Document	Document Title
US08384466B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes an electric fuse circuit and a program protective circuit. The electric fuse circuit includes a fuse element and a transistor connected together in series and placed between a program power supply and a grounding, and controlling sections. The program protective circuit is placed in parallel with the electric fuse circuit and between the program power supply and the grounding. When a surge voltage is applied between the program power supply and the grounding, the foregoing structure allows a part of a surge electric current can flow through the program protective circuit.
US08384458B1	Phase interpolation circuit A phase interpolation circuit including a first multiplexer, a second multiplexer, an interpolator and a duty-cycle repeater is provided. The first multiplexer receives a plurality of even order signals. The second multiplexer receives a plurality of odd order signals. The interpolator receives a first reference signal composed of one of the even order signals through the first multiplexer, and receives a second reference signal composed of one of the odd order signals through the second multiplexer. The interpolator divides a phase difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal into a plurality of sub-phases according to a digital control signal, and selects one of the sub-phases to generate a differential input signal. The duty-cycle repeater adjusts the duty cycle of the differential input signal and accordingly generates a differential output signal with 50% duty cycle.
US08384450B2	Frequency synthesizer device and modulation frequency displacement adjustment method A frequency synthesizer device that includes two modulation paths and suitably adjusts the amplitude of a control voltage that is outputted from a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to a voltage-controlled oscillator. The frequency synthesizer device is provided with a voltage-controlled oscillator, a programmable frequency divider, a frequency phase comparator, a DAC, a switch and a modulation frequency displacement correction circuit. The voltage-controlled oscillator oscillates at an oscillation frequency depending on an input voltage. The programmable frequency divider frequency-divides a signal from the voltage-controlled oscillator. The frequency phase comparator outputs a phase difference between the frequency-divided signal and a reference clock. The DAC outputs an adjustment voltage. The switch connects the voltage-controlled oscillator to a reference voltage power source at a time of correction of the adjustment voltage. The modulation frequency displacement correction circuit specifies adjustment data that corresponds to the adjustment voltage corresponding to the target frequency displacement.
US08384446B2	Power-up signal generation circuit A power-up signal generation circuit includes: a first section signal generation unit configured to sense a level of an external voltage and a level of an internal voltage and generate a first section signal; a second section signal generation unit configured to output a second section signal by buffering the first section signal when the internal voltage is lowered to below a minimum level; and a selective output unit configured to output the first section signal as a power-up signal, wherein the selective output unit outputs the second section signal as the power-up signal when a power-up section is ended and a mode register setting operation is performed.
US08384445B2	Driving stage and related driving method A driving stage of a signal transmitting system includes: a driver powered by a first supply source and arranged to output a driving signal via an output port capable of being connected to an external device; and a controllable isolating circuit including: a switching circuit arranged to selectively couple the first supply source to the output port, and a detecting circuit arranged to detect a specific signal derived from the signal transmitting system, wherein when the specific signal indicates the signal transmitting system turns into a power-off state, the detecting circuit controls the switching circuit to disconnect the output port from the first supply source.
US08384444B1	I/O driver with pass gate feedback controlled output driver In an I/O driver, noise reduction is achieved while maintaining good performance, by providing a conventional output driver leg and a secondary output driver leg, the primary output driver leg comprising a primary predriver and a primary output driver, and the secondary output driver leg comprising a secondary output driver having a common output with the primary output driver, wherein feedback from the common output is fed through a pair of pass gates that control the secondary output driver.
US08384442B2	Integrated circuit signal generation device An electronic integrated-circuit device is described in which mode control commands are stored. Mode parameters are also stored in the device. One or more inputs are used according to a predetermined process as determined by the stored parameters according to the stored commands and current mode. One or more output signals are produced. In various applications an output signal may be input to a sound amplifier, a lamp, a motor, a servo, etc. One application is a variety of sensor fusion. Procedural programming is avoided. The device operates with more speed and flexibility than other available configurations. Higher level supervisory management and control is useful for setup and initialization and is optional during operation. Selected platforms include microcontrollers; field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).
US08384437B2	Method and apparatus for gating a clock signal A semiconductor device comprising clock gating logic. The clock gating logic comprises clock freezing logic arranged to receive a selected clock signal and an enable signal. The clock freezing logic is further arranged to output a gated clock signal substantially corresponding to the selected clock signal when the enable signal comprises an inactive state, and to freeze the output gated clock signal when the enable signal comprises an active state. The clock gating logic further comprises polarity comparison logic arranged to compare polarities of an input clock signal and the gated clock signal and selector logic arranged to select from the input clock signal and an inverted input clock signal, based on a result of a comparison of the polarities of the input clock signal and the gated clock signal and to provide the selected clock signal to the clock freezing logic. The polarity comparison logic and the selector logic being further arranged such that, upon the enable signal transitioning from an active state to an inactive state, the selected clock signal provided to the clock freezing logic comprises a polarity substantially equivalent to that of the gated clock signal.
US08384436B2	Clock-tree transformation in high-speed ASIC implementation A method includes providing a first clock tree including a root clock and a plurality of levels of integrated clock gates (ICGs) under the root clock. The plurality of levels of ICGs in the first clock tree is flattened to generate a second clock tree including a plurality of ICGs in a same level under the root clock. A fake module is formed to reserve a region between the root clock and the plurality of ICGs. The fake module includes the root clock as a first input, and a first plurality of outputs coupled to clock-inputs of the plurality of ICGs. A skew balancing is performed on the second clock tree using a clock tree synthesis (CTS) tool to generate a third clock tree, wherein no buffers are inserted into the fake module, and wherein buffers are inserted by the CTS tool under the plurality of ICGs.
US08384435B2	Clock switching circuit with priority multiplexer A glitch free clock switching circuit includes a first enable synchronization logic that generates a first clock enable in response to a first enable from a first enable generation logic. The clock switching circuit includes a second enable synchronization logic that generates a second clock enable in response to a second enable from a second enable generation logic. A logic gate is coupled to an output of the second enable synchronization logic that selects the second clock signal as a logic gate output if the second enable is logic high. A priority multiplexer receives a first clock signal, the first enable and the logic gate output. The multiplexer configured to select the first clock signal as the clock output if the first enable is logic high, irrespective of the logic gate output.
US08384422B2	Terminal resistance device, semiconductor device, and control method for terminal resistance One aspect of the invention is a terminal resistance device including a variable terminal resistance unit including a plurality of first terminal resistance elements connectable to a transmission path and a terminal resistance control unit that transmits a first control signal of a thermometer code to the variable terminal resistance unit. The first terminal resistance elements have the same resistance value and the first control signal is a signal for selecting the first terminal resistance elements to be connected to the transmission path.
US08384420B2	Preventing hangs in a system with synchronized operation using stalls This invention is a method of operating a system having multiple finite state machines where each finite state machine generating a ready signal when its operation is complete. This invention selects a set of the finite state machines to participate in an operation. If one or more of the finite state machines are selected for operation, the method waits until all selected finite state machines generate the ready signal. If none of the finite state machines are selected for operation, the method waits until at least one non-selected finite state machine generates the ready signal. This waiting can be accomplished with a precharge-conditional discharge circuit used for voting.
US08384415B2	Method and system for identifying counterfeit programmable logic devices A method for combating counterfeiting and tampering of integrated circuits includes the steps providing a programmable logic device, the programmable logic device including an arithmetic circuit implemented into the substrate, and constructing an arithmetic feedback oscillator using the arithmetic circuit. The step of constructing the arithmetic feedback oscillator includes incorporating a feedback loop into the arithmetic circuit and feeding output bits back into an input of the arithmetic circuit. The method also includes the step of selecting input values producing repeating values in a lesser order bit of a product of the arithmetic circuit when first and second input are applied to the arithmetic circuit and monitoring the lesser order bit and determining a predicted pattern.
US08384414B2	Implementing hacking detection and block function at indeterminate times with priorities and limits A method and circuits for implementing a hacking detection and block function at indeterminate times, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A circuit includes an antenna wrapped around a dynamic bus inside circuitry to be protected. The antenna together with the dynamic bus node is designed so an average bus access activates a field effect transistor (FET) that is connected to a capacitor. The FET drains the capacitor in a specified number of activations by the antenna. The capacitor has a leakage path to a voltage supply rail VDD that charges the capacitor back high after a time, such as ten to one hundred cycles, of the dynamic bus being quiet. The capacitor provides a hacking detect signal for temporarily blocking operation of the circuitry to be protected responsive to determining that the dynamic bus is more active than functionally expected.
US08384410B1	Parallel test circuit with active devices In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided that comprises a first terminal for receiving an input testing signal during operation; a plurality of input/output terminals coupled with the first terminal; wherein the input/output terminals are configured to parallel output respective output testing signals during parallel output operation; wherein the input/output terminals are configured to parallel input testing response signals during parallel input operation from devices under test; and wherein each of the input/output terminals is electrically isolated during operation from the remaining plurality of input/output terminals.
US08384409B2	Ultra-thin organic TFT chemical sensor, making thereof, and sensing method An embodiment of the invention is an organic thin film transistor chemical sensor. The sensor includes a substrate. A gate electrode is isolated from drain and source electrodes by gate dielectric. An organic ultra-thin semiconductor thin film is arranged with respect to the gate, source and drain electrodes to act as a conduction channel in response to appropriate gate, source and drain potentials. The organic ultra-thin film is permeable to a chemical analyte of interest and consists of one or a few atomic or molecular monolayers of material. An example sensor array system includes a plurality of sensors of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, a sensor chip having a plurality of sensors is mounted in a socket, for example by wire bonding. The socket provides thermal and electrical interference isolation for the sensor chip from associated sensing circuitry that is mounted on a common substrate, such as a PCB (printed circuit board). A method of operating an organic thin film transistor chemical sensor exposes the sensor to a suspected analyte. A low duty cycle voltage pulse train is applied to the gate electrode to reduce baseline drift while sensing for a conduction channel change.
US08384402B2	Analysis tool The present invention relates to an analysis tool including a reagent portion and electrodes. The electrodes include a porous conductive portion where the reagent portion is formed. The porous conductive section is formed by, for instance, coating at least a part of a surface and an inner surface of a porous body with a conductive film. The porous body is, for instance, an insulating fiber mesh cloth. Preferably, the electrodes are formed in a sheet shape.
US08384397B2	Method and system for controlling filter operation A particulate filter control system and method for controlling the same is disclosed. The particulate filter load monitoring system may transmit radio frequency signals through the resonant cavity and filter medium across a frequency range sufficient to generate more than one resonant mode. The system may contain additional sensors for monitoring additional exhaust characteristics and parameters. Further, a control unit may be configured to determine the amount of material accumulated in the particulate filter, detect failures and malfunctions of the exhaust after-treatment system and its associated components, and initiate an action based on the amount of material accumulated in the particulate filter, the determination of a system failure or malfunction, or input from one or more exhaust sensors.
US08384395B2	Circuit for controlling temperature and enabling testing of a semiconductor chip A circuit for controlling temperature of a semiconductor chip includes a first heating element that is built into the semiconductor chip. The first heating element generates heat to increase the temperature of the semiconductor chip. The chip also includes a temperature controller that is coupled to the first heating element and built into the semiconductor chip. The temperature controller controls the temperature to enable testing of the semiconductor chip at a desired temperature.
US08384394B2	Communication apparatus and withstand voltage test method A communication apparatus including: a frame; a transmission line connectable to a public line network; a print circuit board including a frame ground terminal portion and configured such that a dielectric strength between the transmission line and the frame ground terminal portion takes a specific value in a state in which elements are connected to between the transmission line and the frame ground terminal portion via conductor patterns. The frame ground terminal portion includes: a first land formed on a first conductor pattern formed on a face of the print circuit board, a surge protection element being connected to the first conductor pattern; and a second land formed on a second conductor pattern formed on the face, elements different from the surge protection element being connected to the second conductor pattern. The first and second lands contacts the frame by fixing of the print circuit board to the frame.
US08384385B2	Magnetic resonance apparatus and method to detect incorrect magnetic resonance data In a method and apparatus to detect incorrect MR data in k-space representing MR signals acquired from an examination subject with at least two acquisition coils, MR data are acquired to generate at least one raw data set with each of the at least two acquisition coils and a check is made, for at least one k-space point, as to whether the MR data acquired for this k-space point should be replaced or not. In the event that the check yields that the MR data acquired for the at least one k-space point should be replaced, the MR data are replaced with reconstructed MR data that are based on at least two of the acquired raw data sets.
US08384380B2	Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method In order to stably obtain an even fat-suppressed image without reduction of an imaging efficiency and without being affected by unevenness of irradiation magnetic field of an RF pulse, when an imaging sequence having a first sequence part for suppressing a signal from a desired component of an examinee by applying a CHESS pulse and a second sequence part for measuring an echo signal from the examinee is repeated, the flip angle of the CHESS pulse is changed at plural times. In the case of multi-slice imaging, the flip angle of the CHESS pulse is changed in at lest two slice imaging.
US08384377B2	Self-powered magnetic tachometer for supplying a signal representative of rotational rate and absolute position A tachometer for supplying a signal representative of the rotational rate of a rotatable device includes a plurality of detection magnets, an index feature, and one or more non-rotationally mounted magnetic circuits. The detection magnets are coupled to, and spaced around, the device, to thereby rotate with the device when the device is rotated. The index feature is associated with the rotatable device, to thereby rotate with the device when the device is rotated. The index feature and the plurality of detection magnets are spaced evenly around the device. The magnetic circuits are spaced evenly around the device, and each magnetic circuit is configured to supply a first electrical signal each time one of the detection magnets rotates past the magnetic circuit and a second electrical signal each time the index feature rotates.
US08384374B2	Apparatus for automatically testing integrated CMOS magnetoresistive biochips An apparatus for automatically testing CMOS magnetoresistive biochips is disclosed. The apparatus includes: means for directly or indirectly applying physical pressure to the fluid pumping chamber in a cartridge; a liquid injector for injecting liquid into the reaction chamber in the cartridge through an inlet or inlets in fluid connection to said reaction chamber; a CMOS magnetoresistive biochip located in the reaction chamber in the cartridge; means for applying a magnetic field to said CMOS magnetoresistive biochip in the cartridge; an electronic module for communicating with and supplying power as well as control signals to said biochip; a microprocessor to control and coordinate the aforementioned components; and a user interface for information processing. The apparatus provided by the present invention reduces the complexity of operation and enhances the detection sensitivity to a great extent.
US08384370B2	Voltage regulator with an overcurrent protection circuit Provided is a voltage regulator in which a maximum output current and a short-circuit output current may be accurately set. As a circuit for determining respective current values of a maximum output current (Im) and a short-circuit output current (Is) of an overcurrent protection circuit, the voltage regulator includes a current mirror circuit for mirroring a current in accordance with an output current so as to be capable of current control, without employing a resistor for converting a current into a voltage. Therefore, the maximum output current (Im) and the short-circuit output current (Is) may be accurately set with respect to an output current (Iout).
US08384362B2	Power regulator and controlling method thereof Methods and circuits related to power regulation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power regulator for converting an input electrical signal to an output electrical signal to supply power to a load, can include: (i) a power stage having switching devices and a filter; (ii) a regulation signal generator for the switching devices that includes a feedback circuit and a PWM, the feedback circuit receiving an output signal from the power stage, the PWM receiving an output from the feedback circuit, and generating a PWM control signal; (iii) a constant time generator receiving the PWM control signal and generating a constant time signal based on the PWM control signal duty cycle; and (iv) a logic/driving circuit receiving the PWM control signal and the constant time signal, and controlling operation of the switching devices to modulate the output signal from the power stage, and maintaining a pseudo constant operation frequency.
US08384354B2	Sensor arrangement and method of using the same A sensor arrangement and method that may be used with a variety of different energy storage devices, including battery packs found in hybrid vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and other types of vehicles. An exemplary sensor arrangement includes a number of sensor units, a controller, and several connections, wherein two or more sensor units are coupled to each node of the battery pack and are coupled to the controller over different connections. An exemplary method is divided into two aspects: an error detection aspect and an error resolution aspect. Because the sensor arrangement provides multiple sensor readings for each node being evaluated, the method can enable the sensor arrangement to continue operating accurately and with redundancy even if it experiences a loss of one or more sensor units.
US08384353B2	Battery pack A battery pack which is detachably connected to a charger and charged by connecting thereto, includes a battery assembly including a plurality of secondary batteries serially connected; a pair of power terminals connected to a negative and a positive electrode of the battery assembly, respectively; a control circuit adapted to individually detect voltages across respective secondary batteries and output a charge control signal to the charger when the detected voltages exceed a predetermined value; a signal terminal adapted to output the charge control signal to the charger; and a temperature measurement element for detecting a temperature of the battery assembly. Further, the control circuit changes the predetermined value to be compared with the detected voltages based on the detected temperature of the temperature measurement element.
US08384349B2	Monitoring system for electric power tool, battery pack for electric power tool, and battery charger for electric power tool A battery monitoring system for electric power tool includes a battery pack for electric power tool and an auxiliary power source. The battery pack has a battery and a monitoring circuit. The battery is provided with at least one battery cell. The monitoring circuit is operated by electric power supplied from the battery, and monitors a status of the battery. The auxiliary power source outputs electric power allowing the monitoring circuit to operate. The monitoring circuit is configured such that, when the monitoring circuit is unoperational with the electric power of the battery due to a decrease in a voltage of the battery, the monitoring circuit becomes operational by the electric power supplied from the auxiliary power source.
US08384345B2	Control method for lithium ion secondary battery, and lithium ion secondary battery system A control method for a lithium ion secondary battery includes performing a charging step of charging the lithium ion secondary battery with a predetermined quantity of electricity when the battery voltage of the lithium ion secondary battery has decreased to a lower limit battery voltage that is set at a value that falls within a range higher than (B−C) V and lower than or equal to (B−C+0.2) V where a maximum value of a positive electrode potential of a flat portion in a discharge positive electrode potential curve is B (V) and a negative electrode dissolution potential is C (V). It is possible to suppress a dissolution of a negative electrode current collector of the lithium ion secondary battery to prevent the service life of the lithium ion secondary battery from shortening because of an internal short circuit.
US08384339B2	Control system for a compressor actuated by an electric motor, an assembly composed of an electric induction motor, an electronic control and an arrangement for motor-compressors, and a method of controlling an electric motor The present invention relates to a control system, a method and arrangement for motors and motor-compressors, designed for operation in a wide voltage range of the feed network. The control system, method and arrangement for motors and motor-compressors basically consist in associating an electronic control (10) capable of regulating the voltage supplied to a motor with windings and a magnetic core suitably dimensioned so as to fully meet the start and operation torques in the minimum voltage expected for the electric energy network, the electronic control (10) incorporating the method of limiting the effective value on the motor windings so as to keep its capability of meeting the minimum torques specified for the application, independently of the rise in the network voltage to values higher than the minimum voltage expected for the network.
US08384336B2	Multiphase motor driving device A multiphase motor driving device has an inverter circuit. The inverter circuit includes a pair of upper and lower switching elements, a shunt resistor for phase current detection, and a voltage for driving a multiphase motor. The device includes a determination unit for shifting a detection timing of the current flowing to the shunt resistor from the OFF period to the ON period of the switching element on the upper side in the phase. The determination unit determines whether or not ON failure occurs based on the current flowing to the shunt resistor of the phase in the ON period. The device has a current value estimation unit for estimating a current value of the phase in a case where the detection timing is shifted based on currents flowing to the shunt resistors of other phases.
US08384335B2	Motor driving apparatus having DC link voltage regulating function A motor driving apparatus comprises: an AC/DC converter which converts AC voltage supplied from an AC power source into DC voltage through PWM switching control of a power switching device; and a DC/AC converter which converts the DC voltage into variable-frequency AC voltage for driving a motor in a controlled manner. The AC/DC converter includes: a control unit which generates, based on an error between the DC voltage and a DC voltage command value, a PWM signal for the PWM switching control of the power switching device; and a frequency/gain varying unit which sets the frequency of the PWM signal to be generated by the control unit and a control gain in the control unit higher than their normal levels during a period in which a load in the DC/AC converter varies.
US08384331B2	Servo system and safety control device This invention aims to achieve safety without interchanging an entire existing servo system to a servo system having the safety function. In a servo system including a servo motor, and a servo amplifier for controlling the drive of the servo motor based on the output of an encoder attached to the servo motor, a safety control device for monitoring presence of abnormality based on the output of the encoder, and shielding the supply of drive power to the servo motor if abnormality is present is arranged, and the monitoring content is set as setting information.
US08384326B2	Motor controlling circuit for multiple control modes A motor driving circuit has a motor operated with a forward operation, a reverse operation, an inactivating operation, and/or a brake operation under a constant current mode, a constant voltage mode, and/or a full swing mode. The motor driving circuit also prevents usage of multiple operational amplifiers and errors brought by the usage of the multiple operational amplifiers with simple circuit designs.
US08384325B2	Motor driving circuit and method for driving motor A motor driving circuit receives a control pulse signal pulse-width modulated according to a target rotational speed, and drives a fan motor. A start pulse signal generating unit generates a start pulse signal having a predetermined duty ratio. A driving unit drives the fan motor by pulse width modulation according to the driving pulse signal received from a control unit. When the duty ratio of the control pulse signal is switched from zero to a nonzero value when the fan motor is in the stopped state, the control unit commences the driving operation for the fan motor. The control unit outputs, as the driving pulse signal, the start pulse signal, in a predetermined start period Ts from the commencement of the driving operation. After the start period elapses, the control unit outputs the control pulse signal as the driving pulse signal.
US08384323B2	Motor magnetic-pole-position estimating apparatus A motor magnetic-pole-position estimating apparatus includes a command voltage output device and a current detector. A model-current calculator is configured to calculate a model current corresponding to a voltage equation for a predetermined model of a motor based on a command voltage and an actual current. A current-difference calculator is configured to calculate a current difference between the model current and the actual current. Each of first and second magnetic-pole-position-difference calculators is configured to calculate a magnetic-pole-position difference between an actual magnetic-pole position of the motor and an estimated or designated magnetic-pole position based on the current difference depending on whether or not a rotation speed of the motor is lower than a predetermined value. A magnetic-pole-position calculation device is configured to calculate the magnetic-pole position of the motor based on the magnetic-pole-position difference calculated by the first or second magnetic-pole-position-difference calculator.
US08384317B2	Linear motor device Provided is a linear motor device which is compact even when a stroke is increased, which can reduce heat generation, and which can eliminate damping force caused by circulating current. The linear motor device includes a linear motor that includes a movable member having a plurality of fields and a stator in which a plurality of armatures including polyphase coils are arranged in line in the moving direction of the movable member, and a controller that sequentially outputs control commands to current amplifiers respectively connected to the armatures in accordance with the relative position of the movable member. The controller selectively outputs the control commands to only the current amplifiers corresponding to the armatures which are opposite the movable member such that the armatures are positioned within a range corresponding to the length in the moving direction of the movable member.
US08384309B2	Lighting device, lighting control device, and projector A lighting device which supplies power to an electrode of a discharge lamp to turn on the discharge lamp, includes: a converting circuit which converts inputted direct current into alternating current; a pulse generating circuit which produces a high-voltage pulse from the alternating current received from the converting circuit and applies the high-voltage pulse to the electrode; and a trigger circuit which is disposed between the converting circuit and causes the pulse generating circuit to apply the high-voltage pulse to the electrode, wherein the trigger circuit allows the pulse generating circuit to apply the high-voltage pulse to the electrode in accordance with a drive frequency of the converting circuit.
US08384306B2	Regulated charge pump and method therefor In one embodiment, a charge-pump controller is formed to control a value of current supplied to a load. One embodiment of a method of forming a charge pump controller may include configuring no more than three alternately switched switches of the charge pump controller to couple to a capacitor wherein the no more than three alternately switched switches are configured to couple the capacitor in a charging configuration during a first time period and to couple the capacitor to supply a current to an LED during a second time period. Another embodiment of the method may include configuring the charge pump controller to receive a sense signal that is representative of the current and to regulate the current, substantially to a first value.
US08384302B2	Operating device for operating a light source, in particular LED The invention relates to an operating device for operating an LED light source. The device includes a first power converter stage (P1) supplied with mains voltage with a first reference potential (Z1), a second power converter stage (P2) with a second reference potential (Z2), which is connected to the secondary side of the first power converter stage (P1) via a first potential isolation unit (G1), a digital control unit (C1), which, via a second potential isolation unit (G2), controls the first power converter stage (P1) and the second power converter stage (P2) without potential isolation, at least one power switch (S2) which clocks the converter stage (P2), and an illuminant (L), which is supplied with energy by the second converter stage (P2).
US08384288B2	Electroluminescent fabric embedding illuminated fabric display Disclosed herein is an electroluminescent fabric embedding an illuminated fabric display. The electroluminescent fabric according to the present invention comprises: a foundation layer composed of a synthetic, regenerated or natural fiber; a polymer layer stacked on the base layer; a first bus bar stacked on the polymer layer; a transparent electrode layer stacked on the first bus bar; a fluorescent layer stacked on the transparent electrode layer; a dielectric layer stacked on the fluorescent layer; an interface electrode layer stacked on the dielectric layer; and a second bus bar connected to the interface electrode layer.
US08384282B2	LED lamps using recycled metal containers as heat sinks and the method of making the same The core of this invention is to replace lamp cups with recycled metal cans (after pretreatment processes) as a good heat sink of the LED lamps. The heat sink adheres to the lamp bases, LED circuit boards and lamp covers through advanced technology, thereby producing a variety of LED lamps. As a result, the invention achieves a complete metal construction of LED lamps which not only improves the thermal performance of LED lamps but also develops a low-carbon, environmentally friendly and economical way of metal containers recycling. Consequently, these improved LED lamps are suited to be widely used for the purpose of illumination or decoration. A semi-knocked-down DIY kit for end users to assemble such improved thermal performance LED lamp and the method of making it are provided herein.
US08384277B2	Spark plug with an identifier A spark plug includes an insulator having an axial hole extending in the direction of an axis, and a terminal electrode disposed at a rear end portion of the axial hole. An identifier bearing externally visible identification information is joined to the rear end surface of the terminal electrode. The identifier has a thickness of 0.03 mm or greater along the direction of the axis.
US08384276B2	LED lamp structure An LED lamp structure includes a heat sink and a base. The heat sink includes a first receiving cavity, a second receiving cavity opposite to the first receiving cavity and a partition. A light board having LED modules is mounted on the partition. The partition defines two first threaded through holes therein. The base has two positioning protrusions engaging in two positioning grooves of the heat sink. Thus, second screw holes of two screw pillars of the base are aligned at the first screw holes of the partition of the heat sink. Screws are used to threadedly engage in the first screw holes, the second screw holes and third screw holes in the light board to thereby assemble the heat sink, the base and the light board together.
US08384275B2	Light emitting element lamp and lighting equipment An object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting element lamp and a lighting equipment effectively suppressing a temperature rising of a substrate on which a light emitting element is mounted by using a reflector. The present invention provides a light emitting element lamp 1 including: a heat-conductive reflector 2 having an emission opening portion and formed to be widened toward the emission opening portion with a reflecting surface 2a being provided on an inner surface side and an outer peripheral surface being exposed to an outside; a base 4 connected to the reflector 2 via a cover 3; a heat-conductive heat radiating member 8 provided on an inner peripheral surface of the reflector 2 and thermally connected to the reflector 2; a substrate 7 having a light emitting element 6 mounted thereon and attached to the heat radiating member 8 with a substrate surface being thermally connected to the heat radiating member 8 in a surface contact state; a lighting circuit 9 housed in the cover 3 to light the light emitting element 6; and a translucent cover 5 for covering the emission opening portion 2c of the reflector 2.
US08384273B2	Piezoelectric vibrating reed, piezoelectric vibrator, oscillator, electronic device, radio-controlled clock, and method for manufacturing piezoelectric vibrating reed This invention is provided a piezoelectric vibrating reed which is capable of decreasing variation in the amount of etching reside as much as possible and suppressing influence of vibration loss on the vibration characteristics as much as possible. A piezoelectric vibrating reed comprising a vibrating section extensive in parallel in a longitudinal direction and a base to which the vibrating section is connected at this proximal end. The base comprises at least a first section and a second section defined from the side of the proximal end of the base long the longitudinal direction. The first section is wider in a transverse direction than the second section.
US08384269B2	Electrostatic bonding of a die substrate to a package substrate A transducer apparatus comprises a package substrate and a transducer disposed over a die substrate. The die substrate is disposed over the package substrate. The transducer apparatus also comprises a voltage source connected between the die substrate and the package substrate, and configured to selectively apply an electrostatic attractive force between the die substrate and the package substrate.
US08384268B2	Surface acoustic wave device having an increased surface acoustic wave velocity and an increased electromechanical coupling coefficient An inexpensive surface acoustic wave device that increases an acoustic velocity of a surface acoustic wave and an electromechanical coupling coefficient includes a piezoelectric substrate in which a LiNbO3 single-crystal plate having Euler angles (0°, 67° to 160°, −5° to +5°) or (90°, 51° to 133°, −5° to +5°) is provided on a high acoustic-velocity substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a transverse wave is in a range of about 5400 m/sec to about 8660 m/sec or lower, and an electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate and made of metal.
US08384263B2	Rotating electrical machine having a compact stator A rotating electrical machine includes a stator including at least two element coils of the same phase each having a plurality of turns and connected to each other through a coil-to-coil connection wire, the element coils being arranged in adjacent slots, respectively; and a rotor rotatably provided to the stator through a gap. The element coils of the same phase are fitted in the adjacent slots so that wound around portions of the element coils partially overlap each other. The coil-to-coil connection wire connects at a coil end portion conductor wires extending from linear conductor wire portions of innermost wires of the element coils contained in the slots.
US08384261B2	Stepping motor including a connection structure of a stator yoke and a front plate A motor includes a stator having boss portions on an end plate thereof, a front plate provided on an upper surface of the stator, and a band connecting the stator and the front plate. Recess portions are formed adjacent to an outer peripheral edge of the front plate, and a protruding portion is provided in each recess portion. The band has a bottom plate part and attachment parts. The bottom plate part includes notched portions. Each attachment part includes an engagement portion at a tip end thereof which includes a notched portion. The notched portions of the bottom plate part are fitted with the boss portions of the end plate, and the notched portions of the engagement portions are fitted with the protruding portions of the front plate to form engagement hooks at most tip ends of the engagement portions, respectively, thereby connecting the stator and the front plate.
US08384259B2	Horizontal linear vibrator A horizontal linear vibrator includes: a cover unit; a bracket providing an internal space between the cover unit and the bracket; a vibration unit including a mass body having an insertion part providing an accommodating space at one surface thereof, mounted in the internal space, and making a horizontal, linear movement; a magnetic field unit providing an electromagnetic force to allow the vibration unit to move horizontally; and one or more sub-mass units inserted in the insertion part in order to adjust a resonance frequency of the vibration unit.
US08384256B2	Rotary electric machine and the method for assembling it An electric machine (1) comprises; a casing; a stator (3) fixed to the casing and including at least one electrical winding (5); a rotor (4) housed in the casing and rotatably connected to the latter; an electronic circuit (8) for powering the winding (5) at least partly housed in the casing; a cover (2a) for closing the casing to form with the latter a sealed enclosure; a terminal strip (9), accessible from outside the sealed enclosure, for controlling and powering the electronic circuit (8); a heat sink, embodied by the cover (2a), for absorbing the heat produced, in particular, by the electronic circuit (8). The machine (1) also comprises elastic elements (12) operating between the stator (3) and the electronic circuit (8) in such a way as to press the electronic circuit (8) against the heat sink.
US08384254B2	Electromagnetically-driven mechanical shutter and electronic device using the same A mechanical shutter includes a base including a plate with an aperture and a protruding positioning projection. A core on the surface surrounds the aperture and includes a first end and a second end. The positioning projection is arranged between the first end and the second end, on one corner of the surface. A coil surrounds the core and a blade and a permanent magnet are pivoted on the positioning projection. When receiving current, the coil magnetizes to the core to generate a magnetic force and rotates the permanent magnet, and the blade, to cover and expose the aperture. An electronic device having the mechanical shutter is also provided.
US08384246B2	Converter device and uninterruptible power supply equipped with such a device A converter device comprising a power supply input, rectifier means, switching means, control means, and a switching aid circuit, said switching aid circuit comprising inductive means, branch-off means of an input current, and power storage means. The device of the invention is characterized in that the inductive means are essentially formed by a transformer directly connected to the power supply input and comprising reverse-coiled windings, and that the branch-off means comprise auxiliary switching means directly connected between said inductive means and a voltage reference or an output line to establish branch-off of the input current onto said inductive means before main turn-on.An uninterruptible power supply comprising the converter device described above.
US08384245B2	Methods and apparatuses for photovoltaic power management Methods and apparatuses for equalizing voltages across a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series are provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of energy storage devices. In a first configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a first set of the photovoltaic units, and a voltage across a first one of the energy storage devices has a first polarity. In a second configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a second set of the photovoltaic units, and the voltage across the first one of the energy storage devices has a second polarity that is different from the first polarity. The apparatus may also include a plurality of switches configured to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration, to equalize the voltages across the photovoltaic units.
