US07782592B2
An electronic disabling device includes first and second electrodes positionable to establish first and second spaced apart contact points on a target having a high impedance air gap existing between at least one of the electrodes and the target. The power supply generates a first high voltage, short duration output across the first and second electrodes during a first time interval to ionize air within the air gap to thereby reduce the high impedance across the air gap to a lower impedance to enable current flow across the air gap at a lower voltage level. The power supply next generates a second lower voltage, longer duration output across the first and second electrodes during a second time interval to maintain the current flow across the first and second electrodes and between the first and second contact points on the target to enable the current flow through the target to cause involuntary muscle contractions to thereby immobilize the target.
US07782582B2
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes an NPN transistor having a collector terminal connected to a voltage source and an emitter terminal connected to the ground via a diode. The NPN transistor includes a base terminal for receiving a base current to turn on the NPN transistor to allow an electrostatic discharge at the voltage source to flow through the NPN transistor to the ground. The ESD protection circuit further includes a PMOS transistor having a source terminal coupled to the voltage source and a drain terminal coupled to the base terminal of the NPN transistor. The PMOS transistor includes a gate terminal for receiving a first and a second gate voltage. The ESD protection circuit further includes an R-C circuit coupled between the source voltage and the ground. The R-C circuit is configured to supply the first gate voltage to the PMOS transistor when there is no electrostatic discharge to turn off the PMOS transistor and the second gate voltage responsive to the electrostatic discharge to turn on the PMOS transistor for a predetermined time period. The ESD protection circuit further includes a voltage divider circuit coupled between the voltage source and the ground and coupled to the R-C circuit.
US07782578B2
The provided relay system includes a load having a first terminal and a second terminal, a relay coupled to a common ground and the first terminal of the load and a relay protection circuit eliminating an arc generated by the relay. The relay protection circuit has an energy storage element with a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the load and a second terminal and electrically connected to the relay in parallel for storing and releasing an electrical power, and a high-impedance element coupled to the second terminal of the load to cause the energy storage element to have a relatively speedy charge and a relatively slow discharge.
US07782576B2
An exchange-coupling film incorporates an antiferromagnetic layer and a pinned layer. The pinned layer includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, a third ferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic middle layer, and a fourth ferromagnetic layer that are disposed in this order, the first ferromagnetic layer being closest to the antiferromagnetic layer. The first ferromagnetic layer is made of a ferromagnetic material and has a face-centered cubic structure. The second ferromagnetic layer is made of only iron or an alloy containing x atomic % cobalt and (100−x) atomic % iron, wherein x is greater than zero and smaller than or equal to 60. The third ferromagnetic layer is made of an alloy containing y atomic % cobalt and (100−y) atomic % iron, wherein y is within a range of 65 to 80 inclusive. The antiferromagnetic layer and the first ferromagnetic layer are exchange-coupled to each other. The third and fourth ferromagnetic layers are antiferromagnetically coupled to each other.
US07782568B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a compact thin-film magnetic head capable of being increased in the number of terminals, and a magnetic disk drive that uses the thin-film magnetic head. In one embodiment, a thin-film magnetic head is constructed that has a magnetic response element, multiple connection object terminals, multiple lead conductors electrically connected to the magnetic response element, and multiple connection sections each formed between each of the connection object terminals and one of the multiple lead conductors in order to electrically connect each of the connection object terminals and one of the lead conductor. All of the multiple lead conductors are provided in the state where they extend from the magnetic response element to the lower layers of the multiple connection object terminals. A magnetic disk drive using the thin-film magnetic head is constructed.
US07782564B2
A method for enabling different modes on a multi-modal data storage system such as a tape-based data storage system includes enabling a data storage system to operate in at least one of two modes, a first of the modes being different than a second of the modes. In one embodiment, the data storage system has all physical components required to operate in the first and second modes. An ability to operate in at least one of the modes is not allowed prior to enabling the data storage system to operate in the at least one of the modes.
US07782562B2
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording media includes a magnetic recording layer formed on a substrate, in which recording tracks and servo areas are prescribed as patterns of protrusions and recesses formed on the magnetic recording layer so that thin film portions of the magnetic recording layer are formed under the recesses, a thickness of magnetic recording layer at the thin film portion is smaller than a thickness of magnetic recording layer at the protrusion in the servo area, and a magnetization direction of the protrusion is antiparallel to a magnetization direction of the thin film in the servo area.
US07782561B2
A patterned magnetic recording medium has discrete data islands arranged in spaced-apart tracks, with the tracks being arranged in multi-track groups or “hypertracks”. The islands have an equal island-spacing (IS) distance in the along-the-track direction and within each hypertrack the tracks are spaced-apart an equal track-spacing (TS) distance. If there are N tracks in a hypertrack then the islands in each track of a hypertrack are shifted in the along-the-track direction by 1/N times IS from the islands in adjacent tracks in the same hypertrack. The read and write heads have a lateral or cross-track width generally equal to the cross-track width of a hypertrack, so the read and write heads span all the individual tracks in a hypertrack. The hypertracks are spaced apart cross-track direction by a group-spacing (GS) distance, with GS being greater than TS. The islands in a hypertrack may be shifted in the along-the-track direction by approximately ½N times IS from the islands in adjacent hypertracks.
US07782559B2
A camera module includes a lens unit, a magnet, a stator and an elastic element. The stator includes an upper coil seat with an upper coil wound therearound and a lower coil seat with a lower coil wound therearound. The upper and the lower coils establish an induced magnetic field when electric currents are applied thereto. The induced magnetic field interacts with the magnet to generate a magnetic force driving the lens unit into a telescopic movement. The elastic element includes a plurality of ribs. Each rib includes a fixed end connected with the stator and an opposite movable end. The moveable end moves together with the lens unit with respect to the fixed end to cause the ribs to deform and generate an elastic force. The lens unit stops at a focal position when the magnetic force and the elastic force come to a balance.
US07782546B1
A zoom lens includes a cam roll, straight-forward units, lens groups, a driving unit, a detecting unit and a micro-processing unit. The lens groups moved by the cam roll sequentially varies from a receiving status to a zeroing status, a macro shooting-distance status and a wide shooting-distance status. A datum point of the cam roll corresponds to the zeroing status of the lens groups. The detecting unit includes an impeller, a detecting portion and a photonic sensor. When the photonic sensor detects the datum point of the cam roll, the micro-processing unit determines the position of the datum point of the cam roll and to reset the rotation count of the impeller. When the photonic sensor detects a skew point of the cam roll, the micro-processing unit determines and amends the rotation count of the impeller to be equal to a predetermined value.
US07782544B2
Provided is a zoom lens system which includes a plurality of lens units separated from one another at intervals changed during at least one of zooming and focusing and an aperture stop. The plurality of lens units include a movable lens unit for displacing an image formed by the zoom lens system within a plane perpendicular to an optical axis. The movable lens unit includes a first lens subunit located on an object side of the aperture stop and a second lens subunit located on an image side of the aperture stop. When the image formed by the zoom lens system is displaced within the plane perpendicular to the optical axis, the aperture stop is held and the first lens subunit and the second lens subunit are moved to have a component in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis.
US07782539B2
An immersion microscope objective includes a system of several optical lenses or lens groups between which air spaces are provided and an adjusting device for adapting the immersion microscope objective to different immersion mediums for correcting imaging errors when utilizing the immersion microscope objective in connection with a cover glass, which closes off a specimen holder, and/or for correcting longitudinal chromatic aberrations. The adjusting device is configured to change two air spaces and especially the air spaces (A1, A2) are linearly changeable.
US07782538B2
A projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective suitable for microlithography projection exposure machines has a plurality of optical elements transparent for radiation at an operating wavelength of the projection objective. At least one optical element is a high-index optical element made from a high-index material with a refractive index n≧1.6 at the operating wavelength.
US07782527B1
A method and apparatus use a photonic-crystal fiber having a very large core while maintaining a single transverse mode. In some fiber lasers and amplifiers having large cores problems exist related to energy being generated at multiple-modes (i.e., polygamy), and of mode hopping (i.e., promiscuity) due to limited control of energy levels and fluctuations. The problems of multiple-modes and mode hopping result from the use of large-diameter waveguides, and are addressed by the invention. This is especially true in lasers using large amounts of energy (i.e., lasers in the one-megawatt or more range). By using multiple small waveguides in parallel, large amounts of energy can be passed through a laser, but with better control such that the aforementioned problems can be reduced. An additional advantage is that the polarization of the light can be maintained better than by using a single fiber core.
US07782515B2
The invention concerns a system enabling projection of a digital video image sequence, on a screen with different size and shape, by the mean of a light beam which can be generated by a source (1), of low/medium power laser type or of white light type, oriented by a 3D's ball-joint (2). The system contains a rotary disc micro-shutter (4) with slots (3), two optical rotary discs (5) and (7) digitally controlled on an axis (12) with 3D's ball-joints (6), generating the vertical and horizontal beam sweeping onto the screen, ended by a rectangular shutter (8). The display is realized by successive reflections of the light beam on reflective microscopic facets, covered with a thin metallic coat, and distributed on the discs surface (5) and (7). The surface of each facet is oriented with a reflective angle incremented according to an angular increment which depends on the aimed application. The reflective angle applied to the light beam by each facets, depends on: 1) the type of optical rotary disc: vertical (5) or horizontal (7), 2) the rotation speed, and 3) the position of each facet on the disc, which is function of: 1) the zone: red (9), green (10) or blue (11), the sector and the determined increment, at a given <
US07782513B1
A fast variable angle of incidence illumination configuration for a machine vision inspection system, including: a light source that directs a beam along a first optical path portion; a beam steering arrangement that receives the beam and steers it along a second optical path portion; and a beam deflecting arrangement including a plurality of surface portions arranged at respective angles of incidence to receive the beam and deflect it along a third optical path portion to a field of view. The beam steering arrangement includes different surfaces that provide either narrow or wide divergence of the beam toward the deflecting arrangement. The illumination configuration allows for fast adjustment of not only the illumination angle of incidence but also the range of angles (narrow or wide) about the nominal angle. The illumination configuration is particularly suitable for use with light provided by a high-intensity remote light source.
