Document	Document Title
US08879437B2	Backward compatible LTE system design for asymmetric uplink/downlink spectrum A method of frequency division duplex (FDD) wireless communications asymmetrically maps between downlink and uplink spectrum blocks. Multiple downlink spectrum blocks may be mapped to an uplink spectrum block.
US08879428B2	Systems and method for graph-based distributed parameter coordination in a communication network Systems and method are disclosed for graph-based distributed parameter coordination in a communication network. In general, discrete local parameters to be coordinated among communication nodes in the network and their respective performance metrics, or costs, are modeled using a factor graph. Based on the factor graph, a variant of the sum-product algorithm, namely the min-sum algorithm, is applied in order for the communication nodes, through iterative message passing with their neighboring communication nodes, to decide upon optimal values for the local parameters for the communication nodes that collectively optimize a global performance metric across the communication network. In one embodiment, the communication network is a wireless communication network. In one specific embodiment, the wireless communication network is a cellular communication network.
US08879423B2	Method, media gateway and mobile switching center emulation for realizing switching by coping topology The present invention discloses a method for realizing a handoff by replicating topology, including: a MGW receiving an ADD Command from a MSCe, adding a new Termination to a Context, and establishing a bearer to a target office or a target base station; receiving a MODIFY Command from the MSCe, and modifying properties of the new Termination; and receiving a SUBTRACT Command from the MSCe, removing an original Termination, and according to recorded information about relationship between the new Termination and the original Termination carried by a Handover Package in one Command, playing the Tone of the original Termination to the new Termination continuously and establishing the same topology connection between the new Termination and other Terminations in the Context. The present invention also discloses a system for realizing a handoff by replicating topology, a media gate-way and a mobile switching center emulation. The present invention completes the topology replication.
US08879420B2	Mobile phone docking station VPNs A docking station includes a docking port configured to physically dock with a mobile device, wherein the docking port includes an input/output port. The docking station further includes a communication interface configured to send and receive traffic via a wired network. The docking station also includes a processing unit configured to set-up multiple Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) via the wired network and one or more other networks, assign at least one network address from multiple network addresses to each one of the multiple VPNs, and configure, via the input/output port, the mobile device to send and/or receive traffic via selected ones of the multiple VPNs.
US08879419B2	System and method for registering an IP telephone A system and method for establishing connection of an IP telephone to a network may include, in response to receiving a registration request from an IP telephone, generating a command to cause network access devices to ping the IP telephone. The command may be communicated to the network access devices. Ping information may be received in response to the network access devices pinging the IP telephone. A network access device may be selected that has the highest quality network access path to the IP telephone. In response to selecting the network access device that has the highest quality network access path, a network address of the selected network access device may be communicated to a network device to enable the IP telephone to communicate with the selected network access device. Credentials may be communicated to the IP telephone to register with the selected network access device.
US08879409B2	Method and system for improving QoS in a wireless network A method and system for improving quality of service (QoS) in a wireless network are disclosed. In one embodiment, bearer connection context parameters of each of a plurality of data packets in the wireless network are obtained. Further, general packet radio service tunneling protocol user plane protocol data unit (G-PDU) packets are determined in the plurality of data packets based on first bearer connection context parameters which is a subset of the bearer connection context parameters. Furthermore, the determined G-PDU packets are queued in a non-signaling queue. QoS attributes are then computed for each of the queued G-PDU packets. In addition, priority data is computed for each of the queued G-PDU packets is computed using the computed QoS attributes. Moreover, one or more priority queues are formed based on the computed priority data of each of the queued G-PDU packets for improving QoS in the wireless network.
US08879406B2	User equipment tracing in a wireless communications network The present invention relates to a method and a network control node for tracing activity and monitoring performance of user equipments in a partly IP-based wireless communications network. The wireless communications network comprises operator controllable and/or operator uncontrollable wireless access points in communication with a network control node via one or more operator controllable and/or operator uncontrollable Internet Protocol, IP, networks. The described method is characterized by a first step of receiving a trace triggering request and user equipment identification, at a network control node, from a first network node. Alternatively, the trace triggering request is received on a signaling connection that explicitly identifies the user equipment. The network control node then starts a trace recording and information retrieval procedure relating to the identified user equipment and identifies all used IP networks and user equipment serving access point. The method further comprises the steps of analyzing the IP networks used between the network node and the user equipment and/or analyzing the user equipment serving access point. Thereafter, a trace printout is created including analyzing results and retrieved information, the printout is to be sent to a second network node, or stored locally for later retrieval.
US08879401B2	Loss measurement for multicast data delivery A method of measuring loss in a multicast transmission in a network is described. Service frames including a service multicast destination address are sent from a source node towards a receiving node. A counter of the number of service frames sent is maintained at the source node. This counter is periodically read, and its value copied into a loss measurement OAM frame. The loss measurement OAM frame includes a unique identifier and an OAM destination address which is different to the service multicast destination address, and is sent from the source node towards the receiving node. Every time the sent frames counter is read, a measurement indicator frame is also sent from the source node towards the receiving node. The measurement indicator frame includes the unique identifier so that it can be related to the loss measurement OAM frame. The measurement indicator frame also includes the service multicast destination address, although the measurement indicator frame is distinguishable from the service frames. The receiving node eventually receives the loss measurement OAM frame and the measurement indicator frame, and calculates the number of lost or delayed service frames by comparing the number of service frames received at the receiving node at the time the measurement indicator frame is received with the sent frames counter value contained in the loss measurement OAM frame. The calculation is only performed when the loss measurement OAM frame and measurement indicator frame having the same identifier have been received by the receiving node.
US08879396B2	System and method for using dynamic allocation of virtual lanes to alleviate congestion in a fat-tree topology A system and method can prevent traffic congestion in a middleware machine environment with a plurality of switches in a fat-tree topology. A subnet manager can sweep a subnet in the middleware machine environment to discover changes and maintain the subnet fully connected. A performance manager can retrieve performance and error-related information from one or more performance management agents that are associated with one or more components in the subnet. Then, a host can dynamically reconfigure one or more virtual lanes in order to improve network performances.
US08879392B2	BGP security update intercepts Network devices, systems, and methods, including executable instructions and/or logic thereon, are provided to perform BGP intercepts. A network device includes a processing resource coupled to a memory. The memory includes program instructions executed by the processing resource to intercept BGP updates and process associated cryptographic signatures before receipt by a BGP router.
US08879391B2	System and method for using network derivations to determine path states A method of determining the state of a path in a network. A rate of throughput is observed at a node of the network over an interval for at least a portion of the path. Derivations associated with a characteristic of the frames or traffic flows communicated over at least the portion of the path are determined at the node. A state of congestion of the path is determined in response to the observed rate of throughput as compared to a bandwidth profile of the path and the derivations.
US08879388B2	Method and system for intrusion detection and prevention based on packet type recognition in a network Certain aspects of a method and system for intrusion detection and prevention based on packet type recognition in a network are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include determining a packet type for each of a plurality of received network packets based on at least one of: a header and content of each of the plurality of received network packets. The rate at which the plurality of received network packets are handled at a port in the network switching device may be regulated based on a number of occurrences of the determined packet type of the plurality of received network packets.
US08879387B2	Transmission control protocol (TCP) throughput optimization in point-to-multipoint and heterogeneous wireless access networks A device receives a packet provided in a wireless access network, and determines whether the packet is a payload packet or an acknowledgment (Ack) packet. The device also allocates, when the packet is an acknowledgement packet, the acknowledgment packet to an expedited priority queue, and allocates, when the packet is a payload packet, the payload packet to a regular priority queue. The device further delivers one or more acknowledgment packets provided in the expedited priority queue prior to delivering one or more payload packets provided in the regular priority queue.
US08879386B2	Apparatus and method for scheduler implementation for best effort (BE) prioritization and anti-starvation In various embodiments, a method, computer-readable storage medium, and apparatus for scheduling prioritized best effort (BE) service flows through a wireless network base station includes a controller coupled to a memory. If any one of a plurality of BE service flows are congested, a minimum reserved traffic rate (MRTR) algorithm is used by the controller to ensure that at least a highest priority BE service flow is maintained at least at an associated MRTR. If none of the plurality of BE service flows are congested, a maximum sustained traffic rate (MSTR) algorithm is used by the controller to enable the highest priority BE service flow to be set to at least at an associated MSTR before lower priority service flows are increased. If none of the plurality of BE service flows are congested and each service flow is at their associated MSTR, the controller is configured to distribute any excess bandwidth to each service flow in accordance with an initial set of priority BE traffic flow ratios.
US08879385B2	Use of sub path maintenance elements (SPMES) for multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) shared mesh protection Embodiments of the invention include a computer-implemented method of shared backup path computation in an multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network, the shared backup path to be used upon a failure of at least one working path of the MPLS network.
US08879384B2	Fast upstream source failure detection One example embodiment of the method includes receiving first control packets, by a first node, from a source node. The first control packets indicate the status of the source node. Whether the source node is operational and if a connection path between the first node and the source node is operational is determined based on the received first control packets. The method further includes sending a second control packet to a downstream node if the source node is non-operational, or the connection is non-operational. The second control packet includes at least one value indicating the source node is unreliable.
US08879381B2	Ethernet ring system, transit node of Ethernet ring system and initialization method thereof The present invention provides an Ethernet ring system, transit node of Ethernet ring system, and initialization method thereof, wherein the method includes the following steps: step 1, generating a transit node of Ethernet ring protection domain by means of ring nodes; step 2, detecting the link state of two ring ports by means of the transit node: if neither of the two ring ports is detected as in-fault, then recording ring the link state as initialization state, blocking at least one of the ring ports, setting the at least one blocked port in prerelease state, and sending a ring state query packet to a master node, by means of the transit node; step 3, when the ring state query packet is received, sending a ring state packet recorded by the master node to the ring port that receives the ring state query packet, by means of the master node; and step 4, checking whether the ring state packet sent by the master node have been received by the transit node of which the ring state is the initialization state; if so, unblocking the blocked port in the prerelease state, to realize initialization of the transit node.
US08879370B2	Optical disk apparatus An optical disk apparatus which conducts overwriting of data on a rewritable optical disk or conducts write-once recording of data on a write-once optical disk includes a control unit for receiving a recording command which specifies a recording area and orders recording and receiving transfer data, and a collation unit for collating existing data on the optical disk with the transfer data. Upon reception of the recording command and the transfer data by the control unit, the existing data is collated with the transfer data by the collation unit, and overwrite recording of data in places where the transfer data is different from the existing data is conducted on the rewritable optical disk, or data in places where the transfer data is different from the existing data is recorded in an unrecorded area of the write-once optical disk.
US08879367B2	Synchronized watches that work in tandem to tell time The current disclosure describes and teaches a timepiece combination that may preferably be used by a pair of persons to show unity, affection, and togetherness. In one embodiment, the timepiece combination may include two watches having similar or complimentary background pattern and overall design, while one watch displays only the hourly time of the present time, the other watch displays only the minute time of the present time. Only by combining the display of the watches may the users be shown the precise present time. The timepiece combination may take the conventional clock hand format or a digital display. Overall, the design of the timepiece combination emphasizes and reflects the bond and unity between the users, allowing a showing of friendship, love, and/or affection through the watches.
US08879366B2	Clocks with uniquely driven elements which are interpreted by the use of traditional clock interpretation methods Apparatuses (250) for the display of time with distinctive aesthetic character that include rigid rotating members (220) which are driven by movements (251) and held in place by the force of gravity. The movement (251) rotates drive wheels (256, 257) so that the rigid rotating members (220) indicate the current time and the time is interpreted using traditional clock interpretation methods. The movement (251) may include a support bushing (260) to provide support for output shafts (252, 253) of the movement (251). A cover (262) may also provide support for output shafts (252, 253).
US08879364B2	Electronic device An electronic device that can display the current time reduces the number of times that the time must be manually set. The electronic device 100 has a CPU 20 that keeps time internally, a display unit 50 that displays the time based on the internal time, a GPS device 10 that receives satellite signals and outputs satellite time information according to the positioning information and UTC, and EEPROM 32 that stores time zone information denoting the time difference to UTC for individual regions. The CPU 20 adjusts the displayed time based on the satellite time information and correction information. The CPU 20 also adjusts the displayed time based on an operation signal, and stores time difference information denoting the time difference between the displayed time after being adjusted and UTC linked to the region associated with the positioning information in flash ROM 33.
US08879361B2	Boat transducer mounting apparatus An apparatus for mounting a transducer on a boat includes a pair of slotted portions adjustably connected to one another. One of the slotted portions includes a transducer mounting portion, which can be used to mount a transducer to the apparatus. The apparatus can be mounted to a boat by positioning the apparatus close to the boat and then adjusting the slotted portions so that slots included in these portions engage with the boat and hold the apparatus in place.
US08879322B2	Direct multi-level cell programming A data storage device includes a controller coupled to a non-volatile memory having a three-dimensional (3D) configuration. The non-volatile memory includes a group of storage elements. Each storage element is configured to store multiple data bits. Data is sent from the controller to the non-volatile memory and first bits corresponding to a first portion of the data are stored into the group of storage elements during a first write stage. Each storage element of the group of storage elements stores at least one bit of the first bits upon completion of the first write stage. Second bits corresponding to a second portion of the data are sent to a second memory without sending the first bits to the second memory. The second bits are retrieved from the second memory and at least the second bits are stored into the group of storage elements during a second write stage.
US08879317B2	System and method of decoding data from memory based on sensing information and decoded data of neighboring storage elements Systems and methods to decode data stored in a data storage device are disclosed. Data bits stored in a first group of storage elements are decoded using data in a second group of storage elements together with physical characteristics of the second group of storage elements to aid in the decoding of the first group of storage elements.
US08879314B2	Memory cell with Schottky diode Memory cell comprising two conductors, with a serially connected magnetic storage element and a Schottky diode between the two conductors. The Schottky diode provides a unidirectional conductive path between the two conductors and through the element. The Schottky diode is formed between a metal layer in one of the two conductors and a processed junction layer. Methods for process and for operation of the memory cell are also disclosed. The memory cell using the Schottky diode can be designed for high speed operation and with high density of integration. Advantageously, the junction layer can also be used as a hard mask for defining the individual magnetic storage element in the memory cell. The memory cell is particularly useful for magnetic random access memory (MRAM) circuits.
US08879312B2	Supply voltage generating circuit and semiconductor device having the same A supply voltage generating circuit includes a first charge pump circuit that generates a first internal supply voltage, and second charge pump circuit that generates a second internal supply voltage. The absolute value of the second internal supply voltage is greater than that of the first internal supply voltage. The output terminal of the first charge pump circuit is connected to a secondary-side charging terminal of the second charge pump circuit. The secondary-side is an output-side of the corresponding charge pump circuit, and the charging terminal is an auxiliary charging terminal that supplies an auxiliary charge to a secondary-side output terminal of the corresponding charge pump circuit. The output terminal of the second charge pump circuit outputs a voltage value that is the result of adding a prescribed voltage value to the value of the first internal supply voltage applied to the charging terminal.
US08879310B2	Semiconductor storage device A semiconductor storage device according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of bit lines, a plurality of word lines, and a plurality of memory cells each including a storage element and a switching element which are connected in series between adjacently paired ones of the bit lines. Gates of the switching elements of the memory cells connected between one of the adjacently paired ones of the bit lines are respectively connected to different ones of the word lines. A plurality of the storage elements and a plurality of the switching elements of the adjacent memory cells are alternately connected in series.
US08879302B2	Management of variable resistance data storage device Various embodiments may generally be directed to a variable resistance data storage device and a method of managing the device. A data storage device may have at least a controller configured to re-characterize at least one variable resistance memory cell in response to an identified variance from a predetermined resistance threshold.
US08879295B1	Electronic circuit for remapping faulty memory arrays of variable size A memory under repair having variable size blocks of failed memory addresses is connected to a TCAM comprising cells storing data values of ranges of the failed memory addresses in the memory under repair. The TCAM is connected to a virtual address line. Matchlines in the TCAM drive wordlines in a RAM connected to the TCAM. Each entry in the TCAM corresponds to one entry in the RAM and represents a single block of failed memory addresses. A first input of an XOR gate in an integrated circuit device is operatively connected to the RAM and a second input is operatively connected to the virtual address line. Responsive to a virtual address being an address in one of the ranges of failed memory addresses, the XOR gate calculates a physical memory address redirecting the virtual address to an unused good memory location in place of the failed memory address.
US08879293B2	Cooling system of server with AC and DC power sources and method of operating the same A cooling system of a server with an AC power source and a DC power source includes an AC input subsystem, a DC input subsystem, and a driving control subsystem. The AC input subsystem receives an external AC power source and provides a first DC voltage and a second DC voltage. The DC input subsystem receives an external DC power source and provides a third DC voltage and a fourth DC voltage. When the external AC power source normally works, the driving control subsystem controls the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage to supply a high-voltage cooling apparatus and a low-voltage cooling apparatus, respectively. When the external DC power source normally works, the driving control subsystem controls the fourth DC voltage and the third DC voltage to supply the high-voltage cooling apparatus and the low-voltage cooling apparatus, respectively.
US08879290B2	Unified control of single and three-phase power converters Provided herein are unified control methods and implementations for controlling single and three-phase power converters. In an exemplary embodiment, a unified controller is provided that can be used to control a three-phase three-wire Voltage Source Inverter (VSI), a three-phase four-wire VSI, a three-phase grid-connected power converter for current shaping, and a single-phase full bridge VSI.
US08879287B2	Apparatus and methods for feedback sensing in multi-cell power supplies Apparatus and methods in accordance with this invention provide a multi-cell power supply for receiving power from a source and delivering power at an output terminal to a load. The multi-cell power supply includes a first power cell coupled to the source, and a first current sensor circuit. The first power cell provides a first output current, and includes a first output terminal coupled to a reference node of the multi-cell power supply, and a second output terminal coupled to the output terminal. The first current sensor circuit includes a first current sensor and a power supply. The first current sensor is coupled to the first output terminal of the first power cell, and measures the first output current. The power supply is coupled to either the reference node or a floating ground node of the first power cell, and provides power to the first current sensor.
US08879286B2	Facility power supply with power-factor correction An embodiment of a power supply includes an input node, a converter stage, and an outlet. The input node is operable to receive an input AC signal having peak portions and non-peak portions. The converter stage is operable to generate a DC power signal from the input AC signal and to cause a first current to be drawn from the input node during at least the non-peak portions of the input AC signal. And the outlet is operable to carry the DC power signal. For example, such a power supply may be installed in a facility such as a residence, office building, or manufacturing plant, or the facility's existing power supply may be retrofitted, to provide one or more power outlets that each carry a respective power-factor-corrected (PFC) DC voltage. Because the outlet voltages are PFC voltages, the amount of wasted power dissipated in the facility power lines/wiring and in the main power lines from the power company may be significantly reduced, without requiring each piece of equipment (e.g., an appliance, machinery) that is wired/plugged into the outlets to have an onboard PFC. This savings in wasted power may provide a significant cost savings to both the facility owner (e.g., lower electric bill) and the power company (e.g., lower power-generation and grid costs), and the ability to use equipment lacking onboard PFCs may reduce the purchase price of the equipment.
US08879283B2	System and method providing protection in the event of current sensing failure for power converter System and method for protecting a power converter. The system includes a first comparator configured to receive a first threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a first comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Additionally, the system includes a second comparator configured to receive a second threshold signal and the first signal and to generate a second comparison signal. The second threshold signal is different from the first threshold signal in magnitude. Moreover, the system includes a first detection component configured to receive at least the second comparison signal, detect the second comparison signal only if one or more predetermined conditions are satisfied, and generate a first detection signal based on at least information associated with the detected second comparison signal.
US08879278B2	Datacommunications/telecommunications patching systems with bundled patch cord assembly A cord bundle assembly includes: a plurality of communications cords, each of the communications cords comprising a plurality of communications signal-carrying members, the communications cords being grouped as a bundle; and a cord management assembly. The cord management assembly includes: a fixed cuff that encircles and is fixed relative to the plurality of communications cords; a slip cuff that encircles and is slidable relative to the plurality of communications cords; and a generally cylindrical sleeve having first and second ends, the fixed cuff being mounted to the first end, and the slip cuff being mounted to the second end. This configuration can assist in the management and organization of cords arranged in a cord bundle as they are routed between communications equipment.
US08879263B2	Conducting heat away from a printed circuit board assembly in an enclosure A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is connected to a frame within a passage. The PCBA includes a circuitry package attached to a printed circuit board. The circuitry package has a peripheral edge extending from the printed circuit board to a distal end joined to a cap. A cover is attached to the frame to enclose the PCBA. A thermal interface material (TIM) is disposed between the cover and the PCBA, the TIM defining an opening sized to receivingly engage the circuitry package in a close mating engagement contacting the TIM simultaneously against the cap and the peripheral edge to conduct heat away from the circuitry package. A heat conductor attached to the other side of the printed circuit board in an overlapping opposition to the circuitry package conducts heat away from the printed circuit board that is generated by the circuitry package.
US08879259B2	Cooling system for onboard electrical power converter, and electrical power converter for railway vehicle A cooling system for an onboard electrical power converter in which a heat dissipation surface extends parallel to a flow of cooling air draft includes: a coolant tank containing coolant that includes a bottom surface being in thermal contact with the heat dissipation surface; a first conduit provided connecting to an upper surface of the coolant tank, the coolant flowing into the first conduit; a heat exchanger that comprises second conduits arranged with opposing the upper surface, and conducts the coolant to upstream; and a return unit that returns the coolant to the coolant tank; wherein the heat exchanger comprises heat dissipation fins through which the cooling air draft passes from a first to a second side, the heat dissipation fins being provided on surfaces of the second conduits, the first side not facing the coolant tank and the second side facing the coolant tank.
US08879250B2	Tablet support system A tablet support system includes a chassis housing a plurality of components that provide a critical mechanical stack of the system. The plurality of components include a display that faces a first direction. The chassis includes a second surface facing a second direction that is opposite the first direction. A support member channel extends into the second surface. A subset of the plurality of components are positioned in the chassis such that they are not located between the support member channel and the display screen. A support member is moveably coupled to the chassis and operable to move into a stored position in which the support member is positioned in the support member channel. The subset of the plurality of components are positioned to allow the support member to be flush with the second surface when in the stored position without adding to a maximum thickness of the system.
US08879242B2	Mobile power system A mobile power system comprises a plurality of energy sources, wherein at least one energy source is a solar powered generating device and at least one energy source is a wind powered generating device; a plurality of electronic and telecommunications components configured to receive the power generated by the plurality of energy sources and/or convert the power generated to direct current power; a plurality of batteries configured to store the direct current power; and at least one transportable housing configured to hold the plurality of energy sources, the plurality of electronic and telecommunications, and the plurality of batteries during transport of the housing, and wherein the housing is configured to remotely operate the at least one solar powered energy device and the at least one wind powered generating device when the mobile power system is in operation.
US08879237B2	Multilayer ceramic electronic component and method of manufacturing the same There is provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component, including: a ceramic body having dielectric layers and first and second internal electrodes alternately stacked therein; and first and second external electrodes electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes and formed at both ends of the ceramic body, wherein the ceramic body includes an effective layer contributing to capacitance formation and a protective layer provided on at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the effective layer, the protective layer including one or more step absorbing layers provided at both ends thereof, so that the multilayer ceramic electronic component can have excellent reliability by reducing defects such as electrode spreading, cracks, delamination and the like.
US08879236B2	Laminated ceramic electronic component Provided is a laminated ceramic electronic component having excellent mechanical characteristics, internal electrode corrosion resistance, high degree of freedom in ceramic material design, low cost, low defective rate, and various properties. The laminated ceramic electronic component includes: a laminate which has a plurality of laminated ceramic layers and internal electrodes at a plurality of specific interfaces between the ceramic layers and having an Al/Ni alloy as a component; and an external electrode formed on the outer surface of the laminate, wherein the Al/Ni ratio of the Al/Ni alloy is 85/15 or more.
US08879231B2	Method and arrangement for the sensorless operation of magnetic bearings A sensor system for a magnetic bearing, which has two actuator coils, two clocked power output stages, a current sensor for detecting those currents in the actuator coils which are encumbered with a ripple current, and a sensor interface. The clocked power output stages provide a pulse-width-modulated output voltage, the pulse width of which is narrowed or widened by small amounts in a predefined order, and the pulse widths of the clocked power output stages are modulated in a fixed phase relationship with respect to one another. The sensor system specifies a sensor system for a magnetic bearing with a clocked power output stage. A magnetic bearing, a control device for a magnetic bearing and a method for detecting the position in a magnetic bearing are also disclosed.
US08879230B2	IC EMI filter with ESD protection incorporating LC resonance tanks for rejection enhancement An integrated circuit (IC) electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter with electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection incorporating inductor-capacitor (LC) resonance tanks is disclosed. The filter comprises at least one circuit composed of a diode and an inductor connected in series, wherein the diode induces a parasitic capacitance and the circuit is grounded. When a number of the circuit is two, a passive element is coupled between the two inductors and cooperates with them to induce two parasitic capacitances connected with the circuits. When a number of the circuit is one, two diodes respectively connect with the inductor through two passive elements. Each diode can induce a parasitic capacitance. The two passive elements and the inductor can induce a parasitic capacitance connected with the circuit.
US08879229B2	Display panel driver circuit and overheat protection device thereof A display panel driver circuit includes multiple drivers adapted for cooperatively driving a display panel and each operable under a protection mode, and an overheat protection device including multiple protection circuits, each of which controls a respective one of the drivers to operate under the protection mode in response to receipt of an enable signal, an interface circuit which transmits the enable signal to each of the protection circuits in response to receipt of a warning signal, and multiple temperature detection circuits, each of which is able to detect a temperature associated with a respective one of the drivers, and outputs the warning signal to the interface circuit based on the temperature thus detected.
US08879228B2	Electronic safety device A method and electronic safety device including a switching element for disconnecting and/or limiting the current consumption of an electrical load, wherein control commands for the switching element are received through a remote control interface, and wherein the switching element is only switched on or off when the thermal load on the switching element is within a permissible range such that there is no longer any need to provide a dedicated relay in electrical systems for remote-controlled switching operations.
US08879221B2	ESD protection without latch-up A device having an ESD module is disclosed. The ESD module includes an ESD circuit coupled between first and second rails and a control circuit coupled between the rails and to the ESD circuit. When the control circuit senses an ESD event, it causes the ESD circuit to create a current path between the rails to dissipate ESD current. When no ESD event is sensed, the control circuit ensures that no current path is created between the rails to prevent latch-up.
US08879219B2	Systems and methods for grounding power line sections to clear faults Systems and methods for dynamically clearing faults in a power transmission line involve automatically terminating ends of a section of the power line while preserving electrical and/or physical continuity of the power line. The terminating of the ends is reversed at about voltage zero-crossings in the power line to clear a fault.
US08879214B2	Half metal trilayer TMR reader with negative interlayer coupling In an embodiment of the invention, a trilayer magnetoresistive sensor comprises an underlayer on which a first free layer is deposited. A barrier layer is then deposited after which a second free layer is deposited. A capping layer is then deposited above second free layer. The first free layer is a layer which includes at least a layer of a nitride of an element including at least one of Fe, Co, or Ni, or a multiple laminate structure of a layer containing a nitride of an element including at least one of Fe, Co, Ni and another ferromagnetic layer containing at least one of Fe, Co, or Ni. The combination of the first and second free layers causes anti-parallel coupling.
US08879209B2	Device select system for multi-device electronic system In one general embodiment, a system includes a first device on a first substrate; a second device on a second substrate; and a device select system coupled to the first and second devices. The device select system includes: a first portion having an array of first electrical contacts; a second portion having an array of second electrical contacts, there being more second electrical contacts than first electrical contacts, the second portion being coupled to the first and second devices, each of the first electrical contacts being associated with at least two of the second electrical contacts; and a select mechanism for selectively placing each of the first electrical contacts in electrical communication with one of the second electrical contacts associated therewith.
US08879177B2	Lens barrel and imaging device The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.
US08879166B2	Image capturing optical lens assembly An image capturing optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element with negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface. The third lens element has negative refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has a convex image-side surface. The sixth lens element with refractive power has a concave image-side surface, wherein an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element are aspheric, and the sixth lens element has at least one inflection point on the image-side surface thereof.
US08879163B2	Zoom lens and image capturing apparatus There is provided a zoom lens including, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. In zooming from a wide-angle end to a telescopic end, the first lens group moves to the object side in a manner that a distance toward the second lens group shortens, and a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group lengthens. The third lens group includes a single lens or a single cemented lens.
US08879162B2	Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus equipped with same A zoom lens comprises, in order from its object side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power and a second lens unit having a positive refractive power. The first lens unit comprises a first lens having a negative refractive power and a second lens having a positive refractive power. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expressions (1), (2), and (3): n1n≦1.70 (1), n1p≦1.70 (2), and \|ν1n−ν1p≧31 (3), where n1n is the refractive index of the first lens having a negative refractive power in the first lens unit for the d-line, ν1n is the Abbe constant of the first lens having a negative refractive power in the first lens unit, n1p is the refractive index of the second lens having a positive refractive power in the first lens unit for the d-line, and ν1p is the Abbe constant of the second lens having a positive refractive power in the first lens unit.
US08879158B2	Meta material and method of manufacturing the same Provided are a meta material and a method of manufacturing the same. The meta material comprises: a substrate; at least one conductive nano pattern patterned on the substrate and having a size with a negative refractive index in a predetermined electromagnetic wavelength band; and a dielectric layer covering the conductive nano patterns.
US08879156B2	Display system, head-up display, and kit for head-up displaying A head-up display device includes a light source, a reflector, a reflector control unit, and a surface. The light source provides a light signal that corresponds to display data. The reflector is disposed rotatably in a first optical path of the light signal. The reflector control unit receives a control signal corresponding to the display data and controls rotation of the reflector about a rotational center. The surface is disposed in a second optical path. When the reflector is rotated for a predetermined rotational angle by the reflector control unit according to the control signal, the light signal reflected by the reflector is projected on the surface to display an image corresponding to the display data on a predetermined region of the surface.
US08879140B2	System and method for providing DC power to an outside electrochromic mirror (OEC) using a pulse width modulated (PWM) input A power supply for supplying direct current (DC) power from a pulse width modulated (PWM) source includes a connector configured to be in electrical communication with a PWM power source. A hold-up circuit is in electrical communication with the connector and is configured to convert electrical power supplied from the PWM power source to DC power. This DC power is supplied to a drive circuit where a microcontroller is configured to control the drive circuit by supplying the DC power from the drive circuit to a load.
US08879134B2	Laser scanning optical device A laser scanning optical device includes: alight source having a plurality of emission points; a plate-like light source holder which holds the light source in a center of the light source holder; a base arranged to face the light source holder; and an attitude adjusting part which adjusts an attitude of the light source by adjusting a tilt of the light source holder, and the attitude adjusting part includes an inclined part and an inclination conveying part, and adjusts the tilt of the light source holder with respect to the base by displacing an abutting position of the inclined part corresponding to the inclination conveying part along an inclined surface of the inclined part.
US08879133B2	Multi-beam light source device, optical scanning device, and image forming apparatus A multi-beam light source device includes a vertical cavity surface emitting laser device having monolithically fabricated multiple light sources; an optical sensor to monitor an output of beams of light emitted from the vertical cavity surface emitting laser; a printed circuit board on which a driving circuit is formed to drive the vertical cavity surface emitting laser device based on monitoring signals from the optical sensor; a coupling lens to change the beams of light emitted from the vertical cavity surface emitting laser device to a predetermined state; a transparent board on which a wiring pattern is formed to wire an electrode of the vertical cavity surface emitting laser device and a terminal of the driving circuit; and a holding unit to integrally hold the vertical cavity surface emitting laser device, the optical sensor, the printed circuit board, the coupling device, and the transparent board.
US08879127B2	Illumination apparatus, image sensor unit, and paper sheet discriminating apparatus for discriminating an illuminated body A first light source and a second light source are arranged so that a protrusion direction of a first terminal from a first supporting body and a protrusion direction of a second terminal from a second supporting body are different when viewed in the longitudinal direction of a light guide. The first light source and the second light source are arranged so as to reduce a protrusion direction of the first supporting body and the second supporting body in a predetermined direction from an area where the first light source and the second light source overlap when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the light guide.
