow guide member is pivoted rotatably around a predetermined rotational axis with respect to the air circulating unit under own weight of the air flow guide member, and rotates to thereby open and block at least a part of a flow passage inside the air circulating unit.
US08132918B2 Illumination apparatus, projector, and polarization conversion element
An illumination apparatus includes a light source device adapted to emit light having an asymmetric intensity distribution and a polarization conversion element adapted to align polarization states of the light emitted from the light source device. The polarization conversion element includes a splitting section adapted to split incident light input from the light source device into transmitted light and reflected light having the polarization states different from each other in a direction in which an intensity distribution of the incident light is asymmetric, a conversion section adapted to convert the polarization state of one of the transmitted light and the reflected light into the polarization state of the other of the transmitted light and the reflected light, and a mirror system.
US08132917B2 Projection type display device with a phase modulating unit
A projection type display device includes: a light emitting unit that includes at least one light source for emitting a coherent light. An image light generating unit modulates the light emitted by the light emitting unit to generate an image light. A projecting unit projects the image light. A phase modulating unit is arranged either between the light emitting unit and the image light generating unit or between the image light generating unit and the projecting unit and has an area where at least one of a retardation value and an azimuth direction of a slow axis is distributed respectively in different directions or values in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis.
US08132912B1 Iris imaging system using circular deformable mirror mounted by its circumference
A rapid iris acquisition, tracking, and imaging system can be used at longer standoff distances and over larger capture volumes, without the active cooperation of subjects. Eye reflections from the subjects' eyes are used to steer a high resolution camera to the eyes in order to capture images of the irises. A circular deformable minor driven by one or more annular forces can be used to focus the camera. A circular mirror substrate is mounted by its circumference onto a minor mount and driven by an annular drive element that contacts the minor substrate along a ring. If the annular drive element has a certain diameter relative to the circumference of the mirror substrate, the mirror substrate will be deformed in the shape of a sphere.
US08132909B2 Method of preparing an ophthalmic lens to be flush with a surround of an eyeglass frame
A method of preparing an ophthalmic lens for mounting in a surround of an eyeglass frame, the surround presenting a generally profiled shape with an inside face provided with a first engagement ridge or groove and lying between a rear margin for being turned towards the face of the wearer of the eyeglass frame and an opposite front margin, the method including: acquiring the three-dimensional shape of an acquired longitudinal profile running along the inside face; and shaping the ophthalmic lens so as to form on its edge face a second engagement ridge or groove extending along a deduced longitudinal profile of three-dimensional shape calculated as a function of the shape of the acquired longitudinal profile. The method further includes acquiring a geometrical characteristic that relates to the position of the engagement ridge or groove relative to the front and/or rear margin of the frame, the shape of the deduced longitudinal profile then also being calculated as a function of the geometrical characteristic.
US08132907B2 Image forming method
An image forming method including forming an image using a recording medium, an ink composition and a liquid composition, wherein the recording medium includes a base paper, a first layer containing a binder, and a second layer containing a white pigment, the first and second layers being laid in this order on the base paper, and wherein the base paper on which the first layer has been formed has a Cobb-water absorption degree of 5.0 g/m2 or less as measured according to JIS P8140 with a contact time of 15 sec, the base paper on which the first and second layers have been formed has a water absorption amount of 2 mL/m2 to 8 mL/m2 as measured by the Bristow method with a contact time being 0.5 sec, the ink composition contains a pigment and water, and the liquid composition contains any one of polyvalent metal salt and cationic polymer.
US08132906B2 Printer
A printer which enables both of position adjustment and attachment/detachment of a printing head. The printer includes: a platen roller, an opposing printing head; a first head support member capable of rotating relative to a casing; a first shaft as a rotary axis of the first head support member; a second shaft attached to the first head support member and including a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion each having a different central axis to the rotary axis; and a second head support member, to which the printing head is attached, and which is formed with a first set of grooves into which the first shaft is inserted and a second set of grooves into which the second shaft is inserted; the second head support member moves in accordance with rotation of the second shaft, when attached to the first head support member, due to engagement between the first set of grooves and the first shaft and engagement between the second set of grooves and the small diameter portion of the second shaft, and can be removed from the first head support member by moving the second shaft parallel to the axial direction.
