Document	Document Title
US08223175B2	Video signal control apparatus and video signal control method According to one embodiments a video signal control apparatus includes an average luminance detector and a display luminance controller. The average luminance detector detects the average luminance of a video signal with respect to each frame. The display luminance controller controls the display luminance of a first frame using the average luminance of a second frame prior to the first frame. When luminance change from the average luminance of the first frame to that of the second frame exceeds a predetermined threshold, the display luminance controller replaces the average luminance of the second frame with that of the first frame to control the display luminance of the first frame based on the average luminance of the first frame.
US08223171B2	Image processing apparatus and image display apparatus An image processing apparatus includes a storage unit storing the OSD image data corresponding to plural subframes; a load storage unit loading and storing the OSD image data corresponding to the plural subframes; a reading unit reading out plural subframes of the OSD image data in parallel; and a controlling unit controlling to load in parallel the plural sunframes of the OSD image data into the load storage unit and to read out in parallel from the load storage unit and transmits the OSD image data to a combining unit to combine the OSD image data with the corresponding image data.
US08223163B2	Display device, program, and information storage medium A display device includes: a brightness histogram information producing unit that produces brightness histogram information on the basis of an image signal; an APL calculating unit that calculates an APL on the basis of the brightness histogram information; a highest class determining unit that determines a highest class, which is a class with a highest brightness, on the basis of the brightness histogram information; an APL difference value calculating unit that calculates an APL difference value which is a difference value between an APL of a previous frame and an APL of a current frame; and a white peak value determining unit that determines a white peak value of a current frame by adding a predetermined value to a white peak value of a previous frame when a highest class difference absolute value, which is an absolute value of a difference value between a highest class of the previous frame and a highest class of the current frame, is less than a threshold value and that determines a white peak value of the current frame by performing a predetermined operation regardless of a white peak value of the previous frame when the highest class difference absolute value is equal to or larger than the threshold value.
US08223158B1	Method and system for connecting multiple shaders A method and system for connecting multiple shaders are disclosed. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method, which includes the steps of configuring a set of shaders in a user-defined sequence within a modular pipeline (MPipe), allocating resources to execute the programming instructions of each of the set of shaders in the user-defined sequence to operate on the data unit, and directing the output of the MPipe to an external sink.
US08223155B2	Method for simulating large numbers of spherical bodies interacting A method for use in computer graphics includes receiving data representative of a plurality of particles. For each particle, the method further includes calculating a time at which a collision will occur based on a current trajectory of the particle. For pairs of particles that will collide with each other, another operation includes changing a direction of the particles to avoid a collision, wherein the changed directions approximate directions that would result from the collision. For particles in static contact, another operation includes allowing particles to push each other without bouncing. For particles in static contact that were previously moved by being pushed, the method also does not allow the particles to move during future collisions occurring during a time step.
US08223145B2	Method and system for 3D object positioning in 3D virtual environments A system for large scale spatial positioning of a 3D virtual object in a 3D virtual scene, includes a computing device. The computing device: displays a guide plane attached to the object, the guide plane passing through a center of the object and being translucent, the guide plane indicating lines and curves of intersection between the guide plane and other objects of the scene. When moving the object along an axis, the computing device determines a normal of the guide plane to be parallel to the axis and passing through the center of the object, and moves the guide plane with the movement of the object. When moving the object across the movement plane, the computing device determines a normal of the guide plane to be parallel to a normal of the movement plane, and holds the guide plane static.
US08223140B2	Organic electroluminescent display and power supply device for the same A power supply device for an organic electroluminescent display includes an inductor charging a first power source, a power supply unit including an input terminal and output terminals, the power supply unit receiving the first power source from the inductor through the input terminal, generating second power sources of different voltage levels, and outputting the second power sources through the output terminals, and a Schottky diode between the input terminal and one of the output terminals.
US08223136B2	Error detection and prevention inacoustic data A stream of raw acoustic data can be received at a client device. The client device can frame the stream of raw acoustic data at particular intervals with alignment information to create framed acoustic data, and buffer the framed acoustic data while waiting for a data request from a host device. In response to receiving the data request, the client device can provide the framed acoustic data to the host device.
US08223128B1	Optical input system and method An input system comprises an optical device configured to transmit and receive one or more optical signals along a segment of fiber optic cable; an optical input device connected to the segment of fiber optic cable, the optical input including an input key configured to reflect a portion of an optical signal as a consequence of being actuated; and a signal decoder connected to the optical device, the signal decoder configured to select a first input code from a plurality of input codes, the first input code corresponding to the portion of the optical signal reflected by the input key.
US08223113B2	Methods and systems for display source light management with variable delay Elements of the present invention relate to systems and methods for synchronizing a source light illumination level signal with an image compensation process with a delay process on the source light illumination level signal.
US08223110B2	Displays A display includes a glass substrate, a source driver and a gate driver. The glass substrate includes multiple pixels. The source driver is used to drives the pixels, and the gate driver disposed on the glass substrate enables the pixels. The gate driver has (N+1) shift registers. The nth shift register includes an input unit, an output unit, an output pull-down unit and a threshold voltage memory unit. When an output signal of the (n+1)th shift register is at a high voltage level, the threshold voltage memory unit turns on the output pull-down unit such that an output signal of the nth shift register is changed to and maintained at a low voltage level. The threshold voltage memory unit stores a characteristic voltage relating to a threshold voltage of the output pull-down unit.
US08223107B2	Data driver and display apparatus using the same including clock control circuit and shift register circuit A data driver circuit includes a clock control circuit configured to generate a shift clock signal in synchronization to a clock signal; a shift register circuit having flip-flops in cascade-connection and configured to shift a pulse signal in synchronization with the shift clock signal, and a control circuit configured to receive a display data in response to the shifted pulse signal from the shift register circuit and to drive data lines of a display section based on display data to display the display data on the display section. The flip-flops are grouped in units of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) flip-flops into M (M is an integer of 2 or more) partial shift registers, and the shift register circuit is reset in units of partial shift registers.
US08223102B2	Thin film transistor array panel and method of manufacturing the same A thin film transistor array panel including a substrate, gate lines and data lines formed on the substrate, and thin film transistors each with a control terminal, an input terminal, and an output terminal. The control and input terminals of the thin film transistor are connected to the gate and data lines. A barrier rib is formed on the gate lines, the data lines, and the thin film transistors. The output terminal of the thin film transistor has an opening, and a portion of the barrier rib formed on the output terminal has an output opening. The barrier rib output terminal portion has the same pattern as the output terminal. A barrier rib for forming contact holes is formed through exposing an organic layer formed on a passivation layer to light from the backside of a substrate using drain electrodes with openings as a light blocking film.
US08223101B1	Active matrix phosphor cold cathode display A flat panel display is disclosed. The flat panel display includes a plurality of electrically addressable pixels, a plurality of thin-film transistor driver circuits each been electrically coupled to an associated at least one of the pixels, respectively, a passivating layer on the thin-film transistor driver circuits and at least partially around the pixels, a conductive frame on the passivating layer, and a plurality of nanostructures on the conductive frame, wherein, creating a voltage difference between the pixels and the conductive frame by addressing one of the pixels using the associated driver circuit causes the nanostructures to emit electrons that induce a corresponding one of the pixels to emit light.
US08223100B2	Pixel structure and forming method and driving method thereof A pixel structure, disposed on a first substrate, and electrically coupled to at least one scan line and at least one data line is provided. The pixel structure includes a first switch device, a second switch device, at least one pixel electrode, at least one control electrode, and at least one coupling electrode. The first switch device is electrically coupled to the scan line and the data line. The second switch device is electrically coupled to the scan line and the data line. The pixel electrode is electrically coupled to the second switch device. The control electrode is electrically coupled to the first switch element. The coupling electrode is disposed under the control electrode.
US08223099B2	Display and circuit for driving a display A display driver for evenly display the screen driven by a plurality of driver circuits is provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel driven by data lines and driver units. Each of the data lines is driven by the corresponding driver unit. Each of the driver units has a resistance division unit for generating grayscale voltages, an operational amplifier unit for supplying voltages to the terminals of the resistance division unit in response to a bias control signal. The corresponding terminals of the resistance division unit of the plurality of driver circuits are commonly connected. The bias control signal is supplied when each of the driver circuit drives the corresponding data line.
US08223089B2	Image display apparatus that allows viewing of three-dimensional image from directions An image display apparatus includes an image display device having pixels to display right- and left-eye images for a three-dimensional image, a first and second optical shutter devices located on rear and front sides of the image display device. The pixels include pixel pairs that have pixels arranged across first light-shielding portions and that are arrayed across second light-shielding portions. The first shutter device includes first light-transmitting portions that cause image light beams passing through the pixels to strike the right and left eyes of a viewer located in a first direction, and first shutter portions to control transmission/shielding of light. The second shutter device includes second light-transmitting portions that cause image light beams passing through the pixels to strike right eyes and left eyes of viewers located in second and third directions, and second shutter portions to control transmission/shielding of light.
US08223088B1	Multimode input field for a head-mounted display Exemplary methods and systems relate to a multimode input field for a head-mounted display (HMD). An exemplary multimode input field is operable to display content based on a number of modalities of input data, which may be received from a number of different input sources. Further, the input sources and/or content for the multimode input field may be selected based on implicit information in input data from the input sources, explicit instructions, and/or context information.
US08223086B2	Disk monopole antenna structure In a disk monopole antenna structure, a semicircular region is provided, as well as an oppositely disposed, second frame-type region, which faces away from the semicircular region and forms a cut-out in the antenna structure.
US08223083B2	Multiband monopole slot antenna A multiband monopole slot antenna includes a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, a radiating portion, and a microstrip feedline. The dielectric substrate is connected to an edge of the ground plane and extends toward the opposite direction of the ground plane. The radiating portion is on the metal surface of the dielectric substrate and includes a first monopole slot, a second monopole slot and a third monopole slot. The microstrip feedline is on the surface opposite to the metal surface of the dielectric substrate. A first end of the microstrip feedline is connected to a signal source, and a second end of the microstrip feedline is an open end. The microstrip feedline passes over the first, second, and third monopole slots. A section of the microstrip feedline which passes over the third monopole slot is parallel to the third monopole slot, and the microstrip feedline is generally of a step shape.
US08223082B2	Slot antennas for electronic devices Slot antennas are provided for electronic devices such as portable electronic devices. The slot antennas may have a dielectric-filled slot that is formed in a ground plane element. The ground plane element may be formed from part of a conductive device housing. The slot may have one or more holes at its ends. The holes may affect the impedance characteristics of the slot antennas so that the length of the slot antennas may be reduced. For example, the holes can be used to synthesize the impedance of the slot antennas so that the slot antennas have a resonant frequency that is different from their natural resonant frequency. The holes may affect the impedance of the slot antennas in multiple radio-frequency bands.
US08223070B2	High accuracy satellite receiving controller and associated method A high accuracy satellite signal receiving controller and associated method is provided. The high accuracy satellite signal receiving controller includes a frequency synthesizer, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiving module and a control unit. The frequency synthesizer, coupled to an external non-temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (non-TXCO), generates an oscillating frequency signal to the GPS receiving module. The ADC converts an analog temperature signal into a digital temperature signal. The control unit, coupled to the ADC, adaptively updates temperature/frequency offset data.
US08223065B1	Methods and systems for partitioning a radar acquisition volume A method according to an aspect of the disclosure is for partitioning a radar acquisition volume, the method comprising the steps of: determining an allocated time to search an unpartitioned volume; determining a number of beam rows in an unpartitioned acquisition face; determining an average per-row search time for searching the angular region based on the determined allocated time and determined number of beam rows in an unpartitioned acquisition face; determining a number of beam rows in an allotted acquisition period that is searchable based on the average per-row search time; calculating a maximum elevation extent based on the number of beam rows in the allotted acquisition period; and searching an angular extent of the search volume based on the calculated maximum extent.
US08223062B2	Systems and methods for aircraft to aircraft exchange of radar information over low bandwidth communication channels Systems and methods communicate weather information between aircraft using low bandwidth communication transceivers. An exemplary embodiment receives weather information from a weather radar system on board a remote aircraft, processes the received weather information into weather radar image information that is displayable on at least a display, processes the weather radar image information into a reduced size dataset, and communicates the reduced size dataset to an installation aircraft over the low bandwidth communication channel, wherein the low bandwidth communication channel is generated by a low bandwidth communication transceiver on board the remote aircraft.
US08223049B2	Charge injection mechanism for analog-to-digital converters A low-cost charge injection mechanism may enable oversampling to be used on low frequency signals by injecting dither noise into the ADC input. The dither noise can reduce the quantization noise allowing even direct current (DC) signals to be oversampled correctly. A low-cost charge injection mechanism can also be used to improve the ENOB by characterizing the ADC and digitally correcting the converted signal for non-linearity errors such as INL. Reducing INL errors may also allow a higher degree of oversampling to be used to further improve the ENOB.
US08223047B2	ADC calibration An analog to digital convertor (ADC) includes a plurality of comparators one of which is referred to as an auxiliary comparator (e.g., comparator “Aux”). This comparator Aux is calibrated in the background while other comparators function as usual. Once having been calibrated, the comparator Aux replaces a first comparator, which becomes a new comparator Aux, is calibrated, and replaces the second comparator. This second comparator becomes the new comparator Aux, is calibrated, and replaces the third comparator, etc., until all comparators are calibrated. In effect, at any one point in time, a comparator may be calibrated as desire while other comparators and thus the ADC are operating as usual.
US08223044B2	INL correction circuitry and method for SAR ADC INL error in a SAR ADC (10) is reduced by providing correction capacitors (11B) each having a first terminal connected to a conductor (13) which is also connected to one terminal of the capacitors of a CDAC (11A) and to an input of a comparator (5) of the SAR ADC. Stored INL error information (18A) is utilized to control switches (32) coupled to second terminals of the correction capacitors to selectively couple them to either a ground voltage (GND) or a reference voltage (VREF) in response to the stored INL error information so as to reduce the INL errors.
US08223041B2	Information processing apparatus, and signal processing method Provided is an information processing apparatus including a distributor that distributes input data in units of M bits and generates N M-bit bit sequences, an encoder that converts each of the N bit sequences distributed by the distributor into a binary symbol sequence of K symbols and generates N binary symbol sequences, a signal generator that generates N transmission signals Sj synchronized with a specific symbol clock and having, as an amplitude value, each symbol value included in the N binary symbol sequences, a signal delay unit that delays, with regard to j, the transmission signals Sj generated by the signal generator by a (j−1)/N-symbol period and generates delay signals Rj, a signal addition unit that adds the delay signals Rj generated by the signal delay unit and generates an added signal, and a signal transmitter that transmits the added signal generated by the signal addition unit.
US08223033B1	Vehicle communication system and method of use Described is a vehicle communication system. The system includes a display installed in, or on, a first vehicle such that the display is viewable by persons in other vehicles or pedestrians proximate the first vehicle. The display is communicatively linked to one or more vehicle systems or a vehicle controller area network whereby based on activation, engagement or utilization of a vehicle system, the display automatically displays a message associated with the activation, engagement or activation of the vehicle system. For example, if a driver of the vehicle applies the brakes, a “STOPPING” message is displayed. Messages may be pre-programmed into the system or custom created and entered by a user. The display may also be used to advertise, alert passersby to an emergency or otherwise communicate with persons in other vehicles or pedestrians.
US08223031B1	Ground potential rise monitor A device and method for detecting ground potential rise (GPR) comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a voltage attenuator. The first electrode and the second electrode are both electrically connected to the voltage attenuator. A means for determining the presence of a dangerous ground potential is connected to the voltage attenuator. The device and method further comprises a means for enabling one or more alarms upon the detection of the dangerous ground potential. Preferably, a first transmitter/receiver is connected to the means for enabling one or more alarms. Preferably, a second transmitter/receiver, comprising a button, is electromagnetically connected to the first transmitter/receiver. Preferably, the means for determining the presence of a dangerous ground potential comprises a means for determining the true RMS voltage at the output of the voltage attenuator, a transient detector connected to the output of the voltage attenuator, or a combination thereof.
US08223030B2	Computer device output setting indicator A computer device comprises an output monitor configured to determine an output configuration setting for the computer device and automatically actuate an output setting indicator corresponding to the output configuration setting.
US08223029B2	Method for controlling cleaning device A method for controlling a cleaning device is presented, which includes the following steps. A cleaning device includes a control unit, a fan module, an optical emitter, and an optical sensor. The optical emitter and the optical sensor are located in an air inlet of the fan module. The control unit is preset with a first impedance value (Z1), a second impedance value (Z2), and a threshold, where 0
US08223028B2	Occlusion detection system and method A method, computer program product, and infusion pump assembly for determining a first rate-of-change force reading that corresponds to the delivery of a first dose of an infusible fluid via an infusion pump assembly. At least a second rate-of-change force reading is determined that corresponds to the delivery of at least a second dose of the infusible fluid via the infusion pump assembly. An average rate-of-change force reading is determined based, at least in part upon the first rate-of-change force reading and the at least a second rate-of-change force reading.
US08223022B2	Security tag assembly A security tag assembly and security system associated therewith to prevent the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area, such as a retail establishment. The security tag assembly comprises a base and at least one tag member removably connected in an operative position on the merchandise being protected. A locking assembly is structured to restrict detachment of the tag member and is forcibly disposed out of a locking orientation relative to said tag member. A detachment assembly and a data registering processor may include a two-way communication link which facilitates processing of the merchandise data disposed on the security tag assembly, such that the purchasing of the merchandise and the removal of the security tag assembly can be effectively accomplished without jeopardizing the security of the merchandise being sold.
US08223021B2	RF tag on test strips, test strip vials and boxes A glucose monitoring system, includes a glucose sensor strip or package of strips. The strip includes a substrate and a glucose monitoring circuit that has electrodes and a bodily fluid application portion of selected chemical composition. An antenna is integrated with the glucose sensor strip. A RFID sensor chip is coupled with the glucose sensor strip and the antenna. The chip has a memory containing digitally-encoded data representing calibration and/or expiration date information for the strip.
US08223018B2	RFID ionosphere A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed wherein an RFID transponder response signal is coupled with a data file as an identifier. The RFID transponder response signal is used in its raw, or a digitized version of its raw, state.
US08223010B2	Systems and methods for monitoring vehicle parking Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to systems and methods of monitoring vehicle parking. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle parking monitoring system that includes a parking space sensor enabled to detect the presence of at least one vehicle in a first parking space of a first parking area and a parking area transceiver in communication with the parking space sensor, the parking area transceiver configured to receive information from the parking space sensor and transmit the information to a gateway. The parking area transceiver is also configured to receive information from the gateway. The gateway is connected to a wide area network and configured to receive information from the parking area transceiver and transmit the information to the wide area network, the gateway is also configured to receive information from the wide area network and transmit the information to the parking area transceiver. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.
US08223006B2	Vehicle temperature warning system A temperature warning system for a vehicle includes a thermal plug disposed on the wheel end assembly of the vehicle. The thermal plug is in fluid communication with an air supply and with a flow sensor. The flow sensor is operatively connected to a warning light or indicator. Excessive heat in the axle spindle end and/or the wheel end assembly causes a fusible material in the thermal plug to melt allowing air to flow from the air supply through the thermal plug thus activating the flow sensor. The flow sensor in turn activates the warning light or indicator alerting the driver of the vehicle of a problem condition at the wheel end assembly and/or axle spindle.
US08223005B2	Driver information and dialog system A driver information and dialog system disposed in a vehicle and relating to driver behavior data and driver condition data, having a data acquisition device and an input/output device, the output device informing the driver about a collecting, storage, use, processing, and or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data, and the input device allowing the driver to transmit his decision consenting to or denying the collecting, storage, use, processing, and/or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data. Furthermore, a method for informing the driver and for dialog with the driver regarding driver behavior data and driver condition data collected in a vehicle, the driver being informed about the collecting, storage, use, processing, and/or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data, and the driver making decisions about the collecting, storage, use, processing, and/or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data.
US08223004B2	Control device and control method for vehicle If a condition about the state of a vehicle is satisfied, if charging connectors are being connected, and if a parking position has been released, an ECU performs a program including the steps of performing brake pressure increase control and performing notification control.
US08222990B2	Hybrid access control system and method for controlling the same A wireless access apparatus for controlling access into a secure area comprises a first power source and a second power source. A controller automatically switches between the first and second power source based at least on a calculated power level of the first and second power source. The controller is connected to either the first or the first and second power source based on the switching. The access apparatus includes a switch having a first position for connecting the first power source to the controller and a second position for connecting second power source to the controller and an electromechanical transducer coupled to the controller for unlocking or locking an entrance into the secure area. The controller determines access to the secure area using information received from an access card.
US08222988B2	Porous device for optical and electronic applications and method of fabricating the porous device A porous device for optical and electronic applications comprises a single crystal substrate and a porous single crystal structure epitaxially disposed on the substrate, where the porous single crystal structure includes a three-dimensional arrangement of pores. The three-dimensional arrangement may also be a periodic arrangement. A method of fabricating such a device includes forming a scaffold comprising interconnected elements on a single crystal substrate, where the interconnected elements are separated by voids. A first material is grown epitaxially on the substrate and into the voids. The scaffold is then removed to obtain a porous single crystal structure epitaxially disposed on the substrate, where the single crystal structure comprises the first material and includes pores defined by the interconnected elements of the scaffold.
US08222987B2	Supporting component, interference suppression coil device and method for the manufacture thereof A supporting component (10) for assembling an inductive element comprises a base on the top face of which a protrusion for accommodating the inductive element is embodied, wherein a recess is provided in said protrusion for receiving an electronic component and/or a ferrite element. Furthermore, an interference suppression coil device with a supporting component is provided, wherein the supporting component comprises a protrusion serving for accommodating an interference suppression coil. Moreover, a method for the manufacture of an inductive component to be assembled on a printed circuit board is provided.
US08222986B2	Multilevel magnetic system and method for using same A multilevel magnetic system and method for using the same are described herein. A wide-range of devices including a momentary snap switch, a cushioning device, and an exploding toy are also described herein that may incorporate one or more of the multilevel magnetic systems.
US08222985B2	Compact superconducting magnet configuration with active shielding having a shielding coil contributing to field formation A superconducting magnet configuration (4; 14) for generating a homogeneous magnetic field B0 in an examination volume (4b), has an interior radial superconducting main field coil (1) which is disposed rotationally symmetrically about an axis (z-axis) and an oppositely driven coaxial radially exterior superconducting shielding coil (2) is characterized in that the magnet configuration (4; 14) consists of the main field coil (1), the shielding coil (2), a ferromagnetic field formation device (3; 18) and a ferromagnetic shielding body (AK), wherein the ferromagnetic field formation device (3; 18) is located at the radially inside of the main field coil (1) and the ferromagnetic shielding device (AK) surrounds the main field coil (1) and the shielding coil (2) in a radial and axial direction, the main field coil (1) consisting of an unstructured solenoid coil or of several radially nested unstructured solenoid coils (15, 16) which are driven in the same direction, the axial extent Labs of the shielding coil (2) being smaller than the axial extent Lhaupt of the main field coil (1), wherein the axial magnetic field profile (5) generated by the main field coil (1) and the shielding coil (2) during operation has a minimum of the field strength along the axis (z-axis) in the center (4a) and a maximum of the field strength on each side of the center (4a), and wherein the axial magnetic field profile (6) generated by the ferromagnetic field formation device (3; 18) and the ferromagnetic shielding body (AK) during operation has a maximum of the field strength along the axis (z-axis) in the center (4a) and a minimum of the field strength on each side of the center (4a). The magnet configuration in accordance with the invention has a very simple structure.
US08222982B2	Overload relay trip mechanism An overload relay trip mechanism includes a housing, a reset button, a leaf spring, a test button, a coil spring, and an actuator. The reset button can be actuated from a normal position to a reset position to cause the leaf spring to transition from a first position to a second position, which causes a reset actuator-engaging element to move the actuator from a tripped position to a closed position. The test button can be actuated from a normal position to a test-stop position to cause a first test actuator-engaging element to move a moveable contact from an electrically connected position to an electrically disconnected position. The test button can further be moved from the test-stop position to the test-trip position to cause a second test actuator-engaging element to move the actuator from the closed position to the tripped position.
US08222971B2	Acoustic wave filter device An acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of acoustic wave filters disposed on the same piezoelectric substrate, and achieves enlargement of out-of-passband attenuation without a large increase in its size. For at least the first acoustic wave filter, ends of second IDTs and of third IDTs connected to first and second balanced terminals, the ends being connected to a ground potential, are connected to a common connection line, the common connection line is connected to a ground terminal by a ground line, and a distance between a connection point, at which the ground line is connected to the common connection line, and the first balanced terminal, and a distance between the connection point and the second balanced terminal, is the same or substantially the same.
US08222969B2	Duplexer module A duplexer module that is used for transmission and reception of a signal in at least two communication systems using different frequency bands includes a wiring board, dual transmission filters in a transmission filter unit that is provided on the wiring board and that includes a transmission filter, and dual reception filters in a reception filter unit that is provided on the wiring board and that includes a reception filter. Each of the dual reception filters includes at least two reception filters having different frequency bands, and the output side of the reception filters is shared between the reception filters such that a common output terminal is provided for the reception filters.
US08222967B1	Receiver equalizer circuitry having wide data rate and input common mode voltage ranges Equalizer circuitry on an integrated circuit (“IC”) includes a plurality of NMOS equalizer stages connected in series. Each NMOS stage may include folded active inductor circuitry. Each NMOS stage may also include various circuit elements having controllably variable circuit parameters so that the equalizer can be controllably adapted to perform for any of a wide range of high-speed serial data signal bit rates and other variations of communication protocols and/or communication conditions. For example, each NMOS stage may be programmable to control at least one of bandwidth and power consumption of the equalizer circuitry. The equalizer may also have a first PMOS stage that can be used instead of the first NMOS stage in cases in which the voltage of the incoming signal to be equalized is too low for an initial NMOS stage.
US08222961B2	Time-domain measurement of PLL bandwidth A method and a device for determining closed loop bandwidth characteristic of a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) (52) comprising a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) (53) controlled by means of a tuning voltage (Vtune) is disclosed. An embodiment of the invention compares the VCO tuning voltage (Vtune) to a low threshold voltage (Vlow) and a high threshold voltage (Vhigh), creating an oscillation of the VCO tuning voltage by offsetting the divider value such that the PLL (52) forces the tuning voltage (Vtune) towards the high threshold voltage (Vhigh) when the low threshold voltage (Vlow) is reached, and offsetting the divider value such that said PLL (52) forces the tuning voltage (Vtune) towards the low threshold voltage (Vlow) when the high threshold voltage (Vhigh) is reached, measuring the period of the oscillation between the high and the low threshold voltage of the VCO tuning voltage by counting the number of cycles of a reference clock signal (clk), and comparing the number of reference clock cycles to a reference number of clock cycles to determine the relative loop bandwidth of the PLL (52).
US08222951B2	Semiconductor device and bias generation circuit A first power supply voltage input section can input a first power supply voltage, a second power supply voltage input section can input a second power supply voltage, a regulator circuit generates a back bias voltage on the basis of the second power supply voltage, and an output section can output the back bias voltage generated by the regulator circuit as an output voltage. A substrate bias can be generated with low power consumption, and the circuit scale can be reduced.
US08222950B2	Temperature sensor of a CPU and PWM controller thereof A power supply circuit includes a PWM controller, which is capable of providing pulse signals to the CPU, a temperature feedback circuit coupled to the PWM controller, and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is coupled to the temperature feedback circuit, the temperature sensor is located adjacent the CPU, and capable of detects a temperature of the CPU. The PWM controller is capable of adjusting the pulse signals to maintain the pulse signals stably when the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the CPU rising.
US08222947B2	Low distortion active balun circuit and method thereof A signal converting circuit includes: a first single-to-differential circuit arranged to generate a first signal having a first polarity and a second signal having a second polarity different from the first polarity; a second single-to-differential circuit arranged to generate a third signal having the second polarity and a fourth signal having the first polarity; and a combining circuit arranged to generate a first combined signal having the first polarity according at least two signals from the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal, and output an output signal according to at least the first combined signal.
US08222945B2	Semiconductor integrated circuit device A semiconductor integrated circuit device provided with a first circuit block BLK1, a second circuit block DRV1 and a conversion circuit MIO1 for connecting the first circuit block to the second circuit block. The first circuit block includes a first mode for applying a supply voltage and a second mode for shutting off the supply voltage. The conversion circuit is provided with a function for maintaining the potential of an input node of the second circuit block at an operation potential, thereby suppressing a penetrating current flow when the first circuit block is in the second mode. The conversion circuit (MIO1 to MIO4) are commonly used for connecting circuit blocks.
US08222944B2	DC offset cancellation circuit A DC offset cancellation circuit includes: a control signal generation unit generating i (i is a natural number) number of pulse signals having a pulse width corresponding to a DC offset amount; a current source supplying i number of currents each having a different current ratio; a switching unit determining a current quantity to be supplied to a feedback capacitor by adjusting a turn-on quantity of each of the i number of currents according to the pulse width of each of the i number of pulse signals; and an electric charge quantity regulation unit charging DC offset electric charges corresponding to current supplied from the switching unit through the feedback capacitor and transferring the DC offset electric charges charged in the feedback capacitor to a sampling capacitor through a rotary capacitor, to allow the sampling capacitor to primarily store the DC offset electric charges and then secondarily store electric charges corresponding to an input signal.
US08222937B2	Charge pump for PLL/DLL A charge pump for use in a Phase Locked Loop/Delay Locked Loop minimizes static phase error through the use of an operational amplifier. The operational amplifier also mitigates the effects of low power supply voltage.
US08222931B2	Semiconductor device and driving method thereof A semiconductor device includes a plurality of synchronization clock generators configured to generate a plurality of synchronization clock signals by mixing phases of first and second source clock signals having an identical frequency, a first clock transmission path configured to sequentially apply the first source clock signal to the plurality of synchronization clock generators by transferring the first source clock signal in a forward direction, a second clock transmission path configured to sequentially apply the second source clock signal to the plurality of synchronization clock generators by transferring the second source clock signal in a backward direction, and a plurality of data output units configured to synchronize a plurality of data with the plurality of synchronization clock signals and outputting the synchronized plurality of data.
US08222924B2	Asynchronous FIFO circuit for long-distance on-chip communication The disclosed embodiments provide a first-in, first-out (FIFO) circuit that operates asynchronously. The FIFO circuit includes a data path that contains data latches sequentially connected through data-wire segments. The FIFO circuit also includes a control circuit that generates control signals for the data latches so that the data path behaves like a FIFO. The control circuit includes control components sequentially connected to each other through control-wire segments and repeaters located within the control-wire segments. The control components are configured to asynchronously generate the control signals for the data latches, and the repeaters are configured to repeat asynchronous signals communicated between the asynchronous control components.
US08222920B2	Dynamic phase alignment Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and integrate circuits with dynamic phase alignment between an input data signal and a clock signal. In some embodiments, a sampling window of the input data signal may be determined and timing of the input data signal may be adjusted to enable the input data signal to be sampled within the sampling window. Other embodiments may be disclosed and claimed.
US08222919B2	Multichannel interfacing device having a termination circuit The invention relates to an interfacing device for transmission through interconnections used for sending a plurality of electrical signals.The interfacing device of the invention comprises signal terminals and a common terminal. A receiving circuit delivers, when the receiving circuit is in the activated state, “output signals of the receiving circuit” determined each by a linear combination of the voltages between one of the signal terminals and the common terminal, to the destination. A termination circuit is such that, when it is in the activated state, it is approximately equivalent, for the signal terminals and the common terminal, to a (m+1)-terminal network such that, for small signals, the impedance matrix, with respect to the common terminal, of the (m+1)-terminal network is equal to a wanted non-diagonal matrix of size m×m.
US08222917B2	Impedance matching and trimming apparatuses and methods using programmable resistance devices Impedance matching and trimming apparatuses and methods using programmable resistance devices. According to one exemplary embodiment, the impedance matching circuit includes a programmable resistance element, a comparator, a resistor divider having a common node coupled to a first input of the comparator, and an impedance element control circuit coupled between an output of the comparator and the programmable resistance element. The programmable resistance element includes one or more programmable resistance devices (PRDs). Programmed resistances of the programmable resistance element combine with the resistance of an external reference resistor to provide an impedance matched termination. A change in the resistance of the termination impedance causes a change in the output of the comparator. The impedance element control circuit responds to changes in the output of the comparator by providing one or more program control output signals, which control the resistance values of one or more of the PRDs, thereby maintaining an impedance matched termination.
US08222915B2	Fault tolerant asynchronous circuits New and improved methods and circuit designs for asynchronous circuits that are tolerant to transient faults, for example of the type introduced through radiation or, more broadly, single-event effects. SEE-tolerant configurations are shown and described for combinational logic circuits, state-holding logic circuits and SRAM memory circuits.