US08384240B2	Power supply control device When a highly accurate clock is received by a GPS radio wave from a GPS antenna, the highly accurate clock is always generated by locking a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit within a hold-over section of a clock control section in a power supply control unit. When the GPS radio wave cannot be received normally, the highly accurate clock depending on the GPS radio wave is set to a self-running condition not depending on a self-oscillation clock from an internal clock generating section and a time management section automatically corrects the present time data obtained when the standard radio wave is received from a radio wave antenna based on the highly accurate clock. A primary voltage generating section continuously generates the highly accurate clock even when an ignition switch is turned OFF by avoiding voltage variation in battery voltages while the ignition switch is turned ON. Accordingly, the power supply control device can sustain highly accurate time correction and a clock function under any environmental condition and can also control and execution of various functions based on accurate time management.
US08384239B2	DC source assemblies Embodiments of DC source assemblies of power inverter systems of the type suitable for deployment in a vehicle having an electrically grounded chassis are provided. An embodiment of a DC source assembly comprises a housing, a DC source disposed within the housing, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The DC source also comprises a first capacitor having a first electrode electrically coupled to the housing, and a second electrode electrically coupled to the first terminal. The DC source assembly further comprises a second capacitor having a first electrode electrically coupled to the housing, and a second electrode electrically coupled to the second terminal.
US08384237B2	Low voltage bus stability Systems and methods provide voltage stability for a low voltage bus coupling a DC/DC converter with a low voltage load comprising one or more vehicle accessories. The DC/DC converter can be coupled to a high voltage battery, the low voltage load, and a starter circuit configured for starting an engine. Prior to engaging a starter motor to start the engine, the DC/DC converter can be isolated from the starter circuit so as to be shielded from any large current demand during an engine start event. While starting the engine, the starter motor can draw current from a secondary battery, while the DC/DC converter provides a sufficient and stable voltage to the vehicle low voltage accessories. After completion of the engine start event, the DC/DC converter can be recoupled to the starter circuit, allowing the high voltage battery to charge the secondary battery.
US08384236B2	Vehicle mounted converter An object is to miniaturize device size in a vehicle mounted converter. The vehicle mounted converter includes a plurality of inductors, a switching unit for switching current path, an external power acquisition unit for acquiring alternating current power from a power generation source provided separately from the mounted vehicle, and a switching means for switching a circuit connection state to a connection state of either a boost connection state for connecting one end of the inductors to a path to a battery for vehicle drive power supply and connecting the switching unit to the other end of the inductors, or a charging connection state for connecting one end of one of the plurality of inductors to the path to the battery, disconnecting one end of the remaining inductors from the path to the battery and connecting to the external power acquisition unit, and connecting the other end of the inductors to the switching unit.
US08384235B2	Wind turbine generator An object of the present invention is to provide a wind turbine generator in which a communication channel can be added in communication between a hub and a nacelle, without making a modification to the design of a slip ring. The present invention provides a wind turbine generator in which communication between the hub and the nacelle is performed by superimposing an information signal onto AC power carried over an AC power line between the hub and the nacelle via the slip ring.
US08384234B2	Energy recovery system and method for exhaust energy capture and electrical generation An exhaust energy recovery and electrical generation system includes a conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the conduit is configured to receive a gas flow transmitted by a gas flow channel of a gas flow source and wherein the conduit is configured to transmit the received gas flow from the first end thereof toward the second end thereof. A first blade assembly is coupled to the conduit, wherein the first blade assembly is configured to be moved when the received gas flow is transmitted from the first end of the conduit; and an electrical generator coupled to the first blade assembly to generate electricity when the first blade assembly moves. A cross-sectional area of the first end of the conduit may be less than a cross-sectional area of the gas flow channel.
US08384230B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a wiring board that has a conductive pattern formed on at least one principal surface, and an IC chip that is mounted on the wiring board. The IC chip includes a plurality of electrodes to make conductor connection with the wiring board. The conductive pattern includes a lead line pattern and a heat dissipation pattern. The lead line pattern is connected with at least one of the plurality of electrodes through a conductor. The heat dissipation pattern is physically spaced from the IC chip and the lead line pattern and has a larger surface area than the lead line pattern. Further, the lead line pattern and the heat dissipation pattern are placed opposite to each other with a gap therebetween, and their opposite parts respectively have interdigitated shapes and are arranged with the respective interdigitated shapes engaging with each other with the gap therebetween.
US08384228B1	Package including wires contacting lead frame edge Embodiments of a microelectronic package are generally described herein. A microelectronic package may include a lead frame including a major surface, and a die having including a bond pad. A wire may electrically couple a location of the major surface of the lead frame with the bond pad of the die, the wire being situated such that the wire is substantially unbent from the location of the major surface to an edge of the lead frame.
US08384222B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The device comprises a semiconductor die, a passivation layer, a wiring redistribution layer (RDL), an Ni/Au layer, and a solder mask. The semiconductor die comprises a top metal exposed in an active surface thereof. The passivation layer overlies the active surface of the semiconductor die, and comprises a through passivation opening overlying the top metal. The wiring RDL, comprising an Al layer, overlies the passivation layer, and electrically connects to the top metal via the passivation opening. The solder mask overlies the passivation layer and the wiring RDL, exposing a terminal of the wiring RDL.
US08384219B2	Semiconductor having interconnects with improved mechanical properties by insertion of nanoparticles In a BEOL process, UV radiation is used in a curing process of ultra low-k (ULK) dielectrics. This radiation penetrates through the ULK material and reaches the cap film underneath it. The interaction between the UV light and the film leads to a change the properties of the cap film. Of particular concern is the change in the stress state of the cap from compressive to tensile stress. This leads to a weaker dielectric-cap interface and mechanical failure of the ULK film. A layer of nanoparticles is inserted between the cap and the ULK film. The nanoparticles absorb the UV light before it can damage the cap film, thus maintaining the mechanical integrity of the ULK dielectric.
US08384209B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device To reduce defects of a semiconductor device, such as defects in shape and characteristic due to external stress and electrostatic discharge. To provide a highly reliable semiconductor device. In addition, to increase manufacturing yield of a semiconductor device by reducing the above defects in the manufacturing process. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor integrated circuit sandwiched by impact resistance layers against external stress and an impact diffusion layer diffusing the impact and a conductive layer covering the semiconductor integrated circuit. With the use of the conductive layer covering the semiconductor integrated circuit, electrostatic breakdown (malfunctions of the circuit or damages of a semiconductor element) due to electrostatic discharge of the semiconductor integrated circuit can be prevented.
US08384207B2	Semiconductor integrated circuit device having insulated through wires A semiconductor integrated circuit device (10) which has a layered structure is composed of a plurality of semiconductor layers (L1, L2, L3) in which an integrated circuit is formed on a substrate. Each of the semiconductor layers (L1, L2, L3) has a semiconductor integrated circuit portion (16) that includes the abovementioned integrated circuit on a substrate (11). Each of the semiconductor layers (L1, L2, L3) also has on a substrate at least one unit of through-wiring (17a) for electrically connecting the integrated circuit included in the semiconductor integrated circuit portion (16) to an integrated circuit of another semiconductor layer, and a surrounding insulation portion (18) for surrounding and insulating the through-wiring from the semiconductor integrated circuit portion. A structure formed by the surrounding insulation portion (18) and the through-wiring portion (17) composed of a plurality of units of through-wiring (17a) reduces the resistance of the through-wiring portion and increases the degree of integration of a circuit.
US08384204B2	Circuit carrier and semiconductor package using the same A circuit carrier suitable for being connected with a bump is provided. The circuit carrier includes a substrate and at least one bonding pad. The substrate has a bonding pad disposed on a surface thereof for being connected with the bump. A brown-oxide layer is disposed on a surface of the bonding pad.
US08384203B2	Packaging structural member A structural member for use in semiconductor packaging is disclosed. The structural member includes a plurality of packaging regions to facilitate packaging dies in, for example, a wafer format. A packaging region has a die attach region surrounded by a peripheral region. A die is attached to the die attach region. In one aspect, the die attach region has opening through the surfaces of the structural member for accommodating a die. Through-vias disposed are in the peripheral regions. The structural member reduces warpage that can occur during curing of the mold compound used in encapsulating the dies. In another aspect, the die attach region does not have an opening. In such cases, the structural member serves as an interposer between the die and a substrate.
US08384201B2	Wafer and method for improving yield rate of wafer A wafer and a method for improving the yield rate of the wafer are provided. The wafer includes a first and a second circuit units, a first and a second through silicon vias (TSVs), and a first spare TSV. The first and the second circuit units are disposed inside the wafer. The first TSV vertically runs through the wafer and is coupled to the first circuit unit through the front metal of the wafer. The second TSV vertically passes through the wafer and is coupled to the second circuit unit through the front metal of the wafer. When the first or the second TSV has failed, the first spare TSV vertically passes through the wafer to replace the failed first or second TSV.
US08384197B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an inter-layer insulating film, a wiring, and a via. The inter-layer insulating film is provided on the semiconductor substrate. The wiring is provided in the inter-layer insulating film. The via is provided in the inter-layer insulating film. Inside the inter-layer insulating film in a circumferential region around a device region, a vertical structure body is formed in which the wiring and the via are vertically connected. At least in an upper portion inside the inter-layer insulating film in an edge region located around the circumferential region and constituting an outer edge portion, no vertical structure body is formed in which the wiring and the via are vertically connected.
US08384191B2	Stack capacitor structure and forming method The present invention discloses a stack capacitor structure and method of making the same. The top plate of the stack capacitor structure is connected to each other through a connecting node. The method of forming the stack capacitor structure includes providing an insulating substrate with a doped insulating material layer disposed therein. Then, the insulating substrate is patterned to form a trench, wherein an inner sidewall of the trench has a first region and a second region and the doped insulating material layer within the second region is entirely removed to form a hole. Later, a top plate is formed to surround the inner sidewall of the trench, and the top plate fills in the hole. Next, a capacitor dielectric layer is formed to surround the top plate. Finally, a storage node is formed to fill up the trench.
US08384188B2	Semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate; forming a plurality of trenches by etching the substrate; forming a first isolation layer by filling the plurality of the trenches with a first insulation layer; recessing the first insulation layer filling a first group of the plurality of the trenches to a predetermined depth; forming a liner layer over the first group of the trenches with the first insulation layer recessed to the predetermined depth; and forming a second isolation layer by filling the first group of the trenches, where the liner layer is formed, with a second insulation layer.
US08384186B2	Power semiconductor device with new guard ring termination design and method for producing same A power semiconductor device, such as a power diode, and a method for producing such a device, are disclosed. The device includes a first layer of a first conductivity type, a second layer of a second conductivity type arranged in a central region on a first main side of the first layer, a third electrically conductive layer arranged on the second layer, and a fourth electrically conductive layer arranged on the first layer at a second main side opposite to the first main side. A junction termination region surrounds the second layer with self-contained sub-regions of the second conductivity type. A spacer region is arranged between the second layer and the junction termination region and includes a self-contained spacer sub-region of the second conductivity type which is electrically disconnected from the second layer. This spacer sub-region has a width for enabling a reliable alignment of a shadow mask during an ion implantation such that an implanted lifetime control region having carrier lifetime reducing defects may be restricted to a central area while no such defects are implanted into the junction termination region to improve electrical characteristics.
US08384185B2	Semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same A technique is provided which allows a chip mounted by wire bonding and a chip mounted by bump electrodes to share a manufacturing process. Both in a case where a chip is electrically coupled to an external circuit by bump electrodes and a case where the chip is electrically coupled to the external circuit by bonding wires, a bump coupling part and a bonding pad are both provided in a single uppermost wiring layer. When the bump electrodes are used, an opening is provided in an insulating film on the bump coupling part and a surface of the bonding pad is covered with the insulating film. On the other hand, when the bonding wires are used, an opening is provided in an insulating film on the bonding pad and a surface of the bump coupling part is covered with the insulating film.
US08384183B2	Integrated hall effect element having a germanium hall plate An integrated circuit and a method of making the integrated circuit provide a Hall effect element having a germanium Hall plate. The germanium Hall plate provides an increased electron mobility compared with silicon, and therefore, a more sensitive Hall effect element.
US08384174B2	Chip package A chip package includes: a substrate having a first and a second surfaces; an optical device on the first surface; a conducting layer on the second surface; a passivation layer on the second surface and the conducting layer, wherein the passivation layer has an opening exposing the conducting layer; a conducting bump on the second surface and having a bottom and an upper portions, wherein the bottom portion is disposed in the opening and electrically contacts the conducting layer, and the upper portion is located outside of the opening and extends along a direction away from the opening; a recess extending from a surface of the conducting bump toward an inner portion of the conducting bump; and a light shielding layer on the second surface, extending under the upper portion, and partially located in the recess and overlapping a portion of the conducting bump.
US08384170B2	Pressure sensor A piezoresistive pressure sensor is especially suitable for measuring smaller pressures and has a small linearity error. The pressure sensor is manufactured from a BESOI wafer having first and second silicon layers and an oxide layer arranged therebetween. The pressure sensor includes, formed from the first silicon layer of the BESOI wafer, an active layer, in which piezoresistive elements are doped, and, formed from the second silicon layer of the BESOI wafer, a membrane carrier, which externally surrounds a cavity in the second silicon layer, via which a membrane forming region of the active layer and an oxide layer associated therewith are exposed, wherein, in an outer edge of the region of the oxide layer exposed by the cavity, a groove is provided surrounding the region.
US08384168B2	Sensor device with sealing structure Apparatus and related fabrication methods are provided for a sensor device. The sensor device includes a sensor structure including a first portion having a sensing arrangement formed thereon and a second structure. A sealing structure is interposed between the sensor structure and the second structure, wherein the sealing structure surrounds the first portion of the sensor structure. The sealing structure establishes a fixed reference pressure on a first side of the first portion, and an opposing side of the first portion is exposed to an ambient pressure.
US08384165B2	Application of gate edge liner to maintain gate length CD in a replacement gate transistor flow A method to maintain a well-defined gate stack profile, deposit or grow a uniform gate dielectric, and maintain gate length CD control by means of an inert insulating liner deposited after dummy gate etch and before the spacer process. The liner material is selective to wet chemicals used to remove the dummy gate oxide thereby preventing undercut in the spacer region. The method is aimed at making the metal gate electrode technology a feasible technology with maximum compatibility with the existing fabrication environment for multiple generations of CMOS transistors, including those belonging to the 65 nm, 45 nm and 25 nm technology nodes, that are being used in analog, digital or mixed signal integrated circuit for various applications such as communication, entertainment, education and security products.
US08384159B2	Semiconductor devices and methods with bilayer dielectrics A semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: a substrate; a first dielectric layer formed over the substrate and formed of a first high-k material, the first high-k material selected from the group consisting of HfO2, HfSiO, HfSiON, HfTaO, HfTiO, HfTiTaO, HfAlON, and HfZrO; a second dielectric layer formed over the first dielectric layer and formed of a second high-k material, the second high-k material being different than the first high-k material and selected from the group consisting of HfO2, HfSiO, HfSiON, HfTaO, HfTiO, HfTiTaO, HfAlON, and HfZrO; and a metal gate formed over the second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer includes ions selected from the group consisting of N, O, and Si.
US08384158B2	Chip and electrostatic discharge protection device thereof An ESD protection device is provided, which includes a P-type doped region, an N-type doped region, a first P+ doped region, a first N+ doped region, a second N+ doped region and a third N+ doped region. The N-type doped region is located in the P-type doped region. The first P+ doped region connected to a pad is located in the N-type doped region. A part of the first N+ doped region is located in the N-type doped region and the residue part thereof is located in the P-type doped region. The second and the third N+ doped regions are located in the P-type doped region and outside the N-type doped region, and are respectively electrically connected to a first power rail and a second power rail. In addition, the second N+ doped region is located between the first and the third N+ doped regions.
US08384157B2	High ohmic integrated resistor with improved linearity An integrated circuit that includes a resistor module with improved linearity is disclosed. The resistor module includes a diffused resistor body of a first conductivity type; a first terminal and a second terminal, each making direct electrical contact with the diffused resistor body; a doped well of a second conductivity type substantially surrounding the diffused resistor body on all but one major surface of the diffused resistor body, the doped well having contact regions; a first amplifier connected to the first terminal and to one contact region of the doped well; and a second amplifier connected to the second terminal and to another contact region of the well, such that the first amplifier and the second amplifier are connected for power supply only to the first terminal and second terminal, respectively. The first and second amplifiers may be unity gain buffer amplifiers or inverting opamps.
US08384155B2	Semiconductor capacitor A one time programmable memory cell having a gate, a gate dielectric layer, a source region, a drain region, a capacitor dielectric layer and a conductive plug is provided herein. The gate dielectric layer is disposed on a substrate. The gate is disposed on the gate dielectric layer. The source region and the drain region are disposed in the substrate at the sides of the gate, respectively. The capacitor dielectric layer is disposed on the source region. The capacitor dielectric layer is a resistive protection oxide layer or a self-aligned salicide block layer. The conductive plug is disposed on the capacitor dielectric layer. The conductive plug is served as a first electrode of a capacitor and the source region is served as a second electrode of the capacitor. The one time programmable memory (OTP) cell is programmed by making the capacitor dielectric layer breakdown.
US08384154B2	Bidirectional power switch controllable to be turned on and off A bidirectional power transistor formed horizontally in a semiconductor layer disposed on a heavily-doped semiconductor wafer with an interposed insulating layer, the wafer being capable of being biased to a reference voltage, the product of the average dopant concentration and of the thickness of the semiconductor layer ranging between 5·1011 cm−2 and 5·1012 cm−2.
US08384140B2	Structure for dual contact trench capacitor and structure thereof A dual contact trench capacitor and design structure for a dual contact trench capacitor is provided. The structure includes a first plate extending from a trench and isolated from a wafer body, and a second plate extending from the trench and isolated from the wafer body and the first plate.
US08384134B2	MEMS device including an electrical interconnect through a substrate A MEMS device is disclosed. The MEMS device comprises a MEMS substrate and a CMOS substrate having a front surface, a back surface and one or more metallization layers. The front surface being bonded to the MEMS substrate. The MEMS device includes one or more conductive features on the back surface of the CMOS substrate and electrical connections between the one or more metallization layers and the one or more conductive features.
US08384130B2	Nitride semiconductor device having a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel Provided is a nitride semiconductor device including: a nitride semiconductor layer over a substrate wherein the nitride semiconductor has a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel inside; a drain electrode in ohmic contact with the nitride semiconductor layer; a source electrode spaced apart from the drain electrode, in Schottky contact with the nitride semiconductor layer, and having an ohmic pattern in ohmic contact with the nitride semiconductor layer inside; a dielectric layer formed on the nitride semiconductor layer between the drain electrode and the source electrode and on at least a portion of the source electrode; and a gate electrode disposed on the dielectric layer to be spaced apart from the drain electrode, wherein a portion of the gate electrode is formed over a drain-side edge portion of the source electrode with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween, and a manufacturing method thereof.
US08384128B2	Carrier mobility in surface-channel transistors, apparatus made therewith, and systems containing same A surface channel transistor is provided in a semiconductive device. The surface channel transistor is either a PMOS or an NMOS device. Epitaxial layers are disposed above the surface channel transistor to cause an increased bandgap phenomenon nearer the surface of the device. A process of forming the surface channel transistor includes grading the epitaxial layers.
US08384127B1	Bi-directional ESD protection circuit A structure is designed with an external terminal (100) and a reference terminal (102). A first transistor (106) is formed on a substrate. The first transistor has a current path coupled between the external terminal and the reference terminal. A second transistor (118) has a current path coupled between the external terminal and the substrate. A third transistor (120) has a current path coupled between the substrate and the reference terminal.
US08384125B2	Structure and method for a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) structure for SOI technology A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes a P+-N body diode and an N+-P body diode. The P+-N body diode and the N+-P body diode are laterally integrated.
US08384124B2	Semiconductor device and semiconductor integrated circuit device for driving plasma display using the semiconductor device The output circuit uses an IGBT incorporating a normal latch-up operation measure and the ESD clamp circuit uses an IGBT that can more easily latch up than the output circuit device which has the latch-up prevention layer lowered in impurity density or removed.
US08384113B2	Photoelectric device A photoelectric device includes a ceramic substrate defining a cavity in a top thereof and having two electrode layers beside the cavity. A photoelectric die is received in the cavity. A first packing layer is received in the cavity and encapsulates the photoelectric die. The photoelectric die is electrically connected with the electrode layers via two wires. A reflective cup is mounted on the ceramic substrate and defines a receiving space above the top of the ceramic substrate and the first packing layer. A second packing layer is received in the receiving space and covers the first packing layer.
US08384112B2	Light emitting chip A light emitting chip includes a substrate, a reflective layer, a light emitting structure and a first electrode having a base formed between the reflective layer and the substrate. The light emitting structure includes a first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer. The first electrode further includes a connecting section extending upwardly from the base. An electrically insulating ion region is defined in the light emitting structure and extends from an upper surface of the base to the first semiconductor layer. A receiving groove is defined in the ion region and extends upwardly from the upper surface of the base to the first semiconductor layer. The connecting section is positioned in the receiving groove and electrically connects with the first semiconductor layer.
US08384105B2	Light emitting diodes with enhanced thermal sinking and associated methods of operation Solid state lighting devices and associated methods of thermal sinking are described below. In one embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) device includes a heat sink, an LED die thermally coupled to the heat sink, and a phosphor spaced apart from the LED die. The LED device also includes a heat conduction path in direct contact with both the phosphor and the heat sink. The heat conduction path is configured to conduct heat from the phosphor to the heat sink.
US08384098B2	AC light emitting diode and method for fabricating the same The present invention relates to an AC light emitting diode. An object of the present invention is to provide an AC light emitting diode wherein various designs for enhancement of the intensity of light, prevention of flickering of light or the like become possible, while coming out of a unified method of always using only one metal wire with respect to one electrode when electrodes of adjacent light emitting cells are connected through metal wires. To this end, the present invention provides an AC light emitting diode comprising a substrate; bonding pads positioned on the substrate; a plurality of light emitting cells arranged in a matrix form on the substrate; and a wiring means electrically connecting the bonding pads and the plurality of light emitting cells, wherein the wiring means includes a plurality of metal wires connecting an electrode of one of the light emitting cells with electrodes of other electrodes adjacent to the one of the light emitting cells.
US08384097B2	Package for multiple light emitting diodes Substrates and packages for LED-based light devices can significantly improve thermal performance and provide separate electrical and thermal paths through the substrate. One substrate includes multiple electrically insulating base layers. On a top one of these layers are disposed top-side electrical contacts, including light device pads to accommodate a plurality of light devices. External electrical contacts are disposed on an exterior surface of the substrate. Electrical paths connect the top-side electrical contacts to the external electrical contacts. At least portions of some of the electrical paths are disposed between the electrically insulating base layers. The electrical paths can be arranged such that different subsets of the light device pads are addressable independently of each other. A heat dissipation plate can be formed on the bottom surface of a bottom one of the base layers.
US08384091B2	Thin film light emitting diode Light emitting LEDs devices comprised of LED chips that emit light at a first wavelength, and a thin film layer over the LED chip that changes the color of the emitted light. For example, a blue LED chip can be used to produce white light. The thin film layer beneficially consists of a florescent material, such as a phosphor, and/or includes tin. The thin film layer is beneficially deposited using chemical vapor deposition.
US08384087B2	Thin film transistor, organic light emitting diode display device having the same, and method of fabricating the same A thin film transistor includes a substrate, a buffer layer on the substrate, a semiconductor layer including source/drain regions and a channel region on the buffer layer, a gate insulating layer corresponding to the channel region, a gate electrode corresponding to the channel region, and source/drain electrodes electrically connected to the semiconductor layer. A polysilicon layer of the channel region may include only a low angle grain boundary, and a high angle grain boundary may be disposed in a region of the semiconductor layer that is apart from the channel region.
US08384085B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same An object is to provide a semiconductor device in which characteristics of a driver circuit portion are improved while the aperture ratio of a pixel portion is increased. Alternatively, it is an object to provide a semiconductor device with low power consumption or to provide a semiconductor device in which the threshold voltage of a transistor can be controlled. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having an insulating surface, a pixel portion provided over the substrate, and at least some of driver circuits for driving the pixel portion. A transistor included in the pixel portion and a transistor included in the driver circuit are top-gate bottom-contact transistors. Electrodes and a semiconductor layer of the transistor in the pixel portion have light-transmitting properties. The resistance of electrodes in the driver circuit is lower than the electrodes included in the transistor in the pixel portion.
US08384075B2	Thin film transistor and method of fabricating the same A thin film transistor includes a multi-coaxial silicon nanowire unit including a plurality of coaxial silicon nanowires on a substrate, the multi-coaxial silicon nanowire unit including a central portion and end portions of the central portion; a gate electrode on the central portion; and a source electrode and a drain electrode on the respective end portions, respectively, so as to electrically connect to the multi-coaxial silicon nanowire unit.
US08384074B2	Heterocyclic compound and organic light-emitting device including the same A heterocyclic compound of formula 1 and an organic light-emitting device including an organic layer containing the heterocyclic compound. The heterocyclic compound of Formula 1 may be suitable as a material for an emission layer, an electron transport layer or an electron injection layer of an organic light-emitting device. Due to the inclusion of the heterocylic group in its molecular structure, the heterocyclic compound of Formula 1 may have a high glass transition temperature (Tg) or a high melting point, and may prevent crystallization. An organic light-emitting device manufactured using the heterocyclic compound of Formula 1, in which a chrysene group and an indole group are fused, has excellent durability when stored or operated.
US08384072B2	Organic light emitting diode display An OLED display is disclosed. The display includes: a substrate main body, and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) formed on above the substrate main body, where the OLED includes: a first electrode injecting holes, a second electrode injecting electrons, an emission layer formed between the first and second electrodes, a hole injection layer (HIL) and a hole transport layer (HTL) sequentially formed between the first electrode and the emission layer, and a semi-transparent layer formed between the first electrode and the emission layer in red and green pixels.
US08384067B2	Hybrid organic/nanoparticle devices Example embodiments disclosed herein may relate to organic electronic and/or organic optoelectronic devices, which may further relate to hybrid organic/nanoparticle devices with dual functions of resonant tunneling and light emission behaviors.
US08384061B2	Nonvolatile memory device and manufacturing method A nonvolatile memory device of the present invention includes a substrate (1), first wires (3), first resistance variable elements (5) and lower electrodes (6) of first diode elements which are filled in first through-holes (4), respectively, second wires (11) which cross the first wires 3 perpendicularly to the first wires 3, respectively, and each of which includes a semiconductor layer (7) of a first diode elements, a conductive layer (8) and a semiconductor layer (10) of a second diode elements which are stacked together in this order, second resistance variable elements (16) and upper electrodes (14) of second diode elements which are filled into second through holes (13), respectively, and third wires (17), and the conductive layer (8) of each second wires (11) also serves as the upper electrode of the first diode elements (9) and the lower electrode of the second diode elements (15).
US08384060B2	Resistive memory device Provided is a resistive memory device that can be integrated with a high integration density and method of forming the same. In an embodiment, a bit line is formed of copper using a damascene technique, and when the copper bit line, a copper stud may be formed around the copper bit line.
US08384052B2	Electron beam lithography apparatus and electron beam lithography method An electron beam lithography apparatus includes an electron gun emitting an electron beam, a deflector deflecting the electron beam, a focus corrector correcting a focus of the electron beam, a storage unit storing exposure data, and a controller correcting the exposure data based on a constant correction coefficient independent of time passage and a fluctuating correction coefficient changing with time, calculates a deflection efficiency indicating a relation between an input signal to the deflector and an amount of beam deflection, and a correction intensity indicating a relation between an input signal to the focus corrector and a beam focus, and writes the electron beam on a sample according to the deflection efficiency and the correction intensity.
US08384045B2	Minute particle analyzing device and method A minute particle analyzing device includes: a light source; a first condenser lens for condensing light from the light source to a first end of a multimode optical fiber; a second condenser lens for condensing the light emerging from a second end of the multimode optical fiber to a minute particle; and a detector for detecting light generated from the minute particle by the application of the light from the light source.
US08384038B2	Readout electronics for photon counting and energy discriminating detectors A data acquisition system includes a charge-sensitive amplifier (CSA) configured to receive a charge from an x-ray detector, the CSA includes a high-gain electronic voltage amplifier, an electrical energy storage device coupled with the amplifier, and an electrical resistor coupled with the amplifier. The data acquisition system includes a baseline sampling circuit configured to receive an output from the CSA and to sample a baseline signal from the CSA, at least one discriminator coupled to an output of the CSA and to an output of the baseline sampling circuit, the at least one discriminator configured to output a voltage if the output of the CSA exceeds a threshold, and a counter coupled to an output of the discriminator and configured to output a digital signal indicative of a photon count received at the x-ray detector and based on the output from the CSA and on the signal from the CSA.
US08384030B2	Method and apparatus for setting sample observation condition, and method and apparatus for sample observation A method and apparatus for setting a sample observation condition and a method and apparatus for sample observation which allow sample observation by speedily and simply finding an optimum condition while suppressing damage to the sample are provided. The setting of a sample observation condition according to the present invention is realized by an electron beam apparatus acquiring a profile at a predetermined evaluation location of a sample under a reference observation condition, by a processing section judging whether or not the above described acquired profile is located within a predetermined setting range and setting an optimum observation condition to be used for sample observation based on this judgment result. More specifically, locations where the condition can be examined are registered beforehand first and then a jump is made to the corresponding location which is irradiated with an electron beam (hereinafter referred to as “predosing”) at a low magnification, the surface of the sample is charged, enlarged to an observation magnification and secondary electron information on the target location is obtained. After that, secondary electron information is obtained at any time while performing predosing, it is successively judged from the information whether the pattern bottom part can be observed/measured or whether or not the sample is destroyed and an optimum observation condition is thereby found.
US08384027B2	Ion guide array An ion guide array is disclosed comprising a first ion guide section and a second ion guide section and optionally further ion guide sections. Each ion guide section may comprise a plurality of electrodes having an aperture through which ions are transmitted in use. A transfer section is arranged at the exit of the first ion guide section and ions are transmitted radially from the first ion guide section into the second ion guide section. The electrodes in the transfer section may have a radial aperture enabling ions to be transmitted radially from the first ion guide section to the second ion guide section.
US08384014B2	Interpolation method and device for increasing the resolution of encoders A method for interpolating an encoded signal of encoders is disclosed. The first step may include generating four first stage signals having a first frequency that are 45 degrees out of phase. The four signals may then be multiplied to obtain a plurality of second stage signals that are 90 degrees out of phase having a second frequency two times the first frequency. The second stage signals may then go through further computation to obtain a plurality of third stage signals that are 45 degrees out of phase. The third stage signals may be further adapted for further multiplication to obtain higher levels of interpolation. Interpolators and optical encoders characterized by the interpolation capability are also disclosed.
US08384013B2	Optical filter An optical filter includes a light-shielding conductive layer provided with a plurality of apertures on a substrate surface that selectively transmits light of a first wavelength, and a dielectric layer in contact with the conductive layer. A size of the apertures is a size equal to or less than the first wavelength, and a ratio of a surface area of the conductive layer to a surface area of the substrate surface is within a range of equal to or greater than 36% and equal to or less than 74%. A transmissivity of the first wavelength is increased by surface plasmons induced in the apertures by light falling on the conductive layer.
US08384012B2	Photodiode comprising polarizer A photodiode includes a photosensitive area and a polarizing grating located in front of the photosensitive area. The polarizing grating is formed by a plurality of galvanically conducting filaments.
US08384011B2	Optical detection device and electronic equipment for detecting at least one of an X-coordinate and a Y-coordinate of an object An optical detection device includes a light emitting element, which is an area sensor, a light emitting lens part for irradiating an object to be measured with a bundle of emission rays emitted from the light emitting element, a light receiving lens part for condensing reflected light from the object, a light receiving element for detecting reflected light from the object condensed by the light receiving lens part, and a signal processing section for processing a light-reception signal from the light receiving element. Based on the light-reception signal from the light receiving element, the signal processing section detects at least one of an x-coordinate or a y-coordinate of the object on an x-y coordinate plane from at least one of a light-spot position or a light-spot shape on the light receiving element.
US08384009B2	Optical member with high refractive index layers, solid-state imaging device having an optical member with high refractive index layers, and manufacturing method thereof An optical member including high refractive index layers having a great refractive index and low refractive index layers having a small refractive index, which are each relatively thin as compared with an optical length, disposed alternately in the lateral direction as to an optical axis. Each width of the high refractive index layers and the low refractive index layers is equal to or smaller than the wavelength order of incident light.