US08132899B2 Ink tank for inkjet printers
The present invention relates to an ink tank for an ink jet printer. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing the ink tank, as well as well as a method of refilling the ink tank. The ink tank includes an ink tank body and an ink tank lid bonded to the ink tank body at a bond joint. The ink tank lid comprises an opening that leads to a holding area that is adapted to contain a capillary media therein. The holding area comprises a wall that forms a boundary between the capillary media and an enclosure defined by the ink tank body and the ink tank lid. The opening is sized to permit an insertion and removal of the capillary media to and from the holding area when the ink tank lid is bonded to the ink tank body at the bond joint.
US08132891B2 Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus including an ink-jet head having four ink supply passages, manifold passages communicating with the respective ink supply passages, and individual ink passages extending from the common passages to nozzles open in an ink ejecting surface, wherein groups of the nozzles communicating with the respective manifold passages are open in respective unit areas u1-u4 arranged on the ink ejecting surface. The apparatus further includes a wiping member which is moved by a moving mechanism to wipe the unit areas, an ink supply device for selectively supplying the ink supply passages with an ink to perform a purging action for discharging the ink from the nozzles, and a control device controlling the moving mechanism and the ink supply device such that before a wiping action of the wiping member in each unit area is initiated, the purging action in the following unit area as seen in a wiping direction has been initiated and such that the purging action in each unit area is completed immediately before the wiping action in that unit area is initiated.
US08132884B2 Dual mode printer write heads
A dual mode imaging device includes an input for supplying a recording medium to the printer. The recording medium can be erasable media and/or a non-erasable media. A carriage assembly within the imaging device includes guide rails, the carriage assembly reciprocal along the guide rails and parallel to an imaging surface of the recording medium. The carriage assembly includes an ink jet print head for imaging a non-erasable media in a first print mode and a write head having a UV imaging light source for imaging erasable media in a second print mode. The device further includes a heater provided on the carriage assembly for selectively heating the erasable media to one of an erase temperature and a UV imaging temperature. The heater can be proximate to or incorporated with the UV write head.
US08132882B2 Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a recording head having a common liquid channel; plural pressure chambers; plural nozzles; plural individual liquid channels, each individual liquid channel extending from the common liquid channel via associated pressure chamber to associated nozzle; and plural actuators configured to impart a pressure to a liquid inside a respective one of the pressure chambers; and a control unit configured to drive the actuators; wherein the control unit comprises: an excessive state detection section configured to detect an excessive state in which a pressure difference between a liquid-side pressure and an air-side pressure at a meniscus formed at any one of the nozzles exceeds a threshold value when droplets are ejected from the nozzles, and a meniscus vibration section configured to drive the actuator associated with the nozzle that does not eject droplets such that the meniscus is subjected to vibration without ejecting the droplets.
US08132876B2 Refrigerator and door opening apparatus thereof
A refrigerator with: a main body having at least one storeroom, at least one door hinged to the main body to open and close the storeroom, and a door opening apparatus gradually decreasing a magnetic binding force between the door and the main body as a rotation angle of the door is increased.
US08132875B2 Three-sectional rail structure
A multiple steps rail arranged in the two opposite sides of a frame includes a retainer, a first sliding unit, and a second sliding unit in each side. The retainer is approximately a concave body and a plurality of stopping units are formed on proper positions thereof. The first sliding unit is approximately a bow body and can be sliding arranged into the retainer. The first sliding unit further has a dip switch and a double-side stopping unit on a side facing the retainer. The second sliding unit is sliding arranged into the first sliding unit and can be fixed to a case body with a side thereof. When the case body is drawing out, the second sliding unit will slide out from the first sliding unit and the first sliding unit will slide out from the retainer in order.
US08132869B2 Fastening device and a computer case having the fastening device
A fastening device is provided on a side wall of a positioning frame for fastening of an electronic device disposed in the positioning frame. The fastening device includes a limiting component and a positioning component. The limiting component includes a connecting part connected to an outer face of the side wall, and a limiting part extending from the connecting part and spaced apart from the side wall. The positioning component includes a rod body, and two positioning parts extending respectively from two ends of the rod body. Each of the positioning parts extends into a respective one of two holes in the side wall and a respective one of two blind holes in the electronic device. The rod body is limited from movement in a direction away from the side wall by the limiting part.
US08132863B2 Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat has a seat base and a seatback. The vehicle seat has as a permanent feature a pair of seat belt guides positioned such that when a lap portion of a seat belt webbing is received in both of the seat belt guides the lap portion of the seat belt webbing intersects the seat belt guides at a selected distance from a forward face of the seatback. Each of the seat belt guides restricts movement of the lap portion of the seat belt webbing away from the forward face of the seatback. The seat belt guides direct the lap portion of the seat belt webbing across the seat base along a path such that the lap portion of the seat belt webbing interacts with the lower body of a child when the vehicle seat is occupied by a child aged three to twelve years and under 150 cm in height.