US08222907B2	Architecture and method to determine leakage impedance and leakage voltage node A circuit, system, machine-readable storage medium and method for detecting the presence of a leakage path in a multi-cell voltage source is described. The system includes a detection circuit, the detection circuit having a first, second and third amplifiers, a first input of the first amplifier connected to a first terminal of the voltage source and the first input of the second amplifier connected to a second terminal of the voltage source, a second input of each of the first and second amplifiers connected to a reference capacitor, and an output of each of the first, second and third amplifiers connected to a respective first, second and third outputs of the detection circuit; and a processor having inputs connected to the first and second outputs of the detection circuit.
US08222905B2	Determination of field distribution A method for determining field intensity for a particle on a substrate, the method comprising providing an incident wave, determining an electric vector of the field and a magnetic vector of the field inside and outside of the particle, and determining additional scattered fields inside and outside of the particle due to reflection of the incident wave from the substrate.
US08222902B2	Modular geosteering tool assembly A retrievable tool for steering through an earth formation includes a first tool assembly and a tilted antenna attached to the first tool assembly. The tool also includes a second tool assembly attached to the first tool assembly and a tilted antenna attached to the second tool assembly. The first tool assembly attaches to the second tool assembly so that the antennas are tilted in predetermined directions. The tilted antennas are transmitter antennas or receiver antennas. Each tool assembly is a tubular cylinder with a longitudinal axis running the length of the cylinder, wherein the tubular cylinder has two ends, each end including a rotational attachment mechanism. The tool assemblies attach to each other through their rotational attachment mechanisms. The rotational attachment mechanism may be a screw-on mechanism, press-fit mechanism, or welded mechanism.
US08222901B2	System and method for intracorporeal elastography A system and method for intracorporeal elastography include an intra-luminal vibratory member configured to be positioned within a lumen of an imaging subject and configured to impart mechanical energy into tissue of the lumen. In a preferred embodiment, an external piezoelectric energy source is included and coupled to the vibratory member and configured to cause the vibratory member to longitudinally vibrate, thereby generating shear waves for use with magnetic resonance elastography.
US08222899B2	Squid detected nuclear magnetic resonance and imaging at ultra-weak fields The invention provides a high resolution proton nuclear magnetic reonance and imaging (NMR/MRI) in microtesla magnetic fields by using high critical temperature (high-Tc) superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer via a flux transformer. Both the SQUID and the input coupling coil are installed inside a superconducting vessel which shields environmental noise and set the SQUID in a stable operation condition. The present invention also offers the advantages of preserving the NMR signal even if the sample is far away from the SQUID detector.
US08222893B2	Stringline and cross-level gauge A tool and method for inspecting a track having a first rail and a second rail. The tool has a first mounting device which is attached to a first rail of the track. A cord attached to the mounting device is tensioned and positioning the cord in a proper position, allowing an inspector to measure a first distance between a defined point on the cord and the first rail or the second rail to determine if anomalies are present in the track.
US08222891B2	Compensating for position errors in displacement transducers Methods of compensating for position errors due to signal scaling, linearity, and offset between first and second members in a displacement transducer are provided, including: producing a first signal at the first member; producing a second signal at the first member; modulating the first signal at the second member to include at least one region with an invariant amplitude as the first and second members are displaced relative to one another along a measurement axis; determining a relation between a sample of the second signal and the invariant amplitude of the first signal as an indication of an error parameter; and generating a compensated sample based upon the determined relation.
US08222890B2	Inductive displacement transducer, coding device, and method for detecting a position of a first object in relation to a second object The invention relates to an inductive displacement sensor for determining a position of a first object relative to a second object having a coding device to be attached to the first object, having a sensor unit to be attached to the second object, said sensor unit comprising a plurality of inductive sensors for scanning the coding device. The inductive displacement sensor according to the invention is characterized in that the coding device comprises a plurality of marking sections separated from one another by measurement sections, at least the measurement sections having variable widths, in that the marking sections and the measurement sections have different physical properties to aid differentiation by the sensor unit, in that identification regions are formed by the measurement sections or by the measurement sections along with adjacent marking sections, in that the sensor unit is at least long enough in the extension direction of the coding device and the number of inductive sensors is at least great enough that at least one identification region may be detected in every measurement situation, and in that, in order to distinctly associate an identification region with an absolute position of the sensor unit relative to the coding device, each identification region occurs precisely once on the coding device. The invention further relates to a coding bar and a method for determining a position of a first object relative to a second object.
US08222889B2	Arrangement for detecting the movement of a body and a method for the operation of such an arrangement An arrangement for detecting a movement of a body, in which the body (20′) is mounted in such a way that it can move in at least one direction and in which a magnet (200) is incorporated. Its poles are aligned substantially parallel to a primary plane. A detector system is furthermore provided that comprises at least four magnetic field sensors (10a to 10d) for the detection of a change in the magnetic field when the body (20′) moves. In addition, a further magnetic field sensor (11) is provided for generating a correction signal that depends on the magnetic field. An evaluation unit (20) is used to provide movement information relating to the body (20′) derived from signals from the four magnetic field sensors (10a to 10d) and the minimum of one further magnetic field sensor (11).
US08222883B2	Method of forming PWM controller In one embodiment, a PWM controller is configured to inhibit a drive signal responsively to a bulk input voltage remaining at a low value for a time interval.
US08222881B2	Low-power feedback and method for DC-DC converters and voltage regulators for energy harvesters A converter (10) for converting a first DC voltage (VDD) to a second DC voltage (VOUT) includes an output stage (40) for producing the second DC voltage (VOUT) in response to both the first DC voltage (VDD) and an output of an error amplifier (20). A sampling circuit (15) periodically energizes a voltage divider (R0,R1) by periodically coupling a first terminal thereof to the second DC voltage and periodically coupling an output (14) of the energized voltage divider to a feedback conductor (7) to refresh a feed back capacitor (C0) coupled between the second DC voltage and the feedback conductor. The feedback conductor is coupled to an input of the error amplifier.
US08222880B2	DC-DC conversion device with digitally controlled comparator A DC-DC conversion device is provided. The DC-DC conversion device includes a control signal generator, a conversion module and a comparison module. The control signal generator generates a control signal according to a delay signal. The conversion module is coupled to the control signal generator to convert an input voltage to an output voltage according to the control signal. The comparison module is coupled to the control signal generator and conversion module to compare the output voltage with a reference voltage and output the delay signal according to the comparison result, an enable signal and a clock signal.
US08222879B2	Method and apparatus for synchronous buck with active negative current modulation A circuit is disclosed that includes a buck voltage regulator electrically coupled to an active current modulator. The active current modulator is operable to detect a negative current in the low-side switch of the buck voltage regulator circuit during a light mode operation. Whenever the negative current is detected, the active negative current modulator causes the low-side switch to stay ON in a linear mode and limits the negative current to a predetermined current level.
US08222876B2	Power management chip with dual function pin The present invention discloses a power management chip with a dual function pin, the power management chip outputting pulse-width-modulation signals to control the switching of an up-gate transistor and a low-gate transistor for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, the up-gate and low-gate transistors being electrically connected to a node, the power management chip comprising: a dual function pin for electrically connecting with the input voltage or the node; a voltage sensing circuit electrically connected with the dual function pin for detecting the level of the input voltage; and a clock detection circuit electrically connected with the dual function pin for determining whether the signal received by the dual function pin is an oscillation signal.
US08222872B1	Switching power converter with selectable mode auxiliary power supply A auxiliary power supply having a selectable operating mode raises efficiency of a switched-power converter. By selectably controlling the input/output behavior of the auxiliary power supply receiving a voltage from an auxiliary winding of one of the power converter magnetic elements, more efficient operation of the auxiliary power supply over the full variation range of the input line voltage is achieved. By selecting the operating mode according to the relationship between the required auxiliary power supply output and the voltage available across the auxiliary winding under current operating conditions, the turns ratio of the auxiliary winding and other circuit parameters can be optimized for efficiency. Selection of the operating mode may be made by detecting the output or input voltage of the multiplier, and the selection may be performed under hysteretic control so that the variation in auxiliary power supply output voltage is reduced dynamically.
US08222868B2	Battery tester for rechargeable power tool batteries A battery tester engages a power tool battery and includes a housing having a cavity for receiving a stem of the power tool battery. The battery tester has a plurality of electrically conductive contacts disposed in the cavity and is configured to engage corresponding battery electrodes on the stem. A processor is mounted within the housing and communicates with the battery through the electrically conductive contacts. The processor measures a voltage level of the battery, and a loading circuit electrically loads the battery during measuring. One or more indicators are controlled by the processor. The processor activates the loading circuit for a predetermined period of time to measure a voltage level of the battery while under load, and then activates the indicators to provide a visual indication of remaining battery life. The battery tester is a stand-alone device where housing does not have a motor or a battery charger.
US08222852B2	Motor control device and image forming system A motor control device of the present invention includes a correction input unit, a measurement unit, a first signal processing unit, and a second signal processing unit. The correction input unit corrects a control input signal outputted from a controller, and inputs a corrected control input signal into a motor. The measurement unit measures a physical quantity resulting from rotation of the motor corresponding to a control output. The first signal processing unit inputs a measurement signal representing the physical quantity inputted from the measurement unit into an inverse model 1/G of a transfer function G of a controlled object, and filters an output of the inverse model 1/G through a first low-pass filter. The second signal processing unit obtains a corrected control input signal to be inputted into the motor by the correction input unit, and filters the control input signal through a second low-pass filter.
US08222847B2	Device and method for determining the rotational position of a rotor in an electric machine The invention relates to a device and a method for determining the rotational position of the rotor of an electric machine that has star-connected pole winding phases. The device is equipped with a unit for applying voltage pulses (14-16) to at least one of the phases (1-3) and a unit that evaluates the neutral point potentials generated by the voltage pulses (14-16). The invention is characterized by the provision of the aforementioned unit for applying time-delayed voltage pulses (14-16) to different phases (1-3) and the unit for producing at least one differential between the neutral point potentials generated by said voltage pulses.
US08222846B2	Output circuit A power transistor is arranged between an output terminal and a power supply terminal. A pre-driver includes a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor connected in series between the power supply terminal and a second terminal, and the ON/OFF operations of which are controlled in a complementary manner according to a control signal. The electric potential at a connection node between the two transistors is output to a control terminal of the power transistor. A constant voltage circuit stabilizes the second terminal to a predetermined voltage. An output transistor for the constant voltage circuit is provided between the second terminal and the ground terminal. A differential amplifier adjusts the voltage applied to the control terminal of the output transistor such that the electric potential at the second terminal approaches a predetermined target value. A feedback capacitor is provided between the second terminal and the control terminal of the output transistor.
US08222844B2	Method for determining the magnet temperature in synchronous machines A method for determining the magnet temperature of a permanent magnet electrical machine. The magnet temperature is able to be determined particularly simply and accurately if a phase voltage and the rotational speed of the electrical machine are measured, and the magnet temperature is determined from this.
US08222843B2	Method for determining the angular position of the rotor of a mechanically commutated d.c. servo motor Method for determining the angular position of the rotor of a mechanically commutated DC servo motor (5), which is arranged in the transverse branch of a bridge circuit, and the armature current of which is preset by an electromechanically activated switching device (28), —with a control and analysis unit (17) which analyzes the current ripple (3) present in the armature current (2) and attributable to the mechanical commutation, characterized in that—from each switch contact (6, 7) of the switching device (28), a contact-voltage feedback signal (9, 10) is fed back to the control and analysis device (17) by means of a feedback circuit (20), and in that the control and analysis unit (17), by using the at least one contact-voltage feedback signal (9, 10), determines a contact vibration time interval (4) and performs an estimate of current ripple (3) during this contact vibration time interval (4), during which an analysis of the current ripple due to contact vibrations which are caused by a switching process of at least one of the switch contacts (6, 7) is not possible.
US08222837B2	Ambience lighting system for a display device and a method of operating such ambience lighting system This invention relates to an ambience lighting system for use in conjunction with a display device including an image display region. A central control receives an incoming audio video stream (AVS) and to determines color information at the periphery of the image to be displayed. Light sources are disposed in a pre-fixed arrangement in relation to the periphery of the image display region, and local control units are coupled to open or more light sources selected from the multiple light sources for locally operating the at least one coupled light source. The central control unit is adapted to transmit the determined color information as a stream to each respective local control unit, which use a portion of the received color information to operate the at least one coupled light source, the portion being determined based on the position of the at least one coupled light source within the pre-fixed arrangement.
US08222830B2	Discharge lamp lighting device, lighting fixture, and lighting system A discharge lamp lighting device includes: a direct current power supply circuit that outputs direct current power; an inverter circuit that converts the direct current power, which is outputted by the direct current power supply circuit, into alternating current power, and supplies the alternating current power to a discharge lamp; a control circuit that controls a frequency of an output of the inverter circuit (operation frequency); and a starting detection circuit that detects beginning (starting) of a discharge in the discharge lamp. The control circuit operates in a starting improvement mode, in which the operation frequency is lowered than an operation frequency in a lighting mode, during a predetermined time from when the starting of the discharge lamp is detected by the starting detection circuit 4 during a no-load mode. Thereafter, the control circuit shifts to the lighting mode in which lighting of the discharge lamp is maintained. In such a way, the discharge lamp can be smoothly shifted to stable lighting.
US08222827B2	Inductively coupled ballast circuit A ballast circuit is disclosed for inductively providing power to a load. The ballast circuit includes an oscillator, a driver, a switching circuit, a resonant tank circuit and a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit provides a current feedback signal to the oscillator that is representative of the current in the resonant tank circuit. The current feedback signal drives the frequency of the ballast circuit causing the ballast circuit to seek resonance. The ballast circuit preferably includes a current limit circuit that is inductively coupled to the resonant tank circuit. The current limit circuit disables the ballast circuit when the current in the ballast circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold or falls outside a predetermined range.
US08222818B2	Cold cathode tube lamp, lighting device for display device, display device, and television receiving device This cold cathode tube lamp comprises a glass tube (11) into which at least a rare gas is filled and a discharge tube composed of a pair of an electrode (21) and an electrode (22) disposed facing each other at both ends inside the glass tube (11). In the respective electrode (21) and electrode (22), lead terminals (31a, 31b, 31c) and lead terminals (32a, 32b, 32c), one end of each of which is connected to the electrode and the other end of each of which is led out to the outside of the glass tube (11) are provided.
US08222807B2	Organic electroluminescence device and method of producing organic device To provide an organic electroluminescence device that can suppress rise in the driving voltage at the time of constant-current energization and degradation in brightness at the time of energization, and thus excels in its driving lifetime, the organic electroluminescence device comprises: a substrate; an anode and a cathode overlying the substrate; and a plurality of organic layers disposed between the anode and the cathode, and the plurality of organic layers comprise at least: a first layer formed by means of polymerization of a polymerizable compound; and a second layer disposed adjacently to the first layer and containing a polymerization initiator.
US08222805B2	Oxynitride luminescent material, preparation method and its applications The present invention relates to semiconductor field, especially relates to an oxynitride luminescent material, preparation method and its application. The oxynitride has a chemical formula of AxByOzN2/3x+4/3y−2/3z:R, wherein A is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; B is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Zr, Ti, B, Al, Ga, In, Li, and Na, and at least contains Si. The oxynitride luminescent material according to the invention is excellent in chemical stability and luminescence property, and act as cyan to red luminescent material applicable to white light LED that excited by ultraviolet or blue light LED. Its excited wavelength is between 300-500 nm, while the emission wavelength at 470-700 nm. With blue or ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet LED, this type of material can be used to produce white light illumination or display light source.
US08222802B2	Resin composition, reflective plate and light-emitting device The present invention provides a resin composition comprising the component (A) liquid-crystalline polyester, and the component (B) a titanium oxide filler having a volume average particle diameter of 0.27 to 0.4 μm, wherein the component (B) is contained in an amount of from 5 to 110 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the component (A); a reflective plate of the resin composition, and a light-emitting device having the reflective plate. According to the resin composition of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a reflective plate exhibiting high reflectance of a visible light while keeping excellent mechanical strength of the liquid-crystalline polyester. Also, a light-emitting device excellent in characteristics such as brightness can be obtained using the reflective plate.
US08222794B2	Ultrasonic atomization circuit and an atomization device using the same An ultrasonic atomization circuit comprises a driving signal generating unit to generate an ultrasonic driving signal, a power unit to amplify and transmit the ultrasonic driving signal to a piezoelectric ceramic lamination, and a buffering unit connecting to the driving signal generating unit and the power unit to reduce the effect by the load of the power unit to the driving signal generating unit. The present invention is directed to provide an atomization device using the above ultrasonic atomization circuit. For the ultrasonic atomization circuit being disposed between the power unit and the driving signal generating unit, the ultrasonic atomization circuit can reduce the effect by the disperse circuits and reactance to the driving signal generating unit, meanwhile need less units and be easy to test.
US08222793B2	Acoustic power generator and method for manufacturing the same An acoustic power generator and a method for manufacturing the same. The method comprises steps of: measuring a sonic frequency of a sound wave; determining a phononic crystal and a resonant cavity according to the measured sonic frequency; and determining at least a piezoelectric material according to the measured sonic frequency and installing the piezoelectric material inside the resonant cavity.
US08222781B2	Overload protection device for motor An overload protection device includes a motor, a rotatable shaft, a driven wheel, and a transmission mechanism. The rotatable shaft is meshed with the motor. The rotatable shaft includes a rod and a driving arm. A connection pole is formed on the driving arm. An inner surface of the driven wheel forms a protrusion. A sidewall of the protrusion defines a cutout therein. The transmission mechanism includes a resilient member and two arms rotatably connected on the connecting pole. The transmission mechanism is wedged in the cutout. when the motor is overloaded, the torque applied on the arms by the drive force of the motor becomes greater than the torque applied on the arms by the resilient force of the resilient member, the resilient member can no longer hold the transmission mechanism in a wedge shape, the arms become parallel each other to slide out of the cutout.
US08222779B2	Stepping motor A stepping motor includes: a cylindrical rotor assembly disposed around the rotation axis; a stator assembly including two stator units disposed around the rotor assembly and axially coupled to each other; and a terminal structure disposed at the axial center of the outer circumference of the stator assembly. The terminal structure includes: a terminal block cluster composed of four terminal blocks; and four terminals fixed respectively to the four terminal blocks. The four terminals each include: an internal connection portion to which one of two wire ends of the winding is connected; and an external connection portion which is disposed substantially parallel to the internal connection portion and which is connected to a driving circuit disposed externally. The four terminals are arranged in a line along a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis, and the internal connection portion and the external connection portion are aligned along the rotation axis.
US08222777B2	Rotary single-phase electromagnetic servo actuator comprising an actuator and a position sensor The invention concerns a rotary single-phase electromagnetic servo actuator consisting of a rotary actuator designed to move a mobile member along a limited travel, including a 2N pole stator structure, N being equal to 1 or 2, and at least one field coil, said stator structure being made of a material with high magnetic permeability, and a rotor having a ferromagnetic yoke and a thin magnetized portion consisting of 2N pairs of axially magnetized poles, in alternate directions and a rotor angular position sensor. The invention is characterized in that the position sensor has a magnetic field emitter integral with the yoke and a receiver for the magnetic field stationary relative to the stator structure.
US08222773B2	Power adapters for powering and/or charging peripheral devices A power adapter for a peripheral device such as portable electronics device is disclosed. The power adapter includes a housing that contains electrical components associated with the power adapter. The power adapter also includes a data port provided at a surface of the housing. The data port is configured to provide external power to the peripheral device.
US08222769B2	Magnetic coupling type isolator A magnetic coupling type isolator includes: a magnetic field generator for generating an external magnetic field by an input signal; a magnetoresistive element for detecting the external magnetic field and converting the detected magnetic field into an electric signal, the magnetoresistive element being electrically insulated from the magnetic field generator and positioned in a location capable of being magnetically coupled so as to be overlapped with the magnetic field generator as seen in a top plan view; first and second shield films overlapped with the magnetic field generator and the magnetoresistive element as seen in a top plan view; and a third shield film disposed to surround the magnetoresistive element.
US08222768B2	Methods and apparatus for powering electric devices coupled to a patient to reduce transients in patient monitoring devices Apparatus, systems, and methods for powering an electric device coupled to a patient to reduce transients on patient monitoring devices are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for reducing transient electrical events on a patient monitoring device may include a device that can be powered on or off to cause current flow through a load of the device and which has a line out that is capacitively coupled to a patient during use; and a control circuit to control a periodic coupling of first and second voltage sources to the load out of phase at a predetermined carrier frequency to provide continuous current flow through the load in alternating directions, and to control the periodic coupling of first and second voltage sources to the load in phase at a predetermined carrier frequency to provide no current flow through the load.
US08222755B2	Energy recycling structure An energy recycling structure includes a primary portion, a secondary portion and a positioning shaft. The primary portion connects to a motor and includes a radially magnetic assembly including a number of strips having different magnetic strength. The secondary portion connects to a driven element and includes a coil electrically connecting to a peripheral device. The positioning shaft connects the primary portion and the secondary portion. A current flows in the coil when the coil cuts the magnetic lines of force of the magnetic assembly during rotation of the magnetic assembly.
US08222750B2	Aligned nanotube bearing composite material A composite material including an arrangement of approximately aligned nanofilaments overlying at least another arrangement of approximately aligned nanofilaments, the longitudinal axis of the nanotubes of the first arrangement being approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nanotubes of the other arrangement, and the arrangements forming at least one array. A resin material having nanoparticles dispersed throughout is disposed among the array(s) of nanofilaments, and cured, and openings may be formed into or through the composite material corresponding to spaces provided in the array of nanofilaments. A composite material according to embodiments forms a microelectronic substrate or some portion thereof, such as a substrate core.
US08222744B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes: a mounted body in which a wiring pattern is formed on a first main surface; a semiconductor chip mounted on the surface of the mounted body on which the wiring pattern is formed; an underfill material which is filled between the mounted body and the semiconductor chip and forms a fillet on an outer peripheral part of the semiconductor chip; and an injection section which is disposed on the mounted body and on an outside of a side section, on which the fillet is formed to be longest, of four side sections defining a chip mount area on which the semiconductor chip is mounted, and guides the underfill material to between the mounted body and the semiconductor chip.
US08222743B2	Flash memory storage apparatus A flash memory storage apparatus is provided. The flash memory storage apparatus includes a substrate, a control and storage circuit unit, a ground lead, at least a signal lead, and a power lead. The control and storage circuit unit, the power lead, the signal lead, and the ground lead are disposed on the substrate, in which the power lead, the signal lead, and the ground lead respectively electrically connect to the control and storage circuit unit. Moreover, the flash memory storage apparatus further includes an extra ground lead electrically connected to the ground lead or a protrusion on the substrate, such that the ground lead first electrically connects to a host when the flash memory storage apparatus is plugged into the host.
US08222738B2	Semiconductor device, and manufacturing method therefor To provide a semiconductor device with improved reliability. The semiconductor device includes a wiring board, a microcomputer chip flip-chip bonded over the wiring board via gold bumps, a first memory chip laminated over the microcomputer chip, wires for coupling the first memory chip to the wiring board, an underfill material with which a flip-chip coupling portion of the microcomputer chip is filled, and a sealing member for sealing the microcomputer chip and the first memory chip with resin. Further, the corner of a second opening portion of a solder resist film of the wiring board corresponding to the corner of the chip on the air vent side in charging the underfill material is made close to the microcomputer chip, which can improve the wettability and spread of the underfill material at the second opening portion, thus reducing the exposure of leads to the second opening portion, thereby improving the reliability of the semiconductor device.
US08222737B2	BGA semiconductor device having a dummy bump A BGA semiconductor device includes a semiconductor package and a mounting board mounting thereon the semiconductor package, wherein an array of signal electrodes of the semiconductor package and an array of signal electrodes of the mounting board are coupled together via signal bumps. The BGA semiconductor device also includes a dummy bump, which reinforces the bending strength of the BGA semiconductor device and is broken by a shearing force caused by thermal expansion to alleviate the stress for the signal bumps.
US08222735B2	Semiconductor device and communication system using the semiconductor device With respect to a semiconductor device which communicates data by wireless communication, an object of the present invention is to improve sensitivity of an antenna and to protect a chip from noise without increasing the size of the device. A coiled antenna and a semiconductor integrated circuit which is electrically connected to the coiled antenna are included. The semiconductor integrated circuit is arranged so as to overlap with the coiled antenna. In this manner, arrangement of the coiled antenna and the semiconductor integrated circuit in the semiconductor device is devised, so that sensitivity of the antenna can be improved and power enough to operate the semiconductor integrated circuit can be obtained without increasing the size of the device.
US08222734B2	Hybrid integrated circuit device and electronic device A hybrid integrated circuit device having high mount reliability includes a module substrate which is a ceramic wiring substrate, a plurality of electronic component parts laid out on the main surface of the module substrate, a plurality of electrode terminals laid out on the rear surface of the module substrate, and a cap which is fixed to the module substrate to cover the main surface of the module substrate. The electrode terminals include ones which are aligned along the edges of the module substrate and power voltage supply terminals which are located inner than these electrode terminals. The electrode terminals aligned along the substrate edges are coated, at least in their portions close to the substrate edge, with a protection film having a thickness of several tens micrometers or less. Connection reinforcing terminals consist of a plurality of divided terminals which are independent of each other, and are ground terminals.
US08222732B2	Heat spreader having single layer of diamond particles and associated methods A heat spreader is presented which can provide effective thermal management in a cost effective manner. The heat spreader includes a plurality of diamond particles arranged in a single layer surrounded by a metallic mass. The metallic mass cements the diamond particles together. The layer of diamond particles is a single particle thick. Besides the single layer of diamond particles, the metallic mass has substantially no other diamond particles therein. A thermal management system including a heat source and a heat spreader is also presented, along with methods for making and methods for use of such heat spreaders.
US08222730B2	Magnetic particle-based composite materials for semiconductor packages A semiconductor package is described. The semiconductor package includes a substrate and an integrated heat spreader disposed above and coupled with the substrate. A cavity is disposed between the substrate and the integrated heat spreader. A semiconductor die is disposed above the substrate and in the cavity. An array of first-level solder joints is disposed between the substrate and the semiconductor die. A layer of magnetic particle-based composite material is also disposed in the cavity.
US08222727B2	Conductive structures for microfeature devices and methods for fabricating microfeature devices Methods for fabricating conductive structures on and/or in interposing devices and microfeature devices that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating interposer devices having substrates includes forming a plurality of conductive sections on a first substrate in a first pattern. The method continues by forming a plurality of conductive sections on a second substrate in a second pattern. The method further includes constructing a plurality of conductive lines in a common third pattern on both the first substrate and the second substrate. The conductive lines can be formed on the first and second substrates either before or after forming the first pattern of conductive sections on the first substrate and/or forming the second pattern of conductive sections on the second substrate.
US08222711B2	Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same Provided are an image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same. According to an embodiment, a semiconductor substrate is provided comprising a readout circuit. An interconnection electrically connected to the readout circuit and an interlayer dielectric are disposed over the semiconductor substrate. An image sensing unit is disposed over the interlayer dielectric and comprises a first doping layer and a second doping layer stacked therein. A first via hole is formed, exposing the interconnection through the image sensing unit. A fourth metal contact is formed in the first via hole to electrically connect the interconnection and the first doping layer. A fifth metal contact is formed over the fourth metal contact, the fifth metal contact being electrically insulated from the fourth metal contact and electrically connected to the second doping layer.
US08222700B2	Protection circuit and operating method thereof A semiconductor component including a semiconductor substrate, a doped well formed in the semiconductor substrate, transistor structures arranged in the doped well, and an integrated circuit connected to the doped well, wherein the integrated circuit intermittently charges the doped well to a provided electrical potential, ascertains a deviation of the potential present at the doped well from the provided potential, and triggers an alarm signal in the event of a specific deviation.
US08222685B2	Flash memory device and method for manufacturing the same Disclosed are a dual bit type NROM flash memory device and a method for manufacturing the same using a self-aligned scheme. The flash memory device includes a plurality of bit lines buried in a substrate in one direction while being spaced apart from each other at a regular interval; floating gates aligned at both sides of each of the bit lines on the substrate; and a plurality of word lines spaced apart from each other at a regular interval while crossing the bit lines. In the flash memory device of an embodiment, polysilicon is used for a trapping layer, so the programming and erasing operations can be performed at a higher speed, a threshold voltage (Vt) window is widened, and retention characteristics are improved.
US08222682B2	Photoelectric conversion apparatus and image pickup system using photoelectric conversion apparatus A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements configured to convert incident light to electric carriers, an amplifier MOS transistor shared by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, a plurality of floating diffusions connected to the gate electrode of the amplifier MOS transistor, and a plurality of transfer MOS transistors arranged corresponding to the respective photoelectric conversion elements, each of the transfer MOS transistors transferring electric carriers from corresponding one of the photoelectric conversion elements to corresponding one of the floating diffusions. In such a photoelectric conversion apparatus, at least two of the floating diffusions are electrically connected to each other with a wiring line included in the same wiring layer as the gate electrode of the amplifier MOS transistor.
US08222679B2	Semiconductor component with integrated hall effect sensor A semiconductor device with an integrated circuit on a semiconductor substrate comprises a Hall effect sensor in a first active region and a lateral high voltage MOS transistor in a second active region. The semiconductor device of the present invention is characterized in that the structure of the integrated Hall effect sensor is strongly related with the structure of a high-voltage DMOS transistor. The integrated Hall effect sensor is in some features similar to a per se known high-voltage DMOS transistor having a double RESURF structure. The control contacts of the Hall effect sensor correspond to the source and drain contacts of the high-voltage DMOS transistor. The semiconductor device of the present invention allows a simplification of the process integration.
US08222676B2	Transistor A transistor and a semiconductor integrated circuit with a reduced layout area. Area reduction of a transistor is realized by arranging contacts at higher density. Specifically, in a transistor including a pair of impurity regions and a gate electrode 604 sandwiched therebetween, one of the impurity regions has respective contact holes (a first contact hole 601 and a second contact hole 602) and the other impurity region has a contact hole (a third contact hole 603), and contacts of the contact holes 601 to 603 or regions 605 to 607 each including a margin for a contact are arranged so as to be a triangular lattice except for the gate electrode 604.
US08222671B2	Power semiconductor devices This invention generally relates to power semiconductor devices, and in particular to improved thyristor devices and circuits. The techniques we describe are particularly useful for so-called MOS-gated thyristors. We describe a thyristor comprising a plurality of power thyristor devices connected in parallel, each said thyristor device being operable at a device current which the device has an on-resistance with a positive temperature coefficient.
US08222670B2	Semiconductor light emitting element and method for manufacturing same A semiconductor light-emitting device according to the present invention includes: a GaN substrate 1 containing an n-type impurity and being made of silicon carbide or a nitride semiconductor; a multilayer structure 10 provided on a main surface of the GaN substrate 1; a p-electrode 17 formed on the multilayer structure 10; a first n-electrode 18 substantially covering the entire rear surface of the GaN substrate 1; and a second n-electrode 20 provided on the first n-electrode 18 so as to expose at least a portion of the periphery of the first n-electrode 18.
US08222661B2	Light emitting device, light emitting device package and lighting system including the same A light emitting device including a second conductive type semiconductor layer; an active layer over the second conductive type semiconductor layer; a first conductive type semiconductor layer over the active layer; a second electrode in a first region under the second conductive type semiconductor layer; a current blocking layer including a metal; and a first electrode over the first conductive type semiconductor layer. Further, the first electrode has at least one portion that vertically overlaps the current blocking layer.
US08222658B2	Semiconductor light emitting element and method of manufacturing therefor A semiconductor light emitting element of the present invention comprises: a zinc oxide (ZnO) single crystal substrate 12 with a substrate surface of a plane orientation insusceptible to a piezo electric field; a Lattice-matched layer 13 formed on the substrate surface to be lattice-matched with the ZnO single crystal substrate 12; an active layer 15 of indium gallium nitride (InxGa1-xN, 0
US08222657B2	Light emitting apparatus A light emitting apparatus may include a gate metal positioned between a p-type contact and an n-type contact, a gate oxide or other dielectric stack positioned below and attached to the gate metal, a Ge or Si1-zGez channel positioned below and attached to the gate dielectric stack, a buffer, and a silicon substrate positioned below and attached to the buffer. The light emitting apparatus may alternatively include a gate metal positioned between a p-type contact and an n-type contact, a wide bandgap semiconductor positioned below and attached to the gate metal, a Ge or Si1-zGez channel positioned below and attached to the wide bandgap semiconductor, a buffer, and a silicon substrate positioned below and attached to the buffer. Embodiments of the light emitting apparatus may be configured for use in current-injected on-chip lasers, light emitting diodes or other light emitting devices.
US08222653B2	Light-emitting diode and lighting apparatus using the same A light-emitting diode includes a substrate, a light-emitting diode element mounted on an upper surface of the substrate, and a sealing member that covers the light-emitting diode element. At least one pair of lower electrodes electrically connected to the light-emitting diode element and at least one pair of connecting electrodes connected to each other are disposed on the substrate. A connecting wiring pattern for connecting the pair of connecting electrodes is provided between the connecting electrodes.
