Document	Document Title
US08234093B2	Computational method for load enhancement factors The computation of a Load Factor, a Life Factor or a Load Enhancement Factor using Modified Joint Weibull Analysis may include retrieving a test data set from at least one database and analyzing the data retrieved for fit with a Weibull distribution model. The test data may be analyzed to determine if at least two coupons have been tested and if applied loads and duration of testing at a component-level were varied. A shape parameter may be calculated for the Weibull distribution model. A scale parameter may be calculated for the Weibull distribution of the data. A stress to life cycle relationship may be calculated to account for scatter in the data through the Weibull distribution data. The Life Factor, the Load Factor or the Load Enhancement Factor may be calculated based on the stress to life cycle relationship to account for scatter.
US08234089B2	Auto-scheduling of tests System and method for performing a multiple tests on each of one or more units, where each of the tests requires a respective resource of a plurality of resources. A first test is performed on a unit using a first resource. During performance of the first test, a search is made for a second test, requiring a second resource, where the second resource is not currently being used. If the second test is found, the second test is performed on the unit, or a second unit, using the second resource, substantially concurrently with at least a portion of the first test being performed on the unit. Performing a test includes locking the respective resource to exclude use by other tests, including acquiring the resource, and unlocking the resource upon completion of the test, including releasing the resource for use in performing the respective test on another of the units.
US08234088B2	Presentation of unbalance information for electrical asset management Disclosed herein is an approach that presents unbalance information obtained from electrical assets in a manner that facilitates management of the electrical assets. In one aspect, a screen view is generated that provides a visual representation of the electrical assets as partitioned into one or more groupings that are each based on a common operational characteristic associated with the electrical assets. The screen view also contains unbalance information that is associated with each of the electrical assets in the one or more groupings and at least one statistical measure that is associated with each of the one or more groupings.
US08234087B2	Apparatus and method for detecting a status of a secondary battery connected to a load A battery status detecting method for detecting a battery status of a secondary battery that supplies power to an electrical load is disclosed. This method includes measuring a discharge current value of the secondary battery, and estimating the dischargeable capacity or the dischargeable time of the secondary battery with the measured discharge current value based on discharge characteristics of the secondary battery indicating the discharge status of the secondary battery when the voltage of the secondary battery drops to a predetermined voltage specified by the electrical load.
US08234084B2	Apparatus and method for automatic gauge reading in an inventory control and management system A system includes a probe configured to be raised and lowered in a tank that is configured to receive a material. The system also includes a connector coupled to the probe and having at least one type of coding encoded on the connector. The system further includes a main unit configured to raise and lower the probe using the connector, digitally capture information associated with the at least one type of coding on the connector, determine a level reading identifying a level of the material in the tank using the captured information, and wirelessly transmit the determined level reading.
US08234082B1	Methods and systems for data smoothing stress data Methods and systems for data smoothing raw data such as stress data. The present invention may utilize various techniques to smooth data such as dropping data using a stress threshold, dropping data by resample (or decimation), and smoothing by dynamic binning. Additionally, the present invention may utilize a transform function to estimate stress from a stress sensor to areas of peak stress. In an exemplary application, the present invention can be utilized to reduce stress data collected by a plurality of embedded stress sensors in a rocket motor for purposes of computing service life of the motor.
US08234065B2	Vehicle navigation apparatus and method A vehicle navigation apparatus includes an imaging device, a guidance point determining device, an object detecting device and a traveling guiding device. The imaging device takes an image of a periphery adjacent to a subject vehicle. The guidance point determining device determines the subject vehicle to be located at a traveling guidance point or not. The object detecting device detects a changing object by comparing two images of the periphery taken at a predetermined interval, when the guidance point determining device determines the subject vehicle to be located at the traveling guidance point. The traveling guiding device performs a traveling guidance by using the changing object as a target object of the traveling guidance.
US08234061B2	Systems and methods for controlling a satellite navigation receiver A satellite navigation receiver having multiple operation states includes a processing unit and a power management interface. The processing unit is operable for locating the satellite navigation receiver based on multiple satellite signals and operable for setting multiple time durations of the operation states respectively based on a velocity of the satellite navigation receiver. The power management interface coupled to the processing unit is operable for switching the satellite navigation receiver among the operation states according to the time durations.
US08234045B2	Failure mode effects mitigation in drive-by-wire systems Systems and methods for mitigating failure mode effects in a steer-by-wire system. The system includes a controller configured to alter a direction of the vehicle when the controller is in a failure mode. A steering device is coupled to a detector. The detector is configured to detect a steering input from a driver and output a signal representative of the steering input. A first actuator is coupled to a first control device. The first control device is configured to generate a first control signal representative of the steering input when the controller is in the failure mode. The first actuator alters the direction of the vehicle by removing energy from the vehicle. A second actuator is coupled to a second control device. The second control device is configured to generate a second control signal representative of the steering input when the controller is in the failure mode. The second actuator alters the direction of the vehicle by adding energy to the vehicle.
US08234043B2	Motion control device of vehicle A motion control device of a vehicle comprises: a steering angle controller which controls a steering angle of a steering wheel so that an actual turning control variable becomes a target turning control variable; and a braking force controller which controls a vehicle braking force so that the actual turning control variable becomes the target turning control variable. The braking force controller selectively uses, as a steering angle signal for control, a first steering angle signal which reflects a steering angle compensation quantity compensated by the steering angle controller at the time of the oversteering of the vehicle is reflected, and a second steering angle signal which does not reflect the steering angle compensation quantity.
US08234038B2	Intake air temperature diagnostic system A method of evaluating intake air temperature (IAT) sensor rationality may include measuring a first intake air temperature associated with an engine using an IAT sensor when the engine is in a non-operating condition, determining a second intake air temperature associated with the engine using a hot wire air flow meter when the engine is in the non-operating condition, and indicating an IAT sensor fault when a difference between the first and second intake air temperatures exceeds a predetermined temperature limit.
US08234033B2	Guidance method for agricultural vehicle An automated method and system includes an automatic guidance system (AGS) and swath pattern. The AGS steers a vehicle towing a rotary baler in an “S”, or oscillatory pattern around a predetermined approximate centerline of the swath path. The oscillatory pattern may be user defined. By steering the vehicle in an oscillatory pattern referenced to the A-B line, a windrow of crop material may be distributed into an even and optimal bale size and density by the baler. Bale chamber sensors detect an imbalance of crop density and in response, AGS adjusts an interval or amplitude of oscillatory pattern.
US08234027B2	Charge-discharge management apparatus and computer readable medium having instructions for achieving the apparatus In charge-discharge control for a battery in a hybrid vehicle, when a difference between a target SOC (State Of Charge) and a present SOC becomes greater than or equal to a reference range in an estimated route to a destination, a charge schedule is drawn up again as a charge re-schedule. However, if the number of times of the re-schedule becomes greater than or equal to predetermined N times or if a remaining distance to the destination becomes less than a predetermined reference distance, a hybrid control based on the charge schedule is stopped without the charge re-schedule drawn up.
US08234026B2	Electric drive vehicle control system Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. These features include a power take-off timeout, automatic fail-safe brake (parking), and customized drive characteristics.
US08234022B2	Track transportation system The essential feature of the present invention is the provision of a track transportation system in which a vehicle runs on a predetermined track, being automatically steered, having a simplified and lightweight structure so as to surely ensure a safety, and to be capable of carrying out efficient and high-speed operation. The track transportation system according to the present invention incorporates a steering mechanism for automatic steering by means of an M actuator, a protection guide rail laid on the track, protection guide wheels which travel together with the vehicle along the protection guide rail without making contact with the latter, and a control means for controlling automatic steering in accordance with a result of determination by a track data determining means for determining a straight portion, a curved portion, a turnout portion or the like of the track in view of vehicle position data, and steering caused by the protection wheels making contact with the protection guide rail.
US08234017B2	Electronic smart meter enabling demand response and method for demand response The electric smart meter enabling demand response and method for the demand response are disclosed capable of acquiring an option and response information from a subscriber for enabling an active demand control, and to this end, the electric smart meter is embedded therewithin at least one or more integrated monitoring modules and includes microprocessors for transmitting a power control command to a relevant integrated monitoring module in response to a power control program based on the rate system, and controllably transmitting the measured and monitored data stored in the memory to the master server side via the communication module as well.
US08234010B2	Tethered robot positioning A system and method for positioning a mobile machine, such as a robot, using a tether line connected between two mobile machines. A first mobile machine, such as a boundary vehicle, is controlled to move along a path, such as a boundary defining an area. The first machine employs a localization device to determine and maintain its position on the path. A tether line is connected between the boundary vehicle and a second mobile machine, such as a roving vehicle. The first machine determines the position of the second machine relative to the first machine from a length of extension and angle of the tether line. The first machine controls movement of the second machine to perform a task or mission, such as a task performed in the area defined by the boundary.
US08234009B2	Autonomous mobile apparatus and method of mobility When an autonomous mobile apparatus moves autonomously along near a master and there is an object in the surrounding environment recognized by a camera and a communication device and the like, a danger level detecting portion detects a danger level of the object to the master, and an actuator controlling portion and an electric motor move the autonomous mobile apparatus based on the danger level. As a result, the autonomous mobile apparatus moves autonomously along near the master, as well as detects the danger level to the master and moves based on the danger level. Accordingly, the autonomous mobile apparatus can move in a manner so as to ensure the safety of the master taking this danger level into account.
US08234003B2	Monitoring circuit, monitoring device and monitoring method thereof A monitoring device for monitoring an abnormal load or unload operation of a wafer. The monitoring device includes a sensing unit and a detective unit. The sensing unit is for providing a sensing information, which indicates whether the wafer protrudes from a side of a carrier. The detective unit is for determining whether a duration, for which the wafer protrudes from the side of the carrier exceeds a predetermined time, for which the wafer is loaded or unloaded, according to the sensing information. If the duration exceeds the predetermined time, the detective unit further triggers an abnormal event.
US08234002B2	Closed container and control system for closed container A closed container in which a reticle etc. is stored and kept is provided with a pressure sensor, transmission means for transmitting data on the pressure, a controller that controls the operation of them, and a battery serving as a power source of the above elements. The controller has a sleep mode in which it causes the transmission means to transmit the data on the pressure at regular intervals and an active mode in which it causes the transmission means to transmit the data on the pressure when necessary in response to an externally supplied command. By the above described configuration, the pressure in the interior of the container can be checked appropriately.
US08233994B2	Active fixation medical lead An implantable medical device that includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a helical fixation member extending from the distal end of the elongated body, the helical fixation member including a distal tip for affixing the distal end of the elongated body at an implant site, and a tracking member extending from the distal end of the elongated body, through the helical fixation member and outward from the distal tip of the helical fixation member for tracking along an implant pathway during implantation of the implantable medical device.
US08233986B2	Connector header for implantable medical device A connector header includes a housing formed from a plastic material having a modulus of rigidity of 100 ksi or greater. The housing defines an opening for insertion of a lead. The connector header further includes a lead receptacle having an electrically conductive element. The electrically conductive element is operably couplable to a feedthrough of the implantable medical device. The lead receptacle is in communication with the opening and is disposed within the housing such that an electrical contact of the lead is electrically couplable to the conductive element of the receptacle when the lead is inserted into the receptacle.
US08233985B2	MRI compatible implanted electronic medical device with power and data communication capability An antenna module, that is compatible with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner for the purpose of diagnostic quality imaging, is adapted to be implanted inside an animal. The antenna module comprises an electrically non-conducting, biocompatible, and electromagnetically transparent enclosure with inductive antenna wires looping around an inside surface. An electronic module is enclosed in an electromagnetic shield inside the enclosure to minimize the electromagnetic interference from the magnetic resonance imaging scanner.
US08233952B2	Superconducting magnet There is provided a superconducting magnet including a superconducting coil, in which the superconducting coil includes: a bobbin; one or more superconducting wires wound around the bobbin in a plurality of turns, each superconducting wire being one or more superconducting filaments embedded in a matrix; and one or more metallic members, each metallic member being in electrical and thermal contact with a plurality of portions of the one or more superconducting wires.
US08233950B2	Wireless portable device with reduced RF signal interference A handheld device may include one or more antennas and a connector both disposed at a base of the handheld device. The connector may have a shell comprising a conductive material. The connector shell may include at least one opening in a portion of the conductive material to reduce electromagnetic interference between the connector shell and the one or more antennas.
US08233949B2	Mobile phone A mobile phone switches the electrical connection between one of at least two SIM cards received in a slidable holder which is slidably received in a receiving groove having an electrical connector.
US08233946B2	Electronic device with battery securing mechanism An electronic device includes a main body, a battery, a locking member, and an elastic member. The main body defines a receiving cavity. The receiving cavity has a plurality of sidewalls. One of the sidewalls defines a receiving depression. The battery is detachably received in the receiving cavity. The locking member is fixed on the battery. The locking member includes an elastic resisting portion. The button is positioned on the main body. The elastic member biases the button. The elastic resisting portion is inserted into the receiving depression to fix the battery. When an external force is applied to the button, the button pushes the elastic resisting portion out of the receiving depression so that the battery can be taken out. After the external force is removed, the elastic member pushes the button to return to its original position.
US08233935B2	Method and system for sharing RF filters in systems supporting WCDMA and GSM Aspects of a method and system for sharing RF filters in systems supporting WCDMA and GSM are provided. A receiver in a wireless device enables receiving WCDMA signals and GSM signals. The WCDMA signals may be received via at least one duplexer within the wireless device. A processing path for the received WCDMA signals or a processing path for the received GSM signals may be selected within the receiver. The processing paths may share bandpass filtering and signal amplification. A gain in the shared signal amplification may be adjusted after filtering the received signals. For received WCDMA signals, the gain adjustment may be based on a gain provided to the received WCDMA signals before applying the shared bandpass filtering. At least one signal may be generated for selecting the processing path and/or for adjusting the shared signal amplification gain.
US08233933B2	Mobile communication system According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication system which comprises a plurality of base stations each accommodating mobile terminals via radio channels, and base station control devices connecting the base stations to an Internet Protocol (IP) network via cable channels, and achieves voice communication through Voice over IP (VoIP) via the IP network. And the mobile communication system comprises a system management device which is connected to the base station control devices via the IP network and acquires operation information of the plurality of base stations through the base station control devices.
US08233932B2	Method and apparatus for improving signaling reliability in wireless communications Techniques for sending signaling at different power levels in different operating modes are described. In one design, a UE may send signaling at a first power level in a first operating mode and may send the signaling at a second power level in a second operating mode. The UE may send the signaling with a ternary indication in the first operating mode and with an on/off keying (OOK) indication in the second operating mode. The signaling may be for acknowledgement (ACK). The UE may send ACK, negative acknowledgement (NACK), and discontinuous transmission (DTX) with ternary indications in the first operating mode. The UE may send ACK and DTX with OOK indications in the second operating mode. The UE may receive at least one power offset from a network entity and may determine the first and second power levels based on the received power offsets(s).
US08233929B2	Method for managing one or more media types supported in a PoC session in a withdrawal message, and a PoC system and a PoC user equipment for implementing the same A PoC system, method, user equipment and server used for managing one or more media types supported in a PoC session opened between a PoC server and one or more PoC clients is provided. When at least one PoC client is engaged in a Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Push-to-talk (PPT) over Cellular (PoC) multimedia communication service and is to be withdraw from a PoC session in which the PoC client is participating, a PoC server identifies and stores information about one or more media types that were negotiated to be usable between the corresponding PoC client and the PoC server when the corresponding PoC client joined the PoC session. Next, when the number of PoC clients using the identified one or more media types among remaining PoC clients participating in the PoC session is one or less, the PoC server determines that the identified one or more media types is no longer needed for the corresponding PoC session, and corrects the PoC session so as to not use the identified one or more media types. Accordingly, when the one or more media types will not be received by any PoC client in the PoC session the use of the one or more media types in the PoC session is discontinued, so that it is possible to prevent a transmission error of the corresponding one or more media types and to save resources allocated to the corresponding one or more media types.
US08233928B2	System and method for managing spectrum allocation Disclosed are techniques for managing situations where spectrum use by one party is preempted by spectrum needs of another party. A revocation may be sent from a spectrum management system to secondary radio systems that are impacted by the presence of priority radio system. Remedial action may be taken if an acknowledgement of the revocation message is not received from a secondary radio system. Also, the secondary radio systems may transmit keep-alive messages to monitor operation of the communication pathway for the revocation messages.
US08233920B2	Angle of arrival downlink signaling A wireless communication network determines positioning data for a given mobile terminal, in response to receiving a positioning event trigger for that mobile terminal. The network sends the positioning data to the mobile terminal via control-plane signaling, for transfer by the mobile terminal to the user plane. Correspondingly, the mobile terminal receives the positioning data over the control plane, transfers it to the user plane, and transmits the positioning data or location information derived from the positioning data, via user-plane signaling. As such, network-performed positioning measurements and/or geographic coordinate data derived therefrom are transferred from the control plane, to the user plane, for flexible and transparent transmission from the mobile terminal to a given node having a user-plane connection with the mobile terminal. Such a node may be essentially any type of communication device, system, or server, internal or external to the network.
US08233915B2	Updating position assist data on a mobile computing device A mobile computing device comprises a memory, a processor and a transceiver. The memory is configured to store at least one type of position assist data. The processor is configured to provide a position fix based on the position assist data. The transceiver is configured for wireless communication. The memory is configured to store updated position assist data for the type of position assist data. The processor is operable in a first operating mode in which the type of position assist data is not updated and operable in a second operating mode in which the type of position assist data is updated in response to at least one triggering event.
US08233913B2	Automatic place detection Systems and methods are provided for obtaining a signature for a place. A server receives information about a place, such as name of the place, from client devices when the devices are at the place, and data related to wireless transmission stations detected by the client devices. The data comprises wireless transmission station identifiers and signal strength information. The server associates the information about the place with the data. Systems and methods are also provided for detecting a place for a client device. The server receives data related to one or more wireless transmission stations detected by the client device when the device is at the place. The data comprises wireless transmission station identifiers and signal strength information. The server compares the set of data with signatures of places, selects a signature based on the comparison, and transmits to the client device information about the place in the selected signature.
US08233910B2	Wireless communication device, wireless communication method and program A wireless communication device is provided which includes a transmission section for discretely increasing transmission power and transmitting wireless signals, and an estimation section for estimating that, when a response signal to a previous wireless signal is not received from a first wireless communication device but a response signal to a current wireless signal is received therefrom, the first wireless communication device exists in a hollow circular first area, which is a difference between a reachable area of the previous wireless signal and a reachable area of the current wireless signal, having the self device at a center.
US08233906B2	Method and arrangement for determination of the radio coverage in a multicell mobile radio system A method for determination of a radio coverage and a method for positional determination of a mobile terminal in a multi-cellular mobile radio system in which the actual received field strength for several or all base stations is measured at a number of measuring points in differing locations. The measured values for the actual received field strengths are entered in a databank as actual local values. Interpolated values are calculated from the actual received field strengths for virtual measuring points lying between the measuring points and the base stations and entered in the databank. Substitute values for the received field strengths are calculated for geographical positions at which neither measured nor interpolated values for the received field strengths are available, the substitute values being calculated from the relevant transmitter power, the distance from the relevant base station to said geographical point and a propagation model and entered in the databank.
US08233901B2	Method and system of providing personal information control service for mobile communication terminal A method and system for providing a personal information control service for a mobile communication terminal are disclosed. The method for providing personal information control service for a mobile communication terminal includes: transmitting, by a service client, a loss registration control command to a service operating system; notifying, by the service operating system, that a mobile communication terminal of a user has been lost by using one of a method of transmitting a particular form of loss control message to the user mobile communication terminal and a method of originating a call using a particular origination number to the user mobile communication terminal in response to the loss registration control command; and activating, by a control agent provided in the user mobile communication terminal, a service function of the control agent to protect personal information of the mobile communication terminal based on the notification about the loss. When the mobile communication terminal is lost, it can be controlled by transmitting a particular form of message or originating a call using a particular origination number.
US08233898B2	Wireless communications device providing temperature-compensated clock correction features and related methods A wireless communications device may include a portable housing and a temperature-compensated clock circuit carried by the portable housing. The device may further include a wireless receiver carried by the portable housing for receiving timing signals, when available, from a wireless network, and a satellite positioning clock circuit carried by the portable housing. A clock correction circuit may be carried by the portable housing for correcting the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon timing signals from the wireless network when available, and storing historical correction values for corresponding temperatures. The clock correction circuit may also correct the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon the stored historical correction values when timing signals are unavailable from the wireless network, and correct the satellite positioning clock based upon the temperature-compensated clock circuit.
US08233889B2	Method and system for a persistent request generated by a wireless device, executed remotely and output to configurable local resources Methods and systems for a persistent request generated by a wireless device, executed remotely and output to configurable local resources are disclosed and may include generating via a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) a persistent request for a user that may be communicated to remote devices for execution and storage of results. The stored results may be received from local resources local which may be configured by the remote devices based on user preferences to deliver the stored results to the user. The stored results may be received by the user via the HWCD or another wireless communication device, and the identity of the user may be authenticated prior to receiving the stored results. The remote devices may discover the local resources based on the detection of the user logging into the network. User preferences may be stored in networked devices or may be stored in the HWCD.
US08233884B2	Information service phonebook update A method of storing a phone number within a mobile phone that was received from an information service. The user places a call to an information service to obtain a requested phone number. The requested phone number returned from the information service is detected by the mobile phone and can be stored within the mobile phone. In one embodiment, the requested phone number is returned audibly from the information service to the mobile phone and is detected using voice recognition algorithms to parse the audible response returned from the information service into a series of numbers that make up the requested phone number. The mobile can then prompt the user whether to store the returned phone number permanently and where it should be stored. Another feature prompts the user if he would like the mobile phone to automatically dial the phone number just obtained from the information service. In addition, flags can be set to automatically store and dial the requested phone number without having to prompt the user.
US08233883B2	Method and system for peer-to-peer enforcement The present invention concerns a method and a system for establishing a dynamic peer-to-peer communications channel between a first terminal and a second terminal. A first terminal and a second terminal are connectable over secured communications channels to a secured network. The first terminal sends a connection request for establishing a communications channel between the terminals. The connection request is analyzed by an analyzer module. Based on network parameters of the terminals, the analyzer module searches for a further network, and establishes a peer-to-peer communications channel over this further network. Security of the peer-to-peer communications channel may be maintained by means of a central unit of the secured network.
US08233871B2	Incompressible RF receiver An incompressible receiver for minimizing undesired higher-order nonlinear distortion products includes a first receiver path configured to receive an input signal having at least one non-baseband frequency. A second receiver path is also configured to receive the input signal. The second receiver path includes at least one odd-order nonlinear distortion reference component and at least one even-order nonlinear distortion reference component. The distortion reference components are configured to be in an “on” state or in an “off” state. A combining element is configured to combine input signals from the first and second receiver paths such that the higher-order nonlinear distortion signals are substantially attenuated at an output of the combining element. An incompressible receiver that has an odd-order nonlinear distortion reference generator including a cubic term and at least one additional term of order greater than 3 and an incompressible receiver front end amplifier (IRFEA) are also described.
US08233867B2	Method for obtaining field strength information A method for obtaining field strength information from a received electromagnetic signal by a receiver unit, in which an input voltage is generated for an operational amplifier from the received signal in the receiver unit by an input resistance and an output voltage is generated by the operational amplifier by a fixed amplification factor. The input voltage is changed until the output voltage lies within a predefined interval that includes the value of the reference voltage, and hereby the input voltage is tapped at a divider node of a voltage divider and to adjust the output voltage to the reference voltage the gate voltage of the MOS transistor, operating within a nonlinear range, and connected to the divider node is changed in such a way that the forward resistance of the MOS transistor is changed substantially logarithmically and the field strength value received by the receiver unit is determined from a comparison of the value of the present gate voltage with the quantities assigned to the gate voltage values in a memory.
US08233862B2	Radio sensor for detecting wireless microphone signals and a method thereof Wireless microphone signals are detected by processing an input signal to determine a number of frequency bins within a channel frequency band having an energy level above a first predefined threshold (S510); identifying locations of the frequency bins having an energy level above the first predefined threshold, when the number of bins is greater than zero (S520, S530); for each frequency bin having an energy level above the first predefined threshold, processing signals within a narrow frequency band of the frequency bin (S570); determining a number of signal peaks within the narrow frequency band that are above a second predefined threshold (S575); and generating a message indicating a presence or an absence of a microphone signal based on the number of signal peaks (S590, S595).
US08233856B2	MEMS capacitor circuit and method A communications circuit processes a signal in at least one predetermined communications standard such as GSM or UMTS. A switched capacitor impedance matching unit is provided, controlled by driver control unit. The driver control unit is arranged to control the driver to start switching of the capacitors of the switched capacitor array during transition periods in the signals.
US08233855B2	Up-conversion based on gated information signal A method and system is described wherein an information signals is gated at a frequency that is a sub-harmonic of the frequency of the desired output signal. In the modulation embodiments, the information signal is modulated as part of the up-conversion process. In a first modulation embodiment, one information signal is phase modulated onto the carrier signal as part of the up-conversion process. In a second modulation embodiment, two information signals are multiplied, and, as part of the up-conversion process, one signal is phase modulated onto the carrier and the other signal is amplitude modulated onto the carrier. In a third modulation embodiment, one information signal is phase modulated onto the “I” phase of the carrier signal as part of the up-conversion process and a second information signal is phase modulated onto the “Q” phase of the carrier as part of the up-conversion process. In a fourth modulation embodiment, four information signals are phase and amplitude modulated onto the “I” and “Q” phases of the carrier as part of the up-conversion process. There are at least two implementations of each of the aforementioned embodiments.
US08233853B2	Transmission circuit for radio frequency signals and method for transmitting radio frequency signals A transmission circuit for radio frequency signals has a power mixer and includes a radio frequency input port, a first radio frequency output port, a second radio frequency output port, and a dummy load port. The transmission circuit also has a first switch unit and a second switch unit. The first switch unit is connected to the first radio frequency output port and outputs the radio frequency signals which are emitted from the first radio frequency output port or reflects the radio frequency signals which are emitted from the first radio frequency output port back to the first radio frequency output port. The second switch unit is connected to the second radio frequency output port and outputs the radio frequency signals which are emitted from the second radio frequency output port, or reflects the radio frequency signals which are emitted from the second radio frequency output port back to the second radio frequency output port. The radio frequency signals reflected to the radio frequency input port by the first switch unit and the radio frequency signals reflected to said radio frequency input port by the second switch unit cancel each other. The transmission circuit has reduced complexity and cost.
US08233844B2	Apparatus and method for joint power control in a wireless communication system An apparatus and a method for joint power control in a wireless communication system are provided, in which customer premise equipments to be serviced are selected by scheduling, upon receipt of service requests from the customer premise equipments, the interference level of each of the selected customer premise equipments that affects an incumbent system is calculated, a total interference level affecting the incumbent system is calculated by summing the interference levels of the selected customer premise equipments, and a transmit power of the each customer premise equipment is reduced, if the total interference level is larger than a threshold.
US08233841B2	Near field communication initialization A method of application initialization of a near field communication (NFC) enabled device comprising loading a first NFC enabled device with an application for conducting a financial transaction over a network; and transferring the application to a second NFC enabled device via a NFC link, is described herein.
US08233836B2	Drive transmitting device, and image forming apparatus provided with the same A drive transmitting device includes: a rotational shaft having peripheral surface with a cut-off surface extending along an axial direction of the rotational shaft; a bearing member for supporting the rotational shaft, the bearing member being in slide contact with the peripheral surface of the rotational shaft; and a spacer which is mounted in a clearance formed between an inner circumferential surface portion of the bearing member and the cut-off surface of the rotational shaft.
US08233829B2	Transfer belt unit and image forming apparatus A transfer belt unit satisfies the following conditions. An intermediate transfer belt has a thickness not less than 100 micrometers and not more than 200 micrometers, a tension not less than 80 N/m and not more than 180 N/m, and a tensile elastic modulus not less than 1000 megapascals and not more than 2000 megapascals. A secondary-transfer bias roller has an Asker C hardness not less than 35 degrees and not more than 50 degrees. Stretching rollers for stretching the intermediate transfer belt have an outer diameter not less than 6 millimeters.
US08233827B2	Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with the same A housing of a developing apparatus is provided with a conveying member in a developer supplying and recovering portion, and two agitating members rotating in the same direction respectively as viewing rotating shafts from a near side in an axial direction, in a developer agitating portion. A guide is provided in an inner bottom surface of the housing between two agitating members. A braking portion suppressing a discharge of a developer is provided in a downstream side of the developer agitating portion in a developer conveying direction of the second agitating member, and a discharge portion is provided in a downstream side of a disc of the braking portion.
US08233820B2	Process unit A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.
US08233813B2	Image forming apparatus and image-density control method An image forming apparatus forms a plurality of tone patterns of different colors, each of which containing a plurality of toner patches having different toner densities. Some of the toner patches in each of the tone patterns are formed with a predetermined fixed developing bias and the rest of the toner patches in each of the tone patterns are formed with developing biases set based on previous developing biases that have been obtained through a previous control process. The largest toner density of the toner patches in each of the tone patterns is determined based on a magnitude relation of previous index values obtained through the previous control process.
US08233807B2	Optical pulse amplication apparatus and method A method and apparatus for producing a series of amplified optical pulses from a series of input optical pulses. The method includes creating a set of local optical pulses from a series of input optical pulses, the set of local optical pulses being applied to the input of an optical amplifier and having different amplitudes arranged in a graded order. The set of local optical pulses are amplified by an optical amplifier to have a significantly amplified first local optical pulse that is removed from the set of local optical pulses and output as a part of the series of amplified optical pulses. After removing the significantly amplified first local optical pulse, the set of local optical pulses is recreated by adding a new optical pulse from the series of input optical pulses to the end of the set of local optical pulses; and the recreated set of local optical pulses is routed back to be applied to the input of the optical amplifier to continue producing the series of amplified optical pulses. The formed set of local optical pulses having different (graded) amplitudes arranged in a descending order is configured such that the first local optical pulse has a much higher peak power before the optical amplifier gets saturated.
US08233799B2	Method and apparatus for improving reception of optical signals A method and apparatus for receiving digital information transmitted via an optical signal over an optical channel wherein the optical signal includes an optical carrier (402) and at least one information-bearing optical sideband (404) in the optical frequency domain. The transmitted optical power is distributed between the optical carrier (402) and the optical side band (404). The received optical signal is processed in order to increase the received power in the optical carrier (402) relative to the power in the optical side-band (404). The processed optical signal is detected in order to produce a corresponding electrical signal. The electrical signal is then processed in order to recover the digital information. Advantageously, increasing the optical carrier power relative to the power in the information-bearing sideband results in improved quality of the detected electrical signal, enabling an improved power budget to be achieved, which in turn allows for longer transmission distances, increased transmitted information rates, and/or improved transmission error performance as compared with conventional direct detection optical transmission systems.
US08233797B2	Single wavelength source-free OFDMA-PON communication systems and methods Methods and systems for processing communication signals in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)-Passive Optical Network (PON) are disclosed. An optical carrier at a wavelength generated at an optical line terminal (OLT) may be reused by optical network units (ONUs) in the network for upstream transmission of data signals to the OLT. In addition, each ONU may perform carrier suppression to avoid broadband beating noise resulting from the simultaneous transmission of upstream data signals on the same wavelength. Further, the optical source at the OLT used to generate the optical carrier may be reused as a local oscillator for coherent detection of received upstream signals to minimize any frequency offsets.
US08233783B2	Apparatus for utilizing water An apparatus for utilizing water such as, for example, an atomizer or vaporizer, having at least one container for water. Here, two ceramic electrodes that can be used to treat the water are arranged for the purpose of improving the water quality in the container.
US08233778B2	Method of reproducing a still picture from a recording medium, method of decoding the still picture and the recording medium In the method, video data is reproduced from the recording medium, and an I-picture and a number of P-pictures are output as a still picture based on the reproduced video data. The output data may then be received and decoded for display.
US08233776B2	After-recording apparatus An audio signal is compressively encoded into encoding-resultant audio data. A video signal is compressively encoded into encoding-resultant video data. An audio time stamp for audio-vide synchronous reproduction is added to every unit of the encoding-resultant audio data. A video time stamp for audio-video synchronous reproduction is added to every unit of the encoding-resultant video data. The time-stamp-added audio data and the time-stamp-added video data are multiplexed into main data. To a plurality of first after-recording-purpose data for at least one of (1) the encoding-resultant audio data and (2) the encoding-resultant video data which form the main data, time stamps for reproduction synchronous with a portion of the main data and identification information for identifying the plurality of first after-recording-purpose data are added to convert the first after-recording-purpose data into second after-recording-purpose data. The second after-recording-purpose data are made into bit streams without being multiplexed with the main data.
US08233763B2	Flexible cover for cable trough system Systems and methods for covering a trough member. A cover system can include a flexible cover coupled to a side wall of the trough member. The flexible cover is selectively removable from the side wall to allow access to an interior of the trough member. The flexible cover mounts with a snap arrangement. Support ribs are mounted to side walls of the trough member.