US08132847B2 Garnish for vehicle, having U-shaped recessed portion, which is integrally formed along edge in longitudinal direction
A garnish for a vehicle, which has a long form made of a resin material, and is attached to a member of the body of the vehicle. A recessed portion having a substantially U-shaped section is integrally formed at an edge of a main body of the garnish in the longitudinal direction thereof, and continuously formed along the length of the main body. Typically, the edge of the main body in the longitudinal direction is attached to the body of the vehicle substantially horizontally; and the recessed portion is formed at the upper edge of the main body of the garnish when the main body is attached to the body of the vehicle. Preferably, the recessed portion has a bottom wall, which has a thin part having a smaller thickness in comparison with the other parts of the recessed portion.
US08132822B2 Compression and torsion damping wheel suspension system
A compression and torsion damping wheel suspension system is useful for damping compressive and torsional shock encountered by freewheeling front caster wheels of a professional landscape lawn mower. The freewheeling caster wheels are mounted with an offset from a vertical pivot axis attached to the lawn mower frame. The compression and torsion damping wheel suspension system comprises two tubes one having internal extending projections and the other having external extending projections The smaller tube is turned within the larger tube, leaving behind several spaces within which are contained four elastomeric elements. When the caster wheel rides over a rock or bump, the elastomeric elements are compressed, damping compression shock. Caster wheel resistance is felt; the elastomeric elements experience torsion and are damped, providing a smooth ride for the operator.
US08132816B2 Electrically Actuated Robotic Tool Changer
A robotic tool changer comprises first and second units, operative to be separately attached to a robot and a robotic tool, and further operative to be selectively coupled together and decoupled. The first and second units are coupled and decoupled by an electric motor. Power from the electric motor may be applied to couple and decouple the first and second units in a variety of ways.
US08132813B2 Magnetic spinner
A spinner anchors to a variety of magnetic and non-magnetic surfaces. The spinner includes a base, a spinner arm rotatably coupled to the base, and an indicator coupled to the spinner arm. The base of the spinner is shaped to receive a coupling member, such as a cylindrical magnet, configured to anchor the spinner to a plurality of surfaces regardless of their orientation and maintain its location relative to the support surface while the spinner arm and indicator rotate.
US08132811B2 Drive nip release apparatus
An energy storage apparatus has one or more camshafts, one or more cams connected to the camshaft, one or more followers contacting the cam, one or more biasing members connected to the follower, and one or more tracks connected to the follower. With embodiments herein the track limits movement of the follower to a constrained path intersecting the axis about which the camshaft rotates. Alternatively, the biasing member itself can limit the movement of the follower to this linear path. The biasing member can comprise any force member such as a spring, a piston, a flexible member, a compressible member, etc. that has the ability to bias the follower toward the axis of the camshaft. The embodiments herein store and transfer potential energy to reduce the total reflected torque on the motor.
US08132805B2 Method and apparatus for feeding sheets to a processing machine
In a method and an apparatus for feeding sheets to a processing machine, in particular a printing press, provision is made for the sheet to be accelerated to processing speed by use of at least two acceleration stations arranged one after the other. One of the acceleration stations is arranged such that the acceleration station can be displaced in order to align the sheet.
US08132797B2 Floating-type clamping device
A floating-type clamping device includes a pneumatic cylinder unit, a pressing plate, a floating plate, two grips, an air supply pipe unit, and a safety control unit. The pneumatic cylinder unit includes at least one cylinder. The floating plate includes a plate body, a plurality of nozzles, and an air passage disposed inside the plate body and communicated with the nozzles. The plate body cooperates with the pressing plate to clamp a plate material when the pressing plate moves downward. The air supply pipe unit is connected and supplies compressed air to the pneumatic cylinder unit and the floating plate. The safety control unit is connected to the air supply pipe unit and is operable to block or permit the flow of the compressed air into at least one of the cylinder and the air passage.
US08132793B2 Method and apparatus for liquid precursor atomization
An apparatus for atomizing a precursor liquid for vapor generation and thin film deposition on a substrate. The precursor liquid is atomized by a carrier gas to form a droplet aerosol composed of small precursor liquid droplets suspended in the carrier gas. The droplet aerosol is then heated to form vapor, producing a gas/vapor mixture that can be introduced into a deposition chamber to form thin films on a substrate. The liquid is introduced into the atomizing apparatus in such a manner as to avoid excessive heating that can occur or lead to the formation of undesirable by-products due to material degradation as result of thermal decomposition. The apparatus is particularly suited for vaporizing high molecular weight substances with a low vapor pressure that requires a high vaporization temperature for the liquid to vaporize. The apparatus can also be used to vaporize solid precursors dissolved in a solvent for vaporization.
