US07668123B1
In a network in which a plurality of geographically distributed network access points are connected to a plurality of ports of a network switch, the invention provides a method of determining the location of a network access device within a LAN environment and/or the identity of network access devices or users active at a specified location. The method includes performing one or more SNMP queries on a plurality of ports of said network switch to produce a query output, processing the query output to determine what devices, and thus what users, are active at the different access points of the LAN.
US07668116B2
In one embodiment, a method comprises registering, by a first label switching router having been identified as a root of a prescribed transport tree for transport of a prescribed group of data packets, at least two next hop label switching routers as belonging to the prescribed transport tree based on receiving respective label mapping messages; detecting by the first label switching router a prescribed condition indicating the first label switching router is to be removed from service as the root of the prescribed transport tree; and outputting, by the first label switching router, label distribution protocol messages for the prescribed transport tree to each of the next hop label switching routers determined as belonging to the prescribed transport tree, each label distribution protocol message indicating the first label switching router is to be removed from the service as the root of the prescribed transport tree.
US07668115B2
A switching apparatus for use in a network includes a packet reception processing unit which generates a reply packet as a response to a request packet having a virtual local area network tag and transmitted for a ping test via a network to the switching apparatus, and sets the same priority class in a virtual local area network tag of the reply packet as that in the virtual local area network tag of the request packet, wherein the switching apparatus performs priority control on the reply packet based on the priority class in the virtual local area network tag of the reply packet.
US07668102B2
Method and apparatus to manage retransmissions in a wireless network are described.
US07668094B2
A method and device for synchronization and rate control of media data comprising adaptively computing an offset time using the reference time of a server, a local time of a client, and an associated time for presentation of the data, stamping the offset time on the media data, receiving the offset time stamped media data into a first buffer, processing the offset time stamped media data, computing an altered offset time, including the altered offset time with the processed media data, storing the processed media data in a second buffer, and selectively supplying the processed media data to a presentation sink unit according to the altered offset time, the server reference time, and the associated time of the media data.
US07668093B1
A framework to transition and re-partition information for event processing and downstream processing can be used in a real time system comprising components such as a consumer server, a file control database, an event manager, an event store, and a configurable output stream. The event manager may be a process which can be enhanced through the use of tags which are inserted to provide information for various downstream systems. The configurable output stream can be defined through an application programming interface which is configured to receive a filter to be applied to the output.
US07668090B1
A method and apparatus for setting admission and preemption thresholds in a computer network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving traffic information including a first bandwidth utilization on each link located between ingress nodes and egress nodes based on a traffic matrix with no failures at the nodes or the links, and a second bandwidth utilization on each of the links based on the traffic matrix with planned failures at one or more of the links or the nodes. A preemption-to-admission ratio is calculated based on the first and second bandwidth utilizations on the links. An admission threshold is calculated at one of the links based on the second bandwidth utilization on the link and the preemption-to-admission ratio. At least one of the preemption-to-admission ratio and admission threshold is transmitted to a network device for use in flow admission.
US07668086B2
In a network having a first node and a second node, a method of verifying a lane routing between the first node and the second node. The first node and the second node operate according to a protocol in which: (1) a character is converted to code groups, (2) each code group has a corresponding lane, and (3) the code groups are communicated across the lanes in a parallel manner. A first set of code groups is transmitted from the first node. Preferably, the first set of code groups is different from a set of code groups predefined by the protocol. A second set of code groups is received at the second node. The second set of code groups corresponds to the first set of code groups. A determination is made whether the second set of code groups matches the first set of code groups. An identity of the first set of code groups can be preprogrammed within the second node. Preferably, the first set of code groups has a different code group in each lane. Optionally, the lane routing between the first node and the second node is corrected if the second set of code groups mismatches the first set of code groups.
US07668084B2
In one embodiment, a network comprises a plurality of nodes that are communicatively coupled to one another using bidirectional, half-duplex links. The network has a logical first channel over which data is propagated along the network in a first direction and a logical second channel over which data is propagated along the network in a second direction. For a given period of time, at least one of the plurality of nodes is scheduled to be a transmitting node that transmits data on both the first channel and the second channel. A first subset of the nodes not scheduled to transmit during the period are scheduled to relay data received from the first channel along the first channel. A second subset of the nodes not scheduled to transmit during the period are scheduled to relay data received from the second channel along the second channel. At least one of the nodes not scheduled to transmit during the period does not relay any data on at least one of that node's outbound links for at least one of the first channel and the second channel.
US07668078B2
Methods and apparatus for allocating Walsh codes to support wireless connections over fundicated and supplemental channels are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a Walsh code for an incoming call is selected from a first group of Walsh spaces if any of those Walsh spaces is capable of supporting the incoming call, and selecting a Walsh code from a second group otherwise. If the Walsh space from which the Walsh code is selected is from the second group, it is marked with a time stamp. The disclosed techniques reduce fragmentation in the overall Walsh space caused by random connection and disconnection from the wireless network.
US07668072B2
An information recording medium is at least composed of a substrate having a microscopic pattern constituted by a continuous substrate of grooves formed with a groove portion and a land portion alternately, a recording layer formed on the microscopic pattern for recording information, and a light transmitting layer formed on the recording layer. The microscopic pattern is formed with satisfying a relation of P≦λ/NA, wherein P is a pitch of the land portion or the groove portion, λ is a wavelength of reproducing light for reproducing the recording layer, and NA is a numerical aperture of an objective lens. The land portion is formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other for both sidewalls of the land portion. An auxiliary information based on data used supplementally when recording the information and a reference clock based on a clock used for controlling a recording speed when recording the information is recorded alternately. Information is recorded in the recording layer corresponding to only a land portion by at least either one change of reflectivity difference and refractive index difference in the recording layer so as to be more than 5% for reflectivity and so as to be more than 0.4 for modulated amplitude of signal recording.
US07668062B2
A disk recording medium which can implement a recording method having a high degree of reliability for additional information is disclosed. The disk recording medium has a recording and reproduction region into and from which first data can be recorded and reproduced in accordance with a rewritable or write-once-read-many recording method and from which second data recorded in the form of wobbling of a groove can be reproduced. The second data includes address information and additional information. The additional information of the second data is coded in accordance with a first error correction method, and the coded additional information and the address information are recorded in a state coded in accordance with a second error correction method.
US07668054B2
A method of managing overwrite and a method of recording management information on an optical disc write once can make it possible to perform a logical overwrite on the disc and thus heighten the use efficiency of the disc. The method includes replacement-recording data which is requested to be overwritten in a specified area of the disc where recording is completed in another data area physically separated from the specified area in the disc, and producing and recording management information for reproducing the physically replacement-recorded data.
US07668044B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for simultaneously retrieving data from multiple data acquisition units and for recharging such data acquisition units. The data offload and charging unit comprises a frame that defines stations for holding the data acquisition units and a host computer. A combined power and communications port at each such station is adapted to interface with one of the data acquisition units such that power may flow from the data offload and charger unit to that data acquisition unit and data may flow from that data acquisition unit to the host computer substantially simultaneously. Communications links are provided between the host computer and each combined power and communications port.
US07668042B2
A method for obtaining a seismic wavelet using seismic data in a deviated well includes the steps of: (a) extracting seismic data along the well path; (b) calculating the well path in the time domain; (c) extracting a window of seismic data in the time domain along the well path in the time domain; (d) combining the extracted window of seismic data to obtain a composite seismic trace; and (e) extracting a seismic wavelet using the composite seismic trace.
US07668037B2
A storage array including a local clock buffer with programmable timing provides a mechanism for evaluating circuit timing internal to the storage array. The local clock buffer can independently adjust the pulse width of a local clock that controls the wordline and local bitline precharge pulses and the pulse width of a delayed clock that controls the global bitline precharge, evaluate and read data latching. The delay between the local clock and the delayed clock can also be adjusted. By varying the pulse widths of the local and delayed clock signal, along with the inter-clock delay, the timing margins of each cell in the array can be evaluated by reading and writing the cell with varying pulse width and clock delay. The resulting evaluation can be used to evaluate timing margin variation within a die, as well variation from die-to-die and under varying environments, e.g., voltage and temperature variation.
US07668026B2
A data I/O line control circuit includes a control unit for outputting a control signal after a predetermined time from an activation of a column select signal, and a switching unit for selectively separating a pair of first sub-middle I/O lines, which is coupled to a pair of local I/O lines located at one side of the switching unit, from a pair of second sub-middle I/O lines, which is coupled to both the pair of the local I/O lines and a data bus sense amplifier located at the other side of the switching unit.
US07668023B2
A page buffer circuit of a memory device including a plurality of Multi-Level Cells (MLCs) connected to at least a pair of bit lines includes a Most Significant Bit (MSB) latch, a Least Significant Bit (LSB) latch, a data I/O circuit, an inverted output circuit, a MSB verification circuit, and a LSB verification circuit. The MSB latch is configured to sense a voltage of a sensing node in response to a control signal and store an upper sensing data, and output an inverted upper sensing data, or store an input data and output an inverted input data. The LSB latch is configured to sense a voltage of the sensing node in response to the control signal, and store and output a lower sensing data, or store and output an input data received through the MSB latch. The data I/O circuit is connected to the MSB latch and a data I/O line, and is configured to perform the input and output of a sensing data or the input and output of a program data.
US07668022B2
A device for generating clock signals for use with a plurality of DDR memory devices on a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) board is provided that has a data buffer for buffering data. A clock divider divides a first clock signal (CLK1) having a first clock frequency to generate a second clock signal (CLK20) having a second clock frequency which is an integer multiple of the first clock frequency. A shift register (SH) receives the second clock signal as a data input signal, and comprises a plurality flip-flops having clock inputs coupled to receive the first clock signal (CLK1), and further coupled so that the data output of a preceding flip-flop is coupled to be the data input of a following flip-flop. The second clock signal is shifted through the shift register (SH) in response to the first clock signal (CLK1) to generate a plurality of shifted clock signals (CLK 21, . . . , CLK32) at respective data outputs of the plurality of flip-flops. A multiplexer commonly coupled to the data outputs of the flip-flops selects one of the shifted clock signals (CLK 21, . . . , CLK32) to serve as an output clock signal for transmission of the buffered data to a memory device.
US07668003B2
Disclosed is a DRAM circuit that incorporates an improved reference cell, has half the capacitance of the memory cell, does not require a particular reference voltage, and can be formed using the same fabrication processes as the memory cell. This DRAM circuit comprises a memory cell with a single trench capacitor and a reference cell having two trench capacitors. The two reference cell trench capacitors are connected in series through a merged buried capacitor plate such that they provide half the capacitance of the memory cell trench capacitor. Additionally, the reference cell trench capacitors have essentially the same structure as the memory cell trench capacitor so that they can be formed in conjunction with the memory cell trench capacitor. Also disclosed are a design structure for the above-described memory circuit and a method for forming the above-described memory circuit.
US07667999B2
A method to form a rewriteable nonvolatile memory cell is disclosed, the cell comprising a steering element in series with a carbon nanotube fabric. The steering element is preferably a diode, but may also be a transistor. The carbon nanotube fabric reversibly changes resistivity when subjected to an appropriate electrical pulse. The different resistivity states of the carbon nanotube fabric can be sensed, and can correspond to distinct data states of the memory cell. A first memory level of such memory cells can be monolithically formed above a substrate, a second memory level monolithically formed above the first, and so on, forming a highly dense monolithic three dimensional memory array of stacked memory levels.
US07667998B2
A PRAM and method of forming the same are disclosed. In various embodiments, the PRAM includes a lower insulation layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, a phase change material pattern formed on the lower insulation layer and a heating electrode contacting the phase change material pattern. The heating electrode can be formed of a material having a positive temperature coefficient such that specific resistance of the material increases as a function of temperature.
US07667982B2
An LSI package includes an interface module having first and second surfaces and including a wiring board having a first through hole, a driver selectively provided on the second surface, a transmission line connected to the driver, and a first terminal formed on the second surface and connected to the driver, an interposer having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface, and including a signal processor and a second terminal provided on the third surface, a third terminal provided on the fourth surface and a second through hole, the third surface facing the second surface except a region where the driver portion is provided. The interposer is arranged so that the first through hole matches with the second through hole, and a movable guide pin is inserted into the first and second through holes to position the interface module and the interposer.
US07667980B2
Printed circuit boards for countering signal distortion are disclosed that include: a conductive pathway on a printed circuit board between a transmitter and a receiver, the conductive pathway comprised of traces and vias connected together for conductive transfer of a signal from the transmitter to the receiver; a parasitic element on the printed circuit board, the parasitic element having a parasitic effect that distorts the signal; and one or more passive elements mounted adjacent to the conductive pathway without connecting to the conductive pathway, the passive elements having a corrective effect to reduce the distortion from the parasitic effect on the signal.
US07667974B2
A module that can not only achieve the reduction in size and manufacturing cost but also be impervious to noise due to electromagnetic waves, and a mounted structure using the same are provided. A module (1) includes a substrate (12) and a plurality of semiconductor packages (11a, 11b), each including a semiconductor chip (10), mounted on the substrate (12). Each of the plurality of semiconductor packages (11a, 11b) includes a first radio communication element (16) for transmitting and receiving a signal between the semiconductor chips (10) in the plurality of semiconductor packages (11a, 11b) by radio communication, and the first radio communication element (16) is constituted independently of the semiconductor chip (10).
US07667965B2
An acoustically absorptive panel is provided configured to reside above multiple electronics racks disposed in a row within a data center. The acoustically absorptive panel is configured to extend a height above the multiple electronics racks sufficient to at least partially block hot air recirculation from one or more air outlet sides of the multiple electronics racks to one or more air inlet sides of the electronics racks. The acoustically absorptive panel includes an acoustically absorptive material selected to attenuate noise, and in one embodiment, includes printed material on at least one side thereof related to one or more of the multiple electronics racks.
US07667960B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing having a receptacle, a disk drive removably housed in the receptacle of the housing, and a shock-absorbing rubber member, which is elastically deformable and interposed between the receptacle and the disk drive. The shock-absorbing rubber member is provided on the disk drive and has a pickup portion on which a user puts fingers when the disk drive is to be removed out of the receptacle. The pickup portion is formed integral with the shock-absorbing rubber member.
US07667959B2
A foldable device has a hinge to allow it to be opened or closed. The hinge has two shafts separately secured to two panels of the foldable device. Each shaft has a coupling section with a recess on the shaft surface. A substantially planar spring having two curved sections is used to join the shafts through the corresponding coupling sections. Each curved section has a protruding portion on the inner diameter of the curved section. When the foldable device is in the closed position, the protruding portion in the second curved section is engaged in the recess of the second shaft, while the first curved section is disengaged from the recess of the first shaft. The foldable device can be opened toward a locking position where both protruding portions are engaged in the respective recesses. At any position, the hinge is rotated around only one of the shafts.
US07667947B2
An operating control device, such as for an appliance, is disclosed comprising sensor elements with a capacitive sensing function, the elements being located underneath a metallic surface that is used as the operating field. An insulating layer is situated between the elements and the metallic surface. When pressure is applied to the metallic surface the capacitance of the sensor element is altered by capacitive coupling. This alteration of capacitance can be determined by a corresponding evaluation circuit or the like for detecting activation of the device.
US07667945B2
The present invention relates to a bipolar carrier wafer and a mobile, bipolar electrostatic wafer arrangement. Carrier wafers and wafer arrangements of this type can be used in particular in the field of handling technology of semiconductor wafers. The carrier wafer according to the invention serves for mounting a disc-shaped semiconductor component. It has a first surface (2a) as front-side and a second surface (2b) which is situated opposite the first surface (2a) as rear-side. The carrier wafer is configured such that it has a carrier layer (2), an electrically insulating cover layer (3) which surrounds the carrier layer and an electrically conductive layer (4), the latter being disposed on the electrically insulating cover layer and being structured in at least two regions which are separated from each other electrically as electrodes. Electrical contacts are disposed on the rear-side (2b) of the carrier wafer, these electrical contacts being connected to the two electrodes disposed on the front-side (2a). On the electrically conductive layer (4), in addition an electrically insulating cover layer (8) is disposed which covers both the front-side (2a) and the edge of the carrier wafer between the front-side (2a) and the rear-side (2b).
US07667940B2
Power switching apparatus comprising switch means having a control terminal and output terminals for connection in series between a power supply and a load. The switch means is responsive to a control signal applied to the control terminal to switch between an ON-state in which it supplies power supply current from the power supply through the output terminals to the load and an OFF-state in which it interrupts the supply of power through the output terminals to the load. The apparatus includes detection means for detecting an open-load condition of the load at least during the ON-state of the switch means, comprising detection control means operable in the ON-state of the switch means for modifying the control signal so as to start switching the switch means to the OFF-state during a lapse of time substantially less than the time required for the switch means to reach the OFF-state and for restoring the control signal to a value corresponding to the ON-state at or before the end of the lapse of time, and comparator means responsive to variation of voltage at the output terminals during the lapse of time. The duration of the variation of voltage during the open-load detection is too short and its magnitude too small for the variation of load current to be perceptible, notably in the case where the load is a lamp.
US07667939B2
A bus driver device is provided with a bus driver circuit connected to a bus line and a overvoltage protection section connected between the bus line and a power supply line. The overvoltage protection section has an overvoltage protection function for the bus line. Further, the bus driver device is provided with a switching circuit for on/off-controlling the overvoltage protection function based on a voltage of the bus line and a voltage of the power supply wiring.
US07667937B2
A control device for an electronic domestic appliance has a control panel of an electrically conducting material and an electronic control system with a mains-connected circuit and a circuit that is galvanically separated from the mains. To protect the electronic control system from electrostatic discharges the control panel is grounded by way of an electrical connection between the control panel and the circuit that is galvanically separated from the mains and also an electrical connection between the galvanically separated circuit and the mains-connected circuit. The latter electrical connection between the galvanically separated circuit and the mains-connected circuit has at least one protection impedance.
US07667934B1
A read system for a hard disk drive comprising a disk having magnetic fields. The read system comprises a read element, a bias source, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The resistance of the read element changes based on the magnetic fields. The bias source applies a bias level to the read element. The temperature sensor generates a temperature signal indicative of a head ambient temperature. The controller adapts the bias level based on the temperature signal.
US07667933B2
A magnetic oscillating device including a first magnetic resonance layer with a first magnetic resonance frequency f1, a second magnetic resonance layer with a second magnetic resonance frequency f2 higher than the first magnetic resonance frequency f1, a nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the first magnetic resonance layer and the second magnetic resonance layer, and a pair of electrodes which supplies a current perpendicularly to film planes of the first and second magnetic resonance layers, in which a difference (f2−f1) between the two magnetic resonance frequencies is larger than half a resonance line width of the first magnetic resonance layer, and a ratio of the two magnetic resonance frequencies f2/f1 is 1.6 or less.
US07667921B2
A suspension having a magnetic head assembly 1 mounted thereon is provided, wherein the magnetic head assembly comprises: a write head 1-2; a read head 1-1; and a resistive heating element 1-3 for controlling the flying heights of the magnetic heads, wherein the wires HTx and GTx for the resistive heating element is disposed such that they sandwich the wires RxX and RxY for the read head. The wires for the resistive heating element may be disposed between the wires for the write head and the wires for the read head. Furthermore, the waveform of the current or voltage to the resistive heating element has a time constant of 1 μsec or more, the resistive heating element having wires disposed near the wires of the read head.
US07667918B2
Provided is a highly reliable disk array device. Specifically, this disk array device has a number of hard disk drives for respectively storing data, and which converts a first direct voltage supplied to each of the hard disk drives via a common power supply bus into a second direct voltage required by the hard disk drives at each of the hard disk drives, wherein each of the hard disk drives includes a voltage converter for converting the first direct voltage into the second direct voltage; a control unit for controlling the voltage converter so as to suppress the fluctuation of the second direct voltage based on the second direct voltage output from the voltage converter; and a response characteristics switching unit for switching the response characteristics of the control unit against the fluctuation of the second direct voltage so as to improve the response characteristics of the control unit against the fluctuation of the second direct voltage when a transitional voltage fluctuation of the second direct voltage occurs.
US07667907B2
A camera module includes a lens barrel, an image sensor, a holder and a driving member. The lens barrel and the image sensor are received in the holder. At least one magnet is arranged on the outer wall of the holder. The driving member includes a spherical casing, a plurality of induction coils and a control unit. The casing has an opening for entry of the holder. The plurality of induction coils is mounted on the inner wall of the spherical casing. The control unit is received in the spherical casing. The control unit is electrically connected with the induction coils. The control unit is configured for controlling the electric current through the induction coils to form an electromagnetic field, thus a magnetism is generated between the at least magnet and the electromagnetism.
US07667904B2
An editable instrument assembly (100) for a vehicle. The editable instrument assembly includes a plurality of lenses (110), each lens having an icon (112) disposed thereon and a lens frame (108). The lens frame is adapted to removably receive each of the plurality of lenses. The editable instrument assembly also includes an instrument panel (102) comprising a lens frame receiving assembly (160) for removably and slidably receiving the lens frame with the plurality of lenses.
US07667902B2
A pickup lens is provided with various aberrations corrected satisfactorily, with a short optical length, and with a sufficient back focus secured. The configuration comprises an aperture diaphragm S1, first lens L1, second lens L2, and third lens L3, and is configured by arranging, in order from the object side to the image side, the aperture diaphragm, first lens, second lens, and third lens. The first lens is a lens having positive refractive power, in a meniscus shape with the convex surface on the object side. The second lens is a lens having negative refractive power, in a meniscus shape with the convex surface on the image side. The third lens is a lens having negative refractive power, in a meniscus shape with the convex surface on the object side. Both of the surfaces of the first lens are aspherical, both of the surfaces of the second lens are aspherical, and both of the surfaces of the third lens are aspherical.
US07667900B2
Providing a zoom lens system excellently correcting various aberrations with accomplishing to be compact, lightweight, and slim upon being accommodated, and to provide an optical apparatus using the zoom lens system. The system consists of, in order from an object, a first group G1 having negative power, a second group G2 having positive power. Upon zooming from a wide-angle end W to a telephoto end T, a distance between the first group G1 and the second group G2 decreases. The first group G1 consists of, in order from the object, a first lens L1 having negative power and a second lens L2 having positive power. The second group G2 consists of, in order from the object, a third lens L3 having positive power, a fourth lens L4 having negative power, and a fifth lens L5 having positive power. Given conditions are satisfied.
US07667899B2
A positive first lens group G1, a negative second lens group G2, an aperture diaphragm St, a positive third lens group G3, and a positive fourth lens group G4 are sequentially arranged, and a movement of the lens groups and the aperture diaphragm St during zooming is optimized in combination with an appropriate conditional expression. During zooming, a position of the aperture diaphragm St on an optical axis at a wide-angle end is closer to an image plane than that at a telephoto end, and a space on the optical axis at the wide-angle end between the aperture diaphragm St and the third lens group G3 is larger than that at the telephoto end, thereby suppressing the length of the whole lens. Also, heights of rays passing through the first lens group G1 are lowered, thereby suppressing the lens diameter of the first lens group G1.
US07667888B2
An acousto-optic modulator includes an acousto-optic bulk medium. A transducer is attached to the acousto-optic bulk medium and formed as a linear array of electrodes. A transducer driver is connected to each electrode and comprises a plurality of amplifiers connected to the electrodes such that each electrode is driven by a respective amplifier as a means to provide a low cost alternative to the use of higher power hybrid amplifiers in conventional AO device applications.
US07667876B2
An apparatus, method, system, and computer program and product, each capable of generating normalized image data from original image data are disclosed. To generate the normalized image data, feature information is extracted from the original image data, and predetermined image processing is applied to the original image data using the feature information.
US07667871B1
In some embodiments, techniques for voting and visual cryptography may include various enhancements.
US07667865B2
In a printing method, a user at a user terminal (10) having a physically connected mobile device (20) including non-volatile storage constructs an incomplete print job envelope (32) and completing data (34). The completing data (34) are stored on the non-volatile storage of the mobile device (20). The incomplete print job envelope (32) is communicated to a printing device (12). The mobile device (20) is physically disconnected from the user terminal (10), and physically connected with the printing device (12) to reconstruct the print job at the printing device (12) from the incomplete print job envelope (32) and the completing data (34).
US07667863B1
A method for preparing a modified cover for a publication that includes scanning the original cover and modifying the scanned cover to include desired indicia. The modified cover is then printed and installed upon the original publication. Alternately, the publication may received electronically and the file containing the cover modified and replaced in the publication. The publication with the modified file is then distributed electronically.
US07667858B2
A process step in fabricating a structure on a wafer in a wafer application having one or more process steps and one or more process parameters is controlled by determining a correlation between a set of profile models and one or more key profile shape variables. Each profile model is defined using a set of profile parameters to characterize the shape of the structure. Different sets of profile parameters define the profile models in the set. The one or more key profile shape variables include one or more profile parameters or one or more process parameters. One profile model is selected from the set of profile models based on the correlation and a value of at least one key profile shape variable of the process of the wafer application to be used in fabricating the structure. The structure is fabricated in a first fabrication process cluster using the process step and the value of the at least one key profile shape variable. A measured diffraction signal is obtained off the structure. One or more profile parameters of the structure are determined based on the measured diffraction signal and the selected profile model. The one or more determined profile parameters are transmitted to the first fabrication process cluster or a second fabrication process cluster.
US07667852B2
In one embodiment, an interferometer system comprises an unequal path interferometer assemble comprising; a first reference flat having a first length L1 in a first dimension, a second reference flat having a second length L2 in the first dimension, a cavity D1 defined by a distance between the first reference flat and the second reference flat, and a receptacle to receive an object in the cavity such that an optical path remains open between the first reference flat and the second reference flat, and a radiation targeting assembly to direct a collimated radiation beam to the interferometer assembly, a radiation collecting assembly to collect radiation received from the interferometer assembly, and a controller comprising logic to; vary a wavelength of the collimated radiation beam, record interferograms formed by a plurality of surfaces, extract phases of each of the interferograms for each of the plurality of surfaces to produce multiple phase maps, and determine each phase map from its corresponding interferogram, using a weighted least-square algorithm.
US07667848B2
Disclosed is an imaging apparatus for infrared nonlinear molecular vibrational microscopy.
US07667847B2
A photogrammetric system uses an array of spaced-apart targets coupled to a structure. Each target exhibits fluorescence when exposed to a broad beam of illumination. A photogrammetric imaging system located remotely with respect to the structure detects and processes the fluorescence (but not the illumination wavelength) to measure the shape of a structure.
US07667840B2
The present invention provides a particle measuring system which is provided in a processing system that generates an atmosphere obtained by exhausting air or a gas in a processing chamber by a vacuum pump and applies a process concerning semiconductor manufacture to a wafer W in the atmosphere, attached to an exhaust pipe which connects an exhaust opening of the processing chamber with the vacuum pump, and measures the number of the particles in the exhaust gas, and a measuring method thereof, the system and method providing a processing system and a cleaning method which terminate etching process by determining an end point based on the number of the particles in the exhaust gas and perform cleaning of unnecessary films.
US07667834B2
A method and a configuration for automatically or visually detecting material defects, in particular cracks, in a workpiece, includes applying a test agent to the workpiece. The test agent contains color pigments which can be excited by using shortwave light. The workpiece is then irradiated with shortwave light from a light source, light emitted by the workpiece is detected by an observer's eye or by a detector, and the signals from the detector are evaluated by an electronic evaluation device in order to determine the material defects. The light source is associated with a first optical interference filter which selects the light emitted by the light source, as a bandpass filter, before the light impinges on the workpiece.
US07667832B2
Systems and methods for identifying refractive-index fluctuations of a target are described in this application. One embodiment includes identifying one or more properties of emergent light, the emergent light to be emergent from a target, and determining refractive-index fluctuations of the target based on the one or more properties of the emergent light. The determining refractive-index fluctuations further comprises determining one or more of the variance of the refractive-index fluctuations and the spatial correlation length of the refractive-index fluctuations. The determining refractive-index fluctuations further comprises determining one or more of the variance of the refractive-index fluctuations and the spatial correlation length of the refractive-index fluctuations.
US07667829B2
An optical property measurement apparatus is equipped with an optical system unit that selectively places an opening section for passing illumination light, a microlens array for measuring wavefront aberration, and a polarization detection system for measuring a polarization state of the illumination light on an optical path of the illumination light. Accordingly an illumination shape and a size of an illumination optical system, wavefront aberration of a projection optical system and a polarization state of the illumination light can be measured together. Therefore, for example, even when exposure is performed with polarized illumination that is a type of modified illumination, highly-accurate exposure can be achieved by adjusting various optical systems based on the measurement results.
US07667826B2
A Doppler velocimeter apparatus and method of forming same. In one implementation a coherent light source is used for generating a beam of coherent light. An optical fiber receives the beam of coherent light. The optical fiber has an output face that is generally flat, thus enabling a first portion of the beam of coherent light to be reflected back on the optical fiber and to form a frequency offset, while a second portion of the beam of coherent light exits the optical fiber. A mechanism is used to move the output face of the optical fiber in an oscillating fashion so that the first portion of coherent light reflected back on the optical fiber produces an oscillating waveform that forms a frequency offset. An optical element receives the second portion of light from the face of the optical fiber and transmits it to a subject, and then receives a reflected optical signal back from the subject. The reflected optical signal, when mixed with the oscillating frequency offset, produces a Doppler shift that is dependent on the motion of the subject. A processing subsystem processes the mixed signal and determines the Doppler shift of the reflected signal.
US07667824B1
A range-gated shearography system and related methods. Implementations of range-gated shearography systems may include a laser light source, at least one imaging detector coupled to the laser light source, a shearing interferometer coupled to the at least one imaging detector, and a ranging detector coupled to the laser light source. A method of range-gating a shearography system may include emitting laser light, determining a range interval for at least one object, receiving reflected laser light from the at least one object through a shearing interferometer from the range interval, and collecting at least one shearography image.
US07667820B2
An amount of oxides in an apparatus having a chamber containing an amount of contamination material and an amount of the oxides, the oxides being oxides of the contamination material, is reduced. In the method, a hydrogen containing gas is provided in at least part of the chamber. A predetermined minimum partial hydrogen gas pressure and a predetermined maximum partial oxidants pressure is established in the chamber. In the chamber, a temperature is maintained which is at least higher than a temperature at which, in thermodynamic equilibrium given the predetermined maximum partial oxidants and minimum partial hydrogen gas pressures as established, the amount of contamination material is at least 10 times higher than the amount of oxides.
US07667818B2
A variable focus liquid crystal lens includes a nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture having a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure, and an electrode for applying a substantially uniform voltage to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture. The lens is created within a cell by applying a substantially uniform electric field to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture within the cell, while simultaneously irradiating the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture using a laser beam having a shaped intensity distribution, so as to induce formation of a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure within the cell.
US07667815B2
A multi-panel monitor displaying system has a multi-panel monitor supported by one integrated Liquid Crystal Display Glass Module (LGM). The multi-panel monitor contains visually un-detective gaps between panels and, therefore, can provide viewers with high quality visual effect with low productive cost. A set of LGM technologies is utilized to re-design and integrate a plurality of LGMs. After integration, image rotation is also required by the multi-monitor displaying system to ensure perfect image displays.