US08879121B2	Fuzzy match interpolated caching utilized in image-processsing applications Methods and systems for color conversion used in image-processing. In one approach, a caching strategy can be employed rather than a direct computation or a precomputed table. To improve the hit frequency and reduce storage requirements, a hash calculation in addition to comparison operations can be processed as a “near match” rather than an exact match. In another approach, “fuzzy match” caching can be implemented to reach the proper vicinity in the n-dimensional space, and then interpolation (or extrapolation) can refine the result.
US08879115B2	Image processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and storage medium An image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a printing unit. The acquisition unit acquires post-processing information indicating a capability of a post-processing unit specified by a received print job. The determination unit determines a target position on a recording sheet subjected to post-processing to be applied by the post-processing unit based on the post-processing information. The printing unit prints a marking image at the target position on the recording sheet determined by the determination unit. The printing unit prints the marking image so that a deviation of the post-processing by the post-processing unit can be recognized. In addition, the printing unit changes a shape of the marking image to a shape suitable for the accuracy expected for the post-processing, according to an accuracy expected for the post-processing to be applied by the post-processing unit set for a print instruction of the print job marking image.
US08879109B2	Image processing device An image processing device comprises an image data input means 2, an image data storage means 12 for storing the image data being input, an image data processing means 6 having multiple processing modes for outputting the stored image data, and a image data erasing means for erasing the image data stored in the storage means 12. The device further comprises erase count control means 8, 14 for controlling the number of times for erasing image data capable of having the number of times of erase set arbitrarily according to the security level required for each mode, and capable of having the set number of times of erase changed in mid-flow. Confidentiality is protected by performing erase operations repeatedly to the region storing the unnecessary image data according to the security level.
US08879101B2	Image forming apparatus and a communication method with trays thereof An image forming apparatus having a main body and optional trays and a communication method between the main body. optional trays. The apparatus includes the main body having a main controller, at least one optional tray detachably set up in the main body and having a tray controller for communicating with the main controller to transmit and receive data, and communication lines forming a communication channel connecting the main controller and the tray controllers, for data exchange, and for informing the main controller that the data is provided from tray controllers to the main controller. Since the main body and the optional trays communicate through a single UART communication channel, the number of communication channels is decreased.
US08879094B2	Image reading apparatus which is able to transfer an image to an external device and non-transitory computer readable medium Disclosed is an image reading apparatus including: an image reading section to read an image; a storage section to store the image; and a control section to detect whether or not the image reading section is in a state of pausing reading of the image, to determine transfer speed of the image to an external device based on a detected result, and to transfer the image to an external device at a determined transfer speed.
US08879093B2	Communication apparatus, control method, and storage medium for converting document information or image information input as a file into transmission data and transmitting the obtained data A control method for controlling a communication apparatus used for transmitting a file with efficiency and reliability according to a time required for the conversion processing when a file as a transmission object is converted into transmission data, and the control method includes converting an input file into transmission data, transmitting the transmission data obtained by the conversion processing, measuring a time required for the conversion processing, and controlling the communication apparatus based on the measured time so that, if a file whose time required for the conversion processing is greater than a predetermined value is to be transmitted, communication with the destination is started and the transmission data is transmitted after the conversion processing is executed, and if a file whose time required for the conversion processing is not greater than the predetermined value is to be transmitted, the conversion processing is executed after the communication with the destination is started, and the transmission data obtained by the conversion processing is transmitted.
US08879086B2	Printing apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium A printing apparatus according to this invention stores history information of a printed job, displays a list of jobs to be reprinted based on the stored job history information, and reprints a job selected from the displayed list of jobs to be reprinted. The printing apparatus restricts reprinting based on history information of a job using data obtained from a file server on a network.
US08879083B2	Printing method of attached file, and image forming apparatus and image forming system employing the same An attached file printing method of an image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus and system employing the same are provided. The attached file printing method of an image forming apparatus includes: determining whether there is a printable attached file in a printing target original document or not; converting at least one of the original document and the attached file to a printing data depending on the determining result; and printing the converted printing data.
US08879072B2	Laser scanning microscope and method for operation thereof Laser scanning microscope and method for the operation thereof having at least two detection channels which has at least one beamsplitter with a splitting of the sample light deviating from the 50:50 split and/or, with 50:50 split in the detection channels, has detectors with differently adjusted gain, or in at least one detection channel with equal light splitting has an additional light attenuator.
US08879070B2	Two beams formed by Wollaston prism in sample arm in an optical coherence tomography apparatus The scanning speed of a sample in Doppler OCT, etc., is increased to enable quick measurement of blood flow rate, blood flow volume, etc. Wideband light from a light source 2 is linearly polarized by a polarization controller 3 and this linearly polarized beam is split into vertically polarized light and horizontally polarized light using a Wollaston prism 14 at a sample arm, which are then irradiated simultaneously onto two different locations of the sample in the scanning direction using a galvanometer mirror 18, and reference light from a reference arm 5 and object light from a sample arm 6 are merged and caused to interfere with each other, with the resulting interference signal light passed through a diffraction grating 26 for spectroscopy, while the horizontal component and vertical component are separated by a polarized beam splitter 28, to simultaneously measure the components with two polarization-sensitive optical detectors 29, 30 and thereby obtain two tomography images of the same location at different times by one mechanical scan, thus allowing the amount of temporal change in phase to be measured using the two tomography images.
US08879066B2	Texture analysis of a painted surface using specular angle data A computer implemented method. The method includes obtaining, using a processor, spectral reflectance data from a spectrophotometric measurement of a target coating on a surface, wherein the measurement was taken at a specular angle, and removing, using the processor, at least a portion of the specular reflectance data that is attributable to a glossy coating of the surface. The method also includes constructing, using the processor, at least one spectral reflectance curve, and identifying, using the processor, at least one type of pigmentation effect of the target coating based at least in part on the at least one spectral reflectance curve.
US08879054B2	High resolution wavelength measurement system using a coarse, stable timing signal A source generates an optical test signal sweeping a bandwidth of wavelengths over time. The test signal is applied to a device under test (DUT) to generate a response signal. A timing signal generator connected to the source generates a timing signal having triggers at time instances corresponding to known wavelengths of the test signal. A DUT detector samples the DUT response signal generating sampled DUT data using a sampling period that is shorter than a shortest time between timing signal triggers. A correlator receives the timing signal, the known wavelengths associated with the timing signal triggers, the sampled DUT data and the DUT detector sampling period then correlates each sampled DUT datum to a wavelength of the test signal that was applied to the DUT when the DUT datum was sampled by interpolating the known wavelengths using the trigger time instances and the DUT detector sampling period.
US08879048B2	Device and method for determining the distance to an object A method and apparatus for defining, from a first periodic signal, a second signal of same period, including the steps of: generating a third signal exhibiting detectable events; and synchronizing the second signal for each event.
US08879040B2	Active matrix substrate and display device Disclosed is an active matrix substrate (1) including thereon: a plurality of signal lines (2); a plurality of scan lines (3) that intersect the signal lines (2); switching elements (4) disposed near intersections of the signal lines (2) and the scan lines (3); a plurality of input terminals (7) for inputting signals to the signal lines (2) and scan lines (3); and short-circuit wiring (8) disposed in an outer area with respect to the input terminals (7), where the short-circuit wiring (8) includes a trunk wiring line (8a) and a plurality of branch wiring lines (8b) that branch off from the trunk wiring line (8a) and that are connected to the respective input terminals (7), and a plurality of separator sections (9) are provided on the short-circuit wiring (8). The separator sections (9) electrically isolate the individual input terminals (7) and the trunk wiring line (8a) from each other.
US08879031B2	Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a method of manufacturing the same. The LCD may have a display area and a peripheral area. An organic layer of the peripheral area may be patterned using a half-tone mask, and a protrusion member may be formed in the peripheral area. Accordingly, the thin film transistor array panel and the corresponding substrate may be prevented from being temporary adhered in the peripheral area such that the density of the liquid crystal molecules filled in the peripheral area may be uniformly maintained and the display quality of the liquid crystal display may be improved.
US08879030B2	Active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus with complementary polarizer A transmitting liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal panel including a pair of substrates, a pair of polarizers arranged adjacent to the pair of substrates respectively, a liquid crystal layer held between the pair of substrates, and electrodes arranged on at least one of the pair of substrates and serving to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer; and a light source unit arranged external to the pair of substrates, in which each of the pair of polarizers has an absorption axis along with an extraordinary wave axis of molecules constituting the polarizers. In this apparatus, a dye layer having a disc-form molecular structure is arranged between the polarizer and the substrate, or adjacent to the polarizer in proximity to the viewer. The dye layer has a transmission axis along with the extraordinary wave axis of the disc-form molecular structure.
US08879026B2	Electronic device comprising a light guide having an image light area and an invalid light area wherein a decay ratio of a light beam in the invalid light area is 0˜15% or 85˜100% An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a light source, a light guide, a display unit and a frame. The light source provides a light beam. The light guide includes a light emitting surface and a light entering surface, wherein the light beam enters the light guide through the light entering surface, and is emitted from the light emitting surface. The display unit is corresponding to the light emitting surface, wherein the light beam is partially emitted from the light guide, passes through the display unit to display an image. The frame covers the display unit and the light guide, wherein the frame has a display portion and a transparent portion, the image is displayed in the display portion, and the light beam is partially emitted from the light guide toward the transparent portion and passes through the transparent portion.
US08879025B2	Transparent display device and electronic apparatus having the same A transparent display device for enhancing optical transmissivity in a transparent mode, is discussed. The transparent display device may include a liquid crystal panel; a light source disposed at one side of a lower portion of the liquid crystal panel to emit light; a first polarizing plate for polarizing the light emitted from the light source; a light guide plate disposed at a lower portion of the liquid crystal panel to totally reflect the light polarized to an axis by the first polarizing plate to a lateral surface thereof and supply to the liquid crystal panel, and transmit natural light entered from a lower direction therethrough; and a second polarizing plate disposed at an upper portion of the liquid crystal panel to control the amount of polarized light passing through the liquid crystal panel.
US08879021B2	Liquid crystal display device An LCD device adapted to become thinner and simultaneously prevent a defect (or fault) due to static electricity is discussed. The LCD device according to an embodiment includes a liquid crystal display panel, an upper case formed from an insulation material and configured to encompass edges of the liquid crystal display panel, a driver PCB (printed circuit board) configured to apply drive signals to one edge of the liquid crystal display panel, a light source configured to apply light to the liquid crystal display panel, a bottom cover formed from a metal material and configured to receive the light source, and a shielding film disposed under one edge of the upper case opposite to the driver PCB and electrically connected to the bottom cover.
US08879019B2	Liquid crystal display apparatus and electronic equipment A liquid crystal display apparatus including: a liquid crystal panel which includes a device substrate, a counter substrate arranged to face the device substrate, and a protruded section in which the device substrate protrudes from an end portion of the counter substrate; a lighting system which includes an optical sheet arranged on a side which is opposite a light emission side of the liquid crystal panel; and a first frame portion which supports an edge of the protruded section of the device substrate and includes a protruded plate section that protrudes between the device substrate and the optical sheet, wherein the first frame portion includes a first stage section which faces a side end surface of the device substrate and a second stage section which is arranged between an edge of the protruded plate section and the first stage and which faces an outline side of the optical sheet.
US08879018B2	Electronic apparatus and display thereof An electronic apparatus and a display thereof are disclosed. The display includes a back plate, a photoelectric converting module, and a display module. The back plate has an inner surface and an open is formed on the back plate. The back plate has an inner edge around the open. The inner edge is concave toward the direction back to inner surface to form a supporting part. The photoelectric converting module is disposed on the supporting part without protruding out of the inner surface. The photoelectric converting module has a light-receiving surface exposed to the open. The display module is disposed on the inner surface of the back plate and the display module covers the photoelectric converting module. The display module has a display surface back to the photoelectric converting module.
US08879013B2	Thin-film transistor liquid crystal display device, substrate, and manufacturing method A thin-film transistor liquid crystal display device includes: a substrate and a signal line, a scan line, a pixel electrode, and a thin-film transistor that are formed on the substrate. The signal line and the scan line are arranged to intersect each other. The pixel electrode is located in a pixel display zone enclosed by the intersected signal line and scan line. The thin-film transistor includes a gate terminal, a source terminal, and a drain terminal. The gate terminal is electrically connected to the scan line. The drain terminal is electrically connected to the signal line. The source terminal is arranged at a position corresponding to the intersection of the signal line and the scan line and is electrically connected to the pixel electrode.
US08879011B2	Display device and method for manufacturing the same An object is to provide a display device with excellent display characteristics, where a pixel circuit and a driver circuit provided over one substrate are formed using transistors which have different structures corresponding to characteristics of the respective circuits. The driver circuit portion includes a driver circuit transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed using a metal film, and a channel layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The pixel portion includes a pixel transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed using an oxide conductor, and a semiconductor layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The pixel transistor is formed using a light-transmitting material, and thus, a display device with higher aperture ratio can be manufactured.
US08879008B2	Stereo-scopic image panel, stereo-scopic image display apparatus having the same and driving method thereof A stereoscopic image panel according to the present invention includes: a liquid crystal layer; a first parallax barrier layer including a first electrode unit adjacent to one side of the liquid crystal layer and a second electrode unit opposite the other side of the liquid crystal layer; and a second parallax barrier layer including a third electrode unit opposite one side of the liquid crystal layer, between the liquid crystal layer and the first electrode unit, and a fourth electrode unit positioned adjacent to the second electrode unit, wherein the second electrode unit is positioned between the liquid crystal layer and the fourth electrode unit.
US08878999B2	Detection of graphics added to a video signal The invention allows detecting which graphics, if any, have been added to the video signal at any given time by utilizing only the various signals provided by prior art hardware. A first video signal, graphics signal(s), and a second video signal are received. It is then determined which graphics, if any, are present in a given frame of the received second video signal based on comparing actual values of pixels of the received second video signal and calculated values of pixels derived from the first video signal, and the graphics signal(s), and the combination of graphics signal(s) which produces the best match is searched for.
US08878993B2	Image data processing apparatus An image data processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a base clock output circuit for outputting a base clock; a plurality of image processors; and a plurality of external PLL circuits provided for each one of the plurality of image processors. The plurality of external PLL circuits each synchronize an output clock given from a corresponding one of the plurality of image processors with the base clock.
US08878976B2	Image capture systems with focusing capabilities Embodiments of the invention describe providing image focusing capabilities for a lens unit of an image capture system by disposing a solid state die over the lens unit. The solid state die may include a plurality of electrodes to receive a voltage or electric signal to generate an electric field. The refractive index of the solid state die will change in response to the generated electric field to focus the image or scene captured by the lens unit. The solid state die is mounted to a folded flexible printed circuit board in a housing or a molded housing having electrodes on its inner wall.
US08878973B2	Solid-state imaging device According to one embodiment, a pixel that outputs a photoelectrically-converted pixel signal, a column ADC circuit that converts the pixel signal output from the pixel into a digital value, a test-signal generating unit that generates a test signal with which the column ADC circuit is tested, and a switching circuit that switches between the pixel signal output from the pixel and the test signal generated in the test-signal generating unit to input to the column ADC circuit are included.
US08878971B2	Image sensing apparatus, image sensing apparatus control method, and imaging system An image sensing apparatus comprises: an output unit which includes an output line group, a plurality of difference circuits, a first dummy line, and a second dummy line, and wherein the output line group is interposed between the first dummy line and the second dummy line, a readout unit includes a plurality of memory circuits, each of the plurality of memory circuits includes a first holding capacitance and a second holding capacitance, a gain determined by a ratio of a capacitance value of the first holding capacitance and a capacitance value of a first output line is applied to the first signal output to the first output line, and a gain determined by a ratio of a capacitance value of the second holding capacitance and a capacitance value of a second output line is applied to the second signal output to the second output line.
US08878966B2	Image pickup apparatus having focus detecting function An image pickup apparatus having an image pickup element with a plurality of image pickup pixels and a plurality of focus detection pixels, a focus detector performing a focus detection based on the output from the focus detection pixels corresponding to a focus detection area, and a setter configured to set a usable F-number based on stored information of a defective pixel that exists in the focus detection pixels. When the defective pixel exists in the focus detection pixels corresponding to the focus detection area, if an F-number is within the usable F-number, the focus detector performs focus detection by using the output from the defective pixel, and if the F-number is out of the usable F-number, the focus detector performs focus detection without using such output.
US08878964B2	Image capture apparatus An image capture apparatus including a detecting unit configured to detect focus detecting system dust, and a controller configured to perform control so that captured image information is stored in a memory, wherein the controller performs control so that information about the detected focus detecting system dust is stored in the memory.
US08878955B2	Tagging camera A tagging camera device may include an image capturing logic configured to receive an image signal containing data representing at least one of a photographic image and a digital video. The tagging camera device may further include database communication logic configured to receive from at least one database data representing information from an online social network. The tagging camera device may further include identification logic configured to receive an identifying signal containing data identifying one or more objects appearing in the at least one of the photographic image and the digital video. The tagging camera device may further include tagging logic configured to tag a portion of the at least one of the photographic image and the digital video by associating the portion of the at least one of the photographic image and the digital video with the data representing information from the online social network based on the data identifying the one or more objects appearing in the at least one of the photographic image and the digital video, where the tagging logic is configured to automatically tag the portion of the at least one of the photographic image and the digital video.
US08878939B2	Apparatus and method for subject tracking, and recording medium storing program thereof A subject tracking apparatus, including: a storage section that stores image data of a subject; a division section that divides the image data of the subject into a plurality of first areas; an imaging section that sequentially generates image frames; a specification section that specifies a second area similar to one of the first areas, the second area being included in each of the image frames sequentially generated, based on a characteristic value of one of the first areas into which the image data of the subject is divided by the division section; and a tracking section that tracks an image area as the subject in each of the image frames sequentially generated, wherein the image area is determined based on the second area specified by the specification section.
US08878932B2	System and method for detecting the surrounding environment of a motor vehicle using as adjustable infrared night vision system In a night vision system with which an image recording unit records the image of the surroundings of a motor vehicle, the recorded image is displayed by means of a display, wherein the position of the image recording device (2) is changed according to the driving situation.
US08878931B2	Systems and methods for managing video data Described herein are systems and methods for managing video data. In overview, various embodiments provide software, hardware and methodologies associated with the management of video data. In overview, a distributed DVM system includes a plurality of discrete DVM systems, which may be geographically or notionally distributed. Each discrete DVM system includes a respective central DVM database server thereby to provide autonomy to the discrete system. This server supports one or more camera servers, these camera servers in turn each being configured to make available live video data from one or more cameras. Each system additionally includes one or more clients, which provide a user interface for displaying video data (such as video data from one of the cameras). The discrete DVM systems are primarily linked by way of a centralized database server/database server communications interface. However, the clients are configured to connect directly to camera servers belonging to their local DVM system or a remote DVM system in the distributed architecture.
US08878921B2	Imaging system An imaging system includes: an illumination unit that emits illumination light to illuminate a subject; a light receiving unit in which pixels that receive light and photoelectrically convert the received light to generate an electric signal are two-dimensionally arranged; a read unit that sequentially reads the electric signal from the pixels for each horizontal line; and an illumination controller that controls the illumination unit to emit a pulse of the illumination light during a period straddling a read period of the read unit for a first horizontal line and a read period for a second horizontal line which is adjacent to the first horizontal line and which is read immediately after the first horizontal line.
US08878920B2	Method and apparatus for protection from high intensity light A method and apparatus where the output from a high intensity light source is controlled to produce well-exposed images/videos and to reduce automatically the intensity when an unsafe issue is detected in medical devices such as endoscopes and the like. The method and apparatus overcome problems to control light sources that have high-frequency noise, slow-response time, nonlinearity, and non-monotonic response time and to protect the patients' tissues from possible overheating/burning and the eyes of personnel and patients from possible direct exposure to high intensity light used in medical devices such as endoscopes and the like.
US08878914B2	Stereoscopic image display system and projection-type image display apparatus An image display unit, such as a projection-type image display apparatus, displays a first image and a second image, having a predetermined parallax relative to the first image, onto a predetermined display region by dividing the first image and the second image temporally or spatially. First eyeglasses are to be worn by a first viewer to see the first image and the second image displayed on the display region. Second eyeglasses are to be worn by a second viewer to see the first image and the second image displayed on the display region, and the second viewer faces the first viewer in a direction parallel to the plane of display. The first eyeglasses perform a function of having the right eye of the first viewer see the first image and having the left eye of the first viewer see the second image. The second eyeglasses perform a function of having the right eye of the second viewer see the second image and having the left eye of the second viewer see the first image.
US08878913B2	Extended command stream for closed caption disparity A method of transporting data within a DTV bit stream involves in a stream of digital video closed caption data packets, receiving closed caption text and a two bit extended packet control field; where the two bit extended packet control field has a value that designates that the information in cc_data_1 and cc_data_2 fields of the digital video closed caption data packets contain an extended packets within the digital video closed caption data packets; receiving the extended packets within the digital video closed caption data packets in the cc_data_1 and cc_data_2 fields that carry extended channel packets. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08878910B2	Stereoscopic image partial area enlargement and compound-eye imaging apparatus and recording medium A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes: a display device; an acquisition device for acquiring a left eye image and a right eye image; a first display control device for displaying a stereoscopic image on the display device based on the left and right eye image; an instruction reception device for receiving an instruction indicating enlargement and display of a partial area deviated in a horizontal direction from a center of the stereoscopic image; a cut-out device for cutting out areas necessary for the enlargement and display from the left and right eye image in response to the instruction; a deviation amount calculation unit for calculating a deviation amount in a vertical direction between a center of the left eye image and a center of the right eye image; an image movement device for moving the left eye image and/or the right eye image in the vertical direction by the calculated deviation amount; and a second display control device for enlarging and displaying the partial area on the display device based on the image after the movement.
US08878900B2	Non photorealistic rendering of augmented reality A method and system for rendering a captured image of a scene is disclosed which provide see-through vision through the rendered image, for example of an augmented reality object rendered behind the scene, by assigning pixel transparency values in dependence upon captured image pixels. The method and system preserve some structure of the scene in the rendered image without requiring a model of the scene.
US08878898B2	Smart 3D HDMI video splitter A smart 3D HDMI video splitter is disclosed. When a 3D video signal enters the smart splitter, a field-programmable gate array converts the 3D signal so that the smart 3D HDMI video splitter outputs a 3D or 2D signal according to the type of the television, display or AVR amplifier.
US08878885B2	Image forming apparatus and image forming method An image forming apparatus includes a sheet-linear-velocity setting unit, an image-formation-rate changing unit, a detecting unit, and first and second correcting units. When printing is performed with a first sheet linear velocity, the first correcting unit performs misregistration correction according to a result of detection of a misregistration correction pattern image by the detecting unit. When the sheet-linear-velocity setting unit sets a second sheet linear velocity other than the first sheet linear velocity, the second correcting unit corrects an adjustment amount used in the misregistration correction performed by the first correcting unit, according to a ratio between first and second coefficients. The first coefficient indicates a ratio of an actual image formation rate at the first sheet linear velocity to an ideal image formation rate, and the second coefficient indicates a ratio of an actual image formation rate at the second sheet linear velocity to an ideal image formation rate.
US08878873B2	Enhanced visibility of avatars satisfying a profile Disclosed is a computer implemented method, computer program product, and apparatus to decorate visible attributes of a rendered avatar. A server may collect a first user profile of a first avatar, the first user profile having at least one interest of a user. Next, the server may receive a location of the first avatar, wherein the location is associated with a view to at least a second avatar. The server can identify the second avatar among a group of avatars visible with respect to the first avatar. Further, the server may read a target profile of the second avatar then determine whether the second user profile satisfies a criterion based on the first user profile and the target profile. In addition, the server may render a modified rendered avatar to a client, responsive to the determination that the target profile satisfies the criterion.
US08878867B2	Transparency information in image or video format not natively supporting transparency Colour information and transparency information of pixels of a source image, which may be a partially transparent overlay image of a format that natively support transparency, are stored as a transformed image. The transformed image is of a format that does not natively support transparency. The transformed image has two disjoint regions, one storing the source color information and the other storing the source transparency information. The transformed image can be used as a representation of the overlay image when compositing with a base image.
US08878863B2	Portable terminal The portable terminal includes a display unit configured to display a screen; a first buffer and a second buffer configured to sequentially store display data for the displayed screen; a first determination unit configured to determine whether to perform single-buffer control or double-buffer control based on update data for the displayed screen; and a setting unit configured to set, if single-buffer control is appropriate, a display control method of the display unit to a display control method using the first buffer and to set, if double-buffer control is appropriate, a display control method of the display unit to a display control method using the first buffer and the second buffer.
US08878861B2	Conversion between z-scanning indices, raster-scanning indices and 2-D coordinates using simple bit-operations in HEVC Conversion between z-scanning indices, raster-scanning indices and two-dimensional coordinates uses simple bit-operations in high efficiency video coding. Depending on the conversion, certain bits are extracted from one representation to obtain positions of another representation, or bits are interleaved to generate another representation. Conversion is able to be between any of z-scanning indices, raster-scanning indices and (x,y) representations.
US08878857B2	Methods and apparatuses for expressing animation in a data stream Methods of expressing animation in a data stream are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of expressing animation in a data stream includes defining animation states in the data stream with each state having at least one property such that properties are animated as a group. The animation states that are defined in the data stream may be expressed as an extension of a styling sheet language. The data stream may include web content and the defined animation states.
US08878853B2	Visualization of a collection of orders Systems and methods may provide tools for uniformly visualizing a series of one or more orders, wherein orders of vastly different prices, order types, and order assets may be commingled on the same display screen. Such a collection of tools may be sorted for display. The displays may be buy/sell independent, handle any size bid/ask spread, and allow easy determination of the relative marketability of each order. Such systems and methods may help a user to focus on orders requiring the most attention.
US08878851B2	Method and system for streaming documents, e-mail attachments and maps to wireless devices A method for streaming vector images to wireless devices, including receiving a request from a wireless device for a portion of a vector image and a target display width and height, the vector image including a plurality of vector primitives, determining which of the vector primitives are positioned so as to overlap the requested portion, clipping the overlapping vector primitives with the portion, and transmitting the clipped vector primitives that overlap the portion. A system and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed.
US08878850B2	Product modeling system and method A product modeling system and method are provided. On one embodiment, the product modeling system is used to model a piece of apparel, such as a shirt, with a design wherein the model with the design is used to display the piece of apparel with the design to a consumer.
US08878849B2	Horizon split ambient occlusion The method includes receiving a plurality of graphics primitives for rendering at a GPU of a computer system and rendering graphics primitives into pixel parameters of the pixels of a display, wherein the parameters include pixel depth values and pixel normal values. For each pixel of the display, an ambient occlusion process is performed. The algorithm takes as input a ND-buffer containing pixel depth values and pixel normals. Based on the pixel 3-D position and the pixel normal vector, horizon heights are computed by sampling the ND-buffer and an occlusion term is computed for each pixel based on the horizon heights. Based on the pixel 3-D position, the pixel normal vector, a normal occlusion term is computed by sampling the ND-buffer above the horizon in multiple directions. An ambient occlusion illumination value is computed by combining the horizon occlusion term and the normal occlusion term.
US08878846B1	Superimposing virtual views of 3D objects with live images Methods and systems for superimposing virtual views of 3D objects with live images are provided. An example method may include determining 3D geometry information associated with an environment using one or more sensors of a mobile device, and recognizing 3D objects in the environment based on a database of 3D objects and the 3D geometry information. The method may also include determining a field of view of the environment based on a position of the mobile device in the environment and rendering an image of one or more of the 3D objects that are within the field of view. The rendered image may have a given perspective that is based on a viewpoint position from which the mobile device is viewed. The rendered image may also be combined with a live image of the field of view that is presented by the mobile device.
US08878837B2	Image processing apparatus having on-screen display function and method thereof An image processing apparatus having an on-screen display (OSD) function includes a processing circuit and an OSD circuit. The OSD circuit generates OSD data, and the on-screen data comprises left-eye display data and right-eye display data. The processing circuit processes image data, which comprises left-eye image data and right-eye image data, and respectively blends the left-eye and right-eye display data of the OSD data with the left-eye and right-eye image data of the image data to generate combined image data.
US08878836B2	Method and apparatus for encoding datastream including additional information on multiview image and method and apparatus for decoding datastream by using the same Provided are a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a datastream into which multiview image information is inserted. The method of decoding a multiview image datastream includes extracting multiview image information including information on at least one view image of a multiview image, from at least one elementary stream of the multiview image datastream; extracting a multiview image parameter regarding the multiview image based on the number of elementary streams and a correlation between view images of the multiview image; and restoring the multiview image by using the extracted multiview image parameter and the extracted multiview image information.
US08878835B2	System and method for using feature tracking techniques for the generation of masks in the conversion of two-dimensional images to three-dimensional images The present invention is directed to systems and methods for controlling 2-D to 3-D image conversion and/or generation. The methods and systems use auto-fitting techniques to create a mask based upon tracking features from frame to frame. When features are determined to be missing they are added prior to auto-fitting the mask.
US08878833B2	Systems, methods, and apparatus for recording of graphical display Embodiments include systems, methods, and apparatus configured to record (A) protocol requests that specify display operations on a screen image and (B) information copied from a display buffer storing the screen image. Such embodiments may also be configured to record states relating to an appearance of an output of the display operations. In some of these embodiments, the copied information is stored in the form of pseudo-protocol requests.
US08878830B2	Ambient light detection Ambient light is detected by a photodiode circuit by measuring the time taken for a digital output of the photodiode circuit to change state in response to exposure of a photodiode of the photodiode circuit to that ambient light. A nominal time for state change is calculated based on photodiode circuit characteristics. Furthermore, an effective time for the photodiode circuit digital output to change state is determined in a calibration mode where the photodiode has been disconnected and a reference current is applied to the circuit. An illumination value of the detected ambient light is then calculated as a function of: the measured time, the effective time and the nominal time.
US08878825B2	System and method for providing a variable refresh rate of an interferometric modulator display Embodiments includes methods and systems for updating display devices at a variable refresh rate. One embodiment includes a method of updating an image displayed on a display device. The method includes setting an indicator to a first state that indicates that image data has been received subsequent to a previous update of a display device and periodically updating at least a portion of the display device to display the image. The updating is deferred for at least one period when the indicator is in a state other than the first state. In another embodiment, updates of the display are substantially asynchronous and occur as the processor writes data to one or more shift registers. When a shift register is filled, for example, having received data for a row within the display, the data in the shift register is written to the display. Other embodiments include methods of manufacturing such devices.
US08878817B2	Area sensor and liquid crystal display device with area sensor A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel (20) having an area sensor function of detecting the position of an input from an outside source by detecting an image on a panel surface. The liquid crystal panel (20) (position detecting section), provided with visible light sensors (31A) each containing light sensor elements (30) that detect the intensity of received visible light and infrared light sensors (31B) each containing light sensor elements (30) that detect the intensity of received infrared light, which detects an input position by the visible light sensors (31A) and the infrared light sensors (31B) separately detecting an image on the detector surface. The liquid crystal display device further includes a backlight (light-emitting section) for irradiating the liquid crystal panel (20) with light containing infrared light. This achieves an area sensor capable of accurate position detection in a wide range of environmental illuminances and a liquid crystal display device equipped with such an area sensor.
US08878811B1	Integrated normal sensing and proximity sensing on a multi-dimensional sensor array Apparatuses and methods for coupling a group of sensor elements together in one mode to collectively measure a capacitance on the group of sensor elements, in addition to individually measuring a capacitance on each of the sensor elements in another mode. The apparatus may include a processing device, and a plurality of sensor elements that are individually coupled in a first mode for normal sensing and collectively coupled in a second mode for proximity sensing.
US08878810B2	Touch screen supporting continuous grammar touch gestures Touch screen user interfaces for controlling software applications, computers, devices, machinery, and process environments with “continuous grammar” touch gestures which begin with finger postures contacting the touch screen with one part of the hand and which conclude with finger postures contacting the touch screen with a different part of the hand without breaking contact with the touch screen. The touch screen can be realized sensor array configured with a visual display arranged to detect touch from one or more fingers. In addition to recognizing simple touch gestures, algorithms comprised by the user interface are additionally arranged to be responsive to pluralities of finger postures executed sequentially without breaking contact with the touch screen. Such user interfaces can be easily used and provide a wide range of uses with computer applications, assistance to the disabled, and control of electronic devices, machines, and processes. Enhancements can include velocity and pressure sensing capabilities.