US08233761B2	Optical fiber and optical waveguide An optical fiber includes a core region having a first refractive index and a cladding region having a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index on an outer circumference of the core region. The cladding region includes four holes formed to have a four-fold rotational symmetry with respect to a center axis around the core region in a longitudinal direction, such that a zero-dispersion wavelength is 900 nm to 1150 nm and a cutoff wavelength is equal to or shorter than 950 nm.
US08233754B2	Optical high voltage sensor An electro-optical high-voltage sensor includes a waveguiding sensing fiber of an electro-optical material. The electrical field of the voltage to be measured is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sensing fiber. The sensing fiber carries two orthogonally polarized light waves, with the applied field affecting the birefringence between the waves. Using an electro-optical waveguiding fiber in this configuration allows the voltage between two widely spaced points to be accurately measured.
US08233750B2	Image management system, report creation terminal, medical image management server, and image management method Enhanced image data is stored, and medical image data contained in the enhanced image data and a screen for creating an interpretation report are displayed on a monitor. In response to a linking operation, link data containing image specification information specifying medical image data to link in the enhanced image data is generated and included into data of the interpretation report. In response to an operation of requesting linked medical image, based on the link data, medical image data indicated by the image specification information within the enhanced image data is specified from the enhanced image data, and the specified medical image data is outputted to a requesting destination of the linked medical image. Thus, a link can be set to medical image data that is one data element within enhanced image data, and only a linked data row can be extracted and read from the enhanced image data.
US08233749B2	Image processing system, projector, method and computer program product The disclosure refers to an image processing system, projector, method and computer program product. In one example, an image processing system includes an interpolation unit that performs interpolation using an input image and a reference pixel in an input background part outside of the input image and interpolation pixels including neighboring pixels around the reference pixel, and a target pixel location determination unit that determines a location of a target pixel with respect to an image after distortion correction in a display area of an optical modulator.
US08233743B2	Method and device for detecting the orientation of an image The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting the orientation of an image in a set of images. All images in this set of images contain at least one similar object. The method proposes to choose one image in this set of images as being a reference image. The orientation of the other images is detected based on the orientation of this reference image.
US08233741B1	Reducing building lean in stitched images A method for reducing building lean in stitched images includes accessing overlapping images of a geographic area, and calculating a pixel preference cost for each pixel region of a plurality of pixel regions in each image based on a location of the respective pixel region in a three-dimensional projection of each image. The method also includes selecting a pixel region from the images for each of a plurality of pixel region positions in the geographic area by reducing a cost function that includes the pixel preference cost, and assigning the respective selected pixel region to each of the pixel region positions to create the stitched image containing the building with reduced lean. In another embodiment, the pixel preference cost includes a distance from center cost that is based on a distance to the respective pixel region from the center of the image. Corresponding systems and computer readable media are also disclosed.
US08233738B2	Enhancing dynamic ranges of images Methods and apparatus according to various aspects take as input image data in a lower-dynamic-range (LDR) format and produce as output enhanced image data having a dynamic range greater than that of the input image data (i.e. higher-dynamic range (HDR) image data). In some embodiments, the methods are applied to video data and are performed in real-time (i.e. processing of video frames to enhance the dynamic range of the video frames is completed at least on average at the frame rate of the video signal).
US08233737B2	Noise correction circuit, imaging apparatus, and noise correction method adding random number after noise removal A noise correction circuit that detects and corrects noise included in an image signal output from an image sensor is provided. The noise correction circuit includes a noise determining unit, a noise removing unit, and a random number adding unit. The noise determining unit is configured to calculate an average value of a signal level in a predetermined range of the image signal output from the image sensor and use the calculated average value to calculate a noise component in a predetermined direction. The noise removing unit is configured to remove noise from the image signal output from the image sensor in response to the noise component determined by the noise determining unit. The random number adding unit is configured to add a random number at a level not determined by quantization of the image signal to the image signal after removal of the noise by the noise removing unit.
US08233712B2	Methods of segmenting a digital image A method of segmenting a digital image comprising the steps of performing a preliminary segmentation of the image into sub objects, defining a model object by selecting sub objects that define the model object, providing sub-object and model object features, using a fuzzy logic inference system to calculate segmentation parameters based on at least one of the sub object and model object features, and performing segmentation of the image using the segmentation parameters.
US08233711B2	Locality-constrained linear coding systems and methods for image classification Systems and methods are disclosed for classifying an input image by detecting one or more feature points on the input image; extracting one or more descriptors from each feature point; applying a codebook to quantize each descriptor and generate code from each descriptor; applying spatial pyramid matching to generate histograms; and concatenating histograms from all sub-regions to generate a final representation of the image for classification.
US08233710B2	Image processing device and image processing method An image processing device that converts a first image captured via an optical system in which at least one of a plurality of color components is missing in one pixel and MTF characteristics are different between a reference color component and at least one missing color component at an imaging plane, into a second image in which MTF characteristics are matched, includes: an image creation unit that acquires information concerning differences in MTF characteristics between the missing color component and the reference color component in a pixel having the missing color component of the first image and creates the second image by using the acquired information.
US08233702B2	Computer implemented technique for analyzing images An input image is received, represented by a matrix D having a first number of dimensions. Each of the first number of dimensions may represent or correspond to a portion of the image. A metric objective may be identified. A dimensional reduction on the matrix D may then be performed that optimize the metric objective, so that a matrix d of a second number of dimensions is identified to represent the input image, where the second number of dimensions is less than the first number of dimensions.
US08233696B2	Simultaneous wafer ID reading The present invention discloses apparatuses and methods for simultaneous viewing and reading top and bottom images from a workpiece. The present ID reader can comprise an enclosure covering a top and bottom section of the workpiece with optical elements to guide the light from the workpiece images to a camera. The optical element can be disposed to receive images from a high angle with respect to the surface of the workpiece. The present ID reader can further comprise a light source assembly to illuminate the image. The light source assembly can utilize a coaxial light path with the images, preferably for bright field illumination. The light source assembly can also utilize a non-coaxial light path, preferably for dark field illumination. In an embodiment, the simultaneous images reaching the camera are separate into two distinct images on two different sections of the camera. In another embodiment, the simultaneous images reaching the camera are superimposed into one image on the camera.
US08233692B2	Method of suppressing obscuring features in an image A method of removing obscuring features of relatively standard size and shape from an image comprising the obscuring features, features of interest and background, comprising the steps of applying a geometric transformation to generate a transformed image with the obscuring features aligned with an axis of image; applying an attenuation algorithm to the transformed image to suppress features having a dimension in direction of axis of range appropriate to dimension of the obscuring features in similar alignment, and applying a reverse geometrical transformation to produce a modified image with obscuring features attenuated.
US08233684B2	Systems and methods for automated diagnosis Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and computer instructions for detecting a pathological condition of a vasculature. Certain embodiments provide a method for detecting a pathological condition of a vasculature. The method includes accessing imaging data indicative of the vasculature and having a data type, selecting a detection process corresponding to the data type from among a plurality of detection processes, each of the detection processes processing data of a different data type. The method also includes processing the imaging data having the data type with the selected detection process, and superimposing the processed imaging data on the imaging data indicative of the pathological condition of the vasculature.
US08233683B2	Methods for non-linear image blending, adjustment and display A method for generating and adjusting an image obtained based on computed tomography data using a non-linear blending function is provided. In one embodiment of the method, first image data is obtained using a first X-ray energy, and second image data is obtained using a second X-ray image energy. An image is generated by blending the first and second image data using the non-linear function. The first X-ray energy and the second X-ray energy are different.
US08233672B2	Apparatus and method for verifying the identity of an author A method and apparatus for identifying the writer of a document, where identifying information for each of a plurality of registered human individuals is stored in a database, calls for capturing local images of an individual making writings and/or keyboard entries and determining whether the individual making these writings and/or keyboard entries is the same as one of the registered individuals whose identifying information is stored in the database. The identifying information stored in the database includes both an alphanumeric identifier and an image of a unique, visually observable biologic identifier on a body portion of each registered individual. The local images include both: (i) the making of the writings and/or keyboard entries by the individual whose identifying information may be stored in the database; and (ii) a body portion of this same individual on which is visible the biologic identifier.
US08233666B2	Method and apparatus for capturing, geolocating and measuring oblique images A computerized system for displaying and making measurements based upon captured oblique images. The system includes a computer system executing image display and analysis software. The software reads a plurality of captured oblique images having corresponding geo-location data and a data table storing ground plane data that approximates at least a portion of the terrain depicted within the captured oblique images. The executed software causes the computer system to receive a starting point selected by a user, receive an end point selected by the user and calculate a desired measurement between the starting and end points dependent upon the geo-location data and ground plane data. The desired measurement is selected from a group consisting of a distance measuring mode, a height measuring mode, and a relative elevation measuring mode.
US08233661B2	Object tracking apparatus and object tracking method Candidate contour curves for a tracking object in the current frame are determined using a particle filter, based on the existence probability distribution of the tracking object in a frame which is one frame previous to the current frame. To match a candidate curve against a contour image of the current frame, a processing to search for the closest contour to the candidate curves is divided for each knot constituting the candidate contour curve and is executed in parallel by a plurality of processors. Each image data on a search region for each knot to be processed are copied from a contour image stored in an image storage to the respective local memories.
US08233659B2	Radiographic apparatus A radiographic apparatus includes a radiation source for emitting radiation, a radiation detection device having radiation detecting elements arranged longitudinally and transversely for detecting the radiation, a radiation grid, and an object image correcting device. The object image correcting device generates a corrected image by deriving components of direct radiation in pixel values of an object image from a dark equation specifying that an average of radiation intensity in a dark pixel group formed of a dark pixel showing a shadow of one of absorbing foil strips and adjacent pixels transversely adjoining the dark pixel of each image is a sum of the components of direct radiation and components of indirect radiation, and light equations specifying that an average of radiation intensity in light pixels free of the shadows of the absorbing foil strips is a sum of the components of direct radiation and the components of indirect radiation.
US08233656B2	Headset A headset with an elongated housing is provided with an in ear speaker that is suspended from the elongated housing so that it may assume a stowed position in which the in ear speaker is substantially in line with the elongated housing and may assume a deployed position in which the in ear speaker is disposed sidewards from said elongated housing. The in ear speaker may be suspended from the elongated housing by an arm, such as a simple arm or a parallel arm mechanism.
US08233650B2	Multi-stage estimation method for noise reduction and hearing apparatus The noise reduction for signals which can contain speech at least part of the time is to be improved. To this end a hearing apparatus and especially a hearing device with a first estimation device for estimating a first value of an input signal with a first estimation algorithm and a noise reduction device for reducing noise in the input signal are provided. A second estimation device, which is parameterized with the estimated first value, is used for estimating a second value of the input signal with a second estimation algorithm. The noise reduction device receives the estimated second value from the second estimation device for reducing the noise. The two-stage estimation method enables an adaptive estimation to be carried out which is always currently adapted to an input signal.
US08233633B2	Noise control device A noise control device includes a signal processor that detects a noise outputted from a noise source, and generates a control signal based on the noise and a control acoustic system that generates a control sound for canceling the noise, based on the control signal outputted from the signal processor. The noise control device also includes an output correction section that corrects the control signal outputted from the signal processor, in a frequency band for which a noise control process time τ, which is a time period from when the noise is outputted from the noise source to pass through the signal processor and the control acoustic system to when the control sound reaches the control point, is larger than a noise transfer time T, which is a time period from when the noise is outputted from the noise source to when the noise reaches the control point via the noise transfer system (τ>T).
US08233629B2	Interaural time delay restoration system and method An apparatus for processing audio data comprising an interaural time delay correction factor unit for receiving a plurality of channels of audio data and generating an interaural time delay correction factor. An interaural time delay correction factor insertion unit for modifying the plurality of channels of audio data as a function of the interaural time delay correction factor.
US08233626B2	Storage system and storage system management method An object of the present invention is to prevent data from being tampered with, and to prevent operation mistakes, when sending and receiving data between a management software managing storage devices.Encrypting predetermined information by using a first key managed by a first manager when temporarily keeping the predetermined information in a data holding unit; decrypting the predetermined information encrypted with a second key kept in a storage device managed by a second storage manager when moving the encrypted predetermined information to the second storage manager; and arranging the predetermined information in the second manager based on the decryption result.
US08233623B2	Methods and systems for blackout provisioning in a distribution network Methods and systems for blackout provisioning in a communication network. In an aspect, a method is provided for blackout provisioning in a distribution network. The method includes determining one or more affected regions, and generating a blackout key based an original key and the affected regions. The method also includes encrypting content with the blackout key to produce encrypted content, and transmitting the encrypted content and an encrypted version of the original key over the distribution network. An apparatus is provided for blackout provisioning that includes provisioning logic to determine one or more affected regions, a key generator to generate a blackout key based an original key and the affected regions, encryption logic to encrypt content with the blackout key to produce encrypted content, and a transmitter to transmit the encrypted content and an encrypted version of the original key over the distribution network.
US08233619B2	Implementation of AES encryption circuitry with CCM Circuitry for encrypting at least a part of an input data flow and generating a tag based on the input data flow with the same ciphering algorithm and the same key, the algorithm including iterative computations by at least two operation units, the circuitry including a pipeline including an input selection unit arranged to receive first data values to generate encryption sequences with the ciphering algorithm, second data values to generate temporary tags with the ciphering algorithm and an output of the pipeline; a first stage arranged to receive an output of the input selection unit and including at least a first operation unit; and a second stage arranged to receive an output of the first stage, including at least a second operation unit and providing the output of the pipeline.
US08233615B2	Modular reduction using a special form of the modulus A special form of a modulus and a modified Barrett reduction method are used to perform modular arithmetic in a cryptographic system. The modified Barrett reduction is a method of reducing a number modulo another number without the use of any division. By pre-computing static values used in the Barrett reduction method and by using a special form of the modulus, the calculation of reducing a number modulo another number can be reduced. This can result in a decrease in computation time, speeding up the overall cryptographic process.
US08233614B2	Integer division method secure against covert channel attacks The invention relates to a cryptographic method involving an integer division of type q=a div b and r=a mod b, wherein a is a number of m bits, b is a number of n bits, with n being less than or equal to m, and bn−1 being non-null and the most significant bit of b. In addition, each iteration of a loop subscripted by i, which varies between 1 and m−n+1, involves a partial division of a word A of n bits of number a by number b in order to obtain one bit of quotient q. According to the invention, the same operations are performed with each iteration, regardless of the value of the quotient bit obtained. In different embodiments of the invention, one of the following is also performed with each iteration: the addition and subtraction of number b to/from word A; the addition of number b or a complementary number /b of b to word A; or a complement operation at 2n of an updated datum (b or /b) or a dummy datum (c or /c) followed by the addition of the datum updated with word A.
US08233609B2	Systems and methods for managing call processing for a specific agent Systems and methods for managing calls, both inbound and outbound, for available agents over a plurality of lines, where each call received or placed is pre-identified to be connected to one specific agent and upon the automatic detection of the call being received or answered, the call is either connected to the specific agent or placed in a queue for that specific agent.
US08233595B2	System and method for forwarding a session based on a recording capacity A system and method for forwarding a session based on a recording capacity. A recording sub-system may inform a session forwarding component of a recording capacity associated with agents. A forwarding component may select an agent to handle a session based on a recording capacity associated with the agent. A session may be interrupted if the recording capacity associated with the session is reduced below a predefined level.
US08233588B2	Method and apparatus for inspection of materials A method of and apparatus for obtaining radiation interaction data related to an image of an object. The method involves using a detector system for detecting and collecting spectroscopically resolvable information about incident radiation, and collecting one or more datasets of information at the detector after interaction with an object. Each dataset is resolved across at least three frequency bands within the spectrum of the source. The ratio between measured intensities is evaluated for at least two pairs of such frequency bands in a given intensity dataset to obtain a numerical indicator in functional relationship with a material property. The numerical indicator is then compared with a library of data characteristics of target materials. An apparatus is also disclosed for inspection of materials.
US08233565B2	Method and system for high speed wireless data transmission between communication devices Herein described are at least a method and a system for transmitting high speed wireless data from a first communication device to a second communication device. The method comprises using a first physical layer for transmitting management data or control signals between the first and second devices. In one embodiment, the management data may be used to authenticate and assign an appropriate wireless communication channel between the first and second device. The wireless communication channel is established by implementing a second physical layer in each of the first and second devices. The wireless communication channel may be used to transmit the high speed wireless data. The system comprises a first communication device and a second communication device wherein each of the first communication device and the second communication device utilizes a first physical layer and a second physical layer.
US08233564B2	Method and apparatus for increasing the channel capacity of a bandwidth limited communications path A unique digital compression technology for increasing the information carrying capacity of a bandwidth limited communications path highway by using a combined coding and modulation technique. The inventive technology allows multiple independent modulated data streams to simultaneously and instantaneously share the same bandwidth without cross-channel interference. A matched filter is used to substantially reduce the error rate and utilizes a unique training method based on performing a spectral response test. An algorithm calculates the effect of the unique characteristics of the communications highway on the transmitted signal and generates an ideal signal stored in the matched filter for comparison with received signals.
US08233557B2	Method and system for subspace beamforming for near capacity multiple input multiple output (MIMO) performance Aspects of a system for subspace beamforming for near capacity MIMO performance may include a MIMO transmitter that computes one or more rotation angle values (θf) based on a channel estimate matrix (H). In instances when each rotation angle is computed based on a Euclidean distance criterion, each value θf may also be computed based on a computed Euclidean distance. Alternatively, in instances when each rotation angle is computed based on a bit error rate (BER) criterion, each value θf may also be computed based on a signal noise power level (N0). A plurality of spatial stream signals (xi) may be generated utilizing one or more constellation types. The constellation map for each constellation type may be rotated based on a corresponding value θf. A plurality of transmit chain signals (txi) may be generated based on the signals xi and transmitted via a communication medium characterized by matrix H.
US08233556B2	Reduced feedback transmit beamforming A method and system for reduced feedback transmit beamforming computes a matrix of channel transfer function coefficients. The matrix of channel transfer function coefficients is compressed by applying a rotation matrix having orthogonal columns to the matrix of channel transfer function coefficients to produce a compressed transfer function matrix having a reduced number of non-zero coefficients. The compressed matrix is fed back to a transmitting unit. Decompression of the transfer function coefficient matrix is not required. This compression does not cause any performance degradation for transmit beamforming. The transmitting unit computes a set of beamsteering coefficients from the compressed matrix and applies the coefficients to signals prior to transmission. The beamformed signals are transmitted to the receiving unit and post-coded to allow the receiving unit to see an effective diagonalized channel.
US08233555B2	Time varying delay diversity of OFDM Methods and apparatuses that apply a time-varying delay to symbols to be transmitted from one or more antennas are provided. One such method may include providing a first symbol comprising a first plurality of samples to a first antenna. The first symbol is provided to a second antenna after a first delay period. A second symbol comprising a second plurality of samples is provided to the first antenna. The second symbol is provided to the second antenna after a second delay period that is different than the first delay period.
US08233549B2	Video receiving apparatus and video receiving method to address error in received video A video receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit, a detecting unit, a determining unit, and a control unit. The receiving unit receives a video stream transmitted from a video distribution apparatus and to be reproduced by a video reproducing unit. The detecting unit detects an error occurrence position on the video stream in response to an error occurring during receiving of the video stream. The determining unit determines a reproduction start time based on the error occurrence position detected by the detecting unit and a position of a predetermined synchronization code in the video stream so that reproduction of the video stream is started before the error occurrence position. The control unit transmits a reproduction request including the determined reproduction start time to the video distribution apparatus.
US08233546B2	Apparatus for removing a blocking phenomenon using properties of a second block adjacent a first block In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder configured to obtain a block type of the second block, and determine whether the second block has non-zero transform coefficient information if the obtained block type of the second block is not an intra-coded block. The decoder is configured to determine a non-zero filter strength value based on the obtained coded block type of the second block and the determination of whether the second block has non-zero transform coefficient information, and is configured to remove the blocking phenomenon in the first block according to the filter strength value.
US08233543B2	Method of coding and decoding image A method of simplifying the arithmetic operation in a global motion compensation process approximates the motion vector field of the whole image without using many parameters. Motion vectors in the global motion compensation are found by the interpolation and/or extrapolation of the motion vectors of a plurality of representative points 602, 603 and 604 having particular features in the spatial distance thereof. Since the shift operation can be substituted for the division for synthesizing a predicted image of global motion compensation, the processing using a computer or a dedicated hardware is simplified.
US08233541B2	Recursive image quality enhancement on super resolution video Method and apparatus for improving the quality of super-resolution video imaging by suppressing ringing artifacts, reducing high-frequency noise, reducing blocking artifacts, and smoothing out jagged edges of the image to generate pictures that appear cleaner with less edge degradation. The method operates in a recursive manner within a sequence of low resolution images. Conventional SR processing is primarily enhanced within the invention by adding an artifact suppression section which creates a high frequency component signal ΔSRi having significantly reduced artifacts therein achieving higher quality super-resolution image output. The method can be applied to images and image sequences (video) in monochrome or color and in any desired pixel format. The method can be implemented within image processing devices, in particular those containing programming for executing the described method steps.
US08233531B2	Processing apparatus and processing method for a digital television A processing method and a processing apparatus for a digital television are provided. A processing apparatus for a digital television (DTV) to process a DTV stream, comprising: a demultiplexing unit for retrieving a service information from the DTV stream; a memory coupled to the demultiplexing unit for storing the service information; a first processor coupled to the memory for assigning a task by sending a command according to the service information; a second processor coupled to the memory for processing the task according the command; a communication unit coupled to the first processor and the second processor, for receiving the command from the first processor and sending the command to the second processor; and at least one function module coupled to the first processor and the second processor, respectively, controlled by the first processor or the second processor, to process the service information.
US08233528B2	Apparatus for removing blocking artifact using quantization information In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder configured to obtain quantization information of a first block. The first block includes a pixel to be filtered. The decoder is configured to determine a filtering coefficient based on a value obtained from a table using the quantization information, and obtain four successive filtered pixel values based on the filtering coefficient. Two of the four successive filtered pixels are included in the first block and two of the four successive filtered pixels are included in a second block adjacent the first block.
US08233527B2	Software video transcoder with GPU acceleration Embodiments of the invention as described herein provide a solution to the problems of conventional methods as stated above. In the following description, various examples are given for illustration, but none are intended to be limiting. Embodiments are directed to a transcoding system that shares the workload of video transcoding through the use of multiple central processing unit (CPU) cores and/or one or more graphical processing units (GPU), including the use of two components within the GPU: a dedicated hardcoded or programmable video decoder for the decode step and compute shaders for scaling and encoding. The system combines usage of an industry standard Microsoft DXVA method for using the GPU to accelerate video decode with a GPU encoding scheme, along with an intermediate step of scaling the video.
US08233515B2	Optical waveguide integrated semiconductor optical device An optical waveguide integrated semiconductor optical device includes a laser and an optical waveguide. The laser includes an active layer and a first cladding layer which are stacked on a second cladding layer. The optical waveguide includes an optical guiding layer and an undoped InP layer which are also stacked on the second cladding layer. A high resistance layer is located between the top surface of the optical guiding layer and a surface of the undoped InP layer and between a side of the first cladding layer and a side of the undoped InP layer.
US08233514B2	Semiconductor laser device A semiconductor laser according to the present invention comprises a λ/2 dielectric film (λ:in-medium wavelength of a dielectric film, for example, SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN) in contact with a facet of a resonator; and a first dielectric double layered film disposed on the dielectric film, which includes a first layer of a-Si and a second layer of a material having a refractive index lower than that of a-Si. The first layer has a thickness ¼ of an in-medium wavelength of a-Si, and the second layer has a thickness ¼ of an in-medium wavelength of the second layer. Therefore, it is possible to firmly stack the first dielectric double layered film and form a high reflectance film with high yield.
US08233512B2	Laser light source module A heat sink is made of a material excellent in thermal conductivity and is mounted on a stem; a sub-mount substrate is made of a material excellent in insulation property and is mounted on the heat sink; a first lead frame made of a material excellent in electric conductivity and thermal conductivity and having a linear expansion coefficient similar to that of a semiconductor laser array, is mounted on the sub-mount substrate, having the semiconductor laser array mounted thereon, and composing a power feeding path of the semiconductor laser array; a second lead frame made of a material excellent in electric conductivity and thermal conductivity, is arranged on the sub-mount substrate side by side with the first lead frame, and composing the power feeding path of the semiconductor laser array; and a wire electrically bonds the semiconductor laser array and the second lead frame.
US08233510B2	Dual output laser source A dual output laser source provided on a substrate outputs light from a first and second output. A portion of the light generated by the laser is supplied to a first modulator via the first output. A second portion of the light generated by the laser is supplied to a second modulator via the second output. The first modulator is provided on the substrate and generates a first modulated signal. The second modulator is also provided on the substrate and generates a second modulated signal. Each output of the laser is used to provide continuous wave light sources to components on photonic integrated circuit.
US08233504B2	Receiver set, information apparatus and receiving system An information apparatus connectable with plural external apparatuses including an audio visual data outputting portion, a command input portion which inputs a command from an external apparatus for requesting audio visual data, an information managing portion which manages a number of external apparatuses to audio visual data can be distributed to be simultaneously viewed or recorded and a controller portion which controls distribution of the data to the external apparatus which sent the command depending upon a distributing condition. The controller portion makes a decision on whether the number of external apparatuses to which data can be distributed is equal to or smaller than a limited number, and controls the distribution of data to the external apparatus based on a result of the decision.
US08233503B2	Arrangement and method relating to subscriber line connections The present invention relates to an arrangement (10), for connecting high speed digital subscriber lines, comprising a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (1) which is adapted to be in communication with a distribution arrangement (6) interconnecting external trunk lines and internal subscriber lines. The distribution arrangement (6) is adapted to comprise or communicate with a detecting arrangement (11) adapted to detect presence of a high frequency digital signal and a connector arrangement (7) which in a second state is adapted to connect, or enable connection, of subscriber lines and a high frequency signal interface. In a first state it is adapted to disable/disconnect subscriber lines from a high frequency signal interface. The distribution arrangement (6) comprises switching or activating means for activating the second state of the connector arrangement (7) at detecting the presence of a high frequency signal.
US08233502B2	System and method for heuristically dropping packets in a multilink PPP bundle Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide a better fragment drop heuristic that determines a per-fragment determined “remainder time” value to trigger potential drops on the whole bundle. A per-bundle drop timeout value is assumed. This value is to be configured based on differential delay considerations of the various links that constitute the bundle. The arrival time of a fragment to a reassembly algorithm triggers a remainder timer. When the reassembly algorithm instance actually processes the fragment, the “remainder time,” which is difference of a bundle drop timeout and time elapsed on the remainder timer, is used to determine whether the fragment and the other fragments of the packet should be dropped.
US08233498B2	Method for distributing contention among terminals in contention access period of superframe Disclosed is a method for distributing contention among terminals in a Contention Access Period (CAP) of a superframe in regard to a Medium (or Media) Access Control (MAC) layer employing a beacon-enabled mode in IEEE 802.15.4 standard. The method includes: dividing the CAP or the superframe into a plurality of sub-periods, all having the same size; receiving an association request message from a relevant terminal; and allocating one of the plurality of sub-periods to the relevant terminal, and transferring information on the sub-periods to the relevant terminal through a beacon frame, by a Personal Area Network (PAN) coordinator.
US08233495B2	Discovery channel and discovery beacon for peer-to-peer devices in wireless communications network In a multi-channel wireless communications environment, at least one of the channels may be used for the purpose of allowing devices to discover each other so that they may subsequently communicate with each other on another channel. In some embodiments a special discovery beacon may be used on that channel, which is dedicated to the purpose of allowing the devices to discover each other.
US08233493B2	Packet router having improved packet classification A computer-implemented method for classifying received packets using a hardware cache of evolving rules and a software cache having an original rule set. The method including receiving a packet, processing the received packet through a hardware-based packet classifier having at least one evolving rule to identify at least one cache miss packet, and processing the cache miss packet through a software based packet classifier including an original rule set. Processing the cache miss packet includes determining whether to expand at least one of the at least one evolving rules in the hardware-based packet classifier based on the cache miss packet. The determination includes determining whether an evolving rule has both the same action and lies entirely within one of the rule of the original rule set.
US08233491B2	Embedded media terminal adapter (EMTA) endpoint redirect mode Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling an embedded media terminal adapter (EMTA) with included MIB objects to redirect a received telephone call. Based on the MIB objects, the EMTA communicates with a cable modem termination system (CMTS) to set up two service flows where one flow is set up between two EMTAs and one flow is set up between the endpoint EMTA and the NOC.
US08233488B2	Methods and systems for network address translation management A method for network address translation (NAT) includes providing a first and a second NAT table. The method further includes receiving a network packet and classifying the network packet based on a type of network traffic. Additionally, an entry is added to the first NAT table based on the classification of the network packet.
US08233478B2	Method and an apparatus for data storage and communications A method is disclosed of using a plurality of simultaneous communication sessions to allow two-way communication where data compositions are simultaneously sent from an apparatus to a large plurality of remote units, while maintaining a high performance of the apparatus, each session involving sending a data composition to a respective of a plurality of remote units through a communication network, the data compositions being stored in a storage unit. The method includes receiving from the storage unit streams of data composition sub-sets, and providing for each of the communication sessions a data queue, and storing data of the streams of data composition sub-sets in the data queues.
US08233472B2	POTS extender for voice fallback in a subscriber line A full services access multiplexer is described. A master DSL modem is coupled to a conductor pair. A POTS extender is coupled to the conductor pair and may sense the operation of a fallback or other signal on the conductor pair. A suppression signal may be transmitted to the master DSL modem upon occurrence of the fallback. The suppression signal may travel over a control circuit. Traffic over a backplane or other network segment may be uninterrupted to an Integrated Access Device by handling signals inbound and outbound to the backplane via packet assembler and disassembler (PAD). The PAD may transmit a data stream to vocoder and received a data stream from vocoder for injection onto the backplane. The vocoder connects duplexed traffic to the subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC), wherein traffic between the vocoder and the SLIC are in analog formats in or near the audible range of frequencies.
US08233471B2	Wireless network system and method for providing same A wireless network, which includes a wireless router client operable to broadcast data packets to at least one wireless server and one additional wireless client. Each client and server includes programs for determining optimum routes between them. The client also includes a program for determining if a received data packet is not addressed to it and if the packet has been sent via a new optimal route unknown to the client, and for notifying the respective server of such a new optimal route.
US08233468B2	Probability time division multiplexing polling method and wireless identifier reader controller thereof Exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrate a probability time division multiplexing polling method and a wireless identifier reader controller thereof. The probability time division multiplexing polling method is used to control a plurality of wireless identifier readers to be turned on or off. First, one of the wireless identifier readers is randomly selected according to a probability model, wherein the probability model presents the probabilities for detecting an identifier tag of the wireless identifier readers. Then, the selected wireless identifier reader is turned on for a predetermined time period.
US08233467B2	Method of ratio data emission, emitter and receiver using the method Coding and decoding schemes useful in the context of MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) or MISO (Multiple Input Single Output) communications especially used in conjunction of OFDM-like transmission schemes. A space frequency block code (SFBC) is based on the simultaneous use of two variants of Alamouti codes in the frequency domain, each kind of Alamouti code being applied to well-chosen pair of frequencies. The proposed SFBC keeps the constant envelope property for each antenna while leading to performance equal or very close to the pure Alamouti STBC performance.
US08233462B2	High speed media access control and direct link protocol Techniques for MAC processing for efficient use of high throughput systems that may be backward compatible with various types of legacy systems are disclosed. In one aspect, a data frame is formed comprising a common portion for transmission in a format receivable by various stations, such as access points and remote stations. The data frame also comprises a dedicated portion, formatted for transmission to a specified remote station. In another aspect, the common portion is unsteered, and the dedicated portion is steered. In another aspect, an access point schedules an allocation in response to a data indication included in a common portion of a data frame transmitted from one remote station to another. In another aspect, a first station transmits a reference to a second station, which measures the reference and generates feedback therefrom.
US08233459B2	Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and paging information reception method A disclosed transmitting apparatus includes a paging indicator information generating unit generating paging indicator information including a group ID of users who are to receive a paging channel and information indicating a radio resource in which the paging channel is transmitted; and a multiplexing unit multiplexing the paging indicator information.
US08233457B1	Synchronization-free station locator in wireless network A method of providing synchronization-free station locating in a wireless network is provided. In this method, an AP having a known location sends a unicast packet to the station and notes its time of departure TOD(D). The station receives the unicast packet, notes its time of arrival TOA(D), sends an acknowledgement packet to the AP, and notes its time of departure TOD(D_ACK). The AP receives the acknowledgment packet and notes its time of arrival TOA(D_ACK). Notably, a distance between the AP and the station can be accurately determined using a first difference between the TOA(D_ACK) and the TOD(D) and a second difference between the TOD(D_ACK) and the TOA(D). A plurality of such computed distances between a plurality of APs and the station can be used to determine an accurate location of the station.
