Document	Document Title
US08400848B2	Bit line negative potential circuit and semiconductor storage device According to one embodiment, a bit line negative potential circuit includes a bit line capacitance compensation capacitor which compensates the capacitance of a bit line and a peripheral capacitance compensation capacitor which compensates the peripheral capacitance of the bit line. After the bit line is switched to a low potential, the bit line is driven based on a charging voltage of the bit line capacitance compensation capacitor and the peripheral capacitance compensation capacitor.
US08400842B2	Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method for driving the same According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory unit and a control unit. The memory unit includes a charge storage film, a first insulating film provided adjacent to one surface of the charge storage film, a second insulating film provided adjacent to one other surface of the charge storage film, a semiconductor portion provided adjacent to the first insulating film and a plurality of electrode portions provided adjacent to the second insulating film. The control unit performs a control of applying a first voltage to electrode portions adjacent to each other in one direction at different timing respectively, in an erasing. The erasing is performed by at least one selected from injecting electron holes into the charge storage film and removing electrons from the charge storage film. The first voltage is applied from one of the electrode portions to the charge storage film to be erased.
US08400836B2	Segmented bitscan for verification of programming A set non-volatile storage elements are subjected to a programming process in order to store a set of data. During the programming process, one or more verification operations are performed to determine whether the non-volatile storage elements have reached their target condition to store the appropriate data. Decisions about whether to continue programming or whether the programming is successful are made based on whether overlapping groups of the non-volatile storage elements have less than a threshold number of non-volatile storage elements that are not properly programmed.
US08400824B2	Non-volatile memory device and method for controlling the same A non-volatile memory and method for controlling the same prevents a faulty operation from being generated in a read operation, resulting in increase in operation reliability. The non-volatile memory device includes a cell array configured to include a plurality of unit cells in which a read or write operation of data is achieved in a unit cell in response to a variation of resistance, a reference cell array configured to include a plurality of reference cells, each of which has the same structure as that of the unit cell, a global reference current generation circuit configured to generate a global reference current corresponding to a position of the reference cell so as to verify data stored in the reference cell array, and a sense-amplifier configured to compare a current flowing in the reference cell array with the global reference current during a write verification operation of the reference cell array, and thus sense data.
US08400815B2	Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of first lines and second lines intersecting each other and a plurality of memory cells connected at intersections of the plurality of first lines and second lines; and a first line control circuit and a second line control circuit configured to select the first lines and the second lines respectively to supply a voltage or current necessary for a resetting operation or a setting operation on the memory cells. The first line control circuit supplies unselected ones of the first lines with an unselecting voltage corresponding to the distance between the unselected first lines and the second line control circuit.
US08400813B2	One-time programmable fuse with ultra low programming current A method of operating a FinFET fuse includes providing the FinFET fuse including a drain, a gate, a source, and a channel between the drain and the source; and applying a program voltage to one of the source and the drain of the FinFET fuse to cause a punch-through in the channel of the FinFET fuse. The method further includes determining a program state of the FinFET fuse.
US08400810B2	Enhanced performance memory systems and methods Digital memory devices and systems, including memory systems and methods for operating such memory systems are disclosed. In the embodiments, a memory system may include a processor and a memory controller communicatively coupled to the processor. A memory bus communicates with at least two memory units through the memory bus. At least one divider unit may be interposed between the memory bus and the at least two memory units that is configured to approximately equally divide levels of received signals while matching an impedance of the memory bus to an impedance of the memory units.
US08400808B2	Phase interpolators and push-pull buffers Interpolator systems are described utilizing one or more push-pull buffers to generate output clock signals that may be provided as inputs to a phase interpolator. The more linear slope on the output of the push-pull buffer may improve the linearity of a phase interpolator using the clock signals output from the push-pull buffers.
US08400801B2	Wireless power transfer terminal This disclosure provides a wireless power transfer terminal that enables a power device to be used for both power transmission and power reception and allows space savings of circuits and a reduction in the cost of manufacturing. The wireless power transfer terminal includes first through fourth switching elements, a coil, and a control circuit. Each of two sets of switching elements forms a series circuit, and the two sets are connected in parallel to each other. The coil is connected between connection points of the switching elements of the series circuits. The control circuit performs switching control of the first to fourth switching elements in a power transmission mode and in a power reception mode.
US08400793B2	Method in a cascaded two-level converter, control device and computer program products A method for providing a switching order signal to a cell of a cascaded two-level converter is provided. The cell includes a capacitor parallel-connected with two series-connected semiconductor devices. The cascaded two-level converter includes two or more of the cells cascade connected and arranged in a phase, divided into two phase arms, between a first pole and a second pole of a direct voltage side. The method includes measuring voltages of the capacitor of the cell; calculating a compensated voltage reference based on a voltage reference and the measured voltages of the capacitors, wherein the voltage reference corresponds to a desired ac current to be output on an ac-side; using the compensated voltage reference to calculate a switching order signal, and providing the switching order signal to the cells.
US08400788B2	Power supply apparatus for a capacitive load The invention provides a power supply apparatus for supplying electric power to a capacitive load. The apparatus has a transformer, a positive half-period driver and a negative half-period driver supplying positive and negative half-periods of voltage to the first coil. The second coil forms an electric resonance circuit and supplies electric voltage to the load. Zero crossings of the voltage supplied to the first coil are determined from a third coil on the transformer, and alternation between positive and negative half-periods of voltage supplied to the first coil is done at the zero crossings of the voltage supplied to the first coil.
US08400785B2	Aperture edge emission suppression using ferrite An electronic device is within a housing that has an aperture through an enclosure surface of the housing. A ferrite block is attached to an edge of the aperture, thus transforming electromagnetically-induced current next to the aperture into heat in order to reduce a voltage across the aperture, thereby suppressing aperture edge emissions.
US08400782B2	Wiring board and method for manufacturing the same A wiring board has a first rigid wiring board having an accommodation section, a second rigid wiring board to be accommodated in the accommodation section, and an insulation layer formed on the first rigid wiring board and the second rigid wiring board. Here, a conductor of the first rigid wiring board and a conductor of the second rigid wiring board are electrically connected to each other, and at least either a side surface of the second rigid wiring board or a wall surface of the accommodation section has a concave-convex portion.
US08400775B2	Capacitor with direct DC connection to substrate A subcomponent is provided for a power inverter module. The apparatus comprises a capacitor having a terminal and integrated into a housing. A substrate is mounted on the housing. The substrate incorporates a power semiconductor switch and has at least one direct current (DC) tab. The direct current tab is directly connected to the terminal of the capacitor.
US08400774B2	Packaging techniques and configurations One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus comprising a flex circuit substrate having a core, a first solder mask and first traces disposed on the core on a first side of the flex circuit substrate, and a second solder mask and second traces disposed on the core on a second side of the flex circuit substrate. The first side is opposite to the second side. The apparatus further includes vias formed through the core to electrically couple the first traces to the second traces, and a stiffening structure coupled to the first side of the flex circuit substrate to increase structural rigidity of the flex circuit substrate. The stiffening structure provides structural, support to allow attachment of an integrated circuit die to the first side of the flex circuit substrate.
US08400762B2	Display device An optical sheet that diffuses light is disposed on the front side of a backlight chassis supporting a fluorescent tube, a frame supporting a display panel that displays images is provided on the front side of the optical sheet, a bezel is provided on the front side of the frame, the bezel, the display panel, the frame and the optical sheet are coupled, and the bezel, the display panel, the frame and the optical sheet constitute a unit. A first reinforcing member is provided along one side of the optical sheet, a second reinforcing member opposed to the first reinforcing member is provided along one side of the backlight chassis, and a pivotal member is provided between the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member.
US08400749B2	Aircraft joint and bonding lead A joint on an aircraft, the joint comprising: a first component; a second component; and a bonding lead which provides an electrical pathway between the first and second components. The bonding lead comprises a conductive core and a sheath which covers a substantial length of the core and has a lower electrical conductivity than the core. The path of least electrical resistance between the first component and the core of the bonding lead comprises the sheath, typically with an electrical resistance between 50 kΩ and 50 MΩ. By making the electrical resistance of the core much smaller than that of the sheath, the total resistance of the bonding lead remains substantially the same regardless of its length.
US08400748B2	Magnetic coupler device and magnetically coupled isolator In a magnetic coupler device comprising: a magnetic field generation circuit generating a magnetic field according to an input current; and a detection bridge circuit including a pair of magnetoresistance effect devices, a resistance value of each of the magnetoresistance effect devices changing by applying a magnetic field generated by said magnetic field generation circuit to each of the magnetoresistance effect devices, and having two outputs between which a voltage difference is generated according to an intensity of the magnetic field generated by said magnetic field generation circuit, by forming a geometric shape of each of said magnetic field generation circuit and said detection bridge circuit in line symmetric or point symmetric, a high S/N ratio is obtained even with high frequency.
US08400744B2	Earth leakage detection module with robust transient suppression A module for a high voltage electronic circuit breaker that includes a power supply and related circuitry for suppressing high voltage transients. The power supply receives a range of voltages, such as up to 600V, and is powered from the line current instead of through a transformer, exposing the module electronics to potential voltage transients. A large capacitor is connected to the high voltage input for absorbing the energy of a voltage transient. Transient voltage suppressors are connected in parallel to the capacitor to absorb any further energy in the transient not absorbed by the capacitor. Inductors are series-connected with the high voltage input to present an impedance and inductance to the voltage transient, reducing the transient before it reaches the power supply. Inductors in the trip coil and the indicator coils also present an impedance and inductance to the transient, further enhancing protection against transients. Fuses connected in line with the high voltage input protect the module electronics against short circuits.
US08400743B2	Electrostatic discharge circuit An integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. The IC includes a first global voltage node and a second global voltage node. The IC further includes two or more power domains each coupled to the first global voltage node. Each of the two or more power domains includes a functional unit and a local voltage node coupled to the functional unit. Each of the plurality of power domains further includes a power-gating transistor coupled between the local voltage node and the second global voltage node, and an ESD (electrostatic discharge) circuit configured to detect an occurrence of an ESD event and further configured to cause activation of the transistor responsive to detecting the ESD event.
US08400740B2	Short-circuit limiting device in a low-voltage installation A device for limiting a short-circuit current in an alternating-current low-voltage installation includes one or more supply lines having power-supply points with power-supply aggregates protected by feeder switches. The supply lines are separated at an isolating point into two line sections in response to a short circuit fault. One or more polyphase high-speed short-circuiting devices are coupled to the isolating point, having a current carrying capacity sufficient for short-circuit current intensities occurring on the supply line. The high-speed short-circuiting device performs a short-circuit switching operation at the isolating point in response to a trip signal. Two power circuit breakers are each connected in series between each of the line sections and the high-speed short circuiting device. A current-sensing device is coupled to each line section. The current-sensing device detects the short circuit fault, and transmits the trip signal to the high-speed short circuiting device.
US08400724B2	Movable lens assembly and associated methods A lens assembly is provided for use with a camera having a camera body. The lens assembly in accordance with one embodiment comprises a lens body portion having camera mount configured to be connected to the camera body. A lens body is connected to the camera mount, and an adapter is connected to the lens body. An optic assembly is removably connected to the adapter and is axially moveable relative to the lens body. The optic assembly has a housing connectable to the adapter, and an optic is carried by the housing. The optic assembly is removable from the lens body portion while the lens body portion remains on the camera body. A focus assembly is coupled to the adapter and configured to axially adjust a position of the optic assembly relative to the lens body to control focus of the lens assembly when the optic assembly is installed in the lens body.
US08400714B2	Systems, methods, and apparatus for a light reflector Certain embodiments of the invention may include reflector systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a light reflector. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for manufacturing a multi-layer light reflector. The method can include attaching a rear reflective layer to a lenticular lens optical film layer. The lenticular lens optical film layer includes a smooth surface and a structured surface. The rear reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or in contact with the smooth surface of the lenticular optical film. The method also includes attaching a diffusion layer to the lenticular lens optical film layer. The diffusion layer includes a smooth film surface and a structured diffusing surface. The smooth film surface of the diffusion film is disposed adjacent to or in contact with the structured surface of the lenticular lens optical film.
US08400713B2	Speckle reduction using beam splitting with birefringent wedge in laser scanning display systems Speckle effect in scanning display systems that employs polarized phase-coherent light is reduced by depolarizing the phase-coherent light using a depolarizer and scanning the depolarized light for producing desired images.
US08400710B2	Observing device The observing apparatus is being equipped with an image-forming optical system which forms an image of light emitted from a specimen, an imaging unit which picks up the image of the specimen formed by the image-forming optical system, and an illuminating unit which illuminates the specimen with a surface illuminant in which bright areas and dark areas are arranged alternately in order to provide an observing apparatus suitable to observe a transparent specimen with a wide field of view. If the position of the surface illuminant and the pitch of contrasting are set properly, each partial area of the specimen is illuminated obliquely at a small angle by each bright area of the surface illuminant. Therefore, the imaging unit can acquire a dark-field observation image of each partial area.
US08400704B2	Interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element. A transflective mirror reflector is established at a third surface of a rear substrate of the mirror assembly. The mirror reflector has at least three layers, including a metallic layer, a transparent conductive metal oxide layer and a transparent dielectric metal oxide layer. The metallic layer is closer to the electrochromic medium than the transparent conductive metal oxide layer and the transparent dielectric metal oxide layer, and the transparent conductive metal oxide layer and the transparent dielectric metal oxide layer are disposed between the metallic layer and the third surface of the rear substrate. The at least three layers of the mirror reflector are established at the third surface of the rear substrate by a vacuum deposition process that includes sputtering from multiple sputtering targets in a single vacuum deposition chamber.
US08400703B2	Optical switch An optical switch for switching between transmission and total reflection of incident light 101 applied to electro-optical crystal 104 by applying an electric field to electro-optical crystal 104 to thereby change the refractive index of electro-optical crystal 104 includes a plurality of electrodes 105 disposed in electro-optical crystal 104 to provide electrode assembly 106 for applying the electric field to electro-optical crystal 104. Electro-optical crystal 104 has a refractive index changing portion (not shown) whose refractive index is changed by the electric field applied by electrode assembly 106, the refractive index changing portion enclosing electrode assembly 106 in its entirety. The refractive index changing portion has a flat refractive index boundary.
US08400700B2	Risley integrated steering module A beam steering device is disclosed which includes an outer assembly rotatable about an axis by a motor assembly, and an inner assembly rotatable about the axis by another motor assembly and positioned radially within the outer assembly. The beam steering device also includes a first prism or grating connected to the outer assembly and a second prism or grating connected to the inner assembly. Both motor assemblies are axially displaced from the steering devices. The beam steering device also consists of beam expansion optics carried by either the inner assembly or the stationary assembly. In a further embodiment, an array of steerable sub-apertures are maintained within the inner and outer assemblies.
US08400696B2	Three-dimensional image display and three-dimensional image displaying method A three-dimensional image displaying apparatus comprises a spatial light modulation element having a discrete pixel structure and expressing a hologram, an illumination optical system generating reconstruction light by causing illumination light to enter said spatial light modulation element that expresses the hologram, and a lens as a reconstruction image converting optical system displaying a reconstruction image by producing a virtual image wavefront-converted from the reconstruction light.
US08400694B2	Image forming apparatus to save toner and method to control the same An image forming apparatus to save toner, which can increase the sharpness of printed data (for example, images or characters) on a printing medium while achieving toner saving, and a method to control the same. The image forming apparatus includes a determinator, a storage unit, and a halftoning processor. The determinator receives a command signal to print and then determines whether or not the received command signal is a command signal for a toner saving mode. The storage unit stores a halftone table in which an LPI higher than a normal LPI is set. If the received command signal is a command signal for the toner saving mode, the halftoning processor generates and outputs halftoning result by comparing gray level values corresponding to pixels of received input image data with grayscale values of the stored halftone table.
US08400680B2	Printing control apparatus, printing control method, and computer-readable storage medium Flexible specifying is enabled in the event of using data created with a general application to specify printing by layering a color toner image and optional special color toner image. A printer driver specifies pages to perform printing using a clear toner out of the page group received from the application, generates a job including data for layering as to the same face on the same sheet and printing a clear toner page which is a specified page, and a color toner page which is a page not specified for clear toner in the page group, and sends this to the printer.
US08400674B2	Print control apparatus and print control method for the same A PDL controller divides a print job of providing instructions to perform printing using color toners and a clear toner into a print job using the color toners and a print job using the clear toner in accordance with a ratio in an entire image formed on the basis of the print job of an image area when a sum of a total amount of the color toners used and a predetermined amount of the special toner used exceeds an upper limit of an amount of toner used in printing, and transmits the print jobs to a printing apparatus. Also, when printing based on the print job using the clear toner is to be performed, the PDL controller allows a display unit to display a guide to set a printout generated on the basis of the print job using the color toners to a paper feeder.
US08400673B2	Value document comprising a serial number The invention relates to a value document, especially a banknote, having an individualizing mark that is applied at least once each to the front and the reverse of the value document. Here, at least one of the individualizing identifiers applied to the front and reverse is applied to the value document with a non-contact method.
US08400666B2	Information processing apparatus and information processing method Print log information representing an output sheet count in each of a plurality of image forming devices is acquired. Next, print log information of output products is acquired for each department or user capable of using the image forming device. Then, total print log information representing the output sheet count of the plurality of image forming devices is acquired. When the sum of output sheet counts specified by the print log information acquired first coincides with the sum of output sheet counts specified by the total print log information, the print log information or total print log information acquired for the department or user is decided as the sum of output sheet counts of the department or user.
US08400665B2	Generic interface A system and process for ensuring the smooth flow of electronic ink is described. Ink-stroke information associated with one or more data packets is received, and it is determined that the ink-stroke information comprises a gesture indication. The gesture indication is communicated to an ink collection object which causes the ink collection object to delete the ink stroke information.
US08400644B2	Means and method for measuring an elevator hoistway A device and a method for measuring an elevator hoistway, includes at least one or more laser aligners and a measuring element. The measuring element is provided with an essentially long handle for extending the measuring element into the laser beams transmitted by the laser aligners.
US08400640B2	Optical sensor interrogation system based on FDML wavelength swept laser Provided is an optical sensor interrogation system. The optical sensor interrogation system includes: a light source unit which matches round-trip time of light and wavelength tunable cycle time of light in a resonator and emits light; a sensing unit which receives an optical signal in which a center wavelength periodically tunes, from the light source unit and tunes the center wavelength of the optical signal according to physical changes applied from the outside; and a signal processing unit which receives the optical signal reflected from the sensing unit, detects data, and images the data. In particular, the light source unit includes a delaying unit which delays the round-trip time of light and a tunable filter which tunes the wavelength of light so as to match the round-trip time of light with the wavelength tunable cycle time of light. Accordingly, a Fourier domain mode locking (FDML) wavelength swept laser, which operates at speed of several tens kHz or above, is used as a light source so that strain of a fluid, which changes in a short time interval of 0.1 msec or below, is precisely measured and thus a real-time analysis may be performed at high speed.
US08400634B2	Semiconductor wafer alignment markers, and associated systems and methods Semiconductor wafer alignment markers and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A wafer in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a wafer substrate having an alignment marker that includes a first structure and a second structure, each having a pitch, with first features and second features positioned within the pitch. The first features are positioned to generate first phase portions of an interference pattern, with at least one of the first features having a width different than another of the first features in the pitch, and with the second features positioned to generate second phase portions of the interference pattern, with the second phase portions having a second phase opposite the first phase, and with at least one of the second features having a width different than that of another of the second features in the pitch. The pitch for the first structure is different than the pitch for the second structure.
US08400624B2	Non contact wheel alignment sensor and method A method of determining alignment characteristics of a tire and wheel assembly mounted on a vehicle comprises projecting a light plane onto the tire and wheel assembly to form a reference illumination line, receiving a reflected image of the reference illumination line with a photo electric device, and determining a reference distance from the reference illumination line to a noncontact wheel alignment sensor including the photo electric device. The method also includes projecting a plurality of light planes onto the tire and wheel assembly to form a plurality of generally parallel illumination lines, receiving a reflected image of at least some of the generally parallel illumination lines with the photo electric device, and identifying which generally parallel illumination lines are imaged at the receiving step using the reference distance, and determining the orientation of the tire and wheel assembly based on the reflected image of the generally parallel illumination lines.
US08400615B2	Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method An immersion lithographic apparatus and method are disclosed in which measures are taken to account for dissolution of resist components, such as photo-acids or photo-acid generators, in immersion liquid. This may involve ensuring that each relevant part of the substrate is covered by liquid the same amount of time and/or by compensating for the differing amounts of time each relevant part of the substrate is covered by liquid by varying exposure intensity or duration based on the amount of time the substrate is covered by liquid.
US08400613B2	Optical element driving apparatus, projection optical system, exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method An outer ring (21) is arranged in a barrel unit (14c). A driving mechanism (25) provided on the outer ring shifts an optical element (M), and adjusts the position and the tilt of the optical element. A damper mechanism (31) for suppressing propagation of vibration to the optical element is attached to the outer ring.
US08400612B2	Wavefront aberration measurement apparatus, exposure apparatus, and method of manufacturing device A measurement apparatus, which measures a wavefront aberration of an optical system to be measured, comprises: a calculation unit configured to calculate the wavefront aberration based on an interference fringe generated by light which passed through the optical system to be measured; and a determination unit configured to calculate an evaluation value indicating a wavefront state based on the wavefront aberration calculated by the calculation unit, and determine the calculated wavefront aberration as the wavefront aberration of the optical system if the evaluation value falls within an allowable range.
US08400606B2	Liquid crystal display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same In an LCD apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same, a first substrate on which a pixel electrode is formed includes a color filter formed at a pixel area thereof. A color filter spacer is formed at a position between the pixel area and an adjacent pixel area while the color filter is formed. A second substrate on which the common electrode is formed includes a light blocking pattern formed at the position between the pixel area and adjacent pixel area so as to block light incident through between the pixel area and adjacent pixel area, and a light visual angle pattern formed at the position corresponding to the pixel area so as to widen a visual angle of light incident into the pixel area. Thus, the LCD apparatus may be manufactured through simplified and reduced processes and improve display quality of an image.
US08400602B2	Pixel unit, LCD panel, and method for forming the same The present invention discloses a pixel unit, a liquid crystal display panel and method for forming the same. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a common line, a first shading line, and a second shading line, all of which are under the pixel electrode and are formed by a metallic layer. A lateral side of the first or second shading line, which is not covered by the pixel electrode is a curve edge. The curve first or second shading line expands an area of the common line, resulting in an increase of a storage capacitor. Even if a G/D overlay tolerance exists during the process of forming an LCD panel, a problem of uneven display brightness occurring in the LCD panel is still being improved.
US08400593B2	Electro-optical device An electro-optical device includes a body of fluid, a lower conductor layer disposed below the body of fluid, and a dielectric layer disposed between the body of fluid and the lower conductor layer, connected to the lower conductor layer and supporting the body of fluid. The dielectric layer includes a matrix and a liquid crystal material disposed in the matrix and including liquid crystal molecules. The dielectric layer has a segment disposed adjacent to the fluid. When the segment of the dielectric layer is exposed to an electric field, the body of fluid undergoes electrowetting or dielectrophoresis mechanism, and the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules that are disposed in the segment of the dielectric layer is changed.
US08400591B2	Video image evaluation equipment A video image evaluation equipment of the present invention is capable of converting circularly-polarized light emitted from a circularly polarizing light source into linearly-polarized light so as to transmit an absorption-type linear polarizer by a wavelength plate to be incident on a liquid crystal panel. This makes it possible to enter and reflect light emitted from the circularly polarizing light source on the liquid crystal panel without loss, which leads to display brighter video images than conventional ones.
US08400589B2	Flat panel display device and method of manufacturing the same A flat panel display device and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a flat panel display device includes a substrate having a thin film transistor (TFT) formed thereon, and a blocking layer is formed between the TFT and the substrate. The blocking layer is disposed only in the region vertically corresponding to an active layer of the TFT. Thus, light transmittance is not reduced, and accordingly, there is generally better luminance and image quality of the device.
US08400588B2	Liquid crystal display A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a first signal line disposed on the first substrate, a thin film transistor connected with the first signal line, a first color filter and a second color filter disposed on the first substrate; a colored member disposed on the first color filter and the second color filter; and a pixel electrode disposed on the first color filter and the second color filter and the colored member, wherein the first color filter and the second color filter are partially overlapped with each other and the height of the colored member disposed at the overlap between the first color filter and the second color filter is greater than the height of the colored member disposed not at the overlap.
US08400584B2	Liquid crystal display device having a light guide plate being formed in a trapezoidal shape in cross section A backlight which arranges light emitting diodes on a side surface of light guide plate adopts the structure which allows the easy removal of the light guide plate from a mold and makes it difficult for a stress or the like to influence the fine structure of a light incident portion of the light guide plate. In a liquid crystal display device having a backlight which radiates light to a liquid crystal panel, LEDs which constitute a light emitting element are mounted on a light guide plate which is mounted on a backlight, and edge portions of the light guide plate are tapered such that a width of the light guide plate is increased in the removal direction of the side surface of the light guide plate. Further, an ejector-pin mark is formed on a lower surface of the light guide plate by pushing an ejector pin in the removal direction of the light guide plate.
US08400583B2	Light source apparatus and display apparatus using light source apparatus A light source apparatus include a light guide plate, a plurality of optical sheets and a frame, wherein one of the optical sheets is a prism sheet having a plurality of prisms on one surface and one or more integrally formed dark part suppressing projecting pieces engaging the frame. A pair of dark part suppressing sides adjoin the dark part suppressing projecting piece and form a first angle equal to or smaller than a dark part suppressing angle. Second angles making a pair of angles formed with a straight line and each of dark part suppressing sides are equal to or smaller than half of the dark part suppressing angle. The straight line passes through a region formed between the pair of dark part suppressing sides, passes through an intersection point of the pair of dark part suppressing sides and is parallel or perpendicular to ridge lines of the prisms.
US08400582B2	Liquid crystal display device and backlight unit Disclosed is a liquid crystal display including a liquid crystal panel, a light guide plate that transfers light from a light source to the liquid crystal panel and has a pattern formed on a base surface, a reflection plate that is positioned under the light guide plate and seated on a bottom cover, and a diffusing plate that is positioned between the light guide plate and the reflection plate and has a protection layer formed on a surface to face the light guide plate and a diffusing layer formed on the other surface to face the reflection plate.
US08400576B2	Transistor-controlled display devices A device architecture for an active matrix display pixel comprising source addressing lines and TFT drain electrode formed on a first metal level of the device, the pixel electrode formed on a second, separate metal level, and the TFT gate electrode and gate addressing lines on a third metal level separated from both the first level and the second level by at least one dielectric layer, wherein the pixel electrode on the second level is electrically connected to the drain electrode on the first level through a via-hole connection and a pixel capacitor is formed by overlap of part of the pixel electrode on the second level with a portion of the gate addressing line of a neighboring line of pixels on the third level. The device is formed preferably using print based methods.
US08400565B2	Video scan converter for performing interlaced to progressive scan conversion A video scan converter processes a video stream including a first coding unit, which has been obtained by encoding a pair of fields N1 and N2 that has come from a first frame of film video, and a second coding unit, which has been obtained by encoding a pair of a field N3 that has also come from the first frame and a field M1 that has come from a second frame, not the first frame. The video scan converter includes: a decoder, which receives the video stream, decodes the first and second coding units, and sequentially outputs the data of the respective fields N1, N2, N3 and M1; and a scan converter, which generates a frame based on associated two of those fields that have been supplied from the decoder. In outputting a frame associated with the field N3, the scan converter generates the frame based on the fields N1 and N2 without using the data of the field N3.
US08400563B2	Digital camera A digital camera of the present invention has: an optical housing having a bending optical system for reflecting photographic object light entering along a first optical axis to a second optical axis direction perpendicular to the first optical axis to form an image on an image pickup device; a camera main body having a containing portion for containing the optical housing slidably only in the second optical axis direction and having support portions for supporting the optical housing provided on each of both sides surfaces of the containing portion across the second optical axis of the bending optical system; and a shock absorbing unit provided between an inner surface of the containing portion of the camera main body in which the support portions are not provided and an outer surface of the optical housing facing thereto.
US08400560B1	Viewing angle adjustable vehicle camera device A viewing angle adjustable vehicle camera device comprises a housing, a camera module and an adjustment tenon. The adjustment tenon is disposed behind the camera module to adjust the viewing angle of the camera. The housing is formed with an adjustment slot and a mounting unit for mounting of the adjustment tenon, and the adjustment tenon is movable along the adjustment slot and capable of being fixed to the mounting unit, so that the position of the camera module can be adjusted easily to obtain an optimum viewing angle.
US08400549B2	Imaging and display apparatus and method The object of the present invention is to provide an imaging and display apparatus and method for providing small and reasonable apparatus while the imaging frame rate of the imaging element can be high without decreasing the resolution of the display image. For this object, an imaging and display apparatus comprises an imaging element 12 for performing photo electric conversion on an optical image formed by an optical system 11, a display element 20 for displaying image information, a readout control section 14 for sequentially reading out the image information from the imaging element 12, and a image selection section 17 for selecting image information to be displayed on the display element 20 from the image information sequentially read out of the imaging element 12 by the readout control section 14. The readout control section 14 controls the readout of the imaging element 12 so that spatially different image information is included in the sequential readout period of the imaging element 12 corresponding to the sequential display frames of the display element 20, and the image selection section 17 selects spatially different image information which is read out of the imaging element 12 in sequential display frames.
US08400530B2	Communication device, communication system, image presentation method, and program A communication device that can simplify various settings of a display device, such as a TV, that provides information regarding an object (communication device) is provided. An image capturing device (1) has a RF-ID unit (47) for performing proximity wireless communication with a RF-ID reader/writer (46) connected via an infrared communication path to a TV (45). The image capturing device (1) includes: an antenna (21) for the proximity wireless communication; a data receiving unit (105) receiving an input signal from the RF-ID reader/writer (46); a nonvolatile second memory (52) storing at least UID (75) and an execution program (116); and a data transmission unit (108) transmitting the UID (75) and the execution program (116) to the RF-ID reader/writer (46) via the antenna (21) according to the input signal. The UID (75) is used to identify the communication device, and the execution program (116) is executed by the TV (45) with reference to the UID (75). The transmitted UID (75) and execution program (116) are transferred to the TV (45) via the RF-ID reader/writer (46).
US08400526B2	Image sensing apparatus and control method thereof An image sensing apparatus has an image sensing unit that outputs an image signal in accordance with incident light through an optical system including a zoom lens. The apparatus performs photographing by exposing the image sensing unit while driving the zoom lens, and stores attached information relating to photography at a predetermined timing after driving of the zoom lens has started during photographing. After the end of exposure of the image sensing unit, an image signal output from the image sensing unit is recorded in association with the stored attached information.
US08400524B2	Image management method A method for managing an image photographed by two or more image pickup devices corresponding to two or more viewpoints, comprises: storing a 2D image photographed by the two or more image pickup devices, with identifier indicating that the image is two-dimensional; and storing a 3D image photographed by the two or more image pickup devices, with identifier indicating that the image is three-dimensional. Hence, it becomes possible to search and display quickly an object 2D or 3D image by performing an access per folder.
US08400523B2	White balance method and white balance device Disclosed are a white balance device and a white balance method. The device comprises a unit used to extract background pixels of an image; a unit used to obtain representative color of background; a unit for determining a global magnification ratio of the background pixels; a unit used to carry out pre-adjustment with regard to original color of each of the background pixels; a unit used to, for each of the background pixels, determine expected final background color of the corresponding background pixel, and then determine an accurate magnification ratio of the corresponding background pixel; and a unit used to, for each of the background pixels, carry out adjustment with regard to the original color of the corresponding background pixel by using the accurate magnification ratio of the corresponding background pixel.
US08400511B2	Optical detection and ranging sensor system for sense and avoid, and related methods An apparatus carried by an unmanned vehicle to provide passive sensing and facilitate avoiding airborne aerial obstacles is provided. The apparatus can include at least one, but typically multiple optical systems installed, for example, in the nose of the aerial vehicle to passively sense and determine a range, direction, and velocity of the airborne obstacles to allow the aerial vehicle to avoid the airborne obstacles. The typical optical system includes at least one focal plane array or other imaging device configured to receive a wide field of view and at least one focal plane array or other imaging device configured to receive a steerable narrow field of view within the wide field of view to allow concentrated determination of the range, direction, and/or velocity of obstacles detected by the wide field of view imaging devices.
US08400509B2	Authentication apparatus for value documents A value document authentication apparatus and system that includes value document substrates having a uniform distribution of one or more phosphors that emit infrared radiation in one or more wavelengths, which can be measured at the same location on the value document that is illuminated by a phosphor exciting light source when the document passes the light source with a uniform velocity. The illumination and measurement locations on the value document can be offset. The measured infrared radiation as a series of overlapped measurements along a pre-selected track in the value document represents an intensity profile, which can be normalized after removing high variations. The normalized intensity profile of a test value document can be compared with normalized intensity profile from valid reference documents to authenticate the test value document.