US08132792B2 Temporary guard rail support
A guard rail support and assembly is disclosed for use in providing a safe work area for workmen working at dangerous heights, particularly in the construction industry. The guard rail support assembly comprises a plurality of guard rail supports arranged in a spaced fashion and wooden guard rails extending between and attached on either end to each support. Each guard rail support comprises an attachment base having quick fastening means for quick attachment and release of the support to a ground surface of the site under construction, a plurality of rail supports having quick fastening means for quick attachment and release of the wooden guard rails and a fall-protection or tarp tie-off ring. Advantageously, a portable and lightweight guard rail assembly may be constructed with the guard rail supports in an expedient and efficient manner to provide safe, unobstructive protection against falls.
US08132789B2 Drive disk for high performance friction pairings
A drive disk with rim segments which are located at a distance from each other and are embodied in the form of segments of the groove track which are made from the same or different material and high-powered magnets are introduced in between the grooves in the drive disk rim and the cable along the peripheral line of the drive disk rim. Foamed steel or fiber composite ceramics or similar, respectively with increased friction values, are used as materials for the rim segments.
US08132784B2 Fixing system and joint, for fixing an actuator to a valve
An actuator (1) is fixed on a valve (2) through a fixing joint (3) which comprises a tubular sleeve (32) on which a tightening nut (30) is screwed; the nut (30) and the sleeve (32) are provided with a conical thread connection (34, 300); by screwing the nut (30), a plurality of longitudinal prolongations (40), arranged in a crown around the axis of the sleeve (32), tightens on a fixing head (20) of the valve (2), firmly fixing the actuator (1) to the valve (2); the joint at issue provides an alternative to a flange connection, equally solid and resistant to unscrewing due to vibrations; by resting against a mechanical stop surface (24) the nut (30), being unscrewed, can act as an extractor that easily removes the joint (3) from the head (20).
US08132783B2 Dynamic orifice valve apparatus and method
In a fluid transmission line, a valve comprising a housing that establishes a lumen for transmission of a fluid through said valve; a drive mechanism and a drive gear mounted in said housing to be selectively driven in a first or second rotational direction by said drive mechanism. The drive gear has a central throughhole and a plurality of pins around the central throughhole. A plurality of leaves are pivotally mounted on the pins, and oriented to extend radially inward into said central throughhole. A fixed extension has an annular aspect disposed in the drive gear, and has a plurality of engagement members disposed to operatively engage one of said leaves. The engagement members bias the leaves to close an orifice when said drive gear rotates in said first direction and to open the orifice when said drive gear rotates in said second direction. Each of the leaves maintains a substantially sealing engagement with each adjacent leaf throughout a range of motion of the leaves.
US08132769B2 Stand for a surgical microscope
A stand for a surgical microscope is suggested, comprising a vertical support, at least one horizontal support, a first vertical articulation unit that is connected the horizontal support, a second articulation unit determining an oblique pivot axis, a displacement unit that is attached to the second articulation unit and has multiple degrees of freedom for displacement and balancing of an optics carrier carrying the surgical microscope, at least one pivot support encompassed by the displacement unit, and a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in an X direction extending horizontally and transversely to the oblique pivot axis. The pivot support comprises a pivotable parallelogram support and a holding arm that is attached to the pivotable parallelogram support and is configured such that it simultaneously serves as a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in the X direction.
US08132768B2 Shelving end brackets with interchangeable pieces for supporting hang rods of different sizes
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems and methods for supporting hang rods and shelves from support surfaces, such as the wall of a closet or cabinet. In an exemplary embodiment, a system generally includes a pair of end brackets and a plurality of different pairs of interchangeable pieces configured to be selectively coupled to the pair of end brackets. Each pair of interchangeable pieces when selectively coupled to the end brackets, respectively, is operable for supporting a different hang rod from the support surface when the end brackets are coupled to the support surface.
US08132751B2 Conical-shaped impact mill
An impact mill including a base portion on which is disposed a rotor rotatably mounted in a bearing housing, the rotor having an upwardly aligned cylindrical surface portion coaxial with the rotational axis. The impact mill is provided with a mill casing within which is located a conical track assembly which surrounds the rotor to form a conical grinding path. The mill casing is provided with a downwardly aligned cylindrical collar which may be axially adjusted to set a grinding gap between the rotor and the mill casing. The rotor is provided with a plurality of impact knives complementary with a plurality of impact knives disposed on the inside top surface of the mill casing. The conical track assembly can be a series of assembled conical sections or one unit with varied number of serrations in either a vertical or sloped configuration. This flexibility allows for greater compatibility with the feedstock being milled.