US08222652B2	Method for controlling color accuracy in a light-emitting semiconductor-based device and process for producing a light-emitting semiconductor-based device with controlled color accuracy A method for controlling color accuracy of a light-emitting semiconductor-based device, and a process for producing a light-emitting semiconductor-based device with desired color accuracy is disclosed. The color accuracy is controlled by defining a desired color accuracy of a light produced by mixing colors emitted by at least two light sources over a first range of operating conditions; determining characteristics of the light as a function of operating conditions; and establishing desired light characteristics of the at least two light sources over a second range of operating condition in accordance with the step of defining and the step of determining.
US08222643B2	Method of manufacturing thin film transistor, thin film transistor, and display unit A thin film transistor having a crystalline silicon film that is formed over an insulating substrate with a gate electrode and a gate insulating film in between, and has a channel region in a region corresponding to the gate electrode; an insulating channel protective film that is selectively formed in a region corresponding to the channel region on the crystalline silicon film; an n+ silicon film having a source region and a drain region that sandwich a region corresponding to the channel region on the channel protective film and the crystalline silicon film; and a metal film having a source electrode and a drain electrode that respectively correspond to the source region and the drain region.
US08222640B2	Display device and electronic device having the display device, and method for manufacturing thereof To provide a display device including a thin film transistor in which high electric characteristics and reduction in off-current can be achieved. The display device having a thin film transistor includes a substrate, a gate electrode provided over the substrate, a gate insulating film provided over the gate electrode, a microcrystalline semiconductor film provided over the gate electrode with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween, a channel protection layer which is provided over and in contact with the microcrystalline semiconductor film, an amorphous semiconductor film provided over the gate insulating film and on a side surface of the microcrystalline semiconductor film and the channel protection layer, an impurity semiconductor layer provided over the amorphous semiconductor film, and a source electrode and a drain electrode provided over and in contact with the impurity semiconductor layer. The thickness of the amorphous semiconductor film is larger than that of the microcrystalline semiconductor film.
US08222632B2	Polymeric material and polymeric luminescent element A luminescent or charge-transporting polymer which has in the backbone optionally substituted fluorenediyl groups as repeating units and further has a functional side chain comprising at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a hole-injection/transporting group containing one or more heteroatoms other than nitrogen or two or more nitrogen atoms, an electron-injection/transporting group containing one or more heteroatoms other than nitrogen or two or more nitrogen atoms, and a luminescent group comprising a fused aromatic hydrocarbon or heterocycle, characterized in that the functional group is directly bonded to the saturated carbon atom of any of the fluorenediyl groups or is bonded to any of the fluorenediyl groups through —Rk—X—(Rk represents alkylene and X represents a direct bond or connecting group) at the X.
US08222628B2	Phase change memory device having a bottleneck constriction and method of manufacturing the same A phase change memory device having a bottleneck constriction and method of making same are presented. The phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a lower electrode, an interlayer film, an insulator, a phase change layer and an upper electrode. The interlayer film is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the lower electrode. The interlayer film includes a laminate of a first insulating film, a silicon film and a second insulating film with a hole formed therethrough. The insulator is disposed along the exposed surface of the silicon film around the inner circumference of the hole. The phase change layer is embedded within the hole having the insulator which constricts the shape of the phase change layer to a bottleneck constriction. A method of manufacturing the phase change memory device is also provided.
US08222625B2	Non-volatile memory device including phase-change material A non-volatile memory device including a phase-change material, which has a low operating voltage and low power consumption, includes a lower electrode; a phase-change material layer formed on the lower electrode so as to be electrically connected to the lower electrode, wherein the phase-change material layer includes a phase-change material having a composition represented by SnXSbYTeZ or, alternatively with substitutions, in whole or in part, of silicon and/or indium for tin, arsenic and/or bismuth for antimony, and selenium for tellurium; and an upper electrode formed on the phase-change material layer so as to be electrically connected to the phase-change material layer. Here, 0.001≦X≦0.3, 0.001≦Y≦0.8, 0.1≦Z≦0.8, and X+Y+Z=1.
US08222619B2	Multi-column electron beam exposure apparatus and multi-column electron beam exposure method A multi-column electron beam exposure apparatus includes: a plurality of column cells; a wafer stage including an electron-beam-property detecting unit for measuring an electron beam property; and a controller for measuring beam properties of electron beams used in all the column cells by using the electron-beam-property detecting unit, and for adjusting the electron beams of the respective column cells so that the properties of the electron beams used in the column cells may be approximately identical. The electron beam property may be any of a beam position, a beam intensity, and a beam shape of the electron beam to be emitted. The electron-beam-property detecting unit may be a chip for calibration with a reference mark formed thereon or a Faraday cup.
US08222603B2	One chip image sensor for measuring vitality of subject Provided is a one-chip vitality measuring image sensor. The image sensor includes one chip where a plurality of IR pixels and a plurality of visible pixels are alternately disposed, IR pass filters which are disposed on the IR pixels, and color pass filters which are disposed on the visible pixels. In the image sensor, IR strength and color strengths are obtained from light which is incident to the IR pixels and the visible pixels, and a vitality of a subject is measured by comparing the IR strength with the color strengths.
US08222600B2	Charged particle detection system and method A system for selectively detecting charged particles produced due to operation of a charged particle beam column irradiating a specimen, including a proximal grid being selectively electrically biasable and configured for controllably directing the charged particles by electrically focusing the charged particles to compel selected secondary charged particles, whereupon being selected from the charged particles, to be attracted thereto, and to repel unselected secondary charged particles therefrom, a distal grid spaced apart from the proximal grid and separated therefrom by a gap and being selectively electrically biasable and configured for attracting the selected secondary and/or tertiary charged particles, whereupon being selected from the charged particles, to the distal grid, and to repel unselected tertiary charged particles therefrom, and a charged particle detector configured for detecting selected secondary charged particles attracted to the proximal and/or distal grid and detecting selected tertiary charged particles attracted to the distal grid, that impinge thereupon.
US08222594B2	Encoder that optically detects positional information of a movable body by changing a path length through periodic oscillation of an optical element A reflection mirror that causes an illumination light to be incident on a movable scale is oscillated in an X-axis direction based on a modulation signal. Accordingly, the optical path of the illumination light, of the illumination light and another illumination light generated at an index scale, periodically changes, and as a consequence, the illumination light is periodically modulated. Accordingly, an extra scanner that scans the illumination light or another illumination light with respect to the movable scale does not have to be arranged, which allows an apparatus to be reduced in size and cost.
US08222593B2	Stock thickness anomaly detection device A detection device detects a thickness anomoly region within a strip of stock and includes a first roller operatively rotating as the strip of stock passes over a first roller surface; a pivotally mounted pinch roller positioned to operatively pivot about a pivot axis against the strip of stock passing over the first roller; a photoeye mask positioned to rotate about the pivot axis responsive to pivotal movement of the pinch roller; a photoeye slot within the photoeye mask extending between a slot leading end and a slot trailing end; and the transmitting and receiving optical devices positioned on opposite sides of the photoeye slot of the photoeye mask and operative in an photoeye mask-aligned position to project a centered through-beam through the photoeye slot between the transmitting and receiving optical devices. The through-beam is blocked by the photoeye mask as the photoeye mask operatively rotates a preset deflection angle in either direction out of the photoeye mask-aligned position and into a photoeye mask blocking position. first and second directions. The duration of the disruption of signal between the optical transmitting device and the receiving device indicates whether the anomaly encountered within the strip of stock is a splice or a stock-out occurrence.
US08222587B2	Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same Provided are an image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same. The image sensor comprises a readout circuitry, an interconnection, an image sensing device, a first conductive-type ion implantation layer, and a via plug. The readout circuitry is formed in a first substrate. The interconnection is formed over the first substrate. The interconnection is electrically connected to the readout circuitry. Then image sensing device is formed over the interconnection. The image sensing device comprises a first conductive-type conductive layer and a second conductive-type conductive layer. The first conductive-type ion implantation layer is formed in a portion of the second conductive-type conductive layer of the image sensing device. The via plug penetrates through the first conductive-type ion implantation layer and the first conductive-type conductive layer to electrically connect the first conductive-type conductive layer to the interconnection.
US08222580B2	Cooking apparatus using microwaves A cooking apparatus which uses microwaves is provided having a microwave supplier which supplies microwaves into the cooking chamber. More particularly, the microwave supplier may be provided proximate an upper side of the cooking chamber; and a microwave radiator may be provided inside of the cooking chamber to re-radiate the microwaves.
US08222576B2	Induction heat treatment of complex-shaped workpieces Apparatus and method are provided for induction heating of one or more components of a complex-shaped workpiece. The component is positioned within an opening formed by opposing pairs of arcuate coil structures formed in opposing inductor segments. One inductor segment is formed from electrically isolated inner and outer active inductor segments connected to one or more power supplies, while the other inductor segment is formed from electrically isolated inner and outer passive inductor segments that are magnetically coupled with respective inner and outer active inductor segments. Changing the output electrical parameters of the one or more power supplies controls the induction hardening along the transverse width of the workpiece with optional flux concentrators between opposing pairs of arcuate coil structures.
US08222565B2	Method for laser fusion cutting without cutting gas A method for laser fusion cutting of a metal workpiece including applying a laser beam to the workpiece, where a kerf is melted in the workpiece by the laser beam and a laser beam diameter in a working point is configured to expel molten material from the kerf without cutting gas.
US08222553B2	Metal domed contact component and card comprising it The invention relates to a domed contact component controlled by mechanical activation, which comprises an outer static conducting member (10), an inner static conducting member (12) and a resilient metal contact dome (18) which is in constant and static contact with the outer static conducting member (10). The dome (18) has a central contact part and a linking part, the periphery of which is electrically connected and mechanically linked to the outer static conducting member (10). The linking part comprises arms (22) having a portion (26) with elastic properties in the radial direction, and a stud (24) for fastening the outer static conducting member. Application to bank cards provided with keys.
US08222552B2	Run/test position indicator device of vacuum circuit breaker A run/test position indicator device of a vacuum circuit breaker includes: a position indication cam installed between a girder, a fixed body, and a main body of a carriage, a moving body, and rotating at a certain angle according to a change in the space between the girder and the main body of the carriage; and an indication member, to which the position indication cam is rotatably coupled, having a mark symbol to allow the position indication cam to indicate a run and test position of a main body of circuit breaker.
US08222547B2	Electrical switching device between pairs of busbars An electrical switch assembly includes a first pair of busbars, each busbar having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion disposed at an angle with respect to the second portion, and a wedge-shaped assembly configured to be repositionable to form an electrical circuit between the first pair of busbars. Also described herein is a non-destructive testing system including the electrical switch assembly.
US08222542B2	Shielding assembly A shielding assembly includes a frame and a cover mounted on the frame. The frame includes a plurality of first sidewalls, and at least one pair of resilient clips. Each resilient clip includes a protruding portion protruding from an exterior surface of a corresponding first sidewall, an extending portion extending from the protruding portion and along the exterior surface of the corresponding first sidewall, and a protrusion protruding from the extending portion and toward the exterior surface of the corresponding first sidewall. The cover includes a plane covering the frame, a plurality of second sidewalls extending perpendicularly from the plane and corresponding to the first sidewalls, at least one pair of stopper portions each protruding from one of second sidewalls and corresponding to one of the resilient clips. Each stopper portion is received between the protruding portion and the protrusion of the corresponding resilient clip.
US08222540B2	Printed wiring board and electronic-component package A printed wiring board having an insulating core; a plurality of vias having axes parallel to and at equal distance from a reference axis and passing through the core; a first conductive film formed on a front surface of the core from the reference axis to each of the individual vias; a first insulating film stacked on the front surface of the core and covering the first conductive film; a first connecting via having an axis identical to the reference axis and passing through the first stacked film; a second conductive film formed on a back surface of the core from the reference axis to each of the individual vias; a second insulating film stacked on the back surface of the core and covering the second conductive film; and a second connecting via having an axis identical to the reference axis and passing through the second stacked film.
US08222539B2	Wiring board and method for manufacturing the same A wiring board has a conductive pattern, an electronic component connected to the conductive pattern by means of a via hole, and a substrate where the electronic component is built into. The connection interface between the via hole and the electronic component inclines toward the connection interface between the via hole and the conductive pattern.
US08222538B1	Stackable via package and method A stackable via package includes a substrate having an upper surface and a trace on the upper surface, the trace including a terminal. A solder ball is on the terminal. The solder ball has a solder ball diameter A and a solder ball height D. A via aperture is formed in a package body enclosing the solder ball to expose the solder ball. The via aperture includes a via bottom having a via bottom diameter B and a via bottom height C from the upper surface of the substrate, where A
US08222536B2	Wiring substrate A wiring substrate is provided with a substrate, a conductive circuit formed on a surface of the substrate, and an insulating layer which covers the conductive circuit. In a fitting portion of the wiring substrate, the insulating layer is formed with an opening portion through which a portion of the conductive circuit is exposed or displayed as an exposed surface. On the exposed surface of the conductive circuit, an electrode layer is formed which is made of a conductive member. A bottom surface of the electrode layer is connected to the conductive circuit. An upper surface of the electrode layer is extended in the widthwise direction W of wirings of the conductive circuit so as to cover even a part of the insulating layer.
US08222529B2	Ceramic substrate and manufacturing method thereof The present invention provides a ceramic substrate including: a ceramic stacked layer structure in which multiple ceramic layers are stacked to be interconnected through a via provided within each of the ceramic layers, the ceramic stacked layer structure having a hole provided therein to expose a top portion of the via provided within a ceramic layer of being a surface layer; a conductive material filled within the hole; and an external electrode formed on the surface of the ceramic stacked layer structure so that the external electrode is electrically connected to the conductive material, and a manufacturing method thereof.
US08222525B2	Pushable cable A cable assembly may have a conductor core and a binding element. The binding element may be configured helically around the conductor core. In addition, the binding element may be configured to, when the cable assembly is pushed through a conduit having at least one sweep, eliminate buckling of the cable assembly. The binding element may be made of a material configured to be stretched to a predetermined percentage of a length of the material without breaking.
US08222519B2	Merocyanine dye and photoelectric conversion device A merocyanine dye is provided. The merocyanine dye is represented by formula (1). In the formula (1), A1 represents a divalent atomic group, n represents an integer of 1 to 3, A2 and A3 each independently represent an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or a heterocyclic ring having 3 to 18 carbon atoms, and R11 and R12 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, or a heterocyclic group having 3 to 18 carbon atoms.
US08222516B2	Front contact solar cell with formed emitter A bipolar solar cell includes a backside junction formed by an N-type silicon substrate and a P-type polysilicon emitter formed on the backside of the solar cell. An antireflection layer may be formed on a textured front surface of the silicon substrate. A negative polarity metal contact on the front side of the solar cell makes an electrical connection to the substrate, while a positive polarity metal contact on the backside of the solar cell makes an electrical connection to the polysilicon emitter. An external electrical circuit may be connected to the negative and positive metal contacts to be powered by the solar cell. The positive polarity metal contact may form an infrared reflecting layer with an underlying dielectric layer for increased solar radiation collection.
US08222509B2	Pedal device of electronic keyboard musical instrument A pedal device of an electronic keyboard musical instrument comprises a pedal lever swingable according to a depressing manipulation and a reaction force exerting unit for exerting on the pedal lever a reaction force of an amount which depends on an amount of the swing of the pedal lever. The reaction force exerting unit comprises, as an integral unit, a first movable member to be displaced via a thrust rod transferring the swing of the pedal lever, a first urging member which urges the first movable member in a direction to exert the reaction force on the pedal lever, a second movable member to be displaced by the first movable member after the swing of the pedal lever exceeds a predetermined amount, and a second urging member which urges the second movable member in the direction to exert the reaction force on the pedal lever. The first movable member, the second movable member, the first urging member and the second urging member are arranged coaxially around a common axis. The first movable member and the second movable member are capable of thrusting along the common axis.
US08222508B2	Tone signal creating apparatus and method In the case where an automatic reading file composed of plural kinds of detailed parameters stored in a transportable storage device whose attachment is detected has been already read in an apparatus, it is determined whether update, to a currently-read automatic reading file, of an automatic reading file stored in a storage section is carried out or not in accordance with a user's instruction, and is controlled so as to carry out a process. Namely, in the case where an automatic reading file has not been read yet, the automatic reading file stored in the storage section is updated to the currently-read automatic reading file without any condition. On the other hand, if an automatic reading file has been already read, the automatic reading file stored in the storage section may be edited on the basis of it.
US08222492B1	Soybean variety XBP48006 A novel soybean variety, designated XBP48006 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP48006, cells from soybean variety XBP48006, plants of soybean XBP48006, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP48006. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP48006 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP48006, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP48006. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP48006 are further provided.
US08222489B2	Glyphosate-N-acetyltransferase (GAT) genes Novel proteins are provided herein, including proteins capable of catalyzing the acetylation of glyphosate and other structurally related proteins. Also provided are novel polynucleotides capable of encoding these proteins, compositions that include one or more of these novel proteins and/or polynucleotides, recombinant cells and transgenic plants comprising these novel compounds, diversification methods involving the novel compounds, and methods of using the compounds. Some of the novel methods and compounds provided herein can be used to render an organism, such as a plant, resistant to glyphosate.
US08222484B2	Floral transition genes in maize and uses thereof The invention provides isolated floral transition nucleic acids and their encoded proteins. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering floral transition in plants. The invention further provides regulatory elements, recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, and transgenic plants.
US08222483B2	Cytokinin oxidase sequences and methods of use Methods and compositions for modulating plant development are provided. Polynucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences encoding cytokinin oxidase polypeptides are provided. The sequences can be used in a variety of methods including modulating root development, modulating floral development, modulating leaf and/or shoot development, modulating seed size and/or weight, modulating tolerance under abiotic stress, and modulating resistance to pathogens. Polynucleotides comprising CKX promoters are also provided. The promoters can be used to regulate expression of a sequence of interest. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
US08222482B2	Modulating plant oil levels Methods and materials for modulating (e.g., increasing or decreasing) oil levels in plants are disclosed. For example, nucleic acids encoding oil-modulating polypeptides are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acids to transform plant cells. Also disclosed are plants having increased oil levels and plant products produced from plants having increased oil levels.
US08222475B2	Method for treating radioactive waste water A method and apparatus for treating radioactive waste water containing contaminating ions, colloids and suspended solids having like (usually negative) charges preventing their precipitation. An electric current is passed through the waste water in an EC assembly to cause electro-coagulation of the contaminants and anodes of this assembly are made of a metal that dissolves to provide cations for neutralizing the negative charges and forming precipitates containing neutralized contaminants. Precipitates are then separated from waste water by an electro-magnetic or other filtering unit. The water pH and conductivity may be adjusted before the EC assembly and additives may be introduced into its effluent for enlargement of precipitate particles, improvement of filtration, improvement of dewaterability, and/or enhancement of magnetism.
US08222464B2	Catalytic process for continuously generating polyols A catalytic process for generating at least one polyol from a feedstock comprising cellulose is performed in a continuous manner. The process involves, contacting, continuously, hydrogen, water, and a feedstock comprising cellulose, with a catalyst to generate an effluent stream comprising at least one polyol, water, hydrogen, and at least one co-product. The water, hydrogen, and at least one co-product are separated from the effluent stream and recycled to the reaction zone. The polyol is recovered from the effluent stream.
US08222459B2	Process for producing cyclohexanone In a process for producing cyclohexanone, cyclohexylbenzene is oxidized to produce cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and then the resultant cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is cleaved to produce an effluent stream comprising phenol and cyclohexanone. At least a portion of the effluent stream is then fed to at least one hydrogenation reaction zone, where the effluent stream portion is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to convert at least part of the phenol in the effluent portion into cyclohexanone.
US08222457B2	Coordination compounds of the boron group A coordination compound of an element of the boron group, the production of the compound and methods of using the compound as an additive, stabilizer, catalyst, co-catalyst, activator for catalyst systems, conductivity improver, and electrolyte.
US08222452B2	Method for producing optically active amines The present invention provides a method for producing chiral amines, comprising asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of imine compounds in the presence of a hydrogen donor compound and an iridium(III) complex having a chiral prolinamide compound as a ligand. The present invention is useful for production of chiral amines in an efficient manner in terms of their optical and chemical yields.
US08222449B2	Metal oxide-chelating ligands Compounds having the formulas below. The values n and x are independently selected positive integers.
US08222448B2	Processes for production of 2-bromo-2,2-difluoroethanol and 2-(alkylcarbonyloxy)-1, 1-difluoroethanesulfonic acid salt Disclosed is a process for producing 2-bromo-2,2-difluoroethanol, which comprises reducing a bromodifluoroacetic acid derivative represented by the formula [1] by using an ate hydride complex as a reducing agent. 2-Bromo-2,2-difluoroethanol thus produced can be used as the starting material to carry out the esterification step, the sulfination step and the oxidation step in this order, thereby producing a 2-alkylcarbonyloxy-1,1-difluoroethanesulfonic acid salt, wherein A represents a substituted or unsubstituted linear, branched or cyclic alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, a heteroaryloxy group having 4 to 15 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom.
US08222444B2	Process for continuous production of organic carbonates or organic carbamates and solid catalysts therefore Processes for the alcoholysis, inclusive of transesterification and/or disproportionation, of reactants are disclosed. The alcoholysis process may include feeding reactants and a trace amount of soluble organometallic compound to a reactor comprising a solid alcoholysis catalyst, wherein the soluble organometallic compound and the solid alcoholysis catalyst each independently comprise a Group II to Group VI element, which may be the same element in various embodiments. As an example, diphenyl carbonate may be continuously produced by performing transesterification over a solid catalyst followed by disproportionation, where a trace amount of soluble organometallic compound is fed to the transesterification reactor. Also disclosed is a process for reactivating a spent solid alcoholysis catalyst, such as a catalyst useful for transesterifications and/or disproportionations, the process including removing polymeric materials deposited on the catalyst and re-depositing catalytically active metals on the solid catalyst.
US08222443B2	Phosphorylcholine group-containing compound, method of manufacturing a phosphorylcholine group-containing compound, surface-modifying agent, and a method of modifying a surface using a surface-modifying agent A phosphorylcholine group-containing compound that is a structure having a phosphorylcholine group represented by the following formula 1 and an amino group or a group derived from an amino group in an identical compound. (In the formula, m is 2 or more and 6 or less and p is 1 or 2. Each of X1, X2 and X3 is an alkyl group whose carbon number is 1 or more and 6 or less.)
US08222436B2	Oxetane compound, active energy ray-curable composition, active energy ray-curable ink composition and inkjet recording method The present invention provides an oxetane compound represented by the following formula (1), and a active energy ray-curable composition including the oxetane compound as a polymerizable monomer. In formula (1), R11 to R15 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R21 to R24 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or a halogen atom; R represents an alkyl group including a partial structure selected from an oxirane ring, an oxetane ring or a vinyl ether and having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, or a vinyl group; and any adjacent groups among R21 to R24 and R may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure
US08222427B2	Bisulfite purification of an alpha-keto amide This disclosure relates to novel processes useful in the purification of keto-amide, ketone and aldehyde compounds, which are useful as inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease and have application in the treatment of conditions caused by HCV. The processes of this disclosure relate to purification via a bisulfite adduct. In particular, this disclosure relates to processes useful in the purification of the keto-amide compound of Formula I, (1R,5S)-N-[3-amino-1-(cyclobutylmethyl)-2,3-dioxopropyl]-3-[2(S)-[[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]carbonyl]-amino]-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutyl]-6,6-dimethyl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2(S)-carboxamide:
US08222420B2	Nitrogen-containing compounds and harmful organism control agents The present invention provides a nitrogen-containing compound represented by formula (I1) (in formula (I1), R0 represents a nitro group or the like, Z represents an optionally substituted aryl group or the like, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, Y represents a nitro group or the like, n represents an integer of 0 to 3, D represents an optionally substituted 5-membered to 8-membered hydrocarbon ring group or heterocyclic group having or not having a substituent other than substituent X, X represents a group represented by formula (II-1) (in formula (II-1), R1 and R2 respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like), A represents a carbon atom or the like, n1 represents an integer of 0 to 2) or a salt thereof, and an insecticide, miticide, sanitary insect pest control agent, or harmful organism control agent including as an active ingredient thereof the nitrogen-containing compound or the salt thereof.
US08222413B2	Methods for synthesizing heterocyclic compounds A method for synthesizing a heterocyclic compound includes: reacting 1-methylpiperazine with 5-chloro-2-nitroaniline at an internal temperature sufficient to provide a compound of Formula VIH The 1-methylpiperazine and the 5-chloro-2-nitroaniline are reacted in a solvent that comprises water in an amount greater than 50 percent by volume based on the amount of the solvent and/or are reacted in a solvent that comprises an organic solvent component that has a boiling point of greater than 100° C. at atmospheric pressure.
US08222410B2	Azo pigments, and pigment dispersion, coloring composition and ink for inkjet recording containing the azo pigment Provided is an azo pigment represented by the following general formula (1), a tautomer of the azo pigment, and a salt or a hydrate thereof: wherein Q represents the non-metallic atoms necessary to complete a 5- to 7-membered heterocyclic group, W represents an alkoxy group, an amino group, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, X1 and X2 each independently represents a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an acyl group, an alkylsulfonyl group, or an arylsulfonyl group, R1 represents a hydrogen or a substituent, R2 represents a heterocyclic group, n represents an integer of from 1 to 4 and the general formula (1) represents a dimer formed through Q, W, X1, X2, R1, or R2 when n=2, a trimer formed through Q, W, X1, X2, R1, or R2 when n=3, and a tetramer formed through Q, W, X1, X2, R1, or R2 when n=4.
US08222406B2	Process for preparing heterocycles Provided is a process for preparing a heterocycle by catalytic reaction of an aromatic dinitrile with an amino alcohol, wherein the process includes: initially charging into a reaction vessel the amino alcohol and a catalyst to produce a reaction mixture; adding the aromatic dinitrile into the reaction mixture, which is maintained at a reaction temperature, wherein no solvent other than the amino alcohol of formula (III) is added to the reaction mixture prior to and/or during the catalytic reaction; and after completion of the catalytic reaction, completely replacing, or substantially completely replacing, unreacted amino alcohol with a nonpolar solvent to obtain the heterocycle, wherein the unreacted amino alcohol is present in an amount of not more than 20 wt. %, preferably 3-10 wt. % or less, based on a total weight of the heterocycle.
US08222404B2	[1,2,4]Thiadiazin-3-yl acetic acid compound and methods of making the acetic acid compound The invention is directed to a [7-methanesulfonylamino-methyl)-1,1-dioxo-1,4-dihydro-1λ6-thieno[2,3-e][1,2,4]thiadiazin-3-yl]-acetic acid compound and to methods of making the same.
US08222398B2	Chimeric immunomodulatory compounds and methods of using the same-II The invention provides immunomodulatory compounds and methods for immunomodulation of individuals using the immunomodulatory compounds.
US08222397B2	Methods of optimal purification of nucleic acids and kit for use in performing such methods A method and kit which allow the use of a discrete amount of a binding matrix to first purify nucleic acids from a medium under a first set of binding conditions wherein the amount of nucleic acid bound to the binding matrix is essentially independent of the amount of surface area of the definable amount of the binding matrix, followed by a second purification step wherein the nucleic acids are bound to a discrete amount of binding matrix under a second set of binding conditions wherein the amount of nucleic acid bound to the binding matrix is essentially dependent on the amount of surface area of the definable amount of the binding matrix, thus providing a discrete quantity of nucleic acid.
US08222385B2	Germ cell marker using fish vasa gene In order to examine whether or not a germ cell derived from a donor fish, which has been transplanted into a recipient fish of a different species by a surrogate fish technique, grows or matures in the gonad of the recipient fish, it is necessary to use, as an indicator, a trait that is specifically expressed in the germ cell and can be used to distinguish the recipient fish from the donor fish. Vasa gene, which is a germ cell-specific gene, is specific to a primordial germ cell and a spermatogonium/an oogonium, and it is not expressed in a somatic cell. In the present invention, the Vasa gene sequences of a tuna, a chub mackerel, a spotted mackerel, an eastern little tuna, and a drumfish are determined, and the expression of such gene is used as a marker for a germ cell. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to specifically detect only a tuna Vasa gene in Vasa gene sequences that are highly conserved in fishes, without sequencing. Thus, a tuna-derived germ cell can be reliably and simply identified in the gonad of the recipient fish. As a result, the growth or breeding of tuna can be carried out with good efficiency. Moreover, utilizing the aforementioned findings, even in a case in which not only a tuna but also another Perciformes fish is used as a donor, a germ cell derived from the donor fish can be efficiently detected from the gonad of a recipient fish of a different species.
US08222384B2	Modified and stabilized GDF propeptides and uses thereof Modified and stabilized propeptides of Growth Differentiation Factor proteins, such as GDF-8 and Bone Morphogenetic Protein-11, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the modified propeptides to prevent or treat human or animal disorders in which an increase in muscle tissue would be therapeutically beneficial. Such disorders include muscle or neuromuscular disorders (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, muscle atrophy, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease, muscle wasting syndrome, sarcopenia, or cachexia), metabolic diseases or disorders (such as such as type 2 diabetes, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, or obesity), adipose tissue disorders (such as obesity), and bone degenerative diseases (such as osteoporosis).
US08222379B2	Method of separation by adsorption A method of separating a selected ionic component from a sample, comprises contacting the sample with an ionic adsorbent whose charge density is such that the component is bound selectively in the absence of added ionic component that competitively binds the adsorbent.
US08222373B2	Humanized antibodies and compositions for binding sphingosine-1-phosphate The present invention relates to anti-S1P agents, particularly humanized monoclonal antibodies (and antigen binding fragments thereof) specifically reactive with S1P, compositions containing such antibodies (or fragments), and the use of such antibodies (or fragments), for example, to treat diseases and conditions associated with aberrant levels of S1P.
US08222372B2	Whey protein hydrolysate The present invention relates to a method of producing a whey protein hydrolysate using a microbial endopeptidase which specifically cleaves on the carboxy terminal side of arginine or lysine. The invention also relates to use of such whey protein hydrolysate in sports drinks or in clinical nutrition.
US08222369B2	Process for preparing macrocyclic compounds Disclosed is a process for preparing a macrocyclic compound of the formula (I) wherein a hydroxyl-substituted macrocyclic compound of formula (3) is reacted with a sulfonyl-substituted compound of formula QUIN: The compounds of formula (I) are potent active agents for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
US08222363B2	Silicone organic elastomer gels from organopolysiloxane resins Gel compositions are disclosed comprising a silicone elastomer from the reaction of an SiH containing organopolysiloxane resin and an organic compound having at least two aliphatic unsaturated groups in its molecule.
US08222354B2	Integrated process for the production of ethylene-butylene copolymer, an ethylene-butylene copolymer and the use of ethylene and 1-butylene, as comonomer, sourced from renewable natural raw materials The present invention relates to integrated processes for the production of ethylene-butylene copolymers from at least one renewable natural raw material. More specifically, the present invention relates to processes wherein in the ethylene monomer, used in the polymerization for the production of an ethylene copolymer, and the 1-butylene, as the comonomer, is obtained by the ethanol dehydration reaction, which ethanol is produced by the fermentation of sugars, and the 1-butylene comonomer is obtained according to at least one of the following reactions: (i) dehydration reaction of 1-butanol directly produced by the fermentation of sugars, (ii) dehydration reaction of 1-butanol obtained from ethanol via a chemical route, which ethanol is produced by the fermentation of sugars; and/or (iii) dimerization reaction of ethylene produced by the dehydration of ethanol obtained from the fermentation of sugars, followed by isomerization of the 2-butylene isomers then formed.The ethylene-butylene copolymer thus produced is completely based on carbon atoms originated from renewable natural raw materials and, upon incineration it produces CO2 from a non-fossil origin.
US08222353B2	Wettable hydrogels comprising acyclic polyamides The present invention relates to biomedical devices, and particularly contact lenses comprising a polymer having entangled therein at least one acyclic polyamide.
US08222330B2	Polycarbonate resin composition having good flame retardancy A polycarbonate resin composition comprises: about 30 to about 99% by weight of a polycarbonate resin (A); and about 1 to about 70% by weight of a rubber modified aromatic vinyl based copolymer resin (B); and about 0.1 to about 40 parts by weight of a phosphorous compound (C) including a phosphate compound (C1) and a phosphonate compound (C2), per 100 parts by weight of a base resin including (A) and (B). The polycarbonate resin composition can have excellent flame retardancy and improved heat resistance by using a combination of at least two different phosphorous compounds.
US08222325B2	Polyvinyl alcohol as co-stabilizer for PVC Thermoplastically processable PVC mixtures having enhanced stability are prepared by incorporating at least one stabilizer containing metal ions and a modified polyvinyl alcohol co-stabilizer.
US08222322B2	Method of making fluoropolymer dispersion A method of making a fluoropolymer dispersion by first providing a fluoropolymer dispersion comprising fluoropolymer particles and one or more fluorinated surfactants selected from fluorinated carboxylic acids or salts thereof having the general formula: [Rf—O-L-COO−]iXi+ (I) wherein L represents a linear fully fluorinated alkylene group, Rf represents a linear partially or fully fluorinated aliphatic group or a linear partially or fully fluorinated aliphatic group interrupted with one oxygen atom, Xi+ represents a cation having the valence i and i is 1, 2 or 3; then adding one or more non-fluorinated surfactants selected from anionic and non-ionic surfactants followed by reducing the total amount of the one or more fluorinated surfactants to an amount of not more than 500 ppm, for example not more than 250 ppm based on the total weight of the dispersion while maintaining or increasing the amount of solids in the dispersion.