US08400508B2	Monitoring system In a monitoring system, a plurality of monitoring devices for performing a sequence operation of sequentially switching images output from a plurality of cameras are connected. Each of the monitoring devices includes: an address information collection unit configured to collect address information of other cascaded monitoring devices when the sequence operation of an own device is started; a storage unit configured to store the address information collected by the address information collection unit; and a command transmission unit configured to determine a next address from the address information stored in the storage unit and to transmit a command for starting the sequence operation to one of the other monitoring devices which has the determined next address when the sequence operation of the own device is terminated.
US08400506B2	Camera control apparatus, method for controlling camera, and storage medium A control apparatus controlling a state of an imaging apparatus and a method for controlling an imaging device. According to the present invention, when a moving area in shot images are detected and parameter control of an imaging device is performed, if the moving area relates to a predetermined shooting prohibited area, the parameter control of the imaging device is stopped.
US08400491B1	Use-based adaptive video client for a bandwidth-constrained network A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for adjusting one or more video parameters of a video communication session based on a type of use for the video communication session. At least one method includes detecting a use for a certain video communication session and applying a profile of video parameters to the session based on the use. The method further includes detecting a network constraint and adjusting one or more of the video parameters based on the network constraint.
US08400487B2	Printer and printing method A clamper clamps an edge of a lenticular sheet and is transported in a sub-scanning direction. After oblique transportation of the lenticular sheet is corrected based on a detection result from an oblique transportation detector, transportation of the lenticular sheet for forming an image receptor layer on the rear side of the lenticular sheet is performed with a thermal head contacting said lenticular sheet. In this transportation, a lens sensor is activated to optically detect a lens pitch and so on. The lens sensor is positioned between the thermal head and the clamper.
US08400485B2	Thermal transfer printer A thermal transfer printer includes a printing unit for thermal transfer printing with a print head via a ribbon having a dye layer; a first bending member having at least one curved surface that is aligned perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the ribbon and protrudes toward a surface of the ribbon for bending the ribbon after thermal transfer, a second bending member disposed at a distance from the first bending member having at least one acute apex that is aligned perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the ribbon and protrudes toward the surface of the ribbon, the apex causing a bend line to be formed in the used ribbon conveyed from the first bending member; a folder for folding the ribbon conveyed from the second bending member along the bend line; and a heater for fusing opposing dye layers of the folded ribbon together.
US08400476B2	Display device, method and program A display device includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire coordinates on a display screen designated by a coordinate input apparatus; a registering unit configured to register an enlargement target which is to be enlarged; an enlargement processing unit configured to enlarge and display a partial area, which includes the enlargement target, if a positional relationship between coordinates acquired by the acquisition unit and a position at which the enlargement target, which has been registered by the registering unit, is displayed on the display screen satisfies a predetermined condition; and a cancellation processing unit configured to cancel the enlarged display of the partial area by the enlargement processing unit based upon an input from the coordinate input apparatus.
US08400465B2	Method of transmission of a video sequence of images that have to be color transformed using LUT Before the transmission of the source color values of the images of each group Gk of images of this sequence, a partial color transform LUT related to this group Gk is generated, then transmitted, —and, a resultant color transform LUT related to said group Gk is reconstructed by combining the transmitted partial color transform look up table of this group Gk with, if any, all the other partial color transform look up tables that have been previously transmitted, —then each images of said group are color transformed using this LUT. The invention allows a good precision of color transformation with a limited bandwidth.
US08400463B2	Data processing module for generating dithered data and method thereof A data processing module for generating dithered data includes a data transforming unit and a dithering unit, wherein the data transforming unit is utilized to transform input data into transformed data containing predetermined data, and the dithering unit is utilized to perform a dithering process on the transformed data to generate the dithered data. By making the display picture of the dithered data contain a fixed pattern corresponding to the predetermined data, the influence on the display picture caused by noise existing in the input data can be efficiently reduced.
US08400457B2	Dynamic load balancing in multiple video processing unit (VPU) systems Systems and methods are provided for processing data. The systems and methods include multiple processors that each couple to receive commands and data, where the commands and/or data correspond to frames of video that include multiple pixels. An interlink module is coupled to receive processed data corresponding to the frames from each of the processors. The interlink module divides a first frame into multiple frame portions by dividing pixels of the first frame using at least one balance point. The interlink module dynamically determines a position for the balance point that minimizes differences between the workload of the processors during processing of commands and/or data of one or more subsequent frames.
US08400451B2	Close-packed, uniformly adjacent multiresolutional, overlapping spatial data ordering A method, apparatus, system and data structure is disclosed for mapping of spatial data to linear indexing for efficient computational storage, retrieval, integration, transmission, visual display, analysis, fusion, and modeling. These inventions are based on space being decomposed into uniform discrete closely packed (hexagonal) cell areas (85). Each resolution of close-packed cells can be further divided into incongruent but denser clusters of close-packed cells. The spatial indexing (86) is applied in such a manner as to build a relationship with the spatially close cells of any resolution.
US08400450B2	Method and system for displaying stereoscopic detail-in-context presentations A method for generating a stereoscopic presentation of a region-of-interest in a monoscopic information representation. The method includes the steps of: (a) selecting first and second viewpoints for the region-of-interest; (b) creating a lens surface having a predetermined lens surface shape for the region-of-interest, the lens surface having a plurality of polygonal surfaces constructed from a plurality of points sampled from the lens surface shape; (c) creating first and second transformed presentations by overlaying the representation on the lens surface and perspectively projecting the lens surface with the overlaid representation onto a plane spaced from the first and second viewpoints, respectively; and, (d) displaying the first and second transformed presentations on a display screen to generate the stereoscopic presentation.
US08400449B1	Volumetric data exploration using multi-point input controls A three-dimensional data set is accessed. A two-dimensional plane is defined that intersects a space defined by the three-dimensional data set. The two-dimensional plane defines a two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into first and second subsets. A three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set is rendered on such that at least a portion of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set is removed and at least a portion of the two-dimensional data set is displayed. A two-dimensional view of a first subset of the two-dimensional data set also is rendered. Controls are provided that enable visual navigation through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device that correspond to either the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set and/or the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set.
US08400445B2	Image processing program and image processing apparatus Optical reflection and refraction are expressed of an object extending through a water surface by rather light load processing without using any cut models prepared in advance. A photographing angle of a virtual camera for displaying the object OB is set. Virtual cameras A, B and C are generated for photographing reflected and refracted object. The image processing is executed by projecting texture value of transparent degree for each of media different from texture for other media. Parameters are defined concerning the virtual cameras A, B and C, in order to achieve a desired visual expression of an object extending through various media.
US08400444B2	Method to render a root-less scene graph with a user controlled order of rendering A scene graph is provided which represents data and a set of processes thus providing an enhanced approach to the previously known scene graph concept. With this approach the scene graph becomes a rendering description of the data rather than a world description. Previously known scene graphs represent a structure of objects and their attributes. The scene graph has a notation of the traversing order, which together with the types of nodes, the nodes position, node functionality and node state determine the rendering order. Thus, any effects supported by the underlying rendering pipeline can be expressed directly in the scene graph by the user. An API is provided for the scene graph, controlling the actual rendering order and optimization to the user. The scene graph is extensible allowing the user to experiment and express new rendering algorithms in the scene graph semantic.
US08400437B2	Display device An display device includes: a substrate; a display unit comprising subpixels positioned on the substrate; signal lines arranged on the substrate; turn-on circuits connected to the signal lines and turning on the subpixels in response to a turn-on signal supplied through the signal lines; and dummy circuits connected to the signal lines and inducing external electricity introduced through the signal lines to be introduced therein earlier than in the turn-on circuits.
US08400432B2	Writing device and image display apparatus A writing device includes: a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to a display medium including a first display layer, second display layer and a photoconductive layer; a first obtaining unit that obtains image data showing an original image; a controller that controls the voltage application unit and the irradiating unit to cause the display medium to show an overlapped image including the obtained original image and an overwritten image overwritten on the original image, the overwritten image including a point corresponding to the location shown by the location information stored in the storage unit.
US08400431B2	Method to improve performance of a proportional area weighted sensor for two-dimensional locations on a touch screen An electronic appliance including a processor and a computer-readable medium, having instructions for execution by a processor is provided. The instructions causing the processor to perform methods to obtain an error map for locations in a touch sensor. The method including inputting a geometry for a touch sensor layout; inputting coordinates for centroids of sensing elements in the touch sensor layout; and inputting a touch geometry. The method includes the steps of selecting a plurality of test points on the touch sensor layout; generating, a calculated touch location for each of the plurality of test points; and an error map from the calculated touch locations and the test points. The method may include generating an error measure from the error map; displaying, the generated error map and the generated error measure; and adjusting the geometry for the touch sensor layout if the error measure is larger than a tolerance value.
US08400417B2	Soft keyboard display for a portable multifunction device A computer-implemented method for use in conjunction with a computing device with a touch screen display comprises: detecting one or more finger contacts with the touch screen display, applying one or more heuristics to the one or more finger contacts to determine a command for the device, and processing the command. The one or more heuristics comprise: a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a one-dimensional vertical screen scrolling command, a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a two-dimensional screen translation command, and a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a command to transition from displaying a respective item in a set of items to displaying a next item in the set of items.
US08400408B2	Touch screens with transparent conductive material resistors Systems and methods for touch screens with integrated transparent conductive material resistors are provided. Metal traces on the surface of a touch screen may be subject to radio-frequency interference (RFI) that can adversely affect the performance of the touch screen. Transparent conductive material resistors inserted within the metal trace paths can be used to form low-pass filters which can reduce the affect of the RFI.
US08400401B2	Operating device and image forming apparatus An operating device for controlling an apparatus as an object of control, in accordance with an instruction by a user includes a panel having a main surface, a hardware key provided on the main surface, and a display unit formed of electronic paper, provided in relation to the hardware key on the main surface of the panel or on the hardware key, allowing rewriting of displayed contents.
US08400396B2	Liquid crystal display with modulation for colored backlight A method of backlighting a liquid crystal display so as to improve the quality of the image displayed by the liquid crystal display. The method may vary the luminance of a light source illuminating a plurality of displayed pixels and vary the transmittance of a light valve of the display.
US08400388B2	Liquid crystal display A liquid crystal display including a data driver, a gate driver and a liquid crystal display panel having a plurality of pixels and a plurality of pixel memories. According to embodiments of the present invention, the pixels and the pixel memories are configured to reduce power consumption of pixels displaying still images and improve image quality of the liquid crystal display.
US08400385B2	Method for enhancing an image displayed on an LCD device A method and apparatus for image enhancement in a display illuminated by a lighting device. Enhancement is via use of a non-linear mapping function. An illumination level for the lighting device is determined and used with the mapping function to find a compensation factor for each pixel of the image. The brightness property of each pixel is adjusted by its compensation factor.
US08400382B2	D/A converter circuit, liquid crystal driving circuit, and liquid crystal device A digital-to-analog converter circuit is configured to convert an m-bit digital signal into an analog signal. The circuit includes a bit voltage generator convert each bit of segmented n-bit units of the digital signal into a first voltage or a second voltage, first capacitors each configured to store the voltage for each bit output from the bit voltage generator, switches connected to the first capacitors, a second capacitor connected to the switches, an output unit configured to output the voltage stored in the second capacitor as an analog signal, and a control unit configured to control the switches, connect in parallel the first capacitors with the second capacitor, and adjust the voltage stored in the second capacitor.
US08400368B1	Integrated electronic structure A multifunction electronics member combining structural and electronics functions includes in one embodiment an elongate longitudinally-extending structural body capable of supporting a structural load and having at least one metal surface defining a first circuit base, a first electrical circuit supported by the first circuit base, and a first cover having at least one metal surface facing the electrical circuit. The circuit preferably is embedded between the first circuit base and cover to form an electrically-active, or in some embodiments passive, structural member. In one embodiment, the electrical circuit may be a circuit board including a dielectric substrate and metallic electrical conductor supported by the substrate. In one embodiment, the circuit base, circuit, and cover define a stripline. In one embodiment, the structural body includes a stiffening projection. The structural body may be made entirely of metal in some embodiments.
US08400366B2	Radiation efficiency measuring apparatus and radiation efficiency measuring method A target antenna 4A to be measured and a measuring antenna 5 are placed within an anechoic chamber 1. A first azimuth angle plane radiation pattern S21(R,θ,φ) is measured using a network analyzer 7 with an elevation angle φ of the target antenna 4A fixed to a first angle φ1. Next, a second azimuth angle plane radiation pattern S21(R,θ,φ) is measured using the network analyzer 7 with the elevation angle φ of the target antenna 4A fixed to a second angle φ2 different from the first angle φ1 by 90 degrees. A radiation efficiency of the target antenna 4A is measured by integrating in a spherical shape the azimuth angle plane radiation patterns S21(R,θ,φ) at two planes.
US08400359B2	Method and system for indoor positioning A method and a system for indoor positioning are provided. In the present method, a default positioning weight is defined at first. Then, a plurality of neighboring ranging devices near a target device is obtained from all wireless ranging devices deployed in an indoor space, and a current positioning weight of each of the neighboring ranging devices is calculated. Next, the current positioning weight of each of the neighboring ranging devices is respectively compared with the default positioning weight, so as to obtain a plurality of reference ranging devices from the neighboring ranging devices. After calculating at least one candidate coordinate according to a deploy coordinate of each of the reference ranging devices, a positioned coordinate represents the current location of the target device is estimated according to the at least one candidate coordinate.
US08400358B2	Method to modify calibration data used to locate a mobile unit A method of modifying calibration data used to geo-locate a mobile station located in an indoor environment is disclosed. When a mobile station is located indoors, the signal strength of signals received and/or transmitted by the mobile station have the tendency to be lower than the strength of the signals received by a mobile station located outdoors. As a result of these lower signal strengths, geo-location efforts which rely on signal strengths may result in unsatisfactory location accuracy. Modifying pre-existing calibration data obtained outdoors may provide a way to simulate indoor calibration data characteristics.
US08400356B2	Directive spatial interference beam control The invention, in its various aspects and embodiments, comprises a variety methods and apparatuses. The methods variously determine the delay (or phase shift) in each element of a phased array to simultaneously form, steer and/or combine a set of beam shapes. The apparatuses include apparatuses that implement the methods as well as apparatuses that employ such methods. The invention also includes a beam controlled by such methods.
US08400355B1	Passive photonic dense wavelength-division multiplexing true-time-delay system A photonic true time delay system for steering one or more radio frequency beams from an electronically scanned array antenna incorporates passive optical true time delay modules for the entire array based upon dense-wavelength-division multiplexed encoding of optical time delays. In addition, electronic selection of time delays allows for elimination of optical filter tuning and optical switching, and can function in either or both transmit and receive modes of the antenna array.
US08400344B2	Methods and apparatus for learning remote control commands Described herein are various techniques for transferring command codes between multiple remote controls. A first controlled device receives a signal from a remote control associated with a second controlled device. The signal is associated with a command for the second controlled device. The first controlled device receives user input, assigning the command to a selected button of a second remote control. The first controlled device transmits a message to the second remote control. The message includes information utilized by the second remote control to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the selected button, allowing the second remote control to generate the command for the second controlled device.
US08400332B2	Emotive advisory system including time agent An emotive advisory system for use by one or more occupants of an automotive vehicle includes a computer. The computer is configured to receive input indicative of an operating state of the vehicle. The computer determines at least one of a need to provide time information to an occupant based on the operating state of the vehicle and an occupant request to provide time information to the occupant. The computer generates data representing an avatar having an appearance, and data representing a spoken statement for the avatar. The spoken statement provides time information to the occupant in spoken dialog based on at least one of the need and the request. The computer outputs data representing the avatar for visual display, and data representing the statement for the avatar for audio play.
US08400314B2	Fire alarm A fire alarm consists of a housing in which sensors, a radiation source, and an optical window are disposed. A reflector protection basket or ring is disposed above the optical window. The basket or ring is suitable for protecting the optical window against mechanical influences, allows UV and IR radiation to pass through to a sufficient degree, and reflects UV and IR radiation from the housing interior, on its inside. Monitoring of the contamination of the window, function monitoring of the sensors and of the signal processing electronics, as well as easy replaceability of the components in the fire alarm are provided.
US08400305B2	Method and apparatus for determining range information of a node in a wireless system A method and apparatus for determining a range within a wireless communication system is provided herein. The range information can then be used to locate a node (e.g., an asset tag). During operation, the minimum transmission power of a source transceiver (e.g., an RFID reader) that enables a tag to be detected will be used to indicate distance. Changes in transmit power will be used to indicate relative changes in distance to a particular node. The reader will be configured to always operate at a transmission power that will result in a certain percentage (e.g., 50%) detection rate for a target transceiver (e.g., an RFID asset tag). As the reader moves closer to the tag, the minimum detection power will decrease; as it moves farther from the tag, the minimum detection power will increase. This information is displayed to give a general change in range information between the RFID reader and the asset tag (e.g., increasing range or decreasing range). An individual will be able to easily locate the asset tag by using the displayed information.
US08400302B2	Electric field sensing device A sensing system is disclosed that uses at least one conductive plate and associated electronic circuitry to provide an output that is indicative of an object's position in relation to the at least one conductive plate. The sensing system is provided with a high impedance drive signal that varies as a result of the location of an object relative to the at least one conductive plate. The electronic circuitry receives a high impedance drive signal value as an input and a processor uses the value to calculate a digital output indicative of the object's position. The high impedance drive signal value is monitored over time enabling the objects position, displacement, pressure, movement, impact and energy to be determined. This data is output to a display and may also be transmitted to a person located remotely from the object being monitored.
US08400298B2	Device for the treatment and extracorporeal circulation of blood or blood components The invention relates to a medical device for providing a plurality of extracorporeal blood or plasma treatments, apt to receive at least one disposable article that can be connected to extracorporeal circuit, each disposable article being equipped with storage means containing information about the disposable article, the device comprising a first receiving station (2) for disposable articles (100) with a first reading means (3) for the associated article, a second receiving station (3) for disposable articles (100) with a second reading means (3) for the associated article, a memory comprising information concerning at least one treatment protocol designed to be executed by the device, and information concerning a configuration of the disposable articles necessary for each treatment protocol at each receiving station, a control unit (10) for comparing the stored configuration of articles concerning a treatment protocol with the configuration of articles once it is installed.
US08400293B2	Apparatus and method for providing a task reminder based on travel history A method of providing a reminder of a task to be performed at a task location is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a location of a user via a mobile communication device associated with the user at predetermined time intervals for tracking historical travel information of the user. The method includes receiving user specified task information that includes a task and a task location. The method includes storing the user specified task information. The method includes generating a reminder for the task based on a comparison of an estimated probability of the user traveling in a trajectory leading toward the task location and an estimated probability of the user traveling in a trajectory leading away from the task location.
US08400278B2	Semiconductor device and IC label, IC tag, and IC card having the same The present invention provides a power supply circuit provided with a battery as a power source for supplying power to an RFID, and the battery of the power supply circuit is charged with a wireless signal. Then, a switching circuit is provided in the power supply circuit that supplies power to a signal control circuit which transmits and receives individual information to and from the outside to intermittently control supply of power to the signal control circuit by a signal from a low-frequency signal generation circuit.
US08400276B2	Monitoring system, terminal device and main control device thereof, and method and program for registering terminal device By pushing the registration switch of a main controller, a radio signal for requesting the transmission of a terminal-device ID number is transmitted (SP1, SP2). A wireless sensor sends back the terminal-device ID number (SP11, SP12), and the main controller stores the received terminal-device ID number in its storage unit and transmits a main-controller device ID number (SP4, SP5). The wireless sensor stores the main-controller device ID number in its storage unit. From then on, communications between devices whose device ID numbers have been registered are permitted.
US08400271B2	RFID receiver RFID data signals from RFID tags may be recovered by determining the probabilities of transitions between data states between a series of a pairs of signal samples using a set of predetermined probabilities related to data, timing, baud rate and/or phase variables affecting the received signal and processing those determined probabilities to determine the sequence of such transitions that has the highest probability of occurrence. A second set of predetermined probabilities related to transitions in the opposite direction may be used to sequence in a reverse direction. The determination of the sequence representing the RFID tag data may be iterated in both directions until further iterations do not change the determined probabilities.
US08400267B2	Vehicle authentication device A vehicle authentication device has an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, an authentication unit disposed in the in-vehicle device, for matching an ID returned from a portable device in response to a request from the in-vehicle device and performing an authentication of the vehicle, and an operation switch for instructing a power supply transition of the vehicle. The in-vehicle device has a measurement unit for measuring a duration of an active state of the operation switch, a determination unit for determining whether the duration exceeds a predetermined time, and a control unit for executing a power supply transition control of the vehicle based on the determination that the duration time of the active state of the operation switch exceeds the predetermined time made by the determination unit and an authentication result of the authentication unit.
US08400263B2	Sliding key fob A slide actuated key fob includes a housing having a transmitter disposed therein and at least one slide actuated button disposed on the housing. The transmitter sends an actuating signal when the at least one slide actuated button is slidably moved in a first direction and subsequently depressed in a second direction.
US08400258B2	Method of remotely configuring a controller responsive to wireless signals A method of remotely configuring a controller responsive to wireless signals includes entering a controller programming mode from a regular mode in response to at least one wireless signal corresponding to a first click pattern from a switch. The controller provides a first notification to indicate a first selected configurable feature of the controller. Each of a plurality of configurable features of the controller has a different assigned notification. The controller provides a second notification to indicate a second selected configurable feature in response to at least one wireless signal corresponding to a second click pattern from the switch. The method also includes exiting the programming mode. The notification may be a flashing of lights, a dimming of lights, an audible sound, an adjustment of a damper position, or a combination of these things.
US08400246B2	Coil component, reactor, and method for forming coil component A coil component comprises a plurality of coil elements arranged side-by-side and a connecting portion that interconnects the coil elements. The plurality of coil elements are formed from a single flat wire wound edgewise so that the coil elements wind in the same direction and have rectangular annular configurations. The connecting portion includes a portion of the flat wire between the two coil elements wound edgewise to protrude radially outward from two adjacent sides of the rectangular annular configurations of the coil elements, and bent flatwise at three positions including a turnover so that the two coil elements are arranged side-by-side with their axes in parallel with each other.
US08400235B2	Active hybrids for antenna systems In an exemplary embodiment, a fully monolithic active hybrid architecture can be configured to replace a ring hybrid, magic tee, branchline coupler, or 180° hybrid by providing similar functionality in an integrated monolithic solution. Exemplary embodiments of the active hybrids combine active implementations of power splitters, power combiners, and phase shifting elements in a novel fashion allowing for ultra-compact size and broadband performance. In an exemplary embodiment, the active hybrid replaces the typical hybrid couplers with active splitters and active combiners. Similarly, the delay lines and amplitude adjustment elements are replaced by active vector generators. Vector generators are magnitude and phase control circuits. The active hybrid results in certain advantages including being size independent of the operating frequency, wide frequency range of operation, and RF signals undergo a neutral or slight positive power gain, rather than power losses that occur in the passive prior art systems.
US08400233B2	Circuit for impedance matching A circuit provided for impedance matching includes an input, an output and four impedance elements arranged between them. In this case, two of the impedance elements are connected in series in a main path and form a T configuration with a third component. In addition, a fourth component is connected in parallel with the main path of the circuit. By way of example, the components arranged in the main path are variable capacitances and the further components are inductances.
US08400224B1	Programmable low noise amplifier and methods for use therewith A low noise amplifier includes a programmable input stage, having a first gain that is programmable based on a first control signal. A programmable cascode stage, has a second gain that is programmable based on a second control signal. A programmable resistor stage controls the quality of a resonant tank circuit, based on a third control signal.
US08400222B2	Electronic circuits including a MOSFET and a dual-gate JFET Electronic circuits and methods are provided for various applications including signal amplification. An exemplary electronic circuit comprises a MOSFET and a dual-gate JFET in a cascode configuration. The dual-gate JFET includes top and bottom gates disposed above and below the channel. The top gate of the JFET is controlled by a signal that is dependent upon the signal controlling the gate of the MOSFET. The control of the bottom gate of the JFET can be dependent or independent of the control of the top gate. The MOSFET and JFET can be implemented as separate components on the same substrate with different dimensions such as gate widths.
US08400209B2	Proximity detection For proximity detection, capacitance of a sensing element to ground is measured as one or more objects move into or out of proximity to the sensing element.
US08400204B2	DC offset cancel circuit, semiconductor device, and receiving device A DC offset cancel circuit includes, in each of an I-channel side and a Q-channel side, a mixer and an ADC that output differential signals. The DC offset cancel circuit further includes a direct-current component extractor. The direct-current component extractor extracts direct-current components from a signal I and a signal Ib output from the mixer in the I-channel side and a signal Q and a signal Qb output from the mixer in the Q-channel side. The ADC in the I-channel side receives signals in which the direct-current components extracted from the signal Q and the signal Qb are fed forward to the signal I and the signal Ib. The ADC in the Q-channel side receives signals in which the direct-current components extracted from the signal I and the signal Ib are fed forward to the signal Q and the signal Qb.
US08400193B2	Backdrive protection circuit Methods, devices and circuits are provided for protection from backdrive current. One such device is subject to back voltage from an output node of the device and includes circuitry that is configured to compare the supply voltage node and the output node. In response to the comparison, the circuitry generates an output signal. Level shifted versions of the output signal are used to provide an output voltage corresponding to the higher of a supply voltage node and an output node. Switches are used to place the device in different modes in response to the output signal.
US08400186B1	Techniques for buffering single-ended and differential signals A circuit comprises first and second differential pairs and first and second switch circuits. The first differential pair includes first and second transistors operable to generate a first output signal based on a first input signal in a single-ended mode. The second differential pair includes third and fourth transistors operable to generate a second output signal based on a second input signal in the single-ended mode. The first switch circuit is operable to block current through the second transistor in a differential mode. The second switch circuit is operable to block current through the third transistor in the differential mode. The first and the fourth transistors are operable to generate a third output signal based on a third input signal in the differential mode.
US08400185B2	Driving circuit with zero current shutdown and a driving method thereof Methods and circuits related to a driving circuit with zero current shutdown are disclosed. In one embodiment, a driving circuit with zero current shutdown can include: a linear regulating circuit that receives an input voltage source, and outputs an output voltage; a start-up circuit having a threshold voltage, the start-up circuit receiving an external enable signal; a first power switch receiving both the output voltage of the linear regulating circuit and the external enable signal, and that generates an internal enable signal, the internal enable signal being configured to drive a logic circuit; when the external enable signal is lower than a threshold voltage, the driving circuit is not effective; when the external enable signal is higher than the threshold voltage, the start-up circuit outputs a first current; and where the output voltage at the first output terminal is generated by the linear regulating circuit based on the first current.
US08400184B2	Semiconductor device and level shift circuit using the same A level shift circuit includes: a pair of first and second P-channel transistors which are connected in a flip-flop manner and whose sources connected to a first power supply line; a pair of first and second N-channel transistors with the first N-channel transistor provided between the first P-channel transistor and a second power supply line and the second N-channel transistor provided between the second P-channel transistor and the second power supply line, in which input signals complementary to each other are inputted to their gates; and a current supply circuit provided between the first power supply line and a drain of the first N-channel transistor and between the first power supply line and a drain of the second N-channel transistor, respectively. The current supply circuit includes third and fourth N-channel transistors with their sources connected to drains of the first and second N-channel transistors and third and fourth P-channel transistors serving as current limiting elements with their one ends connected to the first power supply line and the other ends connected to drains of the third and fourth P-channel transistors.
US08400176B2	Wafer level contactor A probe card assembly can include a plurality of probes disposed on a substrate and arranged to contact terminals of a semiconductor wafer. Switches can be disposed on the probe card assembly and provide for selective connection and disconnection of the probes from electrical interconnections on the probe card assembly.
US08400175B2	System and method for use in functional failure analysis by induced stimulus A scanning/imaging system wherein an external stimulus is used for exciting a device under test (DUT). A stimulus source is included for providing a stationary stimulus with a controllable spot size to a device under test (DUT), the controllable spot size covering a portion of the DUT for excitation by the stationary stimulus. A sensor is operable for capturing at least one of a functional response signal and an optical image signal emanating from the DUT portion. A linear positioning device is operable to facilitate scanning of remaining portions of the DUT until a predetermined area thereof has been traversed. A controller is operably coupled to the linear positioning device, stimulus source and the sensor for providing the overall control thereof.
US08400173B2	Method and apparatus for thermally conditioning probe cards Embodiments of probe cards and methods for fabricating and using same are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for testing a device (DUT) may include a probe card configured for testing a DUT; a thermal management apparatus disposed on the probe card to heat and/or cool the probe card; a sensor disposed on the probe card and coupled to the thermal management apparatus to provide data to the thermal management apparatus corresponding to a temperature of a location of the probe card; a first connector disposed on the probe card and coupled to the thermal management apparatus for connecting to a first power source internal to a tester; and a second connector, different than the first connector, disposed on the probe card and coupled to the thermal management apparatus for connecting to a second power source external to the tester.
US08400170B2	Moisture sensor A novel and useful sensor and sensing system employs a transmission electrode which provides a length of transmission electrode that is greater than the physical length of the sensor, allowing for the effective and accurate determination of the moisture content of a volume of material using high-frequency measurement methods. The construction of the sensor allows the sensor to be directly inserted into the material, without requiring excavation or backfilling of the sensors in the material. The sensor can be employed as part of a sensing system, with one or more sensors preferably being managed by a field node, which in turn, interoperates with a system master node.
US08400156B2	Installation of service tee marker fixture having disk marker and concentric attachment sleeve A service tee marker fixture comprises a disk marker and a cylindrical attachment sleeve fastened concentrically to the disk marker and constructed of a flexible material which provides a releasable friction fit with a service tee cap. For certain sleeve materials a stiffener plate is used to secure an end portion of sleeve adjacent to the disk marker. Detents are formed inside the attachment sleeve to grip matching ribs on the cap. An integrally formed inwardly-extending annular flange at an open end of the sleeve helps retain the sleeve on the cap. When installed the wire coil is horizontal and the marker shields the tee, and is further centered over a centerline of the main pipe. A novel method is also disclosed for using the service tee marker fixtures to survey and locate service line end points.
US08400154B1	Locator antenna with conductive bobbin An antenna useful in an antenna array of a man-portable buried utility locator includes a flexible bobbin made of copper foil. The bobbin has a plurality of axially spaced grooves and an axially extending gap formed therein. A layer of insulation surrounds an outer surface of the bobbin. A conductive wire is disposed in the grooves and wound around the bobbin over the layer of insulation to form a plurality of axially spaced sub-coils. A layer of copper-foil tape having an insulating backing is wound about the conductive wire and has a second gap aligned with the gap in the bobbin. A layer of a low dielectric material is wound about the copper-foil tape. The antenna provides more antenna wire surface for an equivalent coil cross-sectional area, compared to prior art antennas, thus yielding greater sensitivity. The construction of the antenna provides a series of Faraday-shielded sub-coils, which yield a greater useful antenna bandwidth by moving the inherent resonance of each coil to a higher frequency. The construction of the antenna also reduces inherent winding capacitance and provides a self-shielding effect that further improves sensitivity.
US08400151B2	Calibration method A method for calibration of a magnetic resonance imaging system having a bore, a body coil mounted in the bore, a patient mat, a number of local coils mounted in the patient mat, an upconversion stage having a number of upconverters, and a processing stage, includes the steps of generating a calibration signal in the body coil; receiving the calibration signal at the local coils, upconverting the signal from the local coils in the upconversion stage, transmitting the upconverted signal to the processing stage, synchronously downconverting the signal in the processing stage using the calibration signal generated in the body coil, and processing the downconverted signal to generate an overall path complex gain.
US08400150B2	Magnetic resonance system and method for control thereof A method to control a magnetic resonance system includes at least one protocol step for measurement data acquisition with the magnetic resonance system, and at least one operator interaction step which allows an operator to enter information that affects at least one subsequent step in the control of the magnetic resonance system.
US08400147B2	Predicting properties of live oils from NMR measurements A fluid property of live crude oil removed from an earth formation is determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. A pressure cell, located on or near the earth's surface, and in which the live crude oil is disposed, is provided. An NMR tool capable of making NMR measurements on the live crude oil is provided, as is a database linking existing NMR data and the fluid property. A mapping function is created from a combination of radial basis functions and parameters of the mapping function are derived using the database. NMR data are acquired on the live crude oil using the NMR tool, and the fluid property is estimated from the acquired NMR data using the mapping function.
US08400142B2	Linear position sensor with anti-rotation device An anti-rotation device or assembly for preventing the rotation of a magnet in a linear position sensor and eliminating the risk of undesired magnetic field measurements and incorrect sensor signal outputs. In one embodiment, the anti-rotation device is an anti-rotation plate which is fixed to the housing of the linear position sensor and a magnet carrier which includes at least one finger extending into a receptacle defined in either the edge or the body of the magnet carrier to prevent the magnet carrier from rotating relative to the plate. In another embodiment, the magnet carrier includes a key and the magnet includes a groove. The key extends into the groove for preventing the rotation of the magnet in the magnet carrier.