US07782512B2
A light irradiation device irradiates a specimen in a flow channel with directional light. The light irradiation device includes a light source that emits the directional light, and an irradiation control unit that irradiates the specimen in the flow channel with light, obtains positional information of the specimen, and controls the irradiation of the directional light based on the positional information.
US07782511B2
An optical scanning apparatus includes a laser diode, electro-optical crystal member, BD sensor, two light detection sensors and voltage control unit. The electro-optical crystal member is arranged in the optical path between the laser diode and a polygon mirror, and deflects the light beam in the sub-scanning direction by applied voltage. The BD sensor and two light detection sensors detect the light beam deflected in the sub-scanning direction. A scanning control unit controls, based on the detection results obtained by the BD sensor and two light detection sensors, the irradiation position of the light beam on a photosensitive drum. The BD sensor and two light detection sensors are arranged at positions distant in the sub-scanning direction from an optical path to the photosensitive drum and at the central portion and two end portions of an image forming region in the main scanning direction.
US07782510B2
A three dimensional display apparatus includes a diffraction panel for displaying a computer generated hologram and a look-up table. The look-up table includes a plurality of phase entries corresponding to a plurality of image points within a three dimensional image replay volume of the computer generated hologram. The apparatus further includes one or more processors configured to notionally divide the computer generated hologram into one or more hogels and to calculate diffraction fringe information for at least one of the hogels based on a selection of the phase entries.
US07782504B2
Provided is an image reading/recording apparatus capable of actualizing downsizing and a decrease in cost of an apparatus body by commonizing components and functions of a document conveying system and a recording sheet conveying system, and enabling a user to readily clean a contaminated portion even when a reading surface of reading means and a white plate are contaminated. A separation feeding means, a reading means, conveying means, and discharging means are disposed in this sequence from an upstream side in a conveying direction, wherein the reading means is provided to read an undersurface of a document with a reading surface directed upward, and a white plate facing the reading surface of the reading means is disposed in an openable/closable manner.
US07782502B2
Gains and offsets of the input-output characteristic of a second side reading unit are controlled so as to match input-output characteristic of a first side reading unit on the basis of image data of a gray chart read by the first side reading unit and the second side reading unit. Then, on the basis of image data of a color chart read by the first side reading unit and the second side reading unit, offsets of the input-output characteristic of the second side reading unit are controlled for individual color components such that differences between color read by the first side reading unit and color read by the second side reading unit are reduced.
US07782492B2
It is disclosed a method of generating mapping data for converting first image data adapted to be reproduced by a first imaging device having a first gamut to second image data adapted to be reproduced by a second imaging device having a second gamut which is different from the first gamut. A third gamut is determined so as to include the first gamut and the second gamut. The first gamut is extended to the third gamut to obtain first mapping relationships. The third gamut is compressed to obtain second mapping relationships. It is generated mapping data associating first colors included in the first gamut with second colors included in the second gamut by way of the first mapping relationships and the second mapping relationships.
US07782489B2
A transform useful for predicting a reflectance value producible by a printer while operating under a predetermined target set of operating conditions using reflectance values produced by the printer while operating under a predetermined reference set of operating conditions is generated using an efficient sample set that contains the minimal required number of samples.
US07782483B2
An image forming system includes: a data conversion unit that converts first image data into second image data; and an image output unit that outputs an image obtained by reproducing the second image data. The data conversion unit includes: a determination unit which divides the first image data into a dot block each includes plural pieces of dot data, and determines whether or not an array of dot data included in each dot block corresponds to a specific array; and a replacement unit which replaces the data out of the second image data, which is located in a portion corresponding to the dot block, with first replacement data including image forming dot data with which an image is formed. The specific array includes a first array in which the dot data to be thinned out is configured as the image forming dot data, and the dot data not to be thinned out is configured as non-image forming dot data with which an image is not formed.
US07782482B2
A color correcting method for compensating a color drift in a printing device includes determining an ink recording rate having a maximum variation of colorimetric data from among a plurality of stages of ink recording rates. The variation of colorimetric data occurs by means of a variation of an amount of ink adhering on the printing medium on each printing device. The color correcting method includes controlling the printing device to print a standard image of the determined ink recording rate on the printing medium. The color correcting method also includes compensating a color drift in the printing device having printed the standard image by correcting the printing data based on a result of comparing the standard image of the ink recording rate having the maximum variation printed on the printing medium with a reference standard image.
US07782474B2
A job managing apparatus in which a message can be displayed without installing a job account client application in a print client. A print server manages a job that is output to a printer and transmits information related to the job to a print client. The information related to the job is transmitted to an application for notifying a user of the information related to the job when the print client has the application. When the print client does not have the application, the information related to the job is transmitted to an operating system of the print client.
US07782465B2
A method and apparatus for detecting seismic vibrations using a series of MEMS units, with each MEMS unit including an interferometer is described. The interferometers on the MEMS units receive and modulate light from two differing wavelengths by way of a multiplexing scheme involving the use of Bragg gratings and light circulators, and an optoelectronic processor receives and processes the modulated light to discern vibrational movement of the system, which in turn allows for monitoring and calculation of a specified environmental parameter, such as seismic activity, temperature or pressure.
US07782462B2
Sensing a gas includes introducing a gas into a chamber, forming a standing acoustic wave in the chamber, and irradiating the chamber with electromagnetic radiation. Some of the electromagnetic radiation passes into the chamber, through the standing acoustic wave in the chamber, and out of the chamber. An amount of electromagnetic radiation that passes out of the chamber, or is transmitted through the chamber, is detected. A concentration of the gas in the chamber can be assessed.
US07782461B1
A flow metering device and method for monitoring flow of a liquid, has a body with an inlet port and an outlet port. A flow chamber is formed therein between a pair of laterally placed windows in the flow chamber. A light emitting source placed in one of the windows and a light receiver placed in a second of the windows. The flow chamber has a flow restricting and light stopping element held therein and movable between a rest position and an operating position.
US07782459B2
Apparatuses, methods, and systems for measuring mean particle size and concentration of a polydispersion of agglomerates are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatuses include a light source; a focusing lens to form a probe volume; a first light detector positioned at a first angular position from the beam of light; and a second light detector positioned at a second angular position from the first direction of the beam of light, the mean particle size and concentration being determined using nearly invariant functions of a ratio of the light scattered measured by the first and second detectors.
US07782456B2
An ICP analysis method for solid samples which can secure reliability of the analytical results. The present invention provides an analytical method in which a finely powdered solid sample is directly injected into an inductively coupled plasma-aided emission spectrometer, wherein standard liquid samples of known concentration of objective element are analyzed by the spectrometer to establish a calibration curve for the element; at least one standard sample of finely powdered solid of known concentration is analyzed by the spectrometer to determine a conversion factor by a given procedure; and the result of the finely powdered solid sample is corrected using the conversion factor.
US07782444B2
A top plate is configured to surround a space with a first plate member and a second plate member which oppose each other and a side wall member. The top plate includes a rib arranged in the space. The rib includes a plurality of connecting portions. Each connecting portion respectively connects to either the side wall member or a member in the space. The rib has a thickness at a portion between adjacent connecting portions which is larger than the thickness at each connecting portion.
US07782439B2
A method for communicating and preserving creative intent within a motion picture production chain, including a production stage, and at least one of a subsequent laboratory or post production stage, including capturing an original image of a scene during the production stage; generating a look representative of a creative intent, wherein the look is a digital representation of a creative alteration of the captured original scene image; and applying the look to the captured original scene image and confirming approval of the look during the production stage. The digital representation of the look is stored as a recipe for generating the creative alteration, and communicated from the production stage to at least one of the subsequent laboratory and post-production stages for applying the look to the captured motion picture footage during subsequent laboratory and post-production stages.
US07782437B2
The method of the present invention includes the steps of: (A) providing a first substrate, and a second substrate, wherein the first substrate includes a first light shielding layer provided within a non-display region, the first light shielding layer including a light-transmitting portion provided near an outer boundary of the first light shielding layer, the light-transmitting portion comprising a recess or an opening; (B) drawing a seal pattern with a sealant, the seal pattern being drawn outside the first light shielding layer so as to surround the display region, comprising the substeps of: (B1) beginning application of the sealant near the light-transmitting portion, (B2) applying the sealant along an outer periphery of the first light shielding layer, and (B3) forming a junction with the sealant having been applied near the light-transmitting portion; (C) applying a liquid crystal material within the display region surrounded by the sealant; (D) attaching the first substrate and the second substrate; and (E) performing light irradiation from the first substrate side to cure the sealant.
US07782436B2
A thin film transistor substrate of fringe field switching type and a fabricating method thereof for simplifying a process are disclosed. In the thin film transistor substrate of fringe field switching type, a gate line has a multiple-layer structure and includes a transparent conductive layer. A data line crosses the gate line to define a pixel area. A thin film transistor is connected to the gate line and the data line. A common line is provided in a multiple-layer structure and in parallel to the gate line. A common electrode is formed by an extension of a transparent conductive layer of the common line at said pixel area. A pixel electrode is connected to the thin film transistor to form a fringe field with the common electrode in the pixel area.
US07782430B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal between substrates and alignment layers disposed on the inner surface sides of the substrates. The alignment layer is made from a material including polyamic acid containing a diamine component and polyimide containing a diamine component different from the diamine component of the polyamic acid. The alignment layer is subjected to alignment treatment by irradiation of light. UV light can be irradiated in the oblique direction onto the alignment layer through a mask having openings. A reflecting plate can be arranged between a UV light source and the mask. Also, bank structures having a thickness from 0.1 to 0.15 μm can be provided on the alignment layer of the TFT substrate.
US07782428B2
The present invention relates to a vertically aligned LCD (VA-LCD) employing a bi-axial retardation compensation film, in which an in-plain refractive index (nx, ny) and a thickness refractive index (nz) of the film is nx>ny>nz. The film has a reversed wavelength dispersion in which retardation is increased in proportion to the increase of a wavelength in the range of visible rays and has a normal wavelength dispersion in which an absolute value of the thickness retardation is decreased in proportion to the increase of a wavelength in the range of visible rays. The VA-LCD cell having a retardation compensation characteristic is comprised by arranging a bi-axial retardation compensation film between the vertically aligned panel and a upper and lower polarizing plate. The VA-LCD of the present invention improves contrast characteristics on a front surface and at a tilt angle and minimizes coloring in a black state according to the tilt angle.