US08878809B1	Touch-screen user interface A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
US08878807B2	Gesture-based user interface employing video camera Systems and methods for providing a free-space gesture-based user interface for a computer workstation and desktop software applications are disclosed. In one implementation, the system includes a video camera to generate real-time video signals responsive to a user gesture as observed by the video camera, and a processor to generate control signals responsive to the real-time video signals responsive to the user gesture observed by the video camera. The control signals are used to control a desktop software application executing on the computer workstation, such that at least one aspect of the desktop software application is responsive to the user gesture observed by the video camera.
US08878803B2	Display device A liquid crystal display device includes a glass substrate having a first main surface, a glass substrate spaced apart from a first substrate and having a second main surface facing said first main surface, and a highly-sensitive sensor and a low-sensitive sensor arranged between the glass substrate and the glass substrate.
US08878800B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer-readable storage medium A method is provided for generating a command for executing a process according to analyzed input data. The method comprises calculating a movement speed of a plurality of operating members based on input data corresponding to input operations of the operating members. The method further comprises analyzing the input data based on the movement speed. The method also comprises generating a command for executing a process according to the analyzed input data.
US08878799B2	Method for finely controlling contents and portable terminal supporting the same A method for coarsely and finely controlling contents via respective main and auxiliary sliders, and a portable terminal supporting the same are provided. The portable terminal includes: a display unit displaying a main slider including a slidable path of a predetermined length for designating a predetermined region of contents and an auxiliary slider extending at least a part of a slidable path of the main slider; a touch screen detecting a signal for selectively displaying the auxiliary slider; and a controller for performing a control operation to display the auxiliary slider according to generation of the signal.
US08878791B2	Event generation based on print portion identification An optical scanner is configured to scan multiple print portions of a body part such as a finger. The optical scanner identifies a first one of the print portions in an area of an optical surface. An event such as launching an application is generated based on identifying the first print portion in the area of the optical surface. In addition, various events can be generated based on different combinations of print portions in different areas of the optical surface.In a second embodiment, a property detector is configured to identify different properties of a sleeve in different areas of a surface. An event is generated based on the detection of a property of the sleeve in an area of the surface.
US08878790B2	Microelectronic pressure sensor A microelectronic pressure sensor comprises a MOSFET transistor adapted with a mobile gate and a cavity between the mobile gate and a substrate. The sensor includes a gate actuator configured to move mobile gate in response to a pressure being exercised. A fingerprint recognition system includes a matrix of such sensors.
US08878789B2	Character specification system and method that uses a limited number of selection keys A method and apparatus of identifying and selecting characters from among a plurality of characters. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer processor electronically enables identification of each of a plurality of characters arranged in a one-dimensional array. Each character is identified by an integer value that corresponds to the number of positions the character is offset from a reference position of the one-dimensional array. The computer processor electronically enables selection of any of the characters by receiving input resulting from activation of selection keys that specify the integer value of a character desired for selection. In one further embodiment, each selection key has an assigned integer value, and the integer value that identifies the selected character is calculated by summing the assigned integer values of each selection key activated for each instance that each selection key is activated within a selectable-length time period.
US08878788B2	Touch screen device with surface switch A portable electronic device comprising an external surface of a user interface, a piezoelectric transducer coupled to the external surface, and a controller. The piezoelectric transducer generates an electrical output originating at the piezoelectric transducer in response to mechanical actuation applied at the external surface. The controller performs an electronic function of the portable electronic device in response to the piezoelectric transducer generating the electrical output.
US08878781B2	Input device and electronic apparatus An input device includes an input operation surface that includes one or more specific regions, can be operated by an indicator, and is provided separately from a display screen; a detection unit that detects an operation position of the indicator; a region creating unit that creates a discrimination region while using the operation position as a base point when it is detected that the operation position of the indicator is positioned in the specific region; and a discrimination unit that uses a fact that a moving direction of the indicator from the base point, when the indicator moves within the discrimination region, is positioned on at least a line, which traverses the specific region substantially in parallel or obliquely, as conditions that allow a predetermined function to be performed on the display screen. When the discrimination unit discriminates that the conditions are satisfied, a performance signal is output.
US08878778B2	Information processing apparatus, and control method and program therefor One of the aspects of the disclosure is directed to displaying an image according to attribute information thereof in a display area having a time axis based on an item of predetermined attribute information, and when changing a display range on the time axis, allowing a user to easily designate a point to be a reference thereof. An information processing apparatus according to the present invention displays an image in the display area having the time axis according to date and time information of the image. The information processing apparatus moves a mouse cursor on the display area according to a user's operation, and sets a reference after the display range is changed.
US08878777B2	Corner control Methods, program products, and systems for corner control are described. Each of the four corners of a rectangular display field can be individually configured to be a rounded corner or an angled corner. In some implementations, a method can include providing a user interface item for display. The user interface item can include four control elements. Each of the control elements can correspond to a corner of a display field. Each of the control elements can individually and independently control a shape of the corresponding corner of the display field. The display field can have one or more corners in rounded shape and one or more corners in angled shape, according to user input received through the user interface item.
US08878768B2	Display device Provided is a display device that includes a display panel; and a touch panel integrated in the display panel, wherein the touch panel has a plurality of scanning electrodes, a plurality of detection electrodes that intersects with the plurality of scanning electrodes, drive signal supply unit for inputting a drive signal to each of the scanning electrodes, detection unit for acquiring a detection signal from each of the detection electrodes, touch position detection unit for detecting a touch position of an detection object based on the detection signal when the drive signal is sequentially input to each of the scanning electrodes from the drive signal supply unit, and approach detection unit for detecting that the detection object approaches the touch panel based on the detection signal when a scanning voltage is collectively input to all of the scanning electrodes from the drive signal supply unit.
US08878766B2	Apparatus and methods for selecting light emitters for a transmissive display Provided are devices and methods for providing front-of screen uniformity. Methods include estimating a filter function corresponding to the display and selecting multiple light emitters as a function of characteristics corresponding to light transmitted from the display as determined via the filter function. Devices are provided that include multiple light emitters including a first chromaticity difference corresponding to the multiple light emitters and a second chromaticity difference corresponding to the multiple light emitters and a filter function, wherein the second chromaticity difference is less than the first chromaticity difference.
US08878765B2	Gate shift register and display device using the same A gate shift register and a display device using the same are disclosed. The gate shift register includes a plurality of stages that receive a plurality of gate shift clocks and sequentially output a scan pulse. A k-th stage of the plurality of stages includes a scan direction controller for converting a shift direction of the scan pulse in response to carry signals of previous stages input through first and second input terminals and carry signals of next stages input through third and fourth input terminals, a node controller for controlling charging and discharge operations of each of Q1, Q2, QB1, and QB2 nodes, a floating prevention unit for applying a low potential voltage to a gate electrode of a discharge TFT based on a voltage of the QB1 node or the QB2 node, and an output unit for outputting first and second scan pulses.
US08878738B2	Tunable antenna integrated system and module thereof The tunable antenna integrated system may include a tunable antenna module, a bias module, a direct current control module, and a RF module. The tunable antenna module may include a tunable capacitor and an antenna. The tunable capacitor may have the capacitance thereof adjusted according to an adjusting voltage. A resonant frequency of the antenna is controlled by the tunable capacitor. The bias module has a digital/analog converter for receiving a control voltage to generate the adjusting voltage, and the adjusting voltage may be outputted to the tunable capacitor with the value thereof larger than that of the control voltage. The direct current control module is connected to the bias module for outputting the control voltage to the digital/analog converter. The RF module is connected to the bias module, and a RF signal is transmitted between the tunable antenna module and the RF module through the bias module.
US08878736B2	RFID system and method An RFID system includes an RFID antenna assembly configured to be positioned on a product module assembly of a processing system. The product module assembly is configured to releasably engage at least one product container. A first RFID tag assembly configured to be positioned on the at least one product container. The at least one product container is configured to position the first RFID tag assembly within a detection zone of the RFID antenna assembly whenever the product module assembly releasably engages the at least one product container.
US08878733B2	Antenna holding device for electromagnetic measurements A holding device for holding test antennas includes a base, a sliding plate, a holding pole, and a support block. The sliding plate is slidably mounted on the base. The holding pole is fixed on the sliding plate, and a length of the holding pole is adjustable. The support block is fixed on the holding pole and configured for receiving the test antennas. The holding pole and the sliding plate change a position of the support block along a first axis and a second axis, respectively.
US08878730B2	Antenna module and electronic apparatus An antenna module and an electronic apparatus are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a housing and the antenna module. The housing has an inner surface. The antenna module includes a circuit board, a proximity sensor and a sensing antenna patch. The circuit board is disposed in the housing, and has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface. The circuit board has a communication antenna pattern on the top surface. The proximity sensor is mounted on the bottom surface. The sensing antenna patch is assembled on the inner surface of the housing and electrically connected to the proximity sensor. An orthogonal projection of the communication antenna pattern on the inner surface overlaps the sensing antenna patch on the inner surface.
US08878729B2	Electric conductive trace An electric conductive trace includes an arch-shaped variation of a shape of at least a portion of a fractal of at least a second iteration. The portion of the fractal is larger than double of a first iteration of the fractal. The shape varied to be arch-shaped for changes of direction includes a curve radius larger than a predefined minimum curve radius.
US08878727B2	Antenna-module hybrid circuit A hybrid circuit with an integral antenna module, including an electronic circuit that includes circuit elements; and an antenna module including a dielectric material shaped to form a void enclosed by the dielectric material, a conducting patch on one side of the dielectric material. Wherein the circuit elements are enclosed by the dielectric material, so that the elements of the circuit are positioned inside the void formed by the dielectric material.
US08878714B2	Method and apparatus for clockless conversion of voltage value to digital word Method and apparatus for mapping the converted voltage value by electric charge value proportional to the converted voltage value and in accumulation of charge in the sampling capacitor until the voltage on this capacitor is equal to the converted voltage. Furthermore, realization of the process of that electric charge redistribution in the array of redistribution by changes of states of signals from relevant control outputs and in assignment of relevant values to bits in the digital word by means of the control module. As soon as accumulation of electric charge in the sampling capacitor is terminated, electric charge is accumulated in the additional sampling capacitor then the process of that electric charge redistribution is realized and relevant values are assigned to bits of the digital word. When a trigger signal is detected, next cycle begins and electric charge is accumulated in the sampling capacitor.
US08878713B1	Crossbar switch calibration system for facilitating analog-to-digital conversion monotonicity A system includes an array of comparators configured to convert an analog input to a digital output, a switch configured to adjust output bits of the digital output, and a control logic; the control logic is configured to initialize the switch and a direct-current source coupled to the analog input; the control logic is configured to increase the direct-current source in incremental steps of a minimal voltage value corresponding to the least significant bit of the digital output; and the control input is also configured to cause the switch to adjust one or more output bits of the digital output based at least in part on a value of the output bit corresponding to the current incremental step.
US08878709B2	Semiconductor integrated circuit and liquid crystal drive circuit Disclosed herein is a semiconductor integrated circuit including: line buffers; an alpha channel first selector; an alpha channel digital-to-analog converter; a beta channel digital-to-analog converter; a redundant digital-to-analog converter; an alpha channel second selector; a beta channel second selector; an alpha channel amplifier; and a beta channel amplifier.
US08878708B1	Systems and methods for processing and recording audio Improved systems and methods for processing and recording audio received from one or more wired or wireless devices. In one aspect, the dynamic range of an analog-to-digital conversion system is extended. In another aspect, processes for generating a timecode, displaying and/or freezing a timecode display, and displaying an electronic timecode slate. Displaying a timecode slate may include rotating the orientation of the timecode display one hundred and eighty degrees to allow the timecode display to appear upright to individuals and/or equipment viewing and/or recording same. Displaying a timecode slate may also include an audible tone for synchronization of audio and video recordings.
US08878706B2	Serial-parallel conversion circuit, method for driving the same, display device, and semiconductor device A serial-parallel conversion circuit for converting a high-speed serial signal to a parallel signal is provided. Further, a display device with high image quality and fewer external connection terminals is provided. Furthermore, a method for driving a serial-parallel conversion circuit for converting a high-speed serial signal to a parallel signal is provided. A serial-parallel conversion circuit includes a plurality of units in each of which a sampling switch and an amplifier are connected to each other. In the serial-parallel conversion circuit, each sampling switch is configured to output part of a serial signal to its respective amplifier only through one transistor.
US08878701B2	Standby display aircraft management system One embodiment of the present invention includes an aircraft instrumentation system for a cockpit instrument panel having a first device associated with a first pilot of an aircraft and positioned on the instrument panel substantially in front of the first pilot. The first device may include a first display and a first controller, which may have a set of controls for controlling the first display and aircraft systems. The instrumentation system may also include a second device associated with a second pilot of the aircraft and positioned on the instrument panel substantially in front of the second pilot. The second device may include a second display and a second controller, which may have a set of controls for controlling the second display and the aircraft systems. The instrumentation may be configured such that at least one of the first display and the second display presents attitude, altitude and airspeed at all times.
US08878700B2	Aircraft monitoring system A method and apparatus for monitoring an aircraft. A pilot control input signal is received. A response of a control surface system controlled by a flight control model is identified using the pilot control input signal. An alert is generated when the control surface system reaches a threshold with respect to the control surface system becoming saturated.
US08878694B2	Vehicle speed advisor A vehicle speed advisor system that provides an indication of the local speed limit to the driver in order to warn the driver when the local speed limit has been exceeded. The system detects the actual GPS position and obtains the allowed local speed limit of that position in a USB or flash memory, which is then displayed using a speed limit indicator in the scale of the speedometer of the instrument cluster in one mode of operation when the speed limit has not been reached, or in a second mode of operation when the speed limit has been reached or surpassed. The driver does not have to look at the street to see the allowed driving speed because the instrument cluster always provides an indication of the local speed limit.
US08878688B2	Well downhole condition signalling A downhole tool 10 includes means for detecting a downhole condition, a capacitor bank, and a sparker. The technique is particularly useful for detecting casing collars. As the tool is passed along the well bore 11, it detects collars 12. On each detection, a part of the capacitor bank is discharged through the sparker. This generates an acoustic pulse which is transmitted through the ground (wave 14) to detectors 15, 16. The movement of the tool 10 is also monitored by a movement detector 20. The position of the tool 10 is correlated with the positions of the collars 12 by a computer 22 fed via interfacing circuitry 21. If desired, the pulses may be coded by strength, number, time spacing, etc.
US08878679B2	Baby monitor light A baby monitoring light system includes a light body having a bottom portion and a top portion, the light body having a height generally shorter than the light body width and length, the light body comprising a light source oriented upwardly from the top portion, the light body adapted to project a light beam upwardly onto a surface approximately 5 to 15 feet away. The system may include a blanket having a pocket, the light body positionable in the pocket, the pocket having a space through which the light source projects when the light body is in the pocket. The light body may include one or more releasable fasteners.
US08878676B2	Healthcare workstations and RFID devices for detecting medication errors A medication administration system that includes a system of pillboxes, a pharmacy workstation, and a system of attendant workstation. The pharmacy workstation reads RFID or barcode tags on the pillboxes and medication wrappers containing medication units as the medication units are checked into the pillboxes to ensure that the pillboxes are filled in accordance the appropriate prescription regimens. The attendant workstations read the RFID or barcode tags on the pillboxes and medication wrappers as the medication units are checked out of the pillboxes to ensure that the medications are administered in accordance the appropriate prescription regimens. The attendant workstations may activate alarms, which may include communicating the alarms to a central monitoring station or mobile communication devices assigned to healthcare providers, when the determine that a pillbox in not correctly filled, when a medication has been checked out of a pillbox improperly, or when a medication has not been checked out on time.
US08878669B2	Method and system for monitoring intoxication A method and system for monitoring a user's intoxication including receiving a set of signals, derived from a set of samples collected from the user at a set of time points; providing a sobriety task to the user proximal to a time point of the set of time points; generating a performance dataset characterizing performance of the sobriety task by the user; receiving a supplementary dataset characterizing a demographic profile of the user and/or a physiological state of the user; determining a set of values of an intoxication metric, derived from the set of signals; generating a predicted temporal profile of the intoxication metric for the user based upon the set of values, the set of time points, and the supplementary dataset; generating an analysis of the user's sobriety based upon the performance dataset and the predicted temporal profile; and providing a notification to the user based upon the analysis.
US08878667B2	Wireless biosensor network for point of care preparedness for critical patients A biodegradable, bio-compatible material is described for use in wireless biosensors for point-of-care applications. The biosensor made from this biomaterial is capable of sensing environmental effects and as well as presence of bio-logical entities in the environment of concern simultaneously. Such a sensor can be used for evaluating point-of-care environmental preparedness for a specific patient through continuous monitoring of patient health performance due to environmental exposure. A two-tier network architecture is established for real-time monitoring (static case) that also provides warning of accumulated exposure. Wavelet analysis can be used to identify anomalies in the sensed data to initiate a warning.
US08878666B2	Emergency sign having beacon module for indoor positioning and indoor positioning system An emergency exit sign having a beacon module for indoor positioning and an indoor positioning system using the same are provided. The emergency exit sign includes a power supply unit, an AC/DC converter, an indoor positioning beacon module, an LED lamp, and a charger. The power supply unit receives an input of a power source and supplies the power source. The AC/DC converter converts the power source supplied and supplies a driving power source. The indoor positioning beacon module periodically wireless transmits a beacon signal including a beacon ID through a built-in antenna. The LED lamp is installed within the housing such that the lamp is positioned in rear of the display. When a power source is not supplied from the power supply unit, the charger supplies a driving power source.
US08878649B2	Method and apparatus pertaining to use of a plurality of different RFID tag interrogation modes A control circuit that operably couples to an RFID tag reader can cause the latter to automatically utilize more than a single RFID tag interrogation mode. By one approach this can comprise automatically toggling back and forth between at least two different RFID tag interrogation modes. If desired, and by one approach, such a control circuit can facilitate using a first interrogation mode to read RFID tags and then, in response to a first pre-determined condition, automatically switch to using a second interrogation mode that is different from the first interrogation mode. By one approach, this first pre-determined condition can comprise an RFID tag read rate value. By another approach, alone or in combination with the foregoing, this first pre-determined condition can comprise, at least in part, a pre-determined period of time.
US08878648B2	Generation of buffer zones for buried assets A method on a computing device for defining a buffer zone around a buried asset at an above-surface location is provided that solves the above-described problems. The method includes receiving and storing buried asset data points, wherein each buried asset data point comprises a geographical coordinate and a precision data value corresponding to the geographical coordinate, for a buried asset, wherein the buried asset data points correspond to signals that were detected and read from the buried asset at the above-surface location. The method further includes generating a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone by defining circles around geographical coordinates of the buried asset data points, wherein a size of each circle is based on the precision data value of the corresponding buried asset data point, and defining trapezoids that connect adjacent circles.
US08878635B2	Tunable band-pass filter A tunable band-pass filter includes: a rectangular waveguide including a first and a second waveguide parts, which are acquired by dividing the rectangular waveguide along an E-plane of the rectangular waveguide at a center position of an H-plane in the rectangular waveguide; a metal plate sandwiched by the first and the second waveguide parts in such a way as to be parallel to the E-plane; at least one dielectric plate arranged in the rectangular waveguide in such a way as to extend in a longitudinal extension direction of the metal plate; and a drive mechanism changing a relative position relationship between the dielectric plate and the metal plate from the outside.
US08878630B2	Common-mode noise suppression filter This invention provides a digital electronic device comprising: a grounded metal portion comprising a first metal plate electrically connected to ground and a first substrate disposed on the first metal plate; at least one layer of differential-mode reference metal portion comprising a second substrate and a second metal plate electrically connected to the first metal plate by at least one conductive structure; a pair of differential signal lines at least partially disposed on the second substrate of the at least one layer of differential-mode reference metal portion and electromagnetically coupled to the second metal plate of the at least one layer of differential-mode reference metal portion; and an equalizer electrically connected to the pair of differential signal lines.
US08878618B2	Spin transfer oscillator A spin transfer oscillator including a magnetic stack including at least two magnetic layers, at least one of the two magnetic layers is an oscillating layer that has variable direction magnetization and a current supply device configured to cause the flow of a current of electrons perpendicularly to the plane of the magnetic stack. The magnetic stack includes a device to generate inhomogeneities of current at the level of the surface of the oscillating layer and the intensity of the current supplied by the supply device is selected such that the magnetization of the oscillating layer has a consistent magnetic configuration, the magnetic configuration oscillating as a whole at the same fundamental frequency.
US08878613B2	Time-to-digital converter (TDC) with improved resolution A time-to-digital converter (TDC) with fine resolution of less than one inverter delay is described. In an exemplary design, the TDC includes first and second delay paths, a delay unit, and a phase computation unit. The first delay path receives a first input signal and a first reference signal and provides a first output. The second delay path receives a second input signal and a second reference signal and provides a second output. The delay unit delays the second input signal relative to the first input signal or delays the second reference signal relative to the first reference signal, e.g., by one half inverter delay. The phase computation unit receives the first and second outputs and provides a phase difference between the input signal and the reference signal. Calibration may be performed to obtain accurate timing for the first and second delay paths.
US08878607B2	Integrated circuit, wireless communication unit and method for a differential interface for an envelope tracking signal A signal processing circuit has a first circuit, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and a second circuit. The first circuit receives a digital input signal with a non-zero direct current (DC) component, and subtracts at least a portion of the DC) component of the received digital input signal from the received digital input signal. The DAC is operably coupled to the first circuit, and arranged to perform a digital-to-analog conversion upon an output of the first circuit. The second circuit is operably coupled to the DAC, and arranged to add a DC component to an analog output signal derived from an output of the DAC. The signal processing circuit may be part of an integrated circuit or a wireless communication unit.
US08878602B1	Reducing noise effects in an electronic computing device Approaches are described for managing effects such as interference, crosstalk, and other types of noise in an electronic environment using a physical and/or electronic switch to improve antenna performance. For example, in the situation where the connector is connected to the device and no data and/or power is being transferred through the connector, the switch is caused to be open. In this situation, because the connector will be an electrically floating metal instead of a grounded metal due to the open switch, at least a portion of the radiated and/or received antenna signals will not couple to the connector. In the situation where the connector is connected to the device and is being used to transfer data and/or power, the switch is caused to be closed, which will result in the connector being grounded. In such a situation, at least a portion of the noise generated by the connector due to transferring data and/or power will be grounded instead of being coupled to the antenna.
US08878599B2	Semiconductor integrated circuit device and supply voltage supervisor A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a power-supply terminal to which a power-supply voltage is input; and multiple MOS transistors including an Nch deplete mode MOS transistor functioning as a current source and at least one Pch enhancement mode MOS transistor formed on a silicon-on-insulator substrate including a silicon substrate, a buried-oxide film, and a silicon activate layer, each of the multiple MOS transistors dimensioned so that a bottom of a source diffusion layer and a bottom of a drain diffusion layer reach the buried-oxide film, the at least one Pch enhancement mode MOS transistor being connected to the supply terminal through the Nch depletion mode MOS transistor. The Nch depletion mode MOS transistor has electrical characteristics such that a source voltage thereof is higher than a silicon substrate voltage thereof and a saturation current of the Nch depletion mode MOS transistor is decreased.
US08878596B2	Hierarchical single molecule switch based on stimulated internal cluster motion within a hollow molecular cage Systems and methods related to single molecule switching devices are disclosed. One example method can include the step of applying a tunneling current across a tunneling junction. The tunneling junction can include an endohedral fullerene that includes a fullerene cage and a trapped cluster or a trapped atom. Such a method can also include exciting one or more internal motions of the trapped cluster or the trapped atom based at least in part on the tunneling current, and changing the conductance of the endohedral fullerene based at least in part on the one or more excited internal motions. One or more electronic processes can be controlled based at least in part on the changed conductance of the endohedral fullerene.
US08878594B2	IGBT device with buried emitter regions An embodiment of an IGBT device is integrated in a chip of semiconductor material including a substrate of a first type of conductivity, an active layer of a second type of conductivity formed on an inner surface of the substrate, a body region of the first type of conductivity extending within the active layer from a front surface thereof opposite the inner surface, a source region of the second type of conductivity extending within the body region from the front surface, a channel region being defined within the body region between the source region and the active layer, a gate element insulated from the front surface extending over the channel region, a collector terminal contacting the substrate on a rear surface thereof opposite the inner surface, an emitter terminal contacting the source region and the body region on the front surface, and a gate terminal contacting the gate element.
US08878591B2	Level shifter utilizing bidirectional signaling through a capacitive isolation barrier According to an exemplary implementation, a level shifter includes a low voltage circuit and a high voltage circuit. The low voltage circuit is configured to provide a differential signal to the high voltage circuit through a capacitive isolation barrier. The high voltage circuit is configured to receive the differential signal from the low voltage circuit through the capacitive isolation barrier so as to level shift the differential signal from a first ground of the low voltage circuit to a second ground of the high voltage circuit. The high voltage circuit is further configured to provide a feedback signal to the low voltage circuit through the capacitive isolation barrier. The low voltage circuit can be configured to receive the feedback signal from the low voltage circuit between edges of the differential signal.
US08878587B1	Interface circuit for driving fully-differential circuits An interface circuit for driving a fully-differential circuit has a first circuit configured to decrease the voltage at its output in response to an increase in an average value of first and second input voltages. A first network receives the first input voltage and the output voltage of the first circuit to provide a first output voltage for driving the fully-differential circuit. A second network receives the second input voltage and the output voltage of the first circuit to provide a second output voltage for driving the fully-differential circuit. An impedance ratio of the first network is substantially matched to an impedance ratio of the second network.
US08878586B2	Seamless coarse and fine delay structure for high performance DLL A clock synchronization system and method avoids output clock jitter at high frequencies and also achieves a smooth phase transition at the boundary of the coarse and fine delays. The system may use a single coarse delay line configured to generate two intermediate clocks from the input reference clock and having a fixed phase difference therebetween. The coarse delay line may have a hierarchical or a non-hierarchical structure. A phase mixer receives these two intermediate clocks and generates the final output clock having a phase between the phases of the intermediate clocks. The coarse shifting in the delay line at high clock frequencies does not affect the phase relationship between the intermediate clocks fed into the phase mixer. The output clock from the phase mixer is time synchronized with the input reference clock and does not exhibit any jitter or noise even at high clock frequency inputs. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.
US08878585B2	Slicer and method of operating the same A slicer includes a first latch. The first latch includes an evaluating transistor configured to receive a first clock signal. The first latch further includes a developing transistor configured to receive a second clock signal, wherein the first clock signal is different from the second clock signal. The first latch further includes a first input transistor configured to receive a first input. The first latch further includes a second input transistor configured to receive a second input, wherein the first and second input transistors are connected with the developing transistor. The first latch further includes at least one pre-charging transistor configured to receive a third clock signal, wherein the at least one pre-charging transistor is connected to a first output node and a second output node. The slicer further includes a second latch connected to the first and second output nodes and to a third output node.
US08878577B2	System and method for frequency multiplier jitter correction A system and method are provided for frequency multiplication jitter correction. The method accepts an analog reference signal having a first frequency, and using the analog reference signal, derives a system clock signal having a second frequency, greater than the first frequency. A PLL using a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is one example of a frequency multiplier. The method samples the amplitude of the analog reference signal using the system clock signal and converts the sampled analog reference signal into a digitized reference signal. In response to comparing the digitized reference signal to an ideal digitized reference signal, the phase error correction for the system clock signal is derived. The phase error correction at a first instance of time can be applied to the digitized data signal, previously converted from an analog data signal sampled at a first instance of time with the system clock signal.
US08878575B1	Noise reduction for non-linear transmission line (NLTL) frequency multiplier A noise reduction filter is inserted between the source and non-linear transmission line (NLTL) in a frequency multiplier to improve phase noise performance. The noise reduction filter is suitably coupled directly to the input of the NLTL. The noise reduction filter and the output BPF are suitably low complexity filters.
US08878573B2	Voltage controlled switching element gate drive circuit A voltage controlled switching element gate drive circuit makes it possible to suppress an occurrence of a malfunction, while suppressing surge voltage, surge current, and switching noise, when switching in a voltage controlled switching element. A gate drive circuit that supplies a gate voltage to the gate of a voltage controlled switching element, thus driving the voltage controlled switching element, includes a high potential side switching element and low potential side switching element connected in series, first variable resistors interposed between at least the high potential side switching element and a high potential power supply or the low potential side switching element and a low potential power supply, and a control circuit that adjusts the resistance values of the first variable resistors.
US08878569B1	Self-recovering bus signal detector A detector circuit is disclosed that detects bus signal conditions. To detect a START condition, asynchronous sequential logic detects a first bus signal transition (e.g., from high to low) and a second bus signal (e.g., a high signal). The outputs of the asynchronous sequential logic are combined to produce a START signal that can be latched, so that the START signal can be used to wake up a system or for other purposes. To detect a STOP condition, asynchronous sequential logic is set by a transition (e.g., low to high) of the first bus signal and a second bus signal (e.g., a high signal), producing a STOP signal that can be used to reset the asynchronous sequential logic and the latch.
US08878565B2	Semiconductor device having impedance calibration function to data output buffer and semiconductor module having the same Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device that includes a first transistor unit coupled to the data terminal, and a plurality of second transistor units coupled to the calibration terminal. The first transistor unit includes a plurality of first transistors having a first conductivity type connected in parallel to each other so that an impedance of the first transistor unit is adjustable. Each of the second transistor units includes a plurality of second transistors having the first conductivity type connected in parallel to each other so that an impedance of each of the second transistor units is adjustable. The semiconductor device further includes an impedance control circuit that reflects the impedance of each of the second transistor units to the first transistor unit.
US08878553B2	Device for measuring distance between headrest and head, method for measuring distance between headrest and head, headrest position adjusting device, and headrest position adjusting method A headrest position adjusting device 100 includes a distance measuring device 10 and a drive motor unit 30. The distance measuring device 10 includes a plurality of sensing electrodes 11 to 15 and a detecting circuit 20. The detecting circuit 20 includes a plurality of capacitance sensing circuits 21 to 25 connected one-to-one to the sensing electrodes 11 to 15, and an arithmetic processing circuit 28. The drive motor unit 30 includes a motor driving circuit and a drive motor. Based on the detected capacitance values, the detecting circuit 20 calculates a difference value between a capacitance value of the sensing electrode which shows the largest capacitance value and the capacitance value of the sensing electrode which shows the lowest capacitance value, and thereby measures an electrode-head distance L. A position adjusting operation for a headrest 43 is performed based on the measurement result.
US08878548B2	Method for treating and sealing piezoelectric tuning forks Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a property of a fluid. The apparatus includes: a piezoelectric resonator configured to be disposed in the fluid; an electrode embedded in the piezoelectric resonator and included in a resonator circuit configured to output an electrical signal related to the property; a discontinuity defined by a surface of the piezoelectric resonator, the discontinuity altering an impedance of the resonator circuit if a high-dielectric fluid or a conductive fluid is disposed in the discontinuity; and an insulating material disposed in the discontinuity.
US08878542B2	Method and apparatus for dealing with faults in an electrical drive system A method for dealing with faults in an electrical drive system having an electrical machine and a pulse-controlled inverter which has a first and a second supply connection, the method including the steps of: detecting a first fault in the electrical drive system; selecting a first of a large number of circuit states (22, 23, 24) of the pulse-controlled inverter according to the detected first fault; and driving the pulse-controlled inverter to set the first circuit state (23), with the circuit states (22, 23, 24) including a short circuit (23) between the power connections of the electrical machine and the first supply connection, a short circuit (24) between the power connections of the electrical machine and the second power connection, and a free-running mode (22).
US08878518B2	Sensor device and sensor interface A mode detector in a sensor interface is configured to detect a mode specified by a mode signal when an input signal received from a side of a first terminal is the mode signal. A communication portion in the interface transmits an electric signal, obtained from a sensor circuit, to a side of a second terminal when a mode detected with the detector is a sensor output mode. The communication portion receives an input signal from the side of the first terminal while transmitting an output signal to the side of the second terminal, when a mode detected with the detector is a communication mode.
US08878515B1	Constant current metal detector A constant current is provided to an energizing coil in a magnetic detector by charging a capacitor through a resistor from a high voltage source. Discharging of the capacitor into the energizing coil quickly increases current in the energizing coil. After the capacitor is switched off, a low voltage source maintains current constant in the energizing coil. The coil discharges its energy as a negative voltage to the capacitor. A high negative voltage source tops off the capacitor. After a delay, the capacitor discharges a negative current into the energizing coil. A negative low voltage source maintains the negative current. The negative voltage source is disconnected, and the coil discharges positive voltage into the capacitor. The high voltage source tops off the capacitor with positive voltage to repeat the cycle.