US08400141B2	Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a process variable An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable. The apparatus includes: at least one energy input, via which the apparatus receives energy for operation of the apparatus. The invention includes features that: at least one measuring unit is provided, which measures energy applied to the energy input; and at least one control unit is provided, which, based on comparison of the measured energy with a desired value of the energy requirement, controls at least one unit of the apparatus.
US08400134B2	Apparatus and methodology for maximum power point tracking for a solar panel Circuitry and methodology for tracking the maximum power point (MPP) of a solar panel is disclosed. The voltage and current generated by the solar panel are monitored and used to generate a pulse signal for charging a capacitor. The changes in the voltage and current generated by the solar panel are also monitored, and that information is used to generate a pulse signal for discharging the capacitor. The charging and the discharging pulse signals are used to charge and discharge the capacitor. A reference signal indicative of the charge level of the capacitor is generated. As the current and voltage generated by the solar panel approach the maximum power point (MPP), the frequency of the discharging pulse signal becomes progressively higher, so that the capacitor charging occurs in progressively smaller increments. When the MPP is reached, the reference signal level becomes steady because the charge level of the capacitor becomes steady.
US08400130B2	Non-linear PWM controller for DC-to-DC converters A controller for switching power supplies includes a nonlinear controller component capable of providing a duty cycle to a pulse width modulator. The duty cycle corresponds to at least one predetermining switching power supply state variable. A nonlinear controller component receives as inputs at least one predetermined switching power supply state variable. A relationship between duty cycle and at least one predetermined switching power supply state variable is obtained by a predetermined method. The nonlinear controller component comprises memory for access by an application component. The memory includes a data structure stored in memory and a plurality of duty cycles. Each of the plurality of duty cycles has a corresponding at least one predetermined switching power supply state variable. Each duty cycle, when provided to the pulse width modulator of the switching power supply, provides a predetermined switching power supply output.
US08400126B2	Floating-gate programmable low-dropout regulator and method therefor In an embodiment, a low-dropout (LDO) regulator includes at least one of a programmable voltage reference and a programmable frequency compensation circuit and is configurable to produce an output voltage. The programmable voltage reference includes a floating-gate transistor coupled to a reference output and configurable for providing a reference voltage to an input of an error amplifier. The programmable frequency compensation circuit is responsive to a programmable current reference circuit that includes at least one floating-gate transistor that is configurable to adjust a frequency compensation parameter. A control circuit is provided to selectively program floating gates of the floating gate transistors to adjust the output voltage and/or to adjust a frequency component of the output voltage.
US08400125B2	Multiphase power converters, controllers and control methods A method of controlling a multiphase power converter including a plurality of sub-converters coupled to provide power to a load is disclosed. Each sub-converter includes a power switch. The method includes selectively and consistently turning on the power switch of one or more of the sub-converters at substantially a same time as a reference signal representing a desired output of the power converter increases. The method further includes selectively and consistently turning off the power switch of one or more of the sub-converters at substantially a same time as the reference signal representing the desired output of the power converter decreases. Other methods, multiphase power converters and controllers for multiphase power converters are also disclosed.
US08400121B2	Semiconductor device and power supply device The present invention realized miniaturization of a power supply device using a multiphase system. The power supply device includes, for example, a common control unit, a plurality of PWM-equipped drive units, and a plurality of inductors. The common control unit outputs clock signals respectively different in phase to the PWM-equipped drive units. The clock signals are controllable in voltage state individually respectively. For example, the clock signal can be brought to a high impedance state. In this case, the PWM-equipped drive unit detects this high impedance state and stops its own operation. It is thus possible to set the number of phases in multiphase arbitrarily without using another enable signal or the like.
US08400120B2	Switching power supply unit A control function formula which provides a relationship between an output voltage signal Vo and an output differential value with, for example, a negative linear function is defined in a calculation means. The calculation means samples an input voltage signal, an output voltage signal and an output differential signal at time instants in synchronization with a cycle of switching of a main switching element, and calculates subsequent ON and OFF durations of the main switching elements such that the control function formula might be satisfied. A drive pulse generation means generates a drive pulse with which the main switching element is turned on and off based on the ON and OFF durations determined by the calculation means. The output differential signal is generated by, for example, a capacitor current detection means or an observer device which detect a current of a smoothing capacitor.
US08400116B2	Method and apparatus for calculating power-off duration time and state of charging of battery An apparatus for controlling a battery includes a capacitor for charging a voltage when the apparatus is on and discharging a voltage when the apparatus is off, a discharging circuit for discharging the voltage charged in the capacitor; a first switching unit for connecting or disconnecting the capacitor to/from a predetermined power source for the purpose of charging of the capacitor; a second switching unit for connecting or disconnecting the capacitor to/from the discharging unit; a voltage measuring unit for measuring a voltage charged in the capacitor; and a controller for calculating a power-off duration time according to the measured voltage. This apparatus may continuously calculate a power-off duration time of a battery pack.
US08400115B2	Charge device, electronic device and charge method thereof A charge device is provided. The charge device includes a charge interface, a voltage detector and a control circuit. The charge interface receives a first power and provides a charge power to charge a rechargeable device accordingly. The voltage detector detects a charge voltage of the rechargeable device. The control circuit is respectively coupled to the charge interface and the voltage detector. When the charge voltage is smaller than a predetermined voltage, the control circuit makes the charge voltage and a charge current of the charge power to present a proportional relation. An electronic device and a charge method are also provided.
US08400109B2	Flashlight charger A flashlight charger includes a bottom plate provided with a pressing element and an electrically conducting part fixedly connected to a top plate that partially covers the pressing element and the electrically conducting part. A flashlight to be charged is aligned and connected with the flashlight charger and then pushed backward relative to the flashlight charger to allow the charging terminals at one end of the flashlight charger to make good electrical contact with the corresponding charging ends of the flashlight while the flashlight is securely fastened with the flashlight charger. When charging is completed, the flashlight can be removed from the flashlight charger rapidly and conveniently. The flashlight charger features good and stable electrical contact in use.
US08400104B2	Gangable inductive battery charger Gangable inductive battery chargers with integrated inductive coils are provided. A gangable inductive battery charger has at least one power supply module and at least one inductive charging cup module. The power supply module and the inductive charging cup module are interlockingly connectable through rail and slot mechanical connectors and an electrical connector. The inductive charging cup module has one or more charging cups that are capable of receiving a battery. A primary inductive coil embedded in the inductive charging cup module transfers power from the power supply module to a battery received by one of the one or more charging cups. The battery contains a secondary inductive coil for receiving power from the embedded primary coil. Multiple power supply and inductive charging cup modules may be interlockingly connected as needed.
US08400095B2	Constant-speed control circuit for BLDC motors A speed-control circuit for a BLDC motor is provided. The speed-control circuit includes a pulse generator, a current source circuit, a filter circuit, an error amplification circuit and a PWM circuit. The pulse generator detects a speed signal of the BLDC motor to generate a pulse signal. The filter circuit is coupled to the current source circuit to generate an average signal. The error amplification circuit receives the average signal and a speed-reference signal for generating a speed-control signal. The PWM circuit generates a switching signal to drive the BLDC motor in response to the speed-control signal. A pulse width of the switching signal is determined by the speed-control signal.
US08400092B2	Motor drive component verification system and method A technique is provided for verifying the proper selection, installation, communication and operability of components in power electronic systems, such as motor drives. A processing circuit is coupled to multiple components or subsystems that identify themselves to the processing system. An identification code is stored that is compared to a similar code built based upon the information reported by the components at the time of commissioning, operation or servicing. If the comparison indicates that all components are properly installed, and communicating and operative, operation may continue. The technique may be applied in parallel motor drives at a power layer level to allow separate and parallel verification of component and component operation in the parallel drives.
US08400091B2	Voltage regulator and cooling control integrated circuit According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a microprocessor, and a built-in temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the microprocessor as a reference temperature. The apparatus further includes external temperature sensors, where at least one of the external temperature sensors is configured to measure the temperature of the microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to make an external temperature calibration using the reference temperature measured by the built-in temperature monitor. Each of the external temperature sensors is configured to monitor temperature information of a component and provide the temperature information to the microprocessor.
US08400085B2	Dynamic braking for current source converter based drive Current source converter (CSC) based motor drives and control techniques are presented in which DC link current is regulated to a level set by the output inverter during dynamic braking operation by pulse width modulation of a braking resistance connection signal to maintain control of motor torque and speed while mitigating or preventing line side regenerative currents.
US08400084B2	Regenerative switched reluctance motor driving system Provided is a regenerative switched reluctance motor driving system which allows a motor to have a reduced size and weight and an increased efficiency as well as improved energy recovery efficiency at the time of regenerative braking without using a neodymium magnet. Based on an angular position of a rotor in the motor, a constant current flip-flop circuit 2 renders two current paths alternately conductive so as to allow a rectangular-wave current having a width of an electrical angle of 180° to alternately flow in two coils in the motor 3, and shifts the timing of rendering the two current paths alternately conductive, between when driving and when braking the motor 3, by a time during which the rotor is rotated by an angle corresponding to an electrical angle of 180°. When driving the motor, a DC constant current power supply unit 1 discharges a DC power supply, while when braking the motor, it receives an input current through a negative terminal of the DC power supply, and outputs a DC current to the constant current flip-flop circuit 2, and further outputs a DC current regenerated from the motor 3 through the constant current flip-flop circuit 2 to a positive terminal of, and thereby charges, the DC power supply.
US08400074B2	Electronic ballast with feedback current control for preheating of lamp filaments A discharge lamp ballast is provided for powering a discharge lamp with feedback filament heating control. A startup circuit is coupled between output terminals of a DC-AC power converter together with a discharge lamp. A lamp current detection circuit and a lamp voltage detection circuit detect output signals to the lamp. A control circuit controls the switching elements and generates an operating frequency in accordance with a startup operation to generate a high voltage output from the startup circuit and ignite the discharge lamp, a filament heating operation wherein the operating frequency is controlled so as to set the amplitude of the output current detected by the lamp current detection circuit to a target current amplitude based on the amplitude of the output voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection circuit, and a steady-state operation wherein the operating frequency is decreased to maintain a stable light output from the discharge lamp.
US08400066B1	Magnetic logic circuits and systems incorporating same Logic circuits based, at least in part, on use of spin-torque transfer (STT) to switch the magnetization—and hence the logic state—of a magnetic material are disclosed. Aspects of the invention include novel STT-based switching devices, new configurations of known STT-based devices into useful logic circuits, common logic circuits and system building blocks based on these new devices and configurations, as well as methods for inexpensively mass-producing such devices and circuits.
US08400065B2	Dual light sensors on a portable electronic device A portable electronic device capable of assuming an open configuration and a closed configuration comprises a primary light sensor and a secondary light sensor. When the portable electronic device is in the open configuration, a light sensor signal is selected from the primary light sensor, and when the portable electronic device is in the closed configuration, a light sensor signal is selected from the secondary light sensor.
US08400057B2	Sealing substrate, organic electroluminescence apparatus and method of fabricating the same An organic electroluminescence apparatus comprises: a substrate having a pixel region and sealing regions; an organic electroluminescence device located in the pixel region of the substrate; and a sealing substrate having a pixel region and sealing regions corresponding to the pixel region and the sealing regions of the substrate. The sealing regions of the sealing substrate comprise conductive layers continuously connected to each other. In a method of manufacturing organic electroluminescence apparatus by sealing the substrate and the sealing substrate using a glass frit, manufacturing costs and process time can be greatly reduced.
US08400054B2	Organic optoelectronic component An organic optoelectronic component comprises a substrate (1) with a first electrode (2) on the substrate (1), at least one first organic layer sequence (31) on the first electrode (2) which is suitable for emitting electromagnetic radiation during operation, an electrically conductive inorganic protective layer (4) on the at least one organic layer sequence (31) and a second electrode (5) on the protective layer (4). At least one of the first and second electrodes (2, 5) has a layer sequence (21, 22, 23) comprising a layer (21) comprising a transparent oxide and a layer (22) comprising a transparent metal.
US08400046B2	Power generation unit A power generation unit (1A) for converting an externally applied force into electricity comprises piezoelectric elements (22, 23), and a central spacer (24) and a peripheral spacer (25) provided, respectively, between a plurality of stacked piezoelectric elements (22, 23) or provided, respectively, between a plane for pressing the piezoelectric elements (22, 23) and the piezoelectric elements (22, 23) in order to form the deformation space of the piezoelectric elements (22, 23) and to transmit a deformation force to the piezoelectric elements. For example, the piezoelectric elements (22, 23) are fixed, respectively, to the both sides of a flexible diaphragm (21), columnar central spacers (24) are arranged on the piezoelectric elements (22, 23) and an annular peripheral spacer (25) is arranged on the diaphragm (21).
US08400044B2	Electromotive machines An electromotive machine (200, 900) comprises a rotor (230; 800; 920) and a stator (210, 220; 500; 600; 700; 910, 920). The stator (210, 220; 500; 600; 700; 910, 920) comprises a first group of primary windings (260a, 240b, 240d; 520; 640a, 640b, 650a, 650b, 660a, 660b; 930a, 930b, 933a, 933b, 937a, 937b), which are concentrated windings, arranged on a first side of the rotor (230; 800; 920) and a second group of primary windings (240a, 250a, 240c; 530; 740a, 740b, 750a, 750b, 760a, 760b; 941a, 941b, 943a, 943b, 947a, 947b) that are concentrated windings arranged on a second, opposite, side of the rotor (230; 800; 920). The primary windings of each group comprise a plurality of coils that, in use, are supplied with current and produce a magnetic field. The windings of the second group (240a, 250a, 240c; 530; 740a, 740b, 750a, 750b, 760a, 760b; 941a, 941b, 943a, 943b, 947a, 947b) are displaced, relative to the windings of the first group (260a, 240b, 240d; 520; 640a, 640b, 650a, 650b, 660a, 660b; 930a, 930b, 933a, 933b, 937a, 937b) in order to cancel out an n-pole component of the magnetic field.
US08400040B2	Permanent magnet type rotary electric machine A permanent magnet type rotary electric machine has a rotor having a rotor core and permanent magnets buried into the rotor core by being incorporated into respective permanent magnet slots. The permanent magnet slot per one pole is divided at least into four slots along an outer circumferential direction in the rotor core, and in respective rest core-portions between adjacent divided permanent magnet slots in the rotor core, a width of a first rest core-portion at the middle of each pole and a width of a second rest core-portion between adjacent poles of different polarities are formed larger than that of the others.
US08400038B2	Flux focusing arrangement for permanent magnets, methods of fabricating such arrangements, and machines including such arrangements Numerous arrangements for permanent magnets are disclosed that can focus the flux produced by the magnets. Depending on the particular application in which the disclosed designs and techniques are used, efficiency and reliability may be increased by minimizing flux leakage, increasing peak flux density, and shaping the flux fields to improve the effective coercivity of the flux focusing permanent magnet arrangement when loaded, and to achieve customized voltage and current waveforms. The disclosed magnet assemblies may be incorporated into a machine, such as a motor/generator, having windings and may be disposed for movement relative to the windings. The magnet assembly may be mounted on a support formed of one or more ferromagnetic materials, such as a back iron The disclosed flux focusing magnet assemblies may be formed using a variety of manufacturing methods.
US08400032B2	Inertia wheel with progressive run up A driving device for a motor 15 is disclosed, the device including an inertia wheel 16, a free wheel 18 able to ensure a unidirectional automatic clutching on a torque reversal between the inertia wheel and the shaft 12 of the motor, and a run up device 20 for the inertia wheel. The driving device is mounted on the end of shaft 12 of the motor opposite to the end for coupling the motor to mechanical equipment driven by the motor 15.
US08400031B2	Electrical connection for an electric motor The invention provides an electrical connection for an electric motor having a casing which houses a drive device, embodied especially a stator in a casing interior. The drive device is contacted via a conductor, embodied especially in the form of a pin. The conductor is guided from the exterior into the interior of the casing via a casing opening. A cylindrical sealing element is provided on the casing opening in the casing interior to seal the conductor from the casing opening. The sealing element is provided with a continuous collar and a through-opening through which the conductor extends and in which the conductor is sealed in the through-opening via at least one radial sealing lip that is formed in the through-opening on the sealing element and that rests on a surface of the conductor. The conductor is then sealed towards the housing via at least one axial sealing lip that is formed on the collar and that rests on an inside of the casing. The electrical connection according to the invention can be used for a motor, especially for driving a motor cooling fan.
US08400030B1	Hybrid electric transmission fluid A dispersant additive composition, a lubricant composition containing the dispersant additive, a transmission containing the dispersant additive, and a method of providing a versatile lubricating fluid. The dispersant includes a reaction product of a hydrocarbyl substituted carboxylic acid or anhydride and an amine. The reaction product has a nitrogen content up to 10,000 ppm by weight, and a boron plus phosphorus to nitrogen ((B+P)/N) weight ratio of from 0:1 to about 0.8:1. The dispersant additive composition is effective to provide an electrical conductivity to a lubricant composition containing the dispersant additive composition and a metal detergent of less than about 1700 pS/m.
US08400027B2	Flat linear vibrating motor A flat linear vibrating motor includes a cover, a base forming a receiving cavity together with the cover, a coil fixed on the base, an elastic member coupled to the base, a vibrator suspended in the cavity by the elastic member. The elastic member includes a mounting section coupled to the base, an arm extending from the mounting section, a free end extending from the arm, and a binder. The binder includes two plates for clamping the vibrator and a coupling section coupling the two plates for positioning the free end between the vibrator and the coupling section.
US08400024B2	Wireless energy transfer across variable distances Described herein are embodiments of transferring electromagnetic energy that includes a first electromagnetic resonator receiving energy from an external power supply, said first resonator having a resonant frequency ω1, an intrinsic loss rate Γ1, and a first Q-factor Q1=ω1L1/(R1ohm+R1rad), generating an oscillating near field region, a second electromagnetic resonator being positioned at variable distances from said first resonator and not electrically wired to said first resonator, said second resonator having a resonant frequency ω2, an intrinsic loss rate Γ2, and a second Q-factor Q2=ω2L2/(R2ohm+R2rad). Electromagnetic energy may be transferred from said first resonator to said second resonator over a variable distance D that may be within the near-field region of the first resonator structure, and wherein R1ohm>R1rad, and R2ohm>R2rad.
US08400021B2	Wireless energy transfer with high-Q sub-wavelength resonators Described herein are embodiments of transferring electromagnetic energy that includes a first electromagnetic resonator structure receiving energy from an external power supply, said first resonator structure may have a first mode with a resonant frequency ω1, an intrinsic loss rate Γ1, and a first Q-factor Q1=ω1L1/R1ohm+R1rad). A second electromagnetic resonator structure being positioned distal from said first resonator structure and not electrically wired to the first resonator structure, said second resonator structure having a second mode with a resonant frequency ω2, an intrinsic loss rate Γ2, and a second Q-factor Q2=ω2L2/(R2ohm+R2rad). The electromagnetic energy may be transferred from said first resonator structure to said second resonator structure over a distance D that is smaller than each of the resonant wavelengths λ1 and λ2 corresponding to the resonant frequencies ω1 and ω2, respectively, where the characteristic sizes of the resonator structures are less than the resonant wavelengths and where Q1>100, Q2>100, R1ohm>R1rad, and R2ohm>R2rad.
US08400016B2	Electronic device control system and method There is provided a system and method of operating a plurality of inverters that provide power via a plurality of switches. An exemplary method includes determining an inverter firing pattern corresponding to one of a plurality of regions of an inverter firing cycle, the inverter firing pattern defining whether each of the plurality of switches are held either on or off. The exemplary method also includes producing control signals for the plurality of switches based on the firing pattern. The control signals may be applied to the plurality of inverters for powering one or more electronic devices.
US08400008B2	Wind turbine with vertical axis and wind power plant A wind turbine having a rotor with a vertically oriented driven shaft for powering a generator and wherein the driven shaft in mounted between upper and lower bearings, and supporting rings perpendicularly attached in spaced relationship to the driven shaft, and a plurality of arcuate beams fitted with the rings and supporting turbine blades which are spaced inwardly of wind directing baffles that surround the rotor blades.
US08400003B2	Wind energy installation having a double-energized asynchronous generator and converter control A method for controlling a converter of a wind energy installation. The converter is connected to the rotor of a doubly-fed asynchronous generator in order to feed electrical power into an electrical grid and comprises a generator-side inverter, a grid-side inverter, and at least one converter regulator for regulating and/or controlling current output from at least one of the inverters to the doubly-fed asynchronous generator and/or to the electrical grid. The method includes detecting a change in output real power, determining whether the detected change satisfies a predefined condition, and changing a nominal value of reactive power to be output in an opposite sense to a change in real power at the grid-side inverter and in a same sense as the generator-side inverter when the predefined condition is satisfied.
US08399999B2	Electronic component, semiconductor device, methods of manufacturing the same, circuit board, and electronic instrument An electronic component including an electronic element, an electrode that is formed on a first surface of the electronic element, a first resin layer that is formed over the first surface of the electronic element, a wiring that is electrically connected to the electrode, a first portion of the wiring extending over the first resin layer, a second resin layer that is formed over the first resin layer and the wiring, the second resin layer having an opening, the opening overlapping the first portion of the wiring, an external terminal that is provided above the second resin layer, the external terminal being connected to the first portion of the wiring via the opening, and a third resin layer that is formed over the second resin layer, the third resin layer being provided around the external terminal.
US08399993B2	Embedded package and method for manufacturing the same An embedded package includes a first semiconductor chip having a first conductive line which has a first sunken area, a second semiconductor chip having a second conductive line which has a second sunken area, wherein the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip are arranged facing each other, and wherein the first sunken area and the second sunken area are arranged facing each other, a core layer surrounding the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip, wherein the core layer has a first circuit pattern coupled to an external terminal; and a bump formed in the first and second sunken areas, wherein the bump is coupled to the first circuit pattern.
US08399986B2	Method for performing parallel stochastic assembly A method of positioning at least 2 chips simultaneously on a substrate by parallel stochastic assembly in a first liquid is disclosed. In one aspect, the chips are directed to target sites on the substrate within the first liquid. The target sites are covered with a second liquid. The second liquid and the first liquid are immiscible. The chips are attracting the first liquid. A predetermined surface is chosen or treated on each chip such that it is selectively attracted by the second liquid and attracting the first liquid.
US08399980B2	Electronic component used for wiring and method for manufacturing the same A wiring electronic component of the present invention is incorporated into an electronic device package in which a circuit element including a semiconductor chip is disposed and in which the circuit element is connected to a wiring pattern on the back face and also connected, via vertical wiring, to external electrodes located on the front face opposite the wiring pattern. The wiring electronic component is composed of an electrically conductive support portion, which serves as an electroforming mother die, and a plurality of vertical wiring portions formed through electroforming such that they are integrally connected to the support portion.
US08399975B2	Stacked semiconductor package A stacked semiconductor package includes a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface, and divided into a first region and a second region that adjoins the first region; a support member formed in the second region on the upper surface of the substrate; and a semiconductor chip module including a plurality of semiconductor chips each of which is bent and has bonding pads near one lower edge of a declining slope of a first surface thereof and which are stacked on the support member in a step-like shape such that their bonding pads face the first region and are electrically connected with the substrate.
US08399958B2	Fuse part for semiconductor device A fuse part for a semiconductor device includes an insulation layer configured to cover a conductive pattern over a substrate, a dual fuse configured to include a first pattern and a second pattern that are positioned on the same line over the insulation layer and spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, a protective layer configured to cover the dual fuse and include a first fuse box and a second fuse box that partially expose the first pattern and the second pattern, respectively, and a plurality of plugs configured to penetrate the insulation layer and electrically connect the first and second patterns to the conductive pattern. Herein, the plugs are positioned beneath the first and second fuse boxes.
US08399957B2	Dual-depth self-aligned isolation structure for a back gate electrode Doped semiconductor back gate regions self-aligned to active regions are formed by first patterning a top semiconductor layer and a buried insulator layer to form stacks of a buried insulator portion and a semiconductor portion. Oxygen is implanted into an underlying semiconductor layer at an angle so that oxygen-implanted regions are formed in areas that are not shaded by the stack or masking structures thereupon. The oxygen implanted portions are converted into deep trench isolation structures that are self-aligned to sidewalls of the active regions, which are the semiconductor portions in the stacks. Dopant ions are implanted into the portions of the underlying semiconductor layer between the deep trench isolation structures to form doped semiconductor back gate regions. A shallow trench isolation structure is formed on the deep trench isolation structures and between the stacks.
US08399955B2	Method of forming patterns of semiconductor device A method of forming patterns of a semiconductor device comprises forming a number of first insulating patterns that define sidewalls by patterning a first insulating layer formed over a semiconductor substrate, forming second insulating patterns, each second insulating pattern comprising a horizontal portion having two ends and being parallel to the semiconductor substrate and spaced protruding portions protruding from both ends of the horizontal portion parallel to the sidewalls of the first insulating patterns, forming third insulating patterns each filling a space between the protruding portions, removing the protruding portions to form trenches, and forming conductive patterns within the respective trenches.
US08399952B2	Integrated circuit devices having a strontium ruthenium oxide interface Strontium ruthenium oxide provides an effective interface between a ruthenium conductor and a strontium titanium oxide dielectric. Formation of the strontium ruthenium oxide includes the use of atomic layer deposition to form strontium oxide and subsequent annealing of the strontium oxide to form the strontium ruthenium oxide. A first atomic layer deposition of strontium oxide is preformed using water as an oxygen source, followed by a subsequent atomic layer deposition of strontium oxide using ozone as an oxygen source.
US08399951B2	Thin-film semiconductor device A thin-film semiconductor device includes a temperature sensor formed of a thin-film semiconductor and sensing a temperature as current, and a current-voltage converter formed of a thin-film semiconductor and having temperature dependence in which its current-voltage characteristic is different from that of the temperature sensor. A temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is converted to a voltage by the current-voltage converter.
US08399945B2	Semiconductor light receiving element A semiconductor light detecting element includes: a semiconductor substrate; and a distributed Bragg reflector layer of a first conductivity type, an optical absorption layer, and a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, sequentially laminated on the semiconductor substrate. The distributed Bragg reflector layer includes first and second alternately laminated semiconductor layers with different band-gap wavelengths, sandwiching the wavelength of detected incident light. The sum of thicknesses a first and a second semiconductor layer is approximately one-half the wavelength of the incident light detected.
US08399928B2	Semiconductor device A standard cell has gate patterns extending in Y direction and arranged at an equal pitch in X direction. End portions of the gate patterns are located at the same position in Y direction, and have an equal width in X direction. A diode cell is located next to the standard cell in Y direction, and includes a plurality of opposite end portions formed of gate patterns that are opposed to the end portions, in addition to a diffusion layer which functions as a diode.
US08399927B2	Semiconductor structure including a high performance fet and a high voltage fet on an SOI substrate A first field effect transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode located over a first portion of a top semiconductor layer in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A second field effect transistor includes a portion of a buried insulator layer and a source region and a drain region located underneath the buried insulator layer. In one embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is a remaining portion of the top semiconductor layer. In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is formed concurrently with the gate electrode of the first field effect transistor by deposition and patterning of a gate electrode layer. The first field effect transistor may be a high performance device and the second field effect transistor may be a high voltage device. A design structure for the semiconductor structure is also provided.
US08399923B2	High voltage semiconductor device including field shaping layer and method of fabricating the same Provided are a high voltage semiconductor device in which a field shaping layer is formed on the entire surface of a semiconductor substrate and a method of fabricating the same. Specifically, the high voltage semiconductor device includes a first conductivity-type semiconductor substrate. A second conductivity-type semiconductor layer is disposed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a first conductivity-type body region is formed in semiconductor layer. A second conductivity-type source region is formed in the body region. A drain region is formed in the semiconductor layer and is separated from the body region. The field shaping layer is formed on the entire surface of the semiconductor layer facing the semiconductor layer.
US08399895B2	Semiconductor light emitting device Provided is a semiconductor light emitting device which includes a number of hexagon-shaped semiconductor light emitting elements formed two-dimensionally, and in which the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes are formed on its light outputting surface side lest the light outputting efficiency should decrease. A mask 11 for selective growth is formed on a substrate 1 for growth, and an AlN buffer layer 2 is formed in regions from each of which a part of the mask 11 for selective growth is removed. An undoped GaN layer 3, an n-type GaN layer 4, an active layer 5 and a p-type GaN layer 6 are sequentially stacked on the AlN buffer layer 2. An isolation groove A for isolating the elements from one another is formed. A p-electrode 8 and an n-electrode 7 of each semiconductor light emitting element D are formed on its hexagon-shaped light outputting surface side, and the p-electrodes or n-electrodes of each two neighboring semiconductor light emitting elements are arranged adjacent to each other with the isolation groove A in between.
US08399894B2	Semiconductor light emitting device A wiring electrode is provided on a mount substrate. A light emitting element is provided on the wiring electrode to connect electrically with the wiring electrode and is configured to emit a blue to ultraviolet light. A reflective film is provided above the light emitting element to cover the light emitting element so that a space is interposed between the reflective film and the light emitting element. The reflective film is capable of transmitting the blue to ultraviolet light. A fluorescent material layer is provided above the light emitting element to cover the light emitting element so that the reflective film is located between the fluorescent material layer and the light emitting element. A light from the fluorescent material layer is reflected by the reflective film.
US08399891B2	Active device array substrate and method for fabricating the same An active device array substrate and a fabricating method thereof are provided. A first patterned conductive layer including separated scan line patterns is formed on a substrate. Each scan line pattern includes a first and second scan lines adjacent to each other. Both the first and the second scan lines have first and second contacts. An open inspection on the scan line patterns is performed. Channel layers are formed on the substrate. A second patterned conductive layer including data lines interlaced with the first and second scan lines, sources and drains located above the channel layers, and connectors is formed on the substrate. The sources electrically connect the data lines correspondingly. At least one of the connectors electrically connects the first and second scan lines, so as to form a loop in each scan line pattern. Pixel electrodes electrically connected to the drains are formed.
US08399889B2	Organic light emitting diode and organic solar cell stack This disclosure relates to an organic solar cell and an organic light emitting diode stack. The stack comprises a solar cell portion having a substrate, an electrode, an active layer, and a second electrode. The stack also comprises a light emitting diode portion having a substrate, an electrode, an active layer, and a second electrode. The solar cell portion is laminated to the light emitting diode portion to form a stack. In a variation, the stack comprises a solar cell portion that includes a substrate, an electrode and an active layer. In this variation, there is a connection portion that includes a second substrate, having, a second electrode on one side and a third electrode on the other side of the second substrate. Also in this variation, there is also a light emitting diode portion, which includes a third substrate, an electrode on the third substrate and a second active layer. The solar cell portion is laminated to the connection portion and the connection portion is laminated to the light emitting diode portion to form a stack.
US08399888B2	P-type SiC semiconductor A p-type SiC semiconductor includes a SiC crystal that contains Al and Ti as impurities, wherein the atom number concentration of Ti is equal to or less than the atom number concentration of Al. It is preferable that the concentration of Al and the concentration of Ti satisfy the following relations: (Concentration of Al)≧5×1018/cm3; and 0.01%≦(Concentration of Ti)/(Concentration of Al)≦20%. It is more preferable that the concentration of Al and the concentration of Ti satisfy the following relations: (Concentration of Al)≧5×1018/cm3; and 1×1017/cm3≦(Concentration of Ti)≦1×1018/cm3.
US08399879B2	Nano-wire field effect transistor, method for manufacturing the transistor, and integrated circuit including the transistor Provided is a method for fabricating a nano-wire field effect transistor including steps of: preparing an SOI substrate having a (100) surface orientation, and nano-wire field effect transistor where two triangular columnar members configuring the nano-wires and being made of a silicon crystal layer are arranged one above the other on an SOI substrate having a (100) surface such a way that the ridge lines of the triangular columnar members face via an insulator; processing the silicon crystal configuring the SOI substrate into a standing plate-shaped member having a rectangular cross-section; and as a nanowire, processing the silicon crystal by orientation dependent wet etching into a shape where two triangular columnar members are arranged one above the other in such a way that the ridge lines of the triangular columnar members configuring the nano-wires face through the ridge lines thereof, and an integrated circuit including the nano-wire field effect transistor.
US08399877B2	Light emitting device, method for fabricating light emitting device, light emitting device package, and lighting system A light emitting device is provided. The light emitting device includes a first conductivity type semiconductor layer, a second conductivity type semiconductor layer, an active layer disposed between the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and the second conductivity type semiconductor layer and comprising a plurality of well layers and a plurality of barrier layers, a first nitride semiconductor layer disposed between the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and the active layer, and a second nitride semiconductor layer disposed between the active layer and the second conductivity type semiconductor layer, wherein the first nitride semiconductor layer has a higher indium composition than that of at least one of the plurality of well layers.
US08399872B2	System and method for using an optical isolator in laser testing According to one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first optical signal at a pulse detector. An electronic pulse of the first optical signal is received at an optical module. A second optical signal is generated at the optical module based on the electronic pulse. At least a portion of the first optical signal is received in a reverse direction at an optical isolator and the second optical signal is received in a forward direction at the optical isolator. The optical isolator substantially transmits the second optical signal to a target in the forward direction. The optical isolator substantially attenuates at least a portion of the first optical signal in the reverse direction.
