US07652925B2

A method of programming a plurality of memory cells in a flash memory device from a first state to a second state includes verifying the plurality of memory cells using a verify voltage having a level increased according to an increase in a program loop number; and programming the plurality of memory cells using a program voltage having an increment decreased according to an increase in the program loop number, wherein the verifying and programming steps constitute a program loop, the program loop being terminated at a point in time when a level of the verify voltage reaches to a voltage range of the second state.
US07652911B2

Methods for inputting a data-value pattern into a nanowire crossbar, for inputting a data-value pattern into a nanowire crossbar that support computer instructions stored in a computer-readable medium, and for distributing a received data value to each of a set of nanowires that support control logic implemented in logic circuits are provided. First and second nanoscale shift registers are employed, the first having output signal lines that form or interconnect with a first parallel set of nanowire-crossbar nanowires and the second having output signal lines that form or interconnect with a second parallel set of nanowire-crossbar nanowires. A first pattern of values is stored in the first shift register and a second pattern of values is stored in the second shift register using voltage signals below the WRITE voltage for junctions of the crossbar. Voltage signals greater than or equal to the WRITE threshold are applied for junctions of the crossbar to write the pattern of data values into the crossbar.
US07652910B2

Provided herein are embodiments of layouts for applying impact ionization potentials across the channel of a selected floating body cell in an array without having to impose the potential on other unselected cells.
US07652909B2

The signal margin of a small array 2T/2C memory is increased by writing the ferroelectric load capacitors on the bit lines to complementary states. A ferroelectric memory array includes rows and columns of 2T/2C memory cells, wherein each column of the memory array includes a first memory subcell having a first node coupled to a word line, a second node coupled to a first bit line, and a third node coupled to a first plate line, the first memory cell being poled in a first direction; a second memory subcell having a first node coupled to the word line, a second node coupled to a second bit line, and a third node coupled to the first plate line, the second memory cell being poled in a second direction; a first load subcell having a first node coupled to the word line, a second node coupled to the first bit line, and a third node coupled to a second plate line, the first load cell being poled in the first direction; and a second load subcell having a first node coupled to the word line, a second node coupled to a second bit line, and a third node coupled to the second plate line, the second load cell being poled in the second direction.
US07652908B2

A memory wherein any “disturb effect” can be suppressed in which data in unselected memory cells are lost. This memory has a memory cell array (1) including bit lines, word lines, which are disposed to intersect the bit lines, and memory cells (12) each connected between bit and word lines. In this memory, an access operation, which includes at least one of read, rewrite and write operations, is made to a selected memory cell (12). During this access operation, it is performed to apply to the memory cell (12) a first voltage pulse, which provides an electrical field in a first direction so as to invert a stored data, and a second voltage pulse, which provides as electrical field in the opposite direction to the first one so as not to invert the stored data. In addition, a recovery operation for recovering a residual polarization amount is made to the memory cell (12).
US07652901B2

A power module is adapted to be connected to a voltage source and to supply power to a load. The power module includes a power transistor; and a gate controller for driving the power transistor. The gate controller includes a gate transformer, and an impulse generator that extends a negative drive phase of a gate voltage to the power transistor relative to a positive drive phase of the gate voltage to the power transistor.
US07652897B2

A high frequency unit (e.g., an RF signal selection switch) includes, as its external terminals, a terrestrial input terminal, a CATV input terminal, an RF output terminal, a selection signal terminal, a power supply terminal and a ground potential terminal. The external terminals are attached to a shielding case surrounding the peripheral edge of a wiring substrate. The shielding plate is disposed in contact with the rear face of the wiring substrate.
US07652894B2

A contact lead for engaging with an aperture lead of a circuit carrier, including a substrate contact portion electrically connected to a pad on a substrate a chip contact portion extending from the substrate contact portion and forming an angle with the substrate contact portion raising from the substrate. The contact lead chip contact portion may also be of a cylindrical shape vertically extending from the substrate contact portion. The present invention also provides a module including a printed circuit board having a plurality of pad thereon ,the contact lead electrically connected to the pad, an integrated circuit carrier having a plurality of aperture leads, the aperture leads passing through the contact lead and contacting respectively thereof, and a housing structure for housing the module and providing access for the user to assemble the integrated circuit carrier.
US07652890B2

A wired circuit board includes a wiring formation portion, a terminal formation portion, and a middle portion formed therebetween. The wiring formation portion includes a first conductive layer formed on a first insulating layer, and a second conductive layer formed on a second insulating layer so as to overlap the first conductive layer in a thickness direction. The terminal formation portion includes the first and second conductive layers formed in parallel in the same plane. The middle portion includes the first conductive layer formed on the first insulating layer, and the second conductive layer formed on a portion of the second insulating layer extending from the wiring formation portion to a mid-point between the wiring formation portion and the terminal formation portion, and formed on a portion of the first insulating layer extending from the mid-point to the terminal formation portion.
US07652881B1

A heat dissipating device includes a bracket, a heat dissipater and a circuit board. The bracket includes a bracket and a cover. The bracket includes an inside wall, an outside wall, a pair of sidewalls extending perpendicularly from opposite ends of the outside wall and opposite ends of the inside wall, and a bottom wall perpendicularly positioned between the sidewalls and connected to the inside wall. The cover is attached to the bracket. The heat dissipater is attached to the bottom wall and receiving in the cover. The circuit board is configured to supply power for the heat dissipater and attached to the bracket. The circuit board is capable of connecting with a power interface of the electrical device to power the heat dissipaters.
US07652880B2

A combined-natural-and-forced-convection heat sink system including a plurality of fins protruding from a first surface of a conductive material, a plurality of air channels formed between the first surface and an opposing second surface of the conductive material and at least one fan. The plurality of fins forms a natural-convection heat sink. The plurality of air channels forms a forced-convection heat sink. The natural-convection heat sink and the forced-convection heat sink form a combined-natural-and-forced-convection heat sink. Each air channel has an input end opening on an input surface of the conductive material and each air channel has an output end opening on an output surface of the conductive material. The at least one fan is configured to generate an air flow through the air channels when at least one of the fans is operating.
US07652878B2

A computer housing includes a main housing, a mounting frame, and a first cover. The main housing defines an accommodation space adapted to receive a motherboard module and a data-reading device therein. The mounting frame is disposed removably within the main housing, and is adapted to be mounted with the data-reading device thereon. The first cover is attached openably and closably to the main housing, and is disposed in proximity to the mounting frame for covering a top end of the accommodation space in the main housing. A first notch in the main housing is aligned with a second notch in the first cover such that the first and second notches form cooperatively an opening aligned with a disk slot in the data-reading device.
US07652869B2

A multilayer capacitor comprises a multilayer body and a plurality of terminal electrodes formed on a side face of the multilayer body. The multilayer body includes an inner layer portion in which a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of inner electrodes are alternately laminated, and an outer layer portion in which a plurality of dielectric layers are laminated. In the outer layer portion, a conduction path electrically connecting a plurality of different positions in at least one of the plurality of terminal electrodes to each other is arranged. A current flowing through the terminal electrode electrically connected to the conduction path is shunted into the conduction path. This lowers the equivalent series inductance of the multilayer capacitor.
US07652858B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for protecting a motor control circuit in a permanent magnet electric motor system. The permanent magnet electric motor system includes a permanent magnet electric motor having a predetermined number of windings corresponding to the phases of the permanent magnet electric motor and a direct current (DC) bus coupled to a power source for providing operational power for the electric motor system. A motor control circuit is connected to the DC bus for receiving the operational power therefrom and is connected to the windings of the permanent magnet electric motor for controlling the permanent magnet electric motor. A protection circuit is connected to the DC bus for receiving the voltage therefrom for operation of the protection circuit and for detecting predetermined motor control circuit fault conditions from voltage sensed on the DC bus and in response thereto providing protection for the motor control circuit.
US07652855B2

A lead overlay design of a magnetic sensor is described with sensor and free layer dimensions such that the free layer is stabilized by the large demagnetization field due to the shape anisotropy. In one embodiment the giant magnetoresistive (GMR) effect under the leads is destroyed by removing the antiferromagnetic (AFM) and pinned layers above the free layer. The overlaid lead pads are deposited on the exposed spacer layer at the sides of the mask that defines the active region. In other embodiment a layer of electrically insulating material is deposited over the sensor to encapsulate it and thereby insulate it from contact with the hardbias structures. Various embodiments with self-aligned leads are also described. In a variation of the encapsulation embodiment, the insulating material is also deposited under the lead pads so the electrical current is channeled through the active region of the sensor and sidewall deposited lead pads.
US07652846B2

A magnetic head slider is configured wherein on the trailing side, which is divided in the lateral direction, a first right-side groove portion and a first left-side groove portion are formed, on the leading side of the first right-side groove portion and the first left-side groove portion, which is divided in the lateral direction, a second right-side groove portion and a second left-side groove portion are formed, the bottom face of each groove portion serves as a negative pressure generating face, and the negative pressure (absolute value) generated at a first right-side negative pressure generating face and a first left-side negative pressure generating face is greater than the negative pressure (absolute value) generated at a second right-side negative pressure generating face and a second left-side negative pressure generating face.
US07652845B2

A base assembly for use in an airtight enclosure. The base assembly includes a metal stamped section and an overmold section formed adjacent to the metal stamped section. The overmold section includes at least one stress relief feature for eliminating distortion stresses exerted on the metal stamped section by the overmold section.
US07652836B2

There are provided first and second lenses, by which light incident from outside is condensed and caused to outgo, a barrel, which holds the first and second lenses, a barrel holding part having a substantially cylindrical shape to hold therein the barrel, a movement device for movement of the barrel holding part in an optical axis direction of the first and second lenses, and a pedestal having a lens receiving portion, which receives therein the barrel holding part in a slidable state, the pedestal receiving therein the barrel holding part contacting in plural lines with an inner wall surface of the lens receiving portion of the pedestal.
US07652828B2

A zoom lens assembly comprises a first optical component, a second optical component, and an actuator. The actuator comprises a shape memory material that changes its shape in response to electrical or thermal fields to change the distance between the first and second optical components.
US07652826B2

A three-unit zoom lens system includes in order from an object side thereof a first lens unit G1 having a negative refracting power, a second lens unit G2 having a positive refracting power, a third lens unit G3 having a negative refracting power, and an aperture stop which is at an image side of the first lens unit G1, and at the object side of a lens surface nearest to the image side of the second lens unit G2, and which moves integrally with the second lens unit. At a time of zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, a distance between the first lens unit G1 and the second lens unit G2 is narrowed, and a distance between the second lens unit G2 and the third lens unit G3 changes. The second lens unit G2 moves toward the object side at the time of zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. The third lens unit G3 moves to be positioned at the object side at the telephoto end, with respect to the wide angle end. The three-unit zoom lens system satisfies predetermined conditional expressions.
US07652824B2

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a method and/or system for generating a dynamic image based, at least in part, on attributes associated with one or more individuals.
US07652814B2

MEMS devices are fabricated by a method that involves forming an optical element (e.g., etalon) over a substrate and then forming a light modulating element (e.g., interferometric modulator) over the optical element. In an embodiment, a support structure for the light modulating element is aligned with the underlying optical element to thereby alter the appearance of the support structure to a viewer. Such an optical element is separated from the support structure by one or more buffer layers.
US07652804B2

An image forming apparatus, capable of efficiently controlling light radiation to read an image, includes at least one lighting tube and at least one reflector. Each one of the lighting tubes includes an aperture. Each one of the reflectors is arranged at a position in a vicinity to and corresponding to the lighting tube on a one-to-one basis. Each one of the reflectors is configured to gather light emitted through the aperture by the corresponding lighting tube to focus the light on a point in a reading area in a surface of an original document to be read. Each one of the reflectors includes an elliptical shape.
US07652802B2

A module for synthesizing image-sensing signals comprises a first image-sensing element, a second image-sensing element, and an analog adder. The first and the second image-sensing elements are connected in parallel to an input port of the analog adder. The module provides an AD converter whose input port connects an output port of the analog adder. An output port of the AD converter connects a scanner controller. The scanner controller provides a first driving signal and a second driving signal to the first and the second image-sensing elements respectively. The first driving signals and the second driving signals respectively command the first and the second image-sensing elements to alternately output image signals during clock cycle. The image signals outputted from the first and the second image-sensing elements are composed by the analog adder.
US07652796B2

An image processing device includes: an image reader that optically reads a first image of an image processing object having a non-contact element attached thereto, the non-contact element including a memory member; an identification information reader that reads identification information from the memory member, the identification information being used for identifying the image processing object; an incorporating unit that combines the first image and a second image corresponding to the identification information; and a controller that performs a control operation so that the first image reduced to a size corresponding to the output region of the second image is recovered to the original size of the first image and is output, when a combined image of the first image and the second image is output.
US07652787B2

A printer architecture and memory card is described. The architecture can include an integrated circuit and a memory card. The memory card can include print swaths and bit-maps of thumbnail images associated with the print swaths. The thumbnail images can be displayed on the hand-held printer. A print swath associated with the selected thumbnail image can be printed.
US07652780B2

A web-enabled live scanner is provided. In one embodiment, a live scanner includes an image interface capable of being coupled to a network. A camera detects an image of a print. The image is stored in a memory. The image interface includes a web server, socket server, and a picture taker. A remote user can use a browser to control the web-enabled live scanner over a network.
US07652776B2

A structure for overlay measurement is provided in the present invention, using the diffraction characteristics on the boundary portion between two microstructures formed on each of two material layers. The optical intensity distribution on the boundary portion between microstructures formed on the two overlaid material layers respectively are measured by an optical microscope to obtain the overlay error between the two overlaid material layers. In addition, the present invention also provides a method for overlay measurement using the structure for overlay measurement, wherein a merit relation based on the optical intensity distribution on the boundary portion between different microstructures is determined. The merit relation can be used to analyze the overlay error to improve the efficiency and accuracy of on-line error measurement.
US07652772B2

Systems, methods, and apparatuses of low-coherence enhanced backscattering spectroscopy are described within this application. One embodiment includes providing incident light comprising at least one spectral component having low coherence, wherein the incident light is to be illuminated on a target object in vivo. An intensity of one or more of at least one spectral component and at least one angular component of backscattering angle of backscattered light is recorded, wherein the backscattered light is to be backscattered from illumination of the incident light on the target object and wherein the backscattering angle is an angle between incident light propagation direction and backscattered light propagation direction. The intensity of the at least one spectral component and the at least one backscattering angle of backscattered light is analyzed, to obtain one or more optical markers of the backscattered light, toward evaluating said properties.
US07652770B2

An optical nonlinear evaluation device (1) capable of accurately evaluating the optical nonlinearity of a Kerr medium in accordance with a phase difference caused by cross-phase modulation generated in the Kerr medium includes: a polarization Sagnac interference path (3) provided with a Kerr medium (4); an optical pulse light source (7) for supplying a signal beam (Dsig); a polarization beam splitter (PBS1) for splitting the signal beam (Dsig) into a signal beam (Hsig) and a signal beam (Vsig) polarized in a direction orthogonal to the signal beam (Hsig), for supplying the signal beam (Hsig) to a first side of the Kerr medium (4), and for supplying the signal beam (Vsig) to a second side of the Kerr medium (4); a glass plate (14) for entering, onto the signal beam (Hsig), a control beam (Vcont) for causing a change in phase difference between the signal beam (Hsig) and the signal beam (Vsig); separating means for separating the control beam (Vcont) from the signal beam (Hsig) having traveled through the Kerr medium (4); and a detection section (10) provided so as to detect the phase difference between the signal beam (Hsig) and the signal beam (Vsig).
US07652769B2

The present invention relates to a method for assessing the purity of vegetable oils by means of THz time-domain spectroscopy, comprising the steps of: measuring the THz time-domain spectra of standard vegetable oils to establish a spectral database; measuring the THz time-domain spectrum of vegetable oil to be detected; analyzing the purity of the detected vegetable oil based on the pre-built database. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for assessing purity of vegetable oil by means of THz time-domain spectroscopy, comprising: spectrum measuring device for measuring time-domain waveforms of THz pulses before and after transmitting the vegetable oil held in a container by transmission approach, or directly measuring time-domain waveforms of THz pulses before and after reflecting from the vegetable oil by reflection approach; and data processing device for extracting physical parameters of the vegetable oil in THz region according to the time-domain waveforms. Compared with the prior art, the method according to the present invention is easy, rapid and quantitative.
US07652768B2

In a chemical sensing apparatus utilizing a surface plasmon resonance in a small aperture formed in a metal thin film or on a surface of a metal fine particle, a capturing substance is disposed in the small aperture or on the surface of the metal fine particle for capturing a target substance. A marker substance, having a size comparable to that of the small aperture or the metal fine particle is combined with the target substance. As a result, a spectral change is increased in the transmitted light or the scattered light, induced by a surface plasmon resonance and resulting from the capture of the target substance.
US07652766B2

The method for analyzing the structure of cultured hedges, equally applicable by day or by night, for a mobile, continuously-moving machine in tied or staked plantations such as vineyards, includes a system using an artificial vision system, working by transmission, which permits a detection of the shadowing of the light between one or more transmitters and one or more detectors to one side and the other of the hedge. The information generated by said shadows of light are processed by an electronic analysis system, programmed or embodied to examine the elements of the structure of the hedge.
US07652764B2

The method enables a heterogeneous object containing fluorophores to be examined. A first face of the object is illuminated with an excitation light exciting the fluorophores. The light emitted by a second face of the object, opposite the first face, is detected by means of a matrix of detectors. The fluorophore distribution is determined by means of relevant Green's functions each associated with a selected source and/or detector, able to be assimilated to a point of the surface of the object. Thus, a first spatial coordinate of each of the relevant Green's functions corresponds to a point of the first face of the object and/or a second spatial coordinate of each of the relevant Green's functions corresponds to a point of the second face of the object.
US07652758B2

A method of optimizing a process for use with a plurality of lithography systems. The method includes the steps of: (a) determining a calibrated resist model for a given process and a target pattern utilizing a first lithography system; (b) selecting a second lithography system to be utilized to image the target pattern utilizing the given process, the second lithography system capable of being configured with one of a plurality of diffractive optical elements, each of the plurality of diffractive optical elements having corresponding variable parameters for optimizing performance of the given diffractive optical element; (c) selecting one of the plurality of diffractive optical elements and simulating the imaging performance of the second lithography system utilizing the selected one of the plurality of diffractive optical elements, the calibrated resist model and the target pattern; and (d) optimizing the imaging performance of the selected one of the plurality of diffractive optical elements by executing a genetic algorithm which identifies the values of the parameters of the selected one of the plurality of diffractive optical elements that optimizes the imaging of the target pattern.
US07652746B2

Methods and apparatus for maintaining the thermal equilibrium of a substrate and an immersion lithographic apparatus are disclosed using or having a timetable comprising information regarding the position, speed and/or acceleration of the substrate; and an evaporation controller and/or condensation controller acting to decrease localized evaporation and/or increase localized condensation in response to the information in the timetable. Evaporation of liquid from the surface of the substrate cools it down, while condensing liquid on its bottom surface heats the substrate locally.
US07652737B2

A LCD device includes a pair of polarizing films sandwiching therebetween a LC cell. The light-incident-side polarizing film includes a polarizing layer and a first retardation film, whereas the light-emitting-side polarizing film includes a polarizing layer and second and third retardation films. A specific combination of the first and third retardation films provides an optical compensation for achieving a lower leakage light and a lower chromaticity shift upon display of a dark state in the LCD device.
US07652735B2

Disclosed are a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a method for manufacturing the LCD device. The LCD device has a substrate including a display region and a pad region located in a periphery of the display region, the display region having a transparent electrode, the pad region having a pad electrode. The transparent electrode and the pad electrode are formed from the same layer. A reflective electrode having a transmission window exposing a portion of the transparent electrode is formed on the transparent electrode. The manufacturing process can be simplified because the transparent electrode is directly connected to the reflective electrode. Since the pad electrode is formed of the same layer as the transparent electrode, no metal corrosion occurs to thereby increase the pad reliability during COG bonding.
US07652733B2

There is provided a light-reflector used in a liquid crystal display device which uses an externally incident light as a light source by reflecting the externally incident light to a viewer, wherein the light-reflector is formed at a surface thereof with a rugged pattern comprised of an alternating pattern of pixel pattern areas, each pixel pattern area positioned to overlie a respective one pixel of the liquid crystal display device, each of the pixel pattern areas of the alternating pattern being different, wherein each pixel pattern area of the alternating pattern is comprised of alternately formed recessed and raised portions, and the alternating pattern is formed periodically repeatedly every two pixels.
US07652727B2

A liquid crystal display and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The method for fabricating a liquid crystal display includes preparing an insulating substrate defining a pixel portion divided into a thin film transistor region and a storage region, sequentially forming a polycrystalline silicon film and a storage electrode film on an entire surface of the substrate, selectively patterning the storage electrode film and the polycrystalline silicon film to form a pixel pattern that covers the pixel portion, and selectively removing the storage electrode film in the thin film transistor region to simultaneously form a first active layer in the thin film transistor region and form a storage electrode in the storage region, wherein the active layer is formed of the polycrystalline silicon film and the storage electrode is formed of the storage electrode film.
US07652718B2

The present invention provides a camera module that includes: a camera body including a lens-barrel, a substrate, an image pickup device, and a signal processing unit; and a shield case. The shield case has a substrate-covering plate part and a lock part. An insulating and elastic cushion material is disposed between the substrate and the substrate-covering plate part. The cushion material is disposed in a compressed state between the substrate and the substrate-covering plate part by the locking of the lock part to the camera body.
US07652717B2

A method of enhancing a digital image produced by a digital imaging device, includes using the digital imaging device to capture at least two original digital images of the same scene with each digital image being under two different lighting conditions and producing for each such digital images a plurality of pixels; using the pixel values of at least two of the captured digital images under different lighting conditions to produce difference values; and modifying the pixel values of the original digital image in response to the corresponding difference values.
US07652701B2

A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a color filter including complementary color filter segments. When a shutter release bottom is pressed to its half-stroke or full-stroke position, light incident via the filter is picked up in a movie/photometry or a still picture mode, respectively. While signal charges are read out of an image sensor in accordance with the mode, the signal charges are digitized to become pixel data. In the movie/the photometry mode, despite that a plurality of pixel data are mixed together, a set of primary color pixel data are generated as if pixel signals were thinned out by mixture. In the still picture mode, all the pixels are sequentially read out and interpolated to generate primary color pixel data greater in number than photosensitive cells. The primary color data are raised in frequency to enhance the resolution of a picture.
US07652698B2

A shading correction circuit of the present invention includes an image pickup device having photo detectors arranged on its receptive surface, and a shading correction part for performing shading correction on an output signal of the image pickup device. The image pickup device has an effective pixel area and an upper optical black part. The shading correction part has a correction coefficient generating part and a correction processing part. The correction coefficient generating part thereof extracts shading variation according to an output of the upper optical black part, and generates a correction coefficient for the shading variation. The correction processing part thereof performs shading correction on an image signal by using the correction coefficient generated by the correction coefficient generating part.
US07652696B2

A method of driving a CCD solid-state image pickup device, the device comprising: a plurality of vertical charge-transfer channels that vertically transfers signal charges responsive to amounts of light received; a signal-charge temporary accumulation section, provided at an end of each of the vertical charge-transfer channels, that is driven independently of driving of the vertical charge-transfer channels; and a horizontal charge-transfer channel through which signal charges transferred from the signal-charge temporary accumulation section are transferred to an output terminal side, wherein the method comprising performing vertical transfers of signal charges through the vertical charge-transfer channels during a period of a horizontal transfer of signal charges through the horizontal charge-transfer channel, while the horizontal transfer through the horizontal charge-transfer channel is brought to a temporary stop for each pulse-edge time of driving pulses to drive the vertical charge-transfer channels.
US07652681B2

Systems for displaying images are provided. A representative system comprises a display panel. The display panel comprises first, second and third signal lines, and first and second pixel areas. The first and second signal lines are extended straight along a first direction. The third signal line is extended straight along a second direction and interlaced with the first and second signal lines. The first pixel area is coupled to the first signal line, and the second pixel area is coupled to the second signal line and the first signal line and has a second driving area. A relative position of a first driving area in the first pixel area is different from that of a second driving area in the second pixel area and the first and second pixels display the same color.
US07652679B2

An image display method includes a display step of synthesizing and displaying a predetermined image and a moving image, a detecting step of detecting a specific target in the moving image, and a decision step of deciding whether the specific target detected in the moving image is positioned to be overlapping with the predetermined image. In addition, a signal processing step displays a predetermined mark at a position of the detected specific target, if it is decided that the specific target detected in the moving image is positioned to be overlapping with the predetermined image.
US07652675B2

A method for assigning background pixels an appropriate color to fill all remaining background pixels by a computer after standard paint and overscan techniques to prevent and reduce artifacts. The method includes computing an initial mipmap level and keeping track of which pixels are background pixels. Four pixels at a subsequent mipmap level correspond to a single pixel at a higher level. If the four pixels at the lower level are background pixels, then the single pixel is also a background pixel and a corresponding color is used. Otherwise, the color of the single pixel is the average of non-background pixels.
US07652671B2

An image processing device including a storage section, a parallel processing controller, a sequential processing controller, and a selection section which selectively operates the two control sections. The parallel processing controller connects one or more of the image processing modules such that first buffer modules are connected at least one of preceding and following each image processing module, to formulate a first image processing section, and controls such that individual image processing modules perform image processing in parallel with one another. The first buffer modules perform exclusive access control. The sequential processing controller connects one or more of the image processing modules such that second buffer modules are connected at least one of preceding and following each image processing module, to formulate a second image processing section, and controls such that the individual image processing modules perform image processing sequentially. The second buffer modules do not perform exclusive access control.
US07652663B2

A display panel for OLED device having a display mode and an input mode. The display panel comprises a driving unit, a capacitor, a light-emitting diode, a light-detecting unit, and a detecting unit. The driving unit has a control electrode coupled to a first node, a first electrode coupled to a first voltage source, and a second electrode. The capacitor and the light-detecting unit are coupled between the first node and the first voltage source. The light-emitting diode is coupled between the control electrode of the driving unit and a second voltage source. In the input mode, the detecting unit detects a voltage at the first node.
US07652661B2

A hand operated pointing device for use with a computer includes a movable housing, a source of non-coherent light illuminating a work surface and circuitry in the movable housing using arrays of data related to light reflected by the illuminated work surface to produce values by processing portions of a first array with portions of a second array. One of the values may be identified to represent movement of the housing relative to the work surface. The light may illuminate surface irregularities at an angle of incidence low enough to produce suitable arrays of data for processing from highlights and shadows of the illuminated surface irregularities. The circuitry may produce additional values by processing another selected portion of the first array with portions of a third array or may select a fourth array for processing with the third array. Predictions may be derived from the values.
US07652658B2

A photodetector of the invention is characterized by having a plurality of detector elements that are arranged over a light-transparent substrate and are connected in parallel. A foldable portable communication tool having two display portions of the invention is characterized by including one photodetector which includes a plurality of detector elements connected in parallel.
US07652656B2

A method of displaying an image in an electrophoretic display device having at least one display layer including a multiplicity of individual reservoirs containing a display fluid between conductive substrates, wherein the display fluid comprises at least two sets of particles in a liquid medium, the at two sets of particles each exhibiting a different color, wherein a first set of particles and a second set of particles have a same charge polarity and the first set of particles has a higher average charge than the second set of particles, includes applying an electric field to selected ones of the multiplicity of reservoirs to effect movement of one or more of the differently colored sets of particles in the display fluid therein to display a desired color derived from among the sets of differently colored particles, wherein the applying to display a color of the second set of particles involves pulsing an electric field through the conductive substrates for a time sufficient to attract the first set of particles away from a front viewing conductive substrate and past the second set of particles.
US07652655B2

In a backlight driver circuit and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device employing the same, separate forward driving currents are applied to red (R), green (G) and blue (B) backlights, respectively, thereby overcoming the problem of brightness variation resulting from forward voltage Vf variation in a light emitting diode (LED). The LCD includes: a backlight unit provided with R, G and B backlights for emitting light toward an LCD panel in sequence; and a backlight driver for supplying driving currents and pulse width modulation (PWM) signals to the backlight unit so as to control brightness and chromaticity of the R, G and B backlights. The backlight driver includes: a driving current generator for supplying R, G and B driving currents to the respective R, G and B backlights, and for causing the respective R, G and B backlights to emit light with predetermined brightness; and a PWM signal generator for supplying R, G and B PWM signals to the R, G and B backlights, respectively, so as to adjust the chromaticity of the light emitted from the R, G and B backlights, respectively.
US07652654B2

A liquid crystal display apparatus and backlight adjustment method are provided.Backlight luminance sensors 111A to 111D are disposed in the vicinity of four outer corners of an effective screen of an LCD panel 121. Each of the backlight luminance sensors 111A to 111D detects the luminance of each of three primary colors. A backlight unit is composed of a three-primary LED array and a light diffusion unit. Transistors of the backlight luminance sensors and transistors of a pixel portion are formed on the same substrate in the same process. When a transistor is irradiated with backlight in its sufficient off region, an off current occurs due to light excitation. Since the value of the off current corresponds to the luminance of the rays of backlight that irradiates the transistor, the luminance of the backlight is detected with an output voltage into which the off current is converted. As a result, the luminance of the backlight is kept constant.
US07652651B2

An analog sampling apparatus for a liquid crystal display device includes: a data driver to generate an analog data voltage; a data output bus line to receive the analog data voltage; a first sampling and holding circuit connected to the data output bus line to compensate an offset voltage in the analog data voltage and to supply the analog data voltage to a data line of a liquid crystal display panel; and a second sampling and holding circuit connected to the data output bus line arranged to sample the analog data voltage while the analog data voltage is supplied to the data line by the first sampling and holding circuit. The first sampling and holding circuit is arranged to supply the analog data voltage while the second sampling and holding circuit samples the analog data voltage, and to sample the analog data voltage while the second sampling and holding circuit supplies the analog data voltage.
US07652649B2

In an LCD pixel, the pixel voltage is usually reduced after a gate line signal has passed. To compensate for this voltage reduction, the voltage applied to the charge storage capacitor in the pixel is increased from Vcom to Vcom1 after the gate line signal has passed. Voltage adjustment can be achieved by using two switching elements connected to the second end of the charge storage capacitor. One is activated by the gate line signal so that the applied voltage is equal to Vcom, and the other is activated by the next gate line signal so that the applied is increased to Vcom1. In a transflective LCD panel or a color LCD panel, each pixel is divided into two or three sub-pixels, each sub-pixel having a separate charge storage capacitor, a similar Vcom change is applied to each of the charge storage capacitors in the pixel.
US07652648B2

In a method for driving a liquid crystal display apparatus in which in each field, scan lines are successively scanned in order to display an image, the scanning sequence or the polarity of a signal voltage is reversed between a first field and a second field. A liquid crystal display apparatus driven by the method is also disclosed. It is possible to provide a high contrast, high brightness liquid crystal display apparatus which is not affected by electrical asymmetry.
US07652643B2

Set-up, write, sustain and erase pulses are variously applied to a plasma display panel using a staircase waveform in which the rising or falling portion is in at least two steps. These staircase waveforms can be realized-by adding at least two pulses. Use of such waveforms for the set-up, write and erase pulses improves contrast, and use for the sustain pulses reduces screen flicker and improves luminous efficiency. This is of particular use in driving high definition plasma display panels to achieve high image quality and high luminance.
US07652641B2

A driving apparatus of a plasma display panel for applying a rising or falling waveform to a panel capacitor, comprising a transistor for forming a current path between a power source and the panel capacitor while the transistor is turned on, and which is coupled between the power source and one end of the panel capacitor. A first capacitor and a second capacitor are coupled in parallel to each other and in between a drain and a gate of the transistor. A first resistor and a first diode are coupled in parallel to each other between a first end of the first capacitor and the gate, and a second resistor and a second diode are coupled in parallel to each other between a first end of the second capacitor and the gate.
US07652640B2