US07667813B2
A multi-domain liquid crystal display (LCD) device including first and second substrates facing each other, gate and data lines crossing each other on the first substrate to thereby form a pixel region, a pixel electrode formed in the pixel region of the first substrate, a laser-irradiated groove having a predetermined width and depth in the surface of the second substrate, a common electrode formed in the second substrate having a predetermined step coverage generated by the surface of the second substrate and the groove, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates.
US07667809B2
A liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the device where the device can control a viewing angle in all directions without forming a white pixel. The liquid crystal display device includes a display control region that is controlled such that liquid crystal molecules are inclined and a viewing-angle control region that is controlled such that liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a horizontal or vertical direction, where a control voltage is supplied through a viewing angle control line independent of a common line for the display control region.
US07667805B2
An array substrate includes a pixel electrode, a thin-film transistor (TFT) and a storage line. The pixel electrode has a first electrode portion, a second electrode portion and a connecting electrode portion to electrically connect the first and second electrode portions to each other. The second electrode portion is spaced apart from the first electrode portion by a predetermined distance in a first direction. The TFT is electrically connected to the pixel electrode to drive the pixel electrode. The storage line overlaps a portion of the pixel electrode and has an asymmetric connecting electrode closer to the second electrode portion than to the first electrode portion.
US07667804B2
An in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display (LCD) device, comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate; gate lines and data lines formed on the first substrate and crossing each other to form unit pixel regions; a switching device formed at each crossing of the gate lines and the data lines; at least one common electrode and pixel electrode arranged horizontally on the first substrate and generating a horizontal electric field; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein when a maximum voltage is applied to the at least one common electrode and pixel electrode, a maximum twist angle between liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer is about 90°. Also, the liquid crystal molecules forming the liquid crystal layer include a liquid crystal molecule having a positive dielectric anisotropy and a liquid crystal molecule having a negative dielectric anisotropy.
US07667799B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a LCD device using the same are provided. The LCD panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, an optical filter layer and a color conversion layer. The first substrate and the second substrate correspond to each other and seal the liquid crystal layer. Several pixels are constituted by the first substrate and the second substrate. The optical filter layer is disposed on the first substrate for a first color light to pass through. The color conversion layer is disposed at the second substrate. The color conversion layer has a first color conversion area, a second color conversion area and a passing area in each pixel, such that a second color light and a third color light are produced after the first color light passes through the first color conversion area and the second color conversion area, respectively.
US07667795B2
A color filter substrate, including a substrate, a light shielding layer, a color filter layer, a conductive layer, first and second spacers, is provided. The substrate has a displaying area and a dummy area. The light shielding layer is disposed on the substrate. The color filter layer is disposed on the substrate and covers the light shielding layer. The color filter layer has at least one first concave in the dummy area. The conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and covers the color filter layer and the light shielding layer. The first spacers are disposed on the conductive layer and are in the dummy area. Each first spacer has a fixing part and a supporting part. And the fixing part is disposed in the first concave. A through hole is in each first spacer. The second spacers are disposed on the conductive layer and are in the displaying area.
US07667794B2
The color element-equipped substrate of the present invention has a support base, a bank formed on the base that demarcates a pixel region, and a color element formed in the pixel region by depositing droplets of a liquid material in the pixel region. The bank demarcates the pixel region such that the pixel region has a undulated portion. In the color element-equipped substrate, the liquid material can be applied to the entire pixel region.
US07667791B2
Disclosed is an ultraviolet absorbing glass for fluorescent lamps which is composed of a borosilicate glass containing, in mass %, 60 to 80% of SiO2, 1 to 7% of Al2O3, 10 to 25% of B2O3, 3 to 15% of Li2O+Na2O+K2O, 0 to 5% of CaO+MgO+BaO+SrO+ZnO, 0.001 to 0.05% of Fe2O3, 0.1 to 5% of CeO2, 0.01 to 5% of SnO+SnO2 and 0.01 to 5% of ZrO2+ZnO+Nb2O5, and having an average linear expansion coefficient in a range of 36 to 57×10−7/° C. at 0 to 300° C. defined in JIS R 3102.
US07667789B2
A backlight unit which includes a structure in which the sensitivity of a light sensor for detecting color reproducibility of white light is increased, and a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device having the same. The backlight unit includes a light source which generates light, a light guide plate which guides the light incident from the light source, a light sensor which detects the light emitted from the light guide plate and a mold frame which receives the light source, the light guide plate, and the light sensor. The mold frame includes a receiving recess which receives the light sensor, and a light sensing structure formed on a sidewall thereof being in contact with a side of the light guide plate which reflects the light emitted from the light guide plate and provides the light emitted from the light guide plate to the light sensor.
US07667786B2
Backlight with which the uniformity of brightness within a display area of a concavely curved liquid crystal display device is improved while fulfilling the demand for slimmer liquid-crystal display devices, as well as curved liquid-crystal display device including such a backlight. The shape of a frame, an optical sheet, and a scattering plate constituting the backlight unit is the same concavely curved shape as that of the concavely curved panel; and the liquid-crystal panel, the optical sheet, and cold-cathode luminescent lamps are arranged such that the concavely curved panel, the surface of a frame constituting the backlight unit that faces the concavely curved panel, an optical sheet surface, and a surface including the tube center axes of a plurality of cold-cathode luminescent lamps are parallel to each other.
US07667783B2
Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for head mounted stereoscopic 3-D display devices using the tunable focus liquid crystal micro-lens array eye to produce eye accommodation information. A liquid crystal display panel displays stereoscopic images and uses tunable liquid crystal micro-lens array to change the diopter of the display pixels to provide eye accommodation information. The head mounted display device includes a planar display screen, planar tunable liquid crystal micro-lens array and planar black mask. The display device may optionally include a bias lens. In an embodiment, the display device also includes a backlight and a prism sheet for displaying the images on the display screen. The display screen, tunable liquid crystal micro-lens array, black mask and optional backlight and prism may be flat or curved.
US07667782B2
A rear cover made of resin of the liquid crystal television is integrally formed to extend to a printed circuit board at a vicinity of a position in correspondence with an electronic part of the printed circuit board and at a vicinity of a center of a accommodating portion of a rear cover and includes a boss having a screw inserting hole at a front end thereof. By inserting and fastening a screw for fixing a frame made of a metal of a liquid crystal display panel and the printed circuit board into the screw inserting hole of the boss of the rear cover, the frame made of a metal of the liquid crystal display panel and the printed circuit board and the rear cover made of resin are fixed.
US07667778B2
For a pixel of interest whose motion vector is not acquired in processing in the subsequent stage, motion vectors found for peripheral pixels around the pixel of interest in the processing in the subsequent stage, and evaluated values which represent the reliabilities of compensating candidate vectors, each consisting of a zero vector or the like, are calculated. The calculated evaluated values are compared, and a compensating candidate vector determined to have the highest probability is selectively acquired as the motion vector of the pixel of interest. The present invention is applicable to a signal processing apparatus for performing frame frequency conversion from a 24P signal to a 60P signal.
US07667771B2
A reproduction system reproduces interlaced video data in a deinterlaced form. The system selects a deinterlacing algorithm used to process the interlaced video data. The deinterlaced video data is sent to a display device. The reproduction system responds to a manual or automated input that selects a deinterlacing algorithm.
US07667770B2
In a television set, image quality is adjusted in accordance with parameters calculated on the basis of adjustment values used in the past, depending on a feature of an image and an environmental status. A weight calculator determines a weight depending on the manner in which a user performs a volume control operation. A cumulative weight memory outputs a cumulative weight corresponding to the feature value. Output volume values used in past are stored in a volume value generator. The volume value generator calculates output volume values corresponding to a feature value on the basis of parameters indicating final adjustment values, the feature value, the weight, and the cumulative weight. The calculated volume values are stored in the volume value generator. Under the control of a system controller, the volume values stored in the volume value generator are output to a coefficient generator.
US07667766B2
A light module associated with the camera provides flash light having a spectral content that is adjustable according to one or more drive signals. The light module includes one or more emitters of light of at least two different colors that are individually accessible to the one or more drive signals. The flash light is a mixture of the light from the one or more emitters.
US07667764B2
An image sensing apparatus is constructed in such a manner that a calculation priority setter 5111 (5111a) sets a priority between exposure amount control by an exposure amount control parameter calculator 511 (511a) serving as exposure amount controller, and dynamic range control by a dynamic range control parameter calculator 512 (512a) serving as dynamic range controller. Exposure control is executed by performing the exposure amount control and the dynamic range control based on a photoelectric conversion characteristic, by using exposure evaluation values detected by an evaluation value detector 405, based on the priority set by the calculation priority setter 5111 (5111a). This arrangement provides an image sensing apparatus capable of performing exposure control with high latitude, wherein a user is allowed to capture a subject in an optimal exposure state, with an appropriate dynamic range being secured, and control primarily based on the exposure amount control or control primarily based on the dynamic range control is performed on the priority basis.
US07667753B2
An image sensor includes a matrix of active pixels (PXA). A pair of sampling capacitors (C1) and (C2) per matrix column processes the information delivered by the active pixel matrix. Each matrix column further includes a differential amplifier configured in follower mode connected between the pixels of the column and the pair of sampling capacitors via a pair of switches (I1) and (I2).
US07667752B2
Imaging sensors having dual-port for digital readout to pipeline readout processes of two different groups of pixels.
US07667751B2
Systems, methods and devices related to detection and transmitting images. Imaging systems and devices, as well as methods of using such that are provided herein include flicker detection and/or correction; and/or built-in self test associated with various analog circuitry in the imaging devices; and/or power reduction ability; and/or pixels with charge evacuation functionality; and/or a parallel to serial conversion unit and associated serial output interface; and/or other advanced functionality.
US07667745B2
A signal detecting system for reading a charge signal from an image recording medium includes a signal storing circuit, a first low-pass filter into which the charge signals stored in the signal storing circuit are input, a first sample hold circuit which sample-holds the charge signal passing through the first low-pass filter, a second low-pass filter into which the charge signals stored in the signal storing circuit are input, a second sample hold circuit which sample-holds a reference level signal when the input of the charge signal passing through the second low-pass filter is at a reference potential, a difference circuit which outputs as an image signal the difference between the charge signal and the reference level signal, and a controller which controls the initiating timings of the sample hold circuits so that the initiating timing of the first sample hold circuit is earlier than that of the other.
US07667741B2
Provided is a device and method for taking a still picture and recording a moving picture. The device includes a user interface unit for generating a user input instruction to record the moving picture, and a user input instruction to take the still picture while recording the moving picture; a moving picture recorder for compressing the still pictures into the moving picture, and recording the compressed picture; a camera picture capturing unit for, when there is the user input instruction to take the still picture while recording the moving picture, capturing the still picture; a camera controller for controlling an operation of a camera, and an operation of the camera picture capturing unit; a take-while-record setting unit for storing information on picture-taking; and a controller for generating a signal for controlling to detect the user input instruction to take the still picture while recording the moving picture, and take the still picture while recording the moving picture.
US07667734B2
A single IC-chip includes a video processor, a panel processor, an OSD circuit, a CPU, and a timing controller. A memory 18 stores one test pattern datum that is formed of one font datum of X dots in width and Y dots in height in order to test the position of any bright point, dark point, bright line or dark line on the screen of the liquid crystal panel. At a test step, the CPU acquires the test pattern datum from the memory, and a test pattern is created by the OSD circuit so as to display the test pattern at any desired position on the screen of the liquid crystal panel and to simultaneously display the address values of the origin of the display position of the test pattern.
US07667729B2
There are provided a multi-point conference system and a multi-point conference device capable of using an SIP terminal as a conference terminal and clearly and smoothly performing speaker switching without requesting a conference terminal to transmit an intra frame when a speaker is detected. The multi-point connection device includes an image processing unit for accumulating in a memory (13), image data from the conference terminal participating in the conference, and decoding the image data on the speaker accumulated in the memory (13) and re-encoding the decoded image upon detection of a speaker in a medium processing unit (15). Upon switching of a speaker, the image processing unit re-encodes the first image as an intra frame and transmits the image data to conference terminals other than that of the speaker, so that the conference terminals other than that of the speaker can perform decoding from the intra frame, thereby clearly and smoothly performing the speaker switching.
US07667721B2
A gray-scale conversion means (10) converts the gray scale of an input video signal (100) as necessary, and outputs the video signal with the converted gray scale. A statistical processing means (13) detects a statistical property of each field or frame of the input video signal; a scene change detection means (16) detects scene changes in the input video signal. A conversion characteristic determination means (22) determines the gray-scale conversion characteristic according to outputs of the statistical processing means (13) and the scene change detection means (16). The gray-scale correction increases contrast regardless of image content, and enables faster response to changes in image content.
US07667719B2
The present invention is directed to a method and system for continuously displaying image pages of digital content which are available over a network. More specifically, the method and system enables a user to view image pages in a continuous manner while a limited number of image pages are being downloaded at a given time. Several image pages which are adjacent to the image page(s) the user is currently viewing may be stored in temporary memory. The image pages in the temporary memory are utilized so that, within the image pages, the user can move the displayed image pages up and down without experiencing any discontinuation. In order to ensure continuous display throughout the entire digital content, the next possible set of image pages is constantly determined and obtained to update the current set of image pages in the temporary memory.
US07667718B2
An image scaling circuit and a method for scaling an image into images with different ratios are provided. The image scaling circuit includes a line buffer memory apparatus, a line buffer control apparatus, a first and a second scaling circuit. The first scaling circuit is coupled to the line buffer memory apparatus, and performs a first image scaling interpolation operation on the data output by the line buffer memory apparatus. The second scaling circuit is coupled to the line buffer memory apparatus, and performs a second image scaling interpolation operation on the data output by the line buffer memory apparatus. The line buffer control apparatus is coupled to the line buffer memory apparatus, the first scaling circuit and the second scaling circuit, for controlling the line buffer memory apparatus to receive or output a scan line data according to the operation status of the first and second scaling circuits.
US07667711B2
An image processing system, a method thereof, and a recording medium thereof are disclosed. The image processing system includes a command converting unit for reading object information contained in a drawing command, and generating an attribute image; a resolution reducing unit for generating a low-resolution attribute image and a mixture flag that indicates that two or more objects are intermingled in a block of, e.g., 4×4 pixels; and a storing unit for storing a RGB image compressed by a compressing unit, the low-resolution attribute image, and the mixture flag.
US07667705B2
A game developer can “tag” an item in the game environment. When an animated character walks near the “tagged” item, the animation engine can cause the character's head to turn toward the item, and mathematically computes what needs to be done in order to make the action look real and normal. The tag can also be modified to elicit an emotional response from the character. For example, a tagged enemy can cause fear, while a tagged inanimate object may cause only indifference or indifferent interest.
US07667692B2
A human interface configured to optimize a biomechanical effect of a human user's opposing thumb and fingers by including, on one surface, one or more software configurable input elements manipulatable by a user's thumb(s) or a stylus, and, on another surface, one or more software configurable selection elements manipulatable by a user's finger(s). A selection element may be a pressure sensor pad configurable to represent delineated active areas that are mapped to one or more input functions. Shape changing media may be provided to permit a user to tactilely discriminate between delineated active areas. Tactile feedback may be provided to a user through palpable detents, vibratory or force producing units. Inputting data may include mapping each selection element to a shift function, mapping each input element to text functions, and using the selection elements to shift between text functions associated with an input element to input a desired text function.
US07667689B2
A mouse device includes a mouse main body, a roller, a rolling shaft and a switching mechanism. The roller is disposed within the mouse main body and partially protruded from the mouse main body. The rolling shaft is sheathed by the roller and has plural saw-toothed structures on the periphery thereof. The witching mechanism includes a metallic piece stand a first resilient element, a metallic piece, an indentation, a push rod and a fixing hook. By means of the switching mechanism, the mouse device is operated in a clicking-feel-imparting mode or a clicking-feel-lacking mode.
US07667685B2
An operations panel is disclosed that comprises plural operations blocks attached to a main body of an electronic apparatus; a selection information output unit that outputs a selection information item indicating a selection item selected in the operations block; a display operations block that is removably attachable to the main body, including a display unit that shows display selection items used for selecting operational functions, a selection detecting unit that detects the selected display selection item, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to show the selection items corresponding to the operations blocks together with the display selection item when the display operations block is removed from the main body; and a selection information retrieving unit that retrieves, as the selection information item, a selection result detected by the selection detecting unit of the display operations block removed from the main body.
US07667684B2
A method for manufacturing a full color, reflective display includes the steps of depositing a first plurality of electrophoretic display elements in substantial registration with a first electrode and a second plurality of electrophoretic display elements in substantial registration with a second electrode. The electrophoretic display elements include a capsule containing a species of particles dispersed in a suspending fluid. The selective deposition of the display elements can be achieved by ink-jet printing methods, screen printing methods or other printing methods. In some embodiments the electrodes are printed onto the substrate before selective deposition of the display elements, while in other embodiments the substrate is provided having the electrodes already disposed on it. In still other embodiments, the sequence of printing of electrodes and electrophoretic display elements can be varied.
US07667678B2
In one embodiment, the present invention, one or more light modulating elements are controlled by a method comprising the following steps: controlling at least one pulse width using recursive feedback; and driving an electrode means using the pulse width to thereby control a light modulating element of an array of light modulating elements. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for determining a pulse wave form for each line of a two-dimensional array of drive bits using a recursive feedback process, wherein each drive bit in the array of drive bits is in an initialized state; and for turning all of the drive bits to an off state to thereby produce a blanking interval between fields for an image, wherein control of each of the pulse wave forms is staggered in time.
US07667650B2
The invention relates to a microstrip patch antenna (1) for mobile satellite communications comprising a first electrically conducting ground plane (4) having at least one opening (7), at least one patch radiating element (2), at least one first dielectric layer (L2) disposed between the first electrically conducting ground plane and the patch radiating element and more particularly between the at least one opening and the patch radiating element, at least one feed line (6) for providing signal energy in a contactless manner to or from the patch radiating element through the opening and a second dielectric layer (L3) disposed between the feed line and the first electrically conducting ground plane wherein the antenna further comprises a second ground plane (8) and a third dielectric layer (L4) disposed between the second ground plane and the feed line.
US07667649B2
In a Wireless Location System (WLS) deployed in connection with a CDMA-based wireless communications system, Location Measurement Units are used to collect multi-path corrupted radio signaling for use in time difference of arrival (TDOA) and hybrid positioning methods. Signal processing techniques are used to enhance the WLS's ability to determine the minimally time-delayed multi-path component and thus increase the accuracy of the TDOA location in CDMA-based wireless communications systems. The signal processing includes a filtering technique for reducing the leading sidelobes of the cross-correlation function as well as a leading edge discovery procedure.
US07667648B2
Communications facilitate locating a mobile station (22) using the radio frequency spectrum typically used for cellular communications. A first locating signal is communicated between a base station transceiver (30, 32) and a mobile station (22) and includes information regarding the location of the signal source. A plurality of second locating signals are communicated between a corresponding plurality of ranging beacon devices (40, 42, 44) and a mobile station (22) and each includes information regarding the location of the ranging beacon devices (40, 42, 44). The first and second signals allow for determining the location of the mobile station (22). In a disclosed example, the first and second signals are simultaneously transmitted by the base station (30, 32) and the plurality of ranging beacon devices (40, 42, 44), respectively.
US07667647B2
At most airports, responsibility of air traffic control starts and stops at the entrance or exit to the runway movement areas, which are taxiways and runways. In the non-movement areas, such as hangers, ramps, and aprons, aircraft movements and separation are no longer the responsibility of air traffic control, but is the responsibility of other parties such as the airport itself, airlines, or other parties. The use of tracking technologies for air traffic control is therefore focused on the movement areas, not the non-movement areas, where there are limitations in aircraft tracking. Furthermore, many of the aircraft transmitting devices are switched off in non-movement areas exacerbating tracking problems in these areas. The present invention includes several methods including broadband multilateration, to extend aircraft tracking from the movement areas into non-movement areas without the need to extend special air traffic control equipment into those areas.
US07667645B2
GPS gyro calibration methods and systems are described. In an embodiment, a ground station can receive antenna position data for a spot beam antenna from a global positioning system (GPS) platform where the antenna position data indicates a boresight direction of the spot beam antenna. GPS-enabled receiver(s) can receive scan signals transmitted via the spot beam antenna of the GPS platform, and the GPS-enabled receivers can determine signal power measurements for each of the scan signals. The ground station can receive the signal power measurements from the GPS-enabled receiver(s) and estimate a pointing error of the spot beam antenna based on the signal power measurements and the antenna position data received from the GPS platform. The ground station can then determine gyro calibration parameters from the estimated pointing error and communicate the gyro calibration parameters to the GPS platform to calibrate for gyro drift errors.
US07667642B1
A system and method autonomously and precisely track objects moving along a known course. The objects include, for example, racing horses, other racing animals, or racing vehicles. The system and method utilize modern satellite navigation satellite systems, signal processing, radio communications systems and computer processing to acquire and analyze performance data of the moving objects during competitions and during training and practice. The data acquisition is performed continuously at a rate of at least 1 Hz during the competition, training or practice even in the presence of objects which affect the quality of the signals received from the satellite system.
US07667641B1
Portable navigational device with a remote control, an internal memory, and internal heating element
A navigation system (10) comprising a portable navigational device (12) and a remote control for remotely controlling the navigational device (12) is provided in a first preferred embodiment. The navigational device (12) is sized and configured to mount on a dashboard or in an overhead console of a vehicle. A second preferred embodiment provides a navigational device (212) substantially similar to the navigational device (12) of the first preferred embodiment and further including an internal hard drive (84) and a heating element (86) associated with the hard drive (84) and operable to warm the hard drive (84) for facilitating operating performance of the hard drive (84) in cold temperatures. A third preferred embodiment provides a navigation system (310) including a navigational device (312) substantially similar to the navigational device (212) of the second preferred embodiment and a remote control (314) substantially similar to the remote control (14) of the first preferred embodiment.
US07667640B2
Embodiments provide systems and methods for determining the geolocation of an emitter on earth. A solution is obtained from two TDOA measurements that need not be acquired at the same time. A solution is obtained from a TDOA measurement and an FDOA measurement that need not be acquired at the same time and need not be coming from the same satellite pair. A location of an emitter can be determined from minimizing a cost function of the weighted combination of the six solutions derived from the two TDOA measurements and the two FDOA measurements, where the weight of each solution in the combination is determined based on the intersection angle of the two curves that define the possible locations of the emitter based on the TDOA and/or FDOA measurements.
US07667638B1
Systems and methods are provided for determining first and second azimuth angle values representing two closely spaced targets. Monopulse radar scan data is produced and processed to provide quadrature angle data, merged azimuth angle data, and a maximum magnitude of the quadrature angle. A quadrature angle methodology that derives the first and second azimuth angle values from an integration of the quadrature angle data over an angular region within the monopulse scan is applied if the maximum quadrature angle magnitude exceeds the threshold value. A merged azimuth angle methodology that fits the merged azimuth angle data to a polynomial as a function of a boresight angle of the monopulse radar to derive the first and second azimuth angle values is applied if the maximum quadrature angle magnitude does not exceed the threshold value. The first and second azimuth angle values are then displayed to a user.
US07667637B2
There is provided a radar system for detection of one or more objects. The radar system comprises a radar wave transmitter for simultaneously transmitting a CW radar signal and a FM-CW or MF radar signal, and a first radar wave receiver for receiving CW and FM-CW or MF radar signals, reflected from one or more objects present in a detection range of the radar system. The system may further comprise a first CW mixer for mixing CW transmission signals and reflected CW signals received by the first receiver, and a first FM-CW or MF mixer for mixing FM-CW or MF transmission signals and corresponding reflected FM-CW or MF signals received by the first receiver. The first CW mixer may be a mixer for mixing CW transmission signals and reflected CW signals received by the first receiver to produce one or more first CW beat signals, each first CW beat signal relating to the velocity of an object, and the first FM-CW or MF mixer may be a first FM-CW mixer for mixing FM-CW transmission signals and reflected FM-CW signals received by the first receiver to produce one or more first FM-CW beat signals relating to the distance to and the velocity of an object. The radar wave transmitter may be adapted for simultaneously transmitting a CW radar signal and a FM-CW radar signal, wherein the FM-CW radar signal is a ramp modulated signal. The radar system may further comprise several radar wave receivers for receiving reflected CW and FM-CW or MF radar signals, which receivers may be arranged along first and/or second receiver directions. The radar system may have means for detecting phase differences between corresponding reflected radar signals received by different radar wave receivers. There is further provided a method of radar detection of one or more objects, where the method comprises simultaneously transmitting a CW radar signal and a FM-CW or MF radar signal, and receiving, via a first radar receiver, reflected CW and FM-CW or MF radar signals reflected from one or more object present in a detection range of the radar system.
US07667633B2
A time-to-digital converter includes low and high resolution time-to-digital converters for providing both high resolution and wide measurement range. The low resolution time-to-digital converter measures a time difference between first and second signals with a first quantization step. The high resolution time-to-digital converter measures the time difference between the first and second signals with a second quantization step that is smaller than the first quantization step. The low resolution time-to-digital converter has a wider measurement range than the high resolution time-to-digital converter.
US07667631B1
An integrated circuit includes a plurality of circuit groups, each circuit group containing a plurality of analog inputs, a buffer, a sample/hold circuit and a comparator. Each buffer has an input to which any of the analog inputs in its group may be programmably connected. The output of each buffer is coupled to the input of the sample/hold circuit in the group. The output of each sample/hold circuit is coupled to one input of a multiplexer. The output of the multiplexer is coupled to the input of an amplifier having programmable gain and programmable offset. The comparator in each group has inputs that may be programmably coupled to at least one analog input in the group or to a reference voltage source.
US07667630B2
The present invention aims to improve the compression ratio of an encoding method using a dictionary for such as LZ77, LZ78 or LZW for a sample string of an audio signal or an image signal. According to the present invention, the samples are aligned from the MSB side (73), and for an NC-th (NC is the character size, for example, eight bits) character C1(i), the samples are partitioned by starting from the MSB side, and a partitioned portion less than NC is added with dummy bits “0” until the size reaches NC to form a character (74). In this processing, lower bits in the samples can be ignored, mask data M1(i) is created in which digits in the ignorable bit and dummy bits for each C1(i) are set to “0” and effective bits (digits) are set to “1” (75), C1(i) is compared with each character D(j) in a character string for an index j in the dictionary using M1(i) to check whether or not there are matches for effective digits portions in C1(i). If there are matches, C1(i) is considered to match D(j).
US07667619B2
A parking control surveillance system is provided for monitoring vehicles within parking spaces for providing parking enforcement personnel information concerning authorized and unauthorized vehicles within the parking space. The parking control surveillance system includes a parking stop forming a curb or having dimensions substantially the same as traditional cement parking stops located at the rear of a parking space. The parking stop includes a video recorder for recording the identity or for obtaining images of vehicles entering or exiting the designated parking space. The parking stop further includes a transmitter for transmitting images and information such as the time of parking transgression to vehicle enforcement personnel. Preferably, the vehicle identity and time of parking are transmitted to a central office for billing the vehicle owner.
US07667615B2
To provide a message image display device enabling a user to grasp a content of each message image when a plurality of message images are displayed. A display control unit (76) causes a display unit (82) to display a screen including a plurality of message images. A remaining-time-information storage unit (74) stores remaining time information corresponding to each of the message images. A judging unit (78) judges whether display of at least a part of the message image is limited by one or more other message images. A remaining-time-information updating unit (80) updates the remaining time information according to the judgment result made by the judging unit (78). The display control unit (76) limits display of each of the plurality of message images according to the remaining time information stored corresponding to the message image.
US07667610B2
A method and apparatus for producing an indication of solar panel condition is disclosed. The method involves receiving operating condition signals including an irradiance signal representing electromagnetic radiation received by the solar panel, and an age signal representing age of the solar panel. The method also involves receiving a power signal representing actual power output from the solar panel and producing a power estimate in response to the operating condition signals and irradiance and age adjustment factors. The power estimate represents an expected power output from the solar panel and the adjustment factors are for adjusting the irradiance signal and the age signal respectively. The method further involves causing a warning signal to be generated in response to a difference between the power signal and the power estimate.
US07667602B2
An apparatus and method for a multi-directional RFID reader system where multi-directional readers can be place on opposing sides of a hallway leading from a back storage area to a retail floor area. The readers can be operable to detect an RFID tag associated with a product as well as its direction of movement, for example whether the product is moving from a back store room to a retail store or the opposite movement is occurring.
US07667600B2
A security device, according to various aspects of the present invention, detects removal of the device from a provided surface. The security device includes a body; at least one magnet coupled to the body; and a sensor coupled to the body proximate to at least one of the at least one magnet. The sensor does not move with respect to the at least one magnet. The at least one magnet magnetically couples the body to the surface. Each one magnet provides a magnetic flux. When the body couples to the surface, at least a portion of the magnetic flux conducts away from the sensor. When the body is not coupled to the surface, at least a portion of the magnetic flux from at least one magnet of the at least one magnet conducts through the sensor thereby indicating removal of the body from the surface.
US07667597B2
A seal device includes a locking member with a magnetically permeable material portion, and structure that can receive the locking member. The structure supports a magnetic field generator and detector at locations spaced from each other and from a region that is occupied by the portion of the locking member when the locking member is received by the structure. The structure defines a main flux path as a loop having a first portion, a second portion and a remainder that are mutually exclusive, and that collectively define the entirety of the flux path. The first and second portions are respectively within the magnetic field generator and the region, and most of the remainder extends through magnetically permeable material of the structure. The detector is located where the magnetic field has different characteristics when the portion of the locking member is respectively present in and absent from the region.
US07667593B1
A monitoring system for cargo containers coming into the United States from foreign countries, to detect any harmful contents, within the close container, which would prove dangerous to the American people. The system includes a unique flexible plastic strip in which are embedded, 1) a global positioning computer chip, 2) a power source, 3) an encrypted strip serial number computer chip, and thousands of nano detection devices.
US07667591B2
The invention involves reading RFID transponders affixed to items by rotating the items as they are exposed to an RFID reader as may be incorporated in a normal processing, manufacturing or shipping process such as wrapping items in a protective membrane using a system that includes a commercially-available pallet wrapper adapted to be controlled by computer, and with an RFID transponder reading device mounted to the carriage device of the pallet wrapper. The computer interfaces with a programmable logic controller that controls the pallet wrapper and the RFID reader. The computer causes a predetermined number of wraps of the shipping membrane to be wrapped around a portion of items and the pallet to secure the items to the pallet. The RFID tags on the items on the pallet are read as the items rotate near the fixed RFID reader that is mounted to a carriage holding the shipping membrane.
US07667582B1
Techniques are described for defining, creating, and presenting a chart. When the chart is called, up-to-date information is used to create the chart. This allows the chart to reflect current key performance indicators for a business. A tool can also be provided for creating a chart definition, which is used to instantiate the chart. The tool provides graphical inputs for a user to select the inputs, operations and outputs into the chart. The tool enables users to create the chart definition with little or no programming.