US08384006B2	Image pickup apparatus An apparatus includes pixels each having a transistor that transfers a charge of a photoelectric conversion unit, an amplification unit that receives the transferred charge, a scanning unit that supplies, to the transistor, a conductive pulse, a non-conductive pulse, and an intermediate-level pulse having a peak value between the conductive pulse and the non-conductive pulse, a generating unit that generates an image signal using a signal based on a charge transferred in response to the conductive and intermediate-level pulses, and a control unit that changes at least one of a pulse width of the intermediate-level pulse and the peak value in accordance with information on the detected temperature. The conductive and intermediate-level pulses are supplied to the transistor during a light shielding period of the photoelectric conversion unit.
US08384004B1	Real-time multi-mode neutron multiplicity counter Embodiments are directed to a digital data acquisition method that collects data regarding nuclear fission at high rates and performs real-time preprocessing of large volumes of data into directly useable forms for use in a system that performs non-destructive assaying of nuclear material and assemblies for mass and multiplication of special nuclear material (SNM). Pulses from a multi-detector array are fed in parallel to individual inputs that are tied to individual bits in a digital word. Data is collected by loading a word at the individual bit level in parallel, to reduce the latency associated with current shift-register systems. The word is read at regular intervals, all bits simultaneously, with no manipulation. The word is passed to a number of storage locations for subsequent processing, thereby removing the front-end problem of pulse pileup. The word is used simultaneously in several internal processing schemes that assemble the data in a number of more directly useable forms. The detector includes a multi-mode counter that executes a number of different count algorithms in parallel to determine different attributes of the count data.
US08384002B2	Multi-focal intraocular lens system and methods The invention pertains to methods, components, and operations of multi-focal intraocular lens systems, including range finding for driving same and for discriminating between multiple objects and varying brightness conditions. The invention also pertains to intraocular photosensors and range-finding methods to be used with intra-ocular lens systems, and components, that provide multi-focal IOL capabilities in dynamic visual environments.
US08384001B2	Microwave oven and reciprocating tray apparatus thereof Disclosed herein is a microwave oven, in which a tray within a cooking room is rectilinearly reciprocated in a lengthwise direction of the cooking room and is rotated, simultaneously, to cook food. This is achieved using a gear assembly including a main gear and a planetary gear. The gear assembly includes the main gear and the planetary gear, which are engaged with each other and are rotated. A diameter of the main gear and a diameter of the planetary gear may be equal to each other, and the main gear and the planetary gear respectively include eccentric shafts. The gear assembly effectively transmits power supplied by a motor to the tray, thereby allowing the tray to be rotated at a uniform speed and to be driven even using a motor having a small load capacity.
US08383999B2	Device for heating a sample by microwave radiation The present invention concerns a device for heating a sample by microwave radiation comprising a source of microwave radiation, a first waveguide for guiding said microwave radiation to an applicator space adapted to receive said sample to be heated, wherein said applicator space is defined by a terminal portion of said first waveguide and an initial portion of a second waveguide extending from said terminal portion of said first waveguide and being arranged at an angle with respect to said first waveguide.
US08383997B2	Heated planar element and method for its attachment A double-sidedly bondable planar element which has an electrical contacting layer via which it is self-regulatingly intrinsically heatable and at the same time has a high flexibility. The particular features of this planar element are that the planar element in the storage condition is adhesive on one side only, and is therefore particularly easy to handle, and that, on bonding, the adhesive passes through cutouts in the contacting layer, and the planar element thus becomes double-sidedly bondable. The invention further provides a method for the bonding of this planar element, including as a key step the passage of the adhesive through the cutouts in the contacting layer, thus turning a single-sidedly adhesive planar element into a double-sidedly adhesive planar element.
US08383990B2	Substrate transport apparatus and heat treatment apparatus A chilled arm that transports a substrate to and from a heating plate for performing a heating process on the substrate is formed with a flow passage pipe therein, and cools the entire holding area thereof opposed to the substrate held by the chilled arm to a predetermined reference temperature by supplying circulating cooling water through the flow passage pipe. Six polyimide heaters are affixed to the holding area to control the temperature of at least a portion of the holding area at a temperature different from the reference temperature. These two temperature control mechanisms intentionally provide a temperature distribution to the holding area to thereby provide an intentional temperature distribution to the substrate before and after the heat treatment by the heating plate. This reduces the nonuniformity of a temperature distribution which typically occurs in the heating plate to accomplish a uniform heat treatment throughout the heat treatment process step.
US08383972B2	Illuminated keyboard An illuminated keyboard includes keys; a spacer board on a base plate and comprising units each including two first groove connectors and two second groove connectors; an optically transmissive film circuit board on the spacer board and comprising a second circuitry, switch contacts, and first holes each with the first or second groove connector passing; a rubber plate of optically transmissive plastic and on the film circuit board, the rubber plate comprising resilient domes having a recessed top for retaining the key, a conductive bottom stem above the switch contact, and second holes grouped as groups each formed as four corners around the dome, the first or second groove connectors adapted to pass through the second holes; and an LED circuit board on the rubber plate and comprising a first circuitry and LEDs electrically connected to the first circuitry to be powered therefrom.
US08383969B2	Apparatus including a circuit breaker retaining mechanism for use in withdrawable circuit breakers and method of operating the same A draw-out type circuit breaker apparatus is provided and includes a base from which a circuit breaker is selectively dismounted and moved along a first portion of a dismounting path into a disconnected position, a plate, fixed to the base, which is configured to guide the movement of the circuit breaker along the dismounting path, and a toggle link, coupled to the plate and biased to remain in a locking position, which is configured to block the circuit breaker from moving along the dismounting path beyond the disconnected position while the toggle link remains in the locking position, and to cause the circuit breaker to freely move from the disconnected position and along a second further portion of the dismounting path upon a temporary defeat of the bias thereof.
US08383968B2	Lever switch for safe breaking of a circuit of an exercise apparatus A lever switch for safe breaking of a circuit of an exercise apparatus includes two conductive copper pieces spaced apart and stably received within a housing by means of elastic pieces. A rotatable cylinder with two journals is positioned in the area of the contact portions of the conductive copper pieces within the housing. Moreover, a rectangular piece is provided at one side of the rotatable cylinder such that the contact portions of the conductive copper pieces are just clampable to the top and bottom ends of the rectangular piece. In addition, the middle portion of the conductive copper pieces is inwardly bent to form corresponding conductive contact surfaces. As a result, an insertion lever may fit into the body of the rotatable cylinder for in-place-moving the rotatable cylinder such that the rectangular piece is turned to bring the conductive contact surfaces of the conductive copper pieces in an electric disconnection or connection state for safe breaking and making of a circuit.
US08383950B1	Metal etch stop fabrication method and structure A first patterned etch stop layer and a first patterned conductor layer are laminated by a dielectric material to a second patterned etch stop layer and a second patterned conductor layer. As the etch stop metal of the first and second patterned etch stop layers is selectively etchable compared to a conductor metal of the first and second patterned conductor layers, the first and second patterned etch stop layers provide an etch stop for substrate formation etch processes. In this manner, etching of the first and second patterned conductor layers is avoided insuring that impedance is controlled to within tight tolerance.
US08383944B2	Metal fitting integration type stress-relief cone and a cable sealing end using the same A metal fitting integration type stress-relief cone is provided with a stress-relief cone which includes a cylindrical rubber-like elastic body on an outer circumference of a cable core and a metal fitting which surrounds the cable core and is integral with a low-voltage side of the stress-relief cone. The stress-relief cone is provided with a cylindrical semi-conducting body part at the low-voltage side and has a bell-mouthed electric-field stress-control part in an end of a high-voltage side, an insulating body part on the high-voltage side with a low-voltage side end concentric with the semi-conducting body part and a cylindrical insulation protective layer which is arranged continuously at the end of the low-voltage side of the insulating body part and is integral with the outer circumference of the semi-conducting body part.
US08383941B2	Headphone tangle prevention apparatus A method and apparatus for keeping headphone and earpiece cables from tangling is disclosed. The apparatus may include a flexible sleeve capable of moving relative to a headphone cord to restrict the movement of earpiece cables associated with the headphone cord.
US08383940B2	Bus bar attaching member and room lamp for vehicle having bus bar attaching member A bus bar attaching member 1 forming a room lamp 10 for a vehicle includes a housing 2 and a plurality of bus bars 3a, 3b, 3h and 3i insert molded in the housing 2. Further, in wiring parts 5 of the bus bars 3a and 3b, impact absorbing parts 6a and 6b are provided that prevent an impact when an electric wire 8 is pressed in contact with pressure contact parts 4 from being transmitted to parts attaching parts 7. The impact absorbing parts 6a and 6b are configured in U shaped forms by first absorbing parts 61a and 61b extending in the directions intersecting virtual straight lines K1 and K2 that connect bottom walls 40 of the pressure contact parts 4 to the parts attaching parts 7, second absorbing parts 62a and 62b and third absorbing parts 63a and 63b.
US08383936B2	Grounding mechanism for slide-type electronic devices A grounding mechanism is used for a slidable electronic device including a first housing, a second housing, a conductive member and a grounding tab. The grounding tab is for attachment to the first housing. The receiving portion is formed in the second housing. The conductive member is attached to the receiving portion. The grounding tab contacts the conductive member, the first housing is electrically connected to the second housing.
US08383930B2	Solar cell and method for producing solar cell Disclosed is a solar cell including a passivation film formed on a light-receiving surface of a silicon substrate, and an antireflection film formed on the passivation film, wherein the passivation film has a refractive index higher than that of the antireflection film. The passivation film and the antireflection film can each be made of a silicon nitride film.
US08383925B2	Sound collector, sound signal transmitter and music performance system for remote players A music station is connected through a communication network to another music station, and pieces of music data expressing an exhibition performance on a automatic player piano and pieces of voice data expressing tutor's explanation are transmitted from the music station to the other music station through different communication channels; and a close-talking microphone and a bone conduction microphone are incorporated in a sound collector on the music station, and a vibration signal from the bone conduction microphone is examined to see whether or not the cord of tutor vibrates; when the answer is given affirmative, a voice signal from the close-talking microphone is relayed to a transmitter module so that the sound collector does not permit the transmitter module to transmit the voice signal expressing noises such as the tones; whereby the music performance system prevents the trainee from tones reproduced from a headphone.
US08383924B2	Musical tone signal generating apparatus A CPU 19a supplies parameters on musical tone signals to a tone generator 17 having a plurality of tone generation channels CH0, CH1, . . . , CH127 each generating a musical tone signal. The parameters include channel information which designates one or more of the tone generation channels, and musical tone information which defines respective musical tone signals which are to be generated in the respective tone generation channels designated by the channel information. The tone generator 17 has a tone generation reservation circuit 17b which makes the designated tone generation channels start generation of the musical tone signals defined by the musical tone information when the respective tone volume levels of musical tone signals currently generated in the tone generation channels designated by the channel information are equal to or below a certain tone volume level.
US08383916B1	Maize variety hybrid X05B936 A novel maize variety designated X05B936 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X05B936 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05B936 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05B936, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05B936. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05B936.
US08383902B2	Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH999541 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH999541. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH999541, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH999541 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH999541.
US08383896B2	Soybean variety A1023758 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1023758. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1023758. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1023758 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1023758 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08383895B2	Soybean variety A1024198 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024198. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024198. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024198 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024198 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08383892B2	Soybean variety A1015895 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1015895. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1015895. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1015895 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1015895 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08383887B2	Methods of using plants containing the gdhA gene Disclosed are new effects of increased gdhA gene expression on plants that are susceptible to Aspergillus and Fusarium virguliforme infection. Plants transformed with the gdhA gene are resistant to aflatoxin accumulation following Aspergillus infection, and to root rot following F. virguliforme infection. The resistance to aflatoxin accumulation and root rot in gdhA+ plants is coincident with drought tolerance and resistance of the plants to certain herbicides. Methods for controlling aflatoxin contamination and root rot in crop plants, and for screening plants putatively transformed with gdhA, are described.
US08383882B1	Maize variety hybrid X8N333 A novel maize variety designated X8N333 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8N333 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8N333 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8N333, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8N333. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8N333.
US08383877B2	Absorbent composites exhibiting stepped capacity behavior An absorbent composite includes a water-insoluble fibrous matrix, a superabsorbent polymer composition that has an initial absorbent capacity of at least about 5 grams of saline per gram of superabsorbent polymer composition; and a first triggering mechanism having a first release time of between about 5 and 60 minutes, where the superabsorbent polymer composition has a second absorbent capacity that is at least about 25 % greater than the first absorbent capacity as measured by the mCRC Test.
US08383874B2	Process for isoparaffin olefin alkylation A reactor for the autorefrigerant alkylation process has a reactor vessel with a lower end inlet for the refrigerant reactant and the sulfuric acid and a series of inlets for the olefin reactant at vertically spaced intervals. A flow path for the reactants is provided by co-acting baffles which define sequential reaction zones. The baffles interact with a rotary mixer with multiple impellers to provide agitation. Outlets for the vaporized refrigerant and the reaction effluent are provided at the upper end of the vessel. In the alkylation process, the liquid isoparaffin hydrocarbon reactant/refrigerant with a sulfuric acid alkylation catalyst is introduced into the lower end and passed along the extended reactant flow path with the olefin reactant introduced at intervals along the path. The reaction mixture flows in the sequence of serial reaction zones within the reactor to promote mixing of the isoparaffin reactant with the acid catalyst.
US08383871B1	Method of hydrogasification of biomass to methane with low depositable tars Embodiments of a thermochemical method to convert lignocellulosic biomass to a useful fuel are disclosed in a process sequence resulting in low levels of depositable tars in the output gas stream. One disclosed embodiment comprises performing a sequence of steps at elevated pressure and elevated hydrogen partial pressure, including fast (or flash) hydropyrolysis of a lignocellulosic biomass feed followed sequentially with catalytically enhanced reactions for the formation of methane operating at moderate temperatures of from about 400° C. to about 650° C. and under moderately elevated pressure (about 5 atm to about 50 atm). A temperature rise in the catalyst above pyrolysis temperature is achieved without the addition of air or oxygen. Gas residence time at elevated temperature downstream of methane formation zones is extended well beyond the time required for methane formation. This sequence results in low depositable tars in the output gas stream.
US08383868B2	Method of producing iodizing agent, and method of producing aromatic iodine compound A method of the present invention, for producing an iodizing agent, includes the step of electrolyzing iodine molecules in a solution by using an acid as a supporting electrolyte. This realizes (i) a method of producing an iodine cation suitable for use as an iodizing agent that does not require a sophisticated separation operation after iodizing reaction is completed, and (ii) an electrolyte used in the method. Further, a method of the present invention, for producing an aromatic iodine compound, includes the step of causing an iodizing agent, and an aromatic compound whose nucleus has one or more substituent groups and two or more hydrogen atoms, to react with each other under the presence of a certain ether compound. This realizes such a method of producing an aromatic iodine compound that position selectivity in iodizing reaction of an aromatic compound is improved.
US08383864B2	Method for the conversion of cellulose and related carbohydrate materials to low-molecular-weight compounds Methods of converting cellulose or related biorenewable carbohydrate materials into high-value chemical compounds. The methods provide a means of converting low-cost materials such as cellulose and biomass into high yields of compounds such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, methanol, hydroxyacetone, glycolaldehyde and dihydroxyacetone.
US08383862B2	Salt compound, cationic polymerization initiator and cationically polymerizable composition Provided are a salt compound, cationic polymerization initiator and cationically polymerizable composition, which have a superior acid-generating capacity and high sensitivity, and are free from coloration. The salt compound is represented by the following general Formula (1): (wherein, R01 to R05 each independently represents a group selected from a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom and —YR group, one of the R01 to R05 being a —YR group and at least two of the R01 to R05 being fluorine atoms; Y represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; R represents a C1-C4 alkyl group; Ctp+ represents a p-valent cation, the p being 1 or 2; and n represents a coefficient required for maintaining electrical neutrality).
US08383857B2	Processes for making hydrazides A method is disclosed for preparing hydrazides from hydrazine and an acyl chloride which comprises the steps of (a) preparing a stirred substantially uniform slurry comprising hydrazine and an inert solvent at low temperature; and (b) adding an acyl chloride continuously to said slurry. The method avoids or limits production of undesired bis-hydrazide by-products. The method is used to prepare 3-methyl-3-mercaptobutanoic acid hydrazide, a molecule used to link calicheamicin to a monoclonal antibody.
US08383837B2	Reaction with a gold catalyst The invention relates to a process for the catalytic conversion of a carbohydrate, an alcohol, an aldehyde or a polyhydroxy compound in the presence of a catalyst containing gold in a solvent.
US08383832B2	Process for preparing benzimidazole compounds Provided are methods for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds such as benzimidazole carboxylic acid core structures having Formula Ib-1: wherein Z, X1, X2, X5, R2b and R10 are as defined herein. Compounds of Formula Ib-1 can be used to prepare heterocyclic derivatives such as benzimidazole derivatives.
US08383806B2	Method of reversing carboplatin resistance by inhibition of HGFIN The present invention discloses the cloning of a new cDNA, HGFIN, from stimulated bone marrow stromal cells that was retrieved with a probe specific for the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor. The novel gene, HGFIN, encodes a protein receptor that is involved in the regulation of hematopoietic proliferation and differentiation. HGFIN is implicated in the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders, particularly bone and breast cancer, because it acts to suppress the proliferating cells.
US08383805B2	RNAi modulation of SCAP and therapeutic uses thereof The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of a SCAP gene (Human SCAP gene), comprising an antisense strand having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-25 nucleotides in length, and which is substantially complementary to at least a part of a SCAP gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by Human SCAP expression and the expression of a SCAP gene using the pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of a SCAP gene in a cell.
US08383801B2	Polynucleotide encoding a sclerostin-binding antibody Compositions and methods relating to epitopes of sclerostin protein, and sclerostin binding agents, such as antibodies capable of binding to sclerostin, are provided.
US08383789B2	Vasopressin-binding L-nucleic acid The present invention relates to a vasopressin-binding nucleic acid, characterized in that the nucleic acid contains a stretch Box1 and a stretch Box2, in which Box1 comprises the sequence GUGGW and W=A or U, preferably W=U, and in which Box2 comprises a sequence of about 18 to 24 nucleotides, preferably 21 nucleotides, and a group (G)n is contained four times in the sequence, in which n=2, 3 or 4.
US08383785B2	Anti-bacterial activity of 9-hydroxy derivatives of 6,11-bicyclolides The present invention discloses compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof: which exhibit superior antibacterial properties, particularly against Haemophilus influenzae. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject in need of antibiotic treatment. The invention also relates to methods of treating a bacterial infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention. The invention further includes process by which to make the compounds of the present invention.
US08383781B2	Anti-NIK antibodies and uses thereof An antibody or antibody preparation being capable of specifically binding the amino acid sequence of NF-&kgr; B-inducing kinase (NIK) MAP3K14, or a specific portion thereof, and of thereby regulating a biochemical activity of NIK, and/or enabling detection of NIK or a specific portion thereof.
US08383779B2	Human antibodies that bind mesothelin, and uses thereof The present disclosure provides isolated monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to mesothelin with high affinity, particularly human monoclonal antibodies. Preferably, the antibodies bind human mesothelin. In certain embodiments, the antibodies are capable of internalizing into mesothelin-expressing cells or are capable of mediating antigen dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The invention further provides anti-mesothelin antibodies that can inhibit the binding of mesothelin to the ovarian cancer antigen CA125. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of this disclosure, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of this disclosure are also provided. Antibody-partner molecule conjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of this disclosure are also provided. This disclosure also provides methods for detecting mesothelin, as well as methods for treating cancers, such as mesotheliomas, pancreatic cancers and ovarian cancers, using an anti-mesothelin antibody of this disclosure.
US08383773B2	Protein product and method for reducing biomass-biomass interactions The invention includes a process for extracting a target protein from Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells that includes lowering the pH of a whole E. coli cell solution to form an acidic solution, disrupting the cells to release the protein into the acidic solution, and separating the cellular debris from the released protein to obtain a protein product enriched in the heterologous target protein. The invention also includes addition of a solubility enhancer.
US08383759B2	Method for producing liquid crystal polyester A method is provided for producing a liquid crystal polyester including: (1) polycondensing a mixture of a compound of formula (I) with a compound of formula (II) in a polymerization tank at 260 to 350° C. to form a prepolymer, wherein a ratio of by-products to be distilled off to the theoretical amount of by-products formed when the compound of formula (I) is polycondensed with the compound of formula (II) in a stoichiometric relation is 95% or more; (2) continuously discharging the prepolymer from the polymerization tank in a molten state, solidifying the prepolymer while transferring, and continuously grinding the solidified prepolymer by a grinder provided downstream in a transfer direction to produce prepolymer particles; and (3) heat-treating the prepolymer particles in their solid state under an inert gas atmosphere, thereby subjecting them to solid phase polymerization.
US08383754B2	Catalyst compositions for producing high Mz/Mw polyolefins The present invention provides a polymerization process utilizing a dual ansa-metallocene catalyst system. Polymers produced from the polymerization process are also provided, and these polymers have a reverse comonomer distribution, a non-bimodal molecular weight distribution, a ratio of Mw/Mn from about 3 to about 8, and a ratio of Mz/Mw from about 3 to about 6.
US08383749B2	Dry pigment preparations comprising non-ionic additives The invention relates to a pigment preparation containing (i) at least one organic and/or inorganic pigment, (ii) a dispersant that can be obtained by the polmerization of monomers [A], [B], [C] and [D], where [A] is a monomer of formula (I) wherein A is C2-C4 alkylene and B is a C2-C4 alkylene different from A, and R is hydrogen or methyl, [B] is a monomer of formula (II) wherein D is C3 alkylene, R is hydrogen or methyl, and o is a number between 2 and 500, [C] is an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing an aromatic group; and [D] is an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing an alkyl radical.
US08383745B2	Method for producing N-methyl-N-vinylacetamide having improved stability and polymerizability The present invention relates to a method for producing N-methyl-N-vinylacetamide, which comprises a step for controlling the N-1,3-butadienyl-N-methylacetamide content in N-methyl-N-vinylacetamide to 0.01-150 ppm. This method enables production of N-methyl-N-vinylacetamide having a stable quality, which can be controlled in stability and polymerizability as a monomer. N-methyl-N-vinylacetamide produced by the method enables production of an N-methyl-N-vinylacetamide polymer having stable physical properties such as a molecular weight.
US08383744B2	Actinically-crosslinkable siloxane-containing copolymers The invention provide a class of actinically-crosslinkable silicone-containing prepolymers which comprise dangling polysiloxane chains each having a terminal ethylenically-unsaturated group and are obtained in a one-step of RAFT polymerization of a reactive mixture comprising a polysiloxane crosslinker, a hydrophilic vinylic monomer, a RAFT agent, and a free-radical initiator. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from a prepolymer of the invention and methods for making the contact lenses in a cost-effective way and with high consistency and high fidelity to the original lens design.
US08383743B2	Ink composition for jet printer Disclosed is an ink composition for jet printer, comprising a pigment, a film forming resin and an organic solvent, the film forming resin being an acrylic copolymer containing, as a monomer unit, at least one of compounds represented by the general formulas (1) and (2): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2 represents an alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms which may be linear or branched; and R3 and R4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an aryl group, and the sum of the number of carbon atoms of R3 and R4 is from 4 to 12, or R3 and R4 form a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which is a five-membered ring formed by combination of the R3 and R4; and wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2 represents an alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms which may be linear or branched; and X represents a group selected from the group consisting of groups represented by the general formulas (3) to (9).
US08383741B2	Particulate flow control process The present invention relates to the control of flow of a particulate feed to a reactor, and in particular provides a process for providing a slurry of particulate matter to a reactor, comprising providing a slurry comprising said particulate matter and diluent, and passing said slurry to the inlet of a reactor feed pump from where it is then pumped to the reactor, characterized in that a stream of additional diluent is also passed to the inlet of the reactor feed pump, the reactor feed pump is operated at an essentially constant volumetric flow rate, and the amount of particulate matter in slurry passed into the reactor is adjusted by adjusting the flow.
US08383738B2	Epoxy resin composition, and prepreg and printed circuit board using the same Disclosed is an epoxy resin composition for printed circuit board, which includes (A) an epoxy resin; (B) a composite curing agent, including amino-triazine-novolac resin, diaminodiphenylsulfone, and dicyandiamide mixed in a certain proportion; (C) a curing accelerator; and (D) an optional inorganic filler.
US08383734B2	Multi-solution bone cements and methods of making the same The present invention relates to bone cements and, more particularly, to acrylic-based orthopedic bone cements, their use in spinal applications, and methods for making the same. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of grafting PMMA brushes on cross-linked PMMA nanospheres comprising at least one of the following steps: performing a hydrolysis reaction of surface methyl ester groups of said cross-linked PMMA nanospheres to form surface carboxylic acid groups of said cross-linked PMMA nanospheres; forming a 2-aminoethyl acrylate compound; coupling said surface carboxylic acid groups of said cross-linked PMMA nanospheres with said 2-aminoethyl acrylate compound to form a coupled compound with an initiating site; and grafting said PMMA brushes onto said initiating site. Another embodiment of the present invention includes an orthopedic bone cement including cross-linked PMMA nanospheres comprising PMMA brushes prepared by this method, and a monomer, wherein polymer to monomer ratio is between about 1:1 and 1.3:1.
US08383730B2	Bimodal polyethylene compositions for blow molding applications Bimodal polyethylene compositions and methods for making the same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the bimodal polyethylene composition can include a high molecular weight component having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 400,000 to about 950,000. The bimodal polyethylene composition can also include a low molecular weight component having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 3,000 to about 100,000. The high molecular weight component can be present in an amount ranging from about 25 wt % to about 40 wt % of the bimodal polyethylene composition. The bimodal polyethylene composition can also have a percent die swell of less than about 80%.
US08383720B2	Thermoplastic composition A thermoplastic resin composition comprising: 20 to 60 parts by mass of a styrene-based resin (A) in which a content of an unsaturated nitrile-based monomer is from 32 to 50 mass %; 20 to 60 parts by mass of an aromatic polyester (B) in which an isothermal crystallization time from the molten state is from 25 to 100 sec; and 20 to 60 parts by mass of a filler (C).
US08383718B2	Pigmented strip paint Aqueous strippable paint comprising one or more pigments, a polyether polyurethane binder having anionic stabilizing groups, and a second polyether having at least 20 wt. % of lipophilic parts. The first polyether has an acid number of at least 8, preferably at least 12, and the second polyether has 30-70 wt % of lipophilic parts. The mixing ratio of the first and second polyethers is at least 20:1. The second polyether comprises a lipophilic polyester and/or polyurethane backbone. The polyether polyurethane binder has a Tg of less than −42° C.
US08383715B2	Primer for fluorocarbon polymer substrates An aqueous primer dispersion which contains surfactant-stabilized polymer particles, an organic solvent and a mineral thicker, when coated onto a fluorocarbon substrate, significantly increase the bond strength between the fluorocarbon substrate and a subsequently applied water-derived protective coating, provided that the amount of surfactant-stabilized polymer particles in the aqueous primer dispersion, if any, is about 8 wt. % or less.
US08383708B2	Epoxidized soyate diesters and methods of using same An unhindered polyol is used to react with an epoxidized soyate to make epoxidized soyate diester in the presence of a catalyst. The unhindered polyol can be 1,3-propanediol or any polyol having four or more carbon atoms with no two adjacent carbon atoms having hydroxyl functionality. Preferably, a combination of catalysts is used to promote the transesterification reaction of the epoxidized soyate with the unhindered polyol to yield a high percentage of epoxidized soyate diester with epoxy functionality retained. The primary catalyst is a metallic hydroxide, and the secondary catalyst is a titanate. Bioderived epoxidized soyate diester plasticizers useful for thermoplastics and thermosets result.
US08383707B2	Coloured polypropylene composition having a high content of β-modification The invention relates to a colored β-nucleated polypropylene composition having a high content of β-modification, wherein the polypropylene composition comprises at least one β-nucleating agent and an inorganic blue pigment and an inorganic yellow pigment.
US08383705B2	Ink extenders and inks utilizing organic based resins An extender for flexographic and other ink compositions and inks using such extender where potato starch serves as the ink carrier and an emulsion resin. The use of potato starch provides for a readily available, cost effective, substantial and environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum and soy based resins.
US08383703B2	Making discrete solid particles of polymeric material A process is provided for producing discrete solid beads of polymeric material e.g. phenolic resin having a mesoporous structure, which process may produce resin beads on an industrial scale without aggregates of resin building up speedily and interrupting production. The process comprises the steps of: (a) combining a stream of a polymerizable liquid precursor e.g. a novolac and hexamine as cross-linking agent dissolved in a first polar organic liquid e.g. ethylene glycol with a stream of a liquid suspension medium which is a second non-polar organic liquid with which the liquid precursor is substantially or completely immiscible e.g. transformer oil containing a drying oil; (b) mixing the combined stream to disperse the polymerizable liquid precursor as droplets in the suspension medium e.g. using an in-line static mixer; (c) allowing the droplets to polymerise in a laminar flow of the suspension medium so as to form discrete solid beads that cannot agglomerate; and (d) recovering the beads from the suspension medium. Also provided is an apparatus for forming discrete solid beads of polymeric material. In other embodiments, a method is provided for carbonizing and activating carbonaceous material, and an externally fired rotary kiln for carbonizing and activating carbonaceous material.
US08383688B2	Products with water clusters A product has solid stable water clusters including a plurality of water molecules connected with one another by electrical dipole interaction via internal electric field of ions and having a permanent electric dipole moment with an electrical field surrounding the solid stable water clusters.
US08383669B2	Crystalline form of a 3-phenoxymethylpyrrolidine compound The invention provides a crystalline hydrochloride salt of (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline salt, processes and intermediates for preparing the crystalline salt, and methods of using the crystalline salt to treat diseases.
US08383666B2	Pyrrole derivatives, preparation of same and therapeutic application thereof The subject of the invention is Compound of Formula (I): in which R1-R8 and R10 are defined within, its method of preparation, and its therapeutic application.
US08383663B2	Bendamustine anionic-catioinic cyclopolysaccharide compositions The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions including: (a) bendamustine, (b) a first charged cyclopolysaccharide, and (c) a stabilizing agent which is a second charged cyclopolysaccharide having a charge opposite to that of the first charged cyclopolysaccharide. The composition provides unexpectedly desirable stability in reactive environments such as plasma, coupled with unexpectedly desirable anticancer activity. The compositions are suitable for injection or infusion into patients in need for treatment with bendamustine.
US08383660B2	Dibenzyl amine compounds and derivatives Dibenzyl amine compounds and derivatives of Formula I, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and the use of such compounds to elevate certain plasma lipid levels, including high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and to lower certain other plasma lipid levels, such as LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides and accordingly to treat diseases which are exacerbated by low levels of HDL cholesterol and/or high levels of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in some mammals, including humans.
US08383659B2	Isoxazoline derivatives as pesticides Novel isoxazoline compounds and compositions containing the compounds are disclosed. The compounds have pesticidal properties and are suitable for use on non-human animals.
US08383654B2	Heterocyclic antagonists of prostaglandin D2 receptors Described herein are heteroaryl compounds that are antagonists of PGD2 receptors. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the heteroaryl compounds described. Also described herein are methods of using such antagonists of PGD2 receptors, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating respiratory, cardiovascular, and other PGD2-dependent or PGD2-mediated conditions or diseases.
US08383653B2	SIR2 regulation Compounds are disclosed which inhibit SIR2 base exchange more than deacetylation, thus enhancing SIR2 deacetylation activity. Methods of using the compounds for enhancing SIR2 deacetylation activity and increasing longevity of an organism are also disclosed. Methods for screening for compounds that enhance SIR2 deacetylation activity and increase longevity of an organism are additionally disclosed.
US08383641B2	Aryloxyethylamine compounds suitable for treating disorders that respond to modulation of the dopamine D3 receptor The present invention relates to aryloxyethylamine compounds of the formula I and the physiologically tolerated acid addition salts thereof. The variables have the meanings given in the claims and the description. The invention also relates to the use of a compound of the formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a medical disorder susceptible to treatment with a dopamine D3 receptor ligand.
US08383632B2	Method for making cetirizine tablets In one aspect, the present invention features a method of producing a tablet including cetirizine including the steps of: (i) mixing cetirizine, a polyol, and a solvent for the cetirizine to form a cetirizine:polyol complex, wherein the solvent comprises water and an alkalizing agent and has a pH from about 2 to about 7; (ii) isolating particles of the cetirizine:polyol complex from the mixture; and (iii) forming the particles into a tablet.
US08383627B2	Crystalline polymorph of doxazosin mesylate (form IV) and process for preparation thereof Crystalline Form IV of doxazosin mesylate, a process for its preparation and uses thereof.
US08383624B2	Pyrrolopyrazine inhibitors of kinases The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutical acceptable salts, wherein R1a, R1b, X, and Y are defined in the description. The present invention relates also to compositions containing said compounds which are useful for inhibiting kinases such as Cdc7 and methods of treating diseases such as cancer.
US08383623B2	Phthalazin-(2H)-one inhibitors of kinases The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutical acceptable salts, wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, X, Y, Z, n, and m are defined in the description. The present invention relates also to compositions containing said compounds which are useful for inhibiting kinases such as Cdc7 and methods of treating diseases such as cancer.