US08878497B2	Image processing apparatus An image processing apparatus, including: a rechargeable battery that includes a temperature detecting terminal from which temperature status of the rechargeable battery is obtained; a connector that supplies electric power to charge the rechargeable battery; a battery charge unit that controls the electric power and charges the rechargeable battery via the connector; a control unit that controls the battery charge unit and operation of the image processing apparatus; and a switch unit that switches a connection of the temperature detecting terminal among the battery charge unit and the control unit.
US08878486B2	Battery pack for charging a mobile terminal by receiving electric power from an external charger, and a mobile terminal with the same Various embodiments of a battery pack, a mobile terminal having such a battery pack, and related methods are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a battery pack for a mobile terminal may include a battery cell, a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the battery cell, a charge detector configured to detect whether the battery cell is charged above a predetermined level, and a first connector terminal configured to electrically connect to the mobile terminal.
US08878482B2	Power converting apparatus A power converting apparatus includes a timing signal generator and a phase determination signal generator provided in an ON/OFF signal generating unit as well as a detected current correction unit. On the basis of timing signals ts1, . . . and phase determination signals ph1, . . . , the power converting apparatus determines detected current values and phases of the detected current values fed from a DC bus current sensor at timings set in accordance with the timing signals and corrects the detected current values idc1, . . . for the individual phases obtained at the individual timings during PWM cycles to represent values which would be obtained at reference timing t0 to thereby reduce errors caused by differences in the current detecting timings for the individual phases.
US08878481B2	Method and apparatus for limiting in-rush current to a starter motor of a vehicle A system and method for limiting engine starting current of a starter motor of an engine is described. In one example, starter motor current is controlled according to vehicle speed. The method may allow vehicle system voltage to remain at a higher level during automatically initiated engine starts.
US08878477B2	Electric motor driving apparatus having failure detection circuit, and failure detection method for the electric motor driving apparatus having failure detection circuit An electric motor driving apparatus having a failure detection circuit includes: a bridge circuit driving an electric motor; a PWM control circuit generating voltage instruction for driving the electric motor; a PWM signal generation circuit generating a PWM signal; a DC current detection circuit detecting DC current of the bridge circuit; a phase current calculation circuit calculating output phase current of the bridge circuit, based on the DC current and PWM signal; and a failure detection circuit detecting failure of the DC current detection circuit. The failure detection circuit determines failure of the DC current detection circuit from the DC current detected values in a zero voltage period in which the high-potential-side arms of the bridge circuit are all ON and in a zero voltage period in which the low-potential-side arms are all ON.
US08878471B2	Control apparatus for electric rotary machine In a control apparatus for an AC electric motor, a dq axis current feedback control unit 44 and a qn axis current feedback control unit 46 execute a feedback control of higher harmonic components of actual currents id and iq flowing in an AC electric machine 10 to higher harmonic current instruction values Σidkr and Σiqkr. A d axis current instruction value adjusting unit 24 and a q axis current instruction value adjusting unit 26 add the higher harmonic current instruction values Σidkr and Σiqkr to fundamental current instruction values idr and iqr. Ad axis current feedback control unit 32 and a q axis current feedback control unit 34 execute a feedback control of a difference between the actual currents id and iq and the sum of the higher harmonic current instruction values Σidkr, Σiqkr and the fundamental current instruction values idr and iqr into zero.
US08878464B2	Laser accelerator driven particle brachytherapy devices, systems, and methods A laser accelerator driven electronic brachytherapy system, device, and method for particle based treatment of a tumor or other human diseases and conditions.
US08878463B2	LED lamp control circuit An LED lamp control circuit comprises a rectifier circuit, an LED light source load, a constant current circuit, and a first temperature detect switch circuit. The LED light source load comprises at least one group of LEDs. The constant current circuit comprises at least one group of constant current source components, each of which is connected to at least one group of LEDs in the LED light source load and comprises a depletion mode field effect transistor. The first temperature detect switch circuit is connected to an input end of a power source, and comprises a first normally closed temperature detect switch mounted on a radiator. When the temperature of the radiator exceeds the disconnection temperature of the first normally closed temperature detect switch, the first normally closed temperature detect switch is disconnected, so as to cut off the power supply of the LED light source load.
US08878456B2	Filter device A filter device (10) for filtering high-frequency interferences, such as due to switching flanks of a DC converter, has a current path (4) between an input (2) and an output (3), and an inductor (L) in the current path (4), wherein the inductor (L) is disposed in the current path (4) as a first component and is connected to the input (2), and wherein a reverse polarity protective diode (D) is disposed in series with the inductor (L) downstream thereto.
US08878447B2	Method and apparatus for measuring operating characteristics in a load control device A load control device, such as an electronic ballast, for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, such as one or more fluorescent lamps, comprises a power converter having an inductor and a power switching device coupled to the inductor, a load control circuit adapted to be coupled to the electrical load, and a control circuit operable to calculate an average input power of the load control device. The control circuit may be operable to calculate a cumulative output power of the power converter while the ballast is preheating filaments of the lamps, and to subsequently determine a fault condition in the lamps in response to the calculated cumulative output power of the power converter. Further, the control circuit may be operable to transmit a digital message including the calculated average input power of the load control device.
US08878445B2	Light-emitting element driving device Short circuit failures and open circuit failures of light-emitting elements used for the backlight in an LCD panel can be reliably and easily detected. The voltage at the node between each series-connected light-emitting element array and a drive circuit is detected as a monitored voltage. A maximum detector detects the highest and a minimum detector detects the lowest of these monitored voltages. Short circuit or open circuit failure of a light-emitting element is detected by comparing the voltage difference between the maximum detector output and the minimum detector output with a specific reference voltage.
US08878443B2	Color correlated temperature correction for LED strings An array of LEDs having output light in different wavelength ranges. A control circuit connected to the array includes a temperature variable resistance component and a switch selectively connecting the component to the array. The control circuit limits the current applied to at least some of the LEDs during initial energization of the LEDs prior to steady-state operation of the LEDs. Variations over time of a color correlated temperature (CCT) of output light of the energized array are reduced.
US08878441B2	Display device and guide lamp including same A display device 1 includes light emitting sections 36, 37 of different luminous colors disposed between anode and cathode electrodes, current control units 34, 35 for controlling currents supplied to the light emitting sections 36, 37 to desired current levels, respectively, and an emergency power supply for supplying a current to the current control units 34, 35 in an emergency in which a commercial power source does not perform a desired function. When operated by the emergency power supply, the current control units turn on and off the light emitting sections 36, 37 of different luminous colors such that they are turned on during different periods of time. When the emergency power supply is used, the display device 1 controls turning on of the planar light emitting element using an organic EL light emitting element depending on luminous colors thereof, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the emergency power supply.
US08878440B2	Luminaire with atmospheric electrical activity detection and visual alert capabilities An illumination system can provide at least a first state and a second state of a luminaire equipped with at least one lighting subsystem. In the first state, the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystem is controlled based on the occurrence of a detected solar event or the occurrence of an expected solar event. In the second state, the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystem forms a visually distinct pattern based on the detection of atmospheric electrical activity exceeding a defined threshold by an electrical activity sensor disposed within the luminaire. The visually distinctive luminous output can alert persons within line of sight of the luminaire of the proximity of threatening atmospheric electrical activity.
US08878427B2	Spark plug for internal combustion engine and method for manufacturing same The spark plug has a configuration satisfying the relationships of B≧0.7A and 0.3 mm≦A≦0.6 mm, where B is an axial thickness along the central axis line Q of the weld portion formed between the base material electrode and the noble-metal chip, and A is an axial distance along the central axis line Q between the intersection points P3 and X. The intersection point P3 is a point at which a phantom axis line radially distant from the central axis line Q by D/2 (D being a diameter of the noble-metal chip) intersects with the boundary line between the weld portion and the noble-metal chip. The intersection point X is a point at which an extension of the contour line of the base material electrode in the vicinity of the weld portion intersects with a boundary line between the weld portion and the base material electrode.
US08878423B2	Light emitting device Disclosed is a light-emitting device, including an LED light source and a light diffusion element. The light diffusion element, covering at least a part of the LED light source, is composed of a first polymer, a second polymer, or a blend of them. The first polymer has a larger crystal diameter than that of the second polymer. The first polymer is made of polypropylene or ethylene-propylene copolymer. The second polymer is made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or ethylene-propylene copolymer. A blend of certain ratios of the first and second polymer gives rise of an excellent material that has improved light diffusion. This material can be widely adopted to current light fixtures for its evenly distributed lighting and great brightness.
US08878418B2	Thermoelectric generator A thermoelectric generator including a membrane maintained by lateral ends and capable of taking a first shape when its temperature reaches a first threshold and a second shape when its temperature reaches a second threshold greater than the first threshold; and mechanism capable of converting the motions and the deformations of the membrane into electricity.
US08878415B2	Method for fabricating a stator for a permanent magnet machine and stator thereof Permanent magnet synchronous machines (100) are described having good efficiency, as well as corresponding methods for making a stator (110) or stator teeth (114) for such machines. A method for fabricating a stator (110) for an axial flux permanent magnet synchronous machine is for example described comprising obtaining several sets of substantially identical laminates (302), and stacking the sets of substantially identical laminates (302) so that a subsequent laminate has a part overlapping (304) the previous laminate and a part not overlapping (306) the previous laminate. Alternatively, a method of manufacturing a stator (110) is described wherein the method comprises obtaining a set of laminates (302) connected to each other with a thin strip (402) of material and creating a stack by folding the laminates (302) along the thin strip (402) of material. The stator teeth (114) can furthermore be fabricated such that the air gap (602) that is formed between the stator tooth and the permanent magnets changes along the radial direction.
US08878409B2	Containment band for permanent magnet generator A rotor has a rotor body for rotation about a shaft. A plurality of permanent magnets are spaced circumferentially about the rotor body. A containment band is positioned radially outwardly of the permanent magnets. The containment band has a containment band coefficient of thermal expansion. The permanent magnets have a permanent magnet coefficient of thermal expansion, taken parallel to a magnetic alignment. A ratio of the containment band coefficient of thermal expansion to the permanent magnet coefficient of thermal expansion is less than or equal to 1.15.
US08878406B2	Stator including conductors provided with a composite sleeve A stator includes a stator core having a plurality of slot segments, a plurality of stator winding conductors arranged in select ones of the plurality of slot segments, a jumper conductor interconnecting select ones of the plurality of stator winding conductors to form one or more stator windings, a common conductor connected to at least one of the stator winding conductors, a phase conductor connected to corresponding ones of the one or more stator windings, and a composite sleeve provided on at least one of the jumper conductor, the common conductor, and the phase conductor. The composite sleeve includes a first sleeve, and a second sleeve positioned about the first sleeve. One of the first and second sleeves is formed from a compressed amide synthetic fiber. The first and second sleeves cooperate to provide protection for the conductor from external elements.
US08878404B2	Arrangement and method for cooling an electrical machine In an arrangement for cooling an electrical machine, the electrical machine includes a rotor and a stator located at the end of an air gap from the rotor. The rotor includes at least one axial cooling channel originating from the first end of the rotor that is connected to at least two axially successive cooling channels that are substantially radial within the rotor. The stator is made of sheets using axially successive core modules. The stator includes a radial cooling channel between two core modules. Gaseous cooling agent is led to the cooling channels of the rotor and stator from the end of the rotor. The outer surface of the stator core module includes a cooling jacket by the length (L) of the stator core module at maximum, and liquid cooling agent is led to the cooling jacket.
US08878400B2	Voice coil motor A VCM is disclosed, the VCM including a base formed with an opening; a bobbin arranged on an upper surface of the base and mounted with a lens therein; a plurality of magnets secured on the base to face a periphery of the bobbin; a coil block encompassing each magnet and the bobbin, and secured to a part of the bobbin exposed between the magnets; and a cover can encompassing the magnets and the coil block.
US08878396B2	Continuous uninterruptable AC grounding system for power system protection A continuous grounding system for use in an alternating current system including a transformer is disclosed. The system includes a switch assembly connected between a transformer neutral of a transformer and a ground, the switch assembly having an open position and a closed position, the open position disrupting the path through the switch assembly between the electrical connection and the transformer neutral, and the closed position establishing a path connecting the electrical connection to the transformer neutral through the switch assembly, wherein in normal operation of the alternating current electrical device the switch assembly remains in a closed position. The system also includes a DC blocking component positioned in parallel with the switch assembly and connected between the transformer neutral and the ground. The system further includes a control circuit configured to control the switch assembly, the control circuit including a sensor configured to actuate the switch assembly to an open position upon detection of a predetermined harmonic signal threshold at one of the transformer phases or a predetermined threshold of DC current between the transformer neutral and ground.
US08878391B2	System, apparatus, and method for reducing inrush current in a three-phase transformer A system for reducing inrush current in a three phase utility transformer upon energization of the transformer by an applied three phase voltage utilizes a pre-flux circuit for establishing residual flux levels in the core segments of the primary windings of the transformer which are near the prospective flux levels established in the core segments by the applied voltage. The pre-flux circuit includes a pre-fluxing capacitor which, after being charged to a predetermined voltage level, is discharged serially through two of the primary windings to establish the predetermined flux levels in the core segments of the two windings, and a reduced flux level in the core segment of the remaining primary winding. The transformer is energized at the instant of positively-referenced peak phase voltage to the third primary winding such that prospective and residual flux approach a near-equal level in all three core segments and inrush current is reduced. The method may be applied to the secondary or tertiary windings instead of the primary windings. Additionally, an alternative method allows application of the pre-fluxing circuit to a delta-connected set of transformer windings.
US08878389B2	Method and apparatus for providing uninterruptible power At least one aspect of the invention is directed to an uninterruptible power supply. The uninterruptible power supply includes a first input having an input line connection and an input neutral connection to receive a first input voltage from a first voltage source, a second input having a positive input connection and a negative input connection to receive a second input voltage from a second voltage source, a boost circuit configured to provide a positive output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection and a negative output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection in both a line mode of operation and a backup mode of operation, a first connection circuit configured to couple the first input to the boost circuit in the line mode of operation, and configured to couple the second input to the boost circuit in the backup mode of operation, and a second connection circuit configured to couple a midpoint of the boost circuit to the input neutral connection in the line mode of operation and to couple the midpoint of the boost circuit to the positive input connection in battery mode of operation.
US08878382B2	Power generation system or turbine with potential energy gain A power generation system or turbine with energy gain (turgain) comprising an enclosure and a rotor with potential energy gain that efficiently converts a predetermined mass to kinetic energy; and use the energy having a zero emission to power the generators for what further is a scalable, clean, renewable, reliable, affordable, and practical power (scrrapp) system with the potential to boosts a sustainable economic growth and cost-effectively address climate change.
US08878374B2	Brushless alternator for helicopter transmission install A system and method to converting mechanical rotational energy of an aircraft input shaft of a transmission to electrical energy. The system includes an alternator having an inductor carried by the aircraft transmission and a magnet carried by the aircraft input shaft. The input shaft rotates the magnet in relation to the inductor, which in turn converts the mechanical rotational energy to electrical energy.
US08878363B2	Fermi-level unpinning structures for semiconductive devices, processes of forming same, and systems containing same An interlayer is used to reduce Fermi-level pinning phenomena in a semiconductive device with a semiconductive substrate. The interlayer may be a rare-earth oxide. The interlayer may be an ionic semiconductor. A metallic barrier film may be disposed between the interlayer and a metallic coupling. The interlayer may be a thermal-process combination of the metallic barrier film and the semiconductive substrate. A process of forming the interlayer may include grading the interlayer. A computing system includes the interlayer.
US08878352B2	Semiconductor packaging structure and method A system and method for packaging semiconductor dies is provided. An embodiment comprises a first package with a first contact and a second contact. A post-contact material is formed on the first contact in order to adjust the height of a joint between the contact pad a conductive bump. In another embodiment a conductive pillar is utilized to control the height of the joint between the contact pad and external connections.
US08878342B2	Using alloy electrodes to dope memristors Various embodiments of the present invention are direct to nanoscale, reconfigurable, memristor devices. In one aspect, a memristor device comprises an electrode (301,303) and an alloy electrode (502,602). The device also includes an active region (510,610) sandwiched between the electrode and the alloy electrode. The alloy electrode forms dopants in a sub-region of the active region adjacent to the alloy electrode. The active region can be operated by selectively positioning the dopants within the active region to control the flow of charge carriers between the electrode and the alloy electrode.
US08878341B2	Graphene-based composite materials, method of manufacture and applications thereof Disclosed herein is a composite material comprising a relaxor ferroelectric material and a hydrazine-reduced graphene oxide, wherein the weight ratio of the composite material to the hydrazine-reduced graphene oxide is 9:1 to 200:1. The composite materials have high dielectric permittivity and low dielectric losses and can be used to manufacture various high dielectric permittivity components.
US08878340B1	Devices including composite thermal capacitors Devices or systems that include a composite thermal capacitor disposed in thermal communication with a hot spot of the device, methods of dissipating thermal energy in a device or system, and the like, are provided herein. In particular, the device includes a composite thermal capacitor including a phase change material and a high thermal conductivity material in thermal communication with the phase change material. The high thermal conductivity material is also in thermal communication with an active regeneration cooling device. The heat from the composite thermal capacitor is dissipated by the active regeneration cooling device.
US08878330B2	Integrated high voltage divider An integrated circuit containing a voltage divider having an upper resistor of unsilicided gate material over field oxide around a central opening and a drift layer under the upper resistor, an input terminal coupled to an input node of the upper resistor adjacent to the central opening in the field oxide and coupled to the drift layer through the central opening, a sense terminal coupled to a sense node on the upper resistor opposite from the input node, a lower resistor with a sense node coupled to the sense terminal and a reference node, and a reference terminal coupled to the reference node. A process of forming the integrated circuit containing the voltage divider.
US08878323B2	Co/Ni multilayers with improved out-of-plane anisotropy for magnetic device applications A MTJ for a spintronic device is disclosed and includes a thin seed layer that enhances perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in an overlying laminated layer with a (Co/Ni)n composition or the like where n is from 2 to 30. The seed layer is preferably NiCr, NiFeCr, Hf, or a composite thereof with a thickness from 10 to 100 Angstroms. Furthermore, a magnetic layer such as CoFeB may be formed between the laminated layer and a tunnel barrier layer to serve as a transitional layer between a (111) laminate and (100) MgO tunnel barrier. There may be a Ta insertion layer between the CoFeB layer and laminated layer to promote (100) crystallization in the CoFeB layer. The laminated layer may be used as a reference layer, dipole layer, or free layer in a MTJ. Annealing between 300° C. and 400° C. may be used to further enhance PMA in the laminated layer.
US08878322B2	Perovskite manganese oxide thin film and manufacturing method therefor A perovskite manganese oxide thin film formed on a substrate that allows a first order phase transition and has A-site ordering. The thin film contains Ba and a rare earth element in the A sites of a perovskite crystal lattice and has an (m10) orientation for which m=2n, and 9≧n≧1. A method for manufacturing the film includes forming in a controlled atmosphere using laser ablation an atomic layer or thin film that assumes a pyramidal structure having oxygen-deficient sites in a plane containing the rare earth element and oxygen; and filling the oxygen-deficient sites with oxygen. The controlled atmosphere has an oxygen partial pressure controlled to a thermodynamically required value for creating oxygen deficiencies and contains a gas other than oxygen, and has a total pressure that is controlled to a value at which the A sites have a fixed compositional ratio.
US08878314B2	MEMS package or sensor package with intra-cap electrical via and method thereof A MEMS device structure including a lateral electrical via encased in a cap layer and a method for manufacturing the same. The MEMS device structure includes a cap layer positioned on a MEMS device layer. The cap layer covers a MEMS device and one or more MEMS device layer electrodes in the MEMS device layer. The cap layer includes at least one cap layer electrode accessible from the surface of the cap layer. An electrical via is encased in the cap layer extending across a lateral distance from the cap layer electrode to the one or more MEMS device layer electrodes. An isolating layer is positioned around the electrical via to electrically isolate the electrical via from the cap layer.
US08878313B2	Pressure sensor A pressure sensor has a sensor body at least partly formed with an electrically insulating material, particularly a ceramic material, defining a cavity facing on which is a diaphragm provided with an electric detector element, configured for detecting a bending of the diaphragm. The sensor body supports a circuit arrangement, including, a plurality of circuit components, among which is an integrated circuit, for treating a signal generated by the detection element. The circuit arrangement includes tracks made of electrically conductive material directly deposited on a surface of the sensor body made of electrically insulating material. The integrated circuit is made up of a die made of semiconductor material directly bonded onto the surface of the sensor body and the die is connected to respective tracks by means of wire bonding, i.e. by means of thin connecting wires made of electrically conductive material.
US08878312B2	Electrical bypass structure for MEMS device An apparatus including a bypass structure for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and/or microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices, and method for fabricating such apparatus, is disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a first substrate; a second substrate that includes a MEMS device; an insulator disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and an electrical bypass structure disposed in the insulator layer that contacts a portion of the first substrate, wherein the electrical bypass structure is electrically isolated from the MEMS device in the second substrate and any device included in the first substrate.
US08878306B2	Semiconductor device A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device involves process for forming gate insulating films of different thickness on a semiconductor substrate, depositing films that constitute a gate electrode, removing the gate insulating films having different thickness formed on an impurity diffusion region surface of a transistor including the gate electrode, and doping impurities into a portion where the gate insulating film is removed.
US08878303B2	Geometric regularity in fin-based multi-gate transistors of a standard cell library A method of optimizing a layout of an integrated circuit formed using fin-based cells of a standard cell library is provided. The method includes arranging cell rows of different track heights having standard cells. For each cell row, each of the standard cells includes sub-cell rows with sub-cells of one or more types. The sub-cells are interchangeable with one another to modify a device characteristic of the standard cell. The method also includes evaluating the integrated circuit to determine whether a performance metric of the integrated circuit has been satisfied. The method also includes identifying one or more standard cells to modify a device characteristic of the standard cell for satisfying the performance metric of the integrated circuit. The method further includes modifying the one or more standard cells until the performance metric of the integrated circuit is satisfied.
US08878302B2	Semiconductor device having SiGe substrate, interfacial layer and high K dielectric layer The invention relates to integrated circuit fabrication, and more particularly to a semiconductor device with an interfacial layer. An exemplary structure for a semiconductor device comprises a Si1-xGex substrate, wherein the x is greater than 0.4; a Si layer over the Si1-xGex substrate; and a gate structure disposed over the Si layer, wherein the gate structure comprises a dielectric portion and an electrode portion that is disposed over the dielectric portion; wherein the dielectric portion comprises a layer of III-V material on the Si layer and a high-k dielectric layer adjacent to the electrode portion.
US08878299B2	Buried channel transistor and method of forming the same A semiconductor device may include a plurality of memory cells. The memory cells may be formed with respective fin shaped active regions with respective recesses formed therein. Thicknesses of the fins may be made relatively thicker around the recesses, such as by selective epitaxial growth around the recesses. The additional thicknesses may be asymmetrical so that portions of the fin on one side are larger than an opposite side. Related methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08878298B2	Multiple Vt field-effect transistor devices Multiple threshold voltage (Vt) field-effect transistor (FET) devices and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a FET device is provided including a source region; a drain region; at least one channel interconnecting the source and drain regions; and a gate, surrounding at least a portion of the channel, configured to have multiple threshold voltages due to the selective placement of at least one band edge metal throughout the gate.
US08878294B2	Semiconductor device having a drain-gate isolation portion An inventive semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer, a source region provided in a surface layer portion of the semiconductor layer, a drain region provided in the surface of the semiconductor layer in spaced relation from the source region, a gate insulation film provided in opposed relation to a portion of the surface of the semiconductor layer present between the source region and the drain region, a gate electrode provided on the gate insulation film, and a drain-gate isolation portion provided between the drain region and the gate insulation film for isolating the drain region and the gate insulation film from each other in non-contact relation.
US08878288B2	Semiconductor device To provide a highly reliable semiconductor device. To provide a semiconductor device which prevents a defect and achieves miniaturization. An oxide semiconductor layer in which the thickness of a region serving as a source region or a drain region is larger than the thickness of a region serving as a channel formation region is formed in contact with an insulating layer including a trench. In a transistor including the oxide semiconductor layer, variation in threshold voltage, degradation of electric characteristics, and shift to normally on can be suppressed and source resistance or drain resistance can be reduced, so that the transistor can have high reliability.
US08878285B2	Vertical semiconductor device, module and system each including the same, and method for manufacturing the vertical semiconductor device A vertical semiconductor device having a vertical channel region is disclosed. The vertical semiconductor device includes a pillar having a vertical channel region, a bit line buried in a semiconductor substrate located at a lower part of the pillar, and a body connection unit configured to couple at least one sidewall of the pillar to the semiconductor substrate. As a result, the floating body effect of the vertical semiconductor device can be more effectively removed.
US08878280B2	Flash memory device and method for manufacturing the same The present invention provides a FinFET flash memory device and the method for manufacturing the same. The flash memory device is on an insulating layer, comprising: a first fin and a second fin, wherein the second fin is a control gate of the device; a gate dielectric layer, at side walls and top of the first fin and the second fin; source/drain regions, inside the first fin at both sides of a floating gate.
US08878277B2	3D non-volatile memory device and method of manufacturing the same A 3D non-volatile memory device includes a pipe gate, at least one first channel layer including a first pipe channel layer formed in the pipe gate and a pair of first source side channel layer and first drain side channel layer connected to the first pipe channel layer, and at least one second channel layer including a second pipe channel layer formed in the pipe gate and positioned over the first pipe channel layer and a pair of second source side channel layer and second drain side channel layer connected to the second pipe channel layer.
US08878271B2	Vertical access device and apparatuses having a body connection line, and related method of operating the same Methods, apparatuses, and systems for providing a body connection to a vertical access device. The vertical access device may include a digit line extending along a substrate to a digit line contact pillar, a body connection line extending along the substrate to a body connection line contact pillar, a body region disposed on the body connection line, an electrode disposed on the body region, and a word line extending to form a gate to the body region. A method for operation includes applying a first voltage to the body connection line, and applying a second voltage to the word line to cause a conductive channel to form through the body region. A memory cell array may include a plurality of vertical access devices.
US08878267B2	Solid-state imaging device A purpose of the present invention is to provide a preferable separation structure of wells when a photoelectric conversion unit and a part of a peripheral circuit unit or a pixel circuit are separately formed on separate substrates and electrically connected to each other. To this end, a solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion unit and a amplification transistor configured to amplify a signal generated by the photoelectric conversion unit; a first substrate on which a plurality of the photoelectric conversion units are disposed; and a second substrate on which a plurality of the amplification transistors are disposed. A well of a first conductivity type provided with a source region and a drain region of the amplification transistor is separated from a well, which is disposed adjacent to the well in at least one direction, of the first conductivity type provided with the source region and the drain region of the amplification transistor.
US08878249B2	Method for heteroepitaxial growth of high channel conductivity and high breakdown voltage nitrogen polar high electron mobility transistors A method for growing high mobility, high charge Nitrogen polar (N-polar) or Nitrogen face (In,Al,Ga)N/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs). The method can provide a successful approach to increase the breakdown voltage and reduce the gate leakage of the N-polar HEMTs, which has great potential to improve the N-polar or N-face HEMTs' high frequency and high power performance.
US08878248B2	Semiconductor device and fabrication method A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer formed on a substrate, the first semiconductor containing an impurity element; a second semiconductor layer formed on the first semiconductor layer; a third semiconductor layer formed on the second semiconductor layer; and a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode that are formed on the third semiconductor layer. In the semiconductor device, the second semiconductor layer includes an impurity diffusion region in which an impurity element contained in the first semiconductor layer is diffused, the impurity diffusion region being located directly beneath the gate electrode and being in contact with the first semiconductor layer, and the impurity element causes the impurity diffusion region to be a p-type impurity diffusion region.
US08878232B2	Method for producing group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device An MQW-structure light-emitting layer is formed by alternately stacking InGaN well layers and AlGaN barrier layers. Each well layer and each barrier layer are formed so as to satisfy the following relations: 12.9≦−2.8x+100y≦37 and 0.65≦y≦0.86, or to satisfy the following relations: 162.9≦7.1x+10z≦216.1 and 3.1≦z≦9.2, here x represents the Al compositional ratio (mol %) of the barrier layer, and y represents the difference in bandgap energy (eV) between the barrier layer and the well layer, and z represents the In compositional ratio (mol %) of the well layer.
US08878228B2	Method for producing large lighting with power LED A method of packaging a power light emitting diode (LED). The method may include providing a printed circuit board (PCB) wherein first and second copper (Cu) thin films are formed on both faces of the PCB respectively, forming a single upper opening through an entire thickness of the first Cu thin film and an partial thickness of the PCB, forming a plurality of lower openings, each lower opening extending vertically from the upper opening to the second Cu thin film, forming solder pads on the first Cu thin film, filing a cream solder in the upper opening and the plurality of lower openings so as to be in-plane with the solder pads, mounting a power LED on the PCB so that lead frames of the LED are aligned with the solder pads and a heat-discharge region of the LED is aligned with the cream solder, and soldering the cream solder.
US08878227B2	Optoelectronic semiconductor chip and method for producing optoelectronic semiconductor chips An optoelectronic semiconductor chip includes a carrier and a semiconductor body having a semiconductor layer sequence, the semiconductor body arranged on the carrier wherein an emission region and a detection region are formed in the semiconductor body having the semiconductor layer sequence; the semiconductor layer sequence includes an active region arranged between a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer and provided in the emission region to generate radiation; the first semiconductor layer is arranged on the side of the active region facing away from the carrier; and the emission region has a recess extending through the active region.
US08878226B2	Light emitting device A light emitting device includes a substrate, and a plurality of light emitting structures disposed thereon. Each of the light emitting structures includes an auxiliary electrode disposed on the substrate, a first insulating layer disposed on the substrate and covering the auxiliary electrode, an electrode disposed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer disposed on the first insulating layer and having a first opening exposing the electrode, an organic light emitting layer disposed in the first opening, a cathode disposed on the organic light emitting layer, at least a conductive structure penetrating through the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, and a closed ring structure disposed on the second insulating layer and around the cathode, wherein a thickness of the closed ring structure is larger than that of the cathode.
US08878210B2	Light-emitting device A light emitting device comprising: a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a first major surface, a second major surface opposite to the first major surface, and a sidewall wherein the entire sidewall is a substantially textured surface with a depth of 10˜150 μm; and a light emitting stack layer formed on the substrate.
US08878203B2	Switching circuit A switching circuit comprises a first transistor and a second transistor formed in an active area of semiconductor substrate. The source and drain regions of the transistors are electrically connected to respective source wires and drain wires through a plurality of intermediate metal layers stacked above the transistor. Electrical connections between different layers are made with a plurality of vias. To improve switching performance, the intermediate wires are disposed such that intermediate wires electrically connected to the transistor source regions are not directly beneath the drain wires. Similarly, intermediate wires electrically connected to drain regions are arranged not to be directly underneath source wires.
US08878196B2	Light-emitting device comprising semiconductor nanocrystal layer free of voids and method for producing the same A light-emitting device including a semiconductor nanocrystal layer and a method for producing the light-emitting device are provided. The light-emitting device includes a semiconductor nanocrystal layer whose voids are filled with a filling material. According to the light-emitting device, since voids formed between nanocrystal particles of the semiconductor nanocrystal layer are filled with a filling material, the occurrence of a current leakage through the voids is minimized, which enables the device to have extended service life, high luminescence efficiency, and improved stability.
US08878191B2	Fin field effect transistors including energy barriers A semiconductor device structure includes a transistor with an energy barrier beneath its transistor channel. The energy barrier prevents leakage of stored charge from the transistor channel into a bulk substrate. Methods for fabricating semiconductor devices that include energy barriers are also disclosed.
US08878185B2	Display device having projection with connection hole above the projection enabling connection of source electrode and pixel In order to improve the transmissivity of each pixel and the brightness of a high-definition screen, a TFT and a projection are disposed in each pixel, a source electrode of the TFT extends so as to cover the projection, an inorganic passivation film is formed over the TFT and the projection, an organic passivation film is formed on the inorganic passivation film on the TFT, an opposed electrode is formed on the organic passivation film, an upper insulation film is formed over the opposed electrode, a pixel electrode is formed on the upper insulation film, and the pixel electrode is connected to the source electrode through a connection hole formed in the inorganic passivation film and the upper insulation film on the projection. Accordingly, the diameter of a through-hole can be made smaller.