US07667578B2
In a remote operation control device, an in-vehicle communication unit receives a drive request signal which is transmitted from a center to request a remote operation of a predetermined in-vehicle apparatus. When the drive request signal from the center is received by the in-vehicle communication unit, a preliminary checking request unit requests an in-vehicle electronic control unit which controls operation of the in-vehicle apparatus, to perform checking of whether a precondition for carrying out the remote operation of the in-vehicle apparatus is satisfied. A remote driving unit carries out the remote operation of the in-vehicle apparatus when it is determined after the drive request signal from the center is received by the in-vehicle communication unit that the precondition is satisfied as a result of response to the request for the checking by the preliminary checking request unit.
US07667576B2
The present invention teaches methods and systems for transmitting signals in a building utilizing the reinforced steel bar structure in the building. The methods and systems allow the transmission and receipt of signals in residences and offices in older buildings while avoiding system reconfiguration, high cost cabling, and over-invasive installation.
US07667574B2
Systems and methods for reading a RFID-tag signal in the presence of noise and other propagation and circuit impairments using a RFID-tag reader are disclosed. The method includes receiving with a RFID-tag reader multiple copies of an original RFID-tag signal from a RFID tag. The original RFID-tag signal comprises an original bit sequence representative of information stored in the RFID tag. At least some of the received RFID-tag signal copies differ from one another due to noise or other signal impairments. The received multiple copies are processed on a sample-by-sample basis in the RFID-tag reader using digital signal processing techniques to obtain an improved received digitized RFID tag signal that substantially removes the noise and other impairments. This improved signal is used to recover the original bit sequence and thus the information stored in the RFID tag.
US07667567B2
A voltage divider for high precision voltage measurement has one or more pair of potentiometers. The wipers of each pair of potentiometers are ganged so that the sum of their resistances relative to a first end of the respective potentiometer is a constant. An output potentiometer or a pair of resistors provide an output for measuring the output voltage. The resolution of the voltage divider is the product of the resolution of each potentiometer pair and the output potentiometer.
US07667564B2
A plastic case surrounds a primary winding of a multicharge ignition system, and has a rib in which the high voltage end is routed back to the low voltage end, so that the low and high voltage ends can be closely juxtaposed with each other while advantageously permitting the primary winding to have one and only one winding layer to reduce resistance and size. The rib of the case extends into the slot of the magnetic shields of the winding.
US07667556B2
A combiner/splitter with distributed lines including a first line formed of a first planar winding in a first conductive level and of a second planar winding in a second conductive level; a second line formed of a third planar winding interdigited with the first winding in the first level, and of a fourth planar winding interdigited with the second winding in the second level; a first capacitive element connecting the external ends of the first and third windings; and a second capacitive element connecting the external ends of the second and fourth windings.
US07667546B2
In an embodiment, an LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) receiver includes at least one LVDS input buffer, a clock generating unit, and a bias circuit. The clock generating unit includes a voltage controlled oscillator for generating a clock signal tracking a frequency of data received via the at least one LVDS input buffer based on a control voltage. The bias circuit controls current sources that supply current to at least one differential amplifier in the at least one LVDS input buffer based on the control voltage of the clock signal generating unit. Therefore, the LVDS receiver can save current consumed in LVDS input buffers by controlling the amount of current supplied to the at least one differential amplifier included in the at least one LVDS input buffers.
US07667539B2
An improved low-voltage, low-power, wide range, and linear Gm Cell is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of linearizing output current with an input voltage using a Gm Cell includes receiving an input differential voltage by an emitter degenerated input stage and outputting a current including a linear part and a nonlinear part at signal output terminals Iout_P and Iout_M, converting the non-linear part of the output current to a voltage difference via a compression stage, converting the voltage difference to a linear output current by a linear voltage to current converter stage, outputting the linear output current using a current mirror output stage to the signal output terminals Iout_P and Iout_M, and summing the output currents of the emitter degenerated input stage and the current mirror output stage at the signal output terminals Iout_P and Iout_M to obtain a linear output current with the input differential voltage.
US07667534B2
In one embodiment, a method for a control interface includes: receiving a signal conveying bits of information over a single line; and for each bit of information, comparing the proportion of time that the signal on the single line is low versus the proportion of time that the signal on the single line is high for a respective bit period defined from one operative edge of the signal to the next operative edge of the signal in order to determine a logic value for that bit of information.
US07667531B2
A signal transmission circuit having four lanes includes a constant voltage circuit to generate a constant voltage, a current supply circuit, and differential driver circuits respectively placed for the lanes. The current supply circuit receives a constant voltage from the constant voltage circuit and generates four currents having a value corresponding to a prescribed voltage-current conversion ratio and outputs them in parallel. The differential driver circuits respectively receive the currents output from the current supply circuit and output a voltage having an amplitude corresponding to the prescribed voltage-current conversion ratio. The current supply circuit includes a voltage divider circuit and an analog selector, which form a current supply control circuit capable of changing the voltage-current conversion ratio.
US07667529B2
A charge pump circuit includes a voltage controlled oscillator. The voltage controlled oscillator operates at a lower frequency during a warm-up mode, and operates at a higher frequency during a loading mode. The lower frequency operation during the warm-up mode reduces power supply current requirements.
US07667528B2
The internal voltage generator of a semiconductor integrated circuit includes at least one variable reference voltage generating unit that generates a base reference voltage increased or decreased according to the variation in temperature, at least one level shifting unit that transforms the base reference voltage outputted by the at least one variable reference voltage generating unit into at least one prescribed reference voltage for generating internal voltage and outputs the transformed reference voltage, and at least one internal voltage generating unit that generates an internal voltage by using the at least one reference voltage for generating internal voltage outputted by the at least one level shifting unit.
US07667526B2
Some embodiments of the invention include an integrated circuit having a node or pin to detect a first information during a first a detection period and to detect a second information during a second detection period. In some embodiments, the information at the pin may allow the integrated circuit to operate in a quasi-resonant operation. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07667521B2
Disclosed is a voltage switch circuit of a semiconductor device. The subject voltage switch circuit can be used to apply voltage to a semiconductor memory device control circuit. The voltage switch circuit according to an embodiment includes five transistors and a capacitor. An output terminal of the subject circuit outputs VSS when VDD is applied to an input terminal, and outputs a boosted operating voltage when VSS is applied to the input terminal.
US07667520B2
The level shift device of the present invention comprises: a level shift circuit which converts a voltage level of a single input signal; and a duty correcting circuit which offsets a difference in the duty of an output signal of the level shift circuit with respect to the duty of the input signal.
US07667518B2
A low power method and apparatus for selecting operational modes of a circuit. One circuit according to the teachings of the disclosed method and apparatus includes a first current limiting circuit coupled between a selector terminal and a first voltage bus. The first current limiting circuit is adapted to vary a current limit out of the selector terminal in response to a voltage on the selector terminal. The circuit also includes a second current limiting circuit coupled between the selector terminal and a second voltage bus. The second current limiting circuit adapted to vary a current limit into the selector terminal in response to the voltage on the selector terminal.
US07667516B2
A clock pulse generating circuit includes a pulse generator, a clock regulator, and a pre-driver. The pulse generator is configured to vary pulse widths of a rising clock signal and a falling clock signal. The clock regulator is configured to regulate output signals of the pulse generator to prevent an overlap and a duty drop of the output signals of the pulse generator. The pre-driver is configured to output data driving signals according to output signals of the clock regulator.
US07667512B2
A duty cycle comparator is described for comparing the duty cycles of two digital signals. The duty cycle comparator comprises a first controllable current source, a second controllable current source and a charge accumulation device. The comparator provides an output signal that is representative of the difference between the duty cycles independent of the frequency of the two digital signals.
US07667504B2
The invention relates to frequency adjustment of electronic signals. The method comprises the steps of providing an output signal of a frequency generator with a first frequency as input signal for a signal delay element providing an edge of said input signal of said signal delay element; delaying said input signal by adding a delay to each cycle of said input signal until the delayed output signal of the signal delay element is aligned to an edge of said input signal.
US07667503B2
There is provided a switching circuit including, a semiconductor switching circuit comprising, a transistor, a first electrode of the transistor being connected to an electrical source via a load, a second electrode of the transistor being connected to a standard potential, a driving circuit outputting a signal to a control electrode of the transistor on a basis of a potential in the first electrode of the transistor so as to turn on and off the transistor, the driving circuit turning on when an input voltage applied from an input terminal being a first voltage higher than a threshold voltage of the transistor, the driving circuit turning off when the input voltage being a second voltage lower than the threshold voltage of the transistor.
US07667494B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for a fast unbalanced pipeline architecture. A disclosed pipeline buffer comprises a plurality of memory registers connected in series, each of the plurality of memory registers, such as flip-flops, having an enable input and a clock input; and a controlling memory register having an output that drives the enable inputs of the plurality of memory registers, whereby a predefined binary value on an input of the controlling memory register shifts values of the plurality of memory registers on a next clock cycle. A plurality of the disclosed pipeline buffets can be configured in a multiple stage configuration. At least one of the plurality of memory registers can comprise a locking memory register that synchronizes the pipeline buffer. The pipeline buffer can optionally include a delay gate to delay a clock signal and an inverter to invert the delayed clock signal. The clock signal can be delayed by the delay gate such that an output of the pipeline buffer is applied to a next stage of a pipeline buffer at a correct time.
US07667493B2
Data transmitter includes a first and second output nodes terminated to a first level, a controller configured to generate an off signal that is activated by logically combining first and second data during a low-power mode, a first driver configured to drive the first or second output node to a second level in response to the first data and a second driver configured to drive the first or second output node to the second level with a driving force different from that of the first driver in response to the second data, the second driver being turned off when the off signal is activated.
US07667484B2
A voltage supply control circuit is arranged between a true ground voltage and a pseudo ground line. In an active mode, first and second control signals are at the “H” and “L” levels, respectively. In response to this, a first switch is turned on so that a first node is electrically coupled to a power supply voltage, and attains the “H” level. Further, a second switch is turned on to couple electrically the ground voltage to a second node. In a standby mode, the first and second control signals are at the “L” and “H” levels, respectively. In response to this, a third switch is turned on to couple electrically the first and second nodes together. Since the power supply voltage was electrically coupled to the first node according to the turn-on of the first switch in the active mode, the path of the control signal including the first node to the switch has accumulated charged charges.
US07667482B2
An apparatus for a power bus includes an inductive power harvesting unit structured to provide a first power output arising from current flowing in the power bus, an energy storage unit structured to store energy from the first power output and to provide a second power output, and a selector structured to select one of the first and second power outputs and to provide a third power output from the selected one. A processor is powered from the third power output of the selector. The selector is further structured to normally provide the third power output from the first power output of the inductive power harvesting unit. The processor is structured to determine that the first power output of the inductive power harvesting unit is inadequate and to cause the selector to provide the third power output from the second power output of the energy storage unit.
US07667474B2
A probe device includes a stage for fixing a semiconductor device having an external connection pad; a heating unit provided in the stage, for heating the semiconductor device to a predetermined temperature; and a probe card having a probe pin and a support substrate for supporting the probe pin, in which a resistance heating element is provided to the support substrate so as to heat a portion of the support substrate corresponding to a disposition portion of the probe pin to a temperature substantially equal to the predetermined temperature.
US07667469B2
A method and apparatus for dry testing non-conductive containers for carrying people are disclosed. Two conductive materials placed on opposite sides of a material being tested. High voltage is applied to one of the conductive materials while a ground lead is attached to the other conductive material. Electric current is measured from the grounded conductive material to identify any breakdown of the dielectric properties of the material being tested.
US07667461B2
A spectroscopic sample analysis apparatus includes an actively controlled, direct contact heat exchanger in serial fluid communication with a spectroscopic analyzer, and a controller communicably coupled to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed downstream of a fluid handler in the form of a stream selection unit (SSU), a solvent/standard recirculation unit (SRU), and/or an auto-sampling unit (ASU). The SSU selectively couples individual stream inputs to an output port. The SRU includes a solvent/standard reservoir, and selectively couples output ports to the heat exchanger, and returns the solvent/standard sample to the reservoirs. The ASU includes a sample reservoir having a sample transfer pathway with a plurality of orifices disposed at spaced locations along a length thereof. The controller selectively actuates the fluid handler, enabling sample to flow therethrough to the heat exchanger, and actuates the heat exchanger to maintain the sample at a predetermined temperature.
US07667456B2
A magnetic head testing apparatus having the function of evaluating pin holes in a tunnel barrier layer of a TMR element by a non destructive inspection is disclosed. The testing apparatus comprises a temperature control unit which sets a circumferential temperature of a TMR element, a bias electric current control unit which applies an electric current for measuring a resistance value, an element resistance measuring unit and a CPU which calculates a temperature coefficient. The CPU determines a pin hole state in the tunnel barrier layer based on the temperature coefficient.
US07667455B2
An annular magnetic encoder is provided in which a plurality of S magnetic poles and N magnetic poles are alternately arranged in an arrangement pattern. The arrangement pattern comprises: a plurality of index parts provided in a circumferential direction at fixed intervals; a plurality of standard pitch parts provided between the index parts; and a plurality of specific pitch parts provided in all of the standard pitch parts or in the standard pitch parts other than one standard pitch part, where the specific pitch parts are arranged in different positions within each of the standard pitch parts.
US07667452B2
Detector circuit for measuring relatively strong currents including a main current transformer (1) and two substantially identical auxiliary current transformers (2, 3) where a main current (I1) induces magnetomotive forces in said main current transformer (1), said magnetomotive forces being counteracted by magnetomotive forces induced by a compensating current (i1) while at the same time the two auxiliary transformers (2, 3) are magnetised in antiphase by means of a square wave/modulation signal. Furthermore the detector circuit includes a synchronous rectifier for generating an adjusting signal for the compensating current (i1). According to the invention a compensating current is used for measuring current in a common winding (L3) surrounding the main transformer as well as the auxiliary transformers while at the same time a possible error signal in the shape of a voltage difference between the auxiliary transformers is used to adjust the compensating current (i1) by means of a negative feedback loop.
US07667447B2
Embodiments disclosed herein include a power monitor and controller which are used to control the operation of a voltage regulator depending on an operating mode or state of a load device, such as a hard disk drive. By controlling the voltage regulator in this manner, voltage regulator efficiency may be improved for any load condition, thus reducing power losses in the system.
US07667446B2
One embodiment relates to a control system. The control system includes a controller configured to drive a load based on a set-point of the load. The controller is also configured to measure a load characteristic of the load and compute an average load characteristic. The controller is further configured to determine a corrected set-point based on the computed average and to drive the load in response to the corrected set-point. Other systems and methods are also disclosed.
US07667440B2
An embodiment of a power-supply controller is operable to couple a first node of a first inductor to first and second reference nodes, the first inductor composing a first phase of a power supply and having a second node coupled to an output node of the power supply. The controller is also operable to couple a first node of a second inductor to third and fourth reference nodes, the second inductor composing a second phase of the power supply and having a second node. Furthermore, the controller is operable to uncouple the second node of the second inductor from the output node of the power supply. For example, where the first and second inductors are magnetically coupled, such a controller allows the power supply to operate as an uncoupled-inductor (UI) power supply in one mode, and as a coupled-inductor (CI) power supply in another mode.
US07667438B2
An energy storage system for a vehicle includes an ultracapacitor that is electrically coupled in parallel with a battery through a diode connected in series with the battery. The ultracapacitor delivers the energy required for all high current surges that occur during engine start, acceleration, and regeneration. The battery is used only to assist with longer duration, high energy loads, such as accessory loads when an engine of the vehicle is not running. In other words, the battery conducts only during longer and less-frequent pulses and, therefore, does not have to withstand high-power pulses.
US07667436B2
An energy saving type feeder voltage compensation apparatus improved in availability at low temperatures, wherein when a electric energy storage apparatus is lower in temperature than a predetermined value, an output voltage output to a feeder side is made equal to or higher than a no-load output voltage of a substation connected in parallel. Power is supplied to a power running rolling stock preferentially from the electric energy storage apparatus. The heating value of the secondary battery is increased and the battery temperature is raised by this discharging, whereby internal resistance of the electric energy storage apparatus is lowered, and the charging and discharging loss is suppressed, and the efficiency and availability of the energy saving type feeder voltage compensation apparatus as a whole are improved.
US07667431B2
An inductive charging system including an inductive charger having an inductive charging surface and an alignment feature depicted on a surface of the inductive charger indicating a location of the inductive charging surface. A structural feature may extend substantially perpendicular to the alignment feature and provides a guide for positioning of a portable device to facilitate inductive changing of the portable device by the inductive charging surface. The inductive charger may include a plurality of inductive chargers positioned to facilitate charging of a portable device by two or more of the plurality of the inductive chargers.
US07667423B2
Systems and methods for controlling a rotating electromagnetic machine. The rotating machine, such as a permanent magnet motor or hybrid switched reluctance motor, includes a stator having a plurality of phase windings and a rotor that rotates relative to the stator. A drive is connected to the phase windings for energizing the windings. A controller outputs a control signal to the drive in response to inputs of demanded torque, rotor position and/or speed. Control methods include calculating a scaled torque demand from the received torque demand to obtain substantially constant torque over a range of motor speeds, calculating an optimal dr-axis injection current using a cost function and a starting method that switches from speed control mode to torque control mode at a predetermined rotor speed or at predetermined start-up timing intervals.
US07667422B2
A fan with failure detecting function includes a power input terminal, a current limiting resistor, a light emitting diode (LED), and a fan motor. The power input terminal is coupled to the anode of the LED via the current limiting resistor. The cathode of the LED is coupled to one terminal of the fan motor, another terminal of the fan motor is grounded.
US07667421B2
A torque compensation method and system for a DC brushless motor. When the DC brushless motor coupled with an asymmetric load is rotating, the difference between an instant current and an average current of a shunt resister is an index of adjusting control signals within an absolute rotor position for the purpose of approaching the corresponding instant current to the average current.
US07667420B2
A position sensor system for detecting an absolute angular position of a rotor axle of an electric motor at a predetermined angular resolution W. The position sensor system include, a first Hall sensor device having a first sensor magnet set-up, set up on the rotor axle, and two first Hall sensors, which are set up at an angular offset with respect to the rotor axle so as to achieve a position angle resolution of 90°, and having a second sensor magnet set-up, set up on rotor axle, having n pole pairs and a number m of second Hall sensors, which are set up at an angular offset to one another with respect to the rotor axle, the set-up and the number n of pole pairs and the set-up and the number m of the second Hall sensors being selected so as clearly to detect angular segments at the predetermined angular resolution W within the angular range of the angular offset of 90°.
US07667417B2
Provided are an apparatus and method of controlling a motor by compensating for recurring false speed errors generated in a direct current (DC) motor. The apparatus includes a learning control unit adapted to calculate recurring false speed errors related to a mechanical tolerance associated with the motor in each one of a plurality of controlling sections associated with a single rotation of the motor, and generate a corresponding reference speed for each controlling section, and a motor control unit adapted to control the rotational speed of the motor in relation to a speed error defined by a difference between the reference speed for each controlling section and an actual measured speed of the motor for each controlling section.
US07667415B2
A PWM generation circuit is set so as to generate a PWM pulse signal having a frequency that is an odd number times a vertical synchronization frequency. A frequency division circuit frequency-divides the PWM pulse signal generated by the PWM generation circuit. An AND gate calculates the logical product of the PWM pulse signal generated by the PWM generation circuit and a frequency-division pulse signal outputted from the frequency division circuit. An OR gate calculates the logical sum of the PWM pulse signal generated by the PWM generation circuit and the frequency-division pulse signal outputted from the frequency division circuit. A selector outputs an output signal of the OR gate as a dimming pulse signal in a case where the set duty ratio is not less than 50%, while outputting an output signal of the AND gate as a dimming pulse signal in a case where the set duty ratio is less than 50%. Consequently, the frequency of the dimming pulse signal is five-second the frequency of a vertical synchronizing signal.
US07667414B2
An LED lighting apparatus can be configured to supply a number of LEDs connected in series with a requisite voltage and power even if an amount of forward voltage of the LEDs connected in series is larger than a supply voltage of a battery. The LED lighting apparatus can include a boosting circuit and an inverted boosting circuit. LEDs can be connected between outputs of the boosting circuit and the inverted boosting circuit. The LED lighting apparatus can also include a current detection circuit configured to detect an LED current, and can include a dual PWM control IC configured to control the boosting circuit and the inverted boosting circuit in accordance with the LED current detected by the current detection circuit so as to keep the LED current substantially constant. The LED lighting apparatus can include a shutdown circuit to stop supplying a power supply when a load that includes the LEDs is in a circuit that is either opened or shorted.
US07667413B2
Provided is a method for lighting a high pressure discharge lamp capable of increasing the life thereof. The lighting method is as follows. When the time elapse after lighting up the discharge lamp is within a predetermined condition (e.g. 5 minutes or less), constant current control is performed if the lamp voltage is lower than switching voltage (here, a first voltage value V1) and constant power control is performed to maintain the lamp power at a power value W1 if the lamp voltage is equal to or above the switching voltage. After the predetermined condition (5 minutes) is exceeded, the constant power control is performed by lowering the value of the switching voltage from the first voltage value V1 to the second voltage value V2. If the lamp voltage is equal to or above the switching voltage lowered, the lamp power is maintained at power value W1.
US07667408B2
A system and method map dimming levels of a lighting dimmer to light source control signals using a predetermined lighting output function. The dimmer generates a dimmer output signal value. At any particular period of time, the dimmer output signal value represents one of multiple dimming levels. In at least one embodiment, the lighting output function maps the dimmer output signal value to a dimming value different than the dimming level represented by the dimmer output signal value. The lighting output function converts a dimmer output signal values corresponding to measured light levels to perception based light levels. A light source driver operates a light source in accordance with the predetermined lighting output function. The system and method can include a filter to modify at least a set of the dimmer output signal values prior to mapping the dimmer output signal values to a new dimming level.
US07667404B2
A plasma display apparatus is provided. Polygonal discharge cells are arranged in delta. Extension parts are extended from pairs of sustain electrodes that apply a voltage to the discharge cells to discharge spaces to face each other. Since the extension parts have at least one depressed parts, the efficiency of sustain discharge improves due to a long gap. Since the width of data electrodes formed under the discharge cells is large in the discharge spaces, a distance between the effective side surfaces of the pairs of sustain electrodes and the data electrodes is reduced so that the efficiency of address discharge improves.
US07667393B2
The present invention provides a luminescent apparatus having a bright, high-quality image. A reflecting surface-including electrode, and an EL element formed of an organic EL layer and a transparent electrode are provided on an insulator. As shown in FIG. 1, an auxiliary electrode 107 formed of a transparent conductive film is connected to the transparent electrode via a conductor. This structure enables a resistance value of the transparent electrode 104 to be substantially lowered, and a uniform voltage to be applied to the organic EL layer.
US07667392B2
An organic light emitting diode, and a method of fabricating the same, the organic light emitting diode including a pixel-defining layer disposed on a substrate, the pixel-defining layer having an opening therein and having at least one stepped portion formed adjacent to the opening, and an organic layer disposed in the opening and at least partially covering the at least one stepped portion.
US07667391B2
A light-emitting device, comprising: a multi-layer stack of materials supported on an optically transparent support member, a first spatial filter, and a second spatial filter spaced from the first spatial filter. The multi-layer stack including at least one organic light-emitting layers, an anode layer, and a cathode layer. The first spatial filter is disposed intermediate the multi-layer stack of materials and the second spatial filter.
US07667379B2
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the hollow-cathode apparatus comprises a small-diameter tantalum tube with a plurality of tantalum-foil radiation shields, wherein the plurality of shields in turn comprise one or more spiral windings external to that tube and approximately flush with the open end from which electron emission takes place. The axial length of at least one of the inner windings (closer to the tantalum tube) is equal to or less than approximately half the length of the tantalum tube. An enclosed keeper surrounds the cathode. To start the cathode, a flow of ionizable inert gas, usually argon, is initiated through the cathode and out the open end. An electrical discharge is then started between the keeper and the hollow cathode. When heated to operating temperature, electrons exit from the open end of the hollow cathode.
US07667372B2
In a method and a device according to the present invention, two piezo-elements of a piezo-electric actuator are driven with two voltages having a mutual phase difference. One of said piezo-elements is charged by a capacitive voltage step-up means to a voltage exceeding an available power supply voltage. A capacitor is coupled to the piezo-element, which divides the voltage of the piezo-element and simultaneously transfers part of the energy stored in the piezo-element to said capacitor. A part of the energy transferred to said capacitor is later transferred back to said piezo-element, providing an energy-saving feature. The second piezo-element is driven in a similar way providing the required phase difference. In a further embodiment, the waveforms of the two driving signals are corrected using balancing capacitors.
US07667369B2
Acoustic sensing utilizing a cantilever structure coupled about at least one side of said cantilever to a base substrate, wherein said cantilever includes a piezoelectric section and has at least one acoustic wave device on a portion of the cantilever, wherein a flexure of the cantilever produces force-frequency effects measurable by the acoustic wave device. According to one embodiment, the cantilever sensor uses the flexure-frequency effect as measured by an acoustic wave device to sense a target matter. According to one embodiment, a sensing material is disposed on at least a portion of at least one surface of the cantilever.
US07667358B2
In a cooling structure of a superconducting motor in which a superconducting coil is attached to a rotor, grooves are concavely provided on an outer surface of a rotating shaft that penetrates and is fixed to the rotor. A refrigerant is circulated through a refrigerant circulation pipe disposed inside the grooves to that the superconducting coil is cooled by the refrigerant.
US07667349B2
An apparatus for controlling provision of power to a load by a plurality of generating devices in a plurality of phased signals during a first operating condition includes: (a) a sensing unit coupled with the load for presenting an indicator relating to load current; and (b) a control unit coupled with the sensing unit for receiving the indicator and coupled with the plurality of generating devices. The control unit presents a first control signal in response to the indicator indicating a second operating condition. The control unit presents a second control signal in response to the indicator indicating a third operating condition. The generating devices respond to the first control signal to substantially simultaneously provide the power to the load. The generating devices respond to the second control signal to substantially provide no power to the load.
US07667347B2
Control modes for operating multiple power sources include energy storage systems and applicable to large systems such as locomotives. Selectable operating modes are provided for different locomotive speed ranges and work loads. A common DC bus electrical architecture is used so that prime power sources need not be synchronized. Multiple-engine locomotives have the engine systems that may be electrically connected in parallel or in series or in combinations of parallel and series to a DC bus.
US07667339B2
An epoxy resin composition for semiconductor encapsulation includes at least one epoxy resin, at least one curing agent, at least one filler, and at least one first curing accelerator, the first curing accelerator having a tetracyanoethylene, a 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane, a compound having the chemical structure of Formula 1, or a mixture thereof, wherein each of R1 through R7, independently, represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C12 hydrocarbon group, provided that when R1 through R7 are C1-C12 hydrocarbon groups, R1 and R2, R2 and R3, R3 and R4, R4 and R5, R5 and R6, and R6 and R7 can be joined to each other to form a cyclic structure.
US07667338B2
The present invention discloses an electronic package to contain and protect an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The electronic package further includes a leadframe, a flexible circuit or PCB type of substrate. The leadframe, flexible circuit or PCB type substrate further includes solder contacts, which are aligned with via holes in the molding layers on the top and bottom sides of the package. These via holes are for placing solder paste or solder balls from above and below for electrical access to the IC chip. These solder balls provide access for electrical testing after the package is mounted on a motherboard. They also provide the connection points for stacking multiple packages vertically.
US07667335B2
A flip chip style semiconductor package has a substrate with a plurality of active devices formed thereon. A contact pad is formed on the substrate. An under bump metallization (UBM) layer is in electrical contact with the contact pad. A passivation layer is formed over the substrate. In one case, the UBM layer is disposed above the passivation layer. Alternatively, the passivation layer is disposed above the UBM layer. A portion of the passivation layer is removed to create a passivation island. The passivation island is centered with respect to the contact pad with its top surface devoid of the UBM layer. A solder bump is formed over the passivation island in electrical contact with the UBM layer. The passivation island forms a void in the solder bump for stress relief. The UBM layer may include a redistribution layer such that the passivation island is offset from the contact pad.
US07667331B2
An interposer chip in accordance includes an insulating layer, conductive patterns and a dummy pattern. The conductive patterns are formed on the insulating layer. The dummy pattern is formed on the insulating layer to suppress a bending of the insulating layer. Further, the dummy pattern can have first isolating grooves formed along peripherals of the conductive patterns to isolate the dummy pattern from the conductive patterns. Thus, the interposer chip is not vulnerable to being bent. Further, an electrical short between the conductive patterns through the dummy pattern caused by particles is substantially avoided.
US07667324B2
Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices and methods for forming an hermetic seal between a lid and a submount for an electronics module or package. At least one thieving pad is connected to a metallized ring formed about or near the circumference of an upper surface of the submount. A corresponding metallized ring is disposed about the lower perimeter of the lid. Solder paste is placed between the two metallized rings and melted, preferably under a reducing atmosphere. Excess molten solder controllably flows towards the at least one thieving pattern while the lid is being hermetically sealed and soldered, avoiding the formation of undesired wayward solder balls inside the package.
US07667320B2
An integrated circuit (IC) package includes a substrate and an IC die mounted on a first side of the substrate. The IC package also includes a plurality of capacitors mounted on a second side of the substrate. The second side is opposite to the first side. The IC package further includes a plurality of conductive contact pads formed on the second side of the substrate and interspersed among the capacitors. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07667319B2
An electroosmotic pump may be fabricated using semiconductor processing techniques with a nanoporous open cell dielectric frit. Such a frit may result in an electroosmotic pump with better pumping capabilities.
US07667315B2
A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate having an opening portion and a frame portion defining a periphery of the opening portion. At least one electric element is provided on the frame portion, and has at least one electrode terminal. A first insulation film is formed on the frame portion so that the electrode terminal is partially exposed at the first insulation film to form a plurality of electrode pads.
US07667312B2
In a multi-chip package having vertically stacked semiconductor integrated circuits (chips), a heat transmitting conductive plate (5) can be interposed between a lower layer semiconductor chip (3) and an upper layer semiconductor chip (4) and connected to a ground wiring of a substrate (2) through a bonding wire (9). A heating transmitting conductive plate (5) at the ground potential can block propagation of noise between the lower layer semiconductor chip (3) and upper layer semiconductor chip (4). Thus, the addition of noise to signals of an analog circuit in the upper layer semiconductor chip (4) can be avoided, reducing noise induced malfunctions. Furthermore, heat generated by the lower layer semiconductor chip (3) and upper layer semiconductor chip (4) can be transmitted through contact points with the heat transmitting conductive plate (5) for dissipation therefrom. This can improve heat dissipating capabilities of the semiconductor device (1) contributing to more stable operation.