US08399867B2	Extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus An EUV light source apparatus in which contamination or damage of optical elements and other component elements by debris can be suppressed to realize longer lives of them. The EUV light source apparatus is an apparatus for radiating extreme ultraviolet light by generating plasma of a target material within a chamber, and includes: a first laser unit for applying a first laser beam to the target material to generate pre-plasma; a second laser unit for applying a second laser beam to the pre-plasma to generate a main plasma for radiating the extreme ultraviolet light; and a magnetic field generating unit for generating a magnetic field within the chamber to control a state of at least one of the pre-plasma and the main plasma.
US08399862B2	Ion implanting apparatus and ion implanting method When positively charged ions are implanted into a target substrate, charge-up damage may occur on the target substrate. In order to suppress charge-up caused by secondary electrons emitted from the target substrate when positively charged ions are implanted, a conductive member is installed at a position facing the target substrate and electrically grounded with respect to a high frequency. Further, a field intensity generated in the target substrate may be reduced by controlling an RF power applied to the target substrate in pulse mode.
US08399860B2	Method for preventing deterioration of edible oil or industrial oil and apparatus therefor A fluororesin-coated electric wire cable is wound around a ring-shaped groove defined by an outer periphery of a cylinder and two flange edges immersed in an edible oil in a tank, forming each oscillating unit having a coil part; and the oscillating units are connected to an electromagnetic wave generator through a relay unit. Electromagnetic waves are irradiated from the coil parts based on an alternating current having a single frequency, an alternating current having a plurality of single frequencies different from one another, or an alternating current having a timewise varying frequency, the alternating currents each being within a frequency band of 4 kHz to 25 kHz, and a treatment based on a far-infrared heater or far-infrared ceramic is used combinedly therewith, to prevent deterioration of an edible oil or industrial oil.
US08399853B2	UV sterilizer A UV sterilizer for oral appliances comprising, (a) a base including a UV source, (b) a lid, and (c) an appliance holder intermediate the lid and the base, the appliance holder being adapted to hold the oral appliance adjacent the UV source, wherein pressure exerted on the appliance holder can activate the UV source.
US08399852B2	Systems and methods for control of multiple charged particle beams The systems and methods described herein relate to the use of electrostatic elements or combinations of electrostatic and magnetic elements to confine charged particles in stable recirculating, trapped orbits. More particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods for acceleration and focusing of multiple charged particle beams having multiple energies and arbitrary polarities along a common axis.
US08399837B2	Apparatus for measurement of gas concentrations in breath A device for measuring oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production by a respiring subject based on the use of absorption spectroscopy. An absorption spectrometer using cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy at 763 nm to measure oxygen concentration and direct absorption or wavelength modulation spectroscopy at 2.0035 μm for carbon dioxide concentration is incorporated into a breathing tube in proximity to the respiring subject. This provides measurements of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration with a good temporal resolution which can be combined with measurements of flow rate as a function of time to obtain oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production on a breath-by-breath basis. The device can also measure the concentration of water vapor and of anaesthetic gases in exhaled breath.
US08399830B2	Means and method for field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry combined with mass spectrometry Analyte ions are analyzed first by field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) before being analyzed by a mass analyzer. Analyte ions are produced at near atmospheric pressure and transferred via a dielectric capillary into the vacuum system of the mass analyzer. While passing through the capillary, the ions are analyzed by FAIMS via electrodes on the interior wall of the capillary. Improved ion transmission is achieved by providing smooth geometric transitions between the channel in FAIMS analyzer and the channel in the remainder of the capillary.
US08399827B1	Mass spectrometry systems Described herein are methods that may be used related to mass spectrometry, such as mass spectrometry analysis, mass spectrometry calibration, identification of proteins/peptides by mass spectrometry and/or mass spectrometry data collection strategies. In one embodiment, the subject matter discloses a phase-modeling analysis method for identification of proteins or peptides by mass spectrometry.
US08399823B2	Syringe movement mechanism and control system therefor A movement and control mechanism for operating a syringe is disclosed. The movement mechanism includes a rotatable shaft and two rods disposed coaxially to the shaft and a plunger associated unit. The plunger unit accommodates a plunger of a syringe and axially translates upon rotation of the shaft. An electrical sensor system is implemented with the movement mechanism for detecting the presence of a syringe plunger in the plunger associated unit during the operation of the mechanism. The electrical sensor system forms an interruptible electrical circuit between the rods of the movement mechanism, allowing continuous detection of the presence of a plunger in the plunger associated unit during axial translation of the plunger associated unit along the rods.
US08399820B2	Multicolor detectors and applications thereof In one aspect, the present invention provides photodetectors and components thereof having multi-spectral sensing capabilities. In some embodiments, photodetectors of the present invention provide a first photosensitive element comprising at least one accessway extending through the element and an electrical connection at least partially disposed in the accessway, the electrical connection accessible for receiving a second photosensitive element.
US08399817B1	Micro designator dart A micro designator dart engages a target to allow for designation and tracking of the target by transmitting a radio-frequency identification code. The housing of the micro designator dart is configured to enclose its components and deform upon impact with a target to allow a target-engaging member to physically attach the micro designator dart to the target. Also upon impact with the target, an impact-sensitive triggering mechanism in the micro designator dart activates a power source, causing a transmitter to send a predetermined coded infrared signal to the seeker unit of a precision guided munitions system. The micro designator dart may also include a self-destruct device.
US08399815B2	Apparatus and method for hardening bearing surfaces of a crankshaft An apparatus and method for hardening the concentric main bearing surfaces and orbital pin bearing surfaces of a crankshaft for an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes an inductor that is connected to a high frequency power source with a power controller to cause the power source to direct a given power to the inductor at given rotational heating positions of the crankshaft. A master controller creates output signals to control the power controller. The apparatus and method includes a first multi-surface hardening station with inductors for all of the main bearing surfaces, a second multi-surface hardening station with inductors for some of the orbital pins and a third multi-surface hardening station with inductors for the remaining orbital pins. Total indicator run out (TIR) is measured after the first station to adjust the heating process in the third station to produce a straight crankshaft.
US08399813B2	Portable heating apparatus for heating interior piping systems Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a portable heating unit that does not use a separate compressor or blower or vacuum. The unit can be attached to an inlet of a piping system or section and be used to dry the interior walls of the piping system or section, and/or heat coatings passing through the piping system or section, etc. The portable heating unit includes a heater attached to an inlet end of a manifold, where the manifold can include alternative inlet end and two outlet ends. The inlet and outlet ends of the manifold can have quick connect fittings that allow similar fittings to be easily mateably attached thereto by rotating the fittings with one another. A quick connect/disconnect air pressure regulator with similar quick connect fitting can be attached to anyone of the inlet and outlet ends of the manifold. A quick connect/disconnect plug or plugs with similar quick connect fitting can close off any of the inlet and outlet ends of the manifold. The portable heating unit can be used with both a separate compressor and blower/filter having vacuum generator. The portable heating unit can also be used with only a compressor. The portable heating unit can also be used with only a vacuum generator.
US08399809B1	Load chamber with heater for a disk sputtering system A disk processing system having a plurality of processing chambers, a load chamber comprising a heater, and a disk transport system coupled to the plurality of processing chambers and the load chamber to transport a disk there among.
US08399797B2	Automatic compressor adjustment system and method for a portable cutting torch system A system is provided that includes a torch power unit that includes a compressor and a controller configured to adjust output of the compressor in response to feedback comprising compressor output, or altitude, or atmospheric pressure, or a combination thereof. A method is provided that includes adjusting operational parameters of a torch power unit to account for environmental conditions affecting performance of the torch power unit. A method of manufacturing a portable cutting torch system is also provided. Another system is provided that includes a plasma cutting circuit, a compressor, a motor coupled to the compressor, an interface, and an environmental feedback controller.
US08399795B2	Enhancing plasma surface modification using high intensity and high power ultrasonic acoustic waves This invention relates to a plasma surface modification process (and a corresponding a system) of a solid object (100) comprising creating plasma (104) by a plasma source (106), application of the plasma (104) to at least a part of a surface (314) of the solid object (100), generating ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic waves (102) by at least one ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic wave generator (101), wherein the ultrasonic acoustic waves are directed to propagate towards said surface (314) of the object (100) so that a laminar boundary layer (313) of a gas or a mixture of gases (500) flow in contact with said solid object (100) is thinned or destructed for at least a part of said surface (314). In this way, the plasma can more efficiently access and influence the surface of the solid object to be treated by the plasma, which speeds the process time up significantly.
US08399794B2	Atmospheric pressure plasma, generating method, plasma processing method and component mounting method using same, and device using these methods A first inert gas (5) is supplied into a reaction space (1) and a high-frequency power supply (4) applies a high-frequency electric field so that a primary plasma (6) composed of the first inert gas which has been made into the plasma is ejected from the reaction space. A mixed gas area (10) in which a mixed gas (8) having a second inert gas (12) as a main ingredient and a proper amount of a reactive gas (13) mixed is formed. The primary plasma collides into the mixed gas area to generate a secondary plasma (11) composed of the mixed gas which has been made into the plasma, and the secondary plasma is sprayed on a processed object (S) to carry out a plasma processing. Accordingly, the plasma processing is carried out in a wide range by an atmospheric pressure plasma generated by a small input power.
US08399791B2	Interrupter arrangement having a movable switching tube The invention relates to an interrupter arrangement (1) having a switching tube (3) comprising a switch gas outlet opening (5). The switching tube (3) is connected to a coupling section (9) of a drive rod (10) in the region of the switch gas outlet opening (5). The coupling section (9) is protected from switch gasses emitted from the switch gas outlet opening (5) by means of a shield (15).
US08399789B2	Keyboard A keyboard having: a base panel, a switch panel including a hole portion, a membrane sheet including a contact portion, a key top adapted to be depressed for switching the contact portion ON, and a housing supporting and guiding the key top to move freely in a vertical direction, including each a tube portion on an upper end side having a guide hole formed for inserting a stem formed integrally with the key top and a flange portion on an lower end side extending laterally around the tube portion in a size larger than the hole portion; wherein the housing is inserted into the hole portion from a back side of the switch panel, the flange portion being attached to the back side of the switch panel.
US08399779B2	Wiring board and method of manufacturing the same A wiring board includes a pad exposed from an opening portion of an outermost insulating layer. The pad includes: a first metal layer a surface of which is exposed from the wiring board; a second metal layer provided on the first metal layer and formed of a material effective in preventing a metal contained in a via inside the board from diffusing into the first metal layer; and a third metal layer provided between the second metal layer and the via, and formed of a material harder to be oxidized than that of the second metal layer. The thickness of the third metal layer is relatively thick, and is preferably selected to be three times or greater than a thickness of the second metal layer. A side surface of the third metal layer and a surface of the third metal layer to which the via is to be connected are roughed.
US08399778B2	Circuit board structure and fabrication method thereof A circuit board structure and a fabrication method thereof are disclosed. The circuit board structure includes a carrying board having a first and an opposite second surface and having at least one through cavity formed therein; a semiconductor chip disposed in the through cavity of the carrying board; an adhesive material filling the gap between the through cavity of the carrying board and the semiconductor chip to fix the semiconductor chip in the through cavity; and a reinforcing layer disposed on the second surface of the carrying board and the inactive surface of the semiconductor chip, thereby increasing the strength of the carrying board as well as the reliability of the circuit board.
US08399777B2	Electromagnetic bandgap structure and printed circuit board having the same Disclosed herein are an electromagnetic bandgap structure and a printed circuit board having the same. The bandgap structure includes a conductive layer including a plurality of conductive plates, a first metal layer disposed under the conductive layer and including a first stitching pattern electrically connected to a first conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates, and a second metal layer disposed under the first metal layer and including a second stitching pattern electrically connected to both the first stitching pattern and a second conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates. The bandgap to structure includes stitching patterns formed in two layers different from the conductive layer, thus offering a stop-band having a desired bandwidth in a compact structure.
US08399775B2	Flex-rigid wiring board and method of manufacturing the same A flex-rigid wiring board includes a first rigid substrate, a second rigid substrate arranged at a distance from the first rigid substrate to provide a space between the first and second rigid substrates and a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate includes a first tip portion connected to the first rigid substrate, and a second tip portion connected to the second rigid substrate such that the first and second rigid substrates are connected to each other by way of the flexible substrate. At least one bending portion is formed between the first and second tip portions of the flexible substrate, each of the at least one bending portions is provided in the space between the first and second rigid substrates.
US08399773B2	Substrates having voltage switchable dielectric materials Various aspects provide for incorporating a VSDM into a substrate to create an ESD-protected substrate. In some cases, a VSDM is incorporated in a manner that results in the ESD-protected substrate meeting one or more specifications (e.g., thickness, planarity, and the like) for various subsequent processes or applications. Various aspects provide for designing a substrate (e.g., a PCB) incorporating a VSDM, and adjusting one or more aspects of the substrate to design a balanced, ESD-protected substrate. Certain embodiments include molding a substrate having a VSDM layer into a first shape.
US08399763B2	Electric wire An electric wire including a core wire having element wires consisting of aluminum or aluminum alloy is provided, by which stable electrical connection between the core wire of the electric wire and the terminal fitting can be attained. The electric wire 1 includes: a core wire 3 including a plurality of element wires 5a, 5b, 5c bundled up, each element wire consisting of aluminum or aluminum alloy; and an electrically insulating coating 4 which coats the core wire 3. At least one element wire 5b, situated inside the element wires 5a situated on a most outer periphery of the core wire 3, is provided with an unevenness 14 on an outer surface of at least one element wire 5b. Concave parts 14a and convex parts 14b are arranged on the outer surface of at least one element wire 5b in a circumferential direction of at least one element wire 5b.
US08399755B2	Connection assembly for drum shell A connection assembly of the present invention is provided for connecting a drum shell to a support. The connection assembly includes at least two fixation pieces, a connection member, two positioning bolt and a clamp. The fixation pieces are fixed on the drum shell. The fixation pieces are fastened on the connection member along a horizontal direction and a horizontal direction by the positioning bolts and several tension rods. The clamp is disposed on the connection member. The clamp is used for being detachably connected to the support.As such, the drum assembled from the drum shell is stably supported by the connection assembly. Performance can be precisely provided.
US08399754B2	Musical instrument with a head tensioned over a shell by a rim using an axially oriented grain structure A musical instrument comprising a shell and a rim for tensioning a head across an open end of the shell, for example a drum, is improved by forming one or both of the shell and the rim using a primary material having an axially oriented grain structure together with an auxiliary layer of secondary material having greater hoop strength than the primary material. The primary material can be a natural plant material, such as hardwood with the naturally occurring grain structure being oriented in an axial direction by assembling the annular rim using a stave construction. The secondary material can comprises a composite material including carbon fiber to reinforce the stave construction.
US08399752B2	Musical instrument for the handicapped A system and method for music playing and enjoyment, especially by handicapped persons. In some implementations, the system includes automatic height adjustment. In some implementations, the system includes oversized keys suitable for activation not body parts other than fingers. The sound quality is desirably professional.
US08399743B2	Soybean variety A1024305 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024305. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024305. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024305 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024305 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08399741B2	Melon having high percent soluble solids and improved firmness Honeydew melon having high percent soluble solids and improved firmness is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of honeydew melons SSC 112, SSC 135, SSC 118, 10217-3, 10233-1, 11466, 10888, 10288-1, and 11876-1, to the plants of honeydew melons SSC 112, SSC 135, SSC 118, 10217-3, 10233-1, 11466, 10888, 10288-1, and 11876-1, and to methods for producing a honeydew melon plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing each of the melons SSC 112, SSC 135, SSC 118, 10217-3, 10233-1, 11466, 10888, 10288-1, and 11876-1 with itself or another honeydew melon cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a honeydew melon plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other honeydew melon cultivars derived from the melons SSC 112, SSC 135, SSC 118, 10217-3, 10233-1, 11466, 10888, 10288-1, and 11876-1.
US08399725B2	Functionalized high vinyl terminated propylene based oligomers This invention relates to a functionalized co-oligomer having an Mn of 300 to 30,000 g/mol comprising 10 to 90 mol % propylene and 10 to 90 mol % of ethylene, wherein the oligomer has at least X % allyl chain ends, where: 1) X=(−0.94(mole % ethylene incorporated)+100), when 10 to 60 mole % ethylene is present in the co-oligomer, and 2) X=45, when greater than 60 and less than 70 mole % ethylene is present in the co-oligomer, and 3) X=(1.83*(mole % ethylene incorporated)−83), when 70 to 90 mole % ethylene is present in the co-oligomer. This invention also relates to a functionalized homo-oligomer, comprising propylene, wherein the oligomer has: at least 93% allyl chain ends, an Mn of about 500 to about 20,000 g/mol, an isobutyl chain end to allylic vinyl group ratio of 0.8:1 to 1.2:1.0, and less than 100 ppm aluminum. This invention also relates to a process of making functionalized homo- or co-oligomer, comprising propylene, wherein the productivity is greater than 4500 g/mmol Hf (or Zr)/hour.
US08399723B2	Processes for production and purification of hydrofluoroolefins Disclosed herein are processes for the production of hydrofluoroolefins by dehydrofluorination. Also disclosed herein are processes for separation of hydrofluoroolefins from hydrofluorocarbons and from hydrogen fluoride.
US08399711B2	Process for preparing (meth)acrolein by heterogeneously catalyzed gas phase partial oxidation A process for preparing (meth)acrolein by heterogeneously catalyzed gas phase partial oxidation of a precursor compound, in which the reaction gas mixture which comprises at least 3% by volume of precursor compound is passed through a fresh fixed catalyst bed whose active material is a multielement oxide which comprises the elements Mo, Fe and Bi and at least one of the elements Ni and Co, and the fixed catalyst bed is loaded with at least 40 l (STP)/l·h of precursor compound, and the precursor compound is converted to an extent of at least 90 mol %, wherein, over the first 8000 operating hours, during X=10 to 500 operating hours, the highest temperature of the reaction gas mixture in the fixed catalyst bed is 400 to 450° C. and, during the remaining 8000−X operating hours, is 300 to <400° C., and the loading of the fixed catalyst bed with organic precursor compound, averaged over the time, for the X=10 to 500 operating hours is greater than for the 8000−X operating hours.
US08399706B2	Chiral tetraaminophosphonium salts, catalyst for asymmetric synthesis and method for producing chiral β-nitroalcohol A chiral tetraaminophosphonium salt represented by formula (1) and a method for producing chiral β-nitroalcohol comprising reacting an aldehyde or a ketone and a nitroalkane in the presence of the chiral tetraaminophosphonium salt represented by formula (1) and a base, or in the presence of a conjugated base of the chiral tetraaminophosphonium salt represented by formula (1): wherein R1 to R4 are independently a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group; and, R1 and R2 are different groups or R3 and R4 are different groups.
US08399705B2	Alkali metal salt of glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid, a process to prepare such salt, and the use thereof The present invention relates to an alkalimetal salt of glutamic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA) of the formula NaxKyHzGLDA, wherein x is equal to or more than 2 and lower than 4 and y is more than 0 and equal to or lower than 2, x+y is 3.5-4, and x+y+z=4, to processes to prepare such salt and the use thereof.
US08399693B2	Preparation of an active intermediate A process for the preparation of an organic reactive intermediate that contains a combination of epoxy groups, hydroxy groups and unsaturated groups wherein the process can be utilized to control the amounts of each of the functional groups in the final product. The reactive intermediates are prepared from natural triglyceride plant and animal oils containing unsaturation.
US08399676B2	Piperidine derivatives Compounds of formula (I) as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof can be used in the form of pharmaceutical compositions, wherein A1, A2, R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the significance given in claim 1.
US08399675B2	Compounds and preparation for montelukast sodium This invention relates to novel compounds and a process for preparation of montelukast sodium.
US08399673B2	Substituted 2-mercaptoquinoline-3-carboxamides as KCNQ2/3 modulators The invention relates to substituted 2-mercaptoquinoline-3-carboxamides, methods for the preparation thereof, medicaments containing these compounds and the use of these compounds for the preparation of medicaments.
US08399665B2	Organometallic complex, and light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device and electronic device using the organometallic complex An object is to provide a novel organometallic complex capable of emitting phosphorescence, an organometallic complex which exhibits deep red emission, and a light-emitting element which provides deep red emission. Provided is an organometallic complex having a structure represented by the following General Formula (G1). In the formula, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 represent substituents, and M is a central metal and represents either a Group 9 element or a Group 10 element.
US08399662B2	O-acyloxime derivatives, preparation method thereof, and pharmaceutical composition containing the same for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease The present invention relates to novel O-acyloxime derivatives, a preparation method thereof and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.The O-acyloxime derivatives according to the present invention may valuably be used for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as hyperlipidemia, coronary arterial heart disease, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction caused by Lp-PLA2, because they have excellent inhibitory effect of Lp-PLA2.
US08399648B2	Polynucleotides encoding anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies and methods of use thereof The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting thrombosis without compromising hemostasis. Compositions include anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies (aXIMabs) capable of binding to an epitope on the heavy chain of human FXI, particularly the A3 domain of the heavy chain of human FXI. Compositions also include epitope-binding fragments, variants, and derivatives of the monoclonal antibodies, cell lines producing these antibody compositions, and isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the amino acid sequences of the antibodies. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising the anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies of the invention, or epitope-binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Methods of the invention comprise administering the compositions described above to a subject in need thereof for the purpose of inhibiting thrombosis, reducing a required dose of an antithrombotic agent in the treatment of thrombosis, treating metastatic cancer, or treating an acute inflammatory reaction.
US08399639B2	Isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the p15 region of chromosome 11 encoding human achaete-scute homolog 2 (HASH2) Provided herein are isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the p15 arm of chromosome 11 encoding HASH2 and methods of use.
US08399637B2	Nucleic acids encoding proteins for modulating Na,K-ATPase This invention relates to an isolated protein MONaKA and methods of its use. Specifically, the invention is directed to a protein that modulates the Na,K-ATPase and glutamate transporters, by binding to the b-subunit of the plasma membrane Na,K-ATPase (Na pump).
US08399631B2	Compositions and methods for purifying calreticulin The present invention relates to compositions, methods for expressing, and related methods for purifying calreticulin that is free of an affinity label or tag (i.e., non-tagged calreticulin). The invention provides useful methods for commercial production of human calreticulin in a bacterial expression system such as Escherichia coli.
US08399629B2	Antibody modulators of hepatocyte growth factor activator The invention provides methods and compositions for modulating hepatocyte growth factor activator function.
US08399623B2	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.
US08399621B2	Anti-CD4 antibody An anti-CD4 antibody which binds to CD4, has a high affinity and has a high effector activity, such as an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC activity) or complement-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (CDC activity), is required for a disease relating to a CD4-expressing cell.The present invention can provide a monoclonal antibody or an antibody fragment thereof, which binds to a CD4 extracellular region with high affinity and also exhibits a high ADCC activity or a high CDC activity; a hybridoma which produces the antibody; a DNA which encodes the antibody; a vector which contains the DNA; a transformant obtainable by introducing the vector; a process for producing an antibody or an antibody fragment thereof using the hybridoma or the transformant; and a therapeutic agent using the antibody or the antibody fragment thereof or a diagnostic agent using the antibody or the antibody fragment thereof.
US08399617B2	Non-functional P2X7 receptor The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to P2X7 receptors and distinguish between function and non-functional P2X7 receptors, pharmaceutical compositions and kits containing the antibodies, and methods of using the antibodies for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease conditions.
US08399588B1	Methods of constructing alkene-based copolymer polyolefins having reduced crystallinity The invention is a novel family of polyolefins characterized by chain-walking defects of the type that add extra backbone carbons per monomer. These polyolefins display a large decrease in crystallinity relative to polyolefins known in the art. Specifically, the reduction in crystallinity is much greater than for earlier polypropylenes with a matched content of stereo or 1-alkene type defects. The claimed polyolefins can be an alkene-based copolymer. The defects in the polyolefin backbone are generated by a chain walking mechanism in which three or more carbons per monomer are added to the polymer backbone instead of two, as in conventional polymerization or copolymerization methods of alpha olefins. The novel polyolefins can be used in applications such as plastic wrapping, thin films, co-extrusion layers or molded parts in the absence of polymer blending or copolymerization. The cost of materials production can be reduced.
US08399585B2	Process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles with improved blood absorbance by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles with improved blood absorbence by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution in a surrounding gas phase, wherein the monomer solution comprises a surfactant.
US08399584B2	Copolymers having zwitterionic moieties and dihydroxyphenyl moieties and medical devices coated with the copolymers Copolymers are manufactured to include a zwitterionic monomer (e.g., methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine monomer), a dihydroxyphenyl derivatized monomer, and optionally one or more additional monomers. The dihydroxyphenyl derivatized monomer gives the copolymers excellent adhesion properties. Optional monomers include a cationic amino monomer, a hydrocarbon monomer, and/or a hydrophilic monomer. The copolymers are biocompatible and can be used with medical devices.
US08399580B2	Additives to chromium catalyst mix tank Systems and methods for the maintenance of active chromium-based catalysts and their use in polymerization processes are described. In one embodiment, a system for the introduction of multiple polymerization components to activate a chromium based catalyst within a mix tank is described. Other described features may include materials and methods to purify the liquid medium of a catalyst slurry so that the catalyst slurry maintains a high level of activity. The active chromium-based catalyst may provide polyolefins with a number of desirable properties in a reliable, consistent, and predictable manner.
US08399569B2	Reactive urethane compound having ether bond, curable composition, and cured material An object of the present invention is to provide a reactive urethane compound having superior curability, adhesion to substrates, transparency, molecular flexibility, and mechanical properties, a curable composition containing the compound, and a cured material formed from the composition. An ethylenically-unsaturated-group containing reactive urethane compound of the present invention is represented by formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkylene group; R3 is a hydrogen atom, a alkyl group, or an aryl group; R4 is a single bond or an alkylene group; R5 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R6 is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or an imino group; n is 2 to 12; m is 1 to 300; and X is an aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic compound residue.
US08399557B2	Blends and alloys based on an amorphous to semicrystalline copolymer comprising amide units and comprising ether units, wherein these materials have improved optical properties Transparent blend or alloy comprising, by weight, the total being 100%: (A) 1 to 99% of at least one copolymer constituent: which is amorphous or has a crystallinity ranging up to semicrystallinity; and which comprises: (A1) amide units, among which is at least one cycloaliphatic unit; (A2) flexible ether units; (B) 99 to 1% of at least one polymer constituent selected from: (Ba) semicrystalline copolyamides comprising amide units (Ba1) and comprising ether units (Ba2), (Bb) semicrystalline polyamides or copolyamides without ether units, (Bc) transparent polyamides or copolyamides without ether units, which are amorphous or weakly crystalline, and alloys based on such polyamides or copolyamides; and (C) 0 to 50% by weight of at least one polyamide, copolyamide, copolyamide comprising ether units or alloy based on such polyamides or copolyamides other than those used in (A) and (B) above. The resulting blend or alloy has a high transparency such that the transmission at 560 nm on a plate 2 mm thick is greater than 50%.
US08399548B2	Crosslinkable materials based on organosilicon compounds Moisture-curable organosilicon compositions which are storable in the absence of water, and crosslinkable on admission of water at room temperature to give elastomers, are based on organosilicon compositions containing: (A) compounds of the formula A-[(CR12)b—SiRa(OR2)3-a]x (I), (B) an organosilicon compound having basic nitrogen and (C) compounds of the formula R3—NH—C(═O)—C(═O)—NH—R3, and (II) optionally, further additives.
US08399543B2	Additivising carbon black to polymer powder The present invention concerns an improved method for introducing free carbon black additive into a polymer powder or fluff, and in particular into polyethylene powder.
US08399542B2	Method for making a poly-lactic acid/silica composite Disclosed is a method for making a poly-lactic acid/silica composite. At first, silica particles are aminated, thus providing aminated silica particles. Secondly, the aminated silica particles are mixed with poly-lactic acid. Then, the mixture is blended and extruded by two micro-screws, thus providing a poly-lactic acid/silica composite. Thus, the mechanical properties of the poly-lactic acid are improved without affecting the biodegradability of the poly-lactic acid.
US08399541B2	Active energy ray-curable ink composition and printed matter Disclosed is an active energy ray-curable ink composition comprising a coloring agent, a binder resin, and a radically polymerizable varnish and/or a radically polymerizable monomer as main components. The coloring agent is a modified pigment wherein the surface of a pigment (A) is provided with a polymer (P) which is obtained by polymerizing a polymer (B), which is soluble in nonaqueous solvents, with at least one polymerizable unsaturated monomer (C), which is originally soluble in nonaqueous solvents but becomes insoluble or poorly soluble after polymerization. Also disclosed is a printed matter which has a coating film obtained by curing and drying the active energy ray-curable ink composition.
US08399536B2	Irradiated polyolefin composition comprising a non-phenolic stabilizer The present subject matter relates generally to polymer compositions, and more particularly to irradiated polymer compositions comprising at least one non-phenolic stabilizer. The present polymer compositions comprise an unexpected balance of properties after being subjected to irradiation treatments, including an unexpected combination of a lower melt flow rate ratio (MFRr) and high melt tension after being irradiated, while minimizing negative yellowing effects.
US08399530B2	Polymer foams A process for producing polymer foams by precise control of their morphology through use of microfluidic processes, foams produced in this way and use thereof.
US08399519B2	1-amino-alkylcyclohexane derivatives for the treatment of mast cell mediated diseases The present invention relates to the treatment of an individual afflicted with mast cell mediated diseases comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a 1-amino-alkylcyclohexane derivative.
US08399515B2	Five and fifteen carbon fatty acids for treating metabolic disorders and as nutritional supplements According to the present invention, acquired metabolic derangements or fatty acid disorders in humans that are manifested by a deficiency in at least one enzyme involved in fatty acid metabolism are treated with a five carbon or a fifteen carbon fatty acid source. Rapid nutritional supplementation can also be provided to a mammalian cell by providing either a five carbon or fifteen carbon fatty acid source. Dietary formulations suitable for human consumption comprising either a five carbon fatty acid, a fifteen carbon fatty acid or triglycerides thereof is also disclosed.
US08399514B2	Treatment for multiple sclerosis Provided are certain methods of screening, identifying, and evaluating neuroprotective compounds useful for treatment of neurological diseases, such as, e.g., multiple sclerosis (MS). The compounds described upregulate the cellular cytoprotective pathway regulated by Nrf2. Also provided are certain methods of utilizing such compounds in therapy for neurological disease, particularly, for slowing or reducing demyelination, axonal loss, or neuronal and oligodendrocyte death.
US08399510B2	Method of activating NK cells The present invention provides a method of mediating hypo-activation of NK cells. Methods of the present invention comprise administering to a subject an effective amount of broad acting phosphotase inhibitor, such as sodium orthovanadate, SHP specific inhibitor. In one embodiment, the SHP specific inhibitor is NSC119910.
US08399507B2	Antidiabetic tricyclic compounds Tricyclic compounds containing a cyclopropanecarboxylic acid fused to a bicyclic ring, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, are agonists of G-protein coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) and are useful as therapeutic compounds, particularly in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, and of conditions that are often associated with this disease, including obesity and lipid disorders, such as mixed or diabetic dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia.
US08399490B2	Insecticides An insecticidal compound of formula (I) in which G1, G2, and G3 together with the two carbon atoms to which G1 and G3 are attached, form a non-aromatic 4- or 5-membered ring system; wherein G1 is sulfur, SO, SO2, oxygen, a direct bond, NRa or CR5aR5b; G2 is sulfur, SO, SO2, oxygen, a direct bond, NRb or CR5cR5d; G3 is sulfur, SO, SO2, oxygen, a direct bond, NRc or CR5eR5f; with the provisos that a) not more than 1 group G can be a direct bond, b) not more than 2 G groups can be oxygen, sulfur, SO or SO2 and c) when 2 G groups are oxygen, SO, SO2 and/or sulfur the two groups are separated by a carbon atom; each of Z1 and Z2, which may be the same or different, represents oxygen or sulfur; D is phenyl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring and R1a, R1b, R5a, R5b, R5c, R5d, R5e, R5f, Ra, Rb Rc, R2, R3 and R20 are specified organic groups and agronomically acceptable salts/isomers/enantiomers/tautomers/N-oxides of those compounds.
US08399487B2	Pyrazole compounds and uses thereof The invention provides a compound of formula I: wherein R1-R6, X, Y, and B have any of the values described herein, as well as salts of such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, and therapeutic methods that comprise the administration of such compounds. The compounds are inhibitors of MAO-B enzyme function and are useful for improving cognitive function and for treating psychiatric disorders in animals.
US08399483B2	Quinoxaline and quinoline derivatives as kinase inhibitors A series of heteroaryl-substituted quinoxaline and quinoline derivatives, being selective inhibitors of PI3 kinase enzymes, are accordingly of benefit in medicine, for example in the treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, metabolic, oncological, nociceptive or ophthalmic conditions, said substituted derivatives having the general formula
US08399482B2	6-substituted isoquinolines and isoquinolinones The invention relates to 6-substituted isoquinoline and isoquinolinone derivatives of the formula (I) useful for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases associated with Rho-kinase and/or Rho-kinase mediated phosphorylation of myosin light chain phosphatase, and compositions containing such compounds.
