Document Document Title
US08340041B2 Method and apparatus for allocating ranging channel in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus of allocating a ranging channel in a wireless communication system is provided. A base station (BS) allocates at least one first ranging channel, having a first structure, and at least one second ranging channel, having a second structure, to a ranging subframe. The first structure or the second structure can be one of the ranging channel structures of an IEEE 802.16e system. A number of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols included in the first structure and a number of OFDM symbols included in the second structure differs from each other. And a guard time including at least one OFDM symbol is allocated between the at least one first ranging channel and the at least one second ranging channel.
US08340038B2 Method for time frequency spreading in a femtocell network for interference reduction
A femtocell network uses idle resource blocks of a data frame to reduce interference by spreading the resource blocks of the users over the available spectrum. Spreading may be achieved by repeating the transmission using a number of the resource block groups. As a result, (a) more robustness is obtained against interference; (b) transmission power levels may be decreased because of the spreading, resulting in reducing interference between nearby femtocells and between a macrocell and a femtocell. Other methods of spreading such a frequency or time slot hopping may also be used.
US08340036B2 Combined base transceiver station and base station controller data call and quality of service
A system, method, and computer readable medium for determining a data call rate comprises determining if a supplemental channel (SCH) should be allocated, if the SCH should be allocated, potentially altering the data rate, requesting an SCH allocation at a current data rate or the altered data rate, and receiving a response to the request with the current data rate, the altered data rate, or a further altered data rate.
US08340029B2 Resource allocation in wireless multi-hop relay networks
Technologies that, among other things, provide resource allocation in multi-hop wireless networks with relay stations and can be used to supply information to link data packets with a respective resource allocation.
US08340028B2 Mobile station, radio access network apparatus, mobile communication system and discontinuous reception method
A mobile station includes: means that performs discontinuous reception only for a signaling control channel, means that determines presence or absence of traffic data addressed to the own mobile station, and means that, when it is determined that there is traffic data addressed to the own mobile station, receives corresponding shared data channel. A radio access network apparatus includes: means that determines a discontinuous reception state, means that determines a discontinuous reception channel, means that reports the determined discontinuous reception channel to the mobile station, and means that, when transmission data arises, transmits a control signal using the determined discontinuous reception channel and that transmits traffic data using a corresponding shared data channel.
US08340022B2 Wireless location determination system and method
Disclosed herein is a wireless location determination system and method.A wireless location determination system of the present invention includes one or more location determination nodes (reception units) for calculating standard deviations of time intervals between pulses sequentially received from a location determination target, and estimating reliability values from the standard deviations. A location determination server receives messages, including the reliability values, from the location determination nodes, and obtains a location of the location determination target (transmission unit). Accordingly, the present invention can not only improve the resolution of location determination by correcting the distances between the location determination target and the respective location determination nodes, but also can easily observe the location determination performance of a relevant node by monitoring reliability values of the location determination nodes, and can regard the reliability values as measures for the observation of performance and the maintenance of location determination nodes.
US08340020B2 Method and gateway for routing international mobile telephone calls
A gateway for routing an international mobile telephone call comprises a storage device and a cost-saving routing module. The storage device is configured to store a mapping table and a call record table. The mapping table records a mobile phone number of a roaming subscriber and a fixed network number, and the call record table records a caller's phone number and the mobile phone number of the roaming subscriber. The cost-saving routing module is configured to establish a connection in accordance with the mapping table and call record table.
US08340019B2 Radio communication system, radio communication method, and base station for controlling a transmission rate of uplink user data
A base station includes: a determination unit that determines whether or not a total of an initial transmission rate and assigned transmission rates exceeds a maximum receiving transmission rate when the base station receives a communication start request from a radio terminal; a selecting unit that selects a decrease target terminal when the total of the initial transmission rate and the assigned transmission rates exceeds the maximum receiving transmission rate; and a transmitting unit that transmits transmission rate decrease data to the decrease target terminal, and the base station causes the total of the initial transmission rate and the assigned transmission rates to be equal to or less than the maximum receiving transmission rate by transmitting the transmission rate decrease data.
US08340018B2 Wireless communication system, radio base station apparatus and radio terminal apparatus
A wireless communication system comprises radio base station apparatuses each of which transmits an estimation pilot in advance for estimating the quality of a downlink communication after a spatial signal processing performed after a time unified among the radio base station apparatuses; and radio terminal apparatuses each of which receives the estimation pilot to determine the quality of the downlink communication, thereby reporting the determined downlink communication quality to the radio base station apparatus via an uplink channel. The estimation pilot is transmitted at the same time and frequency established among the radio base station apparatuses by use of the same directivity beam as used for transmitting the data after the unified time.
US08340017B2 Message generation system and method for managing the delivery of mobile-terminated (MT) calls in IMS network environment
In one embodiment, a message generation scheme is disclosed that is operable with respect to user data information relating to the signaling of an IMS message over a CS network. A number of User Data Items (UDIs) may be configured at one of the entities, e.g., a UE device or a network node, wherein each UDI is operable to contain a plurality of Information Element Identifiers (IEIs). For a select IEI, an Information Element Data Length (IEDL) structure is provided that is operable to indicate a length of data associated with the select IEI, wherein the data comprises at least a portion of the user data information. One or more alternative signaling (AS) messages are generated for transmission to a second entity, wherein the AS messages include one or more of the UDIs.
US08340008B2 Fault tolerance in wireless networks
A network includes a plurality of logical access entities. Each access entity includes two or more communication interfaces. The network further includes a plurality of logical node entities. Each logical node entity includes two or more communication interfaces that are configured to wirelessly communicate in a redundant manner with any of the logical access entities. In an embodiment, a communication degradation in the network is assessed, and the network is configured as a function of that assessment to provide fault tolerance within the network.
US08340003B2 H-ARQ acknowledgment detection validation by re-decoding
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate reliably receiving a sequence of data packets in a wireless communications environment. In particular, mechanisms are provided that enhance hybrid automatic repeat request protocols through validation of acknowledgment message detection by re-decoding. A transmitter sends a data packet from a sequence of packets in one or more data transmissions. A receiver acknowledges the data packet upon obtaining sufficient transmissions to decode the packet. The receiver re-decodes a successive data transmission in combination with previously received transmissions to validate if the transmitter detected the acknowledgment.
US08339997B2 Media based collaboration using mixed-mode PSTN and internet networks
A method which allows standard telephone users to audio conference with video conferencing participants over IP networks in a private secure environment. A dial-out is performed from one or more conference client terminals bridging audio between the Internet and the PSTN networks. The process uses a mixed mode hybrid network architecture for call set-up, initialization and teardown including the method to mix audio at the desktop terminal instead of in a general purpose server as in the prior art. The method conferences video and audio between multiple clients and include audio from a standard telephone network within the conference. A virtual private network connects all of the IP clients together including the voice over IP server used to transcode the proprietary audio into the H.323 standard for transport into the telephony network.
US08339996B2 PIM sparse-mode emulation over MPLS LSP's
An apparatus and method for emulating a shared or source distribution tree within an MPLS network. In one embodiment of the method, a router receives a multicast data packet. The router transmits the multicast data packet to a first router via a first point-to-point label switched path (LSP). The router replicates the multicast data packet to produce a replicated multicast data packet. Then the router transmits the replicated multicast data packet to a second router via a second point-to-point LSP. The first point-to-point LSP is distinct from the second point-to-point LSP.
US08339992B2 System and method to provision MPLS/VPN network
Systems and methods of automatically determining a set of route targets is provided. The method includes receiving network topology data specifying configuration of a network. The method also includes automatically converting the network topology data into route targets to be assigned to virtual routing and forwarding elements. The route targets are grouped into sets and duplicate sets of route targets are removed based on the route targets between duplicate sets of route targets identified as being the same. The method further includes generating a data record including information related to the set of route targets.
US08339990B1 System and method for matching capabilities of access points with those required by an application
A system and method uses a communication request and/or historical data collected by one or more devices to identify whether to fulfill the request using ad hoc networking or access points. If an access point is determined to be used, the system and method attempts to identify those access points that can best fulfill the request and then attempts to use such access points to fulfill the request.
US08339989B2 Ad-hoc simple configuration
A protocol governing the operation of an ad-hoc WLAN enables each device in the WLAN to be configured as a registrar and/or an enrollee. Accordingly, each device is configurable to support both the registrar as well as enrollee modes of operations. In response to a time-driven user action, the device may be configured to enter into a registrar mode or an enrollee mode. While in the registrar mode, the device enters into an aggressive beaconing phase by setting its beacon contention window to a relatively very small value. The aggressive beaconing increases the probability of the discovery of the registrar by the enrollees. Optionally the device may prompt the user to select between a registrar and an enrollee mode of operation by displaying the option on an LCD panel.
US08339967B2 Method and apparatus for generating data frame
Provided is a method and apparatus for generating a data frame. The method includes: generating a plurality of subframes by using at least one medium access control (MAC) service data unit (MSDU); generating at least one field of an unequal error protection (UEP) field indicating whether UEP is applied to the subframes, a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) field indicating a modulation and coding scheme applied to each of the subframes, and a length field indicating the length of each of the subframes; and generating a data frame by using the subframes and the at least one of the UEP field, the MCS field, and the length field.
US08339952B1 Protocol offload transmit traffic management
Transfer of data is facilitated between at least one application and a peer via a network. Data destined for the peer is provided from the at least one application for transmission to the peer via the network. Modulation event tokens are managed, and protocol processing of the data with the peer is based in part on a result of the modulation event tokens managing such that protocol processed data is caused to be transmitted to the peer via the network nominally with desired data transmission rate characteristics. A result of the protocol processing step is fed back to the to the modulation event tokens managing. The desired data transmission rate characteristics may include, for example, shaping and pacing.
US08339951B2 Method for configuration of a load balancing algorithm in a network device
A method for configuration of a network device is described herein. Counter information for one or more ports of a plurality of ports of the network device is managed. The one or more ports are aggregated to a logical port in a logical communication channel. The counter information may be determined by the network device. A current load balancing algorithm is determined. The current load balancing algorithm is set for use on network packets on egress out of the logical port. Statistics are determined using the counter information and the current load balancing algorithm. Based on the statistics, the network device is configured with an available load balancing algorithm of a plurality of load balancing algorithms available to the network device.
US08339950B2 Router and queue processing method thereof
A queue processing method and a router perform cache update and queue processing based upon whether or not the packet capacity stored in the queue exceeds a rising threshold, or whether the packet capacity stored in the queue is below a falling threshold after the packet capacity stored in the queue has exceeded the rising threshold. This queue processing method and router makes it possible to eliminate overhead associated with the update of flow information by using two caches, while concomitantly removing the inequality of packet flows via RED queue management with the expedient of using two caches.
US08339949B2 Priority-aware hierarchical communication traffic scheduling
Priority-aware hierarchical communication traffic scheduling methods and apparatus are disclosed. Communication traffic is scheduled by schedulers. Each scheduler supports a multiple priority scheduling function to schedule communication traffic having any of multiple priorities. The communication traffic scheduled by the schedulers is further scheduled based on the priorities of the communication traffic scheduled by each of the schedulers. Traffic shaping may also be integrated into a hierarchical scheduler. The priority-aware further scheduling and the optional shaping may be implemented, for example, using multiple Active lists, one per traffic priority, and a Pending list to which a scheduler can be added if it has communication traffic to schedule but is not allowed to schedule that traffic due to the shaping.
US08339937B2 Communications network
A distributed Internet Protocol communications network comprises a central control system comprising control processing means and at least one access point remote from the central control system for providing access to the packet based communications network. Under normal operating conditions the at least one access point is controlled by the control processing means. The network also comprises an emergency processing distinct from the central control system for controlling the at least one access point when there is a failure in the control processing means control of the at least one access point.
US08339927B2 Write-once read-many information recording medium, information recording method, information reproduction method, information recording apparatus, and information reproduction apparatus
A write-once read-many information recording medium is provided, which is capable of easily searching for a latest DDS and a latest defect list. At least one disc management working area is sequentially allocated in a predetermined direction on the write-once read-many information recording medium of the present invention. The latest defect list and the latest DDS are provided in a recorded disc management working area neighboring a border between the recorded disc management working area and an unrecorded disc management working area, where the latest defect list precedes the latest DDS in the predetermined direction.
US08339914B2 Digital broadcast receiver
Provided is a digital broadcast receiver capable of displaying a message, a list of titles of contents or the like together with a viewing screen without interrupting viewing of contents. The digital broadcast receiver includes a controller 25 configured to determine whether an optical disc inserted into the receiver is a read-only optical disc or a recordable optical disc and also to control a display screen. Upon insertion of an optical disc, the controller 25 causes a display screen including a first display area and a second display area to be displayed, the first display area displaying digital broadcast or external input contents, the second display area displaying a message indicating that the optical disc is being prepared. In a case where the optical disc is a read-only optical disc, the controller 25 causes only a playback screen of contents recorded in the optical disc to be displayed upon completion of the preparation of the optical disc. In a case where the optical disc is a recordable disc, the controller 25 causes a list of titles of contents recorded in the optical disc to be further displayed in the second display area, and deletes the message in the second display area upon completion of the preparation of the optical disc.
US08339908B2 Optical recording-reading method and optical recording medium
An optical recording and reading method is provided in which the information necessary for recording and reading layers is quickly acquired to reduce the seek time during reading and recording. The optical recording and reading method is used for an optical recording medium that includes a plurality of recording and reading layers and a servo layer. Information is recorded on or read from the recording and reading layers by irradiating them with a recording and reading beam while the servo layer is irradiated with a servo beam to perform tracking control. When information is recorded on the recording and reading layers, control information necessary for subsequent recording and reading to be performed on the recording and reading layers is recorded on the servo layer 18. When the subsequent recording or reading is performed, the control information on the servo layer is consulted, and then the recording or reading is performed on the recording and reading layers.
US08339902B2 Clockwork mechanism and clockwork timepiece
A clockwork mechanism includes: a supporting member; a movable member including an engagement hole and movably supported by the supporting member; a drive pin engaging the engagement hole, including a flange portion for preventing the drive pin from disengaging from the engagement hole, and revolving to move the movable member; a biasing member provided in the movable member to partially overlap the engagement hole; and an abutment member abutting the movable member to restrict the movement of the movable member. The flange portion overlaps or does not overlap the biasing member depending on a revolving position of the drive pin. When the movable member abuts the abutment member, the drive pin pushes the biasing member and the movable member is biased toward the abutment member by the biasing member. When the flange portion does not overlap the biasing member, the drive pin moves the movable member to push the biasing member, allowing the drive pin to disengage from the engagement hole.
US08339900B2 Watch with time zone display
The analogue display watch includes two separate time displays (40, 44) for first and second time zones, and a time zone indicator (50), which includes a place ring (53) associated with two apertures (51, 52) shifted angularly by 1/24th of a revolution, and one of which is used in combination with winter time and the other with daylight saving time (DST). A first, manual, time-setting device (31) can simultaneously set the time of the first and second time displays (40, 44). A second, manual, time-setting device can rotate the second time display (44) and the time zone indicator (50) together, step-by-step, without changing the state of the first time display (40). A manual corrector (34, 63) rotates the place ring (53) step-by-step without changing the state of the first and second time displays (40, 44). The place symbols (54) are distributed over the circumference of the place ring (53) with a step of 1/96th of a revolution, so as to include symbols (54a, 54b) representing time zones that differ from UTC by a non-integer number of hours. With these features, simple manipulations can display the time in any place in the world and time zone changes can be performed easily while taking account of daylight saving time and a change in hemisphere, where necessary.
US08339897B2 Automatic dispersion extraction of multiple time overlapped acoustic signals
Slowness dispersion characteristics of multiple possibly interfering signals in broadband acoustic waves as received by an array of two or more sensors are extracted without using a physical model. The problem of dispersion extraction is mapped to the problem of reconstructing signals having a sparse representation in an appropriately chosen over-complete dictionary of basis elements. A sparsity penalized signal reconstruction algorithm is described where the sparsity constraints are implemented by imposing a l1 norm type penalty. The candidate modes that are extracted are consolidated by means of a clustering algorithm to extract phase and group slowness estimates at a number of frequencies which are then used to reconstruct the desired dispersion curves. These estimates can be further refined by building time domain propagators when signals are known to be time compact, such as by using the continuous wavelet transform.
US08339893B2 Dual beta ratio SRAM
A static random access memory (SRAM) cell includes a first read port, the first read port having a first beta ratio; and a write port, the write port having a second beta ratio that is substantially lower than the first beta ratio. A static random access memory (SRAM) array includes a plurality of SRAM cells, an SRAM cell including a first read port, the first read port having a first beta ratio; and a write port, the write port having a second beta ratio that is substantially lower than the first beta ratio.
US08339890B2 Memory leakage and data retention control
A circuit with leakage and data retention control includes at least one memory cell in a first memory array. The at least one memory cell is coupled to a first power supply voltage and a virtual ground. The circuit includes a current source and an NMOS transistor. The drain of the NMOS transistor is coupled to the virtual ground and the gate of the NMOS transistor is coupled to the current source.
US08339886B2 Amplifier sensing
A circuit comprises a first read bit line, a second read bit line, and a sense amplifier. First and second read bit lines couple a plurality of memory cells and a reference cell of a memory array, respectively. The sense amplifier is configured to receive the first read bit line as a first input and the second read bit line as a second input. When a memory cell of the first plurality of memory cells is read, the memory cell is read activated, the first reference cell is configured to be off, the second reference cell is configured to be on, and the sense amplifier is configured to provide an output reflecting a data logic stored in the memory cell based on a voltage difference between a first voltage of the first read bit line and a second voltage of the second read bit line.
US08339884B2 Low power and high speed sense amplifier
A sense amplifier circuit includes a precharge circuit configured to precharge a bit line coupled to a sensing node in response to a precharge control signal and a sense output circuit. The sense output circuit includes a sense output inverter coupled to the sensing node. The sense output inverter is disabled during bit line precharging and for a period after bit line precharging is complete, and thereafter the sense output inverter is enabled.
US08339881B2 Techniques for increasing a lifetime of blocks of memory
Techniques are described for increasing a lifetime of blocks of memory. In operation, respective life expectancy scores for each of the blocks are calculated based at least in part on a respective number of times each of the blocks is respectively erased, and further based at least in part on at least one other factor that affects the lifetime of the blocks. An order to write and recycle the blocks is determined, based at least in part on at least some of the respective lifetime expectancy scores. A total amount of the blocks that are erased and written is minimized while lifetime expectancy score variation between the blocks is equalized.
US08339879B2 Repair circuit and semiconductor apparatus including the same
A repair circuit of a semiconductor apparatus includes a transmission control unit configured to generate first through nth (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2) control signals in response to a repair information signal, and enable all mth through nth control signals when the repair information signal indicating an mth (m is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than n) TSV is inputted; transmission units configured to allocate transmission paths for first through nth signals to first through nth TSVs and a repair TSV in response to the first through nth control signals; and receiving units configured to receive the signals transmitted from the first through nth TSVs and the repair TSV in response to the first through nth control signals.
US08339878B2 Integrated circuit with staggered signal output
A memory controller having a time-staggered request signal output. A first timing signal is generated while a second timing signal is generated having a first phase difference relative to the first timing signal. An address value is transmitted in response to the first timing signal and a control value is transmitted in response to the second timing signal, the address value and control value constituting portions of a first memory access request.
US08339870B2 High voltage generating circuit and semiconductor memory device having the same and method thereof
A high voltage generating circuit may include a pulse signal generator, a counter, a plurality of transmitters, and/or a plurality of pumpers. The pulse signal generator may be configured to be enabled in response to a refresh command signal to output a pulse signal. The counter may be configured to count the pulse signal and sequentially output a plurality of selection signals. The plurality of transmitters may be configured to be sequentially enabled in response to individual selection signals of the plurality of selection signals to transmit the pulse signal. The plurality of pumpers may correspond to the plurality of transmitters. Each of the plurality of pumpers may be configured to collectively generate a high voltage based on the transmitted pulse signal from a corresponding transmitter of the plurality of transmitters.
US08339865B2 Non binary flash array architecture and method of operation
A Flash memory array comprises a plurality of Erase Sectors (Esecs) arranged in a plurality of Erase Sector Groups (ESGs), Physical Pages (slices), and Physical Sectors (PSecs), and there is a non-binary number of at least one of the Erase Sector Groups (ESGs), Physical Pages (slices), and Physical Sectors (PSecs). A user address is translated into a physical address using modular arithmetic to determine pointers (ysel, esg, psec) for specifying a given Erase Sector (ESec) within a given Erase Sector Group (ESG); a given Erase Sector Group (ESG) within a given Physical Sector (Psec); and a given Physical Sector (PSec) within the array.
US08339862B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to an aspect of the present invention, it is provided: a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprising: a plurality of bit lines arranged in a first direction; a plurality of source lines arranged in the first direction, the plurality of source lines being parallel to the plurality of bit lines, the plurality of source lines being distinct from the plurality of bit lines; a plurality of memory gate lines arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of the plurality of memory cells including a p type MIS nonvolatile transistor having a first terminal, a second terminal, a channel between the first terminal and the second terminal, a gate insulation film formed on the channel, a gate electrode connected to one corresponding memory gate line of the plurality of memory gate lines, and a carrier storage layer formed between the gate insulation film and the gate electrode, the first terminal being connected to one corresponding bit line of the plurality of bit lines and the second terminal being connected to one corresponding source line of the plurality of source lines.
US08339860B2 Semiconductor memory device
This invention offers a semiconductor memory device, with which a resolution to read-out data is not reduced even at the time of verify and a stable read-out operation is possible even when a power supply voltage is reduced. A read-out circuit is provided with a current-voltage conversion circuit, that converts a cell current into a data voltage, and a sense amplifier that compares the data voltage with a reference voltage. The current-voltage conversion circuit is formed to include a variable load resistor that is connected to the memory cell through a bit line. The variable load resistor is formed to include P channel type MOS transistors that make load resistors and P channel type MOS transistors that constitute a switching circuit.
US08339857B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and operation method thereof
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to one embodiment includes: a memory cell array; word lines; bit lines; and a control circuit configured to write multi-value data in the memory cells. The control circuit sets either even-ordinal-number bit lines or odd-ordinal-number bit lines as selected bit lines while setting the other as unselected bit lines; applies a write inhibiting voltage to the unselected bit lines; applies a write voltage to the selected bit lines corresponding to unwritten memory cells to be given one of threshold voltage distributions representing different written states; and applies the write inhibiting voltage to the selected bit lines corresponding to unwritten memory cells to be given any other of the threshold voltage distributions representing the different written states, memory cells already written, and memory cells to be maintained in a threshold voltage distribution representing an erased state, thereby executing a write operation.
US08339854B2 Nonvolatile memory device and data randomizing method thereof
A method is for operating a nonvolatile memory device, where the memory device includes a memory cell array and a page buffer block. The method includes loading program data into the page buffer block, loading random sequence data into the page buffer block, generating randomized data by executing a logic operation, such as a bit-wise XOR operation, in the page buffer circuit on the program data and the first random sequence data, and programming the randomized data into the memory cell array.
US08339852B2 Non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile memory device includes a sensing circuit that is configured to detect a charge of a common source line and a voltage controller that is configured to vary a level of a voltage being inputted to a word line in response to a result of the detection of the sensing circuit.
US08339846B2 Flash memory device, programming and reading methods performed in the same
The flash memory device includes a control logic circuit and a bit level conversion logic circuit. The control logic circuit programs first through Nth bits of data in a memory cell array of the N-bit MLC flash memory device or reads the first through Nth bits of the data from the memory cell array in response to one of a program command and a read command. The bit level conversion control logic circuit, after the first through Nth bits of the data are completely programmed or read, programs or reads an (N+1)th bit of the data in response to a control signal. The bit level conversion control logic circuit converts voltage levels of voltages, which are used for programming or reading the first through Nth bits of the data, to program or read for 2N cell distributions of 2N+1 cell distributions corresponding to the (N+1)th bit of the data and then programs or reads for other 2N cell distributions.
US08339841B2 Magnetoresistive element including upper electrode having hexagonal cross-section shape and method of manufacturing the same
A magnetoresistive element of an aspect of the present invention including a lower electrode provided on an insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, a first ferromagnetic layer provided on the lower electrode, a first tunnel barrier layer provided on the first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer provided on the first tunnel barrier layer, and an upper electrode provided on the second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the upper electrode has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape, and a maximum size of the upper electrode in a first direction is larger than a size of the first tunnel barrier layer in the first direction, the first direction being horizontal relative to a surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US08339835B2 Nonvolatile memory element and semiconductor memory device including nonvolatile memory element
A nonvolatile memory element includes a current controlling element having a non-linear current-voltage characteristic, a resistance variable element which changes reversibly between a low-resistance state and a high-resistance state in which a resistance value of the resistance variable element is higher than a resistance value of the resistance variable element in the low-resistance state, in response to voltage pulses applied, and a fuse. The current controlling element, the resistance variable element and the fuse are connected in series, and the fuse is configured to be blown when the current controlling element is substantially short-circuited.
US08339831B2 Single polysilicon non-volatile memory
A one-time-programmable memory device comprises a one-time-programmable memory cell array, a voltage pumping circuit, and a programming verification circuit. The one-time-programmable memory cell array comprises a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell is arranged at an intersection of a bit line and a word line. The voltage pumping circuit comprises a plurality of local voltage boost circuits. Each local voltage boost circuit is shared by a corresponding memory cell of the plurality of memory cells. The programming verification circuit is coupled to the one-time-programmable memory cell array for verifying that conduction current of programmed memory cells of the plurality of memory cells is greater than a predetermined current level after programming. Each local boost circuit isolates leakage current of a corresponding programmed memory cell, and prevents programming voltage failure due to current overloading at a corresponding voltage pumping circuit.
US08339821B2 Electrical appliance and power supply thereof
A power supply includes an adapter and a delay module. The adapter is operable to receive an input voltage and convert the input voltage into a first operation voltage to power a load controlled by a control unit. The adapter includes a filter capacitor configured to smooth the first operation voltage. The delay module detects the input voltage, and supplies a second operation voltage to the control unit when receiving the input voltage. The delay module continues supplying the second operation voltage to the control unit for a predetermined time period after the input voltage is no longer supplied to the adapter. As a result, the load operates for at most the predetermined time period and the filter capacitor discharges via the load after the input voltage is removed.
US08339809B2 Switching power supply device
A switching power supply device includes a transformer, a switching unit which is connected with a primary winding of the transformer and configured to switch a current flowing to the primary winding, a start unit configured to start the switching unit, a voltage drop unit configured to lower output voltage from a secondary winding of the transform, and a current control unit configured to control an amount of a current flowing in the start unit when the switching unit is in an off state by lowering output voltage by the voltage drop unit.
US08339808B2 Switching power supply unit
The switching power supply unit includes: a transformer having a primary winding and two secondary windings; and a rectifying-smoothing circuit having two rectifying elements, three choke coils and a capacitive element. A first rectifying element is between a junction of ends of the first secondary winding and the second choke coil, and one end of the capacitive element. A second rectifying element is between a junction of ends of the second secondary winding and the third choke coil, and the one end of the capacitive element. The other end of the first secondary winding and the other end of second secondary winding are connected to the one end of the first choke coil. The other end of the first choke coil, the other end of the second choke coil, and the other end of the third choke coil are connected to the other end of the capacitive element.
US08339799B2 Integrated circuit with pins at multiple edges of a chip
An improved integrated circuit (IC) layout is described that provides conductive pads on opposite sides of a substrate. The conductive pads provide for connectivity to the chip in different chip orientations. Accordingly, multiple chips having the same layout can be provided in a package, instead of providing each chip with a different layout. Since the same layout may be used for each chip, manufacturing costs are reduced.
US08339795B2 Transmission control apparatus and mechanically and electrically integrated type electronic control apparatus
An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanically and electrically integrated type electronic control apparatus which can be embedded in a compact mechanical part, and has a compact structure while having a high wiring freedom, a high heat dissipation and a high reliability. In a mechanically and electrically integrated type electronic control apparatus provided with a control signal generating part, and an angular wiring member connecting the control signal generating part and a controlled part controlled by a control signal of the control signal generating part, installed within a conductive casing, at least the wiring member has a fixed hole, a surface including the fixed hole is coated in an insulative manner, and the fixed hole is fixed to the conductive casing mechanically while keeping an insulating property.
US08339792B1 Detachable adapter and handheld device
A detachable adapter is adapted to be disposed in a handheld device and adapted to accommodate a memory card. The handheld device includes a socket connector. The memory card has a memory card terminal set. The socket connector has a socket body and a socket terminal set disposed at the socket body. The adapter includes an adapter body, and first, second and third terminal sets. The detachable adapter has an accommodating cavity in which the first terminal set is disposed. The second and third terminal sets are disposed on the adapter body. When the memory card is accommodated in the accommodating cavity, the first terminal set contacts the memory card terminal set. When the adapter body is assembled to the socket body, the second terminal set contacts the socket terminal set. When the adapter body is inserted into an electronic apparatus, the third terminal set contacts an apparatus terminal set.
US08339790B2 Monolithic microwave integrated circuit
A monolithic microwave integrated circuit structure having a semiconductor substrate structure with a plurality of active devices and a microwave transmission line having an input section, an output section and a interconnecting section electrically interconnecting the active devices on one surface and a metal layer on an opposite surface overlaying the interconnection section and absent from overlaying at least one of the input section and the output section.
US08339789B2 Use of an electronic module for an integrated mechatronic transmission control of simplified design
An electronic module for an integrated mecatronic transmission control includes a housing cover and at least one multi-layer circuit board as an electrical connection between an interior of the housing and components located outside the housing. The multi-layer circuit board is a circuit carrier for electronic components of central control electronics and at the same time is a thermal connection to a base plate.
US08339785B2 Water-cooling type cooler and inverter having the same
A water-cooling type cooler and an inverter employing the same are disclosed. A guide pin for distributing cooling water is formed in the middle of a cooling water flow path having a bent face, to make a flow rate of cooling water at the bent portion of the cooling water flow path uniform to thus improve cooling performance of the water-cooling type cooler. In addition, because the cooling performance of the water-cooling type cooler is improved without extending the cooling pin, an increase in the weight of the water-cooling type cooler can be reduced and a fabrication cost of the water-cooling type cooler can be reduced.
US08339783B2 Slide and tilt mechanism for electronic device
An electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing covering the first housing, a slide mechanism, a hinge bar, and a resilient element. The slide mechanism slidably connects to the first housing to the second housing. A first end of the hinge bar rotatably connects to the slide mechanism, a second end of the hinge bar rotatably and slidably connects to the first housing. The resilient element is fixed on the slide mechanism and the hinge bar. When the second housing overlaps the first housing, the resilient element is compressed to generate an elastic potential energy by the hinge bar and the slide mechanism; when the second housing is open relative to the second housing, the elastic potential energy drives the hinge bar to tilt relative to the slide mechanism and supports the second housing.
US08339777B2 Portable electronic device with improved pivoting range
A portable electronic device includes a first body, a first pivot element fixed to the first body, a shaft, a second pivot element and a second body fixed to the second pivot element. The shaft having a first block is pivoted to the first pivot element. The second pivot element having a second block is pivoted to the shaft. When the second body covering the first body rotates together with the second pivot element pivoting relatively to the shaft to form a first included angle between the first and second bodies, the second block leans against the first block to restrict the relative pivoting of the second pivot element and the shaft. Then, the second body rotates together with the shaft pivoting relatively to the first pivot element to form a second included angle greater than the first included angle between the first and second bodies.
US08339776B2 Display device and electronic device
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a base, a display module, and an connection portion. The display module includes a display screen that stands upright. The connection portion includes an extending portion that extends above the base. The connection portion is connected to the display module and is supported by the base to be rotatable about a rotation axis that extends vertically. The rotation axis is located on the display screen side with respect to the center axis of the extending portion extending along the vertical direction.
US08339773B2 Device for connecting an electric line to a circuit breaker
A device for connecting an electric line to a connection terminal for direct or indirect connection with a circuit breaker, which comprises at least one first electrically conducting body having a first end portion intended to be operatively connected to the terminal, and a second end portion intended to be operatively connected to a conductor element of the electric line, and at least one thermal conducting body comprising a hermetically sealed cavity containing a cooling fluid. The thermal conducting body is operatively coupled to the first electrically conducting body such that the hermetically sealed cavity has a first surface arranged in proximity to the first end portion and a second surface arranged in proximity to the second end portion.