US08222312B2	Method for producing radiation curable formulations with increased corrosion protection on metal substrates, and formulations of this type The invention relates to radiation-curable formulations which contain adhesion promoters containing phosphoric acid and which in the cured state afford a particular degree of corrosion control for metallic substrates, and to a process for preparing them.
US08222307B2	Flameproof expandable styrene polymers, and method for the production thereof Expandable styrene polymers (EPS) comprising, in each case based on the styrene polymer, a) from 0.05 to 5% by weight of an organic bromine compound whose bromine content is at least 50% by weight, as flame retardant, b) from 0.05 to 2% by weight of a flame retardant synergist, c) from 0.1 to 5% by weight of a metal salt as acid scavenger, and process for their production.
US08222302B2	Titania-silica aerogel monolith with ordered mesoporosity and preparation thereof A TiO2—SiO2 aerogel and TiO2—SiO2 aerogel monolith with a regular and predeterminable shape and an ordered mesoporosity and a method of making the aerogel and aerogel monolith, using surfactants in preparing the SiO2 sol before mixing with TiO2 sol. The aerogel obtained by this method has a specific surface area greater than 400 m2/g and a pore volume larger than 0.5 cc/g.
US08222287B2	Substituted anthra[1,2-D]imidazolediones and pharmaceutical utility thereof A heteroannelated anthraquinone derivative compound is provided. The heteroannelated anthraquinone derivative compound is represented by a formula (I): wherein R1 is a substituent being one selected from a group consisting of i) a first substituent being one selected from a group consisting of a hydryl group, an amino group, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group and a cyan group, ii) a second substituent being one selected from a group consisting of (CH2)nX, a straight (CH2)n alkyl group, a (CH2)n alkoxyl group, a branched (CH2)n alkyl group, a C3˜C12 nephthenic group, and a C3˜C12 cyclic alkoxyl group, wherein 1≦n≦12, and X is a halogen, iii) a third substituent being one selected from a group consisting of a straight C1˜C8 alkyl group with a double-bond, a C1˜C8 alkoxyl group with a double-bond, a branched C1˜C8 alkyl group with a double-bond and a C3˜C8 nephthenic group with a double-bond, and iv) a fourth substituent of a C5˜C12 heterocyclic group.
US08222286B2	Substituted carbamoylmethylamino acetic acid derivatives as novel NEP inhibitors The present invention provides a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, A1, A2, X1, s and m are defined herein. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition.
US08222280B2	Ether compounds with nitrogen-containing 5-member heterocycle and uses thereof The invention relates to ether compounds with nitrogen-containing 5-member heterocycle, represented by formula (I): The groups are as defined as specification.The compounds of the present invention have broad-spectrum insecticidal activities, and they are very effective to lepidopterous pests, including Ostrinia nubilalis, sugarcane borer, summer fruit tortrix moth, Grapholitha inopinata, Lymantria dispar, Cnaphalocrocis medialis, Pyrausta nubilalis, Heliothis assulta, Grapholitha molesta, Plutella xylostella, Laphygma exigua, Prodenialitura and the like, especially more effective to Plutella xylostella and Laphygma exigua, and can have very good effects at very low doses. And the compounds of present invention have high activities to homopteran pests such as aphid. At the same time, some compounds of present invention have very good fungicidal activities, and can be used for preventing wheat powdery mildew, cucumber downy mildew, vegetable grey mould and the like.
US08222269B2	Tyrosine kinase inhibitors The present invention relates to 5H-benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridine derivatives of formula (I) that are useful for treating cellular proliferative diseases, for treating disorders associated with MET activity, and for inhibiting the receptor tyrosine kinase MET. The invention also related to compositions which comprise these compounds, and methods of using them to treat cancer in mammals.
US08222266B2	Azabicyclo [3.1.0] hexyl derivatives as modulators of dopamine D3 receptors The present invention relates to certain azabicyclo compounds of formula (I)′: wherein the various groups are defined herein and that are modulators of dopamine D3 receptors, e.g. to treat drug dependency, as antipsychotic agents, to treat obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders, or premature ejaculation.
US08222262B2	Indazolyl derivatives useful as potassium channel modulating agents Potassium channel modulating agents of Formula Ia or Ib and enantiomers and mixtures enantiomers and N-oxides thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and their use in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions. Also, pharmaceutical compositions useful for the treatment or alleviation of diseases or disorders associated with the activity of potassium channels, e.g., respiratory diseases, epilepsy, convulsions, vascular spasms, coronary artery spasms, renal disorders, polycystic kidney disease, bladder spasms, urinary incontinence, bladder outflow obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal dysfunction, secretory diarrhoea, ischaemia, cerebral ischaemia, ischaemic heart disease, angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, traumatic brain injury, psychosis, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, dementia, memory and attention deficits, Alzheimer's disease, dysmenorrhea, narcolepsy, Reynaud's disease, intermittent claudication, Sjorgren's syndrome, migraine, arrhythmia, hypertension, absence seizures, myotonic muscle dystrophia, xerostomi, diabetes type II, hyperinsulinemia, premature labor, baldness, cancer, immune suppression, or pain.
US08222260B2	Substituted 6-anilinopurine derivatives as inhibitors of cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase and preparations containing these derivatives The invention relates to substituted 6-anilinopurine derivatives of the general formula I, wherein R denotes one to five substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, amino, alkyloxy and alkyl group, and R2 denotes amino, halogen, nitro, thio, alkylthio or alkyl group for use as inhibitors of cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase. The invention also relates to the compositions containing these derivatives.
US08222250B2	Biocidal compositions Compositions of 1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azonia-adamantane chloride, and an optional second biocide, in copolymers of ethylene oxide/propylene oxide are provided. The compositions exhibit good color and phase stability.
US08222235B2	2-methylene-19-nor-(20R)-1α-hydroxy-bishomopregnacalciferol Compounds of formula I are provided where X1 and X2 are independently selected from H or hydroxy protecting groups. Such compounds may be used in preparing pharmaceutical compositions and are useful in treating a variety of biological conditions.
US08222230B2	Pharmaceutical compositions with superior product performance and patient compliance The present invention provides novel formulations of isobutyric acid (2R,3R,4R,5R)-5-(4-amino-2-oxo-2H-pyrimidin-1-yl)-4-fluoro-2-isobutyryloxymethyl-4-methyl-tetrahydro-furan-3-yl ester) and hydroxypropylcellulose that provide high bulk density, low particle size better suited for improved compression and flow, good compression, and fast dissolution profiles.
US08222227B2	RNAi-mediated inhibition of histamine receptor H1-related conditions RNA interference is provided for inhibition of histamine receptor H1 mRNA expression, in particular, for treating patients having an HRH1-related condition or at risk of developing an HRH1-related condition such as allergic conjunctivitis, ocular inflammation, dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma, or allergy.
US08222226B2	Cell-type specific aptamer-siRNA delivery system for HIV-1 therapy The present invention relates to compositions and methods for delivery of siRNA to specific cells or tissue. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for cell type-specific delivery of anti-HIV siRNAs via fusion to an anti-gp120 aptamer.
US08222220B2	Nanogenomics for medicine: siRNA engineering Described herein are materials and methods for the delivery of siRNA and the production of nanoparticles useful for the delivery of siRNA. Methods of treating a disease or disorder using the nanoparticles described herein also are disclosed.
US08222218B2	Cyclopropanated carbohydrates Disclosed are cyclopropanated carbohydrate compounds of formulas I and II: Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing a central nervous system ailment by administering to an organism in need thereof an effective amount of a cyclopropanated carbohydrate compound of formula I or II and pharmaceutical compositions containing a cyclopropanated carbohydrate compound of formula I or II.
US08222216B2	Mesenchymal cell proliferation promoter and skeletal system biomaterial It is found that a SVVYGLR peptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) can promote proliferation of mesenchymal cells such as marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and dental pulp cells. A carbonate apatite-collagen sponge containing the SVVYGLR peptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) is useful as a biomaterial for the regeneration of bone marrow or dental pulp. It becomes possible to provide a skeletal system biomaterial which is capable of promoting the proliferation of the mesenchymal cells and is useful as artificial bone marrow or artificial dental pulp for repairing a defect in a bone marrow tissue or a dental pulp tissue.
US08222207B2	Method of enhancing the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells using TAT-HOXB4H The present invention relates to a new and nonobvious method of producing the C-terminal histidine tagged TAT-HOXB4 fusion protein (TAT-HOXB4H), providing unexpected benefits of increased yield and stability to allow for in vivo administration of this protein, and pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective ingredient, TAT-HOXB4H, having stimulatory activity on the production of hematopoietic cells. More specifically, recombinant TAT-HOXB4H protein enhances engraftment of bone marrow transplants, hematopoietic reconstruction, bone marrow re-population and number of circulating stem cells, particularly after chemotherapy or irradiation.
US08222195B2	Azeotropic compositions comprising fluorinated compounds for cleaning applications The present invention relates to compositions comprising fluorinated olefins or fluorinated ketones, and at least one alcohol, halocarbon, hydrofluorocarbon, or fluoroether and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, these compositions are azeotropic or azeotrope-like. In another embodiment, these compositions are useful in cleaning applications as a degreasing agent or defluxing agent for removing oils and/or other residues from a surface.
US08222189B2	Process for deposition of amorphous carbon There is a coated, dynamic contact surface. The contact has a substrate and a carbon-based coating on the substrate. The coating has a coefficient of friction of about 0.5 or less and an atomic hydrogen content of about 5% to about 25%. There is also a mechanical system. There is a method for increasing oil-out survivability in a mechanical system.
US08222187B2	Method for improving the phytoremediation of polluted sites by providing plants with exogenous carbohydrates A method is provided for phytoremediating a site polluted by at least one type of pollutant, comprising at least one step comprising growing, on this polluted soil, at least one phytoremediating plant capable of fixing at least a portion of this pollutant, and comprising a subsequent step comprising of harvesting or destroying this plant that has fixed at least a portion of said pollutant. The step of growing the plant is effected, at least in part, in the presence of at least one water-soluble exogenous carbohydrate that can be assimilated by the plant or in the presence of a substance containing a carbohydrate of this type.
US08222182B2	Anion adsorbing carbon material, as well as manufacturing method and manufacturing facilities for same A manufacturing method is provided for producing a carbon material adsorbing nitrate nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen or a fluoride ion through an ion exchange with a chloride ion. Plant material can be impregnated with a calcium chloride solution. Subsequently, the plant material can be carbonized to enable the plant material to support chloride ions that can provide ion exchanging capability with nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and a fluoride ion via calcium. The temperature of the carbonization permits the deposits of a calcium chloride compound within 2% to 25% by weight as a functional group in a carbonized material having ash components.
US08222181B2	Desulfurizing adsorbent, preparation method and use thereof The invention provides an adsorbent for removing sulfur from cracking gasoline or diesel fuel, which adsorbent comprises: (1) a carrier consisting of a source of silica, an inorganic oxide binder, and at least one oxide of metal selected from Groups IIB, VB and VIB; (2) at least one accelerant metal which is capable of reducing the sulfur in oxidized state to hydrogen sulfide and has a η<0.5, wherein η=(the amount in percentage of accelerant metal in crystal phase)/(the amount in percentage of accelerant metal in the adsorbent). The active components in the adsorbent can be evenly dispersed on the carrier in a matter close to monolayer dispersion, and which greatly improves the activity of the adsorbent. The preparation method and the use of the above adsorbent are provided.
US08222179B2	Porous coordination copolymers and methods for their production A coordination polymer includes a plurality of metal atoms or metal clusters linked together by a plurality of organic linking ligands. Each linking ligand comprises a residue of a negatively charged polydentate ligand. Characteristically, the plurality of multidentate ligands include a first linking ligand having first hydrocarbon backbone and a second ligand having a second hydrocarbon backbone. The first hydrocarbon backbone is different than the second hydrocarbon backbone.
US08222169B2	Zoned elastic laminate and method to manufacture same The present invention includes a neck-bonded laminate and a process for forming a neck-bonded elastic laminate, the laminate including a primary elastic region and a secondary elastic region. An exemplary process for forming the laminate includes providing a necked material and overlaying the necked material with an elastic sheet. The necked material and elastic sheet are passed through a nip between two rollers, the rollers being configured to form a primary elastic region and a secondary elastic region and the secondary elastic region having higher strength than the primary elastic region.
US08222167B2	Urea-formaldehyde resin binders containing acrylic bi-modal molecular weight solution polymer An aqueous binder composition for use in making fiber mats comprising as a major component a thermosetting urea-formaldehyde resin and as a minor component a water-soluble additive is at least one styrene/acrylate solution polymer having a bi-modal molecular weight and comprising a first molecular weight species and a second molecular weight species.
US08222161B2	Substrate processing apparatus and semiconductor devices manufacturing method Substrate processing of a substrate is performed in a processing chamber and the evenness in in-plane film thickness is enhanced. An exhaust unit exhausts the atmosphere in the processing chamber and a processing gas is supplied that is excited by an exciting unit. A rotational drive unit horizontally rotates a support unit that supports a mounting substrate on which the substrate is mounted; and a coolant supply/discharge unit is connected to the lower end of the support unit through a connecting unit. The substrate mounting unit has a coolant circulation path therein. The support unit includes a first coolant flow path for passing coolant through the coolant circulation path. The coolant supply/discharge unit includes a second coolant flow path. The connecting unit connects the first coolant flow path and the second coolant flow path together and is provided outside the processing chamber.
US08222155B2	Selectivity control in a plasma processing system A method in a plasma processing system for etching a feature through a given layer on a semiconductor substrate. The method includes placing the substrate in a plasma processing chamber of the plasma processing system. The method also includes flowing an etchant gas mixture into the plasma processing chamber, the etchant gas mixture being configured to etch the given layer. The method additionally includes striking a plasma from the etchant source gas. Furthermore, the method includes etching the feature at least partially through the given layer while applying a bias RF signal to the substrate, the bias RF signal having a bias RF frequency of between about 45 MHz and about 75 MHz. The bias RF signal further has a bias RF power component that is configured to cause the etch feature to be etched with an etch selectivity to a second layer of the substrate that is higher than a predefined selectivity threshold.
US08222153B2	Textured single crystal A method for fabricating a textured single crystal including depositing pads made of metal on a surface of a single crystal. A protective layer is deposited on the pads and on the single crystal between the pads; and etching the surface with a first compound that etches the metal more rapidly than the protective layer is carried out. Processing continues with etching the surface with a second compound that etches the single crystal more rapidly than the protective layer; and etching the surface with a third compound that etches the protective layer more rapidly than the single crystal. The textured substrate may be used for the epitaxial growth of GaN, AlN or III-N compounds (i.e. a nitride of a metal the positive ion of which carries a +3 positive charge) in the context of the fabrication of LEDs, electronic components or solar cells.
US08222152B2	Method for fabricating hole pattern A method for fabricating a hole pattern includes forming a first hard mask layer over an etch target layer, forming a second hard mask pattern over the first hard mask layer, which are patterned to be a line type in a first direction and have a selective etch ratio to the first hard mask layer, forming a third hard mask layer over the first hard mask layer to bury a space between adjacent ones of the second hard mask pattern, forming a photoresist pattern over the third hard mask layer, which is patterned to be a line type in a second direction; etching the third hard mask layer using the photoresist pattern to form a third hard mask pattern, removing the photoresist pattern, and etching the first hard mask layer using the second and third hard mask patterns.
US08222140B2	Pitch division patterning techniques Embodiments of the invention comprise pitch division techniques to extend the capabilities of lithographic techniques beyond their minimum pitch. The pitch division techniques described herein employ additional processing to ensure pitch divided lines have the spatial isolation necessary to prevent shorting problems. The pitch division techniques described herein further employ processing acts to increase the structural robustness of high aspect ratio features.
US08222125B2	Plasma deposition of amorphous semiconductors at microwave frequencies Apparatus and method for plasma deposition of thin film photovoltaic materials at microwave frequencies. The apparatus avoids deposition on windows or other microwave transmission elements that couple microwave energy to deposition species. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator with conduits passing therethrough that carry deposition species. The applicator transfers microwave energy to the deposition species to transform them to a reactive state conducive to formation of a thin film material. The conduits physically isolate deposition species that would react to form a thin film material at the point of microwave power transfer. The deposition species are separately energized and swept away from the point of power transfer to prevent thin film deposition. The invention allows for the ultrafast formation of silicon-containing amorphous semiconductors that exhibit high mobility, low porosity, little or no Staebler-Wronski degradation, and low defect concentration.
US08222119B2	Apparatus and method of temperature control during cleaving processes of thick materials A method for temperature control during a process of cleaving a plurality of free-standing thick films from a bulk material includes clamping a bulk material using a mechanical clamp device adapted to engage the bottom region of the bulk material through a seal with a planar surface of a stage to form a cavity with a height between the bottom region and the planar surface. The planar surface includes a plurality of gas passageways allowing a gas filled in the cavity with adjustable pressure. The method also includes maintaining the temperature of the surface region by processing at least input data and executing a control scheme utilizing at least one or more of: particle bombardment to heat the surface region; radiation to heat the surface region; and gas-assisted conduction between the bottom region and the stage.
US08222112B2	Method for manufacturing NAND memory cells A method for manufacturing NAND memory cells includes providing a substrate having a first doped region formed therein; forming a first dielectric layer, a storage layer and a patterned hard mask on the substrate; forming a STI in the substrate through the patterned hard mask and removing the patterned hard mask to define a plurality of recesses; forming a second dielectric layer and a first conductive layer filling the recesses on the substrate; and performing a planarization process to remove a portion of the first conductive layer and the second dielectric layer to form a plurality of self-aligned islanding gate structures.
US08222089B2	Tape for heat dissipating member, chip on film type semiconductor package including heat dissipating member, and electronic apparatus including the same Disclosed is a chip-on-film (COF) type semiconductor package and a device using the same. The COF type semiconductor package may include an insulation substrate including a top surface and bottom surface, a semiconductor device on the top surface of the insulation substrate, a heat dissipating component on the bottom surface of the insulation substrate, and at least one space between the bottom surface of the insulation substrate and a top surface of the heat dissipating component.
US08222088B2	Semiconductor package with adhesive material pre-printed on the lead frame and chip, and its manufacturing method This invention discloses a semiconductor package with adhesive material pre-printed on the lead frame and chip, and the manufacturing method. The adhesive material is applied onto the chip carrier and the pin of the lead frame and also on the front electrode of the semiconductor chip via pre-printing. The back of the semiconductor chip is adhered on the chip carrier, and the front electrode of the semiconductor chip and the pin are connected respectively with a metal connector. The size, shape and thickness of the adhesive material are applied according to different application requirements according to size and shapes of the contact zone of the semiconductor chip and the metal connector. Particularly, the adhesive zones are formed by pre-printing the adhesive material thus significantly enhance the quality and performance of semiconductor products, and improves the productivity.
US08222084B2	Method and system for template assisted wafer bonding A method of fabricating a composite semiconductor structure includes providing an SOI substrate including a plurality of silicon-based devices and providing a compound semiconductor substrate including a plurality of photonic devices. The method also includes dicing the compound semiconductor substrate to provide a plurality of photonic dies. Each die includes one or more of the plurality of photonics devices. The method further includes providing an assembly substrate, mounting the plurality of photonic dies on predetermined portions of the assembly substrate, aligning the SOI substrate and the assembly substrate, joining the SOI substrate and the assembly substrate to form a composite substrate structure, and removing at least a portion of the assembly substrate from the composite substrate structure.
US08222083B2	Semiconductor package adapted for high-speed data processing and damage prevention of chips packaged therein and method for fabricating the same A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip provided with a first surface having a bonding pad, a second surface opposing to the first surface and side surfaces; a first redistribution pattern connected with the bonding pad and extending along the first surface from the bonding pad to an end portion of the side surface which meets with the second surface; and a second redistribution pattern disposed over the first redistribution pattern and extending from the side surfaces to the first surface. In an embodiment of the present invention, in which the first redistribution pattern connected with the bonding pad is formed over the semiconductor chip and the second redistribution pattern is formed over the first redistribution pattern, it is capable of reducing a length for signal transfer since the second redistribution pattern is used as an external connection terminal. It is also capable of processing data with high speed, as well as protecting the semiconductor chip having weak brittleness, since the semiconductor package is connected to the substrate without a separate solder ball.
US08222081B2	Wafer level buck converter A buck converter module includes a high side (HS) die having source, drain, and gate bonding pads on a front side of the HS die, a low side (LS) die having a first section thereof with a plurality of through silicon vias (TSVs) extending from a back side to a front side of the LS die, the LS die having source, drain, and gate bonding pads located on a front side of a second section separate from the first section, the drain bonding pad electrically connected to the back side of the LS die in the second section. The HS die and the LS die are bonded together such that the source bonding pad of the HS die is electrically connected to the back side of the LS die, and each of the drain and gate bonding pads are electrically connected to separate TSVs in the LS die.
US08222079B2	Semiconductor device and method of making semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a carrier, a semiconductor chip formed on the carrier, and a micro-chip which is electrically connected to the chip, and includes a thickness which is less than a thickness of the chip.
US08222073B2	Fabricating TFT having fluorocarbon-containing layer A process for fabricating a thin film transistor comprising: (a) forming a gate dielectric; (b) forming a layer including a substance comprising a fluorocarbon structure; and (c) forming a semiconductor layer including a thiophene compound comprising one or more substituted thiophene units, one or more unsubstituted thiophene units, and optionally one or more divalent linkages, wherein the layer contacts the gate dielectric and is disposed between the semiconductor layer and the gate dielectric.
US08222072B2	Methods of fabricating devices by low pressure cold welding Methods of transferring a metal and/or organic layer from a patterned stamp, preferably a soft, elastomeric stamp, to a substrate are provided. The patterned metal or organic layer may be used for example, in a wide range of electronic devices. The present methods are particularly suitable for nanoscale patterning of organic electronic components.
US08222052B2	Method for growth of dilute-nitride materials using an isotope for enhancing the sensitivity of resonant nuclear reation analysis In certain desirable embodiments, the present invention relates to the use of 15N isotopes into GaAsN, InAsN or GaSbN films for ion beam analysis. A semiconductor-nitride assembly for growing and analyzing crystal growth in a group III-V semiconductor sample that includes: a substrate; a buffer layer deposited on the substrate, a nitrogen gas injector to incorporate enriched nitrogen gas and the nitrogen gas injector includes a concentration of enriched nitrogen gas, a thin film consisting of at least one group III element containing compound where at least one group III element is covalently bonded with the nitrogen in the presence of the same or different group V element of the buffer layer, and a proton beam to analyze the incorporation of the nitrogen gas in the thin film layer is described.
US08222043B2	Method for detecting a leak in flowing electrolyte batteries A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprising a containment member associated with at least one of a stack of a flowing electrolyte battery and an electrolyte reservoir of a flowing electrolyte battery and a sensing member for sensing a fluid leak within the containment member.
US08222040B2	Nucleic acid sequencing by selective excitation of microparticles Nucleic acid microparticles are sequenced by performing a sequencing reaction on the microparticles using one or more reagents, selectively exciting the microparticles in an excitation pattern, optically imaging the microparticles at a resolution insufficient to resolve individual microparticles, and processing the optical images of the microparticles using information on the excitation pattern to determine the presence or absence of the optical signature, which indicates the sequence information of the nucleic acid. An apparatus for optical excitation of the microparticles comprises an optical fiber delivering a first laser beam, and an interference pattern generation module coupled to the optical fiber. The interference pattern generation module splits the first laser beam into second and third laser beams and generates the excitation pattern for selectively exciting the microparticles by interference between the second and third laser beams.
US08222038B2	Method for analyzing metal specimen A method for analyzing a metal specimen includes an electrolysis step of electrolyzing a metal specimen containing a reference element and a target element in an electrolytic solution, a sampling step of sampling a portion of the electrolytic solution, an analysis step of analyzing the sampled electrolytic solution, a concentration ratio-calculating step of calculating the concentration ratio of the target element to the reference element in the electrolytic solution on the basis of the analysis results, and a content-calculating step of calculating the content of the target element present in the form of a solid solution by multiplying the content of the reference element in the metal specimen by the obtained concentration ratio.
US08222033B2	CD4+CD25− T cells and Tr1-like regulatory T cells The invention provides CD4+CD25− T cells and Tr1-like regulatory T cells (i.e., contact-independent Type 1-like regulatory T cells), processes for their production and their use for regulatory purposes.
US08222030B2	Method for the separation of living cells The present in invention relates to a method for the separation of living cells from a mixture of dead and living cells which optionally can also possibly contain cell fragments.
US08222018B2	Gordonia sihwensis strain and uses thereof Described herein is a strain of Gordonia sihwensis. The Gordonia sihwensis strain described herein may be used to sequester and/or biodegrade hydrocarbons. In particular, the Gordonia sihwensis strain described herein may be used in the remediation of drill cuttings coated with drilling fluid.
US08222014B2	Planar electroporation apparatus and method An electroporation apparatus provides for the electroporation of adherent cells attached to an electrode surface or suspended cells in close proximity to an electrode surface. In one embodiment, the electrodes are transparent to allow cell viewing using a microscope or an automated image analysis machine. The geometry of the electrodes and associated electrically non-conductive structures may provide for well-defined regions of electroporated and non-electroporated adherent cells with a clearly defined interface between these regions, facilitating comparison of electroporated cells and non-electroporated cells, and evaluation of transfer of material from cell to cell via intercellular gap junctions.
US08222009B2	Process for preparing dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors and intermediates therefor A process for production of cyclopropyl-fused pyrrolidine-based inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV is provided which employs a BOC-protected amine of the structure prepared by subjecting an acid of the structure to reduce amination by treating the acid with ammonium formate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, dithiothreitol and partially purified phenylalanine dehydrogenase/formate dehydrogenase enzyme concentrate (PDH/FDH) and without isolating treating the resulting amine of the structure 2 with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate to form the BOC-protected amine.
US08222008B2	Methods and compositions for treating cancer Pharmaceutical compositions and kits useful for the treatment of cancer include certain alkyl esters of cystine and certain alkyl-substituted cystamine derived esters, including, for example, cystine dimethyl ester and a di-alkyl peptidyl cystamine ester, among others. These compounds may be employed in methods of treating cancers or methods of determining sensitivity of certain cancer cells to apoptosis alone, or in combination with other chemotherapeutic, radiological or apoptotic agents.
US08222007B2	L-glutamic acid producing bacterium and a method for producing L-glutamic acid The present invention describes an L-glutamic acid-producing bacterium which belongs to the genus Pantoea, Enterobacter, Klebsiella or Erwinia, wherein the bacterium has been modified by gene recombination to inactivate the rpoS gene. A method is also described for culturing the bacterium in a medium to cause accumulation of L-glutamic acid in the medium, and collecting L-glutamic acid from the medium.
US08222006B2	Glucoamylase variants The invention relates to a variant of a parent fungal glucoamylase, which exhibits improved thermal stability and/or increased specific activity using saccharide substrates.
US08222005B2	Method for gene identification signature (GIS) analysis An isolated oligonucleotide comprising at least one ditag, wherein the ditag comprises two joined first and second sequence tags, wherein the first tag comprises the 5′-terminus sequence and the second tag comprises the 3′-terminus sequence of a nucleic acid molecule or a fragment thereof. The ditag analysis is useful for gene discovery and genome mapping.
US08222000B2	Recombinant bacteria having the ability to metabolize sucrose Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose are described. The recombinant bacteria comprise in their genome or on at least one recombinant construct: a nucleotide sequence from Bacillus licheniformis ATCC® 14580 encoding a polypeptide having sucrose transporter activity and a nucleotide sequence from Bacillus licheniformis ATCC® 14580 encoding a polypeptide having sucrose hydrolase activity. These nucleotide sequences are each operably linked to the same or a different promoter. Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose to produce glycerol and/or glycerol-derived products such as 1,3-propanediol and 3-hydroxypropionic acid are also described.
US08221992B2	Assays for determining compounds which modulate TRAM phosphorylation Disclosed are assays for the determination and quantification of the phosphorylation of TRAM (Trif-related adaptor molecule). TRAM is rapidly phosphorylated upon LPS stimulation by protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) and that this phosphorylation is vital for TRAM to function normally. Assays suitable for detecting the state of phosphorylation of TRAM have utility in identifying compounds which have activity in modulating TRAM. Further disclosed are compounds which have utility in modulating the phosphorylation of TRAM to modulate signalling mediating by the Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) receptor.
US08221976B2	Detection of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 by nucleic acid amplification The present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence or absence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in a sample based on amplifying a portion of the Glycoprotein G(US4) gene of HSV and detecting the presence of the amplified nucleic acid using primers and detector primers as described herewith. The method of the invention further identifies the type of HSV, either HSV-1 or HSV-2, in a sample. Also encompassed by the invention is a kit comprising the primers and detector primers which may be used with the amplification method described herewith.
US08221974B2	Method of nucleic acid sequence detection and nucleic acid sequence detection substrate According to an aspect of the present invention, a pair of oligonucleotide strands are anchored onto the surface of a substrate by immobilizing one of the ends thereof onto the substrate. Each of the immobilized oligonucleotide strands is bound to a target nucleic acid sequence (single-stranded) having complementary sequences thereto to form a cross-linked structure on the substrate, thereby forming a finely reticulated space. Ligands are captured by this reticulated space through physical adsorption and caused to color with active substances reactive to the ligands. As a result of this, the present invention is capable of highly sensitively detecting even an exceedingly small concentration of a particular target nucleic acid sequence to be detected, at low cost and for a short time.
US08221958B2	Photosensitive paste and sintered layer Disclosed is a photosensitive paste including glass frit; organic binder; polymerizable monomer; photopolymerization initiator; and organic solvent, wherein at least a part of the polymerizable monomer contains phosphorus atom within the structure.
US08221947B2	Toner surface treatment The present invention is directed to surface treatment of toner particles and the toner developers used for the dry development of electrostatic charge images.
US08221946B2	Aminosilane urea containing hole blocking layer photoconductors A photoconductor that includes, for example, a substrate, an optional ground plane layer, an undercoat layer thereover wherein the undercoat layer contains an aminosilane and a urea resin mixture; a photogenerating layer; and at least one charge transport layer.
US08221944B2	Pellicle frame and lithographic pellicle A pellicle frame is provided that comprises a pellicle frame bar having a quadrilateral cross-section, wherein an upper edge and a lower edge of a basic quadrilateral forming said cross-section are parallel to each other and each of side edges of the basic quadrilateral has one quadrilateral recess. There is also provided a lithographic pellicle that includes a pellicle film stretched over one end face of the pellicle frame via a pellicle film adhesive, and that includes an exposure master plate adhesive on the other end face.
US08221937B2	Metal-free vertically-aligned nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube catalyst for fuel cell cathodes Metal-free fuel cell cathodes having a catalytic layer of vertically-aligned, nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (VA-NCNTs) are provided. The fuel cell cathodes comprise a cathode body, a binder layer attached to an outer surface of the cathode body, and the catalytic layer, which is supported by the binder layer. The binder layer may comprise a composite of a conductive polymer and doped or undoped nonaligned carbon nanotubes. In a method for forming the fuel cell cathodes, the VA-NCNTs may be formed by pyrolysis of a metalorganic compound and integration of the nanotubes with nitrogen. The binder layer is applied, and the resulting supported nanotube array may be attached to the cathode body. Fuel cells comprising the fuel cell cathodes are provided. The fuel cell cathodes comprising VA-NCNTs demonstrate superior oxygen-reduction reaction performance, including for electrocatalytic activity, operational stability, tolerance to crossover effects, and resistance to CO poisoning.
US08221936B2	Method and apparatus for attachment of fuel cell stack manifold A fuel cell system is provided which includes a mounting system for a manifold having a mounting plate. The fuel cell system also includes a fuel cell stack with a first end and a second end. The first end of the fuel cell stack includes at least one port in communication with the manifold. A clamping system is disposed on the second end of the fuel cell stack and is operable to engage the mounting plate of the manifold to couple the manifold to the fuel cell stack.
US08221932B2	Fuel cell A fuel cell 10 includes an MEA 200, an anode separator 100 and a cathode separator 300. The anode separator 100 forms alternate first and second flow channels 110 and 120. The first flow channel 110 is blocked in the middle. The second flow channel 120 is blocked in the both ends. The anode separator 300 forms alternate first and second flow channels 310 and 320. The first flow channel 310 is blocked in the middle. The second flow channel 320 is blocked in the both ends.
US08221930B2	Bipolar separators with improved fluid distribution A fuel cell separator having a first plate, the first plate including an active surface comprising a reactant flow field and a header fluidly connected thereto, an opposing non-active surface, and a header channel fluidly connected to the header, wherein the header further includes a recess directly fluidly connected to one end of the header channel, wherein the recess comprises a top perimeter and a side wall. In one embodiment, the header channel is formed on the active surface of the plate. In another embodiment, the header channel is formed on the non-active surface of the plate and the side wall of the header further comprises at least one fluid port fluidly connected to the end of the header channel.