US08383611B1	Ciclesonide containing aqueous pharmaceutical composition The present invention provides an aqueous pharmaceutical composition containing ciclesonide and hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, wherein the ciclesonide is dispersed in an aqueous medium in the form of solid particles. The composition is able to avoid variations in the concentrations of ciclesonide during production as well as avoid decreases in the recovery rate of ciclesonide.
US08383607B2	Perifosine and capecitabine as a combined treatment for cancer Treatment regimens comprising co-treatment of cancer with perifosine and capecitabine are disclosed herein, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosage forms thereof formulated to be suitable for use in said treatment regimens.
US08383601B2	Tissue specific gene therapy treatment The invention provides nucleic acid segments, compositions and methods for the treatment of heart failure, vascular dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, diabetes, [Ca2+]i regulation and NO synthase dysfunction. Adeno-associated and adenovirus are used as gene delivery vectors for the nucleic acid segments to product long term over-expression of S100A1, a small calcium sensing protein associated with the disclosed ailments and dysfunctions.
US08383600B2	Increasing glucose transport and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake Methods and compositions for modulating glucose transport are provided herein.
US08383598B2	Immune regulatory oligonucleotide (IRO) compounds to modulate toll-like receptor based immune response The invention provides novel immune regulatory oligonucleotides (IRO) as antagonist of TLRs and methods of use thereof. These IROs have unique sequences that inhibit or suppress TLR-mediated signaling in response to a TLR ligand or TLR agonist. The methods may have use in the prevention and treatment of cancer, an autoimmune disorder, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, infectious disease, skin disorders, allergy, asthma or a disease caused by a pathogen.
US08383594B2	Peptides modified with triterpenoids and small organic molecules: synthesis and use in cosmeceuticals The present invention relates to the Synthesis of Triterpenoid peptides and mechanism of action for Anti ageing and skin care. The present invention is directed towards anti-aging skin care compositions comprising peptides which are made by linking herbal actives to a pentapeptide for enhanced anti ageing activity by regenerating the dermal matrix. In detail, the present invention relates to the synthesis of Triterpenoid peptides, providing an enhanced and synergistic activity for reducing the consequences of ageing such as appearance of fine expression lines and wrinkles on the skin by cosmetic modes of application. The Triterpenoid peptides of the present invention with its novel dual action mode can be used for skin ageing & collagen insufficiency. Its Triterpenoid group acts by preventing oxidation and excess activity of serine proteases like elastase and collagenase that result in wrinkling of skin. With added peptides which boost the collagen and other matrix protein, Triterpenoid peptides provide a complete protection against pre mature ageing and functions as a best anti ageing ingredient.
US08383591B2	Peptides for treating cancer The present invention relates to peptide from 4 to 50 amino acids comprising a phosphorylated pYX1X2X1 motif (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein each X1 independently is M or Nle and X2 is any amino acid, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said peptide and use thereof for treating cancer.
US08383589B2	Aegyptin and uses thereof The present invention relates to the discovery of the Aegyptin gene and Aegyptin protein, a molecule that interacts with collagen and inhibits platelet adhesion, activation and aggregation. Novel biological tools, prophylactics, therapeutics, diagnostics, and methods of use of the foregoing are also disclosed.
US08383579B2	Method for customized dispensing of variable dose drug combination products for individualizing of therapies Generally the method involves identifying the concentration of each of two or more active therapeutics tailored to treat a particular patient's unique metabolism and one or more diseases, communicating that information to a producer who has multiple fixed or variable concentrations of each active available, where the producer then combines the individual concentrations of each active into single units such as a tablets or pills, and distributes those indirectly or directly to the patient.
US08383577B2	Octreotide implant having a release agent Methods, formulations and kits are described that allow for the controlled release of octreotide, e.g., octreotide acetate, in a subject.
US08383573B2	Dual character biopolymer useful in cleaning products New cleaning compositions including novel amphoteric dispersant polymers containing anionic and nitrogen containing substitution are disclosed. In particular, cleaning compositions containing modified polysaccharides having anionic and nitrogen containing substitution and methods of forming the same are disclosed.
US08383568B2	Polyol oxidases The present invention provides compositions and methods for producing a polyol oxidase in micoroorganisms, and the use of polyol oxidases in cleaning compositions. The invention includes cleaning compositions that contain combinations of two or more POx oxidases, and cleaning compositions that contain combinations of two or more POx oxidases and a perhydrolase. In particular, the invention provides methods for expressing polyol oxidases in bacterial hosts for use in detergent applications for cleaning, bleaching and disinfecting.
US08383559B2	Releasable corrosion inhibitors The present invention includes compositions and methods of supplying a corrosion inhibitor including placing a corrosion inhibitor attached to a nanostructure carrier, placing the nanostructure carrier containing the corrosion inhibitor at a location and the nanostructure carrier is capable of releasing the corrosion inhibitor.
US08383545B2	Strategies, linkers and coordination polymers for high-performance sorbents A linking ligand compound includes three bidentate chemical moieties distributed about a central chemical moiety. Another linking ligand compound includes a bidentate linking ligand and a monodentate chemical moiety. Coordination polymers include a plurality of metal clusters linked together by residues of the linking ligand compounds.
US08383543B2	Hydroconversion multi-metallic catalyst and method for making thereof The invention relates to a bulk multi-metallic catalyst for hydrotreating heavy oil feeds and to a method for preparing the catalyst. The bulk multi-metallic catalyst is prepared by sulfiding a catalyst precursor having a poorly crystalline structure with disordered stacking layers, with a type IV adsorption-desorption isotherms of nitrogen with a hysteresis starting point value of about 0.35, for a sulfided catalyst that will facilitate the reactant's and product's diffusion in catalytic applications. In another embodiment, the precursor is characterized as having a type H3 hysteresis loop. In a third embodiment, the hysteresis loop is characterized as having a well developed plateau above P/Po of about 0.55. The mesapores of the precursor can be adjustable or tunable.
US08383537B2	Refractory materials Refractory materials are provided which contain P2O5/R2O3 constituents, where R is Y, Sc, Er, Lu, Yb, Tm, Ho, Dy, Tb, Gd, or a combination thereof, and/or V2O5/R′2O3 constituents where R′ is Y, Sc, one or more rare earth elements, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the refractory materials are xenotime-type materials and/or xenotime-stabilized zircon-type materials. The refractory materials can be used in the manufacture of glass and glass-ceramics. For example, the refractory materials, especially those that contain P2O5/R2O3 constituents, can be used as forming structures (“isopipes”) in the fusion process for making flat sheets of glass such as the glass sheets used as substrates in the manufacture of flat panel displays.
US08383526B2	Sheet for total heat exchanger A liquid containing a hydrophilic polymer is applied by spreading or impregnation to a porous sheet comprising paper or a nonwoven fabric containing not less than 30% by weight and not more than 100% by weight of hydrophilic fiber to provide a hydrophilic polymer-processed sheet of which the surface and/or the interior of the porous sheet is filled with the hydrophilic polymer, which is made insoluble to water. This sheet is used as a sheet for a total heat exchanger which has higher conductivity of sensible heat and latent heat than conventional sheet for a total heat exchanger that uses a moisture permeable membrane.
US08383507B2	Method for fabricating air gap interconnect structures A metal interconnect structure includes at least a pair of metal lines, a cavity therebetween, and a dielectric metal-diffusion barrier layer located on at least one portion of walls of the cavity. After formation of a cavity between the pair of metal lines, the dielectric metal-diffusion barrier layer is formed on the exposed surfaces of the cavity. A dielectric material layer is formed above the pair of metal lines to encapsulate the cavity. The dielectric metal-diffusion barrier layer prevents diffusion of metal and impurities from one metal line to another metal line and vice versa, thereby preventing electrical shorts between the pair of metal lines.
US08383502B2	Integrated high-K/metal gate in CMOS process flow A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first active region and a second active region, forming a first metal layer over a high-k dielectric layer, removing at least a portion of the first metal layer in the second active region, forming a second metal layer on first metal layer in the first active region and over the high-k dielectric layer in the second active region, and thereafter, forming a silicon layer over the second metal layer. The method further includes removing the silicon layer from the first gate stack thereby forming a first trench and from the second gate stack thereby forming a second trench, and forming a third metal layer over the second metal layer in the first trench and over the second metal layer in the second trench.
US08383499B2	Method for forming gallium nitride semiconductor device with improved forward conduction A method for forming a gallium nitride based semiconductor diode includes forming Schottky contacts on the upper surface of mesas formed in a semiconductor body formed on a substrate. Ohmic contacts are formed on the lower surface of the semiconductor body. In one embodiment, an insulating layer is formed over the Schottky and ohmic contacts and vias are formed in the insulating layer to the Schottky and ohmic contacts to form the anode and cathode electrodes. In another embodiment, vias are formed in the insulating layer to the Schottky contacts and vias are formed in the semiconductor body to the ohmic contacts. An anode electrode is formed in electrical contact with the Schottky contacts. A cathode electrode is formed in electrical contact with the ohmic contacts on the backside of the substrate.
US08383487B2	Method for manufacturing SOI substrate Forming an insulating film on a surface of the single crystal semiconductor substrate, forming a fragile region in the single crystal semiconductor substrate by irradiating the single crystal semiconductor substrate with an ion beam through the insulating film, forming a bonding layer over the insulating film, bonding a supporting substrate to the single crystal semiconductor substrate by interposing the bonding layer between the supporting substrate and the single crystal semiconductor substrate, dividing the single crystal semiconductor substrate at the fragile region to separate the single crystal semiconductor substrate into a single crystal semiconductor layer attached to the supporting substrate, performing first dry etching treatment on a part of the fragile region remaining on the single crystal semiconductor layer, performing second dry etching treatment on a surface of the single crystal semiconductor layer subjected to the first etching treatment, and irradiating the single crystal semiconductor layer with laser light.
US08383484B2	Semiconductor device production method A semiconductor device production method includes: forming a gate insulating film on the p-type region of a semiconductor substrate; forming a first aluminum oxide film with an oxygen content lower than stoichiometric composition on the gate insulating film; forming a tantalum-nitrogen-containing film that contains tantalum and nitrogen on the first aluminum oxide film; forming an electrically conductive film on the tantalum-nitrogen-containing film; patterning the electrically conductive film to form a gate electrode; injecting n-type impurities into the p-type region using the gate electrode as a mask; and carrying out heat treatment after the formation of the tantalum-nitrogen-containing film.
US08383464B2	Method for producing field effect transistors with a back gate and semiconductor device The method for producing a field effect transistor on a substrate comprising a support layer, a sacrificial layer and a semi-conducting layer comprises forming an active area in the semi-conducting layer. The active area is delineated by a closed peripheral insulation pattern and comprises an additional pattern made from insulating material. The method also comprises etching the insulating material of the additional pattern to access the sacrificial layer, etching the sacrificial layer resulting in formation of a first cavity, forming a dielectric layer on a top wall of the first cavity, and depositing an electrically conducting layer in the first cavity. The closed peripheral insulation pattern is formed through the semi-conducting layer and the sacrificial layer.
US08383463B2	Semiconductor package having an antenna with reduced area and method for fabricating the same A semiconductor package includes an electromagnetic shielding member for shielding electromagnetic waves. An antenna is disposed on an upper face of the electromagnetic shielding member and includes an antenna part with a plurality of conductive particles electrically connected with each other and an insulation part disposed on the upper face of the electromagnetic shielding member and insulating the antenna part. Ball lands are disposed on the electromagnetic shielding member and are electrically connected with the antenna part. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip is electrically connected to the ball lands.
US08383461B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor package having improved bump structures A method for manufacturing a semiconductor package includes the steps of forming first circuit patterns on an upper surface of a carrier substrate. Bumps are formed in recesses defined on the upper surface of the carrier substrate. An insulation layer is formed on the upper surface of the carrier substrate to cover the first circuit patterns. Second circuit patterns are formed on an upper surface of the insulation layer so as to be electrically connected with the first circuit patterns. The carrier substrate is then separated from the insulation layer.
US08383457B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming interposer frame over semiconductor die to provide vertical interconnect A semiconductor device has a first semiconductor die mounted over a carrier. An interposer frame has an opening in the interposer frame and a plurality of conductive pillars formed over the interposer frame. The interposer is mounted over the carrier and first die with the conductive pillars disposed around the die. A cavity can be formed in the interposer frame to contain a portion of the first die. An encapsulant is deposited through the opening in the interposer frame over the carrier and first die. Alternatively, the encapsulant is deposited over the carrier and first die and the interposer frame is pressed against the encapsulant. Excess encapsulant exits through the opening in the interposer frame. The carrier is removed. An interconnect structure is formed over the encapsulant and first die. A second semiconductor die can be mounted over the first die or over the interposer frame.
US08383452B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method can include depositing a first amorphous film having a first impurity, depositing a third amorphous lower-layer film on the first amorphous film, forming microcrystals on the third amorphous lower-layer film, depositing a third amorphous upper-layer film on the third amorphous lower-layer film to cover the microcrystals, depositing a second amorphous film having a second impurity on the third amorphous upper-layer film, and radiating microwaves to crystallize the third amorphous lower-layer film and the third amorphous upper-layer film to form a third crystal layer, and crystallize the first amorphous film and the second amorphous film to form a first crystal layer and a second crystal layer.
US08383451B2	Deposition of photovoltaic thin films by plasma spray deposition In particular embodiments, a method is described for depositing thin films, such as those used in forming a photovoltaic cell or device. In a particular embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate suitable for use in a photovoltaic device and plasma spraying one or more layers over the substrate, the grain size of the grains in each of the one or more layers being at least approximately two times greater than the thickness of the respective layer.
US08383443B2	Non-uniform gate dielectric charge for pixel sensor cells and methods of manufacturing A non-uniform gate dielectric charge for pixel sensor cells, e.g., CMOS optical imagers, and methods of manufacturing are provided. The method includes forming a gate dielectric on a substrate. The substrate includes a source/drain region and a photo cell collector region. The method further includes forming a non-uniform fixed charge distribution in the gate dielectric. The method further includes forming a gate structure on the gate dielectric.
US08383435B2	Integrated photonic semiconductor devices and methods for making integrated photonic semiconductor devices A photonic semiconductor device and method are provided that ensure that the surface of the device upon completion of the SAG process is planar, or at least substantially planar, such that performance of the subsequent processes is facilitated, thereby enabling higher manufacturing yield to be achieved. A photonic semiconductor device and method are also provided that ensure that the isolation region of the device will have high resistance and low capacitance, without requiring the placement of a thick dielectric material beneath each of the contact pads. Eliminating the need to place thick dielectric materials underneath the contact pads eliminates the risk that the contact pads will peel away from the assembly.
US08383429B2	Method and apparatus for thermal treatment of semiconductor workpieces The present invention provides an apparatus and method for rapid and uniform thermal treatment of semiconductor workpieces in two closely arranged thermal treatment chambers with a retractable door between them. The retractable door moves in between two thermal treatment chambers during heating or cooling process, and additional heating and cooling sources are provided for double-side thermal treatment of the semiconductor workpiece.
US08383427B2	Semiconductor device including a magnetic tunnel junction device including a laminated structure and manufacturing method therefor A semiconductor device having a MTJ device excellent in operating characteristics and a manufacturing method therefor are provided. The MTJ device is formed of a laminated structure which is obtained by laminating a lower magnetic film, a tunnel insulating film, and an upper magnetic film in this order. The lower and upper magnetic films contain noncrystalline or microcrystalline ferrocobalt boron (CoFeB) as a constituent material. The tunnel insulating film contains aluminum oxide (AlOx) as a constituent material. A CAP layer is formed over the upper magnetic film and a hard mask is formed over the CAP layer. The CAP layer contains a substance of crystalline ruthenium (Ru) as a constituent material and the hard mask contains a substance of crystalline tantalum (Ta) as a constituent material. The film thickness of the hard mask is larger than that of the CAP layer.
US08383416B2	Microbead optical sensor with layered plasmon structure for enhanced detection of chemical groups by SERS An optical sensor and method for use with a visible-light laser excitation beam and a Raman spectroscopy detector, for detecting the presence chemical groups in an analyte applied to the sensor are disclosed. The sensor includes a substrate, a plasmon resonance mirror formed on a sensor surface of the substrate, a plasmon resonance particle layer disposed over the mirror, and an optically transparent dielectric layer about 2-40 nm thick separating the mirror and particle layer. The particle layer is composed of a periodic array of plasmon resonance particles having (i) a coating effective to binding analyte molecules, (ii) substantially uniform particle sizes and shapes in a selected size range between 50-200 nm (ii) a regular periodic particle-to-particle spacing less than the wavelength of the laser excitation beam. The device is capable of detecting analyte with an amplification factor of up to 1012-1014, allowing detection of single analyte molecules.
US08383405B2	Methods of using ideotypically modulated pharmacoeffectors for selective cell treatment In a method embodiment, a method includes introducing a plurality of Ideotypically Modulated Pharmacoeffectors (IMP) into a population of cells. Each IMP may include a detection domain and an activation domain. One or more epitopes is bound by the detection domain. The activation domain is activated in response to the binding. Applications may include but are not limited to viral infections, other intracellular infections, cancers, vector-borne diseases, autoimmune diseases, cellular diseases, cellular enhancement, and research.
US08383402B2	Trichoplusia ni cell line and methods of use An isolated cell from the cell line identified as TnT4. This cell may be infected with a baculovirus expression vector which may carry a heterologous nucleotide that encodes a polypeptide, such as a membrane protein, e.g., human neurotensin receptor 1. Also included is a method for using this cell line to produce a polypeptide, such as a membrane protein; and a method for identifying a cell-of-interest which expresses a protein-of-interest.
US08383401B2	T-cell receptor and nucleic acid encoding the receptor A polypeptide comprising a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5 of Sequence Listing or a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence having deletion, addition, insertion or substitution of one to several amino acid residues in the sequence, the polypeptide being capable of constituting an HLA-A24-restricted, MAGE-A4143-151-specific T cell receptor together with a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 of Sequence Listing.
US08383400B2	Kits for producing recombinant polypeptides via cysteine protease autoprocessing of fusion proteins Disclosed are fusion proteins, polynucleotides that encode the disclosed fusion proteins, and methods for expressing and autoprocessing of the disclosed fusion proteins to obtain a target protein. The disclosed fusion proteins include an autoproteolytic cysteine protease fused to a heterologous polypeptide, which may be isolated as the target protein. Preferably, the protease activity of the cysteine protease is inducible. Suitable autoproteolytic cysteine proteases for the fusion proteins include the cysteine protease of the Vibrio cholerae RTX toxin.
US08383390B2	Bacteria that reduce content of heavy metals in plant This invention relates to bacteria having a function of reducing the content of heavy metals in plants, a method for reducing the content of heavy metals in plants with the use of such bacteria, and a composition comprising, as an active ingredient, such bacteria.
US08383388B2	Modified coagulation factor IX polypeptides and use thereof for treatment Provided are modified factor IX (FIX) polypeptides and methods of generating modified FIX polypeptides. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, including compositions formulation for oral administration, that contain the modified FIX polypeptides, and methods of treatment using modified FIX polypeptides.
US08383385B2	Variants of glycoside hydrolases The present invention relates to variants of a parent glycoside hydrolase, comprising a substitution at one or more positions corresponding to positions 21, 94, 157, 205, 206, 247, 337, 350, 373, 383, 438, 455, 467, and 486 of amino acids 1 to 513 of SEQ ID NO: 2, and optionally further comprising a substitution at one or more positions corresponding to positions 8, 22, 41, 49, 57, 113, 193, 196, 226, 227, 246, 251, 255, 259, 301, 356, 371, 411, and 462 of amino acids 1 to 513 of SEQ ID NO: 2 a substitution at one or more positions corresponding to positions 8, 22, 41, 49, 57, 113, 193, 196, 226, 227, 246, 251, 255, 259, 301, 356, 371, 411, and 462 of amino acids 1 to 513 of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the variants have glycoside hydrolase activity. The present invention also relates to nucleotide sequences encoding the variant glycoside hydrolases and to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleotide sequences.
US08383384B2	Polypeptide having glycosylation activity on a flavonoid The present invention provides novel glycosyltransferase proteins produced by ascomycetous filamentous fungi (preferably species belonging to the genus Trichoderma, more preferably Trichoderma viride), as well as genes encoding the same. Among novel enzyme proteins provided by the present invention, particularly preferred is an enzyme protein obtained from the culture supernatant of Trichoderma viride strain IAM5141. The novel enzymes of the present invention allow glycosylation of flavonoid compounds to thereby improve their water solubility.
US08383383B2	Polypeptides having lipase activity and polynucleotides encoding same The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lipase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US08383380B2	Segmented polymers and their conjugates Segmented water soluble polymers, containing a higher molecular weight segment linked to a lower molecular weight segment, are described. In one embodiment, the polymer segments are poly(ethylene glycol) segments. The segmented polymers are functionalized and are useful for conjugation to various moieties such as pharmacologically active substances. Also described are conjugates of such polymers and methods of their preparation.
US08383375B2	Thermostable gluconate dehydratase and use thereof The present invention relates to a novel thermostable gluconate dehydratase from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus, a coding sequence, and an expression system. The gluconate dehydratase has a molecular weight of about 320,000 to 380,000 daltons as the native protein, and about 40,000 to 50,000 daltons as the monomer protein, and catalyzes the dehydration reaction of aldonic acids to 2-keto-3-deoxy derivatives at temperatures of less than 120° C. The gluconate dehydratase can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and thereby used in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and other industries.
US08383374B2	Materials and methods for the efficient production of acetate and other products The subject invention provides materials and methods wherein unique and advantageous combinations of gene mutations are used to direct carbon flow from sugars to a single product. The techniques of the subject invention can be used to obtain products from native pathways as well as from recombinant pathways. In preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides new materials and methods for the efficient production of acetate and pyruvic acid.
US08383371B2	Nucleic acid construct containing a nucleic acid derived from the genome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) of genotype 2a, and a cell having such nucleic acid construct introduced therein The present invention relates to a replicon RNA comprising a nucleotide sequence at least containing the 5′ untranslated region, the nucleotide sequence encoding NS3 protein, NS4A protein, NS4B protein, NS5A protein and NS5B protein, and the 3′ untranslated region on the genomic RNA of hepatitis C virus of genotype 2a.
US08383370B2	Modified RNA ligase for efficient 3′ modification of RNA The invention provides a novel truncated mutated T4 RNA ligase 2. In addition, methods are provided for ligating pre-adenlylated donor molecules to the 3′ hydroxyl group of RNA in the absence of ATP using the ligase.
US08383365B2	Methods of making FGF-21 mutants comprising non-naturally encoded phenylalanine derivatives Modified FGF-21 polypeptides and uses thereof are provided.
US08383346B2	Combined automated parallel synthesis of polynucleotide variants The present disclosure relates to methods for efficient synthesis, cloning, transformation and screening of large diverse libraries of polynucleotide variants comprising well-defined nucleotide differences relative to a reference polynucleotide.
US08383331B2	Silver halide photographic light-sensitive material for movie A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material for movie, having a specific layer structure by using particles of at least one kind of electroconductive metal oxide and at least one kind of an electroconductive polymer.
US08383329B2	Pattern exposure method, conductive film producing method, and conductive film There are provided a pattern exposure method, a conductive film producing method, and a conductive film, wherein a photosensitive material is subjected to a proximity exposure through a photomask disposed with a proximity gap of 70 to 200 μm, and thereby is exposed in the mask pattern periodically in the conveying direction to obtain a conductive film. The conductive film has a plurality of conductive portions of first and second conductive thin metal wires and a plurality of opening portions. A side of each thin metal wire has a protrusion extending toward the opening portion from a virtual line representing a designed width of the thin metal wire, and the protruding amount of the protrusion is 1/25 to 1/6 of the designed width.
US08383328B2	Method for producing optical part A method for producing an optical part includes an irradiation process for irradiating a radiation-sensitive polymerizable composition with a radiation. The radiation-sensitive polymerizable composition includes at least a polymerizable compound (a) and a polymerizable or non-polymerizable component (c). The irradiation process includes at least a first step of irradiating with a radiation only a first irradiation region that is a portion of the radiation-sensitive polymerizable composition and a second step of irradiating with a radiation only a second irradiation region that is a portion of the radiation-sensitive polymerizable composition and is different from the first irradiation region in at least one of size and position. When the component (c) is polymerizable, the polymerization rate of the component (c) is controlled to be lower than that of the polymerizable compound (a) in the first and the second steps.
US08383320B2	Resist underlayer film forming composition and method of forming resist pattern using the same There is provided a composition for forming a resist underlayer film not only having a large selection ratio of a dry etching rate but also exhibiting desired values of the k value and of the refractive index n at a short wavelength such as a wavelength of an ArF excimer laser. A resist underlayer film forming composition for lithography comprising: a linear polymer; and a solvent, wherein a backbone of the linear polymer has a unit structure in which 2,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid is introduced through an ester bond and an ether bond.
US08383313B2	Toner Provided is a toner including toner particles each containing a binder resin, a colorant, and a wax, and inorganic fine particles, the toner having such a characteristic that a temperature-storage elastic modulus curve at a high frequency shows a characteristic change in its behavior in a specific temperature region with respect to a temperature-storage elastic modulus curve at a low frequency.
US08383304B2	Gallium phthalocyanine compound, and image bearing member, image forming method, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge using the gallium phthalocyanine compound A gallium phthalocyanine compound represented by the following chemical structure I, where X represents a substituted or non-substituted alkyl group, a substituted or non-substituted alkenyl group, a substituted or non-substituted alkynyl group, a substituted or non-substituted aralkyl group, a substituted or non-substituted cycloalkyl group, a substituted or non-substituted aryl group, or a hydrogen atom, where substitution groups thereof are an alkoxy group, an alkylthio group, an alkyl group, a halogen atom, nitro group, amino group, an aryl group, carboxylic group, and cyano group, R1 to R16 independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkoxy group, an alkylthio group, an alkyl group, a halogen atom, nitro group, or aryl group, n represents an integer of from 1 to 3 but excluding a combination in which n is 1 and X is methyl group.
US08383303B2	Color filter plate A color filter includes a transparent substrate, a transparent conductive layer, a plurality of filter layers, and a plurality of bumps. The filter layers are disposed between the transparent substrate and the transparent conductive layer, and the bumps are disposed on a plane of the transparent conductive layer. A sheet resistance of each of the bumps is above 1014Ω/□, and an optical density (OD) of each of the bumps is above 1.5.
US08383301B2	Methods of fabricating reticles with subdivided blocking regions Methods for designing, fabricating, and using attenuated phase shift reticles, or photomasks are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed for subdividing the radiation blocking regions of previously fabricated reticles of previously existing designs. The methods may include forming radiation blocking regions that are subdivided, by cut lines, into discrete, spaced apart sections with dimensions (e.g., surface area, etc.) configured to minimize or eliminate the buildup of electrostatic energy by the radiation blocking regions and/or the discharge of electrostatic energy from the radiation blocking regions and the damage that may be caused by such electrostatic discharge. The methods may include configuring the reticle to prevent radiation from passing through the cut lines between adjacent sections of a subdivided radiation blocking region.
US08383296B2	Method for manufacturing photomasks and device for its implementation The photomask manufacturing method comprises at least one step of cleaning the photomask and at least one step of placing a protective pellicle onto the photomask at the end of manufacturing. The inventive method further comprises at least one step of removing ammonia and sulfate residue between the cleaning step and the pellicle placement step. This step comprises the following operations: placing the photomask into a sealed chamber, creating a low pressure within the sealed chamber by pumping out the gases that it contains, exposing the photomask to infrared radiation, stopping the infrared radiation, checking that the temperature of the photomask does not exceed 50° C., restoring the atmospheric pressure within the chamber, and removing the photomask from the chamber. The device for implementing the inventive method comprises a sealed chamber containing at least one photomask, a pumping unit for creating and maintaining a vacuum inside the chamber, a system for holding at least one photomask, placed inside the sealed chamber, infrared radiation means and a gas injection system.
US08383295B2	Composition for holographic recording medium A composition for holographic recording medium, which can be coated in a uniform thickness and enables to simply produce a high definition holographic recording medium is provided. And a holographic medium having a low error rate, high storage capacity, high-performance, high-density, which is produced using the composition for the holographic recording medium, is also provided. The composition comprises a (meth)acrylic acid ester group-containing polymerizable substance, an alicyclic epoxy group-containing cationical polymerizable substance of which is ring-opening polymerized by heat, and a hydroxyl group-containing substance which is reactive with the alicyclic epoxy group-containing cationical polymerizable substance. The holographic recording medium is produced by forming a holographic recording layer on a substrate by applying the composition on the base material and polymerizing the alicyclic epoxy group-containing cationical polymerizable substance and the hydroxyl group-containing substance.
US08383292B2	Fuel cell In a fuel cell that includes an electrolyte (10), and an anode (20) and a cathode (30) which constitute a pair of electrodes that are arranged sandwiching the electrolyte (10), the cathode (30) includes catalyst particles (24) and trapping particles (38). The catalyst particles (24) operate as catalysts for a reaction that creates hydroxide ions from oxygen, and the trapping particles (38) trap hydrogen peroxide ions.
US08383281B2	Fuel cell system A fuel cell system has a flooding elimination mode as one of available operation modes of fuel cells and includes a drive controller. When the ambient temperature of the fuel cell system is not higher than a preset first temperature, the drive controller causes the fuel cells to be driven in the flooding elimination mode. When the ambient temperature of the fuel cell system is not lower than a preset second temperature that is higher than the first temperature, the drive controller prohibits the fuel cells from being driven in the flooding elimination mode. On the occasion of input of a checkup instruction of the fuel cells, the drive controller causes the fuel cells to be driven in the flooding elimination mode, independently of the ambient temperature. This arrangement effectively improves the user's convenience at the checkup time of the fuel cell system having the operation mode for eliminating the state of flooding.
US08383278B2	Fuel cell system and operating method thereof In order to provide a fuel cell system (which ensures high proton conductivity and high energy conversion efficiency and, in addition, copes with an operating mode of the startup/shutdown type and which has excellent durability capable of effectively preventing a polymer electrolyte membrane from deterioration) and an operating method of such a fuel cell system, a fuel cell system (100) is provided with a fuel cell (11), a fuel gas supplier (16) and an oxidizing gas supplier (17), a temperature supplier (19) which controls the temperature of the fuel cell, and a humidifier unit (18) which humidifies oxidizing gas, wherein there is further provided a controller (20) which controls the dew point of fuel gas and the dew point of oxidizing gas as follow: during the generation of electric power, the fuel gas dew point is made higher than or equal to the temperature of the fuel cell while the oxidizing gas dew point is made less than the temperature of the fuel cell and, before interrupting the electric connection between the fuel cell and a load, at least, the temperature of the fuel cell and the oxidizing gas dew point are made to conform to each other.
US08383263B2	Battery pack for cordless devices A battery pack comprising a housing having an first housing portion and a second housing portion and an electrostatic discharge protection device to prevent electrostatic discharge from entering the housing.
US08383259B2	Safety device for an accumulator cell In the case of a safety device for an accumulator cell, which has an electrode assembly disposed in an elastic cell sheath and at least one electrical connector, a blocking element is provided which blocks at least a first electrical contact associated with the electrical connector with at least a second electrical contact in a releasable electrical connection, the blocking element being configured for the purpose of releasing the releasable electrical connection when the cell sheath expands as a result of a change in volume of the accumulator cell during operation. A separation of the second contact from the first contact is thereby made possible.
US08383258B2	Cap assembly of improved safety and cylindrical secondary battery employed with the same Disclosed herein is a cap assembly loaded on an open upper end of a cylindrical container of a battery in which an electrode assembly is mounted in the cylindrical container, the cap assembly including a safety vent having a predetermined notch configured to rupture by high-pressure gas generated in the battery, a current interruptive device coupled to a bottom of the safety vent by welding for interrupting current when internal pressure of the battery increases, and a current interruptive device gasket for surrounding an outer circumference of the current interruptive device, wherein the current interruptive device includes two or more through holes for gas discharge, the through holes being formed such that the sum of areas of the through holes is equal to 20% to 50% of an entire area of the current interruptive device. When high-pressure gas is generated in the battery, the cap assembly effectively interrupts current and rapidly discharges the gas, thereby greatly improving safety of the battery.
US08383257B2	Electrochemical storage cell with blow out vents An electrochemical storage cell is disclosed which includes at least one cathode sheet, at least one anode sheet and at least one separator sheet combined to make a core. The core is housed within a rectangular shell with four sides and two ends, sealed with an air-tight seal. The cell further includes a blow out vent in at least one of the two ends of the shell. This blow out vent is adapted to open and release excess pressure above a predetermined level to thereby prevent catastrophic rupture of the shell.