US08339768B2 Electrode for super-capacitor, super-capacitor including electrode, and method for preparing electrode
An electrode for a super-capacitor, a super-capacitor including the electrode, and a method of preparing the electrode in which the electrode includes a conductive substrate; metal nano structures formed on the conductive substrate; and a metal oxide coated on the metal nano structures. The electrode for the super-capacitor increases the capacitance of the super-capacitor.
US08339764B2 MEMs devices
A MEMS device comprises first and second opposing electrodes (42,46), wherein the second electrode (46) is electrically movable to vary the electrode spacing between facing first sides of the first and second electrodes. A first gas chamber (50) is provided between the electrodes, at a first pressure, and a second gas chamber (52) is provided on the second, opposite, side of the second electrode at a second pressure which is higher than the first pressure. This arrangement provides rapid switching and with damping of oscillations so that settling times are reduced.
US08339760B2 Thermal protection circuits and structures for electronic devices and cables
Connectors for cables such as a 30-pin connector are provided. The connectors may have thermal protection circuits and may carry a power supply voltage and a ground voltage. The thermal protection circuits may disable the power supply voltage when the temperature of the connector exceeds a threshold value. The connectors may have structures that encourage any dendritic failure to occur in a preferred location.
US08339750B2 Spin accumulation magnetic sensor
A magnetic sensor comprises a nonmagnetic conductive layer, a free magnetization layer disposed on a first part of the nonmagnetic conductive layer, a fixed magnetization layer disposed on a second part of the nonmagnetic conductive layer different from the first part, upper and lower first magnetic shield layers opposing each other through the nonmagnetic conductive layer and free magnetization layer interposed therebetween, upper and lower second magnetic shield layers opposing each other through the nonmagnetic conductive layer and fixed magnetization layer interposed therebetween, and an electrically insulating layer disposed between the lower second magnetic shield layer and the nonmagnetic conductive layer, while the lower first magnetic shield layer is arranged closer to the nonmagnetic conductive layer than is the lower second magnetic shield layer.
US08339744B2 Disk drive suspension
In a disk drive suspension including a baseplate and a load beam, a boss portion and protrusions are formed on the baseplate. The protrusions are formed in positions on a first surface of the baseplate off a reference mounting surface in contact with a suspension bearing surface of an actuator arm. Further, the protrusions are formed on a second surface located opposite from the first surface and project relative to the thickness of the baseplate. These protrusions serve to prevent a plurality of baseplates from closely contacting one another during their manufacture.
US08339742B1 Slider with leading edge blend and conformal step features
A slider having an air bearing surface and a leading face is described. The slider comprises a leading edge blend comprising a first curved surface formed at an intersection of the air bearing surface and the leading face. The slider further comprises at least one step feature having a second surface with a first portion recessed from the air bearing surface and a second portion recessed from and conformal to the first curved surface of the leading edge blend.
US08339738B1 Method for providing a magnetic recording transducer having a hybrid moment pole
A method for fabricating a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) is provided. The method comprises providing an underlayer, and providing a main pole residing on the underlayer and having a front and a rear. The step of providing a main pole further includes providing a first portion having a first magnetic moment, the first portion having a front face at the ABS and terminating between the ABS and the rear of the main pole, and providing a second portion having a second magnetic moment. A part of the second portion resides on the first portion, and another part of the second portion resides between the first portion of the main pole and the rear of the main pole. The first magnetic moment is less than the second magnetic moment.
US08339724B2 Induction of magnetic bias in a magnetic recording disk
Approaches for inducing a magnetic bias in a magnetic recording disk. A biasing apparatus comprises a soft magnetic material member having a shape comprising two opposing recesses, denoted an upper recess and a lower recess. A first magnet is disposed within the upper recess and a second magnet disposed within the lower recess. An air gap exists between the first magnet and the second magnet. An opening in the soft magnetic material member is sized to accommodate at least a portion of the magnetic recording disk between the first magnet and the second magnet. The magnetic field produced by both the first magnetic and the second magnetic flows (a) in the same direction, and (b) perpendicular to the plane of the magnetic recording disk. Using this approach, magnetic material on the disk, such as magnetic islands of a bit pattern media, may be erased and polarized in the same direction.
US08339719B2 Optical apparatus
The invention relates to an optical apparatus allowing images in multiple directions to be simultaneously taken with simple construction using a prism optical system yet with high definitions even at wide angles of view. Specifically, the invention provides an optical apparatus using a prism optical system which has three optical surfaces: a first surface having transmission, a second surface having internal reflection plus transmission and a third surface having reflection and is formed of a medium having a refractive index of 1.3 or greater and in which light enters the medium through the first surface, is totally reflected at the second surface, and then reflected at the third surface 13, and finally leaves the medium this time through the second surface. At least two prism optical systems (101, 102) are arranged side by side with respect to an imaging plane of a single imaging device (30) so that images in at least two directions are formed side by side on the imaging plane of the single imaging device (30), and at least one of three surfaces of each of said prism optical systems (101, 102) has a reflecting surface defined by a rotationally asymmetric plane.
US08339714B2 Zoom lens and imaging apparatus incorporating the same
A zoom lens comprising, in order from an object side thereof, a first lens group of positive refracting power, a second lens group of negative refracting power, an aperture stop, a third lens group of positive refracting power, a fourth lens group of negative refracting power, and a fifth lens group of positive refracting power. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, at least the first lens group and the aperture stop remain fixed in position, the second and third lens groups move in the optical axis direction, and the separation between each of the lens groups and the aperture stop changes. Upon focusing from a focusing-on-infinity state to a close-range-focusing state, the fourth lens group moves in the optical axis direction, with satisfaction of the following: −0.36
US08339697B2 Wavelength conversion laser light source and image display device
A wavelength conversion laser light source includes a fundamental wave laser light source (1) to generate a fundamental wave; a first mirror and a second mirror (4, 5), arranged so as to oppose each other; a wavelength conversion element (3) which is arranged between the first mirror and the second mirror and converts the wavelength of the fundamental wave; and a temperature control portion (8) to control the temperature of the wavelength conversion element. A portion of the fundamental wave is wavelength-converted in the wavelength conversion element, and moreover the fundamental wave which is not wavelength-converted is reflected by the first mirror and the second mirror and is repeatedly incident on the wavelength conversion element and is wavelength-converted, and the temperature control portion is arranged so as to be in contact with the wavelength conversion element, and the light quantity of the fundamental wave incident on the temperature control portion is reduced by a fundamental wave absorption portion (18).
US08339694B1 Incoherent spectral beam combining with optical path compensation using real time holography
A system for path compensation of multiple incoherent spectral optical beams incorporates an optical element combining a plurality of incoherent spectral beams to an aperture by angle using carrier frequency tilt fringes. An illumination laser is employed for reflection of an illumination beam from a target. An interferometer receives a sample of the reflected illumination beam reflected from the target and provides interference fringes. A spatial light modulator receives the interference fringes and generates a real time hologram. Relay optics are employed for transmitting the combined plurality of incoherent beams to the SLM and receiving a diffraction corrected full aperture compensated combined beam for emission to the far field.
US08339689B1 Exposure correction for scanners
A method and apparatus for exposure correction in scanners are disclosed. In the method, exposure is corrected for pixels received in an image sensor array. Exposure time is tracked for the incoming pixel data and a calibration factor is determined for correcting the gain, and the calibration factor is adjusted based on the tracked exposure time. In the apparatus, a scanner includes an illumination source and a sensor for receiving pixel data. Using values stored in a memory, circuitry is provided for determining a calibration factor, for tracking exposure time for the pixel data and for adjusting the pixel data based on the calibration factor and exposure time.
US08339688B2 Image forming apparatus
Four mounting units are linearly disposed in a machine body of an image forming apparatus. First and second platen covers that differ from each other in weight also differ from each other in interval between support units. The first platen cover can be mounted on the machine body using the mounting units, and the second platen cover can be mounted on the machine body using the mounting units.
US08339683B2 Laptop computer with scanning capability
A laptop computer is comprised of a base portion, a display portion, and a scanning/illuminating mechanism. The scanning/illuminating mechanism illuminates a display of the display portion of the laptop computer and illuminates a document during scanning of the document.
US08339678B2 Apparatus, system, and method of process control based on the determination of embedded information
An apparatus, system, and method for image processing are disclosed, each of which obtains a mark from image data, detects additional information in the mark, determines whether the mark is detected in the mark to generate a determination result, and controls processing performed by an image processing apparatus with respect to the image data based on the determination result.
US08339677B2 Image processing system, image processing apparatus, and image processing method
An image processing system includes: an image input unit which reads an image printed on a medium and generates electronic data representing the image; and a processing unit which corrects the image represented by the electronic data. The processing unit implements the functions of: detecting, from the image represented by the electronic data, a first pattern having a first size and shape that is attached to the image; measuring a degree of degradation by measuring an amount of displacement of the size of the detected first pattern from the first size; and correcting the image represented by the electronic data to reduce the degree of degradation.
US08339670B2 Methods and systems for rendering data based on graphic-list partitioning
Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for rendering graphical objects in a printing system. According to one aspect of the present invention a graphic list may be partitioned, and the graphic-list partitions may be rendered “out-of-order” or concurrently.
US08339668B2 Color processing apparatus and method thereof
The quality of an image read from a degraded image of an original document can be improved. Hence, a specific pixel of an image is selected, and additional information to be added to the image is generated from the position information and color information of the selected pixel. The image of an original document is read, position information and color information added to the original document are extracted, and the color information of a pixel corresponding to the position information is acquired from the read image. The color of the read image is corrected based on the extracted color information and the acquired color information.
US08339659B2 Partitioning of sheetside bitmaps for transfer from a print controller to printhead controllers
Printing systems, print controllers, and associated methods of partitioning sheetside bitmaps are disclosed. A print controller in one embodiment connects to a plurality of printhead controllers that are operable to control a plurality of printhead arrays. The print controller includes an interpreter system operable to receive a print job, and to convert an image in the print job into a full sheetside bitmap comprised of an array of pixels. The print controller also includes a partitioning system operable to process the full sheetside bitmap to identify the pixels in the full sheetside bitmap designated for printing on each of the printhead arrays, and to generate a partitioned sheetside bitmap for each printhead array that contains essentially the pixels designated for printing on the printhead array. The print controller further includes an interface system operable to transmit the partitioned sheetside bitmaps to the printhead controllers associated with the printhead arrays.
US08339655B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method for displaying a first image while a corresponding second image is being processed
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a display section for executing display based on image data including a plurality of images; a first image processing section for generating first images respectively corresponding to the images included in the image data, to which an image process based on information of a job is not executed; a second image processing section for generating a second image obtained by executing the image process based on the information of the job to the image data of the first image currently displayed in the display section; and a control section for causing the display section to display the first image corresponding to the image data to which the job is set and to switch the currently displayed first image to the corresponding second image after completing a generation of the second image by the second image processing section.
US08339653B2 Methods and systems for rendering data based on overlap characteristics
Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for rendering graphical objects in a printing system. According to one aspect of the present invention a graphic list may be partitioned, and the graphic-list partitions may be rendered “out-of-order” or concurrently.
US08339645B2 Managing apparatus, image processing apparatus, and processing method for the same, wherein a first user stores a temporary object having attribute information specified but not partial-area data, at a later time an object is received from a second user that includes both partial-area data and attribute information, the storage unit is searched for the temporary object that matches attribute information of the received object, and the first user is notified in response to a match
A temporary object is registered in a document managing system in advance on the basis information about an object that a user wants to use. Then, when an object is registered by another user, it is determined whether the registered object is a similar object corresponding to the temporary object. If the registered object is a similar object, the user is notified of that fact, and the temporary object in target document data is updated with the similar object.
US08339643B2 Image forming system that can reduce processing time by using a difference integration unit
An image forming system includes an image processing device and an image forming device. The image processing device includes a print job accepting unit, a job data creating unit, a differential job data creating unit, and a job data transmit unit. The image forming device includes a communication unit, and a print controller that forms images based on basic job data and diversion job data restored by the difference integration unit on a recording medium.
US08339639B2 Method and system for automatically providing for multi-point document storing, access, and retrieval
A method and a system for storing, accessing, and retrieving data, the printing system including a plurality of multifunction devices (MFDs) in operable communication with a network, the plurality of MFDs configured to be positioned in different geographical locations; and a memory device for automatically storing the data generated by the plurality of MFDs; wherein an authorized user is enabled to print a document via a print request from a first MFD of the plurality of MFDs and then retrieve the document at any of the other MFDs on the network without re-sending another print request from the first MFD.
US08339636B2 Multi-function peripheral apparatus for processing unified job steps
The respective jobs of copying, printing, scanning, and faxing processed by an integrated application are unitarily divided into four job steps. A package of function modules selectively used in the respective jobs is classified into four groups of input, create, edit, and output function modules according to the division. A data format is unified into bitmap by a create function module, and the bitmap data is processed by an edit function module for pagination or aggregation, etc. In response to receiving setting information and a job code, a job controlling module creates job step control blocks and writes the information therein to create a job. Each of job step controlling (JSC) modules to starts a function module for each page, and after the completion thereof, creates a thread control block for the next downstream side JSC module.
US08339621B2 Multifunctional device with automatic switching mode
The multifunction device includes a first mode device, a second mode device, an operating unit, a detecting unit, and a switching unit. The first mode device provides a reading mode that reads image information with using a first type medium. The second mode device provides a writing mode that writes image information with using a second type medium. The operating unit provides each operating environment corresponding to each mode. The detecting unit detects either the first type medium or the second type medium used. The switching unit automatically switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit based on the type of the medium detected by the detecting unit.
US08339616B2 Method and apparatus for high-speed unconstrained three-dimensional digitalization
A method and a system for optical three-dimensional (3-D) digitalization of physical objects, suitable for moving scenes, unattached to locating devices, utilizing structured light in the form of a plurality of overlapped patterns free of any intensity features, capable of obtaining frames of 3-D coordinates and textural color at video frame rates.
US08339614B2 Method of measuring shot shape and mask
A method of measuring shot shape includes sequentially exposing a substrate with main scale marks (32) in compliance with a predetermined map, and forming a reference grid including a plurality of the main scale marks (32) arranged in the predetermined map in at least one shot region, exposing a shot for measuring, via a projection optical system, that includes a plurality of auxiliary scale marks (34) arranged in the predetermined map in the shot region, measuring a relative positional relationship between adjacent main scale marks (32), measuring an amount of deviation between the main scale marks (32) and the auxiliary scale marks (34), and correcting the reference grid based on the relative positional relationship, and calculating a shot shape of the shot for measuring based on the corrected reference grid and the amount of deviation.
US08339606B2 Portal
A portal or gateway that includes a detector comprising a chirped laser; an open optical sample cell and a detector for detecting light from the chirped laser that has passed through the cell. The chirped laser may be a quantum cascade laser.
US08339605B2 Multilayer alignment and overlay target and measurement method
A target system for determining positioning error between lithographically produced integrated circuit fields on at least one lithographic level. The target system includes a first target pattern on a lithographic field containing an integrated circuit pattern, with the first target pattern comprising a plurality of sub-patterns symmetric about a first target pattern center and at a same first distance from the first target pattern center. The target system also includes a second target pattern on a different lithographic field, with the second target pattern comprising a plurality of sub-patterns symmetric about a second target pattern center and at a same second distance from the second target pattern center. The second target pattern center is intended to be at the same location as the first target pattern center. The centers of the first and second target patterns may be determined and compared to determine positioning error between the lithographic fields.
US08339604B2 Substrate including alignment marks, methods of aligning wafers and fabricating semiconductors
Provided is a substrate having an alignment mark, methods of aligning wafers and fabricating semiconductors. An alignment method of a wafer comprises providing a wafer on a wafer stage of a photolithography apparatus, irradiating light to the alignment mark, collecting reflected light from the alignment mark, analyzing optical information of the collected light, and determining a location of the wafer based on the analyzed optical information, wherein the wafer comprises a first surface having an alignment mark, the alignment mark including a first plurality of alignment patterns in a first row, and a second plurality of alignment patterns in a second row, the second plurality of alignment patterns being adjacent to the first plurality of alignment patterns, wherein the first plurality of alignment patterns are arranged in a row direction at a first pitch, and the second plurality of alignment patterns are arranged in the row direction at a second pitch different from the first pitch.
US08339588B2 Portable egg candling and containment transfer apparatus and method
A portable egg candling and containment transfer apparatus including a movable base, a frame extending up from the base, a movable elevator deck movable between an elevated position and a lowered position, and a mechanism for raising and lowering the elevator deck. The apparatus further includes an inverting candling table pivotally mounted to the frame and having a pan with sidewalls and a floor. The pan is adapted for receiving and supporting incubator trays thereon. The pan houses at least one electric light fixture with at least one lamp for producing light for candling eggs positioned over the inverting candling table. The apparatus further includes at least one clamp for securing a hatchery basket over the pan and at least one latch for securing the inverting candling table in faceup/facedown positions.
US08339587B2 Method for detecting a malfunctioning egg picker
Methods and apparatus are provided that automatically determine whether or not eggs designated for removal from an egg carrier have been removed by an egg removal apparatus. Light is emitted along a path above and across an egg carrier as an egg picker moves to pick up an egg. The length of time that the light path is blocked when the egg picker is moved is measured and used to determine whether or not the egg has been removed from the carrier. Another apparatus and method is provided for detecting a malfunctioning egg picker. A detection device detects a number of eggs in the egg carrier. A control device monitors the egg picker and the detection device. The control device calculates the number of eggs in the egg carrier for determining when the number of eggs varies a predetermined amount from an egg count number for the egg carrier.
US08339585B2 Transducer module
Transducer modules for use in a blood analysis instrument and methods for analyzing a blood sample. The transducer modules presented generally include a light source, a focus-alignment system, a flow cell, and a light scatter detection system. Electrodes within the flow cell allow for the measurement of the DC impedance and RF conductivity of cells passing through a cell-interrogation zone in the flow cell. Light scatter from the cells passing through the cell-interrogation zone is measured by the light scatter detection system. The light scatter detection system measures the light scatter parameters of upper median light scatter, lower median angle light scatter, low angle light scatter, and axial light loss. The presented methods for analyzing a blood sample generally include aspirating a whole blood sample into a blood analysis instrument, preparing the blood sample for analysis, passing the blood sample through a flow cell in a transducer system, and measuring axial light loss, multiple angles of light scatter, DC impedance and/or RF conductivity.
US08339579B2 Exposure method
An exposure method for exposing a pattern of a reticle which includes a first pattern and a second pattern by using a light from a light source and an optical system includes the steps of obtaining information relating to the first pattern and plural types of representative patterns that can be used for the second pattern, and setting, for the first pattern and the plural types of representative patterns, (i) at least one exposure parameter of the light source and the optical system or (ii) a size or shape of the first pattern and the plural types of representative patterns.
US08339575B2 Off-axis objectives with rotatable optical element
An objective and a method for operating an objective, in particular a projection objective or an illumination objective for microlithography for imaging a reticle onto a wafer, with a plurality of optical elements that are arranged along a ray path, wherein at least one optical element of a first kind (1) is provided, which is irradiated only partially by a ray bundle, wherein the one or more optical element(s) of the first kind are rotatably mounted or positionable about the optical axis or an axis parallel thereto, wherein, for each optical element of the first kind at least two mounting positions are provided, and wherein the rotation angle between the two mounting positions is defined by the surface (7) irradiated by the ray bundle such that, in the various mounting positions, the surfaces irradiated by the ray path do not overlap.
US08339574B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus includes a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern, a substrate table configured to hold a substrate and a projection system configured to project the beam as patterned onto a target portion of the substrate. The lithographic apparatus further includes a polarization modifier disposed in a path of the beam. The polarization modifier comprises a material having a linear polarization.
US08339573B2 Method and apparatus for photoimaging a substrate
A method includes providing a substrate having a layer of photosensitive material thereon and a mask having contiguous first, second, and third portions; and sequentially: i) scanning the first portion with a light beam at a first rate and subsequently impinges on the photosensitive material at an exposure zone; ii) fixing the scanning within the second portion; and iii) resuming scanning through the third portion. Throughout the process the substrate moves through the exposure zone. An apparatus for carrying out the process includes a light beam source, a mask mount, a mask stage, a conveyor assembly, and at least one optical element for manipulating the light beam into a rectangular light beam.
US08339572B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
Contaminants may build up on surfaces of an immersion lithographic apparatus that come into contact with an immersion liquid from during exposure of a substrate. A solution containing a cleaning agent may be used to clean such surfaces. The cleaning properties of such a cleaning solution may be improved by activating it with ultraviolet radiation. This means that a solution of a lower concentration may be used, thereby reducing the risk of damaging the surfaces to which the cleaning solution is provided. An embodiment of the present invention allows ultraviolet radiation to be provided to surfaces being cleaned without having to take the apparatus off-line. In an embodiment, a guide member is used to transfer ultraviolet radiation from a remote radiation source to an outlet located at a position where it is desired for a cleaning operation.
US08339555B2 In-plane switching liquid crystal display device having improved brightness and aperture ratio
An in-plane switching liquid crystal display device includes a gate line and a data line on a substrate, the gate and data lines crossing each other to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor electrically connected to the gate and data lines, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, and a common electrode alternately arranged with the pixel electrode to form n blocks in the pixel region. Widths of some of the blocks are different than widths of other of the blocks.
US08339553B2 Method and structure for top metal formation of liquid crystal on silicon devices
The present invention provides an LCOS device having improved bonding pad features. The device has a substrate, a transistor layer overlying the substrate and an interlayer dielectric layer overlying the transistor layer. A first conductive layer is overlying the interlayer dielectric layer and a second interlayer dielectric layer is overlying the first conductive layer. An enlarged opening for a bonding pad structure is in a first portion of the second interlayer dielectric layer. A barrier metal layer is formed within the enlarged opening to form a liner that covers exposed regions of the enlarged opening. A metal material is overlying the liner to fill the enlarged opening. A thickness of an aluminum material is overlying the metal material. The device has a bonding pad structure formed from a first portion of the thickness of the aluminum material and is coupled to the metal material in the enlarged opening.
US08339552B2 Array substrate for fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device
An array substrate for a fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a substrate including a plurality of pixel regions each having a first domain, a second domain and a domain boundary area between the first and second domains; gate and data lines on the substrate and crossing each other to define the pixel region; a thin film transistor in each pixel region and connected to the gate and data lines; a pixel electrode in each pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor; and a common electrode overlapping the pixel electrode with an insulating layer interposed between the common and pixel electrode, wherein a plurality of openings are formed through the common electrode or the pixel electrode, and each opening has a first angle in the first and second domains with respect to a rubbing direction and a second angle larger than the first angle in the domain boundary area with respect to the rubbing direction.
US08339547B2 Liquid crystal display
A vertical alignment type liquid crystal display, which has a liquid crystal layer whose retardation value is about 600 nm or more, can solve the viewing angle problems associated with the wider viewing angle. The liquid crystal display can include a vertical alignment liquid crystal cell, and first and second polarizing plates cross-Nicol disposed on respective sides of the liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell has a liquid crystal layer with a retardation of about 600 nm or more. A C-plate and an A-plate are provided between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizing plate, and two C-plates are provided between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizing plate.
US08339543B2 Plasmonic device tuned using elastic and refractive modulation mechanisms
A plasmonic display device is provided having dual modulation mechanisms. The device has an electrically conductive bottom electrode that may be either transparent or reflective. A dielectric layer overlies the bottom electrode, made from an elastic polymer material having a refractive index responsive to an electric field. An electrically conductive top electrode, either transparent or reflective, overlies the dielectric layer. A plasmonic layer, including a plurality of discrete plasmonic particles, is interposed between the top and bottom electrodes and in contact with the dielectric layer. In one aspect, the plasmonic layer is embedded in the dielectric layer. Alternately, the plasmonic layer overlies the bottom (or top) electrode. Then, the dielectric layer overlies the plasmonic layer particles and exposed regions of the bottom electrode between the first plasmonic layer particles.
US08339539B2 Illumination device and liquid crystal display device
A backlight (illumination device) 2 is disclosed including: light sources (5); light guide plates (7) for causing surface emission of light from the light sources (5); and a diffusing plate (8) for diffusing light from the light guide plates (7), the diffusing plate (8) facing a light-emitting surface (7a) of each of the light guide plates (7) at a predetermined distance. The illumination device further includes at least one maintaining section between the light-emitting surface (7a) of the light guide plate (7) and the diffusing plate (8), the maintaining section (10) maintaining the predetermined distance. The maintaining section (10) is provided on either of first and second end sections of the light-emitting surface (7a) of a light guide plate (7), the first end section being closer to a corresponding light source (5), the second end section being farther from the corresponding light source (5).
US08339535B2 Display, front cover thereof, mold of front cover, and manufacturing method for front cover
The present invention provides a display improved in an exterior appearance by a front cover, and a manufacturing method thereof, wherein the front cover covers a display panel and includes a translucent layer which transmits colored light, and a transparent layer to receive and transmit the colored light, wherein the translucent layer and the transparent layer are integrally formed. The front cover may be capable of implementing a natural tone variation thereon.
US08339530B2 Display device, electronic device and method of driving display device
The present invention provides a display device which can display characters clearly and display images smoothly. An area gray scale method is adopted and a configuration of one pixel is changed depending on a mode, by selecting one or more display regions in each pixel. When characters are needed to be displayed clearly, one pixel is configured by selecting a stripe arrangement. Thus, clear display can be conducted. When images are needed to be displayed, one pixel is configured by selecting an indented state. Thus, smooth display can be conducted.
US08339529B2 Pixels having polarity extension regions for multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal displays
A multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal display that does not require physical features on the substrate (such as protrusions and ITO slits) is disclosed. Each pixel of the MVA LCD is subdivided into color components, which are further divided into color dots. The color components include polarized extension regions that extend between color dots of neighboring color components (and neighboring pixels). The voltage polarity of the color dots and polarized extension regions are arranged so that fringe fields in each color dot causes multiple liquid crystal domains in each color dot. Specifically, the color dots and polarity extension regions of the display are arranged so that neighboring polarized elements have opposite polarities.
US08339525B2 Projection device with brightness adjustment function and method thereof
A projection device with a brightness adjustment function includes a polarization beam splitter (PBS), a light source, a reflective display, a lens module, a power supply unit, a light detection unit and a power controller. The light source emits light to the PBS. The PBS reflects a portion of the light to the reflective display, and transmits a remaining portion of the light. The lens module projects the images. The light detection unit acquires a digital value of a portion of the light reflected by the PBS that is not received by the reflective display, and compares the digital value with a predetermined digital value to generate a control signal. The power controller for adjusts power from the power supply unit to the light source according to the control signal until the digital value matches the predetermined digital value of the light from the light source.
US08339518B2 Video signal processing method and apparatus using histogram
Low frequency components are extracted from a video signal for pixels in a specific area of an image carried by the signal. The low frequency components are allocated, based on luminance components of the signal, to gradations ranging from maximum to minimum levels exhibited by the luminance components, luminance histogram data being produced indicating the frequency of gradations for the pixels. The gradations are allocated to the pixels based on the luminance components to produce high-frequency component histogram data indicating the frequency of gradations for specific pixels each carrying a high frequency component. The luminance histogram data is corrected in accordance with the frequency of gradations in the high-frequency component histogram data to produce corrected luminance histogram data. A gradation correction curve is produced for correcting the gradations exhibited by the signal using the corrected data. The luminance components are corrected based on the correction curve.
US08339509B2 Electronic device and camera
The object of the present invention is to enable reliable supply of oxygen which is necessary for a fuel cell to generate electric power, to the fuel cell. In a bottom surface of a casing of a camera, a tripod socket for mounting a tripod is disposed in the vicinity of the right end portion, and air orifices for linking the space inside a cell compartment for accommodating a fuel cell with the outside of the casing is disposed in the vicinity of the left end portion, respectively. As a result, even when the tripod is connected to the camera, the air orifices are not closed by the pan head of the tripod, oxygen (air) can be constantly supplied to the fuel cell accommodated inside the cell compartment, and the fuel cell can continuously generate a sufficient quantity of electricity. The present invention can be employed in a camera.
US08339506B2 Image capture parameter adjustment using face brightness information
A system and method of image capture parameter adjustment using face brightness information is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes determining a luma value based on a brightness variation within a selected portion of an image, where the selected portion of the image corresponds to at least a portion of a face. The method further includes adjusting an image capture parameter at least partially based on the determined luma value.
US08339505B2 Electronic camera
An electronic camera includes an imaging device. The imaging device has an imaging surface irradiated with an optical image of an object scene that undergoes a focus lens, and outputs an object scene image produced on the imaging surface. A CPU predicts a focus direction based on a focus position registered in a register when a shutter button is half-depressed. The CPU also changes a position of the focus lens by referencing a prediction result of the focus direction, and based on the object scene image outputted from the imaging device in parallel with this change process, adjusts the position of the focus lens to the focus position. The CPU further registers the adjusted position of the focus lens, as the focus position, into the register.
US08339503B2 Lens barrel and imaging device
The lens barrel is a lens barrel for forming an optical image of a subject on an imaging element, comprising a first lens unit, a second lens unit, a focus lens unit, a zoom mechanism, and a focus actuator. The focus lens unit is movably supported by the second lens unit in the optical axis direction. The operating force inputted to the zoom control is mechanically transmitted to at least one of the first lens unit and the second lens unit. The focus actuator is fixed to the second lens unit and electrically drives the focus lens unit relative to the second lens unit in the optical axis direction. The second lens unit or the focus lens unit is disposed nearest to the image plane in the optical system including the first lens element, the second lens element, and the focus lens.
US08339501B2 Zoom lens system, imaging device and camera
A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element, wherein the zoom lens system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a first lens unit having positive optical power and comprising four lens elements; a second lens unit having negative optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power; wherein in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, at least the first lens unit is moved along an optical axis direction so as to achieve variable magnification, and wherein the conditions are satisfied: 0.3020.5 (f1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit, fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit, and fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit), an imaging device and a camera are provided.
US08339500B2 Video sharing system, photography support system, and camera
A video sharing system, accumulating various videos and enabling a plurality of users to utilize these accumulated videos, includes a plurality of cameras that photograph any one of a plurality of photographic subjects present within a facility, a video collection unit that collects photographed videos photographed by the plurality of cameras, a photographic subject identification unit that identifies the photographic subjects in the photographed videos, for each photographed video; and an accumulation unit that accumulates the photographed videos collected by the video collection unit, and photographic subject information specifying the photographic subjects identified by the photographic subject identification unit.
US08339476B2 Image sensing apparatus and control method for same, and image sensing system
An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, a control unit that, during an exposure operation that generates an image in the image sensor, reads out signals of a first portion of pixels among an entire frame of pixels from the image sensor, outputs an image based on the signals of the first portion of pixels to a display unit, and, when the exposure operation is completed, reads out signals of the entire frame of pixels from the image sensor, and an image processing unit that generates an image by adding the signals of the first portion of pixels to signals of the entire frame of pixels for corresponding pixels.
US08339473B2 Video camera with flicker prevention
A video camera includes an image sensor. The image sensor repeatedly outputs an object scene image captured on an imaging surface. A CPU detects a luminance component of the object scene image outputted from the image sensor, i.e., an AE/AWB evaluation value, and also detects a high-frequency component of the object scene image outputted from the image sensor, i.e., an AF evaluation value. Moreover, the CPU executes a flicker determining process for determining whether or not a flicker is occurred based on the luminance component of the object scene image. However, prior to the flicker determining process, whether or not there is a dynamic object in the object scene is determined based on the high-frequency component of the object scene image. The flicker determining process is prohibited when there is the dynamic object while it is permitted when there is no dynamic object.
US08339472B2 Composite flash for a mobile device
An apparatus and method for capturing an image on a mobile device having a flash comprising a red light source and a white light source is presented herein. A detection of a color spectrum of ambient light is made using image data sensed by an image sensor. Additionally, a determination of an intensity of red light when combined with an associated intensity of white light results in a color spectrum that substantially matches the color spectrum of the ambient light. The flash emits white light from the white light source of the flash and red light from the red light source of the flash. An image from a camera module is recorded during the emission of the white and red light.