US07782418B2
A backlight module includes a frame, an optical element, a bottom plate, a holder, and a light source. The optical elements are located on the frame and a space between the sidewall of the frame and the optical elements. The bottom plate located under the optical elements. The light source is on the holder inserted into the space, The holder is inserted into the space along the direction toward the bottom surface of the bottom plate, and is removed from the space along the opposing direction.
US07782416B2
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device comprises a data line, source and drain electrodes disposed on a substrate; a pixel electrode disposed in a pixel region and contacting the drain electrode; an organic semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate; a gate insulating layer disposed on the substrate; a gate electrode disposed on the substrate; a first passivation layer of a photosensitive having a gate contact hole on the gate electrode, the gate contact hole exposing the gate electrode; and a gate line disposed on the first passivation layer, the gate line crossing the data line to define the pixel region and contacting the gate electrode through the gate contact hole, wherein the organic semiconductor layer, the gate insulating layer, and the gate electrode have a substantially same shape.
US07782414B2
A method for fabricating an LCD device includes forming an alignment layer and an overcoat layer substantially simultaneously. The method includes, coating a mixture of an alignment layer material and an overcoat layer material on a substrate and at least partially separating the overcoat layer material and the alignment layer material by the curing the mixture.
US07782413B2
The present invention includes a liquid crystal display device with an oxide film having high adhesiveness to a semiconductor layer or a pixel electrode to thereby prevent oxidation of a wiring material or the like, and includes a source electrode and a drain electrode having high conductivity, and a manufacturing method therefor. In one embodiment of the present invention, a liquid crystal display device has a TFT electrode of a TFT substrate, wherein a source electrode or a drain electrode includes a layer of mainly copper and an oxide covering an outer part of the layer. Further, in the present invention, the semiconductor layer or the pixel electrode and said source electrode or the drain electrode are in ohmic contact in the TFT electrode.
US07782407B2
A remote control unit for an entertainment system comprising a television or other display device, and a plurality of peripheral devices connected to the televisions. The remote control unit is adapted to send and receive information signals to and from the television and to the peripheral devices to control the devices. The television and remote control unit both preferably includes a receiver and transmitter and appropriate memory and logic coupled to the transmitter and receiver. Alternatively, the remote control unit preferably includes a receiver and transmitter and a repeater coupled to the receiver and the transmitter. In operation, the remote control unit sends commands to the television, which responds by sending information or a specific command back to the remote control unit. The remote control unit then retrieves and sends a specific command or repeats and sends the command received from the television to the appropriate peripheral device.
US07782405B2
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for selecting a display source light illumination level based on distortion parameters.
US07782400B2
An image display unit operational interface for easily selecting a lot of functions while checking the content of an underlying image is provided.In an image display control device (3) for displaying on a display unit (5) a large menu having a plurality of menu items, and an underlying image, to allow performing menu item selection and operation according to instructions by a user, a controller (14) for, according to the instructions, selecting and controlling one of either of the large menu and a small menu that has as menu items a lone portion of the menu items in the large menu, and a menu image compositor (20) for, according to control by the controller, simultaneously displaying on the display unit the small menu together with the underlying image are included.
US07782399B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for modifying video signals. The system may comprise at least one decoder that decodes a video signal that comprises embedded picture setting data, and a video processor that is adapted to detect whether the system is operating in an on-screen display (“OSD”) mode, apply the embedded picture setting data if the system is not in the OSD mode, and withhold the embedded picture setting data if the system is in the OSD mode. The method may comprise the acts of decoding a video signal that comprises embedded picture setting data, detecting whether a system is operating in the OSD mode, applying the embedded picture setting data if the system is not in the OSD mode, and withholding the embedded picture setting data if the system is in the OSD mode.
US07782394B2
A digital camera of the present invention includes a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 133 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 133 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, wherein the microcomputer 110 controls so that, when the live view mode is set, the digital camera comes out of the live view mode, and setting information on the digital camera is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 150, in accordance with the manipulation of the manipulation portion 140. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.
US07782392B2
The autofocus adjustment device comprises a distance-measuring sensor and a contrast system AF, and is capable of attaining further speeding up and high accuracy. The autofocus adjustment device drives a focus lens according to the measurement result of a distance-measuring sensor and then performs focus adjustment according to a contrast system according to the image signal outputted from a solid-state image pickup element, and makes variable the search range and determination area of the contrast AF according to the measured distance from the object, brightness of the object, focal length and aperture, etc. of the lens. The distance-measuring sensor measures the distance from the object periodically before a release button is depressed and speeds up the focusing when the release button is depressed. The autofocus adjustment device also detects a change of the periodically acquired distance measurement output, determines the change of the object and when it is decided that the change of the object is large, performs focus adjustment according to the contrast system, and thereby speeds up AF processing and reduces electric power consumption.
US07782388B2
A solid image pickup device includes an image pickup unit on which image pickup elements are arranged in a two dimensional form, a print on which the image pickup unit is mounted, and protrusions formed in a pattern form of a conductive material on a floor area, of the print board, covered by the image pickup unit such that the protrusions surround a central part of the floor area, wherein the image pickup unit is fixed with an adhesive on the protrusions and the floor area of the print board.
US07782364B2
Methods and systems of imaging to correct parallax. Color information is received from multi-array sensors. Luminance information is received from a sub-array sensor arranged with the multi-array sensors. Color information received from at least one of the multi-array sensors is correlated with the luminance information received from the sub-array sensor. Color information is shifted among the multi-array sensors, based on the correlation, to correct the parallax.
US07782363B2
Multiple visual perspectives in video of private and public activities including those in public areas such as entertainment venues captured by cameras located near the activities can be transmitted over data networks to a server where video-related data is processed and recorded for selective display by authorized, remote video display devices (e.g., HDTV, set-top boxes, computers, handheld devices) in wired/wireless communication with the server. Users can be registered and authorized to access the server to provide/access video captured by cameras at activities. Wireless handheld devices can selectively retrieve video-related data captured at activities for server storage and subsequent display by video display devices. Captured video/pictures can be organized in a server based on at least one of: activity title, activity time, activity date, activity place, wireless handheld device location at time of video recording, distance from location of interest. Simultaneous display of multiple videos on a display can be synchronized.
US07782361B2
A position and an orientation of an image capturing device or an object to which an inclination sensor is mounted are obtained without performing iterative calculation. A position and orientation measuring method includes the steps of: inputting a measured inclination value of an inclination sensor mounted to one of an object and an image capturing device; inputting a captured image from the image capturing device; detecting an index on the object from the captured image; and calculating a position and an orientation of one of the object and the image capturing device to which the inclination sensor is mounted on the basis of the measured inclination value, an image coordinate of the detected index, and already-known positional information on the detected index without performing iterative calculation.
US07782356B2
A video communication system and method for allowing a video communication using a telematics system is provided. The video communication system includes a telematics terminal for transmitting a video communication request signal, capturing image and voice, and receiving video communication data; a service providing center for receiving the video communication request signal, detecting the telematics terminal inherent number from the received video communication request signal, and detecting the corresponding other party's mobile communication terminal inherent number and forming a video communication path with a mobile communication terminal; and the mobile communication terminal having a display unit displaying an image, and performing a video communication with the telematics terminal.
US07782349B2
A thermal paper sheet having heat-sensitive layers on a first surface and a second surface having a front-and-rear relationship is prepared. A first thermal head which comes into contact with a front surface of this thermal paper sheet and a second thermal head which comes into contact with a rear surface 1b of the same are provided. Further, printing data input from the outside is divided into first printing data and second printing data. The thermal heads are driven in accordance with the printing data.
US07782342B2
An apparatus, method, and medium for controlling image orientation are disclosed. An orientation mode detector measures multi-directional rotational angles of a display panel and determines an orientation mode for original image data based on the measured rotational angles. A system memory stores orientation parameters corresponding to a plurality of image orientation modes. A system controller initially acquires information indicating the orientation mode from the orientation mode detector, and it extracts orientation parameters corresponding to the acquired information from the system memory. Finally, a driver changes an orientation of the original image data according to the extracted orientation parameters.
US07782340B2
Disclosed is a multiple video signals coexisting system and method thereof. The multiple video signals coexisting system includes a second switch and a first switch. The first switch outputs a portion of a first video signal and a portion of a second video signal from a plurality of video signals alternately as multiple coexisting video signals according to a selecting signal. The second switch generates the selecting signal according a toggle signal. The multiple video signals coexisting system further includes a pixel clock generator to generate a pixel clock and the second switch can employ the pixel clock to generate the selecting signal thereafter. The multiple video signals coexisting system outputs the multiple coexisting video signals for constituting continuous frames on a display, therefore, to show plural pictures on single display, and more particularly, to show an on-screen display menu translucently on the display.
US07782334B1
Systems and methods for performing data array resizing using a graphics processor resize a source data array of any dimensions to produce a destination data array of other dimensions. A pixel shader program may be used to configure the graphics processor to sample and filter the source data array to produce the destination data array. One or more destination data arrays may be mip maps of the source data array. A box filter or other type of filter may be used to produce each destination data array. Each pixel in the destination data array is produced in isolation, i.e., independently, thereby permitting the use of parallel processing to produce each pixel in the destination data array.
US07782324B2
In computer enabled key frame animation, a method and associated system for rigging a character so as to provide a large range of motion with great fluidity of motion. The rigging uses a character body that moves along a path or freely as needed. The nodes in the body and path are not physically connected but are linked for performing a particular task. This task driven behavior of the nodes which may allow them to re-organize themselves in different re-configurations in order to perform a common duty, implies a variable geometry to the entire dynamic structure. To some regard the nodes can be said to be intelligent.
US07782323B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system (100) that is adapted to process digital video data. An exemplary embodiment of the system (100) comprises a processor (110) that produces a digital video data stream (112), and a character generator (200) that is adapted to select a pixel data value from one of a plurality of standard data lines (604, 606, 608, 610) to insert into the digital video data stream (112) based on a representation of a character stored in a memory (210) associated with the character generator (200).