US08132750B2 Force monitor for pulverizer integral spring assembly
A pulverizer 60 includes a spring assembly 10 that urges a grinding roller 72 of a journal assembly 68 onto a grinding surface 66 of a grinding table 64. The force applied is monitored by a load cell 32 located within spring assembly 10 that creates an electronic signal. A controller 83 receives the electronic signal and stores and/or displays it and alternatively acts to adjust the applied force to a desired value. Alternatively, adjustable forces or mechanical dampening may be applied to journal assembly 68 by controller 83. Alternatively, additional sensors may measure displacement of the journal assembly and rotation of the grinding table for other calculations.
US08132748B2 Method of making hydrophilic fluoropolymer material
A fluoropolymer material exhibiting an increased hydrophilicity prepared by processing the material in a cryogenic grinding mill.
US08132743B2 Color change for powder coating material application system
A color changer has a common feed passage that is connected to two or more inlet passages. The common feed passage can be reverse purged in a direction that is opposite a direction of powder flow through the common feed passage. A valve element seals a supply port that connects the inlet passage to the common feed passage to eliminate dead space and form a near bore line seal. The valve element is an elastic material that expands in response to applied compressed air inside the valve element.
US08132738B2 Device for heating, generating electric power, and cooling enclosed spaces
A device for heating, generating electric power and cooling enclosed spaces, which is connected to at least one closed-circuit pipe which acts by thermal radiation and comprises at least one turbine or microturbine of the axial or tangential type or of the type that merges into the closed-circuit pipe, placed in partial vacuum by means of a first fan. An alternator for generating electric power and elements for feeding the power to the grid or to user devices, and an absorber for generating cool air or refrigerated water, are connected to the turbine or microturbine.
US08132736B2 Value document comprising a security element
The invention relates to a document of value, in particular a credit card, identity card or ticket, and to a transfer film for the production of a document of value. The latter has on one of its surfaces a security element (2), which has a magnetic layer (25) for storing machine-readable information and a reflective, non-magnetizable metal layer (23). The metal layer is arranged above the magnetic layer (25) in relation to the surface of the document of value. The metal layer and the magnetic layer overlap, at least in some regions. The region of the metal layer (23) that overlaps the magnetic layer (25) is subdivided into at least two regions (231) isolated electrically from one another.
US08132730B2 Datacode reading apparatus
Moving image data output from an image sensing device is input. An image display output unit processes the moving image data and displays it on the display screen of a display as a real-time moving image. A decode processing notification unit displays the moving image data output from the image sensing device on the display screen of the display as a still image for a predetermined time from decoding of the datacode by a decoding unit.
US08132726B2 Postal stamp tracking system and method
A trackable postage stamp includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface is adapted to adhere to a piece of mail. The stamp also includes a passive tracking device including stamp identification (ID) information.
US08132723B2 System and method for immediate issuance of transaction cards
A system and method for substantially immediate issuance of transaction cards includes at least one unassigned transaction card including a storage medium having a card number encoded thereupon. The system also includes a computing system configured to receive application information from an applicant that has been provided said unassigned transaction card, and to activate the unassigned transaction card so that access to monetary funds is extended to the applicant through said unassigned transaction card, upon an evaluation of said application information indicating that the applicant has been approved for access to the monetary funds. The unassigned transaction card bears no visible marking presenting information concerning the applicant and encodes no information concerning said applicant upon the storage medium of said unassigned transaction card.
US08132720B2 Financial management system
A financial management system includes a client terminal having a financial management application and a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is configured to display transaction data, enable user modification of the transaction data, and transmit modified transaction data to the financial management application. The financial management system additionally includes a commercial web server capable of conducting online financial transactions. The financial management application receives transaction data regarding an online financial transaction upon completion of the financial transaction.
US08132711B2 Emergency information container
A container with an opening on one end, with an adhesive flap to seal the container once the desired information and objects are placed therein; said container may then be affixed to a surface, thereby creating a convenient way to keep necessary emergency information both readily available and private.