US08878183B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring semiconductor fabrication A semiconductor chip for process monitoring of semiconductor fabrication, has a plurality of arrays with a plurality of diodes, each diode being formed in the chip, each diode being associated with a stack with at least one horizontal interconnect, the stack and the diode connected in series to form a diode stack combination, wherein the horizontal interconnect has a salicided polysilicon interconnect comprising complementary doped polysilicon sections to form a reverse biased diode.
US08878180B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A more convenient and highly reliable semiconductor device which has a transistor including an oxide semiconductor with higher impact resistance used for a variety of applications is provided. A semiconductor device has a bottom-gate transistor including a gate electrode layer, a gate insulating layer, and an oxide semiconductor layer over a substrate, an insulating layer over the transistor, and a conductive layer over the insulating layer. The insulating layer covers the oxide semiconductor layer and is in contact with the gate insulating layer. In a channel width direction of the oxide semiconductor layer, end portions of the gate insulating layer and the insulating layer are aligned with each other over the gate electrode layer, and the conductive layer covers a channel formation region of the oxide semiconductor layer and the end portions of the gate insulating layer and the insulating layer and is in contact with the gate electrode layer.
US08878177B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device Provided is a miniaturized transistor having high electrical characteristics. The transistor includes a source electrode layer in contact with one side surface of the oxide semiconductor layer in the channel-length direction and a drain electrode layer in contact with the other side surface thereof. The transistor further includes a gate electrode layer in a region overlapping with a channel formation region with a gate insulating layer provided therebetween and a conductive layer having a function as part of the gate electrode layer in a region overlapping with the source electrode layer or the drain electrode layer with the gate insulating layer provided therebetween and in contact with a side surface of the gate electrode layer. With such a structure, an Lov region is formed with a scaled-down channel length maintained.
US08878176B2	Metal-oxide based thin-film transistors with fluorinated active layer A thin-film transistor with a fluorinated channel and fluorinated source and drain regions and methods of fabrication are provided. The thin-film transistor includes: a substrate; a semiconductor active layer of fluorine-doped metal-oxide formed on the substrate; fluorine-doped source and drain regions disposed adjacent to the semiconductor active layer; a gate electrode disposed over the semiconductor active layer, configured to induce a continuous conduction channel between the source and drain regions; and a gate dielectric material separating the gate electrode and the channel.
US08878173B2	Semiconductor device including oxide semiconductor and metal oxide An object is to provide a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, which has stable electrical characteristics and improved reliability. In a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, insulating films each including a material containing a Group 13 element and oxygen are formed in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, whereby the interfaces with the oxide semiconductor film can be kept in a favorable state. Further, the insulating films each include a region where the proportion of oxygen is higher than that in the stoichiometric composition, so that oxygen is supplied to the oxide semiconductor film; thus, oxygen defects in the oxide semiconductor film can be reduced. Furthermore, the insulating films in contact with the oxide semiconductor film each have a stacked structure so that films each containing aluminum are provided over and under the oxide semiconductor film, whereby entry of water into the oxide semiconductor film can be prevented.
US08878169B2	Photocurable polymeric materials and related electronic devices Disclosed are photocurable polymers that can be used as active and/or passive organic materials in various electronic, optical, and optoelectronic devices. In some embodiments, the device can include a dielectric layer prepared from such photocurable polymers. In some embodiments, the device can include a passivation layer prepared from the polymers described herein.
US08878167B2	Organic light emitting diode lighting equipment An organic light emitting diode lighting equipment includes a transparent substrate main body, a first electrode formed on the substrate main body, a subsidiary electrode formed on the first electrode to partition the first electrode at a predetermined distance, an organic emissive layer formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the organic emissive layer. The subsidiary electrode has an inclined lateral side facing toward the organic emissive layer.
US08878158B2	Light emitting device, light emitting device package, and lighting system A light emitting device according to the embodiment includes a conductive support substrate; a second conductive semiconductor layer on the conductive support substrate; an active layer on the second conductive semiconductor layer; a first conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer, the first conductive semiconductor layer including a GaN layer, an InGaN layer, and a roughness formed with selectively removed the GaN and InGaN layers; and an electrode layer on the first conductive semiconductor layer.
US08878154B2	Semiconductor device with multiple space-charge control electrodes A circuit including a semiconductor device having a set of space-charge control electrodes is provided. The set of space-charge control electrodes is located between a first terminal, such as a gate or a cathode, and a second terminal, such as a drain or an anode, of the device. The circuit includes a biasing network, which supplies an individual bias voltage to each of the set of space-charge control electrodes. The bias voltage for each space-charge control electrode can be: selected based on the bias voltages of each of the terminals and a location of the space-charge control electrode relative to the terminals and/or configured to deplete a region of the channel under the corresponding space-charge control electrode at an operating voltage applied to the second terminal.
US08878147B2	Method and apparatus for in situ preparation of serial planar surfaces for microscopy Systems and methods for preparing solid samples for analysis, such as microscopic examination in cross section or planimetric orientation. The sample preparation systems may include a sample support configured to secure a solid sample, an excitation beam source that generates an excitation beam configured to remove material from a surface of the sample, a beam shield configured to at least partially protect the sample from the excitation beam, and a beam shield holder configured to secure the beam shield, where the adjustment of the relative positions of the beam shield and sample holder permits the excitation beam to selectively expose a series of substantially planar surfaces of the sample.
US08878142B2	Charged particle beam irradiation apparatus A charged particle beam irradiation apparatus includes: a transport line configured to transport a charged particle beam; and a rotating gantry rotatable around a rotation axis, wherein the transport line has an inclined section configured to make the charged particle beam advancing in a direction of the rotation axis advance to be inclined so as to become more distant from the rotation axis, and is formed so as to turn the charged particle beam advanced in the inclined section to a rotational direction of the rotation axis and bend the charged particle beam turned to the rotational direction to the rotation axis side, the rotating gantry is formed of a tubular body which can accommodate an irradiated body and supports the transport line, and the inclined section is disposed to pass through the inside of the tubular body of the rotating gantry.
US08878140B2	Methods for radiation detection and characterization using a multiple detector probe Apparatuses, methods, and systems relating to radiological characterization of environments are disclosed. Multi-detector probes with a plurality of detectors in a common housing may be used to substantially concurrently detect a plurality of different radiation activities and types. Multiple multi-detector probes may be used in a down-hole environment to substantially concurrently detect radioactive activity and contents of a buried waste container. Software may process, analyze, and integrate the data from the different multi-detector probes and the different detector types therein to provide source location and integrated analysis as to the source types and activity in the measured environment. Further, the integrated data may be used to compensate for differential density effects and the effects of radiation shielding materials within the volume being measured.
US08878125B2	Encoder with gear mechanism and optical encoder device Provided herein is an encoder including a position detecting device provided with a gear mechanism and an optical encoder device. A housing includes a bearing holder provided between a first housing portion and a second housing portion of the housing. The bearing holder serves as a partition wall portion configured to separate the gear mechanism from the optical encoder device. If the gear mechanism is separated from the optical encoder device, abrasion powder or grease can be reliably prevented from scattering from the gear mechanism to adhere to constituent parts of the optical encoder device.
US08878124B2	Optical touch device having an auxiliary light guide component disposed between the two neighboring ends of first and second light guide components An optical touch device with a detecting area includes light guide components, a light source module, a light detecting component and an auxiliary light guide component. Each light guide component includes a first light emitting surface. The light guide components includes a first light guide component and a second light guide component. The auxiliary light guide component and the light detecting component are disposed between two neighboring ends of the first light guide component and the second light guide component, and the light detecting component includes a light detecting end. The auxiliary light guide component is positioned between the light detecting component and the detecting area and includes a first light incidence surface, a second light incidence surface and a second light emitting surface connected between the first light incidence surface and the second light incidence surface. The optical touch device can effectively avoid the blind zone problem.
US08878122B2	Two dimensional solid-state image pickup device with a light condensing element including protrusions separated by recesses A two-dimensional solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of pixel regions arranged in a two-dimensional matrix in X and Y directions. Each of the pixel regions includes at least a light-receiving element, and a light-condensing element. The light-condensing element is a sub-wavelength lens including protrusions each having a size equivalent to or smaller than a wavelength of an electromagnetic wave incident on the light-receiving element. Each of the protrusions has a rounded edge.
US08878115B2	Photoelectric conversion element, and photoelectric conversion apparatus and imaging system having a light guide A light condensing member focuses light, which is incident upon a first area of the light condensing member corresponding to an opening portion of an insulation film, in an upper portion region of a light path member arranged within the opening portion, the insulation film having an upper face extending from the opening portion, and the light path member having a lower face in a region corresponding to a light receiving face of an photoelectric conversion portion.
US08878114B2	Apparatus and methods for locating source of and analyzing electromagnetic radiation Detectors and methods for gathering, detecting and analyzing electromagnetic radiation are disclosed. A radiation detector includes one or more positive lenses to direct radiation to mirrors or to a photodetector. Coordinates of directed radiation are measured and interpreted to determine the angle of arrival. A color filter mosaic may be present to determine wavelengths of detected radiation. Temporal characteristics of the radiation may be measured.
US08878113B2	Solar tracking system using periodic scan patterns with a shielding tube A solar tracking system and method that use a shielding tube that admits solar radiation and has an absorptive inner surface for absorbing the solar radiation that is incident on it. The system has a photodetector for generating a signal related to an intensity of solar radiation at a distal end of the shielding tube and a scan unit for periodically executing a certain scan pattern in an elevation angle El and in an azimuth angle Az of the shielding tube. A processing unit in communication with the photodetector determines an on-sun orientation of the shielding tube based on a convolution of the signal obtained while executing the scan pattern with a trained convolution kernel. The on-sun orientation thus found can be used to update the orientation of one or more solar surfaces, e.g., reflective or photovoltaic surfaces.
US08878112B2	Solar power generating apparatus and solar tracking method A solar power generating apparatus and a solar tracking method for the same. When a plurality of solar collector plates are arranged, the solar collector plates may be adjusted at certain rotation angles to maintain a high level of solar absorption efficiently with respect to shade, and errors caused by the installed positions (particularly, the installed directions) of the solar collector plates having solar cells can be compensated for, to accordingly calculate and determine adjustment angles in order to accurately rotate the solar cells or solar collector plates to a desired direction and to increase solar absorption efficiency.
US08878103B2	Systems, methods, and devices for storing, heating, and dispensing fluid A heating unit for use in heating a fluid storage and dispensing system includes a wall module and a lid module. The modules include cover layers. Each module may include a heating component disposed between the cover layers and which is configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy and to distribute the heat energy. The heating component includes a heat generating element for converting electrical current to heat energy and a heat spreading element comprising carbon thermally coupled to the heat generating element. The modules may further include a thermal insulation layer. The modules may also include a receiving power connector electrically connected to the heat generating element.
US08878093B2	Method and apparatus for inspecting adhesive quality A method and apparatus inspect a quality of an adhesive material used for joining a pair of work surfaces during a weld-bonding process. A pair of work pieces are at least partially bonded by a layer of the adhesive material, and the dynamic displacement of one or both electrodes is measured through a duration of the resistance welding process to determine relative moisture content of the adhesive. A control action is executed when the dynamic displacement exceeds a stored threshold value. The apparatus includes a welding device having a pair of electrodes for providing a clamping force and an electrical current necessary for forming the welded joint, a sensor for measuring a dynamic displacement of at least one of the pair of electrodes and/or another portion of the welding device during formation of the welded joint. A controller has an algorithm for determining a relative moisture using the dynamic displacement.
US08878088B2	Modular MOC driver and interlock assembly for circuit breaker A MOC operator structure for a vacuum circuit breaker includes a cam coupled to an operating shaft of the circuit breaker, a follower in engagement with the cam, a first lever coupled with the follower, free-floating spring structure associated with the first lever, a second lever, a linkage structure coupled with the second lever and constructed and arranged to be associated with a breaker-panel interface for moving auxiliary switches, and movable cable structure operatively coupled between the first and second levers. The first lever and spring structure are configured such that when the contacts are closed, movement of the cam via the operating shaft drives the first lever to a maximum position compressing the spring structure, prior to any movement of the cable structure, and wherein force of the spring structure moves the cable structure and thus the second lever, causing movement of the linkage structure.
US08878085B2	Input device and manufacturing method thereof An input device and a manufacturing method of the input device are provided. The input device includes a circuit board and a plurality of mechanical switches. The circuit board has a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of conductive sheets, the second surface and the first second surface are opposed each other. A plurality of holes are formed on the circuit board and the conductive sheets are disposed at one side of the first surface in pairs around the hole, and each of the conductive sheets has a coupling section bent away from the first surface and the second surface. The mechanical switches are detachable from the circuit board, and each mechanical switch includes a plunger and a plurality of pins. Each of the mechanical switches has a positioning column inserted in the hole. One end of the pin is connected to the plunger, and the other end of the pin passes through the circuit board and is attached to the coupling section of the conductive sheets for the mechanical switch to be electrically connected to the circuit board.
US08878083B2	Button key assembly and electronic apparatus that employs the button key assembly Button keys, resilient supports and a frame are molded in one piece such that the button keys are resiliently movable and are spaced apart by a gap. Each of the button keys includes an engagement portion. A case includes a button hole formed therein. The case is assembled to the frame such that the button keys are received in the button hole. After the case has been assembled to the frame such that the plurality of adjacent button keys are received in the button hole and such that the engagement portion abuts a perimeter portion of the button hole, the second gap being smaller than the first gap.
US08878077B2	Wiring substrate and method of manufacturing the same A method of manufacturing a wiring substrate, includes forming a laminated body in which a nickel copper alloy layer is formed via an insulating resin layer, on a first wiring layer, forming a via hole reaching the first wiring layer in the nickel copper alloy layer and the insulating resin layer, applying a desmear process to an inside of the via hole, forming a seed layer on the nickel copper alloy layer and an inner surface of the via hole, forming a plating resist in which an opening portion is provided on a part containing the via hole, forming a metal plating layer in the opening portion in the plating resist by an electroplating, removing the plating resist, and forming a second wiring layer by etching the seed layer and the nickel copper alloy layer while using the metal plating layer as a mask.
US08878065B2	Flexible circuit cable with at least two bundled wire groups Disclosed is a flexible circuit cable with at least two bundled wire groups. The circuit cable has first and second ends respectively connected to first and second connection sections. The circuit cable includes a cluster section, which is formed of a plurality of cluster wires formed by slitting the circuit cable, in an extension direction of the cable, at a predetermined cut width. The cluster section includes at least two independent bundles, which are formed by dividing the cluster wires of the circuit cable into different signal groups according to electrical signals transmitted therethrough. Bundling members are used to the cluster wires of the independent bundles according to predetermined bundling modes. Further, the circuit cable has a surface forming a shielding conductive layer for electromagnetic interference protection and impedance control for internal signals of the circuit cable.
US08878055B2	Efficient nanoscale solar cell and fabrication method A photovoltaic device and method include a substrate layer having a plurality of structures including peaks and troughs formed therein. A continuous photovoltaic stack is conformally formed over the substrate layer and extends over the peaks and troughs. The photovoltaic stack has a thickness of less than one micron and is configured to transduce incident radiation into current flow.
US08878052B2	Apparatus of large-scaled solar cell module An apparatus of solar cell module is provided. The apparatus is large-scaled. A supporting frame is combined with solar cell modules. Thus, the present invention can be easily installed; material cost is saved; and the cost spent on adjusting levelness of the solar cell modules can be reduced.
US08878043B2	Systems, methods, and apparatus for music composition Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for determining one or more chords and/or music notes to output (e.g., via a mobile device) based on a direction of movement and/or a speed of movement (e.g., of a mobile device). In some embodiments, determining a music note for output may comprise determining whether a speed of a mobile device has increased, decreased, or remained constant.
US08878042B2	Stringed instrument practice device and system The present invention extends to practice devices and systems for practicing to play stringed instruments. An electronic stringed instrument practice device can be configured to perform one or more of the following: detect when finger positions and/or string to fret contact on a finger or fret board forms an appropriate musical note or musical chord, visually indicate appropriate positions on a finger or fret board for forming a musical note or musical chord, and detect when strings have been selected (e.g., strummed). The electronic stringed instrument practice device can emit sound in the form of musical notes and chords. The electronic stringed instrument practice device can include communication modules for communicating with other computing devices, including mobile phones and tablets. The electronic stringed instrument practice device can interact with applications on other computing devices to further assist users in learning how to play a stringed musical instrument.
US08878041B2	Detecting beat information using a diverse set of correlations A beat analysis module is described for determining beat information associated with an audio item. The beat analysis module uses an Expectation-Maximization (EM) approach to determine an average beat period, where correlation is performed over diverse representations of the audio item. The beat analysis module can determine the beat information in a relative short period of time. As such, the beat analysis module can perform its analysis together with another application task (such as a game application task) without disrupting the real time performance of that application task. In one application, a user may select his or her own audio items to be used in conjunction with the application task.
US08878032B1	Plants and seeds of corn variety CV468317 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV468317. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV468317, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV468317 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV468317 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV468317.
US08878023B2	Soybean variety XB32AE13 A novel soybean variety, designated XB32AE13 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB32AE13, cells from soybean variety XB32AE13, plants of soybean XB32AE13, and plant parts of soybean variety XB32AE13. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB32AE13 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB32AE13, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB32AE13, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB32AE13. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB32AE13 are further provided.
US08878020B2	Soybean cultivar S110226 A soybean cultivar designated S110226 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S110226, to the plants of soybean cultivar S110226, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S110226, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S110226. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S110226. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S110226, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S110226 with another soybean cultivar.
US08878010B1	Canola variety D3153 A novel canola variety designated D3153 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred canola varieties. Methods for producing a canola plant that comprises crossing canola variety D3153 with another canola plant. Methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into D3153 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the canola seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the canola variety D3153, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of canola variety D3153. This invention further relates to methods for producing canola varieties derived from canola variety D3153.
US08878008B1	Lettuce variety stage coach The present invention provides novel lettuce cultivar Stage Coach and plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom. The invention also provides methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the lettuce plants of the invention with themselves or another lettuce plant. The invention also provides lettuce plants produced from such a crossing as well as plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom.
US08878005B2	Method for promoting the formation of secondary cell wall of plant Provided is a method for increasing the thickness of the secondary cell wall of a plant. A method for increasing the thickness of the secondary cell wall of a plant by using a tracheary element differentiation (TED)-associated protein or a C-terminal fragment of the same, which comprises constructing a transgenic (Tg) plant containing, in an expressible manner, a DNA encoding protein(s) selected from the group consisting of a combination of TED6 with TED7, a C-terminal fragment of TED6, a C-terminal fragment of TED7, and a combination of a C-terminal fragment of TED6 with a C-terminal fragment of TED7, and expressing said DNA in said plant; the Tg plant; and a progeny, a cell, a tissue or a seed of the same.
US08878002B2	Nucleic acids and methods for producing seeds with a full diploid complement of the maternal genome in the embryo The present invention relates to DYAD genes, mutants thereof, and use of them for making plants that retain heterozygosity of the female parent plant. The invention also encompasses plants, plant tissues, and seeds of plants that have a dyad phenotype and so retain heterozygosity of the female parent, either constitutively or conditionally. The invention is useful for propagating desired hybrid phenotypes in a manner of an apomictic plant and for increasing the ploidy of a plant genotype, which may result in plants having increased biomass.
US08877998B2	Absorbent articles with multiple indicating widths An absorbent article comprises a first location of a first portion of a visual fullness indicating area that is configured to change to a subsequent visual state when indicating the presence of a bodily exudate. At the first location, the first portion has a first overall width. The absorbent article also comprises a second location of a second portion of a visual fullness indicating area that is configured to change to a subsequent visual state when indicating the presence of a bodily exudate. The second location is outboard from the first location. The second location has a second overall width that is wider than the first overall width.
US08877996B2	Alkylated aromatics production Disclosed is a process for the production of alkylated aromatics by contacting a feed stream comprising an alkylatable aromatic, an alkylating agent and trace amounts of water and impurities in the presence of a first catalyst and an alkylation catalyst wherein such water and impurities are removed in order to improve the cycle length of such alkylation catalysts. Water and at least a portion of impurities are removed in a dehydration zone. A reaction zone having a first catalyst which, in some embodiments is a large pore molecular sieve, acts to remove another portion of impurities, such as nitrogenous and other species. An alkylation zone having an alkylation catalyst which, in some embodiments is a medium pore molecular sieve or a MCM-22 family material, acts to remove additional impurities, and to alkylate the alkylatable aromatic compound.
US08877995B2	Pyrolysis fuels and methods for processing pyrolysis fuels Pyrolysis fuels and methods for processing pyrolysis fuel are provided. In one embodiment, a method of processing pyrolysis fuel converts biomass to pyrolysis fuel including pyrolysis oil and char particles. Also, the method includes resizing a portion of the char particles so that substantially all resized char particles have a largest dimension no greater than about 5 microns.
US08877989B2	Dehydration process of hydrofluorocarbon or hydrochlorofluorocarbon and production method of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene using the dehydration process A process for dehydrating a hydrofluorocarbon or hydrochlorofluorocarbon, which can be done by simple equipment, and a continuous process of producing 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene using the dehydration process. The dehydration process includes cooling the hydrofluorocarbon or hydrochlorofluorocarbon in gaseous form containing water with a heat exchanger, thereby condensing and liquefying the hydrofluorocarbon or hydrochlorofluorocarbon while freezing and solidifying the water. The 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene production method includes a first step for fluorinating 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene with hydrogen fluoride to obtain a mixture of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, unreacted 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride and by-products, or dehydrofluorinating 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane to obtain a mixture of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, unreacted 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and by-products, a second step for removing acidic components, a third step for dehydrating the 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene by the above dehydration process, and a fourth step for purifying the 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene by distillation.
US08877984B2	Process for the preparation of 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol from isophthalic acid Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol from isophthalic acid. Isophthalic acid is esterified with (3-methylcyclohexyl)methanol and the isophthalate ester hydrogenated to 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol in a 2-stage process. The (3-methylcyclohexyl)methanol that is formed during the hydrogenation step is recycled to the esterification reaction. Also disclosed is a method for purifying and recovering the 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol product.
US08877980B2	Phenylboronic acid The present invention relates to a specific phenylboronic acid compound having anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial activity, in addition to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. The present invention also discloses a process for preparing said compound. The compound is represented by the formula (I):
US08877979B2	Polyhydroxy-diamines as multi-functional additives for paints, coatings and epoxies Provided are polyhydroxy-diamine compounds of the formula I: or salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein. The compounds are useful as low additives for paints, coatings and epoxy formulations.
US08877977B2	Synthesis of polyalkylenepolyamines having a low color index by homogeneously catalyzed alcohol amination in the presence of hydrogen Process for the preparation of polyalkylenepolyamines by homogeneously catalyzed alcohol amination, in which aliphatic amino alcohols are reacted with one another or aliphatic diamines or polyamines are reacted with aliphatic diols or polyols with the elimination of water in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst and in the presence of hydrogen gas. Polyalkylenepolyamines obtainable by such processes and polyalkylenepolyamines comprising hydroxy groups, secondary amines or tertiary amines. Uses of such polyalkylenepolyamines as adhesion promoters for printing inks, adhesion promoters in composite films, cohesion promoters for adhesives, crosslinkers/curing agents for resins, primers for paints, wet-adhesion promoters for emulsion paints, complexing agents and flocculating agents, penetration assistants in wood preservation, corrosion inhibitors, immobilizing agents for proteins and enzymes.
US08877971B2	Method for preparing formamide compounds The present invention relates to a method for preparing formamide compounds using carbon dioxide, and to the use of said method for manufacturing vitamins, pharmaceutical products, adhesives, acrylic fibers, synthetic leathers, pesticides and fertilizers. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing vitamins, pharmaceutical products, adhesives, acrylic fibers, synthetic leathers, pesticides and fertilizers which includes a step of preparing formamide compounds by the method according to the invention.
US08877970B2	Inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase IX Novel radiopharmaceuticals that are useful in diagnostic imaging and therapeutic treatment of disease characterized by over expression of CA-IX comprise a complex that contains a sulfonamide moiety which is capable of binding the active catalytic site of CA-IX, and a radionuclide adapted for radioimaging and/or radiotherapy:
US08877967B2	Compositions and methods for inhibition of cathepsins This invention is directed to compound of Formula I and methods of using these compounds in the treatment of conditions in which modulation of a cathepsin, particularly cathepsin K or cathepsin L, will be therapeutically useful.
US08877966B2	Process for preparing acrylic acid from methanol and acetic acid A process for preparing acrylic acid from methanol and acetic acid, in which, in a reaction zone A, the methanol is partially oxidized to formaldehyde in a heterogeneously catalyzed gas phase reaction, the product gas mixture A obtained and an acetic acid source are used to obtain a reaction gas input mixture B which comprises acetic acid and formaldehyde and has the acetic acid in excess over the formaldehyde, and the formaldehyde present in reaction gas input mixture B is aldol-condensed to acrylic acid under heterogeneous catalysis in a reaction zone B with acetic acid present in reaction gas input mixture B, and unconverted acetic acid still present alongside the acrylic acid target product in the product gas mixture B obtained is removed therefrom, and the acetic acid removed is recycled into the production of reaction gas input mixture B.
US08877957B2	Sythesis of P-chiral compounds Shown is the preparation and subsequent elaboration of P-chiral compounds that can be used as a building block for many P-chiral ligands used, for example, in asymmetric catalytic reactions. Specifically, a synthesis is shown for RP(O)(OR)CH2OH, with R=H, Ph, aryl, alkyl, and R=menthol (and other chiral alcohol-derived moieties), especially HP(O)(OMen)CH2OH (Men=L-menthol). This versatile building block is easily synthesized via reaction of inexpensive starting materials, H3PO2, menthol as the chiral auxiliary, and paraformaldehyde.
US08877955B2	Secondary aminosilanes The present disclosure invention relates to novel secondary aminosilanes, a method for producing same, and the use thereof. The secondary aminosilanes can be produced from readily available reactants in a simple manner. The secondary aminosilanes are characterized for example by a low viscosity and are well suited for producing silane-functional polymers that have a low viscosity, fast curing, and good thermal stability.
US08877953B2	Method for producing sanshool Provided are a method for producing a sanshool, which can produce a sanshool in a short process and with high stereoselectivity, as well as a novel diene iron complex compound that is a stable intermediate useful for the production method. The diene iron complex compound is represented by the following general formula (I): (in which A represents CO, P(RA)3, CN, NO, SO(RA)3, or N(RA)2; RA represents a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms; and one of R1 and R2 represents a hydrogen atom and the other one thereof represents a structure represented by the following formula (II)): (in which R represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a methyl group).
US08877948B2	Synthesis process of polyol carbonate from polyols, conducted in using a solvent selective for polyols carbonates The present invention relates to a synthesis process of polyol carbonate, such as glycerol carbonate, from polyols such as glycerol, propylene glycol or ethylene glycol and urea conducted in using a solvent selective for polyols (glycerol) carbonates. Said process comprises reacting polyol with urea in the presence of a catalyst, extracting produced NH3 and in addition in the presence in the course of at least one step of the process of a selective solvent for polyol carbonate allowing to extract it from the reaction medium.
US08877947B2	Process for preparation of substantially pure fosamprenavir calcium and its intermediates The present invention relates to fosamprenavir calcium (Ia) substantially free of isomer impurity, (3R)tetrahydro-3-furanyl(1S,2R)-3-[[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl](isobutyl)amino]-1-benzyl-2-(phosphonooxy)propyl carbamate (Ib), and its process for preparation thereof. The present invention also provides fosamprenavir calcium intermediate, (S)-3-tetrahydrofuranyl-N-succinimidyl carbonate (IIa) substantially free of (R)-3-tetrahydrofuranylsuccinimidyl carbonate (IIb) and its process for preparation thereof.
US08877944B2	3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindole-4-carboxamides as PARP inhibitors There are provided substituted 3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindole-4-carboxamide derivatives (I) which selectively inhibit the activity of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase PARP-1 with respect to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase PARP-2. The compounds of this invention are therefore useful in treating diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system injury and different forms of inflammation. The present invention also provides methods for preparing these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of treating, diseases utilizing pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds.
US08877938B2	Compounds containing S-N-valeryl-N-{[2′-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-yl]-methyl}-valine and (2R,4S)-5-biphenyl-4-yl-4-(3-carboxy-propionylamino)-2-methyl-pentanoic acid ethyl ester moieties and cations A compound of an angiotensin receptor antagonist (ARB), a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor (NEPi) and one or more monovalent cations are useful for the treatment of hypertension and/or heart failure. ARB includes S—N-valeryl-N-{[2′-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-yl]-methyl}-valine in the anion form, NEPi includes (2R,4S)-5-biphenyl-4-yl-4-(3-carboxy-propionylamino)-2-methyl-pentanoic acid ethyl ester in the anion form and cation includes monovalent cations such as Na+. The compound includes trisodium [3-((1S,3R)-1-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl-3-ethoxycarbonyl-1-butylcarbamoyl)propionate-(S)-3′-methyl-2′-(pentanoyl{2″-(tetrazol-5-ylate)biphenyl-4′-ylmethyl}amino)butyrate] hemipentahydrate.
US08877937B2	Process for preparing transition metal-carbene complexes Process for preparing cyclometallated transition metal-carbene complexes comprising at least one carbene ligand, which comprises reacting a ligand precursor with a base, an auxiliary reagent and a metal complex comprising at least one metal M1 (route A) or reacting the ligand precursor with a basic auxiliary reagent and a metal complex comprising at least one metal M1 (route B). The present invention further relates to the use of an auxiliary reagent selected from among salts comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ag, Hg, Sb, Mg, B and Al together with a base in a process for preparing cyclometallated metal complexes.
US08877936B2	Ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts bearing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with substituted backbone This invention relates generally to olefin metathesis, more particularly, to tri- or tetra-substituted imidazolinium salts which are precursors to N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands with tri- or tetra-substituted imidazolinium rings, organometallic ruthenium complexes comprising gem di-substituted imidazolinium NHC ligands, organometallic ruthenium complexes comprising tri- or tetra-substituted imidazolinium NHC ligands, and to olefin metathesis methods using them. The catalysts and methods of the invention have utility in the fields of catalysis, organic synthesis, and industrial chemistry.
US08877923B2	Substituted 3-(5-membered unsaturated heterocyclyl-1, 3-dihydro-indol-2-ones and derivatives thereof as kinase inhibitors The present invention relates to organic molecules capable of modulating tyrosine kinase signal transduction in order to regulate, modulate and/or inhibit abnormal cell proliferation.
US08877920B2	Method and plant for purifying a carbohydrate rich liquid Described is a method for preparing a purified liquid containing carbohydrates. The method comprises the steps of: hydrolysing starch to a dextrose equivalent (DE) of 10 or above, thus obtaining a liquid of carbohydrates; removing a heavy weight sludge fraction from the light weight liquid of carbohydrates using centrifugation; filtering the remaining liquid of carbohydrates, the filter being capable of retaining coarser particles while allowing particles with a diameter less than 2 μm to pass; performing membrane separation on the filtered liquid of carbohydrates using a membrane having a pore size at 2 μm or below; and recovering a permeate stream of purified liquid containing carbohydrates. Also disclosed in a plant for performing the method.
US08877916B2	Promoter, promoter control elements, and combinations, and uses thereof The present invention provides DNA molecules that constitute fragments of the genome of a plant, and polypeptides encoded thereby. The DNA molecules are useful for specifying a gene product in cells, either as a promoter or as a protein coding sequence or as an UTR or as a 3′ termination sequence, and are also useful in controlling the behavior of a gene in the chromosome, in controlling the expression of a gene or as tools for genetic mapping, recognizing or isolating identical or related DNA fragments, or identification of a particular individual organism, or for clustering of a group of organisms with a common trait. One of ordinary skill in the art, having this data, can obtain cloned DNA fragments, synthetic DNA fragments or polypeptides constituting desired sequences by recombinant methodology known in the art or described herein.
US08877910B2	Probe for detecting polymorphism in exon 12 of NPM1 gene and use thereof The present invention relates to probes which detect a polymorphism(s) in exon 12 of the NPM1 gene, a kit therefor, and the method of detecting the polymorphism(s) thereof.
US08877902B2	Formulations and methods for weight loss and body contouring Formulations and methods for weight loss and body contouring are disclosed. An illustrative formulation comprises human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and resveratrol. An illustrative method for weight loss and body contouring comprises administering hCG and resveratrol sublingually.