US07782315B2
The present invention is intended to achieve an improvement in the horizontal resolution of an active matrix semiconductor display device. In accordance with the present invention, by supplying a modulated clock signal obtained by frequency modulating a reference clock signal at a constant period to a driving circuit of an active matrix semiconductor display device or to a driving circuit of a passive matrix semiconductor display device, signal information (the presence or absence of an edge, the extent of nearness) relative to the vicinity of the sampling of video signals (image signals) sampled on the basis of this modulated clock signal can be written to the corresponding pixels of the semiconductor display device as shading information. The driving method of the present invention makes use of a phenomenon which apparently makes the resolution of an image display higher owing to the shading information (visual Mach phenomenon and Craik-O'Brien phenomenon).
US07782310B2
A method for displaying frame and a display apparatus using the same, suitable for displaying a plurality of frame data in an image signal on a display panel, are provided. A vertical blank period is located between every two adjacent frame data in the image signal. The method for displaying frame includes the following steps. A background frame is displayed on the display panel during the vertical blank period of the image signal. One of the frame data is displayed on the display panel during the non-vertical blank period of the image signal.
US07782302B2
A graphical user interface which employs logical barriers for temporarily preventing cursor movement between graphical elements under certain circumstances. For example, one embodiment of the invention comprises a data processing device having a memory for storing program code and a processor for processing the program code to generate a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI comprising: a first predefined region including of a first plurality of selectable graphical elements; a second predefined region including a second plurality of selectable graphical elements; and a logical barrier between the first predefined region and the second predefined region, the logical barrier configured to temporarily prevent movement from a graphical element in the first predetermined region to a graphical element in the second predetermined region in response to a user input directed towards graphical element in the second predetermined region, the logical barrier temporarily preventing the movement for either a specified period of time and/or a specified amount of movement generated by a user input device.
US07782301B2
An exemplary system for verifying DPI values of computer mice is disclosed. The system comprises: a stepper motor connected with a horizontal servo axle and controlling the horizontal servo axle to perform back and forth movements which drives the computer mice to move in a straight line back and forth; a computer configured for receiving measurement parameters, for sending move instructions to the stepper motor, for recording initial coordinates of a computer pointer of the computer mice and current coordinates of the mouse pointers of the computer mice, and calculating DPI values according to the initial coordinates and the current coordinates; and a servo controller electrically connected between the computer and the stepper motor for sending impulse control signals to control operations of the stepper motor. A related method is also disclosed.
US07782300B2
A portable computer includes a main body casing having an opening formed in a center part thereof, and a first panel and a second panel provided at opposite sides of the opening, a display part which displays an image through the opening, a pointer mover which is provided in one of the first panel and the second panel and moves a pointer on the display part, and a clicking button which is provided in the other one of the left panel and the right panel and clicks the pointer.
US07782293B2
Embodiments include devices and methods for wavelength filtering. For example, one embodiment includes a display comprising a plurality of the display elements each comprising a movable reflector, a first partial reflector, and a second partial reflector. The first partial reflector is positioned at a first distance from the movable reflector and forms a first optical resonant cavity therebetween. The second partial reflector is positioned at a second distance from said first partial reflector and forming a second optical resonant cavity therebetween. In various embodiments, the movable reflector is movable with respect to the first partial reflector to alter the first optical cavity. Other embodiments include a method of making devices.
US07782292B2
In an electrophoretic display device sandwiching an electrophoretic material between a first substrate and a second substrate, a plurality of pixels are formed on the first substrate; each pixel is composed of n subpixels (n being an integer of 2 or more); and the n subpixels contain at least one pair of adjoining subpixels that cannot be divided by a straight line.
US07782287B2
A data accessing interface between memory and source in LCD display IC includes a multiplex output module and a sequential input module. Suppose a row width of the memory is N bit. The multiplex output module is for outputting a row N-bit digital data. The multiplex output module includes a buffer for receiving the row N-bit digital data from the memory; and a multiplex unit for continuously selecting M bits from the N bit digital data to output to source. After N/M times, all of the row N bit digital data will be output to source. The sequential input module includes N latches and N/M latch control signals; when each latch control signal is active, it will latch M bit digital data from the multiplex output into M latches. After N/M latch control signals are active sequentially, the N bit digital data are stored into the N latches for source.
US07782285B2
In a display unit having an array of liquid crystal cells and a corresponding array of display driver circuits for each of the liquid crystal cells, each display driver circuit in the corresponding array includes an analog memory element and a differential amplifier coupled between the analog memory element and the liquid crystal cell. The differential amplifier provides isolation between the analog memory element and the liquid crystal cell.
US07782276B2
A scan driving circuit and an organic light emitting display using the same is disclosed. A first scan driver having a plurality of first stages sequentially outputs a selection signal, and a second scan driver having a plurality of second stages sequentially outputs an emission signal. Each of the first and second stages are configured so as to have substantially zero static current, and operation speed can be optimized without significant increase in power consumption.
US07782271B2
A portable electronic device with function of receiving and radiating radio frequency (RF) signal and a multi-frequency antenna thereof are disclosed. The portable electronic device comprises a RF module and a multi-frequency antenna connecting to the RF module. The multi-frequency antenna comprises a helix element and a coaxial cable disposed within the helix element. The helix element comprises a first helix portion and a second helix portion adjacent to each other, and the coaxial cable comprises a grounding portion and a radiating portion. The first helix portion covers the grounding portion, and the radiating portion is disposed within the second helix portion separated with each other.
US07782270B2
Disclosed is a planar inverted-F antenna with an extended grounding plane. The planar inverted-F antenna has a grounding metal plate having a selected side edge on which the extended grounding plane is formed and has a predetermined height. At least one antenna signal radiating plate is connected to the grounding metal plate by a short-circuit piece and is substantially parallel to and spaced from the grounding metal plate by a distance. A feeding point extends from the antenna signal radiating plate in a direction toward the grounding metal plate and corresponds to the extended grounding plane with a predetermined gap therebetween. With the arrangement of the extended grounding plane, the impedance matching of the antenna is improved and the impedance bandwidth of the antenna is increased.
US07782267B2
A flexible substrate is wound around a magnetic core to define an antenna coil. A receiver coil including a first receiver coil portion and a second receiver coil portion which have opposite winding directions, and a transmitter coil including a first transmitter coil portion and a second transmitter coil portion which have opposite winding directions are provided on the flexible substrate. A region in which the receiver coil is provided and a region in which the transmitter coil is provided at least partially overlap each other when viewed in plan view, and non-coil-wound portions are provided between the first coil portions and second coil portions in the coils.
US07782266B2
The present invention relates to a circularly-polarized dielectric resonator antenna (DRA). The antenna comprises a substrate, a Wilkinson power divider, a phase shifter, a ground plane and a dielectric resonator, wherein the phase shifter is connected to the Wilkinson power divider. Besides, the dielectric resonator is disposed on the ground plane, and includes a dielectric main body and a well disposed above the substrate. Additionally, the antenna is adopted to increase the linear radiation bandwidth by utilizing the well, and transceives a circularly-polarized electromagnetic wave by utilizing the Wilkinson power divider. Consequently, the circularly-polarized dielectric resonator antenna can be applied in the fields of satellite communication, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and wireless communication.
US07782261B2
An antenna arrangement including a first antenna element having a first feed for connection to radio frequency circuitry; and a second antenna element, separate to the first antenna element, having a second feed connected to the first feed.
US07782254B2
Locating satellites (e.g., GPS) are culled into a sub-plurality based largely on dwell time within an inverted cone above a relevant site in communication with a wireless device. A first inverted cone having a first base angle is defined above a first site, a second inverted cone having a second base angle is defined above a second site. If the second site is farther from an equator of Earth than the first site, then the second inverted cone is made to have a base angle larger than a base angle of the first inverted cone. If the first site is farther from the equator of Earth than the second site, then the first inverted cone is made to have a base angle larger than a base angle of the second inverted cone. The span of the inverted cone over the site closest to the equator may be limited.
US07782244B2
The present invention relates to intuitive based control elements and interfaces and devices using said intuitive based control elements. In certain embodiments, machine interfaces such as remote control devices for operation of various devices are provided. More specifically, machine interfaces according to embodiments of the invention herein include one or more control elements in the form of shapes and/or positioned indicia to facilitate operation by users. Control elements provided herein having intuitive shapes and/or positions described above as associated with the man-machine interfaces may also be provided integral with various devices. For example, personal electronic devices, personal care devices, personal healthcare devices, communications devices and personal comfort devices may benefit from control elements having intuitive shapes and/or positions associated with the function as described herein.
US07782242B2
A time-to-digital converter includes at least one chain of delay elements, a status of which represents a digital signal relating to a time interval to be converted. The converter includes a provider for providing trigger signals having statistically equally distributed variable positions relative to a pulse forwarded in the chain of delay elements, a capturer for capturing the status of the chain of delay elements in response to the calibration trigger signals, the status depending on delay times of the delay elements, a determiner for determining an actual contribution of at least some of the delay elements to an overall delay of the chain of delay elements on the basis of occurrences of pulse positions in response to the calibration trigger signals. The converter is configured to take into account the actual contribution of at least some of the delay elements when converting the time interval into said digital signal.
US07782240B2
A single-wire interface communication system is capable of providing both electrical communication of signals and power between devices coupled to the system. Coupled to the single-wire interface is at least one target device which contains a PMOS transistor, a charge storage device, an inverter controlling the PMOS transistor, and a target device function. The charge storage device provides power to the target device function and to the inverter. The PMOS transistor receives power from the single-wire interface at a power-supply voltage level and charges the charge storage device to the same level. Non-communication periods produce a charging period sufficient for the charge storage device to attain the power-supply voltage level.
US07782238B2
A pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator includes a quantizer for generating a quantized signal by quantizing an input signal, an asymmetric pulse width modulator, and an error correction unit. The asymmetric pulse width modulator generates an asymmetric PWM signal by comparing the quantized signal with a reference signal, with the asymmetric PWM signal being asymmetric with respect to a center of a period of the reference signal. The error correction unit is coupled between the quantizer and the asymmetric pulse width modulator to correct an error generated from the asymmetry of the asymmetric PWM signal. The quantizer is part of a delta sigma modulator having an operating frequency that is twice that of the reference signal.