US08233435B2	Inter-channel communication methods in multi-channel wireless networks A network information apparatus (400), system (100) (200) and method for distributing network information in a multi-channel (MC) wireless network (100) (200), comprising a network information module (400) that implements inter-channel communication of network information in an MC network according to a pre-determined network information sharing procedure and keeping an own cache (401) of each node refreshed and free of out-of-date information, and, for an active proxy-based sharing procedure thereof only, adapting to changes in node/channel associations, suppressing duplicate inter-channel information, and synchronizing own clocks (404) of each node.
US08233433B2	Apparatus, system and method for initiating WLAN service using beacon signals An access point transmits a beacon signal when a multimode communication device is within a maximum proximity of the access point. A wireless wide area network (WWAN) receiver in the access point monitors a WWAN uplink channel used by the multimode wireless communication device to communicate with a WWAN base station. The access point determines, or at least estimates, a proximity of the multimode communication device to the access point based on a received WWAN uplink signal transmitted by the multimode wireless communication device. If the proximity is less than a proximity threshold, the access point transmits the beacon signal. The beacon signal at least indicates the presence of the access point and, in some circumstances, includes instructions or information to assist in a handoff from the WWAN to the WLAN.
US08233432B2	Ensuring physical locality of entities sharing data A method and system for ensuring that data is only distributed within a certain physical area are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method provides that data is distributed only if the distance between a source and a sink is within a distance threshold. Under this system, the distance between the source and the sink may be estimated directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, the distance may be estimated by estimating the propagation delay for a signal traversing between the devices. The physical distance between the devices may be determined from the propagation delay. If the physical distance is outside a threshold value, the source may be prohibited from transmitting the data or the sink may refuse to display the data.
US08233417B1	Femtocell architecture using internet protocol multimedia subsystem centralized services A femtocell includes a transceiver that receives a first request signal from a first service request device (SRD) that operates in at least one of a circuit switched (CS) domain and a packet switched (PS) domain. A control module generates a second request signal based on the first request signal. The transceiver transmits the second request signal in at least one of the CS domain and the PS domain from the femtocell to a mobile switch center (MSC) server. The transceiver provides Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) centralized services (ICS) to the first SRD based on the second request signal.
US08233414B2	Systems and methods for indicating buffered data at an access point using an embedded traffic indication map Stations in standby mode periodically wake up to check for buffered data at the access points. Traditionally, the information is available by checking the periodic beacon frame for a traffic indication map (TIM). Unfortunately, the length of beacons has steadily increased with the progression of the various wireless standards requiring stations to wake up for longer periods to merely check for buffered data. Several approaches are disclosed which address this shortcoming, including the broadcast of TIM frames, the partial reception of beacon frames and the use of an embedded TIM frame within a beacon frame.
US08233410B2	Telephone system A telephone system that allows multiplexing and demultiplexing plural group calls through simple operations is provided. The telephone system includes a conference trunk creating unit that creates a conference trunk as required and has a multiplexing/demultiplexing special number table prestoring a multiplexing special number and demultiplexing special number corresponding to plural group calls. After plural group calls start, if the multiplexing special number is input, a control unit causes the conference trunk creating unit to create a large-conference trunk, switches and connects the voices of plural group calls corresponding to the multiplexing special number to the large-conference trunk and starts the multiplexed group call. If the demultiplexing special number is input, the control unit causes the conference trunk creating unit to create plural small-conference trunks, connects and switches each group call corresponding to the demultiplexing special number to the small-conference trunk and starts the demultiplexed group calls.
US08233407B2	Method for providing a table of station-specific information in a network of distributed stations, and network station for carrying out the method After every bus reset operation in an IEEE 1394 network, the network is reconfigured. This involves a table with further station-specific information being created after the bus initialization phase, the tree structure identification phase and the self identification phase. Each network station returns its station-specific information to the requesting network station. In the first phase, all that information which has been received up to a time determined by a first abort criterion is sorted into the table. Next, the still incomplete table is enabled for use by an application program in the requesting network station. In the second phase, the still missing station-specific information is then requested again and is sorted into the table when it is delivered by the stations to which requests have been sent. After a time determined by a second abort criterion, the further request for the still missing station-specific information is terminated and the table is closed in this state and is provided for use by the application software.
US08233406B1	Communication system and method for operating a control database for a wireless communication system A method of operating a control database for a wireless communication system comprises receiving geographic coordinates for a wireless access hub and an identity of a wireless collector hub, retrieving geographic coordinates for the wireless collector hub, identifying a frequency band for wireless communication signals between a core communication network and the wireless collector hub, and identifying reserved time slots in the frequency band. The method also comprises selecting available time slots, processing the geographic coordinates to determine an azimuth and an angle for the wireless access and collector hubs to optimize signal strength, determining a power for the wireless communications signals between the wireless collector and access hubs, receiving a query for the wireless access and collector hubs, and transferring a response indicating the azimuth, the angle, the frequency band, the available time slots, and the power.
US08233405B2	Communication device and control method thereof Capability information about communication devices joining a network is collected, and a determination as to whether to continue first processing is made on the basis of the collected capability information. If it is determined not to continue the first processing, an end message is sent to terminate the first processing.
US08233397B1	Device for and method of making element appear in shortest network path by minimal decrements and increments A device and method of minimally incrementing and decrementing the weights of a minimal number of links in a network to cause a link/node that is not in the shortest path in the network to be in the shortest path by determining the shortest path with link/node, identifying links in this path that are not in the shortest path without link/node, decrementing identified links to make the path the shortest path, identifying a link in the shortest path without link/node not in the path with link/node, incrementing the link, redoing these steps to determine a number of links and modifications to links that would cause the link/node to appear in the shortest path, identifying the set of links and modifications with the fewest links, and modifying the network in accordance with the identified set.
US08233396B2	Mesh network connecting 3G wireless routers A communication routing arrangement includes two or more wireless routers coupled to a communication network, and a user device adapted to couple with the communication network through a communication path including at least one of the two or more wireless routers. The communication path between the user device and the communication network is selected based on available resources of the two or more wireless routers.
US08233377B2	Assignment method and base station apparatus using the assignment method A base station apparatus assigns a time slot, where multiple sub-channels have been frequency multiplexed, to a terminal apparatus. The correspondence between the range of signal strength and time slots is defined such that the time slot differs whenever the range of signal strength differs; a control unit assigns any one of a plurality of sub-channels in the time slot corresponding to the range of low signal strengths, to the terminal apparatus as a ranging channel. An RF unit, a modem unit and so forth perform a ranging operation on the terminal apparatus over the ranging channel assigned. The control unit assigns a sub-channel to the terminal apparatus that has performed the ranging operation, as a communication channel.
US08233376B2	Method, apparatus and system for estimating channel transfer matrices A method, system and device for use in conjunction with Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) transmission systems, including Far-End Crosstalk (FEXT) cancellation circuitry. According to embodiments of the invention there is provided a system including a central office having a plurality of central modems, and at least one remote modem in communication with the plurality of central modems, the remote modem capable of automatic channel adjustment, and further capable of providing to the central office a channel adjustment parameter, wherein the central office includes a precoder to selectively precode symbols prior to transmission by each of the central modems with an estimation precoding matrix, and a controller to receive from the at least one remote modem respective channel adjustment parameters in response to transmitted symbols precoded with said estimation precoding matrix.
US08233375B2	Optical information recording medium, reproducing device for optical information recording medium, control method and control program for the reproducing device, and medium with the control program recorded therein A super-resolution medium (1) has a medium identification information for specifying a type of medium recorded in a medium information area (3) by use of pre-pits having a length not shorter than a length of a resolution limit of an optical system in a reproducing device (10).
US08233370B2	Objective lens, optical pickup and optical disc apparatus Provided is an objective lens used in an optical pickup that performs recording and/or reproducing of information signals on three different types of optical discs using different wavelengths. The objective lens is configured to collect light beams with the at least three wavelengths λ1, λ2, and λ3, which satisfy a relationship of λ1<λ2<λ3, on signal recording surfaces of compatible optical discs corresponding to the respective wavelengths. The objective lens includes: a diffractive portion that has a predetermined diffraction structure formed on an incident side surface. The diffractive portion has a first region that is provided in an innermost peripheral portion so as to diffract the light beams, a second region that is provided outside the first region so as to diffract the light beams, and a third region that is provided outside the second region.
US08233368B2	Method and system for bit prediction using a multi-pixel detector The present techniques provide methods and systems for more reliable reading of optical data disks. In embodiments, a multi-pixel detector that is segmented into multiple areas, or detector segments, may be used to detect a pattern in the light reflected from an optical data disk. The pattern may include light scattered from a single bit that may be under a center detector, as well as light scattered from proximate bits. The detector system may then combine the quantized values from each of the detector segments mathematically to determine the presence or absence of a bit or bits of data. The mathematical combination may also use data that is known about the status of adjacent data bits (such as previously read bits, or bit patterns which are allowed or not allowed by specific data encoding schemes) to improve the accuracy of the bit prediction.
US08233367B2	Method and device for optical recording onto optical disc medium There is provided an optical recording method for directing a recording pulse train to an optical disc medium to form marks thereon and for recording information as information about the edge positions of said marks and the spaces between marks, the recording pulse train having been created by modulating laser light into plural power levels. The method includes: coding to-be-recorded data into coded data consisting of the combination of marks and spaces; classifying said marks within said coded data on the basis of the mark length and the preceding or succeeding space lengths of the marks; shifting the position of the second pulse edge counted from the end portion of the recording pulse train for forming said marks, depending on the result of said classification, to adjust said recording pulse train; and directing said recording pulse train to the optical disc medium to form said marks thereon.
US08233364B2	Method and device for identifying optical disc An optical disc identifying device includes an optical pickup head, a digital signal processor and a radio frequency amplifier. The optical pickup head has a plurality of laser diodes and a lens. During a start-up procedure, a non-blue laser diode of the optical pickup head is turned on to irradiate a loaded optical disc, thereby generating an electronic signal. The digital signal processor outputs a driving signal, thereby controlling a motor driver to move the lens in a focusing direction. The radio frequency amplifier receives the electronic signal during the movement of the lens, thereby generating a first signal. The digital signal processor includes a detecting unit for comparing the first signal with a slicing signal to generate a pulse signal, and determining whether the optical disc is a blue-ray disc or a non-blue-ray disc according to a pulse number of the pulse signal.
US08233359B2	Magnetic recording medium, magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, and magnetic recording/reproducing method A magnetic recording medium (1a) includes: a plurality of magnetic dots (13), provided on a substrate (11), in each of which information is stored by heating of the magnetic body; and separator layers (50). Each of the separator layers (50) is structured such that a metallic body layer (52) and two dielectric body layers (51) are alternately stacked in an in-plane direction of the substrate (11). Each of the separator layers (50) separates two magnetic dots from each other in the in-plane direction. Both sides of each of the magnetic dots (13) in the in-plane direction of the substrate (11) have contact with two dielectric body layers (52), respectively. This provides a magnetic recording medium (1a) whose magnetic dots (13) can be entirely heated with a reduction in the amount of power that is consumed by a recording head.
US08233348B2	Bank active signal generation circuit The bank active signal generation circuit comprises a decoded signal generator and an active signal generator. The decoded signal generator generates decoded signals from a first bank access signal, a second bank access signal and a row address signal in response to when a prefetch signal at a first mode. The decoded signal generator also generates decoded signals from the first bank access signal, the second bank access signal, and a third bank access signal in response when the prefetch signal at a second mode. The active signal generator generates bank active signals in response to receiving the decoded signals, an active pulse and a precharge pulse.
US08233345B2	Phase change memory cycle timer and method A phase change memory (PCM) cycle timer and associated method are disclosed. A system includes at least one reference phase change element (PCE). The system also includes a circuit that performs a write operation on the at least one reference PCE and substantially immediately thereafter continuously senses and returns a value of a resistance of the at least one reference PCE throughout a settling time of the at least one reference PCE.
US08233331B2	Single clock dynamic compare circuit A compare circuit for comparing a first data word with a second data word includes a plurality of sub-circuits, each having a two-bit static compare stage and a dynamic complex logic stage; a dynamic compare node responsive to respective outputs of the sub-circuits; and an output latch that captures a comparison result in accordance with a logic state of the dynamic compare node. In an exemplary embodiment, a local clock generator provides a single controlling clock signal for clocking the output latch, precharging of the dynamic compare node, and clocking of the dynamic complex logic stage of the sub-circuits.
US08233327B2	Method of programming nonvolatile memory device A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device comprises a bit line voltage set-up step of receiving a program command and data to be programmed and setting up a voltage of a selected bit line according to a state of program data; a program step of supplying a program voltage to a word line selected for a program in response to a control signal for setting up the program voltage, supplying a first pass voltage to unselected word lines, and then performing the program; and a program verification step of, in response to a control signal which is subsequent to the control signal for setting up the program voltage and is used to set a verification voltage, performing a program verification operation by supplying the verification voltage to the selected word line.
US08233312B2	DRAM cell utilizing floating body effect and manufacturing method thereof The present invention discloses a DRAM cell utilizing floating body effect and a manufacturing method thereof. The DRAM cell includes a first N type semiconductor region provided on a buried oxide layer, a P type semiconductor region provided on the first N type semiconductor region, a gate region provided on the P type semiconductor region, and an electrical isolation region surrounding the P type semiconductor region and the N type semiconductor region. A diode is taken as a storage node. Via a tunneling effect between bands, holes gather in the floating body, which is defined as a first storage state; via forward bias of PN junction, holes are emitted out from the floating body or electrons are injected into the floating body, which is defined as a second storage state. The present invention provides a highly efficient DRAM cell utilizing floating body effect with high density, which has low power consumption, has simple manufacturing process, and is compatible to the conventional CMOS and conventional logic circuit manufacturing process.
US08233309B2	Non-volatile memory array architecture incorporating 1T-1R near 4F2 memory cell A nonvolatile memory array architecture includes a resistive element between each common source/drain (intermediate) node and data line (or bit line), in an otherwise virtual ground-like memory array having serially-connected transistors coupled to the same word line. However, every N+1 transistors the corresponding resistive element is omitted (or generally kept in a low resistance state) to form transistor strings. This achieves an array density of 4F2*(N+1)/N, which approaches 4F2 array density for reasonable values of N. Such memory arrays are well suited for use in a three-dimensional memory array having distinct memory planes stacked above each other on multiple levels above a substrate.
US08233306B1	Memory program circuit Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for programming memory. In one aspect, a program circuit includes a first transistive element; a second transistive element coupled to a first end of the first transistive element; a burn subcircuit, the burn subcircuit including a third transistive element coupled to a fourth transistive element, where the drain of the third transistive element is coupled to a second end of the first transistive element, and the source of the third transistive element is coupled to the drain of the fourth transistive element; and a fifth transistive element coupled in parallel to the fourth transistive element. Control logic coupled to the first transistive element, the burn subcircuit, and the fourth transistive element selectively enables the second transistive element, selectively enables the fourth transistive element, and selectively enables the fifth transistive element to enable a read mode or a program mode.
US08233305B2	Magnetic structures, information storage devices including magnetic structures, methods of manufacturing and methods of operating the same A magnetic structure includes a first portion and a plurality of second portions. The first portion extends in a first direction. The plurality of second portions extend from ends of the first portion in a second direction. The first and second directions are perpendicular to one another. Two magnetic domains magnetized in directions opposite to each other and a magnetic domain wall between the magnetic domains are formed in the magnetic structure.
US08233299B2	Dynamic phase timing control for multiple regulators or phases A drive control circuit generates switching drive signals for a single phase of a multiphase voltage regulator. A driver circuitry generates the switching drive signals for the voltage regulator responsive to a clock signal. A clock circuitry generates the clock signal responsive to a monitored external clock signal. A phase number detector determines a number of active phases in the multiphase voltage regulator in real time responsive to an indicator on a phase number input monitored by the phase detector.
US08233297B2	Multi-stage power supply There is provided a multi-stage power supply. A multi-stage power supply according to an aspect of the invention may include: a voltage converter circuit section including a plurality of first to n-th DC/DC converters connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal, in order to supply a DC driving voltage to an LED array having a plurality of LEDs therein; a voltage detection section detecting an output voltage from the voltage converter circuit section; and a PWM control section generating a PWM control signal on the basis of a first detection voltage from the voltage detection section, a second detection voltage obtained by detecting current flowing through the LED array, and a third detection voltage obtained by detecting a current waveform flowing through an internal switch of the n-th DC/DC converter, and supplying the PWM control signal to each of the first through n-th DC/DC converters.
US08233293B2	Reverse current protection for power converters having synchronous rectifiers A power supply includes an input, an output, a reverse current protection circuit, a synchronous rectifier and an output choke. The reverse current protection circuit is configured for detecting a flyback voltage indicative of reverse current, and for deactivating the synchronous rectifier in response to detecting the flyback voltage. The flyback voltage can be detected a variety of ways, including across the output choke, across a switch in the synchronous rectifier, across the secondary winding of a power transformer, etc.
US08233289B2	Multilayer wiring substrate and method for manufacturing the same A multilayer wiring substrate of the present invention has a laminated structure composed of conductor layers and resin insulating layers stacked alternately. A plurality of surface connection terminals to which terminals of a chip component are to be surface-connected are formed on a main face of the laminated structure. A plurality of via conductors connected to the plurality of surface connection terminals are formed in the resin insulating layers. Each of the plurality of surface connection terminals has a structure in which a copper layer, a nickel layer, and a gold layer are stacked in this sequence. The gold layer is larger in diameter than at least the copper layer. The gold layer has an overhanging portion which extends radially outward from a circumference of the copper layer.
US08233287B2	Ground vias for enhanced preamp heat release in hard disk drives Described is a preamp flex cable for use in a hard drive. The flex cable incorporates a stiffener layer operable to provide a mechanical support, an insulating layer provided over the stiffener layer and having at least one via provided therein to expose the stiffener layer, and at least one conductive layer provided over the insulating layer. The at least one conductive layer forms an electrical circuit and at least one heat removing element that extends through the via and establishes a contact with the stiffener layer. In one implementation, the heat removing element includes a rectangular plate having a recessed center portion and an edge portion. The recessed center portion protrudes through the at least one via in the insulating layer to mechanically couple with the stiffener. In another implementation, the heat removing element includes first portion and second rectangular portions. The first portion protrudes through the at least one via in the insulating layer to thermally couple with the stiffener and the second portion is disposed over the insulating layer, such that the second portion can be thermally coupled to the preamp.
US08233283B2	Power supply device A power supply device (10) comprises a casing (26), a support structure (14) and driving means (42) for selectively rotating the casing (26) relative to the support structure (14). The casing (26) houses electrical equipment (36) and electrical sockets (30,32,34). The support structure (14) is attachable to the top (12) of an article of furniture and supports the casing (26) for rotation about an axis (28), parallel to the top (12). The casing (26) can be rotated by the driving means between an operative position in which the electrical sockets (30,32,34) face upwards and are accessible above the top (12), and a stowed position in which the electrical sockets (30,32,34) are not accessible from above the top (12). The casing (26) has a protuberance (40) that extends around the electrical sockets (30,32,34) and the protuberance (40) stands proud of the top (12) when the casing (26) is in its operative position.
US08233282B2	Frame for a device mounted above a printed circuit board in an electronic device The disclosure describes a frame for mounting a device above a printed circuit board (PCB) in an electronic device. The frame comprises: a frame section formed to be located on the PCB about a surface device on a section of the PCB; and a cover for placement on top of the frame section and for providing a support substrate for the device. In the frame, the frame section is securable to the PCB above at least a part of the surface device; the cover is locatable on the frame section with the device mounted to the cover; and the cover is shaped to allow a feature on the bottom of the device to extend downward towards an interior cavity of the frame.
US08233280B2	Electronic module with center mounting fasteners An electronic module is employed with at least one interiorly positioned fastener that at least partially secures a central region of the electronic module to an object to prevent bowing or warping. The module contains a base, at least two peripheral fasteners at opposed ends of the module, and the at least one interiorly positioned fastener, wherein the base is capable of accepting electronic components and further includes at least one layer, and wherein the at least one interiorly positioned fastener is interposed between the at least two peripheral fasteners.
US08233261B2	Composite organic encapsulants This invention relates to compositions, and the use of such compositions for protective coatings, particularly of electronic devices. The invention concerns a fired-on-foil ceramic capacitors coated with a composite encapsulant and embedded in a printed wiring board.
US08233247B2	Scissoring-type current-perpendicular-to-the-plane giant magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) sensors with damped free layer structures A “scissoring-type” current-perpendicular-to-the-plane giant magnetoresistive (CPP-GMR) sensor has magnetically damped free layers. In one embodiment each of the two free layers is in contact with a damping layer that comprises Pt or Pd, or a lanthanoid (an element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Th, Yb, and Lu). Each of the two free layers has one of its surfaces in contact with the sensor's electrically conducting nonmagnetic spacer layer and its other surface in contact with its associated damping layer. A nonmagnetic film may be located between each free layer and its associated damping layer. In another embodiment the damping element is present as a dopant or impurity in each of the two free layers. In another embodiment a nanolayer of the damping element is located within each of the two free layers.
US08233239B1	Disk drive head stack assembly having first and second swage bosses with different inner lip profiles A disk drive head stack assembly includes an actuator arm tip that includes a swaging hole centered about a swaging axis. A first suspension assembly has a first swage boss that protrudes into the swaging hole. A second suspension assembly has a second swage boss that protrudes into the swaging hole and does not contact the first swage boss. Each of the first and second swage bosses includes an inner lip that extends radially closer to the swaging axis than any other part of that swage boss. The inner lip thickness of the first swage boss, measured parallel to the swaging axis, increases more greatly with increasing radial distance from the swaging axis than does the inner lip thickness of the second swage boss.
US08233237B2	Perpendicular magnetic write head and magnetic recording device A main magnetic-pole layer is provided with, at the tip end portion thereof, a trailing shied on the trailing side via a non-magnetic gap layer, and the non-magnetic gap layer includes therein one or more magnetic layers. This magnetic layer appropriately controls the amount of magnetic fluxes coming from the tip end portion of the main magnetic-pole layer for capturing into the trailing shield because the magnetic fluxes coming from the tip end portion of the main magnetic-pole layer go through the magnetic layer before being captured into the trailing shield.
US08233227B2	Prism unit and a projection image display apparatus A prism unit includes a prism having at least one optical surface in its inside, and a prism base disposing the prism, the prism base including at least three seating surfaces that are attached to a surface orthogonal to the optical surface of the prism, a seating surface bonded part that is bonded to the prism by an adhesive. At least the three seating surfaces and the seating surface bonded part are symmetrically arranged on the optical surface of the prism.
US08233224B2	Imaging lens system This invention provides an imaging lens system including, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens with negative refractive power; a third lens having a concave image-side surface; a fourth lens with positive refractive power; a fifth lens with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface, at least one surface thereof having at least one inflection point; and an aperture stop disposed between an imaged object and the third lens. The on-axis spacing between the first lens and second lens is T12, the focal length of the imaging lens system is f, and they satisfy the relation: 0.5<(T12/f)×100<15.
US08233223B2	Telephoto lens system and photographing device including the same A telephoto lens system and a photographing device including the telephoto lens system. The telephoto lens system includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, and a third lens group having a positive refractive power, which are sequentially disposed from an object side, wherein the second lens group performs focusing, and the third lens group includes a front lens group having a negative refractive power and a back lens group having a positive refractive power, and vibration correction is performed by moving the front lens group of the third lens group in a perpendicular direction to the optical axis.
US08233208B2	Optical device, optical scanner, and image forming apparatus An optical device includes: a movable plate disposed in a distribution range of light input from outside, and having alight reflecting surface adapted to reflect the light; a shaft member adapted to support the movable plate so that the movable plate can swing around a predetermined axis; a ferromagnetic member provided to the movable plate; and a drive section configured to generate electromagnetic force between the drive section and the ferromagnetic member to thereby swing the movable plate, wherein a portion of the drive section, included in the distribution range of the light, is formed of a surface having a normal vector with which the light is reflected to outside of a predetermined range.
US08233207B2	Method and apparatus for reactive optical correction of galvano motor scanning heads This invention relates to a method of optical correction of field position distortions created by galvano motor scanning heads. In addition, the invention relates to the apparatus and method to achieve a calibration of said field positions to overcome said distortions generated by the delivery optics within a galvano motor scanning head using a pre-calibrated target that may be positioned into a registration or ‘lay’ system for ease of identifying and measuring said series of marks by removal and replacing said pre-calibrated target into said registration or ‘lay’ system, pre-determined logic means to generate a series of marks on said pre-calibrated target using said galvano motor scanning head and said galvano motor scanning head control apparatus and operator input so that said logic means may calculate from a minimum number of operator entries corresponding to said series of marks on said pre-calibrated target that may be positioned into said registration or ‘lay’ system for ease of identifying and measuring said series of marks by removal and replacing said pre-calibrated target into said registration or ‘lay’ system a full field correction of the field position distortions taking into account all beam or laser beam, mounting, alignment and parallelity intolerances to generate corrected galvano motor position control optical correction data reactive to the exact parameters of an individual laser, delivery optic/s, galvano motor scanning head and target plane set-up.
US08233205B2	Method for holographic data retrieval by quadrature homodyne detection A holographic device is provided for recovering data in a holographic memory system. The device use homodyne detection to introduce a local oscillator beam into a reconstructed data beam of the recovered hologram. An image of the combined beam comprising the reconstructed data beam and local oscillator beam may be processed to obtain contrast level information for the pixels of the detected image. This contrast level information may then be used to obtain an increased contrast image of the recovered hologram, which may increase the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the recovered data.
US08233203B2	Exposure method and method of manufacturing semiconductor device The exposure method includes the steps of: illuminating a hologram recording medium, in which a hologram with a first pattern has been recorded by illumination with a laser beam emitted from a first laser oscillator, with a laser beam emitted from a second laser oscillator; and delivering the laser beam emitted from the second laser oscillator, which has passed through the hologram recording medium, onto a resist, thereby forming a second pattern in the resist. The wavelength of the laser beam used for illuminating the resist through the hologram recording medium in which the hologram is recorded is shorter than the wavelength of the laser beam used for recording the hologram in the hologram recording medium. Further, the wavelength of the laser beam used for illuminating the resist is 1/(0.5×n) (where n is an integer not less than 3) that of the laser beam used for recording the hologram.
US08233202B2	Scanner with simplified document feeding path A scanner with a simplified document feeding path is provided for scanning a document. The scanner includes a paper path, a conveying mechanism, an optical module and a scan window. The conveying mechanism conveys the document along the paper path. The optical module, rotatably disposed, captures an image of the document conveyed to a first position and a second position in the paper path, wherein the optical module captures a front-side image of the document at the first position and a back-side image of the document at the second position. The scan window, mounted on the optical module, is turned toward the first position and the second position as the optical module rotates, and the optical module captures the image of the document through the scan window.
US08233200B2	Curvature correction and image processing A system and process for reading forms using a curvature distortion correction scheme is disclosed. A model image of a known form is partitioned into sectors defined by at least three alignment marks, and a transfer or correction function for each sector is generated by comparing the locations of alignment marks on a captured unread image of a form to those on a model image. The transfer function is then applied to the other marks within the sector to calculate a correct location of the marks. Each sector is sized to reasonably ensure curvature distortions are handled such that all the marks on a form are properly found and interpreted. Errors may be checked and, if they persist, smaller sectors may be defined and employed, if available.
US08233197B2	Pantograph methods, apparatus and systems based on UCR/GCR The disclosure provides pantograph methods, apparatus and systems. Specifically disclosed is a method of rendering a pantograph including defining a foreground region associated with a pantograph, defining a background region associated with the pantograph, and applying a first UCR/GCR strategy to the background region and a second UCR/GCR strategy to the foreground region, whereby the foreground region is less discernable after the pantograph is rendered with a printing device relative to a reproduction of the rendered pantograph.
US08233191B2	Color production with high chroma using complementary color material with different hue at low lightness portion Color production with high chroma in a low lightness portion is realized by using an appropriate complementary color ink to a particular color ink reproducing the low lightness portion. More specially the device secondary color G-K is reproduced with ink of the pure color component composed of the color mixture of the particular color G ink and the basic color Y ink to tone the particular color G ink. In addition, as complementary color components, the particular color R ink and K ink are used. Thereby, the reproduction line is substantially linear from the device secondary color G point to the device K point. In color reproduction at the dark portion of the color on the G-K line, sufficient chroma can be obtained.
US08233185B2	Page parallel RIP and cache tuning in print/copy job environment utilizing page description languages What is provided are a system and method for print/copy job environments utilizing a page description language (PDL). In one embodiment, an input PDL stream describing embedded objects in a job is received and parsed. Reusable document components (RDCs) are identified. A determination is made as to how many placements are in the PDL for each identified RDC. If no RDCs are placed more than once, caching is disabled. If it is not efficient to split the PDL stream into smaller tasks, page parallel rip (PPR) is disabled. The embedded objects are analyzed to determine a number of PPRs for the job based on system resources. A raster image processing (RIP) time is projected for each path in the job based on the determined number of placements and the determined number of PPRs. A job processing path is prescribed for the job based on the most efficient projected RIP time.
US08233181B2	System and method for processing a form In a system and method for processing a form comprising a plurality of entry markings, an area-array image sensor may capture an image of the form in free-space without requiring relative movement of the sensor and the form. A processor may interpret the captured image to determine at least a first entry selection based, at least in part, on the position of at least one of the plurality of entry markings with respect to at least one other marking in the image.
US08233168B2	Image forming apparatus for converting lights to generate and store electrical power In an image forming apparatus, an energy converting unit receives light from an optical source and converts the light into electric power, and an electrical storage unit stores therein the electric power. The energy converting unit is arranged in such a manner that a relative position of the energy converting unit to the optical source is always constant when a reading unit is reading an image.
US08233162B2	Printer controller and method of printing print document which scale down a print image so that an entire area of a print sheet fits into a printable area A printer controller includes an XPS driver operable to cause a printer to perform printing operation in conformation with XPS standard. The XPS driver includes; a receiver, operable to receive a print document; an analyzer, operable to analyze the print document; a determiner, operable to determine, based on a result of analysis, whether or not the print document includes a print instruction for performing printing outside a printable area on a print sheet; a generator, when a result of determination indicates that the print document includes the print instruction for performing printing outside the printable area, operable to generate a scaled-down print image into which a print image generated in accordance with the print document is scaled down at such a scaling factor at which an entire area of the print sheet fits into the printable area; and an outputter, operable to output data of the scaled-down print image to the printer.
US08233157B2	Method and apparatus of a portable imaging-based measurement with self calibration A portable imaging-based measurement device is developed to perform 2D projection based measurements on an object that is difficult or dangerous to access. This device is equipped with self calibration capability and built-in operating procedures to ensure proper imaging based measurement.
US08233156B2	Hybrid sensor A sensor system and method for analyzing a feature in a sensing volume. The system imaging the feature with a first sensor and a second sensor that cooperate to form a contiguous sensing volume.
US08233149B2	Biometric image pickup apparatus A biometric image pickup apparatus includes: a light source section selectively switching between light of a first wavelength region with a high transmittance through a living organism and light of a second wavelength region with a lower transmittance through the living organism than light of the first wavelength region to apply the light of the first wavelength region and the light of the second wavelength region to the living organism; an image pickup lens section condensing light from the living organism; an image pickup device obtaining first image pickup data of the living organism on the basis of the light of the first wavelength region in light condensed by the image pickup lens, and obtaining second image pickup data on the basis of the light of the second wavelength region in the light condensed by the image pickup lens.
US08233136B2	Method and apparatus for generating periodic patterns by step-and-align interference lithography The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for generating periodic patterns by step-and-align interference lithography, wherein at least two coherent light beams with a pattern are controlled to project onto a substrate to be exposed to form an interference-patterned region on the substrate. Thereafter, by means of moving the substrate or the light beams stepwisely, a patterned region with a large area can be formed on the substrate. According to the present invention, the optical path and exposure time may be shortened to reduce defect formation during lithographic processing and to improve the yield.
US08233128B2	Liquid crystal display module A liquid crystal display (LCD) module includes: a liquid crystal panel; a backlight unit that is below the liquid crystal panel and that includes a reflector, a light guide plate, at least one optical sheet and a light emitting diode (LED) assembly, wherein the LED assembly includes a plurality of LEDs and an LED printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein the LED PCB includes a first region on which the plurality of LEDs are mounted, and a second region is soldered with a flexible printed circuit (FPC) to supply power to the plurality of LEDs; a main supporter that is made of an insulating material, that surrounds the liquid crystal panel and the backlight unit, and that includes a placement portion, on which the liquid crystal panel is, and a hole into which a top portion of the second region is inserted; a bottom case that is made of metal and that is coupled with the main supporter, wherein a portion of the bottom case facing the soldered portion of the LED PCB is removed; and a top case that is made of metal, that surrounds peripheral portions of the liquid crystal panel, and that surrounds and is coupled with the main supporter and the bottom case.