US08877901B2	Camptothecin-binding moiety conjugates The invention relates to therapeutic conjugates with improved ability to target various diseased cells containing a targeting moiety (such as an antibody or antibody fragment), a linker and a camptothecin as a therapeutic moiety, and further relates to processes for making and using the said conjugates.
US08877895B2	Prokaryotic expression construct A pro-polypeptide which is useful for the expression of a polypeptide of interest in a prokaryotic cell. Therefore the pro-polypeptide is fused to the N-terminus of the polypeptide of interest. The pro-polypeptide as reported herein provides for improved expression yields and improves the handling of the fusion polypeptide (downstream processing, purification). For example, efficient endotoxin removal is effected while the protein of interest comprising the pro-polypeptide is bound e.g. to an affinity chromatography material. Thereafter the pro-polypeptide can efficiently be cleaved from the polypeptide of interest by the incorporated protease cleavage site with the cognate protease.
US08877894B2	Modified beta-lactoglobulins for immunotherapy of milk allergy The present invention is related to field of allergic (hypersensitivity) diseases and provides a method for producing modified allergenic polypeptides for use in immunotherapies. In the method of the invention, said allergenic polypeptides are modified so that they are not capable to form transient dimers. The invention also provides modified β-lactoglobulins for use in immunotherapy of milk allergy.
US08877888B2	High-flow polyamides A polyamide modified by a multi-functional compound, and a method for producing said polyamide and compositions comprising same are described. A method for the production of a polyamide comprising linear macromolecular chains and star-shaped macromolecular chains is also described. A resulting polyamide having optimal mechanical and rheological properties in order to (i) improve mould filling speed and quality, and (ii) produce moldable compositions with high filler contents is also described.
US08877879B2	Apparatus for producing methacrylic polymer and production method thereof Disclosed is an apparatus for producing a high-quality methacrylic polymer with good productivity, comprising a complete mixing type reactor 11, tubular reactors 12 and 13 which have been serially connected, and a volatile removing instrument 14, wherein at least two of the tubular reactors 12 and 13 are connected via a cooler 15 for cooling the reaction mixture. It is preferable that the cooler 15 is a multitubular cooler and the tubular reactors 12 and 13 are plug flow reactors.
US08877871B2	Organic switching element and method for producing the same There is provided a switching element including two electrodes and an organic bistable material sandwiched between the electrodes, which is expected to be applied to an organic memory element or the like. A switching element which includes: two electrodes; and an organic thin film containing a metal fine particle and interposed between the electrodes, and which exhibits such a current bistability that the switching element has two stable resistance values in response to a voltage applied, the switching element characterized in that the metal fine particle is dispersed in the organic thin film with a metal fine particle-dispersing agent containing a polymer having a dithiocarbamate group and having a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 5,000,000.
US08877869B2	Method for selecting organic sulfur compound for golf ball, method for producing golf ball, and golf ball An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having high resilience. The gist of the present invention resides in selecting an organic sulfur compound used for a golf ball rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber, (b) a co-crosslinking agent, (c) a crosslinking initiator, and (d) the organic sulfur compound from organic sulfur compounds having specific structures such that a sum of substituent constants of the substituents X in a structure represented by the following formula (4) is 0.2 or more and SP value of the structure represented by the following formula (4) is in a range from 19.0 (J/cm3)1/2 to 24.0 (J/cm3)1/2 and using the same.
US08877868B2	Hot melt adhesive comprising cyanoacrylate curing compounds A curable adhesive composition comprising (i) 10 to 80 wt-% of a derivatives of cyanoacrylic esters, cyanopentadienoate esters, methyliden malonate esters (ii) 15 to 50 wt-% non-reactive (co)polymer(s) based on unsaturated monomers selected from vinyl esters or alkyl (meth)acrylates, iii) hydrocarbon resins and optionally iv) additives.
US08877865B2	Resin composition and multilayered structure A resin composition, contains: a thermoplastic polyurethane (A); a thermoplastic polyurethane (B); and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (C), wherein an isocyanate group content (mole) in raw materials of the thermoplastic polyurethane (A) is greater than a hydroxyl group content (mole) therein, an isocyanate group content (mole) in raw materials of the thermoplastic polyurethane (B) is nearly equal to a hydroxyl group content (mole) therein, and the thermoplastic polyurethane (B) and the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (C) have a mass ratio (B/C) of from 70/30 to 99/1 and a content of the thermoplastic polyurethane (A), based on 100 parts by mass of a total of the thermoplastic polyurethane (B) and the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (C), is from 1 to 30 parts by mass. Thus, a resin composition is provided that contains thermoplastic polyurethanes and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and is good in melt shapability.
US08877864B2	Anionic dispersion polymerization process The invention provides an anionic dispersion polymerization process, wherein the polymerization is improved by an organic isothiocyanate, such as methyl isothiocyanate.
US08877862B2	Method for color stabilization of poly(butylene-co-adipate terephthalate Biodegradable compositions containing an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester derived from aromatic polyesters. Methods of making the compositions and articles made from the compositions.
US08877857B2	Polar group-containing copolymer, rubber composition and studless tire The present invention provides a polar group-containing copolymer which can provide a rubber composition and a winter tire achieving the abrasion resistance, performance on ice, and handling stability on dry roads in a balanced manner. The present invention relates to a polar group-containing copolymer obtainable by copolymerizing a conjugated diene compound and a polar group-containing vinyl compound, wherein the polar group-containing vinyl compound is a compound that has a polymerizable unsaturated bond and a polar group, wherein any one of carbon atoms forming the polymerizable unsaturated bond and a carbon atom linked to the polar group are connected to each other via at least one carbon atom, and wherein a cis content of the double bond portion of the conjugated diene compound in the polar group-containing copolymer is 80 mol % or more.
US08877856B2	Adhesive resin composition and hot melt adhesive obtained therefrom Provided is an adhesive resin composition having improved heat resistance without deteriorations in adhesive strength and flexibility. The adhesive resin composition comprises 30 to 98 wt % of an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (a) and 70 to 2 wt % of a propylene resin composition (P), wherein the total of the component (a) and the component (P) is 100 wt %. The propylene resin composition (P) comprises 60 to 0 wt % of a propylene polymer (b) having a melting point of 120 to 170° C. and a melt flow rate of 0.1 to 500 g/10 min, and 40 to 100 wt % of a propylene polymer (c) having a melting point of less than 120° C. or showing no melting points and having a melt flow rate of 0.1 to 500 g/10 min, wherein the total of the component (b) and the component (c) is 100 wt %.
US08877852B2	Phosphorous-containing organic polymer and compositions and processes including same An organic polymer including internal pendant phosphorous acid groups at a level of >0.25% phosphorus by weight based on the weight of said organic polymer, the phosphorus acid groups being separated from the backbone of the organic polymer by no more than 2 alkylene glycol units, the organic polymer having an acid number of from 100 to 1,000, and a Mw of from 1,000 to 75,000, wherein the organic polymer has been formed by emulsion polymerization from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer is provided. Compositions further including an emulsion polymer including from 0.05% to 2% phosphorous, present as pendant phosphorous acid groups, by weight based on the weight of the emulsion polymer, and, optionally, an inorganic particle are also provided as are processes related to the compositions.
US08877846B2	Surface coating and fuser member The present teachings disclose a surface coating composition. The surface coating composition includes fluorine containing particles, aerogel particles and positive tribocharging particles. The surface coating is useful as the release layer for fuser members.
US08877835B2	Heat-activatable free-radical initiators and composite material which comprises magnetic particles Composite material comprising—one or more heat-activatable free-radical initiators selected from the group consisting of organic peroxides and/or initiators having labile carbon-carbon bonds and particles which have a core-shell structure and the core of which comprises one or more magnetic materials, while the shell comprises silicon dioxide.
US08877821B2	Method and system for synthesizing liquid hydrocarbon compounds Provided is a method for synthesizing liquid hydrocarbon compounds wherein synthesizing liquid hydrocarbon compounds from a synthesis gas by a Fisher-Tropsch synthesis reaction. The method includes a first absorption step of absorbing a carbon dioxide gas, which is contained in gaseous by-products generated in the Fisher-Tropsch synthesis reaction, with an absorbent, and a second absorption step of absorbing a carbon dioxide gas, which is contained in the synthesis gas, with the absorbent which is passed through the first absorption step.
US08877817B2	Stable ready to use injectable paracetamol formulation The invention concerns a stable aqueous paracetamol solution for use in IV infusion comprising at least one stabilizing-dissolving compound for paracetamol in solution selected from the group consisting of cyclodextrins, at least one stabilizing compound bearing at least one thiol functional group and at least one stabilizing compound selected from the group consisting of Thiamine salts.
US08877807B2	Compositions and methods for reducing body fat The present invention relates to compositions, such as bimatoprost, latanoprost and travoprost, and methods to reduce fat in the body of an individual, for example, by topical administration, injection, and/or implantation of such compositions.
US08877800B2	Kappa-opiate agonists for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome The present invention concerns methods useful in treating a subject having diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) by administering N-methyl-N-[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-((3S)-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl]-2,2-diphenylacetamide and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the subject.
US08877798B2	1-aryl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes: preparation and use to treat neuropsychiatric disorders The invention provides novel, multiply-substituted 1-aryl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes, and related processes and intermediates for preparing these compounds, as well as compositions and methods employing these compounds for the treatment and/or prevention of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including depression and anxiety.
US08877787B2	EP4 agonist Provided is a compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a straight chain alkyl group having a carbon number of 1-3, R3 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1-4, an alkoxyalkyl group, an aryl group, a halogen atom or a haloalkyl group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which has, unlike known PGI2 analogs, a selective EP4 agonist action, and a medicament containing the compound, which is useful for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of immune diseases, diseases of the digestive tract, cardiovascular diseases, cardiac diseases, respiratory diseases, neurological diseases, ophthalmic diseases, renal diseases, hepatic diseases, bone diseases, skin diseases and the like.
US08877767B2	Polymorphs of methyl (E)-2-{2-[6-(2-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phyenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate The present invention relates to novel crystalline polymorphic and amorphous forms of the compound methyl (E)-2-{2-[6-(2-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate (azoxystrobin). Infrared Raman spectra, X-Ray powder diffraction pattern and differential scanning calorimetry thermogram of two polymorphs “A” and “B” are provided. Further, the present invention also provides methods for preparing the novel polymorphic forms “A” and “B”, as well as processes for producing mixtures of the polymorphs, and a process for preparing amorphous azoxystrobin. Yet further, the present invention provides anti-fungal compositions comprising the novel crystalline polymorphs “A” and “B” or amorphous azoxystrobin, which are useful for controlling and combating fungi grown on agricultural and horticultural crops and up-land, and methods of using the same as pesticidal agents for combating fungi on agricultural and horticultural crops.
US08877754B2	Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof The invention relates to new compounds of the formula I to their use as medicaments, to methods for their therapeutic use and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US08877753B2	1-aryl-3-aminoalkoxy pyrazoles as sigma ligands enhancing analgesic effect of opioids and attenuating the dependency thereof The invention relates to the use of a group of sigma receptor ligands of formula (I) for the potentiation of the analgesic effect of opioids and opiates and at the same time for decreasing the dependency induced by them.
US08877745B2	CCR2 receptor antagonists, method for producing the same, and use thereof as medicaments The present invention relates to novel antagonists for CCR2 (CC chemokine receptor 2) of formula (I) wherein HET is a group selected from among formulas (IIa) (IIb) (IIc) (IId) and their use for providing medicaments for treating conditions and diseases, especially pulmonary diseases like asthma and COPD and pain diseases.
US08877741B2	Pyrrolidine derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof The invention relates to new pyrrolidine derivatives of the formula to their use as medicaments, to methods for their therapeutic use and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US08877738B2	Antipathogenic peptides The present invention relates to monomeric and multimeric peptidic compounds which have antipathogenic, in particular antiviral or/and antibacterial activity. In a preferred aspect, the peptide compounds of the invention have an activity in respect of a broad spectrum of viruses, both DNA and RNA viruses, irrespective of whether they possess virus envelope or not. Further, the present invention refers to compositions comprising said peptidic compounds for medical use, i.e. for the treatment or prevention of pathogenic, in particular viral or/and bacterial infections.
US08877737B2	Allergy inhibitor The present invention provides an allergy inhibitor using the efficacy of amorphous paramylon which is a substance obtained by changing the crystalline structure of paramylon.The present invention relates to a substance for inhibiting allergic diseases. Amorphous paramylon of the present invention is an allergy inhibitor comprising amorphous paramylon which is obtained by amorphosizing crystalline paramylon derived from Euglena, and has a relative crystallinity of 20% or lower to the crystallinity of crystalline paramylon, determined by an X-ray diffractometry. This allergy inhibitor enables efficacious inhibition of allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, pollinosis, and the like.
US08877734B2	Seleny-methyluracil compounds, radiosensitizer and pharmaceutical composition using them Provided are novel selenyl-methyluracil compounds and a pharmaceutical composition for enhancing the effect of radiation treatment. The composition contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the selenyl-methyluracil compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as an active ingredient.
US08877733B2	1′-substituted pyrimidine N-nucleoside analogs for antiviral treatment Provided are compounds of Formula I: nucleosides, nucleoside phosphates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R6 is CN, ethenyl, 2-haloethen-1-yl, or (C2-C8)-alkyn-1-yl. The compounds, compositions, and methods provided are useful for the treatment of Flaviviridae virus infections.
US08877729B2	Amino acid lipids and uses thereof This disclosure provides a range of amino acid lipid compounds and compositions useful for drug delivery, therapeutics, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions. The amino acid lipid compounds and compositions can be used for delivery of various agents such as nucleic acid therapeutics to cells, tissues, organs, and subjects.
US08877725B2	Peptide conjugated, inosine-substituted antisense oligomer compound and method A therapeutic oligomer-peptide conjugate, and methods of using the conjugate are disclosed. The conjugate includes (a) a substantially uncharged oligonucleotide analog compound having a base sequence that includes a string of bases that are complementary to four or more contiguous cytosine bases in a target nucleic acid region to which the compound is intended to bind, and (b) conjugated to the compound, an arginine-rich peptide effective to enhance the uptake of the compound into target cells. The string of bases in the compound includes at least one inosine base positioned in the string so as to limit the number of contiguous guanine bases in said string to three or fewer. The conjugate has greater cellular uptake than the compound alone, by virtue of the arginine-rich peptide, and substantially greater antisense activity greater activity than the conjugate in the absence of inosine-for guanine substitutions.
US08877717B2	Anti-diabetic extract of rooibos Novel and useful compositions derived from rooibos for treating diabetes are provided. The present invention is particularly concerned with the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. The invention provides a new use for aspalathin and rutin and compositions containing them for use in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. The invention provides an anti-diabetic agent, an anti-diabetic composition containing the anti-diabetic agent, a foodstuff or beverage containing the anti-diabetic agent, a method for preventing or treating diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, and a method of decreasing blood glucose level. The anti-diabetic agent may be an extract from rooibos (Aspalathus spp.), aspalathin as such or in combination with rutin.
US08877712B2	Use of Del-1 in hair, bone and cartilage regeneration Methods and compositions are described enhancing bone density or formation, including for stabilizing bone grafts, bone repair, joint replacement, and cartilage repair that includes providing a composition including Del-1 locally to a site for enhancing bone density or formation, or to a culture or chondrocytes or multipotent chondrocyte precursor cells, whereby survival or differentiation of chondrocytes at the site is enhanced, thereby ultimately enhancing bone density or formation. Methods and compositions for stimulating hair regrowth are also provided.
US08877709B2	Reversible pegylated drugs Reversible pegylated drugs are provided by derivatization of free functional groups of the drug selected from amino, hydroxyl, mercapto, phosphate and/or carboxyl with groups sensitive to mild basic conditions such as 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) or 2-sulfo-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMS), to which group a PEG moiety is attached. In these pegylated drugs, the PEG moiety and the drug residue are not linked directly to each other, but rather both residues are linked to different positions of the scaffold Fmoc or FMS structure that is highly sensitive to bases and is removable under physiological conditions. The drugs are preferably drugs containing an amino group, most preferably peptides and proteins of low or medium molecular weight. Similar molecules are provided wherein a protein carrier or another polymer carrier replaces the PEG moiety.
US08877706B2	Maytansinoid derivatives Disclosed herein are maytansinoid drug linker derivatives which can be linked to a antigen binding unit (Abu), and maytansinoid drugs linked with an antigen binding unit (Drug-Linker-Antigen binding Unit: D-L-Abu), for targeted delivery to disease tissues. D-L-Abu, D-L-Abu derivatives, and methods relating to the use of such drug conjugates to treat antigen positive cells in cancers and immunological disorders are provided.
US08877704B2	Organic compounds Disclosed are certain compounds according to the general formula (I) and their use as flavoring and fragrancing compounds, as well as fragranced and flavored compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I), and methods for providing a flavor or fragrance to compositions and articles utilizing the compounds of formula (I).
US08877703B2	Stearyl and lauryl dimoniumhydroxy alkyl polyglucosides for enhanced food soil removal A cleaning composition including a primarily C12 quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucoside selected from the group consisting of stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl laurylglucosides chloride and lauryldimoniumhydroxypropyl cocoglucosides chloride, a water conditioning agent, an acid source, a solvent, and water. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition is substantially free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates. The cleaning composition is capable of removing soils including up to 20% proteins. The cleaning compositions include a biorenewable, environmentally friendly alternative to nonyl phenol ethoxylates and exhibit superior cleaning of food soils.
US08877702B2	Detergent composition The present invention relates to the detergent composition, containing (a) a nonionic surfactant represented by the formula (1); and (b) a sulfuric acid ester salt represented by the formula (2): R—O-(EO)m—(PO)n-(EO)m′—H (1) wherein, R represents a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms; EO represents an ethyleneoxy group; PO represents a propyleneoxy group; m=0.1 to 25; m′=0 to 24.9; m+m′=0.5 to 25; and n=0.1 to 10; with the proviso that (EO)m, (PO)n, and (EO)m′ are arranged in a block addition mode in this order; R1—O—(PO)x-(EO)y—SO3M (2) wherein, R1 represents a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms; x=0.1 to 10; y=0 to 30; (PO)x and (EO)y are arranged in any order in any addition mode, being a block addition or a random addition, M is a counter ion.
US08877701B2	Laundry article having cleaning properties The invention discloses a laundry article used for cleaning fabrics comprising a water-insoluble nonwoven substrate and coated thereon into at least one zone each a detergent composition and an enzyme-containing composition. The enzyme-containing composition comprises an enzyme embedded in a thickened matrix.
US08877700B2	Aqueous cleaning agent comprising an alkanolamine salt of at least one carboxylic acid An aqueous detergent according to the invention contains substantially no polyalkylene glycol, but contains a salt of at least one of the following carboxylic acids A, B and C: A: an aliphatic monobasic carboxylic acid having a total carbon number of 9 or 10 and including a branched alkyl group; B: sebacic acid; and C: an aromatic monobasic carboxylic acid having a total carbon number of 11 to 13.
US08877688B2	Rationally designed, synthetic antibody libraries and uses therefor The present invention overcomes the inadequacies inherent in the known methods for generating libraries of antibody-encoding polynucleotides by specifically designing the libraries with directed sequence and length diversity. The libraries are designed to reflect the preimmune repertoire naturally created by the human immune system, with or without DH segments derived from other species, and are based on rational design informed by examination of publicly available databases of antibody sequences.
US08877686B2	Surface display of recombinant proteins in lower eukaryotes Methods for display of recombinant proteins or protein libraries on the surface of lower eukaryotes such as yeast and filamentous fungi are described. The methods are useful for screening libraries of recombinant proteins in lower eukaryotes to identify particular proteins with desired properties from the array of proteins in the libraries. The methods are particularly useful for constructing and screening antibody libraries in lower eukaryotes.
US08877677B1	Filtration media and process for the removal of hazardous materials from air streams The present invention relates to a novel filtration media and process for removing toxic materials from streams of air at ambient conditions using the novel filtration media. The filtration media is comprised of porous zirconium hydroxide onto which at least one reactive moiety is impregnated.
US08877668B2	Process to reduce catalyst fluidization in regeneration units The invention involves a process that reduces the potential for catalyst fluidization in a reduction vessel of a continuous catalyst regeneration system. The gas exit area from the catalyst reduction zone is increased by ventilating the cylindrical baffle of the upper reduction zone. This provides an increased exit cross-sectional area for the upper reduction gas to escape and reduce the overall exit velocity of the combined upper and lower reduction gases and reduces the potential for catalyst fluidization.
US08877661B2	Energy-absorbing textile structure, in particular for use in vehicle construction and method for producing said structure Energy-absorbing textile structure, in particular for use in vehicle construction, which has high-tensile yarns for absorbing force, is formed by a braided fabric (2) with standing ends (3) in the force input direction and in that the textile structure has at least one region (4) with local modification of the fiber structure (2, 3).
US08877660B2	Base fabric for air bag A base fabric for an air bag obtained by applying a reactive compound, a water-dispersed resin composition and a water-dispersible pigment to a woven/knitted fabric made of synthetic fiber and then subjecting the resulted coated fabric to a thermal treatment.
US08877654B2	Pulsed plasma to affect conformal processing A plasma processing method is provided. The plasma processing method includes using the after-glow of a pulsed power plasma to perform conformal processing. During the afterglow, the equipotential field lines follow the contour of the workpiece surface, allowing ions to be introduced in a variety of incident angles, especially to non-planar surfaces. In another aspect of the disclosure, the platen may be biased positively during the plasma afterglow to attract negative ions toward the workpiece. Various conformal processing steps, such as implantation, etching and deposition may be performed.
US08877652B2	Substrate structure and method of manufacturing the same A substrate structure and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The substrate structure may includes a substrate on which a plurality of protrusions are formed on one surface thereof and a plurality of buffer layers formed according to a predetermined pattern and formed spaced apart from each other on the plurality of protrusions.
US08877651B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method involving multilayer contact etch stop A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a contact etch stop layer on an active area of a substrate that has a gate stack formed thereon. The gate stack includes a metal gate and a metal oxide. The contact etch stop layer includes a silicon oxide layer sandwiched between a first silicon nitride layer and a second silicon nitride layer that is disposed on the active area. The method further includes forming a contact hole extending through an interlayer dielectric layer on the first silicon nitride layer using the first silicon nitride layer as a protection for the active area, removing a portion of the first silicon nitride layer disposed at the bottom of the contact hole using the silicon oxide layer as a protection for the active area, and removing the metal oxide using the second silicon nitride layer as a protection for the active area.
US08877639B2	Method and algorithm for random half pitched interconnect layout with constant spacing An embodiment of a system and method produces a random half pitched interconnect layout. A first normal-pitch mask and a second normal-pitch mask are created from a metallization layout having random metal shapes. The lines and spaces of the first mask are printed at normal pitch and then the lines are shrunk to half pitch on mask material. First spacers are used to generate a half pitch dimension along the outside of the lines of the first mask. The mask material outside of the first spacer pattern is partially removed. The spacers are removed and the process is repeated with the second mask. The mask material remains at the locations of first set of spacers and/or the second set of spacers to create a half pitch interconnect mask with constant spaces.
US08877632B1	Providing a void-free filled interconnect structure in a layer of package substrate Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards techniques and configurations for providing void-free filled interconnect structures in a dielectric layer of a package assembly. In one embodiment, the method for providing a void-free filled interconnect structure may include forming a through hole through a layer of a package substrate, and depositing a conductive material to fill the through hole. Depositing the conductive material may be performed while gradually increasing a current density of the conductive material and correspondingly changing a flow rate of the conductive material. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US08877620B2	Method for forming ultra-shallow doping regions by solid phase diffusion A method for forming ultra-shallow dopant regions in a substrate is provided. One embodiment includes depositing a first dopant layer containing a first dopant in direct contact with the substrate, patterning the first dopant layer, depositing a second dopant layer containing a second dopant in direct contact with the substrate adjacent the patterned first dopant layer, the first and second dopant layers containing an oxide, a nitride, or an oxynitride, where the first and second dopant layers contain an n-type dopant or a p-type dopant with the proviso that the first or second dopant layer do not contain the same dopant, and diffusing the first dopant from the first dopant layer into the substrate to form a first ultra-shallow dopant region in the substrate, and diffusing the second dopant from the second dopant layer into the substrate to form a second ultra-shallow dopant region in the substrate.
US08877619B1	Process for manufacture of integrated circuits with different channel doping transistor architectures and devices therefrom Structures and processes are provided that can be used for effectively integrating different transistor designs across a process platform. In particular, a bifurcated process is provided in which dopants and other processes for forming some transistor types may be performed prior to STI or other device isolation processes, and other devices may be formed thereafter. Thus, doping and other steps and their sequence with respect to the STI process can be selected to be STI-first or STI-last, depending on the device type to be manufactured, the range of device types that are manufactured on the same wafer or die, or the range of device types that are planned to be manufactured using the same or similar mask sets.
US08877616B2	Method and system for monolithic integration of photonics and electronics in CMOS processes Methods and systems for monolithic integration of photonics and electronics in CMOS processes are disclosed and may include fabricating photonic and electronic devices on a single CMOS wafer with different silicon layer thicknesses. The devices may be fabricated on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer utilizing a bulk CMOS process and/or on a SOI wafer utilizing a SOI CMOS process. The different thicknesses may be fabricated utilizing a double SOI process and/or a selective area growth process. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing one or more oxygen implants and/or utilizing CMOS trench oxide on the CMOS wafer. Silicon may be deposited on the CMOS trench oxide utilizing epitaxial lateral overgrowth. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing selective backside etching. Reflective surfaces may be fabricated by depositing metal on the selectively etched regions. Silicon dioxide or silicon germanium integrated in the CMOS wafer may be utilized as an etch stop layer.
US08877613B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device A semiconductor device manufacturing method comprising the steps of providing a matrix substrate having a main surface with plural device areas formed thereon, fixing plural semiconductor chips to the plural device areas respectively, then sealing the plural semiconductor chips all together with resin to form a block sealing member, dividing the block sealing member and the matrix substrate for each of the device areas by dicing, thereafter rubbing a surface of each of the diced sealing member portions with a brush, then storing semiconductor devices formed by the dicing once into pockets respectively of a tray, and conveying the semiconductor devices each individually from the tray. Since the substrate dividing work after block molding is performed by dicing while vacuum-chucking the surface of the block sealing member, the substrate division can be done without imposing any stress on an external terminal mounting surface of the matrix substrate.
US08877610B2	Method of patterning a substrate In various embodiments, a method of patterning a substrate may include: forming an auxiliary layer on or above a substrate and forming a plasma etch mask layer on or above the auxiliary layer, wherein the auxiliary layer is configured such that it may be removed from the substrate more easily than the plasma etch mask layer; patterning the plasma etch mask layer and the auxiliary layer such that at least a portion of the substrate is exposed; patterning the substrate by means of a plasma etch process using the patterned plasma etch mask layer as a plasma etch mask.
US08877607B2	Method for manufacturing SOI substrate To suppress desorption of hydrogen ions with which a single crystal semiconductor substrate is irradiated. A method for manufacturing an SOI substrate includes the following steps: irradiating a semiconductor substrate with carbon ions; irradiating the semiconductor substrate with a hydrogen ion after the irradiation with the carbon ion so as to form an embrittled region in the semiconductor substrate; disposing a surface of the semiconductor substrate and a surface of a base substrate to face each other and to be in contact with each other so that the semiconductor substrate and the base substrate are bonded; and heating the semiconductor substrate and the base substrate which are bonded to each other and separating the semiconductor substrate along the embrittled region so that a semiconductor layer is formed over the base substrate.
US08877604B2	Device structure with increased contact area and reduced gate capacitance A FET structure including epitaxial source and drain regions includes large contact areas and exhibits both low resistivity and low parasitic gate to source/drain capacitance. The source and drain regions are laterally etched to provide recesses for accommodating low-k dielectric material without compromising the contact area between the source/drain regions and their associated contacts. A high-k dielectric layer is provided between the raised source/drain regions and a gate conductor as well as between the gate conductor and a substrate, such as an ETSOI or PDSOI substrate. The structure is usable in electronic devices such as MOSFET devices.
US08877602B2	Mechanisms of doping oxide for forming shallow trench isolation The embodiments described provide mechanisms for doping oxide in the STIs with carbon to make etch rate in the narrow and wide structures equal and also to make corners of wide STIs strong. Such carbon doping can be performed by ion beam (ion implant) or by plasma doping. The hard mask layer can be used to protect the silicon underneath from doping. By using the doping mechanism, the even surface topography of silicon and STI enables patterning of gate structures and ILD0 gapfill for advanced processing technology.
US08877597B2	Embedding metal silicide contact regions reliably into highly doped drain and source regions by a stop implantation When forming metal silicide regions, such as nickel silicide regions, in sophisticated transistors requiring a shallow drain and source dopant profile, superior controllability may be achieved by incorporating a silicide stop layer. To this end, in some illustrative embodiments, a carbon species may be incorporated on the basis of an implantation process in order to significantly modify the metal diffusion during the silicidation process. Consequently, an increased thickness of the metal silicide may be provided, while not unduly increasing the probability of creating contact failures.
US08877594B2	CMOS device for reducing radiation-induced charge collection and method for fabricating the same A CMOS device for reducing a radiation-induced charge collection and a method for fabricating the same. In the CMOS device, a heavily doped charge collection-suppressed region is disposed directly under the source region and the drain region. The region has a doping type opposite that of the source region and the drain region, and has a doping concentration not less than that of the source region and the drain region. The charge collection-suppressed region has a lateral part slightly less than or equal to that of the source region and the drain region, and has a lateral range toward to the channel not exceed the edges of the source region and the drain region. The CMOS device may greatly reduce a range of the funnel that appears under the action of a single particle, so that charges collected instantaneously under a force of an electric field may be reduced.
US08877591B2	Methods of manufacturing vertical structure nonvolatile memory devices A vertical structure nonvolatile memory device can include a channel layer that extends in a vertical direction on a substrate. A memory cell string includes a plurality of transistors that are disposed on the substrate in the vertical direction along a vertical sidewall of the channel layer. At least one of the plurality of transistors includes at least one recess in a gate of the transistor into which at least one protrusion, which includes the channel layer, extends.
US08877590B1	Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same A semiconductor memory device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The device includes interlayer insulating patterns and conductive patterns stacked alternately, vertical channel layers formed through the interlayer insulating patterns and the conductive patterns, a tunnel insulating layer formed to surround sidewalls of each of the vertical channel layers, and a multifunctional layer formed to surround the tunnel insulating layer. The multifunctional layer includes trap regions disposed at intersections between the vertical channel layers and the conductive patterns, respectively, and disposed to be in contact with the tunnel insulating layer, blocking regions disposed to be in contact with the trap regions and the conductive patterns, and sacrificial regions disposed between adjacent ones of the blocking regions.
US08877589B2	Methods of forming field effect transistors on substrates The invention includes methods of forming field effect transistors. In one implementation, the invention encompasses a method of forming a field effect transistor on a substrate, where the field effect transistor comprises a pair of conductively doped source/drain regions, a channel region received intermediate the pair of source/drain regions, and a transistor gate received operably proximate the channel region. Such implementation includes conducting a dopant activation anneal of the pair of source/drain regions prior to depositing material from which a conductive portion of the transistor gate is made. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
US08877585B1	Non-volatile memory (NVM) cell, high voltage transistor, and high-K and metal gate transistor integration A method of making a semiconductor structure using a substrate having a non-volatile memory (NVM) portion, a first high voltage portion, a second high voltage portion and a logic portion, includes forming a first conductive layer over an oxide layer on a major surface of the substrate in the NVM portion, the first and second high voltage portions, and logic portion. A memory cell is fabricated in the NVM portion while the first conductive layer remains in the first and second high voltage portions and the logic portion. The first conductive layer is patterned to form transistor gates in the first and second high voltage portions. A protective mask is formed over the NVM portion and the first and second high voltage portions. A transistor gate is formed in the logic portion while the protective mask remains in the NVM portion and the first and second high voltage portions.
US08877583B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device In a method of forming an ohmic layer of a DRAM device, the metal silicide layer between the storage node contact plug and the lower electrode of a capacitor is formed as the ohmic layer by a first heat treatment under a first temperature and an instantaneous second heat treatment under a second temperature higher than the first temperature. Thus, the metal silicide layer has a thermo-stable crystal structure and little or no agglomeration occurs on the metal silicide layer in the high temperature process. Accordingly, the sheet resistance of the ohmic layer may not increase in spite of the subsequent high temperature process.