US07782237B2
An error-corrected representation of an input signal, such as a bioluminescence signal, is generated. An analog representation of the input signal is oversampled and quantized to provide a first-stage digital output and a residual error. The residual error is provided as a second-stage digital output using successive approximation. The first-stage and second-stage digital outputs are used to generate an error-corrected representation of the bioluminescence signal.
US07782233B2
Provided are a method and an apparatus for selectively encoding/decoding point sequences to maximize bit efficiency of a lightweight application scene representation (LASeR) binary stream. The point sequence encoding method includes the steps of: for each point sequence, (a) selecting one of exponential-Golomb (EG) encoding and fixed length (FL) encoding schemes; (b) when the FL encoding scheme is selected, encoding the point sequence using the FL encoding scheme to generate a binary stream; and (c) when the EG encoding scheme is selected, encoding the point sequence using the EG encoding scheme to generate a binary stream. The binary stream includes a flag indicating which encoding scheme is selected and a parameter k, with which the EG encoding can be most effectively performed, when the EG encoding scheme is selected. According to the encoding method, LASeR point sequences can be efficiently encoded and, during a decoding process, a large overhead is not incurred to a decoder (terminal).
US07782232B2
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for encoding and decoding using generalized concatenated codes (GCC) are described. The methods include receiving data; encoding the received data to obtain first encoded data; encoding the first encoded data until a GCC encoding reaches an intermediate level; and terminating the GCC encoding at the intermediate level.
US07782228B2
A device for the detection of tailgating between vehicles on a roadway. The device may emit ultrasonic signals on to a roadway and receive said reflected signals. The device has a processor adapted to use the received signals to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle. The processor also determines whether a vehicle is tailgating another vehicle by detecting if the time spacing between two sequential vehicles traveling in the same direction in the same lane is two second or less. The processor alerts a remote receiver when tailgating is detected. The device may also include a camera to take pictures of any vehicle determined to be tailgating. The device is preferably compact and easily portable.
US07782220B2
A proximity sensor includes a sense electrode having a first capacitance to ground, wherein the first capacitance varies in response to proximity of an object to be sensed; a first sense circuit which provides a first pulse signal having a pulse width determined in accordance with the first capacitance; a reference capacitor; a second sense circuit which provides a second pulse signal having a pulse width determined in accordance with a second capacitance of the reference capacitor; and a computing circuit which computes a difference pulse by subtracting the second pulse signal from the first pulse signal and provide a pulse of the difference pulse width.
US07782210B2
A resonance tag includes a dielectric layer, a first circuit layer, a second circuit layer and a hard pad. The first circuit layer is formed on one surface of the dielectric layer, and the first circuit layer has a first electrode pattern and a coil. A second circuit layer is formed on the other surface of the dielectric layer, and the second circuit layer has a second electrode pattern and a wiring. A hard pad is formed on the second circuit layer and corresponding to the wiring of the second circuit layer, and then an edge of the hard pad is beyond the edge of the wiring.
US07782209B2
An RFID transponder detector is provided having a coupled oscillator system. Coupled first and second LC of the system produce a detection signal each time a combination of pulses is applied to the LC pairs. Application of the pulses is repeated periodically to produce a sequence for detection signals having two different first and second detection frequencies. Transmitting the sequence of detection signals results in corresponding first and second response signals having the first and second detection frequencies at the LC pairs. Values of a preselected detection parameter for the detection signals are compared to the values of the detection parameter for the response signals to determine if a transponder having a transponder resonant frequency corresponding to the first or second detection frequency is present in a proximal space of the transponder detector.
US07782203B2
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates verifying data within a radio frequency identification (RFID) business process. A radio frequency identification (RFID) business process can include at least one component that can receive an event from a logical source. A strong typing module can employ strong typing of the component to define at least one of an event type for the component, an input event type for the component, or an output event type for the component.
US07782202B2
There is provided a system for identifying a connection of two or more components in which one or more RFID transponders are associated with the two or more components. A plug is associated with the first component, such as a fiber optic connector, and a socket is associated with the second component, such as a fiber optic adapter. An RFID transponder is associated with each component and at least one of the RFID transponders is activatable when the plug is received by the socket to enable the activated RFID transponder to communicate with the RFID reader. The antennas and integrated circuit chips that define the RFID transponders are positioned relative to the plug and socket to enable the one or more RFID transponders to activate when the plug is received by the socket. In addition, the RFID transponders may communicate with one another to identify other RFID transponders in order to communicate identities of two or more RFID transponders.
US07782201B2
A technique for preventing damage to a portable device includes detecting movement of a portable device and determining whether a port of the portable device is attached to an external device. When the external device is attached to the port, a notification is provided to a user of the portable device that the external device requires detachment from the portable device (e.g., assuming that the notification is not masked).
US07782195B2
A method and apparatus for powering a device, such as a data recorder or other device, according to an adjustable schedule. One example of the apparatus includes a programmable timer having an alarm output, a power regulator having an enable input coupled to the alarm output, a controller coupled to the power regulator and to the programmable timer, the controller being configured to receive operating power from the power regulator, and a powered device coupled to the power regulator and configured to receive power from the power regulator. The regulator has an operating state in which the operating power is provided to the powered device and an idle state in which the operating power is not provided to the powered device. The regulator is configured to be activated into the operating state by activation of the alarm output and deactivated into the idle state by deactivation of the alarm output, under the control of the controller.
US07782192B2
A medical appliance for use on and/or in the body of a user including a transmission unit and an activation switch connected to the transmission unit for activating the transmission unit when an activation signal is received by the activation switch. The invention encompasses systems and processes for transmitting data between a medical appliance and an external appliance, wherein, in some embodiments, the external appliance activates the medical appliance prior to data transmission when the latter is in an idle state.
US07782190B1
A wireless communication method and protocol, and wireless devices and systems for stimulation, are provided for communication between a wireless device and a charging device. During active wireless charging, communications (data transmission) from the wireless device to the charging device occurs via pulse loading the receive antenna of the receiving device. Because switching regulation in the receiving device may interfere with the communications, the switching regulation is disabled during a communications window. To further reduce the likelihood of misinterpretation of signals detected in the charging device resulting from the switching regulation or noise, the data bit rate of the pulse loading communications is maintained higher than the switching regulation frequency.
US07782183B2
A system comprises at least one contactless readable data carrier (1) which can be attached to a wheel (100) of a vehicle and a reader (10) which can be arranged on the vehicle to receive electromagnetic signals (ES) emitted by the data carrier (1). The reader (10) is designed to determine the revolutions of the wheel (100) from the field strength fluctuation of the received electromagnetic signals (ES), the reader (10) having calculation means (19) designed to calculate from the revolutions and a wheel periphery reference value (RU) determined by the reader and allocated to the wheel (100), such as circumference, diameter or radius, a distance covered by a point on the wheel periphery and/or values derivable therefrom such as the peripheral speed (UV) of the wheel (100).
US07782180B2
A collision-detecting device according to the present invention is installed in a bumper of an automotive vehicle. The collision-detecting device includes a deformable member disposed behind a bumper cover, a pressure sensor disposed in an inside space of the deformable member and an electronic control unit for determining a collision with a pedestrian based on signals from the pressure sensor. A width of the deformable member is made 300 mm or wider so that the width sufficiently covers a portion that is usually deformed by a collision with a pedestrian. A height of the deformable member is so set that a reaction force of the deformable member generated by a collision with a pedestrian does not exceed a predetermined level such as 1 kN. According to the present invention, a collision with a pedestrian is surely detected and the colliding pedestrian is protected from a severe damage.
US07782177B1
A data processing system for analyzing customer and employee interactions in a service establishment is disclosed. The data processing system comprises a plurality of remote customer, employee units and a central unit. The units each include a transceiver to send and receive signals. The signals are all received by the central unit and relayed to the appropriate unit. The central unit time stamps and records all signals in a database. The system further comprises an evaluation program which analyzes the signal data to provide employee performance ratings and staffing recommendations.
US07782172B2
A variable chip resistor (1) of the present invention includes a resistor element (2) made of a metal plate which is in the form of a chip and has a predetermined specific resistance. Terminal electrodes (3, 4) for soldering are provided at both ends of the resistor element (2), and at least one adjustment hole (9) is formed in the resistor element (2) at a portion between the terminal electrodes (3, 4). An adjustment rod (10) is inserted into the adjustment hole (9) in close contact with the inner surface of the adjustment hole. The adjustment rod (10) is made of an electroconductive material, and its insertion depth is adjustable in the axial direction of the adjustment hole (9).
US07782171B2
An electric resistive heater having an extended temperature range and repeatable heating characteristics. The resistor being formed of a material having at least one noble metal and an oxide selected from the group consisting of yttrium oxide, cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, and combinations of these. The resistor may further have the oxide dispersion hardened within grain boundaries and a main body portion of the noble metal.
US07782169B2
A magnetic core (1, 1′, 20, 28, 29, 58, 61, 70, 70′, 80, 80′, 90) for a magnetic component has a longitudinal axis parallel to which a magnetic current is to be substantially guided inside the magnetic core. The magnetic core consists of a plurality of magnetic elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 29, 30, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 48, 49, 52, 53) shaped like bars or strips arranged parallel to one another, at least one of the magnetic elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 29, 30, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 48, 49, 52, 53) is different from the other magnetic elements in one or several of the following characteristics: permeability of material, curvature, length, shape and/or size of surface area, presence, type and location of notches in the magnetic elements.
US07782152B2
A frequency tuning device for use in a crystal oscillator circuit includes a first fine tuning array of capacitors, a second fine tuning array of capacitors and a coarse tuning array of capacitors coupled in parallel to produce a tuning capacitance for tuning the crystal oscillator. The first fine tuning array of capacitors includes a binary weighted switched capacitor network, the second fine tuning array of capacitors includes a thermometer coded switched capacitor network and the coarse tuning array of capacitors includes a binary weighted switched capacitor network with a different unit capacitance value than the first and second fine tuning arrays.
US07782151B2
An extended range voltage controller oscillator (VCO) circuit for use in a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit is provided. The VCO circuit includes two additional pairs of varactors which are used to extend the range of the VCO circuit around its center frequency.