US08221929B2	Fuel cell stack A fuel cell stack includes a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells, and a casing including end plates. Components of the stack body are held together in the casing. Side plates and angle members of the casing form an outer profile line, and the end plates are positioned inside the outer profile line. Corners of insulating plates protrude outwardly beyond corners of the end plates, and are positioned inside the inner wall surfaces of the corners of the casing.
US08221928B2	Preheating arrangement in a fuel cell apparatus The present invention relates to a preheating arrangement in a fuel cell apparatus, the fuel cell apparatus comprising at least a fuel cell unit having an anode side and a cathode side with an electrolyte therebetween, the fuel cell apparatus having at least a fuel inlet to the anode side and an oxygen-containing air inlet to the cathode side as well as a sulphur removal unit and a fuel modifying unit and an afterburner for combustion the exhaust gases from the anode and/or cathode side. According to the invention, the afterburner is provided with a separate fuel inlet channel for introducing fuel to the afterburner during the start-up phase of the fuel cell apparatus and that at least a part of the exhaust gases formed in the combustion of the separately fed fuel is arranged to be directed from the afterburner for heating at least the sulphur removal unit and/or the fuel modifying unit during the start-up phase. The outlet channels are provided with heat exchangers and adjustment means for adjusting the exhaust gas flow rate.
US08221927B2	Fuel cell system A fuel cell system including a fuel cell body; a first portion continuously supplied with heat following start up of the fuel cell body; a second portion continuously supplied with heat following start up of the fuel cell body; and a hydrogen exhaust valve. The first portion and the second portion are directly fixed to each other with the hydrogen exhaust valve disposed therebetween. The first portion is, for example, a gas-liquid separation unit supplied with heat from exhaust gas from the fuel cell body, and the second portion is, for example, a hydrogen processing unit supplied with heat from exhaust gas from the fuel cell body.
US08221925B2	Fuel cell system for impedance measurement and scavenging processing A fuel cell system capable of adequately controlling the water content of a fuel cell is provided. An impedance reference value is stored in a memory for an impedance comparator. The impedance reference value is a reference value that is set in order to prevent the water content in a fuel cell from decreasing too much. The impedance comparator compares a measured impedance value supplied from an impedance operation unit with the impedance reference value and performs scavenging control based on the comparison result.
US08221915B2	High performance lithium or lithium ion cell Disclosed herein are lithium or lithium-ion batteries that employ an aluminum or aluminum alloy current collector protected by conductive coating in combination with electrolyte containing aluminum corrosion inhibitor and a fluorinated lithium imide or methide electrolyte which exhibit surprisingly long cycle life at high temperature.
US08221912B2	Molten salt and thermal battery The present invention provides a molten salt containing at least two salts, and having a melting point of 350° C. or more and 430° C. or less and an electric conductivity at 500° C. of 2.2 S/cm or more. The present invention also provides a thermal battery including the molten salt as an electrolyte.
US08221911B2	Method for operating redox flow battery and redox flow battery cell stack The invention provides an operating method of a redox flow battery capable of grasping a charging state of the battery more reliably to stabilize an output capacity of the battery. The method is for operating the redox flow battery comprising a cell stack 1 comprising a plurality of cells. A selected cell(s) in the cell stack 1, to and from which positive electrode electrolyte and negative electrode electrolyte are supplied and discharged and which is/are not normally connected to a DC/AC converter 225, is/are in the form of an auxiliary cell 2 used for measuring a charging rate of the electrolyte. Also, a stop of charge of a main cell 3 and a stop of discharge of the main cell 3 are controlled with reference to a circuit voltage obtained from the auxiliary cell 2. Since the auxiliary cell 2 is integrally incorporated in the cell stack 1, the charging state of the battery can be grasped reliably without stopping the charge/discharge operation of the main cell 3. Also, since the stop of charge of the main cell 3 and the stop of discharge of the same are controlled with reference to the measured circuit voltage, the output capacity can be stabilized.
US08221907B2	Chrysene derivative and organic electroluminescent device using the same A chrysene derivative shown by the following formula: wherein R1 to R10 and R21 to R25 are independently a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsilyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsilyl group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 20 ring carbon atoms, provided that at least one of R21 to R25 is a substituted or unsubstituted fused aromatic ring group having 10 to 20 ring carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted fluorenyl group.
US08221902B2	Oxyfluoride in the form of a film and preparation method The invention relates to a nanostructured porous oxyfluoride film deposited onto a substrate, to a method for its production, and also to various applications.The oxyfluoride has a porous semicrystalline structure and a refractive index of 1.08 to 1.25, measured in the visible range for a relative humidity level below 80%. Its chemical composition corresponds to the formula (Mg(1−x)Cax)(1−y)MyF(2+(n−2)y−2z−t)Oz(OH)tM′w in which n is the valency of M, n being 1 to 4, M represents at least one element chosen from Al, Si, Ge and Ga, M′ represents at least one element chosen from the group composed of Co, Cr, Ni, Fe, Cu, Sb, Ag, Pd, Cd, Au, Sn, Pb, Ce, Nd, Pr, Eu, Yb, Tb, Dy, Er and Gd, and 0≦w<0.1; 0≦x≦1; 0≦y≦0.5; z<1; z+t>0 and t<2.
US08221897B2	Rolled copper foil A rolled copper foil according to the present invention includes a crystal grain alignment wherein: when normalized intensity of {200}Cu plane diffraction of a copper crystal in results obtained by an X-ray diffraction pole figure measurement with respect to a rolled surface is plotted against at different values of angle α, the normalized intensity being obtained during a β scanning in the pole figure measurement, a ratio of a maximum value A of the normalized intensity with angle α in a range of 40° to 60° to a maximum value B of the normalized intensity with angle α in a range of 80° to 90° is equal to or greater than 4; and when the normalized intensity increases with increasing angle α in a range of 25° to 45°, there is essentially no area in which the normalized intensity increases stepwise.
US08221893B2	Process of using sodium silicate to create fire retardant products Wood products, specifically wood commonly used in construction including dimension lumber, pressure treated pine, composite wood materials such as plywood, particle board, and wafer board, and samples of paper and fabric were variously treated with concentrations of sodium silicate (Na2O.SiO2) also known as water glass. Cellulosic materials including dimension lumber, plywood, particle board, wafer board, paper, and fabric were treated with sodium silicate (Na2O.SiO2) in concentrations ranging from 400-0.04 g Na2O.SiO2/kg water. To overcome the disadvantages of sodium silicate, sodium silicate treated samples were further treated to convert the water soluble sodium silicate to a water insoluble form, thereby overcoming the disadvantages of water solubility and rendering the material effective for internal and external uses. Although treated sodium silicate samples are composed of the same elements in similar proportions, as the untreated sodium silicate samples, the water solubility of the treated and untreated substances is very different.
US08221892B2	Rubber-reinforced resin, anti-static resin composition, molded article and laminate The objective of the present invention is to provide a rubber-reinforced resin which, when formed into a molded article, can prevent contamination or soiling of an article contacted with the molded article or a device on the periphery of the molded article and is excellent in impact resistance and transparency, and an anti-static resin composition which is excellent in impact resistance and anti-static properties. The present rubber-reinforced resin comprises a rubber-reinforced copolymeric resin produced by polymerization of 20 to 95 parts by mass of monomer components comprising methyl methacrylate, an aromatic vinyl compound and a cyanidated vinyl compound in the presence of a rubbery polymer having a predetermined volume-average particle diameter, or comprises a mixture of the rubber-reinforced copolymeric resin and a copolymer of the above-mentioned monomer components. Additionally, the present anti-static resin composition comprises the above-mentioned rubber-reinforced resin and a polymer type anti-static agent, wherein the rubbery polymer is contained in an amount from 5% to 40% by mass. In each of the rubber-reinforced resin and the anti-static resin composition, the total amount of substances detected at a retention time of 10 to 24 minutes is 20,000 μg or less per gram of the sample as determined by pyrolysis GC analysis.
US08221888B2	Color filter by copper and silver film and method for making same The present invention discloses a color filter by copper and silver film, comprising: a lower copper layer; a lower silver layer formed on the lower copper layer; a medium formed on the lower silver layer; an upper copper layer formed on the medium; and an upper silver layer formed on the upper copper layer.
US08221883B2	Graphite sheet and manufacturing method of the same For a graphite sheet, a peak intensity ratio (P100/002) of a (100) diffraction peak and a (002) diffraction peak by X-ray diffractometry, and a peak intensity ratio (P110/002) of a (110) diffraction peak and a (002) diffraction peak thereby are set at 10 or more. The graphite sheet is manufactured through a step of preparing a polymer liquid which contains a polymer having carbon in its molecular chains and develops optical anisotropy, a step of unidirectionally orienting the molecular chains of the polymer, a step of obtaining a compact from the polymer liquid in the state that the orientation of the molecular chains of the polymer is maintained, and a step of carbonizing and thereafter graphitizing the compact.
US08221881B2	Silicon particle, silicon particle superlattice and method for producing the same A production method, comprising a step of synthesizing silicon particle-containing silicon oxide particles by performing a gas phase reaction of monosilane gas and oxidizing gas for oxidizing the monosilane gas and a step of removing the silicon oxide with hydrofluoric acid after holding the silicon oxide particle powder in an inert atmosphere at 800-1400° C., provides high-purity silicon nanoparticles which are highly practical as material powder for high-performance light-emitting elements and electronic parts in an industrial scale.
US08221870B2	Articles comprising hydrophobic surfaces Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions and coated articles. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Durable, weatherable and scratch-resistant coatings are provided by compositions comprising a fluorinated component and non-fluorinated hardenable resin.
US08221869B2	Stack-top dunnage The stack-top dunnage can have a sheet having two opposite end sections and a center section therebetween; each end section being successively folded thus forming a thicker ledge portion. The stack-top protector can be placed on top of a stack and the ledges thence receive tie bands that tie the stack to a pallet for shipping.
US08221868B2	Finished product structure formed by in-mold decoration process A finished product structure formed by In-mold decoration process includes an electromagnetic protective material, a bearing layer and a formed plastic material. The electromagnetic protective material includes a metal film, a structure reinforced layer and an electromagnetic isolation layer. The structure reinforced layer is located between the metal film and electromagnetic isolation layer to enhance physical strength of the electromagnetic protective material. The bearing layer includes an adhesive surface laid with an adhesive layer and a bearing surface. The adhesive surface faces the electromagnetic protective material. The electromagnetic protective material and bearing layer are disposed in a mold, and plastic material is injected onto the bearing surface through a plastic material runner to form the formed plastic material. The formed plastic material includes a first surface bonded to the bearing surface and a second surface on another side opposite to the first surface.
US08221866B2	Ionomer and article therewith A carpet cushion has attached thereto or thereon a layer of polymer composition comprising, consisting essentially of, consisting of, or produced from a fatty acid-modified ionomer and optionally blended or coextruded with an ethylene-containing polymer wherein the ionomer comprises, consists essentially of, consists of, or is produced from an ethylene copolymer and a fatty acid.
US08221863B2	Adhesive tape A tape having a woven fabric and an adhesive on at least one side of the fabric. The woven fabric comprises polyester warp yarns and acetate weft yarns.
US08221851B2	Process and device for treating the coating of thermoplastic resin containers A process and device for drying the coating of containers made of thermoplastic material. The process involves feeding said containers through a furnace divided into two areas: in the first, most of the solvent of the coating is removed by heating the paint with infrared lamps, while the temperature of the containers is controlled through an airflow; in the second, the remaining solvent is removed using said airflow coming from the first area of the furnace.
US08221845B2	Cellulose resin film and method for producing the same There is provided a method for producing a cellulose resin film, with which the deterioration of the entire film and the occurrence of die lines can be prevented. The method for producing a cellulose resin film, including the steps of: discharging two cellulose resins A and B molten in the respective extruders in the form of an A/B/A three-layer sheet from a die upon a support by co-extrusion; and cooling and solidifying the sheet-shaped molten resin into a film, wherein the resin A, which forms a pair of outer layers of the A/B/A three-layer sheet, has a number average molecular weight smaller than that of the resin B, which forms the inner layer of the A/B/A three-layer sheet, and the resin A has a number average molecular weight of 20,000 or more and 50,000 or less, and the resin B has a number average molecular weight of 30,000 or more and 100,000 or less.
US08221831B2	Materials for travelled surfaces A mixture of material for providing at least a portion of a travelled surface. The mixture includes an aggregate with a plurality of particles. The mixture also includes a hydrocolloidal agent adapted to swell upon exposure to water to form a resilient and flexible binder, for substantially binding the particles of the aggregate together. The aggregate and the hydrocolloidal agent have an initial pH. The mixture also includes an agent for elevating the initial pH to a predetermined pH, and a hydrophilic agent.
US08221830B2	Method of manufacturing cellulose electrode for fuel cells, cellulose electrode manufactured thereby, and use of cellulose fibers as fuel cell electrodes Disclosed is a novel cellulose electrode having high performance, which is capable of substituting for carbon paper used as a conventional fuel cell electrode. A method of manufacturing the cellulose electrode includes cutting cellulose fibers to a predetermined length and binding the fibers, or directly weaving the fibers, thus producing a cellulose sheet, directly growing carbon nanotubes on the cellulose sheet, and supporting a platinum nano-catalyst on the surface of the carbon nanotubes using chemical vapor deposition. An electrode including the cellulose fibers and use of cellulose fibers as fuel cell electrodes are also provided. As a novel functional material for fuel cell electrodes, porous cellulose fibers having micropores are used, thereby reducing electrode manufacturing costs and improving electrode performance.
US08221818B2	Composition with health and nutrition promoting characteristics, containing interestified lipids and phytosterol, and related methods Medium chain triglyceride oils are interesterified with long chain domestic oils in order to form interesterified structured lipids. These structured lipids find special application in combination with phytosterols to provide compositions and methods for enhancing health and nutrition characteristics. The compositions have a structured lipid content of at least about 80 weight percent and a phytosterol ester content of up to about 20 weight percent, based on the total weight of the health and nutrition promoting composition. The composition significantly reduces total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol without significantly reducing HDL cholesterol, while also reducing adipose tissue of an individual to whom the composition is administered.
US08221811B2	Liquid flow control and beverage preparation apparatuses, methods and systems Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.
US08221801B2	Antiviral product The present invention relates to a novel antiviral product, its use in the treatment of hepatitis C, and its process of manufacture. More particularly it relates to a characterized product exhibiting antiviral activity against Hepatitis C virus (HCV). In one embodiment there is provided a single herb Astragalus extract, or an active fraction thereof, for use as an antiviral in the treatment of hepatitis C.
US08221795B1	Composition of imaging nanoparticles The invention relates to a method of managing a tumor of an animal subject comprising imaging the tumor by delivering a dosage of imaging nanoparticles to the tumor site, the imaging nanoparticles consisting of positively charged chitosan, optionally a zero-charge substance or bioactive agent, and a negatively charged substrate having gadolinium (Gd) chelated to the negatively charged substrate.
US08221786B2	Pharmaceutical formulations containing an SGLT2 inhibitor Pharmaceutical formulations are provided which are in the form of capsules or tablets for oral use and which include a medicament dapagliflozin or its propylene glycol hydrate and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier therefor, which formulation is designed for immediate release.
US08221781B2	Osteoinductive bone material Osteogenic bone implant compositions that approximate the chemical composition of natural bone are provided. The organic component of these implant compositions is osteoinductive despite the presence of the inorganic component and, further, is present in an amount sufficient to maximize the regenerative capabilities of the implant without compromising its formability and mechanical strength. The composition may be an osteoinductive powder, including demineralized bone matrix (DBM) particles, a calcium phosphate powder, and, optionally, a biocompatible cohesiveness agent. The powder may be combined with a physiologically-acceptable fluid to produce a formable, osteoinductive paste that self-hardens to form a poorly crystalline apatitic (PCA) calcium phosphate having significant compressive strength. The bone implant materials retain their cohesiveness when introduced at an implant site and are remodeled into bone in vivo. Methods for using these implant materials to repair damaged bone and a method of assaying the content of DBM particles, by weight, in a bone implant material are also provided.
US08221770B2	Vaccine compositions comprising L2 and/or L3 immunotype lipooligosaccharides from LGTB-neisseria meningitidis The present invention relates to the field of neisserial vaccine compositions, their manufacture, and the use of such compositions in medicine. More particularly it relates to processes of making novel engineered meningococcal strains which are more suitable for the production of neisserial, in particular meningococcal, outer-membrane vesicle (or bleb) vaccines. Advantageous processes and vaccine products are also described based on the use of novel LOS subunit or meningococcal outer-membrane vesicle (or bleb) vaccines which have been rendered safer and/or more effective for use in human subjects. In particular combinations of gene downregulations are described such as PorA and OpA, PorA and OpC, OpA and OpC, and PorA and OpA and OpC. Alternatively, or in addition, lgtB− is shown to be an optimal mutation for effectively and safely using L3 and/or L2 LOS in Neisseria vaccine compositions. Bleb vaccines derived from lgtB− and capsular polysaccharide deficient meningococcal mutants are further described; as are advantageous methods of making bleb preparations where LOS is to be retained as an important antigen.
US08221768B2	Chimeric flavivirus immunogens comprising the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) prM signal sequence The present invention encompasses isolated nucleic acids containing transcriptional units which encode a signal sequence of one flavivirus and an immunogenic flavivirus antigen of a second flavivirus or of a chimeric immunogenic flavivirus antigen comprising sequence from more than one flavivirus. The invention further encompasses a nucleic acid and protein vaccine and the use of the vaccine to immunize a subject against flavivirus infection. The invention also provides antigens encoded by nucleic acids of the invention, antibodies elicited in response to the antigens and use of the antigens and/or antibodies in detecting flavivirus or diagnosing flavivirus infection.
US08221766B2	Use of plant extracts to prevent and/or reduce the signs of subjective discomfort and/or irritation in the topical application of cosmetic products The present invention describes compositions and methods for treating, preventing and improving the appearance of skin, particularly, treating, preventing, ameliorating, reducing and/or eliminating skin irritation, inflammation, and/or the signs of visible or subjective discomfort, wherein the compositions include natural plant constituents that inhibit at least one cytokine. The plant extracts are preferably derived from Populus nigra, Rhinacanthus nasutus, Sapindus rarak, and Thumbergia laurifolia, and any combinations thereof. The compositions are preferably applied to the skin, or are delivered by directed means, to a site in need thereof.
US08221761B1	Enhancement of bactericidal activity of neisseria antigens with oligonucleotides containing CG motifs Immunogenic compositions (e.g. vaccines) comprising: (a) an immunostimulating amount of a Neisseria antigen (preferably N. meningitidis serogroup B); and (b) an immunostimulating amount of an adjuvant composition comprising an oligonucleotide comprising at least one CG motif. Component (b) may further comprise a second adjuvant. Component (a) may be selected from a variety of antigens. Adjuvant compositions comprising an oligonucleotide having at least one CG motif, and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) are also provided.
US08221758B2	Anti-midkine antibody for preventing post-laparotomy adhesions The present inventors discovered that oligonucleotides which suppress midkine expression and antibodies which suppress midkine activity can be used to prevent post-surgical intraperitoneal adhesions.
US08221756B2	Complement inhibitors and uses thereof The invention relates to C2a inhibitors, which bind to C2a and block the functional activity of C2a in complement activation. The inhibitors include antibody molecules, as well as homologues, analogues and modified or derived forms thereof, including immunoglobulin fragments like Fab, F(ab′)2 and Fv, small molecules, including peptides, oligonucleotides, peptidomimetics and organic compounds. A monoclonal antibody, which bound to C2a and blocked its ability to activate complement was generated and designated 175-62. The hybridoma producing this antibody was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection, 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, under Accession Number PTA-1553.
US08221752B2	Antibodies against human interleukin-13 and uses therefor This application relates to antibodies, e.g., humanized antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to interleukin-13 (IL-13), in particular, human IL-13, and their uses in regulating immune responses mediated by IL-13. The antibodies disclosed herein are useful in diagnosing, preventing, and/or treating a subject, e.g., a human patient, one or more IL-13-associated disorders, e.g., respiratory disorders (e.g., asthma); atopic disorders (e.g., allergic rhinitis); inflammatory and/or autoimmune conditions of the skin (e.g., atopic dermatitis), and gastrointestinal organs (e.g., inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)), as well as fibrotic and cancerous disorders.
US08221749B2	Antibodies directed to angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 and uses thereof Disclosed are specific binding agents, such as fully human antibodies, that bind to angiopoietin 1 and/or angiopoietin-2. Also disclosed are heavy chain fragments, light chain fragments, and CDRs of the antibodies, as well as methods of making and using the antibodies.
US08221745B2	Prolonging survival of platelets using CMP-sialic acid,UDP-galactose or both The present invention provides modified platelets having a reduced platelet clearance and methods for reducing platelet clearance. Also provided are compositions for the preservation of platelets. The invention also provides methods for making a pharmaceutical composition containing the modified platelets and for administering the pharmaceutical composition to a mammal to mediate hemostasis.
US08221744B2	Cytocompatible alginate gels The present invention relates to a method of making cytocompatible alginate gels and their use in the treatment of cardiomyopathy.
US08221742B2	Methods of making and using Lactobacillus strains Lactobacillus strains that have a genetic Profile I based on Apa I, Not I, and Xba I digests are provided. Preferably, the strains decrease level of at least one of coliforms and E. coli within the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. A direct-fed microbial that includes the strain is additionally provided. A method of feeding an animal the strain and a method of forming a direct fed microbial that includes the strain is also provided.
US08221739B2	Method of cancer treatment A method and composition for treating cancer comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium containing a plasmid carrying the coding sequence encoding a truncated human interleukin-2 and optionally an oil containing a high antioxidant concentration.
US08221737B2	Hepatitis C virus inhibitors The present invention discloses compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof: which inhibit RNA-containing virus, particularly the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Consequently, the compounds of the present invention interfere with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention.
US08221736B2	Semiochemical cis-Jasmone has been discovered to be useful as a semiochemical that changes the behavior of insects and/or the physiology of plants. It has direct signalling roles with plant-feeding aphids, in attraction of aphid predators and parasitoids, and may act as an airborne signal inducing production of volatile plant semiochemicals, including the monoterpene (E)-β-ocimene, that stimulate foraging by parasitoids. It is an extremely benign compound having, to human beings, a pleasant aroma and gives a long-lasting effect after removal of the stimulus.
US08221731B2	Continuous moisturization compositions An aqueous hair moisturizing composition is provided. The composition includes a cationic component, an oil containing about 70 percent or greater unsaturated fatty acids with chain length of C18 or greater, a phytosterol and a cellulosic polymer. Also provided is a method of imparting extended moisturization to the hair including the steps of applying to the hair in need of extended moisturization a composition including a cationic component, an oil containing about 70 percent or greater unsaturated fatty acids with chain length of C18 or greater, a phytosterol and a cellulosic polymer, and retaining the composition in contact with the hair for a time sufficient to impart extended moisturization to the hair.
US08221721B2	Polycyclo dyes and use thereof The invention relates to a family of fluorescent compounds of Formula (I). The compounds can be chemically linked to biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and therapeutic small molecules. The compounds can be used for imaging in a variety of medical, biological and diagnostic applications, and are particularly useful for the in vivo imaging of regions of interest within a mammal.
US08221718B2	Silver-exchanged zeolites and methods of manufacture therefor The present invention relates generally to zeolites having a silica/alumina ratio of less than or equal to 10 (Si/Al≦10) that are exchanged with Ag+ and thermally treated in such a way to favor adsorption over alternative catalytic and chemically reactive functionalities. The adsorbents of the present invention and the method of producing such adsorbents maximize the working adsorption capacity through π-complexation. Applications for such adsorbents include any process in which contaminants from gas streams can form π-complexes with the Ag in the zeolite, particularly the removal of CO, ethylene, propylene and the like from air and CO/H2 from air in prepurifier adsorbers in the production of ultra high purity (UHP) N2.
US08221712B2	Absorption medium for the selective removal of hydrogen sulfide from fluid streams An absorption medium for the removal of acid gases from a fluid stream comprises an aqueous solution a) of at least one amine and b) at least one phosphonic acid, wherein the molar ratio of b) to a) is in the range from 0.0005 to 1.0. The phosphonic acid is, e.g., 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid. The absorption medium exhibits a reduced regeneration energy requirement compared with absorption media based on amines or amine/promoter combinations, without significantly decreasing the absorption capacity of the solution for acid gases.
US08221709B2	Hardwood lignosulfonates for separating gangue materials from metallic sulfide ores Disclosed are compositions and methods for separating gangue material from metallic sulfide ores. The compositions typically include a lignosolfonate and do not include a cyanide salt. Suitable lignosulfonates may include lignosulfonates, for example hardwood lignosulfonate having a weight average molecular weight of about 3 kDa to about 12 kDa and having a relatively low sulfur content and a relatively low sulfonate content.
US08221693B2	Use of a radial zone coating to facilitate a two-stage prox system with single air injection A two stage-carbon monoxide preferential oxidation article and method that uses a single injection of an O2-containing gas.
US08221692B2	Radiative heat transfer via fins in a steam reformer Embodiments are disclosed that relate to increasing radiative heat transfer in a steam reformer from an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner to an interior reactor via angled fins coupled to the exterior shell. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam reformer, comprising an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner and angled fins, the angled fins extending away from an inner surface of the exterior shell and downward toward the diffusion burner. The steam reformer further comprises an interior reactor positioned at least partly within the exterior shell.
US08221691B2	Apparatus for producing trichlorosilane An apparatus for producing trichlorosilane includes a reaction container in which a supply gas containing silicon tetrachloride and hydrogen is supplied therein and a reaction product gas containing trichlorosilane and hydrogen chloride is produced; a heat transfer body which is filled in the reaction container, which is formed of a material having a melting point of at least higher than 1,400° C., and which has a void part which enables a gas to be passed; and a heating mechanism heating the heat transfer body in the reaction container.
US08221689B2	Decomposition of natural gas or methane using cold arc discharge A cold arc discharge is used to decompose natural gas or methane into its gaseous constituents and carbon in the form of solid particles. The gaseous constituents obtained are mainly hydrogen and acetylene and they are produced in admixture with unreacted natural gas or methane. The cold arc discharge is generated by a pulsating high voltage discharge imparted through a capacitor to a high voltage electrode or a plurality of high voltage electrodes or through a high voltage electrode to a plurality of capacitor-connected electrodes placed in a reaction zone. The apparatus for performing this process may have a tubular reactor with a cylindrical ground electrode in the middle and a cylindrical outer wall through which the high voltage electrode or electrodes extend into the reaction zone. The apparatus may also have a cylindrical shaft in the middle made of dielectric material in which a plurality of electrodes are embedded, this shaft being surrounded by a high voltage tubular electrode. Natural gas or methane is passed through the reaction zone where it is subjected to the cold arc discharge or discharges and the resulting products flow out of the reactor and solid carbon particles are separated from the remaining gases that are then analysed.
US08221685B2	Small volume in vitro sensor and methods of making A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08221679B2	Free radical sterilization system and method A free radical decontamination method and system. The system is comprised of a chamber defining a region, and a generator for generating free radical reach effluent from a free radical electric generator and hydrogen peroxide solution with water. A closed loop circulating system is provided for supplying the mixture of free radicals from the electric generator mixed with the hydrogen peroxide solution in the form of the effluent to the chamber.
US08221676B2	Apparatus and method for clean, rapidly solidified alloys One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles.
US08221666B2	Composite structure and method for producing a composite structure A method for producing a composite structure and a composite structure obtained by the method is described. The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a mold comprising a rigid mold part and a flexible vacuum bag, b) placing a fiber insertion in the mold part, the fiber insertion including a plurality of fiber layers and, when placed in the mold part, having an upper surface and a lower surface as well as a first side and a second side, the fiber insertion including a first zone at the first side and a second zone at the second side, the first zone and the second zone being separated by an intermediate zone, c) placing an upper distribution medium above the intermediate zone of the fiber insertion, the distribution medium comprising a resin distribution network for distributing resin along the upper distribution medium, d) placing a number of resin inlet channels above the upper distribution medium for supplying liquid resin to the resin distribution network, e) placing a first vacuum outlet at least partially overlapping the first zone of the fiber insertion and a second outlet at least partially overlapping the second zone of the fiber insertion, f) placing the vacuum bag on top of the mold part, thus sealing the vacuum bag against the mold part to define a mold cavity, g) evacuating the mold cavity, h) connecting a source of uncured fluid resin to the resin inlet channels so as to feed uncured resin to the resin distribution network in order to fill the mold cavity and to impregnate at least the fiber insertion and the upper distribution medium with uncured resin, and i) allowing the resin to cure in order to form the composite structure.
US08221663B2	Method of making cellulosic filled thermoplastic composites of an anhydride containing copolymer A method of making foamed articles that includes providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers mixture to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamed article by placing the foamable mixture in a molding or extruding operation. The copolymer composition includes a copolymer of 51% to 99.9% of primary monomers, 0.1% to 49% of anhydride containing monomers, and 0% to 25% of other monomers and 0% to 30% of elastomeric polymers. This is combined at 30% to 99.99% copolymer composition with 0.01% to 70% by cellulosic fibers such that the copolymer anhydride groups react with the cellulosic fiber hydroxyl groups to produce a blowing agent byproduct to form a foamable mixture. The foamed article has a density of not more than 1.3 g/cm3.
US08221651B2	Water-dispersible nanoparticles having high luminous efficiency and method of producing the same Nanoparticles having a core/shell structure consisting of a core comprising a Group III element and a Group V element at a molar ratio of the Group III element to the Group V element in the range of 1.25 to 3.0, and a shell comprising a Group II element and a Group VI element and having a thickness of 0.2 nm to 4 nm, the nanoparticles having a photoluminescence efficiency of 10% or more and a diameter of 2.5 to 10 nm; a method of producing the water-dispersible nanoparticles and a method of producing a glass matrix having the nanoparticles dispersed therein.
US08221649B2	Phosphor composition and method for producing the same, and light-emitting device using the same A light-emitting device is produced using a phosphor composition containing a phosphor host having as a main component a composition represented by a composition formula: aM3N2.bAlN.cSi3N4, where “M” is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn, and “a”, “b”, and “c” are numerical values satisfying 0.2≦a/(a+b)≦0.95, 0.05≦b/(b+c)≦0.8, and 0.4≦c/(c+a)≦0.95. This enables a light-emitting device emitting white light and satisfying both a high color rendering property and a high luminous flux to be provided.
US08221637B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing magnetic recording media According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium includes forming patterns having protrusions and recesses of a ferromagnetic material onto a recording track section and a servo section on a substrate, forming a flattening film, a top surface of which is higher than that of the protrusion of the ferromagnetic material, onto the ferromagnetic material, and performing ion beam etching onto the flattening film up to a top surface of the protrusion of the ferromagnetic material, and determining an end point of flattening etching on the basis of a change in the total number of incident particles by means of an ion counter installed so as to be at an angle θ with respect to a perpendicular direction to the substrate in accordance with a material of the flattening film.
US08221634B2	Process and apparatus for separating and recovering waste alkali from cyclohexane oxidation solution A process and an apparatus for separating and recovering waste alkali from a cyclohexane oxidation solution are provided. A gradient combination of the gravity separation technique, the vortex separation technique and the coalescence separation technique is used to carry out fine separation of the waste alkali liquor from the cyclohexane oxidation solution. The purified cyclohexane oxidation solution is fed into a down-stream apparatus. Most of the waste alkali liquor thus separated is recycled, while the remaining is expelled. The expelled waste alkali liquor is incinerated in an incinerator, followed by recovering the molten species using a pneumatic pulverization process.
US08221633B2	Cyclonic separator A fuel system comprising a liquid fuel tank, an engine, and a cyclonic separator having an inlet fluidically connected to the fuel tank, a first outlet fluidically connected to an engine fuel feed system, and a second outlet. The cyclonic separator is adapted to discharge relatively denser material from the first outlet and relatively less dense material from the second outlet. The fuel system may be used to remove water or ice from the fuel tank by separating the liquid fuel in the tank into water rich fuel and purified fuel using the cyclonic separator. The water rich fuel is discharged to the engine where the water is burnt off with the fuel. The cyclonic separator may be retrofit in an existing fuel system. The fuel system may be in an aircraft.
US08221632B2	Surface water filtration device A plate is positioned across an inlet to a catch basin and a filter strainer is inserted through an opening through the plate and into the basin. A tertiary filter completely surrounds the strainer and is suspended below the plate. Surface water flows through a primary grate that covers the catch basin, through the strainer and through the tertiary filter. The tertiary filter comprising fibrous filter media retained in a non-woven mesh fabric enclosure and the filter media is selected according to the type of contaminants that are to be removed.
US08221623B2	Demountable filtering device A demountable filtering device is mounted inside a food processor or coffee pot, and comprises a shell and a filter, wherein the filter is detachably mounted in the shell, and the filter has a handle for the user. The filter can be separated from the shell, so the filter can be demounted and be cleaned after use.