US08383252B2	Rare earth magnet and its production method The present invention has aimed to provide a method which is capable of producing a rare earth magnet having a protective layer that can provide a sufficient water resistance. The present invention provides a method for producing a rare earth magnet comprising a magnet body containing a rare earth element and a protective layer with high water resistance formed on the surface of the magnet body, the method comprising a first step in which a zinc compound soluble in an alkaline solution is dissolved in an alkali silicate solution to prepare a treatment solution, a second step in which the treatment solution is attached on the surface of the magnet body, and a third step in which the treatment solution attached on the magnet body surface is cured to form a protective layer comprising the cured product of the treatment solution.
US08383248B2	Coated article A coated article is described. The coated article includes a substrate, a combining layer formed on the substrate, a plurality of titanium dioxide layers and a plurality of copper-zinc alloy layers formed on the combining layer. The combining layer is a titanium layer. Each titanium dioxide layer interleaves with one copper-zinc alloy layer. A method for making the coated article is also described.
US08383235B2	Fibrous structures Fibrous structures that exhibit a Dry Burst of greater than 100 g and a Cross-Machine Direction Flexural Rigidity (CD Flexural Rigidity) of greater than 56 mg*cm2/cm as measured according to the Flexural Rigidity Test Method and/or a Total Dry Tensile (TT or TDT) of less than 3000 g/76.2 mm as measured according to the Tensile Strength Test Method and/or a Geometric Mean Tensile (GM Tensile or GMT) of less than 750 g/76.2 mm as measured according to the Tensile Strength Test Method and/or a Machine Direction Modulus (MD Modulus) of less than 900 g/cm as measured according to the Modulus Test Method are provided.
US08383234B2	Charging member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus Provided is the following charging member of an electrophotographic apparatus. The charging member suppresses the occurrence of each of a streak-like image, a spot-like image, and a rough image that occur when image formation is performed over a long time period. Also provided are a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each having the charging member. A compound having a siloxane dendrimer structure at a vinyl group or a side chain of a vinyl polymer is incorporated into the surface layer of the charging member comprising a conductive substrate and the surface layer.
US08383228B2	Shingle with reinforcement layer A laminated shingle and a method of making it is provided in which the rear surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.
US08383219B2	Multilayer plastic container A multilayer thermoplastic container for storing and transporting liquid contents, especially combustible or explosive contents, is made of at least three superimposed layers and includes at least one layer for discharging an electric charge. The innermost layer of the container in contact with the liquid content is made of virgin material and a second integrated inner layer which is covered by the innermost virgin material layer is electrically conductive as a result of incorporated additives, e.g. conductive carbon black and is covered on the outside by another electrically non-conductive layer. Electric charge carriers that accumulate on the surface of the thin inner layer due to the friction with the content are “suctioned through” large areas of the inner, electrically non-conductive layer by the second, electrically conductive layer and discharged.
US08383217B2	Corrosion inhibiting protective sleeves A corrosion inhibiting protective sleeve formed of a woven fabric material and impregnated with a vapor-phase corrosion inhibitor (VpCI).
US08383201B2	Method and apparatus for coating a thin film substrate A method including passing a substrate by at least one slot die in at least a first direction and applying at least one coating to the substrate with the slot die, where the slot die is moved in a direction transverse to the at least first direction.
US08383199B2	Process for lining the interior surface of a metal pipe for conveying oil The present invention relates to a process for adhering a lining to the interior surface of an oil pipe wherein the lining imparts substantially reduced adhesion of asphaltenes, paraffin wax, and inorganic scale, so as to reduce plugging of the oil pipe, and impermeability to salt water so as to protect the oil pipe from corrosion.
US08383193B2	Film formation method and method for manufacturing light-emitting element There is a problem in a method for forming an EL layer by heating with light and transferring an organic material in that the organic material is not uniformly transferred. The present invention relates to a film formation method including the steps of forming a metal film over a first surface of an elastic substrate; forming an organic material layer onto a second surface of the elastic substrate which is opposite to the first surface; placing the second surface of the elastic substrate and a substrate on which a film is to be formed, with a space between the second surface of the elastic substrate and the substrate on which a film is to be formed; heating locally and rapidly the metal film from a first surface side of the elastic substrate to deform the elastic substrate by expansion of the metal film; and transferring the organic material layer from the elastic substrate onto the substrate on which a film is to be formed.
US08383189B2	Selectable gloss coating system A coating system comprises a high gloss coating ink supply source, and a low gloss coating ink supply source. The system includes a coating module configured to receive the high gloss coating ink and the low gloss coating ink. The coating module includes a first and second group of nozzles configured to emit the high gloss and low gloss coating inks, respectively. The coating system has a controller that is configured to selectively actuate the first group and second group of inkjet nozzles to deposit the high gloss and low gloss coating inks onto the image receiving surface in accordance with a halftone pattern to form a gloss coating, the halftone pattern specifying a halftone density for the high gloss coating ink and for the low gloss coating ink, the halftone densities of the high and low gloss coating inks corresponding to a gloss level for the gloss coating.
US08383187B2	Rough porous constructs The present invention provides a method for processing a green body comprising a powder mixture in which a metal powder and a space filler assume respective positions, comprising applying a material that comprises aspherical metallic particles to at least one surface of the green body, thereby forming a coating on the green body. The present invention also provides implants that are produced in accordance with such method.
US08383182B2	Tofu prepper An apparatus for easily removing excess moisture from blocks of tofu. The apparatus comprises a container which holds the tofu. A first substantially flat plate member is disposed within such container and placed on top of the tofu. A second substantially flat plate member which has a spring attached thereon engages a pair of arm like projections disposed on upper surfaces and on opposite sides of the container member. The other end of the spring engages the upper surface of the first flat plate member that sits on the top of the tofu so that as the spring exerts pressure on the first flat plate member water is removed from the tofu.
US08383178B2	Stabilisation of pigments and polyunsaturated oils and oil concentrates The present invention relates to a method for stabilizing vegetable, marine and single cell oils/oil concentrates as well as pigments like astaxanthin and canthaxanthin with regard to oxidation. It also relates to a feed for salmonids, and a method for optimising the effect of the pigment in feed for salmonids. Furthermore, the invention relates to a health care product and a composition for prophylaxis or therapeutical treatment. Essential features by the invention are treatment by or presence of amines/amides.
US08383177B2	Method and system for reducing pathogens A method and system is provided whereby pathogens in food are reduced by first sealing food in a package and then applying high hydrostatic pressure to the sealed package. The package is moved to a clean area having pathogen-reducing treatment such as a cleansing plasma. The food is removed from the sealed package and then transferred to a food processor such as a grinder or dicer having internal pathogen reducing treatment. The food may then be transferred to a patty maker having internal cleansing plasma. The food may then be transferred to a freezer or freeze dryer having internal cleansing plasma.
US08383173B2	Method of making bread A method of making bread is provided. The method includes a thermally treated dough making process of forming a thermally heated dough, a dough mixing process of mixing the thermally treated dough of the thermally treated dough making process with wheat flour, dried yeast, refined sugar, refined salt, whole milk powder, bread improver, processed butter, milk, egg, and water to form a dough mixture, and stirring the dough mixture, a deep-freezing process of dividing the dough mixture into equal-sized dough pieces and deep-freezing the divided dough pieces, a thawing process of thawing the deep-frozen dough pieces, a fermentation process of fermenting the thawed dough pieces, and a baking process of heating the fermented dough pieces.
US08383168B2	Antioxidant complex, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions containing said complex and use of said complex The present application describes an antioxidant complex having a synergistic effect between its ingredients. Said mixture comprises: a) vitamin E and/or derivatives thereof; b) green tea extract and/or derivatives thereof; and c) cacao extract. Examples of cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said antioxidant complex and a physiologically acceptable carrier are also described. The antioxidant complex of the present invention, as well as the aforementioned compositions, aid in preventing and protecting against cell and skin damages resulting from the action of free radicals, and also provide DNA, protein and cell membrane protection.
US08383163B2	Fluoride varnish compositions including an organo phosphoric acid adhesion promoting agent Fluoride varnish compositions for temporary application and adhesion to a person's teeth. The composition includes a carrier comprising a resin and an adhesion promoting agent comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid. A fluoride ion source (e.g., a fluoride salt such as sodium fluoride) is dispersed within the carrier so as to provide biologically available fluoride ions to the tooth tissue being treated. The composition adheres only temporarily to tooth tissue (e.g., for a period of at least about 4 minutes, but not more than about 1 year), after which the composition spontaneously wears away as a natural result of the action of the tongue, saliva and/or other factors.
US08383161B2	Radioopaque covalently crosslinked hydrogel particle implants A pharmaceutically acceptable implant system comprising a collection of pharmaceutically acceptable, covalently-crosslinked hydrogel particles having a radioopaque agent covalently attached to a plurality of the particles in the collection, with the radioopaque agent being present in the collection at a concentration of at least about 0.1% w/w. The implantable materials may be used, for instance, in an iatrogenic site and for fiducial marking.
US08383160B2	Compositions comprising solid particles entrapped in collapsed polymeric microspheres, and methods of making the same The present invention relates to method for modifying or treating solid particles which includes the steps of: (a) forming a gelled mixture by mixing either simultaneously or sequentially in any order: (1) hollow microspheres each comprising a deformable polymeric shell having entrapped therein an expandable fluid, (2) a polar organic solvent capable of swelling but not dissolving the polymeric shells of the hollow microspheres, and (3) solid particles, wherein micro-channels are formed in the swelled polymer shells to allow entry of the solid particles into the hollow microspheres and exit of the expandable fluid therefrom, thereby forming microspheres that each comprises a collapsed polymeric shell in a gelled state and has one or more of said solid particles entrapped therein; (b) removing the expandable fluid and the polar organic solvent from the gelled mixture; and (c) coating the microspheres thus-produced with a film-forming material to form a liquid-impermeable membrane thereon.
US08383155B2	Swellable dosage form comprising gellan gum A novel dosage form. The dosage form is presented in particulate form and before oral ingestion the particulate material is subjected to an aqueous medium, whereby it is converted to a semi-solid form by swelling or gelling of one or more of the components, especially of a gellan gum, of the particulate matter. The invention also relates to a vehicle for oral administration of one or more active substances, the vehicle comprising a gellan gum arranged in a configuration allowing optimal water diffusion so that upon addition of a predetermined amount of an aqueous medium, without the necessity of applying shear forces or other mixing forces, within a time period of 5 minutes or less swells and/or gels and the texture of the swelled vehicle being similar to that of a soft pudding and having a viscosity of at least about 10,000 cps as measured by a Brookfield Viscometer with a #4 LV spindle at 6 rpm and at 20-25° C. In one embodiment of the invention, the particulate matter can be molded into a desired shape or pressed onto a dispensing unit such as a spoon.
US08383143B2	Antimicrobial medical devices containing chlorhexidine free base and salt The present disclosure invention relates to medical devices treated with a solution comprising one or more solvents and a combination of chlorhexidine free base and a water-soluble chlorhexidine salt in a weight/weight ratio of between about 1:1 to about 1:5, preferably about 1:1.
US08383140B2	Absorbable crystalline copolyester-based bioactive hydroforming luminal liner compositions Bioactive, hydroforming luminal liner compositions are formed of high molecular weight crystalline, absorbable copolyesters dissolved in a liquid derivative of a polyether glycol that undergoes transformation into a tissue-adhering, resilient interior cover or liner for the controlled release of its bioactive payload at clinically compromised conduits in humans as in the case of bacteria- and yeast-infected vaginal canals, esophagi, and arteries following angioplasty.
US08383134B2	Biodegradable material based on opened starch The present application relates to a biodegradable material comprising opened starch or a mixture of opened starch and destructurised starch. The biodegradable material comprises about 50 to about 100 wt. % of opened starch or of a mixture of opened starch and destructurized starch, based on the total weight of the biodegradable material, said biodegradable material having a bulk density of 1.0 to 1.5 kg/dm. The biodegradable material is used for manufacturing biodegradable shaped articles, wherein said biodegradable shaped articles are suitable for delivery of a biologically or pharmaceutically active component in or to a vertebrate, e.g. a mammal.
US08383124B2	Mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells Methods, processes, uses, and pharmaceutical compositions are provided herein for mobilizing hematopoietic progenitor cells and/or cancer stem cells from bone marrow into peripheral blood, comprising the administration of an effective amount of an inhibitor of GTPases, such as a Cdc-42 specific inhibitor alone or in combination with one or more additional agents. Specifically, methods are disclosed for mobilizing hematopoietic stem cells into a subject's peripheral blood. In particular, embodiments of the method involve specific inhibition of the Cdc42 GTPase to increase the numbers of hematopoietic stem cells into a subject's peripheral blood of a subject.
US08383123B2	Method of treatment targeting HEPSIN Anti-HEPSIN monoclonal antibodies, and methods for using the antibodies, are provided.
US08383107B2	Single domain brain-targeting antibody fragments derived from llama antibodies A phage-displayed library of llama single heavy domain antibodies (sdAbs) was enriched for species that selectively bind to and are internalized by human cerebromicrovascular endothelial cells (HCEC). From the enriched library, two sdAbs were selected, sequenced, subcloned, and expressed as fusion proteins with c-myc-His5 tags (His5 is SEQ ID NO:101). Similarly as phage-displayed sdAbs, these soluble tagged sdAbs were shown to selectively bind to HCEC and to transmigrate across in vitro human blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. In contrast to an unrelated llama sdAb, these sdAbs were also detected in the brain after i.v. injection into mice. These small (˜13 kDa) antibody fragments have essential characteristics of brain-specific delivery vectors and can be used to facilitate drug transport across the BBB.
US08383104B2	Thrombin-free biological adhesive and use thereof as a medicament The invention relates to a thrombin-free, fibrinogen-based biological adhesive for therapeutic use, which comprises factor VIIa and a source of calcium ions. The invention also relates to the use of the biological adhesive as a medicament, in particular as a dressing for biological tissues, wounds or biomaterials.
US08383103B2	Botulinum toxin compositions and methods Disclosed herein are methods of using extracellular matrix digesting enzymes and neurotoxins, such as a Clostridial neurotoxins, to treat various medical conditions, such as overactive bladder, benign prostatic hyperplasia, hyperhidrosis, and cholecystitis for example.
US08383093B1	Subcutaneous delivery of poly(oxazoline) conjugates The present disclosure provides polymer conjugates comprising a polymer and an agent, the agent linked to the polymer via a linking group containing a hydrolyzable moiety.
US08383090B2	Cleansing composition based on oily substances A cleansing composition based on oily substances, particularly for cleansing skin and/or hair and having excellent dermatological properties, is described. The composition is characterized in that it comprises one or more oily substances at a total concentration of between 10% and 90% by weight relative to the composition and one or more surfactants selected from the N-acylates of amino-acids, proteins, and peptides, in acid or neutralized form, at a total concentration within the range of between 2% and 80% by weight relative to the composition, and in that it is substantially anhydrous or has a water content no greater than 10% by weight.
US08383086B2	Nicotinamide riboside kinase compositions and methods for using the same The present invention relates to isolated nicotinamide riboside kinase (Nrk) nucleic acid sequences, vectors and cultured cells containing the same, and Nrk polypeptides encoded thereby. Methods for identifying individuals or tumors susceptible to nicotinamide riboside-related prodrug treatment and methods for treating cancer by administering an Nrk nucleic acid sequence or polypeptide in combination with a nicotinamide riboside-related prodrug are also provided. The present invention further provides screening methods for isolating a nicotinamide riboside-related prodrug and identifying a natural source of nicotinamide riboside.
US08383066B2	Filter vial A filter vial and piston are provided where the vial has a cylindrical wall with a closed bottom and open top and with the hollow, tubular piston therein. The piston has a distal end covered by a cup having a proximal cup seal extending outward to engage the walls of the vial to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. The distal end of the piston has a piston flange extending outwardly and located adjacent a recess in the piston so the cup forms a snap fit over the piston flange and extends into the recess. The piston flange causes the cup to bulge sufficiently outward to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. A filter is placed in the bottom of the cup and abuts an inwardly extending lip on the cup. The filter is held against the lip by a piston support at the distal end of the piston. A cup support at a distal end of the cup also helps support the filter.
US08383061B2	Microfluidic bubble logic devices Fluid-based no-moving part logic devices are constructed from complex sequences of micro- and nanofluidic channels, on-demand bubble/droplet modulators and generators for programming the devices, and micro- and nanofluidic droplet/bubble memory elements for storage and retrieval of biological or chemical elements. The input sequence of bubbles/droplets encodes information, with the output being another sequence of bubbles/droplets or on-chip chemical synthesis. For performing a set of reactions/tasks or process control, the modulators can be used to program the device by producing a precisely timed sequence of bubbles/droplets, resulting in a cascade of logic operations within the micro- or nanofluidic channel sequence, utilizing the generated droplets/bubbles as a control. The devices are based on the principle of minimum energy interfaces formed between the two fluid phases enclosed inside precise channel geometries. Various devices, including logic gates, non-volatile bistable memory, ring oscillators, bubble synchronizers, analysis chips, and printers have been designed.
US08383059B2	Microfluidic interface for highly parallel addressing of sensing arrays Disclosed is a spotter device and methods for the formation of microassays, biochips, biosensors, and cell cultures. The spotter may be used to deposit highly concentrated spots of protein or other materials on a microarray slide, wafer, or other surface. It may also be used to perform various chemistry steps on the same spots. The spotter increases the surface density of substances at each spot by directing a flow the desired substance (or a solution thereof) over the spot area until surface saturation is accomplished. The spotter may be loaded by well plate handling equipment. The spotter uses wells, microfluidic conduits, and orifices to deposit proteins, other biomolecules, or chemicals on a spot on a separate surface. Each orifice is connected to two wells via microconduits. When the spotter contacts a surface, a seal is formed between the orifices and the surface. The same or different substances may be flowed across each orifice. Any number of orifices may be incorporated into a spotter. The spotter is particularly useful for depositing proteins in high concentrations on a surface, since the spotter may be placed on a surface for an extended period of time.
US08383055B2	Anchor system for refractory lining An anchoring system is provided for supporting a double-layered refractory lining of a process vessel. The refractory lining includes a first layer positioned adjacent to an inner surface of the process vessel and a second layer positioned adjacent to the first layer. The anchoring system has a plurality of bifurcated anchors extending from the internal surface of the process vessel through the first layer and into the second layer of the double-layered lining adjacent the first layer wherein the plurality of bifurcated anchors have a bifurcation disposed within the second layer.
US08383050B2	Device and method for pressure and flow control in parallel reactors A method and a device for the parallel study of chemical reactions in at least two spatially separated reaction spaces is provided. A device for the parallel study of chemical reactions includes at least the following components: (a) at least two spatially separated reaction spaces; (b) on the reaction space input side, at least one common educt feed for the reaction spaces according to (a); (d) on the reaction space output side, at least one connection per reaction space to at least one holding gas feed common to all the reaction spaces, or subsets of them; (e) on the reaction space output side, and downstream of the connection to the holding gas feed according to (d) in the product flow direction, at least one restrictor per reaction space.
US08383026B1	Fabrication of fiber supported ionic liquids and methods of use One or more embodiments relates to the production of a fabricated fiber having an asymmetric polymer network and having an immobilized liquid such as an ionic liquid within the pores of the polymer network. The process produces the fabricated fiber in a dry-wet spinning process using a homogenous dope solution, providing significant advantage over current fabrication methods for liquid-supporting polymers. The fabricated fibers may be effectively utilized for the separation of a chemical species from a mixture based on the selection of the polymer, the liquid, and the solvent utilized in the dope.
US08383019B2	Sputtering target, transparent conductive film and transparent electrode A sputtering target including indium, tin, zinc and oxygen, and including a hexagonal layered compound, a spinel structure compound and a bixbyite structure compound.
US08383003B2	Polishing systems Described herein are polishing apparatus, polishing formulations, and polymeric substrates for use in polishing surfaces, and related methods. The apparatus, formulations, substrates, and methods may each be used in applications involving the polishing of metal and/or metal-containing surfaces such as semiconductor wafers. The apparatus, formulations, polymeric substrates, and related methods described herein may be used without abrasives, and in some instances, without mechanical friction of a pad surface against the surface to be polished. Therefore, defects on a polished surface due to such mechanical polishing processes may be reduced.
US08383002B2	Method of processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor with independent wafer edge process gas injection The disclosure concerns a method of processing a workpiece or in a plasma reactor chamber, using independent gas injection at the wafer edge.
US08383001B2	Plasma etching method, plasma etching apparatus and storage medium There is provided a plasma etching method capable of achieving a sufficient organic film modifying effect by high-velocity electrons. In forming a hole in an etching target film by plasma etching, a first condition of generating plasma within a processing chamber by way of turning on a plasma-generating high frequency power application unit and a second condition of not generating the plasma within the processing chamber by way of turning off the plasma-generating high frequency power application unit are repeated alternately. Further, a negative DC voltage is applied from a first DC power supply such that an absolute value of the applied negative DC voltage during a period of the second condition is greater than an absolute value of the applied negative DC voltage during a period of the first condition.
US08382996B2	Metal-clad laminate Metal-clad laminates in which a conductor layer having superior peel strength is formed on a smooth surface of an insulating layer can be obtained by a method comprising (A) a step of preparing a metal-clad laminate precursor by providing one or more sheets of prepreg between two sheets of film having a metal film layer on a support layer, and heating and pressing them under reduced pressure, (B) a step of removing the support layer, (C) a step of removing the metal film layer, and (D) a step of forming a metal film layer on the surface of an insulating layer by electroless plating.
US08382994B2	Method of preparing a composite pressure vessel for use as a water treatment apparatus The present invention provides a composite pressure vessel containing a distributor plate. The distributor plate comprises a thermoplastic polymeric disk having a top side, a bottom side, a perimeter edge and a central opening. The disk is provided with a plurality of radial slits, which define fluid flow passages through the disk between the central opening and the perimeter edge. The fluid flow passages through the disk are adapted to swirl fluid flowing through the disk from the bottom side to the top side such that it swirls around the central opening. The perimeter edge of the distributor plate is joined to an inner side of a thermoplastic liner during or immediately after the thermoplastic liner is formed by a blow-molding process or a rotational molding process.
US08382990B2	Method of removing mercury and/or arsenic from water or mercury from a gas using an extruded onium ion intercalated silane coupling agent reacted layered phyllosilicate The use of a coupling agent containing a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides a mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions with a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide end moiety. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with the coupling reaction of the mercapto- or sulfide-end group-containing coupling agent.
US08382989B2	Process for separating a charged species from an aqueous system The present invention relates to a process for separating a charged species from an aqueous system, wherein the process comprises the following steps: (a) a first aqueous system comprising the charged species is contacted at a first temperature with an ampholytic polymeric 5 system comprising cationic and anionic domains, wherein the charged species is bonded to the ampholytic polymeric system; and (b) the ampholytic polymeric system is contacted with a second aqueous system at a second temperature, wherein the charged species is released to the second aqueous system, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature and wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature and wherein the second 10 temperature is less than 60° C.
US08382988B2	Process for the production of ultra pure water using a membrane The invention is directed to a process for the production of ultra pure water, comprising feeding water containing ions and optionally other impurities to one side of a membrane based on hydroxy sodalite (H-SOD), and recovering ultra pure water from the other side of the membrane.
US08382978B2	Device and method for cleaning up spilled oil and other liquids A device and method for cleaning up spilled oil and other liquids that are relatively less dense than water, that have spilled on the water or are borne on water or an other relatively dense liquid, and for separating oil and other liquids that are relatively less dense than water, from water or an other relatively dense liquids including an oil/water separation column having a lower end forming a bottom opening oriented substantially parallel to the surface of the body of water in fluid communication with the water and spilled oil, an air pump in airtight engagement with, and proximate the upper end of the oil/water separation column and adapted to draw water and the spilled oil into the oil/water separation column; and an oil pump in liquid tight engagement with and proximate the upper end of the oil/water separation column and adapted to draw the spilled oil from the oil/water separation column.
US08382976B2	Recovery of bitumen from froth treatment tailings A method for recovering a tailings bitumen from a froth treatment tailings, including providing a first feed material which is derived from the froth treatment tailings, conditioning the first feed material in order to produce a conditioned first feed material, providing a second feed material which is derived from the conditioned first feed material, and subjecting the second feed material to solvent extraction in order to produce an extract containing an amount of the tailings bitumen. The method may further include dewatering the conditioned first feed material in order to produce the second feed material and may further include clarifying the extract to produce a clarified extract containing an amount of the tailings bitumen.
US08382975B2	Process for monitoring the curing reaction of a polymeric matrix of a composite material The process for monitoring the curing reaction of a polymeric matrix, in which carbon nanotubes are dispersed whereby a composite material is formed, provides for: arranging an electric circuit comprising at least a generator of a substantially constant voltage, an amperemeter and two electrodes immersed into the composite material, whereby the composite material interposed between the electrodes closes the electrical circuit, and tracing the current intensity value measured by the amperemeter, which is correlated to the progress of the curing reaction of the polymeric matrix, so as to control said progress.
US08382968B2	Conductor/insulator/porous film-device and its use with the electrochemiluminescence-based analytical methods A conductor/insulator/porous film device is provided which is used in electrochemiluminescence methods and instrumentation based on the chemical excitation of label molecules with subsequent measurement of the luminescence in order to quantitate analyte concentrations especially in bioaffinity assays.
US08382964B1	Solar-powered pool skimmer lid A solar-powered pool skimmer is disclosed. The solar-powered skimmer may include lid having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a solar cell affixed to the upper surface of the lid. A pair of electrodes is electrically affixed to the terminals of the solar cell, and is each capable of being stored in a retracted position and moved to an extended position.
US08382962B2	Distillation of ionic liquids A method of distilling mixtures of salts having a melting point of less than 200° C. at 1 bar (ionic liquids). The cation of the ionic liquid has a heterocyclic ring system having at least one nitrogen atom, and all nitrogen atoms of the heterocyclic ring system have an organic group as substituent. The anion of the ionic liquid is a compound having at least one carboxylate group or at least one phosphate group. The distance from the surface via which the heat of distillation is introduced in the distillation (vaporizer surface) to the surface at which condensation takes place (condenser surface) is less than 50 cm at at least one point, with the vaporizer surface and condenser surface themselves having at least one length dimension of greater than 50 cm.
US08382960B2	Arrangement for guiding a drill stem of a decoking tool So-called decoking, in other words, the emptying of a container in which coke arising from the operation of a refinery is deposited and carried out using a decoking tool with a free mounting on the end of a drilling bar. The mounting is achieved using a sliding guide on a guide plate, coupled to the container. Distortions in the container and the guide plate therewith as a result of temperature variations during operation of the refinery which could lead to function disturbance of the drilling rod are avoided, wherein the sliding guide and the guide plate are arranged with a spring relative deflection by at least one spring element in the manner of a spring damper.
US08382956B2	Device and method for producing a material web A device for drainage of a pulp web, particularly a tissue web, having a first pressing zone having a first pressing zone length through which the pulp web is fed horizontally between a circulating, permeable band and a circulating, permeable support band. The first pressing zone is designed such that a fluid can flow through the band, the pulp web and the support band at least on one part of the first pressing zone length. In addition, the device has a subsequent second pressing zone having a second pressing zone length. The pulp web is guided through the second pressing zone between two bands having differing compressibility.
US08382953B2	Wet-end manufacturing process for bitumen-impregnated fiberboard A process for manufacturing fiberboard by preparing a fiber slurry mixture including containing cellulose fibers and water then atomizing a liquid bituminous material, such as asphalt. The liquid bituminous material is atomized by mixing it with a pressurized gas, such as compressed air, forming a mist comprising droplets of bituminous material having a diameter between 20 microns and 50 microns. A water spray solidifies the bituminous material droplets thereby forming bituminous particles which fall into the fiber slurry within the spray chamber. From there the slurry is sheared, dewatered, and dried, forming a finished fiberboard.
US08382950B2	Recycling of waste coating color The invention provides a method of recovering and recycling waste coating color from papermaking coating process for use as wet end filler. The inventive method overcomes many technical challenges inherent in using waste coating colors as wet end filler such as the coatings having fine pigments that hurts sheet strength more than regular filler, having strong anionic charge and tendency to disturb wet end chemistry, causing excessive foaming, and containing a large amount of hydrophobic binder particles that tend to agglomerate in the white water and deposit on papermaking equipment. The method involves mixing the coatings with fresh filler particles, adding de-foaming agent, adding cationic coagulant, then preflocculating the mixture. This process causes fresh filler particles, pigments and binders in waste coating color to agglomerate together and form stable flocs with defined particle size distribution. Moreover, using such agglomerate as wet end filler was found to improve sheet strength properties by taking advantage of the binding ability of the latex or binders contained in the waste coating color.
US08382948B2	Production of paper The use of water-soluble, amphoteric copolymers which are obtainable by copolymerization of a) at least one N-vinylcarboxamide of the general formula in which R1 and R2, independently of one another, are H or C1- to C6-alkyl, b) at least one monomer which is selected from the group consisting of (b1) monoethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acids, phosphonic acids, phosphoric acid esters and derivatives thereof, and (b2) monoethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids, the salts thereof and dicarboxylic anhydrides, c) if appropriate, at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monomer differing from the components (a) and (b), and d) if appropriate, at least one compound which has at least two ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in the molecule, with the proviso that the monomer mixture comprises at least one monomer (b) having at least one free acid group and/or an acid group in salt form,and subsequent partial or complete hydrolysis of the groups —CO—R1 from the monomers (a) incorporated in the form of copolymerized units into the copolymer,as agents for increasing the initial wet web strength of paper.
US08382941B2	Plasma reactor with adjustable plasma electrodes and associated methods Plasma reactors with adjustable plasma electrodes and associated methods of operation are disclosed herein. The plasma reactors can include a chamber, a workpiece support for holding a microfeature workpiece, and a plasma electrode in the chamber and spaced apart from the workpiece support. The plasma electrode has a first portion and a second portion configured to move relative to the first portion. The first and second portions are configured to electrically generate a plasma between the workpiece support and the plasma electrode.
US08382938B2	Gate valve cleaning method and substrate processing system A gate valve cleaning method that can clean a gate valve that brings an atmospheric transfer chamber and an internal pressure variable transfer chamber that transfer a substrate into communication with each other or shuts them off from each other without bringing about a decrease in the throughput of a substrate processing system. Before the gate valve brings the atmospheric transfer chamber and the internal pressure variable transfer chamber into communication with each other, the pressure in the internal pressure variable transfer chamber is increased so that the pressure in the internal pressure variable transfer chamber can become higher than the pressure in the atmospheric transfer chamber.
US08382933B2	Molecular bonding method with cleaning with hydrofluoric acid in vapor phase and rinsing with deionized water Adhesion by molecular bonding of two free surfaces of first and second substrates, for example formed by monocrystalline silicon wafers, comprises at least successively: a cleaning step of the two free surfaces with hydrofluoric acid in vapor phase to make the two free surfaces hydrophobic, a rinsing step of said free surfaces with deionized water with a time less than or equal to 30 seconds a step of bringing said free surfaces into contact.
US08382924B2	Multi-stage debulk and compaction of thick composite repair laminates A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a release film to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the release film. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The release film and ply stack assembly is then removed from the exposed surface. A bonding material is then applied to the exposed surface, and the uncured ply stack assembly is applied to the bonding material. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.
US08382920B2	Methods of producing deformed metal articles A method of making metal articles as well as sputtering targets is described, which involves deforming an ingot to preferred dimensions. In addition, products made by the process of the present invention are further described.
US08382912B2	Biofilm-removing agent A biofilm-removing agent which effectively removes biofilms is provided.A biofilm-removing agent containing a basic amino acid derivative represented by the following formula (1) or a salt thereof: (wherein R1 represents a linear- or branched-alkyl group having 4 to 18 carbon atoms or a linear- or branched-alkenyl group having 4 to 18 carbon atoms; X and Y each represent a group selected from the groups represented by the following formulas: and m represents an integer from 1 to 5).
US08382904B2	Gas feed installation for machines depositing a barrier layer on containers The present invention relates to a gas feed installation for depositing barrier layers in a container. According to the invention, a balancing step is carried out using a start-up feed device (70) during transient states when the operation passes from a vacuum step, then to a step of depositing a preparatory layer and finally a step of depositing an actual barrier layer on an injector (44) inside a container (42).
US08382901B2	System and method for depositing a material on a substrate A method and apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate includes introducing a material and a carrier gas into a heated chamber. The material may be a semiconductor material, such as a cadmium chalcogenide. A resulting mixture of vapor and carrier gas containing no unvaporized material is provided. The mixture of vapor and carrier gas are remixed to achieve a uniform vapor/carrier gas composition, which is directed toward a surface of a substrate, such as a glass substrate, where the vapor is deposited as a uniform film.
US08382900B2	Localized linear microwave source array pumping to control localized partial pressure in flat and 3 dimensional PECVD coatings A system and method for controlling deposition of thin films on substrates. One embodiment includes a vacuum chamber; a plurality of sources located inside the vacuum chamber; and a plurality of gas tubes, each of the plurality of gas tubes comprising a first volume for delivering precursor gas and a second volume for providing pumping.