US08399477B2	(Aza)indole derivative substituted in position 5, pharmaceutical composition comprising it, intermediate compounds and preparation process therefor An (aza)indole derivative substituted in position 5, of formula (I) in which X, Y, Z, G1, G2, G3, R1, W, and R2 have the meanings given in the description, a pharmaceutical composition comprising it, and also intermediate compounds and a preparation process therefor.
US08399475B2	Crystalline and amorphous forms of naltrexone hydrochloride The present invention relates to novel crystalline forms of naltrexone hydrochloride including hydrated and solvated forms and a novel amorphous form. The invention also describes methods of preparing the various crystalline forms. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing crystalline and amorphous forms of naltrexone hydrochloride, as well as methods of treating addictive behavior by administering the pharmaceutical compositions.
US08399470B2	Inhibitors of bruton's tyrosine kinase Disclosed herein are pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines that form covalent bonds with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). Also described are irreversible inhibitors of Btk. Methods for the preparation of the compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the compounds. Methods of using the Btk inhibitors are disclosed, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions.
US08399469B2	Low hygroscopic aripiprazole drug substance and processes for the preparation thereof The present invention provides low hygroscopic forms of aripiprazole and processes for the preparation thereof which will not convert to a hydrate or lose their original solubility even when a medicinal preparation containing the anhydrous aripiprazole crystals is stored for an extended period.
US08399466B2	Composition for regenerative treatment of cartilage disease A composition for regenerative treatment of cartilage disease, which comprises a PDE4 inhibitor as an active ingredient, specifically a composition comprising a PDE4 inhibitor and a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer is provided, which composition, when formulated into a form suited to administer locally to affected cartilage region, such as microsphere preparation, can provide a pharmaceutical composition showing an excellent effect in regenerative treatment of cartilage.
US08399464B2	HSP90 inhibitor Disclosed is a triazole derivative(s) represented by the general formula (1) below or a pharmacologically acceptable salt(s) thereof. Also disclosed are a prodrug(s) of such a triazole derivative(s) and an HSP90 inhibitor(s) containing any one of them as an active constituent. (1) (In the formula, X represents a halogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted alkynyl group or the like; Y represents a mercapto group, a hydroxyl group, an optionally substituted sulfonyl group, an optionally substituted amino group or the like; and R represents an optionally substituted aryl or alkyl group or the like.)
US08399463B2	Imidazole derivatives The invention relates to imidazole derivatives which have a good affinity to the trace amine associated receptors (TAARs), especially for TAAR1.The invention also relates to a pharmaceutically-suitable acid-addition salt of the above compound.The invention further relates to a composition comprising an imidazole derivative as described above, or a pharmaceutically-suitable acid-addition salt thereof, and to processes for preparing such compounds.
US08399462B2	JNK modulators Compounds of formula I modulate JNK: wherein the variables are as defined herein.
US08399460B2	Chromenone derivatives The invention concerns chromenone derivatives of Formula I or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, n and R9 has any of the meanings defined hereinbefore in the description; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of cell proliferative disorders.
US08399459B2	1,4 oxazines as BACE1 and/or BACE2 inhibitors The present invention provides 1,4 Oxazines of formula I having BACE1 and/or BACE2 inhibitory activity, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as therapeutically active substances. The active compounds of the present invention are useful in the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of e.g. Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes.
US08399456B2	2,5-disubstituted arylsulfonamide CCR3 antagonists Provided herein are 2,5-disubstituted arylsulfonamides that are useful for modulating CCR3 activity, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided herein are methods of their use for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a CCR3-mediated disorder, disease, or condition.
US08399454B2	Azetidinyl diamides as monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula (I) as follows: wherein Y, Z, R1, and s are defined herein.
US08399427B2	Reagents, methods and systems to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines The present invention relates to reagents, methods and systems to treat inflammation and pain in a subject using small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules targeted to either TNFα, IL1, IL6 and other pro-inflammatory cytokines.
US08399423B2	Immune regulatory oligonucleotide (IRO) compounds to modulate toll-like receptor based immune response The invention provides the use of immune regulatory oligonucleotides (IRO) as antagonist of TLRs in the prevention and treatment of a disease caused by a pathogen, for example, a DNA or RNA virus.
US08399417B2	Food A low-fat food containing an amino acid or a peptide which is able to activate a calcium receptor, examples of which include γ-Glu-X-Gly, γ-Glu-Val-Y, γ-Glu-Ala, γ-Glu-Gly, γ-Glu-Cys, γ-Glu-Met, γ-Glu-Thr, γ-Glu-Val, γ-Glu-Orn, Asp-Gly, Cys-Gly, Cys-Met, Glu-Cys, Gly-Cys, Leu-Asp, D-Cys, γ-Glu-Met(O), γ-Glu-γ-Glu-Val, γ-Glu-Val-NH2, γ-Glu-Val-ol, γ-Glu-Ser, γ-Glu-Tau, γ-Glu-Cys(S-Me)(O), γ-Glu-Leu, γ-Glu-Ile, γ-Glu-t-Leu, γ-Glu-Cys(S-Me), etc, wherein X and Y are an amino acid or an amino acid derivative.
US08399416B2	Method of using heparin binding motif for treating asthma The present invention is for an isolated peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 and using the peptide for treating asthma by reducing cytotoxicity of eosinophil derived toxins in bronchial epithelial cells of the subject suffers from asthma. The method comprises preparing a pharmaceutical composition having the peptide of SEQ ID NO: 9 and administering an effective amount of the composition to the subject.
US08399412B2	Method of treating or preventing tissue deterioration, injury or damage due to periodontal disease or disease of oral mucosa, and/or downregulating NF-kappabeta or supressing NF-kappabeta-mediated actions A method of treatment for treating, at least partly preventing, inhibiting or reducing tissue deterioration, injury or damage due to a periodontal disease or disease of oral mucosa, or for restoring tissue adversely affected by the disease, in a subject, and/or for downregulating NF-kappaB or suppressing NF-kappaB mediated action in a body, organ, tissue or cell, includes administering to a subject, body, organ, tissue or cell an effective amount of a composition including a peptide agent including at least one of Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), an isoform of Tβ4, an N-terminal fragment of Tβ4, a C-terminal fragment of Tβ4, Tβ4 sulfoxide, an LKKTET peptide or conservative variant thereof, an LKKTNT peptide or conservative variant thereof, a KLKKTET peptide or conservative variant thereof, an LKKTETQ peptide or conservative variant thereof, Tβ4ala, Tβ9, Tβ10, Tβ11, Tβ12, Tβ13, Tβ14, Tβ15, gelsolin, vitamin D binding protein (DBP), profilin, cofilin, depactin, DnaseI, vilin, fragmin, severin, capping protein, β-actinin, acumentin, an actin-sequestering peptide, an actin binding peptide, an actin-mobilizing peptide, an actin polymerization-modulating peptide, or a stimulating agent that stimulates production of an effective amount of the peptide agent in the subject, body, organ, tissue or cell.
US08399396B2	Tiron-containing detergents having acceptable color Detergent compositions containing catechols, such as Tiron (1,2-dihydroxybenzene-3,5-disulfonic acid), which do not have or do not develop the reddish color associated with the catechol/ferric iron chelate are disclosed. Methods for reducing the intensity of red color in a Tiron (1,2-dihydroxybenzene-3,5-disulfonic acid) containing detergent composition are also disclosed.
US08399395B2	Solid fragrance-emitting composition Herein a solid, scent-imparting composition is disclosed that comprises a water-soluble support, a water-soluble polymer, a malodor-absorbing compound, and a perfume. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water-soluble support is provided as a particulate that is coated with an envelope consisting of the water-soluble polymer, the malodor-absorbing compound, and the perfume. A detergent compound may be included that is at least partly in and/or on the envelope. Washing or cleaning agents comprising the scent-imparting compositions are also described.
US08399390B2	HVI-PAO in industrial lubricant and grease compositions The invention relates to industrial lubricant and grease compositions containing high viscosity index polyalphaolefins (HVI-PAO). The use of HVI-PAOs in industrial oils and greases application provides advantages in improved shear stability, wear property, foam property, energy efficiency and improved overall performance.
US08399376B2	Particle blend for synthesizing a porous structure of the aluminum titanate type The invention relates to a particle blend comprising mainly or consisting of an oxide phase of the pseudo-brookite type comprising at least titanium and aluminum, said blend being obtained from at least two particle size fractions, namely a coarse particle size fraction, the median diameter d50 of which is greater than 12 microns, and a fine particle size fraction, the median diameter d50 of which is between 0.5 and 3 microns, the mass ratio of said coarse fraction to said fine fraction being between 1.5 and 20, limits inclusive, and the ratio of the median diameter of the coarse fraction to that of the fine fraction being greater than 12.
US08399373B2	Zeolitic catalysts, their process for preparation and their applications The invention describes a porous composite material that comprises a porous substrate based on a refractory inorganic oxide in which said substrate has a zeolite crystal content that is less than 25% by mass, whereby said crystals are dispersed homogeneously in the pores of said substrate, and the distribution coefficient that is measured by Castaing microprobe is between 0.75 and 1.25, and in which the total pore volume of said substrate represents at least 40% of the initial total pore volume of the substrate, and the mean diameter of the pores represents at least 50% of the mean diameter of the pores of the initial substrate, its process for preparation and its use as catalyst in the hydrocarbon feedstock conversion reactions.
US08399372B2	Stabilized ceramic composition, apparatus and methods of using the same In one aspect, the invention includes a refractory material, said material comprising: (i) at least 20 wt. % of a first grain mode stabilized zirconia based upon the total weight of said material, said first grain mode having a D50 grain size in the range of from 5 to 2000 μm, said stabilized zirconia including a matrix oxide stabilizer; (ii) at least 1 wt. % of a second grain mode having a D50 grain size in the range of from 0.01 μm up to not greater than one-fourth the D50 grain size of said first grain mode zirconia, based upon the total weight of said material; and (iii) at least 1 wt. % of a preservative component within at least one of said first grain mode stabilized zirconia, said second grain mode stabilized zirconia, and an optional another grain mode; wherein after sintering, said material has porosity at 20° C. in the range of from 5 to 45 vol %.
US08399367B2	Process for high-pressure nitrogen annealing of metal nitrides The disclosure provides a process to anneal group III-V metal nitride crystals, wafers, epitaxial layers, and epitaxial films to reduce nitrogen vacancies. In particular, the disclosure provides a process to perform slow annealing of the group III-V metal nitrides in a high temperature and high pressure environment.
US08399364B2	Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices including multilayer dielectric layers Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices including multilayer dielectric layers are disclosed. The methods include forming a multilayer dielectric layer including metal atoms and silicon atoms on a semiconductor substrate. The multilayer dielectric layer includes at least two crystalline metal silicate layers having different silicon concentrations. The multilayer dielectric layer may be used, for example, as a dielectric layer for a capacitor, or as a blocking layer for a nonvolatile memory device.
US08399354B2	Through-silicon via with low-K dielectric liner A semiconductor substrate having a through-silicon via with an air gap interposed between the through-silicon via and the semiconductor substrate is provided. An opening is formed partially through the semiconductor substrate. The opening is first lined with a first liner and then the opening is filled with a conductive material. A backside of the semiconductor substrate is thinned to expose the first liner, which is subsequently removed and a second liner formed with a low-k or extra low-k dielectric is formed in its place.
US08399344B2	Method for adjusting the threshold voltage of a gate stack of a PMOS device A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprising a gate stack of a gate dielectric and a gate electrode, the method including forming a gate dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate the gate dielectric layer being a metal oxide or semimetal oxide having a first electronegativity; forming a dielectric VT adjustment layer, the dielectric VT adjustment layer being a metal oxide or semimetal oxide having a second electronegativity; and forming a gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer and the VT adjustment layer; wherein the Effective Work Function of said gate stack is tuned to a desired value by tuning the thickness and composition of the dielectric VT adjustment layer and wherein the second electronegativity value is higher than both the first electronegativity value and the electronegativity of Al2O3.
US08399336B2	Method for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit device having lower-cost active circuitry layers stacked before higher-cost active circuitry layer A method is provided for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. According to the method, a first active circuitry layer wafer that includes active circuitry is provided, and a first portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is removed such that a second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer remains. Another wafer that includes active circuitry is provided, and the other wafer is bonded to the second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer. The first active circuitry layer wafer is lower-cost than the other wafer. Also provided are a tangible computer readable medium encoded with a program for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure, and a 3D integrated circuit structure.
US08399335B2	Sophisticated metallization systems in semiconductors formed by removing damaged dielectric layers after forming the metal features In sophisticated semiconductor devices, densely packed metal line layers may be formed on the basis of an ultra low-k dielectric material, wherein corresponding modified portions of increased dielectric constant may be removed in the presence of the metal lines, for instance, by means of a selective wet chemical etch process. Consequently, the metal lines may be provided with desired critical dimensions without having to take into consideration a change of the critical dimensions upon removing the modified material portion, as is the case in conventional strategies.
US08399328B2	Transistor and method for forming the same The present invention relates to a transistor and the method for forming the same. The transistor of the present invention comprises a semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric layer formed on the semiconductor substrate; a gate formed on the gate dielectric layer; and a source region and a drain region located in the semiconductor substrate and on respective sides of the gate, wherein only the source region comprises at least one dislocation. The method for forming a transistor according to the present invention comprises forming a mask layer on a semiconductor substrate on which a gate has been formed so that the mask layer covers the gate and the semiconductor substrate; patterning the mask layer to only expose at least a portion of a source region; performing a first ion implantation to the exposed portion of the source region; and annealing the semiconductor substrate so as to form a dislocation in the exposed portion of the source region.
US08399326B2	Method of manufacturing memory devices Disclosed is a memory device and method of operation thereof. The memory device may include a source region and a drain region of a first dopant type, the source and drain regions contain a first semiconductor material; a body region of a second dopant type, the body region being sandwiched between the source and drain regions, the body comprising a second semiconductor material; a gate dielectric layer over at least the body region; and a gate comprising a conductive material over the gate dielectric layer. Specifically, one of the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material is lattice matched with the other of the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material and has an energy gap smaller than the energy gap of the other of the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material.
US08399321B2	Method for manufacturing memory device The method for manufacturing a memory device is provided. The method includes: implanting a first impurity into the substrate adjacent to the gate conductor structure to form a source region on a first side of the gate conductor structure and a drain region on a second side of the gate conductor structure; implanting a second impurity into the substrate to form a halo implantation region disposed adjacent to the source region, wherein the halo implantation region has a doping concentration which does not degrade a data retention time of the memory device; and performing an annealing process to the drain region, forming a diffusion region under the drain region, wherein the process temperature of the annealing process is controlled to ensure that the diffusion region has a doping concentration substantially equal to a threshold concentration which maintains an electrical connection between the drain and the deep trench capacitor.
US08399320B2	Electronic apparatus containing lanthanide yttrium aluminum oxide Electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus include a lanthanide yttrium aluminum oxide dielectric film on a substrate for use in a variety of electronic systems. The lanthanide yttrium aluminum oxide film may be structured as one or more monolayers. The lanthanide yttrium aluminum oxide film may be formed by a monolayer or partial monolayer sequencing process such as using atomic layer deposition.
US08399319B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a plurality of unit cells vertically arranged on the substrate.
US08399314B2	p-FET with a strained nanowire channel and embedded SiGe source and drain stressors Techniques for embedding silicon germanium (e-SiGe) source and drain stressors in nanoscale channel-based field effect transistors (FETs) are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a FET includes the following steps. A doped substrate having a dielectric thereon is provided. At least one silicon (Si) nanowire is placed on the dielectric. One or more portions of the nanowire are masked off leaving other portions of the nanowire exposed. Epitaxial germanium (Ge) is grown on the exposed portions of the nanowire. The epitaxial Ge is interdiffused with Si in the nanowire to form SiGe regions embedded in the nanowire that introduce compressive strain in the nanowire. The doped substrate serves as a gate of the FET, the masked off portions of the nanowire serve as channels of the FET and the embedded SiGe regions serve as source and drain regions of the FET.
US08399307B2	Interconnects for stacked non-volatile memory device and method A method of forming a memory device includes providing a substrate having a surface region, defining a cell region and first and second peripheral regions, sequentially forming a first dielectric material, a first wiring structure for a first array of devices, and a second dielectric material over the surface region, forming an opening region in the first peripheral region, the opening region extending in a portion of at least the first and second dielectric materials to expose portions of the first wiring structure and the substrate, forming a second wiring material that is overlying the second dielectric material and fills the opening region to form a vertical interconnect structure in the first peripheral region, and forming a second wiring structure from the second wiring material for a second array of devices, the first and second wiring structures being separated from each other and electrically connected by the vertical interconnect structure.
US08399300B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming adjacent channel and DAM material around die attach area of substrate to control outward flow of underfill material A semiconductor device has a flipchip or PoP semiconductor die mounted to a die attach area interior to a substrate. The substrate has a contact pad area around the die attach area and flow control area between the die attach area and contact pad area. A first channel is formed in a surface of the substrate within the flow control area. The first channel extends around a periphery of the die attach area. A first dam material is formed adjacent to the first channel within the flow control area. An underfill material is deposited between the die and substrate. The first channel and first dam material control outward flow of the underfill material to prevent excess underfill material from covering the contact pad area. A second channel can be formed adjacent to the first dam material. A second dam material can be formed adjacent to the first channel.
US08399281B1	Two beam backside laser dicing of semiconductor films A method and system for dicing semiconductor devices from a semiconductor film. A semiconductor film, backed by a metal layer, is bonded by an adhesive layer to a flexible translucent substrate. Reference features on the film are used to describe a cutting path like a scribe line. An infrared laser beam is aligned to the scribe lines from the back surface of the flexible substrate. The infrared laser beam cuts through the flexible substrate and the majority of the thickness of the adhesive layer, cutting a first trough of a backside street along a scribe line defined by the reference features. An ultraviolet laser beam is aligned to the backside street, or to the scribe line as mapped to the back surface of the flexible substrate. The ultraviolet laser cuts through the metal layer and the semiconductor film, cutting a second trough along the scribe line. The second trough extends from the bottom of and deepens the first trough, cutting through the semiconductor film.
US08399278B2	Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer and manufacturing method The integrated circuit/transducer device of the preferred embodiment includes a substrate, a complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuit that is fabricated on the substrate, and a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) element that is also fabricated on the substrate. The CMOS circuit and cMUT element are fabricated during the same foundry process and are connected. The cMUT includes a lower electrode, an upper electrode, a membrane structure that support the upper electrode, and a cavity between the upper electrode and lower electrode.
US08399274B2	Organic light emitting display and method of manufacturing the same An organic light emitting display is disclosed. The display has a pixel which includes a transistor and a capacitor. The active layer of the transistor and at least one of the electrodes of the capacitor comprise a semiconductor oxide.
US08399269B2	LED flip-chip package structure with dummy bumps A light-emitting device (LED) package component includes an LED chip having a first active bond pad and a second active bond pad. A carrier chip is bonded onto the LED chip through flip-chip bonding. The carrier chip includes a first active through-substrate via (TSV) and a second active TSV connected to the first and the second active bond pads, respectively. The carrier chip further includes a dummy TSV therein, which is electrically coupled to the first active bond pad, and is configured not to conduct any current when a current flows through the LED chip.
US08399256B2	Method for introducing gene into cell, and composition for use in the method The present invention provides a method for transferring a gene into cells, which is practically useful and can achieve high transfer efficiency, and also a composition for use in the method. By bringing a mixture of a composition comprising a diallylamine sulfur dioxide copolymer having a repeating unit represented by the formula (1) or a salt thereof and a gene into contact with a cell, a gene such as DNA and RNA can be transferred into a target cell safely and conveniently, and into a cell at a specific site with high gene transfer efficiency.
US08399235B2	Methods and materials for reducing biofilms This document provides methods and materials related to reducing biofilms. For example, enzymes (e.g., glycosyl hydrolases), nucleic acid molecules encoding enzymes, host cells containing nucleic acid encoding enzymes, and methods for using enzymes to reduce biofilms and infections associated with biofilms are provided.
US08399234B2	Perhydrolase variant providing improved specific activity An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08399233B2	Histone deacetylases, and uses related thereto The present invention concerns the discovery that proteins encoded by a family of genes, termed here HDx-related genes, which are involved in the control of chromatin structure and, thus in transcription and translation. The present invention makes available compositions and methods that can be utilized, for example to control cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro and in vivo.
US08399229B2	Mobile magnetic traps and platforms for micro/nano particle manipulation Magnetic array platforms such as nano or micro-wire networks that produce trapping, manipulation, and transport of micro- or nano-scale particles such as non-biological entities such as magnetic particles and cells, viruses, DNA, proteins, and other biological entities having magnetic particles labeled or tethered thereto are provided. Methods of manipulating, transporting, and sorting micro- or nano-scale particles are described.
US08399221B2	Methods for detection and quantitation of small RNAs Improved methods that increase the specificity and sensitivity of detection of small RNAs, including miRNAs, using oligonucleotide primers and nucleic acid amplification, are provided. Reaction conditions that result in preferential decrease in cDNA synthesis of RNAs other than the small RNA molecules targeted for detection during miRNA tailing and reverse transcription reactions are described. Using these reaction conditions greater sensitivity and specificity of amplification of small RNAs including miRNAs is achieved.
US08399216B1	Conversion system for biomass The efficient production of ethanol from low-cost biomass (e.g., corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, switchgrass and/or paper) has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil. For example, to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities, mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided. Also provided are small-scale ethanol production facilities. For example, instead of transporting biomass to the production facility, the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass. The ethanol production facilities or components thereof may be transported via land, water, or air. Production of other products, such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, hydrogen gas, plastics, polymers, and proteins, can also be made by the methods and facilities. Any product described herein can be made in finished form or un-finished form and moved, e.g., to a fixed facility, e.g., fixed production facility.
US08399200B2	Isolation of allergen-specific immunoglobulin genes from human B-cells from atopy sufferers A process is disclosed which enables the establishing of comprehensive immunoglobulin-specific reaction profiles of subjects with disorders of the immune function by the individual V gene repertoire of Ig-expressing B cells. The process comprises the isolation of B cells from body fluids, the isolation of individual B cells and their genetic material, the amplification of nucleic acids coding the variable regions of an antibody expressed by a B cell, the recombinant preparation of antibodies by expressing the amplificates, and the determination of the binding capability of the recombinant antibody to antigens.
US08399196B2	Nucleic acid sequencing methods, kits and reagents The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequencing methods, kits and reagents, and more particularly to methods of sequencing nucleic acid which employ a nucleic acid processing enzyme and one or more nucleotide analogues that are capable of binding to the active site of the enzyme and to complementary bases in the nucleic acid molecule being sequenced, but which are non-incorporable or inhibitors of the nucleic acid processing enzyme. In further aspects, the present invention relates to conjugates which comprise a deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (DNTPs) or an analogue thereof linked to an intercalating dye.
US08399195B2	Detecting genetic abnormalities The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for detecting genetic abnormalities. The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for comparing alleles in a sample containing both maternal and fetal nucleic acids in order to identify genetic abnormalities.
US08399187B2	Identifying virally infected and vaccinated organisms This document provides methods and materials related to assessing organisms for the presence or absence of anti-virus antibodies. For example, this document provides methods and materials that can be used to determine whether or not an organism (e.g., a member of a swine species such as a pig) contains anti-PRRS virus antibodies. In other embodiments, this document provides methods and materials that can be used to determine if a particular organism received a vaccine version of a virus, was infected with a naturally-occurring version of the virus, or is naïve with respect to the virus.
US08399178B2	Method of producing a relief image arrangement usable in particular in the field of flexography and arrangement produced according to this method The invention relates to a method of producing a relief image arrangement, usable especially in the fields of flexography, embossing and heliogravure, and comprising a base layer and a layer of photosensitive material fixed on the base layer. The method is of the type according to which an image is produced on the photosensitive layer by causing selective curing by irradiating the zones that are to be in relief with light of a predetermined wavelength. The method is characterized in that the image is produced in the form of a set of points to which a substantially pyramidal shape is given, widening out in the direction of the base layer (5). The invention is usable for producing relief images, in the field of flexography.
US08399175B2	Photopolymer resins for photo replication of information layers Photopolymer resins are disclosed which includes metal and/or ceramic surface chelating agents to provide strong bonding of the photopolymer resin to the inorganic surface of the first information layer of an optical disc. The resins also include a fast surface cure and glass transition temperature controlling monomers that provides easy stamper separation The disclosed photopolymer resins also include short wavelength (<405 nm) surface cure initiators. The resins may also optionally include shrinkage control oligomers and/or polymer fillers or a combination of both Use of the disclosed resins eliminates two steps from the manufacture of a multiple information layer optical disc as the formation of spacer layers and the curing of spacer layers is no longer necessary.
US08399173B2	Resist composition and resist pattern forming method The present invention provides a resist composition prepared by dissolving components in an organic solvent containing ethyl lactate, which suppresses deterioration of sensitivity with time and also has required lithographic characteristics, and a method for forming a resist pattern. The resist composition is prepared by dissolving a resin component (A) which exhibits changeable alkali solubility under an action of an acid, an acid generator component (B) which generates an acid upon exposure, an amine (D) and acetic acid in an organic solvent (S) containing ethyl lactate.
US08399160B2	Multilayer reflective film coated substrate, reflective mask blank, and method of manufacturing a reflective mask Provided is a reflective mask blank, wherein even if inspection light for defect inspection is irradiated onto an uppermost surface of a multilayer reflective film or of an absorber film formed over a reference point mark, sufficient contrast is obtained between a position of the reference point mark and its peripheral portion so that the position of the reference point mark can be identified with high accuracy. By forming a reference point mark (11) in the form of a recess having a depth of 10 μm or more and a width of 80 μm or more on a main surface of a substrate (12), even if a multilayer reflective film (13), an absorber film (15), and so on are formed over the reference point mark (11), sufficient contrast for the inspection light is obtained so that the position of the reference point mark (11) can be identified with high accuracy.
US08399154B2	Method for producing an anion-exchange membrane for a solid polymer electrolyte type fuel cell An anion-exchange membrane having quaternary ammonium groups or quaternary phosphonium groups wherein halogen ions serve as the counter ions is obtained. Rather than being subjected to ion exchange with an OH-type membrane using a toxic substance such as sodium hydroxide, the halogen-type anion exchange membrane is brought into contact with a carbonate solution and/or bicarbonate solution to directly obtain an anion exchange membrane where at least some of the counterions of the quaternary ammonium groups or quaternary phosphonium groups are CO32− and/or HCO3−.
US08399145B2	Membrane electrode assembly A membrane electrode assembly having a peripheral edge region and a central region. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an ion-conducting membrane, first and second electrocatalyst layers disposed either side of the ion-conducting membrane, and first and second gas diffusion layers disposed either side of the first and second electrocatalyst layers respectively. The membrane electrode assembly further comprises an edge protection member, the edge protection member comprising a film layer, a bonding layer, and one or more additives selected from the group consisting of free radical decomposition catalyst, self regenerating antioxidant, hydrogen donors (H-donor) primary antioxidant, free radical scavenger secondary antioxidant, oxygen absorbers (oxygen scavenger) and elemental palladium. The edge protection member is positioned between the membrane and the first and/or second gas diffusion layer at the peripheral edge region of the membrane electrode assembly, and the edge protection member overlaps the first and/or second electrocatalyst layers.
US08399142B2	Relative humidity profile control strategy for high current density stack operation A control strategy results in a relative humidity profile that is substantially the same or constant regardless of the operational power level of the fuel cell stack. The strategy maintains the relative humidity profile within a range that enables high current density operation of the fuel cell stack. The profile is achieved by adjusting a coolant flow rate through the fuel cell stack to maintain a temperature change across the coolant flow path from inlet to outlet substantially constant regardless of the operational power level of the fuel cell stack.
US08399134B2	Lead acid battery including a two-layer carbon foam current collector A lead acid battery includes a housing and at least one cell disposed within the housing. Each cell includes at least one positive plate and at least one negative plate and an electrolyte disposed in a volume between the positive and negative plates. The at least one negative plate includes a current collector, consisting essentially of a layer of carbon foam disposed on a substrate, and a chemically active material disposed on the current collector.
US08399123B2	Packing material for battery case and battery case A battery case material includes a biaxially stretched polyamide film layer as an outer layer, a thermoplastic resin unstretched film layer as an inner layer, and an aluminum foil layer interposed between the two film layers. As the biaxially stretched polyamide film, a biaxially stretched polyamide film having a density of 1,130 to 1,160 kg/m3 is used. In the battery case material, excellent formability can be secured without coating a lubrication giving component, and sufficient volume capacity ratio can be obtained.
US08399113B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery An object of the present invention is to provide a high-energy density nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery that controls the rise in temperature during short circuiting.Used is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1, including a battery case 2, and a positive electrode plate 5 having a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode mixture layer containing a cathode material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium, a negative electrode plate 6 having a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode mixture layer containing an anode material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium, a separator 7 held between the positive and negative electrode plates, and a nonaqueous electrolyte that are enclosed in the battery case, wherein at least one of the positive electrode plate 5 and the negative electrode plate 6 has an electrode plate resistance, as determined in the charged state in the thickness direction when pressurized at 50 kg/cm2, of 0.4 Ω·cm2 or more.
US08399103B2	Coated cemented carbide cutting tools and method for pre-treating an coating to produce cemented carbide cutting tools A method of a pre-treatment process for coating notably improves both the surface roughness of a coating layer of a cemented carbide cutting tool and the bonding force of the coating layer to the substrate. According to the method, a sintered surface layer within a range of 0.5-5 μm, which corresponds to the tungsten carbide particle size of a substrate, is properly removed from the substrate surface of a cemented carbide cutting tool. Thus, a porous sintered surface layer having a non-uniform structure is removed and a substrate surface having high structure density and evenness is provided compared to blasting pre-treatment. In order to obtain a sufficient bonding force between a coating layer and the substrate, the surface ratio of open pores, which exist around tungsten carbide particles appearing by removal of the porous sintered surface, is equal to or more than 5%.
US08399078B2	Foil A container consisting of at least two layers, the inner layer consisting of a PE or PP film and the PCTFE layer consisting of a PCTFE film, and the thickness of the PCTFE layer being about 40-100 μm, which container is equipped with a device where the liquid can be lead out through when desired and which container is transparent, shows superior properties for storing liquid pharmaceutical compositions, especially insulin compositions containing preservatives.
US08399076B2	Inkjet recording medium and inkjet recording method An ink jet recording medium having an ink receiving layer containing a binder which containing an acrylonitrile butadiene type copolymer, the butadiene concentration of the copolymer is 50 weight % or more, and an inorganic pigment on one or two sides of a base paper mainly composed of wood pulp, wherein the concentration ratio of the acrylonitrile butadiene type copolymer to 100 parts by weight of the inorganic pigment is from one part by weight to eight parts by weight, while 60 weight % or more of the inorganic pigment is kaolin with particles of 0.4 μm or more and below 4.2 μm which account for 64% or more as the cumulative value of the volumetric basis when measured using a laser diffraction method, and the surface roughness of the ink receiving layer is from 0.6 μm to 1.4 μm when a hard backing is used at a clamp pressure of 1,000 kPa according to JIS P8151.
US08399073B2	Liquid-crystal medium The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium having negative dielectric anisotropy which comprises at least one compound of the formula I in which R1, R1* and a have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display, in particular based on the VA, PS-VA, PALC, FFS or IPS effect.
US08399072B2	Process for improved chemcial vapor deposition of polysilicon A process for producing silicon rods including providing a reactor vessel containing at least one reaction chamber surrounded by a jacket, wherein a pre-heating fluid is circulated in the jacket; one or more electrode assemblies extending into the reaction chamber wherein each electrode assembly comprises a gas inlet, one or more heat transfer fluid inlets/outlets, at least one pair of silicon filaments, the filaments connected to each other at their upper ends with a silicon bridge to form a filament/slim rod assembly, each filament/slim rod assembly enclosed in an isolation jacket; a source of a silicon-bearing gas connected to the interior of the vessel for supplying the gas into the reaction chamber to produce a reaction and to deposit polycrystalline silicon on the filament by chemical vapor deposition thereby producing a rod of polycrystalline silicon; a heat transfer system that is connected to the jacketed reaction chamber that supplies heat transfer fluid to preheat the reaction chamber; and a power supply wherein the power supply supplies less than about 26,000 volts; wherein the apparatus does not include a heating finger is provided.