US07667304B2
Apparatuses and methods for inkjet printing electrical interconnect patterns such as leadframes for integrated circuit devices are disclosed. An apparatus for packaging includes a thin substrate adapted for high temperature processing, and an attach pad and contact regions that are inkjet printed to the thin substrate using a metallic nanoink. The nanoink is then cured to remove liquid content. The residual metallic leadframe or electrical interconnect pattern has a substantially consistent thickness of about 10 to 50 microns or less. An associated panel assembly includes a conductive substrate panel having multiple separate device arrays comprising numerous electrical interconnect patterns each, a plurality of integrated circuit devices mounted on the conductive substrate panel, and a molded cap that encapsulates the integrated circuit devices and associated electrical interconnect patterns. The molded cap is of substantially uniform thickness over each separate device array, and extends into the space between separate device arrays.
US07667301B2
A thermal treatment apparatus, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a method for manufacturing a substrate, wherein the occurrence of slip dislocation in a substrate during heat treatment is reduced, and a high-quality semiconductor device can be manufactured, are intended to be provided.A substrate support 30 is formed from a main body portion 56 and a supporting portion 58. In the main body portion 56, a plurality of placing portions 66 extend parallel, and supporting portions 58 are provided on the placing portions 66. A substrate 68 is placed on the supporting portion 58. The supporting portion 58 has a smaller area than an area of a flat face of the substrate, and is formed from a silicon plate having a thickness larger than thickness of the substrate, so that deformation during heat treatment is reduced. The supporting portion 58 is made of silicon, and a layer coated with silicon carbide (SiC) is formed on a substrate-placing face of the supporting portion 58.
US07667300B2
A semiconductor device includes a transistor. The transistor includes a substrate having an inclined surface, a first upper surface extending from a lower portion of the inclined surface, and a second upper surface extending from an upper end of the inclined surface. A gate stack structure is formed on the inclined surface and includes a gate electrode. A first impurity region formed on one of the first and second upper surfaces contacts the gate stack structure. A second impurity region formed on the second upper surface contacts the gate stack structure. A channel between the first and second impurity regions is formed along the inclined surface in a crystalline direction.
US07667288B2
Systems and methods for voltage distribution via epitaxial layers. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit comprises an epitaxial layer of a connectivity type disposed upon a wafer substrate of an opposite connectivity type.
US07667286B2
A high sensitive solid-state imaging apparatus which corresponds to an optical system has a short focal length (an optical system having a large incident angle θ). Each pixel (2.8 mm square in size) includes a distributed refractive index lens, a color filter for green, Al wirings, a signal transmitting unit, a planarized layer, a light-receiving element (Si photodiode), and an Si substrate. The concentric circle structure of the distributed index lens is made of four types of materials having different refractive indexes such as TiO2 (n=2.53), SiN (n=2.53), SiO2 (n=2.53), and air (n=1.0). In the concentric structure, a radial difference of outer peripheries of adjacent circular light-transmitting films is 100 nm. Furthermore, the film thickness is 0.4 νm.
US07667280B2
Provided is a semiconductor device having a trench isolation structure and a high power supply voltage circuit section including at least a well region and a MOS transistor formed therein. The high power supply voltage circuit section includes a carrier capture region for preventing latch-up in a vicinity of an end portion of the well region, and a depth of the carrier capture region is larger than a depth of the trench isolation region. The carrier capture region in the high power supply voltage circuit section is formed of a diffusion layer which is the same as that of a source or a drain region of the MOS transistor formed in the high power supply voltage circuit section.
US07667279B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor device which has a circuit-forming region. The semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of insulating interlayer films, a guard ring, and a first MIM capacitor. The insulating interlayer films, which are stacked one upon another, are provided over the semiconductor substrate. The guard ring is formed in the plurality of insulating interlayer films and surrounds the circuit-forming region. The guard ring is separated from an insulating interlayer film including a topmost interconnect. The MIM capacitor is provided between the guard ring and the insulating interlayer film including the topmost interconnect.
US07667278B2
A semiconductor device such as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) including at least one FET that includes a gate electrode including a metal carbide and method of fabrication are provided. The CMOS comprises dual work function metal gate electrodes whereby the dual work functions are provided by a metal and a carbide of a metal.
US07667277B2
A compound metal comprising TiC which is a p-type metal having a workfunction of about 4.75 to about 5.3, preferably about 5, eV that is thermally stable on a gate stack comprising a high k dielectric and an interfacial layer is provided as well as a method of fabricating the TiC compound metal. Furthermore, the TiC metal compound of the present invention is a very efficient oxygen diffusion barrier at 1000° C. allowing very aggressive equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) and inversion layer thickness scaling below 14 Å in a p-metal oxide semiconductor (pMOS) device.
US07667271B2
A fin field-effect transistor (finFET) with improved source/drain regions is provided. In an embodiment, the source/drain regions of the fin are removed while spacers adjacent to the fin remain. An angled implant is used to implant the source/drain regions near a gate electrode, thereby allowing for a more uniform lightly doped drain. The fin may be re-formed by either epitaxial growth or a metallization process. In another embodiment, the spacers adjacent the fin in the source/drain regions are removed and the fin is silicided along the sides and the top of the fin. In yet another embodiment, the fin and the spacers are removed in the source/drain regions. The fins are then re-formed via an epitaxial growth process or a metallization process. Combinations of these embodiments may also be used.
US07667269B2
A semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer; a third semiconductor layer on the second semiconductor layer; a fourth semiconductor layer in a part of the third semiconductor layer; a trench penetrating the fourth semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer and reaching the second semiconductor layer; a gate insulation film on an inner wall of the trench; a gate electrode on the gate insulation film in the trench; a first electrode; and a second electrode. The trench includes a bottom with a curved surface having a curvature radius equal to or smaller than 0.5 μm.
US07667260B2
A memory cell is provided including a tunnel dielectric layer overlying a semiconductor substrate. The memory cell also includes a floating gate having a first portion overlying the tunnel dielectric layer and a second portion in the form of a nanorod extending from the first portion. In addition, a control gate layer is separated from the floating gate by an intergate dielectric layer.
US07667258B2
Double-sided container capacitors are formed using sacrificial layers. A sacrificial layer is formed within a recess in a structural layer. A lower electrode is formed within the recess. The sacrificial layer is removed to create a space to allow access to the sides of the structural layer. The structural layer is removed, creating an isolated lower electrode. The lower electrode can be covered with a capacitor dielectric and upper electrode to form a double-sided container capacitor.
US07667257B2
Method for solving the problem caused when forming a crown-structure capacitor in a trench which is formed in an insulating film, and having difficulty in electrical by connecting a first upper electrode formed on the inside wall of the trench and a second upper electrode which is to be a plate because of the intervention of dielectric between the first and second upper electrodes. The conducting state of the first upper electrode and the plate upper electrode is ensured by utilizing a tantalum oxide film formed on a titanium nitride film, which is brought to a completely conducting state when heat treated. A crown structure is formed without removing the insulating film, in which a trench has been formed, by wet etching, whereby a stacked trench capacitor, which has double the capacity is provided while eliminating the collapse of the lower electrode or pair bit defect.
US07667256B2
An integrated circuit arrangement is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit arrangement includes at least three conductive structure levels in which in each case elongated interconnects are arranged.
US07667255B2
A deep trench is formed in a semiconductor substrate. The deep trench may comprise a pair of parallel substantially vertical sidewalls having a constant separation distance. A set of outer substantially vertical sidewalls may have a closed shape in a horizontal cross-section. At least one dielectric layer is formed in the deep trench. The deep trench is filled with at least one conductive trench fill material to form a conductive deep trench fill region. A shallow trench isolation structure is formed directly on the deep trench to encapsulate the conductive deep trench fill region therebeneath. The stack of the deep trench and the shallow trench isolation structure form a deep trench inter-well isolation structure that provides electrical isolation of devices on one side of the stack from devices on the other side.
US07667241B1
An electrostatic discharge protection device for protecting a node includes a transistor, a silicon controlled rectifier, a second contact region laterally displaced from the first contact region, and a collection region adjacent the source region. The transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, a source region, a channel region adjacent the source region, a gate over the channel region, and a drain region laterally displaced from the channel. The silicon controlled rectifier includes the source region, a portion of the substrate, a doped well, and a first contact region in the well, laterally displaced from the drain region. The collection region, the source region and the gate, are metallically connected. The node, the first contact region, and the second contact region, are metallically connected, and the drain region is not metallically connected to the node.
US07667240B2
A radiation-emitting semiconductor chip having an absorbent brightness setting layer between a connection region and a current injection region and/or, as seen from the connection region, outside the current injection region on a front-side radiation coupling-out area of the semiconductor layer sequence. The brightness setting layer absorbs in a targeted manner part of the radiation generated in the semiconductor layer sequence. In another embodiment, a partly insulating brightness setting layer is arranged between the connection region and the active layer. Here, the brightness setting layer includes at least one electrically insulating current blocking region and at least one electrically conductive current passage region via which the connection region is electrically conductively connected to the semiconductor layer sequence such that, during operation of the semiconductor chip, part of the electromagnetic radiation generated in the chip is generated below the connection region and is absorbed by the connection region.
US07667233B2
A display device and a flat lamp that have simple structures and can be fabricated using simple fabricating processes, and a method of fabricating the display device and the flat lamp. The display device includes: a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other across a predetermined distance; barrier ribs defining light emitting cells with the first substrate and the second substrate; an anode electrode disposed in the light emitting cell; a conductive silicon layer disposed on an inner surface of one of the first and second substrates; an oxidized porous silicon layer, at least a part of which is disposed on the conductive silicon layer; and a gas contained in the light emitting cell. The fabrication method includes doping part of a silicon layer on the inner surface of the first or second substrate and changing another part of the silicon layer to an oxidized porous silicon layer.
US07667230B2
Electronic devices that include an acene-thiophene copolymer and methods of making such electronic devices are described. The acene-thiophene copolymer can be used, for example, in a semiconductor layer or in a layer positioned between a first electrode and a second electrode.
US07667224B2
A semiconductor light emitting device comprises: a substrate; a semiconductor stacked structure; a first electrode; a second electrode; and a reflective film. The substrate has a top face and a rear face electrode forming portion opposed thereto, and is translucent to light in a first wavelength band. The rear face electrode forming portion is surrounded by a rough surface. The semiconductor stacked structure is provided on the top face of the substrate and includes an active layer that emits light in the first wavelength band. The first electrode is provided on the semiconductor stacked structure, and the second electrode is provided on the rear face electrode forming portion. The reflective film is coated on at least a portion of the rough surface.
US07667217B2
An apparatus for easily shooting an invisible image (such as an invisible two-dimensional bar code) latent on an object. The operation of the apparatus is made intuitive and simple and may be incorporated into cameras peripheral to computers and mobile telephones. A novel framing and focusing system is also disclosed.
US07667212B2
Certain film deposition and selective etching technology may involve scanning of a charged particle beam along with a deposition gas and etching gas, respectively. In conventional methods, unfortunately, the deposition rate or the selective ratio is oftentimes decreased depending on optical system setting, scan spacing, dwell time, loop time, substrate, etc. Accordingly, an apparatus is provided for finding an optical system setting, a dwell time, and a scan spacing. These parameters are found to realize the optimal scanning method of the charged particle beam from the loop time dependence of the deposition rate or etching rate. This deposition rate or etching rate are measurements stored in advance for a desired irradiation region where film deposition or selective etching should be performed. The apparatus displays a result of its judgment on a display device.
US07667209B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a focused ion beam apparatus capable of prolonging a service life of an aperture, preventing contaminants from increasing when a column valve is closed, and being quickly restarted.A high-voltage power supply controller lowers an extraction voltage applied to an extraction electrode or lowers a control voltage applied to a control electrode to set an emission to 0 μA when a column valve is closed. The high-voltage power supply controller returns the extraction voltage applied to the extraction electrode to an original extraction voltage or returns the control voltage applied to the control electrode to an original control voltage when a column valve is opened.
US07667203B2
A gamma vector camera is described for detecting and determining the energy spectrum of a gamma ray source and the direction to the gamma ray source. The gamma vector camera includes a detection system that records a track of a recoil electron produced by a Compton-scattering of an incident gamma ray emitted by the gamma ray source. A processor is configured to determine the energy and the direction of the recoil electron based on the track of the recoil electron recorded by the detection system, and to determine the energy spectrum of the gamma ray source and the direction to the gamma ray source based on the determined energies and directions of a plurality of recoil electrons produced by the Compton-scatterings of a respective plurality of incident gamma rays.
US07667194B2
A method of producing a microarray including: (A) ejecting a liquid sample from an outlet onto an inspection carrier to form inspection spots, inspecting the resultant inspection spots for their quality to determine whether the inspected spots are defective or successful, and detecting a defective discharge unit, if any; (B) making the detected defective discharge unit stop discharging the liquid sample to prevent formation of the defective sample spot; (C) forming successful sample spots on a carrier using successful discharge units to provide a successful microarray on which the successful spots are aligned in a predetermined pattern on the carrier; and (D) forming a successful spot to be formed originally on the successful microarray at the position of the defective spot where no spot is formed in step (B).
US07667192B2
A method for determining at least one formation property calculated from neutron measurements acquired with a downhole tool includes emitting neutrons from a source in the tool into the formation, detecting neutrons with at least one detector in the downhole tool, calculating a first slowing-down length (L1) based on the detected neutrons, and deriving a second slowing-down length (L2) based on the first slowing-down length (L1). Further steps include deriving a correlation function for relating slowing-down lengths from a first tool to slowing-down lengths associated with a different source, wherein the correlation function depends on formation properties such as bulk density; and applying the correlation function to the slowing-down length of the first tool to derive the slowing-down length of the second tool. A method for determining a thermal neutron formation porosity based on a slowing-down length from epithermal neutron measurements from an electronic neutron source includes converting the slowing-down length into a computed neutron slowing-down length from thermal neutron measurements from a chemical neutron source, wherein the converting uses a correlation function that depends on formation bulk density; deriving a thermal neutron countrate ratio based on the computed neutron slowing-down length, wherein the deriving uses a function that depends on the formation bulk density and formation sigma; and computing the thermal neutron formation porosity from the thermal neutron countrate ratio.
US07667189B2
There is disclosed optical encoder apparatus for removable connection with a printed circuit board. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a light emitting component, a light detecting component, a mounting component for attaching the light emitting component thereon, and another mounting component for attaching the light detecting component thereon, wherein each of the mounting components have a removable connection with the printed circuit board. A method of assembling optical encoder apparatus is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes attaching a light emitting component and a terminal of a first mounting component to one another; attaching a light detecting component and a terminal of a second mounting component to one another; attaching a terminal of the first mounting component to a printed circuit board; and attaching a terminal of the second mounting component to the printed circuit board. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07667188B2
A scale and a position-measuring device include the shifting of reference markings in graduation tracks, offset transversely with respect to the measuring direction, by fractions of the interval of the reference markings within a graduation track. It is thus possible to eliminate, or at least to markedly reduce, negative effects of the disturbance of the periodicity of a graduation track by the reference markings.
US07667187B2
The invention is concerned with a hollow-shaft encoder with a motor-shaft protective cap, wherein the connection between the motor-shaft protective cap and hollow-shaft encoder is accomplished by means of repeatedly releasable and connectable frictional and/or a form-fitting connection via a relative movement between the motor-shaft protective cap and hollow-shaft encoder. The hollow-shaft encoder incorporates all electrical and mechanical components for the pick-up and output of the measuring signals and no electrical or mechanical components for the pick-up and output of the measuring signals are fixed on the motor-shaft protective cap. The hollow-shaft encoder with the motor-shaft protective cap is more cost effective and simpler in its design, production, assembly, warehousing, maintenance and repair; as well as easier to manipulate.
US07667183B2
An image sensor comprising an array of photoelectric conversion elements in a substrate, the photoelectric conversion elements being arranged in rows and columns extending in a first direction and a second direction respectively, a plurality of first junction isolation regions in the substrate that each isolate side portions of neighboring photoelectric conversion elements of a common row, and a plurality of second junction isolation regions in the substrate that each isolate side portions of neighboring photoelectric conversion elements of a common column, and a plurality of dielectric isolation regions in the substrate, that each isolate corner portions of neighboring photoelectric conversion elements. In one embodiment, the photoelectric conversion elements have a first pitch in the first direction and have a second pitch in the second direction and the first pitch is substantially equal for the photoelectric conversion elements of a common row, and the second pitch is substantially equal for the photoelectric conversion elements of a common column.
US07667182B2
A semiconductor photodetector which can obtain spectral sensitivity characteristics close to relative luminous characteristics compared to a conventional semiconductor photodetector is obtained at low cost. The semiconductor photodetector includes a semiconductor light receiving element having high spectral sensitivity in wavelengths in a range from approximately 400 nm to 1,100 nm and an optical transmitting resin where micro particles is dispersed in a transparent resin with an amount which can be obtain photocurrent from the semiconductor light receiving element by transmitting light in wavelengths in the visible light region while blocking light in wavelengths in the infrared region. The semiconductor photodetector further includes a converging structure on a light receiving surface of the semiconductor photodetector.
US07667177B2
A reading circuit including a detection module, a first transistor, and a compensation module is disclosed. The detection module detects a light. The first transistor transforms the detection result for generating a current signal. The compensation module compensates a threshold voltage of the first transistor.
US07667167B2
Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers, and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers, and other constructs include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.
US07667161B2
Methods and devices for securing the bottom of an item of cookware to the burner of a stove top by use of magnetism. The magnet(s) may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. The cookware may comprise a permanent magnet disposed on or in the base of the cookware. The burner comprises a magnetic material such as steel or iron. The magnetic material may be in the grate of the cook top, in the electric coil of an electric burners in the surface of a vitroceramic or smooth-top stove top, or other component of the cook top in close proximity to the bottom of the cookware when it is on the cooking surface. The magnetic source prevents the cookware from being accidentally knocked off the cook top.
US07667152B2
A luminous micro-switch mainly includes a case which holds a depressing member and at least a first pin and a second pin inside that are spaced from each other. There is a bridging member interposed between the two pins and the depressing member to form electric connection with the first pin in regular conditions and output a signal when the bridging member is connected to the second pin due to depressing of the depressing member. The depressing member has a depressing end which has a holding trough to hold a lighting element which has two conductive terminals to receive electric power to generate light. By holding the lighting element in the holding trough the size of the micro-switch can be made smaller to be used on smaller electronic devices to overcome the bulky problem of conventional micro-switches caused by disposing the lighting element beneath the depressing member.
US07667139B2
An electric wire and cable according to the present invention comprises a sheath made of a radiation-resistant non-halogen flame-retardant resin composition in which the radiation-resistant non-halogen flame-retardant resin composition includes one to 30 parts by weight of aromatic amine antioxidant with a melting point of 40° C. or higher and 50 to 300 parts by weight of metal hydroxide blended into 100 parts by weight of ethylene polymer.
US07667137B1
A bracket for mounting an electrical outlet box on studs. A longitudinal strip is provided with a first end and a second end. The strip has a first double 90° bend offset which is located a first predetermined distance from the first end. A second double 90° bend is offset a second predetermined distance from the second end of the strip. A bendable planar sheet extends from the longitudinal strip and has a main body and a protrusion formed at its distal end.
US07667136B2
The present invention is directed to a self-cutting electrical outlet box. The electrical outlet box is self cutting, allowing the box to be installed through an existing building surface. The box includes teeth or cutting members to assist in self-cutting. The box also includes features to assist in placement and securement of the box to a wall.
US07667133B2
A novel photovoltaic solar cell and method of making the same are disclosed. The solar cell includes: at least one absorber layer which could either be a lightly doped layer or an undoped layer, and at least a doped window-layers which comprise at least two sub-window-layers. The first sub-window-layer, which is next to the absorber-layer, is deposited to form desirable junction with the absorber-layer. The second sub-window-layer, which is next to the first sub-window-layer, but not in direct contact with the absorber-layer, is deposited in order to have transmission higher than the first-sub-window-layer.
US07667132B2
When electric power is obtained from a thermoelectric element, a value of electric current is changed, and two combinations of the electric current value and a voltage value (i1, V1) and (i2 and V2) are obtained. An electric current value it at which the maximum electric power Wmax can be obtained is obtained using an electric current-voltage characteristic estimated based on the obtained two combinations of the electric current value and the voltage value. The electric current is controlled such that the value of the electric current becomes equal to the obtained value it when the electric power is obtained from the thermoelectric element. The value it is represented by an equation, it=(i2V1−i1V2)/2(V1−V2).
US07667126B2
The invention relates to a method of establishing a harmony control signal controlled in real-time by a guitar audio input signal (GAS), comprising the steps of providing a first input harmony input control signal (FIH) on the basis of said guitar audio input signal (GAS), providing a second input harmony control signal (SIH) on the basis of a voice audio input signal (VAS). providing an input audio extraction representation (IAER) on the basis of said first input harmony input control signal (FIH), establishing a harmony control signal (HCS) on the basis of said input audio extraction representation (IAER) and said second input harmony control signal (SIH).
US07667107B2
A novel hybrid maize variety designated 34M78 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety 34M78 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 34M78 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize hybrid variety 34M78, the hybrid seed, the hybrid plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of hybrid maize variety 34M78. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from hybrid maize variety 34M78 and to the maize varieties derived by the use of those methods.
US07667094B2
The present invention relates to isolated promoter sequences responsive to germ infection and functioning in plants; vectors and DNA comprising the promoter sequences are also disclosed. The invention further relates to methods of transforming plants with a DNA construct comprising a germ responsive promoter operably linked to a pathogen resistant gene.
US07667093B2
A site specific recombination system and methods of use thereof are disclosed for manipulating the genome of higher plants.
US07667092B2
This invention discloses a biologically safe process of causing amplification and/or expression of one or more nucleic acid sequences of interest in a plant, plant tissue, plant cell or cell culture, characterized in that a plant cell is provided with at least two precursor vectors designed for undergoing processing by site-specific recombination in said cell, whereby due to said processing said plant cell is endowed with at least one replicon which provide(s) for said amplification and/or expression.
US07667077B2
A new class of fluorinated or polyhalogenated triazapentadienes are disclosed. The synthesized triazapentadienes are thermally stable, soluble in typical solvents and have several metal binding sites for complexation with metal ions. The compounds are prepared as colorless crystalline solids. Synthesis takes advantage of a reaction with triethylamine. Synthesized triazapentadienes (with and without complexed metals) inhibit bacterial growth of both Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
US07667074B2
A catalyst for the production of methacrylic acid comprising a heteropolyacid compound containing phosphorus and molybdenum is regenerated by a method comprising the steps of drying a mixture containing a deactivated catalyst, an ammonium ion, a nitrate ion and water, molding the dried mixture, firstly calcining the molded product in an atmosphere of an oxidizing gas at a temperature of 360 to 410° C., and then secondly calcining the product in an atmosphere of a non-oxidizing gas at a temperature of 420 to 500° C. The regenerated catalyst has substantially the same catalytic activity as a fresh catalyst in a gas phase catalytic oxidation reaction of methacrolein, isobutylaldehyde, isobutane or isobutyric acid to prepare methacrylic acid.
US07667060B2
This invention involves a kind of fatty acid methyl ester (bio-diesel fuel), especially the method of obtaining ester-like substances by means of chemical alterations of oil.
US07667045B2
A vinylated tetrazole substituted at the 5-position of the tetrazole ring is formed by a water-based method. A gas generating composition 12 containing the vinylated tetrazole is contained within an exemplary gas generator 10. A gas generating system 200 incorporates the vinylated tetrazole therein. A vehicle occupant protection system 180 incorporates the gas generating system 200.
US07667042B2
Stable polymorphic forms III, IV and substantially amorphous form of an anticonvulsant, tiagabine hydrochloride.
US07667036B2
The Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives represented by formula I and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts exhibit excellent MAPKAP-K2 inhibiting activity. Drugs comprising the compounds as effective ingredients are therefore expected to be useful as therapeutic or prophylactic agents for MAPKAP-K2 mediated disorder, such as inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, destructive bone disorder, cancer and/or tumour growth.
US07667034B2
This invention relates to an improved process for the industrial manufacture of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) of formula (I), which consists of stereo-selective methylation of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) with the enrichment of active (S,S)-isomer.
US07667032B2
A method of manufacturing a microarray includes providing a substrate having a surface that is immobilized with a functional group protected with an acid-labile protecting group and capable of coupling with an oligomer probe, providing a photoacid generator onto the substrate, disposing on the substrate an imprint template comprising a convex region and a plurality of concave regions surrounding the convex region so that the convex region contacts with or is adjacent to an upper surface of the substrate to define a plurality of reaction zones by the upper surface of the substrate and the convex region and the concave regions of the imprint template, exposing one or more of the reaction zones to light so that an acid is generated by the photoacid generator in the one or more exposed reaction zones and a functional group in the one or more exposed reaction zones is deprotected by the acid, and providing an oligomer probe onto the substrate so that the oligomer probe couples with the deprotected functional group.
US07667028B2
Short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules which modulate the expression of an angiogenesis-related gene by RNA interference are described. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules comprising said siRNA molecules are also described. These molecules can target all, or specific, isoforms of the gene. The use of these molecules and of isoforms of the gene for the treatment and diagnosis of angiogenesis-related disorders is also described.
US07667026B2
The present invention provides a portable system for real-time population-scale HLA genotyping and/or allelotyping in a field environment and methods of such population-scale HLA genotyping. The individual components of the system are portable to and operable within a field environment thereby providing high throughput with real-time geno- or allelotyping. Also provided are HLA gene-specific primers and HLA allele-specific or single nucleotide polymorphism-specific hybridization probes. In addition the present invention provides a microarray comprising the hybridization probes. Further provided is a kit comprising the HLA gene-specific primers and the microarray.
US07667021B2
The present invention includes isolated nucleic acids encoding fully human, neutralizing, monoclonal antibodies against human Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptor-I (IGFR1). Also included are methods of using and producing the antibodies of the invention.
US07666997B2
Antibodies that will specifically bind to NBS-1 are described. It is also shown that NBS-1 will interact with p53 responsive elements in a p53 promoter. Thus, NBS-1 can be used in subjects having a p53-dependent tumor to inhibit growth of that tumor.
US07666986B2
The tripeptide Tyrosyl-seryl-valine is disclosed with its use as a nutritional supplement. A method of making a nutritional supplement comprising obtaining the tripeptide Tyrosyl-seryl-valine and mixing the tripeptide with a biologically or therapeutically acceptable carrier is also disclosed.
US07666984B2
The invention relates to a tumor-associated peptide containing an amino sequence, which is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:79 of the enclosed listing. The peptide has the ability to bind to a molecule of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I. The invention also relates to the use of the peptides for manufacture of a medicament and for treating tumorous diseases. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition, which comprises at least one of the peptides.
US07666972B2
Disclosed herein is an isosorbide-based polycarbonate polymer comprising: an isosorbide unit, an aliphatic unit derived from a C14-44 aliphatic diacid, C14-44 aliphatic diol, or combination of these; and optionally, an additional unit different from the isosorbide and aliphatic units, wherein the isosorbide unit, aliphatic unit, and additional unit are each carbonate, or a combination of carbonate and ester units. Also disclosed are a thermoplastic composition and an article comprising the isosorbide-based polycarbonate.
US07666946B2
The invention relates to a blend of one or more biopolymers with one or more acrylic copolymers, for the purpose of improving the properties of the biopolymer(s). The biopolymer composition comprises 85-99.9 weight percent of biopolymer(s) and 0.1 to 15 weight percent of one or more acrylic copolymers.
US07666945B2
The present invention is directed to a non-gelled, curable composition including at least one compound having a plurality of imide functional groups. The compound in particular contains a reaction product of at least one secondary monoamine and at least one maleimide, and is suitable for use in coatings and castings.
US07666943B2
A fiber or filament which is formed from ingredients comprising (a) at least one fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer, and (b) at least one polybrominated anionic styrenic polymer is provided. The polybrominated anionic styrenic polymer has a bromine content of at least about 50 wt %. When the fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer is a polyester, the polybrominated anionic styrenic polymer is present in a flame resistant or flame retardant amount. When the fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer is a polyamide, the polybrominated anionic styrenic polymer is at least about 2 wt % of the fiber or filament. When the fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer is a polyolefin, at least one synergist is present and the polybrominated anionic styrenic polymer is no more than about 15 wt % of the fiber or filament.
US07666941B2
An aqueous polyolefin resin dispersion, a process for producing the same, and a water-based coating material comprising the same are provided. The aqueous polyolefin resin dispersion contains a polyolefin resin containing 50 to 98% by mass of an unsaturated hydrocarbon having 3 to 6 carbon atoms and 0.5 to 20% by mass of an unsaturated carboxylic acid unit, and a basic compound, and contains substantially no water-compatibilizing agent having a boiling point of 185° C. or higher at normal pressure. The polyolefin resin has a number average particle size of 1 μm or smaller in the aqueous dispersion.
US07666938B2
Curable compositions, such as benzoxazine-based ones, are useful in applications within the aerospace industry, such as for example as a heat curable composition for use as a matrix resin or an adhesive, and form the basis of the present invention.
US07666937B2
A rubber composition for reinforcing a side having both low exothermic property and high hardness is provided.The invention relates to a rubber composition for reinforcing a side of a run flat tire, comprising 10 to 100 parts by weight of carbon black having a nitrogen adsorbing-specific area of 30 to 100 m2/g and a dibutyl phthalate oil absorption amount of at least 50 ml/100 g, at least 2 parts by weight of sulfur or a sulfur compound, and 5 to 120 parts by weight of (1) a lamellar alumina powder or (2) fluorine-containing mica having an aspect ratio of 3 to 50 based on 100 parts by weight of a diene rubber component.
US07666933B2
An organosilane masterbatch containing (a) 2-20 parts by weight of rubber, (b) 0-60 parts by weight of filler, (c) 5-55 parts by weight of organosilane and (d) 0-10 parts by weight of dispersing agent. A process for preparing the organosilane masterbatch by mixing the rubber, filler, organosilane and dispersing agent in a banbury or kneader, extruding and cutting into pieces. Rubber mixtures containing the organosilane masterbatch can be used in rubber mixtures.
US07666929B2
A process for reducing fluorosurfactant content of a stabilized fluorosurfactant-containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion. The process includes providing a fixed bed of anion exchange resin having anion exchange groups with counter ions. The anion exchange resin is treated to replace at least some the counter ions with counter ions of non-fluorinated anionic surfactant. The stabilized fluorosurfactant-containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion is passed through the treated fixed bed of anion exchange resin.
US07666928B2
A process for reducing fluorosurfactant content of a fluorosurfactant-containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion stabilized with nonionic surfactant. The process includes reducing the fluorosurfactant content of the stabilized fluorosurfactant-containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion to a predetermined level to provide a reduced surfactant dispersion, adding non-fluorinated anionic surfactant to the reduced fluorosurfactant dispersion, and concentrating the reduced fluorosurfactant dispersion. The non-fluorinated anionic surfactant is added in stages wherein a first portion is added to the dispersion prior to concentrating and a second portion of the non-fluorinated anionic surfactant is added to the dispersion after concentrating.
US07666927B2
A process for reducing fluorosurfactant content of a stabilized fluorosurfactant-containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising contacting the stabilized fluorosurfactant-containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion with an anion exchange resin comprising a polymer and quaternary ammonium functional groups to reduce fluorosurfactant content, the functional groups being resistant to degradation which releases trialkylamines. The anion exchange resin is separated from the dispersion after the fluorosurfactant content has been reduced.