US08132709B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor element having electrodes, a metal member, wires that electrically connect the semiconductor element and the metal member and/or electrodes within the semiconductor element, wherein the wires constitute at least a first wire loop and a second wire loop, the first wire loop is bonded at one end to a first bonding point and at the other end to a second bonding point, and has a flat part which includes the surface of a boll part and the wire located contiguously the ball part surface, and the second wire loop connects the surface of the ball part and a third bonding point.
US08132701B2 Rail and clamp mounting system
A mounting system for attaching accessories to surfaces. The mounting system comprises a rail and clamp that includes housing for a bolt having a shaft extending outwardly of the housing from a first surface thereof. A hook extends outwardly of a second surface of the housing to engage the rail. A blade also extends outwardly of the second surface to be received in a channel of the rail. The hook and blade exert pressure on the rail during rotation of a knob along the shaft of the bolt to tighten the blade against the rail for releasable connection of the clamp to the rail, the clamp being adapted for attachment of accessories.
US08132698B2 Method and system for supporting and/or aligning components of a liquid dispensing system
In a liquid dispensing system having a dispensing module and a gun manifold, the gun manifold includes a shelf portion that extends outwardly from its front face and the dispensing module includes a correspondingly shaped aperture configured to engage the shelf portion so that the dispensing module rests, or hangs, on the gun manifold without being held into place. From this position, the module can be easily and readily attached to the manifold. The shelf and aperture have complementary shapes and can be keyed so as to require the mating of the manifold and module in only one orientation. Additionally, an adaptor can be provided between the module and manifold so that smooth face manifolds and modules can still be coupled to corresponding manifolds and modules having shelves or apertures.
US08132695B2 Multiple dose delivery device with manually depressible actuator and one-way valve for storing and dispensing substances, and related method
A dispenser has a body with a variable-volume storage chamber for storing substance, and a dispensing portion defining a dosage chamber in fluid communication with the storage chamber. A first valve includes a valve seat and a flexible valve cover seated thereon defining a normally-closed fluid-tight seam therebetween. The valve cover relative to moves from the valve seat to allow substance through the seam and out of the dispenser. A second valve allows substance from the storage chamber into the dosage chamber and substantially prevents flow from the dosage chamber into the storage chamber. An actuator is manually movable between (i) a first non-actuated position, and (ii) a second actuated position extending into the dosage chamber for compressing a dose of substance therein, dispensing substance through the first valve. The elasticity of the actuator causes it to return to the first non-actuated position upon manually releasing the actuator.
US08132693B2 Adhesive dispenser system
A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.
US08132691B2 Vending machine dispensing system
A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.
US08132677B2 Polymer membranes prepared from aromatic polyimide membranes by thermal treating and UV crosslinking
The present invention discloses a new type of high performance polymer membranes prepared from aromatic polyimide membranes by thermal treating and crosslinking and methods for making and using these membranes. The polymer membranes were prepared from aromatic polyimide membranes by thermal treating under inert atmosphere followed by crosslinking preferably by using a UV radiation source. The aromatic polyimide membranes were made from aromatic polyimide polymers comprising both pendent hydroxy functional groups ortho to the heterocyclic imide nitrogen and cross-linkable functional groups in the polymer backbone. The membranes showed significantly improved selectivity and permeability for gas separations compared to the aromatic polyimide membranes without any treatment. The membranes can be fabricated into any convenient geometry and are not only suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations, but also can be used for other applications such as for catalysis and fuel cell applications.
US08132676B2 Hydrophilic, high protein binding, low fluorescence, western blotting membrane
Hydrophilic membrane particularly suited for blotting applications, preferably Western blotting. A pre-wet hydrophobic membrane substrate, preferably made of PVDF, is contacted with a monomer solution and subjected to a UV-initiated free radical polymerization step to render the substrate permanently hydrophilic. The resulting membrane exhibits low background fluorescence, high protein binding, excellent retention of protein sample spot morphology, and extended dynamic range (high signal-to-noise ratio, enhanced sample detectability). The membrane demonstrates comparable or higher performance in Western blotting applications than conventional nitrocellulose Western blotting membranes, particularly for protein detection at low sample concentrations, and is directly water-wettable, eliminating the need for an alcohol pre-wet step prior to use.
US08132675B2 Filter having baseplate with internal gasket location
The present disclosure pertains to a fluid filter having a gasket locator such as a cylindrical wall on the underside of the baseplate which positions and supports an internal gasket.