US08399064B2	Process for improving the adhesion of carbon fibres with regard to an organic matrix The invention relates to a process for improving the adhesion of carbon fibers by coating a surface of the carbon fibers with a polymer film containing functional groups capable of acting as chain transfer agents during a chain transfer polymerization of a resin curable by chain transfer polymerization to obtain coated carbon fibers. The coated carbon fibers are then contacted with the curable resin, and the chain transfer polymerization of the curable resin is induced to produce an organic matrix and forming a composite material. The functional groups of the polymer film act as chain transfer agents during the chain transfer polymerization of the curable resin and thereby improve adhesion of the carbon fibers to the organic matrix. Applications of this invention include aeronautical, aerospatial, shipbuilding, railway and motor vehicle industries, armaments industry, sports and leisure articles, and the like.
US08399061B2	Anti-corrosion agent forming a coating film with good adhesion and method for nongalvanic application thereof The invention relates to an aqueous coating material for metallic substrates, comprising a water-dispersible and/or water-soluble polymer P with a gradient in the concentration of covalently bonded hydrophilic groups along the main polymer chain, the polymer P having covalently bonded ligands A, which form chelates with the metal ions released during the corrosion of the substrate and/or with the substrate surface, and having crosslinking functional groups B, which with themselves, with further complementary functional groups B′ of the polymer P and/or with further functional groups B and/or B′ are able to form covalent bonds to crosslinkers V.
US08399060B2	Method for fabricating environmentally friendly shakes A shake fabricating process for producing roofing shakes from a lumber drop block having a natural grain and having an upper surface and an opposed lower surface is provided. In accordance with the process, the drop block is scanned for unacceptable grain structure. The drop block is cut across said natural grain into blanks having a length generally equivalent to the length of a roofing shake and including a first end section and a second end section. The blank is cut on a diagonal plane relative to the first and second end sections, the plane extending from the first end to said second end so as to divide the board into a pair of shakes, each shake having a first and second end portion and defining a decreasing thickness from the first end portion to the second end portion. The shakes are placed in a pressure treating chamber for treatment with a chemical preservative.
US08399059B2	Encapsulated ceramic element and method of making the same A PZT (lead zirconate titanate) element including one or more outside surfaces including a layer of encapsulation and metallization material and the method of making the same including at least the steps of providing a wafer of ceramic material including a base and one or more walls defining one or more recesses in the wafer which are filled with an encapsulation material. The encapsulation material is then cured and a layer of metallization is applied to one or more of the outside surfaces of the wafer and encapsulation material. Cuts are then made through the layer of metallization and cured encapsulation material to divide the wafer into a plurality of individual and separate ceramic elements with one or more surfaces including a layer of metallization and encapsulation.
US08399053B2	Method for dispensing random pattern of adhesive filaments A nozzle for dispensing a random pattern of liquid adhesive filaments. The nozzle may include first and second air shim plates, an adhesive shim plate and first and second separating shim plates. The first and second air shim plates each have respective pairs of air slots. Each air slot has a process air inlet and a process air outlet and the air slots of each pair converge toward one another such that the process air inlets are farther apart than the process air outlets in each pair. The adhesive shim plate includes a plurality of liquid slots each with a liquid outlet. Four process air outlets are associated with each of the liquid outlets. The process air slots are adapted to receive pressurized process air and the liquid slots are adapted to receive pressurized liquid adhesive. The pressurized process air discharges from each group of the four process air outlets and forms a zone of turbulence for moving the filament of liquid adhesive discharging from the associated liquid outlet in a random pattern.
US08399050B2	Method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium that includes a nonmagnetic underlayer, a magnetic layer, a protective layer, and a lubricant layer sequentially laminated on a nonmagnetic substrate. The method includes applying a lubricant onto the protective layer to form the lubricant layer, which includes ejecting shots of a heated lubricant liquid onto the protective layer from a nozzle. The heated lubricant liquid contains a perfluoropolyether lubricant, and each shot is of a quantity in a range of 0.1 to 10 pico liters.
US08399049B2	Process for preparing and crosslinking a cable comprising a polymer composition and a crosslinked cable The application relates to a process for preparing a crosslinked cable, including:—applying one or more layers including a polymer composition on a conductor, wherein at least one layer includes one or more free radical generating agents,—crosslinking by radical reaction said at least one layer comprising said free radical generating agent(s),—cooling the obtained crosslinked cable in pressurized conditions.
US08399041B2	Plastic fat composition Provided is a plastic fat composition prepared using only fats and/or oils which are essentially free from trans acid residues as a raw material fat and/or oil, in which coarsening of the fat crystals during storage is suppressed. The fat composition is prepared by blending the fats and/or oils that are essentially free from trans acid residues as a raw material fat and/or oil with a specific mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids. The mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids have a palmitic acid content of 10% or more, and a palmitic acid and stearic acid content of 90% or more, based on 100% of the fatty acid constituting the mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids and are essentially free from trans acids; and have a diester content of 50% by mass or more and monoester content of 5% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids.
US08399038B2	Method for producing dried microbial cells An inexpensive heat treatment method for producing dried microbial cells is provided, wherein the method does not result in lowering the quality of the microbial cells or causing pulverization. The method includes a step of heating microbial cells to between 200 to 450° C. for 1 to 30 seconds.
US08399017B2	Use of a matrix for orally administering sustained release magnesium, and composition containing said matrix A tablet for oral administration comprises a matrix of progressive and continuous released magnesium. For the administration of 90 to 110 parts by weight of magnesium, the matrix comprises 180 to 190 parts by weight of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, 19.8 to 22.2 parts by weight of glyceryl behenate, 10 to 12 parts by weight of lactose and 10 to 12 parts by weight of colloidal silica. A non-enteric protective coating that slows down the gastric dissolution of the magnesium may comprise 15 to 75 parts by weight of shellac, cellulose ether or a mixture thereof. The tablet may be administered to patients in need thereof.
US08399015B2	Solid pharmaceutical dosage form A solid pharmaceutical dosage form providing improved oral bioavailability is disclosed for inhibitors of HIV protease. In particular, the dosage form comprises a solid dispersion of at least one HIV protease inhibitor and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant, said pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer having a Tg of at least about 50° C. Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant has an HLB value of from about 4 to about 10.
US08399008B2	System and method for attaching soft tissue to annodized metal implant One embodiment of the present invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing attachment of soft tissues to a metal prosthetic device. In one embodiment a construct is provided comprising a metal implant having a porous metal region, wherein said porous region exhibits a nano-textured surface, and a biocompatible polymer matrix coating the nano-textured surface. The polymer matrix coating comprises a naturally occurring extracellular matrix with biocompatible inorganic materials distributed within the matrix, or a biocompatible polymer and an osteoinductive agent.
US08399007B2	Method for formulating a controlled-release pharmaceutical formulation Methods for making formulations of drugs and crystalline side chain polymers which formulations provide controlled and/or sustained release drug formulations.
US08399006B2	Posterior segment drug delivery A therapeutic device to release a therapeutic agent comprises a porous structure coupled to a container comprising a reservoir. The reservoir comprises a volume sized to release therapeutic amounts of the therapeutic agent for an extended time when coupled to the porous structure and implanted in the patient. The porous structure may comprise a first side coupled to the reservoir and a second side to couple to the patient to release the therapeutic agent. A plurality of interconnecting channels can extend from the first side to the second side so as to connect a first a plurality of openings on the first side with a second plurality of openings on the second side. Each of the openings on the first side can be connected to each of the openings on the second side with the plurality of interconnecting channels, such that the rate of release of the therapeutic agent can be substantially maintained when one or more of the openings is blocked, for example with particles, cells, bacteria or tissue when the device is implanted for an extended time. The length of the channels extending from the first side to the second side may comprise an effective length greater than a distance across the porous structure from the first side to the second side. The therapeutic device many comprise an expandable retention structure and an expandable reservoir, such that the device can be delivered from a lumen of a delivery device and expand when positioned in the patient. The therapeutic device may comprises a penetrable barrier to inject therapeutic agent into the device when implanted in the patient.
US08399000B2	Haemophilus influenzae type IV pili The invention described herein relates to a Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) regulon encoding type IV pili. In particular, the invention relates to type pili from nontypeable H. influenzae (NTHi) and from H. influenzae strains a, b, c, e and f. The invention provides isolated H. influenzae pilus polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides as well as polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides involved in the assembly/disassembly of the structure. The invention also relates to uses of these polynucleotides and/or polypeptides including methods for eliciting an immune response to H. influenzae and methods of treating and preventing H. influenzae related pathological conditions.
US08398999B2	Chimeric, hybrid and tandem polypeptides of meningococcal NMB1870 NMB1870 is a protein in Neisseria meningitidis. Three families of NMB1870 are known. To increase the ability of a NMB1870 protein to elicit antibodies that are cross-reactive between the families, NMB1870 is engineered. Sequences can be substituted from one NMB1870 family into the corresponding position in another family. Proteins of NMB1870 sequences from different families can be joined to each other.
US08398996B2	Staphylococcus aureus proteins and nucleic acids The invention provides proteins from Staphylococcus aureus including amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are useful for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, diagnostics, enzymatic studies and also as targets for antibiotics.
US08398992B2	Methods and compositions for polytopic vaccination The present invention relates to therapeutic and prophylactic methods for treating or preventing an infectious disease in a subject by stimulating or enhancing an immune response against an infectious agent causing the disease. The methods comprise administering to the subject a plurality of compositions, each composition being administered to a different site of the subject, wherein each site is, or substantially drains to, an anatomically distinct lymph node, a group of lymph nodes, a nonencapsulated cluster of lymphoid tissue, or the spleen. Each composition comprises at least one antigenic molecule having one or more epitopes of the same infectious agent or a strain thereof. The antigenic molecules of each composition comprise in aggregate a set of epitopes distinct from that of any other composition that is administered to the subject.
US08398988B2	Adjuvanting meningococcal factor H binding protein Factor H binding protein (fHBP) has been proposed for use in immunising against serogroup B meningococcus (‘MenB’). This antigen can be efficiently adsorbed to an aluminum hydroxyphosphate adjuvant by (i) ensuring that adsorption takes place at a pH which is equal to or below the adjuvant's point of zero charge (PZC), and/or (ii) selecting a fHBP and adjuvant with an isoelectric point/PZC within the range of 5.0 to 7, and/or (iii) selecting a fHBP with an isoelectric point above the adjuvant's PZC and using a buffer to bring the pH to within 1.2 pH units of the PZC. The adsorption is particularly useful for compositions which include multiple fHBP variants, and also in situations where an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant should be avoided. Buffered pharmaceutical compositions can include at least two different meningococcal fHBP antigens, both of which are at least 85% adsorbed to aluminum hydroxyphosphate adjuvant.
US08398986B2	ADP-ribosylating toxin from listeria monocytogenes An ADP-ribosylating toxin from Listeria monocytogenes is disclosed, together with mutant toxins and uses therefor. There is only a low level of sequence identity between this toxin and known toxins such as the iota toxin from Clostridium perfringens.
US08398984B2	Removal promoters and inhibitor for apoptosis cells in vivo The present invention is to provide a removal promoter for apoptotic cells which is capable of immediately removing apoptotic cells in vivo by macrophages, or a removal inhibitor which inhibits the removal of apoptotic cells in vivo by macrophages. A removal promoter for apoptotic cells in vivo containing the milk fat globule-EGF factor 8-L (MFG-E8-L), MFG-E8-L mutant having removal promotion action for apoptotic cells in vivo by macrophages, or preferably a recombinant human or mouse MFG-E8-L, or a recombinant human or mouse MFG-E8-L mutant as an active ingredient is prepared. Such removal promoters specifically bind to apoptotic cells and promote the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages by recognizing aminophospholipids such as phosphatidylserine exposed on apoptotic cell surface. On the other hand, a point mutation (D89E) MFG-E8-L mutant is used as a removal inhibitor.
US08398979B2	Polypeptides, antibody variable domains and antagonists The invention relates to anti-TNFR1 polypeptides and antibody single variable domains (dAbs) that are resistant to degradation by a protease, as well as antagonists comprising these. The polypeptides, dAbs and antagonists are useful for as therapeutics and/or prophylactics that are likely to encounter proteases when administered to a patient, for example for pulmonary administration, oral administration, delivery to the lung and delivery to the GI tract of a patient, as well as for treating inflammatory disease, such as arthritis or COPD.
US08398974B2	c-Met antibodies Provided are monoclonal antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, and combinations of the foregoing, that bind to, and inhibit the activity of, c-Met, and that are effective in treating cancers and other diseases, disorders, or conditions where pathogenesis is mediated by c-Met.
US08398971B2	Methods, compounds, and compositions for treatment and prophylaxis in the respiratory tract The present invention provides a method of reducing the quanitity of mucus in the respiratory tract of a subject with elevated levels of mucus in said respiratory tract. The method includes administering to the subject a compound or composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of a fusion protein comprising a sialidase or an active portion thereof and an anchoring domain. The therapeutically effective amount comprises an amount of the fusion protein that results in a reduction of the quanitity of mucus in the respiratory tract after administration of the compound or composition when compared to the quantity of mucus present prior to administration of the compound or composition.
US08398955B2	Method of preparing a molecular sieve composition This disclosure provides a method of preparing a crystalline molecular sieve comprising: (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element Y, at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide, water, optionally at least one seed crystal, and optionally at least one source of ions of trivalent element X, the reaction mixture having the following molar composition: Y:X2=2 to infinity, preferably from about 2 to about 1000, OH−:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.1 to 1, M+:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.01 to 2 wherein M is an alkali metal and the amount of water is at least sufficient to permit extrusion of the reaction mixture, wherein the reaction mixture is substantially free of crystalline molecular sieve; (b) extruding the reaction mixture to form a pre-formed extrudate; and (c) crystallizing the pre-formed extrudate in a liquid medium comprising water under liquid phase crystallization conditions to form a crystallized extrudate having the crystalline molecular sieve.
US08398939B2	Microfluidic test module with low-volume hybridization chambers for electrochemiluminescent detection of target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid A microfluidic test module for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid, the test module having an outer casing configured for hand-held portability, the outer casing having an inlet for receiving the fluid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, a hybridization chamber mounted in the casing, the hybridization chamber containing electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for detecting the target nucleic acid sequences, each of the ECL probes having an ECL luminophore for emitting photons when in an excited state and a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, and electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse to excite the ECL luminophores, wherein, the hybridization chamber has a volume less than 900,000 cubic microns.
US08398934B2	Coupling system for use with fluid displacement apparatus A magnetic coupling system may be used in a fluid displacement apparatus to magnetically couple a drive shaft to a piston. The magnetic coupling system may include first and second magnetic couplers at the ends of the drive shaft and piston, respectively. The first magnetic coupler and second magnetic coupler may be configured to exert an attractive force. A bearing between the magnetic couplers reduces friction and side loading.
US08398933B2	Device for preventing corrosion on a gas inlet nozzle during nitric acid condensation By a method and a device for preventing corrosion on and in the region of a gas inlet nozzle during nitric acid condensation, contact of the condensing gas with the nozzle and with the surroundings of the nozzle are supposed to be minimized. This is achieved in that the gas inlet nozzle has a sleeve on the inside in the transition region to the interior of the condenser, by which sleeve a gas inlet orifice in the form of an annular gap is formed, whereby the annular space is provided with at least one feed opening for secondary air, so that an enveloping flow of secondary air is produced around the entering NO gas.
US08398931B2	Recirculating reactor The invention provides a recirculating reactor for converting a substrate to a product. The reactor comprises a reaction chamber and a recirculation system, said recirculation system comprising a separator. The reaction chamber contains a catalyst, and comprises a chamber body, a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet. The recirculation system is adapted for recirculating liquid from the chamber outlet to the chamber inlet, and the separator is used for separating a by-product from the liquid.
US08398930B2	System for externally holding a catalyst bed in radial-flow reactor The invention relates to a system for externally holding a catalyst bed in a radial flow catalytic reactor, comprising a plurality of hollow longitudinal duct elements (2) regularly distributed in a peripheral ring around a central space (3) containing the catalyst bed and having a front filtering wall (5) facing the catalyst for the radial intake of a fluid to be treated in the catalyst bed (3). Each of the duct elements (2) is laterally defined by two lateral walls (6) radially oriented in the reactor (1) and comprising an assembling means for assembly with the respectively adjacent elements (2′) of the male member in female member (7, 8) type.
US08398915B2	Method for making a fibrous article The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for a making a formed fibrous article and more specifically to method and apparatus for making a formed fibrous article useful as an absorbent core structure in a disposable sanitary article such as a sanitary napkin, panty liner, diaper or the like. The present invention also relates to a disposable sanitary article including a formed fibrous article according to the present invention as a core structure thereof.
US08398913B2	Solid state deformation processing of crosslinked high molecular weight polymeric materials Solid-state deformation processing of crosslinked high molecular weight polymers such as UHMWPE, for example by extrusion below the melt transition, produces materials with a combination of high tensile strength and high oxidative stability. The materials are especially suitable for use as bearing components in artificial hip and other implants. Treated bulk materials are anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The material is oxidatively stable even after four weeks of accelerated aging in a pressure vessel containing five atmospheres of oxygen (ASTM F2003). Because of its oxidative stability, the deformation processed material is a suitable candidate for air-permeable packaging and gas sterilization, which has thus far been reserved for remelted crosslinked UHMWPE.
US08398909B1	Dry adhesives and methods of making dry adhesives Dry adhesives and methods of making dry adhesives including a method of making a dry adhesive including applying a liquid polymer to the second end of a stem, contacting the liquid polymer on the stem with a tip shaping surface, bending the stem relative to the backing layer while contacting the liquid polymer on the stem with the tip shaping surface, curing the liquid polymer to form a tip on the second end of the stem while bending the stem relative to the backing layer and while contacting the liquid polymer on the stem with the tip shaping surface, andremoving the tip from the tip shaping surface after the liquid polymer cures.
US08398897B2	Thermoelectric material with low electrical resistivity and manufacture thereof Thermoelectric material has attracted more attentions as a promising energy material in recent years. Research nowadays are devoted to improvement of figure-of-merit (zT=S2T/ρκ). Motivated by p-type AgSbTe2 compound, ternary Ag—Sb—Te has been reported as an important thermoelectric system. Although ternary AgSbTe2 compound has been considered as a candidate for thermoelectric materials with the advantages of low thermal conductivity (κp=0.6 WK−1 m−1), the relatively high electrical resistivity (ρ=7.510−3 Ωcm) has limited its applications. This invention disclosed brand-new Ag—Sb—Te bulk materials with very fine microstructures that nanoscale Ag2Te phase precipitate uniformly in the multi-phase matrix through class I reaction, liquid=Ag2Te+AgSbTe2+δ. Moreover, the electrical resistivity (ρ) measured by four-probe method is as low as 8.410−4 (Ωcm) at room temperature, which guarantees the promise of those ternary bulk materials.
US08398891B2	Red-emitting luminophore and light source comprising such a luminophore A red-emitting phosphor composed of an M-Al—Si—N system, comprising a cation M, wherein M is represented by at least one of the elements Ca or Ba or Sr and, if appropriate, can additionally be combined with at least one further element from the group Mg, Zn, Cd, wherein the phosphor is activated with Eu, which partly replaces M, and wherein the phosphor additionally contains LiF.
US08398887B2	Liquid crystal compounds of butylenes A nematic phase liquid crystal compound with negative dielectric constant has a structure represented by wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or linear alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or linear alkenyl having 1-8 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy or alykenoxy formed by substituting one or nonadjacent two CH2 in the linear alkyl or alkenyl with oxygen atom, wherein 0 to 4 hydrogen atoms of R1 group can be substituted with fluorine; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or linear alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or R2 represents a linear fluoroalkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, in which group 1 to 4 hydrogens can be substituted with fluorine atoms; A represents a benzene ring or 1,4-cyclohexane ring, if A is a benzene ring 0 to 4 hydrogen atoms on the benzene ring may be substituted with fluorine; n=1 to 2, and m=0 to 2.
US08398886B2	Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that includes a specific compound having a negatively large dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific compound having a negatively large dielectric anisotropy as a second component, that optionally includes a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a third component and a specific compound having a negatively large dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component, and that has negative dielectric anisotropy, and provides a liquid crystal display device containing this composition.
US08398881B2	Refrigerating machine oil composition The present invention provides a refrigerating oil composition containing a refrigerant (A) containing as a predominant component a C1-C8 hydrocarbon compound and a base oil (B) composed of a polyalkylene glycol ether having a specific structure and/or a polyvinyl ether having a specific structure, and satisfying the following conditions: solubility of the refrigerant (A) in the base oil (B) of 40 mass % or less at 40° C. and 1.2 MPa and mixture viscosity of the refrigerating oil composition of 0.1 mm2/s or more at 90° C. and 2.3 MPa. According to the refrigerating oil composition of the present invention, refrigerating oil and hydrocarbon-based refrigerant are mutually dissolved at an appropriate degree, and lubrication can be fully attained by the refrigerating oil. Even when the hydrocarbon-based refrigerant is used in an amount smaller than the conventional amount, cooling can be performed satisfactorily.
US08398872B2	Method for preparing ultraflat, atomically perfect areas on large regions of a crystal surface by heteroepitaxy deposition A novel method of forming large atomically flat areas is described in which a crystalline substrate having a stepped surface is exposed to a vapor of another material to deposit a material onto the substrate, which material under appropriate conditions self arranges to form 3D islands across the substrate surface. These islands are atomically flat at their top surface, and conform to the stepped surface of the substrate below at the island-substrate interface. Thereafter, the deposited materials are etched away, in the etch process the atomically flat surface areas of the islands transferred to the underlying substrate. Thereafter the substrate may be cleaned and annealed to remove any remaining unwanted contaminants, and eliminate any residual defects that may have remained in the substrate surface as a result of pre-existing imperfections of the substrate.
US08398871B2	Multi-layer optical filter designs and associated systems A method for designing a first optical filter, exhibiting a first filter performance satisfying a first preset criterion, and a second optical filter, exhibiting a second filter performance satisfying a second preset criterion, includes providing initial first and second filter designs for the first and second optical filters, respectively, as first and second ordered stacks of layers, respectively. A pair of layers, including a first layer, characterized by a first thickness, and a second layer, characterized by a second thickness, is selected from the first and second ordered stacks of layers. The first thickness is constrained to a first constrained thickness that is a positive integer multiple of the second thickness to yield a constrained first filter design. A predicted performance of the constrained first filter design is determined and compared with the first preset criterion for one of accepting and rejecting the constrained first filter design.
US08398862B1	Geothermal recovery method and system A method for extracting energy from hydrocarbons located in a geologic reservoir is presented, including the steps of: oxidizing the hydrocarbons; extracting heat generated from oxidizing the hydrocarbons, relocating oxidized gases away from the oxidizing hydrocarbons; and replenishing oxygen towards the oxidizing hydrocarbons. The extraction of heat further includes: evaporating a liquid; transferring the evaporated liquid to the surface; and recovering low-NaCl, low-precipitate water from the evaporated liquid. The replenishing of oxygen towards the oxidizing hydrocarbons further includes: generating oxygen from water; and transferring the generated oxygen toward the oxidizing hydrocarbons; and combining hydrogen derived from the generating step with surface oxygen, whereby heat and low-precipitate, pure water is produced.
US08398853B2	Filter assembly, valve assembly, and water purifying system having the same A water purifying system having a bypass path supplies raw water to an outlet when a filter assembly is separated from a valve assembly. The water purifying system includes a valve assembly having a valve cover with an inlet and an outlet, and a head member moved up and down within the valve cover to form an inflow path and an outflow path, and a filter assembly removably connected to the valve assembly and mounted with a filter. When the filter assembly is connected to the valve assembly through a linear motion, the filter assembly advances the head member so that a fluid flown in through the inlet is guided to the outlet passing through the filter. When the filter assembly is separated from the valve assembly, the head member is retreated so that the fluid flown through the inlet is guided to the outlet bypassing the filter.
US08398843B2	Microfluidic device for electrochemically regulating the pH of a fluid therein using semiconductor doped with impurity and method of regulating the pH of a fluid in a microfluidic device using the same Provided is a microfluidic device for electrochemically regulating the pH of a fluid comprising: a cathode substrate; an anode substrate facing the cathode substrate and forming a reaction chamber with the cathode substrate; and a nonconductor which forms a boundary between the portions of the cathode substrate and the anode substrate that are capable of contacting one another, wherein at least one of the cathode substrate and the anode substrate is a semiconductor doped with impurities and the other is a metal electrode.
US08398840B2	Capacitive de-ionization electrode An electrode “cell” for use in a capacitive deionization (CDI) reactor consists of the electrode support structure, a non-reactive conductive material, the electrode accompaniment or substrate and a flow through screen/separator. These “layers” are repeated and the electrodes are sealed together with gaskets between two end plates to create stacked sets of alternating anode and cathode electrodes in the CDI reactor.
US08398839B1	System for particle concentration and detection A new microfluidic system comprising an automated prototype insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) triggering microfluidic device for pathogen monitoring that can eventually be run outside the laboratory in a real world environment has been used to demonstrate the feasibility of automated trapping and detection of particles. The system broadly comprised an aerosol collector for collecting air-borne particles, an iDEP chip within which to temporarily trap the collected particles and a laser and fluorescence detector with which to induce a fluorescence signal and detect a change in that signal as particles are trapped within the iDEP chip.
US08398832B2	Coils for generating a plasma and for sputtering A sputtering coil for a plasma chamber in a semiconductor fabrication system is provided. The sputtering coil couples energy into a plasma and also provides a source of sputtering material to be sputtered onto a workpiece from the coil to supplement material being sputtered from a target onto the workpiece. Alternatively a plurality of coils may be provided, one primarily for coupling energy into the plasma and the other primarily for providing a supplemental source of sputtering material to be sputtered on the workpiece.
US08398814B2	Tunable gas flow equalizer A tunable gas flow equalizer is described. In an embodiment, the tunable flow equalizer includes a gas flow equalizer plate having primary opening and a secondary opening. The primary opening may surround a substrate support, and the secondary opening may be configured with a tuner. In an embodiment, the substrate support may be vertically adjustable with respect to the gas flow equalizer plate. The flow uniformity may be fine tuned by adjusting a tuner configured with a secondary opening in the gas flow equalizer plate and/or by adjusting the height of a vertically positionable substrate support plate having an inwardly tapered skirt 528 with respect to the gas flow equalizer plate 520.
US08398813B2	Processing apparatus and processing method The present invention provides a processing apparatus and a processing method, both of which can carry out a low-temperature process to allow active gas species to react with an oxide film on an object to be processed to form a product film and a heating process to heat the object to a predetermined temperature to evaporate the product film, in succession. This processing apparatus 12 is provided with a shielding plate 103 capable of entering a gap between the object W and a transparent window 28 and also withdrawing from the gap. On condition that the shielding plate 103 is closed to cut off irradiation heat from the transparent window 28, the product film is formed by allowing the active gas species of NF3 gas to react with a native oxide film on the object under the low-temperature condition. After that, upon closing the shielding plate 103, the native oxide film is removed by applying heat irradiated from a heating lamp 36 to the product film through the transparent window 28. Additionally, the apparatus includes a low-temperature processing chamber 207 allowing NF3 gas to react with the native oxide film at a low temperature and a heating chamber 209 for heating the product film, independently.
US08398804B2	Pressure sensitive textile adhesive A method of wash-durably bonding integrated textile emblems such as patches, emblems, labels and cut textile parts to another textile article by laminating a pressure sensitive acrylic polymer adhesive to the back surface of the textile emblem. The acrylic polymer adhesive has a storage modulus that is greater than a loss modulus throughout a frequency range of from 0.1885 Hz to 628 Hz where bonding and debonding are expected to occur, and is devoid of any cross linking additives or reagents. The integrated textile emblem with laminated pressure sensitive acrylic polymer adhesive has improved adhesion to low-to-high energy surfaces, is not water soluble and is of adequate thickness to provide a wash-durable textile-to-textile bond capable of seaming or permanently attaching items such as textile panels, appliqué bearing text, numbers, logos and other indicia for the apparel, accessory and other industries.
US08398798B2	Curvature reduction for switchable liquid crystal lens array A method for fabricating lenticulars includes applying a rubbing layer on a lenticular structure. The rubbing layer is baked on the lenticular structure before installation of the lenticular structure on a plate. After baking, the lenticular structure is applied to the plate.
US08398785B2	Rigid lance cleaning system and method therefor A rigid lance cleaning system includes rigid tubular lances that are movable between retracted and extended positions for delivering a cleaning fluid. Flexible hoses are connected to respective rigid tubular lances for delivering the cleaning fluid. A hose reel is configured to dispense the flexible hose when the rigid tubular lances extend and collect the flexible hoses when the rigid tubular lances retract. A frame movably supports the rigid tubular lances and a drive system is configured to selectively extend and retract the rigid tubular lenses.
US08398781B2	Methods for cleaning industrial equipment with pre-treatment A method of cleaning equipment such as heat exchangers, evaporators, tanks and other industrial equipment using clean-in-place procedures and a pre-treatment solution prior to the conventional CIP cleaning process. The pre-treatment step improves the degree of softening of the soil, and thus facilitates its removal. The pre-treatment solution can be a strong acidic solution, a strong alkaline solution, or comprise a penetrant. A preferred strong acidic solution is an acid peroxide solution. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment may include no strong alkali or acid ingredient; rather, the penetrant provides acceptable levels of pre-treatment.
US08398779B2	Non destructive selective deposition removal of non-metallic deposits from aluminum containing substrates Non-metallic deposits are selectively removed from aluminum containing substrates such as aluminum faceplates using a selective deposition removal (SDR) solution. The SDR solution does not substantially etch the faceplate holes, thereby preserving the hole diameter integrity and increasing the number of times the faceplate may be cleaned or refurbished while remaining within processing hole diameter tolerances. In an embodiment, the SDR solution comprises, in wt % of the solution, 15.5%+/−2% HF or buffered HF acid, 3.8%+/−0.5% NH4F pH buffer, 59.7%+/−5% ethylene glycol, and the balance H2O.
US08398777B2	System and method for pedestal adjustment A pedestal positioning assembly system for use in a substrate processing system includes a pedestal rigidly attached to a pedestal shaft, a reference rigidly attached to the substrate processing system, a lateral adjustment assembly to adjust a lateral location of the pedestal relative to the reference, and a vertical adjustment assembly to adjust a tilt of the pedestal relative to the reference. The lateral adjustment assembly and the vertical adjustment assembly are external to a processing chamber and are coupled to the pedestal disposed within the processing chamber through the pedestal shaft. The reference can be a ring and the lateral adjustment assembly substantially centers the pedestal within the ring. A method of adjusting a pedestal includes leveling the pedestal, translating the pedestal, calibrating the pedestal height to a preheat ring level, and checking the level and location of the pedestal while rotating the pedestal.
US08398770B2	Deposition system for thin film formation A process for depositing a thin film material on a substrate is disclosed, comprising simultaneously directing a series of gas flows from the output face of a delivery head of a thin film deposition system toward the surface of a substrate, and wherein the series of gas flows comprises at least a first reactive gaseous material, an inert purge gas, and a second reactive gaseous material, wherein the first reactive gaseous material is capable of reacting with a substrate surface treated with the second reactive gaseous material, wherein one or more of the gas flows provides a pressure that at least contributes to the separation of the surface of the substrate from the face of the delivery head. A system capable of carrying out such a process is also disclosed.
US08398768B2	Methods of making an article of semiconducting material on a mold comprising semiconducting material The invention relates to methods of making articles of semiconducting material on a mold comprising semiconducting material and semiconducting material articles formed thereby, such as articles of semiconducting material that may be useful in making photovoltaic cells.
US08398761B2	Ink composition, ink set and image recording method The present invention provides an ink composition for use in inkjet recording, the ink composition including one of water-soluble dye and water in an amount of from 20% to 40% by mass, which is capable of recording an image that is suppressed in the variation of image density immediately after printing.
US08398757B2	CO2 recovering apparatus A CO2 recovering apparatus includes a CO2 absorber that brings flue gas containing CO2 and O2 into contact with CO2 absorbing liquid to reduce CO2 in the flue gas; and a regenerator that reduces CO2 in CO2 absorbing liquid (rich solvent) that absorbed CO2 in the CO2 absorber to regenerate the CO2 absorbing liquid, so that the regenerated CO2 absorbing liquid (lean solvent) having CO2 reduced in the regenerator is reused in the CO2 absorber. A lower liquid reservoir is located at the bottom of the CO2 absorber, and an air-bubble gathering member is arranged therein to gather air bubbles included in the absorbing liquid.
US08398748B2	Configurations and methods for acid gas absorption and solvent regeneration Contemplated configurations and methods include a solvent regenerator (58) that has an upper (93) and a lower stripping section (94). Cooled rich solve is used as reflux while heated rich solvent (11) is used as a source of stripping agent in the upper section (91). A reboiler (62) in the lower section provides further stripping agent, hi especially preferred configurations, a portion of lean solved from the regenerator (58) is further stripped in a separate or integrated regenerator (62) to form an ultra-lean solvent. Both lean and ultra-lean solvents are preferably used in a two-stage absorber (52) to thereby from the rich solvent and an offgas that is very low in acid gas.