US08233121B2	Display panel and color filter substrate A display panel having a reflective region and a transparent region is provided. The reflective region and the transparent region respectively have sub-pixel regions. The display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of color filter patterns, a single complementary color filter pattern and a display medium. The first substrate has a plurality of pixel structures disposed corresponding to the sub-pixel regions. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. The color filter patterns are respectively disposed in the sub-pixel regions of the transparent region on the first or second substrate. The single complementary color filter pattern is disposed in the sub-pixel regions of the reflective region on the first or second substrate. The sub-pixel regions of the reflective region are not completely covered by the single complementary color filter pattern. The display medium is disposed between the first substrate and second substrate.
US08233118B2	Liquid crystal display with a backlight source comprising first light source components and second light source components different from the first light source components A color liquid-crystal display panel has a red filter segment in each red sub-pixel and a blue filter segment in each blue sub-pixel, but no green filter segment in green sub-pixels. The liquid-crystal display panel has a backlight source for illuminating, and the backlight source has green light producing components alternately switched on and off in consecutive frames. The backlight source also has white or red/blue, or purple light emitting components alternately switched on and off in consecutive frames in complementary phase to the green light producing components. When the liquid crystal layer segments associated with all the three color sub-pixels are operated in a light non-blocking state, only the white or red/blue light producing components are turned on, and when the liquid crystal layer segments associated with the red sub-pixels are operated in a light blocking state, only the green light producing components are turned on.
US08233113B2	Surface illumination apparatus and liquid crystal display using same A surface illumination apparatus has: a plurality of light sources (12a, 12b) which emit lights; a light guiding plate (15) which allows the lights emitted from the light sources to enter through one of the side faces and emits the lights through one principal plane; a polarizing filter (19) which transmits lights in a predetermined polarizing direction and reflects lights in a polarizing direction perpendicular to the predetermined polarizing direction; a polarizing modulation plate (18) which performs predetermined modulation on the polarizing characteristics of the incident lights; and a reflection sheet (17) which regularly reflects the incident light. The polarizing filter and the polarizing modulation plate are disposed near the one principal plane of the light guiding plate, in order of the polarizing modulation plate and the polarizing filter from the light guiding plate side, the reflection sheet is disposed near the other principal plane of the light guiding plate on the opposite side to the one principal plane, at least two out of the lights emitted from the plurality of light sources include linearly polarized lights of which polarizing directions are perpendicular to each other in a stage of the lights entering the light guiding plate, and the polarizing modulation plate has a polarizing modulation cell (18a) which functions as a ½ wavelength plate, and a non-modulation cell (18b) which does not modulate the polarizing characteristics.
US08233106B2	Liquid crystal display device A liquid crystal display device is provided that includes a liquid crystal panel, a guide panel, a top case, and first and second brackets. The guide panel supports the liquid crystal panel and has one or more fixing protrusions on the side surfaces thereof. The top case covers the liquid crystal panel and the guide panel and has one or more holes facing the protrusions of the guide panel. The first and second brackets are attached respectively onto both sides of the top case and have one or more fixing grooves facing the corresponding holes of the top case.
US08233104B2	Stereoscopic TFT-LCD with wire grid polarizer affixed to internal surfaces substrates A stereoscopic TFT-LCD with a wire grid polarizer affixed to internal surfaces substrates, applies to a LCD device having a thin polarizing film and a thin phase retardation film to display a 2D image and a 3D image, a thin film polarizing film formed by accurately processing a thin aluminum film, a polarizing film of a nano imprint lithography method that uses polymer, and a polarizing film and a liquid crystal material that form a polarizing nano material thin film by uniformly coating a polarizing nano material (TCF), wherein a ¼ phase retardation plate is disposed at a front surface of the second transparent substrate so as to produce circularly-polarized light.
US08233101B2	Laminated wave plate, optical pickup device, polarization converter, and projection display apparatus A laminated wave plate includes a first wave plate with a phase difference of Γ1=180° with respect to a designed wavelength λ0 and a second wave plate with a phase difference of Γ2=180°, in which the first wave plate and the second wave plate are arranged and laminated so that optical axes thereof intersect each other, the laminated wave plate converting an incident linearly-polarized beam into a linearly-polarized beam obtained by rotating a polarization plane of the incident linearly-polarized beam by a predetermined angle φ and outputting the converted linearly-polarized beam. When in-plane bearing angles formed by the polarization plane of the incident linearly-polarized beam and optical axes of the first and second wave plates are represented by θ1 and θ2 and an optical axis adjustment amount is represented by a, the following expressions are satisfied: θ1=φ/4+a; and θ2=3φ/4−a.
US08233100B2	Shared light source in an electronic device An optical module is used in an electronic device to share a light source. The light source can be shared concurrently with an image projection device and a different component, such as a liquid crystal display device. Alternatively, the light source is used for providing illumination to the component only when the light source is not used by the image projection device. When the light source is used for providing illumination to the liquid crystal display device, at least part of the light beam from the light source is coupled to a back-light unit of the display device, for example. In addition to providing illumination to the liquid crystal display device, part of the light beam can also be used to provide illumination to other accessories or components, such as a keyboard of the electronic device.
US08233094B2	Methods, systems and apparatuses for motion detection using auto-focus statistics Methods, systems and apparatuses for the detection of motion using statistics data already available within an imager, such as sharpness scores or brightness values. The method includes obtaining at least two sets of statistics data for respective image frames which include corresponding windows; initializing a motion counter; determining, for each window, a relative difference value for the particular window; comparing the relative difference value to a first threshold. If the relative difference value is greater than the first threshold, the method increments the motion counter; and determines if there is motion by comparing the value of the motion counter to a second threshold. The motion detection may further take into account the relative importance of certain areas of the image frame.
US08233090B2	Method of linkage-viewing TV broadcasting program between mobile communication apparatus and digital TV, and mobile communication apparatus and digital TV thereof A method of linkage-viewing a TV broadcasting program between a mobile communication apparatus and a digital TV, the method includes inputting a TV linkage-viewing command in order to successively view a TV broadcasting program which is being viewed on the mobile communication apparatus, on the digital TV; transmitting data information from the mobile communication apparatus to the digital TV according to the input of the TV linkage viewing command; and selecting a TV channel in the digital TV which is the same as a current channel which is being viewed on the mobile communication apparatus and changing to the selected TV channel based on the data information which the digital TV has received.
US08233085B1	Method and system for interpolating a pixel value of a pixel located at an on-screen display A method for interpolating a pixel value of a pixel located at an OSD object during frame rate conversion includes determining current forward motion vectors between a first previous video frame and a current video frame, and at least one other set of forward motion vectors between two temporally consecutive previous video frames. The method also includes determining that a block adjoining a target block includes pixels depicting at least a portion of an OSD object. The method also includes determining that a position of the adjoining block relative to the target block coincides with a direction of a current forward motion vector associated with the target block, setting a magnitude of the current forward motion vector to zero (0), and calculating a pixel value of a pixel in the target block in the interpolated video frame based on the current forward motion vector associated with the target block.
US08233072B2	Electronic device, control method thereof, and recording medium With regard to an electronic device including a display function in a rotatable housing, operations necessary for function calling and determining processes are facilitated. An electronic device (portable terminal apparatus) including a display function in a rotatable housing includes a displaying unit that displays a first screen (e.g., vertical screen) or a second screen (e.g., horizontal screen) in accordance with rotation, and a controlling unit (CPU) that launches a function by rotating the displaying unit and switching the first screen to the second screen and that determines an selected item from the switched second screen by rotating and returning the displaying unit from the second screen to the first screen.
US08233068B2	Decimation filters, analog-to-digital converters including the same, and image sensors including the converters An image sensor includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a decimation filter. The decimation filter includes a first digital data generator and a second digital data generator. The first digital data generator is configured to integrate sigma-delta modulated M-bit pixel data and output N-bit pixel data based on an integration result. The second digital data generator is configured to integrate the N-bit pixel data, generate P-bit pixel data based on an integration result, and output the P-bit pixel data as decimated data.
US08233061B1	System, method, and computer program product for reducing a number of requests required to retrieve portions of memory A memory system, method, and computer program product are provided. In use, a plurality of portions of memory is arranged contiguously. Further, a number of requests required to retrieve the portions of memory is reduced utilizing the arrangement. In one possible embodiment, such technique may be used in the context of film grain technology (FGT), such that the portions of memory include portions of a film grain image stored in a film grain database (FGDB).
US08233056B2	Network image-synthesis display system Using a plurality of transmission units (110, 111, 112), multicast transmission of camera images shot by a plurality of cameras (101, 102, 103) is performed by way of a network, and then, a synthesis-parameter calculation unit (105) calculates, corresponding to image processing units each, synthesis-parameters required to synthesize using the camera images display images to be displayed on respective display units (113, 114, 115, 116), and transmits the synthesis-parameters to the image processing units (106, 107, 108, 109), whereby the image processing units (106, 107, 108, 109) synthesize display images from the camera images, based on the synthesis-parameters. Synthesis processing of the display images thereby is performed being distributed to the image processing units each.
US08233053B2	Imaging apparatus and image signal generating apparatus Disclosed is an imaging apparatus including an imaging element photo-electrically converting light from a subject to generate an electric signal, an output unit generating an image signal based on the electric signal output from the imaging element, a timing generator generating a clock for image signal processing to drive the imaging element and the output unit based on a reference clock externally input, a control unit controlling the imaging element, the output unit, and the timing generator. The imaging apparatus further includes a phase delaying unit delaying a phase of the clock for the image signal processing output from the timing generator to supply the clock to the control unit.
US08233052B2	Imaging devices operable with multiple aspect ratios Imaging devices including a novel imaging system wherein a 2-dimensional pixel array has a diagonal dimension larger than the diameter measurement of the image circle, thereby being capable of handling rectangular images with multiple aspect ratios. These new imaging devices can be used in various electronic imaging apparatus with or without a lens system.
US08233031B2	Object detecting system An object detecting system includes stereo-image taking means for outputting a reference image and a comparative image, stereo matching means for performing stereo matching, object detecting means for detecting an object in the reference image, estimated-region setting means for setting estimated regions of the object in the current frame in the reference image and the comparative image, on the basis of a distance of the object in the reference image in the previous frame, and determination means for correlating information about the object detected in the estimated region of the reference image or information that the object is not detected with information that noise is included, when an absolute value of a difference between average luminances of the estimated regions is more than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.
US08233024B2	Affecting calls to a person associated with a telecommunications terminal based on visual images and audio samples of the environment in the vicinity of the telecommunications terminal A video camera and microphone associated with a telecommunications terminal are used to gather information about the environment in the vicinity of the telecommunications terminal. Such information includes, but is not limited to: (i) how many people are in the environment, (ii) which specific people are in the environment, (iii) if the environment is dark, (iv) if the environment is quiet, and (v) if the environment comprises human speech. When a specific person is associated with the telecommunications terminal and a request arrives to establish a telephone call with that person, then the information about the environment can be used to decide whether: (1) to transmit the call to the telecommunications terminal, or (2) forward the call away from the telecommunications terminal.
US08233023B2	Method and apparatus for controlling intra-refreshing in a video telephony communication system A method and apparatus for controlling intra-refreshing in a video telephone communication system are provided. A reception apparatus checks a sequence number and a CRC for received video packet data to detect presence of a packet loss, decodes the received video data to check frame type information, generates a control signal for requesting intra-refreshing in accordance with the checked frame type information and the sequence number, and transmits the generated control signal for requesting intra-refreshing to a transmission apparatus. The transmission apparatus determines whether a control signal for requesting transmission of an I-frame obtained by compressing an independent image is received from the reception apparatus, checks frame type information and a sequence number of video data being compressed, determines whether to transmit a temporary I-frame corresponding to the received control signal or to transmit an I-frame based on a predetermined period, in accordance with the checked frame type information and the sequence number, and transmits the I-frame to the reception apparatus using a variable time according to the determination.
US08233019B2	Thermal head To provide a thermal head which provides an excellent adhesion between the common electrode and the heat element, and in which the content of Pb is sufficiently reduced. A thermal head 5, comprising a substrate 7, a glaze layer 3 provided on the substrate 7, a common electrode 4 provided on the glaze layer 3, a heat element 1 provided on the common electrode 4 and the glaze layer 3, and lead electrodes 2a and 2b provided on the heat element 1, wherein the common electrode 4 includes an electrically conductive material composed of metal and a glass frit, and the glass frit contains 15 to 35% by mass of ZnO, 14 to 34% by mass of SiO2, 2 to 25% by mass of Al2O3, 2 to 15% by mass of TiO2, 5 to 25% by mass of CaO, and 7 to 27% by mass of BaO.
US08233017B2	Digital electrostatic latent image generating member Provided are electrostatic latent image generators, printing apparatuses including the electrostatic latent image generators, and methods of forming an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image generator can include a substrate and an array of pixels disposed over the substrate, wherein each pixel of the array of pixels can include a layer of one or more nano-carbon materials, and wherein each pixel of the array of pixels is electrically isolated and is individually addressable. The electrostatic latent image generator can also include a charge transport layer disposed over the array of pixels, wherein the charge transport layer can include a surface disposed opposite to the array of pixels, and wherein the charge transport layer is configured to transport holes provided by the one or more pixels to the surface.
US08233001B2	Display apparatus, information processing apparatus capable of communicating with display apparatus, and methods of controlling same A peripheral device acquires the processing load of a display apparatus to which the peripheral device is connected via an interface. In accordance with the processing load acquired, the peripheral device generates a data command for adjusting the load of processing for rendering display data. The display apparatus alters the display data based upon the data command, renders the display data after the alteration thereof and displays the rendered data. As a result, when the peripheral device instructs the display apparatus to subject the display data to rendering process, an increase in length of time it takes to obtain the result of rendering is reduced.
US08232998B2	Methods and apparatus for estimating and controlling behavior of animatronics units A method for determining behavior of an animatronics unit includes receiving animation data comprising artistically determined motions for at least a portion of an animated character, determining a plurality of control signals to be applied to at least the portion of the animatronics unit in response to the animation data, estimating the behavior of at least the portion of the animatronics unit in response to the plurality of control signals by driving a software simulation of at least the portion of the animatronics unit with the plurality of control signals, and outputting a representation of the behavior of at least the portion of the animatronics unit to a user.
US08232994B2	Viewing multi-dimensional data in two dimensions Various technologies for visualizing a multi-dimensional view object in a two-dimensional format are described. In accordance with one described embodiment, an interface for visualizing a multi-dimensional view object in two dimensions includes a surface selection tree panel, a view object information panel, and a visualization panel. The surface selection tree panel displays a surface selection tree associated with the multi-dimensional view object. A number of other surface selection trees associated with the multi-dimensional view object also exist and can be displayed if selected. The surface selection trees include one or more surfaces associated with the multi-dimensional view object. The view object information panel complements the surface selection tree panel by displaying information associated with the multi-dimensional view object. Furthermore, the visualization panel displays an image or a spreadsheet-like numeric representation of the surface area that corresponds to a currently selected surface.
US08232990B2	Working with 3D objects Three-dimensional objects can be generated based on two-dimensional objects. A first user input identifying a 2D object presented in a user interface can be detected, and a second user input including a 3D gesture input that includes a movement in proximity to a surface can be detected. A 3D object can be generated based on the 2D object according to the first and second user inputs, and the 3D object can be presented in the user interface.
US08232976B2	Physically reconfigurable input and output systems and methods Systems and methods for altering the shape of a reconfigurable surface area are presented. The present systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective interaction with a device or system. In one embodiment, a surface reconfiguration system includes a flexible surface; an elevation unit that creates alterations in the contours of the surface; and an elevation control component that controls adjustments to the elevation unit. Thus, the surface of the device is reconfigurable based on system, application, mode, and/or user needs. Accordingly, the surface can be used to provide input and output functionality. The surface can include touch detection functionality for added input functionality.
US08232972B2	Touch position detector of capacitive touch panel and method for detecting the touch position A touch position detector includes a plurality of capacitance sensors, a negative capacitance compensation unit, an analog/digital converter and a micro processing unit. The negative capacitance compensation unit is utilized to compensate the capacitance of the capacitance sensor and get a capacitance change. The micro controller unit is utilized to detect the touch position according to the capacitance change. It is easy to get the touch position by using the touch position detector.
US08232969B2	Haptic feedback for button and scrolling action simulation in touch input devices A planar touch control is used to provide input to a computer and haptic feedback is provided thereto. A touch control includes a touch input device with a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor associated with the computer based on a location of user implemented contact on the touch surface. The computer can position or modify a cursor or image in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user via the touch surface.
US08232965B2	Adjustable on-screen cursor sensitivity on a handheld communication device Method and arrangement for adjusting sensitivity in the horizontal and/or vertical directions for the motion of a cursor on the display of a handheld electronic device incorporates a navigation tool as a user input device. The sensitivity can be user-defined, program-defined or a combination of the two. The sensitivity adjustment allows for special properties associated with dimensions of the display and/or with the navigation tool.
US08232963B2	Control and data entry apparatus A control and data entry device adapted for use in for electronic devices such as portable computers, PDA's, cell phones, MP3 players and the like. The control and data entry device includes a tiltable member or similar structure carrying an electrically conductive member spaced from multiple sense electrodes disposed on a circuit substrate. In one embodiment, capacitances between the electrically conductive member and the electrodes are measured to provide information concerning the tiltable member's orientation relative to the sense electrodes. The tiltable member may be manipulated by a users finger to tilt such member slightly and thereby effect scrolling functionality, thereby simulating the operation of circular capacitive touch pads known in the art. Switches may also be included, responsive to greater tilting of the tiltable member, thereby to effect clicking functionality. In some embodiments, a rotatable knob may be used to effect scrolling functionality.
US08232961B2	Pixel driving structure of displaying three colors of particle display and its displaying colors method A pixel driving structure of a particle display displaying three colors and a method for displaying colors thereof are provided. The pixel driving structure includes a first substrate; a first electrode layer disposed on a surface of the first substrate; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; a second electrode layer on the second substrate; a particle solution disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer and having a first color solution, a plurality of second color positive particles, and a plurality of third color negative particles; and an alternating/direct power supply connecting with the first and second electrode layers. A method for displaying color includes steps of applying an alternating voltage to display a first color; applying a first direct voltage to display a third color; and applying a second direct voltage to display a second color.
US08232959B2	Method of displaying an image and electrophoretic display device for performing the same A method of displaying images on an electrophoretic display (“EPD”) panel includes displaying a (K)-th image on the EPD panel including a plurality of electrophoretic particles, wherein K denotes a natural number. Then, when an interrupt signal for converting images is inputted during one of a plurality of driving intervals, a charge of the electrophoretic particles is compensated, which is charged in correspondence with the (K)-th image displayed on the EPD panel before the interrupt signal is inputted, and then a (K+1)-th image is displayed on the EPD panel. Thus, when the interrupt signal is inputted during one of the driving intervals displaying the (K)-th image data, the charges that are charged in the particles are compensated in correspondence to the (K)-th image data, and then the (K+1)-th image is displayed so that display quality may be enhanced.
US08232955B2	Ambient light sensor circuit and flat panel display device having the same An ambient light sensor circuit and a flat panel display device having same that can automatically control screen brightness by sensing ambient brightness and controlling an output current. The ambient light sensor circuit includes a transistor electrically coupled to a first power source; a first capacitive element electrically coupled between a control electrode of the transistor and a first reference power source; a second capacitive element electrically coupled between the first capacitive element and a second reference power source; a first light receiving element electrically coupled between the first and third reference power sources and controlling a coupling voltage of the first capacitive element and charge/discharge voltages of the second capacitive element by conducting current in response to ambient light; a first switch electrically coupled to the transistor and enabling the transistor to output current from the first power source according to the coupling voltage of the first capacitive element; and a second switch electrically coupled between the first light receiving element and the first capacitive element and interrupting a leakage current of the first light receiving element, thereby preventing the coupling voltage of the first capacitive element from being changed.
US08232953B2	Liquid crystal display device A liquid crystal display device which includes a drive circuit capable of reducing electromagnetic wave noises while performing a high-definition multi-grayscale display is provided. In a liquid crystal display device, low-voltage differential signals divided into a plurality of channels are received by a receiving circuit, display data is recorded in a storage element after being arranged, and the display data is outputted to drive circuits on a liquid crystal display panel from a transmitting circuit at different frequencies. A display region of the liquid crystal display panel is divided into a plurality of divided display regions, and respective divided display regions differ from each other in the number of pixels thus making transmission clock frequencies different from each other.
US08232952B2	Display element, method of driving the same, and electronic paper including the same The present invention provides a display element capable of allowing a user to recognize the content of an image in a short time during screen rewriting, a method of driving the same, and an electronic paper including the same. At the time of image display, B and R pixels 12b(i, 1) to 12b(i, 320) and 12r(i, 1) to 12r(i, 320) in i-th rows of B and R display units 6b and 6r and G pixels 12g(241−i, 1) to 12g(241−i, 320) in a (241−i)-th row of a G display unit 6g are driven substantially at the same time.
US08232940B2	Organic electroluminescent display device and production method thereof An organic electroluminescent display device is capable of flowing a constant electric current into each pixel and improving image qualities even if the device displays an image on a large screen. The organic electroluminescent display device including a lower electrode, an organic electroluminescent film, and an upper electrode on a substrate arranged in this order, wherein the upper electrode is divided in units of a pixel or dot by a partition having an insulating property.
US08232932B2	Display device The present invention suppresses the generation of a leak current that accompanies the polarity inversion of the voltage waveform of the opposing electrode. The display device that performs display by sequentially scanning a plurality of scan signal lines in a single cycle period comprises: a plurality of data signal lines that intersect the scan signal lines; a pixel electrode that is connected to the data signal lines; and an opposing electrode that is disposed opposite the pixel electrode and for which the polarity of an application voltage is inverted in each of the cycle periods. The cycle period includes a scan period in which one full scan of the scan signal lines is performed and a non-scan period in which the scan signal lines are not scanned. In the non-scan period, the absolute value across the gate and drain is held at or above a predetermined value and the decrease in a voltage difference between a pixel potential and a gate OFF potential caused by the polarity inversion of the application voltage to the opposing electrode is reduced. In a non-scan period, the polarity of the voltage applied to the opposing electrode is fixed at either polarity irrespective of the polarity inversion of the voltage of the opposing electrode in each cycle period.
US08232928B2	Dual-polarized antenna array According to one embodiment, an antenna array includes a plurality of first antenna elements having a first polarity and a plurality of second antenna elements having a second polarity. A feed circuit couples the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements to an antenna drive circuit. The feed circuit is configured on a plurality of columns extending in a direction that is oblique to the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements.
US08232926B2	Mobile wireless device There is provided a mobile wireless device capable of preventing antenna characteristics from degrading by feeding electric power at a position hardly affected by a human body such as a hand or other body part. In the mobile wireless device, a first circuit board (101) is provided on a first chassis (110) and has a ground layer; a second circuit board (105) is provided on a second chassis (120) and has a ground layer. A ground terminal of a wireless portion (104) is connected to the ground layer of the first circuit board (101) at the same voltage level and is also electrically connected through the wireless portion (104) to a matching circuit (103). The ground layer of the second circuit board (105) is electrically connected to a hinge conducting portion (106) by electrostatic capacitance coupling. The hinge conducting portion (106) is connected through a third conduction portion (107) to a board connection portion (102) and feeds power to the wireless portion through the matching circuit (103). This enables the ground layer of the first circuit board (101), the third conduction portion (107), the hinge conducting portion (106), and the ground layer of the second circuit board (105) to function as an antenna resonating at a predetermined resonant frequency.
US08232913B2	Multilateration system and method A multilateration system and method includes a plurality of receiver stations for receiving signals from an aircraft, and a controller that derives the position of the aircraft by applying a multilateration process to outputs from the receiver stations. For this purpose, the controller determines the altitude of the aircraft and selects a multilateration process that is to be used for position determination, based on the determined altitude.
US08232907B2	Step frequency high resolution radar The present invention is directed to an improved radar system that produces high range resolution while using existing narrow processing bandwidths and sampling rates to achieve a low cost radar product that is particularly useful for moving targets. The present invention uses a small number of closely spaced Linear Frequency Modulated Chirps. In one embodiment typically 2, 3, 4 chirps are used. Each frequency is sampled at a rate commensurate with the narrower bandwidth, corrected for motion, Time Aligned and combined to produce a single wide-band chirp but achieved using the lower sample rate commensurate with the narrower transmitted waveform.
US08232897B2	Vehicle locator key fob with range and bearing measurement An apparatus and method of determining bearing and distance measurements between a mobile device and an object using Rf based measurements. The mobile device communicates with a control in the object to determine the relative bearing between the mobile device and the object with respect to magnetic north and, optionally, the distance between the mobile device and the object. An indicator on the mobile device aid in directing s the user of the mobile device toward the object as the mobile device is moved relative to the object. The mobile device can be a key fob and the object can be a vehicle.
US08232896B2	Pedestrian signal housing with information display A traditional pedestrian signal housing with a video display screen mounted to a pedestrian side of the traditional pedestrian signal housing is disclosed. The video display screen is mounted to the pedestrian side of the pedestrian signal housing by way of a face plate. Tunnel visors may be attached to the traditional pedestrian signal housing to prevent cross traffic from being distracted by the visual images displayed on the video display screen. The information displayed on the video display screen may be advertisements, information, directions, etc. Local or national entities may pay for advertisements to generate revenues for the cities or governmental entities.
US08232895B2	Vehicle detection apparatus, vehicle detection program and light control apparatus A vehicle detection apparatus detects oncoming vehicles, and the illumination angle of the headlight is changed downwardly when oncoming vehicles are detected. When detecting the oncoming vehicles, the vehicle detection apparatus detects brightness or area for the every light source in an acquired image repeatedly, and detects as a variable light source any light source of which brightness or area changes within a reference time beyond a predetermined variation reference value. Then, when a variable light source is detected, it is determined that vehicles exist in the acquired image.
US08232891B2	Indicator light An indicator light includes a first ring shaped light and a second ring shaped light. The first ring shaped light is divided into two first curved lights. One of the first curved lights is configured to indicate a system status of an electronic device. The other one of the first curved lights is configured to indicate a connection status of a network of the electronic device. The second ring shaped light is configured to indicate a working status of at least one data storage device of the electronic device.
US08232888B2	Interactive magnetic marker field for safety systems and complex proximity warning system The invention relates to a proximity detection system. The invention provides a proximity detection system comprising a generator that generates a magnetic field that establishes a boundary, where the generator is capable of receiving radio frequency signals. Also provided is a radio frequency device that sends radio frequency signals, the radio frequency device being capable of sensing the magnetic field and generating a radio frequency response. In the proximity detection system, the generator generates the magnetic field for a first predefined time period, and thereafter senses for a radio frequency response signal from the radio frequency device within a second predefined time period. The invention also provides for shaping proximity detection zones by overlaying magnetic field boundaries to produce a different boundary. The invention also provides for varying the strength of magnetic fields by adjusting a width of a timed pulse.
US08232883B2	Optical proximity sensor with improved shield and lenses Various embodiments of an optical sensor comprising a novel shield that may be quickly and accurately aligned and positioned with respect to an underlying light emitting and light detecting assembly are disclosed. Also disclosed are novel lens arrangements for efficiently collimating light emitted and received by the optical proximity sensor, and for reducing crosstalk.
US08232876B2	System and method for monitoring individuals using a beacon and intelligent remote tracking device A system for monitoring an individual is described where the system includes a fixed beacon at a known location, the fixed beacon periodically emitting a signal indicating the identity of the beacon, a remote tracking device securely affixed to the individual, the remote tracking device including a short range transceiver, a long range transceiver, and a rule set establishing operating parameters for the remote tracking device, wherein the short range transceiver is operable to receive the signal from the beacon and to use the signal to determine compliance with one or more rules in the rule set, and a monitoring center monitoring the status of the remote tracking device using data sent by the remote tracking device using the long range transceiver. The beacon includes a transmitter for transmitting a short range signal, a movement detector operable to indicate when the beacon has been moved, an internal power supply for the beacon, and a processor connected to the transmitter and movement detector, the processor operable to maintain a log of the movement of the beacon and to cause the transmitter to periodically transmit the signal, wherein the signal includes a identification number for the beacon, a status for the internal power supply; and information related to the movement log.
US08232869B2	Identifying a plurality of devices A method and apparatus of identifying a plurality of devices connected along a common communications link is disclosed. A control station scans the devices by sending a succession of interrogation signals along the communication link, the interrogation signals including representation of the identification numbers of the devices. A first scan is carried out with interrogation signals identifying a first level of the range of identification numbers, and each device is programmed to generate, and to send to the control station, a response signal that includes its complete identification number and a checksum, upon receipt of a scan signal applicable thereto. Successive scans are carried out by the control station, adding the next higher level or the range of identification numbers, wherein upon completion of the scan that does not give rise to valid responses, the previously-paused scan is resumed.
US08232864B2	Electronic key system, portable wireless device, and vehicle management method An electronic key system includes a vehicle equipped with vehicle equipment, and a mobile phone having an electronic key function including ID information for the vehicle equipment. The vehicle equipment compares the ID information of the electronic key provided in the mobile phone with standard ID information of the vehicle equipment, makes the vehicle and/or the vehicle equipment perform a first operation when the ID information match and a second operation when the ID information cannot be detected. The vehicle equipment transmits history information along with the first and second operations to the mobile phone.
US08232861B2	Remote controller capable of selectively controlling a plurality of electric appliances, remote control system and method thereof A remote controller for controlling a selected electric appliance includes a code input interface for inputting an control identification code of the selected electric appliance, a instruction input interface for inputting a function instruction for controlling the operation of the electric appliance, a wireless transmission module for outputting wireless signals, and a control module for controlling the wireless transmission module to output a corresponding control identification code signal after the code input interface receives the control identification code of the electric appliance, and the control module also for controlling the wireless transmission module to output a corresponding function instruction signal after the instruction input interface receives the function instruction.
US08232857B1	Flux-coupled transformer for power amplifier output matching Embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods relating to a flux-coupled transformer for power amplifier output matching are disclosed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08232835B2	Charge pump circuit and voltage converter using the same An apparatus for generating a voltage required for a semiconductor device by using a voltage supplied from an external power supply is provided. A charge pump circuit includes a first circuit comprising a first capacitor and a first group of switching elements and controlling the first group of switching elements according to first and second switching signals to transfer a voltage charged in the first capacitor to a target terminal during a first period and to charge the first capacitor with a reference voltage applied to a first input terminal of the first capacitor during a second period, and a second circuit comprising a second capacitor, a third capacitor connected between an output terminal and a ground terminal and a second group of switching elements, and controlling the second group of switching elements according to the first and second switching signals to connect a first terminal of the second capacitor to the ground terminal during the first period, connect the first terminal of the second capacitor to a power supply voltage input terminal during the second period, connect a second terminal of the second capacitor to the power supply voltage input terminal when a voltage of the second terminal of the second capacitor is lower than a voltage of the target terminal during the first period, and connect the second terminal of the second capacitor to the output terminal during the second period.
US08232830B2	Rectifier with less conduction loss than a diode A highly efficient rectifier can readily replace a two-terminal diode. Its conduction losses are reduced from that of the two-terminal diode. Connected between the source and drain of a MOSFET including a parasitic diode are a micro-power converter section for boosting a conduction voltage Vds between the source and drain to a predetermined voltage, and a self-drive control section that operates based on a voltage output from the micro-power converter section. When the source and drain are conductive with each other, the micro-power converter section generates, from the conduction voltage Vds, a power source voltage for the self-drive control section, and the self-drive control section (4) continues drive control of the MOSFET.
US08232824B2	Clock circuit and method for pulsed latch circuits Circuits and methods for providing a pulsed clock signal for use with pulsed latch circuits are described. A variable pulse generator is coupled to form a pulsed clock output responsive to a control signal and a clock input signal. A feedback loop is provided with a pulse monitor and a pulse control circuit. Samples of the pulsed clock signal are taken by the pulse monitor and an output is formed in the form of a pattern. The pulse control circuit receives the output of the monitor and determines whether it matches a predetermined pattern. Adjustments are made to the control signal to adaptively adjust the pulsed clock signal. The feedback loop may operate continuously. In alternative embodiments the feedback loop may be powered down. Methods for adaptively controlling a pulsed clock signal are disclosed.
US08232818B2	Probe head for a microelectronic contactor assembly, the probe head having SMT electronic components thereon A probe head for a microelectronic contactor assembly includes a space transformer substrate and a probe contactor substrate. Surface mount technology (SMT) electronic components are positioned close to conductive elements on the probe contactor substrate by placing the SMT electronic components in cavities in the probe contactor substrate, which cavities may be through-hole or non-through-hole cavities. In some cases, the SMT electronic components may be placed on pedestal substrates. SMT electronic components may also be positioned between the probe contactor and space transformer substrates.
US08232813B2	Sensor circuits A circuit for operating an amperometric sensor having a reference electrode, a counter electrode and a work electrode. The circuit comprises an amplifier having a positive input and a negative input and an output. The positive input is coupled to a reference voltage source, and the negative input and the output are coupled together via a negative feedback loop. The circuit includes means for coupling the amperometric sensor into said negative feedback loop of the amplifier wherein, in a first configuration, the counter electrode is coupled to said output and the reference electrode is coupled to said negative input and, in a second configuration, the work electrode is coupled to said output and the reference electrode is coupled to said negative input.