US07666923B2
Compositions and methods for concomitantly resisting fire and soil erosion. The compositions comprise an aqueous mixture of a polymer mixed with an organic material. The polymer preferably comprises polyacrylamide or a copolymer of polyacrylamide having anionic functional groups. The organic material comprises either cellulose, mulch and/or seed and mulch. The methods of the present invention comprise providing or forming an aqueous mixture of the compositions of the present invention and applying them to an area of land sought to be provided with soil erosion and/or fire resistant properties.
US07666918B2
Foamable compositions and foams comprise at least an ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer. The foam has a density from greater than 150 to about 500 kg/m3. The foamable compositions further comprise a blowing agent and a crosslinking agent. The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers are a multi-block copolymer comprising at least one soft block and at least one hard block. Methods of making the foamable compositions and foams; and foamed articles made from the foams are also described.
US07666892B2
Compounds of the formula (I) wherein Z is SO2(N6) or N(R7)SO2 or N(R7)SO2N(R6) useful as metalloproteinase inhibitors, especially as inhibitors of MMP12.
US07666887B2
What is described herein is a neutral pH, VOC-free biocidal composition of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one which is stable at low temperatures for an extended period of time. The compositions are particularly advantageous in use in protecting latex, paint, coating, cosmetic and personal care formulations against microbiological spoilage.
US07666877B2
Disclosed are ergoline derivatives, Formula (I), wherein either each of R1 and R2, independently, is H; optionally R10 and/or R11-substituted-phenyl or -phenyl-C1-4alkyl; optionally R10 and/or R11-substituted-heteroaryl or -heteroaryl-C1-4alkyl; optionally R10 and/or R11-substituted heteroaryl N-oxide; optionally R10-substituted C1-C8 alkyl; optionally R10-substituted C2-C8 alkenyl, optionally R10-substituted C2-C8 alkynyl; optionally R10-substituted C3-C8 cycloalkyl, or optionally R10-substituted C4-C8 cycloalkenyl; or R1 and R2 form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached an optionally R10-substituted 3-8 membered ring containing in addition to the nitrogen atom up to 2 heteroatoms selected independently from N, O and S; R3 is H; OR1; CH2R1R2; (CH2)1-2NR1R2; CH2—CH2—OR1; CH2—CO—NR1R2; or CO—CH2R1R2; R4 is F; Cl; Br; I; OR1; NR1R2 or has one of the significances given for R1; and R5 has one of the significances given for R1, in free form or in salt form for preventing or treating disorders or diseases mediated by interactions between chemokine receptors and their ligands.
US07666866B2
This application relates to a compound of formula (I) (or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound) as defined herein, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and its use as an inhibitor of factor Xa and/or thrombin, as well as a process for its preparation and intermediates therefor.
US07666859B2
Skin compositions comprising, hydrocortisone; allantoin; and a water-based vehicle that is essentially free of petroleum jelly, mineral oil and wax; and related method for protecting, healing and/or soothing the skin comprising: applying an effective amount of a cosmetic preparation selected from the group consisting of hand cream, foot cream, body cream, lip cream, lip gloss, lip stick, gel, balm and lotion to the skin surface; wherein said cosmetic preparation includes a skin composition made of hydrocortisone; allantoin; and a water-based vehicle that is essentially free of petroleum jelly, mineral oil and wax; and said effective amount is enough to protect, heal and/or soothe the skin surface.
US07666856B2
4-Amino-1-((2R,3S,4S,5R)-5-azido-4-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-3-methyl-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-one (22) and prodrugs thereof are hepatitis C (HCV) polymerase inhibitors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for inhibiting HCV and treating HCV-mediated diseases, processes for making the compounds and synthetic intermediates employed in the process.
US07666852B2
The present disclosure provides nucleic acid constructs encoding one or more polypeptides containing at least one glycosaminoglycan chain, such as, but not limited to, a proteoglycan polypeptide, and methods for delivering to the site of a wound or cutaneous injury at least one nucleic acid construct encoding one or more such polypeptides, such that the expressed polypeptide is glycated by glycosaminoglycan chains through the normal physiological processes of the subject at the site of administration to produce a functional proteoglycan polypeptide for the healing of the wound or other cutaneous injury. The delivered nucleic acid construct is transcribed, translated and post-translationally modified by the addition of glycosaminoglycan chains (referred herein as “decoration” or “glycation”) to produce a decorated polypeptide. The decorated polypeptide is then secreted from the cell in which it was produced to provide treatment of wounds and/or cutaneous injury in the subject and/or prevention of cutaneous injury in a subject.
US07666847B2
The invention relates to a medicament comprising at least one reducing alkyl-sugar monomer having a hydroxyl function which is substituted by an alkoxy radical at C2-C40, said medicament being preferably intended to regulate inflammatory mechanisms. The reducing sugar is preferably selected from the group containing rhamnose, fucose and glucose. The invention also relates to a cosmetic treatment method involving the topical application of a composition comprising at least one reducing alkyl-sugar monomer having a hydroxyl function which is substituted by an alkoxy radical at C2-C40.
US07666846B2
Unique compounds that can be used for inducing an immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the glycolipid to the subject. Such administration is particularly useful for preventing or treating Lyme disease in a subject. The compounds(s), and therapeutically acceptable salts thereof, may be formulated into pharmaceutical or immunogenic compositions.
US07666842B2
Compositions used to enhance the elasticity and/or appearance of tissue are described. The compositions include peptides and/or peptide-like compounds and combinations thereof having low molecular weights and which substantially correspond to sequences found in elastin. The compositions may be applied to human skin in a cosmetic or therapeutic formulation and may result in enhanced elasticity and turgor of the skin.
US07666833B2
The present invention relates to compositions containing unacylated ghrelin and derivatives thereof and their uses in the control of glycemia in ageing patients, GH deficient patients, diabetic patients and obese patients.
US07666830B2
Protein hydrolyzates are used for prevention of bacterial overgrowth. In addition it was shown in sucklings mammals that specific protein hydrolyzates promote an intestinal flore pattern which is similar to the one of mammals raised by their mother. Other advantages are that the hydrolyzate is easier to obtain and simpler to administrate than treatment of bacterial overgrowth with the aid of active principles.
US07666827B2
The present invention provides a wet wipe made up of a substrate impregnated with a cleaning lotion where the cleaning lotion includes a particulate material.
US07666826B2
A foam cleaning composition is provided that includes about 0.05 wt. % to about 10 wt. % total amount of surfactant, at least about 80 wt. % water, and a foam-boosting solvent having a HLB value of at least about 6.9 and an OHLB value of between about 12 and about 20. The foam-boosting solvent is provided at a weight ratio of the foam-boosting solvent to the total amount of surfactant of at least about 1:100. The foam cleaning composition exhibits at least 50 wt. % foam according to a 15 second vertical separation test. A foam dispenser and a method for foaming a cleaning composition are provided.
US07666820B2
The invention relates to a borehole treatment composition containing an aqueous phase and a non-aqueous oil phase, emulsifiers and, where appropriate, further customary additives, the non-aqueous oil phase containing at least one of a) paraffins having from 5 to 22 carbon atoms; and b) internal olefins having from 12 to 30 carbon atoms in the molecule; in the form of a blend with c) carboxylic esters of the formula R—COO—R′, where R stands for a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical having from 15 to 25 carbon atoms and R′ denotes a saturated, linear or branched alkyl radical having from 3 to 22 carbon atoms. The ratio of the toxicity of internal olefins of chain length C16/C18 (standard IO) to the toxicity of the constituents of the non-aqueous oil phase, in each case measured by the Leptocheirus plumulosus acute, static 96 hour/10 day sediment toxicity test (in accordance with ASTM E 1367-92 & EPA/600/R-94/025, Section 11), is less than 1.
US07666809B2
Disclosed is an electrode catalyst for fuel cells, achieving enhanced utilization efficiency of the catalyst. Also disclosed are an electrode for fuel cells by use of the catalyst and a fuel cell. The electrode catalyst for fuel cells is featured in that a compound having at least one functional group and at least one proton-accepting group in the molecule is adsorbed onto a metal catalyst, and the functional group being partially or wholly constituted of a sulfur element or a nitrogen element as its constituent atoms.
US07666803B2
The present invention is directed to a multilayered fabric comprising a first absorbable nonwoven fabric and a second absorbable woven or knitted fabric.
US07666799B2
A relaxed silicon germanium structure comprises a silicon buffer layer produced using a chemical vapor deposition process with an operational pressure greater than approximately 1 torr. The relaxed silicon germanium structure further comprises a silicon germanium layer deposited over the silicon buffer layer. The silicon germanium layer has less than about 107 threading dislocations per square centimeter. By depositing the silicon buffer layer at a reduced deposition rate, the overlying silicon germanium layer can be provided with a “crosshatch free” surface.
US07666789B2
In methods of manufacturing a variable resistance structure and a phase-change memory device, after forming a first insulation layer on a substrate having a contact region, a contact hole exposing the contact region is formed through the first insulation layer. After forming a first conductive layer on the first insulation layer to fill up the contact hole, a first protection layer pattern is formed on the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer is partially etched to form a contact and to form a pad on the contact. A second protection layer is formed on the first protection layer pattern, and then an opening exposing the pad is formed through the second protection layer and the first protection layer pattern. After formation of a first electrode, a phase-change material layer pattern and a second electrode are formed on the first electrode and the second protection layer.
US07666786B2
A semiconductor device is fabricated by forming a gate electrode structure, comprising a gate oxide layer pattern, a polysilicon layer pattern, and sidewall spacers on a silicon substrate, forming source/drain regions on both sides of the gate electrode structure in the silicon substrate, depositing a physical vapor deposition (PVD) cobalt layer on the gate electrode structure using PVD, depositing a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) cobalt layer on the PVD cobalt layer using CVD, annealing the silicon substrate to react the PVD and CVD cobalt layers with polysilicon on an upper surface of the gate electrode structure, stripping at least a portion of the PVD cobalt layer and the CVD cobalt layer that has not reacted, and annealing the silicon substrate after stripping the at least the portion of the PVD cobalt layer and the CVD cobalt layer.
US07666785B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor memory device includes forming a first layer, injecting a tungsten source gas and a silicon source gas simultaneously to form a tungsten silicide layer over the first layer, forming a tungsten nitride layer over the tungsten silicide layer without a post purge process of additionally supplying the silicon source gas, and forming a second layer over the tungsten nitride layer.
US07666782B2
A wire structure, having: a first insulating layer having a lower layer trench formed in an outer surface thereof; a first diffusion preventing film formed on an inner surface of the lower layer trench; a lower layer wire filled in the lower layer trench over the first diffusion preventing film; an interlayer diffusion preventing film formed on the lower layer wire, the interlayer diffusion preventing film made of a high melt point metal or a high melt point metal compound; a second insulating layer formed over the first insulating layer and the interlayer diffusion preventing film, a second insulating layer having a via hole that penetrates through the second insulating layer and the interlayer diffusion preventing film so as to reach the lower layer wire; a conductive second diffusion preventing film formed on an inner surface of the via hall; a conductor filled in the via hole over the second diffusion preventing film, and an adhering film made of the material that forms the interlayer diffusion preventing film, wherein the adhering film is formed so as to extend from an upper surface of the lower layer wire to a side surface of the second insulating layer within the via hall.
US07666779B2
A semiconductor device and a fabrication method thereof are provided. A semiconductor substrate having a plurality of bonding pads is prepared, and a first passivation layer, a second passivation layer and a metallic layer are successively formed on the semiconductor substrate. A third passivation layer is further applied on the semiconductor substrate and has a plurality of openings for exposing a portion of the metallic layer, wherein each of the openings is shifted in position from a corresponding one of the bonding pads by a distance not exceeding a radius of the bonding pad. A plurality of solder bumps are bonded to the exposed portion of the metallic layer and have a larger contact area with the third passivation layer. This provides better buffer to reduce stress exerted on the solder bumps, thereby preventing problems of cracking and delamination as in the prior art.
US07666775B2
A multi-layered gate electrode stack structure of a field effect transistor device is formed on a silicon nano crystal seed layer on the gate dielectric. The small grain size of the silicon nano crystal layer allows for deposition of a uniform and continuous layer of poly-SiGe with a [Ge] of up to at least 70% using in situ rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition (RTCVD). An in-situ purge of the deposition chamber in a oxygen ambient at rapidly reduced temperatures results in a thin SiO2 or SixGeyOz interfacial layer of 3 to 4 A thick. The thin SiO2 or SixGeyOz interfacial layer is sufficiently thin and discontinuous to offer little resistance to gate current flow yet has sufficient [O] to effectively block upward Ge diffusion during heat treatment to thereby allow silicidation of the subsequently deposited layer of cobalt. The gate electrode stack structure is used for both nFETs and pFETs.
US07666768B2
A method, apparatus and various material-architectures in an electrically conductive through die via formed of a composite material with a continuous phase of matrix metal and a dispersed phase of graphitic structures of carbon, wherein bulk material properties of the composite material differ from similar bulk material properties of the matrix metal.
US07666765B2
Semiconductor process technology and devices are provided, including a method for forming a high quality group III nitride layer on a silicon substrate and to a device obtainable therefrom. According to the method, a pre-dosing step is applied to a silicon substrate, wherein the substrate is exposed to at least 0.01 μmol/cm2 of one or more organometallic compounds containing Al, in a flow of less than 5 μmol/min. The preferred embodiments are equally related to the semiconductor structure obtained by the method, and to a device comprising said structure.
US07666764B2
A compound semiconductor material for forming an active layer of a thin film transistor device is disclosed, which has a group II-VI compound doped with a dopant ranging from 0.1 to 30 mol %, wherein the dopant is selected from a group consisting of alkaline-earth metals, group IIIA elements, group IVA elements, group VA elements, group VIA elements, and transitional metals. The method for forming an active layer of a thin film transistor device by using the compound semiconductor material of the present invention is disclosed therewith.
US07666760B2
A method of dividing a wafer includes: a denatured layer forming step of forming a denatured layer in the inside of the wafer along streets; a first feeding step in which the whole area of the wafer's back-side surface is suction held, and the wafer is mounted on a support base of a tape adhering unit, with the wafer's back-side surface on the upper side; a dicing tape adhering step of adhering a dicing tape to the wafer's back-side surface and an annular frame; a wafer reversing step of reversing the wafer and the annular frame face side back; a second feeding step of feeding said wafer and said annular frame to a tape expanding unit whole holding them by suction; a protective tape peeling step of peeling off a protective tape adhered to the wafer's face-side surface; and a wafer dividing step of expanding the dicing tape so as to divide the wafer along the streets along which the denatured layer has been formed.
US07666753B2
The embodiments of the invention provide a metal capping process for a BEOL interconnect with air gaps. More specifically an apparatus is provided comprising metal lines within a first dielectric. Metal caps are over the metal lines, wherein the metal caps contact the metal lines. In addition, air gaps are between the metal lines, wherein the air gaps are between the metal caps. A second dielectric is also provided over the bottom portion of a first dielectric, wherein a top portion of the second dielectric is over the metal caps, and wherein top portions of the first dielectric and bottom portions of the second dielectric comprise sides of the air gap. The apparatus further includes dielectric caps over the metal lines, wherein the dielectric caps contact the metal caps.
US07666739B2
Methods are provided for fabricating a split charge storage node semiconductor memory device. In accordance with one embodiment the method comprises the steps of forming a gate insulator layer having a first physical thickness and a first effective oxide thickness on a semiconductor substrate and forming a control gate electrode having a first edge and a second edge overlying the gate insulator layer. The gate insulator layer is etched to form first and second undercut regions at the edges of the control gate electrode, the first and second undercut region each exposing a portion of the semiconductor substrate and an underside portion of the control gate electrode. First and second charge storage nodes are formed in the undercut regions, each of the charge storage nodes comprising an oxide-storage material-oxide structure having a physical thickness substantially equal to the first physical thickness and an effective oxide thickness less than the first effective oxide thickness.
US07666738B2
The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a capacitor of a semiconductor device. The method includes the steps of: forming a first amorphous silicon layer doped with an impurity in a predetermined first doping concentration suppressing dopants from locally agglomerating; forming an impurity undoped second amorphous silicon layer on the first amorphous silicon layer in an in-situ condition; forming a storage node by patterning the first amorphous silicon layer and the second amorphous silicon layer; forming silicon grains on a surface of the storage node; and doping the impurity to the storage node and the silicon grains until reaching a second predetermined concentration for providing conductivity required by the storage node.
US07666736B2
After the implantation of fluorine ions into a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating film, a gate electrode and a protective film are formed on the semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, fluorine ions are again implanted into the semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, p-type source/drain extension regions and source/drain regions are formed in the semiconductor substrate.
US07666733B2
According to the invention, a transistor of vertical MOS type is produced in which an insulating assembly (28) formed above the drain (26) comprises insulating zones (42, 44) either side of the drain; cavities extend under the insulating assembly, either side of the channel (69); the gate (77a, 77b) is formed either side of this insulating assembly; and portions of the gate are located inside the cavities. The invention applies to microelectronics.
US07666732B2
A method of fabricating a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) structure including at least one nFET and at least one pFET located on a surface of a semiconductor substrate is provided. In accordance with the present invention, the nFET and the pFET both include at least a single gate metal and the nFET gate stack is engineered to have a gate dielectric stack having no net negative charge and the pFET gate stack is engineered to have a gate dielectric stack having no net positive charge. In particularly, the present invention provides a method of fabricating a CMOS structure in which the nFET gate stack is engineered to include a band edge workfunction and the pFET gate stack is engineered to have a ¼ gap workfunction.
US07666729B2
An embodiment of the invention is a method of making a transistor by performing an ion implant on a gate electrode layer 110. The method may include forming an interface layer 200 over the semiconductor substrate 20 and performing an anneal to create a silicide 190 on the top surface of the gate electrode 110.
US07666715B2
A radiation-emitting and/or radiation-receiving semiconductor component comprising a radiation-emitting and/or radiation-receiving semiconductor chip, a molded plastic part which is transparent to an electromagnetic radiation to be emitted and/or received by the semiconductor component and by which the semiconductor chip is at least partially overmolded, and external electrical leads that are electrically connected to electrical contact areas of the semiconductor chip. The molded plastic part is made of a reaction-curing silicone molding compound. A method of making such a semiconductor component is also specified.
US07666705B2
Provided is an image sensor and method of manufacturing the same. The image sensor can include a semiconductor substrate, a metal interconnection layer, an inorganic layer, lens seed patterns, and microlenses. The semiconductor substrate can include unit pixels. The metal interconnection layer can be disposed on the semiconductor substrate to provide signal and poser connections to the unit pixels. The inorganic layer can be disposed on the metal interconnection layer. The lens seed patterns are selectively disposed on the inorganic layer and are formed of an organic material. The microlenses are formed on the lens seed patterns.
US07666702B2
A method for fabricating a microstructure is to form at least one insulation layer including a micro-electro-mechanical structure therein over an upper surface of a silicon substrate. The micro-electro-mechanical structure includes at least one microstructure and a metal sacrificial structure that are independent with each other. In the metal sacrificial structure are formed a plurality of metal layers and a plurality of metal via layers connected to the respective metal layers. A barrier layer is formed over an upper surface of the insulation layer, and an etching stop layer is subsequently formed over a lower surface of the silicon substrate. An etching operation is carried out from the lower surface of the silicon substrate to form a space corresponding to the micro-electro-mechanical structure, and then the metal sacrificial structure is etched, thus achieving a microstructure suspension.
US07666697B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) substrate having an improved wire structure without an under-cut phenomenon that may occur during formation of a gate wire having a double-layered structure and a method of manufacturing the same are provided, where the method includes forming a first metal layer made of at least one low resistance material selected from the group consisting of Al, AlNd, Cu, and Ag, forming a second metal layer made of at least one heat-resistant, etch-resistant material selected from the group consisting of Cr, CrNx, Ti, Mo, and MoW on the first metal layer, forming an etch mask on the second metal layer, sequentially etching the second metal layer and the first metal layer using the etch mask, and forming a second metal layer pattern and a first metal layer pattern, respectively, and selectively re-etching the second metal layer pattern using the etch mask to make a width of the second metal layer pattern smaller than or substantially equal to a width of the first metal layer pattern, and completing a gate wire.
US07666691B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an organic semiconductor thin film by a wet process with a composite solution prepared by dissolving at least two organic semiconductor compounds in a mixed organic solvent including at least two organic solvents having different volatility and having different solubilities of the organic compounds at room temperature. Due to the differences in the evaporation speeds of the solvents and the solubilities of the organic compounds, the organic compounds are continuously deposited according to the composition of solvent that sequentially evaporates. Thus, the organic semiconductor thin film having a continuous multi-layer (non-boundary multi-layer) structure can be manufactured where different organic compounds coexist between the organic layers. Especially, the composite solution including at least two organic EL materials are used, and the organic materials are controlled to deposit on the anode in the order of hole injecting—hole transporting—light emitting—electron transporting—electron injecting layers to form an organic EL device.
US07666685B2
This invention generally relates to a screening method for identifying compositions suitable for use in an oral composition (e.g., a confection or chewing gum product) effective for the treatment of oral cavity malodor associated with the consumption of garlic. In particular, this invention relates to a screening method for determining the ability of a composition to reduce the concentration of a sulfide or disulfide compound (e.g., diallyl disulfide) present in a model sample or solution which is representative of the oral cavity of a subject after consuming garlic, as an indicator of the effectiveness of that composition in the treatment of oral cavity malodor associated with the consumption of garlic.
US07666682B2
A marking system that allows remote observations of visual and infrared electromagnetic signatures emitted from a distinctive marker panel. A kit employing such panels is particularly suitable for military environments, which, in turn, enhances the survivability of military equipment. The marking system preferably provides a signature in the mid and far infrared and near infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, such that the electromagnetic radiation can be observed by a pilot in an approaching moving object such as a plane, helicopter, or land vehicle that is equipped with a thermal imaging system or light intensifier device, even in adverse environmental conditions. In varying embodiments, the marking system may be used as a landing marker, a bore sight panel, and an identification panel. Utilization of passive infrared material enables use of such marking system when external power is unavailable.
US07666681B2
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step.
US07666680B2
A method and apparatus for measuring the presence or absence of interaction between at least a first and second material of interest by measuring osmotic pressure changes in an osmotic cell. Changes in osmotic pressure are determined by measuring the amount of compression exhibited by a compressible, semi-permeable material positioned in the cell.
US07666676B2
The hedgehog pathway in cerebellar cancer cells was modulated with siRNA specifically targeted to the shh and gli-I genes. Silencing of the two genes in a medullablastoma cell line transfected with the siRNAs caused significant reduction of mRNA specific for the targeted shh and gli-I genes and a loss of protein expression. The disclosed methods and compositions may be useful for treatment of a range of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) by shutting down or modulating the expression of gene products associated with the hedgehog pathway.
US07666671B2
A method of fixing a biological sample on a slide for cytological analysis, includes transferring a sample to a slide, applying a material having a slide-fixing amount of an inactivated, fixative to the slide, and activating the fixative. By way of example, the material may comprise a tape impregnated with the inactivated fixative, which tape may be removed from the slide after the fixative is activated.
US07666669B2
The present invention provides 5T4 tumour-associated antigen (TAA) for use in a method of immunotherapy of tumours. The invention also relates to a recombinant poxvirus vector from which at least one immune evasion gene has been deleted, which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a 5T4 TAA and the use thereof in vaccinating against and in treating tumours.
US07666665B2
A device comprising an analytical sample substrate having at least one region that comprises a plurality of sample-support-structures. Each of the sample-support-structures have at least one dimension of about 1 millimeter or less. A sum of areas of contact surfaces of the sample-support-structures is substantially less than a total area of the region. The contact surfaces define a prescribed sample path to an analytical depot located on the analytical sample substrate.
US07666657B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing arachidonic acid. In one embodiment, Mortierella sect. schmuckeri microorganisms are cultured in fermentation medium, preferably containing a component of a complex nitrogen source. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Mortierella sect. schmuckeri microorganisms or lipid isolated from such microorganisms to enhance the arachidonic acid content of the food product.
US07666656B2
Mycobacterium strains that have an enhanced ability to elicit a MHC-Class I-restricted CD8+ T cell immune response are provided. The Mycobacterium strains are genetically engineered to express: a endosomolytic protein that is active at neutral pH (e.g. Perfringolysin O), permitting escape of the Mycobacterium from endosomes into the cytoplasm of the cell; and antigens of interest, such as tuberculosis antigens. The invention also provides vaccine preparations containing such Mycobacterium strains.
US07666654B2
The invention relates to a method for preparing viral suspensions. The invention relates in particular to a method for preparing high-titer viral suspensions in cell cultures. Preferred methods include increasing the volume of the cell culture prior to infection with viral material and subsequent further steps of expanding the volume to a final volume which is distinctly larger than the maximum culture volume prior to infection.
US07666652B2
The invention relates to new asparaginases having improved properties, preferably improved thermotolerance, such as improved activity at high temperatures and/or improved thermostability. The invention also relates to DNA sequences encoding such improved asparaginases, their production in a recombinant host cell, as well as methods of using the asparaginases, in particular for reduction of acrylamide in foods. The invention furthermore relates to methods of generating and preparing asparaginase variants having improved properties.
US07666646B2
The present invention relates to the X-ray analysis of crystalline molecules or molecular complexes of human Pim-1. The present invention also relates to Pim-1-like binding pockets. The present invention provides a computer comprising a data storage medium encoded with the structure coordinates of such binding pockets. This invention also relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to solve the structure of homologous proteins or protein complexes. In addition, this invention relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to screen for and design compounds, including inhibitory compounds, that bind to Pim-1 protein, Pim-1 protein complexes, or homologues thereof. The invention also relates to crystallizable compositions and crystals comprising Pim-1 protein, Pim-1 protein complexes with adenosine, staurosporine or 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one and methods to produce these crystals.
US07666636B2
A process for producing poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) involves contacting maple sap with bacteria (e.g Alcaligenes latus) that convert sugars into poly-β-hydroxybutyrate. The use of maple sap is comparable to or better than the use of pure sucrose, and the use of maple sap results in PHB having higher weight average molecular weight than PHB produced from pure sucrose, making maple sap-derived PHB more suitable for commercial utilization.
US07666633B2
The invention relates to alpha amylases and to polynucleotides encoding the alpha amylases, and methods of making and using them. In addition methods of designing new alpha amylases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The alpha amylases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.
US07666625B2
The present invention relates to methods of producing a heterologous biological substance, comprising: (a) cultivating a mutant of a parent Bacillus cell under conditions conducive for the production of the heterologous biological substance, wherein (i) the mutant cell comprises a first nucleic acid sequence directing synthesis of the heterologous biological substance and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a modification of at least one of the genes cypX and yvmC, which are involved in the production of a red pigment, and (ii) the mutant cell is deficient in the production of the red pigment compared to the parent Bacillus cell when cultivated under the same conditions; and (b) recovering the heterologous biological substance from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to mutants of Bacillus cells and methods for producing the mutants.
US07666621B2
A novel surface exposed protein of Haemophilus influenzae or related Haemophilus species is described. The protein named protein D is an Ig receptor for human IgD and has an apparent molecular weight of 42,000. Protein D can be detected in all of 116 encapsulated and non-encapsulated isolates of H. influenzae studied. The protein from all strains shows in addition to the same apparent molecular weight immunogenic similarities since protein D from all strains interacts with three different mouse monoclonal antibodies and monoclonal human IgD. A method for purification of protein D is described. Cloning of the protein D gene from H. influenzae in E. coli is described as well as the nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence.
US07666619B2
The invention provides autoinducer-2 analogs that regulate the activity of autoinducer-2 and methods of using such analogs for regulating bacterial growth and pathogenesis.
US07666613B2
The present invention relates to neurotrypsin and to pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions which comprise neurotrypsins and to compositions which effect neurotrypsin levels.
US07666609B1
This invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that recognize an antigen specific to melanocytic lesions. These antibodies are useful in methods of isolating melanoma cells and diagnosing melanocytic lesions. These antibodies are also useful for immunotherapy against melanoma.
US07666608B2
The invention provides a diagnostics assay for measuring the responsiveness to a drug by comparing the protein levels of a gene that responds to the drug, such as a steroid, to the protein levels of a gene that does not respond to the drug. Methods according to the invention are useful for predicting the ability of a patient (or a tissue, body fluid or cell sample in vitro) to respond to a drug or steroid at any stage of their treatment (i.e., before, during or after), and to monitor the patient (or a tissue, body fluid or cell) over time to assess continued responsiveness to the drug or steroid.
US07666607B1
In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel TRAF-Protein-Binding-Domain polypeptides (TPBDs). The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding TPBDs, vectors containing these nucleic acid molecules and host cells containing the vectors. The invention also provides antibodies that can specifically bind to invention TPBDs. Such TPBDs and/or anti-TPBD antibodies are useful for discovery of drugs that suppress autoimmunity, inflammation, allergy, allograph rejection, sepsis, and other diseases.
US07666603B2
An isolated protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 4 and having an activity inducing apoptosis, and a gene encoding the same are provided. Also, a microarray having a substrate on which the gene or fragment thereof is immobilized is provided. Also, a method of diagnosing breast cancer using an antibody specifically binding to the protein and a method of diagnosing breast cancer by determining whether the gene is expressed in a cell or not, are provided.
US07666602B2
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step.
US07666582B2
A polypeptide isolated from S. pyogenes is described, having IgG cysteine protease activity. The protease is designated IdeS, Immunoglobulin G-degrading enzyme of S. pyogenes. A polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 1 and variants and fragments thereof having IgG cysteine protease activity or the ability to generate an immune response against S. pyogenes in an individual. Polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides and the polypeptides may be used in generating an immune response in an individual. IdeS protease inhibitors may be used in the treatment of S. pyogenes infection.
US07666581B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, and cancers. The methods of the invention comprises complexing a population of antigenic proteins or antigenic peptides derived from antigenic cells or viral particles to one or more different heat shock proteins in vitro. The population or the protein preparation used to produce the antigenic peptides comprises at least 50% of the different proteins or at least 50 different proteins of the antigenic cells or viral particles. Methods for making antigenic peptides comprise digesting a protein preparation of antigenic cells, a cellular fraction thereof, or of viral particles with one or more proteases, or exposing the protein preparation to ATP, guanidium hydrochloride, and/or acidic conditions.
US07666571B2
A polymer of which dissolution rate in an alkaline developer increases under the action of acid comprises recurring units having formulae (1) and (2) wherein R1, R2, and R4 are H or methyl, R3 is difluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl, and X is tertiary alkyl. A resist composition comprising the polymer has a high sensitivity and resolution, decreased pattern collapse during development, and minimized MEF and is best suited as micropatterning material for the VLSI manufacture.
US07666564B2
Disclosed is an image forming method employing an apparatus comprising a plurality of toner image forming units, which forms a plurality of toner images and transfer them onto an intermediate transferring member in sequence, and the transferred images is transferred onto a recording sheet. The developer is a non-magnetic single component toner and turbidity of toners of each color is less than 60; and the maximum turbidity difference among the toners is 5-45.