US08398742B2	Pressure sensor disconnection detection systems and methods A system for a vehicle includes a regeneration module and a disconnection indication module. The regeneration module indicates when a regeneration of a particulate filter is complete. The disconnection indication module receives a pressure difference across the particulate filter measured using delta pressure sensor. The delta pressure sensor generates the pressure difference based on first and second pressures upstream and downstream of the particulate filter applied to the delta pressure sensor using upstream and downstream pressure lines, respectively. In response to an indication that the regeneration of the particulate filter is complete, the disconnection indication module selectively indicates that the downstream pressure line is disconnected based on a comparison of the pressure difference and a predetermined pressure.
US08398734B2	Cyclonic separator with a volute outlet duct The invention relates to a cyclonic separator comprising a throat portion (4) arranged between a converging fluid inlet section and a diverging fluid outlet section, to generate a swirling fluid flow in a downstream direction. The diverging fluid outlet section comprises an inner primary outlet (7) for condensables depleted fluid components and an outer secondary outlet for condensables enriched fluid components (6). The cyclonic separator comprises a volute diffuser (9, 9′) connected to one of the outlets (6, 7), which comprises a volute outlet duct (90, 90′) defined by a volute axis (I1), forming a spiral shape around the central axis (I). The outlet duct (90, 90′) comprises a vortex chamber 95. The vortex chamber is provided to transform axial momentum of the swirling fluid flow with respect to the central axis (I) into tangential momentum with respect to the volute axis (I1).
US08398723B2	Emulsion dyeing composition containing at least one quaternary amine, at least one nonionic surfactant and at least one phosphate ester, and method of using same The present invention is drawn to a composition and method for dyeing keratinous substrates containing: (a) at least one fatty monoamine compound; (b) at least one nonionic surfactant; (c) at least one anionic silicone; (d) at least one dye chosen from oxidation dye precursors and direct dyes. The compositions of the present invention may optionally contain at least one thickening agent, at least one alkaline agent, at least one fatty substance other than a fatty acid, at least one salt, and at least one oxidizing agent.
US08398711B2	Speech valve A speech valve comprises a generally cylindrical body and a closure member which is slidably movable within the body between a closed position and an open position. The valve body and the closure member are formed of a rigid, smooth material which is resistant to the growth of biofilm such as a ceramic. A particular suitable ceramic is partially stabilised zirconia. The valve body is provided with an outer sleeve which is provided with radially outward extending annular flanges, which are used to retain the speech valve in a fistula between the oesophagus and the trachea.
US08398709B2	Accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) capsules Accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) capsules having a continuously variable Diopter strength between a first Diopter strength in a non-compressed state and a second Diopter strength different than its first Diopter strength in a compressed state. The AIOL capsules include an anterior capsule plate, a posterior capsule plate, and a capsule ring for bounding a hermetic cavity filled with a capsule filling. The anterior capsule plate is intended to anteriorly bulge along the human eye's visual axis on application of an axial compression force against the posterior capsule plate from a posterior direction.
US08398701B2	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.
US08398698B2	Bifurcated stent delivery system The present invention is drawn to a system and/or device for deploying a stent at a bifurcation. In one embodiment, the system and/or device for deploying a stent at a bifurcation may include a dual balloon catheter may include an elongate catheter body. Some dual balloon catheters may have a first proximal balloon and a second balloon bonded to at least a portion of the elongate catheter body. In some cases, a guide wire port may be positioned between the first and second balloons.
US08398696B2	Microcatheter introducer sheath The present invention includes an introducer sheath. The sheath may comprise a first proximal elongated section having a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter, and a main body elongated section having a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter, wherein the second outer diameter is larger than the first outer diameter. The sheath may further include a distal section having an outer wall that tapers from the second outer diameter of the main body elongated section to a smaller distal outer diameter.
US08398694B2	Over-the-wire interlock attachment/detachment mechanism The over-the-wire interlock attachment/detachment mechanism includes a cylindrical lock receiving section of a small diameter attached to an implantable medical device such as a blood clot filter, a stent, or a septal occluder. This cylindrical lock receiving section has a plurality of spaced, curved cutouts to receive both the guide fingers and contoured locking fingers formed on a cylindrical locking section. The locking fingers are angled outwardly from the cylindrical body of the cylindrical locking section, and are moved inwardly into engagement with the curved cutouts of the cylindrical lock receiving section by a sheath which slides over the cylindrical locking section or other suitable operator.
US08398687B2	Volar plate fixation device Disclosed embodiments describe a volar plate generally for use treating distal volar fractures. The volar plate is designed in accordance with anatomical features and is generally Y-shaped, having a wider distal head portion that tapers to a narrower proximal body portion. A plurality of holes in the distal head of the volar plate allow for fixation means to fix the position of bone fragments with respect to the volar plate. The plurality of holes in the distal head basically form two substantially non-linear rows, with the distal row generally curving inward proximally and the proximal row generally curving outward distally such that the fixation means inserted through the holes generally converge. A central cavity may be located in the proximal body of the volar plate to promote bone growth, and mounting screws may border the central cavity on either side to provide secure support. Additionally, K-wire holes may be included which are visually linked to corresponding holes in the distal head.
US08398667B2	Surgical device having indicia for cutting to size A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity. The apparatus may include a seal anchor member including a compressible material. The seal anchor member may be adapted to transition between a first condition for insertion of at least a portion of the seal anchor member within a tissue tract and a second condition to facilitate a securing of the seal anchor member within a tissue tract and in substantial sealed relation with tissue surfaces defining a tissue tract. The seal anchor member may have proximal and distal ends and may define at least one port extending between the proximal and distal ends, the at least one port being adapted for the reception of an object whereby compressible material defining the at least one port is adapted to deform to establish a substantial scaled relation with the object. The seal anchor member may include indicia that indicates to a user a location at which the member may be cut so as to reduce the size of the member.
US08398655B2	Integrated double clips applier with division device for clamping clips The present invention relates to a clip applier for clipping and dividing blood vessels, including: a handle; a first jaw unit; and a second jaw unit. The clip applier of the present invention can bring up two ligating clips at the same time with the first jaw unit and the second jaw unit, whereas the two clamping positions of the blood vessel can be clamped with the ligating clips simultaneously by the clip applier of the present invention in a single step, and thus the operating steps can be simplified, and the time involved with the surgical operation can be shortened.
US08398638B2	Method of treating spinal internal disk derangement A method of treating a spinal disk according to the present invention can include inserting an alloplastic bulking agent into the spinal disk to treat the defect. The alloplastic bulking agent has a plurality of microparticles. The bulking agent results in at least one of sealing the defect, increasing a pressure of the disk, increasing a height of the disk, improving stability of the disk and improving structural integrity of the disk.
US08398636B2	Hip fracture device with barrel and end cap for load control A hip fracture device providing distance limited dynamization, load controlled dynamization and combinations of both dynamization methods by varying components. The hip fracture device includes a plate having a head portion and a shaft portion. A barrel projects from the head portion of the plate and a screw is inserted in the barrel. A friction pin is slidably connected with the screw, and an end cap is fixed to the head portion of the plate. The friction pin is fixedly connected with the end cap. The screw slides over the friction pin and toward the end cap when a load is applied on the fracture device. The load required for further sliding of the screw over the friction pin increases incrementally as the screw slides towards the end cap.
US08398631B2	System and method of treating abnormal tissue in the human esophagus An ablation catheter system and method of use is provided to endoscopically access portions of the human esophagus experiencing undesired growth of columnar epithelium. The ablation catheter system and method includes controlled depth of ablation features and use of either radio frequency spectrum, non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation, warm fluid or microwave radiation, which may also be accompanied by improved sensitizer agents.
US08398627B2	Electrosurgical generator and system An electrosurgical system has an electrosurgical generator with a multiple-phase RF output stage coupled to a multiple-electrode electrosurgical instrument. The instrument has three treatment electrodes each of which is coupled to a respective generator output driven from, for instance, a three-phase output transformer. Continuous RF output voltage waveforms are simultaneously delivered to respective generator outputs at the operating frequency, each waveform being phase-displaced with respect to the other waveforms. The magnitude of the RF output voltage waveform delivered to at least one of the generator outputs is sufficient to cause tissue vaporisation at the respective treatment electrodes when the system is used for tissue treatment. Also disclosed is an electrosurgical generator in combination with an instrument having both bipolar coagulation electrodes and a remote return pad, the generator including means for varying the RF voltage outputs to vary the relative preponderance of bipolar and monopolar coagulation.
US08398626B2	Electrosurgical system employing multiple electrodes A system for heat ablation of tissue, the system comprising a radiofrequency source configured to supply RF energy to at least two electrodes for treating tissue, at least one return electrode configured to return the RF energy to the radiofrequency source, a controller configured to sequentially apply the RF energy to each of the at least two electrodes for a pre-determinable period of time and circuitry configured to switch the RF energy to an internal load. The RF energy is applied simultaneously to the internal load and at least one of the at least two electrodes. The controller is configured to apply the RF energy to the next electrode in the sequence when the amount of time the applied RF energy is off is greater than a predetermined minimum off time.
US08398625B2	Electrosurgical electrode with insulative coating An electrode adapted to connect to an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrode includes a proximal end that is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical energy source. The electrode includes a distal end configured for treating tissue. The distal end of the electrode includes a first portion having one or more edges and a second portion having a substantially blunt profile. An insulative material is disposed over at least the distal end of the electrode. The insulative material includes a first thickness at the first portion and a second thickness at the second portion, wherein upon activation, the insulative material disposed over the first portion breaks away from the first portion allowing energy to travel to tissue from the first portion.
US08398622B2	Portable optical ablation system The present invention includes an apparatus and method of surgical ablative material removal “in-vivo” or from an outside surface with a short optical pulse that is amplified and compressed using either an optically-pumped-amplifier and air-path between gratings compressor combination or a SOA and chirped fiber compressor combination, wherein the generating, amplifying and compressing are done within a portable system.
US08398619B2	Flexible wrist-type element and methods of manufacture and use thereof A flexible wrist-type element and methods of operation thereof, including variations having an angularly moveable hub housing a rotatable and operable end effector driven via a drive train having one or more universal-type joints and/or other flexible couplings moveable via an input mechanism within a housing.
US08398617B2	Tools and methods for programming an implantable valve Integrated tools for noninvasively reading and adjusting an implantable, magnetically adjustable valve, and methods of use are disclosed. The tools include magnetic or electronic reading of the valve, and magnetic or electromagnetic adjustment of the valve. In use, the tools are positioned above or in contact with the patient's skin, in proximity to the valve.
US08398615B2	Packaging for a medical article and a catheter in such a packaging The invention provides a packaging for a medical article e.g. for a urinary catheter. The medical article is stored in a compartment and can be accessed by detaching a first element from a second element thereby forming an opening into the compartment. The first element comprises a suction cup or another fastening element by which the packaging is attachable to a surface. Due to the structure of the packaging, it can be supported in an orientation in which the opening is remote from the surface, and risk of contamination of the medical article can therefore be reduced during removal of the article from the packaging.
US08398613B1	Method and apparatus for draining fluid from an organism A surgical drain and method for using the same. The surgical drain comprises a first end, which may be sized for placement within an organism. The first end features a plurality of segments, each labeled with an alphanumeric character. The first end may be cut at a line between two of the segments. The alphanumeric character at the terminal end of the first end after cutting is recorded prior to placing the drain within the organism. When removing the drain, the recorded alphanumeric character is compared with the character at a terminal end of the first end of the surgical drain. Thus, a treating professional can ensure that no portion of the surgical drain is left within the wound, preventing infection due to a foreign object left within the organism.
US08398607B2	Medical connector A medical connector for use with one or more medical implements. In some embodiments, the connector minimizes or eliminates the retrograde flow of fluid into the connector from one end or port upon the disconnection of a medical implement from the other end or port. In some embodiments, the connector generates a positive flow of fluid out of the connector from one end or port when a medical implement is disconnected from the other end or port.
US08398578B1	Capsule friendly tips for phacoemulsification and for irrigation/aspiration A surgical tool whose shaft terminates into a tip having a smooth, rounded edge and that has pores on its top or side, but none one the underside of its base. There may be a flattened base indicative of the shape of a bubble, basket, funnel, circular disc, oblong shape, Maltese cross or mulberry. The pores may be directed backward. A spring spiral may be provided within the shaft to exert a spring bias. The globe may be in the form of a sleeve fitted over a conventional phacoemulsification tip and needs to be positioned to keep the phacoemulsification tip from contacting the sleeve during operation. Alternatively, the globe may be part of a tip itself.
US08398577B2	Implantable fluid management device for the removal of excess fluid A device for removing fluid from a first bodily cavity and for directing that fluid into a second bodily cavity while avoiding risks of infection and, in one embodiment, excessive dehydration of the first bodily cavity. The device includes an uptake tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the first bodily cavity and a distal end in fluid communication with a pump, and an outflow tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the pump and a distal end in fluid communication with the second bodily cavity. The distal end of the uptake tube may be coupled to a reservoir configured to expand upon ingression of fluid into the reservoir and to contract upon removal of fluid due to a negative pressure provided by the pump.
US08398569B1	Apparatus for generating a vibrational stimulus using a rotating mass motor The present invention provides a novel implementation of a low cost eccentric mass motor vibrotactile transducer providing a point-like vibrational stimulus to the body of a user in response to an electrical input. Preferably the eccentric mass and motor form part of the transducer actuator moving mass. The actuator moving mass is constrained into vertical motion by a spring between the actuator housing and moving mass. The actuator moving mass is in contact with a skin (body) load. The actuator housing is in simultaneous contact with the body load. The body load, actuator moving mass, spring compliance and housing mass make up a moving mass resonant system. The spring compliance and system component masses can be chosen to maximize the actuator displacement and/or tailor the transducer response to a desired level. The mass of the motor/contactor assembly, mass and area of the housing, and the compliance of the spring are chosen so that the electromechanical resonance of the motional masses, when loaded by the typical mechanical impedance of the skin, are in a frequency band where the human body is most sensitive to vibrational stimuli 150-300 Hz. This configuration can be implemented as a low mass wearable vibrotactile transducer or as a transducer that is mounted within a soft material such as a seat. A particular advantage of this configuration is that the moving mass motion can be made almost independent of force loading on the transducer housing.
US08398549B2	Ultrasound methods, systems and computer program products for imaging contrasting objects using combined images A system for identifying a presence of an object in a tissue region of interest includes a controller configured to obtain first and second image data sets from the region of interest. A contrast identification module is configured to identify a contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set corresponding to an object in the tissue region of interest. An image data enhancement module is configured to identify the object in the second image data set based on the contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set.
US08398535B2	Catheter assembly for delivering a radiation source into a body cavity A catheter assembly for delivering a radiation source into a body cavity includes a catheter shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. An inflatable balloon is coupled to the catheter shaft between the distal end and the proximal end. A dose delivery lumen extends along the catheter shaft between the proximal end and the distal end. The dose delivery lumen is configured to receive the radiation source. A radioabsorptive portion is surrounded by the inflatable balloon.
US08398533B2	Paper folding apparatus and postprocessing apparatus using the same A paper folding apparatus includes a ruling unit that rules a line on each of sheets, a pushing unit that pushes the sheets on which the lines are ruled by the ruling unit, and a pair of folding rollers that comes into contact under pressure with the sheets pushed by the pushing unit and discharges the sheets. The ruling unit includes a plurality of pressing blades for ruling a line on each of the sheets, a swinging unit that swings the pressing blades from a pressing position where the pressing blade presses the sheets to a retracted position where the pressing blades are retracted from the sheets, and a moving unit that moves the pressing blades and the swinging unit along the sheets.
US08398519B2	Transmission with hydraulically actuated splined clutch A transmission includes an input member, an output member, and an intermediate member coaxially aligned with the input member and the output member. The transmission further includes at least one countershaft substantially parallel with the input member, output member and the intermediate member, and at least one gear associated with each of the input member, the output member, intermediate member, at least one countershaft. The transmission also includes a planetary gear set to operatively couple a gear of the at least one gear associated with the intermediate shaft with the output shaft, and a plurality of clutches to selectively define a torque transfer path from the input member to the output member via one or more of the intermediate member, first countershaft, second countershaft, and the at least one associated gears therewith. The plurality of clutches include a direct drive clutch to selectively couple the input member directly to the intermediate member.
US08398514B2	Three-mode hybrid powertrain with two motor/generators A hybrid electro-mechanical transmission connectable with multiple power sources for launching and propelling a vehicle includes an output member and a stationary member. The transmission also includes a first planetary gear set having a first, a second, and a third node and a compound planetary gear arrangement having a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, and a seventh node. The engine, the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator are each operatively connected with the first planetary gear set, and the output member and the second motor/generator are each operatively connected with the compound planetary gear arrangement. Thus configured, the transmission provides an under-drive gear for launching the vehicle, as well as a direct-drive gear and an over-drive gear for propelling the vehicle at higher speeds.
US08398513B2	Plate-link chain, particularly for a motor vehicle drive system A plate-link chain for a motor vehicle drive system. The chain includes a plurality of link plates articulatingly connected with each other by rocker members. The rocker members extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain. The chain includes curved contact surfaces formed on the rocker members and on the link plates, along which the rocker members and link plates are in contact with each other to transmit force. The respective contact surfaces have a width that extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain, and when considered in a side view running transversely to the width and in the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain, they have an arc length. The contact surfaces have at least three regions along the arc length with different curvatures.
US08398510B1	Expandable arrowhead or broadhead and spring element An expandable arrowhead having a blade-carrying body with a slot that houses at least one movably mounted blade. Each blade can be pivotally mounted about a shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft is fixed with respect to the body. In other embodiments, the shaft is movably mounted with respect to the body, for example by mounting a shaft within the slot so that the shaft moves within the slot with respect to the blade-carrying body. In some embodiments of this invention, a spring element positively holds one or more blades in a closed position or a retracted position, particularly during extreme forces encountered when launching an arrow from an archery bow, such as a compound archery bow. The spring element of this invention can be used to improve blade opening capabilities of conventional blade-opening arrowheads or broadheads.
US08398509B2	Basketball backboard and rim mounting system Certain embodiments of the present system deal with a basketball goal assembly which adjustably supports a backboard assembly and a rim assembly to enable players to play the game of basketball. In certain preferred aspects, the rim assembly is connected directly to the support arrangement so that force applied to the rim assembly is transmitted directly to the support assembly and is not transferred to the backboard assembly.
US08398508B2	Method for predicting a golfer's ball striking performance A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer obtained from a CMOS imaging system, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.
US08398502B2	Hitting position detecting device, hitting position detecting method, and method of manufacturing hitting position detecting device A hitting position detecting device includes: a golf club which includes a shaft having a grip portion and a head portion having a face portion with a hitting surface and a rear surface and attached to the front end of the shaft; vibration wave sensors which is arranged on the side of the rear surface of the face portion and is fixed to the head portion so as to output electrical signals in accordance with a vibration wave generated upon hitting of the face portion; a calculation unit which detects arrival times in the vibration wave sensors of the vibration wave generated in the face portion upon hitting of a ball on the basis of the electrical signals, calculates a hitting position of the ball in the face portion on the basis of a difference in the plurality of arrival times, and then outputs the result as a hitting position signal; a display unit which displays the hitting position in the face portion on the basis of the hitting position signal output from the calculation unit; and a power source which supplies power to the vibration wave sensors, the calculation unit, and the display unit.
US08398491B2	Torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus includes a first plate member, a second plate member rotatable relative to the first plate member, and a first friction member disposed between the first plate member and the second plate member and pressed against the first plate member in a slidable manner. The second plate member includes a first retaining surface that makes contact with the first friction member. The first friction member includes a plurality of grooves at a surface facing the first retaining surface of the second plate member, the grooves extending in a radial direction of the first friction member.
US08398490B1	Career management system A career management system facilitates career management an online environment. The career management system introduces gaming elements to career management in order to make career-related tasks more enjoyable to participants. In one embodiment, a computer-based career management system generates a virtual career path customized based on a particular player's current career position and career goals. The virtual career path includes one or more challenges for the player to complete. The career management system tracks completion of the one or more challenges in the online environment and provides rewards and incentives as the player progresses.
US08398486B2	Creating a tunnel between virtual universes Embodiments of this invention create a mechanism for visual and other communication between two or more separate/distinct 3-dimensional virtual universes (VUs) akin to a “wormhole” or “tunnel”. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention allow a mechanism for a player to walk through such a tunnel, logging out from a first VU and logging into a second VU. Embodiments of the present invention utilize streaming video abilities in both virtual universes and the capability to capture output in a useable format and convert to a d streaming video standard.
US08398475B2	Gaming system, gaming device and method providing a first game and a plurality second wagering games each associated with a separate activatable component of the first game A gaming system having a first skill, partial skill, or pseudo skill based game having a plurality of individually activatable designated components and a plurality of second chance based games each respectively associated with a different one of the individually activatable components of the skill based game. When each designated component of the first game is activated through one or player inputs, a corresponding chance based game associated with that designated component is activated. Each chance based game randomly determines whether the player wins an award. In one embodiment, the likelihood of activating each designated component is different and the chance based game associated with each different designated component is different.
US08398472B2	Central determination poker game An poker game which provides a predetermined outcome to a player. In one embodiment, a plurality of playing cards are provided to a player wherein one or more of the provided playing cards are based on the predetermined game outcome. The player is enabled to select one or more of the initially dealt playing cards to hold or to discard. If a poker hand with an associated payout equal to the value associated with the predetermined game outcome may be obtained based on the held cards, the gaming device utilizes one or more backfill algorithms, to determine which card or cards, if any, need to be dealt to the player. The determined cards are provided to the player to replace the playing cards designated by the player to discard and the selected predetermined game outcome which is associated with a value equal to the payout of the player's poker hand is provided to the player. If a poker hand with an associated payout equal to the value associated with the selected predetermined game outcome cannot be obtained by the player based on the playing cards held by the player, a subset of the held cards is selected and one or more backfill algorithms are used to determine which cards need to be dealt to the player. The discarded playing cards and at least one held playing card are replaced with the determined card. The selected predetermined game outcome which is associated with a value equal to the payout of the player's poker hand is then provided to the player.
US08398470B2	Game with programmable light emitting segments A puzzle includes light emitting diodes integrated in the puzzle in order to achieve a high level of interaction between the user and the puzzle. The puzzle can adapt to the players needs by increasing or decreasing the difficulty level or by giving the user hints. The puzzle functions not only as a puzzle but may also function as an ambient light (or object) of programmable color point (and layout) when not in use as a puzzle.
US08398469B2	Agricultural work machine having an unloading system for unloading an agricultural product An agricultural work machine for performing harvesting operations. The agricultural work machine includes a support structure. An unloading system is coupled to the support structure and is configured to transport an agricultural product received from a hopper to an off-machine location. The unloading system includes a transfer assembly having a discharge chute. A positioning system is configured to adjust at least one of an elevation, a length and a rotational position of the transfer assembly to position the discharge chute. A control system is configured to automatically locate the discharge chute from a stowed position to a desired unload position of a plurality of preset unload positions upon receiving an operator input via an operator input device.
US08398468B2	Air conditioning device for car An air conditioning device for a car includes a door structure composed of an inner door and an outer door having an inner space in which the inner door rotates, and the circumference of which comes into facial contact with the inner door, wherein the facial contact prevents air from leaking, and the inner and outer doors respectively control the temperature and amount of air to flow.
US08398464B2	Grinding wheel truing tool and manufacturing method thereof, and truing apparatus, method for manufacturing grinding wheel and wafer edge grinding apparatus using the same The present invention relates to a grinding wheel truing tool, its manufacturing method, and a truing apparatus, a method for manufacturing a grinding wheel and a wafer edge grinding apparatus using the same. The grinding wheel truing tool of the present invention compensates a groove of a fine-grinding wheel for fine-grinding a wafer edge, and includes a truer having an edge of the same angle as a slanted surface of the groove of the fine-grinding wheel and a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the groove. The present invention uses the truing tool to easily process the groove of the grinding wheel for fine-grinding the wafer edge.
US08398461B2	Polishing method, polishing pad and polishing system A polishing method, a polishing pad and a polishing system are provided. In the invention, the polishing pad is used to polish a polishing article. The polishing pad includes a polishing layer and a surface pattern disposed in the polishing layer. The polishing layer includes a polishing surface, a rotating central region, and a peripheral region. The surface pattern includes many grooves distributed from near the rotating central region and extending outward to near the peripheral region. The grooves include many groove cross sections along a circumferential direction of a same radius. Each of the groove cross sections has a left sidewall and a right sidewall. An included angle is formed by the polishing surface and one of a group of the left sidewalls and a group of the right sidewalls. The included angle is an obtuse angle.
US08398460B2	Apparatus and method for dispensing abrasive particulate material into a stream of gas Apparatus for dispensing abrasive particulate material into a stream of gas, the apparatus comprising: a. a pressurized hopper for receiving particulate abrasive material; and b. a pressurized conveyor coupled to the hopper comprising a housing having an inlet for receiving particulate material from the hopper, an outlet for delivery of particulate material from the housing, and a screw located within the housing for transporting particulate material from the inlet to the outlet. Also provided is a method of dispensing particulate abrasive using said apparatus and a pipe cleaning system including said apparatus.
US08398450B2	Connection means for construction elements, and associated set of building blocks A connecting means for construction elements, e.g. (toy) building blocks, comprises a strip-shaped member having a thickened portion and a component of a detachable connecting mechanism. The strip-shaped member is insertable into a groove in the side faces of the construction elements. To that component of the detachable connection, e.g. to a nut, further construction elements can be attached in a simple but stable manner. The detachable mechanism is preferably the one that is provided in the construction element for connections without using the connecting means. The connecting means thus allows an extension of the assembly possibilities in a stable manner in other directions than those provided by the construction elements themselves.
US08398448B2	Assembling lighting elements onto a substrate The present application relates to assembling a lighting element (20) onto a substrate (28). To enable exact positioning of the lighting element (20) and further optical components (30), there is provided aligning the lighting element (20) with a support element (22) within one mounting plane P using an auxiliary carrier (24), surface mounting the lighting element (20) together with the support element (22) onto a substrate (28) within one step e.g. by reflow soldering, and mounting a further component (30) onto the support element (22) such that no mechanical stress is applied to the lighting element (20).
US08398436B2	Stackable cable mount power connector A stackable cable mount power connector includes a cover having a draw screw engagement pin and a connector shell having a bushing and an insert assembly positioned therein. A draw screw having a locking pin is positioned within the bushing. The bushing includes grooves for receiving the locking pin. The connector includes multiple primary contact pins having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the primary contact pins is positioned within the bushing. The lower portion of the primary contact pins is positioned within the insert assembly. The upper portion of the primary contact pins is configured to receive secondary contact pins. The lower portion of the primary contact pins is configured to engage a power source. The connector also includes a stud positioned within the insert assembly. The stud includes slots for receiving the locking pin. When the cover is removed from the connector shell, the locking pin is positioned within the grooves of the bushing, and the draw screw is fixed within the connector and does not rotate. When the cover is attached to the connector shell, the draw screw engagement pin engages the draw screw, and can be rotated by a handle attached thereto. Attachment of the cover causes the locking pin to be positioned within the slots in the stud, and the draw screw is rotatable within the connector, thus allowing connection to a power source. The cover can be removed to allow a secondary connector to be coupled to the bushing.
US08398435B2	Receptacle connector between controller and lighting fixture An electrical receptacle comprises a body comprising an opening and main terminal channels that are spaced apart from each other and from the opening. Electrically conductive main connectors are disposed in the body and spaced apart from each other. The main connectors are disposed in or in alignment with the main terminal channels. A connector is disposed in the body and includes an arcuate shape in or near the opening.
US08398434B2	Connector assembly A connector assembly includes contact modules each having a dielectric frame and contacts held by the dielectric frame. The contacts are arranged along a contact plane within the frame. The dielectric frame includes frame members connected by connecting segments. The frame has windows between the frame members located between adjacent contacts. Holders support corresponding contact modules. The holders are electrically grounded. The holders each have a support wall and tabs that extend outward from the support wall. The contact modules are coupled to the holders such that the tabs are received in the windows to provide shielding within the contact modules. The holders are coupled together such that the contact modules are stacked together with the tabs of at least some of the holders that extend into the contact module held by the adjacent holder and across the contact plane defined by the contact module of the adjacent holder.
US08398432B1	Grounding structures for header and receptacle assemblies A receptacle assembly includes a contact module having a conductive holder has a first side and an opposite second side. The conductive holder has a chamber between the first and second sides. A frame assembly is received in the chamber of the conductive holder. The frame assembly includes a plurality of contacts and a dielectric frame supporting the contacts. The contacts extend from the conductive holder for electrical termination. A ground lead frame is received in the chamber between the frame assembly and the conductive holder. The ground leadframe has grounding members that extend from the conductive holder for electrical termination to header shields of the header assembly.
US08398429B2	Cable assembly for a connector system A connector system includes a chassis that has a framework of panels that defines a plurality of cells extending between first ends and second ends. A clip is coupled to the framework within a corresponding cell. A cable assembly is received in a corresponding cell. The cable assembly includes a first header connector coupled to the framework at the first end of the corresponding cell using the clip and a second header connector is coupled to the framework at the second end of the corresponding cell using the clip. The first header connector has a housing that holds a plurality of contacts. The housing of the first header connector has a first mating interface. The second header connector has a housing that holds a plurality of contacts. The housing of the second header connector has a second mating interface that faces in an opposite direction from the first mating interface. A cable bundle has a plurality of cables that extends between the first and second header connectors. The cables are connected between corresponding contacts of the first header connector and the contacts of the second header connector.
US08398428B2	Reel for minimizing unreeled cable length A reel for connecting a cable to the reel and power connections that includes a winding reel housing that has a biasing member and a connection assembly. The assembly is received in the housing and has an insulator with two recesses, a return barrel terminal and a power barrel terminal. One of the insulator recesses receives a return barrel terminal and the other insulator recess receives a power barrel terminal. The return barrel terminal is connected to a return contact, and the power barrel terminal is connected to a power contact. The power contact is connected to a power output member and the return contact is connected to a return output member. The return barrel terminal is rotatable with the return contact while maintaining electrical contact with the return contact and the power barrel terminal is rotatable with the power contact while maintaining electrical contact with the power contact.
US08398425B2	Board-to-board connector having sloped guide surfaces with a common edge A board-to-board connector comprising a first connector and a second connector is disclosed. The first connector has a first housing mounted on first terminals. The second connector is configured to be engaged, by fitting, with the first connector. The second connector has a second housing mounted on second terminals, which are configured to make contact with the first terminals. At least a part of an entrance end portion a concave guide portion is provided with a sloped guide surface formed therein. Due to the insertion of a second fitting guide portion into a concave guide portion, in such a manner that portions of the second fitting guide portion are brought into abutting contact with the sloped guide surface, the first and second terminals are spaced apart from each other in a state where fitting faces of the first and second housings are even with each other.
US08398422B2	Card edge connector A card edge connector includes an elongated housing having an upper face, a lower face and a mating groove defined therebetween and extending along a longitudinal direction. A plurality of terminal grooves are respectively defined between the upper face and lower face and in communication with the mating groove. A plurality of contacts are respectively received in the terminal grooves. Each contact includes a body portion, at least one retaining portion, a contacting portion and a soldering portion. The at least one retaining portion forms at least one barb thereon and is inserted into the terminal groove with the at least one barb interfering with an inner wall of the terminal groove until the at least one barb falls into a through hole defined on the inner wall of the terminal groove.
US08398416B2	Socket connector having detecting switch A socket connector comprises a housing, a shield covering the housing and a detecting switch mounted in the housing. The housing includes a base and a pinboard having a first board surface and a second board surface. An eSATA terminal set having seven terminals side by side is mounted on the first board surface. An USB terminal set having nine terminals is mounted on the second board surface and five terminals are connected to the five middle terminals of the eSATA terminal set to form a shared terminal structure. The shield has a shared inserting room which includes a first inserting room for connecting an eSATA plug connector and a second inserting room for connecting an USB plug connector, the second inserting room having a nonoverlapping space relative to the first inserting room. The detecting switch includes a first detecting terminal that extends into the nonoverlapping space.
US08398412B2	Housing, electrical coupling including said housing, and vehicle including such a coupling The invention relates to a housing, including: electronic components (42); walls (44) mechanically insulating said electronic components from the outside; at least one electric connection pad (18, 20, 22, 24) arranged on an outer surface of one of said walls so as to be electrically coupled to a cable outside the housing, said connection pad being electrically coupled to the electronic components (42) inside the housing, characterized in that the connection pad includes: a printed circuit board (50) defining a portion of the housing wall (44) and having a surface exposed to the outside of the housing; and an electric connection outer plane (60, 62) engraved on said surface for directly contacting the outer cable, said plane being electrically coupled to the electronic components.
US08398407B2	Learning method and system in a window environment One embodiment is on a computer-implemented learning method and system in a window environment at a display that can help get the attention of a user. In another embodiment, a computer-aided-educational method and system consider a student's concentration level when teaching the student. The system monitors automatically more than once the student's concentration-sensitive behavior while the student is working on the study materials. Through monitoring the student's volitional or involuntary behavior, the system provides an indication on the student's concentration level. Based on the indication, the system could react accordingly. Reactions include, for example, providing rewards, punishments, and stimulation; or changing the study materials. The system can also react by asking the student a question to stimulate the student or to assess the student's understanding level. Based on the student's response, the system may change to more appropriate study materials, or presentation style.