US08382893B1	Cementitious compositions A cementitious composition is formed from a dry mix including a quantity of cement; a quantity of silica and a plurality of fibers. The cementitious composition further includes a quantity of water and a complex admixture of cement additives. The complex admixture includes superplasticizer, shrinkage reduction agent and a non-ionic surfactant in a predetermined quantity per hundred pounds of dry mix.
US08382890B2	Method for preparing coated materials based on bituminous products and uses thereof The invention relates to mixtures of bituminous products with granulates in the form of coated materials that can be used in the field of sealing, building and maintenance of road coatings, sidewalks and aviation strips, and to road coatings, sidewalks, cycling corridors, parking areas and aviation strips.
US08382886B2	Cavitation phase separators for steam-based generating systems A system, apparatus and method for generating electricity from renewable geothermal, wind, and solar energy sources includes a heat balancer for supplementing and regulating the heat energy fed to a turbine generator; a hydrogen-fired boiler for supplying supplementary heat; and an injection manifold for metering controlled amounts of superheated combustible gas into the working fluids to optimize efficiency. Moreover, wind or solar power may be converted to hydrogen in an electrolysis unit to produce hydrogen. A phase separator unit that operates by cavitation of the geothermal fluids removes gases from the source fluid. A pollution prevention trap may be used to remove solids and other unneeded constituents of the geothermal fluids to be stored or processed in a solution mining unit for reuse or sale. Spent geothermal and working fluids may be processed and injected into the geothermal strata to aid in maintaining its temperature or in solution mining of elements in the lithosphere.
US08382880B2	Method for solubilizing molybdenum oxide concentrates A process for digesting molybdenum oxide concentrates includes suspending a molybdenum-containing starting material in an aqueous solution so as to obtain a suspension. While stirring, an oxidizing agent and an alkali solution of at least one alkali metal are metered to the suspension so as to set a pH and produce a product having a molybdenum content of at least 98% of the molybdenum-containing starting material. The alkali metal is selected from the group consisting of Na, K and Li.
US08382876B2	Air cleaner arrangement; serviceable filter cartridge; and, methods Principles, techniques and configurations applicable in air cleaner arrangements and filter cartridges therefore, are described. In general the filter cartridge includes an axial pivot arrangement, for pivoting the filter cartridge in place, when mounted in an air cleaner for use. The air cleaner may include a base pivot, for engagement with the pivot projection on the filter cartridge. Methods of assembly, installation and use are described.
US08382873B2	Safety cabinet A safety cabinet can adapt to variations in body height of a worker or user. The safety cabinet prevents various bacteria from proceeding from the outside of the safety cabinet into a working space of the safety cabinet and prevents bacteria or viruses from proceeding from the working space to the outside of the safety cabinet irrespective of a change in opening area of a front opening. A flow velocity of clean air supplied into the working space and a flow velocity of the air flowing through the front opening are set in accordance with a size of the front opening to maintain physical isolation and prevent contamination. The size of the front opening of the safety cabinet is adjustable.
US08382865B2	Reaction apparatus, fuel cell system and electronic device The invention relates to a reaction apparatus having an enhanced connection, and a fuel cell system and an electronic device that include such a reaction apparatus. A reaction apparatus (1) a reformer (4) in which a reforming reaction chamber (31) is formed, a CO remover in which a removing reaction chamber (35) where a chemical reaction is performed at a temperature lower than that in the reforming reaction chamber (31) is formed, and a connecting portion (6) having a communicating path that communicates between the reforming reaction chamber (31) and the removing reaction chamber (35). The reformer (4) and the CO remover (5) are arranged spaced apart from each other, at least one of which (4, 5) is configured by combining ceramic parts (11, 12) and metal components (15, 16), and the ceramic parts (11, 12) and the metal components (15, 16) are connected with connecting members (18, 20) interposed therebetween. The connecting members (18, 20) have thermal conductivities higher than those of the ceramic parts (11, 12).
US08382859B2	Process for compacting powders Fluffy powders, such as calcined kaolin clays or air floated clays, can be compacted using a process which comprises applying increasing amounts of pressure to a powder moving through a confinement area. The compacted product has an improved bulk density and improved wet out and slurry incorporation times as compared to the non-compacted starting material feed.
US08382842B2	Expandable support device and method of use An expandable support device for tissue repair is disclosed. The device can be used to repair hard or soft tissue, such as bone or vertebral discs. A method of repairing tissue is also disclosed. The device and method can be used to treat compression fractures. The compression fractures can be in the spine. The device can be deployed by compressing the device longitudinally resulting in radial expansion.
US08382841B2	Method, system and apparatus for interbody fusion Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for interbody fusion. In some embodiments, a device is provided for fusing vertebral bodies. The device includes a shell configured to be disposed between a first body and a second body, an injection opening to receive fusing material, and a delivery hole configured to enable fusing material to flow into at least one of the first body and the second body.
US08382839B1	Intervertebral fusion device and method of use Some embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus that (1) delivers a fusion member between two vertebral bodies after at least a portion of the fibrocartilaginous disc between the vertebral bodies has been removed, and (2) affixes the fusion member to the vertebral bodies. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes (1) a fusion member that is delivered and positioned between the vertebral bodies, (2) a delivery mechanism that delivers and positions the fusion member between the vertebral bodies, and (3) an anchoring member that affixes the fusion member to the vertebral bodies.
US08382835B2	Apparatus and method for manipulating a flexible strand and soft tissue replacement during surgery An apparatus and method is disclosed for performing a surgery, such as an orthopedic surgery. The apparatus can include a guide portion and an alignment portion. The guide portion can assist in positioning the alignment portion to assist in aligning an implant. The implant can be aligned and positioned to hold a graft relative to a bone portion.
US08382834B2	Induction heater system for shape memory medical implants and method of activating shape memory medical implants within the mammalian body A method of altering a medical implant having a shape memory portion includes the use of a probe having a tip provided with an induction coil. The induction coil is electrically coupled to an induction power supply. The induction coil is inserted into the mammalian body. The power supply is activated at a suitable frequency to cause the induction coil to generate a magnetic field, wherein such magnetic field induces eddy currents in the shape memory portion of the implant which are sufficient to heat the shape memory portion of the implant to a phase transformation temperature to effect shape change of the implant.
US08382833B2	Soft-tissue implant having antibacterial effect The invention relates to a soft-tissue implant for use in the medical field which has an antibacterial effect. The soft-tissue implant, which may for example be a breast implant, has at least one antibiotic substance bound to the implant surface in first and second configurations that release the antibiotic substance, after implanting in an animal body, at short term and long term release rates. The first and second configurations are each present at one or more common surface locations. The soft-tissue implant has an antibacterial effect that prevents or reduces the deposition of bacteria and the formation of bacteria-containing biofilms.
US08382831B2	Method and apparatus for anchoring an intraocular lens assembly An intraocular lens assembly for implantation in the posterior chamber of an eye has anchor portions with teeth rigid enough to penetrate the scleral wall of an eye. A method for implanting the lens includes the steps of: introducing the first haptic portion with a first anchor portion that includes a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom, into the posterior chamber of the eye until said teeth are anchored in the scleral wall at a desired location; and moving a second haptic portion with a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom, until said teeth are anchored in the scleral wall on the opposite side of the lens from the first anchor portion.
US08382825B2	Flexible vascular occluding device A vascular occluding device for modifying blood flow in a vessel, while maintaining blood flow to the surrounding tissue. The occluding device includes a flexible, easily compressible and bendable occluding device that is particularly suited for treating aneurysms in the brain. The neurovascular occluding device can be deployed using a micro-catheter. The occluding device can be formed by braiding wires in a helical fashion and can have varying lattice densities along the length of the occluding device. The occluding device could also have different lattice densities for surfaces on the same radial plane.
US08382817B2	Endoprostheses for peripheral arteries and other body vessels An endoprostheses for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen includes a plurality of elongate strut members spaced apart and extending along a longitudinal axis, each elongate strut member having a plurality of alternating peaks and valley. At least one flexible connecting link connects each elongate strut member to an adjacent elongate strut member. The elongate strut members and connecting links forming a generally tubular stent body having a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter. The positioning of the connecting links along the stent body produces desired stent performance characteristics.
US08382812B2	Apparatus for photodynamic therapy and photodetection The present invention provides an apparatus for photodynamic therapy and fluorescence detection, in which a combined light source is provided to illuminate an object body and a multispectral fluorescence-reflectance image is provided to reproduce various and complex spectral images for an object tissue, thus performing effective photodynamic therapy for various diseases both outside and inside of the body.For this purpose, the present invention provides an apparatus for photodynamic therapy and photodetection, which provides illumination with light of various wavelengths and multispectral images, the apparatus including: an optical imaging system producing an image of an object tissue and transmitting the image to a naked eye or an imaging device; a combined light source including a plurality of coherent and non-coherent light sources and a light guide guiding incident light emitted from the light sources; a multispectral imaging system including at least one image sensor; and a computer system outputting an image of the object tissue to the outside. Thus, the apparatus for photodynamic therapy and photodetection of the present invention can effectively perform the photodynamic therapy and photodetection by means of the combined light source capable of irradiating light having various spectral components to an object tissue and the multispectral imaging system capable of obtaining images from several spectral portions for these various spectral ranges at the same time, thus improving the accuracy of diagnosis and efficiency of the photodynamic therapy.
US08382810B2	Torsion cutter and cannulated cutter for cutting orthopedic fasteners A surgical instrument includes a first component and a second component moveable about an axis relative to the first component. The second component is moveable between a first position and a second position. Movement of the second component from the first position to the second position applies a torsional force to an orthopedic fastener to remove a portion of the orthopedic fastener.
US08382804B2	Prevention of re-use of a medical device A disposable medical device is especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, having at least one clamp to be introduced into the medical device, the clamp has an element that alters its appearance when being heated over a threshold temperature, thus giving optical or mechanical information that the device should not be used a second time.
US08382802B2	Systems, methods and devices for placement of bone anchors and connectors A device and method for use in spinal surgery are provided.
US08382800B2	Compressible tissue anchor assemblies Apparatus and methods for optimizing anchoring force are described herein. In securing tissue folds, over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable arms configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. Various devices, e.g., stops, spring members, fuses, strain gauges, etc., can be used to indicate when the anchor has been deflected to a predetermined level within the optimal range. Moreover, other factors to affect the anchor characteristics include, e.g., varying the number of arms or struts of the anchor, positioning of the arms, configuration of the arms, the length of the collars, etc.
US08382799B2	Variable tension post fixation A variable tension post fixation device includes an outer body including a shaft, a tip, and a central core, and an inner body including a suture hole and configured to be advanceable within the central core, wherein the outer body is configured for allowing insertion of the outer body into a pilot hole in a bone, and wherein the outer body and inner body cooperate to secure sutures in the bone.
US08382788B2	Embolic protection during percutaneous heart valve replacement and similar procedures Various devices are described to provide filtering of flow from the aorta to the left carotid artery and the right carotid artery. The filters can be brought into a desired position through one or more peripheral arteries. A single filter device can provide the desired filtering or a plurality of devices can be used. In particular a single filter device can span between the brachiocephalic artery and the left carotid artery. These filter devices can be used effectively to capture emboli generated during procedures on the heart so that emboli do not travel to the patient's brain where the emboli can cause a stroke or other adverse event. In particular, these filters can be used during percutaneous procedures on the heart, such as endovascular heart valve replacement.
US08382786B2	Self-activating endoluminal device An improved endoluminal device. The device includes at least a control element (such as a guide wire, tube or related structure) connected to a surrounding sheath and an elastic bias section to control changes to a bias force formed between the control element and the sheath. By applying an external force at a proximal end of the device, the shape can change between varying degrees of deformed shapes and an undeformed shape. In this way, both ease of insertion into the body lumen and anchoring to the lumen is promoted. A distal end of the assembly can be made to change shape for improved steerability, anchoring or both. In a particular form, the anchoring section can work as a floating parachute-like device to pull the assembly by means of the flow in the body lumen, while in a more particular form, the floating parachute-like device may be modified to act as a filter for trapping emboli.
US08382784B2	Vessel cutting devices A catheter-based system for accessing specific body cavities percutaneously and minimizing patient trauma is provided. In the preferred embodiment, in order to create an aperture at an access site in a patient's existing tubular body organ structure, a delivery sheath is passed axially along the interior of a portion of the existing tubular body organ structure to place a distal end of the delivery sheath near the access site. A centering wire is passed axially along the interior of the delivery sheath, piercing through from inside to outside of the patient's existing tubular body organ structure at the access site by causing an end portion of the centering wire to emerge from the distal end of the delivery sheath. A cutting catheter is passed substantially coaxially over the centering wire and axially along the interior of the delivery sheath. The aperture is formed by advancing a distal end of the cutting catheter through from inside to outside of the patient's existing tubular body organ structure at the access site and advancing the distal end of the delivery sheath through from inside to outside of the patient's existing tubular body organ structure at the access site.
US08382783B2	Medical handpiece The medical handpiece of the present invention includes a cutting tool having a flexible shank and a cutting bur, a plastically deformable tubular casing for the cutting tool, a handpiece body detachably holding the cutting tool, bearing members disposed in the casing, an inner intervening member for receiving the shank, and an outer intervening member arranged around the inner intervening member. The inner and outer intervening members are composed of a plurality of segments, and each segment is arranged between or on distal or proximal side of the bearing members. Each segment of the outer intervening member is further composed of a plurality of sub-segments. Annular members having the outer diameter that is larger than that of the outer intervening member are arranged between the sub-segments of the outer intervening member. The present handpiece provides improved operationality since shaking is hardly generated even when the casing is flexed.
US08382782B2	Ultrasonic surgical instruments with partially rotating blade and fixed pad arrangement An ultrasonic surgical instrument that supports an ultrasonically excited blade and an outer sheath that can be selectively rotated relative to each other to bring a distal cutting tip of the blade into contact with at least one cutting surface formed on a distal end of the outer sheath. In some embodiments, the distal cutting tip may contact two cutting surfaces located on opposing sides of an opening in the outer sheath through which the distal cutting tip protrudes. Tissue pads may be attached to the cutting surfaces. Various embodiments also include at least one suction lumen.
US08382781B2	Device for ophthalmic surgery A device for ophthalmic surgery includes a vacuum-pump arrangement for generating a vacuum serving for fixing a suction ring to an eye, an evacuation-path system for transmitting the vacuum to an interface port which permits the separable attachment of a suction-ring instrumentarium including the suction ring, and also a control unit for controlling the vacuum-pump arrangement. In accordance with the invention, the device includes pressure-measuring components for measuring at least the vacuum pressure, the control unit adapted to ascertain a differential pressure between the measured vacuum pressure and an atmospheric pressure. The vacuum-pump arrangement is preferably operated at maximal pumping power in a test-operation mode with suction-ring instrumentarium not attached, in order to ascertain an optimally obtainable relative underpressure in the evacuation-path system. In this way, in the case of fluctuating altitudes of the location of use of the ophthalmic-surgery device and also in the case of fluctuating weather conditions (low pressure, high pressure) it can be ascertained at all times whether the achievable relative underpressure is sufficient.
US08382780B2	Fatigue-resistant gastric banding device A fatigue-resistant inflatable gastric banding device suitable for laparoscopic placement around the stomach of a patient for the treatment of obesity and a method for such treatment are disclosed. The device includes a gastric band having a chambered inflatable member, substantially coextensive with an inner stomach facing surface of the band, that does not crease, wrinkle or fold when adjusted, so as to present a substantially smooth contour along the inner circumference, and to avoid fatigue or failure of the member itself. A gastric band having multiple inflatable compartments or chambers, which may be inflated together or individually is also disclosed.
US08382779B2	Vascular clamps for vascular repair A magnetic vascular clamp for vascular repair is described. There are two clamp pieces, where each clamp piece forms a partial cylindrical section of an annular cylinder. Each clamp piece has an outer surface and an inner surface, structural ribs arranged across the inner surface from one sectional end to the other, and a pair of magnetic sectional end surfaces connecting the outer surface and the inner surface and having a characteristic magnetic field arrangement. The sectional end surfaces and magnetic field arrangements of each clamp piece cooperate with the sectional end surfaces and magnetic field arrangements of the other clamp piece to form a complete annular cylinder held together by the magnetic field arrangements and enclosing an inner cylinder so as to structurally support damaged vascular tissue therein with minimal fluid leakage.
US08382752B2	Medical device A medical device for fusing or necrosing a biological tissue, including a first electrode member and a second electrode member protruded from a non-electrically-conductive attachment portion configured to sandwich the biological tissue; and an energy supply unit configured to supply electric energy to between the first electrode member and the second electrode member, wherein the region of a predetermined length in a direction of axial line from the attachment portion in at least one of the electrode members within the first electrode member and the second electrode member is coated with an electrical insulator.
US08382746B2	Cryogenic ablation system and method A device for treating esophageal target tissue comprises a catheter, a balloon and a refrigerant delivery device. The catheter has a distal portion and a refrigerant delivery lumen. The balloon is mounted to and the refrigerant delivery device is coupled to the distal portion. The refrigerant delivery device comprises a chamber with the refrigerant delivery lumen opening into the chamber, a refrigerant delivery opening fluidly coupled to the balloon interior, and a distribution passageway fluidly coupling the chamber and the refrigerant delivery opening. A refrigerant is deliverable through the refrigerant delivery lumen, into the chamber, through the distribution passageway, through the refrigerant delivery opening and into the balloon interior so to place the balloon into an expanded, cooled state so that the balloon can press against and cool esophageal target tissue. The medical device may include means for sensing a leak in the balloon.
US08382745B2	Laser system and method for astigmatic corrections in association with cataract treatment There is provided a system, apparatus and methods for developing laser systems that can create precise predetermined clear corneal incisions that are capable of reducing astigmatism. The systems, apparatus and methods further provide laser systems that can provide these incisions at or below Bowman's membrane and in conjunction a precise predetermined capsulotomy shot pattern.
US08382743B2	Ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus for irradiating a laser beam to a patient's eye, comprises: a delivery optical system for forming the laser beam emitted from a laser source into a plurality of spots on a target surface, the delivery optical system including: a diffraction optical element for dividing the laser beam incident thereon into a plurality of diffraction beams in a predetermined spot pattern; a first zoom optical system placed on a side closer to the laser source than the diffraction optical element, the first zoom optical system being configured to change a spot size without changing a spot interval on the target surface; and an objective lens.
US08382740B2	Trocarless intravenous cannula with a multifilament tip A trocarless intravenous cannula with a multifilament tip is described. The trocarless intravenous cannula has a tapered, distal multifilament tip that is comprised of a plurality of individual filaments. In one aspect, the distal part of the cannula is fenestrated. The tip and the distal part of the cannula may both be covered in a dry, water-soluble coating.
US08382733B2	Absorbent product In an absorbent product (1), a front pocket (26) and a rear pocket (27) are formed between a front absorbent core (212) and a rear absorbent core (222) and a back sheet (23). A pair of side sheets (3) are located on both side portions of an absorbent sheet member (20) having an opening (25). Both absorbent cores are raised so that they become spaced apart from the back sheet (23) by contraction of a third elastic member (35) bonded to an inner edge (331) of a bonded part (33) of each side sheet (3). It is possible to keep the distance larger in a thickness direction between the absorbent sheet member (20) and the back sheet (23) in the vicinity of the opening (25) and fit a portion around the opening (25) of the absorbent sheet member (20) to a wearer.
US08382730B2	Surgical fluid basin A surgical fluid basin includes a receptacle member having a lower wall and a peripheral wall extending from the lower wall and arranged about a longitudinal axis, and having an internal chamber within the peripheral wall for reception of fluids. The peripheral wall has at least one terrace defined within the peripheral wall corresponding to a volume of fluid contained within the internal chamber. The at least one terrace defines an internal rise surface and an internal run surface intersecting the internal rise surface. The internal run surface includes indicia markings corresponding to the volume of fluid contained within the internal chamber. A plurality of terraces may be defined within the peripheral wall with each terrace corresponding to a predetermined volume of fluid contained within the internal chamber. The internal run surface defined by each terrace includes indicia markings corresponding to the volume of fluid contained within the internal chamber.
US08382725B2	Eye coloring systems A novel system for coloring the sclera of a human eye, including steps of accessing the conjunctiva, drying a portion of the conjunctiva, applying one or more colorants to the dried portion of the conjunctiva, drying the colorant, and closing access to the conjunctiva. The system avoids tattooing, implanting, and corneal modification. Permanent results may be obtained. Colorants may be coverings or stains.
US08382720B2	Device for preventing a free catheter flow A catheter for connecting an administering device to an administering needle, the catheter including a catheter wall, a flow region limited by the catheter wall, and at least one catheter portion at which at least one partial piece of the catheter wall abuts at least one other partial piece of the catheter wall to releaseably block or obstruct the flow of a medium through the catheter, wherein the flow is unblocked or opened when the medium exhibits a pressure above a predetermined blocking pressure.
US08382715B2	Tearaway sheath assembly with split hemostasis valve seal A tearaway sheath assembly (100) having a splittable sheath tube (102) a splittable hub (110), a split valve (150,250) and a split cap (180). The valve (150,250) has a slit (158,258) at least partially across the transverse distal section (154) such that transverse distal section may be displaced laterally during insertion through the slit (158,258), of a dilator (200) or a catheter. The valve (150,250) is formed in two separate halves (152A,152B;252) that are fused or adhered to each other to form a sealed weak bond (154) that is easily broken during splitting of the sheath; each valve half is mechanically affixed in a proximal valve-receiving recess (130) of the hub such as by anchor posts (136) extending through apertures (166A,166B) in ears (164A,164B) of each valve half. A two-part cap (180) is affixed to the hub proximal end (120) and traps the valve between itself and the hub. Pairs of opposed gaps (184,122) of the cap (180) and the hub (110) are aligned with lines of weakness or seams (106) of the sheath tube (102) and the weak bond (154) of the valve, facilitating splitting of the assembly (100) when desired by the practitioner to peel it away from the inserted catheter.
US08382708B2	Zero-pressure balloon catheter and method for using the catheter A safety catheter includes a multi-lumen shaft. The shaft has a proximal shaft portion with a distal end having a given outer diameter and a distal tip portion having an outer diameter less than the given outer diameter. A hollow balloon is disposed at a junction of the proximal shaft portion and the distal tip portion. The balloon has a distal leg fixedly secured to the distal tip portion and a proximal leg removably secured to the proximal shaft portion.
US08382704B2	Systems and methods of delivering a dilated slurry to a patient A system for delivering a cell-slurry to a patient may include a fluid, cells that are non-dissolvable or immiscible in the fluid, thereby forming the cell-slurry, a syringe adapted to contain the cell-slurry and a supernate of the cell-slurry, the syringe defining a first end having an outlet through which the cell-slurry is delivered to the patient, a fluidizing system associated with the syringe and adapted to effect dilation of the cell-slurry with a portion of the supernate, to form a dilated cell-slurry, the dilated cell-slurry being transferred from the fluidizing system to the syringe, while maintaining at least a portion of the supernate, the cell-slurry and supernate being transferred from the fluidizing system to the syringe, a pressurizing mechanism adapted to create a pressure to cause the dilated cell-slurry contained within the syringe to flow for delivery to the patient and a control unit in communication with and adapted to control the fluidizing system, the pressurizing mechanism and movement of the dilated cell-slurry.
US08382693B1	Segmented orthosis with a pulley mechanism for fitting adjustment A segmented lumbosacral orthosis with mechanical advantage integrates two side members conjoined by cord threaded through an array of seamless tubes that are independently mounted and swivel from an axis point proximal to the end points of each tube. Each tube array is housed in a mounting bracket made from a continuous piece of material folded over to form a gap in between two sides. Each mounting bracket is attached to a side member by sliding a pin along the folded edge of the bracket through knuckles (or loops) attached to the side member—similar to a hinge. A removable posterior member is connected to each posterior end of the side members using an elastic material that expands and contracts in parity with the mechanical advantage closure system. The removable posterior panel is designed to hold a rigid or semi-rigid insert stored in three separate sections.
US08382685B2	Electronic safety device for sport-helmets Some embodiments of the invention provide an electronic safety device, adapted for use in a helmet suitable for an impact-sport, which operates to warn a first participant that a head inside the helmet is in an unsafe position relative to a body coupled to the head. In some embodiments, the head may belong to the first participant, in which case the first participant is warned of their own unsafe head position. Alternatively and/or additionally, the head may belong to a second participant, in which case the first participant is warned of the unsafe head position of the second participant. In very specific embodiments the electronic safety includes a sensor that senses head position and provides corresponding readings, and a processor that interprets the reading of the sensor in order to determine whether or not to produce a signal that indicates that the head is in an unsafe position.
US08382676B2	Biologic information detecting apparatus In measurement requiring application of pressure to a tissue of a living body such as blood pressure measurement, noise due to vibration tends to occur. It is therefore difficult to accurately measure a pulse wave and a blood pressure value, and there is a problem of measuring blood pressure stably. It is also difficult to measure blood pressure in daily life activities or to measure blood pressure at predetermined intervals or continuously in a state where a tonometer is always attached. There is consequently a problem of providing a method of holding a biologic information detecting apparatus. The present invention has been achieved to solve the problems and an object of the invention is to provide an easy-to-wear biologic information detecting apparatus for stably detecting biologic information.In order to achieve the above object, biologic information detecting apparatus according to the invention has a structure in which the apparatus includes a sensor for detecting biologic information in a pair of arms connected via a spindle, and the sensor is tightly attached to a projecting part in a living body, particularly, a tragus of an auricle.
US08382675B2	Biologic information detecting apparatus In measurement requiring application of pressure to a tissue of a living body such as blood pressure measurement, noise due to vibration tends to occur. It is therefore difficult to accurately measure a pulse wave and a blood pressure value, and there is a problem of measuring blood pressure stably. It is also difficult to measure blood pressure in daily life activities or to measure blood pressure at predetermined intervals or continuously in a state where a tonometer is always attached. There is consequently a problem of providing a method of holding a biologic information detecting apparatus. The present invention has been achieved to solve the problems and an object of the invention is to provide an easy-to-wear biologic information detecting apparatus for stably detecting biologic information.In order to achieve the above object, biologic information detecting apparatus according to the invention has a structure in which the apparatus includes a sensor for detecting biologic information in a pair of arms connected via a spindle, and the sensor is tightly attached to a projecting part in a living body, particularly, a tragus of an auricle.
US08382673B2	Ultrasonic endoscope An ultrasonic endoscope in which the temperature rise can be suppressed with a reduced diameter. The ultrasonic endoscope includes: an ultrasonic transducer part including plural ultrasonic transducers; an exterior member for accommodating the ultrasonic transducer part; and a heat conducting part provided inside of the exterior member and respectively connected to the ultrasonic transducer part and an inner surface of the exterior member. It is preferable that the heat conducting part has a coefficient of thermal conductivity equal to or more than 10 W/(m·K). Further, it is preferable that one of the heat conducting member and the exterior member has an electric insulation property.
US08382668B2	Non-invasive determination of characteristics of a sample Systems and methods for non-invasively scanning and analyzing one or more characteristics of a sample utilizing electromagnetic radiation are described. More particularly, the systems and methods utilize an electromagnetic radiation source connected to a transmitter and an analyzer connected to a receiver. A sample to be analyzed is placed between the transmitter and receiver in a variety of different manners and a frequency sweep of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the sample to create a series of spectral data sets that are used to create one or more composite spectrograms, which are then analyzed to determine one or more characteristics of the sample. A magnetic field can alternatively be applied around the transmitter, receiver and sample to enhance some characteristic analysis applications. Samples include inert and living items, and the characteristics include a wide variety of different applications.
US08382659B2	Endoscope apparatus and controlling method thereof comprising curving control mechanism An endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope main body and an assisting drive unit. The endoscope main body includes an endoscope insertion portion having a curving portion on the leading end side thereof, a curving operation portion operating or curving the curving portion, and a curving drive portion driving or curving the curving portion according to an operation force applied to the curving operation portion. The assisting drive unit generates a drive force assisting a curving drive operation to be carried out by the curving drive portion. Curving information regulated at each curving angle corresponding to curving amount of the curving portion is stored previously. The curving amount θa of the curving portion is detected. The drive force is generated from the assisting drive unit using the curving information corresponding to the detected curving amount θa.
US08382656B1	Apparatus and method for facilitating male orgasm A male masturbation device and method for using same facilitates orgasm without the necessity of the subject achieving an erection. The novel device comprises a housing (14) and accumulator means (12). The accumulator means maintains a consistent modest vacuum within the housing notwithstanding sliding of the penis within the housing. The accumulator means can be integrated with the housing or detached from but in fluid communication with the housing. The device may be used with or without a partner and its use may be augmented by sensory stimulation contrivances. The novel device and method offers the health and recreational benefits of orgasm, and facilitates semen collection, for individuals suffering ED, without resort to drugs or vacuum erection devices. The novel device takes advantage of the fact that an erection is not required for orgasm, however, users may experience an erection prior to ejaculation.
US08382652B2	Body fluid flow control method and device An implantable apparatus for controlling fluid flow within a host body includes a constricting member for allowing fluid flow within a body canal when in an open position, and for reducing fluid flow within a body canal when in an closed position. Remote telemetry can be used to operate the constricting member from a position outside the body. The constricting member can include a piston having at least two protrusions for contacting the vessel surface of the body canal. A fluid-operated member can receive fluid to reduce fluid flow within the body canal and expel fluid to allow fluid flow within the body canal. An actuating member is provided for operating the fluid-operated member between the open and closed positions. The actuating member has structure for flowing fluid into and out of the fluid-operated member. A control device is provided for operating the actuating member. An implantable drive mechanism for a constricting member or other medical device includes a sealed housing for implantation in a patient body, a drive magnet positioned within the housing, an actuator for moving the drive magnet, and a magnetically susceptible drive member positioned outside the housing such that movement of the drive magnet within the housing will move the drive member outside of the housing.
US08382648B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing boxes made of paper or cardboard A method for manufacturing boxes made of paper or cardboard, whereby the boxes have a base or a lid with a glued-on sidewall and the sidewalls are formed from a strip with a beginning, an end, and connecting tabs on a long side. First, the connecting tabs are bent by about 90°. Next, the strip beginning is placed against the lateral surface of a cylindrical matrix, whose cross section corresponds to the cross section of the box, with the aid of a patrix and attached by vacuum. Next, the matrix is rotated. In so doing, the strip is suctioned by vacuum onto the lateral surface and held in place. After application of an adhesive at the beginning or end of the strip, the beginning and end of the strip are glued together. A base along whose periphery an adhesive bead is applied is then pressed onto the connecting tabs. After the adhesive has hardened, the finished box can be removed from the matrix.
US08382640B2	Control apparatus of clutch mechanism This apparatus is provided with a clutch mechanism 14. The clutch mechanism 14 is interposed between an engine 11 and a transmission 15, and is coupled to a clutch pedal 28. An operating mode of the clutch mechanism 14 changes in conjunction with a change of an operating position of the clutch pedal 28. In the case that an execution condition is met, the apparatus lowers a maximum operating speed of the clutch mechanism 14 in comparison with a state in which an execution condition is not met. The execution condition includes the following execution start condition that “the operating position of the clutch pedal 28 is a position setting the clutch mechanism 14 to a disengaged state, and a changing speed of the operating position of the clutch pedal 28 in an engaging direction at a time of setting the clutch mechanism 14 to an engaged state from the disengaged state is equal to or higher than a predetermined starting speed”.
US08382638B2	Method for controlling a drive unit of a motor vehicle A method is provided for controlling a drive unit of a motor vehicle with an automatic or automated transmission. The drive unit includes at least one drive motor, which generates a drive torque in an overrun mode. The drive torque acts as a drag torque or as a creep torque on the drive wheels as a function of the current speed. The level of the drive torque in the overrun mode can be at least partially controlled by actuating a brake pedal. The drag torque applied to the drive wheels in the overrun mode can be controlled by actuating the brake pedal in such a way that a reduced drag torque dependent on the actuation of the brake pedal is applied to the drive wheels.
US08382633B2	Axle shaft disconnect assembly A drive axle assembly comprises a carrier member having a trunnion outwardly extending from the carrier member, an output shaft axially outwardly extending from the carrier member, a differential assembly including a differential case supported for rotation within the carrier member and a side gear rotatably mounted about the output shaft, a clutch collar non-rotatably coupled thereto and configured to selectively drivingly engage the side gear, and an annular clutch actuator for axially moving the clutch collar between a first position and a second position. The clutch collar drivingly engages the side gear in power transmitting relationship in the first position, while the clutch collar is disengaged from the side gear in the second position.
US08382627B2	Multiple drive system for food processor and mixer A multiple drive system of a food processor/mixer, comprising first, second and third drive outlets, each operable at different speeds. This system is incorporated with a planetary gear system. A motor with shaft, coupled to the first drive outlet, drives it at a selected speed. The shaft coupled with a first sun gear meshed in a ring gear drives a first set of planet gears. The second drive outlet, mounted on the arm of the first set of planet gears, drives at a different speed, and is coupled with a second sun gear meshed in the ring gear and drives a second set of planet gears. The third drive outlet, mounted on the arm of the second set of planet gears, drives at another different speed. The second and third drive outlets are driven at different speeds according to gear-ratio of the planetary gear system, without changing the input voltage.