US08132664B2 Product holding puck with noise reducing bumpers
A product holding puck having a base including an outer wall and a radially spaced apart inner wall defining a cavity between the outer and inner walls, the outer and inner walls extending axially about a central vertical axis. The outer wall of the puck defining first and second recessed regions and first and second openings respectively aligned with the first and second recessed regions and extending through the outer wall. The puck further including first and second bumpers each including a body and a support member, the support member extending axially through a respective ones of the first and second openings of the outer wall and the body disposed in a respective ones of the first and second recessed regions of the outer wall, the body of each of the first and second bumpers including an outer face extending radially outwardly of an outer surface of the outer wall.
US08132659B2 Tractor mounted unloading conveyor
A conveyor is mounted on a tractor and extends from a hopper at the front of the tractor to an outlet behind the tractor. An agricultural harvester unloading system is operated to deposit grain from the harvester into the hopper of the conveyor. The conveyor is operated to transfer the grain into a cart pulled by the tractor.
US08132649B2 Twist lock coupling spigot
A coupling spigot for connecting two scaffold legs one atop the other is designed to use a twist lock for securing the upper scaffold leg to the coupling spigot. A locking collar is fixed to a stop collar of the spigot. The locking collar includes receiving slots for receiving locking projections provided adjacent a bottom edge of the scaffold leg. Locking slots are connected to the receiving slots whereby an upper scaffold leg may be inserted on a coupling spigot of a lower scaffold leg and retained thereon by a twist lock.
US08132642B2 Speaker system
Normally a speaker is used by attaching to a sealed or semi-sealed cabinet so that vibration generated at the front and the back of a diaphragm does not mutually interfere. Therefore, a certain depth and a volume are necessary, and in a limited location such as a front panel of a device, there is a case that it cannot be attached to the most suitable position for a listener. As a means to solve that, a method that a speaker sound at a distant position is led to a front panel by a waveguide is practically used. However, still it has limitations in depth and attaching position, and good results cannot be obtained also in efficiency.A speaker is attached so that a sound generated at the front of the speaker attached to a cabinet is led to a plane such as a front panel of a device by a waveguide, and the opening surface of the waveguide is almost perpendicular to the plane. Since a good sound field is generated on the opposite side to the plane, on a horizontal surface to the opening surface of the waveguide, a high efficiency speaker system having no limitation in the attaching position of a speaker can be obtained.
US08132635B2 Motor lock prevention control for hybrid electric vehicle
There is provided a motor lock prevention control device for a hybrid vehicle that has a motor-generator and a clutch capable of changing a transmission torque capacity between the motor-generator and driving wheels. The motor lock prevention control device is configured to, when the motor-generator is in a motor locked state to cause heat generation under drive load operating condition, perform motor prevention control to induce rotation of the motor-generator by adjusting at least one of the transmission torque capacity of the clutch and torque of the motor-generator in such a manner that the torque of the motor-generator exceeds the transmission torque capacity of the clutch.
US08132634B1 Electronic steering assembly for dual motor vehicle
An electronic steering assembly is disclosed for a dual motor vehicle having a first and a second motor for driving a first and a second drive wheel. The electronic steering assembly comprises a handlebar rotatably mounted relative to a base. A sensor senses the rotational position of the handlebar relative to the base. A control is interposed between the sensor and the first and second motors for powering the first and second motors in accordance with the rotational position of the handlebars for steering the dual motor vehicle through the rotational movement of the handlebar.
US08132619B2 One trip liner running, cementing and setting tool using expansion
A tool allows in a single trip advancing the liner while more hole is made until the liner is properly positioned. Slips are actuated into the inside of the liner to grasp it as a swage is released to move to support the liner to the surrounding tubular. With the liner supported in the hole, the running tool can be picked up to test the release feature and then set down again for cementing. The tool is then picked up higher to release a flapper and re-pressurized to set a seal adjacent the support previously engaged by swage operation. The flapper has a rupture disc blown and the tool is removed. The tool has an emergency release.
US08132617B2 Gripper block
A gripper block for conveying continuous rod in a well bore comprises a carrier body formed of a first metal and arranged to be mounted on one of the pair of continuous drive chains of a continuous rod conveying apparatus. A gripping element supported on the carrier body is arranged to engage the continuous rod and is readily separable from the carrier body. The gripping element is formed of a second metal which is softer than the first metal of the carrier body and softer than the continuous rod.
US08132616B1 Temperature conditioning system with thermo-responsive valves
Disclosed is a temperature conditioning system including several thermal transfer blocks, where each is associated with one of several components requiring thermal management. Each of the components is associated with a different time dependent thermal management profile. A fluid path, with a heat transfer fluid, connects one or more transports to the thermal transfer blocks. For each thermal transfer block, at least one thermo-responsive valve is located downstream from the thermal transfer block. The thermo-responsive valve is passive in that it does not require energy other than thermal energy to move from a starting position to an ending position and the thermo-responsive valve is free of any exterior control lines. A method of temperature conditioning components is also disclosed including circulating a heat transfer fluid and optimizing the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in response to differential changes in temperature of the heat transfer fluid by actuating one or more thermo-responsive valves.