US08232805B2	Battery sensor unit and method for manufacturing the battery sensor unit A method is described for manufacturing a battery sensor unit, in particular a battery sensor unit for a motor vehicle battery, comprising a cable holder for a cable end of a cable. The method includes sliding a sleeve composed of a resistor material onto the cable end, at least one first measuring tap being installed between the cable end and an inner circumference of the sleeve. The cable end provided with the sleeve and the measuring tap is inserted into the cable holder and is permanently connected thereto to form a measuring device. A battery sensor unit is described having a fastening device for fastening the battery sensor unit to a contact of a battery, in particular a motor vehicle battery, and having a measuring device for detecting the state of the battery. The measuring device includes a cable end of a cable, a sleeve that is composed of a resistor material and encloses the cable end, at least one first measuring tap, which is installed between an inner circumference of the sleeve and the cable end, and a cable holder which accommodates the sleeve in a permanent connection.
US08232804B2	Time alert device for use together with an earth leakage protection device This invention relates to a time alert device (1) for use with an earth leakage protection device comprising a microprocessor system (10) provided with a software controlled alert trigger timer (22). On time out of the alert trigger timer, the microprocessor system (10) initiates an audible and/or visual annunciation to remind the user of the earth leakage protection device to perform integrity test on the earth leakage protection device. If the earth leakage protection device fails the integrity test, the user detects that the earth leakage protection device could be faulty and needs expert attention. If the earth leakage device passes the integrity test, the alert trigger timer is reset for another predetermined time interval to remind the user to perform another integrity test on the earth leakage protection device. The time alert device can be further provided with a message display panel.
US08232788B2	Quasi-continuous voltage regulator and controller A controller for a voltage regulator includes a hysteretic circuit that generates a hysteretic voltage output as a function of a regulated voltage and that generates a hysteretic current output as a function of an inductor current. A switch control circuit provides a quasi-continuous control output as a function of the hysteretic current output from a start time when the regulated voltage rises above a higher hysteretic voltage until a stop time when the regulated voltage falls below a lower hysteretic voltage.
US08232781B2	Device for measuring the current flowing through a power transistor of a voltage regulator A device for measuring the current flowing through a power transistor of a voltage regulator, the voltage regulator having an input voltage and providing a regulated output voltage and the power transistor coupled between the input and output voltages. The measuring device includes a further transistor adapted to mirror a portion of the current flowing through the power transistor, the further transistor and the power transistor have a first non-drivable terminal in common that is coupled to the input voltage. The measuring device also includes a circuit block to connect the second non-drivable terminals of the power and the further transistor and to provide an output current equal to the portion of the current flowing through the first transistor; the measuring device further including a circuit adapted to detect the output current of said circuit block.
US08232775B2	Limitation of vampiric power consumption with decoupling of an inductive power apparatus and an alternating current power source Several methods and systems to perform limitation of vampiric power consumption with decoupling of an inductive power apparatus and an alternating current power source is disclosed. In an embodiment, an inductive battery charging system includes an inductive power apparatus that provides power to a target load when the inductive power apparatus is coupled to an alternating current power source. The system further includes an observation circuit to determine a power consumption associated with the target load, and a detection circuit to determine when a power consumption reaches a threshold level. The system also includes a separation circuit to decouple the inductive power apparatus and the alternating current power source when the power consumption is lower than a threshold level to limit vampiric power consumption of the inductive power apparatus.
US08232773B2	Over voltage transient controller An over voltage transient controller to protect a rechargeable battery from an over voltage transient condition. The over voltage transient controller may comprise a comparator to compare a first signal with a second signal representative of a reference voltage level and to provide an output signal representative of an over voltage transient condition to a switch if the first signal is greater than or equal to the second signal. The switch is responsive to the output signal to protect the rechargeable battery from the over voltage transient condition. The over voltage transient controller may further comprise a DAC, wherein the second signal is based, at least in part, on an output of the DAC. An apparatus comprising a charge switch and such an over voltage transient controller is also provided.
US08232769B2	Passive battery discharge device A passive battery discharge apparatus located within a cap. The cap extends over battery contacts to be discharged. The discharge apparatus includes a conductive material with specified volumetric resistivity properties that is formed into a pad. The cap is positioned over the contacts so that the pad touches and spans between the contacts to be discharged. A spring insures good contact between the pad and the battery contacts. A metal heat sink provides added thermal control. The discharge apparatus provides an economical solution to safely transport batteries that are beyond their useful service life by avoiding circuit components in favor of conductive elastomers or conductive foams.
US08232766B2	Multifunctional charger system and method An adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through an industry standard port is provided. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises a plug unit, a power converter, a primary connector, and an identification subsystem. The plug unit is operative to couple the adapter to a power socket and operative to receive energy from the power socket. The power converter is electrically coupled to the plug unit and is operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device. The primary connector is electrically coupled to the power converter and is operative to couple to the mobile device and to deliver the outputted power requirement to the mobile device. The identification subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary connector and is operative to provide an identification signal.
US08232764B2	Power receiving device, and electronic apparatus and non-contact charging system using the same An electronic apparatus (1) includes a power receiving device (2) and an electronic apparatus main body (3). The power receiving device (2) includes a power receiving coil (11) having a spiral coil, a rectifier (12), and a secondary battery (13). The electronic apparatus main body (3) includes an electronic device (14) and a circuit board (15). A magnetic foil (16) is arranged in at least one position between the spiral coil (11) and the secondary battery (13), the rectifier (12), the electronic device (14), or the circuit board (15). The magnetic foil (16) has a μr′·t value expressed as the product of the real component μr′ of relative permeability and the plate thickness t of 30000 or larger.
US08232759B2	Pseudo current type 120-degree conduction inverter [Problem] In a pseudo-current source inverter which drives a motor at a high speed, a current phase adjustment is assured and facilitated to perform a field-weakening control or suppress a terminal voltage saturation at a time of the high-speed motor drive.[Means For Solving Problem]A phase advance correction is carried out for a magnetic flux phase information from which a 120 degree conduction pattern is obtained with a motor terminal voltage as a reference phase. The phase advance correction includes the correction of differentiating the terminal voltage detection signals of the motor, the adjustment of enlarging the phase advance correction quantity in a case where the motor load current is large, and delays the gate signals of the 120 degree conduction pattern in accordance with the speed estimation value through a delay counter and carries out the phase advance correction as the rising edge timing of the subsequent gate signal at the subsequent step phase. Furthermore, the error correction is carried out for the phase advance correction quantity in accordance with a variation tendency of the speed estimation value and a detection value of a direct current of the inverter.
US08232757B2	Rotational position detecting method for AC servomotor and simple encoder A motor rotational position detecting method detects the magnetic pole position of each phase of a three-phase AC servomotor, generates a three-phase square wave signal having a phase difference of 120 degrees, allocates data on the rotational position of a motor shaft to the edge of each square wave signal, calculates the rotational speed of the motor on the basis of the elapsed time from the previous edge detection point to this time edge detection point, and estimates the rotational position of the motor shaft at a certain period and outputs it on the basis of the rotational speed of the motor and the rotational position allocated to this time edge in the rotational section from this time edge detection point to the next edge detection point. As a result, a detection mechanism can be constructed with a small installation space and at low cost and the output of a high-resolution encoder can be obtained in a pseudo manner.
US08232753B2	Control device for electric motor drive apparatus A electric motor drive apparatus comprising a voltage control unit performing voltage control processing that determines alternating-current voltage command values serving as command values of the alternating-current voltages to be supplied to the alternating-current electric motor and generates switching control signals for the inverter; and a control mode selection unit selecting a synchronous control mode in which a cycle of electric angle of the alternating-current electric motor is synchronized with a switching cycle of the inverter, or an asynchronous control mode in which the cycles are not synchronized with each other. Current detection processing is performed to detect currents flowing in coils of the alternating-current electric motor in every standard calculation cycle that is set to a half of a cycle of the carrier.
US08232747B2	Particle accelerator and magnetic core arrangement for a particle accelerator A particle accelerator (100) comprises a power supply arrangement (110), a plurality of solid-state switched drive sections (120), a plurality of magnetic core sections (130) and a switch control module (140). The drive sections (120) are connected to the power supply arrangement (110) for receiving electrical power therefrom, and each drive section comprises a solid-state switch, electronically controllable at turn-on and turn-off, for selectively providing a drive pulse at an output of the drive section. The magnetic core sections (130) are symmetrically arranged along a central beam axis, and each magnetic core of the sections is coupled to a respective drive section (120) through an electrical winding connected to the output of the drive section. The switch control module (140) is connected to the drive sections (120) for providing control signals to control turn-on and turn-off of the solid state switches to selectively drive magnetic cores to induce an electric field for accelerating the beam of charged particles along the beam axis.
US08232746B2	High pressure discharge lamp lighting device and lighting fixture using the same A high pressure discharge lamp lighting device in this invention comprises a converter, an inverter, an igniter, a controller, and a pulse voltage detection circuit. The converter outputs the direct current voltage. The inverter converts the direct current voltage into the lighting voltage which is alternating current voltage, and applies the lighting voltage to the high pressure discharge lamp through an output terminal. The igniter is configured to output the pulse voltage superimposed on the lighting voltage, whereby the starting voltage is applied to the high pressure discharge lamp. The controller is configured to control the igniter to allow the igniter to superimpose the pulse voltage on the lighting voltage. The pulse voltage detection circuit detects the starting voltage to output the detection signal. The starting voltage regulation circuit regulates the starting voltage to the desired voltage value of the voltage on the basis of the detection signal.
US08232744B2	Method for the operation of and circuit arrangement for light sources A method for the closed-loop control of the operation of a light source which is supplied with power by a DC/DC voltage converter, a manipulated variable being regulated by a setpoint value for an operational parameter of the DC/DC voltage converter being input, wherein the method comprises the steps of: increasing the switching frequency of the DC/DC voltage converter by an increase value prior to rapid changes in the setpoint value; waiting for a retention time; setting the new setpoint value; waiting for the end of a total retention time; and lowering the switching frequency of the DC/DC voltage converter by the increase value.
US08232737B2	Electronic HID ballast with current source/sink to power recessed can insulation detector Electronic ballasts, driver apparatus, and methods are provided in which a heating current is generated by the driver to power a resistive heating element of an insulation detector associated with a recessed can fixture using a regulated current source/sink circuit.
US08232736B2	Power control system for current regulated light sources A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system includes a PFC and output voltage controller and a LED lighting power system. The controller advantageously operates from an auxiliary voltage less than a link voltage generated by the LED lighting power system. The common reference voltage allows all the components of lighting system to work together. A power factor correction switch and an LED drive current switch are coupled to the common reference node and have control node-to-common node, absolute voltage that allows the controller to control the conductivity of the switches. The LED lighting system can utilize feed forward control to concurrently modify power demand by the LED lighting power system and power demand of one or more LEDs. The LED lighting system can utilize a common current sense device to provide a common feedback signal to the controller representing current in at least two of the LEDs.
US08232734B2	Electronic ballast having a partially self-oscillating inverter circuit An electronic ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp comprises an inverter circuit that operates in a partially self-oscillating manner. The inverter circuit comprises a push-pull converter having a main transformer having a primary winding for producing a high-frequency AC voltage, semiconductor switches electrically coupled to the primary winding of the main transformer for conducting current through the primary winding on an alternate basis, and gate drive circuits for controlling the semiconductor switches on a cycle-by-cycle basis. The drive circuits control (e.g., turn on) the semiconductor switches in response to first control signals derived from the main transformer, and control (e.g., turn off) the semiconductor switches in response to second control signals received from a control circuit. The control circuit controls the semiconductor switches in response to a peak value of an integral of an inverter current flowing through the inverter circuit.
US08232730B2	Electrodeless plasma lamp systems and methods An electrodeless plasma lamp having a bulb containing a fill that forms a light-emitting plasma is described. The lamp includes a power amplifier to provide radio frequency power to the fill at a frequency in the range of about 50 MHz to 10 GHz and the power amplifier is configured to operate in at least two classes of operation. Control electronics of the lamp is configured to change the class of operation of the power amplifier during operation of the plasma lamp. For example, the power amplifier may be configured to operate as a class A/B amplifier during at least a first mode of operation and a class C amplifier during at least a second mode of operation.
US08232725B1	Plasma-tube gas discharge device A gas discharge device with one or more gas filled Plasma-tubes on or within a rigid, flexible, or semi-flexible substrate with each Plasma-tube being electrically connected to one or more electrical conductors such as electrodes. In one embodiment, each Plasma-tube is made of one or more luminescent substances with the exterior of each tube containing one or more luminescent substances. The Plasma-tubes may be used alone or in combination with Plasma-shells.
US08232724B2	End cap assembly for a light tube An end cap assembly for a light tube that has a circuit board with one or more solid state lighting devices mounted thereto and a lens covering the circuit board includes an end cap body having a lens engagement surface configured to engage the lens and an external mating interface configured to mate with a socket connector of a fixture. An end cap connector extends from the end cap body. The end cap connector holds contacts having first mating portions configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board and second mating portions configured to be electrically connected to the socket connector.
US08232723B2	Lighting device One object is to provide a lighting device having a large irradiation range at low cost. One object is to provide a lighting device with improved light extraction efficiency at low cost. The lighting device includes a light-transmitting base, a first light-transmitting electrode formed over almost the whole area of a surface of the light-transmitting base, an EL layer over the first light-transmitting electrode, and a second electrode over the EL layer. The light-transmitting base has a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, a prismatic shape, or a pyramidal shape whose bottom surface is the surface of the light-transmitting base.
US08232720B2	Display with organic light emitting elements including a light emitting layer provided by transferring a transfer layer from a donor substrate to an acceptor substrate A display is provided. The display includes an acceptor substrate including red light-emitting elements arranged in a first column, green light-emitting elements arranged in a second column, and blue light-emitting elements arranged in a third column. The light-emitting elements are arranged along a row direction and are each obtained by arranging rectangular organic light-emitting elements for generating light of one of red, green, and blue along a longitudinal direction of the organic light-emitting elements.
US08232717B2	Light-emitting device, white light-emitting device, illuminator, and image display To achieve a light-emitting device emitting light with high brightness, closer to natural light, and less color shift due to a small change in intensity of emitted light, in a light-emitting device including a light source emitting light by driving current and at least one wavelength-converting material absorbing at least part of the light from the light source and emitting light having a different wavelength, the color coordinate x1(17.5) and the color coordinate y1(17.5) of the light emitted at a driving current density of 17.5 A/cm2 and the color coordinate x1(70) and the color coordinate y1(70) of the light emitted at a driving current density of 70 A/cm2 satisfy the following Expressions (D) and (E): −0.006≦x1(17.5)−x1(70)≦0.006 (D), −0.006≦y1(17.5)−y1(70)≦0.006 (E).
US08232715B2	Phosphor, fluorescent lamp using the same, and display device and illuminating device using fluorescent lamp A phosphor includes Eu-activated YVO4:Eu doped Pith 10 ppm to 3,000 ppm of Tb and/or 50 ppm to 4,500 ppm of Sm. The luminance of light emitted by ultraviolet excitation is higher than that of undoped YVO4:Eu.
US08232712B2	Small electron gun To provide a small electron gun capable of keeping a high vacuum pressure used for an electron microscope and an electron-beam drawing apparatus. An electron gun constituted by a nonevaporative getter pump, a heater, a filament, and an electron-source positioning mechanism is provided with an opening for rough exhausting and its automatically opening/closing valve, and means for ionizing and decomposing an inert gas or a compound gas for the nonevaporative getter pump. It is possible to keep a high vacuum pressure of 10−10 Torr without requiring an ion pump by using a small electron gun having a height and a width of approximately 15 cm while emitting electrons from the electron gun.
US08232710B2	Multi-functional mini-reflector in a ceramic metal halide lamp A light assembly includes a metal halide light source having an arc tube with first and second legs extending from a discharge chamber. A light transmissive capsule surrounds the light source. A reflector is received in the capsule and has a large diameter, annular first portion that receives light from the discharge chamber and is dimensioned to operatively engage an inner surface of the capsule to mount the reflector assembly and light source relative to the capsule. In addition, a small diameter portion of the reflector assembly is received around the first leg. By electrically interconnecting the reflector with the second electrode assembly, namely the support leg, and positioning the small diameter portion closer to the first electrode assembly than the dimension between the electrode terminal ends allows the reflector to also serve as an ignition aid. The reflector is formed of a material that serves as a heat shield for the seal glass in the first leg and also serves as a heat shield for the capsule seal region.
US08232709B2	Light-emitting apparatus and luminaire According to one embodiment, a light-emitting apparatus includes an insulating base made of ceramics, an obverse metallic component dividedly arranged on the front surface of the insulating base, semiconductor light-emitting elements mounted on the obverse metallic component, and a reverse metallic component arranged on a back surface of the insulating base and having a thickness same as or smaller than a thickness of the obverse metallic component and a volume equal to 50% or larger of a volume of the obverse metallic component.
US08232704B2	Electric motor An electric motor comprises a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted confronting the stator. The rotor has a rotor core which comprises at least a first tooth, a second tooth and a third tooth which are adjacent. Each of the teeth comprises a rib section radially and outwardly extending from a core and a tooth section located at an outer end of the rib section. The angle between the first tooth and the second tooth is n degrees, wherein when the rotor core is rotated n degrees to move the first tooth towards the second tooth, the rotated second tooth does not coincide with the pre-rotated third tooth.
US08232701B2	Magnetic machine To provide a magnetic machine capable of reducing the ripple and cogging of torque or thrust. An electric motor 1 includes three stators 6 to 8 each having an armature row, a rotor 3 having a permanent magnet row, and a rotor 10 having a soft magnetic material row. The respective phases in electrical angle between magnetic poles generated at respective armatures 6a to 8a of the armature row and the magnetic poles of the permanent magnet row are set to be each displaced in a predetermined direction by an electrical angle of 2π/3, and the respective phases in electrical angle between the magnetic poles generated at the respective armatures 6a to 8a of the armature row and soft magnetic material cores 11b to 13b of the soft magnetic material row are set to be each displaced in the predetermined direction by an electrical angle of π/3.
US08232700B2	Multi-rotor electric machine Electric machines comprising a plurality of magnetized rotors, preferably including bi-pole magnets. The rotors are configured to drive and/or be driven by a common shaft, as for example by suitable configurations of gears. The rotors are magnetically indexed, in pairs, with respect to each other and to corresponding electrical windings, such that, when a current is passed through the one or more windings, the rotors provide phased rotary power to the common shaft; or, when torque is applied to the common shaft, a phased electrical output is provided to the windings.
US08232698B2	Step motor Disclosed herein is a PM type step motor used to move a camera or an optical pickup lens of media related equipment. In the step motor, coupling holes are formed in the central portions of both sides of a casing unit thereof, a bushing is press-fitted or inserted into an associated coupling hole, and a ring member is press-fitted over the outer circumference of the bushing protruding outward from the coupling hole such that the bushing is secured to the casing unit, thus preventing the bushing from becoming separated from the casing unit. The step motor can be freely applied to peripheral device modules of various outer diameters using the ring member.
US08232695B2	Electromagnetic machine with independent removable coils, modular parts and self sustained passive magnetic bearing A rotating electromagnetic machine has a tubular axle with mounting rings, a common ring, a coil input ring, and at least one bearing set mounted on it. A fitting is secured at a distal end of the tubular axle, and a commutator is secured at the proximal end. A housing is mounted on the bearing sets through adaptors. Connecting bars extend axially within the axle with lateral rods joined to the connecting bars at their distal ends, the bars commuting between segments of the commutator electromagnetic coils. A plurality of the electromagnetic coils are secured to the coil input ring. The coils are formed of spiral turns of a single flat strip electrically conductive material. A plurality of peripheral and sector magnets are mounted adjacent to the electromagnetic coils with electromagnetic interaction when relative motion occurs between the coils and the magnets.
US08232692B2	Induction motor equipped with heat dissipating disc for dissipating rotor heat An induction motor has a rotation detector, a heat dissipating disc for dissipating heat generated from a rotor, and a cooling fan for forcibly cooling the heat dissipating disc with outside air. The heat dissipating disc is disposed between the rotation detector and the cooling fan.
US08232691B2	Stator A stator includes a substantially cylindrical stator core, which has a fixing ridge provided with a fastening portion for fixing, and which is positioned so that an axial center of the stator extends substantially horizontally; and sealing members, which are respectively attached to both axial ends of the stator core so as to be positioned on a side of the uppermost part of the main body outer peripheral surface with respect to the target ridge, and which respectively form sealing walls that have a height equal to or higher than a horizontal plane extending in the uppermost part of the ridge outer peripheral surface, wherein a recess surrounded by the ridge outer peripheral surface, the main body outer peripheral surface, and the sealing walls serves as a refrigerant reservoir recess for storing a refrigerant.
US08232685B2	Energy conserving (stand-by mode) power saving design for battery chargers and power supplies with a control signal A system is described that turns off a high power, power supply when a device no longer needs high power. A low power, power supply or a rechargeable battery provides power to determine when the device again needs high power. The low power supply consumes a minimum possible power when the device does not need high power and the power rechargeable battery is not charged. That is, the high power and low power, power supplies are turned on or off based on the real time power consumption need of the device and the charged state of the battery. The power need of the device is monitored by a current shunt monitoring circuit and a control signal monitoring circuit.
US08232684B2	Method and system for power load management A method for power load management is provided in the present invention, wherein two different standard values are determined to be a basis for regulating power consumption. When power consumption exceeds a first standard value, a monitoring procedure is started to monitor consumption status. If the power consumption exceeds a second standard value, an unloading procedure is processed to reduce the power consumption of electrical devices under operation. In another embodiment, the present invention also provides a system for power load management comprising a control unit coupled to at least one electrical device and a power meter. By means of real-time recording of power consumption in the power meter, the control unit is capable of determining the power consumption status and determining whether it is necessary to unload or reload the at least one electrical device.
US08232681B2	Hybrid wind-solar inverters Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing a hybrid wind-solar inverter. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for directing power from alternative power sources to an electrical grid is provided. The method can include: receiving at least two input DC power signals from a plurality of power sources; receiving one or more control signals from the electrical grid; directing, based at least in part on the one or more control signals, at least some of the input DC power signals to an output DC power signal; and, transforming the output DC power signal to an output AC power signal for transmission via the electrical grid.
US08232675B2	Method and system for power load management A method for power load management is provided in the present invention, wherein two different standard values are determined to be a basis for regulating power consumption. When power consumption exceeds a first standard value, a monitoring procedure is started to monitor consumption status. If the power consumption exceeds a second standard value, an unloading procedure is processed to reduce the power consumption of electrical devices under operation. In another embodiment, the present invention also provides a system for power load management comprising a control unit coupled to at least one electrical device and a power meter. By means of real-time recording of power consumption in the power meter, the control unit is capable of determining the power consumption status and determining whether it is necessary to unload or reload the at least one electrical device.
US08232669B2	Energy conversion system for a vehicle An energy conversion system transfers energy between an energy source, or storage unit, and an electric device via a first port and a second port and at least one of receives and provides energy via a third port.
US08232664B2	Vertical axis wind turbine This invention is for a vertical axis wind turbine apparatus supported in a tower with wind diverter doors for controlling the air impinging on the turbine blades. The diverter doors are closable in high wind conditions to seal off the wind turbine to protect the turbine against damage.
US08232660B2	Soundproof enclosed type generator Reduce noises emitted from inlet and outlet of cooling air of a soundproof enclosed type generator. An inlet 20 and an outlet 26 of the cooling air are provided to the front and rear of a chassis 2, respectively. An air supply duct 8 is detachably mounted to the inlet 20, and an exhaust duct 9 is detachably mounted to the outlet 26. An air taking-in opening 8a facing downward is provided to the air supply duct 8 which guides the air towards horizontally opened inlet 20. The exhaust duct 9 is equipped with wall surface and a straightening vane 27 at a position opposed to the cooling air discharged from the outlet 26 to change the cooling air flow in complicated fashion to discharge it outside. Sound-absorption materials are pasted to the interior surface of the air supply duct 8 and the exhaust duct 9.
US08232658B2	Stackable integrated circuit package system with multiple interconnect interface A stackable integrated circuit package system includes: forming a first integrated circuit die having a small interconnect and a large interconnect provided thereon; forming an external interconnect, having an upper tip and a lower tip, from a lead frame; mounting the first integrated circuit die on the external interconnect with the small interconnect on the lower tip and below the upper tip; and encapsulating around the small interconnect and around the large interconnect with an exposed surface.
US08232651B2	Bond pad for wafer and package for CMOS imager An electronic packaging having at least one bond pad positioned on a chip for effectuating through-wafer connections to an integrated circuit. The electronic package is equipped with an edge seal between the bond pad region and an active circuit region, and includes a crack stop, which is adapted to protect the arrangement from the entry of deleterious moisture and combination into the active regions of the chip containing the bond pads.
US08232639B2	Semiconductor-device mounted board and method of manufacturing the same In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor-device mounted board, connection terminals are formed on electrode pads on a semiconductor integrated circuit respectively. A first insulating layer is formed to cover the connection terminals. A plate-like medium having a rough surface is disposed on the first insulating layer. The rough surface of the plate-like medium is pressed onto the first insulating layer so that a part of each of the connection terminals is exposed. A semiconductor device is produced by removing the plate-like medium. A second insulating layer is formed to cover side surfaces of the semiconductor device. A wiring pattern is formed to cover surfaces of the first and second insulating layers, the wiring pattern being electrically connected to the exposed connection terminal parts.
US08232633B2	Image sensor package with dual substrates and the method of the same The image sensor package with dual substrates comprises a first substrate with a die receiving opening and a plurality of first through hole penetrated through the first substrate; a second substrate with a die opening window and a plurality of second through hole penetrated through the second substrate, formed on the first substrate. A part of the second wiring pattern is coupled to a part of the third wiring pattern; an image die having conductive pads and sensing array received within the die receiving opening and the sensing array being exposed by the die opening window; and a through hole conductive material refilled into the plurality of second through hole, some of the plurality of second through hole coupling to the conductive pads of the image sensor.
US08232624B2	Semiconductor structure having varactor with parallel DC path adjacent thereto A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region of a first polarity and a second region of a second polarity adjacent to the first region; and a first terminal including: a first deep trench located in the first region, a first node dielectric abutting all but an upper portion of sidewalls and a bottom of the first deep trench; a first conductive inner electrode inside the first node dielectric and electrically insulated from the first region by the first node dielectric; and a first electrical contact electrically coupling the first conductive inner electrode to the first region.
US08232619B2	Semiconductor IC having electrical fuse capable of preventing thermal diffusion Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit. The semiconductor integrated circuit comprises: a pair of interconnections; a fuse connecting the pair of interconnections; and one or more heat dissipation patterns connecting the pair of interconnections and are disposed around the fuse.
US08232609B2	Semiconductor device including field effect transistor with reduced electric field concentration A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; an impurity-doped region at a top surface of the semiconductor substrate; an insulating region located around the impurity-doped region on the top surface of the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode on the impurity-doped region; a first electrode and a second electrode located on the impurity-doped region, sandwiching the gate electrode; a first pad located on the insulating region and connected to the gate electrode; a second pad facing the first pad across the impurity-doped region, on the insulating region, and connected to the second electrode; and a conductor located between the first electrode and the second pad on the insulating region.
US08232602B2	ESD protection device for high performance IC The present invention includes a circuit structure for ESD protection and methods of making the circuit structure. The circuit structure can be used in an ESD protection circuitry to protect certain devices in an integrated circuit, and can be fabricated without extra processing steps in addition to the processing steps for fabricating the ESD protected devices in the integrated circuit.
US08232598B2	Display device and method for manufacturing the same To provide a display device which can realize high performance of a field-effect transistor which forms a pixel of the display device and which can achieve improvement in an aperture ratio of a pixel, which has been reduced due to increase in the number of field-effect transistors, and reduction in the area of the field-effect transistor which occupies the pixel, without depending on a microfabrication technique of the field-effect transistor, even when the number of field-effect transistors in the pixel is increased. A display device is provided with a plurality of pixels in which a plurality of field-effect transistors including a semiconductor layer which is separated from a semiconductor substrate and is bonded to a supporting substrate having an insulating surface are stacked with a planarization layer interposed therebetween.
US08232597B2	Semiconductor-on-insulator with back side connection Embodiments of the present invention provide for the removal of excess carriers from the body of active devices in semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structures. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating an integrated circuit is disclosed. In one step, an active device is formed in an active layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer. In another step, substrate material is removed from a substrate layer disposed on a back side of the SOI wafer. In another step, an insulator material is removed from a back side of the SOI wafer to form an excavated insulator region. In another step, a conductive layer is deposited on the excavated insulator region. Depositing the conductive layer puts it in physical contact with a body of an active device in a first portion of the excavated insulator region. The conductive layer then couples the body to a contact in a second detached portion of the excavated insulator region.
US08232592B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate in which a first trench is formed and a second trench is formed at the middle portions of the first trench; and a first ion implantation layer that is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and on the bottom of the first trench, the portions formed on the bottom of the first trench being spaced from each other by the second trench. A gate is formed from the bottom of the both side walls of the first trench to the middle portions thereof; a drift region is formed at both side walls of the first trench over the second trench; and a second ion implantation layer formed on the inner surface of the second trench.
US08232580B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a photodiode formed using a silicon substrate, a wide-bandgap semiconductor layer formed on the silicon substrate and having a bandgap larger than that of silicon, and a switching element formed using the wide-bandgap semiconductor layer. The switching element is electrically connected to the photodiode so as to be on/off-controlled by a control signal from the photodiode.
US08232577B2	Light emitting device A light emitting device according to the embodiment may include a light emitting structure including a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer; a first electrode on the light emitting structure; and a protection layer including a first metallic material on an outer peripheral region of one of the light emitting structure and the first electrode.
US08232572B2	Light emitting device To improve light extraction efficiency of a light emitting device, the light emitting device includes: a first electrode; a second electrode provided on a light extraction side; an emission layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a reflection surface located on the first electrode with respect to the emission layer; and a periodic structure at a node of interference generated by light emitted from the emission layer and light emitted from the emission layer to the reflection surface side and reflected on the reflection surface. The periodic structure is for diffracting light generated in the emission layer and guided in an in-plane direction of the light emitting device in a direction to the second electrode, and for extracting the light to the outside of the light emitting device.
US08232571B2	Light emitting device having plurality of light emitting cells and method of fabricating the same Disclosed are a light emitting device having a plurality of light emitting cells and a method of fabricating the same. The light emitting device comprises a plurality of light emitting cells positioned on a substrate to be spaced apart from one another. Each of the light emitting cells comprises a first conductive-type upper semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductive-type lower semiconductor layer. Electrodes are positioned between the substrate and the light emitting cells, and each of the electrodes has an extension extending toward adjacent one of the light emitting cells. An etching prevention layer is positioned in regions between the light emitting cells and between the electrodes. Each wire has one end connected to the upper semiconductor layer and the other end connected to the electrode through the etching prevention layer.
US08232562B2	Light emitting device employing nanowire phosphors Disclosed is a light emitting device employing nanowire phosphors. The light emitting device comprises a light emitting diode for emitting light having a first wavelength with a main peak in an ultraviolet, blue or green wavelength range; and nanowire phosphors for converting at least a portion of light having the first wavelength emitted from the light emitting diode into light with a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength. Accordingly, since the nanowire phosphors are employed, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs of the light emitting device and to reduce light loss due to non-radiative recombination.
US08232551B2	Channel layers and semiconductor devices including the same Channel layers and semiconductor devices including the channel layers are disclosed. A channel layer may include a multi-layered structure. Layers forming the channel layer may have different carrier mobilities and/or carrier densities. The channel layer may have a double layered structure including a first layer and a second layer which may be formed of different oxides. Characteristics of the transistor may vary according to materials used to form the channel layers and/or thicknesses thereof.
US08232526B2	Analyzing apparatus An analyzing apparatus includes a first optical unit that causes a terahertz wave generated by a generation unit to be condensed at a first position in an object; a second optical unit that causes the terahertz wave from the object to be condensed at a second position; a third optical unit that causes the terahertz wave condensed at the second position to be condensed at a third position; and a detection unit that detects the terahertz wave condensed at the third position. The analyzing apparatus selectively detects the terahertz wave from the first position in the object from among terahertz waves from the object.
US08232525B2	Device for the detection of an electromagnetic radiation and electromagnetic radiation detector comprising such devices The invention relates to a device for the detection of an electromagnetic radiation including: a substrate; a resistive imaging bolometer; a circuit for polarizing the bolometer at a predetermined voltage; a rejection circuit generating a common mode current, comprising a compensation bolometer thermalized in the substrate and a polarization circuit thereof; and a measuring circuit for measuring the difference between the current flowing in the imaging bolometer when it is polarized and the common mode current generated by the rejection circuit. According to the invention, the rejection circuit further comprises a current generator capable of producing a current that simulates the current induced by the self-heating of the imaging bolometer under the effect of its polarization, the sum of the current passing through the compensation bolometer and the current generated by the current generator forming the common mode current.