US07666556B2
A method for manufacturing a photomask includes forming a mask pattern to be transferred onto a wafer on a transparent substrate; transferring the mask pattern on a wafer to form a wafer pattern; selecting a critical dimension modification region requiring a line width modification in the pattern transferred onto the wafer; forming a resist pattern for selectively exposing a portion of the substrate corresponding to the critical dimension modification region; varying a light transmittance of the exposed portion of the substrate by implanting ions into the exposed portion using the resist pattern as an ion implantation mask; and selectively removing the resist pattern.
US07666552B2
A lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly where a negative plate and a positive plate are rolled in the form of a spiral while interposing a separator with a modulus of elasticity of around 2.0 kgf/mm2 or less in the longitudinal direction. A can, inside of which the electrode assembly is mounted together with an electrolyte, is electrically connected to one of the negative plate and the positive plate of the electrode assembly. A cap assembly is fitted to the top of the can, and is electrically connected to the other of the positive plate and the negative plate of the electrode assembly.
US07666549B2
An alkaline storage battery of the present invention includes a battery case and a group of electrodes. The battery case is provided with a resin case and a coating layer made of a resin formed on at least one surface selected from an inner surface and an outer surface of the resin case. The hydrogen permeability coefficient of the resin that is the material of the coating layer is 1×10−15 mol·m/m2·sec·Pa or less.
US07666547B2
A lid 3 that closes the upper surface of the opening of a closed-bottom prismatic tubular battery can 1, an electrode body 2 accommodated in the battery can 1, a negative terminal 12 penetratively fastened to the lid 3, an insulating plate 11 placed on the lower surface side of the lid 3, a lead plate 17 placed on the lower surface side of the insulating plate 11, and a negative electrode current collector lead 7 led upwardly of the electrode body 2 are included. The upper end portion of the current collector lead 7 is welded to the lower surface of the lead plate 17 and bent in a position located rather closer to the front wall of the battery can 1. The insulating plate 11 has a lid side insulating portion 22 held between the lid 3 and the lead plate 17 and a front sidewall 25 that extends downwardly from the front end side of the lid side insulating portion 22. In a free state before the battery is assembled, the lid side insulating portion 22 and the sidewall 25 of the insulating plate 11 extend roughly straightly.
US07666545B2
An electrode assembly including a first electrode strip having a first electrode collector coated with at least a first electrode active material, an exposed portion of the first electrode collector attached with a first electrode tab; a second electrode strip having a second electrode collector coated with at least a second electrode active material and is rolled together with the first electrode strip, an exposed portion of the second electrode collector is attached with a second electrode tab; and at least one inter-electrode strip separator is positioned between the first and second electrode strips, wherein at least one sheet of protective separator, which is extended from the inter-electrode strip separator, is further positioned on a side of the first electrode strip attached with the first electrode tab.
US07666544B2
A connection device for an electric accumulator 10 a first connection subassembly 16 associated with one of the electrodes 12. It comprises a metallic conducting strip 20 provided with several pins that will be embedded in the electrode 12 to make the electrical contact, and temperature and/or electrical protection means housed in a fixed module 25 electrically connected to one of the ends of the strip 20.
US07666541B2
Batteries are disclosed having a vent opening that is sealed by a metal foil. Methods and tooling for manufacturing such batteries and methods of venting sealed batteries are also disclosed. In some implementations, sealing is performed using ultrasonic metal welding.
US07666527B2
In an absorption type multi-layer film ND filter having a thin substrate and provided thereon first and second absorption type multi-layer films which attenuate transmitted light, the first and second absorption type multi-layer films are constituted of multi-layer films each consisting essentially of dielectric layers formed of SiO2, Al2O3 or a mixture of these and metal film layers formed of Ni alone or an Ni alloy; the layers being alternately layered on the substrate; and the first and second absorption type multi-layer films are so formed on one side and the other side, respectively, of the substrate as to have a film structure in which they are symmetrical to each other interposing the substrate between them, and the warpage of the substrate has been controlled at a curvature of radius of 500 mm or more.
US07666526B2
Non-volatile resistance-switching oxide films, and devices therewith, are disclosed. One embodiment of a suitable device is composed of a SRO-CZO thin film having a thickness of from about 6 to about 30 nm, and composed of from about 3 to about 10 molar % of a SrRuO3 conducting oxide dopant and from about 90 to about 97 molar % of a CaZrO3 insulating oxide material.
US07666521B2
A honeycomb body for an exhaust treatment unit has at least one honeycomb structure and a least one housing, which at least partially surrounds the at least one honeycomb structure. At least one region between the honeycomb structure and the housing is formed with a brazed joint and at least two separate measures delimit the brazed joint. Furthermore, a method for producing a corresponding honeycomb is also proposed.
US07666519B2
A high temperature sliding alloy has a matrix 1 of a Ni-base alloy or a heat resistant Fe-base alloy, and contains, by mass, 1 to 35% hard particles consisting of a Co-base intermetallic compound dispersed therein, wherein 0.1 to 10% Ag is dispersed in the matrix. Ag is a soft metal, forms an ultrathin film on a sliding surface caused by sliding with a mating member, and presents a lubricating effect. When Ag forms the ultrafine film and spreads on the sliding surface, it works little as a frictional force against the mating member due to its low shear resistance, and accordingly can achieve a low coefficient of friction.
US07666518B2
This invention relates to a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film comprising a polyolefin-containing base layer with at least 1 weight percent recycled polyolefin material comprises polyhydroxy amino ether polymer (PHAE) and an amount of compatibilizing agent such that the laminate film has a gel count of less than 15 gels/80 in2. The laminate film could have an optional tie-layer which could comprise PHAE adhered to one side; the polypropylene film contains an amount of reprocessed PHAE-containing film and a compatibilizing agent to reduce significantly or eliminate visual defects such as gels, voids, etc. The use of the compatibilizing agent with the reprocessed PHAE also aids in improving subsequent biaxial film orientation and maintains film properties. The film of the embodiments of the invention has excellent appearance and aesthetic properties and can be suitable for transparent, white opaque, or metallized film applications depending on formulation.
US07666502B2
Multi-component fibers having enhanced reversible thermal properties and methods of manufacturing thereof are described. In one embodiment, a multi-component fiber includes a fiber body formed from a set of elongated members, and at least one of the set of elongated members includes a temperature regulating material having a latent heat of at least 40 J/g and a transition temperature in the range of 22° C. to 40° C. The temperature regulating material provides thermal regulation based on at least one of absorption and release of the latent heat at the transition temperature. The multi-component fiber can be formed via a melt spinning process or a solution spinning process and can be used or incorporated in various products where a thermal regulating property is desired. For example, the multi-component fiber can be used in textiles, apparel, footwear, medical products, containers and packagings, buildings, appliances, and other products.
US07666498B2
A method of making a composite roofing material and the resulting material by depositing nail tabs made of a thermoplastic, thermosetting, adhesive or elastomer material, in a liquid state, onto the base substrate of the composite roofing material or onto the saturated or coated roofing material, or onto a transfer surface to be pressed or laminated onto the roofing material. A preferred embodiment transfers the nail tabs onto an engraved transfer impression roll and uses a pressurized applicator to inject the viscous tab material into engraved patterns depressed in raised areas of the impression roll., then deposits the material onto the roofing material. A preferred embodiment also includes the thermoplastic or thermosetting material in a liquid or viscous state hardened or cured by either its exposure to the air or by the use of ultra-violet or visible light.
US07666494B2
A metallic nanoparticle coated microporous substrate, the process for preparing the same and uses thereof are described.
US07666488B2
A honeycomb structure includes a plurality of honeycomb segments each having a polygonal cross section with an adhesive agent interposed between each two honeycomb segments, the plurality of honeycomb segments each having a plurality of channels which are partitioned from one another by porous partition walls, the plurality of channels penetrating through the honeycomb segment in a uniaxial direction. The plurality of honeycomb segments are arrayed in a way that adhesive agent-applied surfaces and adhesive agent-unapplied surfaces respectively of the plurality of honeycomb segments are arranged alternately along bonded lines each joining bonded surfaces respectively of abutting honeycomb segments. In each of the honeycomb segments, an adhesive agent is applied to at least one side surface, and the honeycomb segments and at least one honeycomb segment, in each of which the adhesive agent is applied to no side surface.
US07666474B2
Methods of forming a metal carbide film are provided. In some embodiments, a substrate is exposed to alternating pulses of a transition metal species and plasma-excited argon. The transition metal species is reacted with a carbon species to deposit a metal carbide film. The substrate is exposed to the carbon species simultaneously with the transition metal species, or the substrate is exposed to the carbon species in pulses temporally separated from the pulses of the transition metal species. In some embodiments, the carbon species and the transition metal species form parts of the same precursor compound, e.g., a metal organic compound.
US07666471B2
The present invention is directed to an improved method for metallizing polymer substrates, such as polyimides. The present invention comprises the steps of surface treating the polymer substrate with a plasma jet or corona discharge surface treatment, conditioning and etching the polymer substrate with an etching solution comprising a hydroxide and ionic palladium, activating the polymer substrate with ionic palladium, reducing the palladium on the polymer substrate, plating an electroless nickel layer onto the prepared polymer substrate, and plating an electroless copper layer over the electroless nickel layer. The process of the invention provides an improved method for preparing the polymer substrate for subsequent electrolytic plating thereon.
US07666461B2
The present invention provides a method for forming on a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic lens, more preferably a contact lens, a diffusion-controllable coating capable of controlling the out-diffusion or release of guest materials from the medical device. The method of the invention comprises: (1) applying one layer of clay and optionally one or more layers of polyionic materials onto the medical device; or (2) applying alternatively a layer of a first polyionic material and a layer of a second polyionic material having charges opposite of the charges of the first polyionic material onto the medical device and releasing the coated medical device into a releasing medium having a composition capable of imparting a desired permeability to the diffusion-controllable coating on the medical device.
US07666458B2
Methods and systems for preparing soft or firm/semi-hard cheese are provided, as well as soft or firm/semi-hard cheese prepared by the methods. The methods typically involve the formation of a slurry that contains blended or molten cheese curd. A variety of ingredients can be introduced into the curd used to prepare the slurry, the slurry that is formed, or at other stages along the manufacturing process to tailor the performance and nutritional characteristics of the final cheese product. The slurry in some methods is directly processed to form a final cheese product. In other methods, the slurry undergoes various types of processing to achieve certain desired composition or performance requirements.
US07666457B1
Dry mixes for forming dough and batters are provided comprising homogenous dispersions of glycerine on one or more ingredients in particulate form. The dry mixes are rendered more resistant to microbial growth due to the presence of glycerine. Food products prepared from the dry mixes exhibit several benefits including improved moisture retention and/or increased shelf-life.
US07666454B2
An antiwrinkle cosmetic composition comprising a substantially purified essential oil extracted from flower tops of Helichrysum italicum and a method of treating wrinkles in skin comprising applying on the skin an effective quantity of a cosmetic composition.
US07666448B2
A skin care article including a carrier and a moist application that includes partially hydrolyzed fucoidan. The partially hydrolyzed fucoidan may by sulfonated. The present invention also discloses a method of making a skin care article by partially hydrolyzing fucoidan, mixing it with a base and applying it to a carrier. The carrier may be flushable.
US07666445B2
Surgically implantable drug delivery systems for long-term delivery of haloperidol containing a biodegradable polymer and haloperidol fabricated into the surgically implantable drug delivery systems via solvent casting and compression molding are provided. Also provided are methods for producing the surgically implantable drug delivery systems and methods for using these systems in the treatment of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.
US07666444B2
There is provided an improved antiparasitic composition comprising an antiparasitically effective amount of an organic amine salt of closantel optionally a macrocyclic lactone and a non-irritating solvent system consisting essentially of an alcohol and a glycol derivative. Also provided are a method for obtaining increased levels of closantel in the blood of a homeothermic animal and a method for the enhanced protection of said animal from parasitic infection.
US07666443B2
The invention relates to compositions having enhanced post wash hydration by ensuring component or components of the composition meet selected defined criteria.
US07666442B2
The present invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of benfotiamine and an effective amount of pyridoxamine in a suitable vehicle for topical application. The present compositions are useful in improving the appearance of aged skin characterized by wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and hyperpigmentation caused by chronoaging and/or photoaging of skin, by inhibiting particularly skin damage resulting from reactive carbonyl species (RCS), glycation of skin proteins, formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and formation of advanced lipoxidation endproducts (ALEs).
US07666438B1
Multicomponent vaccines are provided which aid in the prevention and treatment of staphylococcal infections and which include certain selected combinations of bacterial binding proteins or fragments thereof, or antibodies to those proteins or fragments. By careful selection of the proteins, fragments, or antibodies, a vaccine is provided that imparts protection against a broad spectrum of Staphylococcus and other bacterial strains and against proteins that are expressed at different stages of the logarithmic growth curve. In one embodiment of the invention, a composition is provided that includes a fibrinogen binding domain of a fibrinogen binding protein and a bacterial component such as ca capsular polysaccharide, and both active and passive vaccines based on these components are also provided, along with methods of treating infection using these compositions and vaccines.
US07666426B2
The invention relates to immunology, in particular to methods for influencing the immune system, and may be useful in immunotherapy for diseases of humans and animals, including therapy for oncological, autoimmune, and viral diseases. The invention comprises exposure of tumor cells obtained ex vivo or pathological cells of a non-tumorous nature or of a fraction of a biological fluid of a mammal containing viruses or bacteria to radiation of the optical range in the presence or absence of photochemical agents or treatment of said cells, viruses, or bacteria by other physical factors or chemical substances known in the art. The cells of suspensions containing viruses or bacteria are administered into the lymphatic system of said mammal. Treated cells or suspensions obtained from an exogenous source and possessing their biologically activity before the treatment may also be administered endolymphatically. The method of the invention enhances the efficacy and usability of immunotherapy.
US07666425B1
The present invention is directed to the use of antibodies or binding portions thereof, probes, ligands, or other biological agents which either recognize an extracellular domain of prostate specific membrane antigen or bind to and are internalized with prostate specific membrane antigen. These biological agents can be labeled and used for detection of normal, benign hyperplastic, and cancerous prostate epithelial cells or portions thereof. They also can be used alone or bound to a substance effective to ablate or kill such cells as a therapy for prostate cancer. Also disclosed are four hybridoma cell lines, each of which produces a monoclonal antibody recognizing extracellular domains of prostate specific membrane antigens of normal, benign hyperplastic, and cancerous prostate epithelial cells or portions thereof.
US07666424B2
This invention provides a method for identifying cells expressing a target single chain antibody (scFv) directed against a target antigen from a collection of cells that includes cells that do not express the target scFv, comprising the step of combining the collection of cells with an anti-idiotype directed to an antibody specific for the target antigen and detecting interaction, if any, of the anti-idiotype with the cells, wherein the occurrence of an interaction identifies the cell as one which expresses the target scFv. This invention also provides a method for making a single chain antibody (scFv) directed against an antigen, wherein the selection of clones is made based upon interaction of those clones with an appropriate anti-idiotype, and heretofore inaccessible scFv so made. This invention provides the above methods or any combination thereof. Finally, this invention provides various uses of these methods.
US07666423B2
The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isolated factors from a microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including, but not limited to, Lefty and inhibitors of Nodal. The invention also provides methods of utilizing factors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their microenvironment to treat and prevent tumor formation and progression and to inhibit tumor cell aggressiveness. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or treating aggressive tumors in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, having at least one tumor cell present in its body, an effective amount of an inhibitor of Nodal activity.
US07666417B2
The present invention relates to methods of treating immune disorders, particularly autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and methods of producing antibodies for use in therapeutic strategies for treating such disorders. Generally, the present methods involve the use of antibodies that specifically bind to NKG2D receptors present on the surface of cells underlying the disorders.
US07666414B2
Methods for treating prostate cancer using modified antibodies to prostate-specific membrane antigen
Modified antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, to the extracellular domain of human prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) are provided. The modified anti-PSMA antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, have been rendered less immunogenic compared to their unmodified counterparts to a given species, e.g., a human. Pharmaceutical compositions including the aforesaid antibodies, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making such antibodies and fragments are also disclosed. Methods of using the antibodies of the invention to detect human PSMA, or to ablate or kill a PSMA-expressing cell, e.g., a PSMA-expressing cancer or prostatic cell, either in vitro or in vivo, are also provided.
US07666409B2
The present invention provides a liquid seasoning, which brings on a sufficient salty taste although it has a low common salt concentration, and which exhibits for example a pharmacological effect such as an antihypertensive effect at a high level. The present invention relates to a liquid seasoning, which contains the following components (A) to (C):(A) 3.55% or less by weight of sodium;(B) 0.5% to 4.2% by weight of potassium; and(C) 0.1% to 10% by weight of a food material having an antihypertensive effect,wherein the remaining portion of the liquid seasoning excluding component (C) is adapted by incorporation of a substance other than component (C) to have a nitrogen content (D) of 1.6% or more based on the total weight of the liquid seasoning.
US07666405B2
The present invention provides deleted adenovirus vectors. The inventive adenovirus vectors carry one or more deletions in the IVa2, 100K, polymerase and/or preterminal protein sequences of the adenovirus genome. The adenoviruses may additionally contain other deletions, mutations or other modifications as well. In particular preferred embodiments, the adenovirus genome is multiply deleted, i.e., carries two or more deletions therein. The deleted adenoviruses of the invention are “propagation-defective” in that the virus cannot replicate and produce new virions in the absence of complementing function(s). Preferred adenovirus vectors of the invention carry a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a protein or peptide associated with a metabolic disorder, more preferably a protein or peptide associated with a lysosomal or glycogen storage disease, most preferably, a lysosomal acid α-glucosidase. Further provided are methods for producing the inventive deleted adenovirus vectors. Further provided are methods of administering the deleted adenovirus vectors to a cell in vitro or in vivo.
US07666390B2
The present invention relates to diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) derivates and metal complexes thereof, and radiation sources and contrast agents including the metal complexes. More particularly, the present invention relates to DTPA derivatives, which contain iodine and are useful as contrast agents for diagnosing renal function, metal complexes of the DTPA derivatives with 99mTc, 166Ho, 111In, 90Y, 153Sm, 186Re, 188Re, 68Ga, or 177Lu, which are useful as liquid radiation sources for treating vascular stenosis and contrast agents for diagnosing renal function, and radiation sources and contrast agents including the metal complexes. The DTPA derivatives and metal complexes thereof are safe because the metal complexes are excreted via the kidneys and bladder within several minutes from the time of use as liquid radiation sources for treating vascular stenosis, and are cost-effective because they are potentially useful as contrast agents and as agents for diagnosing renal function.
US07666389B2
A method of imaging apoptosis in vivo, using radiolabeled annexin, is described.
US07666387B2
The present invention is directed to a thermochemical method for the production of hydrogen from water. The method includes reacting a multi-valent metal oxide, water and a carbonate to produce an alkali metal-multi-valent metal oxide compound, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.
US07666386B2
A device for generating hydrogen gas is provided. The device (101) comprises a first hydrogen-containing composition (107) that reacts with a second composition to evolve hydrogen gas; a dispenser (105) adapted to apply the first composition to a first porous member (109); and a conduit (111) adapted to supply the second composition to the first porous member. In a preferred embodiment, the first composition is selected from the group consisting of hydrides, borohydrides and boranes, the second composition is water, and the dispenser is spring-loaded and is charged with the first composition. As the first composition reacts with water at the interface to evolve hydrogen gas, the dispenser forces the reaction product across the interface and out of the dispenser, where it will not interfere with the progress of the hydrogen evolution reaction.
US07666385B2
A powdered photocatalyst and manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The manufacturing method of the photocatalytic nanopowders is achieved by the non-transferred DC plasma apparatus in an atmosphere of nitrogen at around 1 atm. The nitrogen-containing gas is used as the plasma-forming gas. After the generation of the nitrogen-plasma in the non-transferred DC plasma apparatus, a plurality of solid Zn precursors are introduced to the nitrogen-plasma for vaporization and oxidization. The solid Zn precursors are vaporized and oxidized through homogeneous nucleation and are rapidly cooled down by a large amount of cooling gas (i.e. mixture of nitrogen and oxygen). After the cooling process, the tetrapod-shaped and nitrogen-doped photocatalytic ZnO nanopowders having wurtzite structure are formed.
US07666360B2
A method for holding samples for analysis and an apparatus thereof includes a testing plate with a pair of opposing surfaces and a plurality of holes. Each of the holes extends from one of the opposing surfaces to the other one of the opposing surfaces. The holes are arranged in groups, where each group has at least two rows and two columns of holes. The groups are arranged in sets, where each set has at least two rows and two columns of groups. To analyze samples, at least one of the opposing surfaces of the testing plate is immersed in a solution to be analyzed. A portion of the solution enters openings for each of the holes in the immersed opposing surface. Once the holes are filled with solution, the testing plate is removed and is held above a supporting surface. Surface tension holds the solution in each of the holes. The solution in one or more of the holes is then analyzed and the solution in one of these holes is identified for further study. The location of the identified solution is marked based upon its location within a particular set and group of holes.
US07666349B2
The present invention provides a method of gel-casting WC—Co cemented carbide powder, where the resulting gelled body can be of complex shape and has a high green density, a good homogeneity and sufficiently good mechanical properties for the gelled body to be demolded and dried without significant shape-distortions and cracking. The method relates to the forming of a gelled body through the gelling of an aqueous slurry of WC—Co cemented carbide powder with good dispersion characteristics, where the gelling is achieved by the temperature induced polymerization reaction between a monomer and a cross-linker, catalyzed by a free-radical initiator. By further subjecting the body to drying, heating, and sintering, a dense cemented carbide body is obtained.
US07666340B2
A method for fabricating structural building blocks having a cured binding material dispersed within block forming media thereof comprises a plurality of operations. An operation is performed for depositing a volume of block-forming media within a media receiving cavity of block forming equipment. The block-forming media includes a curable binding material dispersed therein and curing of the curable binding material is caused by contact with a prescribed activation material. After or in conjunction with depositing the volume of block-forming media, an operation is performed for depositing the prescribed activation material into the media receiving cavity. Such depositing of the prescribed activation material causing at least a portion of the prescribed activation material to be dispersed within the volume of the block-forming media. During depositing of the prescribed activation material or after depositing of the prescribed activation material is completed, an operation is performed for compressing the block-forming media within the media receiving cavity.
US07666328B2
The invention relates to thick film conductor compositions which are useful in application to both via-fill and/or line conductors to manufacture of Low Temperature Co-fireable Ceramic (LTCC) devices and other Multilayer Interconnect (MLI) ceramic composite circuits such as Photosensitive Tape On Substrates (PTOS); gold, silver and mixed metal multilayer circuits and devices. The invention is useful for forming microwave and other high frequency circuit components selected from the group comprising: antenna, filters, baluns, beam former, I/O's, couplers, via feedthroughs, EM coupled feedthroughs, wirebond connection, and transmission lines.
US07666325B2
A liquid crystal orientation layer contains at least one polymer selected from polyamic acids and polyimides and at least one epoxy compound having a chemical structure represented by the following formula (1) or (2), the X moieties in the formulae containing an alicyclic epoxy group or a glycidyl group represented by the following formula (a) or (b): with the substituents as defined herein the specification.
US07666324B2
Disclosed is a preparation method of a snow removal agent comprising: a crushing step of crushing halite using a crusher; an aging step of aging the crushed halite; a first mixing step of mixing the aged halite with magnesium chloride in a stirring machine and stirring the mixture; and a second mixing step of adding sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium metasilicate and urea and stirring the resultant mixture. The snow removal agent prepared by the present invention is not hardened even when stored for a long period of time and is environment-friendly with no negative effects to plants, fish and shellfish.
US07666323B2
A system and method is disclosed for increasing the emissivity of solid materials, wherein first the surface of the material is mechanically worked to create micro-level defects, and then etched to create a deep micro-rough surface morphology. In this manner, higher efficiencies and lower energy consumption can be obtained when these modified materials are used for heating elements. Heating elements made in accordance with this process thus operate at lower temperatures with longer lifetimes, when the improved heating elements are used with various heating devices.
US07666320B2
There is provided a method for removing molten and scattered Cu and overhang that are generated around a via opening during laser machining in a direct laser via forming method of directly machining an outer-layer copper foil. In a manufacturing method of a printed wiring board of machining the via by laser directly through the copper foil of a copper-clad laminate in which the copper foil is clad on a base material resin, a process for machining the via is carried out in a sequence of (a) a copper foil surface treatment step of forming an oxide film on the surface of said copper foil, (b) a laser via machining step, (c) an alkali treatment step and (d) a molten and scattered Cu etching step. It is desirable to carry out (e) a de-smearing treatment after the molten and scattered Cu etching.
US07666314B2
The present invention relates to methods for the removal of organic nitrogen, organic and inorganic contaminants from an aqueous liquid. More particularly, the present invention related to a process for the removal of organic and inorganic contaminants such as organic nitrogen and all other organic and inorganic contaminants from wastewater and ground water by conducting a two step method which includes the step of adding nitrosonium ion generator such as nitrous acid and nitrite in acidic media to remove organic nitrogen and followed by the step of adding hydrogen peroxide and activated carbon to remove all the other organic and inorganic contaminants.
US07666313B2
A method of treating a site containing contaminants and apparatus are described The method and apparatus sparges the site with an air/ozone gas stream delivered with a hydroperoxide, which is a substantial byproduct of a reaction of a contaminant present in the aquifer or soil formation with the ozone.
US07666311B2
Among flocculating agents reacting in a neutral region and also leaving treated water also in neutral region, a flocculating agent is proposed, which can be used simply and may carry out effective cleaning of mud water in particular.A flocculating agent is proposed, which is a flocculating agent in powder form and exhibiting a pH of 5 to 9 when added to pure water, containing in a mixed state an acidic powder comprising porous particles obtained by adsorbing a metal constituent and an alkaline powder comprising porous particles obtained by adsorbing calcium phosphate.
US07666307B2
The invention provides a method for reducing the average size of biologically active compound particles or agglomerates suspended in a fluid by flowing one or more times said fluid having biologically active compound particles or agglomerates suspended therein through one or more magnetic fields to reduce the average size of a substantial portion of the biologically active compound particles or agglomerates by at least 25%. This method may be incorporated into a process for manufacturing a 10 biologically active compound formulation.
US07666306B2
The present invention provides an adsorbent comprising calcined coke with a BET surface area of 20 m2/g or less which is obtained by calcining a particular carbonaceous material at 1000 to 1500° C. and which is preferably obtained by calcining coal coke, petroleum coke or charcoal coke at 1000 to 1500° C. The adsorbent of the present invention exhibits adequate adsorbent ability with respect to an oil component in oil-containing wastewater even when the oil-containing wastewater is an emulsion or contains a low concentration of the oil component, and also stably maintains the adsorbent ability over a long period of time.
US07666304B2
A fluid treatment apparatus is disclosed which includes a casing through which fluid flows, an array of magnets in the casing, arranged substantially perpendicular to the side of the casing and therefore substantially perpendicular to the main flow of fluid through the casing, wherein the magnets within the array which lie substantially within the same perpendicular plane are spaced apart and arranged in alternating polarity, and means to support the array of magnets such that the space between the magnets within the array which lie substantially within the same perpendicular plane are substantially equal distances from the adjacent magnets to permit flow of fluid therethrough. In a one arrangement, the casing includes an outer casing made from a material which substantially restricts the magnetic field within the casing. An inner casing is made from a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel. Another arrangement of a fluid treatment apparatus includes an array of magnets in the casing, arranged in planes substantially perpendicular to the side of the casing and therefore substantially perpendicular to the main flow of fluid through the casing.
US07666301B2
A settling and retention basin includes an interior chamber having a peripheral wall preferably provided with two diametrically opposite openings in each of which is received a flow port member having a flow equalization port therein. Depending upon wastewater levels and surges, the flow port members can be removed and replaced by other flow port members of an identical construction, except for different sizes of design flow equalization ports thereof. Therefore, should a wastewater treatment mechanism be installed initially in a wastewater treatment plant with accurately sized flow equalization ports to achieve desired flow characteristics and efficiency, should such flow characteristics change over time because of inefficient flow-through of wastewater, the originally installed flow port members can be readily removed and replaced with identical flow port members except for larger flow equalization ports thereof thereby returning the overall wastewater treatment mechanism to acceptable design flow equalization and efficiency.
US07666291B2
A method for fabricating metal wires is disclosed. A substrate is first provided, and a first metal layer is formed over the surface of the substrate. Next, a mask with patterns is formed on the surface of the substrate, in which the first metal layer is partially exposed. Next, an electroplating process is performed to form a second metal layer on top of the partially exposed first metal layer. Next, the mask with patterns is removed and an etching process is performed to remove part of the first metal layer by utilizing the second metal layer as a mask for forming a metal wire.
US07666289B2
Disclosed herein are methods and devices for assaying and concentrating analytes in a fluid sample using dielectrophoresis. As disclosed, the methods and devices utilize substrates having a plurality of pores through which analytes can be selectively prevented from passing, or inhibited, on application of an appropriate electric field waveform. The pores of the substrate produce nonuniform electric field having local extrema located near the pores. These nonuniform fields drive dielectrophoresis, which produces the inhibition. Arrangements of electrodes and porous substrates support continuous, bulk, multi-dimensional, and staged selective concentration.
US07666285B1
A disposable microsensor is designed, fabricated and tested for standard BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) measurements. A transparent Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) substrate is used for sensor fabrication. Standard lithographic procedures in addition to techniques like screen printing and electroplating are used to fabricate the sensor. A microbial strain of Trichosporon Cutaneum is immobilized over one pair of sensor electrodes while the other is used as a reference. Depending on the respiratory activities of the microbial strain in different samples, the BOD values of the samples can be measured in terms of difference between the output signals. The sensor layer is attached to an injection-molded passive microfluidic channel on the top. Advantages of the BOD microsensor include, but are not limited to, fast BOD measurement, disposability because of its low cost, chemically inert polymer substrate, flow-through sample injection scheme and integration of on-chip optics.
US07666278B2
A decoking system that not only enables an operator to remotely switch the coke-cutting process from boring to cutting mode without removing the drill stem from the coke drum, but also to remotely determine the drill stem's mode so that efficiency, safety and convenience are not compromised, is provided.
US07666275B2
Composite compounds of co-structured or co-adsorbed organic or mineral fillers or pigments containing at least two organic or mineral fillers or pigments of a different nature and the use thereof in the paper industry for manufacturing paper, filling or coating or for any other surface treatment of the paper as well as wood or metal or plastic or cement surface treatment compounds in the fields of aqueous and non-aqueous paints and plastics materials.Coatings colors, uncoated filling compound and sheets of base paper for coating containing them.
US07666271B2
Disclosed herein is a method by which a material may be placed onto a moving web in a transverse orientation. At least two assemblies, which carry either a first and a second web or a single web, periodically overlap each other in an alternating fashion such that a material may be placed upon their respective carried webs in a transverse manner. The first and second assemblies translate in a direction of web movement in order to modify the velocity of the web carried upon the assembly. Thus, with the velocities of the assemblies capable of being varied, the material may be placed in a transverse manner upon the moving web along with various other orientations.