US08339462B2 Methods and apparatuses for addressing chromatic abberations and purple fringing
Methods and systems for detecting and correcting chromatic aberration and purple fringing are disclosed. Chromatic aberration can be addressed by separating an image into color planes and then adjusting these to reduce chromatic aberration by using a specific calibration image (calibration chart) as an empirical method to calibrate the image acquisition device. Purple fringing can be corrected by initially addressing color aberration resulting from the lateral chromatic aberration (LCA). The LCA is first removed and then the correction is extended to purple fringing. A discovery is relied upon that the purple fringing is created in the direction of the chromatic aberration and is more pronounced in the direction of the chromatic aberration.
US08339454B1 Vision-based car counting for multi-story carparks
Method and apparatus for counting vehicles at entrances, exits and transition zones of multi-story carparks, including particularly where the ceiling heights can be just marginally higher than the tallest expected vehicle, with a view to determine the carpark occupancy at different carpark levels by counting passing vehicles using a vision-based car counting system without relying on viewing test patterns or employing a blocking beam scheme and yet tolerating vehicles transgressing partially or fully into the wrong lane of a two-lane two-way road while ignoring vehicles moving opposite to the expected direction. Without imposing additional constraints to ambient carpark illumination, the methodology copes with highly specular vehicle surfaces, ignores non-vehicular objects and detects moving cast shadow or highlight, and adapts to daily and seasonal scene changes, and yet estimates vehicle speed.
US08339453B2 Apparatus for use in association with a vehicle
An apparatus for use in association with a vehicle having a windshield (38) includes a module (30) having an end portion which pivotally engages a bracket (40) connected with the windshield. The module (30) is pivotal relative to the bracket (40) to press a rain sensor coupler (34) connected with the module against the windshield (38) with a predetermined force. A camera assembly (72) may be disposed in the module (30). The camera assembly (72) may include an image sensor (154) and a camera lens (150). A polarizer lens (202) is disposed adjacent to the camera lens (150).
US08339450B2 Defect review apparatus and method for wafer
A defect review apparatus includes a storage device which stores data about a defect of an inspection target object; a first imaging device which captures an image located in a position on a surface of the inspection target object, the position being specified by information regarding the position of the inspection target object which has been input; and a control device which controls the first imaging device. The storage device stores: first defect detection data including a defect number as which the defect of the inspection target object detected by a first defect detection process is labeled, and information regarding the position of the defect; and second defect data including a defect number as which the defect of the inspection target object detected by a second defect detection process is labeled, and information regarding its position.
US08339444B2 Autostereoscopic liquid crystal display apparatus
A display apparatus includes an autosteroscopic liquid crystal display panel having a frame response time of less than 10 milliseconds, and a backlight positioned to provide light to the autosteroscopic liquid crystal display. The backlight includes a right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source capable of being modulated between the right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source at a rate of at least 90 Hertz.
US08339429B2 Display monitor electric power consumption optimization
Controlling electrical power consumption of a display monitor screen involves grouping screen pixels into different resolution cells, detecting display of one or more windows on the screen, and selectively controlling the cells by providing power only to the pixels in cells corresponding to one or more windows of interest to the user, and reducing power to pixels in remaining cells.
US08339423B2 Display apparatus, display method, display monitor, and television receiver
An image display period of a first sub frame of an N-th frame is arranged to partly overlap the image display period of the second sub frame of the N-th frame and the image display period of a second sub frame of the (N−1)-th frame. Grayscale display voltages with which pixels that are horizontally or vertically neighbored are charged are arranged to have inverse polarities, and the polarity of the grayscale display voltage charging each pixel is reversed in each frame. Furthermore, neighboring data signal lines are short-circuited each time the polarity of the grayscale display voltage output to each data signal line is reversed.
US08339422B2 Image processing system, information processing apparatus, image processing method and program
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that obtains from a terminal device equipped with a display screen attribute information including information indicating the directionality of the display screen, a detection unit that detects the size of a input image, an adjustment unit that adjusts the size of the input image so as to align the direction along which the longer side of the input image extends with the direction along which the longer side of the display screen extends based upon the information indicating the directionality of the display screen included in the attribute information, and a transfer unit that transfers the input image with the adjusted size to the terminal device.
US08339408B2 Contents receiving apparatus
According to one embodiment of the invention, a contents receiving apparatus includes: a communication unit configured to receive contents data; a display unit configured to display an image included in the contents data; and a controller configured to instruct the communication unit to receive contents data, and to control the display unit to display the image, wherein, when estimated time of completion for receiving the contents data is longer than a given time, the controller controls the display unit to change a luminance level of the display unit from a first luminance level to a second luminance level that is lower than the first luminance level or not to display the contents, and wherein, when the estimated time is equal to or shorter than the given time, the controller controls the display unit to maintain the luminance level at the first luminance level.
US08339407B2 Information processing device, display switching method and program
There is provided an information processing device including: a light emitting unit to supply light to an operating means mounted on an IC card, the operating means being capable of switching display contents on a display unit of the IC card by a potential difference occurring due to photoelectric conversion; a communication unit to transmit given data to the IC card for causing the IC card to record the data; and a light emission adjusting unit to cause the data recorded on the IC card through the communication unit to be displayed on the IC card by adjusting the number of times of emitting light or a light emitting pattern from the light emitting unit.
US08339405B2 Programmable data processing circuit
A programmable data processing circuit has a memory for storing pixel values, or more generally data values as a function of position in a signal. The programmable data processing circuit supports instructions that include an indication of a selected parameter value set that indicates how a plurality of data values must be arranged for parallel output from a memory. Instructions that indicate different parameter value sets can be executed intermixed with one another. The programmable data processing circuit responds to instructions of this type by retrieving the selected parameter value sets from a parameter storage circuit (246), and controlling a switching circuit (22) between a memory port (21) of a memory circuit (20) and a data port (26) at least partly dependent on the selected parameter value set.
US08339403B2 Multi-layered slide transitions
Architecture that enhances the visual experience of a slide presentation by animating slide content as “actors” in the same background “scene”. This is provided by multi-layered transitions between slides, where a slide is first separated into “layers” (e.g., with a level of transparency). Each layer can then be transitioned independently. All layers are composited together to accomplish the end effect. The layers can comprise one or more content layers, and a background layer. The background layer can further be separated into a background graphics layer and a background fill layer. The transition phase can include a transition effect such as a fade, a wipe, a dissolve effect, and other desired effects. To provide the continuity and uniformity of presentation the content on the same background scene, a transition effect is not applied to the background layer.
US08339394B1 Automatic method for photo texturing geolocated 3-D models from geolocated imagery
A method and system for applying photo texture to geolocated 3D models operates within a 3D modeling system. The modeling system includes a modeling application operating on a workstation and a database of geotagged imagery. A 3D model created or edited within the 3D modeling system is geolocated such that every point in the 3D modeling space corresponds to a real world location. For a selected surface, the method and system search the database of imagery to identify in the database one or more images depicting the selected surface of the 3D model. The method and system identify the boundaries of the selected surface within the image by transforming two or more sets of coordinates from the 3D modeling space to a coordinate space corresponding to the image. The portion of the image corresponding to the selected surface is copied and mapped to the selected surface of the 3D model.
US08339393B2 Three-dimensional map data generating system, three-dimensional map data generating method and three-dimensional map data generating program
A three-dimensional map data creation system and a three-dimensional map data creation method ensuring high in a height direction of a structure near a base station of a wireless communication system so as to highly accurately estimate radio propagation characteristics from the base station of the wireless communication system are provided. An external shape of each of structures is acquired from already acquired two-dimensional map data and a height is acquired using a photograph in which structures described in the two-dimensional map data are imaged. At that time, as the photograph, a photograph taken from a floor identical to a floor on which a base station antenna of the wireless communication system that provides a wireless communication service is disposed in an area including one of the structures.
US08339391B2 Method and system for direct rendering of multi-volume data
A method for performing direct rendering of a multi-volume data, having the steps of determining whether a volume of the multi-volume data is one of active and inactive via interaction with a ray for the multi-volume data, recording in triplicate a starting point and an end point of the ray for an eyespace, repeating the determining whether the volume is one of active and inactive via interaction with a ray for the multi-volume data and the recording in triplicate a starting point and an end point of the ray for an eyespace for all volumes of the multi-volume data, providing triples from all volumes to an array, sorting the array to create a sorted triples list array, breaking the ray into a plurality of segments using the sorted triples list array, determining which volumes are active for each of the segments via an active volume list, and sampling each segment of the ray to acquire an accumulated result.
US08339389B2 Electro-optical device, driving method thereof, and electronic apparatus with adjustable ratio between positive and negative field using black display voltage
A method of driving an electro-optical device having scanning lines, data lines, a switching transistor and a pixel electrode. The device also has an electro-optical layer interposed between the pixel electrode and a counter electrode. The method includes: supplying a data signal alternate between a positive and a negative voltage to the pixel electrode. The positive voltage has a potential greater than a counter electrode potential applied to the counter electrode and the negative voltage is a potential lower than the counter electrode potential; setting the counter electrode potential to reduce a flicker; supplying a first voltage that is either the positive or negative voltage to the pixel electrode in a first period; the other voltage to the pixel electrode in a second period. A ratio of the first period to the second period is variable.
US08339386B2 Electroluminescent device aging compensation with reference subpixels
An electroluminescent (EL) device including an illumination area having one or more primary EL emitters; a reference area having a reference EL emitter; a reference driver circuit for causing the reference EL emitter to emit light while the EL device is active; a sensor for detecting light emitted by the reference EL emitter; and a measurement unit for detecting an aging-related electrical parameter of the reference EL emitter while it is emitting light. The device further includes a controller for receiving an input signal for each primary EL emitter in the illumination area, forming a corrected input signal from each input signal using the detected light and the aging-related electrical parameter, and applying the corrected input signals to the respective primary EL emitters in the illumination area.
US08339383B2 Stylus
A stylus comprises a housing, a stylus body, a shell and a latching element. The housing has a receptacle and a sliding pin. The stylus body is accommodated in the housing, the stylus body has a track and engaging the sliding pin so the stylus body can slide relative to the housing, the stylus body further has a compartment. The shell is slidably accommodated in the compartment, the shell has a first stopping hole and a protrusion located adjacent to the first stopping hole, the first stopping hole is used for latching with the sliding pin to hold the stylus in a retracted state. The latching element is mounted in the receptacle and located near the stylus body, the latching element has a latching cantilever having a second stopping hole defined therethrough, the second stopping hole latches with the protrusion to hold the stylus in an extended state.
US08339378B2 Interactive input system with multi-angle reflector
An interactive input system comprises a pointer input region; and a multi-angle reflecting structure located along a single side of the pointer input region and operable to reflect radiation from a pointer within the pointer input region from at least two surface locations of the multi-angle reflecting structure, wherein the at least two surface locations each have different respective angles. An imaging system is operable to capture within at least a portion of the pointer input region images of the reflected radiation located within a field of view of the imaging system. Processing structure is provided for determining the location of the pointer relative to the pointer input region based on the at least one image.
US08339372B2 Inductive touch screen with integrated antenna for use in a communication device and methods for use therewith
A touch screen can be used in a communication device having a transceiver that communicates radio frequency (RF) signals with at least one remote station. The touch screen includes a display layer for displaying information. An inductor grid includes a plurality of inductive elements. A switch matrix selects a selected inductive element in response to a selection signal. A driver generates the selection signal and drives the selected inductive element to detect a touch object in proximity to the selected inductive element and generates touch screen data in response thereto. A plurality of coupling elements couple together a group of the plurality of inductive elements to form an antenna and further couple the antenna to the transceiver to send and receive the RF signals.
US08339366B2 Game console control to initiate system directives
A method and system for utilizing a game console and an input device is disclosed. The method and system comprise mapping commands to system directives of the game console and generating an input signal having predefined characteristics corresponding to the input device being utilized to engage the system directives. The method and system include performing system functions using an input controller associated with the input device after the system directives are engaged.
US08339363B2 Sensor-initiated exchange of information between devices
Information exchange systems and methods (“IES”) are described that allow users of portable devices to initiate exchanges of information with a simple gesture. Detection of this gesture causes the host device to perform a number of actions including one or more of selecting data for an exchange transaction, identifying one or more destination devices to receive the selected data, transferring the selected data to the destination devices, and receiving complementary or corresponding data from the destination devices. The IES thus avoids the requirement for users to perform time consuming and error prone interactions involving complex operations with a device interface in order to initiate data exchanges.
US08339361B1 User interfaces and methods to search content in a nonlinearly convergent manner
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computing devices and systems, software, computer programs, applications, and user interfaces, and more particularly, to nonlinearly searching content in a manner that, for example, converges on a target unit of content.
US08339351B2 Display device
A display device includes a memory unit formed in each pixel to store video data and including a first inverter circuit whose input terminal is connected to a first node and whose output terminal is connected to a second node and a second inverter circuit whose input terminal is connected to the second node and whose output terminal is connected to the first node, a first transistor connected between the output terminal of the second inverter circuit and the video line, and a second transistor connected between the first node and the video line, in which at the time of reading the video data, the first transistor is turned ON, and the second transistor is turned OFF, to output the video data stored in the memory unit to the video line.
US08339346B2 Display panel driving voltage supply apparatus and method
A display panel driving voltage supply apparatus and method is disclosed. Said supply apparatus comprises: a timing controller for providing a voltage control signal and a switch control signal; a level shifter, receiving the voltage control signal for selecting a first specified voltage to be transmitted on a first driving voltage supply line as well as selecting a second specified voltage to be transmitted on a second driving voltage supply line according to the voltage control signal; and a first switch, wherein the first and the second driving voltage supply lines are electrically connected with each other to charge share between the first and the second specified voltages when the first switch is turned on under the control of the switch control signal. Said supply apparatus is capable of solving the problem of high power consumption and thereby reducing the electricity consumption.
US08339338B2 Display device and driving method thereof
A display device includes a display that includes display elements arranged in lines of a matrix. Each display element is configured to emit light based on a video signal that is received by the display. A proportion determiner is configured to determine, for each line, a proportion of a single frame period during which each display element of a corresponding line is not to emit the light. A signal converter is configured to convert an amplitude of the video signal for each line according to the proportion determined for each line. A signal output is configured to output the video signal converted by the signal converter to the display as a converted video signal. A scanner is configured to output a scanning signal to the display for each line for inputting the converted video signal to the display elements of each line based on the proportion determined for each line.
US08339336B2 Circuit device and active-matrix display apparatus
An active-matrix display apparatus includes an image display unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix in row and column directions, a column control circuit group including thin-film transistors, the column control circuit group being configured to output a data signal to columns of the pixels, and a control-signal generating circuit including a thin-film transistor, with the control-signal generating circuit being configured to output a first control signal controlling the column control circuit group. The column control circuit group is controlled by the first control signal and a second control signal delayed from the first control signal, and the first control signal is generated by the control-signal generating circuit, then input into the column control circuit group, and then propagated through the column control circuit group. The second control signal is generated on the basis of the first control signal which has been propagated through the column control circuit group.
US08339318B2 RFID UHF antenna and matching network embedded in disposable conducting covers
A UHF RFID antenna is integrated into the disposable metal cover of foam, plastic, metal or cardboard containers.
US08339315B2 Positioning system
A positioning system (1) comprising one or more transmitters configured to transmit transmissions including positioning data, wherein the system is configured to synchronize the transmission with a reference time. The transmissions are formed using a repeating pseudorandom number (PRN) code comprising a plurality of chips. The system (1) is configured to determine a timing bias (44;54) between the first transmission and the reference time. The system (1) is configured to change the number of chips in one or more of said transmissions such that the timing bias of a subsequent pseudorandom number (PRN) code is reduced.
US08339310B2 Positioning method, positioning device, and program
A positioning method includes: executing a first positioning mode or a second positioning mode, a first positioning process that is performed using a least-square method based on a positioning signal and a second positioning process that is performed using a Kalman filter based on the positioning signal utilizing a positioning result obtained by the first positioning process as a base value being performed in the first positioning mode, and the second positioning process being further performed in the second positioning mode utilizing a positioning result obtained by the second positioning process as a base value; determining accuracy of a positioning result obtained by the second positioning process performed in the executed positioning mode; and changing the positioning mode to be executed to the first positioning mode or the second positioning mode corresponding to the accuracy.
US08339300B2 Digital-to-analog converter, analog-to-digital converter, and semiconductor device
A DA conversion device includes the following elements. A higher-bit current source cell portion includes uniformly weighted higher-bit current source cells to generate an identical constant current. A lower-bit current source cell portion includes a lower-bit current source cells that are weighted to generate 1/two-to-the-power-of-certain-numbers constant currents. A constant current source selection controller includes a lower-bit controller having a scaler that uses clocks scaled down to 1/two-to-the-power-of-certain-numbers to select the lower-bit current source cells, and a higher-bit controller having shift registers and using a signal indicating a carry bit or a borrow bit used in the lower-bit controller to sequentially activate shift outputs of the shift registers, and uses the shift outputs to select the higher-bit current source cells. Constant current outputs of the selected current source cells are added and output so that an output current corresponding to the digital input signal is obtained.
US08339294B2 Illuminating primary and alternate keyboard symbols
A keyboard or keypad which can highlight symbols on the keys by illuminating them. The keys are backlit by two light sources, one visible and one ultraviolet, each of which illuminates multiple keys. One symbol on each key is designed to transmit the visible light, becoming highlighted when the visible light source is activated. A second symbol on each key is designed to fluoresce when illuminated by ultraviolet light, becoming highlighted when the ultraviolet light source is activated. If desired, both light sources can be activated, highlighting both symbols simultaneously. If desired, complementary light color and filter material may be used to reduce or eliminate transmission of light through the second symbol. A single pair of light sources may be used for the entire keyboard or the keyboard may be divided into segments with separate light sources for each segment.
US08339293B2 Capacitive touch multi-function keys
The presently described technology relates to an appliance control panel having multi-function keys. The multi-function keys have multiple regions. A control panel operation module is provided for regulating the control panel system between multiple operation input modes. When the control panel system is in one operation input mode, activation of the first key region executes a first appliance function, and activation of the second key region executes a second appliance function. When the control panel system is in another operation input mode, activation the first key region and activation of said second key region execute the same appliance function. A method for operating an appliance control panel system having multi-function keys is also disclosed.
US08339286B2 Baseline update procedure for touch sensitive device
A touch sensitive device implementing a routine that controls the device's baseline update procedure in certain circumstances, and associated methods.
US08339281B2 Data collection system for electronic parking meters
There is disclosed a single space parking meter that includes a low powered radio for communicating with a mobile access point. There is also provided a parking meter management system comprising a single space parking meter and a mobile access point. The mobile access point comprises a coin collection cart, and a mobile data collection terminal including a wireless radio for communicating with the wireless radio of the single space parking meter. Also disclosed is a method of managing single space parking meters comprising the steps of collecting and storing meter information in a single space parking meter, receiving at a main electronics board of the single space parking meter a transmit signal, and transmitting the meter information to a mobile access point using a low powered radio of the single space parking meter.
US08339279B2 Remote monitoring system
A remote monitoring system provides a real-time monitoring of conditions of an apparatus, such as a power line. The remote monitoring system includes an apparatus that generates electrical signals, a remote monitoring module that is remote from the apparatus, and a transmission module. The transmission module is provided adjacent to the apparatus and transmits data that correspond to the electrical signals via a cellular network to the remote monitoring system. The remote monitoring module receives the signal and determines a condition of the apparatus based on the received electrical signal.
US08339266B2 System and method for determining RFID tag placement
In systems and methods for determining the placement of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, a tag reader communicates with one or more RFID tags at different locations of a target object. The tag reader determines which of the different locations is a preferable location for placing an RFID tag by detecting the transmission power level or other value required to communicate with the RFID tag at each of the different locations.
US08339264B2 Control unit for an EAS system
A control unit for an EAS system is described, the unit comprising a controller area network (CAN) communication device operatively coupled with a remote communications link. A master control (MC) module interfaces the CAN device and the remote communications link. Machine readable executable instructions reside on a digital signal processor (DSP). The unit further includes at least one system module having a targeted feature within the EAS system.
US08339261B1 System and method of monitoring the door of a secure cabinet for holding pharmaceutical products
In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical cabinet comprises sensors positioned within the frame and door of the cabinet, and the sensors are arranged in a predetermined orientation when the door is closed and a lock is actuated. The sensors are configured to communicate with one another when brought into the predetermined orientation to confirm that the door is closed and the lock is actuated. One or both of the sensors may transmit an identifier to the other sensor, and the communication between the sensors may be encoded. The cabinet also includes a sensor on the lock that indicates if the lock is engaged. The cabinet may generate a record of the times the sensors are moved into or out of communication and the times that the lock is engaged.
US08339260B2 Securing a hazardous area in the regin surrounding the automatic loading of reels on a reel changer
A hazardous area in the region surrounding a reel transport of a reel changer is secured. A contactless protective device is located at the access boundaries of the region. This protective device can be deactivated for feeding and/or removing a known object and comprises an evaluation unit. The protective device is configured as a light curtain that is comprised of a plurality of light beams that run in parallel to each other. The evaluation unit includes an assembly for detecting the sequence of the interruption of the light beams during the feeding and/or the removal of an object. Based on the detected sequence of interruption of the light beams, a known object, that is permitted to access the hazardous area, is detected. The protective device is deactivated in this situation. Securing the hazardous area further includes the provision of a second contactless protective device that is permanently active.
US08339259B1 System and method for setting an alarm by a third party
An alarm device is provided. The alarm device comprises a processor, an alerting component, a communication interface, and an alarm application. The communication interface receives messages encapsulating an alarm control message from a third party. The alarm application, when executed by the processor, receives the message from the communication interface, validates the message based on a code embedded in the message, parses a body of the message to extract the encapsulated alarm control message, schedules an alarm event based on the body of the message, and activates the alerting component when the alarm event occurs.
US08339256B2 Radiofrequency safety of switchable segmented transmission lines
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes an interventional instrument and a switched, segmented transmission (Tx) line which ensures safety during an MRI protocol while the interventional instrument is located in the system. The transmission line includes at least two electrically conductive Tx line segments separated by a non-conductive gap. An electrically conductive bridge, having an open and a closed state, and a parallel connected impedance bridge, having a known impedance which suppresses RF current between the line segments, bridge the non-conductive gap. A measurement unit measures the impedance across the Tx line while the conductive bridges are open. The line segments are verified to be decoupled if the measured impedance of the line is substantially equal to that of the impedance bridge.
US08339249B2 Paging and notification mechanism for emergency warning system over cellular networks
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for transmitting emergency warning messages over cellular networks. In the proposed method, the access point transmits scheduling information of the emergency information in addition to the non-emergency information in a first system information block (SIB1) to a plurality of user equipments. In case of an emergency, the access point notifies the user equipments of the emergency situation and transmits emergency information to the user equipments to provide more information about the emergency situation. Since the user equipments already have scheduling information of the emergency information, they can start receiving the emergency information immediately after the emergency notification.
US08339247B2 Lighting control
The invention relates to a data tag (6, 21, 32) storing at least one setting (13, 43) for controlling one or more lights (4, 18, 29). There is also provided a system and method for controlling a plurality of lights by receiving information (43) indicative of lighting settings for the plurality of lights (18, 29) from a data tag (21, 32) and controlling the plurality of lights (18, 29) in accordance with the lighting settings.
US08339246B2 Systems, methods and apparatus for locating a lost remote control
Described herein are techniques for locating a lost remote control. The method includes receiving user input, at a controlled device, the user input requesting to locate a lost remote control for the controlled device. The method further includes lowering a volume of the output of content associated with the controlled device responsive to the user input and transmitting a message from the controlled device to the remote control, the message requesting the remote control to activate an indicator device (e.g., sound, visual, physical or the like) of the remote control.
US08339242B2 Communication apparatus, communication method, program, information management apparatus and communication system
An apparatus and method provide logic for managing positional information within a mobile communication network. In one implementation, an information management apparatus includes a history information registration unit, a registration determination unit, and a base station information registration unit. The history information registration unit may be configured to register first and second history information within a storage unit. The registration determination unit may determine whether a difference value between time information associated with the first and second history information is less than a threshold value. The base station information registration unit may subsequently register at least position information associated with a communications apparatus and a base station, when the difference value is less than the threshold value.
US08339239B2 Electronic access control systems and methods
An embodiment of an electronic access control system includes an electronic key, an electronic lock, and an access control administration program. The electronic key can include program code for switching between a lock mode and a computer mode. In some embodiments, the lock mode and computer mode allow for simplified administration and operation of the access control system. Some embodiments of the electronic key include a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the access control system includes a hybrid power supply system having a rechargeable battery and a generator. In some embodiments, the electronic lock includes a piezoelectric latch. In some embodiments, the electronic key is configured to act as a storage device for a computer system. Some embodiments provide an electronic access control system with a streamlined user interface.
US08339238B2 Resistive sheet, pressure-sensitive switch, and input device
A resistive sheet includes a flexible cover sheet, a wiring part provided on the bottom face of the cover sheet, and ring, circular-arc, or spiral resistive layer connected to the wiring part. This resistive layer has an uneven bottom face. The resistive sheet also includes a spacer layer whose bottom face is disposed at a position lower than the resistive layer. The wiring part is sandwiched between the bottom face of the cover sheet and the spacer layer.
US08339235B2 Housing securing apparatus for electrical components, especially fuses
An electric component includes: an insulating housing; a conductive member inserted into the housing until hitting a stop provided by the housing, the conductive member configured to mate with a conductive portion of a device that mates with the electrical component, the mating device thereby applying a force to the conductive portion, the conductive member including a wall, the wall defining a projection that is at least substantially coplanar with the wall; and wherein the housing includes a catch that flexes when the conductive member is inserted into the housing to allow the projection to move past the catch so that the conductive member can hit the stop, at which point the catch unflexes into locking engagement with the projection.
US08339234B2 Inductance coil for electric power grids with reduced sound emission
The invention relates to an inductance coil, in particular an inductance coil without an iron core for use in electric power grids, comprising at least two cylindrical winding layers (1), which are disposed concentrically with respect to a coil central axis (7) and are connected electrically in parallel. The inductance coil comprises at least one means for reducing or minimizing sound emissions produced during the operation of the inductance coil. At least the outermost winding layer (1) is designed in this case as a current-conducting, acoustic shield winding (18) opposite the winding layer (1) adjacent in the direction of the coil central axis (7), wherein the shield winding (18) is dimensioned electrically such that it is designed for the transmission of a current intensity, which is only a fraction of the current intensity, to be transmitted by the adjacent winding layer (1). Furthermore, the invention relates to a bracket-like holding element arranged on at least one end face of the inductance coil for reducing sound emissions.
US08339231B1 Leadframe based magnetics package
A magnetics package comprising: a primary coil configured to conduct a current flow; a secondary coil electrically isolated from the primary coil and configured to conduct a current flow, wherein the secondary coil is embedded in a mold compound; and a magnetic core inductively coupling the primary coil and the secondary coil, wherein a current flow in the primary coil produces a magnetic field in the magnetic core, and the magnetic field in the magnetic core induces a current flow in the secondary coil.
US08339217B2 Low band side filter of duplexer, high band side filter of duplexer, and duplexer
A duplexer formed on a piezoelectric substrate includes a low band side filter and a high band side filter, and has an improved isolation characteristic in a pass frequency band of the high band side filter. Transmission and reception of signals are respectively performed from either of the low band side filter and the high band side filter and the other filter with respect to an input/output port. Series arms and parallel arms each formed of an elastic wave resonator form the low band side filter. A shield electrode is disposed close to either of the input/output port and a low band side filter port, and is grounded for capacitive coupling with same.
US08339194B2 Demodulator, a method for demodulating an ask signal and an on-board unit including the demodulator
A new demodulator with low power consumption and high gain which is suitable for CMOS integration is provided. The demodulator makes use of a MOS configured in a “common-source” status so as to achieve a desirable gain.
US08339186B2 Voltage level shift circuits and methods
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a charge pump circuit. The charge pump circuit comprises a plurality of terminals, a plurality of switches for selectively coupling the plurality of terminals, and a control circuit. A first input terminal receives a first reference voltage and a second input terminal receives a second reference voltage. First, second, third, and fourth flying capacitor terminals and the first and second input terminals are selectively coupled together in different configurations. The control circuit selects the switches to actuate according to a cycling of at least three phases of configuration. The cycling shifts the first and second reference voltages to provide dual power supply rails.
US08339184B2 Gate voltage boosting element for charge pump
Systems, methods, and devices that generate a desired boosted gate voltage to facilitate controlling a charge pump are presented. A multi-phase charge pump (e.g., two-phase CMOS charge pump) can comprise a desired number of switch cells (SCs), wherein each SC can include a gate boost switch control component, which employs two transistors (without the need for external circuitry), and generates a desired gate voltage, based at least in part on a desired clock signal, wherein the desired gate voltage is applied to a charge transfer switch, Mc, of the SC to facilitate transferring a voltage across the Mc to a node on the other side of the Mc, in each stage of the charge pump, wherein the SCs are associated with a desired number of flying capacitors to facilitate increasing the input voltage to a desired output voltage.
US08339182B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a signal output unit, and a decision unit. The signal output unit includes m (≧2) pieces of fuses, a NAND gate, resistance elements, and an output terminal. The decision unit decides whether n or more pieces (m≧n≧2) of fuses are disconnected out of the m pieces of fuses included in the signal output unit, and outputs the result of a decision. When m=n=2, the decision unit is constituted of a NOR gate having two input terminals connected to a respective end of the fuses. Thus, a H-level potential signal is output at an output terminal of the NOR gate when the decision result is affirmative. On the other hand, when the decision result is negative, a L-level potential signal is output at the output terminal.
US08339173B2 Enable pin using programmable hysteresis improvement
An apparatus for providing programmable hysteresis control using an enable pin of a device is disclosed. An enable pin is configured to receive an input signal to enable and disable an associated device responsive to the input signal. A current sink is attached to the enable pin and is responsive to circuitry that disables the current sink responsive to application of the input signal at a first voltage level and enables the current sink responsive to application of the input signal at a second voltage level.
US08339172B2 Flip-flop with single clock phase and with reduced dynamic power
A flip-flop may include a first master stage for latching data, a second slave stage for latching data, and an input multiplexer circuit receiving, as input, data to be latched in the flip-flop. The multiplexer may have single clock phase. The first master stage may be clocked based upon a clock phase, whereas the second stage may be clocked based upon another clock phase.
US08339167B2 Apparatus and method for trimming static delay of a synchronizing circuit
A system and method for trimming an unadjusted forward delay of a delay-locked loop (DLL) and trimming a duty cycle of first and second output clock signals provided by a DLL. For trimming an unadjusted forward delay, delay is added to one of a feedback clock signal path and an input clock signal path and a feedback clock signal is provided from the feedback clock signal path and an input clock signal is provided from the input clock signal path for phase comparison. For trimming a duty cycle of first and second output clock signals, one of a first delayed input clock signal and a second delayed input clock signal is delayed. The first and second delayed input clock signals are complementary. The delayed clock signal and the other clock signal are provided as the first and second output clock signals.
US08339162B2 Circuit device and method of controlling circuit device
A circuit device has a first output buffer including a first adjustment circuit for adjusting a level of the first output signal, a first input buffer connected to the first output buffer, an adjustment controller for outputting a test signal to the first output buffer, outputting a control signal to the first adjustment circuit so that the level of the first output signal is adjusted on the basis of the control signal, monitoring an output of the first input buffer, and adjusting the control signal on the basis of the monitoring the output of the first input buffer, a second output buffer connected to the adjustment controller and operable to assume either an active or a non-active state, for outputting a second output signal when controlled to assume an active state, including a second adjustment circuit, and a second input buffer.
US08339156B2 Method and apparatus for high resolution ZQ calibration
A method is disclosed for controlling an output impedance of an electronic device of the type having an impedance control terminal to which an external load is to be connected such that a predetermined value of the voltage at the impedance control terminal controls the output impedance of the device. The method is comprised of comparing a reference voltage to a voltage at the impedance control terminal. A variable count signal representing a count value is produced in response to the comparing. The impedance of a variable impedance circuit is varied in response to the count signal, wherein the impedance of the variable impedance circuit controls the voltage at the impedance control terminal. A device connected in parallel with the variable impedance circuit is periodically operated to change (increase/decrease) the impedance of the variable impedance circuit. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.