US08221621B2	System, apparatus, and methods of remediation of contamination An apparatus, system and method for removing and treating contaminated materials on a bottom of a body of water and introducing growth packets to revitalize the treated bottom of the body of water. The structure may comprise a vessel with an open face. The vessel may be lowered down to the bottom of the body of water with the face facing down. As a result, the vessel and the bottom form an isolated space. The structure may comprise at least one agitating device(s) for stirring up the materials inside the vessel so as to form a mixture containing the sediment materials which in turn contain the contaminants. Multiple at least one pipe(s) may be coupled to the vessel for transporting the mixture out of the vessel for processing (filtering, treating with chemicals, etc.) so as to neutralize or eliminate the contaminants in the mixture. Then, the treated mixture can be returned to the inside of the vessel via the at least one pipe(s).
US08221620B2	Collection bag for a swimming pool vacuum A debris collection bag made of a water permeable material is adapted for removable attachment to a self-contained swimming pool vacuum head that uses a motor driven propeller to generate thrust for picking up debris and forcing it into the collection bag. The bag includes a main upper portion that encloses a collection chamber, and a truncated lower portion with an open end. A sleeve between the upper and lower portions surrounds the bag and contains a releasable cinch cord for securing the bag over an annular rim on the vacuum head. The truncated lower portion tucks upwardly within the collection chamber to provide a frustoconical intake that increases thrust pressure entering the bag, while providing greater self cleaning circulation at the top of the collection chamber and a low pressure area surrounding the truncated lower portion to allow leaves, dirt and other debris to settle without escaping the collection chamber.
US08221617B1	Hot water recovery apparatus for reclaiming process water An apparatus for reclaiming hot process water from a animal processing facility includes a screen portion, a filtration portion and optionally a UV sterilization portion. The screen portion receives dirty hot process water and removes macroscopic debris to produce raw tank water. Raw tank water is pumped through the filtration portion at relatively high pressure in order to remove substantially all solids to produce a permeate side stream. The permeate is optionally passed through a very intense ultra-violet field in order to produce uncontaminated reclaimed hot process water which may be safely reintroduced as hot scald water for the poultry cleaning process.
US08221615B2	Gasoline sulfur reduction catalyst for fluid catalytic cracking process The invention is a composition that is suitable for reducing sulfur species from products produced by petroleum refining processes, especially gasoline products produced by fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) processes. The composition comprises zeolite, yttrium, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium and manganese, wherein the yttrium and element are present as cations. The yttrium and zinc are preferably present as cations that have been exchanged onto the zeolite. The zeolite is preferably a zeolite Y.
US08221613B2	Device and method for measuring a plurality of exhaust gas constituents A gas measuring system, having a measurement sensor (1) which records an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine and has an outer electrode (6), which is exposed to the exhaust gas to be measured, a first measuring cell (4), a second measuring cell (8) that is connected to the first measuring cell (4), and in which a measuring electrode (10) is arranged, and a reference electrode (11) that is exposed to the ambient air. The measuring cells (4, 8) are located in a solid electrolyte (2), and all the electrodes (10, 11) are in contact with the solid electrolyte. A circuit which in a first pump flow (Ip0) pumps oxygen ions between the first measuring cell (4) and the outer electrode (6), in a second pump flow (Ip1) pumps oxygen ions between the second measuring cell (8) and the outer electrode (6), and in a third pump flow (Ip2) pumps oxygen ions between the measuring electrode (10) and the outer electrode (6), and which comprises a control unit (C) which records Nernst voltages between the measuring cells (4, 8) and a reference electrode (11).
US08221609B2	Process for producing rare metal and production system thereof According to one embodiment, a process for producing rare metals includes the steps of: electrolyzing an electrolytic solution to extract a Re oxide at a cathode; recovering the Re oxide, and electrolyzing the Re oxide in a molten salt electrolyte to extract metallic Re; recovering a Nd containing residue solution; treating the Nd containing residue solution to produce Nd oxide; electrolyzing the Nd oxide in a molten salt electrolyte to extract metallic Nd; recovering a Dy containing residue solution; treating the Dy containing residue solution to produce Dy oxide; and electrolyzing the Dy oxide in a molten salt electrolyte to extract metallic Dy.
US08221608B2	Proximity processing using controlled batch volume with an integrated proximity head Methods for plating substrates are herein defined. One method includes providing a plating assembly having a plating source in a plating fluid and a plating facilitator in the plating fluid, and defining a plating meniscus between the plating source and the plating facilitator. The plating meniscus being contained in a path of the plating assembly. The method further includes traversing a substrate through the path of the plating assembly. The substrate being charged so that plating ions are attracted to a surface of the substrate when the plating meniscus is present on the surface of the substrate, wherein the substrate traversing through the path of the plating assembly enables plating across the surface of the substrate. And, inducing a uniform charge in the path where the plating meniscus is formed, such that charge from the plating source is substantially uniformly directed toward the plating facilitator as the substrate that is charged moves through the path of the plating assembly.
US08221606B2	Electrophoresis chip and electrophoresis unit having the same In order to provide a high-performance electrophoresis chip and an electrophoresis unit having the same that can restrain the diffusion of sample at an intersection between the electrophoresis groove and the sample introduction groove and prevent decrease in contrast and decrease in resolution, an electrophoresis chip is provided with a sample introduction groove, an electrophoresis groove, and a through hole. The sample introduction groove, the electrophoresis groove, and the through hole are formed on different substrates. In the electrophoresis chip, by combining the substrates, the sample introduction groove and the electrophoresis groove are located in different planes.
US08221605B2	Apparatus for manipulating droplets An apparatus for manipulating droplets is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a substrate having electrodes and adjacent reference elements configured for manipulating a droplet on a surface of the substrate. Other embodiments having a top plate, a footprint, and a dielectric are also included.
US08221602B2	Non-contact process kit A process kit for use in a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber, along with a PVD chamber having a non-contact process kit are provided. In one embodiment, a process kit includes a generally cylindrical shield that has a substantially flat cylindrical body, at least one elongated cylindrical ring extending downward from the body, and a mounting portion extending upwards from an upper surface of the body. In another embodiment, a process kit includes a generally cylindrical deposition ring. The deposition ring includes a substantially flat cylindrical body, at least one downwardly extending u-channel coupled to an outer portion of the body, an inner wall extending upward from an upper surface of an inner region of the body, and a substrate support ledge extending radially inward from the inner wall.
US08221598B2	System for plating A system for plating according to one embodiment includes a plating cell containing plating solution; an anode in contact with the plating solution; a cathode in contact with the plating solution; and a hydrogen electrode in contact with the plating solution.
US08221593B2	Reactor, plant and industrial process for the continuous preparation of high-purity silicon tetrachloride or high-purity germanium tetrachloride A reactor, a plant, and a continuous, industrial process carried out therein for preparing high-purity silicon tetrachloride or high-purity germanium tetrachloride by treating the silicon tetrachloride or germanium tetrachloride to be purified, which is contaminated by at least one hydrogen-containing compound, by a cold plasma and isolating purified high-purity silicon tetrachloride or germanium tetrachloride from the resulting treated phase by fractional distillation. The treatment is carried out in a plasma reactor in which longitudinal axes of a dielectric, of a high-voltage electrode, and of a grounded, metallic heat exchanger are oriented parallel to one another and at the same time parallel to the force vector of gravity.
US08221591B2	Coking drum support system A delayed coking unit with a coking drum having an upper cylindrical portion and a lower frusto-conical portion is supported by means of a support structure surrounding the cone frustum of the lower portion of the drum; the support structure comprises a cone support member having a concave frusto-conical support surface mating with the outer convex cone frustum of the lower portion of the drum so that the drum sits in the cone support element. The support structure further has a weight supporting member or members attached to the cone support member intermediate its upper and lower peripheries which acts or act to transfer the weight of the drum (and contents) downwards to a suitable sub-structure such as a concrete slab. In a preferred embodiment, the drum may also be stayed against lateral forces by means of guide members at the upper portion of the drum.
US08221581B2	Gas supply mechanism and substrate processing apparatus A processing gas supply hole is constituted with a gas outlet hole formed at an electrode plate and a gas injection hole formed at a processing gas supply mechanism main unit. At the gas injection hole, a processing gas having flowed in on the upstream side is injected toward the gas outlet hole through an injection opening of a nozzle portion disposed on the downstream side, so as to generate a suction force at a suction flow passage formed around the nozzle portion by taking advantage of the ejector defect.
US08221576B2	Process for the production of packaging material for electronic component cases The production method of the present invention is characterized by comprising a temporary bonding step of temporarily bonding a first sheet comprising a thermoplastic resin non-oriented film layer and a thermoplastic adhesive resin layer laminated on one surface of the thermoplastic resin non-oriented film layer and a second sheet comprising a heat resistant resin oriented film layer and an aluminum foil layer laminated on one surface of the heat resistant resin oriented film layer by passing the first sheet and the second sheet between a pair of rolls in a state in which the thermoplastic adhesive resin layer and the aluminum foil layer are brought into contact with each other to press them while heating in a state in which the thermoplastic adhesive resin does not melt to thereby obtain a pre-laminated sheet, and a complete bonding step of integrally bonding the first sheet and the second sheet by heating the pre-laminated sheet to melt the thermoplastic adhesive resin. This production method can attain a reduced plant cost and high speed production.
US08221561B2	Amorphous alloys having zirconium and methods thereof An amorphous alloy having the general formula of: (ZrxAlyCuzNi1-x-y-z)100-a-bSCaYb, wherein x, y, and z are atomic percents, and a and b are atom molar ratios, in which: about 0.45≦x≦about 0.60; about 0.08≦y≦about 0.12; about 0.25≦z≦about 0.35; 0
US08221554B2	Filtering method and related dishwasher A method of operating a dishwasher containing a volume of liquid for prewashing includes the steps of spraying items in the dishwasher by operating a circulation pump assembly to achieve prewashing with only the volume of liquid; filtering the volume of liquid with a filter assembly to remove particles from the items by operating the circulation pump assembly; and flushing the particles out of the filter assembly using at least some of the volume liquid by operating a drain pump assembly. Related filter assemblies and dishwasher designs are also disclosed.
US08221547B2	Nitride semiconductor substrate and method for forming the same An initial substrate structure for forming a nitride semiconductor substrate is provided. The initial substrate structure includes a substrate, a patterned epitaxial layer, and a mask layer. The patterned epitaxial layer is located on the substrate and is formed by a plurality of pillars. The mask layer is located over the substrate and covers a part of the patterned epitaxial layer. The mask layer includes a plurality of sticks and there is a space between the sticks. The space exposes a portion of an upper surface of the patterned epitaxial layer.
US08221545B2	Procedure for in-situ determination of thermal gradients at the crystal growth front A method and apparatus for growing a semiconductor crystal include pulling the semiconductor crystal from melt at a pull speed and modulating the pull speed by combining a periodic pull speed with an average speed. The modulation of the pull speed allows in-situ determination of characteristic temperature gradients in the melt and in the crystal during crystal formation. The temperature gradients may be used to control relevant process parameters that affect morphological stability or intrinsic material properties in the finished crystal such as for instance the target pull speed of the crystal or the melt gap, which determines the thermal gradient in the crystal during growth.
US08221535B2	Tin-doped indium oxide fine particle dispersion, method for manufacturing the same, interlayer film for laminated glass with heat ray blocking properties formed by using said dispersion, and laminated glass therewith A dispersion of tin-doped indium oxide fine particles has tin-doped indium oxide fine particles, a plasticizer for an interlayer film, an organic solvent containing alcohols as a main component, and a dispersion stabilizer, wherein under measuring conditions of a concentration of tin-doped indium oxide fine particles of 0.7% by weight and an optical path length of a glass cell of 1 mm, a visible light transmittance is 80% or more, a solar radiation transmittance at a wavelength within a range from 300 nm to 2100 nm is ¾ or less of the visible light transmittance, a haze value is 1.0% or less, and a reflection yellow index is −20 or more.
US08221534B2	Ink-jet ink set, producing method of ink-jet ink set, image forming method, and ink-jet recording apparatus The present disclosure relates to ink-jet ink compositions, systems, and/or methods including a yellow ink, a magenta ink and a cyan ink for producing ink-jet printed matter having desirable color balance (e.g., difference in percent residual optical densities (ODs) between individual colors) and/or color retention (e.g., percent residual OD) following contact with water. For example, the absolute value of the difference in a percent residual OD of an image produced in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure may be less than about 20%. The percent residual OD of an image produced in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure may be more than about 40%.
US08221524B2	Oxygen removal from contaminated gases The invention relates to a method for achieving low oxygen levels in a natural gas stream without the use of a catalytic system. In one embodiment, the method comprises: membrane treatment for the removal of the bulk of CO2 and oxygen in the natural gas feed and the addition of a PSA system using a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent for the adsorption of residual oxygen.
US08221511B2	Hydrogen producing apparatus A hydrogen generating device including a temperature adjustment section 8 for controlling a temperature of a hydrogen-containing gas to be introduced from a reforming section 1 into carbon monoxide reducing sections 2 and 3, the temperature adjustment section 8 including: a heat exchange section 26 having an air path 11 for allowing a cooling air to pass therethrough; an air intake portion 10 having an opening for taking the cooling air into the air path 11; and an air discharging portion 12 having an opening for discharging the cooling air out of the air path 11, wherein the opening of the air intake portion 10 and that of the air discharging portion 12 are facing in a same direction, and the same direction is a vertically upward direction or a vertically downward direction.
US08221508B2	Polymeric hair dyes Polymeric dye comprising oligo and polypeptides selected from natural or synthetic aminoacids bearing at least one covalently bounded cationic dye. Very good dyeing results on human hair are obtained with these dyes.
US08221505B2	Prosthesis having a sleeve valve Disclosed is a pressure sensitive prosthesis that includes a tubular member having a passageway extending therethrough and a sleeve attached about one end of the tubular member. The sleeve functions as a one-way valve to permit fluid flowing through the sleeve lumen in a first, distal direction and under a first pressure, while collapsing in response to fluid flowing in a second direction when the pressure thereof exceeds that of the first direction or pressure. One aspect of the invention includes a first opening and a second opening configured for allowing fluid flow from the passage to the lumen in the first direction.
US08221503B2	Spinal implant A spinal implant may be made of two or more implant members. In an embodiment, implant members may be joined together by a rotational connection that inhibits separation of the members as well as axial movement of the members relative to each other. Implant members may be coupled together by a pin or pins, adhesive, or other fasteners to inhibit separation and/or rotation of the members relative to each other.
US08221500B2	Cartilage allograft plug The invention is directed toward a cartilage repair assembly comprising a shaped allograft structure of subchondral bone with an integral overlying cartilage cap which is treated to remove cellular debris and proteoglycans and milled allograft cartilage in a bioabsorbable carrier. The shaped structure is dimensioned to fit in a drilled bore in a cartilage defect area so that either the shaped bone or the cartilage cap engage the side wall of the drilled bore in an interference fit and is in contact with a milled cartilage and biocompatible carrier mixture allowing cell transfer throughout the defect area. A method for inserting the shaped allograft structure into a cartilage defect area is also disclosed.
US08221485B2	Catheter and system for introducing an intraluminal endoprosthesis A catheter (10) having an internal tube (13) and an external tube (14) which at least sectionally encloses the internal tube (13). The external tube (14) is connected to a balloon (16) having an endoprosthesis section (18) which positions an intraluminal endoprosthesis (20). The catheter (10) has stiffening means (31, 33, 34, 35) located in the area of at least one end of the endoprosthesis section (18) in its longitudinal direction on the internal tube (13). Also disclosed is a system comprising an intraluminal endoprosthesis (20) and a catheter (10) used for introducing an intraluminal endoprosthesis (20), preferably a stent, into a body cavity.
US08221484B2	Multi-membrane balloon and method for manufacturing a multi-membrane balloon A multi-membrane balloon (10) for a catheter having an at least double membrane sleeve (20, 40) comprising at least one fillable and emptiable expansion space (46) between a proximal end (12) and a distal end (14), wherein a stiff supporting element (60) surrounds the at least double membrane sleeve (20, 40) and the outer membrane sleeve (20) surrounds one or more inner membrane sleeves (40). The supporting element (60) at least partially takes hold with the outer membrane sleeve (20).
US08221483B2	Medical implant detachment systems and methods An implant assembly comprises an elongated pusher member, and an implantable device (e.g., a vaso-occlusive device) mounted to the distal end of the pusher member. The implant assembly further comprises an electrolytically severable joint disposed on the pusher member, wherein the implantable device detaches from the pusher member when the severable joint is severed, and a return electrode carried by the distal end of the pusher member (e.g., a coil disposed about the pusher member) in proximity to, but electrically isolated from, the severable joint. The implant assembly further comprises a terminal carried by the proximal end of the pusher member in electrical communication with the severable joint.
US08221471B2	Pedicle screw fixation system A locking mechanism for locking a rod in a screw and rod fixation assembly includes a cap having a sidewall and a locking element extending from at least a portion of the sidewall. Locking mechanism cooperates with a receiver component for a spinal fixation rod to lock the rod in the receiver without requiring application of torque. A method of locking a spinal fixation member in a receiver of a screw fixation assembly includes the steps of placing the spinal fixation member into a channel of a receiver, axially advancing a locking cap into the receiver toward the spinal fixation member without application of any torque, and securing the locking cap in a locked position above the spinal fixation member without application of any torque.
US08221470B2	Spinal fixation system A fastener assembly for a spinal fixation system that is particularly useful in treatment of pediatric and small-statured patients includes a fastener, an attachment member, and a locking member. The fastener has a lower portion for contacting a bone and an upper portion integral with the lower portion. The upper portion has two open channels. Each channel is configured and dimensioned to receive a portion of a longitudinal or connecting member along its circumference. The attachment member is positionable on the fastener and at least partially covers the channel that receives the longitudinal or connecting member. The locking member is operatively associated with the upper portion of the fastener and secures the attachment member and the longitudinal or connecting member to the fastener.
US08221463B2	Interspinous process implants and methods of use Systems and method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can includes an implant comprising a first wing, a spacer extending from the first wing, and a distraction guide. The distraction guide is arranged in a first configuration to pierce and/or distract tissue associated with adjacent spinous processes extending from vertebrae of a targeted motion segment. The implant can be positioned between the adjacent spinous processes and once positioned, the implant can be arranged in a second configuration. When arranged in a second configuration, the distraction guide can act as a second wing. The first wing and the second wing can limit or block movement of the implant along a longitudinal axis of the implant.
US08221462B2	Interspinous internal fixation/distraction device Disclosed are an apparatus for an interspinous fixation and/or distraction of vertebrae and a methodology for minimally invasive implantation of the apparatus in the spine of a patient. The apparatus corresponds to a pair of teardrop shaped lateral wing elements spaced apart by a central core element that may be selectively sized during the implantation process. The wings and central core are held together by a single threaded bolt and locking nut configuration resulting in a simple structure that may be easily implanted with minimal patient discomfort.
US08221458B2	Percutaneous spinal implants and methods A method includes moving a spinal implant such that a central portion of the spinal implant is disposed between adjacent spinous processes, radially extending a proximal portion of the spinal implant on a first side of the adjacent spinous processes such that movement of the proximal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited, and radially extending a distal portion of the spinal implant on a second side of the adjacent spinous processes opposite the first side such that movement of the distal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited.
US08221454B2	Apparatus for performing meniscus repair An apparatus and method of repairing a tear in body tissue includes inserting a needle containing a retaining head from a first insertion position on a first outer surface of the body tissue, through the tear and to a second outer surface of the body tissue. The retaining head is ejected from the insertion needle and grasps the second outer surface in an engaged position. An anchor coupled to the retaining head by a flexible member is advanced from a second insertion position on the first outer surface of the body tissue to a position at least through a portion of the tear. The flexible member extends a distance along the first outer surface of the body tissue from the first insertion position to the second insertion position.
US08221445B2	Barrier device for ostium of left atrial appendage A membrane applied to the ostium of an atrial appendage for blocking blood from entering the atrial appendage which can form blood clots therein is disclosed. The membrane also prevents blood clots in the atrial appendage from escaping therefrom and entering the blood stream which can result in a blocked blood vessel, leading to strokes and heart attacks. The membranes are percutaneously installed in patients experiencing atrial fibrillations and other heart conditions where thrombosis may form in the atrial appendages. A variety of means for securing the membranes in place are disclosed. The membranes may be held in place over the ostium of the atrial appendage or fill the inside of the atrial appendage. The means for holding the membranes in place over the ostium of the atrial appendages include prongs, stents, anchors with tethers or springs, disks with tethers or springs, umbrellas, spiral springs filling the atrial appendages, and adhesives. After the membrane is in place a filler substance may be added inside the atrial appendage to reduce the volume, help seal the membrane against the ostium or clot the blood in the atrial appendage. The membranes may have anticoagulants to help prevent thrombosis. The membranes be porous such that endothelial cells cover the membrane presenting a living membrane wall to prevent thrombosis. The membranes may have means to center the membranes over the ostium. Sensors may be attached to the membrane to provide information about the patient.
US08221440B2	Method and apparatus for delivering a prosthetic fabric into a patient An introducer and method for delivering a prosthetic fabric into a patient. The introducer includes a delivery tube having a distal end adapted to be inserted into the patient and a lumen that receives the prosthetic fabric. A loader may be provided to reconfigure the prosthetic fabric from a first configuration to a collapsed configuration and/or to insert the collapsed fabric into the lumen of the delivery tube. A plunger may be provided to push the prosthetic fabric through the delivery tube and into the patient. The loader and plunger may be combined in a dual-purpose component that is reversible to either load the fabric into the delivery tube or push the fabric through the delivery tube.
US08221436B2	Apparatus and method for positioning and orientation of medical instruments This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for positioning, orientation and insertion of a medical device. The apparatus comprising a first pentagonal mechanism which offers two degrees of freedom, and a second pentagonal mechanism which offers three degrees of freedom of motion. The two are aligned along a first axis so as to permit them to hold an instrument driving means. The instrument driving means is adapted to hold a medical instrument and adapted to permit said instrument to move along and rotate on its own axis. The instrument driving means offers another two degrees of freedom of motion. The apparatus provides a total of six degrees of freedom.
US08221433B2	Bone fixation tool A tool and a method are provided for driving a bone pin into a fractured bone to stabilize the fractured bone by maintaining the fractured bone in a reduced state. The tool may be a handheld device including a cartridge having at least one passageway that receives the bone pin. The tool may also include a pneumatically-powered piston having a needle that is sized for receipt within the passageway of the cartridge, the needle applying sufficient force to the bone pin to drive the bone pin out of the cartridge and into the fractured bone.
US08221429B2	Stylus assembly A stylus assembly (10) is adapted to be attached to a surgical jig (50). The stylus assembly (10) comprises a body (12) having first and second arms (22, 24) with a space (32) therebetween for receiving a portion of the surgical jig, a stylus (16) adjustably mounted relative to the body (12), and a locking member (20), In use, actuation of the locking member (20) from an unlocked to a locked position enables locking of the body (12) to the surgical jig (50) and locking of the stylus (16) relative to the body (12).
US08221425B2	Percutaneous discectomy and endplate preparation tool Surgical instruments and surgical methods associated therewith are described. The surgical instruments described herein can be used for scraping or for other purposes such as measuring distances between two points in hard to reach locales.
US08221423B2	Osteochondral plug graft harvesting instrument and kit An instrument for harvesting an osteochondral plug graft in an implantable configuration, comprises a support pod comprising an elongated tubular member distally terminating in at least three splayed legs; a drill bit encompassed within a longitudinal axis of the tubular member; and a guide wire encompassed within a longitudinal axis of passageway of the drill bit and terminating at a threaded distal end for removably fixing a distal end of the instrument in a position oriented normal to an osteochondral surface for harvesting an osteochondral plug graft in an implantable normal configuration.
US08221417B2	Disposable electro-surgical cover elements and electro-surgical instrument Electro-surgical instrument and attachments for converting a mechanical surgical instrument into an electro-surgical instrument are disclosed for applying electrical current to tissue, such as a blood vessel, to seal or cauterize the tissue. A cover element is slidable over a distal end of a component of a mechanical surgical instrument, such as a forceps. Each cover element defines a single pocket or cavity and a single aperture or opening at one end thereof for receiving and surrounding the distal end of the component and an electrically conductive element attached to an outer surface of the cover element. RF energy can be applied to tissue through the electrically conductive elements. After the procedure, the cover elements can be slidably removed from the forceps member and are disposable.
US08221414B2	Catheter An apparatus for treatment of tissue within a body requiring thermotherapy includes a catheter to be inserted into a bodily conduit, an energy-emitting source disposed within the catheter, a compression balloon surrounding the energy-emitting source where the compression balloon has an inflated diameter that is greater than that of the bodily conduit in a relaxed state and an outside surface of the balloon is coated with one of gene modifiers and drug or medication, and means for activating the energy-emitting source to radiate energy to heat the drug-coated compression balloon and tissue to be treated whereby the heated drug-coated compression balloon effectively delivers the one of the gene modifiers and drug or medication to a target area of the diseased tissue. In addition, methods for using the above apparatus to treat diseased tissue are disclosed.
US08221411B2	Systems and methods for cardiac tissue electroporation ablation Cardiac electroporation ablation systems and methods in which pulsed, high voltage energy is delivered to induce electroporation of cells of cardiac tissue followed by cell rupturing. In some embodiments, the delivered energy is biphasic, having a cycle time of not more than 500 microseconds.
US08221409B2	Thermally insulated irrigation catheter assembly The present invention relates to ablation electrode assemblies. The present invention further relates to an insulated irrigated ablation electrode assembly. The insulated irrigated ablation electrode assembly of the present invention includes a proximal member, a distal member and an intermediate thermally insulating member. The proximal member includes a body portion defined by an outer surface, an inner cavity defined within the outer body portion, and at least one passageway that extends from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the body portion. The distal member of the electrode assembly includes a distal end. Moreover, the intermediate member of the electrode assembly is disposed between the proximal member and the distal member thereby thermally insulating the proximal member from the distal member.
US08221407B2	Catheter with tissue protecting assembly A medical probe includes an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, an ablative element mounted to the distal end of the elongate member, and a cage assembly mounted to the distal end of the elongate member, the cage assembly at least partially covers the ablative element. A method of treating tissue in a body includes inserting an ablative element in the body, placing the ablative element adjacent the tissue, and maintaining a distance between the ablative element and the tissue using a protective catheter element that circumscribes at least a portion of the ablative element.
US08221406B2	Device for the electro-surgical sclerosing of body tissues A high frequency current application apparatus for thermal sclerosing of body tissue, comprising a high frequency generator connected to at least two electrodes, one of which is to be introduced into body tissue. The apparatus includes a measuring and calculating device adapted to ascertain impedance (or ohmic resistance) between the two electrodes between which a respective therapeutic high frequency current flows. A control device is connected to the measuring and calculating device for varying the output power. During high frequency current application the measuring and calculating device forms the first derivative with respect of time of the impedance. The control device reduces output power when that derivative exceeds a positive threshold characteristic of a threat of tissue desiccation and restores output power to the original power when the first derivative exceeds in positive values a negative threshold characteristic of adequate rehydration of body tissue.
US08221405B2	Patent foramen ovale closure device and methods for determining RF dose for patent foramen ovale closure A medical system and device for use in delivering RF energy to a tissue opening and a method for determining an RF dose is disclosed. In one embodiment, the medical device includes an electrode or anchor and one or more devices, such as an impedance electrode, RF electrode and/or thermocouple. The electrode or anchor can be deployed from a delivery shaft inside the left atrium, for example, of a heart and substantially conform to the tissue proximate the tissue opening. Tissue characteristics, such as temperature and/or impedance, can be measured, before, during and after application of RF energy to the tissue, by one or more devices to determine an RF dose. After energy is applied to the tissue between the left and right electrodes, the left electrode can be removed from the left atrium by being received back into the delivery shaft and the delivery shaft thereafter removed from the opening.
US08221404B2	Electrosurgical ablation apparatus and method The present invention relates to the field of electrosurgery, and more particularly to a system that produces a focused plasma for tissue ablation. The system includes a probe and a remote source of a conductive liquid media for providing a flow through the probe that functions as an electrode. A pressurized flow of the liquid media passes through a first larger diameter flow channel in the probe to then increases in velocity as it passes through a smaller diameter flow restriction channel in a working end surface. The flow restriction of the liquid electrode through the flow restriction channel when coupled with high frequency voltage causes instantaneous ignition of a plasma within media flow media within the flow restriction channel. The working end surface thus carries a plasma that when proximate to tissue will cause a controlled, focused ablation.
US08221397B2	Devices and methods for tissue modification Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space through an epidural needle. The sharp tip of the needle in the epidural space, can be converted to a blunt tipped instrument for further safe advancement. The current invention includes specific tools that enable safe tissue modification in the epidural space, including a barrier that separates the area where tissue modification will take place from adjacent vulnerable neural and vascular structures. A nerve stimulator may be provided to reduce a risk of inadvertent neural abrasion.
US08221395B2	Method and apparatus for automatically modifying delivery profile of drug delivery system The present invention relates to an implantable drug delivery device which includes a fluid drug reservoir, a catheter, a controllable fluid transfer device, e.g., a pump or valve, and a drug delivery control means. The control means in accordance with the invention is configured to initially clear a first, or old, drug from the device based on the content of the Current Profile data containing a first, or old, delivery profile. After the old drug is cleared, then the control means automatically modifies the Current Profile data to match a second, or new, delivery profile for controlling delivery of a second, or new, drug.
US08221392B2	Fluid management flow implants of improved occlusion resistance This invention relates to achieving or improving uniform distribution of fluid flow in medical devices such as when combined with antibiotics impregnated in a catheter and/or with a drug-eluting catheter to further inhibit the catheter from becoming occluded by debris in the CSF or by bacterial biofilm formation or tissue proliferation in the catheter.
US08221378B2	Combination of refastenable and releasable bonds A refastenable, pant-like garment, including a chassis including a first waist region and a second waist region, together defining a waist opening and first and second leg openings. The garment also includes a first refastenable seam joining a first distal portion of the first waist region to a first distal portion of the second waist region. The first refastenable seam includes a first refastenable bond connecting the first distal portion of the first waist region and the first distal portion of the second waist region having a first refastenable bond peel strength.
US08221377B2	Absorbent wearing article and flexible structural unit available thereto An absorbent wearing article includes a liquid-absorbent structure and an excrement receiving structure having a plurality of passages defined by flexible walls formed from flexible sheets and disposed along a liquid-absorbent surface of the liquid-absorbent structure.
US08221376B2	Disposable absorbent article In a disposable absorbent article such as a disposable diaper including fastener elements by means of which front and rear waist regions are releasably connected with each other, the fastener elements are not affected by contraction of elastic members arranged in these waist regions. In this absorbent article, the front waist region and/or the rear waist region is or are divided into an elasticized intermediate zone provided with the elastic members and inelasticized transversely opposite side edge zones contigious to transversely opposite side edges of the intermediate zone. The fastener elements are provided in the transversely opposite side edge zones.
US08221375B2	Barrel for a tampon application assembly and methods of forming A method of forming a barrel for a tampon applicator assembly including molding a barrel then forming a rearward taper region in an area of the barrel is provided. The method includes molding a first portion of the barrel in a first mold part and a second portion of the barrel in a second mold part, the first and second mold parts meeting at a maximum outer dimension of the first portion, ejecting the barrel from the first and second mold parts, and forming a flared region in an area of the second portion.
US08221374B2	Urinary incontinence device applicator A urinary incontinence device applicator has an insertion barrel; a plunger slidable within the insertion barrel; means to indicate appropriate insertion depth of the insertion barrel associated therewith into a user's vagina; and means to indicate appropriate orientation of the insertion barrel associated therewith.
US08221373B2	Breast pad and method for producing the same A breast-milk pad can be produced relatively easily, such that it reduces an uncomfortable sensation to the skin surface of a user, and has excellent shape retention properties. A method for producing the breast-milk pad is also disclosed. The breast-milk pad can include a material that is made up by stacking: a back sheet that prevents permeation of liquid; a top sheet that contacts the body; and an absorber that is disposed between the back sheet and the top sheet. The top sheet and the back sheet are bonded to each other in an outer peripheral portion. Cutout portions obtained by cutting the absorber can be formed in positions facing each other at the outer peripheral portion such that cutout width of each of the cutout portions gradually narrows down inwardly. The top sheet and the back sheet can be bonded to each other on the inner side between the cutout portions, and the breast-milk pad can further include bonding portions for bonding inner surfaces of the top sheet together, which are superposed at each of the cutout portions, in a state in which the product is folded up along a folding line connecting the cutout portions facing each other so that the top sheet forms the inner surfaces.
US08221364B2	Trocar obturator A trocar obturator includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft also includes an outer surface. A tip member is secured to the distal end of the shaft, the tip member including a first end and a second end, as well as an outer surface. A keyed coupling structure links the tip member to the shaft, wherein the shaft adjacent the tip member tapers to a surface diameter substantially coextensive with the outer surface of the tip member and the tip member adjacent the shaft tapers to a surface diameter substantially coextensive with the outer surface of the shaft.