A plasma display apparatus is disclosed. The plasma display apparatus includes a plasma display panel comprising a scan electrode and a sustain electrode. When an image displayed on the plasma display apparatus is a fixed image pattern which has a rate of change equal to or less than a threshold rate of change in input image data and is displayed as a picture for a duration equal to or more than a threshold duration of time, the number of sustain pulses or a magnitude of a voltage of a sustain pulse supplied to at least one of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode in a sustain period of a subfield subsequent to the threshold duration of time is controlled.
US07652629B2

An antenna device including a ground plane, a plane conductor and a line conductor is provided. The plane conductor is shaped like a polygon having a first side, a second side and an angle between the first side and the second side. The plane conductor is arranged almost on a same plane as the ground plane. The plane conductor has a feed portion around the angle. The first side faces a side of the ground plane. The line conductor is arranged almost on the same plane as the ground plane. The line conductor has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to an end of the second side being opposite the feed portion.
US07652621B2

A method for selecting radionavigation beacons using an onboard navigation system aboard an aircraft from a list of eligible beacons, includes a step for formulating a criterion for selecting a pair of beacons (BX, BY) from among beacons forming part of a list of eligible beacons, and the selection criterion is based on a search for a maximum duration of membership, for instants subsequent to the instant t1, for which the 2D terrestrial position of the aircraft belongs to the zones of employment of all the pairs of beacons achievable from among the eligible beacons, on the basis of a given predictive trajectory of the aircraft.
US07652620B2

A method and system for analyzing the RCS of an object using N Point signature prediction models is provided. N-point signature prediction models are created for each object in a scenario and stored in lookup tables. Shooting and Bounce trace back techniques are used to determine RCS signatures of multiple objects in modeled scenarios to account for blockage by and coupling phenomena of a scattered field.
US07652615B2

A radar sensor is described that includes a radar transmitter, a radar receiver configured to receive reflected returns of signals output by the radar transmitter, and a signal processing unit configured to process signals received by the radar receiver. The signal processing unit includes a comparator, a first filter comprising an output coupled to a reference input of the comparator, and a second filter comprising an output coupled to a signal input of the comparator. The first and second filters are configured to receive a common input related to the reflected returns. The first filter is configured to have a time constant such that a rise time of the first filter output is faster than a rise time of the second filter output.
US07652614B2

Methods and systems are disclosed for investigating a region of interest with a radar. A radar signal is propagated to the region of interest. Sampled time-domain radar data scattered within the region of interest are collected. A likelihood function is calculated with the sampled time-domain data within a parametric model of the region of interest for a defined set of parameters. The set of parameters in varied to find an extremum of the likelihood function.
US07652613B2

The method and device include the filtering and the analog/digital conversion of an intermediate signal. The intermediate signal is processed by a filtering and analog/digital conversion circuit that is configurable using switched passive capacitor technology. The various configurations successively adopted by the circuit provide filtering and analog/digital conversion to be successively carried out.
US07652610B2

A signal processing device which outputs a discrete signal composed of a string of the sampling values and parameters m signal. The signal processing device includes a sampling circuit which samples an input signal and outputs a discrete signal, multiple function generators which generate multiple sampling functions with parameters m different from each other, plural inner product operating units for each of parameters m that take an inner product between the input signal and each of plural sampling functions and output an inner product operating value, and a judging unit which determines parameter m providing a minimum error out of multiple errors composed of differences between the sampling value and inner product operating values output from the multiple inner product operating units and outputs the parameters m signal.
US07652609B2

A motion detector and method with low power consumption in an inertia sensor. The motion detector is selectively supplied with power for operation of the inertia sensor according to a power control signal. While the inertia sensor is supplied with power, three-dimensional analog signals are sampled, A/D converted, and outputted via a controller. A pulse width of the power control signal is determined by reflecting the sampling and A/D conversion period and reflecting the operation preparing period of the inertia sensor from the A/D converted value.
US07652608B1

A waveform acquisition system that captures and digitizes a wideband electrical signal through a bank of front end filters, frequency down converters, and conventional digitizers (A/D converters). A software algorithm reconstructs the composite input signal and applies the necessary corrections to remove the effects of hardware impairments. This approach is possible because it uses a class of filters that exhibit the quality of perfect waveform reconstruction, allowing signals whose spectral components overlap multiple filter bands, to be faithfully reconstructed. A calibration generator switched into the input port serves as a reference for quantifying and removing hardware errors. The channelized analog-to-digital converter (ADC) effectively multiplies the bandwidth and sampling rate of the conventional digitizer performance in a single channel by the number of channels in the system.
US07652604B2

A voltage-to-time based windowed analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can have programmable reference voltage, conversion time, and accuracy of voltage regulation. The ADC can be fully implemented on a small silicon area and is suitable for implementation in various integrated digital controllers for high-frequency low-power switch-mode power supplies (SMPS). The programmable characteristics can be achieved through the utilization of the inherent averaging effect of the delay line or of the other voltage-to-time conversion structures and through the adjustments of delay cells' propagation times or the effective voltage-to-time conversion ratio in alternative structures.
US07652601B2

Reference network embodiments are provided for use in pipelined signal converter systems. The network embodiments are fast and power efficient and they generate low-impedance reference signals through the use of a complimentary common-drain output stage, at least one diode-coupled transistor inserted between transistors of the output stage, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide a backgate voltage to the diode-coupled transistor to thereby establish a substantially-constant output current. The controller is further configured to provide gate voltages to the output stage to establish top and bottom reference voltages about the diode-coupled transistor that are spaced from a common-mode voltage. This reference structure maintains a constant output current as the span between the top and bottom reference voltages is selectively altered. In different embodiments, the diode-coupled transistor is replaced with a bipolar junction transistor.
US07652599B1

What is disclosed is a novel system and method for performing renormalization in a data entropy reduction process of an image in a compression path. An accumulator is used for one of arithmetic encoding and decoding according to an arithmetic coding process and a number of most significant bits of the accumulator represents an output segment. If processing an input data symbol is determined to be able to cause a change in a value of the output segment, the encoding range is changed. If the size of the encoding range portion that can cause the output segment value to change is less than the size of the portion of the encoding range that fails to cause the change, the encoding range is limited to the size that can cause the change. Otherwise, the encoding range is set to the size that fails to cause the change.
US07652592B2

The device relates to an installation comprising a cavity extending from the surface of the ground and provided with at least one electrically conductive tubular element. The device comprises a single-strand smooth cable for supporting an action and/or measurement assembly, which cable is electrically conductive and has a breaking strength greater than 300 daN, and is disposed in the tubular element. The surface of the cable is electrically insulated at least in part from said tubular element. The device includes transmitter means and receiver means for transmitting and receiving an electrical and/or electromagnetic signal, said means being situated in the vicinity of the surface and in the cavity, and being electrically connected to the cable and to the tubular element and/or an underground formation. The invention is applicable to transmitting information and to controlling tools in an oil well.
US07652588B2

A signalling element, which can be adapted to a light emitter, such as a lamp, the element for signalling includes an external double laminar body of plastic material, with a tronco-conical general shape extended by its larger base into a straight section and open via said larger base, housing two plastic layers of PVC and in its interior, the the external double laminar body defining a space for housing the pair of layers.
US07652584B2

A device is disclosed for detection of surface properties or conditions, in particular detection of water, snow and ice and in particular to read surfaces by means of detector means mounted on individual vehicles, and transmitting the data from the vehicle, preferably together with position data of the vehicle, to be used by drivers of other vehicles for warning of slippery road conditions ahead of the vehicle. According to a particular aspect, it has been realized that the fact that polarized light which is mirror reflected by e.g. ice or water on a surface, preserves its polarization, whereas polarized light which is diffuse reflected largely becomes depolarized, may be utilized to separate the two types of reflection and thus provide a much more compact sensor device for surface properties, in which the light may be emitted close to or parallel to the road surface normal.
US07652573B2

A presence analysis system for objects carried by a user has a signal-transmitter provided on the object to be observed in terms of its presence for transmitting an object or signal-transmitter specific signal and a receiver for receiving signals including the object or signal-transmitter specific signal. A capacitative link formed by the person or clothing of the person conducts the signal from the transmitter to the receiver. An analysis unit coupled with the receiver generates an output signal indicating the presence or absence of the object by analysis of the signals received.
US07652566B2

Apparatus includes an arc wave generator for testing an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) for use in a test system for testing whether or not an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) is operating normally, in which a false arc is generated for use in testing the arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). The arc wave generator includes a rectifier which receives a commercial power source as an input source and rectifies alternating-current voltage of the commercial power source to generate a rectified signal. A drop resistor drops the voltage of the rectified signal to generate a voltage-dropped signal. A mono-stable multivibrator adjusts a voltage level and a pulse width of the voltage-dropped signal and generates a pulse signal which is used to generate a false arc for testing the arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). Thus, a false arc is generated with a simple circuit to accurately test the actions of the arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI).
US07652565B2

In a sensor network system, sensor data having a high precision (high resolution) is collected, and congestion of a communication network and an apparatus for processing the sensor data is suppressed. A sensor node has a contribution degree calculator for calculating an influence that the detected sensor information exerts upon the entire system precision (resolution). A first communicating circuit transmits sensor information responding to a calculated contribution so that no congestion caused by transmitting too large a quantity of data all at once occurs.
US07652564B2

A mobile phone set includes a clock unit that counts time and a non-contact IC that receives time data indicative of current correct time from an RFID reader/writer. When the non-contact IC receives the time data, the time of the clock unit is corrected based on the received time data.
US07652561B2

A process for monitoring a tire (11 to 14) mounted on a land vehicle (VH), the process being implemented by means of a central control unit (UC) and an electronic chip (21g to 24g) implanted in a sidewall of the tire. A tire is provided with two chips (21g to 24g, 21d to 24d) implanted in its respective sidewalls, but only one of them is operational during use depending on the mounting direction of the tire. The chips of the same tire contain a given tire identification code (K11 to K14) and specific respective codes (Kg, Kd) that indicate their implantation in the tire. The process is implemented by compiling and/or updating, both in the central unit (UC) and in the operational chip (21g, 22d, 23g, 24d), historical records of the use of the tire by memorising updated values of evolutive parameters of the use of the tire, such as the number of kilometers (DIST) it has covered or its highest running speed (VMAX).
US07652555B2

A container that is capable of outputting information related to objects stored in the container. The container is able to output information for objects that are stored by the container and that have identification tags physically associated with them.
US07652546B2

An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a radio frequency switch capable of using tunable dielectric capacitors as the switching element for a plurality of cross connected ports. Further, the RF switching may be accomplished by creating an RF short at a tee within said apparatus by the combination of transmission lines and the impedance provided by the tunable dielectric capacitor.
US07652541B2

A novel form of an integrated variable inductor uses an on-chip transformer together with a variable capacitor. The variable capacitor can either be a varactor or a switched capacitor array and is connected to the secondary coil of the transformer. By changing the capacitance at the secondary coil of a transformer, the equivalent inductance looking into the primary coil of the transformer can be adjusted. With another capacitor in parallel to the primary coil, two different modes of resonance inherently exist, and a very wide frequency tuning range can be achieved by combining the two modes.
US07652524B2

An electronic circuit. The electronic circuit includes a first circuit leg coupled to a first supply voltage node and a second supply voltage node. The first circuit leg includes a first reference current circuit configured to produce a first reference current and a second reference current circuit configured to produce a second reference current. The electronic circuit further includes a second circuit leg coupled in parallel with the first circuit leg. The second circuit leg includes a first transistor coupled to form a current mirror with the first reference current circuit and a second transistor coupled to form a current mirror with the second reference current circuit. The source terminals of each of the first and second transistors are coupled together to form a third supply voltage node.
US07652521B2

An integrated circuit includes a trimming signal creating section, disposed downstream of a trimming circuit in which a number of fuses are arranged in alignment, creating a trimming signal corresponding to the trimming value on the basis of a signal output from said trimming circuit and arranges blown object fuses such that every two of the blown object fuses are interposed at least one un-blown fuses in the trimming circuit. An efficient arrangement of blowing points in addition to the above arrangement of blown object fuses can reduce the area occupied by the trimming circuit.
US07652520B2

A stacked MOS configuration for use in short channel length analog circuit technologies is provided. The stacked MOS configuration comprises a plurality of short-channel MOS transistors coupled in series and sharing a common gate terminal. In an embodiment, a first peripheral transistor provides a drain terminal for the stacked MOS configuration. A second peripheral transistor provides a source terminal for the stacked MOS configuration. Adjacent transistors in the stacked MOS configuration are connected in a drain-to-source configuration.
US07652510B2

A semiconductor device comprises a driver provided for a semiconductor element having a control electrode to which a drive voltage is applied, the semiconductor element being switched between the conduction state and the non-conduction state based on the drive voltage, the driver operative to apply the drive voltage to the control electrode; a detector operative to supply a voltage detection signal oscillating at a certain frequency to the control electrode to detect a first voltage having a certain relation to a voltage applied to the semiconductor element; and a controller operative to control the detector based on the first voltage detected at the detector.
US07652509B2

The present invention relates to a transconductance circuit intended to convert a differential input voltage, supplied as two signals to two inputs, IN+ and IN− respectively, into a differential output current. According to the invention, each of the two signals of said differential input voltage is supplied to each input, IN+ and IN− respectively, through a follower transistor, TF+ and TF− respectively, connected to said input, IN+ and IN− respectively, by its emitter and receiving said signal on a control electrode. Moreover, each of the two inputs, IN+ and IN− respectively, of the transconductance is connected to a respective current source, CS− and CS+ respectively, that is dynamically controlled by the other input of the transconductance, IN− and IN+ respectively, said current source, CS− and CS+ respectively, being such that the current supplies to each input, IN+ and IN− respectively, by said current source, CS− and CS+ respectively, eliminates current variations caused by voltage variations of the input voltage signal.
US07652508B2

In one embodiment, a circuit device that performs a certain processing operation with respect to an input signal by referring to a reference voltage and outputs the result is caused to have a function of switching the reference voltage, whereby a circuit device from which a stable output can be obtained is disclosed. The circuit device includes a comparator and a reference voltage setting circuit. The comparator compares an input voltage fed from outside with a reference voltage selected from a reference voltage set including a plurality of voltage values that are different from one another. The reference voltage setting circuit selects a voltage value lower than the reference voltage from the reference voltage set when it is detected that the input voltage in a rising transition reaches the reference voltage, selects a voltage value higher than the reference voltage from the reference voltage set when it is detected that the input voltage in a falling transition reaches the reference voltage, and sets the selected voltage value as the reference voltage of the comparator.
US07652496B2

The configurations of a commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit and the controlling methods thereof are provided. The proposed commutation failure detection circuit includes a first detecting signal generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting a commutation at a negative half cycle of an AC input voltage and including a first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a first non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the negative half cycle of the AC input voltage and a second detecting signal generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting the commutation at a positive half cycle of the AC input voltage and including a second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a second non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the positive half cycle of the AC input voltage.
US07652494B2

In one embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises at least one measurement unit configured to generate an output indicative of a supply voltage at which the integrated circuit is operable for a given operating frequency and a control unit coupled to receive the output. The control unit is configured to generate a voltage control output indicative of a requested supply voltage for the integrated circuit responsive to the output. The voltage control output may be output from the integrated circuit for use by circuitry external to the integrated circuit in generating the supply voltage for the integrated circuit.
US07652489B2

A system for measuring clearance between a stationary object and a movable object is provided. The system includes at least one sensor configured to be disposed on the stationary object and configured to measure an operating parameter corresponding to the movable object and a controller coupled to the at least one sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control an operating mode of the sensor based upon the measured operating parameter.
US07652480B2

A method for testing a status of a light unit is provided, wherein the method includes electrically coupling the light unit to a controller and transmitting a negative voltage from the controller to the light unit. The method also includes detecting at least one of current and voltage passing through the light unit and determining a status of the light unit based on at least one of the detected current and detected voltage.
US07652474B2

Example systems, methods, and apparatus associated with conjugate symmetry in parallel imaging are provided. One example method includes controlling a parallel magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) apparatus to acquire a first magnetic resonance (MR) signal from a first point in k-space using a phased array of receiving coils. The method also includes identifying a second point in k-space that is related to the first point by a conjugate symmetry relation. The relation may be, for example, a reflection, a rotation, and so on. The method also includes determining a second MR signal associated with the second point based, at least in part, on the first MR signal and the conjugate symmetry relation and then reconstructing an MR image based, at least in part, on both the first MR signal and the second MR signal.
US07652472B2

A signal detection circuit of a magnetic sensor includes a differential amplifier to which an output voltage of a detecting coil of the magnetic sensor is applied; a comparator to which the output of the differential amplifier is input, the comparator outputting a digital signal having one logical value during a time period between two adjacent spike voltages included in the output voltage; and a counter that counts the number of pulses of a clock in a period when the output of the comparator has one logical value.
US07652471B2

A magnet's N and S polarity can be alternately assembled within a MR sensor housing to determine the type of sensor that is assembled. In an MR sensor package including a housing having a sensing face and adapted for containing a sensing transducer and magnet, it can be determined if the MR sensor package is to be an X-type or Y-type sensor by testing the MR sensor package prior to labeling, shipping and/or use to determine its type by measuring the magnetic field emanating from the sensing face using a magnetic gauss probe. During assembly, the magnets N or S polarity is positioned to face the sensing face of the sensor to indicate the sensor type.
US07652467B2

A carrier tray for use with a prober is arranged to allow the prober to measure or test not only semiconductor wafers but also semiconductor packages and accurately position each of different-shaped semiconductor packages. A carrier tray 1 includes a lowermost tray 10 and an uppermost tray 20 interposing therebetween an intermediate tray 30. The lowermost and uppermost trays 10 and 20 are each of a circular shape having a diameter D1. A diameter D3 of the intermediate tray 30 is smaller than the diameter D1. The intermediate tray 30 is centrally formed with a screw hole portion 32 in which a locking spacer screw 22 is screwed. A semiconductor package 40 is to be placed in a package holding pocket 11. With the locking spacer screw 22, the intermediate 30 is slidable in an X and Y directions, so that the X and Y coordinates of the semiconductor package 40 are determined uniquely relative to the carrier tray 1.
US07652465B2

A “no dead time” data acquisition system for a measurement instrument receives a digitized signal representing an electrical signal being monitored and generates from the digitized signal a trigger signal using a fast digital trigger circuit, the trigger signal including all trigger events within the digitized signal. The digitized signal is compressed as desired and delayed by a first-in, first-out (FIFO) buffer for a period of time to assure a predetermined amount of data prior to a first trigger event in the trigger signal. The delayed digitized signal is delivered to a fast rasterizer or drawing engine upon the occurrence of the first trigger event to generate a waveform image. The waveform image is then provided to a display buffer for combination with prior waveforms and/or other graphic inputs from other drawing engines. The contents of the display buffer are provided to a display at a display update rate to show a composite of all waveform images representing the electrical signal.
US07652461B2

A DC-DC converter operates outside of an audible frequency range under light current load conditions with reduced switching frequency by reducing supply current and regulating output voltage. A control for the converter maintains the switching frequency above an audible frequency range and reduces supply current by modulating switch on-time, sinking supply current, or permitting negative supply current values. The output voltage of the converter is regulated by modulating switch on-time, clamping output voltage, or modifying feedback detector thresholds. The power converter operates with improved efficiency under light current load conditions, while avoiding operation in an audible frequency range to prevent the generation of audible noise in converter components.
US07652458B2

A power converting apparatus includes a power input part to which power is input; a power converting part converting the power input through the power input part; a converting current detecting part detecting a converting current of the power converted in the power converting part; a converting voltage detecting part detecting a converting voltage of the power converted in the power converting part; and a controlling part controlling the power converting part so that a value of power calculated by multiplication of the converting current detected in the converting current detecting part by the converting voltage detected in the converting voltage detecting part falls within a predetermined range of a preset reference value.
US07652455B2

A low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator for generating an output voltage is disclosed. The voltage regulator includes a startup circuit, a curvature corrected bandgap circuit, an error amplifier, a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) pass device and a voltage slew rate efficient transient response boost circuit. The MOS pass device has a gate node which is coupled to the output of the error amplifier, and a drain node for generating the output voltage. The voltage slew rate efficient transient response boost circuit applies a voltage to the gate node of the MOS pass device to accelerate the response time of the error amplifier in enabling the LDO voltage regulator to reach its final regulated output voltage when an output voltage drop occurs in the LDO voltage regulator.
US07652448B2

A system for modeling a battery installed on a motor vehicle including a crank started engine, a voltage sensor connected to provide measurements of battery voltage and a temperature sensor providing temperature measurements provides for correcting capacity of the battery starting from the battery's rated capacity. A vehicle body computer implements the model through a stored program implementing an energy flow model of the target battery and stored data relating to model parameters including battery rated capacity and cranking current required for engine start over a temperature range. The stored program being responsive upon execution by the vehicle body computer for using the battery voltage measurements and temperature measurements during engine cranking to correct battery capacity.
US07652446B2

A method for detecting and controlling output characteristics of a DC motor is provided in the present invention, wherein an input impedance related to the DC motor is measured for analyzing the output characteristics of the DC motor so that the output characteristics of the DC motor is capable being controlled according to the requirement of usage. By means of the foregoing method, the present invention further provides a self-propelled apparatus which functions to detect and control the output of the DC motor for maintaining the moving speed according to the environment status and road condition.
US07652445B2

A disk drive controller including a differential voice coil motor control function is disclosed. The differential voice coil motor control function includes an on-chip compensation network for the inner control loop, including a resistor formed of one or more MOS transistors connected in series. The gate of the MOS transistors in the compensation network is driven with a bias voltage based on a tuning current, where the tuning current is derived so that it varies with process and temperature variations of the integrated circuit, for example with variations in an on-chip capacitor. The on-chip compensation network can be tuned with sufficient precision to properly compensate the inner control loop to provide the desired frequency response in driving the voice coil motor in the disk drive.
US07652441B2

A motor drive system for a sensorless motor includes a catch start sequencer that controls the motor drive system to robustly start the motor in the event the motor rotor is rotating in forward or reverse direction prior to activating the motor drive system. In particular, the catch start sequencer causes the motor drive system to initially find and track the rotor position, and then determines the speed and possibly the direction of rotation of the rotor. If the rotor is rotating in the reverse direction, the catch start sequencer controls the motor drive system to slow the speed of rotation and to then start the rotor rotating in the forward direction.
US07652431B2

An electrostatic fluid accelerator having a multiplicity of closely spaced corona electrodes. The close spacing of such corona electrodes is obtainable because such corona electrodes are isolated from one another with exciting electrodes. Either the exciting electrode must be placed asymmetrically between adjacent corona electrodes or an accelerating electrode must be employed. The accelerating electrode can be either an attracting or a repelling electrode. Preferably, the voltage between the corona electrodes and the exciting electrodes is maintained between the corona onset voltage and the breakdown voltage with a flexible top high-voltage power supply. Optionally, however, the voltage between the corona electrodes and the exciting electrodes can be varied, even outside the range between the corona onset voltage and the breakdown voltage, in to vary the flow of fluid. And, to achieve the greatest flow of fluid, multiple stages of the individual Electrostatic Fluid Accelerator are utilized with a collecting electrode between successive stages in order to preclude substantially all ions and other electrically charged particles from passing to the next stage, where they would tend to be repelled and thereby impair the movement of the fluid. Finally, constructing the exciting electrode in the form of a plate that extends downstream with respect to the desired direction of fluid flow also assures that more ions and, consequently, more fluid particles flow downstream.
US07652430B1

Broadband radiation may be generated by supplying a gas mixture containing hydrogen and/or deuterium and/or helium and/or neon to an enclosure, generating a plasma inside the enclosure with the gas mixture. Broadband radiation generated as a result of the plasma discharge to a substrate may be optically coupled to a substrate located outside the enclosure.
US07652422B2

Provided is a method of fabricating an organic electro luminescence device, the method comprising: forming a thin film transistor on a substrate; forming a passivation layer and a first electrode on the substrate including the thin film transistor; forming a contact hole exposing an upper surface of a drain electrode of the thin film transistor at a predetermined portion of the first electrode and the passivation layer; forming a buffer layer and a barrier rib on a predetermined portion of an upper surface of the first electrode; forming an organic emission layer within a region defined by the buffer layer; and forming a second electrode on the organic emission layer such that the second electrode is electrically connected with the drain electrode through the contact hole.
US07652416B2

Disclosed herein is a lamp including a specific phosphor and having good ability to maintain brightness and color coordinates. Particularly, this invention provides a lamp using a phosphor in which a magnetoplumbite phase is epitaxially formed on the surface of a phosphor having a β alumina phase.
US07652415B2

An electron emissive material comprises an alkaline earth metal halide composition and operable to emit electrons on excitation. A lamp including an envelope, an electrode including an alkaline earth metal halide electron emissive material and a discharge material, is also disclosed.
US07652407B2

A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a static member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion coupled to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a rod-shaped moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. An outer sheath is for covering the driving device. An attitude retaining arrangement retains an attitude of the driving device with respect to the outer sheath.
US07652404B2

A synchronous reluctance machine is provided. The synchronous reluctance machine includes a stator having a stator core, the stator core including a number of fractional-slot concentrated windings wound around multiple stator teeth. The synchronous reluctance machine also includes a rotor having a rotor core and disposed with an air gap inside and concentric with the stator, wherein the rotor core includes a number of laminated sheets, wherein each of the laminated sheets is axially skewed with respect to neighboring ones of the laminated sheets, and wherein each of the laminated sheets includes multiple ferromagnetic regions and multiple non-ferromagnetic regions formed of a single material.
US07652394B2

There is provided an electricity grid, system having a substation connecting two grid parts, preferably at different levels in the grid hierarchy, wherein flow control means is provided for controlling the flow of electricity between the two parts in dependence on the level of stress of the respective grid part of the network.
US07652393B2

At least one aspect is directed to an uninterruptible power supply including an I/O and an output in electrical communication with the I/O. The UPS also includes electronic circuitry which is adapted to, in a first mode of operation, receive power from the I/O and convert the AC power to DC power. The electronic circuitry is also adapted to, in a second mode of operation, receive DC power and to provide AC power to the I/O. The electronic circuit is further adapted to, in the first mode of operation, convert the DC power to AC power and to provide the AC power at the output.
US07652384B2

A micro structure includes a seed electrode layer on a substrate and a plurality of conductive layers on the seed electrode layer. The combined thickness of the seed electrode layer and the plurality of conductive layers can be more than 0.1 mm and the lateral dimensions of the seed electrode layer and the plurality of conductive layers vary less than 20% along the direction normal to a surface of the substrate and the micro structure has striations on an outer surface.
US07652380B2

A semiconductor device includes a substrate; a wiring formed on the substrate; a base portion disposed at an end portion of the wiring; and an electrode formed on the base portion. The base portion has a size smaller than that of the electrode, so that the base portion is not shifted out of the electrode.
US07652376B2

An integrated circuit package system is provided including providing a wafer with bond pads formed on the wafer. A solder bump is deposited on one or more bond pads. The bond pads and the solder bump are embedded within a mold compound formed on the wafer. A groove is formed in the mold compound to expose a portion of the solder bump. The wafer is singulated into individual die structures at the groove.
US07652368B2

A semiconductor device having a first semiconductor chip with an SDRAM and a second semiconductor chip with a an MPU controlling the SDRAM. The contour size of the semiconductor device is reduced to a smaller size without impairing the testability of the first semiconductor chip. The two semiconductor chips are stacked over the top surface of an interconnect substrate and sealed in a molding resin, thus forming an SiP (System-in-Package). First terminals electrically connected with the second chip are arranged as external terminals of the SiP on the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the interconnect substrate. Plural second electrodes electrically connected with interconnects, which electrically connect the two chips, are mounted as terminals for testing of the SDRAM. The second electrodes are located more inwardly than the innermost row of the first external electrodes on the bottom surface of the interconnect substrate.
US07652362B2

A package stack includes at least two packages stacked on each other. Each package has a substrate, a circuit pattern positioned on the substrate, a semiconductor chip attached to the substrate, and a number of through-vias formed on a lateral surface. A number of electrical connection members are attached to the through-vias so as to electrically connect the packages to each other. The through-vias are vertically positioned on the lateral or side surface of the packages. And a solder ball is attached to the lower surface of the substrate of the lowest package.
US07652355B2

Embodiments of the invention provide an integrated circuit structure comprising: a substrate; a shield structure comprising a shield member and a ground strap formed on the substrate, wherein the shield member comprises a non-metallic portion, and the ground strap comprises a metallic portion.
US07652341B2

A semiconductor apparatus wherein a device formed on a semiconductor substrate comprises a gate insulating film including a high dielectric constant film formed on the substrate and an anti-reaction film formed on the high dielectric constant film, and a gate electrode formed on the anti-reaction film, the high dielectric constant film comprises a film containing at least one of Hf and Zr, and Si and O, or a film containing at least one of Hf and Zr, and Si, O and N, the anti-reaction film comprises an SiO2 film, a film containing SiO2 as a main component and at least one of Hf and Zr, a film containing SiO2 as a main component and N, a film containing SiO2 as a main component, Hf and N, a film containing SiO2 as a main component, Zr and N, or a film containing SiO2 as a main component, Hf, Zr and N.
US07652334B2

A method and structure for forming a semiconductor structure. A semiconductor substrate is provided. A trench is formed within the semiconductor substrate. A first layer of electrically insulative material is formed within the trench. A first portion and a second portion of the first layer of electrically insulative material is removed. A second layer of electrically insulative material is selectively grown on the first layer comprising the removed first portion and the removed second portion.
US07652331B2

A semiconductor device includes a device isolation structure formed on a semiconductor substrate to define an active region. A first Si-based epitaxial pattern is formed over the active region corresponding to a bit line contact region and a portion of a gate region at both sides adjacent to the bit line contact region. A second Si-based epitaxial layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate which is stepped up on the first Si-based epitaxial pattern. A stepped gate pattern is formed over the stepped second Si-based epitaxial layer.
US07652325B2

The invention relates to a semiconductor component, which comprises a semiconductor body having a first and a second terminal zone of a first conduction type (n), a channel zone of a second conduction type (p), which is short circuited with the second terminal zone, a drift zone of the first conduction type (n) with weaker doping than the terminal zones, which drift zone is formed between the channel zone and the first terminal zone, the channel zone being formed between the drift zone and the second terminal zone, a control electrode, formed so that it is insulated from the channel zone, for controlling a conductive channel in the channel zone between the second terminal zone and the drift zone, and is distinguished in that a field stop zone of the first conduction type (n) is formed between the first terminal zone and the drift zone, the field stop zone having heavier doping than the drift zone and weaker doping than the first terminal zone, the maximum doping of the field stop zone being at most a factor of about 102 heavier than the doping of the drift zone.
US07652323B2

A semiconductor device having step gates includes a semiconductor substrate including first regions having relatively low steps at both ends of an active region defined by trench isolation films and a second region having a relatively high step at a central part of the active region, a groove having a predetermined depth being formed at the central part of the second region, step gate stacks formed on the boundary between the first region and second region while exposing the groove of the second region, first impurity regions formed in the first regions exposed by the step gate stacks, and a second impurity region formed in the second region exposed by the step gate stacks while enclosing the groove of the second region.
US07652322B2

In a flash memory device, which can maintain an enhanced electric field between a control gate and a storage node (floating gate) and has a reduced cell size, and a method of manufacturing the flash memory device, the flash memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having a pair of drain regions and a source region formed between the pair of drain regions, a pair of spacer-shaped control gates each formed on the semiconductor substrate between the source region and each of the drain regions, and a storage node formed in a region between the control gate and the semiconductor substrate. A bottom surface of each of the control gates includes a first region that overlaps with the semiconductor substrate and a second region that overlaps with the storage node. The pair of spacer-shaped control gates are substantially symmetrical with each other about the source region.
US07652316B2