US07782147B2
An apparatus for providing oscillator frequency stability is disclosed. The apparatus includes an internally ovenized oscillator module having an oscillator and an inner heater to maintain the oscillator at a first temperature during operation. The apparatus also includes a thermally conductive cover for forming a first compartment to contain the internally ovenized oscillator module along with multiple heaters. The heaters are in thermal communication with the thermally conductive cover and the substrate to form an oven to keep the internally ovenized oscillator module at a stable second temperature during operation. In addition, the apparatus includes a thermally insulative cover for forming a second compartment to contain the first compartment.
US07782104B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and apparatuses related to a delay element array for time-to-digital converters. Some embodiments include a voltage controlled oscillator; a time-to-digital converter including a delay element array to output delayed versions of a signal and logic to generate a digital word that represents phase information of the signal based at least in part on the delayed versions; and a phase detector to generate a digital phase error based at least in part on the digital word. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07782102B2
A power-on reset circuit connected to an external DC power source includes a delay circuit, a rectifying circuit, and a logic operation circuit. The delay circuit includes a first delay unit used for outputting a first delaying reference signal and a second delay unit used for outputting a second delaying reference signal. The rectifying circuit connected to the delay circuit includes a first rectifying unit and a second rectifying unit. The first rectifying unit is connected to the first delay circuit used for rectifying the first delaying reference signal to output a first rectified signal. The second rectifying unit is connected to the second delay circuit used for rectifying the second delaying reference signal to output a second rectified signal. The logic operation circuit is connected to the rectifying circuit used for outputting a reset signal according to the first rectified signal and the second rectified signal.
US07782099B2
A switching circuit for preventing malfunction of a switching device formed of a wide band-gap semiconductor used for switching a high-power main power supply includes a normally-off type FET having a gate electrode, a source electrode connected to the ground, and a drain electrode connected to a power supply potential Vdd, and a normally-on type FET having drain and source electrodes connected to the gate and source electrodes of the FET, respectively, and a gate electrode. In the absence of any power supply, the normally-on type FET turns on. As a result, the gate/source potential of FET attains to 0V, and FET is kept off.
US07782095B2
A signal comparison circuit is provided. The signal comparison circuit includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, a peak detector, and a comparator. The first amplifier is a zero-peaking amplifier. The first amplifier receives and amplifies a data signal. The second amplifier receives and amplifies a reference voltage. The peak detector is coupled to the first and the second amplifiers for detecting and maintaining maximum values of the amplified data signal and the amplified reference voltage, and then outputting the maintained data signal and the maintained reference voltage. The comparator is coupled to the peak detector for comparing the maintained data signal with the maintained reference voltage and outputting a result of the comparison.
US07782086B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor integrated circuit device that reduces the influence of crosstalk noise and is operable properly even when relatively long signal wirings that pass over a macrocell are formed. In the semiconductor integrated circuit according to the present invention, buffering cells formed between the macrocell and an input/output circuit close thereto are connected to their corresponding signal wirings extended so as to pass over an area formed with the macrocell.
US07782081B2
A circuit for controlling a driver of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a driving unit having an impedance that is set according to a code value; a driving reinforcing control unit configured to output an adjustment code for a predetermined time; and a driving reinforcing unit configured to output a reinforcing code obtained by adjusting the code value using the adjustment code, wherein the reinforcing code reinforce a driving capability of the driving unit.
US07782076B2
A unified test structure having a large number of electronic devices under test is used to characterize both capacitance-voltage parameters (C-V) and current-voltage parameters (I-V) of the devices. The devices are arranged in an array of columns and rows, and selected by control logic which gates input/output pins that act variously as current sources, sinks, clamps, measurement ports and sense lines. The capacitance-voltage parameter is measured by taking baseline and excited current measurements for different excitation voltage frequencies, calculating current differences between the baseline and excited current measurements, and generating a linear relationship between the current differences and the different frequencies. The capacitance is then derived by dividing a slope of a line representing the linear relationship by the excitation voltage. Different electronic devices may be so tested, including transistors and interconnect structures.
US07782074B2
A system including a tester configured to measure a first current from a first die of neighboring dice and a second current from a second die of the neighboring dice. The tester is configured to compare the first current to the second current to detect damage in the neighboring dice.
US07782067B2
An inspection apparatus including a transmission line for propagating an electromagnetic wave; an electromagnetic wave supply unit for supplying a terahertz wave to the transmission line; an electromagnetic wave detection unit for detecting the terahertz wave from the transmission line; a conductive region; an inspection object supply unit; and a deposition unit. The conductive region is arranged at a site including at least a part of the range to which an electric field distribution of the electromagnetic wave propagating through the transmission line extends. The inspection object supply unit holds and supplies the inspection object to the outside, and the deposition unit deposits the inspection object selectively on the conductive region by electrostatic force. The electromagnetic wave supplied from the electromagnetic wave supply unit and propagated through the transmission line is detected by the electromagnetic wave detection unit to obtain information on the inspection object.
US07782064B2
Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising a control apparatus that controls the test apparatus; a pattern generator that generates a plurality of test patterns to be provided to a plurality of input terminals of the device under test; a plurality of variable delay circuits that designate a timing for supplying each of the plurality of test patterns to a corresponding input terminal of the plurality of input terminals; and a plurality of micro-controllers that operate in parallel, according to instructions from the control apparatus, to each measure a delay amount of a variable delay circuit when the variable delay circuit is set with a prescribed delay setting value and store the delay setting value in association with the measured delay amount.
US07782062B2
Method for establishing and possibly locating leaks in pipelines (1) for transporting liquid or gaseous media using at least one electrical conductor (2) running along the longitudinal extension of the pipeline (1) from a starting point to an end point. Accordingly, a defined test voltage (Um, UL) is applied between two electrical conductors (2) or between one electrical conductor 92) and the pipeline (1), and the resistance and/or impedance behavior between starting point and end point of the two conductors (2) or the conductor (2) and the pipeline (1) is ascertained with intact pipeline (1), and at later times, the resistance and/or impedance behavior is ascertained at the same test voltages (Um, UL) and compared to the resistance and/or impedance behavior known for the intact pipeline (1), the presence of a leak being thusly ascertained.
US07782058B2
A system and method for accelerated MR imaging includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly comprising at least one RF transmit coil and comprising multiple coils to acquire MR images. The MRI apparatus also has a computer programmed to excite multiple pencil regions by use of an under-sampled echo-planar excitation trajectory and acquire MR signals simultaneously on multiple channels of the RF coil assembly. The computer is also programmed to separate contributions from the various multiple pencil regions by use of parallel imaging reconstruction.
US07782055B2
An MRI apparatus includes: an image display device for displaying diffusion weighted images of respective axes corresponding to one slice; a designation operating device for allowing an operator to designate each diffusion weighted image targeted for rephotograph from the displayed diffusion weighted images of axes; a diffusion weighted imaging device for rephotographing only the axis of each diffusion weighted image designated by the operator; a diffusion weighted image substituting device for substituting an original diffusion weighted image with each diffusion weighted image obtained at the diffusion weighted photography; and a diffusion tensor image creating device for creating a diffusion tensor image from a set of the post-substitution diffusion weighted images.
US07782051B2
The present invention provides a method of handling rapid phase aliasing in magnetic resonance images arising from local magnetic susceptibility differences. The methods of the present invention can be used to estimate the field effects within an object arising from the interfaces of regions having differences in magnetic susceptibilities, and to subtract out the resulting phase from the original or source phase data prior to any further phase processing. The methods of the present invention also include a process of accurately determining the susceptibility values of multiple voxel regions based on the geometry of such regions.
US07782046B2
Provided is an electromagnetic coil arrangement comprising a set of electromagnetic sensors at fixed locations with respect to each other, each of the electromagnetic sensors comprising a planar coil coupled to a conductive layer, the planar coil comprising non-concentric rings. Further, provided is an electromagnetic tracking system, comprising an electromagnetic coil arrangement, at least one complementary electromagnetic sensor and a processor configured to process a signal comprising data indicative of a mutual inductance between the at least one complementary electromagnetic sensor and each of the set of the electromagnetic sensors of the electromagnetic coil arrangement. Also, provided are a method of tracking and a method of manufacturing an electromagnetic coil arrangement.
US07782039B1
A regulated power supply includes an inverter comprising an upper switch and a lower switch that are connected in series. A control module selectively controls the upper switch and the lower switch in one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode and a discrete control mode (DCM), receives a feedback signal from an output of the regulated power supply, and switches between the PWM mode and the DCM based on the feedback signal.
US07782036B1
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for maintaining a substantially constant switching frequency in a relatively fast transient response switching regulator. The apparatus includes a comparison circuit, a one-shot circuit, and a pulse duration controller. The comparison circuit provides a comparison signal to the one-shot circuit based on a comparison of a feedback signal and a reference signal. The one-shot circuit provides a configured duration switch control pulse when the comparison signal is asserted. The pulse duration controller controls the configured duration of the switch control pulse (e.g., duration of a pulse on-time or off-time) to affect the switching frequency of the regulator. In addition, frequency jittering and frequency scaling circuitry may be included.
US07782034B2
A constant-voltage power supply circuit is disclosed that is able to prevent overshoot of an output voltage possibly occurring when changing a constant-voltage circuit in operation and is able to supply a constant output voltage. The constant-voltage power supply circuit includes a first constant-voltage circuit, having a first output transistor and a first output voltage controller, that generates a first reference voltage and generates a first proportional voltage in proportion to a voltage on an output terminal, and a second constant-voltage circuit having a second output transistor and a second output voltage controller that generates a second reference voltage and generates a second proportional voltage in proportion to the voltage on the output terminal. When the first output voltage controller or the second output voltage controller starts operations according to a control signal input from the outside, a rising edge of the first reference voltage or the second reference voltage is delayed so as to be later than a rising edge of the first proportional voltage or the second proportional voltage.
US07782031B2
A method includes simultaneously driving a load via first and second magnetically coupled regulator phases for a first duration, uncoupling one of the phases from the load after the first duration, and, after uncoupling the one phase from the load, allowing a current through the one phase to decay. For example, such a method allows energy stored in the uncoupled phase to be recaptured to the output transient response of a power supply.
US07782030B2
The step-down converter includes: a switch; an inductor; a rectifier; a smoothing unit; and a current bypass circuit, wherein when the current flowing toward the inductor exceeds a predetermined value, the current bypass circuit forms a path through which the current flows from the input terminal to the output terminal while bypassing the inductor.