US08221363B2	Luer activated device with valve element under tension A luer activated device includes an inlet adapted to receive a male luer, an outlet associable with a fluid flow system, and a fluid flow path therebetween. The flow path is defined by an elastomeric flow controller extending between the inlet and outlet and maintained in a tensioned state. When a male luer is inserted into the inlet, some of the tension in the flow controller is relieved, allowing the flow path to deform and change in volume. The flow path is adapted such that the change in volume results in no net fluid displacement or minimal positive fluid displacement when the male luer is inserted into the inlet. Other aspects include tensioned flow controllers having a plurality of sealing layers for the inlet and methods of manufacturing valves having a tensioned fluid flow controller.
US08221359B2	Injection device with cap A drug delivery device capable of working in at least two different modes which includes a dose injection mode and a set-up mode. The drug delivery device automatically changes from the dose injection mode to the set-up mode and vice versa in accordance with the detection of the cover by a cover detection switch. In the dose injection mode doses can be set and injected; in the set-up mode various parameters assisting the use of the drug delivery device can be set. This setting is preferably done by selecting the parameters from a menu, also in this mode historical data stored in the device can be viewed.
US08221355B2	Injection device for infusion set The invention relates to an injector device for an infusion set for intermittent or continuous administration of a therapeutical substance, such as insulin. The injector device for the subcutaneous introduction of the cannula of an infusion part into the skin of a patient comprises a housing, a back, longitudinally extending guiding means, a member which is longitudinally slidable within the housing, an insertion needle for insertion of the cannula, a spring located between the back of the housing and the longitudinally slidable member, locking means for maintaining the spring in a compressed state and release means for disengaging the locking means. The device further comprises a pivoting member which can be swung from a position in which the pivoting member allows for insertion of the needle into a position in which it embraces the needle.
US08221347B2	Needle-free injector The present invention provides a needle-free injection device for delivering a medicament under pressure into an animal or human. The injection device includes an actuating device comprising: a gas tight chamber; a piston and rod assembly slidably received in the chamber and movable between a forward position and a rearward position; a gas charge in the chamber for urging the piston and rod assembly to the forward position; means for moving said piston and rod assembly against said gas charge into the rearward position; and a trigger for releasably retaining the piston and assembly in the rearward position. Also provided is a method and kit for using the device to administer a liquid through the skin of an animal or human.
US08221336B2	Blood sensor and blood examining instrument including same A blood sensor comprises a substrate, a spacer attached to the top of the substrate, a cover attached to the top of the spacer. A blood reservoir defined by a substrate hole formed in the substrate. A part of a spacer hole in the spacer and connected to the substrate hole, and a cover hole formed in the cover is connected to the spacer hole. A supply passage is defined by another part of the spacer hole that communicates with the blood reservoir portion, and detection electrodes are formed in the supply passage. The cover projects from the supply passage toward the inside of the blood reservoir portion farther than the substrate and the spacer.
US08221327B2	Therapy control based on cardiopulmonary status Methods and systems provide an approach to therapy control based on assessment of a patient's cardiopulmonary status. Conditions sensed via sensors of an external respiratory therapy device are used to assess a patient's cardiopulmonary status. The respiratory therapy device sensors may be utilized alone or in combination with other sensors to determine cardiopulmonary status of a patient. Therapy delivered to the patient is controlled based on the cardiopulmonary status assessment. For example, therapy delivered to the patient may be initiated, terminated, and/or modified based on the assessed cardiopulmonary status of the patient. Cardiopulmonary status assessment, therapy control, or both, are performed by an implantable device.
US08221325B2	Detection of hypovolemia using implantable medical device An implantable medical device receives a physiological signal indicative of circulatory blood volume and detects hypovolemia from that physiological signal. In one embodiment, an implantable pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) senses a PAP signal, and the implantable medical device detects hypovolemia from the PAP signal.
US08221323B2	Using acoustic energy to compute a lung edema fluid status indication Systems and methods for monitoring lung edema fluid status, such as monitoring the presence or absence of pulmonary edema, in a subject using information about responsive acoustic energy echoes from a lung are described. The system comprises, among other things, an implantable device including an acoustic transducer configured to emit acoustic energy to a lung and to receive one or more responsive acoustic energy echoes from a lung. In an example, the implantable device includes a cardiac function management device having an acoustic window in a body thereof. In another example, the implantable device includes one or more subcutaneous leads. An implantable or external processor circuit is configured to receive information about the acoustic energy echoes to compute and provide a lung edema fluid status indication; such information may include an increased number or special pattern of acoustic energy echoes received or a decreased time between successively received echoes.
US08221315B2	Cardiac valve procedure methods and devices The present invention discloses devices and methods for performing intravascular procedures with out cardiac bypass. The devices include various embodiments of temporary filter devices, temporary valves, and prosthetic valves.The temporary filter devices have one or more cannulae which provide access for surgical tools for effecting repair of the cardiac valves. A cannula may have filters of various configurations encircling the distal region of the cannula, which prevent embolitic material from entering the coronary arteries and aorta.The temporary valve devices may also have one or more cannulae which guide the insertion of the valve into the aorta. The valve devices expand in the aorta to occupy the entire flow path of the vessel. In one embodiment, the temporary valve is a disc of flexible, porous, material that acts to filter blood passing therethrough. A set of valve leaflets extend peripherally from the disc. These leaflets can alternately collapse to prevent blood flow through the valve and extend to permit flow.The prosthetic valves include valve fixation devices which secure the prosthetic valve to the wall of the vessel. In one embodiment, the prosthetic valves have at least one substantially rigid strut, at least two expandable fixation rings located about the circumference of the base of the apex of the valve, and one or more commissures and leaflets. The prosthetic valves are introduced into the vascular system a compressed state, advanced to the site of implantation, expanded and secured to the vessel wall.
US08221314B2	Capsule type endoscope for sending data in human body communication system A capsule type endoscope which is introduced into a subject to acquire subject internal information and transmits the acquired subject internal information to the outside through the subject has a plurality of electrodes arranged on an outer peripheral surface thereof. An electrode selecting section selects two electrodes with a small transmission power loss from the plurality of electrodes as transmitting electrodes that are utilized to transmit the subject internal information. A transmitting section uses the two transmitting electrodes selected by the electrode selecting section to transmit the subject internal information to the outside of the subject.
US08221313B2	Endoscope apparatus A gas supply source for supplying gas and a channel along which the gas is supplied can be easily switched by providing an instrument channel for passing an endoscope treating tool, a gas and water supply channel for supplying carbon dioxide etc. to the inside of a body, a gas supply source for a visceral cavity capable of supplying gas at a predetermined pressure, a gas supply source for a lumen capable of supplying gas at an optional pressure, and a switch device for switching from any of and an instrument channel and a gas and water supply channel to any of the gas supply source for a visceral cavity and the gas supply source for a lumen.
US08221311B2	Face tip assembly for an endoscope A face tip assembly for an endoscope for viewing a visually obscured portion of a body cavity and for surgically treating a portion of a body cavity with an operating tool may include at least one operating tool port located in an outer wall surface of the face tip assembly, and the outer wall surface may generally lie in a plane which is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the face tip housing. This outer wall surface may have a generally U-shaped configuration. At least one optical image channel port may be located in another outer wall surface of the face tip housing, and this outer wall surface faces toward the distal end of the face tip housing. The outer wall surface in which the tool port is located extends from the outer wall surface in which the at least one optical image channel port is located, toward the distal end of the face tip housing.
US08221307B2	Electronic endoscope An electronic endoscope (2) of the type including: a distal end (14) including an illumination element and an electronic image acquisition member; a probe (12), one of the ends of which is connected to the distal end; and control elements (10) connected to the other end of the probe, characterized in that the probe includes a plastically malleable portion (20) suitable for preserving, under the effect of its own weight when the endoscope is in use, the shape which has been conferred on it by an operator, the malleable portion carrying the distal end of the endoscope.
US08221306B2	Endoscope therapeutic device In an endoscope therapeutic device having a plurality of introduction guide tubes for introducing a treatment tool into a body cavity, the introduction guide tubes are mutually joined at a position more proximal than bending portions thereof. Accordingly, the effects caused by the movement of the plurality of the introduction guide tubes are mutually invalidated at a joint portion as a fulcrum, so that the position of the introduction guide tube is relatively stabilized in the body cavity. As joining methods, there are integration, usage of a joint tool, and usage of an over tube. The operability is improved when the introduction guide tube is provided at the distal end thereof with a mechanism for retaining and/or rotating a distal end of a treatment tool inserted therethrough.
US08221303B2	Intra-ventricular cardiac assist device and related method of use A system and method for cardiac assist of a heart. The system comprises a catheter on which is mounted an inflatable balloon configured for inflation inside a ventricle. The system preferably includes a fluid pump and a processor configured to activate the pump to inflate the intra-ventricular balloon in the ventricle during a predetermined first phase of the cardiac cycle and to deflate the balloon during a predetermined second phase of the cardiac cycle. The predetermined first phase may be the end of the slow ejection phase corresponding to the ascending part of the T wave, and the predetermined second phase may begin at the peak of systolic augmentation resulting from inflation of the balloon which corresponds to the descending part of the T-wave. The method of the invention includes delivering the balloon to a ventricle of the heart and transiently inflating the balloon to achieve a predetermined intra-ventricular systolic pressure.
US08221300B2	Holder for supporting test tubes side by side on a rack, and having a resilient mounting flange connecting the tubes to allow the holder to bend and fit into an angular slot of a centrifuge rotor A centrifuge having two arcuate slots to receive resilient, bendable mounting flanges that each carry a plurality of test tubes in side by side relation. The resilience of the mounting flanges enables them to flex and assume either the curvature of the slot, or a linear configuration enabling the flanges to be suspended in a flat condition, such as on a test rack. The arrays of test tubes is attached to the flanges via living hinges that enable the flexing to occur. The advantages are that simplified identification of individual test tubes, as well as reduced likelihood of intermixing of spillage are realized.
US08221297B2	Storage system for tool holders A tool storage system stores tool holders for use in machine tools. The tool holders hold tools such as milling cutters, taps, drills, reamers, chamfering or deburring tools or the like. The tool holders may have standard taper-shanks. A receptacle is provided for each tool holder. The receptacles are arranged on a generally vertical array and hold the tool holders generally horizontally. The tool holders may be retained by engagement of a pull stud in the receptacle. The generally vertical array arrangement permits storing a large number of tools in a small footprint. In embodiments, a computer system provides functions for managing the tools and/or jobs in which the tools are used.
US08221291B1	Athletic equipment including a health and/or impact sensor Athletic equipment is provided including sensors to monitor the effectiveness and health of the athlete. Contact sensors identify stresses or impacts in real time, and interactively, during the training or competition. Concurrently, a health sensor, obtaining and transmitting indicia corresponding to the physical condition of the athlete (such as heart rate, blood pressure, etc.) can be communicated simultaneously and synchronously with the monitored stress or impact date for use in optimizing athlete performance or monitoring athlete physiology. Such data can be transmitted to a remote location as well. In either case, such information can provide a system for optimizing athlete performance, rather merely tracking historical information. Real time analysis and physiological-performance correlations can be achieved, thereby minimizing the need, or extend of an iterative training regime.
US08221289B2	Engagement/disengagement of transmission with auxiliary gearbox Embodiments which selectively engage a motor with auxiliary equipment and a final drive assembly of the motor vehicle are disclosed. A transmission of such a motor vehicle may include a transmission input shaft to receive power from the motor, a transmission output shaft, and clutches and associated gears that define power delivered by the transmission output shaft based upon power received by the transmission input shaft. An auxiliary gearbox may include a transmission input gear associated with the transmission output shaft, an equipment output gear to power the auxiliary equipment, and a drive output gear to power the final drive assembly. The motor vehicle may further include a transmission control module to engage the transmission input gear with the equipment output gear by transitioning among locking the transmission output shaft, disengaging the clutches to reduce torque on the transmission output shaft, and placing the transmission in an unlocked neutral state.
US08221285B2	Method and apparatus to offload offgoing clutch torque with asynchronous oncoming clutch torque, engine and motor torque for a hybrid powertrain system A powertrain includes an electromechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain includes commanding a shift from a first operating range state to a second operating range state, identifying an off-going clutch, controlling torque output from said electric machine to offload reactive torque transmitted through said off-going clutch, selectively applying an oncoming clutch to offload reactive torque transmitted through said off-going clutch, and reducing a clutch torque capacity of said off-going clutch when said reactive torque transmitted through said off-going clutch is substantially zero.
US08221280B2	Eight speed automatic transmission An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed.
US08221277B2	Differential provided with a drive wheel A differential provided with a drive wheel comprising two pairs of bevel gears disposed in a two-part housing, one of the pairs of bevel gears being a pair of axle bevel gears and the other pair of bevel gears being a pair of compensating bevel gears.
US08221266B2	Golf ball core with soft outer transition volume and negative hardness gradient A golf ball including a unitary core having a volume, an outer surface, a geometric center, and an outermost transition volume adjacent to the outer surface, the core being formed from a substantially homogenous composition; and a cover layer including ionomer, metallocene-catalyzed polymer, polyester, polyamide, non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer, copolyether-ester, copolyether-amide, polycarbonate, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, or polystyrene block copolymer. The outermost transition volume is disposed between the core outer surface and the geometric center, the transition volume has an outer portion congruent with the core outer surface, and comprises the outermost 45% of the core volume or less. Both a hardness of the core outer surface and a hardness within the outermost transition volume are less than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient.
US08221265B2	Multi-layer-core golf ball having highly-neutralized polymer outer core layer A golf ball including an inner core layer having an Atti compression of 30 or less and formed from a first rubber composition and having a first surface hardness; an outer core layer including a second rubber composition; a thermoplastic layer having a second surface hardness, an inner surface hardness, and comprising a copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and sufficient amount of an organic acid or a salt of the organic acid and a cation source to neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by about 80% or greater; an inner cover layer having a hardness of about 40 Shore D to 70 Shore D; and an outer cover layer. The first surface hardness is less than the second surface hardness by at least 5 Shore C.
US08221264B2	Club heads with contoured back faces and methods of manufacturing the same Embodiments of club heads with contoured back faces and methods of manufacturing the same are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US08221257B2	Golf free swing measurement and analysis system The presented invention relates to a method for determining the effectiveness of a golfer's swing without the requirement of the club head making contact with a golf ball. More specifically, the present invention relates to a measurement and analysis system comprising a first module that attaches to the club head and captures measurement data and relative position data during the entire swing, further first module wirelessly communicates bi-directionally with a second module that is further connected to a user interface device and computational engine where feedback results are calculated and conveyed to the golfer. The system provides comprehensive feedback for swing characterization including detailed swing timing metrics, dynamic club head orientation and motion metrics and dynamics shaft action metrics all referenced to the spatial domain.
US08221255B1	Golf swing training device A golf swing training device to aid a golfer in keeping their wrists in a proper position throughout a golf swing includes a golf club grip clip, an adjustable spacer rod, and a wrist strap. The wrist strap includes an adjustable and securable fabric strap which engages the golfer's wrist. The wrist strap is affixed to the length adjustable spacer rod which is in turn attached to the grip clip. The grip clip engages the grip end of the golf club such that the golfer's wrists are confined to a predetermined distance and angle during a golf swing for purposes of training. The device may be used singularly or as a pair, if desired, to allow for simultaneous training of both wrists.
US08221254B2	Golf glove The present invention relates to a golf glove having fixing means with a loading groove arranged on a thumb portion thereof for positioning a golfer's hand on an upper portion of a golf club when gripping the club to prevent the middle and index fingers of the other hand with no glove from slipping and to fix said fingers in the loading groove, to thereby prevent the golf club from erroneously rotating and to accurately control the club during a golf swing to enable the golfer to hit a golf ball in the desired direction with ease. The fixing means has an end with an auxiliary fixing means elastically taken up on the golf club to fix the thumb portion of the glove and to enable a firm grip to be maintained. The golf glove according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a glove body having one side wherein a thumb portion, an index finger portion, a middle finger portion, a ring finger portion, and a fifth finger portion extend, and wherein the other side has an opening for inserting a hand; as well as a fixing means extending from one side of the thumb portion, and which has one side with a loading groove.
US08221246B2	Entertainment chair An entertainment chair includes a base, a bottom surface positioned on a lower portion of the base and a seating surface positioned opposite the bottom surface. The entertainment chair further includes a support surface formed or removeably attachable with respect to the bottom surface and permitting 360 degrees of rotation of the base relative to a floor surface. The entertainment chair further includes an internal control for translating movement of a user to an entertainment system and may further include a means for operably connecting the entertainment chair to an entertainment medium for receiving a signal produced by the entertainment medium.
US08221233B2	Computer program product An object of the present invention is to propose image processing technology whereby even a player with a low skill level can enjoy a shooting game with more, excitement. To achieve this object. according to the present invention; if a player outputs a slow regeneration request signal when processing transits to the status where an enemy-character is about to fire a bullet, the enemy-character and the bullet fired by the enemy-character are regenerated slowly. By this, the player can aim at the bullet with extra time.
US08221230B2	Video gaming device and method of wagering on a virtual football game This invention is a computerized football game comprising steps to establishing and displaying a game clock, receiving the player's selection information representing a kickoff reception request, calculating a current field position according to the set of kickoff return results, (a) receiving the player's selection information representing an offensive play request from the set of predefined plays, (b) updating the current field position according to the deep zone set of play advancement information if the current position is in the deep zone or according to the mid zone set of play advancement information if the current position is in the mid zone or according to the near zone set of play advancement information is the current position is in the near zone and the goal line has not been reached or until a touchdown is achieved or the game clock expires or a first down is not achieved after four tries.
US08221229B2	Spherical ended controller with configurable modes Input devices for interfacing with a game console to interact with a computer program are disclosed. In one example, the input device includes a controller with a handle and a spherical object that is connected to a first end of the handle. The controller further includes a circuit that identifies the position of the handle. The circuit further includes communication logic to communicate the identified position to the game console during interaction with the computer program. The controller further includes control inputs connected to a second end of the handle, wherein the spherical object is placed in contact with a surface when held by the handle and the circuit updates the identified position of the handle as the handle is pivoted on the surface. The control inputs providing commands that are exchanged with the game console to further interact with the computer program.
US08221222B2	Game system, game control method, information recording medium, and program To provide a game system that makes players' play order comply with a predetermined rule but nevertheless allows, with appropriate measure, any delaying player to join the game, each terminal device constituting the system stores in a storage unit game's stage/delay information regarding all players including players operating other terminal devices, a stage updating unit updates the storage unit based on an operation entry accepted by an operation entry unit from an owner player as a play determining unit determines that the owner player's turn has come, and an operation entry received by an operation receiving unit from any other terminal device, and a delay updating unit updates the storage unit when an abort entry unit accepts an abort entry from the player or an abort notification is received, or updates delay information when stage information is updated.
US08221218B2	Gaming device having multiple selectable display interfaces based on player's wagers An apparatus and method for displaying multiple gaming device interfaces for the same wagering game is provided. The game can be a slot game although other wagering games are also within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the exact same game is played using one of a plurality of different display interfaces, wherein the gaming device enables the player to select which interface to play. The player can play the game using one interface and then switch interfaces to provide a fresh display or to change the player's luck. The player can then switch back to the original interface or select a brand new interface depending upon how many interfaces overall are provided.
US08221213B2	Instant-win ticket lottery game An instant-win lottery game system includes a plurality of instant-win lottery tickets, with each of the tickets having a play area with a plurality of play spaces arranged in defined pattern. Randomly generated play symbols are depicted in a plurality of the play spaces that is less than all of the play spaces. A plurality of line segments are also depicted in the play area, with each line segment connecting at least two play spaces. The line segments have a placement and orientation in the play area that is randomly generated. A plurality of the play spaces that is less than all of the play spaces are connected to at least one other play space by the randomly generated line segments such that different lottery tickets in the game system have the same number of connected play spaces, but with different patterns of randomly generated line segments. A scratch-off layer is provided over at least a portion of the play area and covers the randomly placed line segments and play symbols. Markings on provided on the scratch-off layer that provide at least a partial indication to the player of the placement and orientation of the underlying line segments.
US08221212B2	Side game result generator A computer implemented method of playing a wagering game is disclosed. A base game bet is placed on a base game, results of the base game being resolved according to a first set of game rules. In the method, a side game bet is placed on a side game while participating in the base game. One or more of the results of the base game are used as inputs to the side game, with results of the side game being resolved based on the inputs according to a second set of game rules.
US08221208B2	Online terminal based lottery game with a slot machine theme A method and system for playing a terminal based lottery game having a slot machine theme includes assigning a defined set of objects to respective slot positions, the objects being unknown to game players. A player chooses at least one grouping of the slot positions from a plurality of possible groupings, and the system records the player's selection. For each of the slot positions, the system randomly selects an object from the set of objects assigned to each respective slot position such that a play set of the objects is generated for the player's grouping of slot positions. The player is awarded a prize amount that is a function of the number or combination of matches of objects within the player's play set. The methodology and system are particularly well suited for a poker slot machine theme game wherein the player's selected grouping corresponds to a poker hand, with the objects assigned to the respective slot positions corresponding to a poker deck of cards.
US08221201B2	Window with a ventilation device A ventilation device for ventilation of a building having a double-window construction with an air space. The device communicates with the open air space and has four throttles. The first and the second throttles can selectively cut off the passage of air from the air space into a first and a second chamber, respectively, of the device. The third throttle can selectively cut off the passage of air from the first chamber and into the building. The fourth throttle can selectively cut off the passage of air between the open air space and the first and the second chamber. Temperature-sensitive actuators can activate the throttles, selectively adjusting air flow.
US08221197B2	Hand-held power tool system The invention relates to a portable power tool system comprising a portable power tool (12a-n), especially an angle grinder, a protective hood unit (14a-n) and a protective hood anti-rotation lock (16a-n) for providing anti-rotational locking between the protective hood unit (14a-n) and the portable power tool (12a-n) in the event of a breakage of a tool (18a-n). According to the invention, the protective hood anti-rotation lock (16a-n) is adapted to provide anti-rotational locking between the protective hood unit (14a-n) and the portable power tool (12a-n) while at the same time securing the protective hood unit (14a-n) to the portable power tool (12a-n) in a working position of the protective hood unit (14a-n).
US08221195B2	Process for grinding dies The invention relates to a machine and process for grinding dies, in which the work axis (CO) of the plate (2.1) in which the die (1) to be machined is anchored is controlled at all the points of its angular movement, allowing the interpolation of the movements of this work axis (CO) with those of an axis of rotation (BO) and with those of respective axes (X and Z), such that the machines has four axes of interpolation, which allows machining dies (1) with their inner or outer diameter rounded or non-rounded and with their transition between these diameters and the side faces constant or variable by means of a single grinding process.
US08221193B2	Closed loop control of pad profile based on metrology feedback A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a metrology system that detects the thickness of the polishing pad as semiconductor wafers are processed and the thickness of the polishing pad is reduced. The chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a controller that adjusts the rate of material removal of a conditioning disk when areas of the polishing surface are detected that are higher or lower than the adjacent areas of the polishing pad.
US08221188B2	Back wing for brassiere There is provided an improved brassiere comprising a pair of breast cups having adjacent but spaced apart inner edges; a front connector between the breast cups; and a back wing or pair of back wings extending from an outer edge of one of the two breast cups to an outer edge of the other of the two breast cups for securing the brassiere to a torso of a wearer; wherein each back wing comprises an elastane strap provided within a tube of elastic fabric. Also provided is an improved back wing for use on a brassiere and a method of making an improved back wing.
US08221177B2	Organic EL panel including an element substrate dehydrated in a shorter time and method for manufacturing the same An organic EL panel is produced with high productivity by a method in which a first protective film (planarizing layer) can be dehydrated in a shorter time without increasing the number of steps up to the step of forming a second protective film (separation film). The second protective film has regions at which the first protective film is exposed between first electrodes.
US08221174B2	Amphibious vehicle An amphibious vehicle achieves a stable ride, maneuverability, and high speed. The vehicle includes a hull having a “V” center portion with outboard sponsons. The sponsons reside between the front wheel wells and the rear wheels wells for improving lift and transition to planing. Shallow tunnels begin in rear portions of the front wheel wells and taper into the sponsons to release water trapped in the wheel wells. Inward facing turning edges also reside between the front and rear wheel wells and improve in-water handling. Wheels are retractable by pneumatic cylinders in parallel with air shock absorbers and suspension cutout in the hull allow the suspension to lower through the hull. Flaps reside under suspension members and rise to cover the suspension cutouts when the wheels are retractable when the wheels are raised to reduce drag. A Morse cable couple a rack and pinion unit to a jet drive.
US08221167B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector, comprising an insulative housing defining a base portion and a mating portion extending from the front side of the base portion along a mating direction; a plurality of passageways disposed in the base portion and extending along the mating direction; a plurality of receiving spaces disposed in the mating portion and communicating with the complementary passageways; a plurality of contacts assembling to the insulative housing along the mating direction, and each contact defining a flat base part mounting to the base portion of the insulative housing and a mating part extending from the base part forwards from the base part and into said receiving space; wherein a spring tab extending downwards from the base part of the contact and locked to the insulative housing.
US08221166B2	Phantom power saver power tap An apparatus, system and method are disclosed for eliminating phantom power wastage utilizing a power tap. An insulation casing creates a receiving space for a printed circuit board which mounts male blades, female receptacles, phantom power indication and a mechanical electrical switching capability is disclosed. The conductive male blades and female receptacles create a cross pattern for a two pronged power tap that allows miniaturization of the power tap so as to allow full access to adjacent electrical outlets. Switching states include normally open which permits zero power flow and normally closed which permits power indication and allows power to flow from conductive male blades to conductive female receiving receptacles.
US08221164B1	Modular cable clamp with high impedance surface A cable terminating and grounding apparatus and method may comprise a backshell including a cable terminating and grounding adapter shield which may comprise a cable receiving and positioning portion comprising a plurality of individual cable passages around the outer rim of the receiving and positioning portion; and, a gathering portion adjacent the receiving and positioning portion comprising a plurality of individual cable receiving slots around an outer periphery of the gathering portion, each slot having a side wall receiving a cable shield enclosing one or more wires comprising the cable. A gathering mechanism may engage each of the cable shields oppositely from the respective slot side wall and force the respective shield into engagement with the respective slot side wall. There may be a cable passage in a center portion of the receiving and positioning portion and the gathering portion. A locking portion of the adapter shield may engage a connector.
US08221148B2	Positioning structure of electrical connector The present invention provides a positioning structure of the electrical connector comprising a housing with a slot and a plurality of terminals, at least two side arms positioned on the two side of the housing, every side arm is comprising an extension plate which assembled to the housing, a movable arm and a fixed arm, and the fixed arm has an inserting plate extending downwardly, and at least two positioning sets respectively receiving the side arms. Every positioning set comprises a straight plate and the bent plates respectively positioned on the two sides of the straight plate, a receiving chamber is formed between the bent plates for receiving the inserting plate. Thus by having the bottom portion of the straight plate of the positioning set and every bent plate welded to the circuit board in order to increase the welding area, and to restrict the side arm by every positioning set, thus not only the housing is precisely positioned and also the fine adjustment during the assembling can be implemented; therefore, the present invention provides the convenience for assembling, the stability for welding and accordingly to increase the yield.
US08221144B1	Partial discharge resistant connector A high voltage connector, such as one that carries current at a voltage of at least one kilovolts, is constructed to minimize partial discharge (a small amount of current flow) out of locations where a cable conductor has been crimped to the rear of a contact, which resulted in sharp points or edges. A shroud is mounted around the connector, which includes a cylindrical shroud sleeve lying around the crimped region of the contact, with the rear end of the shroud sleeve having rounded edges or abutting a rear shroud element, and with the front end of the shroud preferably being of hemispheric shape.
US08221141B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector includes an insulated seat, and first and second seats. A plurality of first and second terminals are embedded partially into the first and second seats via insert molding process in such a manner that when the first and second seats are assembled to the insulated seat, a first engagement structure of the first seat engages with a second engagement structure of the second seat while one of the two clamping structures at the insulated seat clamps an assembly of the first and second assembling structures of the first and second seats.
US08221138B2	Audio jack connector with improved soldering tail An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) and at least one contact (2) retained in the housing. The housing includes a base portion (11) and a mating portion (12) extending forwards from the base portion, and the base portion defines a mounting face (114) thereof and the mating portion defines a mating cavity (121) extending from a mating face (120) into the housing. The at least one contact defines a retaining portion (21) retained in the base portion, a resilient arm (22) extending from the retaining portion with a part projecting into the mating cavity and a soldering leg (23) arranged to parallel to the mounting face. The soldering leg is disposed within the scope of the mounting face and defines a first and a second soldering portion (231, 232) forming an angle therebetween.
US08221134B2	Solderless connector assembly A connector assembly is provided for communicating electrical signals between a pin connector having a plurality of connector pins and a remote location. The assembly comprises a connector defining a connector top surface and a plurality of pins extending therethrough, the pins each defining a pin contact surface extending above the connector top surface less than 0.1 inches. A collar is engaged about the connector body, the collar having an upper surface substantially coplanar with the connector top surface. A flexible cable has a plurality of electrical connectors extending therethrough, the cable defining a plurality of cable contact pads being in electrical communication with the flexible cable conductors. A retaining member is engageable to the collar for urging the flexible cable contact pads into electrical communication with the pin contact surfaces.
US08221132B2	Electrical connector assembly An electrical connector assembly includes a circuit board and an electrical connector mounted on the circuit board. The circuit board has a circuit board body having first and second surfaces and through-holes bored between the first and second surfaces. The circuit board has signal traces on internal layers of the circuit board that are generally parallel to the first and second surfaces. Portions of the circuit board body within the through-holes are etched away to expose portions of the signal traces beyond the circuit board body within the corresponding through-hole. The electrical connector includes a housing and signal terminals held by the housing. The signal terminals are received in respective through-holes of the circuit board and engage the corresponding signal traces.
US08221131B1	Sequentially connectable electrical outlet system having male and female electrical outlets rotatably connected A sequentially connectable electrical outlet system, having a unisex plug assembly having first male and female swivel assemblies, and first male and female lock assemblies. A male outlet assembly has a second male swivel assembly and a second male lock assembly. The unisex plug assembly and the male outlet assembly are rotatably connected. A female outlet assembly has a second female swivel assembly and a second female lock assembly. The unisex plug assembly and the female outlet assembly are rotatably connected. At least two unisex outlet assemblies each comprise third male and female swivel assemblies, and third male and female lock assemblies. The at least two unisex outlet assemblies rotatably connected to the unisex plug assembly. A reel assembly defines a cavity to receive the unisex plug assembly, the male and female outlet assemblies, and the at least two unisex outlet assemblies.
US08221128B2	Tooth for tooth model, comprising enamel portion impregnated with resin or low melting point glass, and method for producing the same An object of the present invention is to provide a tooth model capable of exhibiting grinding feel similar to that of a natural tooth, with which students aspiring to become dentists experience intraoral work and perform training related to a treatment, and also experience formation of an abutment tooth, formation of cavity or the like. A difference in the grinding feel between tooth enamel and dentin, which constitute a natural tooth, is reproduced by impregnating a sintered body formed integrally of an inorganic powder such as alumina with a thermosetting resin or a low melting point glass to form an enamel portion.
US08221124B2	Methods and apparatus for educating A method of educating includes providing a collectible trading card game with a plurality of trading cards. Each card may contain educational information including a consonant, vowel, number or mathematical operator and the cards are used to form a properly spelled word or to form a mathematically correct equation. In some forms, the method includes providing a game with a playing field and a set of game components with game component types having a predetermined power for affecting play of the game by affecting a power, effect, or value of the game component. The level of skill necessary to play the game may be varied by selectively implementing or disregarding the predetermined power of the game components. An educational game includes first and second game components with different expressions, powers, point values, and identifiers for distinguishing game components and facilitating game play.
US08221122B2	System and method for aircraft mission modeling An expert system and method for aircraft mission modeling using a matrix application, a preferred embodiment of which is incorporated into Mission Modeler software used in conjunction with Satellite Toolkit (STK) software. More generally, the invention is an expert system that draws on an extensive set of basic building blocks that represent standard aircraft maneuvers and concepts, and assembles those building blocks into complex and realistic sequences that represent aircraft motion with very high fidelity. One benefit of this invention is that it provides a simple system and method for users with no piloting experience to generate highly realistic flight paths.
US08221119B1	Dental implant and method of installing the same A dental implant having a unique thread configuration, which increases the total load bearing area to maximize support values of a successful implant for the same osteotomy when compared to other implant designs. At least one course of helical threads surrounds an elongated, cylindrical body. In an embodiment chosen for the purposes of disclosure, the threads have relatively broad crestal surfaces, typically having a rounded profile. One or more helical secondary threaded grooves are disposed in the crestal surface of the threads. The helical grooves facilitate collection of bone and promote immediate stabilization and osseointegration of the implant. The broad crestal thread design compresses bone in one direction while bone is being collected by the helical grooves in the opposite direction. The result is that the implant is immediately stable in a patient's jaw. The method of installing the dental implant is also novel.