The invention relates to in particular a lateral DMOST with a drain extension (8). In the known transistor a further metal strip (20) is positioned between the gate electrode contact strip and the drain contact (16) which is electrically connected with the source region contact (15). In the device proposed here, the connection between the further metal strip (20) and the source contact (15,12) comprises a capacitor (30) and the further metal strip (20) is provided with a further contact region (35) for delivering a voltage to the further metal strip (20). In this way an improved linearity is possible and the usefulness of the device is improved in particular at high power and at high frequencies. Preferably the capacitor (30) is integrated with the transistor in a single semiconductor body (1). The invention further comprises a method of operating a device (10) according to the invention.
US07652315B2

A spin transistor includes a non-magnetic semiconductor substrate having a channel region, a first area, and a second area. The channel region is between the first and the second areas. The spin transistor also includes a first conductive layer located above the first area and made of a ferromagnetic material magnetized in a first direction; and a second conductive layer located above the second area and made of a ferromagnetic material magnetized in one of the first direction and a second direction that is antiparallel with respect to the first direction. The channel region introduces electron spin between the conductive layers. The spin transistor also includes a gate electrode located between the conductive layers and above the channel region; and a tunnel barrier film located between the non-magnetic semiconductor substrate and at least one of the conductive layers.
US07652308B2

Semiconductor devices having a gate-all-around (GAA) structure capable of higher operating performance may be provided. A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate, at least one gate electrode, and at least one gate insulating layer. The semiconductor substrate may have a body, at least one supporting post protruding from the body, and at least one pair of fins separated from the body, wherein both ends of each fin of the at least one pair of fins are connected to and supported by the at least one supporting post. The at least one gate electrode may enclose a portion of at least one fin of the at least one pair of fins of the semiconductor substrate, and may be insulated from the semiconductor substrate. The at least one gate insulating layer may be interposed between the at least one gate electrode and the at least one pair of fins of the semiconductor substrate.
US07652297B2

A light emitting device is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the light emitting device comprises a substrate and a reflector extending from the substrate. The reflector forms a cavity in conjunction with the substrate. A light emitter is located in the cavity. At least one first recessed portion is located in the reflector, the at least one first recessed portion extends substantially axially around the reflector.
US07652295B2

A nitride-based light emitting device capable of achieving an enhancement in emission efficiency and an enhancement in reliability is disclosed. The light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer, and a light extracting layer arranged on the semiconductor layer and made of a material having a refractive index equal to or higher than a reflective index of the semiconductor layer.
US07652290B2

The present invention discloses a standby current erasion circuit applied in DRAM, which improves prior art word line driving circuit to have the word line voltage outputted in standby mode be equal to the bit line voltage, thereby the short DC standby current between the word line and bit line can be erased.
US07652273B2

An apparatus and method of attenuating radiation includes oscillating at least one fluid having a radiation attenuating property between at least two chambers, incident to applied radiation. The radiation attenuating device includes at least two communicating adjacent chambers, at least one fluid having radiation attenuating properties moveable between the at least two chambers, and a control circuit configured to oscillate the at least one fluid between the chambers.
US07652255B2

A radiation converter has a luminophore layer formed by needle-shaped crystals applied on a substrate, the crystals being composed of CsI. doped with Tl. The emission spectrum is modified to obtain smaller values by making the Tl content between 200 ppm and 2,000 ppm.
US07652248B2

When performing an inspection using a charge control function in a SEM wafer inspection apparatus, acceleration voltage, control voltage and deceleration voltage are changed in conjunction so that incident energy determined by “acceleration voltage−deceleration voltage” and bias voltage determined by “deceleration voltage−control voltage” do not change. By this means, charge of a wafer can be controlled, while restraining electrostatic lens effect generated near a control electrode. As a result, an inspection using a charge control function at low incident energy and in a wide viewing field can be performed, and a highly sensitive inspection of semiconductor patterns subject to damages due to electron beam irradiation can be realized. Acceleration voltage, control voltage and deceleration voltage are changed in conjunction so that incident energy determined by “acceleration voltage−deceleration voltage” and bias voltage determined by “deceleration voltage−control voltage” do not change.
US07652245B2

Traffic sensing and monitoring apparatus (100) comprises a length of optical fiber (112), means (102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 109, 119) arranged to introduce a series of pulse pairs into an input end of the length, each of the pulse pairs comprising first and second pulses of radiation having a frequency difference Ω and the second pulse being delayed with respect to the first by a delay τ, and the apparatus further comprising a photodetector arranged to detect radiation which is Rayleigh-backscattered within the length of fiber towards the input end to generate an output signal in response thereto. Apparatus of the invention allows sensing and monitoring of traffic at any position along a long length of road (e.g. 5 km) with lower installation and maintenance costs per unit length compared to prior art systems providing the same spatial resolution.
US07652234B2

A method for obtaining a sky view of a battle site, comprising launching an interceptor (2) towards at least one detected flying threat (3); the interceptor (2) tracking the threat (3) using at least one remote sensor for achieving a kill of the threat (3) at a designated kill site (4) being at a large range from the at least one sensor; when the interceptor (2) approaches the kill site (4), releasing from the interceptor (2) at least one detachable vehicle (7) that includes at least one local sensor (8) for sensing the kill site (4) from a range considerably shorter than the large range and communicating the sensed data.
US07652221B2

The disclosure relates to a contact drive arrangement for the movement of at least one contact in high-voltage switchgear systems having a contact drive and having an auxiliary switch, which has at least two auxiliary contacts. The contact drive works together with the at least one contact and with a first auxiliary contact. Furthermore, a delay drive is connected functionally in parallel with the contact drive, and the delay drive works together with a second auxiliary contact. The first and second auxiliary contact are electrically connected in series. In addition, the delay drive has a damping element, and by means of the damping element the time for a switching operation is extended in comparison with the time for a switching operation with the contact drive.
US07652219B2

The present invention relates to a sensory perception type power switch for a vehicle perceiving the amount of change according to the respective operational state tactilely rather than visually for operating equipment such as various lamps, an air-conditioner or, a lumbar support installed in a seat back.
US07652216B2

An electrical switch may comprise a base having three electrical conductors thereon and an electrically conductive flexible dome adjacent the base. The flexible dome has plural longer legs extending from its dome and in electrical contact with a first conductor, has a shorter leg extending from its dome and overlying a second conductor, and has its dome overlying a third conductor. A pushbutton must be moved over a distance substantially greater than an actuation distance of the flexible dome to apply sufficient force to cause the shorter leg to contact the second conductor and the dome to contact the third conductor. A spring between the pushbutton and the flexible dome couples force to the flexible dome.
US07652212B2

The electrical bushing has an electrical conductor with a plurality of different embossment regions. An insulating body is molded over the electrical conductor.
US07652201B1

According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated RJS48001. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety RJS48001, to the plants of soybean RJS48001 to plant parts of soybean variety RJS48001 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety RJS48001 with another soybean plant, using RJS48001 as either the male or the female parent.
US07652195B2

A novel alfalfa variety designated 53V52 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant that comprise crossing alfalfa variety 53V52 with another alfalfa plant. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 53V52 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the alfalfa seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid alfalfa seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing alfalfa variety 53V52 or a trait conversion of 53V52 with another alfalfa line. Alfalfa lines derived from alfalfa variety 53V52, methods for producing other inbred alfalfa lines derived from alfalfa variety 53V52 and the alfalfa lines and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US07652191B2

The invention relates to production of maladapted animals characterized by PTSD like behavior from a population by behavioral conditioning. The method includes determining a baseline behavioral level for individual under defined conditions; exposing each individual animal to trauma event and further determining a posttraumatic event behavioral level; re-exposing each individual to a trauma related event and further determining an individual post trauma related event behavioral level and evaluating the individual post trauma related event behavioral level for each individual animal with respect to a baseline value according to a predetermined rule in order to determine which individuals are maladapted animals characterized by PTSD like behavior. Use of the method for assaying efficacy of PTSD treatment is within the scope of the invention, as are animals produced by claimed methods. Once the method is established, biological parameters may be employed in addition to, or in lieu of behavioral parameters.
US07652189B2

Wound dressings in the form of a body-shaped component are composed of body-shaped cellulosic fabric which has been carboxymethylated at the woundcontacting surface. The body-shaped component composed of a fabric comprising a cellulosic material is subjected to a carboxymethylation process to carboxymethylate the cellulosic material at the wound-contacting surface.
US07652173B2

This invention relates to a process for the production of alcohols and/or aldehydes. A hydrocarbon feed stream containing paraffins and olefins, typically in which more than 5% by volume of olefin molecules in the hydrocarbon feed stream have a total number of carbon atoms which is different from the total number of carbon atoms of the most abundant two (preferably three) carbon numbers of olefins (by carbon number) in the hydrocarbon stream, is subjected to a hydroformylation reaction in which olefins are converted to alcohols and/or aldehydes. Paraffins in the hydroformylation product are then separated from alcohols and/or aldehydes by azeotropic distillation in an azeotropic distillation column. The invention also relates to a method for separating alcohols/aldehydes from paraffins in a hydrocarbon feed stream in an azeotropic distillation column using a mid-boiling polar entrainer.
US07652168B2

Disclosed is a method of preparing a thiohydrazide product compound from a hydrazide starting compound. The hydrazide starting compound is represented by Structural Formula (I): The thiohydrazide product compound is represented by Structural Formula (II): In Structural Formulas (I)-(II), R1 and R2 are independently an aliphatic group, a substituted aliphatic group, an aryl group or a substituted aryl group, or R1 and R2 taken together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, form a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring optionally fused to an aromatic ring. When R2 is an aryl group or a substituted aryl group, then R5 is a hydrazine protecting group; and when R2 is an aliphatic or substituted aliphatic group, then R5 is —H or a hydrazine protecting group. R10 is —H or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group. The method comprising the step of reacting the starting compound with a thionylating reagent.
US07652164B2

The Direct Synthesis of trialkoxysilane is carried out by conducting the Direct Synthesis reaction of silicon and alcohol, optionally in solvent, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of Direct Synthesis catalyst and an effective catalyst-promoting amount of Direct Synthesis catalyst promoter, said promoter being an organic or inorganic compound possessing at least one phosphorus-oxygen bond.
US07652159B2

The invention provides a process for producing a metallocene compound of formula (3) wherein R1 to R9 independently denote a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl, or the like; R10 denotes a halogen atom, an alkyl, an alkoxy, or the like; X5 and X6 independently denote a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or the like; and M denotes a transition metal atom of Group 4 of the Periodic Table, which process is characterized by reacting a silicon-substituted cyclopentadiene compound of formula (1) wherein R1 to R10 independently denote the same as described above; R11 denotes a hydrocarbon group or a tri-substituted silyl; and R12 to R14 independently denote a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group, with a transition metal compound of the following formula (2) wherein M denotes the same as described above; X1, X2, X3, and X4 independently denotes a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl, or the like, in a solvent containing an aromatic hydrocarbon.
US07652158B2

A process for producing a trivalent metal ion compound is provided. The process combines a trivalent metal organo-oxide M-(OR1)3 with a dione under reaction conditions to yield a reaction product where R1 in each occurrence independently is a C1-C8 alkyl, C6-C12 cycloalkyl, or C6-C14 aryl; R2 in each occurrence independently is H, C1-C8 alkyl, C6-C12 cycloalkyl, or C6-C14 aryl; M is a trivalent main group or lanthanide metal ion of Al, Ga, In, Tl, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Zr, or Lu, and n is 3 with the proviso that when M is Zr n is 4. The reaction product has impurity levels of the order of tens of parts per million by weight when formed from reagent grade M-(OR1)3. The reaction product is isolated and freeze-dried without need for washing to preclude wash solution contamination.
US07652142B2

In its many embodiments, the present invention provides a novel class of bipiperidinyl compounds as inhibitors of the CCR5 receptors, methods of preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more such compounds, methods of preparing pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more such compounds, and methods of treatment, prevention, inhibition, or amelioration of one or more diseases associated with CCR5 using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions. The invention also relates to the use of a combination of a compound of this invention and one or more antiviral or other agents useful in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The invention further relates to the use of a compound of this invention, alone or in combination with another agent, in the treatment of solid organ transplant rejection, graft v. host disease, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, asthma, allergies or multiple sclerosis.
US07652131B2

The invention includes methods of processing plant material by adding water to form a mixture, heating the mixture, and separating a liquid component from a solid-comprising component. At least one of the liquid component and the solid-comprising component undergoes additional processing. Processing of the solid-comprising component produces oils, and processing of the liquid component produces one or more of glycerol, ethylene glycol, lactic acid and propylene glycol. The invention includes a process of forming glycerol, ethylene glycol, lactic acid and propylene glycol from plant matter by adding water, heating and filtering the plant matter. The filtrate containing starch, starch fragments, hemicellulose and fragments of hemicellulose is treated to form linear poly-alcohols which are then cleaved to produce one or more of glycerol, ethylene glycol, lactic acid and propylene glycol. The invention also includes a method of producing free and/or complexed sterols and stanols from plant material.
US07652121B2

The present invention is directed to a rheology control agent for coating compositions. The rheology control agent includes a compound having the Formula (II) including isomers or mixtures of isomers thereof: wherein R, R9, R10, m and n are described in the specification. The coating compositions containing the rheology control agent have improved rheology control on application and are useful for OEM, refinishing or repainting the exterior of automobile and truck bodies and parts thereof.
US07652120B2

Substituted aminopolyorganosiloxanes (SH) containing substituted amino groups which are bonded to silicon atoms of the polysiloxane skeleton via alkylene bridges or mono- or oligo-(alkyleneamino)alkylene bridges, in which the amino groups occurring in the aminopolyorganosiloxanes are substituted at least in part with a radical of the formula T—CH2—CHOH—CH2—  (ε), in which T signifies the radical of a surfactant monoalcohol polyglycol ether having an emulsifier character, in an average ratio of at least 1.5 radicals of the formula (ε) per Si-bonded aminoalkyl group or amino-mono- or -oligo-(alkyleneamino)-alkyl group, and for the remaining part optionally are at least in part acylated to amide groups or optionally are at least in part alkylated and/or benzylated, and basic amino groups optionally are protonated, aqueous compositions (WSH) thereof, their production and use, particularly for the softening finishing of fibrous material, and detergent or softening agent compositions for domestic laundry comprising them.
US07652117B2

Fluorochemical urethane compounds and coating compositions derived therefrom are described. The compounds and composition may be used in treating substrates, in particular substrates having a hard surfaces such as ceramics or glass, to render them hydrophilic, oleophobic and easy to clean.
US07652115B2

Described are compositions containing fluorinated polyether isocyanate derived silane compounds for treating substrates such as hard surfaces, e.g. ceramic and/or glass, to render them oil and water repellent, and stain resistant, articles having coatings comprising such compounds, and methods for applying such coatings.
US07652106B2

A resin composition having excellent impact resistance and heat resistance, comprising a poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, and a core-shell latex rubber comprising an acrylic rubber and/or silicone-acrylic rubber copolymer as a core component and polymethyl methacrylate as a shell component, or a specific thermoplastic polyurethane, is disclosed. The resin composition satisfies the following requirements (c) and (d): (c) a crystallization temperature when heated from room temperature to 180° C. at a temperature rising rate of 80° C./min by a differential scanning calorimeter, maintained at 180° C. for 1 minute, and then cooled at a temperature lowering rate of 10° C./min is 110-170° C.; and (d) a weight average molecular weight (Mw) in terms of polystyrene conversion when a chloroform soluble component is measured with a gel permeation chromatography is 100,000-3,000,000.
US07652105B2

A hydroxyl-modified ethylene-α-olefin copolymer with excellent coating properties and adhesion properties are produced by heating a mixture containing 100 parts by weight of an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer and 0.1 to 20 parts by weight of a peroxide having a hydroperoxy group. The heating temperature is adjusted within a range from the 10-hour half-life temperature to the 1-minute half-life temperature of the peroxide.
US07652095B2

An adhesive composition comprising an emulsion polymer which comprises a (meth)acrylate copolymer, and aziridinyl silane and an optional silica particle component is described. The addition of the aziridinyl silane results in a significant increase in the shear properties, particularly at elevated temperatures.
US07652085B2

The present invention relates to a method of producing a biodegradable resin composition, which includes step (1) of mixing a biodegradable resin, a plasticizer, and a crystal nucleating agent with one another at the melting point (Tm) of the biodegradable resin or more, wherein the crystal nucleating agent is an aliphatic compound having, in its molecule, two or more of at least one group selected from an ester group, a hydroxyl group and an amide group, and step (2) of thermally treating the resulting biodegradable resin composition at a temperature of from the glass transition temperature (Tg) to less than Tm of the composition, as well as a biodegradable resin composition, which contains a biodegradable resin, a plasticizer, and the above crystal nucleating agent, and which satisfies the following conditions: the haze thereof with a thickness of 0.5 mm after thermal treatment at 60° C. for 36 or 60 hours is 20% or less; the storage elastic modulus (E′) at a temperature of 25° C. and a frequency of 50 Hz is 1×108 to 2×109 Pa; and the storage elastic modulus (E′) at a temperature of 60° C. and a frequency of 50 Hz is 1×107 to 1×109 Pa.
US07652084B2

Methods for modifying carbon nanotubes with organic compounds are disclosed. The modified carbon nanotubes have enhanced compatibility with polyolefins. Nanocomposites of the organo-modified carbon nanotubes and polyolefins can be used to produce both fibers and films having enhanced mechanical and electrical properties, especially the elongation-to-break ratio and the toughness of the fibers and/or films.
US07652083B2

A thermoplastic composition comprises a polycarbonate having repeating structural carbonate units of the formula (1): wherein at least 60 percent of the total number of R1 groups contain aromatic organic groups and the balance thereof are aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic groups; and wherein the polycarbonate comprises terminal groups derived from reaction with a cyanophenol of the formula wherein Y is a halogen, C1-3 alkyl group, C1-3 alkoxy group, C7-12 arylalkyl, C7-12 alkylaryl, or nitro group, y is 0 to 4, and c is 1 to 5, provided that y+c is 1 to 5; a branching agent; and a flame retardant. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of a wide variety of parts, particularly those having a thin wall.
US07652075B2

The present invention relates to a process for producing ROHACELL® foams with a compacted surface. Markedly less adhesive then has to be applied during lamination and the good mechanical properties of the ROHACELL® foams are retained. The invention further permits the use of ROHACELL® foams as a removable core.
US07652072B2

Compositions comprising an asymmetric disiloxane surfactant composition comprising a silicone composition comprising a silicone having the formula: MM′ where M or M′ comprises an alkylpolyalkyleneoxide bearing substituent selected from the group consisting of: R13(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)cR14 and R12SiR5R6(R13(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)cR14) that exhibit resistance to hydrolysis over a wide pH range.
US07652070B2

A treatment method for pathologies in which increased levels of MMP production are implicated in pathogenesis. Examples of such pathologies include pterygium, kerataconus, and macular degeneration. Treatment is based on administration of cysteamine in therapeutically effective amounts. Treatment may be in one of several alternative forms, including eye drops and oral applications. Administration in the form of eye drops may be preferred for pathologies affecting the eyes.
US07652069B2

The present invention provides methods of selectively inducing terminal differentiation, cell growth arrest and/or apoptosis of neoplastic cells, and/or inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) by administration of pharmaceutical compositions comprising potent HDAC inhibitors. The oral bioavailability of the active compounds in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention is surprisingly high. Moreover, the pharmaceutical compositions unexpectedly give rise to high, therapeutically effective blood levels of the active compounds over an extended period of time. The present invention further provides a safe, daily dosing regimen of these pharmaceutical compositions, which is easy to follow, and which results in a therapeutically effective amount of the HDAC inhibitors in vivo. The present invention also provides a novel Form I polymorph of SAHA, characterized by a unique X-ray diffraction pattern and Differential Scanning Calorimetry profile, as well a unique crystalline structure.
US07652062B2

Progesterone receptor modulators of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as defined herein. These compounds are useful for contraception and hormone replacement therapy. Also provided are products containing these compounds.
US07652061B2

Compounds of the formula provide pharmacological agents which bind to Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs). Accordingly, the compounds of the instant invention are useful for the treatment of conditions mediated by the PPAR receptor activity in mammals. Such conditions include dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesteremia, atherosclerosis, hypertriglyceridemia, heart failure, myocardial infarction, vascular diseases, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, obesity, inflammation, arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, skin disorders, respiratory diseases, ophthalmic disorders, inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and conditions in which impaired glucose tolerance, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance are implicated, such as type-1 and type-2 diabetes, and Syndrome X.
US07652060B2

This invention relates to neurotrophic compounds having an affinity for FKBP-type immunophilins, their preparation and use as inhibitors of the enzyme activity associated with immunophilin proteins, and particularly inhibitors of peptidyl-prolyl isomerase or rotamase enzyme activity.
US07652055B2

The present invention relates to compounds of formula I wherein X—Y, R1, and n are as defined herein and to their pharmaceutically active salts. Compounds of formula I have a good affinity to the trace amine associated receptors (TAARs), especially for TAAR1 and are useful for the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), stress-related disorders, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraine, hypertension, substance abuse and metabolic disorders such as eating disorders, diabetes, diabetic complications, obesity, dyslipidemia, disorders of energy consumption and assimilation, disorders and malfunction of body temperature homeostasis, disorders of sleep and circadian rhythm, and cardiovascular disorders.
US07652053B2

Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of obesity, hyperphagia, anxiety, depression and related disorders and diseases.
US07652049B2

Compounds having the structures of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds, are CETP inhibitors, and are useful for raising HDL-cholesterol, reducing LDL-cholesterol, and for treating or preventing atherosclerosis: In the compounds of Formula I, B or R2 is a phenyl group which has an ortho aryl, heterocyclic, benzoheterocyclic or benzocycloalkyl substituent, and one other position on the 5-membered ring has an aromatic, heterocyclic, cycloalkyl, benzoheterocyclic or benzocycloalkyl substituent connected directly to the ring or attached to the ring through a —CH2—.
US07652042B2

The invention provides compositions and methods to inhibit the cell cycle G2 checkpoint, in particular the DNA-damage-induced G2 checkpoint, in mammalian cells including human cells. Specifically, the invention provides compositions and methods to sensitize cells to DNA-damaging agents by abrogating the cell cycle G2 checkpoint. Compounds of the invention are used to treat proliferative disorders such as cancer. The invention provides compositions and methods for selectively sensitizing G1 checkpoint impaired cancer cells to DNA-damaging agents and treatments.
US07652041B2

The present invention provides novel cinnamide compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinases. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various diseases.
US07652040B2

The present invention is concerned with novel compounds of formula (I) having 5HT4-antagonistic properties. The invention further relates to methods for preparing such novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said novel compounds as well as the use as a medicine of said compounds.
US07652034B2

The invention relates to enantiomer (−) of tentoprazole. The inventive enantiomer (−) of tenatoprazole, or (−)-5-methoxy-2-[[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]sulfinyl]imidazol[4,5-b]pyridine exhibits improved pharmacokinetic properties which make it possible to use a once a day posology of a drug for relevant indications. The enantiomer (−) of tentoprazole can be used for treating digestive pathologies.
US07652032B2

5-thioxylose compounds, especially 5-thioxylopyranose compounds, a process for their preparation, and their use for treating and/or inhibiting thromboses, especially venous thromboses. The compounds correspond to formula I: in which the pentapyranosyl group represents a free or substituted 5-thio-β-D-xylopyranosyl group; R′, R″ and R′″ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a C2-C6 acyl group, or two adjacent ones of them form a 1-methylethylidene bridge; X1 and X2 each represent carbon or nitrogen; Y1 and Y2 each independently represent carbon, nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen, with the proviso that if Y2 represents oxygen or sulfur, then Y1 represents carbon or nitrogen; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 each independently represent hydrogen, a COOR6 group where R6 represents hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group optionally substituted by a phenyl ring, a halogen atom or a —COOR6 group; a C1-C4 alkoxy group; a C1-C6 acyl group; a benzoyl group or a phenyl ring; and the addition salts and/or active metabolites of such compounds.
US07652020B2

This invention relates to compounds of the Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or isomer thereof, which can be useful for the treatment of diseases or conditions mediated by MMPs, ADAMs, TACE, TNF-α or combinations thereof.
US07652017B2

A therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for nervous system disorder comprising as the active ingredient substances having an effect of improving calcium ion uptake of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum and/or an effect of inhibiting overaccumulation of intracellular calcium ions is offered. Preferably, the therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for disease selected from the group consisting of cerebrovascular disease, traumatic head injury and postencephalitis and the therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for disease selected from the group consisting of dementia and neuronal degeneration disease are offered.
US07652013B2

Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as, for example, obesity.
US07652010B2

Azabicyclo pyridazinyl compounds including azabicyclooctyl-pyridazinyl-oxy compounds, which are found to be cholinergic ligands at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and modulators of the monoamine receptors and transporters. Due to their pharmacological profile, the compounds may be used for the treatment of various diseases or disorders, including those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances.
US07652009B2

Selected compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as HGF mediated diseases. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving, cancer and the like. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes.
US07652006B2

The invention relates to novel quinazolines and heterocycles which are antagonists or positive modulators of AMPA receptors, and the use thereof for treating, preventing or ameliorating neuronal loss associated with stroke, global and focal ischemia, CNS trauma, hypoglycemia and surgery, as well as treating or ameliorating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and Down's syndrome, treating, preventing or ameliorating the adverse consequences of the overstimulation of the excitatory amino acids, treating, preventing or ameliorating anxiety, psychosis, convulsions, chronic pain, glaucoma, retinitis, urinary incontinence, muscular spasm and inducing anesthesia, as well as for treating or ameliorating the adverse consequences of excitatory amino acid deficiency such as schizophrenia, myoclonus, Alzheimer's disease and malnutrition and neural maldevelopment, and as cognition and learning enhancers.
US07652003B2

Disclosed are novel compounds of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, n and X are as defined in the specification. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I.Also disclosed are methods of treating cognitive or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.Also disclosed are methods of treating a cognitive or neurodegenerative disease comprising administering to a patient I need of such treatment a combination of at least one compound of formula I and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of β-secretase inhibitors other than those of formula I, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, gamma-secretase inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists, cholinesterase inhibitors and anti-amyloid antibodies.
US07651998B1

The present invention provides compositions and methods for delivering a nucleotide sequence to a cell using an alphavirus vector that is complexed with an enhancing antibody that specifically binds to the alphavirus vector. Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis vectors are preferred. The cell may be a cell in vitro or in vivo. Alternatively, the cell may be removed from a subject, administered the alphavirus vector ex vivo and then administered to a subject. Antigen-presenting cells are preferred, with dendritic cells being more preferred. Also provided are methods of producing an immune response in a subject, e.g., for producing an immune response against an antigen associated with a pathogen or for immunotherapy of cancer of tumors.
US07651996B2

Compositions and methods for treating a patient with insulin that combines insulin, a permeation enhancer, and a carrier that maintains an acidic pH, are disclosed.
US07651995B2

The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mixture of (a) an active macromolecular principle, and (b) an aromatic alcohol absorption enhancer chosen from butylated hydroxy toluene, butylated hydroxy anisole and analogues and derivatives thereof, wherein the aromatic alcohol absorption enhancer is present in an amount by weight greater than or equal to that of the active macromolecular principle, and further comprises a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mixture of (a) an active macromolecular principle, (b) an aromatic alcohol absorption enhancer chosen from propyl gallate, butylated hydroxy toluene, butylated hydroxy anisole and analogues and derivatives thereof, wherein the aromatic alcohol absorption enhancer is present in an amount by weight greater than or equal to that of the active macromolecular principle, and (c) a solubilisation aid capable of increasing the solubility of the aromatic alcohol absorption enhancer in aqueous media.
US07651994B2

Novel fragrance compositions containing: (a) a mixture of odoriferous materials in an amount of 11% to 25% of the total weight of the composition, (b) ethanol in an amount of 65 to 80% of the total weight of the composition, (c) decamethyltetrasiloxane in an amount of 3% to 22% of the total weight of the composition, (d) water in an amount not exceeding 7% of the total weight of the composition, and (e) a surfactant in an amount greater than 0% to less than 0.5% of the total weight of the composition. The fragrance compositions retain a visual appearance and olfactory characteristics, which are stable over time, and have a flash point generally of greater than or equal to 15° C.
US07651989B2

There is provided a color change composition that remains stable in a single phase and that contains an indicator that produces an observable color change after a period of time to show that sufficient cleaning has been done or to indicate the thoroughness of the cleaning. This use indicating color change is useful for, for example, in soap for teaching children to wash their hands for a sufficient period of time. This composition may be added to many different base materials to indicate time of use or as a way to introduce enjoyment to the activity.
US07651988B2

A cleanser composition suitable for use with oral appliances, which provides a sensory signal to the user. The sensory signal is such that the user believes the signal to indicate that cleansing of the oral device if occurring or, alternatively, that cleansing action has ceased.
US07651984B2

A lubricant in the form of a water or oil insoluble solvent in oil emulsion is described where a base (soluble or dispersible in said oil-insoluble solvent or water) is present in the dispersed phase. These lubricants are beneficial in various applications such as internal combustion engines where the oil needs enough basicity to neutralize any inorganic acids generated by sulfur present in the fuel.
US07651982B2

Methods and aqueous acid solutions for acidizing wells containing sludging and emulsifying oil are disclosed. An aqueous acid solution of the invention comprises water, hydrochloric acid, a cationic hydrochloric acid corrosion inhibitor and a conjugate ion pair of a cationic amine oxide surfactant and an anionic surfactant that does not react with the cationic hydrochloric acid corrosion inhibitor.
US07651979B2

The present invention relates to novel coordination complexes, methods for synthesizing and identifying coordination complexes, using combinatorial techniques, and assaying their activity. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to a library comprising a plurality of platinum-containing coordination complexes represented by the general formula {PtLnA(4-n)}, wherein, independently for each occurrence, each L is a non-labile ligand under standard conditions, each n is equal to 1, 2 or 3; each A is a labile ligand under standard conditions; and each Pt is Pt(II) or Pt(IV); provided that when Pt is Pt(IV), two additional ligands in the trans axial positions of the general formula depicted are present; and at least one of the plurality of platinum-containing coordination complexes is represented by the formula wherein, independently for each occurrence: X represents halogen or other labile ligand under standard conditions; W represents S, N, or P; Y represents —OR7, —SR7, a halogen or —N(R9)R10; R9 and R10, each independently, represent —H, alkyl, alkenyl, —(CH2)n—R7, or R9 and R10, taken together with the N atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 4 to about 8 atoms in the ring structure, all optionally substituted; L represents a non-labile ligand under standard conditions; R7 represents —H, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycle or polycycle; the ligand V comprises W, Y, and a heterocycle having from 4 to about 8 atoms in the ring structure, optionally aromatic and optionally substituted; and the symbol represents a single or a double bond.
US07651974B2

An adsorbent for oral administration, characterized by comprising a surface-modified spherical activated carbon, having a diameter of 0.01 to 1 mm, a specific surface area determined by Langmuir's adsorption equation of 1000 m2/g or more, a total amount of acidic groups of 0.40 to 1.00 meq/g, a total amount of basic groups of 0.40 to 1.10 meq/g, and a diffraction intensity ratio, an R value, determined by equation (1) of 1.4 or more. The adsorbents for oral administration exhibit a useful selective adsorbability; that is, a lesser adsorbability of useful substances, and a greater adsorbability of toxic substances, in a body.
US07651971B2

A catalyst is disclosed for the polymerization and co-polymerization of olefins with functionalized monomers. The catalyst is formed from a combination of two neutral metal complexes, L(iPr2)M(CH2Ph)(PMe3) [L=N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)propanamide] and M(COD)2 (COD=cyclooctadiene). The catalyst displays a unique mode of action and performs at ambient conditions producing high molecular weight polyolefins and co-polymers with functional groups. The polymerized olefins include ethylene, α-olefins and functionalized olefins.
US07651960B2