US08339153B2 Fault current test equipment of direct current thyristor valve
The present invention relates to a test equipment of direct current thyristor valve, and particularly relates to a fault current test equipment of direct current thyristor valve. This present invention equipment includes high voltage low current circuit and low voltage high current circuit, said test equipment includes fault current circuit, said fault current circuit includes resonant circuit, said high voltage low current circuit, low voltage high current circuit and fault current circuit are all connected with the thyristor sample Vt respectively. In his present invention, the thyristor sample is first heated through the high voltage circuit and low voltage high current circuit to reach the stable state. And then shut off the switch and carries out the test using the fault current which is produced by the fault current circuit. This prevents the power system from the short-circuit impact. Further more, the peak current and the current duration of the fault current circuit can be adjusted flexibly by changing the voltage of the adding energy circuit.
US08339151B2 High voltage thyristor valve multi-injection test method
This invention provides a high voltage thyristor valve multi-injection test method, it can meet one way valve and double valve operation test and over current test requirements. It has high equivalence and good flexibility. It includes FACTS double way thyristor valve and normal direct current thyristor valve operation tests and over current test. This method is novel, flexible, can carry out many different test and their mixture test and including the high voltage thyristor valve different tests.
US08339143B2 Lens connector-testing device
Provided is a lens connector-testing device including a base, a circuit tester, a probe, and a positioning unit. The positioning unit includes a positioning housing, a lift block, an insulating plate, a press spring, a latch member and a supporting seat. The positioning housing has a lift-guiding groove. The insulating plate is fixedly connected to an upper end of the lift block. A lower end of the lift block is slidably received in the lift-guiding groove. A holding space is defined between the insulating plate and the positioning housing. The supporting seat is disposed on the positioning housing and has at least one electrical contact. The latch member has a fixing section, a hooking section, and a pressing section. The lift block has a projecting portion matched with the hooking section of the latch member. The press spring is located between the pressing section and the positioning housing.
US08339137B2 Non-cartesian under-sampled multi-echo MRI
Example apparatuses and methods control a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus to perform a non-Cartesian, under-sampled, multi-echo MRI process. One example process includes controlling the MRI apparatus to excite an object to be imaged using a multi-echo Gradient Recalled Echo (GRE) pulse sequence. The example process also includes controlling the MRI apparatus to acquire a data set from the object to be imaged as a function of performing a non-Cartesian, under-sampling acquisition. The data set includes data acquired at two or more echo times (TE) per repetition (TR) and an element in the data set is sampled two or more times as a function of a non-Cartesian trajectory that crosses itself at least once. The process also includes controlling the MRI apparatus to reconstruct an image of the object to be imaged from the data set. The image may map brain activity.
US08339128B2 Magnetic-disturber detection method and detector, object-localizing method and system, recording medium for these methods
This method for detecting a magnetic disturber method comprises: the measurement (52) of the magnetic field emitted by the emitter by at least two triaxial sensors placed at different known positions, for each sensor, the determining, (54) from the magnetic field measured by this sensor, of the coordinates of a direction vector collinear with an axis passing through the geometrical center of the emitter and the geometrical center of this sensor, the geometrical center of the emitter being the point at which there is located a magnetic field point source which models this emitter and the sensor being capable of being modeled by a point transducer situated at a point where the magnetic field is measured and constituting the geometrical center of this sensor, verification (56;70) that the smallest distance between the axes, each collinear each with one of the direction vectors, is smaller than a predetermined limit, and if this is not the case, the reporting (64) of the presence of a magnetic disturber and, in the contrary situation, not making this report.
US08339125B2 Magnetic pole position detecting device and method
A magnetic pole position detecting device correctly acquires magnetic pole position even if two magnetic sensors are arranged at an arbitrary interval. The magnetic pole position detecting device receives the input of sensor outputs “a” and “b” of two magnetic sensors arranged at a predetermined interval L along a magnetic pole arraying direction and a phase difference φ between the two sensor outputs “a” and “b”. When sin φ>δ, the magnetic pole position detecting device divides a·sin φ by b−a·cos φ to calculate tan θ and outputs a magnetic pole position θ=tan−1 {a·sin φ/(b−a·cos φ)}. When sin φ≦δ, because a=sin θ and b=cos(θ+φ), the magnetic pole position detecting device outputs magnetic pole position θ={sin−1(a)+sin−1(b)−φ}/2. Because φ=2π×L/(a magnetic pole pitch or the number of poles), by using φ as a correction coefficient for the two sensor outputs “a” and “b”, magnetic pole position error can be canceled even when the interval L is different from a theoretical value.
US08339122B2 Speed sensor for a rotating member
A speed sensor for use in measuring the speed of rotation of a rotationally salient rotating member The speed sensor comprises an electrode and a sensor circuit. The sensor circuit comprises a constant voltage source for supplying a voltage to the electrode to generate an electric field in a dielectric medium. A current detector detects current flow between the constant voltage source and the electrode due to perturbation of the electric field by passage of at least one salient feature of the rotating member through the electric field as the rotating member rotates. The current detector outputs a first signal modulated at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of perturbation of the electric field. The first signal is amplified to produce an amplified signal modulated at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of perturbation of the electric field. The electrode voltage, the amplifier gain and the electrode position relative to the rotating member are selected such that modulation of the second signal is predominantly caused by perturbation of the electric field within the dielectric medium by the creation and/or movement of ions within the field.
US08339111B2 Reactive power compensator
A capacitor bank unit includes three capacitor banks that have respective capacitances that are multiples of a basic capacitance in accordance with a number sequence of the n-th power of 2. One of the capacitor banks has the basic capacitance, remaining two of the capacitor banks includes two subbanks each. The capacitance of a subbank is set to a capacitance that is a multiple of the basic capacitance in accordance with a number sequence of the m-th power of 2. When any one of the capacitor banks fails, each of capacitor banks following the failed capacitor bank substitutes for a capacitor bank located immediately before itself.
US08339109B2 Charging circuit
A charging circuit integrated into a chip, comprising a charging unit, a switch unit, a biasing unit, a voltage-dividing unit, and a comparing unit. The charging unit is connected between a power supply input and a load for outputting a constant current based on a constant bias voltage supplied by the power supply input in order to charge the load. The switch unit is connected between the charging unit and the power supply input for turning on or cutting off the charging unit. The voltage-dividing unit generates a first signal to the comparing unit according to a voltage of the load. The biasing unit outputs a second signal having a constant voltage to the comparing unit. The comparing unit compares the first signal with the second signal for cutting off or turning on the switch unit, bringing the charging unit to charge or stop charging the load, respectively.
US08339108B2 Charging systems that control power dissipation in a charging path
A circuit for charging a battery may include a switch operable for conducting a current flowing through the switch, and a first amplifier coupled to the switch and operable for adjusting the current according to an amount of power dissipation associated with the switch.
US08339094B2 Methods, systems and apparatus for overmodulation of a five-phase machine
Methods, system and apparatus are provided for overmodulation of a five-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system that includes a five-phase PWM controlled inverter module that drives the five-phase machine. Techniques for overmodulating a reference voltage vector are provided to optimize voltage command signals that control a five-phase inverter module to increase output voltages generated by the five-phase inverter module.
US08339093B2 System and method of dynamic regulation of real power to a load
A system and method for controlling an AC motor drive includes a control system programmed with an energy algorithm configured to optimize operation of the motor drive. Specifically, the control system receives input of an initial voltage-frequency command to the AC motor drive, receives a real-time output of the AC motor drive generated according to the initial voltage-frequency command, and determines a real-time value of a motor parameter based on the real-time output of the AC motor drive. The control system also inputs a plurality of modified voltage-frequency commands to the AC motor drive, determines the real-time value of the motor parameter corresponding to each of the plurality of modified voltage-frequency commands, and identifies an optimal value of the motor parameter based on the real-time values of the motor parameter. The control system maintains an input of a current modified voltage-frequency command when the real-time value of the motor parameter corresponds to the optimal value of the motor parameter.
US08339091B2 Communication apparatus for robots
A communication apparatus for robots is provided. A controller and drivers controlling each joint are serially connected to a serial transmission line. A final driver positioned at the last stage, among the drivers, is connected to an I/O module connected to a driver of a hand. When control signals for each driver and the driver of the hand are serially transmitted from the controller to the serial transmission line, the driver connected to the I/O module receives a control signal for the driver itself and a control signal for the driver of the hand, among the serially transmitted control signals, and transmits the control signal for the driver of the hand to the I/O module.
US08339088B2 Motor arrangement
The invention relates to a motor arrangement (1) comprising a motor (4) on which a transmitter device (6) is arranged, a regulating device (2) which is spatially separated from the motor, communicates with the motor (4) via at least one motor line/connection line (10), and controls the movement of the motor, and at least one sensor device (8) which is arranged on the motor (4), detects at least one physical property of the motor, and emits a signal characterising said physical property, the transmitter device (6) being connected to the regulating device (2) via the connection line. According to the invention, there is a direct communication connection (9) between the sensor device (8) and the transmitter device (6), by which means the sensor device (8) transmits the characteristic signal directly to the transmitter device (6).
US08339079B2 Power semiconductor chip, power semiconductor module, inverter apparatus, and inverter-integrated motor
Provided is an inverter-integrated motor including a motor and an inverter integrated in an efficient manner. Also provided is a semiconductor chip that can be used in this motor. An IGBT chip is constructed with an emitter terminal being provided at the apex of one face of a die having a regular triangular surface shape, a gate terminal being provided adjacent the opposite side to the apex, and a collector terminal being provided on the other face. A power semiconductor module is constructed with placing apices of the IGBT chips having the emitter terminals in abutment against each other. Six such power semiconductor chips are arranged in a regular hexagonal pattern to together constitute an inverter for converting DC power into three-phase AC power.
US08339075B2 Method for controlling a deceleration process of a DC motor and controller
Consistent with an example embodiment there is a method for controlling a deceleration process of a DC motor, wherein the DC motor is driven by a bridge driver coupled to a power supply intended to provide a supply voltage VDD at a power supply output. The method comprises applying a deceleration PWM signal to the bridge driver for decelerating the DC motor, and controlling the bridge driver such that a motor-induced back current is reduced, if the voltage at the power supply output exceeds a first voltage threshold which is higher than VDD. In accordance with the example embodiment, the method includes the following: if the voltage at the power supply output falls below a second voltage threshold which is lower than the first voltage threshold, control of the bridge driver is terminated such that the motor-induced back current is reduced.
US08339059B2 Light emitting device for AC operation
An AC light emitting device is disclosed. The AC light emitting device includes at least four substrates. Serial arrays each of which has a plurality of light emitting cells connected in series are positioned on the substrates, respectively. Meanwhile, first connector means electrically connect the serial arrays formed on respective different substrates. At least two array groups each of which has at least two of the serial arrays connected in series by the first connector means are formed. The at least two array groups are connected in reverse parallel to operate. Accordingly, there is provided an AC light emitting device capable of being driven under an AC power source.
US08339054B2 Motion sensor switch for 3-way light circuit and method of lighting control using the same
Systems and methods are provided for controlling light in a 3-way light circuit, where at least one of the switches in a 3-way light circuit includes an occupancy sensor and the on/off state of the load in the 3-way circuit is determined based on the voltage output of circuits configured to provide power to the 3-way light circuit.
US08339052B2 Power supply apparatus and method for AMOLED
A power supply apparatus and method for an active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) is disclosed. The power supply apparatus supplies power to the AMOLED while using a switching frequency varied in accordance with a clock signal, and includes a load checker for comparing a load current of the AMOLED with a first reference voltage, and outputs a result of the comparison as a load check signal, and a frequency oscillator for generating the clock signal which has a variable frequency in response to the load check signal. The power supply apparatus is switched in accordance with a clock signal having a frequency modulated based on a load condition of the AMOLED, for example, a load current. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce switching power loss caused by unnecessary power consumption under the condition that a small load current is generated, thereby achieving an enhancement in efficiency.
US08339049B2 LED driving circuit having a large operational range in voltage
An LED driving circuit includes a current selecting circuit. The current selecting circuit controls the current transmission path in the plurality of LEDs according to respective threshold voltages of corresponding LEDs and a plurality of current limits.
US08339034B2 Lighting device having two light sides and an organic layer stack
A lighting device is disclosed, having a first light output side, a second light output side, and an organic layer stack, disposed between the first and second light output sides, wherein during operation of the lighting device, light with different light properties emerges though the first and the second light output sides.
US08339032B2 Light source with luminophore layer
The invention relates to a light source comprising a primary radiation source and a luminescent substance, and to a method for producing this light source. The invention relates, in particular, to a method for producing an electric light source using one or more luminescent substances emitting in the visible spectrum range, and at least one primary source emitting preferably in the UV range, and which is preferably, but not exclusively, an LED.
US08339027B2 Field emission device with electron emission unit at intersection and field emission display using the same
A field emission display includes an insulating substrate, a number of first electrode down-leads, a number of second electrode down-leads, and a number of electron emission units. The first electrode down-leads are set an angle relative to the second electrode down-leads to define a number of cells and a number of intersections. Each electron emission unit is located at one of the plurality of intersections and in at least two adjacent cells. The electron emission unit includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a plurality of electron emitters. The second electrode extends surrounding the first electrode. The plurality of electron emitters located on and electrically connected to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. A field emission display is also provided.
US08339024B2 Methods and apparatuses for reducing heat on an emitter exit window
An exit window can include an exit window foil, and a support grid contacting and supporting the exit window foil. The support grid can have first and second grids, each having respective first and second grid portions that are positioned in an alignment and thermally isolated from each other. The first and second grid portions can each have a series of apertures that are aligned for allowing the passage of a beam therethrough to reach and pass through the exit window foil. The second grid portion can contact the exit window foil. The first grid portion can mask the second grid portion and the exit window foil from heat caused by the beam striking the first grid portion.
US08339012B2 Electret and electrostatic induction conversion device comprising the same
To provide an electret whose surface potential is improved and an electrostatic induction conversion device comprising the same, an electret is formed by spin-coating a fluorine-containing polymer composition for coating which contains a fluorine-containing polymer having a ring structure in its main chain, a silane coupling agent, an aprotic fluorine-containing solvent, and a fluorine-containing alcohol as a protic fluorine-containing solvent on a copper substrate and baking it.
US08339011B2 Rotor assembly wire support
A rotor assembly for an electromechanical device includes a molded wire support. The wire support has a body including a first side spaced from a second side and a hole extending through the sides and configured to receive a shaft. The body includes a wall about the hole extending to the first side. At least one end turn support extends outwardly from the wall and is configured to support wires. A molded pocket extends into the wall from the second side without penetrating through to the first side.
US08339008B2 Stator foar aspiration motor, aspiration motor and in-car sensor using the same
Provided are a stator for an aspiration motor, an aspiration motor and an in-car sensor using the same, in which a bobbin is integrally formed with a stator, to thus use an inexpensive insulation wire and enhance a productivity and lower an inferiority using an insert-molding technology. The stator for the aspiration motor includes a stator support plate, a support boss which is vertically extended from the central portion of the stator support plate, a bobbin which is bent and formed on the lateral surface of the support boss, and which is separated from the upper side surface of the stator support plate, to thereby provide a space, and a stator coil which is formed by making a wire wound in the space provided by the bobbin.
US08339005B2 Assembly and method for mounting magnets on a steel sheet rotor pack
An assembly for mounting magnets on a steel sheet rotor pack, the assembly including a plurality of baseplates made of a magnetic material and fixed to the rotor pack, and a plurality of magnets being in turn fitted to each baseplate. In one embodiment, the baseplates are fixed to the rotor pack by means of inner locking bars housed in axial ducts provided inside said rotor pack. The baseplates are fitted to the inner locking bars by fixing means passing through longitudinal channels connecting the axial ducts and the outer surface of the rotor pack.
US08338996B2 Scavenging concept for a hydrogen cooled generator
A hydrogen cooled generator assembly includes a hydrogen cooled generator and a fundament, wherein the generator is mounted on the fundament, and wherein the fundament includes at least one cavity underneath the generator. The at least one cavity includes at least one terminal box disposed adjacent to the generator and extending downward from the generator for collection of a plurality of electrical links from the generator; at least one collection box disposed beneath the at least one terminal box having a top wall and a first and a second side wall and configured to guide the plurality of electrical links from the at least one terminal box in a further downward direction; a lateral space; and a seal plate covering the lateral space at an upper end of the lateral space.
US08338995B2 Cooling fluid path structure for superconduction rotating machine
Disclosed is a cooling fluid path structure for a superconducting rotating machine, which includes: a fixed inlet fluid path fixed together with the fluid supply means; a rotating inlet fluid path adjacently connected to an outlet of the fixed inlet fluid path, which is for transferring the cooling fluid transferred from the fixed inlet fluid path to a cooling fluid path inlet provided in the rotor while rotating together with the rotor; a rotating outlet fluid path rotating together with the rotor, to which the cooling fluid discharged from a cooling fluid path outlet of the rotor is transferred; and a fixed outlet fluid path adjacently connected to the rotating outlet fluid path, which is for transferring the cooling fluid transferred from the rotating outlet fluid path to the fluid supply means while being fixed together with the fluid supply means, wherein the rotating outlet fluid path and the fixed outlet fluid path are disposed in such a manner that they surround outside of the rotating inlet fluid path and the fixed inlet fluid path.
US08338990B2 Inductive power supply system with multiple coil primary
An inductive power supply including multiple tank circuits and a controller for selecting at least one of the tank circuits in order to wirelessly transfer power based on received power demand information. In addition, a magnet may be used to align multiple remote devices with the inductive power supply. In one embodiment, different communication systems are employed depending on which coil is being used to transfer wireless power.
US08338982B2 Apparatus to maintain redundancy in four line system
Exemplary embodiments adapted to distribute power from four input lines to a plurality of power supply units (PSUs) configured in an N+1 architecture are provided. In one such embodiment, a plurality of rectifier devices have first and second ends, each of the plurality of rectifier devices connected at the first end to one of the four input lines, and adapted to be bypassed by a first relay in a first operating mode and provide rectified input current in a second operating mode. A plurality of second relays is connected between each of the second ends of the plurality of rectifier devices. The plurality of second relays are adapted to be closed in the second operating mode to sum the rectified input current from each of the plurality of rectifier devices in a single node connecting each of the plurality of PSUs.
US08338980B2 Wind turbine with single-stage compact drive train
A drive train for a wind turbine includes individual rotor blades connected to a rotor hub. The drive train includes a gearbox, with the rotor hub mounted directly to the gearbox. The gearbox further includes a stationary gear carrier mounted to a mainframe of the wind turbine such that the gearbox substantially supports the weight of the rotor hub. A generator includes a rotor and stationary stator, with the gearbox comprising an output shaft coupled to the rotor such that the gearbox substantially supports the weight of the rotor.
US08338976B2 Magnetically-levitated wind turbine
A novel wind turbine configuration utilizes a permanent magnetic male and female levitation support for magnetic levitation. The novel wind turbine has a female part attached to a payload which is magnetically levitated above a male part of the levitation support. The female part and the payload are further operatively attached to a vertical axle structure which is held stationary by a point of contact. The point of contact and the vertical axle structure provide a stable axis of rotation for the payload and the female part, which can be rotated with near-zero friction due to the magnetic repulsion provided by same polarity of the female part and the male part within a conical region of the female part. In one embodiment of the invention, an alternator structure is uniquely arranged to enable the novel wind turbine to generate electricity with a high level of efficiency and durability.
US08338973B2 Water flow electric power generator
To provide a water flow electric power generator capable of generating electric power for a long period of time, the water flow electric power generator including: an underwater rotating body (32) configured to rotate by a water flow (11); a driving liquid pressure pump (34) configured to hold a front end (52) of the underwater rotating body (32) at a predetermined position under water; a power transmission unit (40) configured to transfer a rotational power of the underwater rotating body (32) held by the driving liquid pressure pump (34) to above a water surface (9); and an electric power generator (39) disposed above the water surface to be driven by the power transferred by the power transmission unit (40), wherein the underwater rotating body (32) includes: a body portion (51) having a streamline shape from a front end thereof to a rear end thereof; a supporting portion (33) located between a front end of the body portion (51) and the driving liquid pressure pump (34) to be able to swing in a direction intersecting with an underwater rotating body axial direction (43); and a plurality of wings (54) configured to project radially from a periphery of the body portion (51).
US08338971B2 Engine-driven generator speed control system and method
A system and method are provided for controlling an internal combustion engine driving a generator/welder or a stand-alone generator. Controlling the engine may include altering the engine speed based upon a detected demand on the generator and/or operating parameters of a welder. For example, the engine speed may be increased based on a detected draw on the generator and/or the operating parameters of the welder. In addition, the engine speed may be automatically decreased to a non-standard idle speed or the engine may be automatically turned off if no demand is detected for a period of time. Additionally, the engine speed may be increased if only frequency-insensitive demands are detected on the generator. Combinations of these and further methods may be executed. Various devices are provided for implementing the above methods.
US08338967B2 Stress buffering package for a semiconductor component
The present invention relates to a stress buffering package for a semiconductor component, wherein a stress buffering means comprises individual stress buffering elements that do not influence the stress buffering effect from each other. Furthermore the invention relates a method for manufacturing a stress buffering package for a semiconductor component.
US08338965B2 Semiconductor chip and semiconductor device, and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor chip is provided comprising a semiconductor substrate on which an integrated circuit is formed. The semiconductor chip, which is provided on the semiconductor substrate in an area array, further comprises a plurality of electrodes electrically coupled with the inside of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the electrodes are arranged into a plurality of first groups respectively lined along a plurality of paralleling first straight lines and, further, into a plurality of second groups respectively lined along a plurality of second straight lines which extend so as to intersect with the first straight lines.
US08338961B2 Semiconductor chip with reinforcing through-silicon-vias
A method of manufacturing includes connecting a first end of a first through-silicon-via to a first die seal proximate a first side of a first semiconductor chip. A second end of the first thu-silicon-via is connected to a second die seal proximate a second side of the first semiconductor chip opposite the first side.
US08338956B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a foundation layer, a lower layer side stacked body, an upper layer side stacked body, an inter-layer insulating layer, and a plurality of contact electrodes. The foundation layer is provided in the second contact region to form a difference in levels between the second contact region and the first contact region. The lower layer side stacked body includes a plurality of conductive layers stacked alternately with a plurality of insulating layers. An upper level portion of the lower layer side stacked body stacked on the foundation layer is patterned into a stairstep configuration. The upper layer side stacked body is provided on a lower level portion of the lower layer side stacked body stacked in the first contact region. The upper layer side stacked body includes a plurality of conductive layers stacked alternately with a plurality of insulating layers.
US08338947B2 Solder interconnect pads with current spreading layers
Structure and methods of making the structures. The structures include a structure, comprising: an organic dielectric passivation layer extending over a substrate; an electrically conductive current spreading pad on a top surface of the organic dielectric passivation layer; an electrically conductive solder bump pad comprising one or more layers on a top surface of the current spreading pad; and an electrically conductive solder bump containing tin, the solder bump on a top surface of the solder bump pad, the current spreading pad comprising one or more layers, at least one of the one or more layers consisting of a material that will not form an intermetallic with tin or at least one of the one or more layers is a material that is a diffusion barrier to tin and adjacent to the solder bump pad.
US08338943B2 Semiconductor package with thermal heat spreader
A semiconductor package includes a substrate, a stiffener ring coupled to the substrate and configured to form a well with the substrate, and a die positioned in the well. A thermal interface is positioned on the die. A heat spreader is coupled to the stiffener ring so that a portion of the heat spreader is positioned in the well and the thermal interface thermally couples the heat spreader to the die. The portion of the heat spreader positioned in the well adds rigidity to the semiconductor package and facilitates the use of thin dies.
US08338933B2 Three-dimensional package structure
A three-dimensional package structure includes an energy storage element, a semiconductor package body and a shielding layer. The semiconductor package body has a plurality of second conductive elements and at least one control device inside. The energy storage element is disposed on the semiconductor package body. The energy storage element including a magnetic body is electrically connected to the second conductive elements. The semiconductor package body or the energy storage element has a plurality of first conductive elements to be electrically connected to an outside device. The shielding layer is disposed between the control component and at least part of the magnetic body to inhibit or reduce EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) from the energy storage element and to get a tiny package structure. The three-dimensional package structure is applicable to a POL (Point of Load) converter.
US08338926B2 Lead frame for optical semiconductor devices, method of producing the same, and optical semiconductor device
A lead frame for optical semiconductor devices in which a layer 2 composed of silver or a silver alloy is formed on an electrically-conductive substrate 1, having: a surface layer 4 composed of a metal or alloy thereof excellent in corrosion resistance as an outermost layer, wherein a concentration of a metallic component excellent in corrosion resistance of the surface layer is 50% by mass or more at the uppermost portion of the surface layer, and wherein a solid-solution layer 3 of silver and a metallic material which is a main component of the surface layer is formed between the surface layer and the layer composed of silver or a silver alloy.
US08338915B2 Circuit configuration and manufacturing processes for vertical transient voltage suppressor (TVS) and EMI filter
A vertical TVS (VTVS) circuit includes a semiconductor substrate for supporting the VTVS device thereon having a heavily doped layer extending to the bottom of substrate. Deep trenches are provided for isolation between multi-channel VTVS. Trench gates are also provided for increasing the capacitance of VTVS with integrated EMI filter.
US08338908B2 Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: a substrate in which, on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a buried layer of a second conductivity type and a semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type are stacked; trench that define an element forming region in the substrate; element isolation insulation film formed in the trench; and a semiconductor element formed in the element forming region. The trench include first trench formed from the surface of the substrate to boundary depth and second trench formed from the boundary depth to the bottom and having a diameter smaller than that of the first trench. First diffusion layers connected to the buried layer are formed around the first or second trench according to inter-element breakdown voltage required of the semiconductor element.
US08338907B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region and a second semiconductor region provided on a main surface of a substrate, being apart from each other and having first conductivity; a third semiconductor region provided between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region and having second conductivity opposite to the first conductivity; a fourth semiconductor region provided on a main surface of the substrate, connected to the third semiconductor region, manufactured together with the third semiconductor region in the same manufacturing process, and having the conductivity same as that of the third semiconductor region; and trenches made on the main surface of the fourth semiconductor region and having a depth smaller than a junction depth of the fourth semiconductor region.
US08338906B2 Schottky device
An integrated circuit structure has a metal silicide layer formed on an n-type well region, a p-type guard ring formed on the n-type well region and encircling the metal silicide layer. The outer portion of the metal silicide layer extends to overlap the inner edge of the guard ring, and a Schottky barrier is formed at the junction of the internal portion of the metal silicide layer and the well region. A conductive contact is in contact with the internal portion and the outer portion of the metal silicide layer.
US08338903B2 Photoelectric transducer and manufacturing method therefor
The surrounding length of a junction separation portion can be shortened to improve an insulating resistance in order to provide a solar cell with highly efficiency.In a photoelectric transducer of the type where a light-receiving surface electrode is wired to another electrode on a back surface via a through electrode passing through a semiconductor substrate of a first conductive type, the photoelectric transducer comprises: a junction separation portion made around the through electrode on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer formed for covering the junction separation portion, the through electrode penetrating the dielectric layer; and a back electrode provided on the dielectric layer and coupled to the through electrode which is connected to the light-receiving surface electrode.
US08338899B2 Pressure sensor and manufacturing method thereof
The pressure sensor according to the present invention has a sensor chip having a first semiconductor layer that has an opening portion, and a second semiconductor layer, formed on the first semiconductor layer, having a recessed portion that forms a diaphragm and a base, having a pressure guiding hole that is connected to the opening portion, bonded to the sensor chip. The recessed portion in the second semiconductor layer is larger than the opening portion of the first semiconductor layer. The opening portion of the first semiconductor layer has an opening diameter on the second semiconductor layer side that is larger than the opening diameter on the base side.
US08338893B2 Method and resulting structure DRAM cell with selected inverse narrow width effect
A shallow trench isolation structure for integrated circuits includes a semiconductor substrate having a trench and a buffered oxide layer overlying the semiconductor substrate. A pad nitride layer is overlying the buffered oxide layer. An implanted region is formed around a perimeter of the trench. The trench has a bottom width of less than 0.13 microns and an upper width of less than 0.13 microns. A rounded edge is surrounding a periphery of the trench. The rounded edge has a radius of curvature greater than about 0.02 um. A planarized high density plasma fill material is formed within the trench. The structure has a P-well region within the semiconductor substrate and bordering a vicinity of the trench region. A channel region is within the P-well region within the semiconductor substrate. The implanted region has an impurity concentration of more than double an amount of impurities in the channel region.
US08338889B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The disclosure concerns a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including forming a plurality of fins made of a semiconductor material on an insulating layer; forming a gate insulating film on side surfaces of the plurality of fins; and forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating film in such a manner that a compressive stress is applied to a side surface of a first fin which is used in an NMOSFET among the plurality of fins in a direction perpendicular to the side surface and a tensile stress is applied to a side surface of a second fin which is used in a PMOSFET among the plurality of fins in a direction perpendicular to the side surface.
US08338884B2 Selective epitaxial growth of semiconductor materials with reduced defects
A semiconductor device includes a substrate formed of a first semiconductor material; two insulators on the substrate; and a semiconductor region having a portion between the two insulators and over the substrate. The semiconductor region has a bottom surface contacting the substrate and having sloped sidewalls. The semiconductor region is formed of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material.
US08338879B2 Transistor constructions and processing methods
A transistor construction includes a first floating gate having a first conductive or semiconductive surface and a second floating gate having a second conductive or semiconductive surface. A dielectric region is circumferentially surrounded by the first surface. The region is configured to reduce capacitive coupling between the first and second surfaces. Another transistor construction includes a floating gate having a cavity extending completely through the floating gate from a first surface of the floating gate to an opposing second surface of the floating gate. The floating gate otherwise encloses the cavity, which is filled with at least one dielectric. A method includes closing an upper portion of an opening in insulator material with a gate material during the deposition before filling a lower portion with the gate material. The depositing and closing provide an enclosed cavity within the lower portion of the opening.
US08338878B2 Flash memory device with isolation structure
A flash memory device includes trenches that are formed at regions on a semiconductor substrate spaced apart from one another at predetermined distances, buried floating gates buried into the trenches, a plurality of isolation structures formed between the buried floating gates, and a dielectric film and a control gate formed on the buried floating gates.
US08338873B2 Semiconductor memory device including active pillars and gate pattern
Provided are a semiconductor memory device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor memory device may include a plurality of active pillars projecting from a semiconductor substrate, a gate pattern disposed on at least a portion of each of the active pillars with a gate insulator interposed therebetween, and a conductive line disposed on each of the active pillars and below the corresponding gate pattern, the conductive line may be insulated from the semiconductor substrate and the gate pattern, wherein each of the active pillars may include a drain region above the corresponding gate pattern, a body region adjacent to the corresponding gate pattern, and a source region that is in contact with the conductive line below the gate pattern.
US08338869B2 Sidewall coating for non-uniform spin momentum-transfer magnetic tunnel junction current flow
A magnetic tunnel junction device comprises a substrate including a patterned wiring layer. A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack is formed over the wiring layer. A low-conductivity layer is formed over the MTJ stack and a conductive hard mask is formed thereon. A spacer material is then deposited that includes a different electrical conductivity than the low conductivity layer. The spacer material is etched from horizontal surfaces so that the spacer material remains only on sidewalls of the hard mask and a stud. A further etch process leaves behind the sidewall-spacer material as a conductive link between a free magnetic layer and the conductive hard mask, around the low-conductivity layer. A difference in electrical conductivity between the stud and the spacer material enhances current flow along the edges of the free layer within the MTJ stack and through the spacer material formed on the sidewalls.
US08338865B2 Liquid crystal display device and semiconductor device
By increasing an interval between electrodes which drives liquid crystals, a gradient of an electric field applied between the electrodes can be controlled and an optimal electric field can be applied between the electrodes. The invention includes a first electrode formed over a substrate, an insulating film formed over the substrate and the first electrode, a thin film transistor including a semiconductor film in which a source, a channel region, and a drain are formed over the insulating film, a second electrode located over the semiconductor film and the first electrode and including first opening patterns, and liquid crystals provided over the second electrode.
US08338858B1 Time correlation system and method
A time correlated single photon counting system having a programmable delay generator triggered by a laser fire event detector. The system may be used for chemical agent detection based on Rayleigh scattering using optical time domain reflectometry techniques. The system may also be used for Raman detection using frequency to time transformations.