US08382624B2	Powertrain for hybrid electrical vehicle The invention relates to a powertrain for a hybrid electrical vehicle, comprising an engine, a first motor, a second motor and a transmission device, said transmission device having a planet gear set with double planet gear ranks comprising a first planet gear rank and a second planet gear rank, said engine is arranged on one side of said planet gear set, said first motor and said second motor are arranged on the other side of the planet gear set, said first planet gear rank comprises a small sun gear, a planet carrier, a short planet gear and an outer ring gear, said second planet gear rank comprises a big sun gear, a long planet gear and the planet carrier shared with the first planet gear rank, said long planet gear meshes with the short planet gear and the big sun gear respectively.
US08382621B2	Electrical drive apparatus for valves An electrical drive apparatus for valves includes: a main body having an internal first receiving space in which a transmission unit is received; a drive unit disposed on one side of the main body for driving the transmission unit to rotate; a hand wheel fixed with a top section of the transmission unit, a lower section of the hand wheel being formed with several sockets; and a switch unit for controlling whether the hand wheel and the first transmission shaft can be rotated so as to switch the electrical drive apparatus between an electrical drive operation mode and a manual drive operation mode.
US08382613B2	Low lift golf ball A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas, a first group of areas containing a plurality of first dimples and a second group of areas containing a plurality of second dimples, each area of the second group abutting one or more areas of the first group, the first and second groups of areas and dimple shapes and dimensions being configured such that the golf ball is spherically symmetrical as defined by the United States Golf Association (USGA) Symmetry Rules, and such that the golf ball exhibits a lift coefficient (CL) of less than about 0.282 over a range of Reynolds Number (Re) from about 120,000 to 180,000 and for a range of spin rates from about of about 3,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm.
US08382612B2	Multi-layer core golf ball Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core consists of a large center and a thin outer core layer that are both soft relative to a hard, thin intermediate core layer.
US08382604B2	Modular hosel, weight-adjustable golf club head assembly A golf putter head with a front portion comprising traditional shape and appearance, with an integral face insert extending through the head to an alignment and weighting portion extending beyond the main body of the putter, adding improved alignment, increased MOI and adjustable weighting and adjustable balance and optimizable Center of Percussion. The putter head comprises a central face insert portion extending through the body and above the traditional weight flange, with mass relieved portions below the top of the alignment piece in order to receive one or more optional weights, and the upper side of the rearwardly extending portion being engraved or marked with various alignment indicia, and the whole through-head insert face portion and rearwardly extending portion being affixed to the base portion of the head at least in part with threaded fasteners.
US08382599B2	Universal joint arrangement A universal joint arrangement with a journal cross, supported by bearings in two joint yokes offset to one another by 90°. Each joint yoke comprises a flange and two bearings. Each bearing has an axial bearing pressure disk that is supported by a first connection element on the joint yoke and a second connection element on the journal cross to form a first and second friction pairing. One of the connection elements has at least one elevated support region facing the axial bearing pressure disk. The support region is arranged in the region of low relative movement of the joint yoke with the journal cross, while the regions other than the support region lie in the region of greatest relative motion.
US08382593B2	Method and system for customizing electronic gaming machines A method and system for customizing a gaming machine by transferring software files from a download server to a gaming machine. The download server may store software files in three-tier hierarchical structure and execute program logic to determine which software files need to be transmitted to the gaming machine to customize the gaming machine. The method may include (i) determining a download signature for software files that correspond to the gaming machine and that are stored at the download server, (ii) determining a machine signature for software files stored at the gaming machine, (iii) comparing the download signature to the machine signature, and (iv) allowing the gaming machine to carry out gaming functions if the signatures match, or (v) if the signatures do not match, updating the gaming machine with gaming machine software files and, thereafter, allowing the gaming machine to carry out gaming functions.
US08382582B2	Systems and methods for portable wagering mediums Some embodiments are associated with wagering game devices and/or portable wagering mediums. Some portable wagering mediums are capable of outputting various indications related to one or more potential or current statuses of the portable wagering mediums. Some wagering game devices are operable to (i) determine a status of a portable wagering medium and (ii) cause, based on the determining, an outputting of an indication of the status via an output device coupled to the portable wagering medium. In some embodiments, a central server or other device conducts the determining of the status and/or the causing of the outputting. The status of a portable wagering medium may be based on one or more of many different factors or metrics.
US08382570B2	Gaming apparatus with special symbols Systems and methods for determining a plurality of outcomes of a game of chance are provided. In a spinning reel game, for example, a first game event may be provided in which a plurality of symbols are spun up on a plurality of spinning reels to form an array of symbols, each spinning reel spinning up at least three symbols and at least one of the spinning reels being defined so that at least two feature symbols can be simultaneously spun up on that reel. A result of the spin is evaluated to assess whether two or more feature symbols have been spun up on the same reel. If so, a second game event is provided in which the two or more feature symbols and all other symbols spun up on the same reel are converted to special symbols. The special symbols have an enhanced play characteristic in comparison to the other symbols, and the outcome of the game is re-evaluated to establish whether any outcomes exist which define a winning combination. A prize or an award is awarded if one or more winning combinations exist.
US08382566B2	Network game anti-cheating device, method and system An embodiment of this invention discloses a network game anti-cheating device, method and system. The device includes: an information processing unit, adapted to modify actual game state information to dummy game state information, and send the dummy game state information to a terminal of a player; and a seat assignation unit, adapted to assign a player into an unoccupied seat of an idle table according to actual table information in a game room. The information processing unit comprises: a table information processing unit, adapted to send dummy table information in the game room to the terminal of the player; a watching information processing unit, adapted to send dummy game information of players who are playing the game on the table; and a partner-player information processing unit, adapted to send dummy information of the partner-players on the table.
US08382557B2	Chemical mechanical planarization pad conditioner and methods of forming thereof A CMP pad conditioner is provided that includes a substrate having a surface and three dimensional structures protruding relative to the surface of the substrate. The three dimensional structures include CVD carbon-containing material selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes and diamond, and may be arranged in a ordered array or desired pattern. The CMP pad conditioner also includes a bonding layer overlying the three dimensional structures and the surface of the substrate. The condition may include a reinforcing layer disposed within gaps between the three dimensional structures. Techniques for manufacture and use are also disclosed.
US08382555B2	Substrate supporting unit, and apparatus and method for polishing substrate using the same Provided are a substrate supporting unit and an apparatus and method for polishing a substrate using the same. The substrate supporting unit vacuum-absorbs a bottom surface of the substrate during a polishing process, and supports the substrate in a state where the substrate is upwardly spaced from the substrate supporting unit to clean the substrate during a post-cleaning process. Therefore, in the substrate supporting unit and the apparatus and method for polishing the substrate using the same, a polishing process on a top surface of the substrate and a post-cleaning process on the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate may be sequentially performed in a state where the substrate is supported by a single wafer type substrate supporting unit.
US08382551B2	Toy figure with motion features A toy figure with a movable appendage and a movable head is disclosed. The appendage is coupled to a movement mechanism such that movement of the appendage results in movement of the head. Depending on the particular quantity of appendage movements, the head is moved to the side or tilted forward as the appendage is moved relative to the body of the toy figure.
US08382550B2	Apparatus for animating doll using electromagnets The present invention is such that a doll equipped with a plurality of auxiliary magnetic poles is inserted into a hermetically-sealed container filled with liquid and the container is circumferentially arranged with variable magnetic poles whose polarities are determined by electromagnets, whereby attraction or repulsion is applied on each portion of the doll. The polarity of each variable magnetic pole can be arbitrarily controlled by adjustment of direction of current flowing in the electromagnets to enable the doll in the container to be driven in various types of motions. Therefore, the motions of the doll can be expressed in various interesting types including dancing to the accompaniment of music without recourse to making the doll in a complicated robotic shape.
US08382547B2	Toy projectile and launcher A projectile and a compact carrying and launching case in combination. The projectile includes foldable wings which when unfolded resemble a plane. The compact carrying and launching case includes a two piece housing that is pivotally attached to each other about a hinge/launching mechanism. When closed, the two piece housing encloses the plane in its folded position. When opened, the hinge/launching mechanism can be pulled to a cocked position and then released forcibly moves the projectile such that it releases from the launching mechanism and is capable of flying.
US08382544B2	Method of repairing a display assembled on a substrate Various embodiments of methods and systems for designing and constructing displays from multiple light-modulating elements are disclosed. Display elements having different light-modulating and self-assembling characteristics may be used during display assembly and operation.
US08382543B1	Adjustable fin An adjustable fin apparatus adjustable between a first expanded position including a pair of inner elongated blades 12 and a pair of outer elongated blades 14; the blades 12, 14 are mounted to a blade housing portion 16 comprising an upper housing element 18 and a lower housing element 20; the lower blade housing element 20 comprises an elongate shape having a slot 22 formed therein along a portion of the length of the lower blade housing element 20; the inner elongated blades 12 comprise an inner edge 26 and an outer edge 28 and a bore 30 is located at an end thereof; an outer elongated blade 14 defines an inner edge 32 and an outer edge 34; and the upper blade housing element 18 comprises an elongate shape generally corresponding to the elongate shape of the lower blade housing element 20.
US08382542B2	Two fin swimming apparatus The swimming apparatus pertains to swimming with special equipment for swimmers and divers and can be used for increasing speed, comfortable maneuvering, and making swimming more economical. The swimming apparatus comprises a tail fin, a hand-held fin and a dual snorkel.
US08382541B1	Reversible life raft system An upper smart arch extends upwardly from an inflatable upper tube and a lower smart arch extends downwardly from a lower inflatable. An orientation sensing transfer valve is located at each interface of the upper smart arch and upper tube and a lower orientation sensing transfer valve is located at each interface between the lower smart arch and the lower tube. Deployment of the upper smart arch along with an upper canopy will be deployed with the opening of the upper orientation sensing transfer valve and the lower smart arch and a lower canopy will not be deployed since the lower orientation sensing transfer valve remains closed.
US08382540B2	Method and apparatus for controlling the motion of an autonomous moored profiler A method and apparatus for controlling the motion of a cable-driven autonomous moored profiler. The profiler includes one or more buoyant members for buoying the profiler in the fluid, a winch, and a feedback controller for controlling the winch. The winch includes a spool, a device providing for varying rates of turning of the spool, and a flexible cable for winding onto and unwinding from the spool. A first end of the cable is carried by the profiler. The controller monitors an indication of the tension in the cable and controls the device in response thereto.
US08382535B2	Modifiable electrical connector lug An electrical connector including a first connection section adapted to connect the electrical connector to a first conductor; and a second connection section connected to the first connection section. The second connection section includes a lug with a plurality of lug portions with at least one weakened section between the lug portions. Each lug portion has a hole adapted to be located onto a respective mounting post. A first one of the lug portions can be removed from a second one of the lug portions at the weakened section to reconfigure the second connection section to have one less lug portion.
US08382526B2	Power adapter with interchangeable connectors and power supply having the same There is disclosed a power adapter which comprises an adapter body and a modular connector. The adapter body has a cavity forming a first opening and a second opening respectively disposed on two adjacent lateral walls of the adapter body, a first connecting member disposed on one of the lateral walls and adjacent to the first opening, and a sliding plate member having a sliding plate embedded in a slide and protrusible in said second opening. The connector is interchangeably coupled to the cavity and blocked by the sliding plate to form an electrical connection with the adapter body, and comprises a second connecting member engaged with the first connecting member.
US08382524B2	Electrical connector having thick film layers An electrical connector electrically connects a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board, where the electrical connector includes: (a) an insulative housing; (b) a plurality of signal conductors, with at least a portion of each of the plurality of signal conductors disposed within the insulative housing; (c) each of the plurality of signal conductors having a first contact end, a second contact end and an intermediate portion therebetween; and (d) a passive circuit element electrically connected to the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of signal conductors, where the passive circuit element is housed in an insulative package and includes at least a capacitor or an inductor.
US08382521B2	Shieldless, high-speed, low-cross-talk electrical connector An electrical connector may include a first connector with electrically-conductive contacts. The contacts may have blade-shaped mating ends, and may be arranged in a centerline. The electrical connector may include a second connector with electrically-conductive receptacle contacts, which may also be arranged in a centerline. The connectors may be mated such that the mating portion of a first contact in the second connector may physically contact of a corresponding blade-shaped mating end of a contact in the first connector.
US08382519B2	Electrical connector featured USB/eSATA interfaces incorporated with additional power contact An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a mating cavity, a tongue portion extending into the mating cavity and defining thereon first and second faces opposite to each other, and a plurality of contacts retained to the housing. The plurality of contacts defines a first and second set of contacts and expanded contacts. The first set of contacts each defines a first blade contacting section exposed onto the first face, the second set of contacts each defines a deflectable cantilevered beam exposed onto the second face, and the expanded contacts include at least one power contact for power transmission. The at least one power contact defines a second contacting section arranged between two adjacent cantilevered beams and projecting out of the second face.
US08382513B2	Connecting member for installing photovoltaic cell module A connecting member 10 for connecting ends of adjacently arranged photovoltaic cell modules 4 fixed in a state in which the ends of the photovoltaic cell modules 4 each obtained by supporting an outer periphery of a photovoltaic cell panel 2 by frame bodies 3a and 3b are floating, including a plate-like upper piece 11, a plate-like lower piece 12 opposed to the upper piece 11 and a connecting piece 13 for connecting end sides on the same side of the lower piece 12 and the upper piece 11, where the connecting member 10 is capable of being fitted to the ends of the frame bodies 3a facing the same direction in the adjacent photovoltaic cell modules 4 so as to sandwich the same from a direction perpendicular thereto by the upper piece 11 and the lower piece 12.
US08382501B2	Systems and methods of identifying connections in a communications patching system using common-mode channel signal transmissions Communications patching system and methods utilizing common-mode channel communications are provided for identifying patch panel ports to which a backbone cable is connected in a communications patching system, for identifying a patch panel port to which a horizontal cable terminating at a telecommunications outlet is connected in a communications patching system, and for identifying the physical location of first and second connectors of a patch cord in a communications patching system having multiple patching zones.
US08382496B2	Security device A security device for preventing or inhibiting unauthorized separation of a first part (e.g., a cable filter device) from a second part (e.g., a cable signal source) includes a connector having first and second connector parts which are freely rotatable with respect to each other, the first connector part including a male threaded end for removable connection to the first part and the second connector part including a female connector end for removable connection to the second part. A cylindrical sheath extends in covering relation to the first and second connector parts and is freely rotatable with respect thereto. In the attached condition, the first and second connector parts are accessible for attachment and removal only with a specially configured tool.
US08382489B2	Compliant off-chip interconnects for use in electronic packages and fabrication methods Disclosed are apparatus comprising single-path and multiple-path compliant interconnects that are coupled between electrical contacts and that allow for increased electrical performance without compromising mechanical reliability. Exemplary apparatus comprises a conductive vertical anchor coupled at a first end to an electrical contact; and one or more conductive arcuate beams coupled at a first end to a second end of the vertical anchor, and coupled at a second end to a second electrical contact. One electrical contact comprises a die contact pad and the other electrical contact comprises a substrate contact pad. Alternatively, one electrical contact comprises a substrate contact pad and the other electrical contact comprises a printed circuit board contact pad. Also, one electrical contact comprises a die contact pad and the other electrical contact comprises a printed circuit board contact pad. Methods of fabricating the apparatus are also disclosed.
US08382485B2	Methods and apparatus for providing realistic medical training Method and apparatus to provide simulation of a human casualty. In one embodiment an autonomous casualty simulator includes a processing module having a scenario progression controller and a physiological modeling system to receive sensor input and to control effectors. The autonomous casualty simulator can be contained in a nominal human mannequin form.
US08382480B2	Apparatus and method for presenting and controllably scrolling Braille text Apparatus and methods for converting data into Braille text and permitting scrolling of a Braille display are provided. Embodiments may include a Braille display configured to present Braille text, a control device configured to allow a user to at least partially control scrolling of the Braille text, communication circuitry configured to transmit and receive data, and a processor that is operably coupled to the Braille display and communication circuitry, wherein the processor is configured to convert at least portions of data received by the communication circuitry into Braille text for presentation by the Braille display. Embodiments may further include a memory for storing Braille text.
US08382473B2	Apparatus and method relating to teeth whitening A teeth whitening apparatus and a method of teeth whitening is provided. The apparatus includes one or more thermoelectric device(s) which may be in the form of peltier devices adapted to be placed in the mouth. The or each thermoelectric device has one side that heats up and another side that is cooled when an electrical current is passed through the or each device. The or each thermoelectric device is preferably molded into a mouth guard into which a teeth whitening composition is placed such that the heat generated by the or each thermoelectric device activates the teeth whitening composition. The one or more thermoelectric device(s) are preferably powered by one or more batteries. Preferably, the one or more thermoelectric device(s) are coupled to one or more heat sinks such that the heat produced by the one or more thermoelectric device(s) is spread out over the teeth to be whitened.
US08382470B2	Fluidized bed boiler plant and method of combusting sulfurous fuel in a fluidized bed boiler plant A fluidized bed boiler plant and a method of combusting sulfurous fuel in the fluidized bed boiler plant, a furnace of which plant is provided with a fluidized bed of particles. Sulfurous fuel, CaCO3-containing sulphur-binding agent and combusting air are introduced to the bed of particles, whereby fuel burns and generates flue gases and the sulphur-binding agent calcinates to CaO and binds SO2 generated in the combustion. Energy is recovered to a heat exchange medium circulating in heat exchange tubes of a condensing heat exchanger arranged in a flue gas channel, and a water solution of acid condensing on outer surfaces is neutralized by mixing it in a mixing vessel to a CaO-containing ash from a plant, preferably, fly ash collected by a dust separator.
US08382468B2	Method and device for combustion of solid phase fuel Method for combusting a solid phase fuel, where the fuel is caused, by the help of a non-pneumatic feeding element (11), to be fed to an inlet opening (11a) in a burner device (10) having a first inlet (13a) for the oxidant through which an oxidant is caused to flow via a first supply conduit (13). The first inlet (13a) for oxidant is caused to be arranged in the form of an opening surrounding the inlet opening (11a), in that the oxidant is caused to flow out through the opening (13a) with a velocity of at least 100 m/s, through a burner pipe (16) and out through a burner orifice (17) to a combustion space (18), so that the oxidant by ejector action causes the fuel to be conveyed through the burner pipe (16) and out through the burner orifice (17).
US08382467B2	Multiple part mandrel A multiple part mandrel on which a hollow body may be formed includes multiple sectors. Each sector has a skin on an outer face and a pair of opposed side returns at longitudinal sides of the sector. The mandrel formed by the sectors is symmetrical about a central axis of the mandrel. When the sectors are assembled as the mandrel, the side returns of adjacent sectors face each other. Each of the side returns includes a recess in an outside surface of the side return, spaced from the skin of the respective sector, and an inflatable O-ring disposed in the recess. The recesses of adjacent side returns in the mandrel are offset with respect to each other in an axial direction of the mandrel. Inflation of the inflatable O-rings urges adjacent sectors together at the skins of the sectors to seal the adjacent sectors at the skins.
US08382465B2	Method and apparatus for test pressing multi-layer tablets or coated tablets The invention relates to an apparatus for test pressing tablets with at least two layers.
US08382464B2	Extruded cellulose-polymer composition and system for making same The present invention is directed to a device for the production of a cellular wood plastic composite material comprised of an orifice that conducts the composite material from the adapter of the extruder to the transition die plate in such a manner that a uniform flow of material reaches the transition die plate; a transition die plate that further directs the flow of material to a flow restriction die plate in a manner ensuring that equal amounts of material are delivered to all areas of the flow restriction die plate; a flow restriction die plate that provides sufficient resistance to material flow to increase the melt pressure of the portion of the material that is upstream in relation to the flow restriction die plate and controls the temperature increase caused by this restriction by dividing the flow into numerous suitably sized and shaped streams; a compression die plate that fuses the separate streams issuing from the flow restriction die plate into a single stream of material and maintains the melt pressure at a level which will prevent premature development of cells in the material; a shaping die plate that is designed to shape the material in such a way that the fully expanded material will approximate the shape of the desired profile and to control the rate of cell development and expansion so that large numbers of uniform cells are produced.
US08382460B2	Peristaltic pump with constrictions at fixed locations In a pump, a flexible tube passes through the pump and is held “normally closed” at an output constriction. The pump includes a pump body and a pump member that can perform two functions by their relative motion. The first function is to open and close an input constriction of the flexible tube. The second function is to compress the section of flexible tube between the input constriction and the output constriction. This section of tube acts as the pump chamber. When closed, the input constriction provides a greater impediment to fluid flow than the output constriction. Therefore, when the input constriction is closed and the pump chamber is compressed, fluid flows out of the pump past the output constriction. When the input constriction is open and compression of the pump chamber is removed, the output constriction closes and fluid can enter the pump by flowing past the location of the input constriction.
US08382457B2	Subsea pumping system A technique is provided for pumping fluid in subsea applications. A self-contained pumping module is created by mounting a pumping unit on a skid that can be lowered to a sea floor. The skid comprises a support structure designed to hold the pumping unit in a desired orientation, such as an inclined orientation with respect to a base of the skid. The self-contained nature of the pumping module facilitates deployment to a sea floor/retrieval from the sea floor to enable use of the pumping module in a variety of subsea applications with reduced complexity and cost.
US08382455B2	Stator for linear compressor A stator for a linear compressor is provided that includes a coil winding, in which a coil is wound in a circumferential direction and current flows; a bobbin set, which is wound with the coil winding and which insulates the coil winding; and a plurality of core blocks, which is arranged in a circumferential direction of the bobbin set at predetermined intervals from an axial direction of the bobbin set, and which is advantageously used to simplify the manufacturing process, enhance the clamping force, reduce an overall production cost, and reduce a size of a product incorporating the same.
US08382438B2	Blade of a turbomachine with enlarged peripheral profile depth A blade for an axial-flow turbomachine with a gap-side blade area I which transits into a free blade end and with a hub-side or casing-side blade area II, respectively. Blade 3 forms a flow line profile section with leading edge VK and trailing edge HK which establish forward end point V and rearward end point H, respectively, by a tangent normal to and intersecting with the profile chord, with the distance between these end points being profile depth L. Blade 3 includes an enlargement of profile depth L at a tip of the free blade end which is at least +10 percent and decreases to zero in the blade central section, with the values being non-negative throughout, with the profile enlargement at trailing edge HK being larger than zero at the tip in the gap-side peripheral section.
US08382437B2	Fan structure A fan structure including a hub and at least one blade. The hub includes a top section, an annular section and at least one first connection section. The first connection section is selectively disposed on the top section or the annular section. One end of the annular section is connected with a circumference of the top section to define a receiving space. The blade has at least one second connection section disposed at one end of the blade. The second connection section is complementary to the first connection section and connected thereto. The blades are positioned in an overlapping pattern. The blades are independently formed and are easier to manufacture. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the fan structure is simplified and the manufacturing cost is lowered. Moreover, the wind power of the fan structure is increased.
US08382432B2	Cooled turbine rim seal A rim seal assembly includes an annular seal element circumscribing an engine centerline or axis and mounted on an annular platform including a radially inwardly extending annular platform flange disposed between and connected to forward and aft flanges at distal ends of forward and aft annular elements respectively. Annular forward and aft outer rim cavities radially disposed between the forward and aft annular elements and the platform are axially separated by the platform flange. Cooling slots extend radially across axially facing forward and aft surfaces of the forward and aft flanges. The platform flange and the forward and aft flanges are bolted together. The annular seal element may include seal teeth in sealing relationship with an annular seal land such as in a labyrinth seal. The rim seal assembly may be incorporated in a low pressure turbine use a compressor as a source of cooling air.
US08382424B1	Turbine vane mate face seal pin with impingement cooling A stator vane with an endwall having a mate face with a seal slot, where the seal slot includes a row of feed slots on an outer side and two rows of impingement slots on an inner side and along the sides of the seal pin. Each impingement slot is connected by an impingement hole to one of the feed slots. With the seal pin secured within mate face seal slots of adjacent endwalls, cooling air flows through the feed holes and through the impingement holes to provide convection and impingement cooling for the mate faces. The spent impingement cooling air then flows out the diffusion slots and into the gap to purge hot gas flow away from the gap.
US08382423B1	Micro-scale and meso-scale hydraulically or pneumatically powered devices capable of rotational motion Embodiments are directed to micro-scale or meso-scale devices having hydraulic or pneumatic actuation mechanisms incorporating bearings elements (such as ball bearings, cylindrical bearings, interference bearings, or hydrostatic bearings. Devices of some embodiments are turbines. Some devices may function as medical devices. Other embodiments are directed to multi-layer, multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods for producing such devices.
US08382421B2	Transport apparatus A compact transport apparatus that does not cause pollution to its environment is provided. In a transport apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention, an installation area of the apparatus is small because first and second rotary shafts are arranged concentrically, and a dead center escaping mechanism has a simple structure with a small thickness. Since a connecting portion of a hand portion can be made thin, an opening of a gate valve through which the hand portion is inserted can be reduced. As a result, it becomes difficult for dust inside a transport chamber to enter a processing chamber. A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a spaced dual shaft-type transport apparatus. Although the lengths of first arms provided at rotating shafts may differ from the lengths of second arms provided between the first arms and a substrate supporting portion, the apparatus is free from malfunction even when the lengths thereof differ because the transmission of a rotative force of a dead center escaping mechanism is released at a position except at a dead center in the present invention.
US08382412B2	Apparatus for fastening single and multiple sheets and method for using same A method and apparatus comprising providing a temporary or permanent connection of one or multiple sheets of material and providing an attachment point to hold these materials. A mating two part base and cap connected by a central tube connector that securely sandwiches sheet material between the two. The base may have additional passthrough holes for affixation to supports or ground. The connector may be threaded or frictionally attached and may optionally have thumb wings for easy turning. The connector may have one or more wings for easy manipulation. The connector may also be configured to receive various staking means including ones with eyelits or other attachment points and have pass throughs for stable engagement to other structures.
US08382404B2	Drill A drill in which a flute is formed from a point to a base end side of a body of the drill, on a side face to be rotated about an axis, a cutting edge is formed between a wall surface of the flute which faces a drill rotational direction side and a flank at the point of the body, and a thinned portion is provided to a web portion of the point. The cutting edge is formed in a convex arc shape with a curvature radius 0.25 to 1 times a drill diameter; a radial rake angle at an outer peripheral portion of the cutting edge is −60 to −15 degrees; a corner portion, closer to the center of the point, of the thinned portion is formed in an arc shape with a curvature radius of at least 0.1 mm and not greater than 0.05 times the drill diameter; and the drill includes three flutes and three cutting edges.
US08382400B2	Sandbag The bag has a trapezoidal shape including a pair of parallel edges opposite each other with one longer than the other and a pair of opposite diverging edges. One edge of the bag is defined by a fold to close off an opening providing access into the bag. Other edges of the bag are formed by a seam joining two opposite layers of flexible material together. The opening is preferably provided on a flap which extends beyond the trapezoidal perimeter of the bag. When this flap is folded over, the final trapezoidal shape for the bag is provided. Walls are built utilizing a plurality of such trapezoidally shaped sandbags in alternating parallel orientations for the long edges and short edges of adjacent bags. Joints between adjacent sandbags are longer than with rectangular sandbags and interlock together somewhat.
US08382397B2	Hydraulically-driven vibrating device for a vibratory compacting machine The invention relates to a vibrator device for a vibratory compacting machine, said device comprising: a tubular body extending longitudinally and having a bottom end; at least one first hydraulic motor disposed in the tubular body and comprising a rotor and a stator; an eccentric member arranged inside the tubular body between the bottom end and the first hydraulic motor, said eccentric member being adapted to be rotated by the rotor of the first hydraulic motor so as to generate vibration. The invention is characterized in that the stator of the first hydraulic motor is constituted by the tubular body.
US08382396B2	Paver having dowel bar inserter with automated dowel bar feeder A slipform paver including a dowel bar inserter unit having a pair of spaced-apart, endless transport chains oriented transversely to the travel direction. Each chain defines upper and lower strands with turn around chain sections at respective ends of the chain strands. A plurality of pairs of generally L-shaped opposing cups carried by exterior sides of the chain hold the dowel bars so that they can drop downwardly from the cups towards the concrete strip. A dowel bar holding magazine is located above the upwardly facing sides of the chains. Elastic bands having ends fixedly attached to the magazine extend generally about a portion of a convexly curved dowel bar engaging surface defined by a wheel and resiliency bias the dowel bars moving along the chain turn-around section against the wheel.
US08382394B1	Device for applying reflective paint to roadside barriers A carriage having a paint nozzle and reflective bead nozzle is provided for rolling along a roadside barrier, such as a guard rail or Jersey wall, to apply a reflective paint stripe on the barrier to improve visibility of the barrier at night. The carriage includes a first set of wheels to support the carriage on an upper edge of the barrier, and one or more additional sets of wheels to maintain proper spacing between the nozzles and the barrier surface being painted. The carriage includes handles with controls for actuating the nozzles. The paint and bead nozzles are connected to the paint system and pressurized bead tank on a paint striper, which may move simultaneously with the carriage along the barrier during the painting process.
US08382383B2	Structure for optical connector ferrule and method for making A ferrule structure for an optical connector includes a central member disposed in the ferrule. The central member is configured so that an exterior dimension of the central member can change between a smaller size and a larger size. A plurality of optical fibers are disposed in the ferrule externally to the central member. A method for assembling an optical connector ferrule includes providing a central member, wherein the central member is configured so that an exterior dimension of the central member can change between a smaller size and a larger size. The method further includes placing an axial load on the central member to cause the exterior dimension to assume the smaller size. The central member is disposed in the ferrule. A plurality of optical fibers are disposed in the ferrule, external to the central member. The axial load is removed from the central member.
US08382381B2	Blind hole insert fixing device A blind hole insert fixing device is configured for fixing a number of blind hole inserts. The blind hole insert fixing device includes a hollow housing defining a cavity and an engagement member received in the cavity. The housing includes a first inner surface and an opposing second inner surface in the cavity. The engagement member includes a body portion, a number of spring portions, and a number of engagement portions conforming to the blind hole inserts. The spring portions and the engagement portions are located at opposite sides of the body portion. The spring portions abut against the first inner surface. The engagement portions and the second inner surface cooperatively form a number of receiving spaces for receiving the blind hole inserts. The spring portions are configured for applying a force to the body portion in a direction away from the first inner surface.
US08382376B2	Split-type sliding bearing for crankshaft in internal combustion engine A split-type sliding bearing for a crankshaft is formed of a pair of semi-cylindrical bearings halves which are fitted between a pair of housing halves having respectively high and low thermal expansion coefficients, one of the pair of bearing halves being supported on the housing half having a low thermal expansion coefficient, and the other of the pair of bearing halves being supported on the housing half having a high thermal expansion coefficient. The circumferential end zones of the bearing half supported on the housing half having a high thermal expansion coefficient have a thickness which is greater than that of the circumferential end zones of the bearing half supported on the housing half having a low thermal expansion coefficient.
US08382371B2	X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus The X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus of this invention includes a slide arm for supporting an X-ray tube, a middle slider for holding the support arm to be movable in directions along an irradiation axis of the X-ray source, and a strut for holding the middle slider to be movable the directions along the irradiation axis. Thus, compared with an amount of stroke of the X-ray tube, an amount of movement of each of the middle slider and the support arm can be small, and each of the strut, middle slider and support arm can be shortened to reduce apparatus height. Therefore, the amount of stroke of the X-ray source can be secured appropriately, while inhibiting an increase in installation space.
US08382369B2	Pile sensing device and method of using the same A system for monitoring the forming of a solid object having a sensor string positionable in a forming structure before the curing process and a communication line extending along a string axis between a first and second end. The string further including a plurality of sensors joined to the communication line between the ends and each sensor being mounted at a set position on the line. Each sensor having a sensor body and a sensor housing and the sensor body including an electrical connecter to electrically join an electrical structure to the communication line at the set position. The electrical structure including a temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature near the set position and further including an electronic identification code corresponding to the set position of the sensor along the axis. The system further including a transmitting device for selectively communicating the temperature and identification code.
US08382367B2	Probe for an ear thermometer A probe for an ear thermometer has a mounting bracket, a light module, a temperature sensor and a probe tube. The light module and temperature sensor is mounted on the mounting bracket. The light module is capable of radiating different colored lights to respectively indicate normal or abnormal body temperature. The probe tube covers the light module and temperature sensor and is light-pervious. Because the probe of the ear thermometer indicates the body temperature by different colored lights and/or numerals, using the ear thermometer with the probe is easy, simple and instinctive when compared to conventional thermometers that use LCD display to show numerical values.
US08382361B2	Backlight assembly and display device having the same A backlight assembly includes a light source, a light-guiding member, a mold frame and a printed circuit board (“PCB”). The light source generates light. The light-guiding member guides the light generated from the light source. The mold frame receives the light-guiding member. An opening is formed through a side of the mold frame. The PCB drives the light source, and includes an extension portion extending through the opening of the mold frame.