Preventing a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber from particle contamination in which a higher low-frequency radio frequency (LFRF) power and longer process time are provided to vacate the chamber and perform a pre-heat process. Following that, a pre-oxide layer is formed on the chamber wall, while a high-frequency radio frequency bias is provided to the chamber. The high-power LFRF is continuously provided to the chamber to sustain the temperature of the chamber, and then a main oxide layer deposition process is performed. The method is able to form an oxide layer of better quality on a CVD chamber wall, so as to solve the particle problem in the prior art. Therefore, yield is improved and the maintenance cost is reduced.
US07651956B1

A process for forming a thin layer exhibiting a substantially uniform property on an active surface of a semiconductor substrate. The process includes varying the temperature within a reaction chamber while a layer of a material is formed upon the semiconductor substrate. Varying the temperature within the reaction chamber facilitates temperature uniformity across the semiconductor wafer. As a result, a layer forming reaction occurs at a substantially consistent rate over the entire active surface of the semiconductor substrate. The process may also include oscillating the temperature within the reaction chamber while a layer of a material is being formed upon a semiconductor substrate.
US07651948B2

A method for processing a substrate including a pre-cleaning etch and reduced pressure process is disclosed. The pre-cleaning process involves introducing a substrate into a processing chamber; flowing an etching gas into the processing chamber; processing at least a portion of the substrate with the etching gas to remove a contaminated or damaged layer from a substrate surface; stopping flow of the etching gas; evacuating the processing chamber to achieve a reduced pressure in the chamber; and processing the substrate surface at the reduced pressure. Epitaxial deposition is then used to form an epitaxial layer on the substrate surface.
US07651945B2

A method for peeling off a thin film semiconductor element over an insulating surface by using a void, and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device by transferring the peeled semiconductor element. According to the peeling method of the invention, a first base layer having a plurality of recessed portions is formed over a substrate, and a second base layer having a plurality of voids is formed on the recessed portions of the first base layer. On the second base layer, a third base layer is formed and a semiconductor element is formed thereon. Then, by separating the second base layer at an intersecting surface with the voids, the semiconductor element is peeled off from the substrate.
US07651943B2

A method of forming an interconnect structure of an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; forming an opening in the dielectric layer; and forming a copper alloy seed layer in the opening. The copper alloy seed layer physically contacts the dielectric layer. The copper alloy seed layer includes copper and an alloying material. The method further includes filling a metallic material in the opening and over the copper alloy seed layer; performing a planarization to remove excess metallic material over the dielectric layer; and performing a thermal anneal to cause the alloying material in the copper alloy seed layer to be segregated from copper.
US07651937B2

A bumping process and a structure thereof are provided. The bumping process includes the following steps. Firstly, a wafer having a number of pads is provided. Next, a UBM layer is formed on the pad. Then, a conductive first photo-resist layer is coated on the wafer to cover the UBM layer. Next, a second photo-resist layer is coated on the first photo-resist layer. Then, at least a portion of the second photo-resist layer is removed to form an opening above the UBM layer. The first photo-resist layer maintains electric connection with the UBM layer. Next, a solder layer is formed in the opening by electroplating process. Then, the first photo-resist layer and the second photo-resist layer are removed expect the portion of the first photo-resist layer under the solder layer.
US07651932B2

The present invention provides an antenna with low resistance and a semiconductor device having an antenna whose communication distance is improved. A fluid containing conductive particles is applied over an object. After curing the fluid containing the conductive particles, the fluid is irradiated with a laser to form an antenna. As a method for applying the fluid containing the conductive particles, screen printing, spin coating, dipping, or a droplet discharging method is used. Further, a solid laser having a wavelength of 1 nm or more and 380 nm or less is used as the laser.
US07651927B2

A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate. The substrate has: a flat region provided in a main surface thereof; a first indentation region provided in a portion of the main surface different from the flat region and formed with first recesses; and a second indentation region provided between the first indentation region and the flat region, formed with second recesses, and having a lower probability of occurrence of growth nuclei than the first indentation region and a higher probability than the flat region in the case where a crystal of a semiconductor is grown on the main surface.
US07651920B2

One or more embodiments describe a method of fabricating a silicon based metal oxide semiconductor device, comprising: implanting a first dopant into a first partial completion of the device, the first dopant comprising a first noise reducing species; and implanting a second dopant into a second partial completion of the device, the second dopant and the first dopant being opposite conductivity types.
US07651918B2

Semiconductor structures (52-9, 52-11, 52-12) and methods (100-300) are provided for a semiconductor devices employing strained (70) and relaxed (66) semiconductors, The method comprises, forming (106, 208, 308) on a substrate (54, 56, 58) first (66-1) and second (66-2) regions of a first semiconductor material (66) of a first conductivity type and a first lattice constant spaced apart by a gap or trench (69), filling (108, 210, 308) the trench or gap (69) with a second semiconductor material (70) of a second, conductivity type and a second different lattice constant so that the second semiconductor material (70) is strained with respect to the first semiconductor material (66) and forming (110, 212, 312) device regions (80, 88, S, G, D) communicating with the first (66) and second (70) semiconductor materials and adapted to provide device current (87, 87′) through at least part of the strained second semiconductor material (70) in the trench (69). In a preferred embodiment, the relaxed semiconductor material is 80:20 Si:Ge and the strained semiconductor material is substantially Si.
US07651917B2

In the present invention, an npn junction is formed by circularly forming a p− type impurity region and n+ type impurity regions on a same single-crystalline substrate as a MOS transistor. Multiple npn junctions are formed apart from each other in concentric circular patterns. With this configuration, steep breakdown characteristics can be obtained, which results in good constant-voltage diode characteristics. Being formed in a manufacturing process of a MOS transistor, the present protection diode contributes to process streamlining and cost reduction. By selecting the number of npn junctions according to breakdown voltage, control of the breakdown voltage can be facilitated.
US07651914B2

A manufacturing method of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including: providing a first insulating film and a silicon film on a semiconductor substrate; providing a fifth insulating film containing silicon and oxygen on the silicon film; providing a second insulating film containing silicon and nitrogen on the fifth insulating film; providing a third insulating film on the second insulating film, the third insulating film is composed of a single-layer insulating film containing oxygen or multiple-layer stacked insulating film at least whose films on a top layer and a bottom layer contain oxygen, and relative dielectric constant of the single-layer insulating film and the stacked insulating film being larger than relative dielectric constant of a silicon oxide film; providing a fourth insulating film containing silicon and nitrogen on the third insulating film; and providing a control gate above the fourth insulating film.
US07651911B2

A method of forming a memory transistor includes providing a substrate comprising semiconductive material and forming spaced-apart source/drain structures. At least one of the source/drain structures forms a Schottky contact to the semiconductive material. The method also includes forming a memory gate between the spaced-apart source/drain structures and forming a control gate disposed operatively over the memory gate.
US07651906B2

Integrated circuit devices include an integrated circuit substrate and an insulating layer on the integrated circuit substrate. A contact hole penetrates the insulating layer. A vertical diode is in the contact hole and a stress buffer spacer is provided between the vertical diode and the insulating layer. Methods of forming the integrated circuit devices are also provided.
US07651905B2

An apparatus and method for the reduction of gate leakage in deep sub-micron metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors, especially useful for those used in a cross coupled static random access memory (SRAM) cell, is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, the active element of the SRAM cell is used to reduce the voltage on the gate of its transistor without impacting the switching speed of the circuit. Because the load on the output of the inverter is fixed, a reduction in the gate current is optimized to minimize the impact on the switching waveform of the memory cell. An active element formed by two materials with different Fermi potentials is used as a rectifying junction or diode. The rectifying junction also has a large parallel leakage path, which allows a finite current flow when a signal of opposite polarity is applied across this device.
US07651891B1

An integrated circuit package includes a carrier, an integrated circuit die attached to the carrier, and a molding compound surrounding the integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit die includes a bottom surface attached to the carrier, a top surface including at least one stress sensitive area, and side surfaces. The molding compound has a top air cavity formed over the at least one stress sensitive area, and a side air cavity formed on the side surfaces of the integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit package may further include a top structural layer surrounding the top air cavity. The air cavities reduce molding-induced stresses in integrated circuit packages.
US07651871B2

A device includes a plurality of structures, each structure including at least one ferromagnetic layer having fringe fields. Fringe fields of the structures interact to form a magnetic well for nanoparticles. This device may be adapted for biosensing, wherein the magnetic well is formed about a probe area.
US07651867B2

A method of making a test device comprised of a container divided into two chambers, each holding a volume of a clear test liquid, the chambers separated by a porous barrier. The liquid is introduced into the lower chamber by adding a liquid to the upper chamber through the open top of the container and then applying a vacuum to completely evacuate air from the lower chamber by drawing the air through the barrier and liquid in the upper chamber. Restoring air pressure forces liquid in the upper chamber into the lower chamber, to completely fill the same while leaving a volume of liquid in the upper chamber. The application of a vacuum is preferably carried out by placing the container with liquid in a receptacle containing a liquid to be boiled, heating the liquid to boil the same and thereafter condensing the vapor with the receptacle sealed to develop a very high vacuum which draws the air out from the lower chamber of the container. The boiling can be done with the receptacle sealed to develop a higher temperature and later vented prior to being resealed for cooling and condensing of the vaporized liquid to further enhance the level of vacuum achieved.
US07651857B2

We describe (1) a method of enhancing antigen presentation, comprising the step of supplying to an antigen presenting cell such as a dendritic cell, or precursor cell, an inhibitor of Toll-related receptor (TRR) signalling and (2) a method of inhibiting antigen presentation, comprising the step of supplying to an antigen presenting cell such as a dendritic cell, or precursor cell, an enhancer of Toll-related receptor (TRR) signalling. The inhibitor of TRR signalling may be a dominant negative mutant of MyD88, for example MyD881pr.
US07651852B2

A method and an apparatus is provided for aeration of organic material, wherein the organic material undergoes an aerobic composting process, such that air is caused to evenly penetrate the organic material. The organic material is first sealed in a vessel. Air is then delivered to the contents of the vessel such that an air pressure of from about 1 to about 1000 kPa above atmospheric pressure is maintained in the vessel. A pressure differential initially forms and is then allowed to equilibrate over a period of time, in which time air flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure in the organic material thus ensuring that aeration is evenly distributed throughout the organic material.
US07651843B2

A method of detecting and identifying bacteria, micro-organisms or plants in a liquid or gaseous medium, the bacteria, micro-organisms or plants being of the kind which produce signaling molecules in intercellular space, includes positioning a biosensor in the liquid or gaseous medium, the biosensor having a biolayer matched to specific signaling molecules to be detected whereby the biolayer is reactive thereto in a manner which varies operation of the sensor. Such variation of the operation of the biosensor is detected to thereby determine the presence and purpose of the bacteria, micro-organisms or plants in the liquid or gaseous medium.
US07651842B2

The present invention relates to an Immunogenic Complex comprising Ribosomal Complex and Adhesion of a Microbe or Ribosomal Complex and a viral antigen. The Ribosomal Complex is composed of the subunits of ribosomes (50 S and 30 S subunits in bacteria and 60 S and 40 S subunits of eucaryotes), the ribosomal subunits generally retaining sufficient integrity to preserve substantially the double-stranded nature of the large r-RNA's (16 S and 23 S in bacteria; 18 S and 28 S in eukaryotic cytosol) contained in the ribosomal subunits.
US07651841B2

A flow-through assay for detecting the quantity of an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The flow-through assay contains a porous membrane that is in fluid communication with probe conjugates that contain a specific binding member and a detectable probe. The porous membrane also defines a detection zone and a calibration zone. The calibration zone contains a polyelectrolyte substantially non-diffusively immobilized on the porous membrane. The polyelectrolyte is capable of generating a detectable calibration signal that can be readily compared (visually, quantitatively, and the like) to a detection signal to determine the amount of analyte in the test sample.
US07651840B2

The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with Alzheimer's Disease. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.
US07651831B2

A positive photoresist composition comprises a radiation sensitive acid generator, and a polymer that includes a first repeating unit derived from a sulfonamide monomer including a fluorosulfonamide functionality, a second repeating unit having a pendant acid-labile moiety, and a third repeating unit having a lactone functionality. The positive photoresist composition may be used to form patterned features on a substrate, such as those used in the manufacture of a semiconductor device.
US07651823B2

The present invention provides an optically semitransmissive film that has a near-zero phase shift, has a desired transmissivity, and is relatively thin; a novel phase-shift mask that uses the optically semitransmissive film; a photomask blank that can manufacture the phase-shift mask; and a method for designing the optically semitransmissive film. The film is formed on a translucent substrate and transmits a portion of light having a desired wavelength λ, wherein the film has at least one phase-difference reduction layer that fulfills the following functions. Specifically, the phase-difference reduction layer is a layer that has a refractive index n and a thickness d that satisfy the expression 0
US07651822B2

A gray scale mask having distribution of light transmittance determined for the purpose of exposing a resist layer with a predetermined pattern, wherein the distribution of the light transmittance is determined so that the resist layer having been exposed in accordance with a first resist shape would be used to form a second resist shape with an aspect ratio higher than the aspect ratio of the first resist shape.
US07651809B2

A fuel cell includes electrolyte electrode assemblies and a pair of separators sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assemblies. Each of the separators is a single plate, and includes a plurality of circular disks. First protrusions and second protrusions are provided on both surfaces of the circular disk. The first protrusions contact an anode of the electrolyte electrode assembly, and the second protrusions contact a cathode of the electrolyte electrode assembly. A channel member is provided on a surface of the separator facing the cathode. The channel member has a second bridge. When a load in a stacking direction is applied to the second bridge of the channel member, the second bridge is deformable in the stacking direction.
US07651808B2

In order to provide a spacer element for a fuel cell stack that is simple and easy to manufacture and in the assembled state of the fuel cell stack lies adjacent to a first structural part of a fuel cell unit of the fuel cell stack and to a second structural part of a fuel cell unit of the fuel cell stack and holds the first structural part and the second structural part apart from one another, comprising a support wall with an inner side and an outer side and at least one gas through-channel penetrating the support wall from the inner side to the outer side, wherein the spacer element comprises at least two material layers, which are stacked one on top of the other along a stacking direction, it is proposed that at least one of the material layers comprises a carrier element, which extends in a peripheral direction of the spacer element, and at least two channel-delimiting elements, which project transversely of the peripheral direction from the carrier element and form lateral boundaries of a portion of a gas through-channel of the spacer element.
US07651801B2

A solid oxide fuel cell generator (10) is made which contains bundles (14) of solid oxide fuel cells (36), a bus bar unit (128) in adjacent contact with the fuel cell bundles, where the bus bar unit (128) can pass electrical current, the bus bar unit (128) containing flat inner plate sections (130) adjacent the fuel cell bundles, outer solid nickel bar (134) and with solid, U-shaped nickel strap take-off connections (136) between the plates and bar; and a power lead (140) electrically connected to the outer solid nickel bar, where the flat inner plate sections (130) and solid U-shaped nickel strap take-off connections (136) pass electrical current generated in the fuel cell bundles through the bus bar units (128).
US07651797B2

An electrochemical cell is described that includes (a) a first electrode; (b) a second electrode; and (c) a channel contiguous with at least a portion of the first and the second electrodes. When a first liquid is contacted with the first electrode, a second liquid is contacted with the second electrode, and the first and the second liquids flow through the channel, a parallel laminar flow is established between the first and the second liquids. Electronic devices containing such electrochemical cells and methods for their use are also described.
US07651781B2

A multilayer plastic container comprises a layer of a polypropylene and an intermediate layer directly adjacent the layer of polypropylene wherein at least one of the polypropylene and intermediate layers comprises an adhesive such as maleic anhydride incorporated therein to adhere the layer of polypropylene to the layer of EVOH.
US07651778B2

There is provided a laminated body that includes a metal layer comprising an electroconductive metal layer and a metal oxide layer disposed on each side of the electroconductive metal layer; and a resin layer or an elastic layer disposed on at least one side of the metal layer. There is also provided a producing method of the laminated body. Furthermore, there is provided a fixing belt and an image forming device.
US07651776B2

A curing resin composition which enables formation of an antireflection layer having good antiscratchability and a cured film obtained from such a curing resin composition are disclosed. The curing resin composition contains (A) a siloxane oligomer having an average molecular weight of 500-10000 in terms of ethylene glycol and (B) a fluorine compound having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 or more in terms of polystyrene and having a fluoroalkyl structure and a polysiloxane structure.
US07651775B2

There are provided plastic optical components which, in addition to their superior characteristics such as lightweightness, low cost and suitability for mass production, exhibit superior moisture barrier properties while experiencing extremely small changes in refractive index or other optical performance even if they are subjected to the effect of water in the environment; and an optical unit using such plastic optical components. The plastic optical component includes an optical component's body and an inorganic moisture-proof coating which is directly or indirectly formed by a plasma CVD process at least on surfaces of the optical component's body that contact outside air, and the plastic optical component is kept at a temperature of 80° C. or lower when the inorganic moisture-proof coating is formed by the plasma CVD process.
US07651774B2

The invention relates to a glass coating and a method for the production of this glass coating. The glass coating comprises a first layer of ZnO and a second layer of Ag disposed thereon. Before the Ag layer is applied onto the ZnO layer, the latter is irradiated with ions.
US07651771B2

The present invention relates to Luminescent nanoparticles comprising (a) a core made from a luminescent metal salt selected from phosphates, sulfates or fluorides, being surrounded by (b) a shell made from a metal salt or oxide capable of preventing or reducing energy transfer from the core after its electronic excitation to the surface of the nanoparticle, e.g. a shell made from a non-luminescent metal salt or oxide, which are characterized by higher quantum yields and can be used in various fields including light generation and security marking.
US07651763B2

This invention relates to a device that provides controlled release of a fragrant or deodorizing substance: the fragrant or deodorizing substance being solubilized with an appropriate carrier solvent within a polymeric matrix. The layers function as protective barriers, semi-permeable membranes, fragrance reservoirs, and adhesives. The device is capable of delivering a fragrance at a controlled rate for a prolonged period of time through the gradual diffusion and release of fragrant material carried by a solvent from a reservoir system to the semi-permeable UV curable, oligomer composition acting a fragrance release regulator. Additionally, the UV curable, oligomeric composition that forms the reservoir and regulating layer can be engineered to be adhesive through cure inhibition. The method of cure inhibition can also be utilized to create internal areas of high and low cross link density to further control the release rate of a fragrance.
US07651762B2

Articles of manufacture and devices and methods of forming and using the same are provided, wherein the article comprises a porous inorganic substrate contained in or bounded by a support made from an inorganic material are provided, wherein said porous substrate and support are heated to a temperature effective to shrink the support onto the porous substrate such that liquid tight contact is formed between the porous substrate and the support. In a preferred aspect, the porous inorganic substrate has a porosity of at least 5%, and is a porous monolith formed using a sol-gel method. The articles thus formed provide a confined fluid flow through the porous substrate, providing superior performance in separations, catalysis, filtration, and the like.
US07651760B2

Disclosed is a versatile method to produce superhydrophobic surfaces by combining electrospinning and initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). A wide variety of surfaces, including electrospun polyester fibers, may be coated by the inventive method. In one embodiment, poly(caprolactone) (PCL) was electrospun and then coated by iCVD with a thin layer of hydrophobic polymerized perfluoroalkyl ethyl methacrylate (PPFEMA). In certain embodiments said coated surfaces exhibit water contact angles of above 150 degrees, oleophobicities of at least Grade-8 and sliding angles of less than 12 degrees (for a water droplet of about 20 mg).
US07651759B2

The invention relates to a digital printing method and a paper or board applicable thereto. In digital printing, the surface of a paper or board is charged electrically, toner particles are brought to the surface in an electric field in accordance with the printing, and the particles are melted fast to the surface with the help of heat for forming the printing. According to the invention, the paper or board (2) is provided with a coating layer (3) containing an electrically chargeable acrylate copolymer of ethylene, which receives the toner that is fused to the coating with the help of infra red radiation. Suitable coating polymers are especially methyl, ethyl and butyl acrylate copolymers of ethylene (EMA, EEA and EBA). Especially in packaging boards, besides the digitally printable layer, the polymer coatings can comprise a water vapour or oxygen barrier layer for protecting the packed product, and a heat-sealable layer on the opposite side of the board for sealing the package.
US07651758B2

A wear surface system and method for preparing same. The wear surface system 10 has a substrate 12 with a surface 13 in which is defined three-dimensional, micro-metered prismatic anchoring sites 14. The sites include hairs that are separated by at least some spaces 16. To the textured surface 18 is applied a coating 24. The coating has substantially conforming three-dimensional features that mate with at least some of the anchoring sites. Upon solidification, the coating becomes hardened and is relatively immune from delamination due to internal and externally applied stresses during exposure to normal wear conditions. One method for improving the wearability of a surface comprises the steps of (1) providing a substrate; (2) texturizing its surface so that it is at least partially imbued with a three-dimensional, micro-metered, prismatic set of anchoring sites; and (3) coating at least a part of the textured surface with a mating coating that becomes hardened upon solidification.
US07651756B2

An aircraft that has a structural skin panel. The structural skin panel has: at least one metal sheet having a cutout portion and a perimeter portion, the perimeter portion having a plurality of spaced apart perforations formed therein; and first and second fiber reinforced performs that are generally transparent and that sandwich the at least one metal sheet therebetween and overlay the perimeter portion. An optically transparent resin saturates the first and second fiber reinforced performs and fills the perforations in the at least one metal sheet. Portions of the fiber reinforced preforms that overlay the cutout form a window portion in the structural skin panel.
US07651753B2

A process for coating a carrier body, in particular a honeycomb body through which a fluid can flow, with a coating material which is applied to the carrier body, provides a spatial temperature distribution of the coating material in the carrier body being inhomogeneous during application and/or after application. A carrier body has a spatially inhomogeneous coating thickness and an apparatus is provided for the inhomogeneous coating of a carrier body. Efficient catalysis is ensured and superfluous coating material is saved at locations where it is not required.
US07651749B2

1. A fluororesin tube in which the machine direction shrinkage rate is 1 to 8% and the transverse direction shrinkage rate is 2 to 8%, upon heating to 150° C. 2. A fluororesin tube in which the machine direction expansion rate is 0.5 to 4% and the transverse direction shrinkage rate is 1 to 6%, upon heating to 150° C. 3. A fluororesin tube in which the machine direction shrinkage rate is 1 to 8% and the transverse direction expansion rate is 1 to 4%, upon heating to 150° C.
US07651747B2

A fusible print medium for use in inkjet printing. The fusible print medium includes a substrate and a fusible layer, the fusible layer comprising at least one organic pigment and at least one solid plasticizer. A method of producing the fusible print medium and a method of producing a photographic quality image are also disclosed.
US07651746B2

A halogenated bisdiarylaminopolycyclic aromatic compound, polymers made therefrom, and polymeric light emitting diode devices using the polymers are described. The halogenated compound is represented by formula (I), wherein Ar and Ar′ are each independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups and Z is a polycyclic arylene group, wherein at least one of the Ar′ groups is a haloaryl group. Devices using polymers prepared from the halogenated compound exhibit improved performance and longer lifetime, presumably as a result of the presence of the geometrically constrained diarylaminopolycyclic aromatic groups in the polymer backbone.
US07651738B2

The present invention provides an optically anisotropic composite film material possessing improved working characteristics, including hydrolytic stability and mechanical strength with respect to environmental factors. These and other advantages of the present invention may be achieved by creating a supramolecular composite film material. This supramolecular composite film material comprises a matrix of thin crystal film composed of organic supramolecules containing polar groups, and a binding agent representing a water-soluble aliphatic compound containing at least two functional groups.The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing supramolecular composite film materials possessing these advantageous properties. In one embodiment, the method comprises the following steps: (i) formation of a layer of lyotropic liquid crystal composed of supramolecules of a cyclic organic compound with conjugated π-systems and substituted polar groups; (ii) application of an external orienting force to said layer and further removal of a solvent with the resulting formation of a thin crystal film; (iii) treatment of the thin crystal film with a solution of inorganic salts leading to the formation of an insoluble crystalline film of supramolecules composed of said organic molecules; (iv) impregnation of said insoluble film with a binding agent capable of interacting with the polar groups with the subsequent formation of a filled film; and (v) drying of said filled film leading to the formation of a supramolecular composite film material.
US07651728B2

A method for manufacturing a fabric-like clothing, in particular for a machine for producing web material, in particular paper or paperboard, including the measures: a) providing a fabric-like substrate with at least one seam region extending essentially in the substrate transverse direction (CMD); b) applying a coating onto the fabric-like substrate such that the coating extends over at least one seam region; and c) cutting through the coating along at least one seam region.
US07651727B2

There is provided a method for surface treatment of a sliding portion of a product, which is an economical method, has less risk of polluting the working environment, or causing a fire by the powder dust, and yet enables high lubricativeness to be achieved, and many concavities to be formed on the sliding portion while simultaneously providing lubricativeness. Injection particles, obtained by blending soft-metal solid lubricant particles the surfaces of which have been oxidized and layered-structure solid lubricant particles, are injected onto a surface of the sliding portion of the product to be treated at an injection speed of 150 m/sec or more, thereby to diffuse and penetrate the surface to form a layer of the injection particles, and to form many concavities on the surface of the sliding portion.
US07651719B2

The instant invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aqueous suspension of anionic colloidal silica having a neutral pH which is stable over time and comprises individualized particles of colloidal silica which are not bound to one another by siloxane bonds. The instant suspensions show high storage stability and are particularly useful for the clarification of beer, for the preparation of cosmetic formulations, for the production of ink for printers, for paints and for anticorrosive treatments.
US07651717B2

The present invention provides a beverage comprising: (a) 0.05 to 10% by weight (wt %) of a chlorogenic acids family mixture comprising isochlorogenic acids(s) family wherein the weight content of said isochlorogenic acid(s) ranges from 1/20 to 1/3 of the total ingredient (a); (b) hydroxycarboxylic acid(s) in a quantity ranging from 5 to 30 times the weight content of said ingredient (a) and from 0.25 to 10 wt % of the beverage, and/or vegetable-derived or fruit-derived flavor substance(s) in a quantity ranging from 0.1 to 30 times the weight content of said ingredient (a) and from 0.25 to 10 wt % of the beverage; and (c) 30 to 99.7 wt % of water. The present invention provides a flavorous beverage having a stable antihypertensive action and long-term storage stability.
US07651706B2

The present invention relates to a liquid preparation containing crude drug extracts in an amount of 5 to 50 w/v % in terms of a dry extract weight based on the whole amount of the liquid preparation, characterized by containing saccharides in an amount of 5 to 40 w/v % based on the whole amount of the liquid preparation and adjusting a pH to 4.5 to 5.5.This liquid preparation is suppressed in generating precipitate and suspended content with the course of time even if the crude drug extracts are contained in a high concentration and which is stable over a long period of time.
US07651705B2

Provided herein are synergistic herbal compositions for the treatment of gastric ulcer, said composition essentially comprising powdered plant parts of Asparagus racemosus, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Sesamum indicum, Musa sapientum and Trachyspermum roxburghianum and optionally, powdered plant parts of Cyclea peltata, Embelia ribes, Coriandrum sativum Ferulaasafetida, Aloe barbadensis and Evolvulus aisinodes along with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable additives/carriers, processes for preparing such compositions and methods for treating gastric ulcers using such compositions.
US07651701B2

Disclosed herein is a composition suitable for use in spinal surgery. The composition generally includes a reaction product or settable mixture of first and second components, the first component including a spray-dried inorganic filler, a radical donor, and a pre-polymerized vinyl polymer, and the second component including a radical scavenger, a diluent, a polymerization accelerator, and a reactive monomer. Furthermore, disclosed herein is a method of making the composition, which generally includes mixing the first and second components under conditions suitable to form a curable reaction product.
US07651683B2

Provided are biocompatible viscoelastic solid materials derived from polymerization of fluid water-in-oil emulsions, along with methods of their preparation and methods for their use for tissue engineering applications, including for reforming diseased, damaged or degenerated intervertebral discs by acceptably non-invasive means.
US07651679B2

The present invention relates to a method of differentiating between a singular and a multiple lung embolism in a subject suspected to suffer from acute lung embolism comprising determining the amount of NT-proBNP in a sample of a subject suspected to suffer from acute lung embolism and comparing the amount to a reference amount. Further, the present invention also relates to a method of differentiating between acute and chronic lung embolism in a subject comprising determining the amount of NT-proANP at a first and a second time point and comparing the determined amounts with each other. The present invention also encompasses devices and kits for carrying out the aforementioned methods.
US07651675B2

When titanium oxide is doped with nitrogen, the resulting titanium oxide photocatalyst can be driven with visible light, which is a main component of sunlight. However, in a known process, since a high-temperature heat treatment process necessary for nitrogen doping degrades the photocatalytic activity inherent in titanium oxide, it is difficult to produce a titanium oxide photocatalyst that can be driven with a high efficiency under sunlight.A titania/organic substance composite, which includes an organic ligand coordinated to flaky titania and forms a layered structure, is immersed in aqueous ammonia to substitute the organic ligand between layers with a hydroxyl group by a ligand exchange reaction, and at the same time, to introduce ammonium into between layers of the titania having the layered structure. The resulting composite of titania and ammonium is heated at a temperature of 400° C. or higher and in such a temperature range that does not cause rutile transition, whereby nitrogen is doped into the titania by thermal decomposition of the ammonium and, in addition, titania is crystallized to an anatase form.
US07651669B2

Various aspects and applications or microsystem process networks are described. The design of many types of microsystems can be improved by ortho-cascading mass, heat, or other unit process operations. Microsystems having energetically efficient microchannel heat exchangers are also described. Detailed descriptions of numerous design features in microcomponent systems are also provided.
US07651664B2

A device is disclosed for preparing a solution of a solid with a liquid and/or a dilution of a liquid with another liquid includes a balance with a weighing pan, a display- and operating unit, a processor, a storage memory, and a data interface. The device includes at least one electronic dosage delivery device for liquids, in particular an electronic pipette, with a microprocessor, a memory unit, and a data interface, so that a communication can be established between the respective data interfaces of the balance and the at least one electronic dosage delivery device. An identifier element signals when the electronic dosage delivery device has been selected. A program is configured to perform calculations in the processor of the balance based on instructions given by the attendant, based on substance data stored in the memory of the balance and in certain cases based on weighing results. The program can select a dosage delivery device and set the selected dosage delivery device for the liquid volume that is to be taken in and/or dispensed.
US07651659B2

Disclosed is a manufacturing method of sinter forged aluminum-based parts with high strength. In the manufacturing method, prepared is a raw material powder comprising, by mass: 3.0 to 10% zinc; 0.5 to 5.0% magnesium; 0.5 to 5.0% copper; inevitable amount of impurities; and the balance aluminum. The raw material powder is formed into a compact by pressing the raw material powder, sintered in a non-oxidizing atmosphere in such a manner as to heat the compact at a sintering temperature of 590 to 610 degrees C. for 10 minutes or more, before cooling the sintered compact. It is then forged by pressing the sintered compact in a pressing direction to compress the sintered compact in the pressing direction and produce plastic flow of material in a direction crossing to the pressing direction.
US07651655B2

A method of producing a dielectric layer made of a polycrystalline dielectric material having anisotropy in the coefficient of thermal expansion is provided, including the steps of providing a raw material powder, and heat treating the raw material powder at least to a temperature sufficient to cause a phase change from a first crystal orientation at room temperature to a different crystal orientation to provide an aggregate of oriented raw material particles having the same chemical composition as the raw material powder but having the different crystal orientation. The method also includes a step of forming a compact from the aggregate of oriented raw material particles, including a step of applying a shearing force to the aggregate and firing the compact to form the dielectric layer.
US07651651B2

A plastic closure that comprises a cap having a base with a peripheral skirt defining the cap interior and threads on the skirt for securing the closure to a container. A liner is secured to the interior of the cap, preferably by being compression molded in situ on the base. The liner consists essentially of a multiplicity of alternating layers of a matrix polymer material such as EVA and a barrier material such as EVOH to resist transmission of gas, water vapor and/or flavorants through the liner. The matrix polymer material preferably is preblended with a compatibilizer material such as a maleic anhydride grafted polymer that ties the matrix polymer material to the barrier material.
US07651641B2