US08338855B2 Voltage-controlled bidirectional switch
A voltage-controlled vertical bi-directional monolithic switch, referenced with respect to the rear surface of the switch, formed from a lightly-doped N-type semiconductor substrate, in which the control structure includes, on the front surface side, a first P-type well in which is formed an N-type region, and a second P-type well in which is formed a MOS transistor, the first P-type well and the gate of the MOS transistor being connected to a control terminal, said N-type region being connected to a main terminal of the MOS transistor, and the second main terminal of the MOS transistor being connected to the rear surface voltage of the switch.
US08338854B2 TVS with low capacitance and forward voltage drop with depleted SCR as steering diode
A transient-voltage suppressing (TVS) device disposed on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. The TVS includes a buried dopant region of a second conductivity type disposed and encompassed in an epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type wherein the buried dopant region extends laterally and has an extended bottom junction area interfacing with the underlying portion of the epitaxial layer thus constituting a Zener diode for the TVS device. The TVS device further includes a region above the buried dopant region further comprising a top dopant layer of a second conductivity type and a top contact region of a second conductivity type which act in combination with the epitaxial layer and the buried dopant region to form a plurality of interfacing PN junctions constituting a SCR acting as a steering diode to function with the Zener diode for suppressing a transient voltage.
US08338853B2 Substrate for forming light-emitting layer, light emitter and light-emitting substance
Light emitters and substrates for light emitters are provided to improve light-emitting efficiency and achieve improvement in crystal quality. A light emitter includes a single-crystal substrate, an oriented microcrystal layer, and a light-emitting layer. The light-emitting layer is made of a nitride semiconductor by means of a vapor-phase growth method. In the oriented microcrystal layer, the proportion of crystals, in which one of crystal axes is oriented with respect to the single-crystal substrate, is 5-9 out of 10 crystals. An average diameter of the crystal grains of the respective crystals, contained in the oriented microcrystal layer, is 1-1,000 nm. A light emitter may be equipped with an intermediate layer, a light-emitting layer, and a clad layer. These layers are formed on the oriented microcrystal layer by a vapor-phase growth method. The light-emitting layer contains microcrystal grains whose average grain diameter is 1-1,000 nm.
US08338852B2 Sectionally covered light emitting assembly
A light emitting assembly (10) includes an aluminum heat sink (12) having a plurality of elongated slots (18) which space and define a plurality of sections (20). A pair of fins (30) extend from each section (20) along opposite sides of each elongated slot (18). A plurality of integral bridges (26) extend across the elongated slots (18). A screen (54) is disposed over each of the elongated slots (18). A light transmissive independent cover (44) is adhesively secured to each of the sections (20) around the light emitting diodes (28) so that one cover (44) independently covers the light emitting diodes (28) on each of the sections (20). The covers (44) are separated by the elongated slots (18). A housing (50) is spaced from the fins (30) and includes vents (52) whereby cooling air passes through the slots (18), over the fins (30), and out the vents (52).
US08338830B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, which is able to improve on-current and mobility of a polycrystal TFT without disturbing a high integration level, and also provide a semiconductor device obtained in accordance with the manufacturing method. The manufacturing method comprises steps of adding a catalytic element to a semiconductor film and heating the semiconductor film to form a more crystallized first region; forming a less crystallized second region than the first region; irradiating first laser light to the first region to form a more crystallized third region than the first region; irradiating second laser light to the second region to form a more crystallized fourth region than the second region; and patterning the third region to form a first island-shaped region and the fourth region to form a second island-shaped region, wherein the first laser light has the same energy density from the second laser light, and a scan speed of the first laser light is faster than that of the second laser light.
US08338828B2 Semiconductor package and method of testing same
A packaged integrated circuit includes a substrate having a wire layout pattern and a solder mask layer. An integrated circuit attached to a surface of the substrate is electrically connected to the wire layout pattern. An encapsulation material covers at least the integrated circuit and the solder mask layer. One or more crack seal rings are disposed on the solder mask surface. The crack seal rings are copper traces with terminals that allow current to be applied to the traces. A broken trace (open circuit condition) is indicative of a crack in the package. Thus, electrical testing is performed to detect physical defects.
US08338821B2 Pressure detection apparatus, Josephson device, and superconducting quantum interference device that include superconductor thin film that undergoes transition from superconductor to insulator by pressure
A pressure detection apparatus (30) detects, among a plurality of superconductor thin films (11 to 14) having different critical pressures at which a transition from a superconductor to an insulator occurs, the superconductor thin films (12 to 14) that have undergone the transition to the insulator with ammeters (242, 252, 262); and to detect, as an internal pressure of a housing (10), the maximum critical pressure among the critical pressures of the detected superconductor thin films (12 to 14).
US08338814B2 Resistive random access memory, nonvolatile memory, and method of manufacturing resistive random access memory
A resistive random access memory includes a lower electrode; a metal oxide film formed on the lower electrode and having a variable resistance, the metal oxide film having a first portion containing a metal element forming the metal oxide film and a second portion richer in oxygen than the first portion; and an upper electrode formed on the metal oxide film.
US08338812B2 Vertical spacer electrodes for variable-resistance material memories and vertical spacer variable-resistance material memory cells
Variable-resistance memory material cells are contacted by vertical bottom spacer electrodes. Variable-resistance material memory spacer cells are contacted along the edge by electrodes. Processes include the formation of the bottom spacer electrodes as well as the variable-resistance material memory spacer cells. Devices include the variable-resistance memory cells.
US08338808B2 Ultraviolet radiation lamp and source module and treatment system containing same
The present invention relates to an ultraviolet radiation lamp. The lamp comprises: (i) a substantially sealed cavity comprising a mercury-containing material; and (ii) a heating unit disposed exteriorly with respect to the cavity. The heating unit is disposed in contact with a first portion of the cavity comprising the mercury-containing material. The heating unit has adjustable heat output.
US08338800B2 Photoluminescent fibers, compositions and fabrics made therefrom
Disclosed are photoluminescent fibers containing photoluminescent phosphorescent materials and photoluminescent fluorescent materials which emit electromagnetic energies to give an emission signature. Also disclosed are the use of the inventive fibers, fabrics made therefrom, and objects containing the fiber.
US08338788B2 Method and system of optimized volumetric imaging
A system of performing a volumetric scan. The system comprises a surface of positioning a patient in a space parallel thereto, a plurality of extendable detector arms each the detector arm having a detection unit having at least one radiation detector, and an actuator which moves the detection unit along a linear path, and a gantry which supports the plurality of extendable detector arms around the surface so that each the linear path of each respective the extendable detector arm being directed toward the space.
US08338782B2 Detector system for transmission electron microscope
In a transmission electron microscope detector system, image data is read out from the pixels and analyzed during an image acquisition period. The image acquisition process is modified depending on the results of the analysis. For example, the analyses may indicate the inclusion in the data of an image artifact, such as charging or bubbling, and data including the artifact may be eliminated form the final image. CMOS detectors provide for selective read out of pixels at high data rates, allowing for real-time adaptive imaging.
US08338780B2 Ambient pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) apparatus and method of analysis
A mass spectrometer having a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) source which operates at ambient pressure is disclosed. The apparatus and method are disclosed to analyze at least one sample which contains at least one analyte using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI), which apparatus comprises:The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for ionizing at least one analyte in a sample for delivery to a mass analysis device, comprising: (a) an ionization enclosure including a passageway configured for delivery of ions to the mass analysis device; (b) means to maintain said ionization enclosure at an ambient pressure of greater than 100 mTorr; (c) a holder configured for maintaining a matrix containing said sample in the ionization enclosure at said ambient pressure; (d) a source of laser energy including means associated with the ionization enclosure for directing the laser energy onto said matrix maintained by the holder at the ambient pressure to desorb and ionize at least a portion of the analyte in the sample, and (e) means for directing at least a portion of the at least one ionized analyte into the passageway. The ambient pressure (AP-MALDI) source is compatible with various mass analyzers, particularly with mass spectrometers and solves many problems associated with conventional MALDI sources operating under vacuum. Atmospheric pressure MALDI is described. The analysis of organic molecules or fragments thereof, particularly biomolecules, e.g., biopolymers and organisms, is described.
US08338778B2 Methods for detecting vitamin C by mass spectrometry
Provided are methods for determining the amount of vitamin C in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing vitamin C in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of vitamin C in the sample.
US08338769B1 Pyrotechnic fin deployment and retention mechanism
A fin retention and deployment mechanism includes a detent in each of a plurality of fins, a mechanism that engages the detent, and at least one spring clip that maintains each of the fins in a non-deployed position. The mechanism also includes a gas generator, a manifold, coupled to the gas generator and having a plurality of cylinders in fluid communication with gas from the gas generator, and a plurality of pistons disposed in the cylinders. A bottom of each of the pistons is coupled to each of the fins to provide deployment thereof when a corresponding top of each of the pistons is acted upon by gas from the gas generator. In response to the gas generator expelling gas, the pistons may move the fins to a deployed position.
US08338766B2 Microwaveable package for food products
A susceptor includes a flexible substrate and a metallic material provided on at least one surface of the substrate. A first plurality of ventilation apertures are formed in the substrate and the metallic material, and the first plurality of ventilation apertures are configured to permit a fluid to pass through the substrate and the metallic material.
US08338764B2 Microwave field director structure having vanes covered with a conductive sheath
A reusable self-supporting field director for use in heating an article in a microwave oven is characterized by a plurality of vanes, each vane extending radially outwardly from a central axis and being angularly adjacent to two other vanes. The vanes are attached to each other at their inner ends. Each vane has a substrate formed from an electrically non-conductive material, and an electrically conductive sheath encasing the substrate so that a portion of the first and second major surfaces are covered by an electrically conductive material. The sheath is arranged on the substrate in a laterally symmetric fashion so that thermal expansion effects due to heating are equalized across the thickness of each vane.
US08338762B2 Power control apparatus for high-frequency dielectric heating and power control method for the same
A power control method for high-frequency dielectric heating is provided. The method includes detecting input current and input voltage from an AC power supply. Input current waveform information and input voltage waveform information are acquired. It is determined whether the magnetron is being oscillated. If so, the input voltage waveform information is added to the input current waveform information until oscillation of the magnetron is detected, and the addition result is converted into the drive signal of a switching transistor of an inverter circuit. If not, the input current waveform, without addition of the input voltage waveform, is converted into the drive signal of the switching transistor of the inverter circuit.
US08338757B2 Cooking device
A cooking device includes a control mode switch selecting a control mode for controlling a heating operation; a setting switch for selecting a set value in each control mode; a heating control unit for controlling a heating unit based on the control mode and the set value inputted through the control mode switch and the setting switch; and a selection switch for selecting the operation mode. The operation modes include a first operation mode in which all of the plurality of control modes are set to be selectable and a second operation mode in which only part of the control modes are set to be selectable. The heating control unit disables at least one control mode switch when the second operation mode is selected by the selection switch.
US08338755B2 On-vehicle heater and its manufacturing method
An on-vehicle heater according to the invention includes: a heating body unit including a heater element; an electrode member overlapped in contact with the heater element; an insulating sheet enveloping the heater element and the electrode member; and a tube housing the heater element and the electrode member enveloped in the insulating sheet; a radiator unit stacked on the heating body unit; and a cap mounted on an end portion of the heating body unit, the electrode member having a terminal portion being led out of the tube from an end opening of the tube, bent to pass through the cap, and led out of the cap.
US08338741B2 Ground indicating device
A device and method are provided for determining whether sufficient ground exists to perform processes such requiring the establishment of an electrical arc such arc welding or plasma cutting. The device is capable of fastening to at least one object placed in between a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The contact surfaces are composed of conductive material but separated by non-conductive material. The device further includes at least one light bulb coupled with an electrical circuit such that the electrical circuit coupled to the light bulb, broken only by non-conductive material separating the first contact surface and the second contact surface. A method of determining whether such sufficient ground exists by connecting an electrical circuit, coupled with a light bulb and broken only by the object, is also provided.
US08338730B2 Lighting guide keypad and lighting guide keypad assembly
The present invention relates to a light guiding keypad and a light guiding keypad assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a light guiding keypad and light guiding keypad assembly which can reduce the number of components of mobile phones by forming line type or surface type of key character patterns on one surface of a light guiding plate of a mobile phone that receives lights through its side surface and thus making the light guiding plate perform as keypad. The key character patterns are formed by printing paste having diffusion and reflection features.
US08338729B2 Keypad apparatus for electronic device
A keypad apparatus for an electronic device permits a thinner construction. The keypad apparatus includes a first light guide plate having key buttons molded in one body attached onto the first light guide plate, a second light guide plate disposed under the first light guide plate, a first light source disposed at one side of the first light guide plate, a second light source disposed at one side of the second light guide plate, and key input switches associated with the key buttons.
US08338717B2 Circuit substrate and structure using the same
A circuit substrate includes a base and conductive layers disposed on lower and upper surfaces of the substrate. The base includes resin layers and the conductive layers overlapping with each other in a plan view. The resin layers include first resin layers and a second resin layer interposed between the first resin layers. The first resin layer has a filler and the second resin layer has no filler or a filler whose amount is 1 volume % or less and smaller than an amount of the filler in the first resin layer.
US08338708B2 Electric junction box joint structure
An electric junction box is provided having a receiving portion enabling a joint to be securely press-fitted into a joint, even if the outer diameter of the joint varies within a wide range. An electric junction box is comprised of a joint having electrical conduits that are electrically connected to each other at their terminals, and a cap disposed on the terminals, and a receiving portion which the joint is press-fitted into. The receiving portion comprises a recess having an inner surface facing an outer surface of the joint, and a rib projection disposed on the inner surface of the recess. The rib projection has a tapered portion inclined toward the bottom of the recess thus approximating the center portion of the bottom.
US08338707B2 Cord seal for swimming pool and spa light niches
Embodiments of the invention provide a cord seal for use in a niche that houses an underwater light. The cord seal includes a main seal with a cord receiving passage including a split for a power cord. The cord seal includes a seal support positioned adjacent to the main seal and a seal cap positioned adjacent to the seal support. The seal cap secures the main seal and the seal support substantially within a hub of the niche. The seal cap deforms the main seal to provide a water-tight seal around the power cord within the hub.
US08338705B2 Grounding mechanism for slide-type electronic devices
A grounding mechanism is used for a slidable electronic device including a first housing and a second housing. The grounding mechanism includes a grounding tab and a protrusion. The grounding tab is for attachment to the first housing, and defines a depression coated with a conductive layer. The protrusion is formed in the second housing. When the protrusion is received in the recess, the protrusion abuts against the conductive layer for electronically connecting the first housing to the second housing.
US08338697B2 Propylene resin composition and use thereof
The thermoplastic resin composition (X1) of the present invention comprises (A1), (B1), (C1), and optionally (D1) below: 1 to 90 wt % of an isotactic polypropylene (A1); 9 to 98 wt % of a propylene/ethylene/α-olefin copolymer (B1) containing 45 to 89 mol % of propylene-derived structural units, 10 to 25 mol % of ethylene-derived structural units, and optionally, 0 to 30 mol % of C4-C20 α-olefin-derived structural units (a1); 1 to 80 wt % of a styrene-based elastomer (C1); and 0 to 70 wt % of an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer (D1) whose density is in the range of 0.850 to 0.910 g/cm3, wherein (A1)+(B1)+(C1)+(D1)=100 wt %.
US08338695B2 Iterative adaptive solar tracking having variable step size
A system controller for position controlling a photovoltaic (PV) panel in a PV system including a power sensor sensing output power (P), and a motor for positioning the PV panel. The system controller includes a computing device having memory that provides motor control signals and implements an iterative adaptive control (IAC) algorithm stored in the memory for adjusting an angle of the PV panel. The IAC algorithm includes an iterative relation that relates P at current time k (P(k)), its elevation angle at k (θs (k)), P after a next step (P(k+1)) and its elevation angle at k+1 (θs (k+1)). The IAC algorithm generates a perturbed power value P(k+1) to provide a power perturbation to P(k), and calculates a position angle θS (k+1) of the PV panel using the perturbed power value. The motor control signals from the computing device cause the motor to position the PV panel to achieve θS (k+1).
US08338693B2 Solar arrays and other photovoltaic (PV) devices using PV enhancement films for trapping light
A solar energy conversion assembly for efficiently capturing solar energy by providing additional chances to absorb reflected sunlight. The assembly includes one or more solar cells that each include a light-receiving surface. A fraction of light incident upon the light-receiving surface is reflected. The assembly includes a photovoltaic (PV) enhancement film of transparent material such as plastic positioned to cover at least a portion of the light-receiving surface. The PV enhancement film includes a substrate positioned proximate to or abutting the light-receiving surface. The film includes a plurality of total internal reflection (TIR) elements on the substrate opposite the light-receiving surface. The TIR elements transmit initially received or incident light to the light-receiving surface of the solar cell without significant focusing and then use TIR to trap a substantial portion of the reflected light to provide additional chances for absorption such that typically lost light may be converted to electricity.
US08338692B2 Electrolyte for photoelectric conversion elements, and photoelectric conversion element and dye-sensitized solar cell using the electrolyte
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte for photoelectric conversion elements, and a photoelectric conversion element and a dye-sensitized solar cell using the electrolyte, wherein high energy conversion efficiency can be achieved while substantially not including iodine. The electrolyte for a photoelectric conversion element of the present invention includes an ionic liquid (A) and a carbon material (B) having a specific surface area of from 1,000 to 3,500 m2/g, wherein a content of the carbon material (B) is from 10 to 50 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the ionic liquid (A).
US08338689B1 Electric instrument music control device with multi-axis position sensors
An electric instrument music control device is provided having at least two multi-axis position sensors. One sensor is a reference multi-axis position sensor having at least one axis held in a fixed position. Another sensor is a moveable multi-axis position sensor rotatable about at least one axis corresponding to the at least one axis of the reference multi-axis position sensor. The electric music control device also includes a processor in communication with both the reference multi-axis position sensor and the moveable multi-axis position sensor. The processor calculates an angular difference in response to receiving the angular position of the at least one axis of the reference multi-axis position sensor and the angular position of the at least one axis of the moveable multi-axis position sensor. The angular difference correlates to a music effect of an electric instrument.
US08338688B2 Electronic keyboard instrument
An electronic keyboard instrument with a hammer action, in which a circuit board for generating electronic musical tones can be disposed at a location for easy maintenance and for effective space utilization. Front and rear bars are bridged between side plates of an instrument main body so as to extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction and reinforce the instrument main body. A hammer action mechanism having hammers for respective keys is disposed rearward of a key-depression part of a keyboard and upward of a rear end portion of the keyboard, and a board tray is bridged between the front and rear bars. The board tray and the circuit board are located upward of the hammer action mechanism.
US08338686B2 System and method for producing a harmonious musical accompaniment
An apparatus for enhancing audio comprising a first interface and a harmonizing module is disclosed. The first interface receive a first audio segment from a first source. The harmonizing module is coupled to the first interface. The harmonizing module is configured to identify at least one musical property of the first audio segment; calculate a subset of notes that are harmonious with the first audio segment based on the at least one musical property; and select from the subset of notes to generate an audio track to be played substantially synchronously with the first audio segment. A second interface may also be provided to receive a second audio segment from a second source. In this case, the harmonizing module may be configured to generate the audio track by transforming one or more notes of the second audio segment. A method is also provided.
US08338673B2 Hybrid corn plant and seed PPVO1864
This invention provides hybrid maize plant designated PPVO1864. This invention further provides hybrid seed of PPVO1864, a representative sample of which has been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-9367, hybrid plants produced from such seed, and variants, mutants, and trivial modifications to hybrid PPVO1864, as well as methods of using the hybrid and products produced from the hybrid.
US08338667B2 Environmental stress-inducible 972 promoter isolated from rice and uses thereof
The present invention relates to environmental stress-inducible 972 promoter isolated from rice, a recombinant plant expression vector comprising said promoter, a method of producing a target protein by using said recombinant plant expression vector, a method of producing a transgenic plant using said recombinant plant expression vector, a transgenic plant produced by said method, a method of improving resistance of a plant to environmental stress by using said promoter, and a primer set for amplification of said promoter.
US08338663B2 Isoprenoid synthases
The invention relates to the field of genetic engineering of flavor, fragrance and biocontrol agent development. More specifically it relates to a process for production of natural flavors, fragrances or bio-control agents by the control of one or more genes implicated in that process. The invention provides an isolated or recombinant nucleic acid or functional fragment thereof encoding a proteinaceous molecule essentially capable of flavor, fragrance and/or bio-control agent synthesis when provided with a suitable substrate under appropriate reaction conditions. The invention further provides a nucleic acid or functional fragment thereof encoding a proteinaceous molecule essentially capable of synthesizing at least a monoterpene alcohol linalool when contacted with geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and/or at least a sesquiterpene alcohol nerolidol when contacted with farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) under appropriate reaction conditions.
US08338662B2 Viral promoter, truncations thereof, and methods of use
The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for a promoter. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequence disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence operably linked to the promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence.
US08338659B2 Absorbent article featuring leakage warning
Disclosed is an absorbent article for preventing leakage, the article including an absorbent assembly having an absorbent assembly perimeter and a leakage warning element disposed adjacent a portion of the perimeter, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to provide a physical sensation indicating a fullness level of the absorbent assembly. Also disclosed is an absorbent article for providing a wearer with a warning of potential leakage, the article including an absorbent assembly and a leakage warning element disposed adjacent the absorbent assembly, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to impart a physical sensation to the wearer.
US08338652B2 Process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
The present invention provides a simple and efficient process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene(HFC-1234yf), the process being useful for industrial production. More specifically, the present invention relates to: a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, comprising the steps of: (I) reacting a compound expressed by Formula (1): CF3CF2CH2X  (1) wherein X represents Cl, Br or I, with a base to produce a compound expressed by Formula (2): CF3CF═CHX  (2) wherein X is the same as above; and (II) reducing the compound expressed by Formula (2) with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to produce 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
US08338648B2 Topical compositions and methods for epithelial-related conditions
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical, cosmetic and cosmeceutical topical compositions containing polyisoprenyl-protein inhibitor compounds and methods useful in the promotion of healthy epithelium and the treatment of epithelial-related conditions.
US08338645B2 Method for producing a β-alkoxypropionamide
A method for producing a β-alkoxypropionamide shown by the following formula (I) including the step of reacting a β-alkoxypropionic acid ester with an amine in the presence of a basic catalyst or in the presence of a basic catalyst and a polyol: wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a methoxymethyl group or a glycidyl group.
US08338644B2 Method for the production of N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC)
A process for preparing N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) by continuously reacting methyl acetate (MeOAc) with dimethylamine (DMA) in the presence of a basic catalyst, wherein MeOAc is used in the form of a methanolic solution which is obtained as a by-product in the preparation of polyTHF by transesterifying polyTHF diacetate with methanol.
US08338639B2 Soft-gelatin capsule formulation
The present invention provides a soft gelatin capsule formulation of a 15-keto-prostaglandin compound, which includes: a soft gelatin capsule shell including gelatin and sugar alcohol as a plasticizer, and a mixture including a 15-keto-prostaglandin compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle which is filled in the shell. By encapsulating the 15-keto-prostaglandin compound in the specified soft gelatin capsule shell, stability of the compound is significantly improved.
US08338638B2 Antimicrobial derivatives of anacardic acid and process for preparing the same
Derivatives of anacardic acid having antimicrobial properties and method for preparing said derivatives. The antimicrobial properties include bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal activity.
US08338636B2 Hydrogenation and esterification to form diesters
A process is disclosed which employs hydrogenation and esterification to form alkyl diesters. The process subjects an unrefined or otherwise not purified composition comprising maleic anhydride production residue to the processes of hydrogenation and esterification and forming diesters at high conversion efficiency.
US08338635B2 Synthesis of half esters
A method for hydrolyzing an ester is provided. In accordance with the method, a compound A is provided which has first and second ester moieties. The compound is reacted in a liquid medium with a base having the formula MaXb, such that the first ester moiety is converted to a carboxyl moiety and the second ester moiety remains, wherein the ratio [Xk−]:[A] in the liquid medium is no greater than 1.6, and wherein k>0.
US08338628B2 Method of synthesizing alkylated bile acid derivatives
A novel, improved method of synthesizing alkylated bile acid derivatives is provided. Such derivatives include, but are not limited to the active, potent, and selective FXR receptor agonist such as 6-ECDCA and other CA, DCA and CDCA derivatives. The first step of the synthesis selectively oxidates CDCA, CD, or DCA related starting material. An efficient combined deprotonation, trapping, ethylation, deprotection and reduction system is used to produce the desired alkylated bile acid derivatives. This practical synthesis offers a simple and economical pathway suitable for a large-scale manufacturing of alkylated bile acid derivatives including, but not limited to, 6-ECDCA.
US08338624B2 Isoflavone derivatives and uses thereof
Isoflavone derivatives are provided comprising a carboxyalkylene moiety linked via its alkylene chain to the aromatic ring and via its carboxy group to an aminoalkyleneamino residue, which, in turn, is covalently linked to a functional group B. The isoflavone derivatives are preferably derived from biochanin A, genistein, and daidzein, and the functional group B is preferably an amino protecting group. These isoflavone derivatives are useful for treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with estrogen receptor functioning.
US08338621B2 Process for the preparation of 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine derivatives
The present invention relates to alternative processes for the preparation of 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine derivatives of formula (I) Particularly, the present invention relates to alternative processes for the synthesis of levetiracetam, brivaracetam and seletracetam.
US08338614B2 Tertiary carbinamines having substituted heterocycles which are active as β-secretase inhibitors for the treatment of alzheimer's disease
The present invention is directed to tertiary carbinamine compounds having substituted heterocycles, which are inhibitors of the beta-secretase enzyme, and are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the treatment of such diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved.
US08338610B2 Pyridinyl compounds useful as intermediates
Disclosed are compounds of the formula (I), useful for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are mediated or sustained through the activity of CCR1 including autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Also disclosed are intermediates thereof, and methods of making and methods of using same.
US08338608B2 Inhibitors of ion channels
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided which are useful in the treatment of diseases through the inhibition of sodium ion flux through voltage-gated sodium channels. More particularly, the invention provides substituted aryl sulfonamides, compositions comprising these compounds, as well as methods of using these compounds or compositions in the treatment of central or peripheral nervous system disorders, particularly pain and chronic pain by blocking sodium channels associated with the onset or recurrence of the indicated conditions. The compounds, compositions and methods of the present invention are of particular use for treating neuropathic or inflammatory pain by the inhibition of ion flux through a voltage-gated sodium channel.
US08338607B2 Cyclic amine compounds and agents for pest control
Agents for pest control comprising cyclic amine compounds represented by the formula (1) or salts thereof or N-oxides thereof as an active ingredient, wherein Cy1 represents an unsubstituted or substituted 5-membered heterocycle or unsubstituted or substituted group represented by the formula (a) below, wherein Y1 and Y2 each independently represents nitrogen or carbon and symbol * represents the bonding positions.
US08338606B2 Crystalline forms of N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-L-valyl-(4R)-4-((7-chloro-4-methoxy-1-isoquinolinyl)oxy)-N-((1R,2S)-1-((cyclopropylsulfonyl)carbamoyl)-2-vinylcyclopropyl)-L-prolinamide
The present disclosure generally relates to crystalline forms of N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-L-valyl-(4R)-4-((7-chloro-4-methoxy-1-isoquinolinyl)oxy)-N-((1R,2S)-1-((cyclopropylsulfonyl)carbamoyl)-2-vinylcyclopropyl)-L-prolinamide. The present disclosure also generally relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more of the crystalline forms, as well of methods of using the crystalline forms in the treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and methods for obtaining such crystalline forms.
US08338602B2 Quaternary nitrogen heterocyclic compounds for detecting aqueous monosaccharides in physiological fluids
Quaternary nitrogen heterocyclic boronic acid-containing compounds are described, which are sensitive to glucose and fructose, as well as a variety of other physiologically important analytes, such as aqueous chloride and iodide, and a method of using the compounds. Also disclosed is a contact lens doped with the quaternary nitrogen heterocyclic boronic acid-containing compound, and a method of using the doped contact lens to measure the concentration of analyte in tears under physiological conditions.
US08338601B2 Slow release of organoboronic acids in cross-coupling reactions
A method of performing a chemical reaction includes reacting a compound selected from the group consisting of an organohalide and an organo-pseudohalide, and a protected organoboronic acid represented by formula (I) in a reaction mixture: R1—B-T  (I); where R1 represents an organic group, T represents a conformationally rigid protecting group, and B represents boron having sp3 hybridization. When unprotected, the corresponding organoboronic acid is unstable by the boronic acid neat stability test. The reaction mixture further includes a base having a pKB of at least 1 and a palladium catalyst. The method further includes forming a cross-coupled product in the reaction mixture.
US08338600B2 Copper-oxygen adduct complexes, and methods of making and use
The invention at hand describes Cu-(II)-oxygen adduct complexes, which are stable at room temperature, as well as methods for their production. In this, compounds of the general formula [L-Cu—O—O—Cu-L](BAr4)2 are concerned. Here, BAr4− is a tetraarylborate anion, selected from tetraphenylborate and tetrakis(3,5-trifluoromethyl)phenylborate. L represents a tripodal tetradentate ligand, wherein, each of the four binding sites of the tripodal tetradentate ligand is a nitrogen atom. Each of the three podal ligands is suitable for comprising an aliphatic amine or a nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic compound independently of one another. A bridge of one to four carbon atoms is located between the central nitrogen atom and the nitrogen atom of each of the podal ligands.The Cu-(II)-oxygen adduct complexes according to the present invention are produced, by initially reacting the ligand L with a Cu-(I) salt to [Cu-L]X. Subsequently, the anion X of the Cu-(I) complex [Cu-L]X is replaced with tetraarylborate and the compound [Cu-L]BAr4 obtained in this way is finally exposed to an oxygen-containing atmosphere. Hereby, [L-Cu—O—O—Cu-L](BAr4)2 is formed.The Cu-(II)-oxygen adduct complexes are suitable for being used as oxidation catalysts, for example for the oxidation of benzene to phenol or methane to methanol, for the oxidation of hydrogen, aromatic and aliphatic, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, as well as alcohols and amines.Furthermore, detection of the Cu-(II)-oxygen adduct complexes according to the present invention is suitable for being used for the detection of oxygen.
US08338592B2 Fused thiazole derivatives as kinase inhibitors
A series of 6,7-dihydro[1,3]thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-4(5H)-one derivatives, which are substituted in the 2-position by a substituted morpholin-4-yl moiety, being selective inhibitors of PI3 kinase enzymes, are accordingly of benefit in medicine, for example in the treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, metabolic, oncological, nociceptive or ophthalmic conditions.
US08338587B2 Compounds
The present invention provides named compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy.
US08338583B2 Snornai-small nucleolar RNA degradation by RNA interference in trypanosomatids
Polynucleotides and a method suitable for downregulation of small nuclear RNA which can be used to treat diseases associated with activity of small nuclear RNA are provided. Specifically, the present invention can be used to downregulate snoRNA molecules or box H/ACA-containing RNA molecules which are involved in diseases such as cancer.
US08338576B2 Antibodies specific for DKK-1 and their uses
The present invention provides antibodies and fragments thereof that bind to Dkk-1 and, in particular, to humanized antibodies and fragments thereof that bind to Dkk-1 and, even more particularly to fully humanized antibodies and immunologically functional fragments that bind to Dkk-1. Also provided are antibodies and fragments thereof which compete with the binding of an anti-mouse Dkk-1 monoclonal antibody for binding to Dkk-1+ cells. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding anti-Dkk-1 antibodies or fragments thereof, as well as expression vectors and host cells incorporating these nucleic acids for the recombinant expression of anti-Dkk-1 antibodies and fragments thereof. Also provided are methods of preparing the antibodies and fragments thereof of the invention. Also provided are bone anabolic agents. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies or fragments thereof of the invention are also provided. Further provided are methods of treating diseases, conditions and disorders, such as bone disorders, which result in a loss of bone. Methods of treating or preventing a loss of bone mass, methods of inducing increased bone mass, and methods of inducing Wnt activity are also provided.
US08338574B2 FC variants with altered binding to FCRN
The present application relates to a variant Fc region comprising at least one modification relative to a wild-type human Fc region, where the modification selected from the group consisting of 434S, 252Y/428L, 252Y/434S, and 428L/434S, and the numbering is according to the EU index.