US08382359B2	Lighting device, display device and television receiver A backlight unit 12 includes LEDs 15, light guide plates 18, reflection sheets 24, LED boards 17 and reflection parts 47. Each light guide plate 18 has a light entrance surface 34 and a light exit surface 36. The light entrance surface 34 is arranged so as to face the corresponding LED 16 via a gap C. Light from the LED 16 enters the light entrance surface. The light exit surface 36 is arranged parallel to an arrangement direction in which the LED 16 and the light entrance surface 34 are arranged. The light exits from the light exit surface. Each reflection sheet 24 is arranged on an opposite surface of the corresponding light guide plate 18 from the light exit surface and configured to reflect light toward the light exit surface 36. Each LED board 17 is arranged so as to face the corresponding reflection sheet 24. The LEDs 16 and the light guide plates 18 are mounted to the respective LED boards 17. Each reflection part 47 is arranged on the corresponding LED board 17 at least in an area between the LED 16 and the light entrance surface 34 and configured to reflect light toward the light entrance surface 34.
US08382351B2	Vehicle lamp In a vehicle lamp (1), a plurality of LED light sources (11) are arranged on a common substrate (12). A light guiding lens (13) elongated in a direction in which the LED light sources (11) are aligned is provided. A plurality of reflecting sections (22) are provided on the light guiding lens (13). The reflecting sections (22) are configured to individually reflect incident lights from the respective LED light sources (11) to a periphery of a vehicle. Respective directions of the reflecting sections (22) are made to differ in accordance with positions of the corresponding LED light sources (11).
US08382350B2	Luminant trim for vehicle window frame A luminant component, such as reflective tape or an electrically powered component, is applied to the window frame of a motor vehicle. The component is visible from both the outside of the window, through the window and the inside of the window to illuminate at least portions of the vehicle.
US08382347B2	Light fixture Light fixtures having a plurality of light-emitting diodes that maximize the amount of direct light into an intended area. The light fixture may include a carriage with a first (top) end and a second (bottom) end. A hood may be mounted to the first end of the carriage. At least one light engine comprising a plurality of light sources is mounted to the hood. The light sources emit light downwardly directly onto an intended area. In certain embodiments the second end of the carriage is shaped and sized so that it does not interfere with emission of the light to the intended area. The light fixture thus provides light in a thermally efficient manner, maximizes the amount of direct light, and limits the amount of light pollution.
US08382334B2	Lighting apparatus with heat dissipation system A lighting apparatus is shown and described. In one aspect, the lighting apparatus includes a light source, a plate, and frame. The light source can include one or more lighting elements that are in thermal communication with the light source. The plate can have a dissipative portion extending outward from a point of thermal communication between the plate and the light source. The frame can at least partially enclose the light source and may also be in thermal communication therewith.
US08382332B2	Lighting and ventilating system and method Embodiments of the invention provide a lighting and ventilating system including a main housing. The main housing can include an inlet through which air can be received within the main housing and an outlet through which the air can exit the main housing. A fan wheel can be supported in the main housing and it can be operable to generate a flow of air. A grille can be coupled to the main housing and the grille can comprise a plurality of apertures and a second set of illumination devices. The system further can include a lamp housing coupled to the grille, the lamp housing can include a first set of illumination devices. Also, a plate can be coupled to the grille so that the plate is adjacent to the second set of illumination devices.
US08382330B2	Illuminating device and heat-dissipating structure thereof The present invention provides an illuminating device and heat-dissipating structure thereof. The heat-dissipating structure includes a plurality of heat-dissipating units stacked together. Each heat-dissipating unit includes a cone-like portion with an opening and a plurality of protrusions connected to the cone-like portion, wherein at least one of the protrusions of one heat-dissipating unit is coupled to that of the adjacent heat-dissipating unit to form one or more zonal planes for allowing a light source to be disposed thereon to constitute the illuminating device, and the openings of the heat-dissipating units are liked together to form an airflow passage.
US08382327B2	Light tube and power supply circuit The present invention provides a light tube for illumination by a power supply circuit including a bulb portion and a pair of end caps disposed at opposite ends of the bulb portion. A plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed inside the bulb portion and in electrical communication with the pair of end caps for illuminating in response to electrical current to be received from the power supply circuit.
US08382326B2	Light source unit, lighting apparatus and notice bearing apparatus It is provided with a light source unit that can be thinner. Further, it is provided with a lighting apparatus and a notice bearing apparatus utilizing the light source unit.A light source unit 10 is configured with a plurality of LED modules 3, 3 and a constant current supplying section 2 consisting of electric components for holding constant of current supplied to the plurality of LED modules 3, 3. The plurality of LED modules 3, 3 and the electric components are aligned on a rectangular plate 11 of a module casing 1. Thus, it is possible to manufacture the light source unit 10 to be thinner. The electric components are arranged between the plurality of LED modules 3, 3. Thus, it is possible to reduce cable length installed in the light source unit 10 and to facilitate the installing works of the cable.
US08382323B2	Individually controllable multi-color illumination units Individually controllable multi-colored illumination units, including light beads and a light wand, the beads preferably connected to the wand or to each other through conductivity elements providing electric conductivity for at least four separate lines through the connection while providing for full relative rotation and limited swivel between the connection elements.
US08382322B2	Two part surface mount LED strip connector and LED assembly An LED light assembly includes a plurality of LED printed circuit boards (PCB), with each LED PCB having at least one LED bulb and electrical connector pads configured at each opposite end of the boards. A two-component surface mount electrical connector is configured to connect one end of a first LED PCB to an end of a second said LED PCB such that the first and second LED PCBs are electrically connected end-to-end. The connected LED PCBs may be configured in a light tube that includes connector end caps for mounting the light tube in a light fixture.
US08382320B2	Polyhedrally-shaped heat dissipating LED support An LED-illuminant includes a plurality of LED arranged on a corresponding plurality of supports each support having an angled support section. The angled support sections being adjacent to one another to form angled surfaces of a polyhedron. The heat of each LED is respectively dissipated from the angled support section to the rest of the support.
US08382310B2	Packaging system for the retail sale of an electrical device A packaging system for the retail display of an electrical device is disclosed. The packaging includes a “try me” switch to allow a potential customer to activate the electrical device in the store. The product includes a photovoltaic array and rechargeable battery which is intended to be periodically charged by the photovoltaic array. When packaged by the manufacturer, the rechargeable batteries are sufficiently charged to substantially activate the electrical device. When depressed, the “try me” switch interconnects the primary rechargeable battery with the electrical device within the packaging.
US08382308B2	Power tool having a work field lighting system The invention relates to a machine tool having working field illumination disposed in a housing, having an illumination mechanism and a transparent element which allows the light from the illumination mechanism to be led out toward the working field. A light beam can be deflected between the illumination mechanism and the transparent element. According to the invention, the transparent element forms a region of the housing.
US08382299B2	Beam direction control element and method of manufacturing same A beam direction control element has transparent areas and light absorption areas alternately arranged on a surface of a substrate, wherein the light absorption areas function as a louver for controlling the direction of a beam of light. The beam direction control element is manufactured by disposing an optically transparent material on a first transparent substrate to form transparent ridges which constitute the transparent areas, filling curable and photo-absorptive fluid in gaps between the transparent ridges, and then curing the fluid to form the light absorption areas.
US08382292B2	Light source module including a light switching element and control of color sequences A light source module adapted to be used in a projection apparatus includes a first LED device, a second LED device, and a light switching element. The first LED device emits a first light beam along a first light path during a first time period. The second LED device emits a second light beam along a second light path during a second time period. The light switching element is disposed at an intersection of the first light path and the second light path for permitting one of the first light beam along the first light path and the second light beam along the second light path to be transmitted along a third light path.
US08382291B2	Projector and method of controlling projector cancelling keystone distortion correction and modulating guide pattern in response to start movement of the projector A projector adapted to perform display by projecting an image on a projection surface, includes: a light source; a light modulator adapted to modulate light from the light source into image light representing the image; a projection optical system adapted to project the image light modulated by the light modulator on the projection surface; a keystone distortion correction section adapted to perform a keystone distortion correction process for correcting keystone distortion of the image to be projected on the projection surface; a detection section adapted to detect start of movement of the projector; and a control section adapted to cancel the keystone distortion correction process in the keystone distortion correction section in response to detection of start of movement of the projector in the detection section.
US08382284B2	Method and apparatus for correlated ophthalmic measurements A method and system for providing multiple ophthalmic and retinal blood measurements is outlined. By extracting multiple digitized wavelength images and quantitative data within a relatively short time period the method allows for compensation of a patient's eye or head movement, generation of ophthalmic clinical records, and determination of data relating to blood measurements, such as oxygen saturation and hemoglobin, in addition to ocular and other disease determinations. The method provides for multiple analysis and measurements within a single sitting of the patient, with a single simple instrument and without adaptations to the instrument during a patient's eye examination. Beneficially the approach allows for low cost, compact, and even portable implementations offering such analysis and determination outside the current ophthalmic centers providing eased access and earlier diagnosis opportunities.
US08382279B2	Eye patch for glasses The present invention generally relates to an adjustable eye patch for use in connection with eye glasses. The eye patch has a first end and a second end. While in use, the first end may be located near the nose of an individual and the second end may be positioned near the ear of the individual. Near the second end of the eye patch may be a plurality of slits wherein a support bar portion of the frame of the glasses may be inserted. The first end of the eye patch may have an elongated slit for securing around the bridge or nose support of the eye glasses. The elongated slit may be temporarily secured around the bridge of the glasses to provide additional support for the eye patch.
US08382276B2	Inkjet recording apparatus A conveying platen is provided with a plurality of air circulation parts, each of which includes a long groove opened toward the conveying belt and formed in a longitudinal direction following a conveying direction, and a hole that penetrates in a thickness direction from a part of a bottom surface of the long groove. These air circulation parts are arrayed in the conveying direction and a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The conveying platen has an opposed region which faces a nozzle surface. The long groove is provided in the opposed region. The hole is provided in a region other than the opposed region.
US08382275B2	Printer A printer is provided that can convey recording paper at a constant transportation speed and transportation amount passed a printing position by means of the transportation force of a single transportation roller pair located on the upstream side of the printing position.A roll paper printer has a vacuum type platen member opposite the ink nozzle surface of an inkjet head, and an upstream guide surface and a platen surface that defines the printing position are formed on the guide surface of the platen member. The upstream guide surface extends to a position near the nipping part of the single transportation roller pair on its upstream side. Because the recording paper fed from the nipping part toward the printing position is guided while being constrained by air suction to the upstream guide surface, deflection in the out-of-plane direction is suppressed and the recording paper is held flat. The recording paper can be conveyed with good precision to the printing position using only the transportation force of the single transportation roller pair disposed on the upstream side.
US08382270B2	Contact leveling using low surface tension aqueous solutions Release layers, and particularly low surface tension aqueous solutions, such as fountain solutions, which function as release layers. These release layers are integrated into copying and printing machines, such as xerographic machines, multifunctional devices, color systems, and the like, wherein the release layers are specifically incorporated onto a hydrophilic roll material for contact leveling of UV curable gel inks.
US08382269B2	System and method that enables a solid ink printer to learn a solid ink stick type A solid ink printer is configured to learn the identity of solid ink sticks for printer operation. The solid ink printer includes a feed channel having an insertion opening configured to receive solid ink sticks, a sensor positioned near the insertion opening of the feed channel and configured to obtain solid ink stick type data from a solid ink stick inserted into the insertion opening of the feed channel, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor to receive the solid ink stick type data, the controller being configured to store the solid ink stick type data in a memory in response to an initialization signal and to operate the solid ink printer with reference to the solid ink stick type data stored in the memory by the controller.
US08382244B2	Method and system for actuating redundant electrical motors to move printheads laterally and improve reliability in a continuous web inkjet printer A method of operating a printer enables a controller in the printer to operate electrical motors to move printheads in the printer for longer periods of time before maintenance is required. Each printhead in the printer is operatively connected to an electrical motor for movement of the printhead and the printheads are organized in groups with each group being operatively connected to an electrical motor for movement of the group. By selectively designating printheads as being moveable or fixed, electrical motors that fail to move a printhead can be taken out of operation and an electrical motor that moves the printhead group used instead to continue printing operations without requiring a service call for replacement of the failed motor.
US08382242B2	Printing system with spittoon and aerosol collection A printing system that has a media feed assembly for feeding different sizes of media along a media path, the media path having a width corresponding to a maximum width of media that can be printed by the printing system. The system also having a printhead assembly positioned on a first side of the media path and spanning the width of the media path, an aerosol collection duct with an opening on the first side of the media path and a spittoon system positioned on a second side of the media path opposing the first side. The printhead assembly is configured to eject non-printing ink drops from any section not required to print media that is less than the maximum width, and the spittoon system is configured to collect the non-printing ink drops.
US08382239B2	Apparatus for removing ink from surfaces of components in a printer A printhead cleaning device includes a housing having an opening and an ink receptacle positioned within the opening. A member has a first end positioned in the ink receptacle and a second end that extends out of the opening in the housing. The member is configured to contact a drip bib and provide a path for liquid ink to move from the drip bib to the ink receptacle.
US08382221B2	Fluid level sensing system and method An ink level sensing system that exhibits good sensitivity is described herein. The system includes a first probe having a first active surface, a second probe having a second active surface facing the first active surface, a memory in which data indicative of a conductivity curve and command instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the command instructions to associate a level of fluid in a reservoir with a first signal indicative of the electrical coupling between the first active surface and the second active surface with reference to the data indicative of a conductivity curve.
US08382219B2	Installation system and door positioning device for appliances An appliance comprises a body and a door panel and/or drawer panel movable between a home position, an open position, and an over-travel position. A cosmetic panel may be coupled to the door and/or drawer panel. The appliance may further include an installation system and/or a positioning device. The positioning device is configured to bias the door and/or drawer panels to the home position from the over-travel position. The installation system is configured to establish the front-to-back alignment of the appliance. The installation system may be a direct mount installation system. The installation system may include an adjustment system configured to facilitate positioning the cosmetic panel to be co-planar with the surrounding cabinetry. The adjustment mechanism may further help establish small and consistent reveals.
US08382218B2	Refrigerator comprising a telescopic pull-out mechanism A refrigerator is provided that includes a carcass, a door, and a support for goods to be cooled. The support is mounted within the carcass via telescopic pull-out mechanisms for extending movement outwardly of the carcass and retracting movement inwardly relative to the carcass. A shell covers each telescopic pull-out mechanism on a top side, a longitudinal side facing the support, and a front side facing the door thereof.
US08382217B2	Kitchen unit arrangement A kitchen unit arrangement (10) having three or more storage units (12, 14, 16), the arrangement comprising first and second end walls (22) and at least two internal walls (20), the first end wall and a first said internal wall together defining a first said storage unit (12), the second end wall and a second said internal wall together defining a second said storage unit (14); wherein two of said internal walls (20) are connected by a substantially horizontal shelf (26) to define a third storage unit (16). A method of assembling such a kitchen unit apparatus is also provided.
US08382212B2	Tubeless steel wheel A tubeless wheel for vehicles intended for the transport of loads or large number of passengers, such as trucks or buses, with external valve (8), as well as the products rim (1), disk (2) and valve (8) with the disk (2) mounted on the second ledge (4) of the rim (1). The parts have such geometry that, by a combination of factors distributed between rim (1), disk (2) and valve (8), enable the placement of the valve (8) on the external side of the disk (2) and the valve laying region is defined by two concurrent planes exempt of ribs.
US08382209B2	Rotary wheel cap A rotary wheel cap includes a fixed base fixed to a center of a wheel, a rotary cover axially mounted onto the fixed base, and an elastic member installed between the fixed base and rotary cover. When the wheel rotates, the rotary cover compresses the elastic member to a first position to form a positioning relationship with the fixed base, such that the rotary cover is rotated with the wheel and fixed base at the first position. When the wheel is still, the rotary cover is supported by the elastic member at a second position to release the positioning relationship with the fixed base. The rotary cover is rotated axially with respect to the fixed base by gravitation of a weight balancing portion at the second position. A design pattern on the rotary cover is aligned correctly by the axial rotation of the rotary cover when the wheel is still.
US08382191B2	Vehicle emergency egress assembly A vehicle emergency egress system includes a transparent armor assembly disposable in a vehicle window frame, the transparent armor assembly including at least one transparent armor pane, and interiorly accessible release means, the release means being selectively operable by a vehicle occupant for effecting release of at least the one of the transparent armor panes, such release permitting shifting a respective one of the at least one transparent armor panes from the transparent armor assembly to define an egress portal. A method of forming a vehicle emergency egress system is further included.
US08382189B2	Molded vanity assembly and method A vanity mirror and light assembly is provided for use on a vehicle visor. The vanity assembly includes a clear frame molded to a reflective film to define a reflector portion and a partially transmissive portion. The assembly also includes a lighting device located behind the partially transmissive portion of the reflective film to provide a vanity light passing through the partially transmissive portion. A method of forming the vanity assembly in a mold is also provided.
US08382180B2	Advanced FI blade for high temperature extraction An apparatus for transferring substrates in a processing system where the substrate is exposed to high temperatures is provided. In one embodiment a blade for transporting a substrate is provided. The blade comprises a base having an arcuate lateral shoulder, a first finger extending outward from and perpendicular to the base, a second finger extending outward from the base and parallel to and spaced-apart from the first finger, a first support tab configured to support the substrate and positioned along the arcuate lateral shoulder, a second support tab configured to support the substrate and coupled with the first finger, and a third support tab configured to support the substrate coupled with the second finger, wherein the arcuate lateral shoulder extends from an outer edge of the first finger to an outer edge of the second finger.
US08382176B2	Vault cover mover A vault cover grabber, bolt cover lifter or vault cover eye-hook is formed from two L shaped components with each component having an eye opening on one end and each component having an L shaped end (lower end) designed to be inserted through a void of a vault cover or other object. The top ends or eye ends of the two components are pivoted apart to allow the two lower ends to pass through a vault cover void. After insertion, the upper eye ends are pivoted together, causing the two lower ends to contain the vault cover. A hook or other object is placed through the two eye voids of the top ends of the two components. A combination of double clevis connectors, shaft collars, shackles and chains secure the vault cover grabber to a handle or other means of lifting.
US08382150B2	Easy lock and release mechanism for a safety seat retaining on a stroller frame and a base An easy lock and release mechanism for a safety seat retaining on a stroller frame and a base. A front confinement is mounted on the stroller frame, and has a spring-loaded latch retractively protruding from a rear wall of the front confinement for locking the safety seat. The safety seat has two anchoring slots, at least a downward holding slot and two latching elements. The downward holding slot has an orifice formed therein for engaging with the spring-loaded latch. The two anchoring slots may anchor to two transversal bars on the base and be locked by the two latching elements. The release mechanism is mounted on the safety seat, and has a release actuator associated with a pushing element and the two latching elements for pushing the spring-loaded latch away from the orifice and unlock the two latching elements.
US08382149B1	Baby trailer frame mounting structure A baby trailer frame mounting structure includes a bottom frame unit, a top frame unit, a trailer bar, two front wheel holder mounting frame assemblies and two front wheel holders. Each front wheel holder mounting frame assembly includes a base frame block affixed to one sidebar or front bar of the bottom frame unit, and a spring-loaded control member pivotally coupled to the base frame block for locking the associating front wheel holder.
US08382142B2	Motorcycle trailer A trailer which is sized to be towed behind a motorcycle. The trailer includes a cargo bay for storing luggage, spare parts, tools or other cargo. The trailer is preferably towed behind a motorcycle in a group of motorcycles. In the unfortunate event that one of the motorcycles breaks down or a rider is unable to continue operating his or her motorcycle, the cargo bay can be converted to a towing configuration for towing the disabled motorcycle. This allows the group of motorcycles to continue riding, and the disabled motorcycle can be towed to a repair location at a more convenient time for the entire group of riders.
US08382141B2	Axle security fixture An axle security fixture comprises one or more bracket portions configured to be secured about a rail of a truck frame, a receiving portion contiguous with the bracket portions for receiving a plurality of axles, and a cover situated atop the axles and secured to the receiving portion.
US08382139B2	Torsion seat-handle to facilitate learning bicycle riding A bicycle riding training device, or torsion seat-handle, attaches directly to the seat frame of a bicycle allowing the rider to receive immediate physical feedback from the instructor. The rider can “feel” the instructor's corrections through the seat, allowing the rider to more quickly learn how to balance the bicycle. The torsion seat-handle extends rearwardly and upwardly from the seat of the bicycle, such that it may be grasped by an instructor to provide physical corrections the rider. Additionally, the angular deployment of the torsion seat-handle can be adjusted to account for the height of the instructor.
US08382134B2	Wheel clamping assemblies An axle assembly (310) has a longitudinal axis and first and second ends, the axle assembly configured for rotatably mounting a wheel and hub assembly on an axle portion or the axle assembly, the axle portion located between the first and second ends, the axle assembly configured for affixing to first and second structural members (301, 302), at least one of the structural members (302) comprising a substantially closed bore orifice (306) wheel mounting point or dropout, said dropout having a first side configured for the axle portion to extend therefrom when said axle assembly (310) is fixed to said point and a second side, the axle assembly (310) comprising a first fixing means (309) at the first end for releasably fixing the axle assembly (310) to the first structural member (302) and a second fixing means (311) at the second end fog releasably fixing the axle assembly (310) to the second structural member (301).
US08382126B1	Mobile wheelchair lift system A mobile wheelchair lift system includes a wheelchair that includes a pair of rear wheels and a pair of front wheels. A panel has a top side and a bottom side. A plurality of wheels each is attached to the bottom side. A lift has a first end and a second end. The first end comprises a base and the second end comprises a mount that is attached to the bottom side. The lift is positioned in a first position to lift the panel upwardly from a support surface. The lift is positioned in a second position lower the wheels onto the support surface. A ramp is hingedly coupled to the rear edge. The ramp has an upper side, a lower side and a peripheral edge. The ramp is may be positioned in an extended position to allow the wheelchair to be rolled onto or off of the panel.
US08382122B2	Gasket A gasket having a concentrically waved metal sheet, i.e., a core member, which has a PTFE sheet or an inorganic sheet of sealing-property layered and bonded on each of its opposite surfaces. The gasket makes it possible to ensure a stable sealing-property for a long period of time with a low to a high fastening-load applied. The metal sheet has valley portions, which were conventionally vacant gaps, and are filled with powdered sealing member to be embedded from the beginning. Therefore, the PTFE sheet or the inorganic sheet at the valley portions of the metal sheet that conventionally could not be compressed with a low fastening-load applied is compressed and even with the low fastening-load applied can secure a fastening surface-pressure over the entire surface. Further, since it is possible to suppress the deformation of the sheet in quantity, which was conventionally large, the PTFE sheet or the inorganic sheet each of low-fluidity are arranged so as not to be broken with a high fastening-load applied and the thinner PTFE sheet or the thinner inorganic sheet can be used.
US08382115B2	Printing playing cards at a gaming table A gaming table is provided with an associated playing card printer. At the beginning of play, the playing card printer prints an entire deck of playing cards on suitable card stock. The deck of playing cards is printed in a random order as determined by a random number generator. The deck of playing cards is collated into a stack of cards and presented to the dealer who then uses this deck of playing cards to deal the casino game.
US08382113B2	Card game A card game in which players compete against a dealer to obtain a poker hand and a blackjack hand that beats the dealer without busting by exceeding 21 points.
US08382109B2	Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet conveying apparatus includes a first sheet conveying path, a second sheet conveying path branched from the first sheet conveying path, a switching member capable of moving in the branch portion of the first sheet conveying path and the second sheet conveying path, and a first regulation member and a second regulation member which regulate the movement of the switching member, wherein when the first regulation member is abutted against the switching member, the first regulation member forms a gap having a first interval through which the sheet can pass to the second sheet conveying path, when the switching member is further moved forward, and when the second regulation member is abutted against the switching member, the second regulation member forms a gap having a second interval smaller than the first interval through which the sheet can pass to the second sheet conveying path.
US08382108B2	Recording medium overturning mechanism and recording medium processing apparatus using the same The present invention provides a recording medium overturning mechanism, comprising: a bracket (100); an entry (50) and an exit (60), arranged in the bracket (100); a first channel (10), communicating the entry (50) with the exit (60) to convey a recording medium which does not need to be overturned; a second channel (20), communicating with the entry (50) to convey a recording medium which needs to be overturned; a third channel (30), communicating with the exit (60) and the second channel (20) to convey the overturned recording medium, wherein the first channel (10), the second channel (20) and the third channel (30) are basically arranged in an inverted triangle and joined with each other; a channel switching mechanism (40), arranged on the bracket (100) and located at a joining area between the first channel (10) and the second channel (20); and an overturning roller (70), arranged on the bracket (100) and located at a joining area between the second channel (20) and the third channel (30), the overturning roller (70) is driven by a motor (M), and the overturning roller (70) firstly rotates in a first direction to convey the recording medium away from the second channel (20), and then rotates in a direction opposite to the first direction to send the recording medium into the third channel (30). The present invention is simple in structure, small in volume and low in cost.
US08382101B2	Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet conveying apparatus has a guide member disposed in a space on a side of a pair of rotating bodies. The guide member is supported such that the guide member can project outward from an outer periphery of one of the rotating bodies located upstream in a sheet conveying direction. When a front end of a conveyed sheet abuts against the guide member and pushes the guide member, the guide member retracts from a projecting position into the space on the side of the pair of rotating bodies, and in this state, the front end of the sheet is guided to a nip portion of the pair of rotating bodies.
US08382097B2	Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus A sheet feeding device may include a tray, a sheet feeder, a pressurizing unit, a height detection unit, a weight detection unit, and a control unit. The tray may be raised and lowered. The sheet feeder sends out a sheet stacked on the tray. The pressurizing unit urges the tray to pressurize the sheet stacked on the tray against the sheet feeder. The control unit adjust pressure force of the pressurizing unit per change in height of sheets stacked on the tray on a basis of weight per unit height of the sheets, calculated on a basis of an initial total weight of the sheets stacked on the tray detected by the weight detection unit before a feeding operation is started and on a basis of the initial height of sheets stacked on the tray detected by the height detection unit before a sheet feeding operation is started.
US08382096B2	Sheet package A sheet package for supplying sheets to a printing apparatus has stacked sheets, and a package member that includes a first flat surface portion covering the sheets, a first side face portion extended from the first flat surface portion, a second flat surface portion extended from the first side face portion, a second side face portion extended from the first flat surface portion, a third flat surface portion extended from the second side face portion, a first cut-out portion formed in the first flat surface portion, a second cut-out portion formed in the second flat surface portion, and a third cut-out portion formed in the third flat surface portion, wherein at least one of an end of the second cut-out portion and an end of the third cut-out portion is disposed more toward the opposite side of the transfer direction of sheets than an end of the first cut-out portion.
US08382089B2	Sheet cutting apparatus and sheet post-processing apparatus having the same, and image forming system A sheet cutting apparatus, including: a conveying member configured to convey a half-folded sheet bunch in a conveyance path in which the conveying member is provided; a registration member which comes into contact with a leading edge portion of the sheet bunch to correct a skew feed of the sheet bunch; a cutting member positioned upstream of the registration member to cut a trailing edge portion of the sheet bunch; and a discharging member provided at an outlet of the conveyance path to discharge the sheet bunch, wherein the leading edge portion of the sheet bunch is positioned outside the discharging member when, after the skew feed is corrected, the sheet bunch is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by the conveying member and the trailing edge portion of the sheet bunch is conveyed to a cutting position of the cutting member to cut the trailing edge portion.
US08382081B2	Method for machining a workpiece as well as such machining device For machining a workpiece the workpiece is fixed in a first gripping device of a machining device in order to make at least one element. Next the workpiece is transferred to the second gripping device of the machining device, where the workpiece is fixed by means of the element in the second gripping device of the machining device, while the first gripping device remains connected to the machining device. The element comprises a dovetail-shaped mounting element.
US08382080B2	Cord reinforced resilient membrane A cord reinforced resilient membrane (or diaphragm) having a high radial (transverse) stiffness and a relatively low axial stiffness, wherein the cord reinforced resilient membrane has adapatability for use in both hydraulic and conventional strut mounts, as well as other applications, and wherein the radial stiffness provided by the cords is directionally tunable for utilization in a particular application.
US08382076B2	Object-support column A support column with a vertical tube has a coaxially installed gas spring including a cylinder divided by a piston into first and second working chambers. A piston rod passes through the second working chamber in a sealed manner to the outside, where it is attached to a bottom support piece of the vertical tube. The cylinder projects out of the vertical tube and is guided with freedom to slide back and forth in a guide sleeve installed in the end of the vertical tube opposite the bottom support piece. A connection between the first and second working chambers can be blocked by a manually actuatable valve. A second valve between the chambers, which is closed when the gas spring is under load, can be switched to the open position after the load on the gas spring has been absent for a certain period of time.
US08382071B2	Raw material supply device A raw material supply device (105) includes an introduction pipe (152a) which introduces a carrier gas into a raw material vessel (151), a transport pipe (152b) which transports a source gas fed out from the raw material vessel, a supply pipe (155a) which is branched from the transport pipe and supplies the source gas to a film forming chamber (101), a circulation pipe (155b) which is branched from the transport pipe (152b) and returns the source gas to the introduction pipe (152a), an introduction valve (156a) which is attached to the introduction pipe, a supply valve (156b) which is attached to the supply pipe, a circulation valve (156c) which is attached to the circulation pipe, and a controller (157) which controls opening/closing of the valves. The controller controls the supply valve and the circulation valve to be in opposite open/closed states. The source gas can be supplied more stably while suppressing the waste of the raw material.
US08382062B2	Actuator for a valve The invention provides an electromagnetic actuator for moving a closure member of a valve. The actuator contains a solenoid, a yoke and a wire spring for fixing a guide tube, in which the closure member is movable, to the solenoid. The spring is formed so that it further fixes the yoke to the solenoid. Accordingly, the number of components is reduced, and detaching of the yoke may easily be facilitated.
US08382060B2	Component orientation element A component to be mounted on a vehicle includes a housing, a pair of component mounting passages, defined in the housing, aligning with a pair of respective vehicle mounting passages when the component is any of a plurality of orientations with respect to the vehicle, and a component orientation element, on the housing. The component orientation element cooperates with a vehicle orientation element only when the component is in one of the plurality of orientations with respect to the vehicle. A hub on the component orientation element acts to tune the component orientation element for attenuating vibration received by the component orientation element from the vehicle.
US08382059B2	Holder for electronic device with support A protective holder for the iPhone®, iPad®, iPod Touch™, electronic books, electronic tablet computers and other portable devices having a frontal LCD, OLED, touch screen, or other display that employs a form-fitting backplate with corner frames for cradling the device while leaving the entire frontal aspect unobstructed is disclosed. The holder may include a series of contoured side grippers on each side of the backplate for clamping the device in place without obstructing the LCD screen (or access to it for cleaning or otherwise). The holder may include a fully-adjustable kickstand for upright hands-free viewing of the device at several landscape and portrait angles and the holder may also include a built-in moveable directional sound reflector and noise shield improves audio performance, and a detachable belt clip allows belt wearing. The holder has an extreme slimline folded profile to facilitate pocket insertion, minimize bulk and create an eye-catching aesthetic.
US08382057B2	Low profile seat track system A seat track system for a seat of a vehicle includes at least one seat track having a lower track member adapted to be fixed to a vehicle structure and an upper track member adapted to be connected to a seat and moveable relative to the lower track member. The seat track system also includes a manual positive engagement locking system cooperating with the at least one seat track to allow longitudinal adjustment of the upper track member relative to the lower track member and to positively engage the at least one seat track such that a locking element does extend through the locking plate but does not extend below the lower track member.
US08382050B2	Universal connector A universal connector (5) is provided for connecting an architectural covering to an architectural surface. The connector has an adaptor plate (6) that is substantially circular and has one or more radially outwardly projecting flanges (16) and is arranged to be inserted into a ring-shaped engagement member (7) having one or more openings (18) in a front cover (17). The adaptor plate and the engagement member are configured such that the adaptor plate may be inserted into the engagement member by aligning the one or more flanges of the adaptor plate with a respective opening in the front cover of the engagement member and removal of the adaptor plate from the engagement member may subsequently be prevented by a partial rotation of the adaptor plate relative to the engagement member.
US08382027B2	Adjustable servomechanism assemblies and associated systems and methods Adjustable servomechanism assemblies and associated systems and methods. An unmanned aircraft system in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a movable mechanism and a servomechanism assembly operably coupled to the movable mechanism. The system also includes an interface assembly operably coupled to an output shaft of the servo and the movable mechanism. The interface assembly includes an adapter portion carried by the output shaft and an output arm releasably engaged with the adapter portion. The adapter portion includes a first aperture having a non-round surface mated with a non-round surface of the output shaft, and a non-splined, engagement surface. The output arm includes a second aperture sized to receive at least a portion of the outer surface of the adapter portion. The second aperture includes a generally smooth inner surface in contact with and rotatable through 360 degrees relative to the engagement surface of the adapter portion.

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