In one aspect, the present invention provides a dielectric fluid for use in electrical equipment comprising a vegetable oil or vegetable oil blend. In another aspect the invention provides devices for generating and distributing electrical energy that incorporate a dielectric fluid comprising a vegetable oil or vegetable oil blend. Methods of retrofilling electrical equipment with vegetable oil based dielectric fluids also are provided.
US07651624B2

A process for decontamination and separation of a contaminated fluid including a first agent, a second agent, and a third agent may include the steps of directing the contaminated fluid to a first tank, substantially separating first agent in a first layer, a second agent in a second layer and a third agent in a third layer in a first tank, generating a vacuum and removing the first agent and the second agent by the vacuum, placing the first agent and the second agent in a second tank, generating a vacuum and removing the first agent and the second agent by the vacuum and placing the first and second agents in a second tank, removing the third agent by a vacuum and placing the third agent in a third tank, separating the first agent and the second agent based upon the gravities of the first and second agents, removing the second agent from the second tank and placing the second agent in the first tank based upon and until the first agent is detected.
US07651616B2

This invention relates to an apparatus for removing solutes from a solution using nano-filtration means to provide a treated wine.
US07651612B2

A device for purification of contaminated liquid includes (a) a prepurification tank in which raw water to be purified and foaming reagent are introduced and mixed and the pH value is adjusted, whereby prepurified water is obtained; (b) at least one tower-shaped main purification block, wherein each of the at least one tower-shaped main purification blocks, includes, arranged vertically one under another; (i) a drum station for combined gas and water scrubbing by foaming; (ii) a defoaming station; (iii) an ionization station; and (iv) a collecting tank for collecting resultant purified water; (c) a separating device in which sludge from the purification tanks is introduced; and (d) at least one afterpurification filtering device connected to the collecting tank of the main purification block by a supply line and wherein a pure water outlet line extends from the at least one afterpurification filtering device.
US07651607B2

A chlorinator for wastewater treatment systems having a circulation pump, circulation tank, and return flow line, which includes a reservoir of disinfectant fluid and a dosage container communicating with the reservoir and the circulation tank to dispense a determined quantity of disinfectant during operation of the circulation pump. The dosage container is vented to atmosphere to prevent vacuum lock in operation and communicates with the reservoir at a flow rate substantially smaller than it communicates with the circulation tank. Operation of the circulation pump causes flow through the return line, inducing distribution of the quantity of disinfectant fluid into the circulation tank. As the dosage container outgoing flow rate far exceeds the dosage container incoming flow rate, once the disinfectant level drops below the point of communication between the dosage container and the circulation tank, no her disinfectant is drawn into the circulation tank. A near-uniform volume of disinfectant fluid is thereby supplied per pump cycle.
US07651606B2

The invention concerns a process for the hydrodesulphurization of gasoline cuts for the production of gasolines with a low sulphur and mercaptans content. Said process comprises at least two hydrodesulphurization steps, HDS1 and HDS2, operated in parallel on two distinct cuts of the gasoline constituting the feed. The flow rate of hydrogen in the hydrodesulphurization step HDS2 is such that the ratio between the flow rate of hydrogen and the flow rate of feed to be treated is less than 80% of the ratio of the flow rates used to desulphurize in the hydrodesulphurization step HDS1.
US07651599B2

The present invention discloses a high-density parallel channel design for a microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis chip, with vertical T or double T design for sample injection. An alternative embodiment of the invention includes a closed buffer reservoirs with integrated electrodes and buffer feeding ports. Also disclosed are novel sample loading and injection methods, including the use of using either a capillary array connected to an electrode, or an array of metal pens as the loader/electrode.
US07651597B2

A dual gas sensor is described, having first and second working electrodes separated by a gas impermeable portion. The electrodes are preferably located on a gas permeable polymer support, with the gas impermeable portion being formed by compression of the permeable support. The sensor may also include one or more filters for location adjacent the electrodes to filter certain gases from the air. The preferred sensor is able to detect carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. The sensor housing is formed with four connection pins, allowing a standard sensor housing to be used for dual sensors as well as single sensors having a dummy pin.
US07651594B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a barrier film having the extremely high barrier property and the better transparency, a method for manufacturing the same, and a laminated material, a container for wrapping and an image displaying medium using the barrier film. According to the present invention, there is provided a barrier film provided with a barrier layer on at least one surface of a substrate film, wherein the barrier layer is a silicon oxide film having an atomic ratio in a range of Si:O:C=100:140 to 170:20 to 40, peak position of infrared-ray absorption due to Si—O—Si stretching vibration between 1060 to 1090 cm−1, a film density in a range of 2.6 to 2.8 g/cm3, and a distance between grains of 30 nm or shorter. Still more, there is provided a barrier film provided with a barrier layer on at least one surface of a substrate film, has a composition wherein the barrier layer is a silicon oxi-nitride film, and the silicon oxi-nitride film has an atomic ratio in a range of Si:O:N:C=100:60 to 90:60 to 90:20 to 40, a maximum peak of infrared-ray absorption due to Si—O stretching vibration and Si—N stretching vibration is in a range of 820 to 930 cm−1, a film density is in a range of 2.9 to 3.2 g/cm3, and a distance between grains is 30 nm or shorter.
US07651580B2

The invention relates to nanoparticulate preparations containing at least one mixed metal oxide in the form of supramagnetic, nanoscale particles, methods for heating such a preparation, and methods for producing and dissolving adhesive compounds on the basis of said preparations.
US07651579B1

The storage bag includes two sidewalls with peripheral edges and the sidewalls being attached together along at least a portion of the peripheral edges. One or more additional sidewalls may be disposed within the bag, and these additional sidewalls may be connected to form an inner bag. Any inner bag sidewalls may be laminated to the outer bag sidewalls or hang loose from the outer bag sidewalls. One or more of the sidewalls may include an adhesive for adhering to an opposing sidewall or item in the bag, a thin perforated layer disposed over an adhesive, a line of perforations for tearing, and/or one or more perforations for venting. Furthermore, processes for manufacturing a storage bag are disclosed.
US07651574B2

A Gd5Ge2Si2 refrigerant compound is doped or alloyed with an effective amount of silicide-forming metal element such that the magnetic hysteresis losses in the doped Gd5Ge2Si2 compound are substantially reduced in comparison to the hysteresis losses of the undoped Gd5Ge2Si2 compound. The hysteresis losses can be nearly eliminated by doping the Gd5Ge2Si2 compound with iron, cobalt, manganese, copper, or gallium. The effective refrigeration capacities of the doped Gd5Ge2Si2 compound are significantly higher than for the undoped Gd5Ge2Si2 compound.
US07651571B2

The present invention provides a susceptor including a plate member having an upper surface on which a substrate is placed and a lower surface, a base member bonded to the lower surface of the plate member with a bonding layer, and an annular protective member disposed in an annular recess formed along a rim of a bonding portion of the plate member and the base member, in which a space is formed between the lower surface of the plate member and an upper surface of the protective member and/or between an upper surface of the base member and a lower surface of the protective member. The susceptor can inhibit generation of particles resulting from plasma corrosion, and can suppress extensive leakage of gas from a space or a gap between the plate member and a substrate.
US07651568B2

A plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) system includes a first chamber component coupled to a second chamber component to provide a processing chamber defining an isolated processing space within the processing chamber. A substrate holder is provided within the processing chamber and configured to support a substrate, a first process material supply system is configured to supply a first process material to the processing chamber and a second process material supply system is configured to supply a second process material to the processing chamber. A power source is configured to couple electromagnetic power to the processing chamber, and a sealing assembly interposed between the first and second chamber components. The sealing assembly includes a plurality of sealing members configured to reduce the amount of external contaminants permeating through an interface of the first and second components into the isolated processing space of the processing chamber, wherein the film is formed on the substrate by alternatingly introducing the first process material and the second process material.
US07651566B2

Techniques for controlling resistivity in the formation of a silicon ingot from compensated feedstock silicon material prepares a compensated, upgraded metallurgical silicon feedstock for being melted to form a silicon melt. The compensated, upgraded metallurgical silicon feedstock provides a predominantly p-type semiconductor for which the process assesses the concentrations of boron and phosphorus and adds a predetermined amount of aluminum or/and gallium. The process further melts the silicon feedstock together with a predetermined amount of aluminum or/and gallium to form a molten silicon solution from which to perform directional solidification and, by virtue of adding aluminum or/and gallium, maintains the homogeneity the resistivity of the silicon ingot throughout the silicon ingot. In the case of feedstock silicon leading to low resistivity in respective ingots, typically below 0.4 Ωcm, a balanced amount of phosphorus can be optionally added to aluminum or/and gallium. Adding phosphorus becomes mandatory at very low resistivity, typically close to 0.2 Ωcm and slightly below.
US07651565B2

A gypsum dryer/calciner (1) includes a calcining space (2), a first pipe (4) exhibiting an inlet connected to a source of hot gases (3) and an outlet emerging in the calcining space (2); a second pipe (5) exhibiting an inlet connected to a source of gypsum (8) and an outlet emerging in the calcining space, the second pipe being concentric with the first pipe; a force-feeding screw (6) positioned at least partially in the second pipe, the said screw carrying the gypsum along in the calcining space. A process for calcining gypsum and to the plaster capable of being obtained by this process.
US07651551B2

A membrane air dryer includes a housing with an air inlet, an air outlet, a sweep air inlet and a sweep air outlet; and a membrane separator having surfaces extending between and having an inlet and an outlet respectively connected to the air inlet and the air outlet. A sweep air passage in the housing extends between first and second ends of the membrane along and includes surfaces of the membrane. The sweep air passage has an inlet adjacent the air outlet and has an outlet adjacent the air inlet and connected to the sweep air outlet. A volume is concentric to the membrane separator, has an inlet connected to the outlet of the membrane separator and has an outlet connected to the sweep air inlet. The filter may be mounted in a reservoir with the membrane separator extending into the reservoir.
US07651549B2

Process step in a pressure swing adsorption process using multiple parallel adsorbent beds operating in cyclic process steps to recover a less strongly adsorbable component from a feed gas mixture containing at least one less strongly adsorbable component and at least one more strongly adsorbable component, wherein each adsorbent bed has a feed end and a product end, wherein each bed is subjected to at least a feed/product step, one or more depressurization steps, a purge step in which a purge gas enriched in the less strongly adsorbable component is introduced into the product end of the bed and a purge effluent gas is withdrawn from the feed end of the bed, and one or more repressurization steps. The process step comprises introducing at least a portion of the purge effluent gas from a first bed into the feed end of a second adsorbent bed at any time other than during the feed/product step in the second adsorbent bed.
US07651546B2

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing high-purity hydrogen storage alloy Mg2Ni applicable to industry and capable of manufacturing continuously. First, raw materials of magnesium-nickel with weight percentage of nickel between 23.5 and 50.2 are heated, melt, and mixed uniformly. Cool the magnesium-nickel liquid and control the temperature to be above the solidification temperature and below the liquification temperature in the phase diagram of magnesium-nickel. By making advantage of segregation principle in phase diagrams, solid-state high-purity γ-phase Mg2Ni hydrogen storage alloy is given. Then high-purity γ-phase Mg2Ni hydrogen storage alloy with atomic ratio of 2:1, no other phases, and with excellent hydrogen absorption-desorption dynamics is given.
US07651537B2

The present disclosure relates to a composition for dyeing keratin fibers, comprising 2,3-diamino-6,7-dihydro-1H,5H-pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazol-1-one as first oxidation base, 6-chloro-2-methyl-5-aminophenyl as first coupler and a substituted meta-aminophenol of given formula as second coupler, it being understood that the at least one first oxidation base and the at least one first coupler are present in a mole ratio of less than 1.5, the at least one first oxidation base and the at least one second coupler are present in a mole ratio of greater than 1, and the molar amount of the at least one first oxidation base is greater than or equal to 2.5×10−3 mol per 100 g of composition. One aspect of the present disclosure makes it possible to obtain a strong, very chromatic, aesthetic, sparingly selective and/or fast coloration of keratin fibers in coppery shades. Further, the present disclosure makes it possible to obtain a strong coloration at a neutral pH.
US07651529B2

The invention includes a system and method for reducing the approximation of wound edges of a stricture that affects a cross-sectional area of a lumen in a mammal. The system includes a body defining a passageway for fluid flow. The body is positionable in the lumen. The system also includes a separating device disposed relative to the body. The separating device can adjust the cross-sectional area of the lumen to reduce approximation of the plurality of wound edges of the stricture. Moreover, the separating device facilitates fluid flow through the passageway of the body.
US07651526B2

A vascular graft includes a proximal section, integral with two branches which terminate in a distal end-to-end section. The end-to-end section is attached to a host artery at end-to-end anastomoses. Flow of blood from the proximal section to the host artery occurs with a self-correcting flow pattern at the opposing junctions, avoiding arterial bed impingement and associated risk of restenosis.
US07651522B2

The invention relates to a medicinal implant or instrument, more particularly to a vascular endoprosthesis (1), having a radially dilatable hose part (2) comprised of a tubular knitted fabric of interdigitating meshes composed of one or more individual fibres (9). To provide such an implant or instrument that allows for MR-imaging of the interior of the implant or instrument, the invention proposes that the fibres (9) of the knitted fabric be electrically conductive and form an inductor (7, 8) within a high-frequency resonant circuit.
US07651517B2

Bone screws and bone plates are provided that offer the surgeon the ability to either assemble the screws to the plate, or the plate to the screws, depending on the surgeon's preference and the patient's circumstances. The bone screws and bone plates of the present invention include a combination of geometric configurations that allow the screws and plates to fit together from different assembly directions. Additionally, the bone screws and bone plates can include material resilience features to allow expansion/contraction during assembly to allow bi-directional attachment to one another.
US07651500B2

A ligament tensing device (1) for activating a ligament and/or capsule system during implantation of a joint implant, comprising a base body (2) having a first lug (3) with a distal bearing surface (4) resting upon a first bone, and a second lug (7) resting upon a second bone with a proximal bearing surface (10) thereof. The second lug (7) is displaceable in an anterior-posterior and/or medial-lateral direction parallel to the first lug (3).
US07651482B2

The present invention discloses needles configured to prevent or reduce contact of tissue or other material with the heel of the needle to prevent coring of the tissue or other material by the heel of the needle. Also provided are needles having no heels or blunted heels. The present invention also provides methods of manufacturing needles having obstructed or blunted heels.
US07651480B2

Assembly of a needle (1) and a fluid supply device (7b), the needle (1) being provided with needle coupling means (2), the supply device (7b) being provided with a nozzle (9b), the needle coupling means (2) comprising a standardized construction with standardized internal dimensions according to the Luer standard, the needle coupling means (2) further comprising a projection (5), which renders fitting the needle (1) to a supply device with a nozzle (7a) arranged for cooperation with needle coupling means having standardized construction and dimensions according to the Luer standard impossible, the nozzle (7b) of the supply device (9b) being lengthened relative to a standardized nozzle (9a), such that the needle coupling means (2) with projection (5) can still be coupled to the lengthened nozzle (9b). The invention further relates to a needle (1), a syringe (7b), a method for performing an intraneural puncture and a method for preparing an insertion device for intraneural administration.
US07651475B2

A transdermal transport device includes a reservoir for holding a formulation of an active principle, and an array of needles which have bores in fluid communication with the reservoir to facilitate transporting the formulation to and from the reservoir through the needles. The device also includes a first actuator which drives the array of needles into the body, and a second actuator which pumps the formulation between the reservoir and the body through the needles. The first actuator is reversible to withdraw the needles from the body.
US07651465B1

A device for expanding an elongate opening formed in a skin layer of a patient includes a first arm for engaging one side of the opening and a second arm for engaging the other side of the opening. The device further includes a spreader mechanism, coupled to at least one of the first and second arms, to move the at least one of the first and second arms to widen the opening. The at least one arm is configured to move between a retracted position in which the at least one arm is positioned next to the other arm and an extended position in which the at least one arm is extended to expand the opening. Other embodiments of the device as well as methods for performing a medical procedure are further disclosed.
US07651462B2

An apparatus for placing a cardiac support device (CSD) on a heart. The apparatus includes a body, a deployment mechanism on the body for supporting the CSD in an open position for placement on the heart, and a release mechanism coupled to the deployment mechanism for releasably mounting the CSD to the deployment mechanism. The release mechanism includes a release element for releasably engaging the CSD, and a release actuator coupled to the release element for actuating the release element to release the CSD.
US07651453B2

In an automatic chuck jaw change system, a combined machining lathe capable of positioning with high precision and a robot with lower positioning precision than the combined machining lathe cooperate to automatically change a chuck jaw. The system includes a robot disposed in front of the combined machining lathe, and the robot can be selectively mounted on a front end of an arm thereof with a work hand for operating a work, a chuck jaw, and a nut runner hand for operating a drive mechanism of the chuck. The robot cooperates with a tool for jaw mounted on a tool spindle of the combined machining lathe to automatically change a chuck jaw of a main spindle.
US07651449B1

A dip stand intended for use as a home strength training machine to perform dips such as chest dips and tricep dips. The stand is made of rigid tubing formed as a continuous loop. The loop includes a pair of generally parallel base segments to be supported on a floor surface, each of the base segments having a first end and a second end; and a pair of arches extending upwardly from the base segments, one of the arches extending upwardly from the first ends of the base segments and the other of the arches extending upwardly from the second ends of the base segments. Each of the arches includes an upper generally horizontal grip segment.
US07651447B2

A strike trainer has an attachment assembly, a shock absorber, a target mount and a target. The attachment assembly has an attachment body, an outer stabilizer being mounted on the attachment body, a metal sleeve being mounted through the attachment body and the outer stabilizer and an inner stabilizer being formed inside the metal sleeve. The shock absorber is connected to the metal sleeve of the attachment assembly. The target mount is mounted in the shock absorber and has an inner disk, an outer disk, a metal sleeve and a plastic tube being mounted inside the metal sleeve. The outer disk is mounted on an outer surface of the inner disk, the metal sleeve of the target mount is mounted through the inner and outer disks and the plastic tube is mounted in the metal sleeve. The target is mounted on the target mount.
US07651444B2

An auxiliary structure to improve efficacy of a fitness equipment includes a pair of swing bars pivoted to a pair of traction bars wherein in turn pivoted to a crank; the crank drives a sprocket and a resistance control wheel for both swing bars to drive both traction bars to travel up, down, back and forth; each pedal is disposed with a roller to travel in a slide attached to the traction bar and is pivoted to a pull-and-push connection bar, which in turn is pivoted to a transmission connection bar; each transmission connection bar is pivoted to a support; each mid section of the transmission connection bar is pivoted to an active connection bar, which in turn is pivoted to the swing bar; and each pedal is dragged by the push-and-pull connection bar driven by the transmission connection bar when both swing bars alternatively swing to drive the transmission connecting bar to increase longitudinal travel ranges of both pedals for providing adequate exercise amount for waist and legs of a user to improve exercise efficacy.
US07651443B1

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus which is a multiple functions exercise apparatus. One function of the exercise apparatus allows the user taking chin-up exercise substantially solely by his fingers. The exercise apparatus comprises a frame, two guiding mechanisms respectively connected to the left and right sides of the frame, a load unit positioned on the frame, a cable-and-pulley device connected to the frame and linked the load unit and the guiding mechanisms, and the cable-and-pulley device further having two pulling portions engaged with respective guiding mechanisms, at least an exercise accessory operable connected to at least one pulling portion, at least two climbing-holds mounted on the frame for the user gripping thereon and taking chin-up exercise.
US07651436B2

A gear mechanism having extremely less backlash, capable of suppressing the rattling noise of gears, having a large loading resistance in the thrust direction, and capable of transmitting high torque by using the gears transmitting a force by the meshing of the gears with each other in place of the transmission of the force by friction. The gear mechanism is formed by disposing the plurality of spur gears in the meshed state with each other. The screw-like gears (2) and (4) are disposed on the same axis as the spur gears (1) and (3) in the meshed state with each other. The screw-like gears (2) and (4) adjacent to each other are formed in screw shapes having lead angles extending in the reverse directions to each other and equal in angle to each other. The spur gear (1) and the screw-like gear (2) are rotated integrally with each other to transmit its rotation to the spur gear (3) and the screw-like gear (4) adjacent to each other.
US07651429B2

A transmission with planetary gearsets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4), shafts and shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E). A carrier of gearset (RS2) and the input forming shaft (1). A carrier of gearset (RS3) and the output forming shaft (2). Sun gears of gearsets (RS1, RS4) couple and forming shaft (3). Ring gears of gearsets (RS1, RS4) respectively form shafts (4, 8). Sun gears of gearsets (RS2, RS3) forming shaft (5). A carrier and a ring gear of respective gearsets (RS1, RS3) forming shaft (6). A ring gear and a carrier of respective gearsets (RS2 RS4) forming shaft (7). In the direction of power flow, element (A) is located between shaft (3) and a housing, element (B) between shaft (4) and the housing, element (C) between two of shafts (1, 5, 7), element (D) between shafts (6, 8), and element (E) between shafts (5, 8).
US07651424B2

A bicycle front derailleur includes a fixed member, a chain guide, a linkage assembly and an adjustable mounting fixture. The fixed member includes a frame mounting portion having at least one frame mounting hole and a linkage support portion. The linkage assembly is coupled between the linkage support portion and the chain guide in order to move the chain guide between the retracted position and the extended position. The mounting fixture is adjustably coupled to the fixed member. The mounting fixture including at least one frame fastener disposed in the frame mounting hole, a pair of first washer members disposed on a first side of the frame mounting portion and a pair of second washer members disposed on a second side of the frame mounting portion with the frame fastener extending through the first and second washer members.
US07651415B2

A golf ball is provided having a modified density gradient among the inner layers to produce a desired high or low moment of inertia and controlled spin rate is disclosed. The golf ball has three or more inner layers in addition to a cover, and the density of the inner layers is selected such that the layers inside the cover have a density progression from the core to the cover or from the cover to the core.
US07651412B2

A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, with a body comprising of a first body portion and a second body portion, each portion constructed of a different density material. Combining a high density material in the first body portion with a low density material in the second body portion, creates an ultra-low center of gravity relative to the geometric face center, resulting in higher launch angles and spin rate ratios. Thickening the lower area of the front face lowers the center of gravity and upwardly shifts the coefficient of restitution to the geometric center of the face.
US07651411B2

A golf putter head includes a face member arranged for impacting a golf ball. A first rear mass is located substantially rearward of a heel end of the face member, and a second rear mass is located substantially rearward of a toe end of the face member. Upper and lower arms extend rearwardly from the face member connecting the face member to the first and second rear masses. A cavity is defined between the upper and lower arms, and three openings to the cavity are provided. One of the openings is located between the first and second rear masses. Another opening is located between the first rear mass and the face member, and a further opening is located between the second rear mass and the face member.
US07651407B2

A golf club interchanging connection structure for interchanging a club head and a shaft includes a tube seat, a club sleeve, a positioning mechanism, a screw, and a tapered gasket. The tube seat in the club head includes a tapered slot. The club sleeve placed in the tube seat has one end being fixed with the shaft and the other end being configured into a tapered shape and having a nut hole. The club sleeve has at least one positioning slot on its exterior. The positioning mechanism placed into the club head includes at least one positioning block corresponding to the positioning slot for positioning and fixing the club sleeve. The screw is screwed with the nut hole of the club sleeve, so as to lock the club sleeve. The tapered gasket is placed between the tapered end of the club sleeve and the tapered slot of the tube seat.
US07651394B2

The invention is a method and a device for adding a bonus prize component to wagering games such as those played in gambling casinos. A player obtaining a predetermined combination in the underlying game wins the bonus prize. This might be a predetermined combination of playing cards in a card game or a predetermined combination on the reels of a slot machine. The bonus prize may require a separate side wager to qualify. The bonus prize is randomly chosen from a group of bonus prizes that includes an incrementing jackpot. The device for practicing the method includes a prize wheel that is spun to randomly choose the bonus prize, and an incrementing device with attached jackpot display for generating and showing the current amount of the incrementing jackpot. Upon winning the incrementing jackpot, the incrementing stops and the player wins the current amount shown on the display. The incrementing jackpot is subsequently reset and the incrementing resumed.
US07651393B2

When a player starts playing a game by operating a MAXBET button (e.g. when the bet count is 30 bets) and determined that the currently owned credit count is insufficient to the credit count required for the MAX bet, the current game rate set in a slot machine (the credit count per bet required for betting) is changed to a lower game rate.
US07651391B2

A harvested crop remains output apparatus for a combine can alternate between a broad distribution operating mode and an ejection elbow operating mode. The harvested crop remains output apparatus includes a housing having a first opening and a second opening; a flap associated with the first opening of the housing; a flap associated with the second opening of the housing; an output conveyor for tangentially conveying harvested crop remains arranged in the housing; a broad distribution arrangement arranged downstream of the first opening; an ejection elbow arranged downstream of the second opening; and a plurality of selection devices for selectively conveying harvested crop remains to the broad distribution arrangement or the ejection elbow. The plurality of selection devices include a first flap associated with the first opening and a second flap associated with the second opening. During the broad distribution operating mode the first flap is opened and the second flap is closed, and during the ejection elbow operating mode the second flap is opened and the first flap is closed.
US07651388B2

Portioning system (10) includes a conveyor (12) for conveying work products (14) past a scanner (16). A data processor (22) receives the scanning data and generates a thickness and/or volume distribution of the work product. The processor is programmed to determine in advance how the work product may be portioned into a plurality of desired end products, and more specifically how one or more of the end products may be cut and then subsequently sliced without having to re-scan the cut portion. The processor controls a cutting device (18) for portioning the work product under the cutting strategy determined by the processor, and also controls a slicing device (20) for subsequently slicing one or more of the cut portions to achieve a desired thickness per the determined cutting strategy.
US07651383B2

The present invention provides a controllable gear lapping process whereby the lapping process may be modified at discrete locations on the tooth surface in order to selectively modify the tooth flank surface.
US07651379B1

A cable assembly includes an insulated housing defining a cavity portion along a longitudinal direction; a first contact module including a first insulator combined with a plurality of first contacts, each of the first contacts having a mating portion extending beyond a front surface of the first insulator and a tail portion disposed outside a back surface of the first insulator; a second contact module including a second insulator combined with a plurality of second contacts, each of the second contacts having a mating portion extending beyond a front surface of the second insulator and a tail portion disposed outside a back surface of the second insulator;the first insulator overlapped with the second insulator, with each of the mating portions of the first contacts disposed into a corresponding gap between two adjacent mating portions of the second contacts, and the tail portions of first contacts spaced apart the tail portions of second contacts; and the first and second contact module inserted into the cavity portion of the insulated housing, with the mating portions of the first contacts and the second contacts extending into a mating port of the insulated housing, and the tail portions of the first and second contacts disposed outside of the cavity portion of the insulated housing and adapted for soldering to wires.
US07651373B2

An electrical connector includes a housing defining a connector mating interface. The housing holds a plurality of contact modules that cooperate to define a connector mounting interface. Each contact module contains signal leads and ground leads arranged in an alternating pattern of individual ground leads and pairs of signal leads positioned side-by-side with respect to a thickness of the contact module. The signal and ground leads have respective mating contacts proximate the mating interface and respective mounting contacts proximate the mounting interface. The mating and mounting contacts within each contact module are arranged in one of first and second contact patterns different from the pattern of the signal and ground leads. The mating and mounting contacts in adjacent contact modules are arranged in respective different ones of the first and second contact patterns.
US07651369B2

A telecommunications assembly including: a connector housing; a bezel mounted on the connector housing, the bezel have a front face having an opening for receiving a plug, the opening having a recess for receiving a plug latch; a faceplate having a faceplate opening of a standard dimension; wherein the bezel is mountable in the faceplate opening in a flat orientation with the recess positioned downwards and the bezel is mountable in the faceplate opening in an angled orientation with the recess positioned upwards.
US07651365B2

An outlet adaptor with EL elements has at least one set of prongs to connect with an existing outlet device and at least one set of receptacle members connected to the prongs by a metal structure(s) that enables other electric devices to get electric signals from the outlet adaptor. EL elements are arranged on the outlet adaptor body at any location and connected with the outlet adaptor's metal structure(s) to provide the EL elements with power for any of a variety of illumination effects.
US07651364B2

A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board having opposing first and second surfaces each extending between at least one edge surface that intersects the first and second surfaces. A light emitting element is mounted directly over the edge surface of the circuit board.
US07651354B2

A lamp socket includes a lamp connection unit which is electrically connected to a lamp, a power connection unit which is disposed below and adjacent to the lamp connection unit along a longitudinal axis and is electrically connected to an electric source which supplies power to the lamp, and a fastening member which is disposed on the power connection unit, wherein the power connection unit comprises at least one sub-component which has a surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is larger than the largest surface area of the lamp connection unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and wherein the sub-component of the power connection unit with the largest surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is located proximate to the lamp connection unit.
US07651352B1

A card connector adapted for receiving an electronic card has an insulating housing having a receiving recess. A plurality of terminals is received in the insulating housing and protruded into the receiving recess for contacting the electronic card. An eject mechanism is disposed in the insulating housing and beside the receiving recess. A locking element is mounted in the insulating housing and has a locking plate. The locking plate has a locking portion protruded into the receiving recess. The locking portion is capable of being pressed downwardly by the inserted electronic card and elastically released to engage with a recess of the electronic card when the electronic card is fully inserted into the receiving recess. A cover is coupled with the insulating housing.
US07651345B2

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a conductive layer provided on an outer surface of a housing, a conductive member provided inside the housing, and a connecting component attached to the housing. The housing is provided with a through hole which causes the inside of the housing to communicate with the outside. The connecting component has conductivity, and is provided with a major diameter section and a minor diameter section. The major diameter section is formed larger than the through hole, is opposed to the conductive layer from outside the housing, and is electrically connected to the conductive layer. The minor diameter section is formed smaller than the through hole, is inserted in the through hole to reach the inside of the housing, and is electrically connected to the conductive member.
US07651342B1

A electrical connector (100) includes a housing including a first shield part (1) assembled to a second shield part (2) to form a receiving space, said receiving space including a hollow portion and a mating port located in front of the hollow portion;a first and second printed circuit boards (31, 32) accommodated in the receiving space, both the first and second printed circuit boards having mating interfaces extending into the mating port and terminating portions located within the hollow portion; a spacer (4) disposed between the first and second printed circuit boards; and a sheet metal (8) enclosed in the spacer, and said sheet metal having two tabs (811, 812) formed thereon and electrically connected to the first and second printed circuit boards, respectively.
US07651339B2

An electrical terminal for a semiconductor module, which comprises at least one first electrical contact, a second electrical contact and a connection element, which electrically connects the at least one first contact with the second contact, is provided. The connection element comprises a springy portion with at least one bended area and a linear portion arranged between the second electrical contact and the springy portion. The at least one bended area comprises at least one diminution.
US07651333B2

A tactile biological cell model comprising: a plurality of organelle models configured to be manipulated by hand and arranged on a generally flat surface; where the plurality of organelle models are further configured to be arranged with respect to each other so as to represent the arrangement of a plurality of organelles of an actual biological cell. A tactile biological cell model kit comprising: a cell membrane model; a cell wall model; a central vacuole membrane model; a nucleus model; a plurality of chloroplast models; a plurality of amyloplast models; a plurality of chromoplast models; a plurality of coccus bacteria models; a plurality of bacillus bacteria models; and where each of the models are configured to be manipulated by hand and arranged on a generally flat surface with respect to each other so as to represent the arrangement of a plurality of organelles of an actual biological cell. A tactile biological cell model kit comprising: a plurality of organelle models; and where each of the organelle models are configured to be manipulated by hand and arranged on a generally flat surface with respect to each other so as to represent the arrangement of a plurality of organelles of an actual biological cell.
US07651331B2