US08232516B2	Avalanche impact ionization amplification devices A semiconductor photodetector may provide charge carrier avalanche multiplication at high field regions of a semiconductor material layer. A semiconductor current amplifier may provide current amplification by impact ionization near a high field region. A plurality of metal electrodes are formed on a surface of a semiconductor material layer and electrically biased to produce a non-uniform high electric field in which the high electric field strength accelerates avalanche electron-hole pair generation, which is employed as an effective avalanche multiplication photodetection mechanism or as an avalanche impact ionization current amplification mechanism.
US08232512B2	Method and apparatus for integrating a quantity of light In one embodiment, apparatus for integrating a quantity of light is provided with a photosensor, an integration capacitor, and a transfer amplifier. The transfer amplifier has i) an input coupled to receive a voltage determined by the integration capacitor, and ii) an output. The apparatus is further provided with a first switch to pull the integration capacitor to a precharge voltage, and a second switch to couple the integration capacitor to the photosensor, to discharge the integration capacitor in proportion to a quantity of light that is incident on the photosensor. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08232511B2	Sensing system adapted to sense a pointer and calculate a location of the pointer A sensing system is adapted to sense a pointer and calculate a location of the pointer. The sensing system includes a panel, a reflective element, an image sensor and a processor connected to the image sensor. The panel has a first plane and a first area located at the first plane. The first area is quadrangular and has a first boundary, a second boundary, a third boundary and a fourth boundary connected in order. The reflective element is disposed at the first boundary and located on the first plane. A second plane of the reflective element which is a reflective mirror plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane and mirrors the first area to form a second area. The image sensor sensing the first and the second areas is disposed at a corner at which the third boundary and the fourth boundary intersects and located on the first plane.
US08232506B2	Dental firing furnace The present invention relates to a dental firing furnace having a firing space and at least one carrier for dental material, in particular a muffle, which can be loaded into the firing space, and, in particular, a pressing device for pressing a ceramic blank inserted in the muffle, at least one physical variable of the firing space and/or of the carrier and/or of the muffle and/or of the ceramic blank being detected. A processing program of the dental furnace (10) that can be set is based on the detected physical variable.
US08232505B2	Hair-styling device with guide A hair-styling device having an essentially cylindrical heating part on which at least one heatable styling part is provided for heating the hair. At least one lateral limit of the styling part is designed here as a styling edge. At least one guide means is arranged around the styling part in at least some areas, with a guide edge running parallel to the styling edge.
US08232486B2	Power seat control unit A power seat control unit has a dial-type switch, a seesaw-type switch and button-type switches. The dial-type switch is ring-shaped, and allows a seat occupant to perform frontward and rearward inclining adjustments of a seat back of a power seat depending on a rotation direction thereof. The seesaw-type switch is inward of the dial-type switch and across a center of the dial-type switch and allows the seat occupant to perform a frontward and rearward displacement adjustments of the seat depending on a pushed position. The button-type switches are inward of the dial-type switch and on both sides of the seesaw-type switch, and allow the seat occupant to perform tilt-up and tilt-down adjustments of a front portion of a seat cushion and lift-up and lift-down adjustments of a rear portion of the seat cushion depending on which button-type manual switch is pushed.
US08232476B2	Flexible multilayer wiring board It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible multilayer wiring board that can be easily reduced in thickness and that also has sufficient durability against repeated bending or heat shock. A preferred mode of the flexible multilayer wiring board comprises a flexible inner layer board obtained by forming an inner layer wiring on both sides of an insulating layer, an outer layer wiring situated on at least one side of the inner layer board, and insulating adhesive sheets lying between the inner layer board and outer layer wiring. One of the insulating adhesive sheets are composed of an imide group-containing polymer.
US08232469B2	Solar battery module and forming method thereof A solar battery module comprises a substrate over a surface of which a solar battery unit is formed, and a resin structure which contacts the substrate and which covers a part of a side surface and a back surface of the substrate. The resin structure comprises a resin and a buffer material having a lower thermal expansion coefficient than the resin, and a mixture ratio of the buffer material with respect to the resin is reduced as a distance from the substrate is increased.
US08232465B1	Inbred maize variety PH17BT A novel maize variety designated PH17BT and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH17BT with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH17BT through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH17BT or a locus conversion of PH17BT with another maize variety.
US08232463B1	Maize variety inbred PH11VB A novel maize variety designated PH11VB and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH11VB with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH11VB through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH11VB or a locus conversion of PH11VB with another maize variety.
US08232456B2	Corn event MIR162 A novel transgenic corn event designated MIR162 is disclosed. The invention relates to nucleic acids from event MIR162. The invention also relates to assays for detecting the presence of the MIR162 event based on DNA sequences of the recombinant constructs inserted into the corn genome that resulted in the MIR162 event and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion sites. The invention further relates to corn plants comprising the genotype of MIR162 and to methods for producing a corn plant by crossing a corn plant comprising the MIR162 genotype with itself or another corn variety. Seeds of corn plants comprising the MIR162 genotype are also objects of the present invention. The invention also relates to methods of controlling insects using MIR162 corn plants.
US08232452B2	Methods, means and compositions for enhancing agrobacterium-mediated plant cell transformation efficiency Higher eukaryotes sense microbes through perception of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The flagellin receptor FLS2 represents so far the only known pattern recognition receptor (PRR) in Arabidopsis. Arabidopsis plants detect a variety of PAMPs including specific epitopes of the bacterial proteins flagellin and EF-Tu. Here, we show that flagellin and EF-Tu activate a common set of signalling events and defence responses, but without clear additive or synergistic effects. Treatment with either PAMP results in increased receptor sites for both PAMPs, a finding employed in a reverse-genetic approach to identify the receptor kinase EFR as the EF-Tu receptor. Transient expression of EFR in Nicotiana benthamiana results in formation of specific binding sites for EF-Tu, and responsiveness to this PAMP. Arabidopsis efr mutants show a higher frequency of T-DNA transformation by the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens, revealing a role for EF-Tu perception in restricting this plant pathogen. These results demonstrate that EFR is the receptor for EF-Tu and that plant defence responses induced by PAMPs like EF-Tu reduce transformation by Agrobacterium.
US08232449B2	Transgenic animals expressing chimeric antibodies for use in preparing human antibodies The invention provides transgene constructs for expressing chimeric antibodies, and transgenic non-human host animals carrying such constructs, wherein the chimeric antibodies comprise human variable regions and constant regions of the non-human transgenic host animal. The presence of immunoglobulin constant regions of the host animal allows for generation of improved antibodies in such transgenic host animals. Subsequently, the chimeric antibodies can be readily converted to fully human antibodies using recombinant DNA techniques. Thus, the invention provides compositions and methods for generating human antibodies in which chimeric antibodies raised in vivo in transgenic mice are used as intermediates and then converted to fully human antibodies in vitro.
US08232444B2	Method for handling photocurable fluid waste An apparatus and method for disposal of photocurable fluid waste may include a conduit for conducting photocurable fluid waste from a source of photocurable fluid waste; a dispenser for automatically dispensing a receptacle made of material that is impermeable to the photocurable fluid waste and that transmits radiation capable of curing; a welder or other sealing device for welding the receptacle to form a bag with a portion of the photocurable fluid waste inside; and a source of radiation for curing the photocurable fluid waste in the bag.
US08232443B2	Method and device for inactivating a microbiologically contaminated mass containing solid particles with accelerated electrons Method and device for inactivating a microbiologically contaminated mass containing solid particles. The method includes mixing the mass containing solid particles with a gelatinizing agent, transporting the mixed mass of solid particles and gelatinizing agent through a shaping device structured so that the mixed mass, at least in one area, is shaped to form a lamellar volume with a layer thickness of between 1 mm and 3 mm, and impinging the formed lamellar volume of the mixed mass with accelerated electrons.
US08232442B2	Separation method of aromatic compounds comprising simulated moving bed xylene mixture pre—treatment process and additional xylene isomerization process Disclosed is a method for separating aromatic compounds using a simulated moving bed adsorptive chromatography and a crystallization process, comprising a sulfolan process that is a non-aromatic compound removing process, a benzene/toluene fractionation process, an aromatic compound fractionation process, a selective toluene disproportionation process, a transalkylation process, a crystallization process for para-xylene separation, a simulated moving bed para-xylene separation process and a xylene isomerization process, wherein the method is characterized by further comprising a simulated moving bed xylene mixture pre-treatment process and an additional xylene isomerization process. The separation method of aromatic compounds according to the present invention can make significant improvement in para-xylene and benzene production in the overall process, as compared to the conventional aromatic compound separation process.
US08232441B2	Process for converting gaseous alkanes to liquid hydrocarbons A process for converting gaseous alkanes to liquid hydrocarbons wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes is reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid vapor. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid are then reacted over a synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst, such as a ZSM-5 zeolite, at a temperature of from about 150° C. to about 450° C. so as to form higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrobromic acid vapor. Propane and butane which comprise a portion of the products may be recovered or recycled back through the process to form additional C5+ hydrocarbons. Various methods are disclosed to remove the hydrobromic acid vapor from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and to generate bromine from the hydrobromic acid for use in the process.
US08232436B2	Process for purifying a fluorine compound Provided is a process for purifying a fluorine compound capable of yielding a highly pure fluorine compound by removing at least oxygen from a fluorine compound containing an oxygen compound as an impurity. In a process according to the present invention for purifying a fluorine compound, the following is brought into contact with the fluorine compound, which contains an oxygen compound as an impurity, thereby removing at least oxygen: carbonyl fluoride in an amount of a 0.1-fold equivalent or more and a 100-fold equivalent or less of oxygen atoms in the fluorine compound.
US08232432B2	Specific branched aldehydes, alcohols, surfactants, and consumer products based thereon A process for preparing a detergent alcohol mixture comprising the steps of providing one or more poly-branched poly-olefins, wherein the poly-branched poly-olefins must contain one non-branched terminal olefin and one or more additional branched olefins in the molecule; hydroformylating said poly-branched poly-olefins to produce a poly-branched olefin containing aldehyde product with one or more olefins or mixture thereof; reducing the aldehyde product of step (b) in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst to form a poly-branched detergent alcohol mixture; and removing said poly-branched alcohol mixture from said catalyst and branched aldehydes, alcohols and surfactants produced from the products of this process.
US08232429B2	Methods for producing oxidized cyclic phenol sulfides A method for producing an oxidized cyclic phenol sulfide which comprises the step of oxidizing a cyclic phenol sulfide of the following formula (1) as a raw material: wherein R represents a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and m is an integer from 4 to 8, in a solvent(s) other than a halogenated hydrocarbon in an amount of 2 or more and less than 10 parts by weight per 1 part by weight of the cyclic phenol sulfide, with an oxidizing agent(s) to obtain an oxidized cyclic phenol sulfide of the following formula (2): wherein R represents a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, m is an integer from 4 to 8, and n is 1 or 2.
US08232428B2	Polycationic compounds and uses thereof Aspects of the present invention relate to compounds and methods useful in modulating angiogenesis and methods of treating or preventing diseases associated with angiogenesis by administering a polycationic compound. The present invention relates to methods of use and compositions for inhibiting angiogenesis-mediated disorders in mammals including animals and humans. Additionally, this invention relates to the combined use of polycations with other anti-angiogenesis agents for the treatment of different angiogenesis-mediated disorders. Additionally, those polycationic compounds can be used with various anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic agents as well as with radio-therapeutic agents in cancer patients to prevent and treat tumor growth and metastasis.
US08232406B2	c-MET protein kinase inhibitors The present invention relates to compounds useful of inhibitors of protein kinases. The invention also provides processes for preparing the compounds of this invention, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.
US08232399B2	Chiral ligands, their preparation and uses thereof in asymmetric reactions A novel class of chiral ligands represented by a structure of Formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C1-10 alkyl, C2-10 alkenyl, C2-10 alkynyl, C1-10 alkoxy, C(O)R6, C(O)NHR6, Si(R6)3, benzyl and aryl; X is selected from the group consisting of OH, OR7, O-Prot and P(R7)2 where Prot represents a protecting group; and R6 and R7 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-10 alkyl, C2-10 alkenyl, C2-10 alkynyl, C1-10 alkoxy, phenyl, and aryl is disclosed herein.
US08232398B2	Recycling process for increasing the yield of opiate alkaloid derivatives The present invention provides processes for the production of opiate alkaloids. In particular, the present invention provides processes for increasing the yield of opiate alkaloids by introducing at least one recycling step.
US08232395B2	Method for producing 2-(2-aminopyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid derivatives This invention relates to a novel process for obtaining a compound of formula I: wherein the values of R1, R2, and R3 and P are as described in the specification.
US08232390B2	Pentacyclic indole derivatives as antiviral agents The present invention relates to pentacyclic indole derivatives of formula (I): wherein A, Ar, R1, R2, W, X, Y and Z are defined herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and their use for the treatment or prevention of infection by hepatitis C virus.
US08232386B2	SiRNA targeting apolipoprotein B (APOB) Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to nucleotide sequences for APOB.
US08232383B2	RNA interference mediated inhibition of gene expression using chemically modified short interfering nucleic acid (siNA) The present invention concerns methods and reagents useful in modulating gene expression in a variety of applications, including use in therapeutic, diagnostic, target validation, and genomic discovery applications. Specifically, the invention relates to synthetic chemically modified small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules capable of mediating RNA interference (RNAi) against target nucleic acid sequences. The small nucleic acid molecules are useful in the treatment of any disease or condition that responds to modulation of gene expression or activity in a cell, tissue, or organism.
US08232373B2	Immunogenic peptide composition for the prevention and treatment of alzheimer's disease The present invention relates to a composition comprising a peptide immunogen useful for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. More particularly, the peptide immunogen comprises a main functional/regulatory site, an N-terminal fragment of Amyloid β (Aβ) peptide linked to a helper T cell epitope (Th) having multiple class II MHC binding motifs. The peptide immunogen elicits a site-directed immune response against the main functional/regulatory site of the Aβ peptide and generate antibodies, which are highly cross-reactive to the soluble Aβ1-42 peptide and the amyloid plaques formed in the brain of Alzheimer's Disease patients. The antibodies elicited being cross reactive to the soluble Aβ1-42 peptide, promote fibril disaggregation and inhibit fibrillar aggregation leading to immunoneutralization of the “soluble Aβ-derived toxins”; and being cross-reactive to the amyloid plaques, accelerate the clearance of these plaques from the brain. Thus, the composition of the invention comprising the peptide immunogen is useful for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.
US08232371B2	Modified human interferon polypeptides and their uses Modified interferon polypeptides with at least one non-naturally-encoded amino acid and uses thereof are provided.
US08232366B2	Transparent, highly heat-resistant polyimide precursor and photosensitive polyimide composition thereof The present invention relates to an aqueous alkali-developable photosensitive polyimide precursor resin composition that is appropriate for highly heat-resistant transparent protection layers and insulation layers for liquid crystal display devices. In more detail, the present invention relates to a negative-type photosensitive transparent polyimide precursor resin composition manufactured in two steps. The first step is the manufacture of a transparent linear polyamic acid (A) from (a-1) one or more kinds of tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides selected from alicyclic tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides having 3 to 30 carbon atoms; and (a-2) one or more kinds of diamines selected from aliphatic, alicyclic, or non-conjugated aromatic diamines, having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, having one or more ethylenically unsaturated bonds at side chains as essential components; and the second step is the manufacture of reactive transparent polyimide precursors shown in the following Chemical Formula 1 according to the esterification reaction of the above polyamic acid (A) with ethylenically unsaturated compound (B) containing an epoxy group in the same molecule as the main component. The photosensitive transparent polyimide precursor resin compositions according to the present invention have a superior photosensitivity, and thus, may be used for transparent protection layers and insulation layers of liquid crystal display devices having superior heat resistance, chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and electricity insulation.
US08232365B2	Biomass-derived epoxy compound and manufacturing method thereof There is disclosed a biomass-derived epoxy compound as an epoxidized product of a raw-material biomass-derived compound having a weight-average molecular weight of 300 to 10000. The biomass-derived epoxy compound has a weight-average molecular weight of 600 to 20000 and is soluble in an organic solvent for the preparation of a varnish. The epoxy compound is prepared by dissolving the raw-material biomass-derived compound in an aqueous alkali solution; adding epichlorohydrin to the solution and heating the mixture; and evaporating epichlorohydrin from the heated mixture and precipitating a biomass-derived epoxy compound, in which the aqueous alkali solution has a pH of 13.5 to 11.0. The biomass-derived epoxy compound has both high solubility in organic solvents and satisfactory heat resistance and can be manufactured in a high yield on the basis of the raw material through a less number of processes.
US08232364B2	Gel masses based on polyurethane, their production and use The present invention relates to improved gel masses prepared from a reaction mixture of NCO prepolymers and selected compounds containing groups reactive towards isocyanate groups. This invention is also directed to a process for the production of these gel masses and to the production of pressure-distributing elements comprising these gel masses.
US08232351B2	Heat shrinkable polystyrene film and process for producing the same The inventive heat-shrinkable polystyrene film is high in shrinkability in the longitudinal direction that is its main shrinkage direction, is excellent in perforated line openability, and has high toughness. The heat-shrinkable polystyrene film is characterized by particular values with respect to hot-water heat shrinkage ratio in the longitudinal and width directions, right angle tear strength in the width direction, and breaking energies in the longitudinal and width directions.
US08232350B2	Adhesive encapsulating composition and electronic devices made therewith Adhesive encapsulating compositions for use in electronic devices such as organic electroluminescent devices, touch screens, photovoltaic devices, and thin film transistors are disclosed herein. The adhesive encapsulating compositions include pressure sensitive adhesives comprising one or more polyisobutylene resins, in combination with optional multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomers and/or optional tackifiers.
US08232346B2	Aqueous silicone emulsion, process for preparing and use as a water-repellent and anti-adhesive paper coating base The invention relates to an aqueous silicone emulsion comprising polyorganosiloxanes (POS) with Si-vinyl units and POS with SiH units, cross-linkable by polyaddition in the presence of a platinum catalyst. The emulsion also contains an agent (e.g., buffer) for setting and maintaining pH between 5 and 9 in an amount sufficient to eliminate or significantly reduce foam or gel formation; an emulsifying agent; optionally a polyaddition inhibitor and other additives such as a filler, biocide, antifoam, anti-freeze, coloring agent, synthetic latex. The emulsions can comprise three different families of dispersed silicone phase droplets (e.g., polyorganosiloxane (A), polyorganosiloxane (B) and catalyst). Such emulsions can be used in the preparation of anti-adherent coating on fibrous or non fibrous supports. The invention also concerns a method for preparing said emulsions and methods for coating supports, for example paper, using said emulsion.
US08232337B2	Polyamide compositions with improved salt resistance and heat stability Disclosed is a polyamide composition including at least one semi-aromatic copolyamide, said semi-aromatic copolyamide consisting essentially of about 25 to about 55 mole percent repeat units of the formula —C(O)(CH2)mC(O)NHCH2ArCH2NH— (I) and about 45 to about 75 mole percent repeat units of the formula —C(O)(CH2)mC(O)NH(CH2)nNH— (II) wherein m is 8, 10, and/or 12, n is 6, 10 and/or 12 and Ar is a meta-substituted benzene ring; and said polyamide has a melting point equal to or less than 225° C.; and 0.1 to 15 weight percent of one or more polyhydric alcohols having more than two hydroxyl groups and having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of less than 2000. Also disclosed are molded or extruded articles including the polyamide composition.
US08232333B2	Process for producing ultrafine powders based on polyamides, ultrafine polyamide powders and their use Process for preparing ultrafine powders based on polyamides by contacting polyamides having a relative solution viscosity ηrel in the range from 1.5 to 2.0, measured in 0.5% m-cresol solution at 25° C., with an alcoholic medium in the presence of inorganic particles under the action of pressure and/or temperature to generate an at least partial solution, and then precipitating the polyamide from the at least partial solution, characterized in that a suspension of the inorganic particles suspended in the alcoholic medium is used. The resulting ultrafine polyamide powders have a specific BET surface area in the range of 5-100 m2/g; a fineness d50 of less than 70 μm; an apparent density AD in the range from 250 to 1000 g/l; and a particle content of 0.1 to 80% by weight of inorganic particles based on the total weight of the polyamide powder. They are equally suitable for coatings and for moldings and components with improved mechanical properties.
US08232326B2	UV/visible light absorbers for ophthalmic lens materials Benzotriazole UV/Visible light-absorbing monomers are disclosed. The UV/Vis absorbers are particularly suitable for use in intraocular lens materials.
US08232321B2	Alkylene oxide derivative and skin external preparation containing the same The present invention is to provide a new compound having a rough skin improving effect, excellent in safety, excellent in texture in use, especially free of sticky feeling, excellent in refreshing feeling, and capable to improve the base agent stability as a component. An alkylene oxide derivative is characterized by being represented by the below-described general formula (I): (formula I) Z—{O-[(AO)a-(EO)b]-R}2 (I) (In the formula, Z is the residue obtained by removing hydroxyl groups from the dimer diol, EO is an oxyethylene group, AO is an oxyalkylene group having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, and the addition form is block-type. The symbols a and b are the average addition mole numbers of the above-described oxyalkylene group and the oxyethylene group, respectively, and they are 1≦2 a≦150 and 1≦2 b≦150. The percentage of the oxyethylene groups with respect to the sum of the oxyalkylene groups having 3 to 4 carbon atoms and the oxyethylene groups is 10 to 99 mass %. Rs may be either identical to or different from each other, and they are hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.)
US08232312B2	Substituted arylsulphonylglycines, the preparation thereof and the use thereof as pharmaceutical compositions The present invention relates to substituted arylsulphonylglycines of general formula (I) wherein R, X, Y and Z are defined as in claim 1, the tautomers, enantiomers, diastereomers, mixtures thereof and salts thereof, which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly the suppression of the interaction of glycogen phosphorylase a with the GL subunit of glycogen-associated protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), and their use as pharmaceutical compositions.
US08232310B2	Targeting of EWS-FLI1 as anti-tumor therapy Peptides and compounds are provided that function as EWS-FLI1 protein inhibitors. The peptides and compounds have utility in the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors. Also provided are methods of preparing the compounds and assays for identifying inhibitors of EWS-FLI1 protein.
US08232309B2	Prodrugs of compounds that inhibit TRPV1 receptor Compounds of formula (I) wherein A, R1, R2, and R3 are defined in the specification, and which are useful as therapeutic compounds particularly for treating disorders or conditions associated with inflammation, pain, bladder overactivity, urinary incontinence, and other disorders caused by or exacerbated by TRPV1.
US08232304B2	Antifungal formulations A topical composition and the method using the composition, which contains an antifungal agent and a low potency anti-inflammatory steroid which is safe and effective such as desonide or its derivative. The low potency steroid agent does not cause side effects such as skin atrophy, striae and hypopigmentation. In a representative example, the low potency anti-inflammatory steroid has the following structure: wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 taken independently can be H, C1-C10 alkyl, C1-C10 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, and phenyl groups; R1 and R2 taken together can be C3-C10 cycloalkyl; and R3, and R4 taken independently can be H, C1-C10 alkyl, C1-C10 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, phenyl, C7-C10 phenylalkyl, carboxylate, sulfonyl, phosphoryl, and phosphonyl groups. The composition can be formulated in a dosage form such as a cream, ointment, gel, lotion, foam, powder, aerosol, spray, shampoo, or liquid solution. The composition can be used to treat a fungal disease such as tinea pedis, tinea capitis, tinea corporis, tinea versicolor, tinea cruris, and candidiasis as well as intertriginous dermatitis complicated by candidiasis.
US08232297B2	Sulphonylpyrroles as inhibitors of HDACs novel sulphonylpyrroles Compounds of a certain formula I, in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 have the meanings indicated in the description, as well as salts thereof are novel effective HDAC inhibitors.
US08232293B2	Crystalline forms of a potent HCV inhibitor This invention relates to novel crystalline forms of the following Compound (1), and the sodium salt thereof, and methods for the preparation thereof, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and their use in the treatment of Hepatitis C Viral (HCV) infection:
US08232288B2	Substituted benzimidazoles, benzothiazoles and benzoxazoles Substituted benzimidazoles, benzothiazoles and benzoxazoles, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compostions containing these compounds and the use of these compounds for treating or inhibiting disorders or disease states mediated at least in part by bradykinin receptor 1 (BR1).
US08232285B2	Quinazolinone compounds and methods of use thereof The present invention relates to quinazolinone compounds, and methods of preparation of these compounds. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the quinazolinone compounds. The present invention provides methods of treating a cell proliferative disorder, such as a cancer, by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a quinazolinone compound of the present invention.
US08232283B2	Raf inhibitors The present invention provides derivatives of pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one. These compounds are inhibitors or kinases such as Raf, including compounds that show anti-proliferative activity, including against tumor cells, and are useful in the treatment of diseases including cancer.
US08232282B2	Compound having bicyclic pyrimidine structure and pharmaceutical composition comprising the same The present invention relates to a bicyclic pyrimidine compound of the following formula (I) or a salt thereof. wherein R1 is lower alkyl, cyclic lower alkyl. etc.; R2 is H, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, etc.; R3 is H, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, etc.; X is O, S or —N(R4)—; R4 is H or lower alkyl; or R2 and R4 may combine each other to form cyclic amino; Y is amido, keto, sulfonyl, etc.; R5 is H or lower alkyl; Z is O or S; m and n are 1 or 2. Said compound (I) or a salt thereof have MGAT inhibitory activity, and are useful as an agent for treatment or prophylaxis of adiposity, metabolic syndromes, hyperlipidemia, hyper neutral lipemia, hyper VLDL-mia, hyper fatty acidemia, diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis.
US08232267B2	Porphyrin catalysts and methods of use thereof This invention provides a novel class of substituted macrocyclic porphyrin compounds. The compounds are useful as peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts. Pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and using the compounds, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, or prodrug thereof are also described.
US08232262B2	Salts of isophosphoramide mustard and analogs thereof as anti-tumor Agents The present disclosure relates to salts and compositions of isophosphoramide mustard and isophosphoramide mustard analogs. In one embodiment the salts can be represented by the formula wherein A+ represents an ammonium species selected from the protonated (conjugate acid) or quaternary forms of aliphatic amines and aromatic amines, including basic amino acids, heterocyclic amines, substituted and unsubstituted pyridines, guanidines and amidines; and X and Y independently represent leaving groups. Also disclosed herein are methods for making such compounds and formulating pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods for administering the disclosed compounds to subjects, particularly to treat hyperproliferative disorders, also are disclosed.
US08232260B2	In vivo production of small interfering RNAs that mediate gene silencing The invention provides engineered RNA precursors that when expressed in a cell are processed by the cell to produce targeted small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that selectively silence targeted genes (by cleaving specific mRNAs) using the cell's own RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. By introducing nucleic acid molecules that encode these engineered RNA precursors into cells in vitro with appropriate regulatory sequences, expression of the engineered RNA precursors can be selectively controlled both temporally and spatially, i.e., at particular times and/or in particular tissues, organs, or cells.
US08232257B2	RNA interference mediated inactivation of hepatitis B virus in a subject Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for targeted inactivation of viral genomes. In one embodiment, zinc-finger proteins in which DNA binding sites are altered such that they recognize and bind different, desired DNA sequences contained in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and that include nuclease domains are used for inactivation. Other embodiments for targeted inactivation of viral genomes use small nucleic acid molecules, such as short micro-RNA molecules or short hairpin RNA molecules capable of mediating RNA interference (RNAi) against the hepatitis B virus.
US08232248B2	Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with mammal beta defensins The present invention relates to treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with mammal beta defensins.
US08232246B2	Anti-viral compounds Compounds capable of inhibiting replication of the hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) are described. This invention also relates to processes of making such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat HCV infection.
US08232235B2	Ternary azeotropes containing 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoro-3-methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)-pentane 5 and compositions made therefrom Compositions are provided that include blends that consist essentially of 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoro-3-methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)pentane, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, and a third component. The third component is selected from methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, t-butanol, and 1-propanol. The blends form ternary azeotropes. Provided compositions can be useful for cleaning electronic parts, as coating solvent components, as heat transfer fluids, and as lubricants.
US08232230B2	Manufacture and use of a herbicide formulation The invention pertains to a method for manufacture and use of a herbicidal formulation of chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicides. A number of different solvents have been found useful in this application. Furthermore, the use of surfactants that act as solvents for the acid herbicides has been discovered. These formulations have shown superior herbicidal activity when compared to standard salt and ester forms.
US08232229B2	Seed treatment formulations and methods of use The present invention generally relates to aqueous seed treatment formulations comprising a pesticidal agent, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a graft copolymer, and a plasticizer. In one embodiment of the invention, PVA-compatible polymer emulsions are employed. The present invention also relates to uses of the disclosed compositions for protecting seeds from pests.
US08232227B2	Honeycomb structured body A honeycomb structured body of the present invention is a honeycomb structured body in which plural pillar-shaped honeycomb units are bonded to one another through sealing material layers, each unit having in the longitudinal direction a large number of cells placed in parallel with a cell wall therebetween. Herein, a cross-sectional area of the honeycomb unit on a cross-section perpendicular to the length direction is at least about 5 cm2 and at most about 50 cm2, the honeycomb unit includes inorganic fibers and/or whiskers in addition to inorganic particles, and a Young's modulus of the honeycomb unit is at least about 50% and at most about 150% of a Young's modulus of the sealing material layer.
US08232218B2	Ion exchanged, fast cooled glasses A glass that is ion exchangeable to a depth of at least 20 μm (microns) and has a internal region having a tension of less than or equal to 100 MPa. The glass is quenched or fast cooled from a first temperature above the anneal point of the glass to a second temperature that is below the strain point of the glass. In one embodiment, the glass is a silicate glass, such as an alkali silicate glass, an alkali aluminosilicate glass, an aluminosilicate glass, a borosilicate glass, an alkali aluminogermanate glass, an alkali germanate glass, an alkali gallogermanate glass, and combinations thereof.
US08232212B2	Within-sequence metrology based process tuning for adaptive self-aligned double patterning An apparatus for adaptive self-aligned dual patterning and method thereof. The method includes providing a substrate to a processing platform configured to perform an etch process and a deposition process and a metrology unit configured for in-vacuo critical dimension (CD) measurement. The in-vacuo CD measurement is utilized for feedforward adaptive control of the process sequence processing platform or for feedback and feedforward adaptive control of chamber process parameters. In one aspect, a first layer of a multi-layered masking stack is etched to form a template mask, an in-vacuo CD measurement of the template mask is made, and a spacer is formed, adjacent to the template mask, to a width that is dependent on the CD measurement of the template mask.
US08232204B1	Method of forming borderless contact for transistor Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of forming borderless contact for transistor. The method may include forming a gate of a transistor, on top of a substrate, and spacers adjacent to sidewalls of the gate; forming a sacrificial layer surrounding the gate; causing the sacrificial layer to expand in height to become higher than the gate, the expanded sacrificial layer covering at most a portion of a top surface of the spacers and thereby leaving an opening on top of the gate surrounded by the spacers; filling the opening with a dielectric cap layer; replacing the expanded sacrificial layer with a dielectric layer; and forming a conductive stud contacting source/drain of the transistor, the conductive stud being isolated from the gate by the dielectric cap layer.
US08232202B2	Image sensor package and fabrication method thereof An image sensor package and a method for fabricating thereof are provided. A substrate having an insulator filled cavity is provided with an image sensor device electrical connected to a metal layer, thereon. A covering plate is then disposed on the substrate. The substrate is subsequently thinned to expose the insulator. Removing a portion of the insulator, a hole is formed and a conductive layer is filled therein to form a via hole. Next, a solder ball is located over a backside of the substrate which is electrically connected to the metal layer through the via hole. The image sensor package is thinned, thus, the dimensions thereof are reduced.
US08232197B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device from which damage layers and native oxide films in connection holes have been removed An insulating film formed on a conducting layer is dry-etched so as to make a connection hole in the insulating film to expose the conducting layer. Plasma is supplied onto the exposed conducting layer to dry-clean a damage layer produced in the connection hole. A product produced in the connection hole as a result of the dry cleaning is removed by a wet process. An oxide film formed in the connection hole as a result of the wet process is etched by a chemical dry process using a gas including either NF3 or HF. A thermally decomposable reaction product produced as a result of the etching is removed by heat treatment.
US08232192B2	Process of bonding circuitry components A bonding process includes the following process. A bump is formed on a first electric device. A patterned insulation layer is formed on a second electric device, wherein the patterned insulation layer has a thickness between 5 μm and 400 μm, and an opening is in the patterned insulation layer and exposes the second electric device. The bump is joined to the second electric device exposed by the opening in the patterned insulation layer.