US07782025B2
A semiconductor device capable of reducing an inductance is provided. In the semiconductor device in which a rectification MOSFET, a commutation MOSFET, and a driving IC that drives these MOSFETs are mounted on one package, the rectification MOSFET, a metal plate, and the commutation MOSFET are laminated. A current of a main circuit flows from a back surface of the package to a front surface thereof. The metal plate is connected to an output terminal via a wiring in the package. Wire bondings are used for wirings for connecting the driving IC, the rectification MOSFET, and the commutation MOSFET, all terminals being placed on the same plane. For this reason, the inductance becomes small and also a power source loss and a spike voltage are reduced.
US07782022B2
A system and method for determining if a USB port can source sufficient current to charge a rechargeable battery at a predetermined peak current level. Detection circuitry is disposed between the USB port and the battery. The detection circuitry includes a current source that is controlled to provide to the battery an increasing current that is sourced by the USB port. As the source current is increased from an initial value to a predetermined peak current source value, the output voltage of the USB port is monitored. If the USB port output voltage drops below a specified threshold voltage before the current source has ramped to the peak current source value, the load current is removed from the battery and an indication is provided that the USB port cannot provide the specified current. The detection process is then repeated after a specified delay interval. If the current source ramps up to the peak source current value and the USB port voltage has not decreased below the specified threshold voltage, charging of the rechargeable battery from the USB port continues at the peak source current.
US07782019B2
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing battery-backed power to movable partitions are disclosed. A power converter generates a DC output from an AC input. The DC output may be selectively decoupled from an enabled DC output such that the DC output can be monitored for acceptable operation in-situ. The enabled DC output may be selectively coupled to a battery output terminal. A charge current may be sensed between the enabled DC output and the battery output to control charging of the battery with a pulse-width modulation operation by controlling the selective coupling of the enabled DC output to the battery output. The enabled DC output and the battery output are coupled in a logical-OR configuration to generate a supply output providing current from the enabled DC output and the battery. The supply output may drive a movable partition controller and a motor configured for opening and closing a movable partition.
US07782015B1
A system and method produces electrical power for a load. First and second battery banks are provided, as is an inverter bank, which produces three phase. A switch alternately connects one of the first or second battery banks to the load and to the inverter bank with the other of the first or second battery banks being disconnected from the load and the inverter bank. A motor is connected to the output of the inverter bank. The motor drives an alternator bank, which alternator bank is electrically connected to, and recharges, the other of the first or second battery banks. A timer periodically alternates the battery banks between a load mode and recharge mode.
US07782012B2
In this present invention, MP3 playing and charging system having an adapter for installing MP3 and dynamic speakers which includes a docking station and two speakers that can be used in attached or separated manner; two speakers that allow variation of speaker direction generating dynamic sound when attached; and a docking station that can be attached and connected to MP3 player with the use of MP3 installing adapter when connecting MP3 to the docking station is provided.
US07782005B2
In a power converter including an inverter configured to convert a direct current voltage into an alternating current voltage by controlling switching devices to be turned ON or OFF based on a control signal and to output the alternating current voltage to a load, a carrier wave frequency is changed. A command value is compensated in accordance with the changing carrier wave frequency. The control signal results from a comparison of the carrier wave with a compensated command value. As a result of the compensation, output fluctuations caused by an error voltage between the command value and an output voltage to the load can be suppressed.
US07782004B2
A control axis is subordinated to a plurality of position-controlled successive axes. It is determined, while an adjusting stroke, an initial theoretical position value for each successive axis by means of the position value or the temporal derivation of the position value of the control axis, in detecting for each successive axis a real position value, in determining a train interval by means of the real position value and the initial value position, in determining a deviation value which is valid for all successive axes by means of the train interval thereof and in determining again a final theoretical position value by means of the deviation value in connection with the real position value and in adjusting the position value for each successive axis by means of said final theoretical position value.
US07781999B2
A vehicle (100) includes a motor generator (MG) and an inverter (14) driving the motor generator (MG). A power source apparatus for the vehicle includes a battery (B) as an electric storage device, a step-up converter (12) stepping up a voltage of the electric storage device and supplying it to the inverter, and a controller (30) indicating a target step-up voltage in accordance with a target state of operation of the motor generator (MG) to the step-up converter (12). If it is determined that a current operation state signal of the motor generator (MG) is abnormal, the controller (30) increases the target step-up voltage to a maximum value. Preferably, the vehicle (100) further includes a resolver (20) detecting rotation speed of a rotor of motor generator (MG). The controller (30) determines that the operation state signal is abnormal if an output of the resolver (20) does not satisfy a prescribed condition.
US07781994B2
The invention relates to a method and a circuit for regulating the speed of a commutator series-wound motor, especially a universal motor (10), which is supplied with a current from an a.c. voltage source (22) by means of a semiconductor switching element (18) mounted in series with an armature winding (12) and a field winding (14, 16) and controlled by a control unit (28) according to a nominal speed value. The control unit (28) receives, as input signals, signals corresponding to the total voltage drop (Umot) when the motor (10) is supplied with a current, and a substitute signal for the intensity of the motor current (I), corresponding to the voltage drop (Ua, Ufa) on the armature (12) alone or on the armature (12) and on a part (14) of the field winding (14, 16). The input signals of the control unit (28) are compared with motor-typical characteristic lines of the voltages on the excitation field (14) and/or on the armature, stored in the control unit, and control signals for the semiconductor switching element are formed from the deviations.
US07781991B2
A heat dissipation system used in an electronic device includes a plurality of fans positioned in the electronic device, a sensing module, and a processing module. The sensing module is configured for detecting temperature, relative humidity, and air pressure of airflow flowing in the electronic device. The processing module is configured for adjusting a voltage applied to each of the plurality of fans according to the detected temperature, relative humidity, and air pressure of the airflow.
US07781990B2
An illumination brightness and color control system and method therefor are provided. A broadband light source monitor senses and samples a point light source for a luminous intensity signal value. Then, a corrected current value is computed based on a difference between the luminous intensity signal value and a target brightness/color value, and a driving current generated by a light source driver to drive the point light source is adjusted according to the corrected current value.
US07781989B2
A single comparison circuit detects load open circuit abnormality and load short circuit abnormality of a discharge lamp operating at a high-frequency driving voltage, with a small number of circuit elements. A discharge lamp drive control circuit includes an inverter control circuit, a positive change voltage detecting circuit which detects a positive change of voltage occurring in the secondary coil of a driving transformer, a negative change voltage detecting circuit which detects a negative change of voltage occurring in the secondary coil of the driving transformer, and the comparison circuit connected to the inverter control circuit. The outputs from the positive and negative change voltage detecting circuits are added to generate an added output, and the added output is supplied to the comparison circuit and compared with a reference voltage. When an abnormal operation occurs, the comparison circuit supplies an abnormal operation control signal to the inverter control circuit.
US07781986B2
The present invention includes a PWM unit, a switch unit, a resonance unit, a transformer, a feedback unit and a frequency control unit, wherein the switch unit obtains a DC power from a power source, the PWM unit produces a working cycle signal to drive the switch unit to convert the DC power into a pulse power and the resonance unit converts the pulse power into a driving power for providing to the transformer to convert thereof into an output power, characterized in that when the resonance unit is under a starting frequency and a working frequency higher than the starting voltage, a starting voltage gain and a working voltage gain respectively corresponding thereto are produced, wherein the starting voltage gain is larger than the working voltage gain, so that the larger starting voltage gain can produce the output power with higher voltage to smoothly initiate the lamp tube set.
US07781980B2
The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, is directed to portable electronic devices which operate on exhaustible power sources, for example, batteries. The electronic devices of the present invention comprise at least one signal switch and a microchip in communication with the switch wherein the switch is only capable of transmitting a signal to the microchip that the switch has been activated or deactivated. The microchip is in communication with the exhaustible power source of the electronic device and controls (i) the power on/off function of the device, (ii) at least one other function of the device in response to activation and deactivation signals from the switch, and (iii) an automatic shut off function in response to the receipt of an activation signal from the switch.
US07781979B2
Methods and apparatus for controlling series-connected LEDs. Two or more LEDs are connected in series between a first node and a second node, wherein a series current flows between the nodes when an operating voltage is applied across the nodes. One or more controllable current paths are connected in parallel with at least a first LED for at least partially diverting the series current around at least the first LED. A controller monitors at least one parameter representative of the operating voltage, determines a maximum number of the series-connected LEDs that can be energized by the operating voltage, and controls the controllable current path(s) so as to increase an amount of the series current that is diverted around at least the first LED when the maximum number is less than a total number of all of the LEDs connected in series. In one example, the foregoing may be implemented as an integrated circuit package to provide a lighting apparatus suitable for automotive applications.
US07781975B2
A gas discharge tube 100 including a sealed container 1 in which a gas is sealed, an anode disposed within the sealed container, a cathode 7 which is spaced from the anode 4 in the sealed container 1 and generates discharge between the cathode 7 and the anode 4, a conductive part 6 restricting a discharge path, the conductive part 6 being disposed between the anode 4 and the cathode 7 and narrowing the discharge path, wherein by providing a cathode cover 8 which is made of ceramics, encloses the cathode 7, and has an opening 8d at least on an electron emission side, the cathode cover 8 increases the heat retaining effect of the cathode 7, makes it easy to keep the temperature of the cathode 7, and reduces power consumption.
US07781973B2
A plasma display panel has plural discharge cells between two opposing first and second substrates. Each of the discharge cells includes at least one pair of electrodes for generating a discharge for display, a discharge gas and a phosphor film for emitting visible light by being excited by ultraviolet rays produced by the discharge of the discharge gas. Laminated members are dispersed in a plane within each of the discharge cells inside the first substrate from which visible light for display is emitted, and each of the laminated members includes a light absorption layer disposed on a side of the first substrate on which ambient light is incident and a light reflection layer disposed on a phosphor-film side of the laminated members. A visible-light-reflection layer is disposed on a surface of the phosphor film on a side thereof opposite from a space in which the discharge is generated.