A four-tube heating system for combusting a fuel and transferring the heat released therefrom to a process fluid. The heating system includes, a fuel introduction zone, a combustion zone, an oxidant introduction zone, and a process fluid zone, wherein the fuel introduction zone is defined by fuel introduction means for introducing fuel into the combustion zone that is defined by a reaction tube external to and surrounding the fuel introduction means, and wherein the oxidant introduction zone is defined by an oxidant introduction tube external to and surrounding the reaction tube, and wherein the process fluid zone is defined by a process tube external to and surrounding the oxidant tube.
US07651322B2

A compressor system includes a first compressor, which has a first low side oil sump, in a first shell and a second compressor, which has a second low side oil sump, in a second shell. The first and second compressors are connected in series. There is an oil transfer conduit connected between the first low side sump of the first compressor and the second low side sump of the second compressor. The system also includes a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit. A method for effecting oil balance in a compressor system, the method includes establishing a first compressor in a first shell having a first low side oil sump and establishing a second compressor in a second shell having a second low side oil sump. The first and second compressors are connected in series. The method also includes positioning an oil transfer conduit between the first low side sump and the second low side sump and positioning a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit.
US07651321B2

Refrigerant gas is introduced into a suction chamber through a suction line. Refrigerant gas is allowed to flow from the crank chamber into the suction chamber through an outlet line. An open degree adjustment valve (34) has a first valve body for adjusting an open degree of the suction line and a second valve body for adjusting an open degree of the outlet line. The first valve body and the second valve body are connected to each other. The first valve body moves in such a manner as to increase the open degree of the suction line when the difference between the pressure in the suction chamber and the pressure in the crank chamber decreases, and reduce the open degree of the suction line when the difference between the pressure in the suction chamber and the pressure in the crank chamber increases. Thus, variation of gas pressure is reliably suppressed while maintaining favorable starting performance of the compressor.
US07651305B1

A retractable fitting assembly may include a cover that is rotatable around a first axis between closed and open positions, and a fitting that is rotatable around a second axis between closed and open positions. The first and second axes may be spaced apart and generally parallel. The direction of rotation of the fitting from the closed position to the open position may be opposite the direction of rotation of the cover from the closed position to the open position. In the closed position of the cover and the open position of the fitting, at least a portion of the cover abuts the fitting to thereby hinder rotation of the fitting.
US07651292B2

An improved housing for a roll-on has an inward end, an outward end and a side-wall having an interior surface extending from the inward to the outward ends, the outward end defining an aperture sufficiently narrow to retain the roller and permit a segment of the roller to extend outside the housing, and a spider mounted laterally within the housing on the interior surface of the side-wall at or adjacent to the inward end which spider is resiliently biased towards the roller and has a means for providing localised contact with the roller and providing a parallel spacing between the spider and roller. Especially desirably, the roller is a spherical ball.
US07651285B2

An edge exposure apparatus performing an exposure process on an edge portion of a wafer having a coating film (resist film) formed thereon includes position detection means for detecting positional data of an outer edge of a wafer held by a spin chuck, an exposure portion for performing an exposure process on the edge portion of the wafer, a development nozzle supplying a developer to the exposed region, and alignment means for horizontally moving the spin chuck. An exposure process is performed by the exposure portion on the edge portion of the wafer held by the spin chuck while the alignment means is controlled, based on the positional data of the outer edge of the wafer which is detected by the position detection means, such that the positional relation between the outer edge of the wafer and the exposure portion is kept constant.
US07651284B2

A development apparatus has a holder which horizontally holds a substrate, a nozzle which supplies a developer to a resist film on the substrate held by the holder, a liquid flow suppressing member whose size in a two-dimensional plane viewing field is equal to or larger than that of the substrate and which has a mesh having many openings and hydrophilic properties with respect to the developer and transmits the developer supplied from the nozzle through the openings of the mesh to form a liquid film of the developer between the mesh and the substrate, and a moving mechanism which movably supports this liquid flow suppressing member, sets the mesh to face the resist film on the substrate and brings the mesh into contact with a surface of the liquid film of the developer or immerges the mesh in the liquid film.
US07651278B2

An optical fiber interconnection system with a small number of modular components that can be configured for simple construction in many configurations. The system includes connector housings. Optical fibers are installed into the housings on ferrule carriers. The housings are brought together in adapters. Different styles of adapters are available for different applications, such as panel or backplane configurations. However, the same housing and ferrule carriers can be used in any style of adapter. Also, different ferrule carriers are provided for single fiber ferrules and multi-fiber ferrules. Either style of ferrule carrier can be used in a housing and adapter. A ferrule carrier for single fiber ferrules can be modified to provide fine alignment features with the addition of a cap, allowing the same style ferrule carrier to be used in both halves of a mated connector assembly.
US07651274B2

A spherical slide bearing has an outer ring and an inner ring slidably retained within the outer ring. A pin having a grease supply flow path extending through an interior thereof to open in an outer peripheral surface thereof is inserted into the inner ring so that the pin is circumferentially slidable, with the inner ring being equipped with a communication flow path establishing communication between a gap defined between the inner ring and the pin and a gap defined between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inlet port of the communication flow path is provided at a position where grease having flown out of an outlet port of the grease supply flow path flows after having flown through the gap between the pin and the inner ring substantially through the entire length in the axial direction of the pin.
US07651273B2

There is provided a semispherical shoe which is formed into a substantially semispherical shape by a convex semispherical surface 2 and a flat end surface 3, the semispherical surface having a slidably contacting surface 6 that is in slidable contact with a semispherical concave portion and non slidably contacting surfaces 7 and 8 that are not in slidable contact with the concave portion. When the semispherical shoe is manufactured, first, after a semispherical material having a semispherical surface following the concave portion has been formed, the surface of the portion that is to be the slidably contacting surface on the semispherical surface is quenched to expand the quenched portion from the original surface of the semispherical surface, whereby the sliding surface is formed on the surface of the expanded portion, and the other portions are made the non slidably contacting portions.
US07651266B2

It is disclosed a device (100) for measuring a patient's temperature using an infrared thermometer (1) to detect the intensity of an infrared radiation coming from the body of that patient, whose temperature is wished to be known; the device further comprises a room-temperature sensor to send said temperature to a memory (38). A processing unit (33) receives as an input the room-temperature signal (B) and a temperature signal (A) proportional to the infrared radiation, the room-temperature signal (B) enabling the processing unit (33) to determine a corrective parameter to rectify the temperature (A) detected by the sensor member (7) and to determine the patient's real temperature. The invention allows the problem due to the non-stabilisation in the thermometer environment to be solved.
US07651262B2

A discriminating apparatus of liquid reducing agent is disclosed, in which, based on concentration of liquid reducing agent which is measured at each predetermined time after starting of engine, discrimination is processed whether the storage tank is filled with dissimilar aqueous solution, the storage tank is normally filled with the liquid reducing agent, or the storage tank is empty. When the empty discrimination or the dissimilar aqueous solution discrimination is performed, it is judged whether or not the discrimination is adequate according to the liquid condition in the storage tank. When the empty or the dissimilar aqueous solution discrimination is adequate, the empty discrimination frequency or the dissimilar aqueous solution discrimination frequency is counted up. When the empty discrimination frequency and the dissimilar aqueous solution discrimination frequency become equal to or larger than the first predetermined frequency, the discrimination is upheld.
US07651257B2

In a backlight assembly and a display device having the same, a receiving container includes a bottom plate and sidewalls adjacent to the edges of the bottom plate. A molded frame includes a first plate surrounding the sidewalls and a second plate connected to a side of the first plate. A second plate is substantially parallel with the bottom plate. A lamp assembly includes a lamp cover received in the receiving container and a lamp received in the lamp cover. An optical module is interposed between the molded frame and the receiving container to improve optical characteristics of a light generated from the lamp. A fixing member is combined with fixing portions of the receiving container, the molded frame and the lamp assembly to fix the receiving container, the lamp cover and the molded frame to one another. As a result, the manufacturing process can be simplified and mechanical strength improved.
US07651246B2

An optical element and module for the projection of a light beam, and motor vehicle lamp including a plurality of such modules An optical element for the projection of a light beam comprises a solid body (1) of transparent material in which is formed a cavity (13) able to receive a light source (10), the cavity (13) extending along the principal axis (z) of the transparent body (1) and being delimited by a radially inner surface (3) and a terminal surface (2) of the transparent body (1). The surfaces (2, 3) are able to receive separate respective portions (I, II) of the light flux generated by the source (10). The transparent body (1) further has a radially outer surface (4) which surrounds the radially inner surface (3). The radially outer surface (4) reflects the portion of the light flux (I) coming from the radially inner surface (3) along a direction substantially parallel to the principal axis (z). The transparent body (1) has, on the opposite side, a central surface (6) and an annular surface (5) surrounding the central surface (6), able to receive that portion (II) of the light flux and the reflected portion of the light flux (I) respectively and to transmit these light flux portions (I, II) in directions having predetermined orientations with respect to the principal axis (z). At least one of the surfaces (2, 3, 5, 6) is rotationally asymmetric with respect to the principal axis (z) of the transparent body (1). The surfaces (2, 3, 5, 6) cooperate in such a way as to shape the overall light flux (I, II) emitted by the central and annular surfaces (6, 5) into a light intensity distribution having different divergences in two 25 directions perpendicular to one another and to the principal axis (z).
US07651238B2

A lighting assembly includes a light fixture adapted to be disposed in relation to an opening defined in a surface of a structure such that a lamp may be installed in the light fixture through the opening of the structure. A thermal insulation barrier surrounds the light fixture, is positioned in close proximity of the opening of the structure and constructed so as to entrap heat from the opening of the structure. A trim has an outer surface, configured to substantially enclose the opening, consists of at least one fireproof material, and is adapted to engage the light fixture so that the outer surface is disposed in proximity to the opening of the structure and forms a continuous surface with the structure.
US07651234B2

A backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display device is disclosed with high efficiency and high brightness. The backlight assembly includes a light source in which a first light emitting diode and a second light emitting diode are combined, a board where the light source is mounted, and optical sheets arranged in front of the light source. By alternately arranging a front emitting type LED and a side emitting type LED in various structures, high efficiency and high brightness may be obtained using a small number of light emitting diodes.
US07651230B2

Apparatus for producing an optical effect includes a screen comprising at least one electroluminescent material and associated electrodes for exciting the electroluminescent material to emit light. The electrodes are locally excitable so that the regions of the electroluminescent material generally in the shape of flames may be excited. In an alternative form, or additionally, the screen comprises a material of variable opacity such as a liquid crystal polymer or a suspended particle device gain, electrodes are locally excitable to locally change the opacity of the screen. The screen is locally illuminated to provide the impression of flames.
US07651228B2

An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a variable reflectance element, an information display and a control for adjusting the luminous intensity of information displayed by the information display. The information display comprises backlighting by a of light emitting diodes. The control is responsive to a light level sensed by at least one light sensor disposed at the mirror assembly, and the control may adjust the luminous intensity of information displayed by the information display, preferably to provide a luminous intensity in a range extending from at least about 750 candelas/sq. meter during a daytime condition to less than about 100 candelas/sq. meter during a nighttime condition. The control adjusts the luminous intensity by use of pulse-width modulation.
US07651219B2

A system, method and device for comfortably, safely and securely holding eyeglasses close to and on the person, when not in use, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the device comprises an adjustable band member to comfortably fit around any persons arm or leg and an eyeglass holding member adjustably coupled to the top of the band member such that an eyeglass can securely, and safely be held between the band member and the eyeglass holding member.
US07651216B2

Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include fusible print media, methods of making fusible print media, and systems for preparing a fused ink-jet image. One exemplary embodiment of the fusible print medium, among others, includes a substrate and an ink-receiving layer disposed on the substrate. The ink-receiving layer includes a plurality of hollow polymer beads having substantially the same diameter.
US07651209B2

In one embodiment, an ink pen includes an ink chamber, a passage and a printhead operatively connected to the ink chamber through the passage such that ink flowing from the ink chamber to the printhead passes through the passage. The passage includes an upstream part having a polygonal cross sectional area and a downstream part having a cross sectional area smaller than the polygonal cross sectional area.
US07651206B2

A method of forming a liquid pattern according to liquid pattern data on a receiving medium using a liquid drop emitter that emits a continuous stream of liquid from a nozzle that is broken into drops of predetermined volumes by the application of drop forming energy pulse is disclosed comprising associating a pixel area of the receiving medium with a nozzle and a time interval during which a plurality of fluid drops ejected from the nozzle can impinge the pixel area of the receiving medium. The time interval is divided into a plurality of subintervals that are, in turn, grouped into a plurality of blocks. Each block is defined as a printing block or a non-printing block. A drop forming energy pulse is provided between each pair of consecutive blocks and between the subintervals of each printing block. No drop forming energy pulses are provided between the subintervals of the non-printing blocks. The so-formed energy pulse sequence is applied to the stream of liquid causing the formation of small print drops and large non-print drops. The liquid pattern is formed on the receiver of print drops comprised of liquid emitted during subintervals associated with printing blocks. The block configuration is designed to ensure that non-print drops have the proper volume. In an alternate set of embodiments, individual subintervals rather than blocks of subintervals are individually defined as print or non-print subintervals subject to a non-print drop rule that forces non-print drops to be formed of adequate volume for differentiation from print drops and a maximum drop rule that ensures that non-print drops are not too large to be reliably captured and guttered.
US07651205B2

A liquid discharging head includes a piezoelectric actuator including a plurality of piezoelectric elements and a plurality of electric supply members. The plurality of piezoelectric elements is provided in a row and includes an even number of piezoelectric element columns provided via a groove at a predetermined pitch. The plurality of electric supply members supplies electricity to the plurality of piezoelectric elements and includes electrodes disposed for the alternate piezoelectric element columns of the respective piezoelectric elements. One end of the electric supply member is positioned outwardly from an outer end of an endmost driven piezoelectric element column to which the electrode is connected, while another end of the electric supply member is positioned inwardly from an outer end of an endmost non-driven piezoelectric element column to which the electrode is not connected, in a manner that adjacent electric supply members do not overlap.
US07651201B2

To provide an ink jet recording head with a decreased initial deflection amount of a diaphragm and an ink jet recorder comprising the ink jet recording head. An ink jet recording head which has a flow passage formation substrate 10 where pressure generation chambers 12 communicating with nozzle openings are defined and a piezoelectric element being placed on one side of the flow passage formation substrate 10 via a diaphragm and having at least a lower electrode 60, a piezoelectric layer 70, and an upper electrode 80, characterized in that at least one of layers deposited together with the piezoelectric layer 70 is a compression film 50 having a compressive stress and the compression film 50 has at least a part in a thickness direction removed in at least a part of an area opposed to the pressure generation chamber, whereby the stress of the whole film is decreased.
US07651178B2

A jewelry storage system for storing and allowing access to and removal of jewelry pieces includes a jewelry cabinet and a stand. The jewelry cabinet defines an interior space for holding jewelry items. The jewelry cabinet includes a box frame and a door connected to the box frame wherein the door extends substantially from the top wall to the bottom wall. A plurality of jewelry storage elements are attached within the interior space. In one embodiment, a stand is configured to receive the jewelry cabinet to hold the jewelry cabinet in an upright position so that the back wall of the jewelry cabinet forms an angle from the horizontal.
US07651176B2

A brake system includes a tandem-type master cylinder, a tandem-type slave cylinder with front and rear fluid pressure chambers and front and rear pistons arranged such that fluid pressure is generated in the fluid pressure chambers when the rear piston is advanced by an actuator, wheel cylinders connected to the fluid pressure chambers of the master cylinder, respectively, and a regulator which regulates a maximum distance between the front and rear pistons. The regulator prevents excessive increase in the volume of the rear fluid pressure chamber.
US07651175B2

A parking brake system is provided in which a parking brake state for a wheel brake (2A) is obtained by forward movement of a parking piston (44) slidably fitted into a casing (23) with the rear side of the parking piston (44) facing a parking control fluid pressure chamber (47), and the forwardly moved state of the parking piston (44) is mechanically locked by spheres (58) pushed up as a result of forward movement of a lock piston (56) of a lock mechanism (31). Moreover, a plurality of guide grooves (126), into which parts of the spheres (58) are rollably fitted, are provided on the inner face of a large diameter hole (38), the inner face of a restricting step (42), and the inner face of a small diameter hole (39), the guide grooves (126) having a concavely curved cross-sectional shape and extending in the axial direction of an insertion shaft (59). This enables an automatic parking brake state to be obtained by a simple structure without consuming power.
US07651172B2

A hub body of a spoked bicycle wheel comprises spoke attachment holes made in the hub body in a direction substantially parallel to a rotation axis of the hub body. Said holes comprise a first set of holes at a first radial distance from the rotation axis and a second set of holes at a second radial distance from the rotation axis, greater than the first radial distance.
US07651170B2

Boring apparatus for drilling laser guided microbore tunnels uses a liquid stream to remove soil as slurry and an airstream to conduct the slurry away from the bore head. The cylindrical head houses a drill shaft steered by a pair of remotely controlled rams according to the position of a laser spot on a target fixed close to the end of the drill shaft. Small arcuate steering movements shift the cutter up and down through a first ram alongside the shaft working through a linkage. Side to side steering is provided by a second ram acting directly on the shaft. The components are mounted on an axial base wall which gives repair access and camera view of the target. A drilling platform has rams for advancing the cylindrical head.
US07651167B2

A fitting for a vehicle incorporates a backrest and a removable seat squab so that the fitting may be used as a conventional seat, or as a safety fitting to engage a rear of a wheelchair. The backrest is wider at the top than at a lower point, to enable the handles of a relatively narrow wheelchair to pass on either side of the backrest. The backrest is mounted on a supporting frame by a pivotal link mechanisms enabling the backrest to move forwardly so that an electric wheelchair, or other wheelchair that has a rearwardly extending portion towards the back lower part of the wheelchair may be accommodated with the back of the wheelchair in engagement with the backrest of the fitting. The fitting is mounted for lateral movement, the fitting being supported on a base plate which can move laterally on a floor-mounted platform to enable a wheelchair to be manoeuvred easily past the fitting.
US07651166B2

In the case of a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, with a central structure, a seat cushion (219) which is carried by the central structure and has a seat cushion structure (218) and padding (220) at least partially resting on the seat cushion structure (218), and a backrest which can be pivoted relative to the central structure and/or to the seat cushion (219), the vehicle seat being transferable from a use position, in which it can be sat in, into a flat lowered position by pivoting of the backrest and lowering of the seat cushion (219), the padding (220) partially rests on a seat cushion support (241) which can be moved relative to the seat cushion structure (218) in order to transfer the vehicle seat into the lowered position.
US07651165B2

A seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle includes: a first plate adapted to be mounted on one of a seat cushion and a seat back and having inner teeth; a second plate adapted to be mounted on the other one of the seat cushion and the seat back and supporting the first plate to be rotatable; a pole directly and movably supported by the second plate and having outer teeth engageable and disengageable with the inner teeth of the first plate; a pair of guides formed at the second plate and interposing therebetween the pole from both sides, the guide including a pole sliding surface adjusted to slidably come in contact with a side surface of the pole; and a recess formed at the pole sliding surface of the guide.
US07651157B2

A safety device a for a vehicle including a load distributing member for arrangement in front of a vehicle seat so as to be exposed to an impact load from a vehicle occupant as the occupant moves forwardly in an impact situation, and a load deformable member arranged to retard the forward movement of the occupant, wherein the load deformable member is intended to be attached to the load distributing member and to a supporting member, which supporting member is intended to hold at least a part of the load deformable member in place in relation to the vehicle, and wherein the load distributing member is sufficiently rigid to allow the impact load to be distributed to the load deformable member. The safety device is characterized in that the load deformable member is intended to be arranged with regard to the load distributing member and the supporting member so as to be deformed by tensile and/or shear forces in the event of an impact situation.
US07651156B2

An impact-absorbing device is installed at a leading edge of a vehicle hood to protect a pedestrian. The impact-absorbing device includes a fixing member fixed to a body frame on an inside of the vehicle hood and having a guide portion formed at a front end thereof, a buffer member fixed to an upper surface of the guide portion and having specified torsional rigidity, a center portion of the buffer member being bent in a convex shape, first and second supports, each provided in the center portion and both ends of the buffer member, for supporting the leading edge of the vehicle hood, and a guide member fixed to an upper surface of the buffer member and supporting the first support slidably.
US07651155B2

An energy absorbing device includes a longitudinal extending tubular outer shell assembly tapered from a smaller end to a larger end so that upon the imposition of a longitudinal applied force on the ends thereof the tubular outer shell will collapse progressively from the smaller end toward the larger end. At least one reinforcing web is located within the tubular structure and is shorter in length than the tubular structure and has an end spaced from the one smaller end of the tubular structure that first collapses so that the web is subjected to progressive energy absorbing collapse only after the tubular outer shell assembly has begun to collapse. One or more such webs can be employed to sequentially and progressively collapse and deform to absorb the longitudinal applied force in a preferred manner.
US07651150B2

A motor vehicle window panel has a trim molding formed by an extruded body of plastics material, and the body includes a mounting flange, a locating flange and a vehicle body panel sealing flange. The mounting flange carries a pressure sensitive contact adhesive tape which bonds to an inner surface of the window panel after the locating flange engages an outer edge surface of the window panel. The body is preferably extruded with a weakened zone at the base of the locating flange to permit convenient tear removal of the locating flange either before or after the molding and window panel are attached to the vehicle body panel. The sealing flange may be extruded with a lower durometer material, and an internal reinforcement strip and a spacer flange may be extruded with the mounting flange. The locating flange may be curved or flat with a projecting lip to facilitate removal.
US07651149B2

In a windshield unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle provided at the front center of a vehicle body with an air duct for directing the air flow from the front of the vehicle toward the upside, a screen is provided at the front center of a vehicle body with an air duct adapted to lead the air flow from the front of the vehicle toward the upside, a straight portion of the air duct rising in front of an occupant so that a left-right width of a rear wall rearwardly of the straight portion may be narrower than the left-right width of a front wall forward of the straight portion.
US07651147B2

A cargo hauling system is dimensioned to fit within a bed of a light truck. The bin moves forwardly and rearwardly relative to the truck bed along rollers provided on a tailgate of the truck. The tailgate is modified by reinforcing a perimeter of the tailgate, adding rollers to the tailgate, substituting reinforced linkages and hinges for factory originals, and adding a support member that extends between the trailer hitch and tailgate.
US07651142B2

An automatic release attachment automatically releases a tension line engaged to the attachment when the tension in the line exceeds the tension rating corresponding to a tension release settings selected by an operator. A hook assembly, which can be part of the attachment, includes a shackle that eases shackling and unshackling of a coupling element of the tension line to the hook assembly.
US07651139B2

The invention relates to a coupling for a fluid line arrangement, said coupling being characterised in that a plane outer side (8) of at least one essentially D-shaped sealing ring (7) of a sealing unit is applied to a plane supporting layer (10) of a receiving section (3) of a coupling part (1). In this way, in addition to a high twist rigidity of the sealing ring (7) in question, a very effective sealing action is achieved, even in the presence of comparatively weak radial pressure forces.
US07651135B2

A lap-belt pre-tensioner operative to draw in a lap belt is disposed on an upper face of a projecting portion so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle from an disposition portion of a lower support member, and on the upper face of the projecting portion is provided a groove portion so as to accommodate the lap-belt pre-tensioner in such a manner that the lap-belt pre-tensioner substantially does not project into an ingress-egress opening. Accordingly, there can be provided an occupant protection device of a vehicle equipped with a slide door in which the lap-belt pre-tensioner does not project into the ingress-egress opening.
US07651133B2

A frame extender (10) for attachment to a siderail (14) and to a front cross member (16A) of a vehicle frame (12) having a centerline (C) includes a first portion (52) generally parallel with and attached to the siderail. The frame extender (10) also includes a second portion (66) extending generally transversely from the first portion (52) and outwardly from the centerline (C), and a third portion (80) extending from the second portion and generally parallel to the siderail (14). The first portion (52), the second portion (66) and the third portion (80) are formed as a single component.
US07651128B2

An inflator includes, a housing having a gas discharge port, an ignition device and a gas generating agent accommodated inside the housing, and a collision member for receiving collision of a combustion product(s) which is generated by the activation of the ignition device, the collision member being provided in a position directly facing an ejecting direction of the combustion products.
US07651125B2

An air bag for a driver's seat of a vehicle that utilizes an inflator gas of low and high pressures, in which a twofold tether composed of first and second tethers is established inside the air bag for a driver's seat that is unfolded toward the driver when the vehicle collides with a collision object and the sewn portions of the first and second tethers are burst selectively according to the high and low pressures of gas generated from an inflator.
US07651122B2

An apparatus for leading to normal tearing of an instrument panel having a built-in passenger air bag (PAB). The apparatus includes an instrument panel having an air bag module located thereinside, a tear line formed on the instrument panel in a predetermined shape such that the air bag easily comes out of the instrument panel when deployed, and a heating device installed inside the instrument panel so as to heat a surrounding area of the tear line and at least one predetermined area of the instrument panel which acts as a hinge section when the air bag is deployed.
US07651119B2

An air bag apparatus includes: a supporting plate; an air bag case mounted on the supporting plate such that a space is formed therein; an air bag cushion installed in the space and attached to the supporting plate; an inflator for supplying a gas to the air bag cushion, the inflator being mounted at the supporting plate; and a clamping device for clamping a middle portion of the air bag cushion, the clamping device being coupled with the supporting plate. The inflator may supply the gas to side portions of the air bag, such that the side portions expand for a predetermined time while the middle portion is clamped by the clamping device, and when the inflating force of the air bag overcomes the clamping force, the middle portion expands.
US07651118B1

The invention is directed to textile fabrics for use in air bags and side curtains having at least one coating layer of polyvinyl chloride thereon. The textile fabric can be a flat sheet, such as used in driver side air bags, or a multi-layered woven textile having preconfigured air-holding cavities therein for use in side curtains such as are installed in sport utility vehicles (SUVs). In certain embodiments of the invention coating layers of elastomeric polyurethane may be applied to the textile fabric in addition to the coating layer of polyvinyl chloride. In certain instances, the textile fabrics are coated on one side only, and in others they may be coated on both sides, i.e., on opposed first and second surfaces. In either case, the polyvinyl chloride coatings, whether alone or in combination with other polymeric coatings, provide the air bags or side curtains with superior air-holding characteristics.
US07651117B1

A collapsible trailer apparatus which can be used in an extended length and stored in a collapsed and/or partially disassembled state. End members slideably fit within frame tubes and offer telescoping length choice of the apparatus. Side rails are removable, as are side panels. Side rails and side panels are available in varied length choices. The tongue is slideably fitted and adjustable in length. Prop legs are provided for upright storage. No tools are required for assembly, disassembly, or use.
US07651099B1

A seal is used between a housing and a shaft having an axis. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion engageable with each other and movable relative to each other. The first portion and the second portion are configured to be received in a cavity between the shaft and the housing. The first portion is engageable with the shaft such that the first portion is substantially stationary relative to the shaft and to inhibit passage of contaminants from the exterior of the cavity through the cavity toward the axis. The second portion is engageable with the housing such that the second portion is substantially stationary relative to the housing and to inhibit passage of the contaminants from the exterior through the cavity toward the axis.
US07651096B2

A side wager for blackjack that allows the player to win when the player loses a hand that the player would have expected to win. If the player is initially dealt a good hand, e.g., 20, and the player still loses, then the player can be rewarded by collecting a “bad beat” award.
US07651088B2

Systems, methods, and programs for adjusting an output orientation of multi-thickness media input marking data, determine a number of sheets of the multi-thickness media that is to be alternated within an output stack, and adjust the output orientation of at least one sheet of multi-thickness media to be output based on the determined number of sheets of the multi-thickness media to be alternated.
US07651086B2

The present sheet separation technique provides easy means to separate thin sheets of paper. Slight bulges of various forms that do not nest together with adjacent sheets are formed in the sheets so that each sheet stands slightly free from its neighbors at or near such bulges so long as a sheet is not weighted down significantly. When weighted significantly, such as by numerous overlying pages, the sheet becomes flat as in the usual present form not having such features. In a preferred form, parts of at least some of the bulges extend to, or near, one or more edge locations.
US07651077B1

A canister assembly includes a canister body, an inner wick positioned within the canister body and configured to define an air passage, and an outer wick. At least a portion of the outer wick is positioned between the inner wick and the canister body. The inner wick and the outer wick are oriented to enable a transfer of fragrance material to the inner wick from the outer wick. The fragrance material includes fragrance molecules, and the inner wick is configured to enable a transfer of some of the fragrance molecules into air within the air passage.
US07651076B2

A device for distributing a poly-phase mixture having a gas phase and liquid phase which mixture is in downflow mode through at least one bed of granular solid. The device has at least one tray (P) located above one of the beds of granular solid. It further has mixer conduits (21) for the liquid and gas phases, each conduit having an upper cross section for flow (22) allowing the passage of the majority of the gas phase, and a lower cross section for flow (23) allowing the mixture formed inside the conduits to communicate with a bed of granular solid. The mixer conduits (21) also having one or more lateral cross sections for flow (26) over at least a portion of their height to allow the passage of the liquid phase and possibly a minor portion of the gas phase inside the mixer conduits. The device also has a jet breaker type dispersive system (28) having a controlled porosity disposed below the lower cross section for flow (23) and above the bed of granular solids. The distribution device being such that at least a portion of the perimeter of the dispersive system is provided with rims (100) or (101).
US07651071B1

A valve assembly is provided that includes a flowbody, a valve element movably disposed within the flowbody, and a flat beam spring-energized seal mechanism. The flat beam spring-energized seal mechanism includes a wiper seal carried by one of the flowbody and the valve element and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The wiper seal includes a wave contour defining at least one seal wave. A flat beam spring is disposed in alignment with the at least one seal wave and configured to move the wiper seal toward the extended position when a force is exerted upon it by the at least one seal wave.
US07651065B2

A storage system for inside a Sea-Land shipping container provides at least two hanging brackets, each bracket having a vertical beam with a hook at an upper end portion for releasable engagement with a lashing ring carried on a wall inside the Sea-Land shipping container to depend therefrom adjacent the wall. Supports extend forwardly outwardly from the hanging beams and are reinforced by braces communicating between the support and hanging beam. A squaring foot at a lower end portion of each hanging beam extends perpendicular thereto preventing axial rotation of the hanging beam. A vertical member at end portion of each support, opposite the hanging beam, prevents materials from falling off the support.
US07651060B2

A hold-down for a common pail used in mixing paints, drywall compound, or other applications has a pair of swing-down, spring-loaded step-pads secured to the base of the pail. There can be a strap for this purpose, with an adjustable draw latch.
US07651054B2

An device, method, and aircraft are provided for illuminating an in-flight operation, the device, method, and aircraft generating an electromagnetic radiation within the far-violet and ultraviolet spectrum, and thus being imperceptible to the naked eye, compatible with night vision equipment, and undetectable by night vision equipment.
US07651053B2

An aerodynamic airflow deflecting device for a landing gear retracting into a housing of an aircraft, comprising at least one element for closing the housing that is, through the action of a control device, able to occupy a position for shielding at least a part of the landing gear against the aerodynamic airflow, thus constituting a noise reducing aerodynamic device. The closing element can in particular include at least one trap door element that is, through the action of the control device, movable between a first position for closing the housing, a second position allowing the landing gear to exit and a third position constituting said shielding position.
US07651040B2

A method of formulating a wellbore fluid that includes grinding a solid particulate material and a polymeric dispersing agent to provide a resulting polymer coated solid material, and suspending the resulting polymer coated solid material in the wellbore fluid. At least a portion of the resulting polymer coated solid material has a particle diameter less than 2.0 microns, wherein the polymeric dispersing agent has a molecular weight greater than 10,000. Exemplary starting materials for the solid material include weighting agents including barite, calcium carbonate, dolomite, ilmenite, hematite or other iron ores, olivine, siderite and strontium sulfate as well as mixture and combinations of these and other similar weighting materials. The dispersant in one illustrative embodiment is a polymeric acrylate ester made from the monomers of stearyl methacrylate, butylacrylate, and acrylic acid.
US07651036B2