US07666268B2
A coating material, green sheet and the method capable of producing a green sheet without a pin hole, having enough strength to be peeled from a support body and excellent surface smoothness even when the green sheet is extremely thin, and being suitable to make an electronic device thin and multilayered, are provided. The present invention provides a green sheet coating material comprising a ceramic powder, a binder resin including a butyral based resin as a main component thereof, and a solvent. The solvent includes a first solvent having an SP value as a solubility parameter of 10 or larger and a second solvent having the SP value of 8 or larger but smaller than 10. The second solvent is included by 20 to 60 wt % and, preferably, 25 to 60 wt % with respect to 100 wt % of the solvent as the entire weight.
US07666259B2
In one embodiment, a crystallization and screening plate comprises a plurality of cells open at a top and a bottom, a frame that defines the cells in the plate, and at least two films. The first film seals a top of the plate and the second film seals a bottom of the plate. At least one of the films is patterned to strongly pin the contact lines of drops dispensed onto it, fixing their position and shape. The present invention also includes methods and other devices for manual and high-throughput protein crystal growth.
US07666253B2
A test fixture for collecting particulate matter carried in the exhaust gas stream of an engine has a pair of coaxially aligned mounting plates, each having a filter cartridge holder mounted thereon. One of the mounting plates is moveable with respect to the other along a predefined longitudinal axis of the test fixture between an open position, whereat a filter cartridge is easily placed or removed, and a closed position at which a filter media mounted in the filter cartridge is sealed during a prescribed test sequence. An actuator mounted on a third coaxially aligned mounting plate has an extendable rod connected to the second mounting plate to effect movement of the second mounting plate between the open an closed positions.
US07666252B2
A method of purifying an exhaust gas by way of an adsorption unit (adsorption columns 7a, 7b) including an adsorbent layer paced with precoated mesoporous active carbon capable of alternately switched operations of adsorption and desorption, wherein prior to the treatment by way of the adsorption unit, a concentration increase is effected by way of a pre-treatment unit (honeycomb rotor (11) or stationary honeycomb) including an adsorbent layer packed with precoated mesoporous active carbon for concentrating of any dilute volatile hydrocarbon contained in the exhaust gas. Consequently, there can be provided a method of purifying large amounts of exhaust gas with dilute volatile hydrocarbon concentration, in which without emission of carbon dioxide, any volatile hydrocarbon contained can be recovered with extreme easiness as a liquid. Further, there can be provided a purification method in which zero emission is attained with respect to volatile hydrocarbons.
US07666251B2
Method of purifying a feed stream containing carbon dioxide wherein the feed stream after having been compressed and dried is partly cooled and then used to reboil a stripping column. Thereafter, the feed stream is further cooled and expanded to a lower operational temperature of the stripping column. A carbon dioxide product stream composed of the liquid column bottoms of the stripping column is expanded at one or more pressures to generate refrigeration, then fully vaporized within the main heat exchanger and compressed by a compressor to produce a compressed carbon dioxide product. Refrigeration is recovered in the main heat exchanger from a column overhead stream extracted from the stripping column within the main heat exchanger either directly or indirectly by auxiliary processing in which carbon dioxide is further separated and optionally recycled back to the main compressor used in compressing the feed stream.
US07666248B2
A method is described for priming an in-line molten metal filtration unit having a porous ceramic or refractory filter mounted substantially horizontally in a filter box. This filter box has an inlet for molten metal and an outlet for molten metal, the outlet being a closeable outlet in an exit well connecting to the downstream side of the filter. The method of the invention comprises the steps of adding a molten metal to the filter box sufficient to entirely cover the upstream side of the filter with a depth of molten metal and temporarily sealing the outlet in the exit well. A steadily increasing vacuum is then applied to the closed exit well at a rate between 0.1 and 10 kPa per second by withdrawing a stream of air from the exit well by means of a fan or air venturi until molten metal begins to flow through the filter. At that point the vacuum is quickly released and the molten metal outlet is opened. Once the filter has been primed in this manner, flow of metal through the filter continues while requiring only a relatively low head of molten metal on the inlet side of the filter.
US07666246B2
Hard phase particles including Co alloy particles, carbide alloy particles, and silicide particles are dispersed substantially uniformly throughout a matrix composed of Cu self-fluxing alloy of a cladded portion. The cladded portion contains 6 to 15% by weight of Co, 3 to 8% by weight of one of Cr and Mo, 0.3 to 1% by weight of W, 0.5 to 1.8% by weight of Fe, 8 to 15% by weight of Ni, 0.08 to 0.2% by weight of C, 1.5 to 4% by weight of Si, 0.5 to 0.8% by weight of Al, and 0.1 to 0.3% by weight of P, and inevitable impurities and Cu as a balance. The hard phase particles have an average particle diameter of 8 to 20 μm and a particle size distribution width of 0.1 to 100 μm, and to occupy 10 to 20% in an arbitrary cross section of the cladded portion.
US07666244B2
A hardfacing composition for a drill bit, including a carbide phase comprising from about 50% to about 75% by weight of the hardfacing composition of a combination of 16 to 40 mesh cemented tungsten carbide and 80 to 200 mesh super dense tungsten carbide cobalt particles, wherein about 5% to about 50% by weight of the carbide phase comprises the super dense tungsten carbide cobalt particles, and a binder alloy including about 25% to about 50% by weight of the hardfacing composition.
US07666243B2
A method of making a silicon-containing alloy of niobium that includes: A) forming a blend comprising niobium powder and silicon powder and pressing the blend to form pressed blend; B) attaching the pressed blend to an electrode comprising niobium; C) melting the electrode and pressed blend under vacuum arc remelting conditions, such that the blend mixes with the melted electrode; D) cooling the melted electrode to form an alloy ingot; and E) applying thermo-mechanical processing steps to the alloy ingot to form a wrought product. The method provides a fully recrystalized niobium wrought product with a grain size finer that ASTM 5, that can be used to make deep drawn cups and sputtering targets.
US07666237B2
A cooling system (10) is provided for use with a fuel processing subsystem (12) for reducing a level of carbon monoxide in a reformate flow (14) for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system (16). The fuel processing subsystem (12) includes first and second preferential oxidizers (18, 20) to oxidize the carbon monoxide carried in the reformate flow. The reformate cooling system (10) includes a coolant flow path (30), a reformate flow path (32), and first, second, third, and fourth heat exchanger core portions (34, 36, 38, 40). The core portions (36-40) are arranged in numbered sequence along the reformate flow path (32) with the first and second core portions (34, 36) located upstream of the first preferential oxidizer (18), and the third and fourth core portions (38, 40) located downstream of the first preferential oxidizer (18) and upstream of the second preferential oxidizer (20). The first and second core portions (34, 36) are arranged in numbered sequence along the coolant flow path (30), one of the third and fourth core portions (38, 40) is arranged upstream of the first core portion (34) along the coolant flow path (30), and the other of the third and fourth core portions (38, 40) is arranged downstream of the second core portion along the coolant flow path (30).
US07666233B2
Alkali (or other active) metal battery and other electrochemical cells incorporating active metal anodes together with aqueous cathode/electrolyte systems. The battery cells have a highly ionically conductive protective membrane adjacent to the alkali metal anode that effectively isolates (de-couples) the alkali metal electrode from solvent, electrolyte processing and/or cathode environments, and at the same time allows ion transport in and out of these environments. Isolation of the anode from other components of a battery cell or other electrochemical cell in this way allows the use of virtually any solvent, electrolyte and/or cathode material in conjunction with the anode. Also, optimization of electrolytes or cathode-side solvent systems may be done without impacting anode stability or performance. In particular, Li/water, Li/air and Li/metal hydride cells, components, configurations and fabrication techniques are provided.
US07666232B2
A reactive trichromatic set comprising (a) at least one of the following reactive red dye of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, X, D, Z, and n are defined the same as in the specification; (b) at least one reactive yellow dye selected from the following Color Index; C.I. Reactive Yellow 145 and C.I. Reactive Yellow 176; and (c) at least one reactive blue dye selected from the following Color Index; C.I. Reactive Blue 194, C.I. Reactive Blue 221 and C.I. Reactive Blue 222.
US07666225B2
A prosthetic spinal disc nucleus pulposus formed from a hydrogel formed by crosslinking a macromer having a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure and at least two pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and an amphiphilic comonomer.
US07666222B2
Methods of preparing intravascular stents with a polymeric coating containing macrocyclic lactone (such as rapamycin or its analogs), stents and stent graphs with such coatings, and methods of treating a coronary artery with such devices. The macrocyclic lactone-based polymeric coating facilitates the performance of such devices in inhibiting restenosis.
US07666220B2
Embodiments provide methods and systems for treating aneurysms using filling structures filled with a curable medium. An embodiment of a method comprises positioning at least one double-walled filling structure across the aneurysm and filling the structure(s) with a filling medium so that an outer wall conforms to the inside of the aneurysm and an inner wall forms a generally tubular lumen to provide for blood flow. The lumen is supported with a balloon or other expandable device while and/or after filling. The pressure within the structure and/or in the space between an external wall of the structure and the aneurysm wall is monitored and a flow of the medium into the structure is controlled responsive to the pressure. The pressure can also be used to determine a filling endpoint. The medium is hardened while the lumen remains supported by the balloon. The balloon is then removed after the medium hardens.
US07666215B2
Systems and methods for accurate temperature modification of a patient, or selected regions thereof, including inducing hypothermia. The temperature modification is accomplished using an in-dwelling heat exchange catheter within which a fluid heat exchange medium circulates. A heat exchange cassette attached to the circulatory flow lines of the catheter, the heat exchange cassette being sized to engage a cavity within a control unit. A temperature measurement scheme for obtaining body core temperature is provided, including methods of obtaining and analyzing temperature data to provide feedback to the control unit for use in controlling the heating and cooling of the heat exchange medium so as to heat or cool a patient to a desired target temperature.
US07666214B2
An inflatable convective thermal blanket is designed to have at least one section on its top surface that has securely mounted thereon at least one fluid absorbent mechanism for absorbing fluids from a subject that is placed onto the blanket, or from fluids fallen onto the blanket from other sources. The one section is configured onto the blanket in such a way that it forms a well for collecting the fluids. The fluid absorbent mechanism, which may be in the form of a pad, would absorb the collected fluid to thereby minimize evaporative and cooling effects on the subject. Instead of mounting it on top of the blanket, the fluid absorbent pad may be mounted to the underside of the blanket, with appropriate holes and/or openings provided at the fluid collecting section, so that the collected fluids are drained onto the fluid absorbent pad. To enhance the input flow of air to the blanket, as well as to enable the blanket to be flatly folded for storage or shipping, a collapsible retainer mechanism is provided at the input port(s) of the blanket. The retainer mechanism opens up to a shape that facilitates the mating of an air hose to the input port. When folded to its collapsed position, the retainer mechanism, and the input port, would lie substantially coplanarly with the blanket. When configured to the position for accepting the air hose, the retainer mechanism is positioned substantially orthogonal to the blanket.
US07666205B2
The present invention is directed to an inflatable device for use in restoring the anatomy of diseased or fractured bone. The inflatable device may be a balloon of varied size or shape to conform to the bone to be treated and may be deployed in any type of bone where collapsed fractures of cortical bone may be treated by restoring the bone from its inner surface. Once the bone has been sufficiently restored the balloons may be deflated and removed, or may remain inside the bone. The balloon may have multiple layers to provide desired surface characteristics, resistance to puncture and tearing, or other beneficial properties, as appropriate for the particular application of the device.
US07666197B2
Apparatus and methods for performing a surgical anastomotic procedure are disclosed herein. Apparatus according to the present disclosure include at least one fastener including a first fastener portion having an anchoring leg portion, a second fastener portion including an anchoring leg portion, wherein the first and second fastener portions are operatively associated with one another to selectively fix the position of the first fastener portion relative to the second fastener portion. The apparatus has a first member for engaging the first fastener portion and a second member for engaging the second fastener portion. The first member and the second member are movable with respect to one another to move the first fastener portion and second fastener portion with respect to one another.
US07666195B2
A device and method for selectively engaging or penetrating a layer of a luminal organ wall where the luminal organ wall has a plurality of layers including an outermost layer and an innermost layer adjacent to the lumen of the organ. The device and method select one of the plurality of layers of the organ wall other than the innermost layer and deploy from within the lumen of the organ a tissue device through the innermost layer to a specific depth to engage or penetrate the selected one of the plurality of layers. The device and method may be employed to create luminal pouches or restrictive outlets. In a stomach organ, the device and methods may be employed to treat obesity by forming a gastric pouch with or without a restrictive outlet.
US07666193B2
Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
US07666184B2
A planetary roll system, in particular for a device for extending bones. The system comprises two elements that can be displaced in opposition to one another and that are interconnected by at least one drive element. A hosing is designed to receive at least one planetary roll which comprises at least one radial cavity.
US07666179B2
According to an aspect of the invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided which contain the following: (a) one or more porous regions comprising pores and (b) one or more therapeutic agents which are (i) contained within the porous region, (ii) disposed beneath the porous region, or (iii) both. Moreover, the porous regions are capable of undergoing a change in configuration, such that the pores undergo a change in configuration, upon subjecting the porous regions to activating stimuli.
US07666178B2
The present invention is directed generally to an adapter for assist with the connection of a flexible tubing to a connector, and more particularly to a product that enables the flexible tubing to retain its ability to provide a secure connection even after multiple uses by resisting or limiting permanent deformation thereof.
US07666175B2
A disposable absorbent article may comprise a chassis and a pair of longitudinally disposed barrier cuffs. Each cuff may contain a barrier zone, an attachment zone, and a transition edge separating the barrier zone and attachment zone. The barrier cuffs exhibit a cuff span and a cuff height at a given cross-section through a crotch point and an end region. The absorbent article exhibits a cuff span ratio, defined as a maximum cuff span as measured in the end region of the barrier cuff divided by a cuff span as measured at the crotch point, of greater than 1. The absorbent article exhibits a cuff height ratio, defined as a cuff height as measured at the crotch point divided by a minimum cuff height as measured in the end region, of greater than 1.
US07666163B2
An actuator for an interventional surgical procedure is described. The actuator may include an actuator body having a distal end and a proximal end. A central expandable section is located between the distal end and the proximal end. The expandable section is operable between an unactuated condition in which the expandable section is in a furled state and an actuated condition in which the expandable section is in an unfurled state. A needle is located at the expandable section. The needle is moveable in an approximately perpendicular direction relative to a central longitudinal axis of the actuator body from a position within the actuator body to a position outside of the actuator body.
US07666157B2
A surgical protective tool positioning apparatus includes a base, and two symmetric connecting bases disposed on the base, each having a containing groove formed by enclosing a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall. The second sidewall has a latch hole for interconnecting a containing space above the containing groove and the base for inserting a support stand downwardly into the containing groove. Each support stand has a latch lump latched to and protruded from the latch hole, such that each support stand is protected completely by the first sidewall, second sidewall, third sidewall and fourth sidewall of each connecting base to provide a better structural strength for connecting the support stand and the connecting base, and achieve the advantages of better durability and safety to the protective tool.
US07666149B2
A cassette containing cartridges for sampling blood from a patient. The cassette includes a container for storing a plurality of cartridges and at least one cartridge in the container. The cartridge includes a cartridge case and a lancet. The lancet has a tip and is housed in the cartridge case. The lancet can be driven to extend the tip outside the cartridge case for lancing the skin of the patient to yield blood. The container has a compartment that contains at least one cartridge. A cartridge from the compartment can be loaded onto a glucometer that drives the lancet in the cartridge to lance the skin of a patient.
US07666145B2
Provided is a pulse wave propagation detection system including an electrocardiographic signal detection unit, and an eyeground image detection unit for detecting an eyeground image in synchronization with an electrocardiographic signal detected through the detection unit, which system further includes a correlation unit for correlating a change in the diameter of an eyeground vein—which diameter is measured, at the optic papilla, by use of an eyeground image synchronized with an arbitrary electrocardiographic signal—with the state of pulse wave propagation through an intracerebral blood vessel or with the state of sclerosis of a capillary artery.
US07666137B2
A method for analyzing the mitochondrial function of a subject involves: conducting a first test wherein the average oxygen consumption of the subject during exercise is measured while the subject is breathing air having a first oxygen concentration, preferably room air having a concentration of 20-21% by weight; conducting a second test wherein the average oxygen consumption of the subject during exercise is measured while the subject is breathing air having a second oxygen concentration, preferably air having an oxygen concentration of 30-33% by weight; measuring first and second energy quotients obtained from the first and second tests, respectively; and then using the energy quotients to calculate the subject's Mitochondrial Factor. The Mitochondrial Factor is directly proportional to the subject's mitochondrial efficiency and function. If conducted periodically, the method can be used to determine whether the subject's mitochondrial efficiency is increasing or decreasing over time. The rate of increase or decrease will indicate the subject's risk of developing one or more age-related diseases.
US07666128B2
Disclosed herein is a portable apparatus for training a user in in increasing levels of skill, control and maneuverability of a board for a board sport. The portable apparatus comprises a foot placement mat and a support unit. The foot placement mat comprises multiple placement zones for indicating a first location for positioning a support unit and second locations for placing the user's feet. The support unit comprises laterally opposite support members and hand placement platforms. Each of the laterally opposite support members comprises an elongated section and a lower protruding section. The hand placement platforms are detachably attached to the elongated section or the lower protruding section of the laterally opposite support members for enabling placement of the user's hands in an elevated position or a lower position respectively. The support unit positioned on the foot placement mat enables the training of the user in increasing levels of skill, control and maneuverability of a board for a board sport.
US07666120B2
Exercise apparatus is provided having a link with a user-engagement surface guiding movement of the user in a natural biomechanical three dimensional human motion.
US07666117B2
In a power-transmission control mechanism for controlling transmission of power from an internal combustion engine of a lawn mower to mowing blades, a controller for an electromagnetic clutch periodically repeats: reading detected engine rotational speed during a predetermined time, when an operating switch is turned on; comparing present engine rotational speed read in the present cycle with previous engine rotational speed read in the previous cycle; engaging the electromagnetic clutch when the present engine rotational speed is equal to or higher than the previous engine rotational speed; and disengaging the electromagnetic clutch when the present engine rotational speed N is lower than the previous engine rotational speed. Thus, the power of the engine is reliably transmitted to the mowing blades without occurrence of engine stall and without being influenced by the load following characteristic of the engine, the clutch, and load fluctuation.
US07666116B2
Method and differential-lock control apparatus for differential lock control are disclosed. A control unit is arranged for communication with an engine speed sensor, a differential-lock activation control, and a differential lock. The control unit is adapted to allow for reduction of an engine speed to a desired engine speed if the engine speed is at least a threshold engine speed in response to receipt of an activate-differential-lock request signal, and adapted to subsequently output an activate-differential-lock control signal to the differential lock so as to command activation of the differential lock.
US07666110B2
A control system of a power transmission mechanism, in which a transmission torque capacity between transmission members varies according to a pressure to be applied to the transmission members and in which the pressure to be applied to the transmission members is controlled on the basis of such a slip condition between the transmission members as accompanies the lowering of the pressure. The control system comprises: a pressure lowering device for lowering the pressure by a preset value; and a pressure setter for setting the pressure, in case the slip between the transmission members is not detected even by lowering the pressure by a preset value with the pressure lowering device, on the basis of the lowered minimum value of the pressure.
US07666107B2
A golf stroke training device includes a base that has a first section and a second section, and a vertical guide coupled to the base. The vertical guide is substantially perpendicular to the base. The first section has an arc extending from an approximate midpoint of the device to a first end of the device, and the second section comprises a substantially straight edge extending from the approximate midpoint of the device to a second end of the device.
US07666103B2
An amusement ride (10) involving riders (17) being conveyed through the air. The amusement ride (10) comprises a tower (11) having a column (23), typically of a height of at least 30 meters. A hub structure (33) is supported on the column (23) for rotation with respect thereto and for displacement therealong. A first drive means (51) is provided for rotating the hub structure (33) with respect to the column (23). A second drive means (61) is provided for displacing the hub structure (33) along the column (23). Rider carriers (81) are suspended from the hub structure (33) to undergo motion in response to movement of the hub structure (33) with respect to the column (23), involving the riders (17) being conveyed along a path around the column (23), with the elevation of the riders changing during the ride through displacement of the hub structure (33) along the column (23). The amusement ride (10) is of a design which is conducive to construction on a large scale.
US07666098B2
An apparatus and method by which sound files may be modified within a gaming device to coincide with one or more game events. In one embodiment, a sound file is played in a first manner when the previous spin of slot machine reels does not produce a win for the player. The sound file is played in a second manner, however, if the previous reel spin does produce a win. In another embodiment, a sound file is played in a first manner when the current reel spin does not produce a win. The sound file is modified in mid-play, however, if the current reel spin does produce a win. In a further embodiment, the sound file is modified differently in mid-play if the current reel spin does not produce a win.
US07666095B2
The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for enforcing contracts within video game environments. Methods and systems of the invention include virtual and real world penalties and remedies for entities that breach contracts or other obligations undertaken in the virtual world.
US07666094B2
The present disclosure provides a gaming device, a gaming system and a method for operating a gaming device or gaming system with a plurality of progressive awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one of the progressive awards. The player's selection of which progressive award to play for is based, at least in part, on a relative probability of the player winning the selected progressive award compared to the relative probabilities of the player winning the non-selected progressive awards. After selecting which award to play for, the gaming device either provides the selected progressive award to the player or modifies the relative probability that the player will win the selected progressive award with one or more of any award selections remaining. Such a configuration enables the player to strategically select which award to play for and the order that the player will play for the awards.
US07666092B2
A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates a separate or individual outcome associated with each of the gaming devices. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. Each gaming device however receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.
US07666087B2
A gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes at least one input value; a plurality of selections and at least one modifier associated with a selection. The gaming device enables a player to apply input values to desired selections and depending upon which modifiers are associated with the selections, the player can gain a relatively high or low output value. This type of bonus scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.
US07666084B2
A game of chance is provided in which a predetermined fixed number of winning cell content drawn from a predetermined set of cell content. The drawn content is matched to the content on game cards and if the matched game card content covers a predetermined winning pattern then the game card is a winner. In one example, numerous winners may occur per game session because the game continues until the predetermined fixed number of winning cell content is drawn and not until a win occurs.
US07666079B2
Specification of an attack for a player character is received by means of an attack specifying operation of the player. A direct attack reaction is determined in the case where it is determined that the attack hits an enemy character A. The direct attack reaction indicates a reaction of the direct attack target character that suffers the direct attack. The enemy character A is then caused to execute the determined direct attack reaction. In the case where it is determined that an indirect attack to be caused by contact between the enemy characters A, B hits an enemy character B when the enemy character A executes the direct attack reaction, an indirect attack reaction indicating a reaction of the enemy character B that suffers the indirect attack is determined. The enemy character B is then caused to execute the determined indirect attack reaction.
US07666073B2
A closure clip for products in bag or sausage form, the packaging cover material of which is formed from at least one packaging film, wherein the closure clip has a clip bottom and two straight clip legs which adjoin the clip bottom in the same direction and which diverge away from each other away from the clip bottom and the central longitudinal axes of which and the central longitudinal axis of the clip bottom lie in a common plane. It is further provided that the clip bottom has a rounding in the form of part of a circular arc.
US07666071B2
An apparatus for manufacturing chains of linked food products such as sausages with twisted portions and having a plurality of stuffing tubes, includes a plurality of stuffing tubes 2 provided at equal intervals about a rotational axis Xo; a stuffing tube moving body 4 which rotates through predetermined angles about the rotational axis Xo so that the respective stuffing tubes 2 sequentially move to a filling position III; and a stuffed casing conveying means 50 which conveys in a suspended state a stuffed casing C formed by the stuffing tube 2 positioned at the filling position III.
US07666069B2
The present invention is directed to a wafer holder and a related wafer conveyor system. The wafer holder holds a wafer and moves horizontally within a chamber. A contact area between the wafer and the wafer holder is reduced, and potential contaminants generated by ear between components of the wafer holder are trapped by an airtight cover. Since the wafer holder moves horizontally while being fixed to a guide rail, the wafer conveyor system reduces friction between the guide rail and the wafer holder.
US07666068B2
A retainer ring and a method of using the retainer ring are provided. The retainer ring has openings along a bottom surface. Grooves encompass the openings and extend to an interior portion of the retainer ring wherein a semiconductor wafer may be held. In operation, a semiconductor wafer is placed inside the retainer ring. As the retainer ring and the semiconductor wafer are moved relative to an underlying polishing pad, slurry is dispensed through the openings in the retainer ring. The grooves in the retainer ring allow the slurry to flow from the openings to the interior portion of the retainer ring and the semiconductor wafer.
US07666064B2
Semiconductor wafers are processed so as to remove material on one or both sides by means of at least one grinding tool, with coolant supplied into a contact region between the semiconductor wafer and the at least one grinding tool, characterized in that the coolant flow rate is set as a function of a grinding tooth height of the at least one grinding tool and this coolant flow rate is reduced as the grinding tooth height decreases.
US07666061B2
Embodiments of a flexible pad conditioner for conditioning a processing pad are provided. The pad conditioner includes an arc-shaped member having an abrasive bottom surface configured for conditioning the processing pad. Means are provided to apply a downward force as well as to oscillate the pad conditioner. Further means may be provided to vary the downward force along the length of the pad conditioner. In one embodiment, a plurality of actuators may be coupled to a top surface of the member and adapted to selectively provide an independently controllable force against the member to finely control the conditioning profile.
US07666060B2
The present disclosure provides a safety bra support comprising an arc-shaped steel wire in which the special characteristic is that at least two ends of the underwire are enclosed with at least one set of thermally contractible cases made of polymeric materials. The external end of the thermally contractible case is a soft tube which protrudes outwardly beyond the end of the arc-shaped underwire, and such a soft tube is bendable and flexible, ensuring the tips of the underwire be placed at the end stitches of the sleeve. Because the above described structure is used, the present disclosure not only can effectively prevent injuries to users caused by the ends of the underwire poking through the sleeve of the bra support, but can also provide a seamless and natural fit, and the utmost comfort to wear.
US07666059B2
A method for molding a lofted assembly having a lofted material and a laminated nylon support material the garment produced are provided. The method includes the steps of positioning a support fabric on a lofted material; laminating the support fabric to the lofted material to form a lofted assembly; positioning the lofted assembly in a molding apparatus having at least a first mold and a second mold, closing together the first mold and the second mold thereby sandwiching the lofted assembly therebetween and while maintaining a uniform preset gap between said first mold and the second mold so that the inherent loft characteristics of the lofted assembly are substantially preserved.
US07666055B2
Disclosed herein is a traveling device for moving toys. The traveling device includes a base plate formed in a plate shape; first and second magnets fixedly mounted on the base plate to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and configured to have opposite polarities on the upper surfaces thereof; a coil part mounted to be spaced apart from the first and second magnets, and formed of a wound coil, so that it generates magnetic force having a polarity that repels one of the first and second magnets when electricity is applied thereto; an arm rotatably mounted on the base plate by a hinge, and provided with the coil part at one end thereof and a braking arm at the other end thereof; a traveling arm rotatably mounted on the base plate by the hinge, provided with front wheels at both ends thereof, and configured to come into contact with the braking arm when the braking arm is rotated through a predetermined angle; a control unit configured to perform control such that current is supplied to the coil part in a predetermined pattern; and a power supply unit configured to supply power to the control unit.
US07666047B2
There is provided a method for producing a spark plug in which welding strength between a noble metal tip and an electrode joined by laser welding can be restrained from becoming weak.A noble metal tip (90) to be joined to a center electrode (2) or ground electrode of a spark plug to form a spark discharge gap is resistance-welded to each electrode containing no noble metal and then laser-welded. In the noble metal tip (90) exposed under a severe environment involving spark discharge, a molten portion (80) formed in such a manner that a portion of the noble metal tip (90) and a portion of the electrode are melted by laser welding and a non-molten portion (95) on the noble metal tip (90) side are apt to be peeled from each other in a boundary surface (83) between the molten portion (80) and the non-molten portion (95). The noble metal content in the molten portion (80) however becomes higher because a flange portion is formed in a bottom portion by pressing force applied on the noble metal tip (90) at the time of resistance welding and then irradiated with a laser beam. Accordingly, peeling can be prevented from occurring in the boundary surface (83).
US07666041B2
Planing amphibious vehicle (101) comprises engine (105) with internal cooling ducts (106). The engine is cooled first by air-water exchanger (102), and secondly by water-water exchanger (108). One or both exchangers may be located in compartment (119), separated from engine compartment (117) fully by bulkhead (80) (FIG. 4), or partially by bulkheads (118, 120). External water for exchanger (108) is drawn in from outside hull (109) through jet intake (114), the through inlet (115) in jet drive duct (116); and exhausted through outlet (123). Compartment (119) may also contain exhaust silencer (121). Numerals (103 and 104) denote grilles; (107) denotes cooling fan(s). FIG. 2 shows an alternative arrangement, with external water drawn from beneath the hull by pump (32). FIG. 1 shows front mounted radiator (2), covered by external flap (4) allowing air cooling to be shut down on water. FIG. 3 shows a water-water exchanger combined with the marine jet drive.
US07666032B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a shielded connector which includes: a terminal-attached wire; a housing containing the terminal of the terminal-attached wire; a shielded shell integrated to the housing; a knitted conductor mounted to the wire; and a shield ring interposing the knitted conductor between the shield ring and the shielded shell so that the knitted conductor is electrically connected to the shielded shell. The method includes: inserting, into the shielded shell, a single core having a stepped portion formed in a opposed drawing direction; bringing a contact portion formed at the shielded shell into contact with the core; covering the shield ring on the shielded shell via the knitted conductor; and calking the shield ring, the knitted conductor, and the shielded shell from outer side of the shield ring to form, on the shielded shell, a calk-deformed portion contained into the stepped portion of the core.
US07666030B2
An electrical connector has an insulative housing (10) and a number of electrical contacts (20). The insulative housing has a tongue (14, 15) defining a front face (145) and an upper side and a lower side perpendicular to the front face. The electrical contacts include a number of upper contacts (21) and lower contacts (22). The lower contacts are arranged on the lower side of the tongue and each including a contact section. The upper contacts each includes an extending section (212) arranged on the upper side of the tongue. A contact section (215) is bending from a side edge of the extending section of the upper contact and extending through a passageway (147) of the tongue for arranging on the lower side and avoiding the upper contacts shorting to a metal shell of a mating plug.
US07666018B2
An electric card connector and a manufacturing method thereof are proposed. The electric card connector includes a base having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals, and a lid having a pair of arms formed at two sides thereof for holding an electric card. Pivot parts are provided at the two sides of the lid and hinge parts are formed on the base corresponding to the pivot parts so that when the lid lies on the base, the pivot parts are allowed to slide along the hinge parts without substantial spin. Tenons are formed at front ends of the arms and a latching portion is provided at a front end of the base corresponding to the tenons so that when the lid slides along the base to engage the tenons with the latching portion, the lid and base are mutually positioned and restricted from relative movement.