US08338562B2 Biocompatible, non-biodegradable, non-toxic polymer useful for nanoparticle pharmaceutical compositions
The invention relates to a biocompatible, non-biodegradable, and non-toxic polymer of formula (I), comprising of three monomeric units, selected from 1-Vinylpyrrolidone (VP), N-Isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), and ester of Maleic anhydride and Polyethylene glycol (MPEG), cross-linked with a bi-functional vinyl derivative, of high purity and substantially free of respective toxic monomeric contaminants, and a process for preparation thereof. The invention further relates to nanoparticulate pharmaceutical compositions of poorly water-soluble drugs or compounds comprising the polymer of the invention, which are safe, less-toxic and convenient for bedside administration to patients in need thereof. Furthermore, the invention relates to a highly selective method for preparation of nanoparticulate pharmaceutical compositions of poorly water-soluble drugs or compounds.
US08338560B2 Polyimide film and use thereof
The present invention provides a polyimide film and its usage. The polyimide film according to the present invention does not cause dimensional change due to thermal stress. The present invention particularly relates to a polyimide film and its usage, which polyimide film has a characteristic of suppressing thermal deformation of the material in lamination of a polyimide film and a metal layer by a laminate method. The polyimide film according to the present invention has the following characteristics: (1) an inflexion point of storage modulus ranges from 270° C. to 340° C.; (2) tan δ, which is a value obtained by dividing a loss elastic modulus by a storage modulus, has a peak-top in a range of 320° C. to 410° C.; (3) a storage modulus at 380° C. ranges from 0.4 GPa to 2.0 GPa; and (4) a storage modulus α1 at the inflexion point (GPa) and a storage modulus α2 at 380° C. (GPa) satisfy: 85≧{(α1−α2)/α1}×100≧65. With these characteristics, the polyimide film gives an effect of suppressing thermal deformation of the material in lamination of a polyimide film and a metal layer by a laminate method.
US08338558B2 Polyurethane based pigment dispersants which contain reactive double bonds
Polymeric urethane dispersants with solubilizing polymer chains and with reactive carbon to carbon double bonds are described. The reactive double bonds facilitate molecular weight build-up of the dispersant on dispersed particles (enhancing colloidal stability) or enhance the ability of the dispersants to be crosslinked into a matrix material.
US08338552B2 Co-polymer films for sensors
Embodiments include a sensor comprising a co-polymer, the co-polymer comprising a first monomer and a second monomer. For some embodiments, the first monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridine, and the second monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridinium propylamine chloride. For some embodiments, the first monomer is polystyrene and the second monomer is poly-2-vinyl pyridinium propylamine chloride. For some embodiments, the first monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridine, and the second monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridinium benzylamine chloride. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08338550B2 Olefin metathesis polymerisation
A ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reaction is disclosed in which a cyclic alkene compound is subjected to ROMP using a ruthenium ROMP catalyst having heterocyclic ligands in the presence of a compound from which such ligands may be derived. The process includes the step of adding sufficient of an acyclic alkene having a carbon-carbon double bond capable of reacting with the catalytic metal moieties attached to the living end of each of the polymer chains generated in the ROMP reaction to end cap the polymer chains and to generate a olefin metathesis catalyst. The process includes reiterating the polymerization steps by adding further amounts of a cyclic alkene compound. The catalyst may be generated in situ from a precursor compound by the addition of a compound from which heterocyclic ligands may be derived by interaction with the precursor compound.
US08338548B2 Process for the gas-phase polymerization of olefins
A process for the gas-phase polymerization of one or more alpha-olefins in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, the process comprising: at least a polymerization step wherein the polymer particles flow downward in densified form under the action of gravity so as to form a densified polymer bed; metering an anti-fouling agent in said polymerization step by means of at least N feeding lines placed at different heights of said densified polymer bed, N being the integer number satisfying the equation N≧(1+0.08·H), where H is the height (expressed in meters) of the polymer bed.
US08338544B2 Polymers functionalized with polyoxime compounds and methods for their manufacture
A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and reacting the reactive polymer with a protected polyoxime compound.
US08338542B1 Curable fluoroelastomer composition
Fluoroelastomer compositions comprising fluoroelastomers having copolymerized units of a nitrile-containing cure site monomer are cured with a phthalhydrazide hydrazine or hydroxylamine salt curative.
US08338535B2 Epoxy resins, curing agent and (Co)poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymer
The present invention relates to an epoxy resin composition comprising the following [A], [A′], [B], and [C]: [A] a bisphenol-type epoxy resin having a glass transition temperature or melting point of 50° C. or higher; [A′] an epoxy resin which is in a liquid state at 25° C.; [B] an epoxy resin curing agent; and [C] at least one block copolymer selected from the group consisting of S-B-M, B-M, and M-B-M, wherein the blocks are linked to each other by a covalent bond or by an intermediate molecule bound to one of the blocks via one covalent bond formation and to the other block via another covalent bond formation; the block M is a methyl methacrylate homopolymer or a copolymer comprising at least 50% by weight of methyl methacrylate; the block B is incompatible with the block M and has a glass transition temperature of 20° C. or lower; and the block S is incompatible with the blocks B and M and has a glass transition temperature higher than that of the block B, a prepreg obtained by impregnating a fiber base with the epoxy resin composition, and a fiber-reinforced composite material obtained by curing the prepreg.
US08338515B1 Silicone-modified tackifier and use thereof in pressure sensitive adhesive compositions and laminates with improved guillotinability
A pressure sensitive adhesive composition including silicone-modified tackifier. The silicone-modified tackifier is produced by reacting reactive silicone with tackifier. Laminates made with the pressure sensitive adhesive have improved guillotinability.
US08338512B2 Electrically conducting organic polymer/nanoparticle composites and method for use thereof
Compositions are provided comprising aqueous dispersions of electrically conducting organic polymers and a plurality of nanoparticles wherein pH can be adjusted for improved organic electronic device performance. Films deposited from invention compositions are useful as buffer layers in electroluminescent devices, such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and electrodes for thin film field effect transistors. Buffer layers containing nanoparticles may have a much lower conductivity than buffer layers without nanoparticles. In addition, when incorporated into an electroluminescent (EL) device, buffer layers according to the invention contribute to higher stress life of the EL device.
US08338508B2 Water-sensitive film containing an olefinic elastomer
A film that is both elastic and water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water is provided. To achieve these dual attributes, the film contains an olefinic elastomer and a water-soluble polymer. Although these polymers are normally chemically incompatible due to their different polarities, the present inventors have discovered that phase separation may be minimized by selectively controlling certain aspects of the film, such as the nature of the polyolefin, water-soluble polymer, and other film components, the relative amount of the film components, and so forth. For example, certain water-soluble polymers may be selected that have a low molecular weight and viscosity to enhance their melt compatibility with nonpolar polyolefins. This, in turn, may result in a film that is generally free of separate phases, which would otherwise limit the ability of the water-soluble polymer to contact water and disperse.
US08338507B2 Use of phosphinic acids and/or phosphonic acids in polymerisation processes
The present invention relates to the use of phosphinic acids and/or phosphonic acids and salts thereof for wetting fluorine compounds, in particular fluoropolymers, to the use in coating solutions comprising fluorine compounds, and to polymerisation processes in which fluorine compounds are used and/or formed.
US08338503B2 Moldable resin for dental use
The present invention includes a novel shapeable material or resin, specifically for dental use. It is an improvement over conventional dental resins because it is strong, safe, does not encourage the propagation of bacteria and contains no bisphenol A (BPA). Also, it is the preferred resiliency for use in the oral cavity.
US08338502B2 Polymerizable fluorine-containing compound and treated substrate having a hydrophilic region and a water repellent region
To provide a polymerizable fluorine-containing compound useful for producing a treated substrate having a hydrophilic region and a water repellent region, of which the contrast is high on its surface, without requiring a special apparatus, high energy light, or irradiation with light for a long time.A polymerizable fluorine-containing compound, which is a derivative of a polyhydric alcohol and comprises at least one following structure (A) and at least one following structure (B) in its molecule: structure (A): a structure wherein a compound having a fluoroalkyl group and a carboxyl group is bonded to one hydroxyl group of a polyhydric alcohol by an ester linkage, structure (B): a structure wherein a compound having an ethylenic double bond and a carboxyl group is bonded to one hydroxyl group of a polyhydric alcohol by an ester linkage or a structure wherein a compound having an ethylenic double bond and an isocyanate group is bonded to one hydroxyl group of a polyhydric alcohol by a urethane bond.
US08338499B2 Amine co-initiators for radiation curable compositions
A radiation curable composition comprising a curable compound, a photo-initiator and a co-initiator characterized in that said co-initiator is represented by Formula I, wherein MA is the residue of a mono- or oligofunctional Michael acceptor; L is a divalent linking group positioning the two tertiary amines in a 1-3 to 1-10 position, with the proviso that both amines are aliphatic; R1, R2 and R3 independently represent an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted alkenyl group , an optionally substituted alkynyl group or an optionally substituted (hetero) alkaryl group; any two of R1, R2 and R3 may represent the necessary atoms to form a ring; any two of R1, R2 and R3 may represent the necessary atoms to form a ring with any of the atoms of the linking group L; n is an integer ranging from 1 to 6.
US08338492B2 Films and particles
Described herein are compounds and processes that can be used to prepare polymer-based films, particles, gels and related compositions, and processes for delivery of agents, and other uses.
US08338490B2 Composition for repelling and deterring vermin
The invention describes essentially a non-therapeutical process for deterring vermin, which is based on the usage of the largely known beta amino-alcohol derivatives of formula (I), as defined herein before. Furthermore, it describes the corresponding vermin-deterring compositions which contain these substances as the active ingredient, compounds of the formula (I) for the preparation of vermin-deterring compositions, and the use of compounds of formula (I) in the defense against vermin. Thus, the invention describes how and in which form the compounds of the formula (I) or their acid addition salts are used to deter vermin from materials, places or warm-blooded animals.
US08338477B2 Tetracycline derivatives with reduced antibiotic activity and neuroprotective benefits
The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods which utilize the tetracycline scaffold, preferably the scaffold of tetracycline or minocycline, and which significantly lack antibiotic activity. The compounds have neuroprotective attributes without interfering with the drugs capacity to pass through the blood brain barrier. These compounds have neuroprotective activity because of their inhibition of neuronal cell cycle progression. The compounds are characterized in part by a fifth ring joining positions 9 and 10.
US08338471B2 (2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-i-yl)-n-hydroxy-acetamides as metalloproteinase inhibitors
The invention provides compounds of the formula (I) wherein the variables are as defined in the specification.The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of metalloproteinase MMP-12 and are among other things useful for the treatment of obstructive airway diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
US08338470B1 Dexmedetomidine premix formulation
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising dexmedetomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein the composition is formulated as a liquid for parenteral administration to a subject, and wherein the composition is disposed within a sealed container as a premixture. The pharmaceutical compositions can be used, for example, in perioperative care of a patient or for sedation.
US08338456B2 Cut-point in PTEN protein expression that accurately identifies tumors and is predictive of drug response to a pan-ErbB inhibitor
A cut-point in the quantitative measurement of PTEN protein expression that accurately identifies tumors with two inactivated alleles of the PTEN gene. Patients with a normalized PTEN score of PTEN null will be treated with a pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor. A normalized PTEN protein expression score is obtained by comparing the tumor PTEN OD expression value with the non-malignant PTEN OD expression value.
US08338454B2 Nitrile derivatives and their pharmaceutical use and compositions
Disclosed are nitrile derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions comprising nitrile derivatives. The pharmaceutical compositions comprise compounds of the formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such compounds. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of such compounds, intermediates used in the preparation of such compounds, and the uses of such compounds in treating hyperproliferative diseases, inflammatory diseases and viral and bacterial infections and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.
US08338448B2 Chemokine receptor modulators
The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers, stereoisomers, and/or esters thereof. These compounds, and pharmaceutical composition comprising such compounds are useful treating or preventing HIV infections, and in treating proliferative disorders such as inhibiting the metastasis of various cancers.
US08338446B2 Peripheral opioid receptor antagonists and uses thereof
The present invention provides a compound of formula I: wherein X−, R1, and R2 are as defined herein, and compositions thereof, useful as a peripheral mu opioid receptor antagonist.
US08338442B2 Remedies for psychoneurosis
A therapeutic drug for psychoneurotic disorders, which is useful for therapies of psychoneurotic disorders, especially restless legs syndrome is disclosed. The therapeutic drug for psychoneurotic disorders according to the present invention comprises as an effective ingredient an opioid κ receptor agonist compound (excluding pentazocine) such as (−)-17-(cyclopropylmethyl)-3,14β-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6β[N-methyl-trans-3-(3-furyl)acrylamide]morphinan hydrochloric acid salt.
US08338441B2 Inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus replication
Compounds of formula I: wherein a, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are defined herein, are useful as inhibitors of HIV replication.
US08338431B2 Phosphodiesterase inhibitors
The present invention relates to a compound according to formula I, wherein X, A, G, E, R1, R2, R3 are as shown herein; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, N-oxides or solvates hereof. The invention further relates to said compounds for use in therapy, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds, to methods of treating diseases, e.g. dermal diseases, with said compounds, and to the use of said compounds in the manufacture of medicaments.
US08338429B2 2-acylaminothiazole derivative or salt thereof
A 2-acylaminothiazole derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof having an excellent effect of proliferating human c-mpl-Ba/F3 cells and an activity of increasing platelets based on the effect of promoting the formation of megakaryocytic colonies. A compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof useful in treating thrombocytopenia.
US08338413B1 Oxazine derivatives and their use in the treatment of neurological disorders
The invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds of the formula in which all of the variables are as defined in the specification, in free form or in salt form, to their preparation, to their medical use and to medicaments comprising them.
US08338410B2 Neuroprotective compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them
This invention relates to the use of at least one compound of the following formula (I): or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, for the preparation of a medicinal compound having neuroprotective activity intended to prevent or treat neurone deteriorations.
US08338405B2 Therapeutic piperazines
The invention includes a compound of formula I: wherein R1, X, Z, n, and m have any of the values described herein, as well as salts of such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, and therapeutic methods that comprise the administration of such compounds. The compounds are inhibitors of PDE4 function and are useful for improving cognitive function in animals.
US08338404B2 Composition and method for reducing allergen
This invention relates to an allergen-reducing composition comprising a hydroxyproline derivative, a polymer thereof, or a salt of such a derivative or polymer, which is capable of reducing the allergenicity of mites, pollens, or other allergens and is capable of imparting functions of reducing allergenicity to fibers or textiles such as a carpet, a tatami mat, a bed cloth, a curtain, clothing, a stuffed animal, a mask, a filter material, or a dust bag for an electric vacuum cleaner without discoloration; and a method for reducing allergens using such composition.
US08338403B2 Drug for improving hyperglycemia
A compound having a hyperglycemia improving effect and a hemoglobin A1c lowering action such as 4-methylcholest-7-en-3-ol, 4-methylergost-7-en-3-ol and 4-methylstigmast-7-en-3-ol is used as an active ingredient of a drug or food or drink for improving hyperglycemia.
US08338395B2 Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for reliable achievement of acceptable serum testosterone levels
Described are methods for providing prolonged physiologically acceptable steady state serum testosterone levels in a patient deficient in endogenous testosterone levels, methods for male contraception and methods for treating a disease or symptom associated with deficient endogenous levels of testosterone in a man, by intramuscularly administering testosterone esters in a vehicle.
US08338387B2 Small molecule stimulators of neuronal growth
Provided herein are small molecule stimulators of neuronal growth, their preparation, and their use for treatment of neurological disorders. In one embodiment, provided herein are methods of treatment, prevention, or amelioration of a variety of medical conditions associated with neurological disorders using the compounds and compositions provided herein.
US08338381B2 Composition and method for the treatment of eye disease
Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to compositions comprising carnosine and N-acetyl-histitidine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Other embodiments disclosed herein relate to preventing and/or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with an eye disease such as dry eye syndrome, cataracts of the eye and nuclear sclerosis of the eye lens. Kits for preventing and/or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with an eye disease by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising N-acetyl-histidine are also disclosed.
US08338367B2 Fused heteroaryl diamide compounds useful as MMP-13 inhibitors
Disclosed are compounds and compositions of the formula I as described herein which are inhibitors of MMP-13. Also disclosed are methods of using and making compounds of the formula I.
US08338359B2 Dryer bar having void volumes
Dryer bars having certain defined void volumes.
US08338347B2 System for reducing bacteria on unprocessed food surfaces while extending shelf life
A system for substantially reducing surface contaminants of a food substance comprising a substantially transparent and odorless solution made from a plurality of substantially organic compounds selected from: citric acid, sodium citrate, vegetable glycerin, sea salt, potassium sorbate, decyl glucoside, calcium ascorbate, grapefruit seed extract, and sodium bisulfite, and an applicator for applying the solution to the food substance. The solution ratio of organic compounds is approximately: 2% citric acid, 2% sodium citrate, 0.2% vegetable glycerin, 0.2% potassium sorbate; 0% to 0.4% decyl glucoside, 0% to 0.2% calcium ascorbate, 0% to 0.2% grapefruit seed extract, 0% to 0.1% sodium bisulfite, and 0.2% to 2% sea salt.
US08338346B2 Perfume compositions comprising functional perfume components
Perfume compositions having functional perfume components for aiding in perfume evaporation. The functional perfume components have a Kovat's index in the range of 900-1400 and an ODT of greater than about 1 ppb. In one embodiment, the functional perfume component may be present in an amount from at least about 10% by weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the composition containing a function perfume component is substantially free of a VOC.
US08338341B2 Process for the production of a granule of a coated oxidizing compound such granule and uses of the granule
The invention provides a process for the production of a granule of a coated oxidizing compound which granule has good delayed release properties, said process comprising a) providing cores of an oxidizing compound produced by fluidized bed spray granulation, b) spraying on the oxidizing compound cores an aqueous solution of metal sili-cate in a fluidized bed, said aqueous solution comprising at least 15% by weight metal silicate, and c) drying to form a metal silicate coating layer on the oxidizing compound core, provided that the amount of metal silicate coating layer is at least 8%, preferably at least 10% by weight based on the total weight of the granule. The invention also provides such granule and well treatment fluids including such granule, and processes for use.
US08338339B2 Process for inhibition of proteolytic activity during the ensiling of forages
A means for producing ensiled crops with reduced proteolysis by supplying an o-diphenol compound and ensuring a supply of polyphenol oxidase in the material at the time of ensilaging.
US08338335B2 Synergistic herbicidal composition containing fluroxypyr and penoxsulam, halosulfuron-methyl, imazamox or imazethapyr
An herbicidal synergistic composition containing (a) fluoroxypyr and (b) an ALS inhibitor herbicide, in which the ALS inhibitor herbicide is penoxsulam, halosulfuron-methyl, imazamox or imazethapyr, provides improved post-emergence weed control in rice, cereal and grain crops, pastures, rangelands, IVM and turf.
US08338329B2 Fluid filtration medium
The present application relates to improved filtration of fluids. Particularly, a surfactant-treated zeolite material may be utilized for removing turbid particles from a volume of fluid, such as water.
US08338321B2 Optical glass and optical apparatus using the same
An optical glass contains a substance A generating light of a wavelength λ2 when irradiated with light of a wavelength λ1 and a substance B generating light of a wavelength λ3 when irradiated with light of the wavelength λ1 when a relation between the wavelength λ1 and the wavelength λ2 and the wavelength λ3 is assumed to be λ1<λ2<λ3 with respect to 100% of basic glass composition containing 2-10% of SiO2, 5-45% of B2O3, and 30-60% of La2O3 or further containing 0-15% of RO(R=Zn, Sr, Ba), 0-40% of Ln2O3(Ln=Y, Gd), and 0-30% of ZrO2+Nb2O5+Ta2O5, and the substance B generates fluorescent light with the wavelength λ3 of 650 nm or more when excited at the wavelength λ1 of 550 nm or less.
US08338306B2 Forming semiconductor resistors in a semiconductor device comprising metal gates by increasing etch resistivity of the resistors
In a replacement gate approach, the polysilicon material may be efficiently removed during a wet chemical etch process, while the semiconductor material in the resistive structures may be substantially preserved. For this purpose, a species such as xenon may be incorporated into the semiconductor material of the resistive structure, thereby imparting a significantly increased etch resistivity to the semiconductor material. The xenon may be incorporated at any appropriate manufacturing stage.
US08338303B2 Polishing liquid
A polishing liquid for a chemical mechanical polishing of a semiconductor device includes (a) a carboxylic acid compound having one or more carboxy groups, (b) colloidal silica particles having a ζ potential of −10 mV to −35 mV when used in the polishing liquid, (c) a benzotriazole derivative, (d) an anionic surfactant, and (e) an oxidizing agent, and the polishing liquid has a pH of from 5.0 to 8.0.
US08338297B2 Selective metal deposition over dielectric layers
Selective deposition of metal over dielectric layers in a manner that minimizes of eliminates keyhole formation is provided. According to one embodiment, a dielectric target layer is formed over a substrate layer, wherein the target layer may be configured as allow conformal metal deposition, and a dielectric second layer is formed over the target layer, wherein the second layer may be configured to allow bottom-up metal deposition. An opening may then be formed in the second layer and metal may be selectively deposited over substrate layer.
US08338277B2 Method for manufacturing SOI substrate
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an SOI substrate including at least: an oxygen ion implantation step of ion-implanting oxygen ions from one main surface of a single-crystal silicon substrate to form an oxygen ion implanted layer; and a heat treatment step of performing a heat treatment with respect to the single-crystal silicon substrate having the oxygen ion implanted layer formed therein to change the oxygen ion implanted layer into a buried oxide film layer, wherein acceleration energy for the oxygen ion implantation is previously determined from a thickness of the buried oxide film layer to be obtained, and the oxygen ion implantation step is carried out with the determined acceleration energy to manufacture the SOI substrate. Thereby, it is possible to provide an SOI substrate manufacturing method that enables efficiently manufacturing an SOI substrate having a continuous and uniform thin buried oxide film layer.
US08338275B2 Methods of forming a metal contact on a silicon substrate
A method of forming a metal contact on a silicon substrate is disclosed. The method includes depositing a nanoparticle ink on a substrate surface in a pattern, the nanoparticle ink comprising set of nanoparticles and a set of solvents. The method also includes heating the substrate in a baking ambient to a first temperature and for a first time period in order to create a densified nanoparticle layer with a nanoparticle layer thickness of greater than about 50 nm. The method further includes depositing an SiNx layer on the substrate surface, SiNx layer having a SiNx layer thickness of between about 50 nm and about 110 nm; exposing the substrate to an etchant that is selective to the densified nanoparticle layer for a second time period and at a second temperature in order to create a via; and forming a metal contact in the via, wherein an ohmic contact is formed with the silicon substrate.
US08338272B2 Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device
A wafer is mounted on the top surface of the stage having an electrostatic chuck function, and the wafer at 50° C. or more is cooled to a temperature lower than 50° C. In this step, the voltage to be applied to the internal electrode provided in the stage is raised stepwise to gradually increase the contact area between the back surface of the wafer and the top surface of the stage. Finally, a chuck voltage is applied to the internal electrode, so that the entire back surface of the wafer is uniformly attracted to the top surface of the stage. This reduces damage occurring in the top surface of the stage due to rubbing between the back surface of the wafer and the top surface of the stage.
US08338271B2 Laser processing method and chip
An object to be processed can be cut highly accurately along a line to cut.An object to be processed 1 is irradiated with laser light while locating a converging point within a silicon wafer 11, and the converging point is relatively moved along a line to cut 5, so as to form modified regions M1, M2 positioned within the object 1 along the line to cut 5, and then a modified region M3 positioned between the modified regions M1, M2 within the object 1.
US08338267B2 Systems and methods for vertically integrating semiconductor devices
Systems and methods for vertically integrating semiconductor devices are described. In one embodiment, a method comprises providing an interposer, aligning and bonding a plurality of die to a first surface of the interposer, aligning and bonding a backplate to the plurality of die, and reducing at least one portion of the interposer to create a reconstituted wafer. In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises an interposer operable to receive at least one donor semiconductor device disposed on a first surface of the interposer and aligned therewith, and at least one host semiconductor device disposed on a second surface of the interposer and aligned therewith; where the interposer allows the at least one donor and host semiconductor devices to become vertically integrated.
US08338265B2 Silicided trench contact to buried conductive layer
A trench contact silicide is formed on an inner wall of a contact trench that reaches to a buried conductive layer in a semiconductor substrate to reduce parasitic resistance of a reachthrough structure. The trench contact silicide is formed at the bottom, on the sidewalls of the trench, and on a portion of the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The trench is subsequently filled with a middle-of-line (MOL) dielectric. A contact via may be formed on the trench contact silicide. The trench contact silicide may be formed through a single silicidation reaction with a metal layer or through multiple silicidation reactions with multiple metal layers.
US08338260B2 Raised source/drain structure for enhanced strain coupling from stress liner
A transistor is provided that includes a buried oxide layer above a substrate. A silicon layer is above the buried oxide layer. A gate stack is on the silicon layer, the gate stack including a high-k oxide layer on the silicon layer and a metal gate on the high-k oxide layer. A nitride liner is adjacent to the gate stack. An oxide liner is adjacent to the nitride liner. A set of faceted raised source/drain regions having a part including a portion of the silicon layer. The set of faceted raised source/drain regions also include a first faceted side portion and a second faceted side portion.
US08338259B2 Semiconductor device with a buried stressor
A semiconductor device, such as a PMOS or NMOS device, having localized stressors is provided. Recesses are formed on opposing sides of a gate electrode. A stress-inducing region is formed along a bottom of the recess, and a stressed layer is formed over the stress-inducing region. By having a stress-inducing region with a larger lattice structure than the stressed layer, a tensile strain may be created in a channel region of the semiconductor device and may be suitable for an NMOS device. By having a stress-inducing region with a smaller lattice structure than the stressed layer, a compressive strain may be created in the channel region of the semiconductor device and may be suitable for a PMOS device. Embodiments may be applied to various types of substrates and semiconductor devices, such as planar transistors and finFETs.
US08338252B2 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device is disclosed, which comprises a memory cell unit including at least one memory cell transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate and having a laminated structure of a charge accumulation layer and a control gate layer, and a selection gate transistor one of the source/drain diffusion layer regions of which is connected to a bit line or a source line and the other of the source/drain diffusion layer regions of which is connected to the memory cell unit. The shape of the source diffusion layer region of the selection gate transistor is asymmetrical to the shape of the drain diffusion layer region thereof below the selection gate transistor.
US08338248B2 Semiconductor element and solid-state imaging device
A semiconductor element includes: a p-type semiconductor region; an n-type light-receiving surface buried region buried in the semiconductor region; an n-type charge accumulation region buried in the semiconductor region, continuously to the light-receiving surface buried region, establishing a deeper potential well depth than the light-receiving surface buried region; a charge read-out region configured to read out the charges accumulated in the charge accumulation region; an exhaust-drain region buried in the semiconductor region, configured to extract the charges from the light-receiving surface buried region; a first potential controller configured to extract the charges from the light-receiving surface buried region to the exhaust-drain region; and a second potential controller configured to transfer the charges from the charge accumulation region to the charge read-out region.
US08338247B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same
To improve the performance of semiconductor devices. Over an n+-type semiconductor region for source/drain of an n-channel type MISFET and a first gate electrode, and over a p+-type semiconductor region for source/drain of a p-channel type MISFET and a second gate electrode, which are formed over a semiconductor substrate, a metal silicide layer including nickel platinum silicide is formed by a salicide process. After that, a tensile stress film is formed over the whole face of the semiconductor substrate, and then the tensile stress film over the p-channel type MISFET is removed by dry-etching, and, after a compression stress film is formed over the whole face of the semiconductor substrate, the compression stress film over the n-channel type MISFET is removed by dry-etching. The Pt concentration in the metal silicide layer is highest at the surface, and becomes lower as the depth from the surface increases.
US08338246B2 Method for fabricating a semiconductor device having a device isolation trench
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a semiconductor substrate to have a SOI structure by an epitaxial process for forming a gate while forming an insulating film pattern in a bottom where a device isolation trench is formed. The method thereby increases the process margin for forming a device isolation film and prevents the punch-through phenomenon to improve electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices and increase product yield.
US08338236B1 Vented substrate for semiconductor device
A substrate with a vent for a semiconductor device where the vent is integrated within the substrate itself. The integrated air vent forms a passageway or relief path for gas or air within a mold cavity to escape during a transfer molding packaging process. The vents integrated in the substrate reduce trapped gas and mold voids and limit vent flash to improve yield.
US08338229B1 Stackable plasma cleaned via package and method
A method of forming a stackable plasma cleaned via package includes forming interconnection balls on terminals. The interconnection balls are encapsulated in a package body, e.g., molding compound. Via apertures are formed through the package body to expose the interconnection balls, wherein a contamination is formed on the interconnection balls. The contamination is removed using a plasma cleaning process. By removing the contamination, robust reflow of the interconnection balls is insured thus maximizing yield. Further, the plasma cleaning process is a cost efficient high volume process with no adverse effect on package reliability.
US08338225B2 Method to reduce a via area in a phase change memory cell
A memory cell structure and method to form such structure. The method partially comprised of forming a via within an oxidizing layer, over the center of a bottom electrode. The method includes depositing a via spacer along the sidewalls of the via and oxidizing the via spacer. The via spacer being comprised of a material having a Pilling-Bedworth ratio of at least one and one-half and is an insulator when oxidized. The via area is reduced by expansion of the via spacer during the oxidation. Alternatively, the method is partially comprised of forming a via within a first layer, over the center of the bottom electrode. The first layer has a Pilling-Bedworth ratio of at least one and one-half and is an insulator when oxidized. The method also includes oxidizing at least a portion of the sidewalls of the via in the first layer.
US08338208B2 Micro-electro-mechanical system having movable element integrated into leadframe-based package
A MEMS may integrate movable MEMS parts, such as mechanical elements, flexible membranes, and sensors, with the low-cost device package, leaving the electronics and signal-processing parts in the integrated circuitry of the semiconductor chip. The package may be a leadframe-based plastic molded body having an opening through the thickness of the body. The movable part may be anchored in the body and extend at least partially across the opening. The chip may be flip-assembled to the leads to span across the foil, and may be separated from the foil by a gap. The leadframe may be a prefabricated piece part, or may be fabricated in a process flow with metal deposition on a sacrificial carrier and patterning of the metal layer. The resulting leadframe may be flat or may have an offset structure useful for stacked package-on-package devices.
US08338203B2 Method for forming compound semiconductor light-emitting device
A compound semiconductor light-emitting device has a light-emitting layer, on a substrate, wherein at least a part of a substrate portion of the device side surface has recessed portions in a side direction of the device. A method of producing the compound semiconductor light-emitting device includes the steps of: (a) forming a compound semiconductor layer including a light-emitting layer of an n-type or p-type compound semiconductor on a wafer that serves as a substrate, (b) arranging a negative electrode and a positive electrode at predetermined positions for passing a drive current through the light-emitting layer, (c) forming a separation zone for separating the individual light-emitting devices, (d) perforating many small holes linearly in the wafer that serves as the substrate along the separation zone, and (e) dividing the wafer into individual light-emitting devices along the separation zone, whereby a rugged shape which is periodical in a side direction and is undulating in a plane or cross section, is formed on a substrate side surface of the light-emitting device.
US08338198B2 Method of peeling thin film device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device using peeled thin film device
There is provided a peeling method capable of preventing a damage to a layer to be peeled. Thus, not only a layer to be peeled having a small area but also a layer to be peeled having a large area can be peeled over the entire surface at a high yield. Processing for partially reducing contact property between a first material layer (11) and a second material layer (12) (laser light irradiation, pressure application, or the like) is performed before peeling, and then peeling is conducted by physical means. Therefore, sufficient separation can be easily conducted in an inner portion of the second material layer (12) or an interface thereof.
US08338197B2 LED chip-based lighting products and methods of building
A method of building a light-emitting diode (LED) based lighting product includes mounting a plurality of unpackaged LED chips or LEDs directly on conductors on a surface of a two-sided panel, integrating the panel with support structure to form the lighting product such that at least one surface of the panel forms an external surface of the lighting product, and coupling a diffuser, with a distance from the diffuser to the surface of the LED chips or LEDs being at least twice an average spacing between adjacent LED chips or LEDs. A method of building a an LED chip-based lighting product includes mounting unpackaged LED chips directly on conductors formed on a surface of a two-sided panel, and mounting a cover plate to the LED chips such that light emitted from the LED chips passes through the cover plate.