US08232186B2	Methods of integrating reverse eSiGe on NFET and SiGe channel on PFET, and related structure Methods of integrating reverse embedded silicon germanium (SiGe) on an NFET and SiGe channel on a PFET, and a related structure are disclosed. One method may include providing a substrate including an NFET area and a PFET area; performing a single epitaxial growth of a silicon germanium (SiGe) layer over the substrate; forming an NFET in the NFET area, the NFET including a SiGe plug in a channel thereof formed from the SiGe layer; and forming a PFET in the PFET area, the PFET including a SiGe channel formed from the SiGe layer. As an option, the SiGe layer over the PFET area may be thinned.
US08232184B2	Method for manufacturing silicon carbide semiconductor device and the silicon carbide semiconductor device Silicon carbide semiconductor device includes trench, in which connecting trench section is connected to straight trench section. Straight trench section includes first straight trench and second straight trench extending in parallel to each other. Connecting trench section includes first connecting trench perpendicular to straight trench section, second connecting trench that connects first straight trench and first connecting trench to each other, and third connecting trench that connects second straight trench and first connecting trench to each other. Second connecting trench extends at 30 degrees of angle with the extension of first straight trench. Third connecting trench extends at 30 degrees of angle with the extension of second straight trench. A manufacturing method according to the invention for manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor device facilitates preventing defects from being causes in a silicon carbide semiconductor device during the manufacture thereof.
US08232180B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor device comprising active region divided by STI element isolation structure The active region of an NMOS transistor and the active region of a PMOS transistor are divided by an STI element isolation structure. The STI element isolation structure is made up of a first element isolation structure formed so as to include the interval between both active regions, and a second element isolation structure formed in the region other than the first element isolation structure.
US08232178B2	Method for forming a semiconductor device with stressed trench isolation A method for forming a semiconductor device with stressed trench isolation is provided, comprising: providing a silicon substrate (S11); forming at least two first trenches in parallel on the silicon substrate and forming a first dielectric layer which is under tensile stress in the first trenches (S12); forming at least two second trenches, which have an extension direction perpendicular to that of the first trenches, in parallel on the silicon substrate, and forming a second dielectric layer in the second trenches (S13); and after forming the first trenches, forming a gate stack on a part of the silicon substrate between two adjacent first trenches, wherein the channel length direction under the gate stack is parallel to the extension direction of the first trenches (S14). The present invention supply tensile stress in the channel width direction of a MOS transistor, so as to improve performance of PMOS and/or NMOS transistors.
US08232177B2	Method of generating uniformly aligned well and isolation regions in a substrate and resulting structure A solution for alleviating variable parasitic bipolar leakages in scaled semiconductor technologies is described herein. Placement variation is eliminated for edges of implants under shallow trench isolation (STI) areas by creating a barrier to shield areas from implantation more precisely than with only a standard photolithographic mask. An annealing process expands the implanted regions such their boundaries align within a predetermined distance from the edge of a trench. The distances are proportionate for each trench and each adjacent isolation region.
US08232175B2	Damascene metal-insulator-metal (MIM) device with improved scaleability A present method of fabricating a memory device includes the steps of providing a dielectric layer, providing an opening in the dielectric layer, providing a first conductive body in the opening, providing a switching body in the opening, the first conductive body and switching body filling the opening, and providing a second conductive body over the switching body. In an alternate embodiment, a second dielectric layer is provided over the first-mentioned dielectric layer, and the switching body is provided in an opening in the second dielectric layer.
US08232171B2	Structure with isotropic silicon recess profile in nanoscale dimensions A trench is formed by an anisotropic etch in a semiconductor material layer employing a masking layer, which can be gate spacers. In one embodiment, an adsorbed fluorine layer is provided at a cryogenic temperature only on vertical sidewalls of the semiconductor structure including the sidewalls of the trench. The adsorbed fluorine layer removes a controlled amount of the underlying semiconductor material once the temperature is raised above the cryogenic temperature. The trench can be filled with another semiconductor material to generate stress in the semiconductor material layer. In another embodiment, the semiconductor material is laterally etched by a plasma-based etch at a controlled rate while a horizontal portion of a contiguous oxide liner prevents etch of the semiconductor material from the bottom surface of the trench.
US08232170B2	Methods for fabricating semiconductor devices with charge storage patterns Provided are methods for fabricating semiconductor devices. A method may include forming a device isolation layer to define active regions on a semiconductor substrate. The active regions may protrude above an upper surface of the device isolation layer. The method may also include forming tunnel insulating layers on upper and side surfaces of corresponding ones of the active regions. The method may further include forming charge storage patterns on corresponding ones of the tunnel insulating layers. The charge storage patterns may be separated from each other. The method may also include forming a blocking insulating layer on the charge storage patterns and the device isolation layer. The method may further include forming a gate electrode on the blocking insulating layer. The blocking insulating layer may cover the device isolation layer such that the gate electrode is precluded from contact with the device isolation layer and the tunnel insulating layers.
US08232169B2	Resistor in an integrated circuit A resistive element having two vertical resistive portions placed in two holes formed in the upper portion of a substrate and a horizontal resistive portion placed in a buried cavity connecting the bottoms of the holes.
US08232155B2	Structure and method for manufacturing device with a V-shape channel nMOSFET A CMOS structure includes a v-shape surface in an nMOSFET region. The v-shape surface has an orientation in a (100) plane and extends into a Si layer in the nMOSFET region. The nMOSFET gate dielectric layer is a high-k material, such as Hf02. The nMOSFET has a metal gate layer, such as Ta. Poly-Si is deposited on top of the metal gate layer.
US08232149B2	SOI device having an increasing charge storage capacity of transistor bodies and method for manufacturing the same An SOI device includes an SOI substrate having a stacked structure including a buried oxide layer and a first silicon layer sequentially stacked on a silicon substrate. The SOI substrate possesses grooves having a depth that extends from an upper surface of the first silicon layer to a partial depth of the buried oxide layer. An insulation layer is formed on the lower surfaces of the grooves and a second silicon layer is formed filling the grooves having the insulation layer formed thereon. Gates are formed on the second silicon layer and junction regions are formed in the first silicon layer on both sides of the gates to contact the insulation layer.
US08232129B2	Bonding solar cells directly to polyimide A method of constructing a solar cell panel is disclosed that includes providing a solar cell that has a front side and a back side, where the front side faces the sun during normal operation, heating a thermoplastic polyimide to at least its reflow temperature, flowing the thermoplastic polyimide onto the back side of the solar cell while heated to at least its reflow temperature, and cooling the thermoplastic polyimide to a temperature below its reflow temperature to bond the thermoplastic polyimide directly to the solar cell. The direct bonding of the thermoplastic polyimide to the solar cell is accomplished without an adhesive such as RTV adhesives. The method may also include bonding a substrate directly to the thermoplastic polyimide opposite the solar cell.
US08232125B2	Optical semiconductor device having active layer of p-type quantum dot structure and its manufacture method An active layer having a p-type quantum dot structure is disposed over a lower cladding layer made of semiconductor material of a first conductivity type. An upper cladding layer is disposed over the active layer. The upper cladding layer is made of semiconductor material, and includes a ridge portion and a cover portion. The ridge portion extends in one direction, and the cover portion covers the surface on both sides of the ridge portion. A capacitance reducing region is disposed on both sides of the ridge portion and reaching at least the lower surface of the cover portion. The capacitance reducing region has the first conductivity type or a higher resistivity than that of the ridge portion, and the ridge portion has a second conductivity type. If the lower cladding layer is an n-type, the capacitance reducing region reaches at least the upper surface of the lower cladding layer.
US08232123B2	Organic light emitting diode display with improved on-current, and method for manufacturing the same An organic light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof, including a first signal line and a second signal line intersecting each other on an insulating substrate, a switching thin film transistor connected to the first signal line and the second signal line, a driving thin film transistor connected to the switching thin film transistor, and a light emitting diode (“LD”) connected to the driving thin film transistor. The driving thin film transistor includes a driving control electrode and a driving semiconductor overlapping the driving control electrode, crystallized silicon having a doped region and a non-doped region, a driving gate insulating layer disposed between the driving control electrode and the driving semiconductor, and a driving input electrode and a driving output electrode opposite to each other on the driving semiconductor, wherein the interface between the driving gate insulating layer and the driving semiconductor includes nitrogen gas.
US08232112B2	Optical microlabels: shapes and reflectors Labels and methods of producing labels for use in clinical, analytical and pharmaceutical development assays are provided. Labels may comprise shape-encoded particles which may be coupled to ligands such as DNA, RNA and antibodies, where different shapes are used to identify which ligand(s) are present. Labels may also comprise reflectors, including retroreflectors and retroreflectors susceptible to analyte-dependent assembly for efficient homogeneous assays.
US08232107B2	Methods for measuring the metabolism of neurally derived biomolecules in vivo The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, monitoring, and assessing treatment effects for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases and disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease, early in the course of clinical disease or prior to the onset of brain damage and clinical symptoms. Methods of measuring the in vivo metabolism of biomolecules produced in the CNS in a subject are provided.
US08232105B1	Reagents and methods and systems using them Certain embodiments described herein are directed to a reagent that includes an effective amount of an adsorber to remove interfering species present during heavy metal level measurement in a fluid sample. In some examples, the reagent can include an effective amount of an adsorber to remove a suitable amount of glutathione from the fluid sample such that the glutathione does not interfere with measurements of lead levels in the fluid sample.
US08232101B2	Identification of antigenic peptides from multiple myeloma cells Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal B cell malignancy and remains essentially incurable by conventional anti-tumor therapy. Patients with MM have a median survival of only three years. MM is characterized by proliferation and accumulation of mature plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM) leading to bone destruction, BM failure, anemia, and reduced immune function. The identification of MHC Class I, HLA-A2, associated peptides presented on multiple myeloma cells is an important step in developing immunotherapies for MM. Presented here are methods for creating activated T lymphocytes that are cytotoxic to both peptide loaded T2 target cells and multiple myeloma cell lines.
US08232095B2	Apparatus and methods for manipulation and optimization of biological systems The invention provides systems and methods for manipulating, e.g., optimizing and controlling, biological systems, e.g., for eliciting a more desired biological response of biological sample, such as a tissue, organ, and/or a cell. In one aspect, systems and methods of the invention operate by efficiently searching through a large parametric space of stimuli and system parameters to manipulate, control, and optimize the response of biological samples sustained in the system, e.g., a bioreactor. In alternative aspects, systems include a device for sustaining cells or tissue samples, one or more actuators for stimulating the samples via biochemical, electromagnetic, thermal, mechanical, and/or optical stimulation, one or more sensors for measuring a biological response signal of the samples resulting from the stimulation of the sample. In one aspect, the systems and methods of the invention use at least one optimization algorithm to modify the actuator's control inputs for stimulation, responsive to the sensor's output of response signals. The compositions and methods of the invention can be used, e.g., to for systems optimization of any biological manufacturing or experimental system, e.g., bioreactors for proteins, e.g., therapeutic proteins, polypeptides or peptides for vaccines, and the like, small molecules (e.g., antibiotics), polysaccharides, lipids, and the like. Another use of the apparatus and methods includes combination drug therapy, e.g. optimal drug cocktail, directed cell proliferations and differentiations, e.g. in tissue engineering, e.g. neural progenitor cells differentiation, and discovery of key parameters in complex biological systems.
US08232093B2	Apparatus and method for genetically transforming cells A fluid containing cells and free genetic material is acoustically coupled to a propulsion surface of a diaphragm. A blast-receiving surface of the diaphragm is acoustically coupled to an explosion chamber in which an explosive material is disposed. An ignition system ignites the explosive material in the explosion chamber to create a blast wave. The diaphragm transfers momentum from the blast wave to the fluid containing cells and free genetic material sufficient to cause the cells to take up the free genetic material.
US08232088B2	Genetically engineered herbicide resistance for maintaining axenic cultures This disclosure provides herbicide resistant algae and cyanobacteria. This disclosure also provides a method to cultivate algae and cyanobacteria in axenic cultures without contaminating species. Moreover, this disclosure provides transgenic algal and cyanobacterial cells that are capable of high production in high light intensities as typically applied in cultivation. Furthermore, a novel transformation method is provided for algal cells.
US08232086B2	Method for preparing maltogenic alpha-amylase variants The inventors have modified the amino acid sequence of a maltogenic alpha-amylase to obtain variants with improved properties, based on the three-dimensional structure of the maltogenic alpha-amylase Novamyl. The variants have altered physicochemical properties, e.g. an altered pH optimum, improved thermostability, increased specific activity, an altered cleavage pattern or an increased ability to reduce retrogradation of starch or staling of bread.
US08232084B2	Device for measuring extracellular potential and method of manufacturing device A device for measuring an extracellular potential of a test cell includes a substrate having a well formed in a first surface thereof and a first trap hole formed therein. The well has a bottom. The first trap hole includes a first opening formed in the bottom of the well and extending toward a second face of the substrate, a first hollow section communicating with the first opening via a first connecting portion, and a second opening extending reaching the second surface and communicating with the first hollow section via a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion has a diameter smaller than a maximum diameter of the first hollow section, greater than a diameter of the second connecting portion, and smaller than a diameter of the test cell. The device can retain the test cell securely and accept chemicals and the test cell to be put into the device easily.
US08232078B2	Methods of using improved polymerases This invention provides for methods of sequencing and performing polymerase reactions using an improved generation of nucleic acid polymerases. The improvement is the fusion of a sequence-non-specific nucleic-acid-binding domain to the enzyme in a manner that enhances the processivity of the polymerase.
US08232070B2	DNP63A gene and screening methods of anticancer agent by using it This invention relates to a gene encoding ΔNp63α and screening methods of anticancer-drugs thereof, more specifically a gene encoding ΔNp63α and a protein which is transported from nucleus to cytoplasm by contacting with potential anti-cancer-drugs in an epithelial cell carcinoma, a recombinant vector comprising said gene and reporter genes, and carcinoma cells comprising said vector. Also, This invention relates to high throughput screening methods of anticancer-drug comprising identifying the transportation of ΔNp63α protein from nucleus to cytoplasm by contacting with potential anticancer-drug in a carcinoma cell.
US08232068B2	Measuring circulating therapeutic antibody, antigen and antigen/antibody complexes using ELISA assays The present invention relates to the field of immunology and hyperproliferative diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of detecting and monitoring therapeutic antibody:antigen complex, soluble antigen and soluble therapeutic antibody, wherein a patient has undergone at least one course of immunotherapy. Yet further, levels of therapeutic antibody:antigen complexes, soluble antigens or soluble therapeutic antibodies may be measured and used to stage or monitor a hyperproliferative disease.
US08232066B2	Peptide antibody depletion and its application to mass spectrometry sample preparation The present invention relates, e.g., to a method for pre-processing a sample for mass spectral analysis, comprising cleaving proteins in the sample to peptides and immunodepleting highly abundant and/or well-ionizing and/or proteotypic peptides from the sample. Also described are methods for identifying well-ionizing peptides for use in this and other methods; analytic (diagnostic) methods using antibodies against highly ionizable peptides from a protein target of interest; and compositions kits and devices comprising antibodies of the invention.
US08232060B2	Gene defects and mutant ALK kinase in human solid tumors In accordance with the invention, novel gene deletions and translocations involving chromosome 2 resulting in fusion proteins combining part of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) kinase with part of a secondary protein have now been identified in human solid tumors, e.g. non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Secondary proteins include Echinoderm Microtubule-Associated Protein-Like 4 (EML-4) and TRK-Fusion Gene (TFG). The EML4-ALK fusion protein, which retains ALK tyrosine kinase activity, was confirmed to drive the proliferation and survival of NSCLC characterized by this mutation. The invention therefore provides, in part, isolated polynucleotides and vectors encoding the disclosed mutant ALK kinase polypeptides, probes for detecting it, isolated mutant polypeptides, recombinant polypeptides, and reagents for detecting the fusion and truncated polypeptides. The disclosed identification of this new fusion protein enables new methods for determining the presence of these mutant ALK kinase polypeptides in a biological sample, methods for screening for compounds that inhibit the proteins, and methods for inhibiting the progression of a cancer characterized by the mutant polynucleotides or polypeptides, which are also provided by the invention.
US08232053B2	EGFR mutations The present invention relates to mutations in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and methods of detecting such mutations as well as prognostic methods method for identifying a tumors that are susceptible to anticancer therapy such as chemotherapy and/or kinase inhibitor treatment. The methods involve determining the presence of a mutated EGFR gene or mutated EGFR protein in a tumor sample whereby the presence of a mutated EGFR gene or protein indicates the tumor is susceptible to treatment.
US08232047B2	Luciferase signal enhancing compositions Reagents and compositions for use in reactions catalysed by luciferase enzymes, and in particular for use in luciferase-based gene reporter assays are described. The invention also provides methods and compositions for, inter alia, increasing the sensitivity and/or improving the kinetics of luciferase-catalysed reactions.
US08232042B2	Storage medium, reproducing method, and recording method According to one embodiment, a storage medium comprises a transparent resin substrate on which a groove is formed, a recording layer formed on the groove on the transparent resin substrate, the recording layer using an organic dye material and recording information with a light beam of 620 nm or less in wavelength, a reflection layer formed on the recording layer, and a prevention layer formed between the recording layer and the reflection layer, the prevention layer preventing degradation of characteristics of the reflection layer.
US08232034B2	Electrophotographic toner and method of preparing the same The disclosure provides an electrophotographic toner and methods for preparing the electrographic toner. The electrographic toner includes a binder, a colorant and a releasing agent, wherein the electrophotographic toner includes strontium (Sr), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), and silicon (Si) containing particles; wherein, if [Sr], [Fe], [Ti] and [Si] denote the intensities of Sr, Fe, Ti, and Si in the electrophotographic toner, respectively, as measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, then the [Sr]/[Fe] ratio is in the range of about 5.0×10−1 to about 4.5, the [Ti]/[Fe] ratio is in the range of about 5.0×10−1 to about 8.1×10−1, and the [Si]/[Fe] ratio is in the range of about 2.0×10−3 to about 4.0×10−3.
US08232025B2	Electrochemical cells having current-carrying structures underlying electrochemical reaction layers An electrochemical cell structure has an electrical current-carrying structure which, at least in part, underlies an electrochemical reaction layer. The cell comprises an ion exchange membrane with a catalyst layer on each side thereof. The ion exchange membrane may comprise, for example, a proton exchange membrane. Some embodiments of the invention provide electrochemical cell layers which have a plurality of individual unit cells formed on a sheet of ion exchange membrane material.
US08232023B2	Fuel cell and method of manufacturing same A fuel cell including a power generating body including an electrolyte layer and electrode layers, diffusion layers disposed on opposite major surfaces of the power generating body, separators disposed on major surfaces of the diffusion layers opposite to those facing the power generating body, a first seal formed around the periphery of the power generating body and including an effective seal portion that suppresses leakage of the gas to the outside of the fuel cell between the separators, and a second seal formed integrally with at least one of the diffusion layers to extend along an end face of the diffusion layer. The second seal is in intimate contact with a surface of the power generating body on which the diffusion layer is laminated and a surface of a corresponding one of the separators that is laminated on the diffusion layer.
US08232020B2	Interconnector for a fuel cell stack and method for production An interconnector is made of ferritic chromium steel, on which a cupriferous layer is disposed. This layer prevents interdiffusion between the chromium steel and additional components with which the interconnector has direct contact. According to the state of the art, such diffusion occurs particularly if these additional components contain nickel. In addition, the interconnector may comprise a chromium-containing oxide layer as a barrier against interdiffusion. For this purpose, the interconnector steel can also be preoxidized before applying the cupriferous layer. The interconnector has a significantly longer service life than interconnectors according to the state of the art, and it has improved electrical conductivity because the electrical contact surface thereof is free of oxides and has high transverse conductivity.
US08232018B2	Anode flowshifting with closed-injector bleeding A fuel cell system that employs a technique for nitrogen bleeding. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a first sub-stack and a second sub-stack, where the hydrogen gas flow is flow-shifted between the sub-stacks. A first nitrogen bleed valve is provided in an anode gas input line coupled to the first sub-stack and a second nitrogen bleed valve is provided in an anode gas input line coupled to the second sub-stack. When the first sub-stack is receiving the anode gas, and a nitrogen bleed is requested, the first bleed valve is closed and the second bleed valve is opened to provide the nitrogen bleeding. When the second sub-stack is receiving the anode gas, and a nitrogen bleed is requested, the second bleed valve is closed and the first bleed valve is opened to provide the nitrogen bleed.
US08232017B2	Fuel cell stack including non-fuel cell cassette A fuel cell stack is disclosed including a non-fuel cell cassette having temperature sensing elements disposed therein. The temperature sensing elements are disposed in one or more void spaces in the non-fuel cell cassette, which void spaces are connected to openings in the side of the non-fuel cell cassette for lead wires to communicate information from the temperature sensing elements to components outside of the fuel cell stack.
US08232011B2	Method of operating a fuel cell stack One aspect of the invention includes the discovery that pinholes in the membrane of the membrane electrode assembly may be caused by hygroexpansive ratcheting. In one embodiment of the invention, a fuel cell stack including a plurality of cells each having a membrane electrode assembly each including a membrane manufactured by an extrusion method and operated so that the rate of drying during humidity cycling is sufficiently low to reduce or eliminate build up stresses in the membrane electrode assembly.
US08232009B2	Electric storage device An electrode laminate unit of an electric storage device includes positive electrodes, negative electrodes and a lithium electrode connected to the negative electrode. When an electrolyte solution is injected into the electric storage device, lithium ions are emitted from the lithium electrode to the negative electrode. A positive and a negative electrode current collector have through-holes that guide the lithium ions in the laminating direction. The aperture ratio of the through-holes at the edge parts where the electrolyte solution is easy to be permeated is set to be smaller than the aperture ratio at central parts in order to suppress the permeation. Thus, the distribution of the electrolyte solution is made uniform, whereby the doping amount is made uniform.
US08232004B2	Power storage device, and method for manufacturing power storage device A power storage device has a stack including positive electrodes and negative electrodes that are stacked on top of each other with electrolytes interposed in-between. A positioning member is inserted into a positioning hole that is formed in the stack so as to penetrate the stack in the stacking direction. A terminal portion is formed at an end of the positioning member in the inserting direction.
US08231995B2	Power unit assembly for use with a liquid crystal eyewear device A goggle includes a lens assembly which comprises a front lens, a rear lens spaced apart from the front lens, and a liquid crystal device disposed on one of the lenses. The goggle includes a frame, which defines an aperture and a peripheral channel. The peripheral channel receives the front lens and the rear lens is positioned rearward of the channel so that the aperture receives the lens assembly. A power unit includes a battery and a drive circuit, wherein the drive circuit is connected to a pair of prongs that are electrically connectable to the liquid crystal device for operation thereof. The power unit provides a master switch connected to the battery to control application of power to the drive circuit, and a state change switch to control application of power from the drive circuit, through the prongs, to the liquid crystal device.
US08231992B2	Lithium battery pack For a lithium battery pack including battery cells the number of which is larger than the number of battery cells 111 that can be monitored by a voltage detect portion 115, there is disposed a temperature detect element 113 for detecting the temperatures of the battery cell 112 not monitored by the voltage detect portion 115, and, when the temperatures of the battery cell 112 detected by the temperature detect element 113 rise beyond a given value, there is issued a signal to stop the charging of the battery pack.
US08231988B2	Batteries and battery components with magnetically modified manganese dioxide Battery electrodes with desirable discharge performance comprise manganese oxide and magnetic particles. Corresponding power cells have improved specific discharge capacities. Furthermore, magnetically modified manganese dioxide electrodes are found to have significantly improved cycling properties that suggest the possibility for improved performance in secondary batteries.
US08231987B2	Magnetic domain data storage devices and methods of manufacturing the same Example embodiments may provide data storage devices using movement of magnetic domain walls including a first magnetic layer having at least two magnetic domains with determinable magnetization directions, and/or a soft second magnetic layer formed on a lower surface of the first magnetic layer. Magnetic domain walls may be moved even in curved regions of the first magnetic layer.
US08231974B2	Fluoropolymer molding method and molded article A fluoropolymer molding method and the resulting molded article are disclosed where the fluoropolymer is composed of fluoropolymer particles each having a multi-layer structure that consists of at least two types of fluoropolymers having different melting points, with at least one inner layer made of a fluoropolymer with a melting point higher than that of the outermost fluoropolymer. The fluoropolymer of the at least one inner layer is molded at a temperature higher than the melting point of the lowest melting point of the fluoropolymers that form the outermost layers of the multi-layer-structure fluoropolymer particles, and lower than the melting point of the fluoropolymer having the highest melting point. The resulting articles have excellent chemical liquid resistance and gas impermeability and low linear expansion coefficient.
US08231973B2	Fluoro(meth)acrylate polymer composition suitable for low index layer of antireflective film Antireflective film articles and low refractive index coating compositions are described that comprises a fluorinated free-radically polymerizable polymeric (e.g. intermediate) material. The free-radically polymerizable fluorinated polymeric intermediate comprises the reaction product of i) at least one multi-functional free-radically polymerizable material having a fluorine content of at least 25 wt-%, and ii) optionally other multi-functional free-radically polymerizable material. The total amount of multi-functional materials is preferably at least about 25 wt-%.
US08231969B2	Asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticles The invention provides methods and compositions having at least one asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle. An asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle can comprise a nanoparticle core having an outer surface, a primary group of first ligands attached to a substantially continuous primary region of the outer surface, and a secondary group of second ligands attached to a substantially continuous secondary region of the outer surface, such that the primary group of first ligands and the secondary group of second ligands comprise a different ligand population.
US08231964B2	Aluminum oxide sintered body, method for producing the same and member for semiconductor producing apparatus An aluminum oxide sintered body is provided, including europium and nitrogen, and plate-like crystals having peaks coinciding with EuAl12O19 in an X-ray diffraction profile are dispersed over a whole sintered body. Such an aluminum oxide sintered body can be obtained by forming a mixed powder containing an alumina powder, a europium compound powder and an aluminum nitride powder into a green body having a predetermined shape, and sintering the green body under a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
US08231963B2	Armor systems including coated core materials An armor system and method involves providing a core material and a stream of atomized coating material that comprises a liquid fraction and a solid fraction. An initial layer is deposited on the core material by positioning the core material in the stream of atomized coating material wherein the solid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material is less than the liquid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material on a weight basis. An outer layer is then deposited on the initial layer by positioning the core material in the stream of atomized coating material wherein the solid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material is greater than the liquid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material on a weight basis.
US08231962B2	Coatings for drug delivery devices having gradient of hydration A coating for an implantable medical device is provided comprising a first layer including a first polymer and a second layer including a second polymer. The second layer is disposed over at least a portion of the first layer. The second polymer has a lower degree of hydration than the first polymer.
US08231960B2	Decorative sheet and material The present invention provides a decorative paper which is excellent in solvent resistance, and chemical resistances such as alkali resistance, acid resistance and alcohol resistance without carrying out complicated steps such as an addition of a curing agent into a ink layer because the ink layer which is poor at solvent resistance and chemical resistance is crosslinked. The decorative sheet of the present invention comprises a base material, an ink layer, a curable primer layer containing a curing agent reactive with a resin in the ink layer, and an active energy ray-curable surface protective layer, which are provided in the order of the curable primer layer/ink layer/active energy ray-curable surface protective layer on the base material.
US08231958B2	Article and method for erosion resistant composite A composite layer for resisting erosion includes a sacrificial layer for exposure to an erosion environment, a body layer, and an erosion resistant layer located between the sacrificial erosion layer and the body layer for protecting the body layer upon erosion of the sacrificial layer.
US08231956B2	Retail merchandising strip A source roll having a first layer of liner paper and a second roll of two-sided adhesive is fed through a pair of rollers having six aligned rotary die cutters sized to cut through only the adhesive layer. The excess adhesive web is peeling off and removed from the process. The liner paper with spaced apart sets of six aligned adhesive dots is then laminated with a clear plastic having two sides, one uncoated and one coated, to allow the clear plastic to be easily rolled up and then unrolled, and the liner paper is peeled off and removed from the process. The material remaining having the adhesive circular dots is cut into six long strips each having six adhesive dots which can be used to display small discrete packages. As a part of marketing small discrete packages of snack foods or other goods, a plurality of the discrete packages are attached to a plurality of adhesive elements, respectively, and the plastic strips with the discrete packages attached thereto are shipped from a manufacturing location to a marketing location.
US08231953B2	Transparent plastic container for anticounterfeit system A transparent plastic container which is transparent, allows good design and can be used for an anticounterfeit system that determines authenticity by visual check with the use of polarization property. A transparent plastic sheet of a polystyrene-based resin having a total light transmission of 85% or higher and a haze of 7% or less is subjected to vacuum, pneumatic or vacuum/pneumatic forming at a sheet temperature ranging from a glass transition temperature plus 50 degrees C. to a glass transition temperature plus 130 degrees C., thereby obtaining a transparent plastic container having a planar portion with a strain amount of 150 nm or less.
US08231952B2	Insulated pipes A process for the batchwise production of insulated pipes, comprising the steps: 1) provision of medium pipe and casing, the medium pipe being arranged inside the casing, 2) production of a polyisocyanurate foam by reacting an isocyanate component (a) with a polyol mixture (b) between medium pipe and casing, wherein the polyol mixture (b) comprises no polyester alcohols and has a viscosity of less than 1300 mPa·s, measured according to DIN 53019 at 20° C.
US08231950B2	Block copolymer derived from renewable materials and method for making such block copolymer The present invention relates to a block copolymer derived from at least one tetrahydrofuran monomer containing 14C. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing such a block copolymer.
US08231946B2	Norbornene polymer comprising photoreactive functional group having halogen substituent group, process for preparing the same, and alignment layer using the same The present invention relates to a photoreactive norbornene polymer comprising a photoreactive norbornene monomer, a process for preparing the same, and an alignment layer using the same. The photoreactive norbornene polymer includes a photoreactive functional group having a halogen, in particular, a fluorine substituent group so that it gives a compositional gradient in the alignment layer to improve an orientation rate, an orientation, and an adhesion property.
US08231942B2	Composition, method for manufacturing thin film, and method for manufacturing light-emitting element It is an object to provide a composition in which an anthracene derivative is dissolved and a technique in which a thin film that has a favorable film quality is formed by a wet process using the composition. In addition, it is another object to manufacture a highly reliable light-emitting element using the composition at low cost with high productivity. A composition having a solvent and an anthracene derivative having one anthracene structure and one carbazolyl group which is bonded to the anthracene structure directly or through a phenyl group is formed. A thin film with a favorable film quality can be formed by a wet process using the composition. Accordingly, a highly reliable light-emitting element can be manufactured using such a thin film.
US08231931B2	Method and apparatus for accurately applying structures to a substrate A method wherein a substrate is provided, wherein, in a scanning step, structures already applied to the substrate are detected by at least one scanning provision of a processing head, wherein the processing head is provided with at least one lighting provision, which lighting provision locally lights the applied lacquer structure in a lighting step by using the information obtained with the scanning step. Further, the invention discloses an apparatus for carrying out the method is described, which apparatus is provided with a processing head which is movable relative to a substrate carrier, wherein the processing head comprises at least one scanning provision and at least one lighting provision.
US08231927B2	Marked precoated medical device and method of manufacturing same A method of manufacturing a coated medical device, such as a medical guide wire, including at least applying a first colored coating to at least a first portion of an outer surface of a medical guide wire, securing a first end of the medical guide wire, and for each a designated quantity of turns, turn a second end of the medical guide wire upon a longitudinal axis of the medical guide wire. The method of manufacturing also includes securing the second end of the medical guide wire, blocking at least a first portion of the coated surface of the medical guide wire, applying a second contrasting colored coating to at least a second, unblocked portion of the outer surface of the medical guide wire and releasing the first end and the second end of the medical guide wire to display at least one spiral marking formed along a length of the medical guide wire.
US08231925B2	Ingredient systems comprising trehalose, food products containing trehalose, and methods of making same Methods for reducing the sodium content of finished food products comprising adding trehalose to suitable food products in an amount ranging from greater than 0% to less than 1.5% by weight of the finished food product and by optionally further adding sodium and or potassium. Ingredient systems for achieving salt (i.e. sodium) reduction in suitable food products are also provided. The ingredient systems comprise trehalose and can include sodium, potassium, or combinations thereof.
US08231919B2	Vertical flow french fryer Cooking of French fried potatoes by facilitating a generally vertical arrangement of potato strips while in the frying operation is disclosed wherein the slices may be cooked within a very deep pack while oil is urged to flow upwardly through the pack and steam entrapment within the cooking slice pack is minimized. A conveyor belt carrying the slices through the cooker has a multiplicity of openings facilitating oil flow there through and the cooker is configured to permit oil discharge for reheating purposes both laterally and longitudinally of the processing path.
US08231916B2	Use of a rice protein hydrolysate as pigmenting active principle The present invention concerns the use of a rice protein hydrolysate in order to pigment the skin and skin appendages. Thus, it is possible to intensify the normal pigmentation of the skin without sunlight. Preferred areas of applications are repigmentation of white patches of the skin, repigmentation of white patches of the skin as a consequence of pityriasis or due to the use of dermocorticoids; acceleration and intensification of the tanning process, stimulation of the constitutive photoprotection and improvement of the phototype, prevention of skin photocarcinogenesis. Advantageously, the rice protein hydrolysate comprises peptides of which at least 50% have a molecular mass in the range of between 300 and 3,500 Da.