US08877567B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming uniform height insulating layer over interposer frame as standoff for semiconductor die A semiconductor device has an interposer frame having a die attach area. A uniform height insulating layer is formed over the interposer frame at corners of the die attach area. The insulating layer can be formed as rectangular or circular pillars at the corners of the die attach area. The insulating layer can also be formed in a central region of the die attach area. A semiconductor die has a plurality of bumps formed over an active surface of the semiconductor die. The bumps can have a non-fusible portion and fusible portion. The semiconductor die is mounted over the insulating layer which provides a uniform standoff distance between the semiconductor die and interposer frame. The bumps of the semiconductor die are bonded to the interposer frame. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and interposer frame and between the semiconductor die and interposer frame.
US08877565B2	Method of forming a multilayer substrate core structure using sequential microvia laser drilling and substrate core structure formed according to the method A method of fabricating a substrate core structure, and a substrate core structure formed according to the method. The method includes: laser drilling a first set of via openings through a starting insulating layer; filling the first set of via openings with a conductive material to provide a first set of conductive vias; providing first and second patterned conductive layers on opposite sides of the starting insulating layer; providing a supplemental insulating layer onto the first patterned conductive layer; laser drilling a second set of via openings through the supplemental insulating layer; filling the second set of via openings with a conductive material to provide a second set of conductive vias; and providing a supplemental patterned conductive layer onto an exposed side of the supplemental insulating layer, the second set of conductive vias contacting the first patterned conductive layer and the supplemental patterned conductive layer at opposite sides thereof.
US08877545B2	Method of manufacturing solar cell A manufacturing includes forming an insulating layer covering a portion of a first semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate, removing a portion of the first semiconductor layer which is not covered with the insulating layer with an etchant to expose a potion of the first main surface, and cleaning the first main surface using a cleaning liquid containing hydrofluoric acid. An etching rate by the etchant to etch the first semiconductor layer is higher than an etching rate by the etchant to etch a first surface layer of the insulating layer, the first surface layer being on the side opposite to the first semiconductor layer. An etching rate by the cleaning liquid to etch a second surface layer of the insulating layer, the second surface layer being on the first semiconductor layer side, is lower than an etching rate by the cleaning liquid to etch the first surface layer.
US08877542B2	Nanostructure array substrate, method for fabricating the same and dye-sensitized solar cell using the same Disclosed are a nanostructure array substrate, a method for fabricating the same, and a dye-sensitized solar cell by using the same. The nanostructure array substrate includes a plurality of metal oxide nanostructures vertically aligned on the substrate while being separated from each other. The metal oxide nanostructures include nanorods having a ZnO core/TiO2 shell structure or TiO2 nanotubes. The method includes the steps of forming ZnO nanorods vertically aligned from a seed layer formed on a substrate; and coating a TiO2 sol on the ZnO nanorods and sintering the ZnO nanorods to form nanorods having a ZnO core/TiO2 shell structure. The transparency and flexibility of the substrate are ensured. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell is improved if the nanostructure array substrate is employed in the photo electrode of the dye-sensitized solar cell.
US08877531B2	Electronic apparatus An electronic apparatus is provided that includes a number of first components on a first substrate and a number of second components on a second substrate. A lamination material that includes a conducting material is placed between the first components and the second components. Any one first component can couple to a varied subset of second components.
US08877529B2	Radiation-emitting body and method for producing a radiation-emitting body A radiation-emitting body comprising a layer sequence having an active region for generating electromagnetic radiation, a coupling-out layer for coupling out the generated radiation, said coupling-out layer being arranged on a first side of the layer sequence, a reflection layer for reflecting the generated radiation, said reflection layer being arranged on a second side opposite the first side, and an interface of the layer sequence which faces the reflection layer and which has a lateral patterning having projecting structure elements, wherein the reflection layer is connected to the layer sequence in such a way that the reflection layer has a patterning corresponding to the patterning of the interface. A method for producing a radiation-emitting body is furthermore specified.
US08877522B2	Method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive-based device with via integration A method is provided for forming a first via with an electrically conductive material, for example, copper, that is formed over and coupled to a conductive landing pad of an MRAM array. A sputter step is performed to lower the surface of the first via below that of a surrounding dielectric material. This recess is repeated in subsequent processing steps, providing alignment marks for the formation of a magnetic tunnel junction. The magnetic tunnel junction may be offset from the first via, and a second via being formed above the magnetic tunnel junction and to a conductive layer.
US08877521B2	Semiconductor ferroelectric device, manufacturing method for the same, and electronic device A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device, the method including forming a thin film transistor by forming a polysilicon thin film on an insulating substrate, forming a gate electrode via a gate insulating film, and forming source/drain regions and a channel region by ion implantation in the polysilicon thin film by using the gate electrode as a mask, forming an interconnection layer on an interlayer dielectric film covering this thin film transistor and forming a first contact to be connected to the thin film transistor through the interlayer dielectric film, forming a silicon hydronitride film on the interlayer dielectric film so as to cover the interconnection layer, forming a lower electrode on this silicon hydronitride film and forming a second contact to be connected to the interconnection layer through the silicon hydronitride film, and forming a ferroelectric layer on the lower electrode.
US08877520B2	Ferroelectric film containing a perovskite structure oxide and method for manufacturing a ferroelectric film A method for manufacturing a ferroelectric film including the steps of forming a burnable material film containing hydrogen of not less than 1% by weight on a substrate; forming an amorphous thin film including a ferroelectric material on the burnable material film; and oxidizing and crystallizing the amorphous thin film while supplying hydrogen to the amorphous thin film by burning the burnable material film through heating of the burnable material film and the amorphous thin film in an oxygen atmosphere, to thereby form a first ferroelectric film on the substrate.
US08877516B2	Detection of biomarkers and biomarker complexes The invention features methods and devices for the detection of biomarker complexes and their components and for the sequential detection of multiple epitopes of a biomarker. The invention also features methods for diagnosing disease and evaluating the efficacy of treatment of a subject with a disease.
US08877506B2	Methods and systems using encapsulated tracers and chemicals for reservoir interrogation and manipulation An apparatus, method, and system of reservoir interrogation. A tracer is encapsulating in a receptacle. The receptacle containing the tracer is injected into the reservoir. The tracer is analyzed for reservoir interrogation.
US08877500B2	Thermally induced gelation of collagen hydrogel and method of thermally inducing gelling a collagen hydrogel The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.
US08877499B2	Bone anchor A biocompatible implantable bone anchor is provided that has a threaded first portion that engages and anchors into a bone. The implant also has a neck region extending from the first portion adapted to promote autologous cell growth thereon at an interface of the bone and one or more epidermal or gum layers, the neck region having a plurality of channels extending about the neck region. The neck region is configured to mechanically engage at least one of an abutment, dental restoration, or osseous device attachment. An in situ bone anchor cell growth assembly includes the bone anchor and a manifold encompassing the neck portion so as to form a seal therebetween and a route of fluid communication between a manifold inlet and at least one of said plurality of channels. A process for growing autologous cells on a neck region of a bone anchor is provided.
US08877478B2	Phytases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them This invention relates to phytases, polynucleotides encoding them, uses of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention, as well as the production and isolation of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. In particular, the invention provides polypeptides having phytase activity under high temperature conditions, and phytases that retain activity after exposure to high temperatures. The phytases of the invention can be thermotolerant and/or thermostable at low temperatures, in addition to higher temperatures. The phytases of the invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients. The phytases of the invention can be formulated as foods or feeds or supplements for either to, e.g., aid in the digestion of phytate. The foods or feeds of the invention can be in the form of pellets, liquids, powders and the like. In one aspect, phytases of the invention are stabile against thermal denaturation during pelleting; and this decreases the cost of the phytase product while maintaining in vivo efficacy and detection of activity in feed.
US08877477B2	Temperature-responsive polymer particles in protein separation applications The present invention relates to a method for isolating proteins from a solution containing the proteins. The invention also relates to a method for the chromatographic separation of proteins. The present invention also relates to crosslinked hydroxylic polymer particles functionalized with temperature-responsive copolymer, and to methods of preparing such particles.
US08877468B2	Method for converting biomass to methane or ethanol A method for enhancing the treatment of lignocellulose-containing materials by biotreatment wherein such lignocellulose-containing materials, normally resistant to biotreatment, are first subjected to a low-temperature, long-residence time pyrolysis at about 175° C. to about 325° C. for about 0.1 hour to about 2.0 hours, wherein a substantial portion of the incoming material is distilled into water-soluble compounds amenable to anaerobic biotreatment. Exemplary applications of the method include pyrolytic pre-treatment of wastewater sludges, cellulosic wastes, wood, peat, plant residues, low-grade coal, and the like to enhance methane gas production in anaerobic digestion and/or oxygen-limited or oxygen-starved fermentation to produce ethanol.
US08877460B2	Method and system for analyzing a blood sample Methods, systems, and computer program products for the analysis of a blood sample are disclosed. One embodiment is a method of detecting and enumerating hard-to-ghost cells in a blood sample. Another embodiments is a method of analyzing reticulocytes in a blood sample. Methods of using blood count parameters are also provided.
US08877452B2	Nitrite-reductase (NIRB) as potential anti-tubercular target and a method to detect the severity of tuberculosis disease The present invention discloses functional nitrite reductase as a potential drug target for anti-tubercular drug development. The present invention also relates to the development of an easy method for identification of nitrite in clinical samples as well as its correlation with the severity of the disease. Presence of active as well as dormant/latent stages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) could be identified from nitrite in clinical samples like sputum of potential TB patients.
US08877448B2	Method of making recombinant influenza virus The invention provides a composition useful to prepare influenza A viruses, e.g., in the absence of helper virus.
US08877441B2	Methods and kits for performing in situ hybridization The invention relates to methods and kits for performing in situ hybridization on a biological sample on a solid surface using nucleic acid probes that are embedded in or sorbed to a dry, fibrous matrix.
US08877428B2	High resolution, solvent resistant, thin elastomeric printing plates The present invention relates to a printing element comprising at least one polymer layer on a substrate which has photoimageable constituents and a chemically functionalized polymer to make the polymer layer either more hydrophobic or hydrophilic. In one embodiment of the present invention, the printing element comprises two adjacent polymer layers on a substrate in which the photoimaged layer comprises a polymer chemically modified with hydrophobic fluoroalkyl side groups to provide differential wetting with hydrophilic inks.
US08877426B2	Lithographic printing plate comprising a porous non-anodic layer A printing plate comprises a substantially planar substrate, a porous non-anodic ungrained coating, having a thickness within the range of about 0.1 to about 30 microns and comprising at least one of metals, metal oxides and admixtures thereof, and an image recording layer, provided that where the porous coating consists essentially of oxide(s) only, it comprises at least one oxide of copper, magnesium, cadmium, aluminum, zirconium, hafnium, thorium, chromium, tungsten, molybdenum and (or) cobalt, and further provided that where the porous coating consists essentially of alumina only, it comprises specified pores. The invention also relates to an article of manufacture having a nanometric porous surface layer comprising at least one of metals, metal oxides and mixtures thereof, which comprises pores in the surface layer having a width in a range 0-100 nm, and wherein a major number of pores in this range have a width in a band of about 1 to about 30 nm.
US08877425B2	Silicon-containing resist underlayer film forming composition having fluorine-based additive A resist underlayer film forming composition for lithography includes: as a component (I), a fluorine-containing highly branched polymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer A having two or more radical polymerizable double bonds in the molecule thereof, a monomer B having a fluoroalkyl group and at least one radical polymerizable double bond in the molecule thereof, and a monomer D having a silicon atom-containing organic group and at least one radical polymerizable double bond in the molecule thereof, in the presence of a polymerization initiator C in a content of 5% by mole or more and 200% by mole or less, based on the total mole of the monomer A, the monomer B, and the monomer D; and as a component (II), a hydrolyzable silane compound, a hydrolysis product thereof, a hydrolysis-condensation product thereof, or a silicon-containing compound that is a combination of these compounds.
US08877420B2	Particles and method for producing the same, toner and method for producing the same, developer, process cartridge, image forming method and image forming apparatus A method for producing particles, including: bringing a compressive fluid into contact with a pressure plastic material, so as to plasticize the pressure plastic material; applying a shear force to the compressive fluid and the plasticized pressure plastic material, between which an interface exists, in the presence of a surfactant to granulate the pressure plastic material in the compressive fluid, so as to produce particles.
US08877419B2	Method of forming composite color image The present invention provides a composite color image forming method. The method includes electrically charging a latent image-holding member; exposing the charged latent image-holding member to light to form an electrostatic latent image; developing the electrostatic latent image with a two-component developer containing toner particles of one color and a carrier to form a toner image on the latent image-holding member; primarily transferring the toner image from the latent image-holding member to an intermediate transfer member; repeating the electrically charging, the exposing, the developing, and the primarily transferring, while the toner particles are replaced with toner particles of different color, to form a composite color image on the intermediate transfer member; and secondarily transferring the composite color image from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium. The carrier contains magnetic substance-dispersed core particles in which a magnetic substance is dispersed in a resin, and a coating layer that coats the surface of each of the magnetic substance-dispersed core particles at a covering rate of 95% or more. In addition, the carrier has a degree of circularity of 0.970 or more. The intermediate transfer member is a belt that has a substrate whose Young's modulus is in the range of 3,000 to 6,500 MPa. During the primary transferring, primary transfer nip pressure is in the range of 8 to 20 gf/cm, and a value (T/P) obtained by dividing a primary transfer current value T (μA) by a processing speed P (mm/sec) is from 0.08 to 0.18.
US08877415B2	Toner, method of manufacturing toner, developer, toner container, image forming method, and process cartridge A toner including a resin particle (C) is provided. The resin particle (C) includes a resin particle (B) and; a resin particle (A) or covering layer (P) that is adhered to a surface of the resin particle (B). The resin particle (B) includes a resin (b) having a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid skeleton. The resin particle (A) or covering layer (P) includes a resin (a). The resin (a) is a polyester resin having a polybasic acid unit and a polyol unit and has a weight average molecular weight within a range from 9,500 to 100,000.
US08877407B2	Polymer electrolyte fuel cell and method for producing the same A polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane, an anode-side separator having a fuel flow channel for supplying fuel, and a cathode-side separator having an oxidant flow channel for supplying oxidant. The anode includes an anode catalyst layer and an anode diffusion layer, and the cathode includes a cathode catalyst layer and a cathode diffusion layer. At least one of the fuel flow channel and the oxidant flow channel has a plurality of parallel linear portions. The anode catalyst layer or the cathode catalyst layer has a plurality of belt-like first regions facing the linear portions and at least one second region between the adjacent first regions. The amount of catalyst in the first regions per unit area is on average larger than the amount of catalyst in the at least one second region per unit area.
US08877405B2	Fuel cell including membrane electrode assembly to maintain humidity condition A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly containing an anode and a cathode which are disposed opposite to one another via an electrolytic membrane; an anode channel plate adjacent to the anode and supplying a prescribed fuel to the anode; and a cathode channel plate adjacent to the cathode, supplying air to the cathode and containing a platy member which is elongated in a direction different from a supplying direction of the air to the cathode.
US08877404B2	Fuel cell and method of manufacturing a fuel cell A fuel cell comprises an electrolyte membrane; first and second catalyst layers formed on respective faces of the electrolyte membrane; and first and second reinforcing layers holding therebetween the electrolyte membrane and the first and second catalyst layers, wherein the first catalyst layer and the first reinforcing layer are joined together with a force of not less than a specific joint strength that suppresses expansion and contraction of the electrolyte membrane, and the second catalyst layer and the second reinforcing layer are joined together with a force of less than a specific joint strength that releases a stress due to expansion and contraction of the electrolyte membrane, or the second catalyst layer and the second reinforcing layer are not joined together.
US08877401B2	Method for optimizing the feed of fuel comprising a carbonyl-containing compound to the catalytic electrode of a fuel cell stack A method for optimizing fuel feed of a fuel cell stack catalytic electrode, the fuel cell stack containing a cell comprising a proton exchange membrane located between said catalytic electrode and another electrode, operating in superstoichiometric mode, said fuel comprising a carbonyl-containing polluting agent compound reacting on said catalytic electrode, comprises: defining a reference voltage for said cell when fed with a fuel exempt from polluting agent; defining a threshold voltage corresponding to a preset operating voltage of said cell as a percentage of reference voltage; defining a calibration curve for given operating conditions, relating threshold voltage to flow rate of polluting agent and allowing a first parameter of flow rate of polluting agent to be defined; detecting polluting agent to define a second parameter corresponding to content of polluting agent present in said fuel; and determining a maximum stoichiometry coefficient for said fuel stream, depending on said two parameters.
US08877399B2	SOFC hot box components Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.
US08877395B2	Fuel cell system and operation method thereof A fuel cell system capable of improving performance and stability of the system by using stack off-gas includes: a power generation unit that generates power through an electrochemical reaction of a first fuel and a first oxidant; a reforming unit that supplies the first fuel to the power generation unit; a heating unit that receives second fuel and a second oxidant, combusts the second fuel, and is thermal-conductively coupled with the reforming unit; and a connection unit that connects the heating unit with the power generation unit to be in fluid communication and supplies off-gas of the power generation unit to the heating unit. The off-gas is supplied to the heating unit in a pulse type.
US08877390B2	Redox shuttles for lithium ion batteries Compounds may have general Formula IVA or IVB. where, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently selected from H, F, Cl, Br, CN, NO2, alkyl, haloalkyl, and alkoxy groups; X and Y are each independently O, S, N, or P; and Z′ is a linkage between X and Y. Such compounds may be used as redox shuttles in electrolytes for use in electrochemical cells, batteries and electronic devices.
US08877384B2	Negative electrode active material of lithium secondary battery, negative electrode of lithium secondary battery, lithium secondary battery for vehicle installation using the negative electrode active material and negative electrode, and method for manufacturing the negative electrode active material A negative electrode active material of lithium secondary battery include: at least one of a petroleum-derived green coke and a coal-derived green coke, and at least one of a petroleum-derived calcined coke and a coal-derived calcined coke within a mass ratio range of 90:10 to 10:90; a phosphorous compound within a range of 0.1 to 6.0 parts by mass in amount equivalent to phosphor relative to 100 parts by mass of the at least one of the green cokes and the at least one of the calcined cokes; and a boron compound within a range of 0.1 to 6.0 parts by mass in amount equivalent to boron relative to 100 parts by mass of the at least one of the green cokes and the at least one of the calcined cokes.
US08877380B2	Positive active material, method of preparing the same, and lithium battery including the positive active material A positive active material, a method of preparing the same, and a lithium secondary battery including the positive active material.
US08877379B2	Positive active material for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery Disclosed is a positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same, and the positive active material includes a carbon material having a structure with “n” polycyclic nano sheets, wherein “n” is an integer of 1 to 30 with hexagonal rings having six carbon atoms condensed and substantially aligned in a plane, the polycyclic nano sheets are laminated in a vertical direction to the plane; and a lithium-containing olivine-based compound attached to the surface of the carbon material is formed with a carbon-coating layer on its surface.
US08877377B2	Cathode active material, cathode, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery A cathode active material has: a composite oxide particle containing at least lithium and one or a plurality of transition metals; and a coating layer provided on at least a part of the composite oxide particle. The coating layer contains at least one kind of element M differing from a main transition metal element A forming the composite oxide particle and selected from Groups 2 to 16 of the periodic table and a halogen element X. In the coating layer, the element M and the halogen element X exhibit different distribution states.
US08877376B2	Electrode for secondary battery, slurry for secondary battery electrode, and secondary battery A secondary battery electrode which suppresses decrease in capacity and lithium deposition at low temperatures is provided. An electrode for a secondary battery includes an electrode active material layer containing a polymer having a cationic group, an anion corresponding to the cationic group, and an electrode active material, and the cation density in the polymer is 0.1 to 15 meq/g.
US08877371B2	Rechargeable battery A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode; a metal support plate electrically connected to the first electrode, the metal support plate being disposed on at least one side of the electrode assembly; and a case electrically connected to the second electrode and electrically insulated from the metal support plate, the case accommodating the electrode assembly and the metal support plate, wherein the metal support plate includes a protrusion protruding toward an inner side of the case.
US08877365B2	Redox flow cell rebalancing A redox cell rebalance system is provided. In some embodiments, the rebalance system includes electrochemical cell and a photochemical cell. In some embodiments, the photochemical cell contains a source of ultraviolet radiation for producing HCl from H2 and Cl2 generated by the system. The HCl product may be collected or circulated back through the system for the rebalancing of electrolytes. A rebalance cell for use in a rebalance system is also provided. In some embodiments, the rebalance cell is the combination of an electrochemical cell and a photochemical cell. In some embodiments, a source of ultraviolet radiation is housed in the cathode compartment of the rebalance cell. In some embodiments, the source of ultraviolet radiation is used to effect the formation of HCl from H2 and Cl2 present in the rebalance cell. The HCl is dissolved in aqueous electrolytes contained in the rebalance cell, which can subsequently be circulated through a rebalance system for the rebalancing of redox cells.
US08877362B2	Rechargeable battery pack A rechargeable battery pack including a cell having an electrode assembly and a pouch for retaining the electrode assembly therein; an electrode tab connected to a lead tab of the cell; and a temperature sensor received in a receiving groove of the electrode tab.
US08877361B2	Rechargeable battery A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first and second electrodes; a case housing the electrode assembly; and a cap assembly connected to the case. The cap assembly includes a first tab electrically connected to the first electrode, a second tab electrically connected to the second electrode, an deformable plate capable of electrically connecting the first tab and the second tab by being deformed due to a pressure increase, and an intermediate member formed between the first tab and the deformable plate.
US08877359B2	Magnetic disk and method for manufacturing same Provided are a magnetic disk comprising a granular magnetic recording layer which causes less noise even with a recording capacity thereof of 250 G or more bits per square inch; and a method for manufacturing the same. The magnetic disk according to the present invention comprises: a granular magnetic recording layer (20) which is formed on a disk substrate 10 directly or via an intermediate layer and which has non-magnetic regions between granular columnar particles; and an auxiliary recording layer (22) which is formed on the granular magnetic recording layer 20 and which causes exchange interaction among the granular columnar particles, wherein the auxiliary recording layer (22) contains 0.1 to 3 moles of oxygen.
US08877346B2	Longitudinal belt with reinforcing fibres A belt (1) for dosing reinforcing fibres (3) during the manufacture of fibre concrete material or fibre composite material comprises at least one longitudinal supporting element (2) and the reinforcing fibres (3). The fibres (3) are applied transversely or under angle different from 0° with respect to the supporting element (2). The fibres (3) are connected to the at least one longitudinal supporting element (2). The advantage of this way of dosing fibres in concrete is that the filling of sacks or bags is avoided and that the amount of foreign material getting in the concrete material is limited.
US08877345B2	Nanowires and method for the production there of The invention concerns the production of segmented nanowires and components having said segmented nanowires.For the production of the nanowire structural element, a template based process is used preferably, wherein the electrochemical deposition of the nanowires in nanopores is carried out. In this manner, numerous nanowires are created in the template foil.For the electrochemical deposition of the nanowires, a reversed pulse procedure with an alternating sequence consisting of cathodic deposition pulses and anodic counter-pulses is carried out. By this means, segmented nanowires can be produced.
US08877337B2	Pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet Provided is a PSA sheet comprising a PVC film (support) provided with PSA layer formed of an aqueous dispersion-type PSA composition, which exhibits a smooth unwinding motion. The PVC film can be obtained by molding a PVC composition comprising PVC and a metal soap. The metal soap comprises an alkali earth metal soap and zinc soap. At least part of the alkali earth metal soap is a stearate and at least part of the zinc soap is zinc laurate.
US08877336B2	Medicament dispenser device According to the invention there is provided a dispenser device for dispensing a medicament, the device including at least one metallic component having at least one non-metallic surface which comes into contact with the medicament during storage or use of the device, in which said non-metallic surface has an interface with the underlying metallic component which substantially comprises metal-fluoride and/or metal carbide moieties.
US08877326B1	Enhanced material adhesive composites Apparatus and method for a photoluminescent composite. The composite comprises a film layer (e.g., clear, mirrored, reflective, or graphically printed) and a material mixture (e.g., comprising epoxy, urethane, polyurethane, or silicone) deposited above the film layer. The composite further comprises a pigment mixture having a photoluminescent property (e.g., phosphorescence or fluorescence). In one embodiment, the material mixture comprises the pigment mixture. The film layer may comprise a vinyl material. The composite may further include a double-sided adhesive, where a portion of the double-sided adhesive is deposited above a top portion of the film. The material mixture may have a thickness greater than 0.040 inches thick.
US08877313B2	Stack of interfolded hygiene products A stack of interfolded hygiene products (100), including a first web (1) divided into individual hygiene products by means of lines of weakness (12); a second web (2) divided into individual hygiene products by means of lines of weakness (22); the first web and the second web being interfolded with one another in a nested configuration, wherein the lines of weakness of the first web and the lines of weakness of the second web are offset with respect to one another along the webs; the first web and the second web are joined to one another at a leading portion (4) and/or at a trailing portion (4″) of the webs.
US08877304B2	Optical film It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical film which has reverse chromatic dispersibility that its retardation becomes smaller as the wavelength becomes shorter and a low photoelastic constant.The optical film is made of a polycarbonate copolymer containing a unit (A) represented by the following formula: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or the like, R3 and R4 are each independently a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or the like, “m” and “n” are each independently an integer of 0 to 4, and “p” and “q” are each independently an integer of 0 or more, and a unit (B) represented by the following formula: wherein R5 to R8 are each independently a hydrogen atom or alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, the (A/B) molar ratio of the unit (A) to the unit (B) is 10/90 to 90/10 and which satisfies the following expression (1): R(450)
US08877302B2	Liquid crystal composition, liquid crystal element, and liquid crystal display device Provided is a novel liquid crystal composition that can be used for a variety of liquid crystal devices. The novel liquid crystal composition exhibits a blue phase and includes a binaphthyl compound represented by a general formula (G1) as a chiral agent. In the general formula (G1), Ar2 represents any of an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms; n is 0 to 3; and one of R and R1 represents a substituent represented by a general formula (G2) and the other represents hydrogen. In the general formula (G2), Ar1 represents any of an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms; and k is 1 to 3.
US08877301B2	Plasma processing including asymmetrically grounding a susceptor An asymmetrically grounded susceptor used in a plasma processing chamber for chemical vapor deposition onto large rectangular panels supported on and grounded by the susceptor. A plurality of grounding straps are connected between the periphery of the susceptor to the grounded vacuum chamber to shorten the grounding paths for RF electrons. Flexible straps allow the susceptor to vertically move. The straps provide a conductance to ground which is asymmetric around the periphery. The straps may be evenly spaced but have different thicknesses or different shapes or be removed from available grounding point and hence provide different RF conductances. The asymmetry is selected to improve the deposition uniformity and other qualities of the PECVD deposited film.
US08877297B2	Deposition method A deposition method is provided to enable fine particles having a relatively large particle diameter, for example, a diameter larger than 0.5 μm, to be stably deposited on a substrate. The fine particles with insulating surface are placed in an airtight container, and a carrier gas is introduced into the container, triboelectrically charging the fine particles and generating an aerosol of the fine particles. The fine particles are charged by friction with the inner surface of a transfer tubing connected to the container, and the aerosol is conveyed via such tubing to a deposition chamber that is maintained at a pressure lower than that in the airtight container. The charged fine particles are deposited on a substrate placed in the deposition chamber.
US08877282B1	Brand marketing and positive ID using inkless fingerprint technology The apparatus and method or process of the present invention includes ID or fingerprinting kits to help brand a company's logo into a fingerprint. For many decades, companies have looked for unique ways to introduce their brand or logo into the marketplace. Companies have also helped law enforcement protect children by providing ID kits for distribution in communities. This apparatus and method or process looks to bring these two areas together by branding the company's logo into a fingerprint. The ID or fingerprint card must have a clear chemical coating then the non-visible brand or logo must also be printed on the card. This brand or logo may or may not include color. By applying a fingerprint activation solution to the chemically treated ID card, a fingerprint and logo or image will appear in the fingerprint.
US08877272B2	1-monopropionine compound and its isomer 3-monopropionine as preserving agents for animal feed, grains and animal-origin meals An application method of 1-monopropionine compound and its isoform 3-monopropionine being used as preserving agents in animal feeds, corns, grains, and other food materials. The monopropionine compounds are obtained by esterification reaction of propionic acid and glycerol. The product is a translucent viscous liquid composition comprising monopropionine compounds and other components, such as free acid, or certain salt forms of propionate. The generated composition can be further distilled in glycerol. The final product can take a liquid form or a powder form. 1-monopropionine compound and its isoform 3-monopropionine function as preserving agent at a low effective dosage of about 0.05 to 1% (by weight), and preferably 0.1 to 0.3% (by weight). A preferable application condition of this method is to preserve animal feeds and corns under a low (about 2% to 12%) moisture condition.
US08877269B2	Probiotics-containing soybean oligosaccharide product and preparation thereof Provided is a soybean oligosaccharide product containing acidic soluble saccharides of soybean and probiotics, which at least include fructose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose, with a percentage of the combined weight of raffinose and stachyose being at least 46%, a weight percentage of fructose being not greater than 8.5%, and a weight percentage of glucose being not greater than 1.0%, based on the total weight of fructose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose. The soybean oligosaccharide product is prepared by extracting a soybean raw material with water under a pH of 3-6 and at a temperature of 50-70° C. to obtain an extract containing acidic soluble saccharides of soybean, and inoculating and fermenting the extract with probiotics that are able to decompose monosaccharides and disaccharides, but substantially not able to decompose trisaccharides or tetrasaccharides.
US08877263B2	Modified pectins, compositions and methods related thereto The present invention provides compositions of modified pectin and methods for preparing and using them.
US08877260B2	Use of acacia extracts and their compounds on inhibition of xanthine oxidase The present invention relates to a method for inhibition of xanthine oxidase comprising administrating an effective amount of the extracts from Acacia spp.
US08877251B2	Powder compositions for inhalation The present invention relates to methods of making a powder for inhalation comprising a first step of mixing particles of a force-controlling agent selected from the group consisting of phospholipids, titanium dioxide, aluminum dioxide, silicon dioxide, starch, and salts of fatty acids, with particles of one or more pharmacologically active materials, wherein the mixing is achieved by one or more of the processes of sieving, mixing or blending, and wherein the mixing results in the particles of the force-controlling agent being disposed on the surface of the particles of the one or more pharmacologically active materials as either a particulate coating or as a continuous or discontinuous film.
US08877250B2	Hollow nano-particles and method thereof The invention provides a hollow nano-particle comprising a crosslinked shell and a void core; and a preparation method thereof. The hollow nano-particle may be used in rubber composition, tire product, and pharmaceutical delivery system etc.
US08877248B1	Sustained-release formulations of topiramate Pharmaceutical compositions of topiramate for once-a-day oral administration are provided. The formulations comprise a sustained-release component and an optional immediate-release component, the compositions of which can be selectively adjusted, respectively, to release the active ingredient along a pre-determined release profile. Method of treating or preventing pathological disorders in mammalian subjects comprising the administration of the novel formulations disclosed herein is also provided.
US08877239B2	Lipid supplements for maintaining health and treatment of acute and chronic disorders Nutritional supplement formulations suitable for specific enhancement of cell and mitochondrial function comprise enriched formulations of phospholipids and chemical precursors containing specifically identified concentrations of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylcholine, and mitochondrial and cell membrane phospholipid molecules as well as other desirable constituents. Methods of enriching extracted sources of cell and mitochondrial membrane molecules and precursors from microbes, plants and other sources are also set forth. The formulae can be combined with nutritional, prebiotic, and probiotic (microbial) factors that increase bioavailability through the digestive tract and increase absorption at the cellular and subcellular levels. These lipid combinations can be used to treat mitochondrial disorders associated with medical pathologies, chronic illnesses and syndromes, or to maintain lipid balance for normal mitochondrial function, and can be administered in many different forms. The various combinations specifically enriched in the correct phospholipid and correct fatty acid residues can be used to treat organ, tissue, cell or system.
US08877235B2	Patch and method for producing the same A method for producing a patch comprising a support layer and an adhesive agent layer arranged on at least one surface of the support layer, the method comprising: a step A of obtaining an adhesive agent layer composition comprising oxybutynin hydrochloride as a drug, an acrylic-based polymer and/or a rubber-based polymer as an adhesive base agent, liquid paraffin, a sterol, an organic acid, and a tackifier; a step B of heating the adhesive agent layer composition at a temperature in a range from 55 to 70° C. for 1 to 24 hours; and a step C of cooling the heated adhesive agent layer composition to a temperature lower than room temperature at an average rate of temperature drop of 1 to 20° C./hour, thereby obtaining the adhesive agent layer comprising the drug at a supersaturated concentration in a dissolved form.