US08338195B2 Method for manufacturing a liquid-ejection head
A method for manufacturing a liquid-ejection head having a plurality of nozzles arranged to eject liquid includes: preparing a substrate having a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer stacked in this order, the second layer more resistant than the third layer to etching by an etching method to be used on the third layer; partially etching the third layer by the etching method to expose the second layer; and removing the exposed second layer at least in part to expose some area on the top surface of the first layer, opening a first one of the nozzles down from the exposed area of the top surface, and opening a second one of the nozzles down from the top surface of the third layer.
US08338179B2 Neomycin-phosphotransferase-genes and methods for the selection of recombinant cells producing high levels of a desired gene product
The invention relates to modified neomycin phosphotransferase genes and their use in a selection method for high-producing recombinant cells. The invention further relates to expression vectors which contain a modified neomycin phosphotransferase gene and a gene of interest functionally linked to a heterologous promoter and a method of preparing heterologous gene products using these expression vectors.
US08338174B2 Material for ameliorating skin tissue and method for producing the same
A material for ameliorating skin tissue provided by the invention comprises, as a main component, a culture obtained by culturing cells or tissue fragments derived from human or other mammalian alveolar mucosa. Typically, 50% or more of the cells contained in the culture are fibroblasts, and having a high growth rate and a high productivity in vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEDF) and/or keratinocyte growth factor (KGF).
US08338157B2 Rationally-designed meganuclease variants of lig-34 and I-crei for maize genome engineering
The invention relates to the field of molecular biology and recombinant nucleic acid technology. In particular, the invention relates to a rationally-designed, non-naturally-occurring meganuclease with altered DNA recognition sequence specificity which recognizes and cleaves a unique DNA site in the maize genome. Disclosed herein are meganucleases which are variants of the I-CreI and LIG-34meganucleases. The invention also relates to methods of producing engineered maize plants using such meganucleases.
US08338146B2 Method for producing optically active alcohols using an Azoarcus sp. EbN1 dehydrogenase
A process for preparing optically active alcohols of the formula Ia or Ib in which R1,R2 are alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or alkylaryl groups which may in turn be substituted one or more times by alkyl, halogen, SH, SR2, OH, OR2, NO2, CN, CO, COOR2, NR2R3 or NR2R3R4+X, where R2, R3 and R4 are independently of one another H or a lower alkyl or lower alkoxy radical, and X−is a counter ion, with the proviso that R1 is not equal to R2, by reducing the corresponding ketone, where the reduction is carried out with a dehydrogenase having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or NO: 4, or with a polypeptide sequence in which up to 25% of the amino acid residues are altered by comparison with SEQ ID NO: 2 or NO: 4 by deletion, insertion, substitution or a combination thereof.
US08338144B2 Microbial production of L-ascorbic acid
The present invention discloses an isolated polynucleotide molecule derived from a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having L-sorbosone dehydrogenase activity comprising a partial nucleotide sequence of at least 20 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1. The present invention further relates to a process for the production of L-ascorbic acid in high yield, in particular a process using resting cells of a microorganism able to convert given carbon sources into vitamin C. The thus obtained vitamin C may be further processed by purification and/or separation steps.
US08338137B2 Type 5 and type 8 capsular polysaccharides of overproducing S. aureus strains
The invention relates to the type 5 and type 8 capsular polysaccharides produced by overproducing S. aureus strains, and also to the immunogenic compositions and the vaccines comprising said capsular polysaccharides.
US08338136B2 Method of producing a paralytic peptide
The invention relates to a low molecular weight peptide (or suite of related peptides) isolated from the submaxiliary saliva glands of shrews of the species Blarina as a paralytic agent. This novel paralytic agent is useful as a neuromuscular blocker and analgesic or as an insecticide.
US08338135B2 High affinity human antibodies to human IL-4 receptor
An isolated human antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to human interleukin-4 receptor alpha (hIL-4Rα) with an affinity constant (KD) of less than 200 pM, as measured by surface plasmon resonance, is provided.
US08338131B2 Amylases and methods for use in starch processing
In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases, for example, alpha amylases, to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars.
US08338130B2 Universal fecal fixative comprising a low molecular weight alcohol, a zinc salt and an organic acid
This invention provides compositions and methods for fixing biological samples, particularly fecal samples used in the diagnosis of parasitic infection. The fixative composition of the present invention includes a zinc salt, an organic acid and water and permits staining of biological samples without use of toxic compounds, such as formaldehyde and mercury-containing compounds and without the use of additives such as polyvinyl alcohol. The fixative composition and methods are compatible with many diagnostic assays, including trichrome stains, iron hematoxlin, ELISA, fluorescent assays, and lateral flow assays.
US08338118B2 Fluorescence spectropscopy in absorbing media
The invention relates to processes and devices for detecting an analyte in a sample by fluorescence measurement of a fluorophore, wherein the detection medium which contains a fluorophore or a precursor of the fluorophore is admixed with an absorber whose absorbance spectrum superimposes the fluorescence excitation range of the fluorophore. The system consisting of the fluorophore and the absorber, which is produced in the detection medium, has an altered effective fluorescence excitation range with an altered fluorescence excitation maximum. Illumination with fluorescence excitation light can take place within the range of this altered excitation maximum. The measured signal obtained from determining fluorescence emission exhibits only low dependence on the wavelength of the excitation light.
US08338116B2 Label free biosensors and cells
Disclosed are compositions and methods for using label free optical biosensors for performing cell assays. In certain embodiments the assays can be performed in highthough put methods and can be multiplexed.
US08338111B2 Endometriosis markers
The present invention relates to methods for determining a risk or identifying a condition associated with the presence of endometriosis in a subject as well as testing a candidate compound for a therapeutic activity for the treatment of endometriosis and sorting patients based on the risk of having endometriosis. Specifically, the methods utilize novel markers for assessing the risk of the patient having endometriosis.
US08338105B2 Method of diagnosing poor survival prognosis colon cancer using miR-203
The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancers. In particular, the present invention provides diagnostics and prognostics for colon (including colon adenocarcinoma) cancer patients, wherein the methods related to measuring miR levels can predict poor survival. The invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors of tumorigenesis.
US08338101B2 Method for designing a drug regime for HIV-infected patients
The instant disclosure describes a novel genotype and phenotype assay to elucidate and/or evaluate new potential HIV integrase inhibitors, but also currently approved and experimental compounds that target protease, reverse transcriptase, and RNaseH. This assay allows studying linked mutations and mutational patterns that occur under HAART and experimental therapies.
US08338099B2 Reference genes for the normalization of gene expression analysis data
The present invention relates to reference genes, primers, and probes for the normalization of gene expression analysis data from blood samples of a patient. The invention further relates to a method for the normalization of gene expression analysis data with the aid of reference genes, primers, or probes.
US08338086B2 Method of slimming radiation-sensitive material lines in lithographic applications
A method and system for patterning a substrate using a radiation-sensitive material is described. The method and system include forming a layer of radiation-sensitive material on a substrate, exposing the layer of radiation-sensitive material to a pattern of radiation, and then performing a post-exposure bake following the exposing. The imaged layer of radiation-sensitive material is then positive-tone developed to remove a region having high radiation exposure to form radiation-sensitive material lines. An exposure gradient within the radiation-sensitive material lines is then removed, followed by slimming the radiation-sensitive material lines.
US08338077B2 Photoacid generators and photoresists comprising same
This invention relates to new photoacid generator compounds and photoresist compositions that comprise such compounds. In particular, the invention relates to photoacid generator compounds that comprise a multi cyclic lactone moiety.
US08338071B2 Processes for producing polyester latexes via single-solvent-based emulsification
A process for making a latex emulsion suitable for use in a toner composition includes contacting at least one crystalline polyester resin with an organic solvent to form a resin mixture, adding a neutralizing agent, and deionized water to the resin mixture, removing the solvent from the formed latex, and continuously recovering latex particles.
US08338057B2 Gaskets for fuel cells
A gasket for sealing internal surfaces of a fuel cell and formed of compressible material, the gasket comprising a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for providing a fluid seal against opposing faces of a first fluid flow field plate and a second fluid flow field plate respectively, the gasket further comprising a third sealing surface for sealing against an outer perimeter region of a first surface of a membrane electrode assembly, the third sealing surface being entirely enclosed within a boundary defined by an inner perimeter of the second sealing surface.
US08338054B2 Proton transporting material, starting material thereof, ion exchange membrane, membrane electrolyte assembly, and fuel cell using the same
There are provided: a proton transporting material that improves mechanical characteristics of a sulfonated liquid crystalline polymer material, can be kept as a membrane even though it is made a solid state while maintaining a molecular arrangement of a liquid crystalline state, and is suitable for electrolyte membranes of fuel cells etc.; an ion exchange membrane, a membrane electrolyte assembly (MEA), and a fuel cell that use the proton transporting material; a starting material for the proton transporting material. The proton transporting material has a molecular structure produced by crosslinking the sulfonated liquid crystalline polymer material with a crosslinking agent having two or more functional groups in sites except that of the sulfonic acid group.
US08338049B2 Monocrystalline silicon flow connector and microfluidic system modularly built thereon for feeding a fuel solution to an energy converting device
A microfluidic system through which a solution of at least an oxidable compound is fed to a feed manifold of an energy converting electrochemical device includes a flow connector. The flow connector includes a silicon platform having a bottom side and an opposing top side, and through holes extending therethough. The silicon platform includes first and second channels defined on the bottom side for communicating with the through holes. The second channel forms an inlet for the feed manifold of the energy converting electrochemical device when the bottom side of the silicon platform is coupled to a flat coupling area of the device. A micropump module is coupled to the top side of the silicon platform for communicating with the through holes in the first and second channels. First and second supply cartridges are coupled to the top side of the silicon platform for communicating with the through holes in the first channel.
US08338029B2 Negative electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte battery, nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack, and vehicle
A negative electrode active material contains a metal-displaced lithium-titanium oxide of a ramsdellite structure expressed by the formula Li(16/7)−xTi(24/7)−yMyO8 (where M is at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Mo, and W, and x and y are respectively numbers in the range of 0
US08338027B2 Phenanthrenequinone compound, electrode active material, and power storage device
Disclosed is a novel organic compound synthesized by oligomerizing or polymerizing a specific quinone compound having two quinone groups at the ortho position and having a property such that the electron transfer occurs associated with a reversible redox reaction, the organic compound being insoluble in an organic solvent and having a high energy density, and thus being useful as an electrode active material for a power storage device. Using this organic compound as an electrode active material can improve the energy density, reduce the weight and size, and improve the functionality of the power storage device.
US08338013B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes a main body and a cover. The main body includes an elastic latch. The latch has a latching opening. The cover is coupled to the main body and forms a receiving tab. The latch is at least partially deformable to allow the receiving tab to enter the latch opening and engage the latch.
US08338008B2 Electrolyte compositions
An electrolyte for a flow cell battery is provided. The electrolyte includes a concentration of chromium ions that is greater than the concentration of iron ions.
US08338007B2 Magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording apparatus
A magnetic recording medium a magnetic recording medium includes a soft magnetic layer formed on a substrate, magnetic patterns made of a protruded ferromagnetic layer separated from each other on the soft magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic layer formed between the magnetic patterns, a nitrogen concentration therein being higher on a surface side than on a substrate side.
US08338004B2 Magnetic tunnel junction structure having free layer with oblique magnetization
The present invention provides a magnetic tunnel junction structure, including a first magnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction and a second magnetic layer having a reversible magnetization direction. A non-magnetic layer is formed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer and a third magnetic layer allows the magnetization direction of the second magnetic layer to be inclined with respect to a plane of the second magnetic layer by a magnetic coupling to the second magnetic layer with a vertical magnetic anisotropic energy thereof larger than a horizontal magnetic anisotropic energy thereof. A crystal-structure separation layer is formed between the second magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer for separating a crystal orientation between the second and the third magnetic layers.
US08338000B2 Organic light emitting device
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a heterocyclic compound and an organic light-emitting device including the heterocyclic compound. The organic light-emitting devices using the heterocyclic compounds have high-efficiency, low driving voltage, high luminance and long lifespan.
US08337998B2 Steel material for dissimilar metal joining, joined body of dissimilar metals and process for joining dissimilar metal materials
A joined body of dissimilar metals which is produced by joining a steel material and an aluminum alloy material, wherein the steel material to be joined has a specific composition and is specified in the compositions of outer surface oxide layer and inner oxide layer and the aluminum alloy material to be joined is an Al—Mg-base or Al—Zn—Mg-base aluminum alloy having a specific composition. In the joined body of dissimilar metals, a content of Fe at a joint interface on the aluminum alloy material side is regulated, and a reaction layer of Fe and Al is formed at the joint interface of the joined body of dissimilar metals. The joined body of dissimilar metals exhibits high joint strength.
US08337997B2 Composite material for electrical/electronic part and electrical/electronic part using the same
A composite material for an electrical/electronic part, which is used as a material for use in an electrical/electronic part, containing: a metal base material having at least a surface formed of Cu or a Cu alloy; and an insulating film provided on at least a part of the metal base material; wherein a metal layer having Cu diffused in Ni or a Ni alloy is interposed between the metal base material and the insulating film; and wherein the ratio of the number of Cu atoms to the number of Ni atoms (Cu/Ni) obtained by analyzing the outermost surface of the metal layer by Auger electron spectroscopy is 0.005 or more.
US08337994B2 Trailer flooring with hotmelt coating
A method for providing improved moisture protection to a wood board flooring comprising a plurality of solid wood components which together form the wood board, such that the wood board has a first surface and a second surface, the method comprising: applying a coating to at least one of the first and second surfaces of the wood board, the coating being substantially free of water and solvents.
US08337993B2 Low embodied energy wallboards and methods of making same
Wallboards, as well as other building materials, are produced by methods which use significantly reduced embodied energy, generating far less greenhouse gases when compared with the energy used to fabricate gypsum wallboard. A novel cementitious core, consisting in one embodiment of post-industrial waste such as slag and combined with pH modifiers, provides a controlled exothermic reaction to create a gypsum-wallboard-like core which can be wrapped in a selected material such as recycled paper and manufactured on a conveyor system to appear, weigh and handle similar to gypsum wallboard, but without the large amounts of energy required to make gypsum wallboard. The manufacturing process results in lower greenhouse gas emissions than the processes used to make gypsum wallboard.
US08337988B2 Coated article having low-E coating with absorber layer(s)
A coated article is provided, having a coating supported by a glass substrate where the coating includes at least one color and/or reflectivity-adjusting absorber layer. The absorber layer(s) allows color tuning, and reduces the glass side reflection of the coated article and/or allows sheet resistance of the coating to be reduced without degrading glass side reflection. In certain example embodiments the absorber layer is provided between first and second dielectric layers which may be of substantially the same material and/or composition. In certain example embodiments, the coated article is capable of achieving desirable transmission, together with desired color, low reflectivity, and low selectivity, when having only one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of silver and/or gold. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, monolithic windows, or the like.
US08337986B2 Fuser member coating having aliphatic-aromatic fluoropolymers
A fuser member including a substrate, and thereover, an outer layer with a fluorinated polymer having a flexible aliphatic segment and a rigid aromatic segment, wherein the aliphatic segment and the aromatic segment are bonded through a linkage group.
US08337981B2 Trim element
The invention relates to a trim element. It relates to a trim element having a visible side (12) formed of a skin (10), the element comprising a skin (10) laid on a plastic foam (24) bonded to the skin by a continuous bonding layer (26) formed spontaneously at the skin-foam interface during the foaming operation, the skin (10) having a preferential rupture initiator comprising at least one scored feature. Throughout the region in which the scored feature lays, the bonding layer (26) is in contact only with the skin (10) and the foam (24), and, at the scored feature and in the direction of the thickness of the skin, the bonding layer (26) is laid over the opening with a thickness very much smaller than the depth of the scored feature. Application to the interior trim of motor vehicles.
US08337972B2 Embedded conductor honeycomb core and sandwich panel incorporating same
A honeycomb core includes a first wall, a second wall, and a conductor disposed between the first wall and the second wall. The first wall and the second wall define a cell through which the conductor extends. A sandwich panel includes an upper skin, a lower skin, and a honeycomb core adhesively bonded to the upper skin and the lower skin. The honeycomb core includes a first wall and a second wall defining a cell. The sandwich panel further includes a conductor disposed between the first wall and the second wall and extending through the cell.
US08337952B2 Metal sulfide thin film and method for production thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide a single-phase film of a metal sulfide with good quality, and a method for preparing a metal sulfide film at a low cost in a convenient manner. The present invention provides a preparation method of a metal sulfide film, comprising the steps of providing metal halide, such as iron halide (FeCl3, FeI3, FeBr3, FeCl2, FeI2 and FeBr2), as a first raw material and a thioamide compound, such as thioacetamide, as a second raw material, preferably vaporizing these raw materials and reacting them at atmospheric pressure; and a metal sulfide film prepared by this method.
US08337937B2 Stent spin coating method
A method is disclosed for spin coating a stent. The method comprises conducting the following acts at the same time: applying a coating substance to the stent; rotating the stent about a first axis of rotation; and rotating the stent about a second axis of rotation.
US08337934B2 Method of making bacon pieces
One aspect of the present invention method of making bacon pieces comprises placing bellies in a vessel. Dry cure ingredients and water are added in the vessel containing the bellies. The dry cure ingredients and the water create a cure ingredients solution, which includes up to 3.0% water by weight of the bellies. The bellies and the cure ingredients solution are tumbled in the vessel under vacuum to create cured bellies. The cured bellies are cooked to a desired cook level. The up to 3.0% water by weight of the bellies allows the cured bellies to be cooked to the desired cook level in only one cooking step.
US08337932B2 Bubble stabilizer and sparkling beverage containing the same
The object is to improve the bubble retention in a sparkling beverage such as a malt alcoholic beverage including a beer and a sparkling liquor, a sparkling alcoholic beverage produced without any malt and a carbonated refreshing beverage including a soda pop and a cream soda. Disclosed is a bubble stabilizer comprising, as an active ingredient, a water-soluble soybean polysaccharide which is produced by the heat-extraction from a soybean or a processed product of a soybean at a pH lower than the isoelectric point of a soybean protein and ranging from 2.4 to 4.0 at a temperature of 100° C. or higher. The bubble stabilizer can be added to a malt alcoholic beverage such as a beer and a sparkling liquor, a sparkling alcoholic beverage produced without any malt or a carbonated refreshing beverage such as a soda pop and a lemon soda to thereby improve the bubble retention in the beverage.
US08337918B1 Fillable filter envelope system
A filter envelope which is filled with ground coffee or other drinkable dry granular substance by a user and sealed for use comprises two (2) round filter media sections crimped together about a perimeter and an extended opening along one (1) edge. The user would fill the interior space of the filter with a desired amount of chosen dry granular substance through the opening. A preferred embodiment comprises the dry granular substance to comprise ground coffee for subsequent brewing within a conventional coffee machine including those such as percolators that require the filter to have a central hole.
US08337914B2 Dietary food supplement containing natural cyclooxygenase inhibitors and methods for inhibiting pain and inflammation
The present invention describes food supplements that contain one or more fruit extracts useful for pain relief and anti-inflammation. The food supplements may be used to inhibit inflammation mediated by cyclooxygenase and more particularly by cyclooxygenase-2.
US08337912B2 Method for extraction of material from a Sapindacea family fruit
The invention of the present application provides a standardized method to obtain a material from Sapindacea family fruits, wherein the material is utilized by itself or in combination with other compounds to make preparations. The material by itself has surfactant, emulsifying and foaming properties, among others. In addition, the invention provides a preparation wherein the material is used in combination with Swinglea glutinosa extract. The preparation enhances the ability of the Swinglea glutinosa extract to kill and prevent fungi, and to kill and repel insects and mites.
US08337909B2 Process of extracting procyanidins by alkaline hydrolysis
A process of extracting procyanidins by alkaline hydrolysis. In particular, a procyanidin-containing material, pomace or residue is treated with an alkali, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, for a predetermined amount of time and at a predetermined temperature to release procyanidins bound to polysaccharides and/or proteins of the cell wall or depolymerize polymeric procyanidins. After the procyanidins are released by alkaline hydrolysis, the extracts are acidified to obtain a pH level where the procyanidins do not degrade. The process of extracting procyanidins may be utilized to estimate the total amount of bound procyanidins in a plant material, enhance the bioavailability of beneficial procyanidins monomers and/or to treat the residue remaining after conventional solvent extraction for increased procyanidin extraction.
US08337906B2 Nasal composition
A nasal spray solution for use as a nasal spray and methods of using the solution are disclosed. The nasal spray solution moisturizes nasal passages and alleviates nasal dryness. The solution includes a hypotonic saline solution, wherein the saline solution is hypotonic with respect to cells of the nasal mucosa of the nasal passages, a buffering agent, a lubricating agent, and an anti-microbial agent.
US08337905B2 Multi-component peracid generation system
Disclosed herein are multi-component peroxycarboxylic acid generation systems for enzymatically producing aqueous formulations of peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in, e.g., disinfectant and/or bleaching applications. The multi-component peroxycarboxylic acid generation systems comprise at least one carbohydrate esterase family 7 enzyme having perhydrolytic activity.
US08337903B2 Antitumoral agents with a benzophenanthridine structure and formulations containing them
The use of benzophenanthridine alkaloids and the salts thereof for the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of tumors is disclosed.
US08337896B2 Drug-containing nanoparticles
The present invention relates to nanoparticles containing pioglitazone or a salt thereof and a biocompatible polymer, a pharmaceutical preparation containing the nanoparticles for the prophylaxis or treatment of arteriosclerotic diseases, and a stent carrying the nanoparticles. Using the nanoparticles of the present invention, rupture of arteriosclerotic plaque can be suppressed, and they are useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of arteriosclerotic diseases.
US08337882B2 Personal stimulating wiping systems
A wipe to stimulate a person. The wipe is permeated with a smelling salt solution. The smelling salt solution delivers an effective amount of ammonium gas to stimulate the respiratory system of the person. The smelling salt solution delivers an effective amount of alcohol to provide a cooling sensation on the skin. The wipe is contained in a container impermeably to prevent evaporation of the smelling salt solution and to delay transformation of the smelling salts solution to ammonium gas until the container may be opened by the person. Other embodiments and uses are disclosed.
US08337880B2 Oligo-saccharide enhanced oat-based drink for treating hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycemia and improving gastrointestinal function and process for preparing the same by tri-enzyme hydrolysis and micro-particle milling
The invention relates to a tri-enzyme hydrolysis method for preparing an oligo-saccharide enhanced oat-based drink product useful in lowering cholesterol, triglyceride, blood sugar and improving gastrointestinal function which comprises not only oat β-glucan and but also a higher amount of isomalto-oligosacchride. In accordance with the invention, whole grains of oats are micronized to an average particle size of 100 microns prior to enzyme treatments, and a product of creamy milk-like texture is obtained without filtration so that nutrients of the whole grains of oats are retained. This invention enhances the value of oat-based processing to yield additional health-associated content and illness (such as hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycemia) prevention efficacy that are beyond the potential of oats per se.
US08337873B2 Hollow and porous orthopaedic or dental implant that delivers a biological agent
This invention relates to the synthesis of new tooth or bone from an encapsulated biological agent such as a growth factor or stem cells contained within a hollow and porous biocompatible vehicle such as a titanium implant placed (implanted) within the body of a host animal such as a human.
US08337864B2 Modified flagellin improved toll-like receptor 5 stimulating activity
Disclosed herein are flagellin mutants having an enhanced activity of stimulating the toll-like receptor-5 (hereinafter referred to as “TLR5”). More specifically, disclosed are flagellin mutants, prepared by point-mutating some of the amino acids of a TRL5 agonist flagellin so as to enhance the TRL-stimulating activity of the flagellin.
US08337861B2 Compositions, methods and kits for enhancing the immunogenicity of a bacterial vaccine vector
The present invention comprises methods for enhancing the immunogenicity of a bacterial vaccine vector and an antigen by passaging the bacterial vaccine vector through an animal.
US08337858B2 Extracts of Aphanizomenon Flos Aquae and nutritional, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same
The invention provides extracts of the microalga Aphanizomenon Flos Aquae Aquae Ralfs ex Born. & Flah. Var. flos aquae (AFA Klamath) and biologically active components thereof, in particular AFA-phycocyanins, determined as the complex c-phycopcyanin/phycoerythrocyanin (including the chromophore phycoviolobilin), AFA-phytochrome and mycosporine-like aminoacids (MAAs), nutritional, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases, disturbances or conditions involving acute or chronic inflammation and oxidative degeneration of body cells or tissues or uncontrolled cell proliferation.
US08337849B2 Anti-IL6/IL-6R antibodies
This invention provides fully human monoclonal antibodies that recognize the IL-6/IL-6R complex. The invention further provides methods of using such monoclonal antibodies as a therapeutic, diagnostic, and prophylactic.
US08337847B2 Methods of treating anemia using anti-IL-6 antibodies
The invention provides methods of treating anemia in patients in need thereof, particularly in patients having anemia associated with chronic and/or inflammatory conditions such as cancers and arthritic conditions by administering antibodies or antibody fragments that bind IL-6. The treatment methods result in increased hemoglobin.
US08337844B2 CD20-binding polypeptide compositions for treating autoimmune disease
A method of treating an autoimmune disease comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a CD20-binding polypeptide composition comprising a combination of a modified heavy chain variable region polypeptide and a modified light chain variable region polypeptide. The combination can be (a) a modified 2B8 antibody heavy chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 48; and a modified 2B8 antibody light chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 49; or (b) a modified Leu16 antibody heavy chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 50; and a modified Leu16 antibody light chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 51.
US08337837B2 Stable enzymatic preparations and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to stable concentrated enzymatic compositions suitable for storage under ambient conditions, while maintaining their intended enzymatic activity. The invention further relate to kits comprising concentrated enzymatic compositions, methods for preparing debriding solutions from said concentrated enzymatic compositions and methods of using the diluted debriding solutions.
US08337830B2 Yeast-based vaccines as immunotherapy
Compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing a variety of diseases and conditions that are amenable to immunotherapy and, in one particular embodiment, compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing cancer in an animal are described. Specifically improvements related to the use of a yeast-based vaccine comprising a yeast vehicle and an antigen that is selected to elicit an antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune response in an animal, for use in prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccination and the prevention and/or treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions are disclosed.
US08337829B2 Conditioned medium and proliferated cell lines produced therefrom
The subject invention pertains to tumor cell lines useful for increasing the proliferation potential of any human or animal cell in culture, thereby providing immortalized or continuous cell lines and cultures. The invention also concerns proliferation factors, and compositions containing the factors, which are capable of increasing the proliferation potential of any human or other animal cell in culture. The subject invention further pertains to a method for proliferating cells in culture by contacting cells with the proliferation factors. The proliferated cells can range in plasticity and can include, for example, blast cells, fertilized ova, non-fertilized gametes, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, precursor or progenitor cells, and highly specialized cells. Optionally, the cells can be induced to cease proliferation. The proliferated cells of the subject invention are useful for cell therapy, cell/gene therapy, biological production of molecules, and as in vitro models for research, toxicity testing, and drug development.
US08337825B2 Glycosaminoglycan-antagonising MCP-1 mutants
Novel mutants of human monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) with increased glycosaminoglycan (GAG) binding affinity and knocked-out or reduced GPCR activity compared to wild type MCP-1, and their use for therapeutic treatment of inflammatory diseases.
US08337823B2 Modified macromolecule
The present invention relates to a macromolecule having a controlled terminal group stoichiometry, the macromolecule including a surface layer, at least one subsurface layer and at least two terminal groups including: a first terminal group which is a residue of a pharmaceutically active agent, a derivative thereof or precursor therefor; and a second terminal group selected to modify the pharmacokinetics of the pharmaceutically active agent and/or macromolecule, wherein terminal group stoichiometry refers to the number and type of terminal groups.
US08337817B2 Preparation for transnasal application
Disclosed is a preparation for transnasal application, which has improved fluidability. Specifically disclosed is a preparation for transnasal application, which comprises at least a complex comprising: a fluidability-improving component comprising a first crystalline cellulose (A) having specified powder properties, tricalcium phosphate (B) having specified powder properties, and a second crystalline cellulose (C) having specified powder properties or a starch (D) having specified powder properties; and a physiologically active substance.
US08337812B2 Regulator of ephrin-Eph receptor signaling and mouse having abnormal ephrin-Eph receptor signaling mechanisms
It is intended to provide an agent for regulating axon extension during neuranagenesis by regulating ephrin-Eph receptor signaling mechanisms and to provide a mouse having abnormal ephrin-Eph receptor signaling mechanisms. The present invention relates to a regulator of axon extension, comprising an agent for promoting or suppressing the function of α-chimerin, and to a miffy (mfy) mouse derived from a B6 strain, which displays autosomal recessive inheritance of an abnormal walking trait exhibiting a hopping gait with left-right synchronized movement of limbs and has mutation in an α-chimerin gene.
US08337805B1 Method for preparing magnetite nanoparticles from low-grade iron ore and magnetite nanoparticles prepared by the same
The present invention provides a method for preparing magnetite nanoparticles from low-grade iron ore and magnetite nanoparticles prepared by the same. According to the method of the present invention, in which iron ore leachate is obtained by adding low-grade iron ore powder to an acidic solution, Si and Mg that inhibit the formation of magnetite nanoparticles present in the leachate are selectively removed, iron hydroxide (Fe(OH)3) is allowed to be precipitated from a supernatant containing Fe2+ ions and Fe3+ ions, a mixed iron solution containing Fe2+ ions and Fe3+ ions is prepared using the iron hydroxide (Fe(OH)3), and the mixed iron solution is added to an alkaline solution to react, thereby preparing magnetite nanoparticles.
US08337801B2 Process and plant for producing calcine products
A process for producing calcine products includes dead roasting a metal sulfide concentrate having a low sulfur content. The concentrate is roasted in a circulating fluidized bed at a temperature of about 950 to 1050° C. A waste gas of the fluidized bed is passed through at least one of a recuperator and a Venturi drier so as to respectively provide at least one of a preheating of at least a portion of air fluidizing the fluidized bed and a drying of at least a portion of the concentrate to be roasted. The calcine product obtained in the fluidized bed with a sulfur content of less than 1 wt-% is provided for further processing.
US08337799B2 Process for manufacturing carbon coated nanoparticles of a transition metal oxide
The invention relates to a method for producing nanoparticles of at least one oxide of a transition metal selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb and Ta, which are coated with amorphous carbon, wherein said method includes the following successive steps: (i) a liquid mixture containing as precursors at least one alkoxyde of the transition metal, an alcohol, and an acetic acid relative to the transition metal is prepared and diluted in water in order to form an aqueous solution, the precursors being present in the solution according to a molar ratio such that it prevents or sufficiently limits the formation of a sol so that the aqueous solution can be freeze-dried, and such that the transition metal, the carbon and the oxygen are present in a stoichiometric ratio according to which they are included in the nanoparticles; (ii) the aqueous solution is freeze-dried; (ii) the freeze-dried product obtained during the preceding step is submitted to pyrolysis under vacuum or in an inert atmosphere in order to obtain the nanoparticles. The invention also relates to the application of the method for producing transition metal carbide.
US08337797B2 Method for producing bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide
According to the method for producing bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide of the present invention, first, an unreacted mixed liquid is prepared by mixing a first fluorosulfonic acid with urea in a condition free of a chemical reaction between the first fluorosulfonic acid and urea. Then, the unreacted mixed liquid is dripped into a heated second fluorosulfonic acid or a heated bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, allowing a chemical reaction between fluorosulfonic acid and urea to proceed. In this method, generation of carbon dioxide gas and heat during the chemical reaction can be controlled.