US08231908B2	Sheet-like composition A sheet-shaped composition is provided which has an improved preservability and handling readiness, as well as a high flexibility in use. Amnion with trehalose added thereto is utilized. Addition of trehalose improves the flexibility of the amnion, and prevents basal membrane and stratum compactum from being damaged during lyophilization process.
US08231905B2	Gastric retained gabapentin dosage form A method of treatment for epilepsy and other disease states is described, which comprises the delivery of gabapentin in a gastric retained dosage form.
US08231902B2	Segmented pharmaceutical dosage forms A pharmaceutical tablet adapted for accurate division of a dose of a drug into two or more smaller doses, which tablet has two or more segments.
US08231901B2	Opioid agonist formulations with releasable and sequestered antagonist Disclosed are oral dosage forms, comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of an opioid agonist; (ii) an opioid antagonist in releasable form; and (iii) a sequestered opioid antagonist which is not released when the dosage form is administered intact, and methods thereof.
US08231895B2	Targeted delivery to human diseases and disorders The present invention provides a system presenting site-specific accumulation through a ligand that specifically targets a receptor overexpressed on the surface of specific cells within a target organ, like, for example, tumor cells and/or vascular cells of tumor blood vessels. Moreover, this invention provides a method where, upon internalization of the previous-mentioned system by the target cells, triggered release at a high rate of the associated agent takes place, permitting efficient intracellular delivery and, thus, increased concentration of the transported cargo at the target site. Overall, this invention provides a method for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of human diseases and disorders.
US08231888B2	Isoxazolines for controlling invertebrate pests Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, including all geometric and stereoisomers, N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6 are independently selected from the group consisting of CR3 and N; provided that at most 3 of A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6 is N; B1, B2 and B3 are independently selected from the group consisting of CR2 and N; each R3 is independently H, halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C6 halocycloalkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 haloalkoxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 haloalkylthio, C1-C6 alkylsulfinyl, C1-C6 haloalkylsulfinyl, C1-C6 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6 haloalkylsulfonyl, C1-C6 alkylamino, C2-C6 dialkylamino, —CN or —NO2; and R1, R2, R4, R5, W and n are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling an invertebrate pest comprising contacting the invertebrate pest or its environment with a biologically effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention.
US08231887B2	Pesticidal compositions The present disclosure relates to pesticidal compositions and to methods for controlling pests such as insects and other arthropods. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a pesticidal compositions containing mineral oil and one or more additional components which, when used in combination, act synergistically to control insect and pest populations.
US08231880B2	Simian subfamily C adenoviruses SAdV-40, -31, and -34 and uses thereof A recombinant vector comprises simian adenovirus SAdV-31 sequences and a heterologous gene under the control of regulatory sequences. A cell line which expresses simian adenovirus SAdV-31 gene(s) is also disclosed. Methods of using the vectors and cell lines are provided.
US08231878B2	Receptor trem (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells) and uses thereof Novel activating receptors of the Ig super-family expressed on human myeloid cells, called TREM(s) (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells) are provided. Specifically, two (2) members of TREMs, TREM-1 and TREM-2 are disclosed. TREM-1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed selectively on blood neutrophils and a subset of monocytes but not on lymphocytes and other cell types and is upregulated by bacterial and fungal products. Use of TREM-1 in treatment and diagnosis of various inflammatory diseases is also provided. TREM-2 is also a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed selectively on mast cells and peripheral dendritic cells (DCs) but not on granulocytes or monocytes. DC stimulation via TREM-2 leads to DC maturation and resistance to apoptosis, and induces strong upregulation of CCR7 and subsequent chemotaxis toward macrophage inflammatory protein 3-β. TREM-2 has utility in modulating host immune responses in various immune disorders, including autoimmune diseases and allergic disorders.
US08231873B2	Methods of treatment using antibodies to Neutrokine-alpha The present invention relates to a Neutrokine-alpha antibody and a process for producing a Neutrokine-alpha antibody. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying compounds that inhibit or enhance the action of Neutrokine-alpha. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting autoimmune disorders and therapeutic methods for treating autoimmune disorders using a Neutrokine-alpha antibody.
US08231870B2	Pharmaceutical preparation for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia The present invention relates to the use of at least one protease for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of benign prostate hypertrophy/hyperplasia, wherein the medicament is adapted for enteral administration, the at least one protease is selected from the group consisting of plant, non-mammalian animal and microbial proteases and the at least one protease is administered in an amount of 1 to 100 mg/kg body weight.
US08231869B2	Recombinant plasmin for opthalmic indications Methods of using polynucleotides and polypeptides relating to a recombinantly-modified plasmin(ogen) molecule are provided, including methods related to vitrectomy or vitreolysis. The plasmin(ogen) molecule has a single kringel domain N-terminal to the activation site present in the native human plasminogen molecule, and exhibits lysine-binding and significant enzymatic characteristics associated with the native enzyme.
US08231863B2	Continuous spray scalp therapy and dispensing systems for same A spray delivery system in combination with a scalp medication is provided which includes a portable container having a gas imperious container wall, a pressure source disposed within the container, and a selectively operable valve assembly affixed to the container. The scalp medication is in liquid form and is disposed within the container. The scalp medication comprises a hair growth stimulation or hair growth maintenance active ingredient in an amount sufficient to stimulate or maintain hair growth disposed within a pharmacologically acceptable carrier solution. The valve assembly of the system produces a 1 mL spray of said scalp medication within about 5 seconds following a single operation of said valve assembly. A method of treating alopecia using a continuous spray employing such a system is also provided. Both bag-on-valve (bag-in-can) and metered dose packages are disclosed.
US08231860B2	Diagnostic microspheres The invention provides a diagnostic composition for detecting both aspiration and gastroesophageal reflux comprising bio-degradable microspheres having a diameter of about 0.1-10 microns.
US08231855B2	Method for production of sulfur hexafluoride from sulfur tetrafluoride Disclosed is a method for an energy-efficient improvement in the production of sulfur hexafluoride, and eliminates the generation of other byproducts. The process is an oxidative fluorination of sulfur tetrafluoride by CoF3/F2, where CoF3 is solid stationary phase that can be regenerated.
US08231841B2	Chromium-free indicating device for chloride detection A chemical indicating device (10) for detection of chloride ions in a sample is provided. The chemical indicating device (10) includes a carrier matrix (12) and an indicator (14) having silver and vanadate supported on the carrier matrix (12). A method for detecting chloride ions is also provided.
US08231835B2	Mat product, manufacturing method of the mat product, exhaust gas treating apparatus, and muffler apparatus A mat product, includes a mat member including inorganic fibers and having a full length Lm; and a package member having an full length Lr; wherein the mat member is received in an inside space of the package member; the inside space of the package member is in gas-communication with an outside environment; and the full length Lr of the package member is greater than the full length Lm of the mat member and thereby the mat member can move in the inside space along a full length direction.
US08231829B2	Device for manipulating at least one specimen slide A device for manipulating at least one specimen slide. The device includes a first sensor unit operable to sense a first rotation of a first component of the device about at least one first axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system. A second sensor unit is operable to sense a second rotation of a second component of the device about the at least one first axis of the coordinate system, the coordinate system being independent of a position of the first component and of a position of the second component. A positioning unit is operable to position the second component relative to the first component.
US08231825B2	Method of producing a dental product Methods of producing a dental product are disclosed. Certain methods include the steps of providing a pre-sintered blank made from a green body of ceramic material, performing a machining operation on the blank, and subsequently sintering the blank to its final density in a sintering operation performed at a temperature in the range of 1300° C. to 1650° C. The pre-sintered blank that is provided may have a strength in the range of 53-107 MPa.
US08231822B2	Method for spinning a liquid matrix for production of nanofibres through electrostatic spinning of liquid matrix Method for spinning the liquid matrix (38) in electrostatic field between at least one spinning electrode (3) and against it arranged collecting electrode (4), while one of the electrodes is connected to one pole of high voltage source and the second electrode is connected to opposite pole of high voltage source or is grounded, at which the liquid matrix (38) being subject to spinning is to be found in electrostatic field on the active spinning zone (3100) of the cord (310) of the spinning means (31) of the spinning electrode (3). The active spinning zone (3100) of the cord during spinning process has a stable position towards the collecting electrode (4) and the liquid matrix (38) to the active spinning zone (3100) of the cord is delivered either by application to the active spinning zone (3100) of the cord or by motion of the cord (310) in direction of its length. The invention further relates to the device for production of nanofibres and to the spinning electrode (3), whose active spinning zone (3100) of the cord in the carrying body (32) of the spinning electrode (3) has a stable position and to the cord (310) there is assigned the device (37) for application of the liquid matrix (38) to the cord (310), which is arranged in the carrying body (32) of the spinning electrode (3).
US08231819B2	Movable injection passages during the manufacturing of laminates The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a laminate with the formation of underpressure between a mold (103) and a vacuum foil (105) and supply of resin from injection areas to the layers of the laminate situated in the mold. The novel aspect according to the invention comprises movement of the injection areas while the resin is supplied, This is accomplished by use of a movable suction unit (200) which is arranged on top of the vacuum foil and which, by means of an underpressure between the suction unit and the vacuum foil, forms injection areas for supply of the resin, which can be moved by moving the suction unit. The invention further relates to such movable suction unit and the use thereof in the manufacture of laminates.
US08231816B2	Medical wraps A method of forming a medical wrap including a flexible, sheet-form substrate with a discrete medical function delivery region having a surface adapted to be placed against a patient's skin to provide a desired medical effect. The substrate carries a field of fibers exposed for engagement by an array of fastener elements. The fastener elements each have a respective stem extending integrally from a band of resin extending along the substrate. The fastener elements are constructed to snag the exposed fibers when the substrate is wrapped about a patient in an overlapping manner, securing the wrap about the patient with the medical function delivery region in a desired position. The wrap is configured for use as a hot or cold pack, a medical dressing, or drug delivery device.
US08231812B2	ZnO vapor deposition material, process for producing the same, and ZnO film A ZnO vapor deposition material for formation of a transparent conductive film or the like consists mainly of a porous ZnO sintered body containing one or more first additive elements selected from Ce, La, Y, Pr, Nd, Pm, and Sm, and second additive elements selected from Al, Ga, Sc, and B. The content of the first additive elements is higher than the content of the second additive elements. The content of the first additive elements is in a range of 0.1 to 14.9% by mass, and the content of the second additive elements is in a range of 0.1 to 10% by mass. The sintered body has a porosity of 3 to 50%.
US08231801B2	Fire-extinguishing aerosol composition for precision electric appliances A fire-extinguishing aerosol for precision electric appliance is disclosed, which includes oxidant, flammable agent, adhesive and additive. The composition of the present invention is characterized in that the oxidant is the mixture of the potassium salt and the strontium salt, in which the content of the potassium salt oxidant is more than or equal to 5 mass % to less than 15 mass % of the total mass of the composition, and the content of the strontium salt oxidant is more than 52 mass % to less than or equal to 60 mass % of the total mass of the composition. In the fire-extinguishing aerosol composition of the present invention, the particle average diameter of all components is less than 50 μm. After quenching the fire in the space in which the precision electric appliance is installed, the fire-extinguishing aerosol composition of the present invention can ensure that the dielectric resistance of the precision electric appliance is more than or equal to 100 MΩ. The fire-extinguishing aerosol composition of the present invention is more reasonable than the prior art, friendly to the environment, and applicable to the precision electric appliance.
US08231792B2	Purification of ionic liquids The invention relates to a process for purifying an ionic liquid, which comprises the steps (a) partial crystallization of the ionic liquid from its melt and (b) separation of the crystals from the residual melt.
US08231773B2	Method of treating nanoparticles using an intermittently processing electrochemical cell A method of treating electrically conductive nanoparticles using a dynamic processing electrochemical cell.
US08231763B2	Wood composition containing olefins, use of olefins for rendering raw wood materials water repellent, and method for the production of wood materials The invention relates to a wood composition containing olefin and raw wood materials, the use of said olefins for rendering raw wood materials water repellent, and a method for producing wood materials therefrom. The raw wood materials contain or are made of lignocellulose and are provided in the form of fibers, strands, or chips.
US08231761B2	Creping adhesive modifier and process for producing paper products The present invention relates to the use of a quaternary ammonium complex comprising at least one non-cyclic amide as a modifier for a creping adhesive used on a creping cylinder, e.g., a Yankee dryer.
US08231759B2	Plasma processing apparatus A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, a sample stage for mounting an object to be processed, a power supply, and at least one induction coil connected to the power supply. The induction coil is formed by connecting at least two identical coil elements in a parallel circuit-like arrangement so that current flows in each of the plurality of identical coil elements in a same direction when viewed from the sample stage. The induction coil is positioned so that a center thereof corresponds to a center of the object, and input ends of the coil elements are displaced circumferentially at equal angular intervals calculated by dividing 360° by the number of identical coil elements.
US08231754B2	Coloring composition, thermal transfer recording ink sheet, thermal transfer recording method, color toner, inkjet ink, color filter, and dye compound An dye compound of the following formula (1): wherein D represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; L represents ═CR2—, ═N—, or ═N—NH—; R1 represents a monovalent substituent; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a cyano group; n indicates an integer of from 0 to 4; when n is 2 or more, then plural R1's may be the same or different.
US08231750B2	Method for covering a vehicle interior part with leather, in particular a vehicle steering wheel A method for covering a vehicle interior part with leather, particularly a vehicle steering wheel, includes the following steps: A leather piece being cut to size and having a front side, a rear side, and edges is provided with a thermoplastic layer on the rear side. The leather piece is fastened on the vehicle interior part by a high frequency welding process in a region of the thermoplastic layer.
US08231748B1	Scalable low-energy modified ball mill preparation of nanoenergetic composites A large-scale synthetic method that enables the preparation of nanoenergetic composites in kilogram scales which forms superior materials as compared to the ultra-sonicated nanoenergetic composites and at a lower cost for use in explosive, pyrotechnic, agent defeat, ammunition primers, and propellant applications.
US08231747B2	Inflator assembly An inflator assembly having an inflator body that forms a chamber wherein a quantity of a gas generating solid reacts to form gas. A quantity of gas treatment material is included to treat the formed gas to form a treated gas. At least one assembly exit opening permits the treated gas to exit the inflator assembly. The required gas generating solid has a flame temperature of no more than 1670 K with the inflator assembly having significant weight and volume reductions as compared to an otherwise identical performing inflator assembly that utilizes gas generating composition having higher flame temperatures.
US08231745B2	Sputtering target and method of fabrication A process is described for processing metal which includes clock rolling a metal plate until the desired thickness is achieved to form a rolled plate. Sputtering targets and other metal articles are further described.
US08231738B2	Dishwasher tub having integral hinge support member, and dishwasher incorporating same A dishwasher comprises a tub formed as a molded plastic structure having a bottom wall joined to a plurality of vertical walls, and a top wall joined to upper ends of the vertical walls, so as to define a wash chamber, a front side of the tub defining an opening for access to the wash chamber; (b) a door for closing the opening in the front side of the tub; (c) a hinge support member integrally molded with the tub and located proximate the front edge of the bottom wall of the tub; and (d) a pair of hinge plates respectively secured to the opposite side edges of the door and pivotally engaged with the hinge support member on the tub to enable the door to pivot relative to the tub about a horizontal pivot axis defined by the hinge support member.
US08231733B2	Aqueous stripping and cleaning composition The present invention relates to a method used to remove post etch organic and inorganic residue as well polymeric residues and contaminants from semiconductor substrates. In one aspect, the method involves contacting the substrate with a composition are comprised of a water soluble organic solvent, a sulfonic acid and water.
US08231732B2	Cleaning method and substrate processing apparatus A cleaning method that can prevent abnormal wear of an O-ring. A cleaning gas containing at least oxygen gas is supplied to the interior of a chamber in which a substrate is accommodated, and radio-frequency voltage is applied to the interior of the chamber to produce oxygen radicals from the cleaning gas. When the amount of deposit produced in the chamber in plasma processing is larger than a predetermined amount, the amount of fluorine radicals in the chamber is increased, and when the amount of the deposit is smaller than the predetermined amount, the amount of fluorine radicals in the chamber is decreased.
US08231731B2	Substrate processing apparatus A process for producing a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of conducting film formation on substrate (10) in reactor (1); and unloading the substrate (10) after film formation from the reactor (1) and thereafter effecting forced air cooling of the interior of the reactor (1) while the substrate (10) is absent in the reactor (1). The stress of deposited film adhering in the reactor (1) is increased over that exhibited at air cooling without blower so as to positively generate thermal stress with the result that the deposited film would undergo forced cracking over that exhibited at air cooling without blower. Microparticles scattered by the cracking are efficiently discharged from the reactor forcibly through purging in the reactor in the state of atmospheric pressure.
US08231728B2	Epitaxial growth process An epitaxial growth method forming a semiconductor thin film including a heterojunction of a group III-V compound semiconductor by means of molecular beam epitaxy. The method is configured to include: a first step of irradiating a molecular beam of at least one of group III elements and a molecular beam of a first group V element to form a first compound semiconductor layer; a second step of stopping the irradiation of the molecular beam of the group III element and the molecular beam of the first group V element to halt growth until an amount of the first group V element supplied is reduced to 1/10 or less of a supply of the first group V element in the first step; and a third step of irradiating a molecular beam of at least one of the group III elements and a molecular beam of a second group V element to form a second compound semiconductor layer, which is different from the first compound semiconductor, on the first compound semiconductor layer.
US08231722B2	Injet printing method and ink set In an inkjet printing system using an emulsion ink, it is aimed that printing density is improved particularly for a normal paper. An inkjet printing method is provided, in which printing is performed by ejecting one of first and second inks onto a printing medium, and then successively ejecting the other ink so as to overlay it in the one ink, wherein the first ink is a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion ink comprising the coloring material which is provided with an acidic group on a surface in the water phase, and the second ink is a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion ink comprising a polyvalent metal salt in the water phase. Preferable acidic group is carboxylic group, sulfuric acid group and phosphoric group. Preferable polyvalent metal salt is a salt composed of metal ions such as Ca++, Cu++, Ni++, Mg++, Zn++, Ba++, Al+++, Fe+++ and Cr+++.
US08231710B2	Membranes and processes for their manufacture and use A process for preparing a membrane comprising the steps of providing a composition comprising a polymerizable compound having at least 25 oxyethylene groups and at least two non-substituted vinyl groups, applying the composition to a support thereby forming a continuous layer on the support, and polymerizing the composition thereby forming a non-porous polymer film. Also claimed are the resultant membranes and their uses, e.g. for separating polar and non-polar gases.
US08231705B2	Firmly adhering silicon nitride-containing release layer The invention relates to a slip for producing a durable, firmly adhering release layer on a substrate, comprising a suspension of solid particles, wherein the solid particles comprise 67-95% by weight of silicon nitride and 5-33% by weight of an SiO2-based high-temperature binder and the SiO2-based high-temperature binder is derived from SiO2 precursors and has been pretreated by heat treatment in a temperature range of 300-1300° C.The invention further provides shaped bodies comprising a substrate having a durable, firmly adhering release layer and also processes for producing them. The shaped bodies of the invention are suitable for use in the field of corrosive nonferrous metal melts.
US08231704B2	Silver particles and processes for making them A silver powder comprising silver particles, each silver particle comprising silver components 100-2000 nm long, 20-100 nm wide and 20-100 nm thick assembled to form a spherically-shaped, open-structured particle, wherein the d50 particle size is from about 2.5 μm to about 6 μm is disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for making these silver particles. The silver particles formed are particularly useful in electronic applications.
US08231702B2	Metallurgical powder composition and method of production An annealed prealloyed water atomised iron-based powder is provided which is suitable for the production of pressed and sintered components having high wear resistance. The iron-based powder comprises 15-30% by weight of Cr, 0.5-5% by weight of each of at least one of Mo, W and V, and 0.5-2%, preferably 0.7-2% and most preferably 1-2% by weight of C. The powder has a matrix comprising less than 10% by weight of Cr, and comprises large chromium carbides. A method for production of the iron-based powder also is provided.
US08231698B2	Polycrystalline diamond abrasive compacts The invention is for a polycrystalline diamond abrasive compact comprising a layer of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented tungsten carbide substrate. The polycrystalline diamond defines a plurality of interstices and a binder phase is distributed in the interstices to form binder pools. The polycrystalline diamond is characterized by the presence of a separate tungsten particulate phase in the binder phase, in excess of 0.05 volume % but not greater than 2 volume %, expressed as a % of the total polycrystalline diamond, and the binder phase further containing a low eta-phase, Co3W3C, content as determined by conventional XRD analysis, an XRD peak height of the <511> eta-phase (Co3W3C) peak which is less than 0.06 when expressed as a fraction of the peak height of the <200> cubic cobalt peak. The invention extends to a composition and to a method for manufacturing the polycrystalline diamond abrasive compact.
US08231695B2	Fuel compositions comprising hydrocarbon oil carriers and methods for using the same The use of fuel compositions comprising selected hydrocarbon oils as carriers for detergents has been found to reduce deposit formation as well as prolong the functionality of fuel injectors. The selection and utilization of particularly characterized hydrocarbon oils as detergent carriers reduces intake valve deposits and combustion chamber deposits, in comparison to conventionally used carrier fluids.
US08231693B2	5-substituted 2-(alkoxymethyl)furans The present invention concerns a method for the manufacture of a 5-substituted 2-(alkoxymethyl)furan (or a mixture of such furans) by reacting a starting material comprising at least a 5-substituted furfural with hydrogen in the presence of an alcohol and a catalyst system.
US08231692B2	Method for manufacturing an electronic device During manufacture of an electronic device, an aerogel coating is applied to a first side of an IC substrate of a first IC. A bonding procedure is initiated, during which IC interconnects are either placed on the coated side of the substrate or on the opposite side of the substrate. The first IC is connected on a carrier to a second IC with the coated side of the first IC facing the second IC to reduce heat transmission to the second IC during operation of the first IC. The aerogel coating reduces thermal stress to the circuit board and surrounding components, reduces the risk of overheating of critical circuit components, provides chemical and mechanical insulation from contamination during subsequent wafer handling operations, and provides a thermal isolator between IC regions of dissimilar power dissipation, which isolator facilitates efficient thermal extraction from localized hotspots.
US08231688B2	Semi-actuated transfemoral prosthetic knee A semi-actuated above knee prosthetic system, which is mostly passive in nature and includes a shank link coupled to an artificial foot, a knee mechanism connected to the shank link and a thigh link attached to an above-knee remaining lower limb of an amputee, is operable in either an actuated mode or an un-actuated mode controlled by a signal processor linked to various prosthetic mounted sensors which may include combinations of knee angle, stance, thigh angle and shank angle sensors. Power is delivered through an electric motor connected to a battery source and employed to drive a hydraulic pump which is part of an overall hydraulic power unit including the torque generator. A signal processor selects a swing state from at least forward, combination forward and descent, combination forward and ascent, reverse, combination reverse and descent, and combination reverse and ascent swing states.
US08231682B2	Instrument for use in a joint replacement procedure A trial implant component for use in a surgical procedure for replacement of a joint between a long bone and another bone, comprises a metaphyseal part which can be located so that it extends into a cavity at the resected face of the long bone in contact with the internal wall of the cavity in the metaphyseal region, and a disk which has an essentially flat shape and which can be fitted to the metaphyseal part to provide a gauge as to the appropriate size of a head part which is to be selected according to the location of the axis of the bone relative to the edge of the resected bone.
US08231664B2	Devices and methods for controlling patient temperature Relatively non-invasive devices and methods for heating or cooling a patient's body are disclosed. Devices and methods for treating ischemic conditions by inducing therapeutic hypothermia are disclosed. Devices and methods for inducing therapeutic hypothermia through esophageal cooling are disclosed. Devices and methods for operative temperature management are disclosed.
US08231663B2	Orthopedic plate The present invention relates to an orthopedic plate and screw system and instruments for surgical fixation of a small bone or bones including specifically the small bones of the spine. The plate facilitates three dimensional contouring to provide for a variety of applications and to accommodate individual variation in bone shape. The plate has a modified x shape including a central trunk portion including one or more screw holes along a longitudinal axis and a set of divergent upper and an oppositely extending set of divergent lower arms, each arm including screw holes which are placed at a radially equal distance but which diverging asymmetrically from the longitudinal axis relative to its paired upper or lower mate. The screws of the system are self-starting, self-tapping screws including the option of partial or full cannulation. In a further embodiment, the plate is intended for use through the length of the spine.
US08231662B2	Bone fixation with a strut-stabilized bone plate A system and a method for bone fixation are provided. A bone plate may be secured to at least one bone. A monolithic region of the bone plate may be bent to a bent configuration. A strut may be connected to the bone plate. In some embodiments, the strut may be connected at spaced positions of the bone plate that opposingly flank the monolithic region, such that the bent configuration is stabilized.
US08231658B2	Introducer device with locking adaptor Introducer Device comprises (a) Housing including (1) Housing Lumen sized and shaped to slidably receive a visualization device therein and (2) Slot sized to receive therein a projection extending from visualization device received in Lumen radially away from Lumen; (b) Sheath extending distally from handle and being sized and shaped for insertion through a natural body opening into a hollow body organ, Sheath including a fluid delivery lumen delivering heated fluid to the organ and a fluid return lumen withdrawing the fluid after it has been circulated through the organ; (c) Connector including Connector Lumen aligned with Lumen and sized and shaped to slidably receive therein visualization device; (d) Locking arrangement movably coupled to Housing, movement relative to the housing opening and closing Slot; and (e) Adjustment mechanism moving Connector relative to Housing to adjust distance between a proximal end of Connector Lumen and a distal end of Sheath.
US08231656B2	Adjustable spine distraction implant An adjustable spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume and/or cross sectional area in the spinal canal and/or neural foramen. The adjustable implant provides a spinal extension inhibitor. The implant includes elliptical or oval shaped adjustable member or spacer for positioning between and adjustably spacing apart the spinous processes.
US08231655B2	Prostheses and methods for replacement of natural facet joints with artificial facet joint surfaces Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. The cephalad prostheses are adapted and configured to be attached to a lamina portion of a vertebra without blocking a pedicle portion of the cephalad vertebra. In some embodiments, the prosthesis is attached with a non-invasive support member, such as a clamp. In other embodiments, a translaminar screw may be used for additional fixation.
US08231634B2	Methods of predetermining the contour of a resected bone surface and assessing the fit of a prosthesis on the bone Methods for predetermining a contour of a resected bone surface and assessing a fit of a prosthesis on the resected bone surface, for designing prostheses to fit discrete patient populations, and for designing customized prostheses.
US08231629B2	System and method for locating of distal holes of an intramedullary nail The present invention relates to alignment systems and methods for detecting a distal hole of an intramedullary nail. A jig is attached to the proximal end of the nail and also mounted on the bone. The jig has an adjustable positioning head that includes a drill axis hole along with an alignment pin. The alignment pin includes reference marks that are visible in X-ray images and helps to align the positioning head drill axis with the distal hole of the intramedullary nail. A light source is insertable into the nail in order to shine light out of the distal hole to illuminate a spot on the bone surface as an alignment aid. Viewing optics are mountable on the positioning head for viewing the illuminated spot created by the light source in the intramedullary nail.
US08231625B2	Modular bone fixation device for treatment of fractures and related methods A bone fixation device may include a primary bone plate. The primary bone plate may include an elongate member having a first fastener-receiving passageway therein to receive a first fastener to anchor the primary bone plate to a long bone of a patient, and an enlarged head member extending from the elongate member and having a secondary bone plate-receiving passageway therein. The bone fixation device may also include a secondary bone plate received in the secondary bone plate-receiving passageway and having a second fastener-receiving passageway therein to receive a second fastener to anchor the secondary bone plate to fractured end portions of the long bone of the patient.
US08231624B1	Dynamic surgical implant A surgical implant device capable of conforming to a variety of surface topographies facilitates the growth and regeneration of site to which the device is applied. The device employs a plurality of elongate members supporting a column of discrete, rotatable elements in contact with each adjacent element. Anchor plates secure the respective ends of the elongate members, such anchor plates attachable to bone. The implant device provides and ordered array of individually rotatable elements to form a surface that permits bodily fluids to pass therethough.
US08231621B2	Method of and apparatus for positioning and maintaining the position of endoscopic instruments The present invention provides an apparatus for, and a method of, accurate positioning of endoscopic instruments. Accurate positioning of the instruments is accomplished through the inclusion of a steering ability within the device. After the endoscopic instrument is properly positioned, the present invention may use rapid exchange technology, soft locks, and mechanical locks to maintain the position of the endoscopic instrument. Rapid exchange technology is used to minimize displacement forces present on the guidewire or catheters. Soft locks and mechanical locks resist movements caused by displacement forces.
US08231618B2	Magnetically guided energy delivery apparatus This invention describes an energy delivery apparatus for delivering electrical energy at a target location, said energy delivery apparatus being usable in combination with a magnetic field and comprising an electrical conductor having a substantially elongated configuration; an electrode for delivering electrical energy at the target location, with the electrode being electrically coupled to the electrical conductor and having an exposed surface with at least a portion of the exposed surface having one of its principal radii of curvature smaller than 0.35 mm; an insulating dielectric coating along a substantial portion of the length of the electrical conductor, with the dielectric coating having a dielectric constant smaller than about 3; at least one guiding element mounted to the electrical conductor, with at least one of the guiding elements including a magnetically responsive material. The magnetic field is used to move the guiding element in order to position the electrode substantially adjacent to the target location.
US08231615B2	Electrosurgical medical system and method A medical device system and method provide an RF electrosurgical generator coupled to an electrosurgical electrode via a patient box disposed in close proximity to the patient. An RF signal is delivered from the generator to the patient box where signal power is increased and the RF signal delivered to the electrosurgical electrode. The patient box is coupled to the electrosurgical electrode by a short cable capable of carrying an HV, high frequency 5 MHz signal without leakage. An electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode is monitored and a desired RF power output and duty cycle maintained by adjusting DC input voltage applied to an RF amplifier, responsive to the monitoring. The system determines when the electrosurgical cutting electrode has started cutting and switches from a start mode to a run mode having a different RF duty cycle and a reduced RF power output controlled by a servo system.
US08231608B2	Drug-delivery pumps and methods of manufacture Embodiments of an implantable electrolytic pump include a first expandable diaphragm and a second flexible diaphragm, and first and second chambers each for containing a fluid, wherein the first expandable diaphragm separates the first and second chambers and provides a fluid barrier therebetween, and the second chamber is formed between the first expandable diaphragm and the second flexible diaphragms. The pump may further include electrolysis electrodes within the first chamber for causing generation of a gas therein and to thereby expand the expandable diaphragm so that fluid is forced from the second chamber into a cannula.
US08231605B2	Dialysis catheter A catheter assembly includes catheter having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending between the ends. At least one end of the catheter is formed from a material that can be trimmed to achieve a selected length for the catheter. A tubular connector is telescoped over the catheter and a hub is joined to the tubular connector. Proximal portions of the hub are configured for connection to a medical apparatus. A cuff is mounted around the tubular connector or the catheter. The cuff is formed from a material that will permit or promote the growth of scar tissue for anchoring the catheter device at least on a semi-permanent basis in a patient.
US08231600B2	Intracranial aspiration catheter Disclosed is an access catheter, having a distal segment which is movable from a reduced outside diameter for positioning at a target site, and an enlarged outside diameter to create an enlarged internal working lumen. In one application, the catheter is configured for use as an intracranial aspiration catheter. Methods are also disclosed.
US08231595B2	Stretchable laminates of nonwoven web(s) and elastic film A stretchable laminate, a process of making a stretchable laminate and a disposable absorbent article that includes a stretchable laminate are disclosed. The stretchable laminate includes a nonwoven web and a web of elastomeric material. The nonwoven web includes two layers of spunbond multi-component fibers and one layer of meltblown fibers. The multi-component fibers include a first polymer and a second polymer having different melt temperatures. Thermo-bonds are formed at least partially through the nonwoven web. Some of the thermo-bonds can be elongated in the cross-machine direction of the nonwoven web.
US08231594B2	Absorbent article having stretchable fastening member An absorbent article comprising a stretchable fastening member is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises a chassis and a stretchable fastening member. The chassis extends longitudinally and laterally and comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The stretchable fastening member comprises a fixed portion permanently joined to the chassis, a distal portion provided with a fastening material and a stretchable panel positioned between the fixed portion and the distal portion. The stretchable fastening member is joined to the chassis such that the distal portion is positioned laterally outwardly from the fixed portion in the flat-out configuration of the stretchable fastening member. The stretchable panel of the stretchable fastening member comprises a first stretchable zone and a second stretchable zone disposed in the lateral direction. The first stretchable zone is capable of providing extensibility upon an initially applied extension force. Extensibility of the second stretchable zone is restricted by a restriction means until the restriction means is inactivated, and the restriction means is inactivated upon a further applied extension force such that the second stretchable zone provides an additional extensibility to reduce a stress developed in the stretchable panel.

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