US08398403B2	Tooth root canal anchorage assembly The tooth root channel anchorage assembly comprises a core member to be fixed within the tooth root channel and a post to be inserted into the core member having a thoroughgoing bore. The core member comprises a crown part and an anchorage part to be fixed within the root canal, the surface of the anchorage part having a substantially hyperbolic form. Preferably the crown part of the core member as well as a part of the surface of the post have also a substantially hyperbolic form. The hyperbolic form allows a better anchoring and distributing of the load, thus reducing the danger of breaking of the post and root canal, still allowing the access to the root canal before the post is inserted.
US08398402B2	Method for maufacturing dental implant and dental implant A dental implant capable of reliably preventing elution of metal when the dental implant is applied within an oral cavity and capable of reliably preventing occurrence of mismatching (bumpy occlusion or the like) when the dental implant is fixed in place. The abutment is manufactured by molding a ceramic molded body composition to obtain a ceramic molded body, assembling a titanium member and the ceramic molded body together to obtain an assembled body, degreasing the assembled body so that the ceramic molded body is transformed into a ceramic degreased body, and sintering the assembled body to transform the ceramic degreased body into a ceramic member so that the ceramic member is firmly fixed to the titanium member.
US08398388B2	Vane pump A vane pump may include an oval fixed portion of which an outer circumference may be oval, a rotation ring that may be rotatably disposed outside of the oval fixed portion with a gap and in which blade slots may be formed in a predetermined depth along a circular interior circumference of the rotation ring at a predetermined interval from each other, blades of which one end thereof may be slidably inserted into the blade slots respectively and of which the other end slidably contacts an outer surface of the oval fixed portion, an elastic member coupled to the rotation ring and elastically pushing the blades towards the oval fixed portion, and a drive portion connected to the rotation ring and rotating the rotation ring such that oil may be sucked through an expanding space that may be formed between at least two of the blades and oil may be pumped through a shrinking space that may be formed between at least two of the blades.
US08398387B2	Fluid machine and refrigeration cycle apparatus A fluid machine (101) includes a first compressor (107) and a second compressor (108). The first compressor (107) has a first closed casing (111), a first compression mechanism (102a), an expansion mechanism (104), and a shaft (113). A first oil reservoir (112) is formed in the first closed casing (111). The second compressor (108) has a second closed casing (125) and a second compression mechanism (102b). A second oil reservoir (126) is formed at a bottom portion in the second closed casing (125). The first closed casing (111) and the second closed casing (125) are connected to each other by an oil passage (109) so that a lubricating oil can flow between the first oil reservoir (112) and the second oil reservoir (126). An opening (109a) of the oil passage (109) on a side of the first closed casing (111) is located above the expansion mechanism (104) with respect to the vertical direction. This configuration prevents the low temperature lubricating oil in a surrounding space of the expansion mechanism (104) and the high temperature lubricating oil in the second compressor (108) from flowing. Thereby, the heat transfer between the first compressor (107) and the second compressor (108) is suppressed.
US08398376B2	Dry pumps A dry pump apparatus comprises; a pumping mechanism, a controller for controlling the operation of the pumping mechanism, and a sensor for sensing the operating temperature of the pumping mechanism. The controller is configured to carry out an automated shutdown sequence involving the following steps; a) ceasing operation of the pumping mechanism b) monitoring the temperature of the pumping mechanism by means of the temperature sensor c) at least one pre-selected temperature interval, initiating operation of the pumping mechanism for a fixed time period so as to purge a proportion of contaminant particulate matter present until a predefined temperature is reached or a predefined time limit has passed. By carrying out these steps the incidence of powder compaction between component parts of the apparatus which may contract during shutdown, and consequential restart failure and down time, can be significantly reduced.
US08398372B2	Method for reducing the vibration levels of a propeller of a turbine engine A method for reducing the vibration levels capable of occurring, in a turbine engine including at least one propeller and one coupling structure of the turbine engine, because of the turbulence of aerodynamic origin generated by the coupling structure on the propeller. The method includes: defining an initial configuration of the aerodynamic profiles, calculating the synchronous forced response on the propeller as a function of the force of harmonic excitation generated by the coupling structure expressed in the form of a linear function of the generalized aerodynamic force for the mode in question, and determining a tangential geometric offset value θ of the individual aerodynamic profiles for stacked sections of one of the propeller or of the coupling structure in order to reduce the term corresponding to the generalized aerodynamic force. The combination of the sections with the tangential offsets therefore defines a new configuration of the aerodynamic profiles.
US08398371B1	Turbine blade with multiple near wall serpentine flow cooling A large and highly twisted and tapered turbine rotor blade with a low flow cooling circuit that includes a first serpentine flow circuit in a forward section of the lower span of the blade, a second serpentine cooling circuit in the aft region of the lower span, a third serpentine cooling circuit in the forward region of the upper span, and a fourth serpentine cooling circuit in the aft region of the upper span to provide cooling for the entire blade. Cooling air from the first serpentine flows into the third serpentine cooling circuit and cooling air from the second serpentine flows into the fourth serpentine cooling circuit so that the lower span of the blade is cooled first using fresh and relatively cooler cooling air.
US08398365B2	Modular fan units with sound attenuation layers for an air handling system A modular fan array is provided that is configured for use in an air-handling system and configured to deliver air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building. The modular fan array comprises a plurality of modular units configured to be stacked adjacent to one another in at least one row or column to form an array. The modular units each include at least an interior surface, a front end and a back end that define a chamber. The modular fan array includes motors and fans positioned in the chambers of the modular units. The fans are located proximate to the front ends of the corresponding chambers. The fans direct air to discharge from the back ends of the chambers. Sound attenuation layers extend along at least a portion of the interior surface of the chambers. The sound attenuation layers are positioned between at least some of the adjacent chambers.
US08398363B2	Device for sealing a bearing housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger A device for sealing a bearing housing, which holds lubricating oil, from which a rotor supported inside the housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger is guided into a compressor housing, loadable by a mass flow of a charger. The device includes a fixed partition with a wall extension, a sealing disk fastened on a shaft of the rotor, a separating gap arranged between the sealing disk and the wall extension, and a drip device connected to an oil-collecting channel and directs lubricating oil collected in the oil-collecting channel into an oil drain by gravity. The drip device includes a drain-off surface for lubricating oil, which has a large axial distance from a rotating sealing disk which delimits the separating gap. Lubricating oil which can penetrate into the separating gap is guided into an oil drain of the bearing housing without interacting with the sealing disk.
US08398362B2	Turbomolecular pump A turbomolecular pump includes a plurality of alternatively axially arranged one behind another, rotor and stator discs (8,9) provided with blades (10), with the blades (10) located in vicinity of the high vacuum side having a blade angle (α) that is steeper than blade angle (α) of the blades (10) located in vicinity of the vacuum side, and with the blade angle (α) of the blades (10) located in the vicinity of the vacuum side (3) amounting to less than 8°.
US08398361B2	High-efficiency, multi-stage centrifugal pump and method of assembly A high-efficiency, multi-stage centrifugal pump and method of assembly. The pump can include three pump stages with each one of the three pump stages including a front casing, a back casing, an impeller, and a bladed diffuser. The front casing and the back casing are removeably coupled around the impeller and the bladed diffuser. In the three-stage pump, the fluid can be pumped at a flow rate between about 300 liters per second and about 500 liters per second with an efficiency between about 86% and about 91%. The method includes separately casting, machining, and polishing each one of the front casing, the back casing, the impeller, and the bladed diffuser.
US08398355B2	Linearly distributed semiconductor workpiece processing tool A substrate processing apparatus includes a transport chamber capable of holding an isolated atmosphere therein and communicably connected to a charging station for loading and unloading a substrate into the apparatus, a transport system inside the transport chamber for transporting the substrate and an array of processing chamber modules distributed alongside the transport chamber and communicably connected to the transport chamber to allow the substrate to be transferred therebetween.
US08398348B2	Method for producing hollow body elements, hollow body element, component, follow-on composite tool for producing hollow body elements The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements (200), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel (280), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile (202). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod (1) or a winding after holes (204) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder (206) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool (10) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements (200), components, follow-on composite tools (10) and rolling mills (600, 602).
US08398336B2	Pipe structure and methods of laying and use of a pipeline including such a pipe structure A pipe structure suitable for being laid in the sea comprises an inner pipe (2) for conveying fluid to be transported along the pipe structure and an outer pipe (3) around the inner pipe and supporting the inner pipe with space between the inner and outer pipes, the outer pipe having openings to allow water first to flow into the space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe and then to flow out of the space.
US08398323B2	Dental appliance The dental appliance includes a pouch for an index finger with a dentifrice carrying pad. The pouch covers the index finger to at least a midsection region. The dentifrice pad is atop the user's finger pad surface. The pouch has an elongated tail which extends proximally to at least beyond the thumb of the user. The tail has one or many thumb holes, located at a proximal region, and the user, upon insertion of his or her finger in the pouch, pulls the tail and insert his or her thumb in the thumb hole. Therefore, the thumb hole is adapted to encircle the thumb of the user when the pouch is mounted on the user's index finger. The tail may be elastic. The dentifrice pad (with dry powder) sometimes includes bumps or ridges. Alternatively, the tail may be long to wrap around the wrist of the user.
US08398321B2	Method and apparatus for operating a printer A system and apparatus for printing configured to estimate a value of a required feed length for an intended printing operation. The printing operation is performed as a function of a comparison between the sum of an actual value of a previously consumed feed length of the print media unit and the estimated value of the required feed length for the intended printing operation at a predefined maximum feed length of the print media unit. In the event the printing operation is executed, the previously consumed feed length us updated as a function of the estimated value of the required feed length.
US08398312B2	Roller bearing with crowning A roller bearing includes: an inner ring having an inner ring raceway; an outer ring having an outer ring raceway; and a plurality of rollers interposed between the inner ring raceway and an outer ring raceway, wherein a crowning is formed on at least one of the inner ring raceway, the outer ring raceway, and a roller rolling contact surface, wherein an optimal value of a drop amount of the crowning at an end of an effective length is determined, from a diameter of a roller and an effective length of the roller, and wherein drop amounts of the crowning at a plurality of positions in a bus-line direction of the crowning are within an allowable range set forth in a specific table.
US08398309B2	Flanged bushing A flanged bushing comprising a slide bearing (1), which has at least one half-ring-shaped or ring-shaped axial bearing (2) affixed to the side (6) of the bearing, this side being formed by its thickness, where recesses are provided with geometry cooperating with those of the locking elements, resilient fixation protrusions (3), arranged on the axial bearing (2), angularly distributed along its perimeter, like protrusions (3), which are radially of the inner diameter of the axial bearing (2).
US08398306B2	Flexible package with internal, resealable closure feature A reclosable flexible package having a reclosable closure comprising easy-to-use adhesive securement means in combination with non-reclosable closures provided above and below the reclosable closure. The package provides a re-openable seal for reclosing the bag upon a partial discharge of the contents thereof, such as food contents. The flexible package offers manufacturing ease and cost-savings, and tamper-resistance. The flexible package also may be incorporated into a bag-in-box package configuration. Methods of making and filling the package also are provided.
US08398298B2	Automatic pot stirrer An automatic pot stirrer is provided that has a mount assembly. The mount assembly is mounted on a pot plate having slider clamps. The slider clamps engage the rim of the pot and are designed to accommodate differently dimensioned pots. The mount assembly supports a shaft that is operatively coupled to a motor at one end and threaded to a block at the other end. The block has opposed first and second block end walls and opposed first and second block paddle walls to which are connected paddles. The first and second block paddle walls may be disposed at about a forty-five degree angle to a second block end wall. The paddles are disposed at about a forty-five degree angle to the second block end wall such that the paddles lift food product from the bottom of the pot during operation of the automatic pot stirrer.
US08398296B2	Magnetically coupled system for mixing The invention provides a mixing system comprising a magnetically coupled drive system and a foil for cultivating algae, or cyanobacteria, in an open or enclosed vessel. The invention provides effective mixing, low energy usage, low capital expenditure, and ease of drive system component maintenance while maintaining the integrity of a sealed mixing vessel.
US08398291B2	Backlight assembly and cover for a compact display apparatus A back cover for a backlight assembly capable of achieving a more compact a display apparatus includes a cover element, a line portion, and a plurality of point light sources. The cover element includes a metallic layer, and the cross-section of the cover element has an L-shape. The line portion is formed over the cover element. The point light sources are mounted on the surface of the cover element to receive a driving voltage from the line portion. A bottom cover portion of the cover element covers an opening portion. A side cover portion of the cover element faces the side wall. The point light sources mounted on the cover element emit light on a side surface of a light guide plate.
US08398287B2	Multicolor lighting system A multicolor light source including a first light source operably to emit a first light of a first color and a second light source operably to emit a second light of a second color. The multicolor light source also includes a first wave guide optically connected to the first light source and a second wave guide optically coupled to the second light source and to the first wave guide. The combination of the first wave guide and the second wave guide couples the first light to the second light to create an outputted light having at least one aspect, other than hue, different from the first light and the second light.
US08398278B2	Lighting devices, particularly with light-emitting diodes, able to generate an adaptative light beam A lighting device comprising a support for optical modules able to make a rotation movement, comprising a first optical module able to generate a light beam exhibiting a cutoff of the dipped beam type; a second optical module able to generate a light beam exhibiting a substantially L-shaped cutoff; the first optical module and the second optical module of the first lighting device being disposed on the optical module support able to make a rotation movement.
US08398264B2	Lighting device A lighting device with at least one first-element that emits visible light at a wavelength and irradiance sufficient to inactivate one or more pathogenic bacterial species, and at least one second element that emits light of one or more longer wave-lengths to that of the first-element. The at least one second element has a higher illuminance than that of the at least one inactivating element or component.
US08398257B1	Toilet light Devices, apparatus, and methods of using a solar powered, battery operated, light sensitive toilet seat LED (light emitting diode) lid light device that removably clamps to an edge of the outside toilet seat lid. A solar panel is visible on outside of toilet seat is used to recharge a battery in the device. The underside of device contains the secured battery, circuit board, mercury switch and photocell. When the lid and device are in upright position the mercury switch closes. The photocell senses absence of light and the LED light illuminates the toilet bowl and surrounding area.
US08398253B2	Data cable powered light fixture A light fixture can be affixed within a wall and powered using the same cable along which data signals are transmitted. The LED lights in the light fixture are sufficiently bright to be used for illumination and are powered by a voltage derived from power delivered via the data cable. The light fixture may be used in conjunction with a building automation system. The light provided by the LED lights may be modified based on control signals received via the data cable. Modifications may include changes to the perceived brightness and/or color of the light.
US08398252B2	Flexible self-supporting reflector for a parabolic trough The invention relates to a self-supporting reflector for a parabolic trough, the parabolic trough itself, a process for preparing the reflector, a process for preparing the parabolic trough, and the use of the reflector.
US08398233B2	Inkjet recording medium An inkjet recording medium includes a substrate, a base layer disposed on the substrate, and an ink receiving layer disposed on the base layer. The ink receiving layer includes cationically-modified fumed silica having nanoparticles of alumina and/or silica mixed therein. The alumina nanoparticles have an individual particle size ranging from about 15 nm to about 50 nm, and the silica nanoparticles have an individual particle size ranging from about 5 nm to about 45 nm.
US08398232B2	Consumable product accommodating device, liquid ejection device, and method for controlling consumable product accommodating device A consumable product accommodating device includes an accommodating body, a cushioning member, a weight detecting unit and a control unit. The accommodating body accommodates a consumable product whose weight decreases due to being fed to a consumption side, and is consumed with the accommodating body being configured and arranged to move between a first position and a second position. The cushioning member applies a cushioning force to the accommodating body when the accommodating body moves between the first position and the second position with the cushioning force resisting a movement of the accommodating body. The weight detecting unit is configured and arranged to detect the weight of the consumable product accommodated in the accommodating body. A control unit is configured to control magnitude of the cushioning force applied by the cushioning member according to the detected weight of the consumable product.
US08398228B2	Image forming apparatus Provided is an image forming apparatus for an inkjet recording having improved bleed resistance and stickiness resistance of formed image, exhibiting excellent abrasion resistance and adhesion to the recording medium, and having capability of printing onto recording medium with low softening temperature. An image forming apparatus for an inkjet recording method that forms an image by jetting a photo-curable inkjet ink comprising a colorant, a photo-curable monomer, a photo-initiator and a gelling agent onto a recording medium, and photo-curing the ink by a light irradiation apparatus, wherein an illuminance of the light irradiation apparatus is 1 mW/cm2 or more and 50 mW/cm2 or less, the apparatus comprising: a warming section for warming the photo-curable inkjet ink at a temperature of 5 to 30° C. higher than a gelling temperature of the photo-curable inkjet ink, and a control section for controlling a surface temperature of the recording medium at a temperature of 5 to 30° C. lower than the gelling temperature of the photo-curable inkjet ink.
US08398227B2	Pattern drawing method and pattern drawing apparatus Disclosed herein is a fine and thick wiring drawn at high speed in such a manner that a region on the substrate, on which region the liquid droplet is scheduled to impact, is heated beforehand, and that immediately after the impact of the liquid droplet on the substrate, the liquid droplet is promptly solidified so as thereby to suppress the spread of the liquid droplet due to the wettability of the liquid droplet to the substrate, and also to suppress the clogging of the nozzle due to the heating of the substrate. Thereby, even in the case where a liquid droplet having a larger volume than before is used, high-speed drawing of a thick and fine wiring having a line width approximately equal to the liquid droplet size is realized independently of the substrate material.
US08398220B2	Liquid container and image forming apparatus A disclosed liquid container containing liquid to be supplied to a liquid discharge head includes a container main body defining a liquid containing section and including an opening section formed in one surface of the container main body, the opening section including an opening; and a film-like flexible member sealing the opening section of the container main body. Further, the film-like flexible member is joined with a joint section formed on the opening section of the container main body in a state where the film-like flexible member is bent, and a concave-convex structure is formed in the circumferential direction of the joint section.
US08398214B2	Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and actuator device There is provided a liquid ejecting head including a channel forming member in which a pressure generating chamber is provided, a piezoelectric element that is provided at one surface side of the channel forming member, a terminal portion electrically connected to the piezoelectric element; the terminal portion being provided at the one surface side of the channel forming member, a wiring substrate which has a wiring layer, and an adhesive layer for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the terminal portion and for combing the wiring substrate and the channel forming member, the adhesive layer being formed by an anisotropic conductive material. A gap layer that is electrically discontinuous with the terminal portion and the wiring layer is provided on at least one surface of the channel forming member and the wiring substrate in an area in which the adhesive layer is provided.
US08398211B2	Liquid-ejecting recording head having an element that generates energy and method of producing the same A method of producing a recording head including a substrate provided with an element that generates energy utilized for ejecting a liquid, a wiring member that is connected to the substrate, and a supporting member that supports the substrate and the wiring member includes applying a sealant to a region existing between a side surface of the substrate and the supporting member through a communicating path that connects the region to an outer peripheral area of the supporting member.
US08398209B2	Integrated structure of a printer head and an antenna An integrated structure of an inkjet head and an antenna includes a metal heat dissipation board, a flexible (or rigid) circuit board and an antenna module. The metal heat dissipation has an elongated printing ribbon. The flexible (or rigid) circuit board is mounted on the metal heat dissipation board, and has one end electrically connected with the printing ribbon and the other end having a plurality of parallel circuits mounted thereon and connected to external control circuits. The antenna module is directly mounted on and electrically connected with the flexible (or rigid) circuit board. Given the integrated structure, the antenna module is effectively mounted on the inkjet head to reduce the size of the structure and lower the cost thereof.
US08398205B2	Wiping device for inkjet printers A wiping device for an inkjet printer includes a wiper mount moveable between a wiping position and a non-wiping position. A slider coupled to the wiper mount, translates between a retracted position and a deployed position. A first translation of the slider to the deployed position causes the wiper mount to move into the wiping position. A trigger, operable between a cocked position and an un-cocked position is coupled to the slider. In the cocked position, the trigger locks the wiper mount in the wiping position. When actuated, the trigger moves to the un-cocked position and the wiper mount moves to the non-wiping position. The wiping device includes logic to control the actuation and non-actuation of trigger.
US08398202B2	Inkjet printer with maintenance station having non-contact film An inkjet printer has a carrier frame supporting an ink supply manifold; a pagewidth printhead with an ink ejection surface; an encapsulant defining a film guide and a maintenance station. The maintenance station includes: a chassis; a plurality of rollers mounted on the chassis; a film wound in a loop around the rollers; and a drive motor operatively connected to one of the rollers such that actuation of the drive motor rotates the film around said rollers. The chassis is moveable between a printing position in which the film is remote from the printhead and a cleaning position in which the film engages the film guide so that a cavity is defined by the film, the encapsulant and the ink ejection surface.
US08398198B2	Image recording apparatus An image recording apparatus including: a head having openings; a sheet-moving mechanism; a drive-data storage portion storing drive data; a converting section which converts the drive data such that an image position adjustment is changed; a first extracting section which extracts at least one opening whose number of ejections during the recording on at least one sheet of a first number based on unconverted drive data is smaller than a second number; a second extracting section which extracts at least one opening whose number of ejections during the recording on at least one sheet of a third number based on converted drive data is smaller than a fourth number; and a controller which controls the ejection such that a preliminary ejection from at least one opening extracted by the first and second extracting sections is performed upon recordings based on the unconverted drive data and the converted drive data.
US08398197B2	Inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a treatment liquid deposition device which deposits on a recording medium a treatment liquid having a function to aggregate inks or increase viscosity of inks; an ink deposition device which includes a plurality of ink heads for ejecting the inks of at least two types in such a manner that the inks are deposited on the recording medium on which the treatment liquid has been deposited; and a heating-pressuring device which fixes the inks that have been deposited on the recording medium, wherein the ink deposition device ejects the inks from the plurality of ink heads in such a manner that following Relationships (A) and (B) are satisfied where Mx represents in-plane average deposition volume of one of the inks that is priorly deposited on the recording medium, My represents in-plane average deposition volume of another one of the inks that is subsequently deposited on the recording medium, and N represents number of the types of the inks (1≦x
US08398196B2	Droplet size in inkjet printing A printer control unit (3) is described for controlling the size of droplets emitted by a nozzle of a printhead (8) in an inkjet printer. The control unit (3) receives information about an image to be printed by the printer, for example from a raster image processor (5), the information including droplet size information regarding the size of droplet required to be emitted by the nozzle to print the image. Print parameter information for printing the image is determined on the basis of the received droplet size information, the print parameter information including information for use in setting the printer such that droplets emitted by the nozzle during the printing of the image have the required droplet size.
US08398195B2	Method for detecting adjustment value of fluid ejection device, and fluid ejection device An adjustment method is a method for adjusting a fluid ejection device having first and second heads with the first head disposed on an upstream side of the second head in a feed direction in which a medium is conveyed, the second head forming dot rows of a fluid between dot rows of the fluid formed by the first head. The first head and the second head are driven with a first voltage change amount to form a first test pattern, and the first head and the second head are driven with a second voltage change amount to form a second test pattern.
US08398188B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus includes an electrolytic capacitor for stabilizing the head power source voltage, a transistor for charging the electrolytic capacitor, a transistor for discharging the electrolytic capacitor, a push-pull circuit, a resistor for controlling the charging/discharging current to the electrolytic capacitor, and a resistor for dividing the head power source voltage. The power supply to the head is turned on with the head power source voltage increased by the capacitor.
US08398186B2	Refrigerator The refrigerator includes the following parts. A heat-insulating main body has openings in a front side. A divider divides inside of the heat-insulating main body into side by side so as to form a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment having a width smaller than a width of the first storage compartment. The first door turns to open and close at the first storage compartment, and has a vertical axis that extends in an anterior portion of a side wall of the heat-insulating main body. The second door turns to open and close at the second storage compartment, and has a vertical axis that extends in an anterior portion of a side wall of the heat-insulating main body. A concavity part is vertically provided at a front side of an free end of the first door.
US08398184B1	Thermal barrier and constraining apparatus to retain cold air and constrain containers on a shelf fixture within a compartment A thermal barrier and retaining apparatus including a flexible sheet for deployment in blocking relationship over the front edge of a horizontal shelf fixture in a compartment, in which said sheet with downward opening and resealable panels for access into compartment while in place is attached to mounting devices mounted to the inside wall surfaces of a refrigerator, cabinet or shelving fixture to retain cold air and containers from escaping therefrom.
US08398181B2	Endless elastomeric track This invention generally relates to the configuration of the inner surface of a traction band which increases the protection of the embedded reinforcing elements without reducing the flexibility of the band or increasing the generation of heat. The outer surface of the band generally comprises a plurality traction lugs while the inner surface generally comprises a plurality of drive and/or guide lugs. According to the present invention, each group of traction lugs, drive lugs and guide lugs, which are generally laterally aligned, defines generally non-flexible lug areas and each of these lug areas are separated by flexible and generally lug-less hinge areas. The lug areas, on the inner surface thereof, further comprise projections located between the drive lugs and the guide lugs and along the wheel paths defined therebetween.
US08398175B2	Use of post-blast markers in the mining of mineral deposits A method of mining a mineral deposit includes setting a plurality of explosive charges at spaced pre-blast locations in the deposit, wherein at least selected pre-blast locations also carry respective markers that are such that the post-blast location of at least a useful proportion will be detectable after explosion of the charges. After the charges are exploded to fragment the deposit, the post-blast locations of certain of the markers are detected to obtain an indication of the relative positions of selected components of the mineral deposit after the fragmentation of the deposit by the exploding of the charges. Also disclosed is a method utilizing a plurality of markers arranged to emit a detectable signal after blast fragmentation, and detecting the post-blast locations by triangulation techniques employing a plurality of receiver detectors. A further aspect proposes the use of secondary explosive charges as post-blast markers.
US08398171B2	Lift chair A lift chair includes a seat portion formed therein with an accommodating room that is closed atop by a plane; a cushion deposited on the plane; a lifter mechanism deposited in the accommodating room and having an upper end connected to a bottom of the cushion; and a power source serving to drive the lifter mechanism to operate, thereby lifting or lowering the cushion, horizontally moving the cushion, or tilting the cushion, and in turn assisting a user to stand up or sit down.
US08398170B2	Active response seating system A seat having a plurality of defined zones for supporting the human anatomy. The zoned seating can also include one or more recoil shields that can be one piece, multiple pieces, or can itself comprise multiple sections that correspond with the multiple zones or individual zones. The seating can also include inserts to assist in supporting or isolating certain desired portions of the human anatomy. The seating includes both seat back structures and seat pan structures, with each including a zoned configuration designed to support and stabilize specific structures of the human anatomy in a defined manner. The zones can separate independent and defined zones that are designed to be separate and act as individual anatomical support areas that collectively support, cradle and permit the human anatomy to be supported in a comfortable manner. It is preferred that the zones act and operate independently from one another. However, the zones could be arranged, for example, by size, design, formation, or the shape of construction, to interact with adjacent zones. The seat can also be formed around and/or from a molded, contoured member that itself replicates a surface taken from a multi-zoned surface which has been adjusted to fit an individual.
US08398158B2	Floor structure of a motor vehicle body A floor structure of a motor vehicle body is provided that has two side member arrangements substantially extending in vehicle longitudinal direction, which are interconnected by way of at least one front cross member and one rear cross member, and with a floor panel arranged above the cross members, which is provided with a reinforcing element substantially extending in vehicle longitudinal direction and arranged above the floor panel, which is structurally connected to at least one front cross member and to one rear cross member.
US08398156B2	Damper mounting structure In a damper mounting structure provided at each lateral end of a vehicle body to support an upper end of a wheel suspension damper, a dash upper panel (1) and a cross member (2) jointly form a laterally extending member that supports upper ends of vehicle suspension dampers (5) at either lateral end thereof. The cross member (2) includes a main body welded to an upper surface of the dash upper panel (1) via a pair of lateral flanges (5a) thereof extending along either side thereof, and a half bowl-shaped portion (9) formed on each end thereof and welded to a periphery of the corresponding damper mounting portion via a peripheral flange (9d) formed along an outer periphery of the half bowl-shaped portion (9). The peripheral flange (9d) is provided with a pair of cutouts (2b) that expose two of the threaded bolts (7). The cross member is further provided with an opening (10) for exposing the third threaded bolt.
US08398154B1	Deflector for changing the course of a vehicle in an offset impact A deflector is attached to a sub-frame in the front end of a vehicle that rotates the front end of the vehicle in the event the vehicle contacts an object outboard of the sub-frame. The deflector has a deflection beam that is supported on an outboard end by a reaction leg. The reaction leg is backed by an attachment leg that is secured in a parallel orientation to a part of the sub-frame.
US08398150B2	Side skirt system for a trailer A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a side skirt wall configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend below a side wall of the trailer along a length of the trailer. A mounting bracket assembly of the system is coupled to the side skirt wall and is configured to be coupled to a floor assembly of the trailer. The mounting bracket assembly is configured to tilt laterally outwardly and laterally inwardly with respect to a generally vertical axis parallel to the side wall of the trailer.
US08398139B2	Front passenger small storage presenter A storage compartment or presenter includes a tray that is ejected from a vehicle panel when a door on the storage presenter is fully opened and recessed into a storage housing. In this way, the present invention presents objects stored in the storage compartment to a driver or passenger by deploying a storage tray allowing access to items stored therein. Thus, the present invention eliminates the difficulty in retrieving objects within the often times small confines available for in-panel storage compartments.
US08398135B2	Pole safety assembly A safety assembly that provides a lifeline for utility poles and other tall structures is provided. The safety assembly includes a tubular member and a positioning member. The tubular member has first and second openings to a passage. The passage is configured to receive a rope. The positioning member has a first end and a second end. The first end of the positioning member is configured to be received in at least one of the first and second openings of the tubular member. The second end of the positioning member is configured to be coupled to a reaching member. With the use of the positioning member and the reaching member, the tubular member is positioned to engage the tall structure and the rope passing through the internal passage is used as a lifeline.
US08398134B1	Universal carabiner holder A universal safety and rescue carabiner holder is disclosed for securing a carabiner with its gate in the open position while extending the user's reach several feet in any direction, which is also capable of supporting a long and heavy segment of attached safety rope. The carabiner holder is mounted to the end of an extension pole and includes an axial stem, gripping means supported by the axial stem for releasably capturing the spine of the carabiner and for holding the carabiner's gate arm in an open position, and supporting means supported by the axial stem opposite the gripping means for restraining the base of the carabiner. An axial gap defined by the gripping means and the supporting means is variable to accommodate a broad selection of carabiners have a wide variety of sizes, shapes and gate arm configurations.
US08398131B2	Radiator grill arrangement A radiator grill arrangement for a motor vehicle front end of a motor vehicle with a number of air passage openings, which can be closed at least substantially by at least one flap element is provided. The at least one flap element is supported so as to be able to swivel about an associated flap axis. In driving states of the motor vehicle in which little cooling air is needed for the engine or engine compartment, the entire flap arrangement or a part of the flaps can thus be closed in order to improve the drag coefficient cw of the motor vehicle and to save fuel. Also in the parked state of the motor vehicle with the engine switched off, it is possible to close the flap arrangement in order to ensure a more aesthetically pleasing appearance of the motor vehicle.
US08398124B2	Pull-up by torque fitting A fitting is provided that may optionally be pulled up to its final assembled condition by torque rather than by turns. At least one fitting component includes a structure that facilitates pull up by torque. In one embodiment, a ring is provided that may be disposed on one of the fitting components and includes an engagement surface that engages a surface on the other of the fitting components at a first axial position that corresponds to a complete pull up. The engaging surfaces increase the torque required to continue pulling up the fitting past the first axial position.
US08398123B1	Duct coupling system A duct coupling system has a first duct with and end having a threads thereon, a second duct having an end with threads thereon, and a coupler having a first end threadedly engaged with the threads of the first duct and a second end threadedly engaged with the threads of the second duct. The ducts and the coupler are each integrally formed of a polymeric material. A plurality of tendons extend through the interior passageways of the ducts of the coupler.
US08398120B2	Cast iron gladhand A swivel-type cast iron swinger gladhand is provided. The gladhand has a mounting bracket, a cast iron coupler support body, and a cast iron coupler body. The cast iron coupler body includes a pivot arm, a coupler and a clamp integrally formed from a single casting. The cast iron coupler body is pivotally supported by the mounting bracket and the cast iron coupler support body.
US08398110B2	Back-country ski binding A slope compensation mechanism for automatically adapting an angle between a ski boot and a ski to a slope, including a tower mechanism having a tower base assembly mounted to the ski and a tower pivot mechanism rotatably and slidably mounted to the tower base assembly. A resilient pivot mechanism allows the tower pivot mechanism to rotate and to axially move with respect to the tower base assembly and a boot mounting beam engages with elevation angle catches corresponding to ranges of angles of a slope. A slope angle adaptation mechanism acting between the tower base assembly and the tower pivot mechanism determines a slope index angle corresponding to a slope being traversed and maintains the tower pivot mechanism at the slope index angle.

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