US08877232B2	Bioactive compounds protection method and compositions containing the same The present invention relates to means for protecting bioactive materials in mammalian food or feed formulations used to enhance the health status of mammals.
US08877229B2	Controlled release microparticles Formulations for controlled, sustained release of biologically active agents for the treatment of ocular disorders have been developed. These formulations are based on solid microparticles formed of the combination of biodegradable, synthetic polymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), and copolymers thereof. The microparticles are characterized by low burst levels and efficient drug loading and sustained release.
US08877228B2	Treatment of ophthalmic conditions Ophthalmic conditions such as presbyopia, myopia, and astigmatism can be corrected by the use of a molding contact lens in combination with a pharmaceutical composition suitable for delivery to the eye. The molding contact lenses are preferably commercially available and are not specifically designed for orthokeratology. The agents in the pharmaceutical compositions such as hyaluronase allow the cornea of the eye to be molded in order to correct the refractive error of the eye. The contact lenses and the pharmaceutical composition induce a change in the radius of curvature of the anterior surface of the cornea, thereby correcting the refractive error of the eye. One advantage of the inventive technique is that the patient with his or her own individual visual needs guides the treatment until the patient near and far visual needs are met. The present invention also provides for kits, which contain molding contact lenses, pharmaceutical composition suitable for delivery to the eye, and instructions, useful in the inventive system.
US08877225B2	Controlled release copolymer formulation with improved release kinetics The present invention provides a constant release copolymer composition adapted for use in a controlled release formulation for a bioactive agent, such as a formulation adapted for implantation within a patient's body tissues as a depot to release the agent over a period of time, wherein the copolymer provides a substantially constant rate of release of the bioactive agent over the time period for which the depot persists in the body tissues. The copolymer includes a PLG copolymer and a PLG oligomer of about 5-10 kDa average molecular weight, which can lack free carboxylic acid groups. When the PLG copolymer is a low burst copolymer, the constant release copolymer composition is a low burst, constant release copolymer composition adapted for implantation in the body tissues of a mammal, wherein a substantially constant rate of release of the bioactive agent is achieved.
US08877221B2	Osteoconductive matrices comprising calcium phosphate particles and statins and methods of using the same Osteoconductive matrices and methods are provided that have one or more statins disposed in calcium phosphate particles. The matrices may be injected into a fracture site. The osteoconductive matrices provided allow for sustained release of the statin and facilitate bone formation and repair of the fracture site.
US08877218B2	Two component interactive emulsion product The present invention describes, in one aspect, the use of two oppositely charged surfactants as the primary emulsifiers in two separated parts of a product. The emulsifiers are chosen such that when the two parts of the emulsion product are mixed, the emulsifiers react to form water insoluble compounds that are no longer able to function as emulsifiers, thus, the oil phase of the emulsion is precipitated onto the skin along with the emulsifier reaction product. Since none of the deposited materials are water soluble, or capable of functioning as emulsifiers, the deposited oil phase is extremely resistant to being washed off. This technology finds applications in hand and body creams and lotions, baby care products, sunscreens, skin protective products, makeup systems, and automotive and furniture polishes.
US08877217B2	Cationic polymer nanoparticles encapsulating an active ingredients, and the cosmetic composition containing the same Disclosed herein are cationic polymer nanocapsules encapsulating an oil-soluble active ingredient, and a cosmetic composition containing the same. The cationic polymer nanocapsules have a molecular weight of 5,000-100,000, a surface potential of 5-100 mV and a particle size of 50-500 nm. Also, disclosed is a cosmetic composition containing said cationic polymer nanocapsules.
US08877213B2	Live attenuated Leishmania vaccines Targeted disruption of the centrin gene leads to attenuation of growth in the Leishmania. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide attenuated strains of Leishmania useful for the preparation of immunogenic preparations including vaccines against a disease caused by infection with a virulent Leishmania strain and as tools for the generation of immunological and diagnostic reagents. Other preferred embodiments provide related immunogenic compositions, methods of generating an immune response, methods for producing a vaccine, and methods of forming attenuated strains of Leishmania.
US08877207B2	Nanoparticles of cerium oxide targeted to an amyloid-beta antigen of Alzheimer's disease and associated methods Disclosed is a composition immunologically targeted to Alzheimer's disease (AD), the composition containing amine functionalized nanoparticles of Cerium oxide coated with polyethylene glycol and bearing an antibody specific for an amyloid-beta antigen associated with AD. The invention also includes a medication manufactured with the targeted nanoceria particles and methods of treatment by administering the targeted nanoceria particles to patients in need thereof.
US08877194B2	TNF-α binding proteins TNF-α binding proteins, including chimeric, CDR-grafted, and humanized antibodies that bind TNF-α are provided. Binding proteins have high affinity for TNF-α and neutralize TNF-α activity. A binding protein can be a full-length antibody or a TNF-α-binding portion thereof. Methods of making and methods of using the binding proteins are also described. The TNF-α binding proteins are useful for detecting TNF-α and for inhibiting TNF-α activity, including in a human subject suffering from a disease or disorder in which TNF-α activity is detrimental.
US08877189B2	Binding members for interleukin-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα) - 173 Binding members, especially antibody molecules, for interleukin (IL)-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα), and their therapeutic use e.g. in treating or preventing disorders associated with IL-4Rα, IL-4 and/or IL-13, examples of which are asthma and COPD.
US08877181B2	Amnion-derived cells, methods of making and uses thereof The invention is directed to substantially purified amnion-derived cell populations, compositions comprising the substantially purified amnion-derived cell populations, and to methods of creating such substantially purified amnion-derived cell populations, as well as methods of use. The invention is further directed to antibodies, in particular, monoclonal antibodies, that bind to amnion-derived cells or, alternatively, to one or more amnion-derived cell surface protein markers. The invention is further directed to methods for producing the antibodies, methods for using the antibodies, and kits comprising the antibodies.
US08877177B2	Chemokine containing apheresis column and methods of use An apheresis column loaded with a solid support comprises one or more chemokines, in particular biotinylated chemokines, immobilized directly or indirectly on the support, in particular on a support carrying streptavidin. Also disclosed are uses of the column and the support and a method of depleting cells, in particular leukocytes, from the peripheral blood of a person suffering from an inflammatory condition such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
US08877155B1	Hydrogen production using off-gases from GTL processes A method for producing hydrogen from an off-gas originating from a gas to liquid (GTL) process is provided. The method includes separating the light ends from the hydrocarbons using a cryogenic distillation column and then processing the light ends and the hydrocarbons to produce additional hydrogen product. The light ends are introduced to a CO shift reactor in the presence of steam to convert CO to CO2 and hydrogen. The hydrocarbons are introduced to a steam methane reformer in the presence of steam to convert hydrocarbons to hydrogen and CO. The resulting stream is treated in a second CO shift reactor to produce additional hydrogen and CO2. The hydrogen is then captured using a pressure swing absorber.
US08877153B2	Adsorbent for ultradeep removal of sulfur compounds from distillate fuels Novel adsorbents and their use in a process for the removal of sulfur compounds from distillate fuels are described herein. The novel adsorbents are comprised of nanocrystals of Ni having adsorbed on their surface phosphorus and/or phosphine species, which nanocrystals can be distributed in a micro-/meso-porous support material.
US08877151B1	NOx reduction using a Zn- and/or Ga-containing catalyst Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and processes for selective catalytic reduction of NOx using hydrogen in conjunction with a catalyst comprising a non-noble metal. In one embodiment, a NOx-containing gas mixture is contacted with a catalyst comprising at least one of zinc and gallium dispersed on a zeolite support to form nitrogen and water.
US08877144B2	Tissue processing apparatus An apparatus for processing a biological sample is provided, the biological sample being arranged on a first planar surface of a carrier. The apparatus comprises a second planar surface arranged substantially parallel to said first planar surface and at a first distance from said first planar surface, said first planar surface and said second planar surface being arranged at an angle (A) greater than zero degree from the horizontal plane (HP); and supply means for supplying an amount of a liquid that is to be applied to said biological sample. The first planar surface and said second planar surface are configured to be arranged at a second distance from each other, said second distance being such that said supplied amount of liquid is distributed over said biological sample when said first planar surface and said second planar surface are brought to said second distance from each other.
US08877138B2	Devices for injection of gaseous streams into a bed of fluidized solids Injection nozzles for use in a gas distribution device are disclosed. In one aspect, the injection nozzle may include: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the inlet comprises a plurality of flow restriction orifices. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an injection nozzle for use in a gas distribution device, the injection nozzle including: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the fluid inlet comprises an annular orifice surrounding a flow restriction device. Injection nozzles according to embodiments disclosed herein may be disposed in a gas distribution manifold used in a vessel, for example, for conducting polymerization reactions, spent catalyst regeneration, and coal gasification, among others.
US08877136B1	Method of producing synthesis gas from coal A method and apparatus for generating synthesis gas from coal is provided. A conditioned combustible coal element is packed in a metal case. Oxygen mixed with steam and salt water is applied to the coal element. An electrical direct current direct current is applied to the coal element and oxygen/steam/salt water mixture. An arc is generated at the coal element and synthesis gas is generated.
US08877127B2	Process for control of microbial contamination, mineral suspensions obtained and their uses The invention concerns a process for disinfection and/or conservation and/or reduction and/or control of microbial contamination of aqueous dispersions and/or aqueous suspensions of mineral matter, providing satisfactory stability in terms of Brookfield™ viscosity for the said aqueous dispersions and/or suspensions of mineral matter. It also concerns the said aqueous dispersions and/or suspensions thus obtained, together with their uses in the mineral, paper and paint industries. Finally it concerns the end products obtained.
US08877125B2	Light-activated antimicrobial articles and methods of use A light-activated antimicrobial article is disclosed, consisting essentially of an acridine dye covalently bonded without a linking group to a nylon material. The article may be made using electron beam processing. The article in combination with light absorbed by the acridine dye may be used to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. A photosensitive nylon material in which the acridine dye is disposed on the nylon material may also be used. Medical kits that include a light source and an article having the acridine dye are disclosed.
US08877118B2	Methods of producing anodes for solid oxide fuel cells Disclosed are methods of producing Ni/YSZ porous anode bodies for solid oxide fuel cells. According to the methods, a small amount of a nickel compound or salt is used as a pore former. Upon heating in air, the nickel compound or salt is decomposed into nickel oxide and releases gases, resulting in volume shrinkage. Therefore, Ni/YSZ porous bodies having a uniform pore size and reduction products thereof can be produced in an economical manner.
US08877117B2	Injection blow molding system with enhanced parison temperature control An injection blow molding (IBM) system and method for consistently maintaining the surface temperature of the parison molds within a desired range. Implementation of this system/method can result in more consistent production of higher quality parisons and molded articles. Additionally, this system/method reduces the discretion required by the IBM operator and shifts the burden of consistently making high-quality parisons and molded articles onto the designer of the IBM tooling.
US08877104B2	Method and apparatus for producing optical multilayer body An optical laminate produced by a process for producing an anti-dazzling laminate comprising a light transparent base material and an anti-dazzling layer provided on the light transparent base material. The process includes providing the light transparent base material and forming the anti-dazzling layer having a concavoconvex shape on the light transparent base material, wherein the concavoconvex shape of the anti-dazzling layer satisfies the following requirements: Sm is not less than 100 μm and not more than 600 μm, θa is not less than 0.1 degree and not more than 1.2 degrees, and Rz is more than 0.2 μm and not more than 1 μm, wherein Sm represents the average spacing of concavoconvexes or profile irregularities in the anti-dazzling layer; θa represents the average inclination angle of the concavoconvexes or profile irregularities; and Rz represents the average roughness of the concavoconvexes or profile irregularities.
US08877092B2	Liquid-crystalline medium The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises at least one compound of the formula I, in which R1, R1*, ring A have the meanings indicated in claim 1, and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display, in particular based on the VA, PSA, PS-VA, PALC, FFS or IPS effect.
US08877088B2	Mono- and bi-component formulations in the form of a paint, varnish and water-emulsified base, processes for preparing the same and applications thereof The invention relates to formulations with anti-graffiti-scrawling, self-cleaning, anti-incrustation and/or nonstick properties. The formulations are made from synthetic and natural polymers and in a system that may be either mono- or bi-component. In addition, the invention also relates to the application of said formulations to objects, monuments, constructions and means of transport, imparting protection thereto. Further, the present invention relates to processes for preparing said formulations.
US08877081B2	Etching method and etching apparatus An etching method of etching a periodic pattern formed by self-assembling a first polymer and a second polymer of a block copolymer that is capable of being self-assembled, the etching method includes supplying a high frequency power which is set such that a great amount of ion energy is distributed within a range smaller than ion energy distribution at which an etching yield of the first polymer is generated and larger than or equal to ion energy distribution at which an etching yield of the second polymer is generated, and supplying a predetermined gas, generating plasma from the supplied gas by the high frequency power, and etching the periodic pattern on a processing target object by using the generated plasma.
US08877077B2	Method for producing thin, free-standing layers of solid state materials with structured surfaces A method of printing comprises the steps of: providing a solid state material having an exposed surface; applying an auxiliary layer to the exposed surface to form a composite structure, the auxiliary layer having a stress pattern; subjecting the composite structure to conditions facilitating fracture of the solid state material along a plane at a depth therein; and removing the auxiliary layer and, therewith, a layer of the solid state material terminating at the fracture depth, wherein an exposed surface of the removed layer of solid state material has a surface topology corresponding to the stress pattern.
US08877067B2	Method and arrangement for a water treatment The invention relates to a water treatment using an UV AOP.The invention combines an UV AOP (11) applied to a water containing a free chlorine species (8) with a chemical post treatment (14), a quenching. The quenching (14) is applied to said water (9) after the UV AOP (11) able to reduce a remaining content of said free chlorine species in said water (9).
US08877053B2	Liquid filter arrangement and methods A filter element includes filter media, first and second end caps, a latch arrangement projecting from the first end cap, a tubular neck extending from the first end cap and a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture constructed and arranged to move between a position sealing the first end cap aperture and exposing the first end cap aperture. A filter assembly includes a filter element, as characterized herein, and including a filter base and a service cover. A method of servicing includes removing an old filter element, operably mounting a new filter element in a filter base including engaging a valve head against a spring member in the filter base, and operably mounting the service cover over the new filter element and filter base. A method of filtering includes directing liquid into a filter assembly, blocking a first end cap aperture by using a spring member in the filter base to urge the valve head against a rim of a tubular neck extending from the filter element, and directing liquid through the filter media to filter the liquid.
US08877046B2	System for advanced wash water recycling The present invention includes a system for recycling wash water, having a first separator configured to separate solids from wash water, a second separator configured to separate oil from wash water, a bioreactor configured to bacterially consume solids from wash water, a third separator configured to further separate solids from wash water, an oxidation chamber configured to sterilize and oxygenate wash water, an aeration tray configured to further oxygenate wash water, a storage tank configured to store wash water, and a pump configured to pump wash water from the storage tank to the bioreactor. The present invention also includes a process and method associated with the use and function of the system.
US08877042B2	Ancillary cracking of heavy oils in conjunction with FCC unit operations The production of light hydrocarbons consisting of ethylene, propylene, butylenes, and of gasoline is enhanced by introducing a heavy oil feedstream derived from an external source into an ancillary downflow reactor that utilizes the same catalyst composition as an adjacent FCC unit for cracking the heavy oil and withdrawing the desired lighter hydrocarbon reaction product stream from the downflow reactor and regenerating the catalyst in the same regeneration vessel that is used to regenerate the spent catalyst from the FCC unit. The efficiency of the recovery of the desired lighter olefinic hydrocarbons is maximized by limiting the feedstream to the downflow reactor to heavy oils that can be processed under relatively harsher conditions, while minimizing production of undesired by-products.
US08877026B2	Electrode assembly The electrode assembly is provided with: a rod-like body 1 that extends along a predetermined axis; a substrate that is formed with a through-hole penetrating between a front surface and a back surface and attached to a fore end part of the body; and a sensor chip for electrochemical measurement, which is attached on the back surface of the substrate such that a sensing part is exposed outside from the through-hole, wherein: on the back surface of the substrate, a wiring for obtaining an output signal from the ISFET chip is formed, and the sensor chip is attached to the wiring directly or closely; and the substrate is attached with being inclined with respect to the predetermined axis of the body, and thereby the front surface of the substrate forms at least a part of a fore end surface that is inclined with respect to the predetermined axis.
US08877025B2	Combinatorial material screening method for an electrochemical cell An electrochemical test cell, containing an anode comprising a metal as an active component; a cathode comprising a porous chemically inert tube containing an active material compatible with the metal of the anode; and an electrolyte; wherein the only metal in contact with the electrolyte is the metal of the anode, is provided. This test cell is useful in a method to evaluate various combinations of materials for suitability as a combination for preparation of a battery.
US08877024B2	Sensor control device and sensor control method [Objective] An object is to provide a sensor control apparatus and a sensor-control-apparatus control method which can reduce variation in startup time among a plurality of times of execution of detection processing, in consideration of variation in output characteristic among a plurality of gas sensors.[Means for Solution] In a sensor control apparatus, before drive control (S55 to S80) is started, preliminary control is executed so as to supply a constant current to a second oxygen pump cell over a constant time, to thereby control to a constant level the amount of oxygen pumped from a second measurement chamber to the outside of the second measurement chamber (S40 to 50). The preliminary control is executed under control conditions of the sensor control apparatus which are determined for each gas sensor and are associated with the amount of oxygen pumped from the second measurement chamber to the outside thereof. The control conditions bring into a target range the concentration correspondence value calculated after start of the drive control which is started after the preliminary control is executed in a state in which a reference gas having a known concentration is introduced into the gas sensor.
US08877015B2	Process control by blending biomass feedstocks A process and system is disclosed for optimizing a key parameter of a biomass feedstock that enhances bio-oil production. The process and system involves optimizing the values of the key parameter in multiple biomass feedstocks by regulating their feed rates and blending those feedstocks to produce a cumulative biomass feedstock with an optimal value for the key parameter. The key parameter in the biomass feedstocks is measured and the feed rates of the multiple biomass feedstocks are adjusted in order to produce a cumulative biomass feedstock exhibiting optimal values for the desired key parameter. The key parameters can include compositional properties, such as lignin content or mineral content, and/or fluidization properties of the biomass materials, such as density, particle cohesion force, or particle size.
US08877010B2	Modelling of a property of paper, paperboard or board Properties of an end product, such as paper, paperboard or board, are important for the user of the end product. To be able to manufacture an end product of desired quality, it is important to know what kind of paper pulp used for manufacturing the end product results in a particular kind of property of the end product. Embodiments provide a method and an apparatus for generating a model, which model connects at least one property of the end product with at least one property of the paper pulp. On the basis of the model, also the manufacturing process can be controlled.
US08877007B2	System and method for reclaiming rejects in sulfite pulping Systems and methods are provided for refining and reclaiming rejects in a sulfite pulping process. Wood chips and sulfite cooking liquor are provided to a digester for delignification. The slurry obtained from the digester is screened to obtain a reject portion containing sulfite rejects. The sulfite rejects are disintegrated in a refiner, such that the rejects are refined to a freeness suitable for digestion in a subsequent re-cooking step. Refined rejects are then returned to the digester for re-cooking with wood chips.
US08877002B2	Internal member of a plasma processing vessel An internal member of a plasma processing vessel includes a base material and a film formed by thermal spraying of ceramic on a surface of the base material. The film is formed of ceramic which includes at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of B, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Cr, Y, Zr, Ta, Ce and Nd. In addition, at least a portion of the film is sealed by a resin.
US08877001B2	Shuttered gate valve Embodiments of gate valves and methods of using same are provided herein. In some embodiments, a gate valve for use in a process chamber may include a body having an opening disposed therethrough from a first surface to an opposing second surface of the body; a pocket extending into the body from a sidewall of the opening; a gate movably disposed within the pocket between a closed position that seals the opening and an open position that reveals the opening and disposes the gate completely within the pocket; and a shutter configured to selectively seal the pocket when the gate is disposed in the open position. In some embodiments, one or more heaters may be coupled to at least one of the body or the shutter.
US08876998B2	Method for manufacturing flexible flat device Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a flexible device comprising: forming an adhesive layer on a support substrate; adhering a flexible substrate onto the adhesive layer; forming a device layer on the flexible substrate; and separating the support substrate from the flexible substrate, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).
US08876994B2	Porous sheet and method for manufacturing the porous sheet The present invention relates to a porous sheet and a method for manufacturing the porous sheet. A porous sheet including a fine-fiber web layer and a support layer and a method for manufacturing the same are provided, and it is possible to implement a porous sheet with sufficient strength and thickness to be used in peeling and laminating processes of a multilayer ceramic capacitor.
US08876978B2	Method for regenerating gas turbine blade and gas turbine blade regenerating apparatus An object is to reduce changes in mechanical properties of a gas turbine blade base material during repair or regeneration of a gas turbine blade. For this purpose, a gas turbine blade after being operated is washed by being immersed into a strong alkaline washing solution, and the gas turbine blade after being washed with the strong alkaline washing solution is washed with water. The gas turbine blade after being washed with water is then washed by being immersed into a weak acid washing solution, and the gas turbine blade after being washed with the weak acid washing solution is subjected to heat treatment. The gas turbine blade after the heat treatment is then immersed into a strong acid washing solution, whereby the coating formed on the surface of the gas turbine blade is removed.
US08876972B2	Crystallization device A crystallization device is for protein crystallization with a small amount of a sample in the liquid to liquid diffusion method. It is easy to fill the device with protein solution and precipitant solution and easy to pick up grown crystals from the device. The device comprises a channel plate made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and the first and second cover sheets made of polyethylene terephthalate. The channel plate includes at least one elongated channel having one side which extends in the longitudinal direction of the channel, the one side being exposed at the bottom surface of the channel plate. The channel has both ends which communicate with a protein solution inlet and a precipitant solution inlet respectively. The channel also communicates midway with a gel inlet and a vent hole. When picking up grown crystals from the device, the second cover sheet is cut off with a cutter knife so that the channel is exposed.
US08876960B2	Method and system for transporting and processing sour fluids A method and system for transporting and processing sour gas are provided. The method includes collecting a sour gas at a collection location, which has an associated sweetening device, and delivering a solvent to the sweetening device from a regeneration device remote therefrom. The sour gas is treated at the collection location with the solvent in the associated sweetening device to form a sweetened gas and a sour gas-rich solvent. The sweetened gas is transported from the sweetening device to a gas processing plant remote therefrom, and the sour gas-rich solvent from the sweetening device is delivered to the regeneration device for regeneration therein.
US08876943B2	Apparatus and methods for changing the concentration of gases in liquids Apparatus for changing the concentration of a selected gas in a liquid, the apparatus comprising a flow chamber through which the liquid is passed and which comprises a wall comprising a planar separation membrane, the separation membrane being substantially impermeable to the liquid and permeable to the selected gas, characterized in that the separation member extends beyond the flow chamber and provides a seal between components of the apparatus. The apparatus is particularly useful for degassing liquids, for example HPLC eluents and analysis samples.
US08876933B2	Core diffuser for deoiler/breather A breather assembly for use with a gas turbine engine includes a static housing for accepting a fluidic mixture of substances, a rotatable separator having one or more fluid inlets and arranged about an axis of rotation, an exhaust outlet defined in the housing and positioned coaxially with the rotatable separator to accept fluidic exhaust from the rotatable separator, and a static diffuser supported by the housing at or near the exhaust outlet downstream from the rotatable separator. A portion of the static diffuser extends within the rotatable separator. The static diffuser includes a flow-straightening structure configured to reduce vortex flows in fluid flows passing through the exhaust outlet.
US08876925B2	Bio-oil having reduced mineral content, and process for making A process is disclosed for converting a biomass material to a stabilized bio-oil. The process comprises converting the biomass to a pyrolytic oil having suspended therein particles of metal compounds, and removing at least part of the suspended metal compounds to obtain a stabilized bio-oil.
US08876923B2	Fuel compositions A fuel composition having an enhanced thermal stability in a diesel fuel application is provided comprising a base fuel containing: (a) 90 to 50% by volume based on the base fuel, of a petroleum refined diesel fuel having sulfur level of less than 500 ppm, and boiling point within the range of about 150 to about 400° C.; (b) 5 to 25% by volume based on the base fuel, a Fischer-Tropsch derived gas oil; and (c) 5 to 25% by volume based on the base fuel, a fatty acid alkyl ester having C18:2 to C18:1 ratio of 1.5 to 2.8 wherein the alkyl group has a carbon number from 1 to 4.
US08876921B2	Hydrocarbon compositions The invention teaches that hydrocarbon compositions may be improved in terms of their stability reserve and in terms of their combustion efficiency, by co-use of a conductivity improver. There is optionally present a combustion improver selected from an iron compound, a manganese compound, a calcium compound and a cerium compound; and/or an organic compound selected from a bicyclic monoterpene, a substituted bicyclic monoterpene, adamantane, a substituted or unsubstituted bicyclic tetraterpene, and propylene carbonate.
US08876917B2	Lithium-ion secondary battery A lithium-ion secondary battery is provided where the production process line that fabricated it can be identified. The lithium-ion secondary battery includes a jelly roll, a positive electrode tab, a negative electrode tab, a positive electrode can, and a lid. The jelly roll is made by rolling the positive electrode and the negative electrode with an interposed separator, and is contained in the casing. The positive electrode tab has one end connected to the positive electrode of the jelly roll and the other end connected to the lid. The negative electrode tab has one end connected to the negative electrode of the jelly roll and the other end connected to a terminal provided on the lid. The other end of the negative electrode tab has a shape with a cut at a cut angle determined in accordance with the production process line that fabricated the lithium-ion secondary battery.
US08876916B2	Solid electrolytic capacitor A method of manufacturing a solid electrolytic capacitor excellent in reliability, particularly in ESR property, wherein in a solid electrolytic capacitor having a solid electrolyte layer, the solid electrolyte layer has a conductive polymer layer formed by a chemical polymerization method or an electrolytic polymerization method, using a polymerization liquid containing at least a monomer and a dopant-introducing agent. The dopant-introducing agent contains a dopant-introducing agent containing at least alkylammonium ions as a cationic component. The dopant-introducing agent in the polymerization liquid may further contain a dopant-introducing agent containing at least metal ions as a cationic component.
US08876891B1	Drug eluting stent and a guide catheter device assembly for implanting the same The present invention relates to a drug eluting stent for delivering therapeutic agents to a body lumen. The stent includes an expandable substrate configured for implantation in a vessel of a human body and a therapeutic agent composition coated over the stent. The balloon catheter shaft has a resilient unit that helps to transmit a force to the distal end, thereby helping to cross lesions.
US08876876B2	Prosthesis and delivery system A prosthesis delivery system including a prosthesis mounted on an elongate member. The prosthesis has a locking member positioned on the prosthesis. The locking member includes a reduced diameter portion with two opposing surfaces that are configured to engage opposing proximal and distal sides of a radially extending member on the elongate member to lock or limit the longitudinal position of the prosthesis on the elongate member during delivery of the prosthesis to a treatment site.
US08876872B2	Occipito-cervical fixation assembly and method for constructing same An implantable orthopedic assembly comprises an occipital plate and one or more repositionable clamping assemblies for securing a stabilizing rod to the plate. When unlocked, the clamping assembly may be laterally and rotationally repositioned along a supporting rail. Locking occurs when a stabilizing rod is secured in the clamping assembly. The rod exerts a force upon a locking component, causing the locking component to exert a force upon the supporting rail. This force pulls a surface of the clamping assembly base into contact with the rail, effectively locking the clamping assembly base at a fixed position. The clamping assembly may further comprise a loading component to exert a stabilizing force on the locking component, keeping the clamping assembly positionally stable while adjustments are made prior to locking.
US08876865B2	Self-retaining sutures with bi-directional retainers or uni-directional retainers Provided herein are sutures for use in a procedure applied to tissue, and methods for forming such sutures. Some sutures include bi-directional retainers, each of which can be deployed in two directions, but once deployed in one direction, resist motion in the opposite direction. Other sutures include uni-directional retainers that are conical in shape, and include tissue engaging protrusions that extend from edges and/or angled walls of the conical retainers.
US08876858B2	Surgical instrument with elastically movable instrument head Disclosed is a surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle, an instrument shaft shaft having a distal end and a proximal end at which the instrument handle is linked, an instrument head, pivotally linked to the distal end of the instrument shaft via a hinge shaft or pins and comprising an effector rotatably supported in said instrument head around its longitudinal axis as well as a surgical tool held by said effector, and a mechanical transmission system at least partially arranged within said instrument shaft transmitting mechanical operation signals from said instrument handle to said instrument head at least for pivoting and/or rotating motions. A bending flexible as well as rotating rigid, hollow spindle is arranged bypassing said hinge shaft or pins and directly connecting said effector with the mechanical transmission system for transmitting at least rotating signals via said spindle to said effector.
US08876850B1	Systems and methods for treating pulmonary hypertension A system for treating heart disease, such as pulmonary hypertension or right heart failure, including an implantable component and external components for monitoring the implantable component is provided. The implantable component may include a compliant member, e.g., balloon, coupled to a reservoir via a conduit. Preferably, the compliant member is adapted to be implanted in a pulmonary artery and the reservoir is adapted to be implanted subcutaneously. The external components may include a clinical controller component, monitoring software configured to run a clinician's computer, a patient monitoring device, and a mobile application configured to run on a patient's mobile device.
US08876848B2	Dilator and elongate guide wire and method of using same The combination of a) a dilator having: a tubular body with a length, an internal passage, and proximal and distal ends spaced in a lengthwise direction; and b) an elongate guide wire having a length and capable of being received in, and movable in a lengthwise direction within, the internal passage with the dilator and guide wire in operative relationship. The tubular body has a locally flexible length that allows a limited predetermined degree of bending of the tubular body at, or adjacent, the distal end of the tubular body to allow the dilator to conform to a curved guide wire shape.
US08876841B2	Spinal disc anulus repair method and apparatus An apparatus for anulus fibrosus repair includes a shaft, a pair of curved suturing needles mounted in parallel on the shaft, and a rotational driving mechanism connected to the shaft, which is configured to rotate the shaft and the pair of needles about a rotation axis of the shaft. Each needle includes a substantially semi-annular body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner periphery, and an outer periphery, and an arm extending radially inward from the proximal end, in which a concavity is formed in the body proximate to the distal end extending in a direction away from it. Also disclosed is a suturing technique associated with use of the repair apparatus.
US08876815B2	Energy delivery devices for hepatic neuromodulation According to some embodiments, a method of treating a subject having diabetes or symptoms associated with diabetes is provided. The method includes delivering a neuromodulation catheter within a vessel (e.g., hepatic artery) having surrounding nerves that innervate the liver (e.g., sympathetic nerves of the hepatic plexus). The method may also include modulating (e.g., disrupting, ablating, stimulating) the nerves by mechanical compression, energy delivery, or fluid delivery.
US08876814B2	Fluid cooled choke dielectric and coaxial cable dielectric The microwave antenna assembly includes a feedline electrically connected to an elongated shaft by a choke electrical connector. The feedline includes an inner conductor, an outer conductor, an elongated shaft and a choke electrical connector. The inner conductor is disposed in coaxial arrangement with the inner conductor and forms a dielectric supply lumen therebetween. The elongated shaft at least partially surrounding the feedline and form a dielectric return lumen therebetween. The choke electrical connector surrounds at least a portion of the feedline and electrically connects the feedline outer conductor to the elongated shaft. A low-loss dielectric fluid is supplied between the inner conductor and the outer conductor of the feedline and forms a dielectric barrier therebetween. The low-loss dielectric fluid also forms a dielectric barrier between the outer conductor of the feedline and the elongated shaft and the choke electrical connector forms a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, the apertures forming at least a portion of the dielectric return lumen.
US08876812B2	Self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode with pressure sore reduction and heating capabilities A self-limiting electrosurgical electrode for use with electrosurgery and various other surgical procedures is disclosed. The electrode includes a heating element for generating heat to warm a patient resting upon the electrode. The electrode can also include one or more pads to prevent the creation of pressure sores or decubitus ulcers on a patient resting upon the electrode. The electrode has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 Ω·cm, which arises from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof. Through the selection of the impedance characteristics for the electrode materials, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma.

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