US08337793B2 Removal of ammonia from fluids
A method and equipment for removing ammonia from effluent, flue or waste fluids that include oxygen. The method includes at least the following stages: Part of the fluid (1) is conveyed to a decomposition/oxidation unit (2) and part of the fluid (1) is conveyed to a by-pass unit (3); part of the fluid (1) including ammonia is oxidized in the decomposition/oxidation unit (2) of ammonia; the fluid (1H) that was oxidized in the decomposition/oxidation unit (2) and the fluid (1) that was conveyed to the by-pass unit are mixed in a mixing unit (4) to form a fluid mixture (1S), and the fluid mixture (1S) is conveyed to a selective reduction unit (5).
US08337786B2 Microscope slide cover with integrated reservoir
A cover for a substrate including: a body defining a cavity, for positioning over the substrate to form a reaction chamber; and a projection extending from the body to define a fluid reservoir, when the cover is fitted to the substrate, the fluid reservoir being in fluid communication with the cavity.
US08337785B2 Substance and a device
A device (1) for housing a scientific sample comprising at least one sample well (2) and an on-board buffering substance (3) wherein the onboard buffering substance (3) at least partly surrounds the sample well (2). The on-board buffering substance (3) may be in the form of a matrix, such as a gel-like matrix. The device (1) may further comprise an insulating means. Also described is a substance for use in culturing and/or assaying a sample whereby the substance provides atmospheric and thermal buffering. The invention further provides a lid for a single-well or multi-well sample plate, the lid being configured to facilitate delivery of a sample through the lid into a well, and for sealing the well. The lid comprises moveable portions (52, 53) that have at least one orifice (54, 57) formed through the moveable portions (52, 53) such that a conduit is formed by alignment of the orifices (54, 57) of both the lid portions (52, 53).
US08337784B2 Use of autologous sediment from fluid aspirates as vehicles for drug delivery
A centrifuge tube apparatus for centrifuging a sample collected in a syringe, the apparatus comprising: a syringe comprising at one end a narrowed outlet and means for connection to a needle and at the opposing end a partially inserted syringe plunger; and a syringe holder having an interior for accepting the syringe, wherein the interior comprises at least one ledge for resting the syringe in an inverted position within the holder to prevent further insertion of the plunger during centrifugation, further wherein the syringe holder is sized for insertion in a centrifuge rotor.
US08337771B2 Packaging material sterilizing unit for a pourable food product packaging machine
A unit for sterilizing a web of packaging material, the unit having a bath containing a sterilizing agent in which the web is advanced continuously; and an aseptic environment containing sterile air, connected to an outlet of the bath, and housing drying means for removing residual sterilizing agent from the web. The aseptic environment is divided into two regions by a narrow-section channel, along which the web travels, and which is sized to produce a predetermined difference in pressure between the two regions, and so force air into the channel from the higher-pressure region to the lower-pressure region to dry the web.
US08337766B2 Method and apparatus for an efficient hydrogen production
An apparatus and method for sorting ions in order to produce hydrogen gas from water. A first electric field source is electrically isolated from water by an insulating layer. A first conductive deionization surface is positioned within a field line of said first electric field source. An electric conductor is connected to said first conductive deionization surface and is adapted to discharge charge built up due to attracted ions located on the first conductive deionization surface. Hydrogen is produced on said first conductive deionization surface when said first conductive deionization surface is positioned within the water.
US08337759B1 Ozone-based odor control system for controlling hydrogen sulfide and other foul odors
An ozone-based system and method for eliminating odors from wastewater in a well produces an oxygen-enriched and controllably produces ozone using an ozone generator operably coupled to a programmable logic controller. In sparging mode the system supplies the oxygen enriched gas to the well. In ozonation mode the oxygen-enriched gas is used to produce ozone and the ozone is supplied to the injection port. The PLC reduces the amount of ozone produced by the ozone generator if the ozone measured at the reaction chamber outlet is not less than a setpoint amount. The reaction chamber contains a baffled reticulate interior channel causing gasses flowing therethrough to flow in opposite directions in traveling from the inlet to the outlet of the reaction chamber. The system is devoid of any fan or pump in the reaction chamber.
US08337754B2 Automated developer for immuno-stained biological samples
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the developing of immuno-stained biological samples. The systems disclosed herein are automated and are configured to control one or more steps of the developing procedure. Reagents may be added using automatic syringe dispensing. Reagent temperature, reagent stirring, and wash procedures are programmable and can be separately controlled for separate immuno-staining procedures that are performed at the same time.
US08337749B2 Lean austenitic stainless steel
An austenitic stainless steel composition including relatively low Ni and Mo levels, and exhibiting corrosion resistance, resistance to elevated temperature deformation, and formability properties comparable to certain alloys including higher Ni and Mo levels. Embodiments of the austenitic stainless steel include, in weight percentages, up to 0.20 C, 2.0-9.0 Mn, up to 2.0 Si, 15.0-23.0 Cr, 1.0-9.5 Ni, up to 3.0 Mo, up to 3.0 Cu, 0.05-0.35 N, (7.5(% C))≦(% Nb+% Ti+% V+% Ta+% Zr)≦1.5, Fe, and incidental impurities.
US08337748B2 Lean austenitic stainless steel containing stabilizing elements
An austenitic stainless steel composition including relatively low nickel and molybdenum levels, and exhibiting corrosion resistance, resistance to elevated temperature deformation, and formability properties comparable to certain alloys including higher nickel and molybdenum levels. Embodiments of the austenitic stainless steel include, in weight %, up to 0.20 C, 2.0-9.0 Mn, up to 2.0 Si, 16.0-23.0 Cr, 1.0-7.0 Ni, up to 3.0 Mo, up to 3.0 Cu, 0.05-0.35 N, up to 4.0 W, (7.5(% C))≦(Nb+Ti+V+Ta+Zr)≦1.5, up to 0.01 B, up to 1.0 Co, iron and impurities. Additionally, embodiments of the steel may include 0.5≦(Mo+W/2)≦5.0 and/or 1.0≦(Ni+Co)≦8.0.
US08337746B2 Transferring molten metal from one structure to another
A system for transferring molten metal from a vessel and into one or more of a ladle, ingot mold, launder, feed die cast machine or other structure is disclosed. The system includes at least a vessel for containing molten metal, an overflow (or dividing) wall, and a device or structure, such as a molten metal pump, for generating a stream of molten metal. The dividing wall divides the vessel into a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein part of the second chamber has a height H2. The device for generating a stream of molten metal, which is preferably a molten metal pump, is preferably positioned in the first chamber. When the device operates, it generates a stream of molten metal from the first chamber and into the second chamber. When the level of molten metal in the second chamber exceeds H2, molten metal flows out of the vessel and into another structure, such as into one or more ladles and/or one or more launders.
US08337741B2 Method for operating a rotary press and concentrically running press
A method for operating a rotary press, comprising a rotor rotatably driven about a vertical axis that has a die-plate and upper and lower rams which, while being guided vertically in guides of the rotor, interact with holes of dies in the die-plate wherein at least one compression station is provided and has an upper and a lower pressing roller past which the presser rams run along and by which they are moved towards the die-bore for the purpose of compacting the material in the die-hole, wherein the upper and lower rams are lifted subsequent to the compression procedure, causing the lower ram to eject a compact from the die and the compact to be stripped by a stripper in the direction of a discharge chute, characterized in that while an compact ejection procedure is under way the upper ram stands upright on top of the compact and is lifted therewith and the stripper seizes the compact laterally while the upper ram is still standing upright on top of the compact.
US08337734B2 Non-stick medical tubing
A method for manufacturing a non stick medical tube is provided. The method includes providing a first plastic resin to a tubing extrusion device and providing a second plastic resin to a tubing extrusion device, the second plastic resin comprising a medical grade amide compound. The method further includes mixing the first plastic resin with the second plastic resin and extruding the resin mixture such that said medical grade amide compound is present on an inner surface of said medical tube after extrusion to promote release of contacting surfaces of said inner surface of the medical tubing after contact.
US08337731B2 Article comprising a dry fabric seal for liquid resin molding processes
A dry fabric seal for use with tooling for liquid resin molding processes and a method for creating the seal are disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the seal comprises an annular resin reservoir, a level of resin within the reservoir, a device for controlling the resin level, and a perforated pressure plate that forms one wall of the reservoir. The seal is created by controlling the level of resin between the tooling (e.g., the inner and outer molds, etc.) so that air cannot leak in (for vacuum processes) or out (for pressurized processes) between the fibers in the fabric near the top of the molds.
US08337725B2 Vinylidene fluoride copolymers
The present invention pertains to a linear semi-crystalline copolymer [polymer (A)] comprising recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) monomer and at least one hydrophilic (meth)acrylic monomer (MA) of formula: wherein each of R1, R2, R3, equal or different from each other, is independently an hydrogen atom or a C1-C3 hydrocarbon group, and ROH is a hydrogen or a C1-C5 hydrocarbon moiety comprising at least one hydroxyl group, said polymer (A) comprising from 0.05 to 10% by moles of recurring units derived from said hydrophilic (meth)acrylic monomer (MA) and being characterized by a fraction of randomly distributed units (MA) of at least 40%, having improved thermal stability, to a process for its manufacture, to a composition comprising the same, and to its use as binder in batteries or for the manufacture of hydrophilic membranes.
US08337721B2 Broad-emission nanocrystals and methods of making and using same
In one aspect, the invention relates to an inorganic nanoparticle or nanocrystal, also referred to as a quantum dot, capable of emitting white light. In a further aspect, the invention relates to an inorganic nanoparticle capable of absorbing energy from a first electromagnetic region and capable of emitting light in a second electromagnetic region, wherein the second electromagnetic region comprises an at least about 50 nm wide band of wavelengths and to methods for the preparation thereof. In further aspects, the invention relates to a frequency converter, a light emitting diode device, a modified fluorescent light source, an electroluminescent device, and an energy cascade system comprising the nanoparticle of the invention. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US08337719B2 Liquid crystalline polyester and molded article thereof
The present invention provides a resin composition containing a liquid crystalline polyester and a high dielectric material filler. The present invention also provides a molded article of the liquid crystalline polyester resin composition. The liquid crystalline polyester resin composition of the present invention comprises 50 to 80% by volume of a liquid crystalline polyester which has 40% by mol or more of a 2,6-naphthalenediyl group as an aromatic group, also has a flow initiation temperature of 280° C. or higher, and shows a melt tension of 1 g or more measured at a temperature higher than flow initiation temperature; and 20 to 50% by volume of a high dielectric material filler. The liquid crystalline polyester resin composition can be formed into composition pellets easily and stably by a strand method, and a molded article obtained from the liquid crystalline polyester resin composition is excellent in flexural strength and dielectric characteristics.
US08337717B2 Process for producing aqueous chlorine dioxide for surface disinfection and decontamination
The present invention provides for a method of generating an aqueous solution comprising chlorine dioxide using a chlorine-containing chemical oxidant; an effector having the capacity to reduce said chlorine-containing chemical oxidant; a chemical reductant; and water, and operating in either batch or continuous-flow modes. In batch mode, the aqueous chlorine dioxide solution can be generated in a sprayer device, a bottle, or a bucket to disinfect objects by spraying and wiping, by pouring, or by immersion, respectively. In continuous-flow mode, the aqueous chlorine dioxide solution can be generated in flow tubes or continuous-stirred tank reactors, then placed inside a suitable sprayer device, bottle, or bucket.
US08337715B2 CMP slurry for metallic film, polishing method and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A CMP slurry for metallic film is provided, which includes water, 0.01 to 0.3 wt %, based on a total quantity of the slurry, of polyvinylpyrrolidone having a weight average molecular weight of not less than 20,000, an oxidizing agent, a protective film-forming agent containing a first complexing agent for forming a water-insoluble complex and a second complexing agent for forming a water-soluble complex, and colloidal silica having a primary particle diameter ranging from 5 to 50 nm.
US08337711B2 System and process for separating a material
Disclosed is a system to separate, enrich, and/or purify a cellular population from a biological tissue, such as a tissue sample. For example, an adipose tissue sample can be acquired and disrupted. The disrupted tissue sample can then be separated and purified. The separated components can include multipotent, pluripotent, or other cell populations.
US08337704B2 Manipulation of magnetic microparticles in a high pressure liquid system and extraction process
The invention concerns a device and a method for the manipulation of a liquid sample material in which magnetic microparticles are suspended whereby the microparticles have a functionalized surface and an analyte is bound to the surface. The sample material is introduced into a device with a liquid system through an injection device (50) and in a first mobile phase the sample material is carried to an extractor (90). In a first section (97a) of the extractor (90) the microparticles are immobilized by means of a magnetic field of a controllable device (96) and separated from the remaining sample material. By switching over of a switching unit (110) a second mobile phase (75) is carried to the extractor (90) and the second mobile phase (75) detaches the adsorbed analyte from the surface of the microparticles. In a second section (97b) of the extractor (90) the microparticles are immobilized and the second mobile phase (75) with the dissolved analyte(s) can be analyzed by way of chromatographic separation (130) and subsequent detection (140).
US08337702B2 Method for treating wastewater containing heavy metals
A method for treating wastewater containing heavy metals comprising directing the wastewater across a reverse osmosis aromatic polyamide membrane at low pressure ranging from 40-120 psi, the membrane being capable of removing at least 90% of the target heavy metals from the wastewater.
US08337701B2 Intravenous filter
Intravenous fluid filter devices including a filter comprising spaced apart first and second filter elements comprising hydrophilic membranes and providing inside-out flow, and methods of using the devices, are disclosed.
US08337695B2 Environmental remediation system
An apparatus, system and method for removing and treating contaminated materials on a bottom of a body of water and introducing growth packets to revitalize the treated bottom of the body of water. The structure may comprise a vessel with an open face. The vessel may be lowered down to the bottom of the body of water with the face facing down. As a result, the vessel and the bottom form an isolated space. The structure may comprise at least one agitating device(s) for stirring up the materials inside the vessel so as to form a mixture containing the sediment materials which in turn contain the contaminants. Multiple at least one pipe(s) may be coupled to the vessel for transporting the mixture out of the vessel for processing (filtering, treating with chemicals, etc.) so as to neutralize or eliminate the contaminants in the mixture. Then, the treated mixture can be returned to the inside of the vessel via the at least one pipe(s).
US08337682B2 Arc plasma source
An arc plasma source 101 for evaporating a cathode material of a cathode 22 by arc discharge controlled by a magnetic field, comprising a magnetic field forming mechanism 42 arranged outside the cathode for forming a magnetic field M in parallel to the center axis of the cathode near an evaporation surface 22a; a supporting mechanism 26 for supporting the cathode; a cooling mechanism 61 for cooling the cathode; and a tapered ring 64 being truncated cone shaped and having a through-hole into which the cathode penetrates along the axial direction of the through-hole, the tapered ring being arranged to be tapered toward the evaporation surface of the cathode; wherein the tapered ring is made of a ferromagnetic material and the front end of the tapered ring is positioned coplanar with the evaporation surface of the cathode or is positioned posterior to the evaporation surface in use.
US08337680B2 Substrate holder and plating apparatus
The present invention is to provide a substrate holder which can effect a more complete sealing with a sealing member and makes it possible to take a substrate out of the substrate holder easily and securely, and also a plating apparatus provided with the substrate holder. The substrate holder includes: a fixed holding member and a movable holding member for holding a substrate therebetween; a sealing member mounted to the fixed holding member or the movable holding member; and a suction pad for attracting a back surface of the substrate held between the fixed holding member and the movable holding member.
US08337678B2 Electrochemical apparatus
A hydrogen electrolysis apparatus includes a stack of unit cells each having a membrane electrode assembly sandwiched between an anode separator and a cathode separator. The anode separator has a first flow field which is supplied with water, and the cathode separator has a second flow field which produces high-pressure hydrogen through an electrolysis of the water. The cathode separator also has a first seal groove defined therein which extends around the second flow field and a first seal member inserted in the first seal groove. The first seal groove and the second flow field are held in fluid communication with each other through passageways. The passageways keep the first seal groove and the second flow field in direct fluid communication with each other in bypassing relation to the boundary between the cathode separator and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane.
US08337675B2 Method of plasma vapour deposition
A method induces plasma vapor deposition of metal into a recess in a workpiece. The method achieves re-sputtering of the metal at the base of the recess with a sputter gas by utilizing a mixture of Ar and He and/or Ne as the sputter gas with a ratio of He and/or Ne:Ar of at least about 10:1.
US08337674B2 Ozone production by pressure swing adsorption using a noble gas additive
Helium is introduced as an additive to any of the oxygen streams introduced into an ozone generator, such as a dielectric discharge (cold plasma) ozone generator, where the effluent of the generator is directed to an adsorption process for separating the ozone from the oxygen. Also disclosed is an improved PSA cycle, which is designed to reduce the amount of make-up helium and oxygen required to sustain the ozone generation and recovery process.
US08337673B2 Synthesis of silicon nanocrystals by laser pyrolysis
The invention relates to the synthesis of silicon-containing nanoparticles by laser pyrolysis. For this purpose: a precursor (SiH4) containing the element silicon is conveyed, by a transport fluid (He), into a pyrolysis reactor (REAC); laser radiation (LAS) is applied, in the reactor, to a mixture that the transport fluid and the precursor form; and silicon-containing nanoparticles (nP) are recovered at the exit of the reactor. In particular, the power of the laser radiation is controlled. Furthermore, the effective pulse duration is controlled within a laser firing period. Typically, for a power greater than 500 watts and a pulse duration greater than 40% of a laser firing period, nanoparticles having a crystalline structure with a size of less than or of the order of one nanometer are obtained at a rate greater than or of the order of 80 milligrams per hour. Under optimum conditions, a record rate of greater than 740 milligrams per hour was able to be obtained.
US08337653B2 Method for the individual application of hot embossing film and security documents produced therewith
The invention relates to a method for the individual application of a hot embossing film, according to which an adhesive is printed on a substrate in the form of symbols, patterns, numbers etc., then a hot embossing film consisting of a backing film, peel-off layer and decorative layer is hot-laminated on the printed substrate and the backing film is removed.
US08337643B2 Hot rolled dual phase steel sheet
A hot rolled steel sheet having a dual phase microstructure with a martensite phase of less than 35% by volume and a ferrite phase of more than 50% by volume and a composition containing by percent weight: 0.01≦C≦0.2; 0.3≦Mn≦3; 0.2≦Si≦2; 0.2≦Cr+Ni≦2; 0.01≦Al≦0.10; Mo less than about 0.2%, 0.0005≦Ca≦0.01, with the balance iron and incidental ingredients. Hot rolled sheet for cold rolling, the silicon range may be from about 0.05% to about 2%, and the amount of molybdenum may be up to 0.5%. Also, the hot rolled steel sheet has a tensile strength of at least 500 megapascals, a hole expansion ratio more than about 50%, and a yield strength/tensile strength ratio less than 70%.
US08337636B1 Pool/spa filter saver system
A first end of a connector is attached to the exterior end of a pipe. A second end of the connector is rotatably coupled with respect to the exterior end of the pipe and has female threads for removably receiving a hose. A spray head has a closed end, an open end coupled with respect to an interior end of the pipe, and an intermediate region having a plurality of radially extending micro-holes.
US08337633B2 Water-powered hand-washing method
A hand-washing system for washing fingernail beds and cuticular regions of human fingers and thumbs (collectively “digits”). The hand-washing system includes a work enclosure for containing ones of the digits and a high-velocity, high-flow water spray during a washing operation. The work enclosure defines an interior space, part of which defines an energy-dissipation region that, during use, provides a water reservoir for dissipating energy in the high-velocity, high flow water spray. The work enclosure includes a high-energy spray nozzle and a digit portal sized to receive the four fingers of one hand simultaneously in closed-fingered, upwardly-curled configuration. A mixing valve may be provided to allow a user to adjust the temperature of the water during washing. A quick-disconnect fluid-coupling assembly may also be provided and be used to quickly select between work enclosures of differing size.
US08337625B2 Escalator step cleaner
An escalator step cleaner for cleaning escalator steps having a plurality of parallel tread ridges separated by tread grooves has a cleaning pad assembly configured to extend generally perpendicular to the direction of motion of the escalator steps and clean the escalator steps while the escalator is in motion. The cleaning pad assembly has a rigid upper plate and a flexible disposable bottom pad having a cleaning contact surface. The contact surface carries a plurality of spaced parallel pad ridges separated by pad grooves that matingly engage between the tread ridges of the escalator steps and cause dislodgement of the accumulated debris. The cleaning pad assembly can be secured on a hand-held cleaning tool or on a motorized cleaning tool with rotating brushes and a vacuum.
US08337607B2 Recording ink, recording medium, ink media set, ink recorded matter, ink jet recording method, and ink jet recording apparatus
The present invention provides an ink-media set, record printed by use of the ink-media set, an inkjet printing method, and an inkjet printing apparatus which includes ink that has at least water, dye, and humectant and surface tension thereof is 20 to 35 mN/m at 25° C., a support, and a recording medium having the support and at least one surface thereof has a coating layer wherein transfer rate of the ink to the recording medium measured by a dynamic scanning absorptometer in 100 ms of contact time is 4 to 15 ml/m2 and transfer rate of the ink to the recording medium measured by a dynamic scanning absorptometer in 400 ms of contact time is 7 to 20 ml/m2.
US08337597B2 Moisture diversion apparatus for air inlet system and method
A moisture diversion system for a gas turbine inlet. The moisture diversion system comprises a housing that is operably connected with a gas turbine and defines an opening through which air flows to the gas turbine. A hood is attached to the housing adjacent the opening. The hood has a surface disposed at an acute angle relative to horizontal. A device is disposed relative to the hood to separate moisture from air flowing through the device. Separated moisture is directed onto the hood. A gutter is disposed adjacent an edge of the hood to collect moisture from the hood. A conduit is fluidly connected with the gutter to conduct water away from the gutter and the opening in the housing to inhibit separated moisture from re-entering the air flow through the opening to the gas turbine.
US08337593B2 Process for purifying natural gas and regenerating one or more adsorbers
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for purifying a natural gas by using first and second adsorbers. The process may include passing a feed including the natural gas through the first adsorber to obtain a purified natural gas product, regenerating the second adsorber in a heating stage, and regenerating the second adsorber in a cooling stage. The heating stage may include separating a portion of the feed comprised in a regeneration gas, passing the regeneration gas to a dryer for removing water, heating the regeneration gas with a heater after exiting the dryer, and passing the regeneration gas to the second adsorber to regenerate the second adsorber. The cooling stage may include expelling at initiation of cooling at least a part of a fluid present in the second adsorber to the dryer to desorb water from a molecular sieve in the dryer, and cooling the second adsorber by circulating the regeneration gas bypassing the heater.
US08337590B2 Device for drying a gas, in particular air, application thereof to a device, and method for collecting a gas sample
The invention relates to a device for drying a gas, in particular air, that comprises at least one chamber (5) with an inlet (5a) for the flow of gas to be treated and an outlet (5b) for the flow of treated gas, said chamber being limited by at least one membrane (6) having a water vapor perviousness that is significantly higher than the perviousness to other gases or vapors, a humidity absorbing material being provided or flowing against the membrane (6) on the side opposite the chamber. The device includes a stack of plates (P1, P2) provided with central openings (A, B); each chamber (5) is formed by a central opening (A) located between two parallel membranes (6) while the humidity absorbing material is provided against each membrane (6); each plate (P1) is sandwiched between two plates (P2, P3) including a housing (B, B1) for the humidity absorbing material; and a plurality of chambers (5) are stacked and connected in series.
US08337588B2 Modified zeolite Y membranes for high-performance CO2 separation
Supported zeolite Y membranes exhibiting exceptionally high CO2 selectivities when used in CO2/N2 gas separations are produced by a seeding/secondary (hypothermal) growth approach in which a structure directing agent such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide is included in the aqueous crystal-growing composition used for membrane formation.
US08337578B2 Air filter device
The invention relates to an air filter device (1) having a filter housing comprising a filter housing cup (2) and a filter housing cover, in which filter housing at least one filter element (3) is arranged. Pertinent to the invention is that a flow-directing element (7) is provided that is configured in such a manner that it is ensured that the filter element (3) is flowed through uniformly.
US08337576B2 Air distribution arrangement for a dust collector system
A dust collector system including a plurality of air filters that are at least partially self-cleaning via a pulsed air system. The dust collector system presents a self-aligning, tool-free assembly for providing the pulsed air. The pulsed air system has an air distribution assembly including an air distribution manifold having a plurality of purge pipes and a frame for supporting at least some of the purge pipes, wherein at least two or more of the purge pipes are coupled together in a generally unitary assembly; and a positioning assembly for selectively positioning and removably locking the air distribution manifold in either of a service position or an operational position.
US08337567B2 Satiation devices and methods
A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis self-expandable from a collapsed position in which the prosthesis has a first diameter to an expanded position in which the prosthesis has a second, larger, diameter. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed in the collapsed position and inserted into a stomach of a patient. The prosthesis is allowed to self-expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position and into contact with the walls of the stomach, where it induces feelings of satiety and/or inhibits modulation of satiety-controlling factors such as Ghrelin.
US08337551B2 Biomedical devices
Biomedical devices such as silicone hydrogels formed from a polymerization product of a mixture comprising (a) a siloxane-containing homopolymer which has only one thio carbonyl thio fragment of a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent; and (b) one or more biomedical device-forming comonomers are disclosed.
US08337546B2 Mobile external coupling for branch vessel connection
An endovascular prosthesis includes a tubular body and a mobile external coupling. The tubular body includes a graft material and stents coupled thereto which forms a lumen therethrough. The mobile external coupling extends outwardly from the tubular body. The mobile external coupling includes a graft material and is generally frustoconically shaped. The mobile external coupling includes a base coupled to the tubular body, a top spaced from the tubular body, and a coupling lumen disposed between the base and the top, wherein the coupling lumen is in flow communication with the body lumen. A coupling deployment device is coupled to the coupling graft material to provide an extension force to extend the mobile external coupling from a collapsed configuration against the tubular body to an extended position wherein the mobile external coupling extends from the tubular body.
US08337543B2 Prosthesis anchoring and deploying device
A system for intraluminally delivering and deploying stents and other prostheses includes an outer catheter, an inner catheter movable axially relative to the outer catheter, and an anchoring device mounted to a distal end region of the inner catheter. The anchoring device includes one or more control features that interact with a linking structure proximally disposed on the prosthesis, preferably including one or more loops. The control features and loops interact by surface engagement to anchor the prosthesis relative to the inner catheter in a nonfrictional manner, thus to maintain lower axial prosthesis deployment and retraction forces. In one version of the anchor, the control features extend radially outward from a sleeve. In another version, the control features are formed in respective recesses which also receive the loops or other linking structure.
US08337541B2 Delivery system for vascular implant
A medical treatment system and method of treatment is described having an implant that can be positioned and deployed, then undeployed to allow repositioning of the implant. The system includes a self-expanding medical implant that longitudinally foreshortens upon radially expanding from a radially compacted state, a distal interface configured to attach the implant to a distal mount of a delivery device, and a proximal interface configured to attach the implant to a proximal mount of the delivery device. Moving the distal mount longitudinally away from the proximal mount applies a longitudinal tension to the implant causing the implant to expand longitudinally and contract radially, and moving the distal mount toward the proximal mount reduces a longitudinal tension in the implant allowing the implant to expand radially toward a fully expanded state.
US08337539B2 Cooling device for removing heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich cells
A cooling device for removing heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich cells of a subject having skin is provided. The cooling device includes a support having a first portion and a second portion. A first cooling element having a first heat exchanging surface is located at the first portion of the support. A second cooling element having a second heat exchanging surface is located at the second portion of the support. At least one of the first and second cooling elements is movable along the support and is configured to rotate for adjusting an angle between the first and second heat exchanging surfaces.
US08337534B2 Device for the ostheosynthesis of proximal humerus fractures
A device for use in the treatment of proximal humerus fractures, having a substantially spoon-shaped body comprising a blade-like proximal portion provided with at least one seat, a plate-like and elongate distal portion provided with at least one seat, a central bulge, or block, including a central seat, the central bulge interposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion, a cylindrical counterbore obtained in the central bulge and communicating with the central seat, and an eccentric ring and annular seat, the eccentric ring positioned within the annular seat.
US08337516B2 Atherectomy devices and methods
The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and methods relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens. The devices may include a catheter and a cutter assembly, where the cutter assembly has a distal cutter and a proximal cutter. The devices may also include a drive mechanism, a torque shaft, a deflecting mechanism and a torque control mechanism. The torque control mechanism may sweep the cutter assembly when the cutter assembly is deflected.
US08337514B2 Slitted tissue fixation devices and assemblies for deploying the same
Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has a configuration alterable by a deployment wire to permit release of the fastener from the deployment wire after deployment and without causing excessive tissue trauma.
US08337513B2 Instruments and techniques for controlled removal of epidermal layers
An instrument and technique for the removal of epidermal layers in a controlled manner utilizing a hand-held instrument with a working end that (i) a vacuum aspiration system, (ii) a source for delivery of a sterile fluids or pharmacological agents to the skin; and (iii) a skin interface surface in the working end that has specially shape structure for abrading surface layers of the patient's epidermis as the working end is moved over the patient's skin while at the same time causing rapid penetration of the fluids into the skin for therapeutic purposes. Movement of the working end across the skin causes abrasion of the surface layers in a path over the patient's skin. The method of the invention may be used in a periodic treatment for the removal of superficial skin layers that enhances the synthesis of dermal collagen aggregates by inducing the body's natural wound healing response. The method of the invention creates more normal dermal architectures in skin with limited depths of skin removal by the series of superficial treatments that may be comparable to the extent of neocollagenesis caused by a deep skin removal treatment (e.g., CO2 laser skin removal).
US08337505B2 Method for coupling an intramedullary nail and associated instruments
A method of connecting an intramedullary nail and a targeting and/or nailing instrument includes engaging a coupling element which has an axially parallel projection with an axially parallel recess on the hollow connection end of the nail. The engagement of the projection and recess fastens the nail under axial engagement on the connection end of the instrument in predefined rotational position on the instrument. A quick-fastener element engages in the connection end of the nail and has a first coupling element and the connection end of the nail has a second coupling element. The coupling elements are configured so that in a first rotational position relative to the axially parallel projection the instrument can be introduced into the connection end of the nail and in a second rotational position the coupling elements cooperate so that the nail is held axially fixedly on the instrument.
US08337504B2 System and method for inserting an implant
An implant includes a body configured to be implanted at least partially within a bone canal. The body has a proximal end, a longitudinal axis and a cavity located at the proximal end. The cavity is configured to mate with an insertion tool and defines a cavity axis that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant.
US08337501B2 Patient selectable joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools
A patellar 3-D guidance tool includes a template. The template includes at least one contact surface for engaging a surface of the patella. The at least one contact surface substantially conforms with the surface associated with the patellar. At least one guide aperture directs movement of a surgical instrument, wherein the shape and/or position of the guide aperture is based, at least in part, on three or more anatomic reference points associated with the patellar.
US08337493B2 Handheld transdermal drug delivery and analyte extraction
Apparatus (20) for application to skin of a subject is provided. The apparatus includes a board (30) having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including a plurality of ablation electrodes (41), which are adapted to be applied to the skin, and the second surface including one or more contact pads (32), each one of the contact pads electrically coupled to at least one of the ablation electrodes. The apparatus further includes one or more driving electrodes (28). An energy applicator (e.g., motor 22), coupled to the driving electrodes, is adapted to pass the driving electrodes over the contact pads. A power source (e.g., power unit 102) is adapted to drive a current from the driving electrodes, to the contact pads, and to the ablation electrodes. The current is capable of ablating at least a portion of stratum corneum of the skin in a vicinity of the ablation electrodes, so as to facilitate transdermal transport of a substance.
US08337474B2 Devices and methods for treatment of damaged tissue
Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices. Maintenance and control of the sub atmospheric pressure exerted may be provided by such devices while minimizing discomfort to the user. The devices may be configured to be worn inconspicuously underneath clothing.
US08337469B2 Insulin pump and method for controlling a user interface of an insulin pump
An insulin pump comprises a pump device, a control for the pump device, a memory, an operating element for operating the insulin pump and a method for controlling a user interface of the insulin pump are disclosed. The control is designed and programmed such that options for the user of the insulin pump are displayed by the user interface as a function of a user-specific preference profile stored in the memory and as a function of a current time and are provided for selection by using the operating element. The insulin pump can be designed in an auto-adaptive fashion, such that the control continuously updates the user-specific preference profile based on analyzing operating inputs of the user. Embodiments of the invention allow a large range of functions and simple operation, even in the case of miniaturized pumps.