A fluidic oscillator suitable for use at colder temperatures for utilizing a pressurized liquid to generate a uniform spatial distribution of droplets has (a) an inlet for the pressurized liquid, (b) a set of three power nozzles that are fed by the pressurized liquid, (c) an interaction chamber attached to the nozzles and which receives the flow from the nozzles, wherein this chamber has an upstream and a downstream portion, with the upstream portion having a pair of boundary edges and a longitudinal centerline that is approximately equally spaced between the edges, and wherein one of the power nozzles is directed along the chamber's longitudinal centerline, (d) a throat from which the liquid exhausts from the interaction chamber, and (e) an island located in the interaction chamber, with this island being situated downstream of the power nozzle that is directed along the chamber's longitudinal centerline. In a preferred embodiment, this oscillator is further configured such that: (i) one of the power nozzles is located proximate each of the chamber's boundary edges, (ii) its nozzles are configured to accelerate the movement of the liquid that flows through the nozzles, (iii) its throat has right and left sidewalls that diverge downstream, and (iv) the power nozzles and island are oriented and scaled such as to generate flow vortices behind the island that are swept out of the throat in a manner such that these vortices flow alternately proximate the throat's right sidewall and then its left sidewall.
US07651029B1

A handle for a portable terminal having a user interface configured for interaction with a stylus. The handle comprises a handle body having the grip portion shaped for grasping by a hand of the user of the portable terminal, a proximal end of the grip portion for coupling to a housing of the portable computer, and a distal end of the grip portion. The handle has a receptacle connected to the handle body and located in the interior of the handle body, such that the receptacle is adapted for releasably retaining the stylus in the interior of the handle body. The handle body 21 has an aperture for facilitating access of the stylus into the receptacle. The receptacle has at least one arm having a first shaped feature (e.g. protrusion and/or notch/groove) adapted for engaging a second shaped feature (e.g. corresponding notch/groove and/or protrusion) of the stylus for providing the releasable retaining of the stylus when resident in the receptacle. The arm is biased towards a first position for facilitating the engagement of the first shaped feature (e.g. protrusion and/or notch/groove) with the second shaped feature (e.g. corresponding notch/groove and/or protrusion).
US07651028B2

A digital image capture and processing system for automatically recognizing objects at a point of sale (POS) station. The system comprising a system housing having an imaging window, and containing a digital image capturing and processing engine including a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations. The stations generate and project a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the imaging window, and within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window for omni-directional imaging of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generate digital linear images of the object as the object intersects coplanar illumination and imaging planes within the 3D imaging volume during system operation. A database is provided for storing one or more object libraries representing objects that can be recognized by the system. A digital image processing subsystem automatically (i) processes digital images generated by said coplanar illumination and imaging stations, (ii) extracts object features from processed digital images, and (iii) recognizes objects which are represented by the object libraries and producing information representative of recognized objects for display at the POS station.
US07651019B2

An inertia friction welding process comprises: a) providing first and second work pieces to be welded together; b) imparting motion to the first work piece relative to the second work piece thereby imparting kinetic energy to the first work piece relative to the second work piece; c) applying a predetermined force to move one or both of the first and second work pieces towards the other to create an upset length in the work pieces; characterized by; d) measuring the rate of motion of the first work piece relative to the second work piece; e) determining a predicted final upset length from the said measured rate of relative motion and said forth; f) comparing the predicted final upset length with a desired final upset length; g) adjusting the aforesaid kinetic energy to achieve substantially the desired final upset length.
US07651013B2

A nozzle arrangement adapted to be fitted to a pressurized vessel and to permit fluid to be dispensed through it under pressure, is presented. The nozzle arrangement includes a body having an inlet, an outlet, an internal fluid flow passageway through which fluid can flow from the inlet to the outlet, and an actuator portion adapted, upon operation, to engage and open an outlet valve of the pressurized vessel. The nozzle arrangement further includes a resiliently deformable wall member that undergoes a resilient deformation from an initial resiliently-biased configuration to a distended configuration in response to the operation of the actuator portion, and to revert to the initial resiliently-biased configuration when the operation of the actuator portion has ceased and cause any fluid remaining in the passageway to be expelled.
US07651012B2

A toothpaste dispensing system includes a low-profile toothpaste dispenser with a housing, a pumping system disposed in the housing, the pumping system having a inlet and an outlet, the pumping system having a rest state and an active state, the pumping system ejecting toothpaste as it transitions from the rest state to the active state, and a low-force activator coupled to the pumping system to transition the pumping system from the rest state to active state. The system also includes a toothpaste refill coupled to the inlet of the pump. The dispenser and refill may be all or part of a dental hygiene kit.
US07651000B2

The invention provides a substantially flat sieve material of metal with sieve apertures, in particular sieve apertures with microdimensions. The sieve apertures comprise at least one passage in the plane of the sieve material parallel to a main surface, while the inlet and outlet can open onto the same main surface or a different main surface. The invention furthermore provides a method for the production of such sieve material by means of electroforming techniques in which a sacrificial material is used.
US07650997B2

A merchandise housing container for visibly accommodating merchandise includes an inner box having a first base portion, first, second, third and fourth sidewall portions, a lid portion and first and second securing portions. The first base portion, the first, second, third and fourth sidewall portions, the lid portion and the first and second securing portions are integrally formed of a single transparent plastic sheet. The first and second securing portions are provided so as to elastically contact two sides of the merchandise for restricting movement of the merchandise.
US07650995B2

Single-use packaging for a dose of liquid, semiliquid, or powder substance, includes a protective cover having two separable parts of leakproof material together with a breakable blister containing the substance and attached to the inside face of one of the two parts.
US07650993B2

A coreless-coil shock tube package system includes a “coreless” bundle of shock tubing, meaning that the tubing is not wrapped around a spool. The bundle may be a generally cylindrical coil of shock tubing. Optionally, two washer-like end plates abut the ends of the tubing coil for axial support. A layer of shrink-wrap or other polymer film partially covers the coil and end plates. A detonator is attached to one end of the tubing and lies tucked into the coil, through an end plate, for storage and transport. An igniter is attached to the tubing's other end. In use, the detonator is removed from the coil and attached to an explosive device. Then, the package is pulled away from the detonator and explosive, thereby uncoiling the tubing through the end plate for deployment. The igniter is actuated for igniting the shock tubing and activating the detonator and explosive.
US07650988B2

A case allows a disc to be inserted and removed smoothly without the case being opened, and also inhibits the accumulation of dust on the disc. The case has a movable holder and a fixed holder arranged inside, both of which individually define a circular arc. The movable holder is rotatable about its middle, and the rear of the fixed holder is fixed to the case so that the front portion of the fixed holder can flex. With the lever on the movable holder moved towards the bottom of the case so that the movable holder is rotated towards the front opening, a disc can be stored by inserting it through the front opening and causing the movable holder to rotate backwards and the front portion of the fixed holder to flex away. A stored disc can be removed by moving the lever towards the bottom of the case and causing the movable holder to rotate towards the front opening so that the disc is pushed by the rear portion of the movable holder, causing the front portion of the fixed holder to flex away as the disc emerges from the front opening.
US07650978B2

An actuating mechanism (1) for operating a parking-lock mechanism of the drive chain of a vehicle with an automatic drive. The actuating mechanism has a piston unit (4), a detent element and an electromagnetic operating device (6) for operating a release element (7), which is intended for deactivating the detent element (5). The piston unit communicates with an emergency unlocking mechanism (14) and is positioned to open the locking mechanism by way of the piston unit. The detent element, the piston unit and the release element interact such that the locking mechanism remains in the currently engaged state when the locking mechanism is open and the operating device is not electrified, as well as when the locking mechanism is closed and a fluid pressure is applied to the piston unit.
US07650973B2

A hydraulic power transmission device includes a toroid portion, a turbine hub, and a lock-up device. The toroid portion includes a pump impeller and a turbine runner. The turbine hub is engaged with an input shaft of a transmission and holds the turbine runner. The lock-up device is installed so that it engages and disengages freely and it mechanically transmits to the turbine hub rotation that is transmitted from a drive power source. The toroid portion and the lock-up device overlap in the axial direction. Because the toroid portion and the lock-up device overlap in the axial direction, the size of the hydraulic power transmission device in the axial direction can be reduced, and the hydraulic power transmission device can be made more compact.
US07650970B2

An elevator door lock assembly (30) includes a sensor device (40) for providing an indication of a properly locked door. A plurality of proximity sensor elements (42, 44) interact with activating elements (52, 54) when the door lock assembly (30) is properly locked. In disclosed examples, a specific geometric pattern of the sensor elements (42, 44) and the activating elements (52, 54) provides redundancy and tampering protection. In a disclosed example, an output from the sensor device (40) provides an indication of a condition of the door lock and a building level location of a plurality of sensor devices.
US07650946B2

A disconnect apparatus and method for use in a well bore. The apparatus comprises a top sub having a collet, and wherein the top sub has an external seal surface. The apparatus further comprises a bottom sub having a bore, and wherein the external seal surface and the bore cooperate. The apparatus further includes a support piston disposed within the collet, wherein the support piston has a plurality of fins formed on an outer portion of the support piston, and shear device, operatively attached to the top sub and the support piston, for attaching and detaching the top sub from the support piston. In one preferred embodiment, the collet member comprises a plurality of fingers having a gap between each individual finger. Also, the plurality of fingers may have an external thread formed thereon that engage an internal thread formed on the bottom sub.
US07650941B2

An equalizing injection wash tool includes a plurality of interconnectable wash tool segments. Each of the segments provides a flow applicator nozzle for transmitting fluid/and or solid from the interior flowbore of the wash tool and into the surrounding formation. Each segment preferably features a plurality of nozzle pipes and nozzles which are oriented about the cross-sectional circumference of the segment in an angularly spaced orientation to provide for a flow pattern that is substantially equalized in an angular manner. In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle pipes have a length that extends into the flowbore of a neighboring wash tool segment.
US07650938B2

A Residential In-well Internal Water Aerator for reducing/eliminating iron, Hydrogen sulfide, and radon gas is a device that hangs within the well casing. Its support is achieved by the well cap. It is capable of degassing hydrogen sulfide and radon gas and precipitation of the iron to become a solid and attaching its self to the interior walls and drip screens of the Residential In-well Internal Water Aerator within the well, thus reducing/eliminating the stained fixtures, bad smell and the risk of radon gas from within the residence.
US07650935B2

The invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising tubes (2, 3) that can be flown through along a number of hydraulically parallel flow paths (2c, 2d) that are comprised of sections.
US07650933B2

A baffle for a heat exchanger tube extending between opposed header pipes. The baffle is a longitudinal member with a concave underside shape conforming to the convex circumferential shape of the heat exchanger tube, and has a length substantially equal to the distance between the header pipes. A lip having a convex top side shape conforming to the concave underside shape of the longitudinal member extends along one longitudinal edge of the member. Two such members can be nested together by overlaying the non-lipped longitudinal edge of a one member atop the lipped longitudinal edge of the other member. A plurality of longitudinally aligned heat vent slits extend substantially the entire length of an uppermost portion of the member.
US07650932B2

A loop heat pipe includes an evaporator and a sealed pipe. The evaporator includes an evaporator body made of a heat conductive material. The evaporator body has at least two retaining holes and at least a channel hole penetrating the retaining holes. In addition, the sealed pipe includes at least two sealed ends. The two sealed ends are securely fastened to the two retaining holes of the evaporator. Meanwhile, at least one of the two retaining holes is a through hole, which penetrates through two sides of the evaporator body, and at least one of the sealed ends protrudes the evaporator via the penetrable retaining hole.
US07650930B2

A process for the solution polymerization of olefins with improved on-stream time is provided. The solution polymerization process of the current invention comprises a method for the on-line removal of foulant material from one or more heat exchangers downstream of a polymerization reactor. Removal of foulant material is accomplished by deliberately applying a positive pressure differential across a heat exchanger. In the process of the current invention, reactor shut down is not required for the purpose of cleaning foulant material from a heat exchanger.
US07650928B2

A thermosiphon cooling assembly includes a plurality of hairpin condenser tubes that extend into openings of a boiling chamber for collection of refrigerant vapor from a boiler housing. The distal ends of the tubes extend into the chamber from a cover the least distance midway between the ends of the boiler housing and increase in distance in opposite directions toward the ends. The hairpin tubes are in groups with each tube in a group having the same length and the groups having respectively different lengths and at least one group includes more than one tube.
US07650927B2

A method of controlling a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Outside or ambient temperature, evaporator temperature, and coolant temperature are measured with sensors. These values, along with a TAO, which is a calculated value of outlet temperature in the vehicle, are sent to a controller. The controller determines a predicted heater core outlet temperature based upon the coolant temperature. Based upon the outside air temperature and coolant temperature, the controller will decide whether to use the previously determined estimated heater core outlet temperature or to substitute an alternate value for the heater core outlet temperature to determine a position for the air mix door. After calculating the air mix door position, the controller signals an air mix door movement device to adjust the air mix door to the required position. Position of the air mix door affects the air temperature inside of the vehicle.
US07650921B2

A run-flat tire is provided at its side wall with a side reinforcing rubber layer having a substantially falcate cross section, and a side reinforcing cord layers extending inside and outside along a ply body of a carcass in a radial direction. A radially outer end of the side reinforcing cord layer is sandwiched and terminated between a belt layer and a ply body of the carcass. A radial inner end of the side reinforcing cord layer is terminated in the vicinity of the bead core.
US07650919B2

A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting tread portion, a reinforced annular band disposed radially inward of the tread portion, and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band and anchored in a wheel or hub. The reinforced annular band comprises an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer. Each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer, and a longitudinal compression modulus of a second membrane is at least equal to the longitudinal tensile modulus of a first membrane so that when under load the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant the length of the membranes. The web spokes transmit load forces between the annular band and the hub through tension in the web spokes not connected to the ground contacting portion of the tire.
US07650918B2

A modular louvered shutter includes first and second stiles and a center section assembled using a tongue and groove joint. The center section is a solid piece have a plurality of rails and louvers cut into the center section.
US07650917B2

The present invention is directed to a system and method for forming an arched top door facing, and the resulting facing. The system includes a panel, a table and a cutting assembly. The panel has a first surface intended to be interiorly disposed and a second surface intended to be exteriorly disposed. At least one boss extends from the first surface. The table has a planar surface and a locator extending outwardly from the planar surface. The locator cooperates with the boss to locate the panel on the planar surface. The cutter assembly is operatively associated with the table, and includes a blade spaced from the locator. The blade engages the panel and forms a curved edge in the panel when one of the blade and the panel is rotated about the locator.
US07650911B2

A method of restricting fluid flow through a passageway can include inserting a device comprising memory foam into the passageway. The expanded memory foam can have a cross-sectional profile with a shape and size to securely fit within the passageway so as to restrict fluid flow through the passageway. Additionally, the memory foam can have a receiving portion that extends from the first end to the second end that is configured for receiving an object that extends from the first end to the second end. The receiving portion can have various configurations and can include internal portions and external portions of the memory foam. The receiving portion can self-form a conduit around the object by expanding the memory foam around the object.
US07650895B2

An eye liner pencil. The pencil includes an elongate portion which is gripped by the user, the elongate portion having a central axis. The pencil includes a marking portion extending from the elongate portion and in an angular relationship between 5° and 175° with the elongate portion. The marking portion is for marking an eyelid. A lip liner pencil. A method for applying eye liner to an eyelid. A method for applying lip liner to a lip. The pencil can include a plurality of sections.
US07650894B2

An eyeliner pencil. The pencil includes an elongate portion which is gripped by the user, the elongate portion having a central axis. The pencil includes a marking portion extending from the elongate portion and in an angular relationship between 5° and 175° with the elongate portion. The marking portion is for marking an eyelid. A lipliner pencil. A method for applying eyeliner to an eyelid. A method for applying lipliner to a lip.
US07650888B2

The invention relates to a method and a system for identification of a medical implant that is inserted into a patient. Identification data of the medical implant is stored in an RFID chip. The RFID chip is inserted into the body of the patient. The RFID chip can be inserted into a different location than the medical implant into the body of the patient or can be arranged on the medical implant. A signal from the RFID chip comprising the identification data of the medical implant is called up by a reading unit.
US07650883B2

An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of dosages of a substance that have been dispensed from or remain in a container. The indicating device includes an indicator member having an outwardly facing first surface with indicia visible to a user and an opposite inwardly facing surface having a plurality of teeth. The first surface further includes a groove. A cover is disposed over at least a portion of the first surface of the indicator member such that only a portion of the indicia are visible at any one time. The cover includes an inwardly extending projection disposed in the groove. The indicator member is rotatable relative to the cover with the projection being moveable in the groove as the indicator member is rotated relative to the cover. In another aspect, a rotatable member is rotatable relative to an outer cover. An intermediate member is moveable relative to the outer cover and the rotatable member so as to obscure at least a portion of the surface of the rotatable member that would be otherwise visible through the viewing window. At least one of the surfaces of the rotatable member and intermediate member have dosage indicia.
US07650869B2

Novel rotary valve assemblies and valve components for use with an internal combustion engine are disclosed. Valve seal assembly anchors are also described. Selected valve port geometries and axial adjustment for variable valve area for desired engine efficiency and performance are described. Novel seal assemblies and arrangements for sealing and heat transfer are also described.
US07650868B2

A recoil starter includes a case with a support shaft formed thereon; a rope reel rotatably disposed on the support shaft; a recoil rope wound on the rope reel; a recoil spring that rotationally energizes the rope reel; a cam of an engine side; a power storing spring interposed between the rope reel and the cam; and a ratchet mechanism interposed between the rope reel and the cam. The ratchet mechanism includes: a ratchet shaft formed on the rope reel, a ratchet member having: a base portion oscillatably and slidably supported through an elongated hole on the ratchet shaft, and a ratchet pawl engageable with an engaging portion of the cam, and an energizer that energizes the base portion toward an uneven inner peripheral surface of the case.
US07650866B2

A light load air delivery system for an internal combustion engine having a cylinder head defining at least one intake port selectively opened by a poppet valve which is biased against a valve seat area of the cylinder head. The light load air delivery system includes an intake duct and a controllable valve. A light load air intake passage operates to communicate intake air from the intake duct to the controllable valve. Additionally, a light load air intake manifold is configured to selectively receive intake air from the controllable valve. A feed passage receives the intake air from the light load air intake manifold and communicates the intake air to the respective one of the at least one intake ports at a point substantially adjacent to the valve seat area. In a preferred embodiment, the light load air intake manifold is integral to said intake manifold.
US07650855B2

An automatic pet feeder is provided for feeding pets predetermined quantity of food or medication at predetermined times while the owner is absent or otherwise engaged. The pet feeder comprises a base, a feeding bowl with pie shaped divisions, a timer module, a bowl cover, handle to bowl cover and locking mechanism to hold the entire unit in place. A timer is provided with voice recording facility and also initiates programmed feeding schedules. The programming of the timer determines when the feeder cover is indexed so that the pet may have access to the food provided in it. This programming can be done through the timer interface RF or IR remotes and or through an USB port interface to a computer.
US07650850B2

The present invention provides a liquid applying apparatus and an ink jet printing apparatus which, when supplying a liquid to and/or collecting the liquid from a liquid holding member holding an application liquid in a space formed by a roller being abutted, can suppress the leakage of the liquid from the liquid holding member. A pump is provided in a collecting path between a storage tank and a liquid collecting port formed in the liquid holding member that is liquid-tight. The pump is driven to circulate the application liquid between the storage tank and the liquid holding member.
US07650843B2

A transportation system is provided that accommodates varying angles of slope along the path of its movement, while maintaining a level transportation platform without the need of mechanical leveling devices or systems. The platform may be connected to the rail by wheels that are held in a substantially fixed relationship to one another, the closest of which to the platform is above the rail, and the other below the rail. Accordingly, the platform is torqued downward to maintain contact between the wheels and the rail. As the slope of the terrain, and thus the slope of the rail, increases, the rail is widened to maintain the platform at level. As the slope decreases, the rail is narrowed to the same effect. The platform also may be tilted for loading or unloading by this rail-widening method, as may be desired.
US07650840B2

A delay unit (10) comprises a timing strip (14) and, optionally, a calibration strip (20) deposited on a substrate (12). The timing and calibration strips comprise energetic materials which optionally may comprise particles of nanosize materials, e.g., a fuel and an oxidizer, optionally applied as separate layers. A method of making the delay units comprises depositing onto a substrate (12) a timing strip (14) having a starting point (14d) and a discharge point (14e) and depositing onto the same or another substrate a calibration strip (20). Timing strip (14) and calibration strip (20) are of identical composition and are otherwise configured, e.g., thickness of the strips, to have identical burn rates. The calibration strip (20) is ignited and its burn rate is ascertained. The timing strip (14) is adjusted by an adjustment structure to attain a desired delay period, preferably on the basis that the burn rate of the timing strip (14) is substantially identical to that of the calibration strip (20) and ascertaining the burn rate of the calibration strip. The adjustment may be attained by one or more of providing the timing strip with jump gaps (164), an accelerant or retardant (166a, 166b), completing the timing strip with a bridging strip (14c), or establishing a selected effective length of the timing strip by positioning one or both of a pick-up charge (16) and relay charge (18) over a portion of the timing strip.
US07650837B2

A rotating element of a printing machine is connected to a rotation transmitter that is usable to introduce a liquid or a gaseous medium into the rotating element. The rotation transmitter includes a rotor that is rotatable with the rotating element, and a stator that is secured against rotation. At least one stator channel section cooperates with at least one rotor channel section to provide a fluid flow path for the medium into the rotating element. Axially oriented and mutually opposite contact surfaces, which are against one another when the liquid or gaseous medium is introduced into the rotating element of the printing machine, are provided on the rotor and on the stator.
US07650834B2

A machine for the production of ice-cream in portions is equipped with a feeding device for a preparation comprising a whisking cylinder (15), cooled by a cooling circuit and equipped with a propeller mixer (16) and means for discharging the ice-cream produced. Said machine further comprises a feeding device (11, 11′) for feeding a dose of preparation for ice-cream into said cylinder (15) which includes a series of containers (30, 30′) containing a preparation or composition, for the production of a number of doses of ice-cream, supply means (40) of a quantity of preparation, a collection and mixing tank (35) and an interception device (41) of a feeding channel (36) of the preparation towards said whisking cylinder (15).
US07650826B2

An automatic shooting mechanism capable of remote switching and unmanned switching between a safety mode and a shooting mode, and remote shooting and unmanned shooting. Also provided is a sentry robot employing the automatic shooting mechanism and capable of performing wide and narrow monitoring and sentry duties in short and long ranges, and automatically shooting at a target. The automatic shooting mechanism comprises a safety unit including a safety solenoid and an elastic member to move a safety pin of a gun between a safety mode position and a shooting mode position, and a return unit for applying force to the safety pin of the gun to move the safety pin to the safety mode position. The automatic shooting mechanism further comprises a shooting unit including a shooting solenoid to move a connecting link back and forth, and a trigger push member having one end contacting a trigger of the gun and the other end contacting the shooting solenoid, and coupled at a middle portion of the shooting unit to be capable of pivoting to pull the trigger as desired.
US07650823B2

A hole punch unit has a punching section, a longitudinal registering mechanism, and a transverse registering mechanism. The registering mechanisms incline the punching section in accordance with a skew of a sheet. The punching section thus corrected in position punches the sheet. The punching section is corrected in position, at both the leading edge of the sheet and the trailing edge thereof, thus increasing the precision of positioning the punching section and shortening the time required to position the punching section.
US07650821B2

A torque-limiting mechanism is provided for use in a variety of torque-applying tools. The mechanism includes a handle defining a housing in which are disposed a slip gear and a fixed gear. The fixed gear is attached to the housing while the slip gear is attached to drive body extending outwardly from the housing and engageable with an item to be turned utilizing the tool. The slip gear and the fixed gear are connected by teeth disposed on each gear and by ball bearings disposed within recesses located on each gear that are pressed into the recesses by a force exerted on the gears by a number of spring members disposed between an enclosed end of the housing and the fixed gear. The amount of force exerted by the springs on the gears can be varied as necessary, thereby allowing the amount of torque required to enable the slip gear to move with respect to the fixed gear to be set where desired. The use of the ball bearings as the engagement members between the fixed gear and the slip gear provides a smooth transition between positions when the slip gear rotates with respect to the fixed gear, and greatly reduces the amount of friction forces acting on the torque-limiting mechanism, such that the force controlling the operation of the mechanism is solely provided by the springs and easily predictable and controllable. Further, the teeth, due to the angled locking surfaces formed in the teeth, enable the gears to only rotate with respect to one another in one direction.
US07650820B2

A handled tool with a firm structure comprises a driving portion having a driving end and a connecting end; the driving end being an operation end of the handled tool; an enlarged annular portion being below the driving end; a coarse section being between the annular portion and the connecting end; an extending unit being a rod; the extending unit having a first extending end and a second extending end; the first extending end being combined to the embedding groove of the driving portion; and a handle portion having a enclosing cover and a handle, in assembly, the first extending end of the extending unit being combined to the connecting end; the second extending end of the extending unit being received in the handle portion; the enclosing cover enclosing a portion of the extending unit protruded from the handle portion and a portion of the driving portion.
US07650806B2

A ring-like lubricant supply device 6 is fitted into a recess 4 of a nut member 2. The lubricant supply device 6 contains a lubricant and is formed in an outer peripheral surface with notches 7. Tubular members 8 each having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the notch 7 are inserted into the notches, pushing and widening the notches 7 in a circumferential direction. One end of the tubular member 8 is fitted into a recess 9b of a retaining ring 9 and the retaining ring 9 is fixed to a nut member 2.
US07650796B2

An apparatus for measuring and/or monitoring the flow of a medium to be measured, which is flowing through a measuring tube in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube. The apparatus includes: A magnet arrangement which produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube and running essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube; two measuring electrodes which are galvanically or capacitively coupled with the medium to be measured and which are arranged in such a manner that a measurement voltage is induced in them, evoked by the medium to be measured; an evaluation control unit, which, on the basis of the measurement voltage induced in the measurement electrodes, provides information concerning the volume flow of the medium to be measured in the measuring tube; wherein connecting lines, or signal lines, as the case may be, are provided, by way of which the measurement signals are led between the measurement electrodes and the control/evaluation unit. In order to be able to arrange the signal lines in a space saving manner, the signal lines are arranged in an essentially planar structure.
US07650794B2

A process and a device for measuring the mechanical compaction in the depth of an agricultural material, wherein measurement is made with a density sensor of the density of the agricultural material continuously or discontinuously online during the ongoing compacting of an agricultural material.
US07650786B2

An apparatus for monitoring the rotational speed in a wind energy plant, with a rotor shaft which is driven by the rotor and runs out into a gear unit, and with a generator shaft, which connects an output shaft of the gear unit with a generator/converter unit, characterized by a first rotational speed detection unit on the rotor shaft and a second rotational speed detection unit on the generator shaft, wherein each rotational speed detection unit has at least two rotational speed sensors working independently from each other, an analyzing unit for the rotational speed, to which the measured signals of the rotational speed detection units are applied and which generates an error signal for a rotational overspeed when a certain maximum value for the rotational speed is exceeded.
US07650785B1

A liquid characterization and level sensor with a coaxial probe attached to a closed loop servo circuitry combined with a DSP and novel algorithms to scan, lock and track signals to ascertain the level and purity of fluid in a container.
US07650779B2

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for detecting whether a gear-driven fuel pump has been installed correctly in a fuel injected IC engine, the pump gear being driven by an engine gear to provide fuel to injectors via a fuel rail. The method may include providing a pump element pumping event. The method may also include disabling overlapping fuel injectors and overlapping pumping events during the test period surrounding the selected pumping event, and measuring the pressure in the rail during the pumping event with the overlapping injectors disabled, the at least two different engine crank angles surrounding the pumping event. The method also may further include determining from the measured rail pressures whether the pumping event occurred at a desired engine crank angle. Apparatus to carry out the methods may include a computer programmed for controlling the sequence of the providing, disabling, measuring, and determining functions, as well as software for carrying out the respective functions.
US07650775B2

A prover includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means includes at least one reel mounted belt for drawing the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Upon such movement of the rod, a poppet valve formed as part of the piston opens to permit fluid flow through the piston. A clutch serving as part of the motive means permits travel of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder and serve the flow rate measuring function of the prover. Apparatus is also provided to permit opening of the poppet valve for maintenance and/or repair purposes. A framework permits support of the prover in a horizontal or a vertical orientation without affecting the operation, repair or maintenance of the prover.
US07650773B2

In primary press forming process, a piece of blank sheet metal is draw worked so as to form a preformed work piece (Wb) provided with a bent portion (a) substantially conforming to a three dimensional contour of a leading edge of a blade to be protected and extending along a longitudinal direction, and a pair of planar portions (b and c) extending from either side of the bent portion. In a secondary press forming process, the planar portions (b and c) of the preformed work piece are stretch formed into a final shape that conforms to the corresponding profile of the blade while the bent portion (a) of the preformed work piece is clamped and protected from deformation. In other words, the bent portion of an edge protector (100) is already given with the final shape of the edge protector by the primary press forming process while the planar portions (b and c) thereof are given with the final shape by the secondary press forming process so that the two press forming processes can be executed without interfering with each other, and only two relatively simple press forming processes are required for forming the complex three dimensional shape of the edge protector.
US07650764B2

A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass includes a vacuum housing which is evacuated to be depressurized therein; a vacuum degassing vessel which is provided in the vacuum housing to vacuum-degas molten glass as the molten glass flows therein; an uprising pipe which connects to the vacuum degassing vessel, and sucks and draws up undegassed molten glass to introduce the undegassed molten glass into the vacuum degassing vessel; and a downfalling pipe which connects to the vacuum degassing vessel and draws down the degassed molten glass from the vacuum degassing vessel to discharge the degassed molten glass. The cross sectional area of the path at the upper end portion of the uprising pipe is larger than the cross sectional area of the path at the lower end portion of the uprising pipe.
US07650763B2

An air conditioning unit for vehicles with work-doing expansion of the carbon dioxide is provided, the air conditioning unit including a combined refrigeration and heat pump circuit, wherein the air conditioning unit is switchably configured to change a flow direction of a refrigerant for switchable operation from the refrigeration circuit to the heat pump circuit. A method for operating the air conditioning unit is also provided.
US07650761B2

In a refrigerating device comprising waste heat utilization equipment having: a refrigerating cycle 200 formed by sequentially connecting a compressor 210, a condenser 220, an expansion valve 240, and an evaporator 250; and a Rankine cycle 300 formed by sequentially connecting a heater 310 using the waste heat of a heat generating device (for example, an internal combustion engine) 10 as a heating source, an expansion device 320, the above-mentioned condenser 220, and a pump 330, in which the drive shafts of the compressor 210 and the expansion device 320 are separated from each other. Then, the output of the expansion device 320 is used mainly for generating electricity.
US07650748B2

The present invention relates to a method for regenerating a particle filter (10) arranged in the exhaust line (12) of an internal-combustion engine, notably of diesel type, wherein the clogging state of the filter is evaluated, this state is compared with a threshold value, then, if this threshold value is exceeded, a fluid and a fuel are mixed together, this mixture is subjected to catalytic combustion to generate the hot gases required for regeneration of the filter and regeneration of the filter is carried out by means of hot gases flowing through said filter and whose temperature is sufficiently high to provide combustion of the particles retained in this filter.According to the invention, prior to mixing the fluid and the fuel, the temperature of the fluid is raised up to the catalytic combustion light-off temperature.
US07650746B2

One aspect of the invention relates an exhaust treatment system having an SCR reactor following a NOx adsorber. Syn gas is used to regenerate the NOx adsorber. Another aspect relates to an LNT/SCR provided with an ammonia source separate from the LNT. A further aspect relates to a system comprising first and second LNTs and one or more SCRs downstream of the LNTs. A still further aspect relates to a device comprising first and second NOx adsorbers contained in a single housing. Another aspect relates to coating a surface of a moving part in an exhaust system with an oxidation catalyst to mitigate fouling. Additional aspects of the invention relate to strategies for controlling one or more of the time to initiate a regeneration cycle, the time to terminate a regeneration cycle, and the reductant injection rate during regeneration of LNT/SCR exhaust treatment systems.
US07650745B2