US07666010B2
A modular wiring system comprising a functional unit and a wiring unit. There is also a system for coupling the functional unit to the wiring unit in a rotational manner. This system can be formed from at least one locking prong comprised of electrically conductive material. When the functional unit is coupled to the wiring unit, the locking prong is both electrically and physically coupled to the functional unit at a first end and to the wiring unit at a second end. Alternatively, or in addition, the system for coupling the functional unit to the wiring unit in a rotational manner can include at least one flange coupled to the functional unit and at least one flange coupled to the wiring unit. These flanges operate such that when the functional unit and the wiring unit are coupled together, they are rotated to form a locking connection between the flange on the functional unit and the flange on the wiring unit.
US07666006B2
An electric connection box includes an electronic circuit board having an electronic component, and a power circuit board having a power circuit, which are disposed upright in a casing. A vertically-extending component area for mounting a heat generating component is formed on the power circuit board, so as not to face the electronic circuit board. A partition wall for separating the component area from the electronic circuit board is provided in the casing, and thereby a first air passage for allowing air to flow vertically along the component area is formed in the casing. A first inlet port connected to the first air passage is formed on the casing, and a first outlet port connected to the first air passage and positioned above the first inlet port is formed on the casing.
US07665994B2
In one embodiment a device is provided for visually demonstrating stagger. In this embodiment, the device includes first and second tires coaxially mounted on an axle, wherein the first tire has a smaller diameter than the second tire. The device also includes a member configured to be pushed or pulled by a person. The device may be pushed or pulled on a flat surface, such as a paved road. When the device is pushed or pulled in a forward direction, the first and second tires will rotate at the same rotational speed, but because the second tire has a larger diameter than the first tire, the second tire will travel a greater distance than the first tire during each tire rotation. Thus, the device will move in a curved path.
US07665990B2
The present invention relates to an intraosteal dental implant (1) including a bore (14) in the form a blind hole, the bore (14) being shaped and devised such as to rotationally secure an abutment (6) receivable in the dental implant (1), wherein the bore (14) is provided with a substantially cylindrical sleeve (15) extending coaxially to the dental implant (1), wherein the dental implant (1) includes an inner neck surface (18), and wherein an intersection curve (20) between the inner neck surface (18) of the dental implant (1) and the sleeve (15) does not lay in a plane perpendicular to the axis (7) of the dental implant (1) or wherein the inner neck surface (18) of the dental implant (1) has a substantially conical shape with an imaginary tip (19) offset from the axis (7) of the dental implant (1).
US07665989B2
A drill is used on a jaw bone with overlying soft tissue and underlying, more solid bone. The drill comprises a first portion which is provided with one or more first cutting edges and with a first width or diameter. Arranged behind the first portion there is a second portion which is provided with one or more second cutting edges and with a second diameter exceeding the first width or diameter. The first portion can cooperate with soft tissues to form an initial hole, and the second portion can cooperate with the soft tissue and the more solid bone in order to enlarge said hole and create a countersunk hole in the more solid bone. The first portion is also depicted to cooperate with the more solid bone, during the second portion's formation of the countersunk hole, in order to provide a guidance hole or marker hole in the bottom of the countersink.
US07665986B1
A system and method of repairing a wax candle having a diminished wick. A kit is provided having a coring device, a ramrod for displacing wax from the coring device and a length of replacement wick. The coring device is used to cut a core from the candle around the diminished wick. The coring device removes a core of wax from the candle, therein creating a bore in the candle. A length of replacement wick is then placed into the bore. The removed core of wax is then reinserted into the bore, thereby locking the replacement wick in place. The replacement wick extends above the wax and is trimmed to the proper height for use in lighting the candle.
US07665975B2
A seal section for location between a submersible rotary pump and motor has a primary mechanical seal and a secondary oil seal at the pump end of the seal section. The mechanical seal has rigid seal faces that slide in engagement with each other. The secondary seal has an inner portion that seals against the shaft of the seal section and an outer portion that seals against the housing. The seal section has a pressure equalizing device for equalizing pressure of motor lubricant with well bore pressure.
US07665974B2
A hydraulically driven pump includes a diaphragm, a piston, a transfer chamber, a fluid reservoir, and a valve spool. The transfer chamber is defined between the diaphragm and piston and is filled with a hydraulic fluid. The fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the transfer chamber via at least one valve. The valve spool is configured to control fluid flow between the transfer chamber and the fluid reservoir. The valve spool is movable to open and close an opening into the at least one valve only when an overfill condition or an underfill condition exists in the transfer chamber. The valve spool is moveable along an axis that is non-coaxial with an axis of movement of the diaphragm.
US07665973B2
An apparatus for changing capacity of a multi-stage compressor comprises: a first cylinder provided with a first suction and a first discharge port, and divided into a first suction chamber and a first compression chamber by a first rolling piston which orbits and a first vane which makes a linear movement in contact with the first rolling piston; a second cylinder provided with a second suction port and a second discharge port, and divided into a second suction chamber and a second compression chamber by a second rolling piston which orbits and a second vane which makes a linear movement in contact with the second rolling piston; a middle bearing inserted between the first cylinder and the second cylinder, having a bypass hole to allow communication between the compression chambers of the first cylinder and the second cylinder, and having a valve hole for communication in the middle of the bypass hole; a sliding valve slidingly coupled to the valve hole of the middle bearing, and selectively opening or closing the bypass hole; and a pressure switching unit for selectively supplying discharge pressure to one side of the sliding valve, thereby changing a capacity using all the plural compression units, and obtaining power saving effect suitable for the saving mode.
US07665968B2
A rotor blade is provided that includes a root and a hollow airfoil. The hollow airfoil has a cavity defined by a suction side wall, a pressure side wall, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a base, and a tip. An internal passage configuration is disposed within the cavity. The configuration includes a passage disposed adjacent the leading edge, and an axially extending passage disposed adjacent the tip. The first passage is connected to the second passage. The second passage includes an opening disposed at the trailing edge of the airfoil. A conduit is disposed within the root that is operable to permit airflow through the root and into the leading edge passage, wherein the conduit provides the primary path into the leading edge passage.
US07665967B1
Efficient traditionally appearing ceiling fan blades with aerodynamical upper surfaces and wide tip ends for ceiling fans with blades formed from plastic and/or wood and/or separately attached surfaces that run at reduced energy consumption that move larger air volumes than traditional flat shaped ceiling fan blades. And methods of operating the novel ceiling fans blades for different speeds of up to and less than approximately 250 rpm. The novel blades twisted blades can be configured for ceiling fans having any diameters from less than approximately 32 inches to greater than approximately 64 inch fans, and can be used in two, three, four, five and more blade configurations. The novel fans can be run at reduced speeds, drawing less Watts than conventional fans and still perform better with more air flow and less problems than conventional flat type conventional flat and planar upper and lower surface blades.
US07665961B2
A turbine outer air seal includes, in a radially inner major surface thereof, at least one circumferential groove accommodating a plurality of holes which supply air for film cooling the radially inner surface of the air seal.
US07665960B2
A shroud suitable for use in a gas turbine engine exhibits substantially uniform thermal growth.
US07665956B2
A wall cooling arrangement comprising on one side of a wall a multiplicity of cooling fluid inlet apertures and on the opposite of the wall a multiplicity of cooling fluid exit apertures, and in the body of the wall linking said inlet and exit apertures a network of multiply branched cooling passages. Flow of cooling fluid through a network is controlled by a throat positioned either at or close to the inlet to the passage network or at a location part way through the network, in which case there may be a plurality of inlet apertures feeding through a single throat to a plurality of outlet apertures.
US07665954B2
An electrical submersible pump runner having a core layer and a wear layer affixed to the core layer. One embodiment of the invention provides an electrical submersible pump that includes a motor section and a centrifugal pump section. A seal section and rotary gas separator may also be included. The pump is powered by an electric cable that connects the pump, located in a bore hole, to a power source on the surface. A thrust runner coated with a wear layer (e.g., polymer) is provided in the motor and/or seal section to reduce bearing temperature, provide longer bearing life, reduce costs, and facilitate overhaul. The runner may also function as a rotating up-thrust bearing when the runner is coated with a wear layer on one side that is formed with a bearing geometry. In this case, the up-thrust bearing may be eliminated.
US07665947B2
A transfer chamber for a flat display device manufacturing apparatus is provided. The transfer chamber may provide a combination of the functions of a transfer and a load-lock chamber. A robot may be provided aside from a center of the transfer chamber, a buffer may be provided and be driven without interference with the robot, and an aligner may be provided to adjust a position of a substrate mounted on the buffer. A sealing member may be provided to seal a hole formed at a predetermined portion of the transfer chamber.
US07665938B2
An air cargo device for facilitating the movement and retention of unit load devices on an air cargo deck includes a base member on which are mounted a caster roller, a guide and a restraint. The guide and the restraint are coaxially mounted and together occupy one of three positions: both the guide and restraint being recessed; the guide raised with the restraint recessed, and both the guide and restraint being raised. One end of the base member is provided with retractable tension studs suitable for mating with a portion of a seat track, while the opposite end of the base member is provided with shoulder bolts for mating with a lock tray. This permits the device to bridge between the two types of cargo floor fixtures.
US07665937B2
Milling cutter (1), which can rotate about a cutter longitudinal axis (A), comprises a sleeve-shaped shaft (2) provided with an inner lying chip evacuation channel (11), which is arranged, in essence, symmetric to the cutter longitudinal axis (A), and with a suction opening (12). The milling cutter also comprises a milling head (3, 3a, 3b, 3c), which is held coaxial to the cutter longitudinal axis (A) and to the shaft (2) while being held on said shaft and which comprises, as cutting edges (7, 9), a face cutting edge (7) and a peripheral cutting edge (9). At least one cutting edge (7, 9) forms a positive rake angle (′Ya,′Yr) on the periphery of the milling head (3, 3a, 3b, 3c). The milling cutter (1) is particularly suited for machining light metals, especially for circular milling.
US07665932B2
A method of transporting pulverulent filling material through at least one line. The method comprises opening a chamber-like line region located in the at least one line, introducing the pulverulent filling material into the chamber-like line region, closing the chamber-like line region, and pressing the pulverulent filling material out of the chamber-like line region and at least partially into the at least one line using at least one compressed air pulse.
US07665924B2
On the one surface of a back plate suited to a length-and-width size of a ring binder, hooks serving as an engaging means are formed. The back plate is fixed to the spine surface of the file cover. When the ring binder is pressed against the back plate, the hooks are engaged with the ring binder so that the file cover is mounted on a booklet bound with the ring binder.
US07665918B2
A developing apparatus includes, to process substrates each coated with a resist and processed by an exposure process by a developing process, includes: plural developing units each provided with a substrate holding device for stably pouring a developer onto the substrate, a first developer nozzle to be used in common by the plural developing units to pour the developer in a band-shaped flow onto the substrates held by each of the substrate holding devices, a nozzle driving mechanism for carrying the first developer nozzle from one to another of the developing units, and moving the first developer nozzle with one end of a band-shaped area into which the developer is to be poured through the first developer nozzle directed toward the center of the substrate in each of the developing units such that a part in a surface of the substrate onto which the developer is poured moves from a central part toward a peripheral part or from a peripheral part toward a central part in the surface of the substrate to coat the surface of the substrate entirely with a developer film, and second developer nozzles for pouring the developer into a circular area or a band-shaped area of a short length shorter than that of the band-shaped area into which the first developer nozzle pours the developer in a central part of the substrate on which the developer film has been formed by the first developer nozzle. The nozzles are used selectively for developing steps.
US07665908B2
Integrated optical subassemblies (OSA) such as integrated transmit and receive optical subassemblies that may be implemented with an optical transceiver module that includes a molded body. The integrated OSA includes a mounting surface defined on a vertical portion of the molded body, a wall extending about the mounting surface, at least one optoelectronic device, such as a laser diode or a photodiode mounted on a transimpendence amplifier, positioned on the mounting surface, a plurality of bond pads included on the mounting surface in electrical connection with the at least one optoelectronic device, a plurality of conductive feedthroughs defined through the mounting surface, each feedthrough being in electrical communication with a corresponding one of the bond pads; and an optical fiber port that engages the wall extending about the mounting surface, wherein the optical fiber port is configured for receiving an optical fiber cable.
US07665904B2
An optical transceiver includes a housing formed to be inserted into or extracted from a cage in a host device, a movable lock member for preventing the housing from being extracted from the cage, where the cage includes a lock hole for preventing the housing from being extracted from the cage when the movable lock member is placed into the lock hole, and an integration parts. The integration parts includes an actuator portion engaged with the movable lock member rotatably connected to a rotation shaft attached to the housing, arranged movably in a front/back direction thereof in the housing, arranged to place the movable lock member into the lock hole when moved backward, and arranged to release the movable lock member from the lock hole when moved forward, and a rotating lever portion connected to the actuator portion through a hinge portion, arranged rotatably from an upper front end of the housing to a forward position along with development of the hinge portion, and including a handle for moving the actuator portion to the forward position when rotated forward. The actuator portion and the rotating lever portion of the integration parts are integrally formed.
US07665895B2
A bag formed of a sheet material adapted to be filled with contents and opened at the top for taking out the contents. The bag has fused joints along the lateral edges thereof. A plastically deformable wire-like member is attached inside the fused joints over a length from the output opening side portion to the body portion.
US07665893B2
A protective cover set for a medical probe designated to be inserted into an endocavity or used intraoperatively in an incision of a human or an animal body, said cover set comprising a probe cover made from a film material, said probe cover having a mouth end with a mouth for inserting said probe and a closed end opposite to said mouth end; and an outer wrapper being joined to said probe cover, said outer wrapper covering at least a length of said probe cover; the probe cover comprising an adhesive element connected to said mouth end of said probe cover.
US07665892B2
This invention discloses an infrared thermometer for ear or skin temperature. The infrared thermometer comprises a body, an infrared sensing element, and a heat dissipating means. The heat dissipation means is provided behind or below the infrared sensing element for urging the air flowing in and out of the body, so as to contribute better heat dissipation and air circulation around the infrared sensing element. Hence the accuracy and stability of the infrared thermometer are improved.
US07665887B2
A mixing apparatus has a chamber, a shaft extending into the chamber, a motor drivingly interconnected to the shaft, a nozzle support affixed to the shaft and extending outwardly therefrom within the chamber, and a nozzle having an interior passageway affixed to the nozzle support such that the nozzle moves in the chamber as the motor drivingly rotates the shaft. The chamber has a multi-phase fluid therein. A flow restrictor is affixed to an inner wall of said chamber so as to extend inwardly therefor. The flow restrictor is a plurality of flat panels arranged in spaced relation around the interior of the chamber and within a liquid phase of the multi-phase fluid.
US07665881B2
A device used in conjunction with a grave marker or headstone for illuminating a grave site during the night. An enclosure unit is directly affixed to the grave marker or provided in a stand alone unit associated with the grave marker. The enclosure also includes audio material, such as an obituary which can be played by depressing or engaging a switch associated with the enclosure. Both the illumination device as well as the audio material are powered by a rechargeable battery connected to a solar panel provided directly on the enclosure.
US07665879B2
A back plate of a light emitting unit includes a bottom plate, a plurality of first extruding elements, a plurality of second extruding elements and a plurality of connecting elements. The first extruding elements are respectively disposed on two opposite edges of the bottom plate, and the second extruding elements are respectively disposed on the other two opposite edges of the bottom plate. Each of the connecting elements connects the corresponding first and second extruding elements. The first extruding elements, the second extruding elements and the connecting elements form a closed region.
US07665869B2
An interior lamp is provided for illuminating an interior of a vehicle having a glass surface, particularly a glass roof. At least one such interior lamp is integrated in the laminated glass of the glass surface.
US07665864B2
An LED lamp assembly includes a central member and a plurality of lamps each having an LED module and a heat sink in thermal connection with the LED module. The central member has a plurality of inserting extrusions formed at a circumference thereof. The lamps each have a receiving tube projecting from an end thereof. The inserting extrusions are respectively inserted into the receiving tubes of the lamps to assemble the lamps onto the circumference of the central member. The lamps are tilted from the central portion along a radially outward direction.
US07665855B2
A rotating window includes a circular base member, a transparent window, and a magneto-conductive element, which are assembled into an electric motor device. By this rotating window, area of transparent region of the transparent window is increased, an outer diameter of a central shaft hole is decreased, and a support bracket is designed as an I-shape or a half I-shape, thereby largely decreasing barriers to the transparent window, allowing a user to conveniently see through scenery or objects at one side of the transparent window without a dead angle. In case that the rotating window is hit by objects and rotates eccentrically, an air gap of the motor disappears, and an entire frame of the rotating window will be absorbed magnetically to the magneto-conductive element, thereby improving safety to people and objects.
US07665850B2
Prism elements having TIR surfaces placed in close proximity to the active area of a SLM device to separate unwanted off-state and/or flat-state light from the projection ON-light bundle. The TIR critical angle of these prisms is selected to affect either the off-state light or additionally, any portion of flat-state light reflected from the SLM. These TIR surfaces are placed to immediately reflect the unwanted light as it comes off the SLM, thereby preventing the contamination of light along the projection path, which tends to degrade the system contrast. To further improve the optical performance of the system, these TIR prisms can be attached directly to the SLM package, completely eliminating the package window. Also, these TIR prism can be coupled to DMDs having asymmetric mirrors, which tilt through a larger angle for the ON-light to provide high etendue and lumen output, but through near-zero degrees for the OFF-light, thereby improving the separation of any unwanted light from the off/flat states.
US07665847B2
A method of providing an eye diagnosis. The method includes displaying stimuli to a patient, receiving indications of locations in which the stimuli were perceived by the patient, analyzing the spatial relationship between at least some of the received indicated locations and classifying the patient with regard to a retinal related disease, at least partially based on the spatial analysis.
US07665846B2
A system or method of positioning an ophthalmic device relative to an eye is provided. The method first obtains a series of images of an eye. In these series of images, the distance between the ophthalmic device and the eye is varied while the region of the eye image remains substantially the same. It is possible then to process these images to determine the high frequency content associated with each image. By comparing the high frequency content associated with each image, it is possible to determine which image has the largest amount of high frequency content. The high frequency content is maximized when the image is the sharpest. An optimally focused image will have the largest amount of high frequency content. By examining the high frequency content associate with the series of images is impossible to adjust the relative position and distance between the eye and the ophthalmic device to the distance associated with the image having the largest amount of high frequency content (i.e., optimally focused).
US07665843B2
A method of spectacle frame fitting over public network, such as Internet, based upon database of product information and digitized user images as acquired via devices connected to computer. Particularly, consumers can take advantage of present method to choose spectacle frames from wide variety of selections, expeditiously by the use of public computer network (Internet). Consumers may use digital cameras, network cameras or scanned photos to submit facial image, and by way of calibration steps such as the gap between two pupils aligned to the marked pupil point of the stored spectacle images, the suitable size of the spectacle frame can then be determined for best fit to the facial image. With the accessibility and availability of the Internet, just a few clicks on the mouse enable the consumers to choose spectacle frames of their preference and in a way that affords wide selections at low costs and easy access.
US07665842B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling optical aberrations to alter relative curvature of field by providing optical devices and methods comprising the repositioning of peripheral off-axis focal points relative to the retina to produce stimulus for influencing the progression of refractive error while simultaneously controlling the position of the central focal point near to the retina to provide clear central vision and simultaneously providing zones of controlled peripheral defocus and other optical aberrations to improve peripheral vision for select directions of gaze.
US07665841B2
Sunglasses includes a frame portion having opposing inner and outer faces, opposed first and second sides, a nose bridge formed between the opposed first and second sides, and a lens opening between the nose bridge and each of the first and second sides. A lens-defining member, made of a flexible, thin, sun-protective, light-transmitting material, has an outer face applied to the inner face of the frame portion and an opposing inner face, and a side in juxtaposition to each of the first and second sides of the frame portion. Fasteners affix the lens-defining member to the frame portion, and first and second temples extend rearwardly of the frame portion at the first and second sides of the frame portion, respectively.
US07665829B2
Liquid ejecting apparatus 20 for ejecting electrically charged droplets of the liquid solution onto base member K, which includes liquid ejecting head 26 to eject the droplets from top end 21a of nozzle 21, with the inner diameter equal to or less than 100 μm, liquid solution supplying section 29 to supply the liquid solution into nozzle 21, and ejection voltage applying section 25 to apply the ejection voltage onto the liquid solution in nozzle 21. In liquid ejecting apparatus 20, nozzle 21 projects toward the droplet ejecting direction from nozzle plane 26e on nozzle plate 26c facing base member K, whereby the projecting length of nozzle 21 is equal to or less than 30 μm.
US07665826B2
Disclosed is an inkjet printing head which ejects ink in response to generation a bubble in the ink accompanying the action of heat from a heater, and which preferably allows ejection energy to be effectively used, and desired attachment accuracy of a movable valve to be secured and maintained. To this end, employed is a two-body structure formed of a substrate including the heater; and a valve retaining member having the movable valve. Then, the effective use of ejection energy is achieved by appropriately selecting the shape and dimensions of the movable valve. Furthermore, the desired attachment accuracy is secured and maintained by attaching the valve retaining member to the substrate by applying a photolithography process without using an adhesive agent.
US07665825B2
An ink jet recording head includes a first ink flow path array corresponding to a first recording element array, and a distance (La) between one end portion of an ink flow path and another end portion thereof across a first ink supply opening in the first ink flow path array is substantially equal to a distance (Lb) between one end portion of an ink flow path corresponding to a recording element located relatively far from a second supply opening and another end portion thereof across the second ink supply opening in a second ink flow path array.
US07665822B2
The present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink jet recording head provided with a plurality of nozzles through which inks of a plurality of colors are ejected, a cap to be detachably brought into close contact with a nozzle face in which holes of the plurality of nozzles are formed, and ink-suction means which sucks an ink within the ink jet recording head by way of the cap. The apparatus is configured such that contact angles θa of the inks with respect to the nozzle face and contact angles θb of the inks with respect to the cap have a relation of θa>θb; and the angles θa are 50° or larger, and differences between the angles θa and the angles θb are 40° or larger.
US07665815B2
In one aspect, the invention features assemblies for depositing droplets on a substrate during relative motion of the assembly and the substrate along a process direction. The assemblies include a first printhead module and a second printhead module contacting the first printhead module, each of the printhead modules including a surface that includes an array of nozzles through which the printhead modules can eject fluid droplets, wherein each nozzle in the first printhead module's nozzle array is offset with respect to a corresponding nozzle in the second printhead module's nozzle array in a direction orthogonal to the process direction.
US07665814B2
A guide assembly for a refrigerated-goods container of a refrigeration device is provided. The guide assembly includes a pair of guide rails for a drawer and the guide rails are mountable on walls of a refrigerated-goods container. The guide rails are mountable on the walls by a compensatory element at an acute angle to the respective wall. The angle is defined such that the rails of the pair run parallel to one another.
US07665810B2
A glass panel assembly for kitchen appliances includes a glass panel and a plurality of spacers. The spacers are mounted to an outer surface of the appliance and an inner surface of the glass panel. Preferably, the spacers are adhesively secured to the glass panel and are not visible when viewing the kitchen appliance from the front. Trim pieces fit between the glass panel and the appliance door to cover and further hide the spacers from view. The glass panel can be mounted to any outer surface of the appliance such as an appliance door, side walls or even a top wall. The particular construction of the spacers, in combination with the trim pieces creates an illusion that glass panel appears to float relative to the appliance.
US07665808B2
A method and a device for automatically releasing an automatic parking brake at start-up. A transmitted torque estimation threshold value is determined that enables the vehicle movement to be balanced. Then, at start-up a loop for calculating the transmitted torque estimation is carried out so long as the calculated value does not exceed the threshold value. When the threshold is exceeded, an automatic parking brake-release command is produced.
US07665800B2
A truck box frame includes first and second laterally extending frame members and a frame side rail assembly. The frame side rail assembly includes first and second frame side rails. The first and second frame side rails generally extend between and are coupled to the first and second laterally extending frame members. The first and second laterally extending frame members are extendable laterally, creating a variable width truck box frame. The first and second frame side rails may be curved or swept so that the intermediate portions extend inwardly toward one another, forming a tapered portion of the frame side rail assembly. The length and curvature, or sweep, of the side frame rails may also be varied to create a variable length truck box frame.
US07665795B2
A side-under spoiler insuring an excellent workability at the time of attaching a side-under spoiler to a lower side of a vehicle body via a bracket. A side-under spoiler 1 is supported by a vehicle body 2 via a bracket 3 provided at a lower side of the vehicle body 2. The side-under spoiler 1 includes a side-under spoiler body 7 supported at the lower part of the bracket 3 by supporting sections 5 of the bracket 3 elongated in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body 2; attaching sections 6 for engaging the side-under spoiler body 7 with the supporting sections 7; and guides 7 fir the attaching section 6 to the supporting sections 5.
US07665794B2
Drive arrangement for motorized actuation of a functional element in a motor vehicle, having at least one drive, the drive having a drive motor and a spindle-spindle nut gear connected downstream of the drive motor for producing linear drive movements, the spindle-spindle nut gear having a spindle with an outside thread and a spindle nut with an inside thread, the linear drive movements being a motion of the spindle nut parallel to a spindle axis. the spindle-spindle nut gear has at least one telescoping sleeve with an inside thread and an outside thread. The at least one telescoping sleeve, spindle and spindle nut are arranged in a telescoping manner being screwed into one another with each outside thread forming a thread pairing with an respective inside thread. An alternative spindle-spindle nut gear has the outside thread and form a ball groove thread pairing with a variable thread pitch.
US07665789B2
A seat for a vehicle includes a cushion, a base and a tab. The base supports the cushion and defines a chamber having an opening. The chamber is configured to provide a storage location for a manual and the opening is configured to accommodate passage of a manual to and from the chamber. The tab is provided adjacent to the opening and is moveable between a first position in which the tab blocks a manual from passing through the opening, and a second position in which the tab allows a manual to pass through the opening. A receptacle facilitates storage of a manual beneath the seat of a vehicle. A vehicle includes a seat, a chamber and a tab.
US07665787B2
The invention provides a thin plate supporting container clamping device for fixing a thin plate supporting container when the thin plate supporting container in which semiconductor wafers are stored therein for transportation is placed on a loading port at a destination thereof for unloading and loading the semiconductor wafers automatically, including a hook member to be engaged with a retaining member of the thin plate supporting container; a drive unit for supporting the retracted thin plate supporting container in a state in which the hook member is supported so as to be capable of moving in the vertical direction and the hook member is engaged with the retaining member; and a control unit for adjusting a force to retract the hook member. The control unit adjusts the force to retract the hook member on the basis of detection values of a thickness sensor, a position sensor, and a retracting force detection sensor.
US07665783B2
A vacuum suction head of the present invention can be applied to a large-sized liquid crystal display panel and can reliably suck an object to be sucked even if the object has undulation or flexure. The suction head has a shaft, which holds a suction pad, and gas is charged into and discharged from the suction pad through a suction hole. A casing holds the shaft through first and second springs so as to be movable in the axial direction. Since the suction pad is elastically supported by the springs, the suction pad can reliably suck the object to be sucked having undulation or flexure. The vacuum suction head can be used for a vacuum suction device and a working table.
US07665774B2
A lock unit used for an electronic apparatus that includes a foldable and unfoldable housing that has a first surface that is foldable, and a second surface orthogonal to the first surface includes a lock member that locks the housing in a folded state, an operation member that moves the lock member and releases a lock of the housing by the lock member, and a transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force applied to the operation member to the lock member by changing an operating direction of the operation member to another direction, and moves the lock member in the other direction, wherein the operation member is provided on the second surface, and an operating direction of the operation member is a first direction perpendicular to the second surface, the lock member projecting in a second direction orthogonal to the first surface, and a moving direction of the lock member being a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions.
US07665769B2
A pole grip, especially for canes, trekking poles, downhill skiing poles, cross-county skiing poles, and Nordic walking poles. The pole grip includes a grip member and a hand-retaining device in the form of a hand strap or a glove. The hand-retaining device is equipped with a substantially band-shaped element which is provided with an end that is fixed inside the recess in the area of the top wall on the grip member. The pole grip includes a blocking element disposed which releases both the band section that penetrates into the grip member and the band section protruding from the grip member in the direction of the loose end while allowing the useful length to be adjusted when the hand-retaining device is oriented upward, the deflecting element blocks both the band section that penetrates into the grip member and the band section protruding from the grip member towards the loose end when the hand-retaining device is oriented downward, thus making it possible to provide a very reliable and simply designed adjustable hand-retaining device on a pole grip.
US07665768B2
The invention concerns a road trailer whose frame consists of profiles having a fin to support the floor and grooves on their upper and lower faces able to retain in rotation bolt heads and the lower edges of sidewalls (10). The side members and cross bars are joined by corner pieces which have a vertical orifice to receive the lower end of a post (9) comprising orthogonal grooves housing the side edges of the sidewalls (10). The corner pieces (30) have two perpendicular arms respectively fitted into the adjacent ends of profiles forming the frame. Mounting of the elements requires little tooling.
US07665762B2
A gas generator for a vehicle occupant restraint system a rigid outer housing (12), a chamber (14) formed in the outer housing (12), in which a compressed gas is present at least upon activation of the gas generator (10), a component immovable (20; 34; 62) relative to the outer housing (12), at least one outflow opening (22) formed in the immovable component (20; 34; 62), and a least one resilient element (26), which is clamped inside the outer housing (12) and rests against the immovable component (20; 34; 62) at least in its normal position. In its normal position, the resilient element (26) closes a flow path between the chamber (14) and external surroundings of the gas generator (10) and is deformed elastically under the influence of compressed gas, whereby it clears a flow cross-section (30) whose size is increasing with increasing pressure.
US07665760B2
The present invention relates to a mounting structure of a curtain airbag for a vehicle. An airbag cushion which is deployed by deploying pressure of an inflator is mounted between an inner side panel so as to stably deploy toward a cabin through a portion where a head lining and a pillar trim are matched. The inflator is installed between the inner side panel and an outer side panel, and the airbag cushion is installed between the head lining and the inner side panel.
US07665756B2
Dollies and methods of using dollies can include a platform configured to hold items for transport, a support frame adjacent the platform, an actuation mechanism coupled to the support frame, and a moveable gate coupled to the support frame and configured to be moved from a closed position to an open position in response to the triggering of the actuation mechanism by force applied by a user. The moveable gate can comprise a rotatable shaft disposed at an end of the moveable gate and extending within an opening, wherein the moveable gate is configured to move with the rotatable shaft as the shaft rotates within the opening, and at least one counterweight coupled to the moveable gate and positioned to assist in the movement of the gate to the open position in response to the triggering of the actuation mechanism.
US07665751B2
A transverse or oblique link is provided for a front vehicle axle. The link contains a first and a second link arm, the first link arm has a deformation section situated at a front in the direction of travel and a section situated behind it in the direction of travel. Furthermore, the first link arm is configured in such a manner that, in an accident, it is deformed in an energy-absorbing manner predominantly in its deformation section. In order to force a deformation in the deformation section, the flexural rigidity of the section about a bending axis running in the transverse direction of the vehicle is increased in comparison to the flexural rigidity of the deformation section. Upon contact with a curb, the two sections can be deformed in an energy-absorbing manner.