US08132606B2 Run-flat support system for a pneumatic tired wheel and method for installing same
A run-flat support system and method for installing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the run-flat support system includes a torque assembly removably coupled to a split wheel rim of a pneumatic tired wheel. A plurality of support segments are adapted for attachment to the torque assembly in order to support the pneumatic tired wheel in a flat condition such as an under-inflated condition or deflated condition.
US08132598B2 Active sterilization zone for container filling
An apparatus for sterile filling of beverage containers has a first module and a second module. The first module rinses and sterilizes empty containers and delivers the sterilized containers to the second module. The second module fills and caps the containers with beverage product at ambient temperature in an active sterilization zone utilizing an e-beam sterilization unit.
US08132594B2 Hydraulic valve actuated by piezoelectric effect
A valve-actuator includes a chamber, a spool that opens and closes connections between ports in the chamber, an actuator including a housing containing a piezoelectric stack having a bore, and a spring contacting the spool through the bore and forcing the stack toward the chamber, the stack expanding and contracting in response to a voltage, the spool moving in the chamber in response to said expansion and contraction.
US08132592B2 Remote control for hose operation
A hose control system comprising a receiver and a transmitter by which one can remotely control both the flow of water through a hose and the winding or unwinding of the hose onto a reel. The system preferably has power saving advantages, for example, by the use of a power control unit that reduces the power consumed by the electronics of the devices, but does not unreasonably disrupt the use of the devices. The receiver may be used with different aspects or all of the hose control system.
US08132580B2 Substrate processing system and substrate cleaning apparatus including a jetting apparatus
A substrate processing system that enables foreign matter adhered to a rear surface or a periphery of a substrate to be completely removed. A substrate processing apparatus performs predetermined processing on the substrate. A substrate cleaning apparatus cleans the substrate at least one of before and after the predetermined processing. A jetting apparatus jets a cleaning substance in two phases of a gas phase and a liquid phase and a high-temperature gas towards the rear surface or the periphery of the substrate.
US08132579B1 Dental floss device
A dental hygiene device for cleaning, flossing, brushing, massaging the space between the teeth, crowns, and under the gumline includes a combination of a first portion of flexible filament floss to convey flexibility and strength to the filament and a second portion having a thicker and oblong shape where in some preferred embodiments bristles depart from the center of said filament floss. The second portion gradually slopes from the thickness of floss up to its maximum radius approximately located in the center, then gradually down-sloping from the maximum radius in the center down to the radius of floss where the second portion is designed to provide a brushing, cleaning, gum massaging means coupled with the floss. When used said first portion allows insertion in the interdental space especially in more difficult places such as between molars or crown and it can be used as regular dental floss to massage the gums and clean said spaces. The second portion has the principal function of brushing and cleaning the interdental space and massaging the gums. The primary function of said second portion is to deliver the cleaning action in spaces that are other wise difficult to reach such as in between molars, crowns, bleeding gingivas, dental prostheses, and so on by the way of being pulled and pushed forth and back by the user.
US08132577B2 Adjustable auto-clasp barrette
An adjustable auto-clasp barrette includes a base, a hinged and clasped locking arm, and a resilient leaf spring positioned between the base and the locking arm. The locking arm and the leaf spring cooperate to engage the hair to secure the barrette in the user's hair. An adjustment coupling permits the positions of the leaf spring ends to be longitudinally adjusted relative to the base to increase or decrease how much the leaf spring deflects and bows outwardly. With the spring ends positioned farther apart the leaf spring is less bowed for holding thicker hair or a larger volume of finer hair. And with the spring ends positioned closer together the leaf spring is more bowed for holding finer hair or a smaller volume of thick hair.
US08132574B2 Hair treatment applicator for providing hair strand effects
The present invention relates to a hair treatment applicator (1), which comprises a plate (10) and a containment portion (20) movably joined by a connection (30) so that said applicator (1) may alternate between a closed state and an open state. At least one member (40), which is continuous and liquid impervious, projects from the substantially flat internal surface (101) of the plate (10). The hair treatment applicator according to the invention allows for precise, non-messy and even application of a hair treatment composition to the hair, in particular to a hair strand and preferably to a bundle of hair strands.