A method to control valves in a cylinder operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode. Valves are controlled to improve engine emissions as operating conditions vary.
US07650742B2

A practical cable made of a high strength fiber composite material is provided, which has high and stable strength, in addition, has even axial tension against bending and thus has a stable shape, and can be wound on a reel without shape deformation, and is hardly buckled when it is inserted into a hole or cylinder. The cable is formed by singly twisting a plurality of high strength fiber composite materials is used as a strand, and a plurality of the strands are twisted together at a twist angle of 2 to 12 degrees in a direction opposite to a twist direction of the strands, so that a double twist structure is made.
US07650741B2

A windguard is adapted to be attached to the frame of a crop pickup in overlying relationship to the pickup tine rotor so as to control the incoming flow of crop materials. A transversely extending crop hold down portion of the windguard is pivotally supported between the front ends of a pair of fore-and-aft extending support arms that are pivotally attached at their rear ends to the frame of the pickup so that the windguard can articulate as it is moved up and down relative to the pickup by engagement with inflowing crop material.
US07650735B2

A picker bar includes spindles which are nonaligned in the vertical direction to define two or more offset sets of spindles on the bar and increase the number of spindles per unit length of the spindle bar. A spindle assembly includes support carrying two spindles driven from a picker bar drive shaft by single drive gear. Driven spindle gears are spaced on opposite sides of the shaft axis to facilitate close spacing of the spindles.
US07650729B2

A packaging system that includes an automated or semi-automated clipper and a conveyor mechanism in communication with the clipper, the conveyor mechanism comprising an axially telescoping conveyor with a belt defining a conveying surface having a conveying length configured to reciprocally axially extend and retract; the system also including at least one of the following: (a) at least one pair of upwardly extending product guide sidewalls residing at least partially above the conveying surface of the conveyor belt, the upwardly extending product guide sidewalls slidably attached to each other to axially translate substantially in concert with the axially telescoping conveyor between an extended and retracted position; (b) a first idler roller in communication with the belt with an idler in communication with the belt residing lower than the first idler roller and a substantially horizontal axially extending slot in a mounting bracket attached to the mounting frame, the slot and idler cooperate to allow for adjustment of tension in the conveyor belt; and/or (c) a first idler roller and at least one idler, each in communication with the belt, and wherein each of the idler roller and the idler is configured to pivot from an operative position to a belt removal and reload position.
US07650725B2

A device for electrically grounding an access floor panel to a floor panel support in contact with a ground including a clip fastened to the floor panel, the clip compressible against the support when the floor panel is placed against the support.
US07650721B2

A window for absorbing sunlight heat in warm weather that otherwise would flow uncontrolled therethrough and discharging the sunlight heat to the atmosphere while permitting relatively unobstructed vision therethrough and passing the sunlight heat in cold weather therethrough for thermal warming. The window includes a frame, an inner pane, an outer pane, and a heat sink. The inner pane is pivotally mounted to the frame. The outer pane is affixed to the frame and spaced from the inner pane so as to form a space therebetween. The heat sink is rotatably mounted to the frame and has an extended position in which the heat sink occupies coextensively the space for absorbing the sunlight heat in the warm weather that otherwise would flow uncontrolled therethrough and discharging the sunlight heat to the atmosphere while permitting relatively unobstructed vision therethrough, and a retracted position in which the heat sink does not occupy coextensively the space for passing the sunlight heat in the cold weather therethrough for thermal warming.
US07650720B2

A gutter protection system is adapted for covering a gutter and preventing debris from falling into the gutter. The gutter protection system comprises an elongate sheet metal member or panel adapted to engage a portion of the gutter and to cover the gutter. The sheet metal member has a longitudinal axis and a generally smooth top surface interrupted by a plurality of canals and perforations formed therein. Each canal extends down and away from the smooth top surface. The canals are formed from the material of the sheet metal member, each canal formed so that water entering the canal exits through one of the perforations and flows into the gutter below. The canals enable water to move laterally within the canal, thereby increasing the water volume handled by the system without necessarily increasing the number of holes or perforations.
US07650712B2

An automatic fishing device for pulling the fishing line upon fish strike to set the hook. It embodies a trigger member, a weight member, a trigger support, a fish line and a connector for attaching the weight member to the fishing line. The trigger member includes a weight support element and a fish line coupler. Parts of the weight support element can support the weight member but other parts of weight support element cannot support the weight member. The weight member can be connected to the fish line by the connector. The movement of fishing line caused by a fish strike rotates the trigger member to unload the initially supported weight member to drag the fishing line downward, effectively tightening the fishing line for setting the hook.
US07650706B2

The invention concerns a securing device in the form of a strip (1) in open position, arranged to cover exclusively a shoe (4) lace (3) and comprising means to be fixed to said shoe (4) and a series of holes (2) for passing through the lace (3). The device is adapted to be folded down such that the left side is fixed to the right side. Moreover, the length of said securing device (1) is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the shoe (4).
US07650705B2

An article of footwear having a sole and an upper, the upper having at least two elements that are assembled to one another at a gluing zone, one of the elements being a protective flap or a tightening mechanism.
US07650704B2

The present invention is directed to a footwear system that is customizable and offers a plurality of interchangeable base portions, upper portions, and connector elements in various styles, colors and designs, thus allowing an assortment of easily interchangeable and distinct styles of footwear in a single system. The footwear system specifically comprises an interchangeable base portion having a plurality of spaced openings and hollow receptacles formed in the base portion, an interchangeable upper portion adapted for removable attachment to the base portion where the upper portion has a plurality of spaced openings on each side end, and a plurality of interchangeable connector elements for connecting the upper portion to the base portion, where the connector elements may have decorative elements.
US07650697B2

In spindle motors journaled on fluid-dynamic-pressure bearings, especially in such spindle motors employed in recording-disk drives in implementations that subject the drives to vibration and shock, sealing performance of a capillary seal formed between motor rotor-side and stator-side bearing surfaces, cohesiveness of oil-repellant on rotor-side/stator-side dry-area surfaces adjoining the capillary seal section, and motor inter-component adhesive strength are improved. The capillary-seal-constituting rotor-side/stator-side surface(s) are exposed to a plasma or to ultraviolet rays under predetermined conditions to improve the wettability of the surface(s) for the bearing fluid. The dry-area surface(s) are similarly irradiated so as to improve their wettability for the oil-repellant. Adhesively bonded component surfaces are likewise irradiated so as to improve their wettability for the adhesive, enhancing adhesive strength. Exposed surfaces may be constituted of a synthetic resin to enhance their wettability further, or may be made of metal, to yield a cleaning efficacy from the plasma/UV exposure.
US07650696B2

After a hub supporting member is mounted on an end portion of a spindle, correction work is applied to a ring-shaped supporting surface which is an end face of the hub supporting member, whereby perpendicularity of the supporting surface relative to a rotational center axis of the spindle is improved. Thereafter, while the hub main body is made to rotate together with the spindle in such a state that the mounting surface abuts with the supporting surface, grinding finishing work is applied to a cylindrical surface portion (a portion on which inner rings are fitted) of the hub main body. As a result, the perpendicularity of the mounting surface relative to the geometric center axis of the cylindrical surface portion is improved.
US07650692B2

A suction surface member is provided on an electronic component module including an electronic component base plate and surface mount device mounted on the electronic component base plate in order to provide a suction surface at a location that is substantially at the same level as or higher than that of an upper end of a transistor that is the tallest surface mount device. The suction head adheres to the suction surface to hold the electronic component module and the electronic component module is mounted on a motherboard defining the target board. Then a treatment is performed to prevent a situation in which an upper end of the suction surface member is higher than the upper end of the tallest surface mount device mounted on the electronic component base plate.
US07650690B2

An apparatus to facilitate movement of a pallet from an assembly table to a pallet stacker comprises a roller frame adapted for movable attachment to the pallet stacker in front of the entrance to the pallet opening such that the roller frame can be moved, in a direction substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the loading direction, from a receiving position nearest to the assembly table, to a remote position farthest from the assembly table. A pallet roller is rotatably attached on top of the roller frame about a substantially horizontal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the loading direction. The pallet roller supports a pallet in a substantially horizontal position such that the supported pallet can be rolled into the pallet opening of the pallet stacker. Conveniently a bias force is provided to return the roller frame to the receiving position when the pallet has been rolled off.
US07650686B2

A servo track writer (STW) clockhead radius jig is disclosed. One embodiment provides a hard disk drive assembly including a base having a cutaway portion to provide visual access therein. In addition, a disk is mounted in the hard disk drive assembly, this disk having an indicator thereon to indicate a required radius setting for a clockhead.
US07650684B2

A method for fabricating a magnetic head including a spin valve sensor having a sensor layer stack that includes a pinned magnetic layer, a spacer layer formed on the pinned magnetic layer, and a free magnetic layer formed on the spacer layer. In a preferred embodiment the spacer layer is comprised of CuOx. The method includes the plasma smoothing of the upper surface of the pinned magnetic layer prior to depositing the spacer layer, and a preferred plasma gas is a mixture of argon and oxygen.
US07650679B2

The invention concerns a method for handling at least one part in a station for fixing two parts one on the other, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: positioning the parts in a station using a support (4); starting the fixing operation; replacing the support with a gripping robot (6) when the fixing operation has progressed sufficiently to lock the relative positioning of the two parts; mounting new parts in the support when the replacement has been made; and after the parts have been fixed, removing the thus fixed parts from the station using the gripping robot.
US07650677B1

A tool and method is provided for installing nut-clips or like components, wherein safety and ease of installation are significantly improved over the prior art, and installation time is substantially reduced. A useful embodiment is directed to apparatus for use in attaching a nut-clip or other hardware component to structure having a slot defined by spaced apart edges, wherein the nut-clip has first and second resilient spaced apart hook flanges. The apparatus includes a holder adapted to receive the nut-clip, and a blade member positioned to bear against the first flange member when the nut-clip is received into the holder. A magnet or other element is provided for releasably retaining the nut-clip in the holder. A handle, which can be grasped by the single hand of a user, is attached for maneuvering the holder and retained nut-clip to position the second flange against one of the slot edges, and to thereafter apply force, through the blade member, to reduce the spacing between the first and second flanges. The two hook flanges can then be inserted into the slot, to firmly attach the nut-clip to the structure.
US07650670B2

A hinge including leaves configured to facilitate adjusting the mounting position between hinged objects. In one embodiment, the hinge may generally include first and second leaves pivotally connected together. The leaves define mounting holes that receive fasteners to mount the leaves to the hinged objects. The mounting holes are preferably configured to provide adjustment of the leaves and hinged objects in at least two directions, which may be horizontal and vertical. In one embodiment, the hole shapes preferably may include horizontal slots, vertical slots, round holes, and combinations thereof. Other shapes may be used. When a fastener is partially inserted into a hinged object through a slotted-type mounting hole, for example, the hinged object is slideable relative to the leaf and the other hinged object. By employing a preferred sequence of installation steps, the installer may readily optimize the alignment between and mounting of the hinged objects. In one embodiment, the hinged objects may be a door and a door frame. A method of installation using the specially-configured leaves is also provided.
US07650665B2

A mop head assembly for use with a handle and a cleaning substrate is disclosed. The mop head assembly includes a lower substrate support surface, at least one fastener channel associated with the lower substrate support surface, and a fastener strip that can be inserted into the fastener channel. Such a fastener strip is configured to couple the lower substrate support surface to a cleaning substrate. The mop head assembly may include a cross-member configured such that forces applied from the handle through a central portion of mop head are distributed toward the end edges of the lower substrate support surface.
US07650660B1

A trailer snow removal system includes a pair of guide members. Each of the guide members is elongated and oriented parallel to each other. An elongated panel has a first end, a second end, an upper edge and a lower edge. The elongated panel extends between the guide members. Each of the first and second ends includes a post that extends downwardly into one of the guide members. A drive assembly is mechanically coupled to each of the lower ends. The drive assembly moves the elongated panel back and forth along the guide members when the drive assembly is turned on. The guide members may be mounted on the top wall to remove snow from the top wall.
US07650657B2

Anti-pinch point device for imaging platforms are disclosed. The stationary imaging platform includes a slidable cradle and fixed shroud adjacent both sides of the slidable cradle. An inventive overlay is configured for mounting on a slidable cradle. The inventive overlay moves with the slidable cradle. Elongated perimeter regions of the inventive overlay have elongated ridges formed on the underside thereof adjacent the outer edges of the elongated perimeter regions. The elongated ridges serve to prevent objects from becoming pinched between the inventive overlay and the fixed shroud.
US07650655B2

An expandable sleeping bag or bunting bag includes features in which the size of the bag is adjustable to accommodate the growth of the child. To expand or contract the sleeping bag in width, one or more additional tapes of zipper teeth are sewn to the front of the garment adjacent to, and parallel to, the regular zipper. To expand or contract the sleeping bag in length, a pair of parallel zippers permits the removal or insertion of a length expansion strip extending around the circumference of the sleeping bag.
US07650654B2

A transfer device includes a first sheet portion having an outer side and an inner side and a second sheet portion having an outer side and an inner side, with the inner sides arranged so that they are facing each other. The outer sides each have a high coefficient of friction surface. The first sheet portion and the second sheet portion are releasably coupled together to thereby limit relative movement of the first sheet portion to the second sheet portion. When the coupling is released, the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion can move relative to each other.
US07650652B2

Disclosed is a toilet bowl water level gauge and associated methods. In one embodiment, the toilet bowl water level gauge comprises a gauge assembly having a stem with a float, and a sleeve, wherein the stem is inserted in the sleeve and slides through the sleeve. Also, the toilet bowl water level gauge comprises a support attached to the gauge assembly, the support being adapted to engage a rim of a toilet bowl. In addition, bowl level sensors are employed for automated calibration of an automated bowl fill system.
US07650649B2

An ear warmer comprises a frame and a fabric member. The frame has an ear portion and a band portion. The ear portion of the frame includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the ear portion defines an interior portion of an opening. The second side of the ear portion defines an exterior portion of the opening. The fabric member includes at least its own ear portion coupled to the ear portion of the frame. The ear portion of the fabric member covers the interior portion of the opening in substantially its entirety and covers less than an entirety of the exterior portion of the opening.
US07653947B2

An image forming system which is capable of enhancing security in an i-copy function. A server apparatus stores document data once having been printed in association with a sheet identifier recorded on a print sheet on which the document data has been printed. An image reader section reads the sheet identifier from the print sheet when a copy command is issued by the user authenticated based on an entered user identifier by a CPU of a MFP. A printer section reads out and prints the document data from the server apparatus. When the sheet identifier has not been read from the print sheet based on the copy command over a predetermined time period, the document data is inhibited from being printed by the printer section.
US07653942B2

An unauthorized access prevention system includes a countermeasure method determination unit determining a method of taking countermeasures to protect a destination against unauthorized access based on a rate indicating a probability that predetermined traffic is unauthorized access. The rate is determined by calculating a number of times that the countermeasures were taken and subtracting a number of times that countermeasures were suspended, and dividing the resultant number of times that countermeasures were taken without suspension by the number of times that countermeasures were taken, for the predetermined traffic. The system also includes a storage device storing the number of times that countermeasures were taken and the number of times that countermeasures were taken without suspension. A countermeasure execution control unit controls when to take the countermeasures in the determined method. The countermeasure method determination unit selects an appropriate method of taking countermeasures by comparing the rate to predetermined threshold values.
US07653939B2

An authentication key is presented to a data processing device by an enable key block (EKB). Even in a case where a memory device does not have an executing function for a mutual authentication processing, an establishment of the mutual authentication processing with a virtual memory device constructed in the data processing device is made as a condition for a data reproduction processing from the memory device or a data recording processing to the memory device. In an unfair data processing device, it is so constructed to present the authentication key by non-decodable enabling key block (EKB), so that only a fair data processing device is able to be authenticated with the virtual memory device and to utilize the contents data.
US07653934B1

A computer-implemented method for authorizing a user request from a user to perform an action with respect to one of at least one of the plurality of nodes and at least one of the plurality of packages of a cluster is disclosed. The user request is received from a host coupled to communicate with the cluster. The method includes consulting an authorization map to ascertain a role associated with the user. The authorization map is kept in a memory space in one of the plurality of nodes. The method further includes authorizing the user to perform the action if the role associated with the user includes a granted privilege that is higher than a privilege required to perform the user request.
US07653932B2

A subscriber login server is used for managing a subscriber login session. The login server is associated with a DHCP server for configuring a premise equipment device and operator-managed device. A subscriber login client at the premise equipment device securely communicates login username and password identifiers to the subscriber login server without using PPP technology. The login server retrieves matching identifiers from a RADIUS server and authorizes service with messages to the DHCP server and the CMTS.The login client can emulate a PPP login client so that a user's interface is similar to a PPPoE client. However, a layer-3 CMTS can be used instead of a layer-2 CMTS. In addition, subscriber authentication and accounting using RADIUS are preserved, positive network access control at the CMTS is maintained, and native IP traffic is routed or switched for maximum performance and QoS treatment.
US07653924B1

Systems and methods for carrying a serial digital video stream over an optical network such as an optical network employing SONET/SDH or G.709. For example, serial digital video data formatted in accordance with ANSI/SMPTE 259 M-1997 may be carried. Also, a common interface may be provided for both serial digital video streams and packetized digital video data such as DVB-ASI data.
US07653923B2

A method and system whereby conventional television advertisements (i.e., those delivered to viewers while they watch television programming) can be delivered in conjunction with and correlated with advertisements that are presented to viewers in the Interactive Program Guide (IPG). Moreover, the invention described herein provides for delivering highly targeted ads to viewers in both conventional programming avails and in the IPG, and for linking the targeted ads in these two media to provide for enhanced and highly effective advertising campaigns.
US07653921B2

Many media streams contain “objects” that repeat. Repeating objects in a media stream are defined as any section of non-negligible duration, i.e., a song, video, advertisement, jingle, etc., which would be considered to be a logical unit by a human listener or viewer. An “object controller” identifies such repeating objects as they occur, and provides an interactive user interface for allowing users to specify how individual repeating objects are to be handled either in real time, or upon subsequent occurrences of particular repeating objects. In general, the object controller includes a mechanism for identifying repeating objects, a mechanism for identifying temporal endpoints of those objects, a user interface for specifying actions to be taken when a particular object repeats within a media stream, and, in one embodiment, a buffer having sufficient length to allow for real-time deletion of objects from the media stream without obvious interruption in the str.
US07653914B2

This invention relates to handling of different service versions in a server that is connected to a communication network. The invention comprises means to load a desired version, two tables and additional data for handling different service versions. The first table contains service key and version information, and serialized service objects. The second table contains names of classes, version information and class files. The additional data is needed for loading the right class from among classes, with the same name, and mapping the right service object version to the right versions of classes.
US07653911B2

Compatibility between applications in a network node with a distributed architecture is maintained after application upgrades by associating version compatibility information with interprocess communications (IPC) message structures and then utilizing the version compatibility information to identify IPC message structures that are used for communications between applications. Once the version compatibility information is associated with the IPC message structures, applications are configured to use only those IPC message structures that are compatible with the currently running version.
US07653910B2

A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for executing a handler in a multi-threaded process handling a number of threads in a manner that avoids deadlocks. A value equal to the number of threads executing in the data processing system is set. The value is decremented each time a lock count for a thread within the number of threads is zero. A thread within the number of threads is suspended if the thread requests a lock and has a lock count of zero. A procedure, such as a handler, is executed in response to all of the threads within the number of threads having no locks.
US07653905B1

The present invention provides an online messaging architecture configured to process incoming request messages and provide reply messages in an efficient manner. The invention reduces processing overhead within a mainframe computing environment were individual requests are treated as individual transactions by instead storing requests within a queue, spawning necessary processes according to the queue and processing multiple transactions in a pseudo batch manner.
US07653903B2

A system and method of modular image downloading (MINDS) from a network for configuring computers, or computer-based devices. The program images typically comprise a foundation image (operating system) and application module images. The system is configured as software which executes in response to a tree of actions defined in configuration data and not embedded within the executable of the MINDS program. The action tree can be controlled by the user interface, started, paused, terminated, stepped forward or backward, and so forth. The executable operates on the action tree and need not be re-compiled for each action tree change, the modules for the action trees are dynamically linked prior to execution. The action tree approach allows the user to readily change, add, or delete actions, or entire action trees from the system without the need of recoding or additional program testing.
US07653895B1

Various approaches for preparing a system for multi-thread processing of messages are disclosed. In one approach, respective portions of a message accessed by a plurality of threads are determined from a high-level language programming specification of the threads. A plurality of input elements are generated and respectively coupled to the plurality of threads. Each input element is configured to select from the message received by the input element the portion of the message accessed by the respective thread and provide each selected portion to the respective thread. A plurality of output elements are generated and configured with storage for data output by a respective thread. From a definition of an output message, a concentrator element is generated and is configured to read data from the output elements and assemble the data into an output message according to the definition of the output message.
US07653890B2

A Wafer Image Modeling and Prediction System (“WIMAPS”) is described that includes systems and methods that generate and/or apply models of resolution enhancement techniques (“RET”) and printing processes in integrated circuit (“IC”) fabrication. The WIMAPS provides efficient processes for use by designers in predicting the RET and wafer printing process so as to allow designers to filter predict printed silicon contours prior to application of RET and printing processes to the circuit design.
US07653888B2

A system and method for performing device-specific testing and acquiring parametric data on integrated circuits, for example ASICs, such that each chip is tested individually without excessive test time requirements, additional silicon, or special test equipment. The testing system includes a device test structure integrated into unused backfill space in an IC design which tests a set of dummy devices that are identical to a selected set of devices contained in the IC. The device test structures are selected from a library according to customer requirements and design requirements. The selected test structures are further prioritized and assigned to design elements within the design in order of priority. Placement algorithms use design, layout, and manufacturing requirements to place the selected test structures into the final layout of the design to be manufactured.
US07653870B1

A system and method of generating index information for electronic documents. The system includes a client and one or more information retrieval (IR) engines, such as a search engine, which are each in communication with each other via a network.
US07653868B2

A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving the maximum data rate of reduced-state Viterbi detectors with local feedback. The maximum data rate that may be achieved by the disclosed reduced state Viterbi detectors is improved by precomputing a number of candidate branch metrics and performing pipelined selection of an appropriate branch metric. A reduced state Viterbi detector is thus disclosed that precomputes branch metrics for speculative sequences of one or more channel symbols; selects one of said precomputed branch metrics based on at least one decision from at least one corresponding state using at least two pipeline registers; and selects a path having a best path metric for a given state.
US07653865B2

A symbol sequence in a received DS-CDMA signal is decoded in an efficient manner in order to reduce the processing needs in a receiver when, e.g., processing acquisition indicators (AI) in a UMTS system. The decoding comprises iterative calculation of a hard-decision vector, using a decision threshold having a value based on the probability of each ternary alphabet element of each symbol in the hard-decision vector.
US07653863B2

An array of non-volatile memory cells includes a row with N cells and M cells. In a partial-storage step, a datum is stored in a first portion of the N cells of the row. A second portion of the N cells of the row are in an “erase” state. A first error correction code associated with the datum is stored in the M cells along with a first enable bit or guard-cell which is indicative of whether the first error correction code is active. The number of M cells, adjacent to the N cells of the row, is defined on the basis of the number N of cells. In the event the datum stored in the first portion of the N cells of the row is subsequently updated or manipulated, a second error correction code associated with the updated or manipulated datum is determined and stored in the second portion of the N cells of the row along with a second guard-cell which is indicative of whether the second error correction code is active. At that point, the first guard-cell is modified to indicate that the first error correction code is not active.
US07653861B2

An access control apparatus includes a writer syndrome generator that generates a writer syndrome of writer mask data to mask the parity-added data, the writer syndrome being associated with a writer access ID used when a writer that requests writing of the write data in the memory accesses the memory; a write mask generator that generates the writer mask data based on the writer syndrome, the writer access ID, and a write address in the memory at which the writer writes the write data; a first XOR calculator that obtains first post-operation data by calculating an XOR between the parity-added data and the writer mask data; and a write address converter that converts the write address into another address determined by the writer access ID.
US07653855B2

A random number test circuit includes a counting unit to count number of repetitions of a certain-value bit in a random number sequence, the repetitions occurring in series, a detecting unit to detect a plurality of numbers corresponding to a kind of bits in the random number sequence, and a determining unit to determine whether the random number sequence is normal, based on the numbers.
US07653848B2

An on-chip trace engine stores trace data in on-chip trace arrays and routes the trace data to output pins. An external trace capture device captures the trace data. The on-chip trace engine streams the trace data through the debug output pins at a slower rate that can be supported by external trace capture device. If compression is insufficient for the required data rate reduction, the on-chip trace engine includes selectable data reduction mechanisms. Responsive to an overflow condition, meaning trace data is captured in on-chip trace arrays faster than it can be routed off chip, the on-chip trace engine enters an overflow mode in which one or more of the data reduction mechanisms are selected. The data reduction mechanisms may include, for example, a data width reduction component, a pattern match data elimination component, a priority source select component, an under-sampling component, or various combinations thereof.
US07653842B2

An automatic CRC format detection and selection device observes FCS errors during an interval, incrementing counts thereof. When a determination is made that an error count threshold has been met, the CRC format may be automatically changed in order to enable CRC format detection and switching without requiring a user to have knowledge of the format or how to accomplish its change.
US07653839B2

An image input/output apparatus reduces unnecessary fault management processing load and prevents a normal image input/output processing efficiency from decreasing in the way that an administrator selects an intrinsic fault that should be emphasized among individually-occurring detectable faults. To accomplish this, when a history representing a state of control is stored as log information in a first storage, a fault is detected, and an occurrence frequency of the detected fault is stored in a second storage in a way that associates the fault occurrence frequency with the fault. One or more thresholds of the fault occurrence frequency are enabled to be set, and it is judged whether the fault occurrence frequency is equal to or larger than the threshold. Based on a result of the judgment, a log management unit controls storage setting of the log information associated with the fault into the first storage.
US07653829B2

A method of data placement and control in a block-divided distributed disk array is provided. At first, data to store is divided into logical blocks, and each of the divided logical blocks is further divided into a plurality of data blocks. Then, a parity block is created through performing an XOR operation on the data blocks of each logical block in a unit of a strip, and the parity block is arranged at the first block of a strip unit. Then, parity blocks are arranged at a next block of a previous logical block's the last data block through a left/right shifting for uniformly arranging the parity blocks through out all disks in order to fill an empty block between the logical blocks.
US07653827B2

A power distribution system provides power source redundancy. The system includes a bank of loads and first and second groups of power sources. An interconnect arrangement includes a plurality of interconnects that connect each load to one or more sources of both the first and second groups of sources so as to be fully powered by sources of both the first and second groups of sources and such that if any one source or all sources of one of the groups of sources fails, all of the loads remain fully powered.
US07653818B2

A system and method for enhancing passwords, access codes, and personal identification munbers by making them pace, rhythm, or tempo sensitive. The password includes a sequence of characters and an associated timing element. To access a restricted device or funcion a user enters the correct character sequence according to the correct pace, rhythm, or tempo. The entered sequence and timing elementare compared with stored values and access is granted only if the entered and stored values match. In an alternative embodiment the stored timing element is set, and periodically altered, by a computer or program without consent from the user and visual, auditory, and/or tactile prompts indicate the correct timing element to the user during the authentication process. The meaning of the prompts are provided to the user in advance.
US07653808B2

A system abstraction layer enables selection from among at least two different processor abstraction layer components. By allowing the selection from a plurality of compressed components, better system adaptability may be achieved. For example, updates may be provided so that it is not necessary to update the entire basic input/output system each time a component of the processor abstraction layer needs to be updated. In addition, a variety of different platforms may be supported by one basic input/output system having a plurality of selectable processor abstraction layer component images.
US07653802B2

A computing environment maintains the integrity of data stored in system memory. The system has a memory management unit that maintains a plurality of real page numbers. The system also comprises an address bus in communication with the memory management unit. The address bus comprises a plurality of address lines, wherein a value of at least one address line is set by a real page number from the memory management unit. The system has an operating system that controls memory usage by controlling the real page numbers stored in said page table that is accessed by the memory management unit. At least one security feature such as data encryption is selectively applied to data stored in a page of said memory as enabled by a value of said address line set by said real page number.
US07653799B2

A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing real memory. In response to a request for a page to be moved into real memory, a contiguous range of real memory is reserved for the page corresponding to a contiguous virtual memory range to form a reservation within a plurality of reservations for the real memory. This reservation enables efficient promotion of pages to a larger page size. The page only occupies a portion of the contiguous range of real memory for the reservation. In response to a need for real memory, a selected reservation is released within the plurality of reservations based on an age of the selected reservation within the plurality of reservations.
US07653797B1

A garbage collector can initialize a garbage collection cycle. The cycle can include a mark phase and a sweep phase. The mark phase can traverses a complete set of objects in a heap. The heap can be associated with a virtual application memory including a primary memory and a secondary memory. The virtual application memory can be managed by a virtual memory manager, which moves pages between the primary memory and the secondary memory. Information can be bidirectionally communicated between a garbage collector and the virtual memory manager. A default order in which the objects are evaluated during the mark phase can be altered to minimize paging activity. The altering of the order can be based at least in part upon information obtained from the virtual memory manager.
US07653796B2

A region management method for an information recording medium capable of maintaining data interchangeability among devices and preventing malfunction when one information recording medium shared among devices different in type or number of file systems that can be interpreted by devices is provided. A recording region of the information recording medium is divided into a plurality of regions, and region information such as position and size of each region is held in the information recording medium. Different file systems are constructed in individual data recording regions. In response to a command from an information processing apparatus, accessible regions by the information processing apparatus are changed over by, for example, referring to validity flag information that indicates a presently valid region.
US07653792B2

A disk array apparatus capable of effecting saving and operation of data through a simple construction. When a host computer sets “write inhibit” or “read/write inhibit” for an LDEV which is set on a first storage device, this setting is registered in an access attribute management table and is also reflected onto a migration management table. A migration control program moves the LDEV for which access limitation has been set to a lower-speed (lower-performance) second storage device or to an external storage device. When the access limitation is released, the moved LDEV is restored to the first storage device from the storage device to which the LDEV has been moved. By performing migration control in interlocking relation to control of access attributes, it is possible to obtain a simple data saving function and data management function.
US07653785B2

An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is configured to perform image processing tasks on a printer or other multi-function device. The ASIC includes a processor, a dedicated cache memory, a cache controller and additional Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) normally employed in image processing tasks. This additional SRAM may be dynamically allocated as a cache memory when not otherwise occupied.
US07653778B2

A non-volatile solid-state storage subsystem, such as a non-volatile memory device, maintains usage statistics reflective of the wear state, and thus the remaining useful life, of the subsystem's memory array. A host system reads the usage statistics information, or data derived therefrom, from the subsystem to evaluate the subsystem's remaining life expectancy. The host system may use this information for various purposes, such as to (a) display or report information regarding the remaining life of the subsystem; (b) adjust the frequency with which data is written to the subsystem; and/or (c) select the type(s) of data written to the subsystem.
US07653776B2

A system that selectively couples one or more IC chips to card slots. The system contains a Z-bar switch which includes: a select input; a first IC port coupled to a first IC pin; a second IC port coupled to a second IC pin; a first card slot port coupled to a first card slot pin; and a second card slot port coupled to a second card slot pin. If the select input receives a first control pattern, the Z-bar switch is configured to: couple the first IC port to the first card slot port; and to couple the second IC port to the second card slot port. If the select input receives a second control pattern, the Z-bar switch is configured to: couple the first IC port to the second card slot port; leave the second IC port floating; and to leave the first card slot port floating.
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