US08221117B2	Probes and biofluids for treating and removing deposits from tissue surfaces An endodontic probe is used to perform disinfection procedures on target tissues within root canal passages and tubules. The endodontic probe can include an electromagnetic radiation emitting fiber optic tip having a distal end and a radiation emitting region disposed proximally of the distal end. According to one aspect, the endodontic probe can include a porous structure that encompasses a region of the fiber optic tip excluding the radiation emitting region and that is loaded with biologically-active particles, cleaning particles, biologically-active agents, or cleaning agents for delivery from the porous structure onto the target tissues. Another aspect can include provision of the endodontic probe with an adjustable channel-depth indicator, which encompasses a region of the fiber optic tip besides the radiation emitting region and which is movable in proximal and distal directions along a surface of the fiber optic tip to facilitate the provision of depth-of-insertion information to users of the endodontic probe.
US08221109B2	Material layering device A material layering device. A material layering device may include a first pinning roller and a second pinning roller. The distance between the first pinning roller and the second pinning roller is less than a diameter of an substrate. The device also includes a return system, wherein the return system comprises a plurality of rollers. The device also includes a belt, which may have a first loop portion disposed between and protruding beyond the first pinning roller and the second pinning roller. The first loop portion also wraps about an intended substrate along an arc greater than about 180 degrees. The device further includes a feed portion coupled to the first loop and extending outwardly from the second pinning roller opposite the first loop and providing a surface upon which a sheet can be placed. Furthermore, the device also includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to one of the rollers.
US08221104B2	Screw compressor having a slide valve with hot gas bypass port A compressor includes a slide valve (24) having a passage that can be in fluid communication with a discharge plenum (22) and a suction plenum (20). The slide valve (24) position may be axially adjusted to control an amount of refrigerant that is compressed between a male rotor (14) and a female rotor (12) in the compressor based upon a system control scheme that determines capacity demand. The passage (28) is in fluid communication with the discharge plenum (22) and the suction plenum (20) when the slide valve is in a fully unloaded position or a partially unloaded position. A compressor housing blocks an opening to the passage when the slide valve (24) is in a fully loaded position. The location of the opening (36) in the slide valve determines what point in axial travel of the slide valve that fluid bypass begins.
US08221096B2	Compressor arrangement with stator welded to a housing A compressor has stator of a motor is installed in a closed container, on two planes normal to the center axis 1a of the container. On each of the planes, the stator is welded to the container at three welding points. This mounting arrangement on two planes with three welding points on each plane minimizes the amount of movement of the stator in the direction of the center axis.
US08221094B2	Screw compressor in which low and high pressure stage compressor bodies overly at least portion of motor body A screw compressor comprising: a low pressure stage compressor body; a high pressure stage compressor body that further compresses a compressed air compressed by the low pressure stage compressor body; pinion gears for example, respectively, provided on, for example, a male rotor of the low pressure stage compressor body and, for example, a male rotor of the high pressure stage compressor body; a motor; a bull gear for example, provided on a rotating shaft of the motor; and an intermediate shaft supported rotatably and provided with a pinion gear, which meshes with the bull gear, and a bull gear, which meshes with the pinion gears. Thereby, it is possible to make the motor relatively low in rotating speed while inhibiting the gears from being increased in diameter, thus enabling achieving reduction in cost.
US08221091B2	Driving controlling apparatus for reciprocating compressor and method thereof Driving controlling apparatus and method for a reciprocating compressor capable of stably driving a reciprocating compressor when a reciprocating compressor is operated or an output capacity of the reciprocating compressor is varied, by matching an impedance of the apparatus to an inductance of a motor, and capable of enhancing an efficiency of the reciprocating compressor. The apparatus comprises an output capacity determining unit for determining an output capacity of a reciprocating compressor; an over-stroke preventing unit for preventing an over-stroke of a motor inside the reciprocating compressor; and an impedance matching unit for matching an inductance of the reciprocating compressor to an impedance of the apparatus.
US08221090B2	Reciprocating compressor stroke control by compensating motor inductance influences An operation controlling apparatus for a reciprocating compressor, and a method thereof, which are capable of accurately controlling the reciprocating compressor by sensing a size of a load applied to the reciprocating compressor and a stroke estimation value of the reciprocating compressor and then compensating a parameter of a motor in the reciprocating compressor based upon the sensing, the operation controlling apparatus comprising a controlling unit a controlling unit for comparing a phase difference between a detected current and a stroke with a reference phase difference to determine a size of a load, and outputting, according to the determined size of the load, a compensation control signal to compensate a parameter of a motor and a stroke control signal to control the stroke.
US08221085B2	Wind blade joint bonding grid A method and system for assembling large wind turbine blades that includes providing a plurality of wind turbine blade segments. An adhesive distribution arrangement is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of the wind turbine blade segments. The adhesive distribution arrangement includes a bonding grid having a plurality of adhesive distribution openings. The wind turbine blade segments are directed together and sufficient adhesive is provided to the bonding grid to substantially fill an area between the wind turbine segments. The adhesive is then cured to form a bonded joint, the bonding grid being incorporated into the bonded joint. A bonding grid for use with the method and system and a segmented wind turbine blade are also disclosed.
US08221084B2	Single-piece propeller and method of making A method for making a propeller product is disclosed. The propeller is formed using polyurethane cores adhered to a laminate hub to form a core assembly. An encapsulating structural laminate skin is then formed on the core assembly using a resin-transfer-molding process to create a single-piece composite propeller.
US08221066B2	Air diffuser system for industrial pumps An air diffuser system for an impeller for a centrifugal pump has least one channel (36) with first opening (40) through the backside (14) and a second opening (42) through the front side (38) of the impeller (12). Tubes (44) are associated with each channel (36) and extend from the backside (14) of the impeller (12). Tube ends (48) are oriented in the direction of rotation (46) of the impeller (12).
US08221063B2	Steam turbine with two steam chambers A steam turbine with at least two steam chambers, which are enclosed by a basically tubular casing and which are separated from each other by means of at least one partition which is arranged in the casing, is characterized according to the invention in that the partition is formed from at least two flat partial surfaces which are formed in an inclined manner relative to each other.
US08221052B2	Turbo-molecular pump Disclosed is a turbo-molecular pump, which comprises a rotor including a first cylindrical body formed with a part of a plurality of rotating blades arranged in multistage, a second cylindrical body integrally connected to an outer peripheral region of a downstream end of the first cylindrical body and formed with the remaining rotating blades, and a stress-releasing protrusion extending from the downstream end of the first cylindrical body along a direction of a rotation axis of the rotor. The turbo-molecular pump of the present invention can reduce a stress in the downstream end of the first cylindrical body.
US08221049B1	Independent hydraulic pinching fingers with detachable secondary implement The pinching fingers implement of the present invention provides independent grasping claws that can be independently opened or closed, and also independently rolled forward and backward, to provide for the secure and versatile grasping, manipulation and transport of irregular items. An attachment bracket may extend between two pairs of pinching fingers to allow connection of a secondary implement between the pinching fingers. The attachment bracket and the secondary implements may be structured such that the secondary implement may be attached without tools by rotating the pinching fingers forward, scooping up the implement, rotating the fingers backwards and securing the secondary implement with rotatable stands.
US08221036B2	Chatter-resistant end mill A chatter-resistant end mill and a method of making such an end mill, in which the teeth of the end mill are unequally spaced apart to substantially reduce or eliminate vibrations produced during cutting of a work piece.
US08221029B2	Water drainage and harvesting system for an artificial turf environment A water drainage and harvesting system for use with an artificial turf field comprises permeable synthetic turf, permeable impact-absorbing sub-base material beneath the turf, a water collection basin below the field, a water reservoir below the collection basin, the basin and reservoir having an impermeable liner, a water tank in the reservoir, and a conduit from the tank that allows for filtered water to be pumped to the ground surface for reuse. The disclosure further relates to a method for the construction of such a water storage and conveyance system.
US08221007B2	Plug connector having unlocking mechanism The present disclosure relates to an optical plug connector (1) having an improved unlocking mechanism. A locking arm (4), which protrudes toward the back in a slanted manner, is operatively connected to a collar (7) by way of a bracket (9). By displacing the collar (7) in an unlocking direction (−x), the connector (1) can be unlocked and removed from a sleeve.
US08220997B2	Circulating system for a linear guideway A circulating system for a linear guideway comprises a slide block, a slide rail, two cover plates, two end caps and plural rolling elements. The slide block is disposed on the slide rail. The two cover plates and the two end caps are disposed at two opposite ends of the slide block, respectively. Between the two cover plates and the two end caps are disposed inner return and outer return blocks, respectively, and the inner return and the outer return blocks each are defined with half rolling paths to form complete rolling paths. Both ends of a complete rolling path and both ends of a complete loaded path are connected to both ends of two complete return paths to complete circulation paths. The inner and outer return blocks are made by common plastic injection molding, and the formed rolling paths are made of plastic material.
US08220991B2	Electromagnetically heating a conductive medium in a composite aircraft component Nondestructive examination is performed on a composite aircraft component including a composite body and a conductive medium. The conductive medium is substantially more conductive than the composite body. The nondestructive examination includes applying an electromagnetic field that penetrates the composite body and heats the conductive medium, and creating a thermal image of the conductive medium to reveal conductivity information about the conductive medium.
US08220990B2	Wireless telemetry electronic circuit package for high temperature environments A circuit assembly (34) affixed to a moving part (20) of a turbine for receiving information about a condition of the part and transmitting this information external to the engine. The circuit assembly includes a high-temperature resistant package (34A) that attaches to the part. A high temperature resistant PC board (42) supports both active and passive components of the circuit, wherein a first group of the passive components are fabricated with zero temperature coefficient of resistance and a second group of the passive components are fabricated with a positive temperature coefficient of resistance. The active components are fabricated with high temperature metallization. Connectors (40) attached to the PC board pass through a wall of the package (34A) for communication with sensors (30) on the part and with an antenna (26) for transmitting data about the condition of the part to outside the turbine.
US08220984B2	Apparatus for producing a mixture composed of various bulk material components An apparatus for producing a mixture of various bulk materials, comprising a weighing device that is carried by the framework of the apparatus. A weighing container is suspended or supported by the weighing device, and is adapted to receive a desired mixture of bulk material components from supply containers via an upper inlet. A mixing device extends from above into the weighing container and is driven by motor-transmission means that is mounted on the framework and is gravimetrically separate from the weighing container. The mixing device is permanently suspended on the motor-transmission means free of the weighing container.
US08220983B2	Expandable joint A concrete mixing includes a barrel having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A blade extends from the interior surface for mixing concrete and a ring is positioned about the exterior surface of the barrel for rotation of the barrel. An expandable joint is provided under compression between the ring and the exterior surface of the barrel to accommodate different thermal coefficients of expansion between the barrel and the ring.
US08220982B2	Energy efficient asphalt plant An HMA plant which uses incidental heating of metal surfaces in combination with hot exhaust gases to pre-heat and pre-dry virgin aggregate material contained in an enclosed container which permits hot dry air to pass through interstices in the virgin aggregate material stored in the container.
US08220972B2	Device for allowing hand transport of a jack-o-lantern A transport device used to connect to a jack-o-lantern which serves to both provide for an illumination source and an easy manner in which to transport the jack-o-lantern when it is illuminated. There are also provided related systems and methods of use of the device. The result provides for a jack-o-lantern to be easily transported as a lantern or costume prop.
US08220970B1	Heat dissipation assembly for an LED downlight A heat dissipation assembly for an LED downlight, comprises an LED printed circuit board assembly having a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of LEDs on one of the first surface and the second surface, the LED printed circuit board assembly engaging a primary reflector on a second surface, wherein the LED printed circuit board assembly transfer thermal energy in a first mode to the heat sink and in a second mode to the primary reflector.
US08220967B2	Embedded sliding assembly and positioning structure of a lamp reflector An embedded sliding assembly and positioning structure of a lamp reflector which allows a reflector to be assembled fixedly onto a lamp. The embedded sliding assembly and positioning structure have a positioning framework having a reflector assembly side, an end side and two lateral sides. A through-hole is formed at the center of the positioning framework, and the positioning framework is also provided with an assembly and positioning portion for assembly onto the lamp. An embedded sliding guide is set at an inner edge of the end side and two lateral sides of the positioning framework. The embedded sliding guide is set in a manner to guide the sliding and locking of the flange of the reflector. A positioner enables tight locking of the flange of the reflector to the embedded sliding guide.
US08220966B2	Image display apparatus An image display apparatus includes an image forming device having pixels; a collimating optical system collimating light from the image forming device; and an optical device receiving, guiding, and outputting the collimated light as directional rays in different directions. The optical device includes a light-guiding plate; a first optical member reflecting or diffracting the light so as to totally reflect the light inside the light-guiding plate; and a second optical member causing the propagated light to emerge from the light-guiding plate. When a light ray emitted from a pixel located farthest from the center of the image forming device and a light ray emitted from a pixel located at the center of the image forming device pass through a front nodal point of the collimating optical system and are respectively incident on the collimating optical system and the light-guiding plate at angles θ1 and θ2, θ2>θ1 is satisfied.
US08220961B2	LED light fixture An LED light fixture and methods are provided in which the light from central portions of the LED light sources are reflected to illuminate areas on the periphery of an associated area, while less intense light from the sides of the LED light sources illuminate interior portions of the associated area to produce a uniform illumination, both horizontally and vertically, while minimizing direct glare from the light sources. The LED light fixture includes a heat sink having cooling fins on the periphery of the housing.
US08220959B2	Highly efficient luminaire having optical transformer providing precalculated angular intensity distribution and method therefore A highly efficient luminaire is provided. The luminaire includes a light source that emits light. The emitted light is redirected by a light transformer having a curved circular reflective interior surface, the reflective interior surface reflecting the light in a predetermined pattern. A substantial amount of light being may be reflected close to an axis coincident with a radial line defining a radius of the circular reflective interior surface. Additionally, a substantial amount of light may be reflected in a pattern with low divergency or parallel with an axis of the light transformer. The light is transmitted to the exterior of the luminaire by an optical window.
US08220955B2	Lighting device A lighting device may be provided that includes a housing, a coupling member coupled to the housing, a reflector coupled between the housing and the coupling member, and a light source unit coupled to the coupling member to emit light toward the reflector. A first portion of a first body of the light source unit may be coupled to the coupling member, and a second portion of the first body may include a light source module that includes a light to emit light toward the reflector.
US08220950B1	Distress marker system A portable distress light including a plurality of light emitting diodes and a light mode switch to power the diodes so as to provide a flashing white light, a flashing infrared light, a flashing blue light and a steady white light. Status indicators are included on the device to correspondingly identify the operative mode selected. The light emitting diodes include top-emitting diodes and side-emitting diodes that are arranged on a printed circuit board in a variety of configurations to provide an optimum light pattern. Exemplary configurations include positioning the light emitting diodes into a triangular pattern, and a square or rectangular pattern. The distress device further includes a variety of reflectors that are disposed over the light emitting diodes to provide a horizontally dispersed light pattern. An operating circuit provides the benefit of a delay period between mode selections. An alternative embodiment provides a distress light including a cylindrically-shaped form having a top dome attached to a cylindrical body.
US08220947B2	Differential driver circuit A first current source supplies a tail current It to a plurality of differential pairs. A pre-driver outputs gate signals to the gates of transistors of the corresponding differential pair. A pre-driver is configured to switch the state between the enable state and the disable state. In the enable state, the pre-driver outputs the gate signals that correspond to the differential signals. In the disable state, the pre-driver outputs the gate signals having levels which instruct the transistors of the corresponding differential pair to switch off.
US08220944B2	Backlight unit Provided is a backlight unit including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit light; a plurality of LED modules having a printed circuit board (PCB) which supports and drives the plurality of LEDs; a plurality of optical sheets that are attached to the top surfaces of the respective LED modules; and a plurality of heat radiating pads that are attached to the rear surfaces of the respective LED modules.
US08220941B2	Compact high intensity solar simulator A solar simulator for testing photovoltaic cells is disclosed herein. The solar simulator includes a housing having an opening through which light is emitted. The solar simulator employs a plurality of concave cylindrical mirrors and a plurality of flat mirrors that reflect and redirect images of an illuminated light source such that an observer at a target area outside the housing will perceive multiple instances of the illuminated light source. The housing also contains a flat top cover mirror and a flat bottom cover mirror that function to reflect additional light through the opening and toward the target area.
US08220933B1	Method and apparatus for data transfer using an optical link in a projector system A projection system for projecting an output image. The projection system comprises 1) a plurality of laser diodes, each laser diode generating a light beam; 2) combiner optics for combining light beams from the laser diodes to generate an output light beam; and a MEMS mirror module for receiving the output light beam and generating a scanning light beam operable to form the output image on a projection surface. A controller operates the projection system in a first mode in which the projection system projects an output image and operates the projection system in a second mode in which the projection system transmits data to an external device using a light beam from one of the plurality of laser diodes.
US08220932B2	Dry erasable projection article and system A communication article and system comprising a writing member having a dry erasable front surface and a projection member is disclosed. The projection member includes an asymmetric optical diffuser that scatters light in a first direction with a first viewing angle AH, and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with a second viewing angle AV. The ratio AH/AV is at least about 2.
US08220923B2	Eyeglass frame sizing systems and methods An eyeglass frame sizing system includes a frame member, a pair of adjustable rims supported by the frame member, each rim including an indicator for indicating a center of the rim, an adjustable nosepiece supported by the frame member, a pair of adjustable temples each supported by one of the pair of rims and a plurality of sensors for detecting positions of the pair of adjustable rims, the pair of adjustable temples and the adjustable nosepiece.
US08220920B2	Transport roller, transport device and printing apparatus A transport device includes a transport roller that is formed into a cylindrical shape in such a manner that a pair of end surfaces thereof are matched with each other by press working, and includes a medium supporting region in a part thereof in a longitudinal direction, while the medium supporting region supporting a medium; and a bearing that pivotally supports a region of the transport roller, the region being other than the medium supporting region. The transport roller includes an opening in the region other than the medium supporting region in a seam formed by matching the pair of end surfaces with each other.
US08220916B2	Light emitting device, method of manufacturing light emitting device, and ink jet recording apparatus A light emitting device includes a substrate, a light emitting body, a thermally conductive member, and a heat radiation member. The substrate has a first face and a second face which is a face opposite to the first face. The light emitting body is held on a side of the first face of the substrate and emits light. The thermally conductive member is provided so as to be in contact with the second face of the substrate and contains a high thermal conductive material. The heat radiation member is provided so as to be in contact with the thermally conductive member and radiates heat conducted from the substrate through the thermally conductive member.
US08220914B2	Label detection method and label printer Labels can be detected on various types of label paper. Two photodetectors are disposed side by side in the transportation direction of label paper either above or below the transportation path of the printer, and a light-emitting device is disposed at a position opposite the photodetectors with the transportation path therebetween. Alternatively, the light-emitting device is disposed at a position between the photodetectors. Each time the label paper is advanced a unit amount, the light that passes through or the light that is reflected by the parts of the label paper at the detection positions on the transportation path is detected, and whether the amplified difference of these two detector outputs is greater than or equal to a specific threshold value set according to the difference in the transmittance of the liner and the label is determined. Passage of an edge part of a label or black mark between the detection positions is detected based on the result of this decision.
US08220913B2	Ink-jet recording method An ink-jet recording method is provided, which includes (i) supplying on a coated paper a treatment liquid containing 15% by mass or more of a polyvalent metal compound for fixing the components contained in an ink composition and having a viscosity at 25° C. of from 2 mPa·s to 8 mPa·s, in an amount of from −50% to +50% with respect to the value of ΔV [ml/m2] determined by the following Formula (I); and (ii) recording an image by ejecting an ink composition containing a colorant, resin particles, an aqueous organic solvent and water by an ink-jet method on the coated paper to which the treatment liquid has been supplied. Vr represents a roughness index of the coated paper obtained from a measurement of liquid absorbability according to the Bristow method, and Vi represents the amount of transfer at an inflection point where the value of absorption coefficient of the coated paper changes in the measurement of liquid absorbability according to the Bristow method. ΔV=Vi−Vr Formula (I)
US08220908B2	Printhead having improved gas flow deflection system A printhead includes a drop generator configured to selectively form a large volume drop and a small volume drop from liquid emitted through a nozzle associated with the drop generator, the large volume drop and the small volume drop traveling along an initial drop trajectory, and a gas flow deflection system including a gas flow that interacts with the large volume drop and the small volume drop in a drop deflection zone such that at least the small volume drop is deflected from the initial drop trajectory, the gas flow being provided by a gas flow source connected in fluid communication with a gas flow duct, the gas flow deflection system including a gas flow pressure oscillation dampening structure located between the gas flow source and the drop deflection zone.
US08220907B2	Non-conductive fluid droplet characterizing apparatus and method A fluid droplet characterizing apparatus and method includes a pressurized source of a non-conductive fluid in fluid communication with a nozzle channel and a characterization electrode. The pressurized source is operable to form a jet of the non-conductive fluid through the nozzle channel. At least one portion of the characterization electrode is electrically conductive and contactable with first portion and thereafter a second portion of the non-conductive fluid jet. The at least one electrically conductive portion of the characterization electrode is operable to transfer a first electrical charge to a region of the first portion of the non-conductive fluid jet and transfer a second electrical charge to a region of the second portion of the non-conductive fluid jet.
US08220906B2	Liquid jet head, a liquid jet apparatus and a method for manufacturing a liquid jet head An ink jet recording head 10 is provided which includes: piezoelectric elements 17 as a pressure generation unit that causes pressure change in pressure generation chambers 11 which are communicated with nozzle openings 13 that eject liquid; a driving circuit 60 as a driving unit that generates a driving signal for driving the pressure generation unit; a case head 20 that accommodates therein the driving unit; and a thermal conductor 35 that is in contact with the driving unit and the case head 20, in which the thermal conductor 35 and the case head 20 are fixed to each other via an thermally conductive adhesive layer 72 as a thermally conductive layer.
US08220894B2	Image forming apparatus, communication device, and cartridge This invention provides an image forming apparatus which communicates with a plurality of cartridges without increasing its circuit dimension. To accomplish this, the apparatus includes a control circuit having an output terminal for outputting a clock signal and data signal used to generate a transmission signal to the cartridge, and an input terminal for receiving a transmission signal from the cartridge. The apparatus includes N connectors each having the first electrode which is connected to the first electrode surface of each cartridge, and the second electrode which is connected to the second electrode surface. The apparatus includes a 1-to-N first signal line for connecting the input terminal to the N first electrodes, and a 1-to-N second signal line for connecting the output terminal to the N second electrodes. The apparatus includes N switching units which are interposed between 1-to-N branch points and the second electrodes on the second signal line.
US08220892B2	Printhead and printing apparatus using the printhead First and second selection signals for selecting one of print data and n pulse signals stored in a shift register are latched. The first or second selection signal is selected in accordance with an input selection information switching signal, and one of the n input pulse signals is selected based on the selected signal. A heat pulse selection circuit outputs the selected pulse signal as a heat pulse signal. The level of the selection information switching signal switches midway to switch the selected pulse signal. Parts of two pulse signals before and after switching are combined to generate a heat pulse signal.
US08220890B2	Inkjet printer and method for connecting ink cartridges In an inkjet printer, ink cartridges are set individually in predetermined positions of a cartridge holder portion. Information on the ink cartridges is read by read portions and it is determined whether or not the ink cartridges are adaptive. If all the ink cartridges set in the predetermined positions of the cartridge holder portion are determined to be adaptive, a drive unit is driven to perform a connecting operation.
US08220889B2	Web flow path A web flow path extends in a first direction opposite a print head and in a second opposite direction from the print head to a dryer.
US08220877B2	Electric parking brake system An electric parking brake system is equipped with a parking brake driven by an electric actuator for braking wheels of a vehicle, a vehicle condition sensing section for detecting vehicle conditions, a target braking force setting section for setting a target braking force on the basis of vehicle condition detected, compared and weighted by the vehicle condition sensing section so as to overcome a trouble of a part of sensing section, a parking condition detecting section for sensing a change of the vehicle condition from a stopping condition to a parking condition, and a control section for increasing a braking force according to the change in the vehicle condition so as to avoid a creep movement of the vehicle. Thereby, the electric parking brake system with a highly improved reliability can be provided.
US08220876B2	Electronic compressed air system An electronic compressed air system for vehicles includes a compressed air supply part having a compressor, a compressed air consumer part having load circuits forming an air-suspension circuit, and service-brake circuits having reservoirs. The load circuits are supplied with compressed air via solenoid valves. The pressure in the load circuits is monitored by pressure sensors whose signals are evaluated by an ECU that controls the solenoid valves. The solenoid valve of the air-suspension circuit does not include reservoirs and is closed in the de-energized normal state. The solenoid valves of other load circuits, especially of the service-brake circuits are open in the de-energized normal state. With a pressure demand of the air-suspension circuit, the associated solenoid valve is switched by the ECU to open position to establish communication with the compressed air supply part and/or with the service-brake circuits or with the reservoirs thereof, to refill the air-suspension circuit.
US08220873B2	KEMLOK adult Booster Seat System The Booster Seat System is a lightweight, portable, non-mechanical, affordable system in its own carrying case, which enables people with diminished strength in the back and/or legs, such as recovering surgical patients, elderly, disabled, or obese people and/or pregnant women, to comfortably and safely attain a standing position from most seating arrangements without the assistance of another person.
US08220863B2	Body for a motor vehicle A body for a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to a supporting structure, a hood, which is hinged to the supporting structure and includes, but is not limited to a framework and an outer skin, and at least one compressible support disposed between the framework of the hood and the supporting structure. A contact surface opposite the support on the hood side is connected to the outer skin by a stiffening element extending through a cavity of the framework.
US08220862B2	Door device of small-sized vehicle Provide a door device of a small-sized vehicle that can secure space for occupants. An openable door 70 is provided to a side of a vehicle body to cover an opening and a convex portion 75 that gets on a footboard 62 when the door 70 is closed is provided to an inside lower part of the door 70.
US08220857B2	Beam for a motor vehicle dashboard A tubular dashboard beam (100) has a circular cross-section and extends transversely between vertical pillars of a motor vehicle. The beam is formed in one piece and has at least two different diameters (d1, d2, d3) between the two ends thereof, a larger diameter (d1) of the beam being in the region of an end (101, 102) of the beam which is intended to be located in the region of a driver's seat of the motor vehicle. At least the end at the driver's seat side which must be fixed to a vertical pillar of the motor vehicle is partially crushed so as to have a cross-section in the form of a circular arc whose chord (105) which closes the cross-section extends at one side and the other of the circular arc (106), providing a planar face whose lateral edges (109) surround the curved face of the circular arc.
US08220855B2	Tailgate structure A tailgate structure having a tailgate (17) composed of an outer panel (31), a frame (32), and a lining (33); and a lock mechanism (43). The frame has an opening (61) formed between the lock mechanism and a mounting hole (35) for an externally mounted component, the hole being formed in the outer panel. The lining has a protrusion (68) that protrudes toward the exterior of the vehicle. The protrusion is positioned on a line that connects the mounting hole and the lock mechanism. When a rod-shaped member is inserted into the tailgate from the mounting hole, the rod-shaped member will come into contact with the protrusion and will not reach the lock mechanism.
US08220840B2	Positive locking device for snorkels, scuba regulators and the like Positive locking device for components of snorkels and other equipment such as diving regulators, buoyancy compensator hoses and the like. The locking device in a preferred embodiment comprises a hard plastic C-shaped ring or clamp which is preferably mechanically and/or chemically bonded into a soft plastic component connector during molding of that component. The ring or clamp provides an effective locking feature which prevents inadvertent demating of components during a dive or other activity that could otherwise result in a dangerous loss of function. An additional embodiment of the invention provides an optional indexing feature which serves the useful function of audible and tactile feedback during adjustment of components having the locking device.
US08220836B2	Method of processing reply cards In a reply card enabling a recipient of said reply card to answer at least one request made by a sender of said reply card by taking a determined physical action on at least one identified zone of said reply card, provision is made for at least one identified zone of said reply card to be provided with a succession of signs printed with a conductive ink, and for a determined physical action to be taken that consists in perforating at least one of said identified zones so as to detach at least a portion of said succession of signs printed with a conductive ink from the reply card, the effect of said detaching being to prevent a radio-frequency read device possessed by the sender from receiving the answer associated with said succession of signs printed with a conductive ink and detached by the recipient.
US08220834B2	Steering column arrangement for motor vehicles A steering column arrangement including a steering column and a steering wheel, which is oriented at an angle to a horizontal, in which the steering column is connected to at least two pivoted levers, which each have a pivot bearing at both ends, the pivot bearings situated on the side of the pivoted levers remote from the steering wheel being fixedly attached, while the pivot bearings attached to the other end of the pivoted levers are arranged at a reciprocal distance from the steering column, the arrangement of the pivoted levers and the pivot bearings being selected so that under a force acting on the steering wheel in the direction of travel the steering wheel and steering column are moved simultaneously in the direction of travel and the steering wheel increases said angle.
US08220833B2	Rotational breakaway trailer jack assembly and method of use A rotational jack assembly is provided to support a portion of a trailer. The jack assembly has a pivot mount with a pivot axis, a mounting plate rotatable about the pivot axis and a pin receptor with a first and second portion. The mounting plate carries a support assembly and a locking pin. The locking pin is engagable with the pin receptor, and adapted to move between the first and second portions of the pin receptor upon application of rotational force. A force activated locking assembly and a breakaway support assembly are also provided for supporting a portion of a trailer. A method of use for the rotational breakaway trailer jack assembly is also disclosed.
US08220832B2	Airbag system, vehicle seat comprising an airbag system, and deployment for an airbag system The invention relates to an airbag system comprising an airbag module, which has an opening mechanism for the airbag tear seam of a seat cover for the airbag accommodated underneath the cover in a non-visible manner, wherein the opening mechanism is configured such that the deploying force of the airbag tears a hole or holes into the tear seam, which bring(s) about a slight opening of the seam according to the physics of a ‘run,’ wherein a strip, or plurality of strips, or strip ends sewn into the airbag tear seam of the seat cover in more than one locations is/are torn from the seam driven by the deploying force of the airbag. The invention further relates to a vehicle seat comprising such an airbag system, and to a deployment method for such an airbag system.
US08220831B2	Side curtain air-bag In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an inflatable curtain for a motor vehicle is provided. The inflatable curtain is formed of layers of fabric and is deployable from a rolled state forming a roll to an inflated state. The air-bag comprises part of the air-bag that forms the upper-most edge of the air-bag when the air-bag is in the inflated state extending downwardly from the roll to lie proximate a side part of the motor vehicle on which the air-bag is to be mounted. At least a portion of the roll is positioned above the upper-most edge in the rolled state and is driven downward below the upper-most edge during deployment to the inflated state. The air-bag further provides a gas flow duct. When the air-bag is in the rolled state, the gas flow duct is provided at the top part of the roll.
US08220827B2	Fastener and method for triggering a side airbag A fastener for an inner panel of a motor vehicle has a proximal fastening foot for connection to the inner panel and a distal retaining clip for the captive fastening in a retaining opening of a vehicle body reinforcement. A retaining ramp, which is movable in the direction of an opening plane of the retaining opening of the vehicle body reinforcement, is provided between the proximal fastening foot and the distal retaining clip to retain the fastener in the retaining opening. It is thus possible to pull the fastener as a whole somewhat out of the retaining opening, in order to form an opening space for unfolding an airbag between the inner panel and the vehicle body reinforcement.
US08220823B2	Pediatric transporter and associated methods The technology described herein provides a portable, collapsible, and multifunctional pediatric transporter. The pediatric transporter provides walker, stander, sitting chair, stroller, and wheelchair functionality. The pediatric transporter includes frame members joined each to the other forming a frame, non-swiveled, and swiveled wheels, handlebars disposed upon the frame, a handgrip disposed upon each handlebar, a removable, storable seat, a support bar configured to support the seat when the seat is in use and being a handle bar for a standing child when the seat is not is use, a removable, storable standing platform, hinges disposed upon the frame to provide foldability, collapsibility, and portability of the pediatric transporter, and a lever configured to be depressed single-handedly to collapse the pediatric transporter. The pediatric transporter is reconfigurable interchangeably as a walker (ride-upon within the standing platform, walking with without the standing platform, and walking behind), stander, sitting chair, stroller, and wheelchair.
US08220819B2	Front tow extended saddle A front tow extended saddle is disclosed. The saddle allows a first towing truck to mount a second truck, facing forward, behind the first truck, in order to tow the second truck to a distant location. The saddle allows the towed truck to face forward during transport, thus allowing for the normal loads and stresses of movement on the towed truck. This configuration is preferable to movement with the towed truck facing-rearward, in which the typical aerodynamic surfaces of a large truck act as a drag during transport, imposing high wind loads and unusual stresses. The front tow extended saddle is also designed to minimize the required vertical rise on the towed truck, which also avoids additional stresses during loading and unloading onto the towing truck.

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