US07781972B2
The present invention relates to a plasma display panel, particularly, to a plasma display panel equipped with an electrode structure which can perform readily a discharge between a scan electrode and a sustain electrode. A plasma display panel according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a front substrate comprising a scan electrode and a sustain electrode; and a rear substrate comprising a barrier rib for forming a discharge cell, wherein the scan electrode and the sustain electrode comprise a plurality of projecting electrode parts in the discharge cell. The present invention modifies the shape of the transparent electrode to broaden the discharge area, so that the luminous efficiency increases to improve a luminance. Moreover, since a stable and uniform discharge is generated, the white balance can be efficiently implemented. In addition, the unnecessary expensive ITO area is removed and the fabrication cost of the plasma display panel can be lowered.
US07781961B2
In order, in the case of an OLED, to improve the coupling-out efficiency, a top emitting electroluminescent component (100) is proposed, comprising a substrate (110), a first electrode (120) closest to the substrate, a transparent electrode (140) located at a distance from the substrate, and at least one light-emitting organic layer (130) arranged between the two electrodes. The component according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that a coupling-out layer (150) is arranged on that side of the second electrode which is remote from the at least one organic layer, said coupling-out layer comprising conversion centres (151) which partly absorb the light emitted by the at least one organic layer and emit it again with an altered frequency. In this way, directional light penetrating into the coupling-out layer is emitted again in non-directional fashion, so that a part of the light which would be captured by means of total reflection without the influence of the frequency conversion centres within the coupling-out layer can indeed leave the coupling-out layer.
US07781958B2
A light emitting device includes a light emitting element emitting an excitation light and a fluorescent element. The fluorescent element includes a semi-translucent film facing the light emitting element, and transmits the excitation light; a first luminescent film including phosphors to absorb the excitation light transmitted through the semi-translucent film and to emit a visible light having a different wavelength than the excitation light; and a reflection film disposed on an opposite side of the first luminescent film on which the semi-translucent film is disposed, reflecting the excitation light transmitted through the first luminescent film towards the first luminescent film.
US07781952B2
Provided is a green phosphor for a plasma display panel (PDP), represented by the formula: BaMgAlxOy:Mn where 7
US07781945B2
A retaining device for use when sintering electrical components made of ceramic and metal electrodes inside the ceramic. The retaining device includes a structure to hold the electrical components. The structure has a surface that contains a sintering aid. The sintering aid includes a material that is able to bind to a gas contained in the structure and to release the gas.
US07781940B1
A novel flexible tactile sensor for sensing the force direction was designed by introducing the concept of structural electrodes on a piezoelectric film. The structural electrodes comprised an elastomeric column and distributed microelectrodes between the column and piezoelectric film. As a periodic small force acts at the elastomeric column, the force is transferred to the piezoelectric film based on the column bending behavior therefore the scale of force can be detected by the output voltages from the distributed electrodes due to the corresponding force state under the column. In addition, two opposite output signals from different sides of the column can differentiate the force direction as the column is bent by external force. The resulting signal for sensing force and its direction depends on the size of column.
US07781938B2
An ultrasonic sensor includes a piezoelectric element and an acoustic matching member that are joined together to form an ultrasonic detector base. The ultrasonic detector base is sectioned by a clearance extending in an ultrasonic propagation direction to form multiple ultrasonic detectors arranged in an array. The clearance does not entirely section the ultrasonic detector base so that the ultrasonic detectors are joined together by a portion of the ultrasonic detector base.
US07781937B2
A device for producing electric energy including a first element converting mechanical energy into electric energy. The level of the electric energy is variable according to the variations of the mechanical energy. A controller block is connected to the first element for providing measurement data on the basis of the electric energy produced by the first element. The controller block includes a detector block to examine the electric energy produced by the first element to form the measurement data. A first energy storage unit stores electric energy produced by the first element and provides the electric energy for the operation of the controller block. Also, a system, a tire and a method.
US07781931B2
A switched reluctance motor has a rotor and a stator. The stator has first and second stator magnetic pole groups sequentially placed in an axial direction of the rotor. First and second stator magnetic poles in each group are alternately arranged on a same circumference. The first stator magnetic poles are placed every electrical angle 2π and reversely magnetized to each other. The second stator magnetic poles are placed every electrical angle 2π and reversely magnetized to each other. The first magnetic pole is apart from the second magnetic pole by electrical angle π. Each stator magnetic pole in the first stator magnetic pole group is apart from that in the second magnetic pole group by electrical angle π/2 in the circumferential direction.
US07781926B2
An electric motor and modular system of electric motors includes at least a stator, rotor, and a housing, the modular system including several variants of electric motors, e.g., within one size, the housing having a mechanical interface that is arranged for connection to a bearing support, the bearing support including at least a bearing seat for the B-side bearing of the rotor shaft, at least two different bearing supports being alternatively connectable to the housing, a first bearing support including an additional interface for connection to a bottom part of a terminal box, or alternatively to a bottom part for power electronics, and the first bearing support forming a housing for a brake and/or a fan, a second bearing support being constructed in one piece with a bottom part of a terminal box.
US07781909B2
It is intended to provide a control circuit of power supply, a power supply and a control method thereof capable of achieving power saving in an integrated circuit and reducing a delay time of the integrated circuit. The control circuit 50 of a power supply 10 which outputs plural DC voltages VCC, VBGP, VBGN each having a different voltage value includes a voltage changing portion SW1 which detects an output current I1 relating to a first DC voltage VCC which is one of the plural DC voltages and sets at least one DC voltage except the first DC voltage VCC based on the detected output current I1, and the like.
US07781908B2
A power converter that gives priority to the high power output and only provides power to the low power output when the total potential output power is equal to or less than the rated power of the power converter. A specific power threshold is established, and when the high power output remains below this threshold for a period of time the low power output is allowed to turn on. If the high power output subsequently exceeds this threshold for a period of time, then an electronic circuit powers down the low power output in order to keep the total output power below the rated power of the power converter. Subsequently, the high power output is checked against the threshold to determine if the low power output can be turned on again. If the high power output is below the threshold, then the low power output is turned on.
US07781906B2
A drive of a steering-lock actuator is controlled such that a lock member takes a steering lock state from a steering unlock state if there occurs a change in the state of a vehicle door detected by a door-state detecting device and a stop state of the vehicle is detected by a vehicle-stop-state detecting device when an ignition switch is in an OFF state (step S7). A power supply to the vehicle-stop-state detecting device is made stop if the ignition switch is turned to the OFF state from an ON state (step S2), and the power supply to the vehicle-stop-state detecting device resumes if there occurs the change in the state of the vehicle door detected by the door-state detecting device when the ignition switch is in the OFF state (step S4).
US07781895B2
An integration approach to improve electromigration resistance in a semiconductor device is described. A via hole is formed in a stack that includes an upper dielectric layer, a middle TiN ARC, and a lower first metal layer and is filled with a conformal diffusion barrier layer and a second metal layer. A key feature is that the etch process can be selected to vary the shape and location of the via bottom. A round or partially rounded bottom is formed in the first metal layer to reduce mechanical stress near the diffusion barrier layer. On the other hand, a flat bottom which stops on or in the TiN ARC is selected when exposure of the first metal layer to subsequent processing steps is a primary concern. Electromigration resistance is found to be lower than for a via structure with a flat bottom formed in a first metal layer.
US07781890B2
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor wafer has a plurality of dies each having a circuit and a plurality of contact pads. The plurality of contact pads include a first contact pad to receive a power supply voltage, a second contact pad to receive a ground voltage, and a third contact pad to receive a test control signal. The third contact pad is connected to a programmable self-test engine (PSTE) embedded on the corresponding die so that the test control signal activates the PSTE to initiate a self-test. A probe card has a plurality of sets of probe pins, each set of probe pins having three probe pins for contacting the first, second, and third contact pads of one of a corresponding number of the plurality of dies. During wafer test, the plurality of sets of probe pins come in contact with a corresponding number of dies so that the self-test is carried out simultaneously in the corresponding number of dies.
US07781886B2
A chip contact functionally having an IC pad, a barrier layer over the IC pad, and a malleable material over the barrier layer. An alternative chip contact functionally having an IC pad, a barrier layer over the IC pad, and a rigid material over the barrier layer.
US07781884B2
The density of components in integrated circuits (ICs) is increasing with time. The density of heat generated by the components is similarly increasing. Maintaining the temperature of the components at reliable operating levels requires increased thermal transfer rates from the components to the IC package exterior. Dielectric materials used in interconnect regions have lower thermal conductivity than silicon dioxide. This invention comprises a heat pipe located in the interconnect region of an IC to transfer heat generated by components in the IC substrate to metal plugs located on the top surface of the IC, where the heat is easily conducted to the exterior of the IC package. Refinements such as a wicking liner or reticulated inner surface will increase the thermal transfer efficiency of the heat pipe. Strengthening elements in the interior of the heat pipe will provide robustness to mechanical stress during IC manufacture.
US07781880B2
A semiconductor package according to the present invention includes a substrate; first and second semiconductor chips mounted on a first surface of the substrate; and a heat-radiation sheet. The heat-radiation sheet includes a heat-transferable conductive layer and first and second insulating layers formed on top and bottom surfaces of the heat-transferable conductive layer, respectively. The heat-radiation sheet includes a first portion arranged between the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip; and a second portion extending at least a side of the first portion. The second portion is connected to the substrate. The second insulating layer of the second portion is formed to expose a part of the heat-transferable conductive layer.
US07781873B2
A thin, small outline IC leadframe plastic package to be used to assemble high performance, high speed semiconductor memory IC devices such as dynamic random access memories (DRAM) having a high data transfer rate in the range of 1 GigaHertz. The package leadframe is electrically interconnected to the IC device input-output pads by either electrically conductive (e.g. solder) bumps that are flip-chip bonded to the IC device or by of an interposer. The interposer contains integral curled micro-spring contacts at opposite ends of conductive fan out traces. The interposer is attached to the leadframe bonding pads by way of tape automated bonding, soldering, or adhesive bonding. The leadframe that is interconnected to the IC device by the aforementioned flip-chip bumps or the interposer is encapsulated and trimmed to form either gull-wing style perimeter leads as a standard thin small outline package (TSOP) or wrap around leads as a micro-leadframe (MLF) package.
US07781870B2
A semiconductor device comprises a copper redistribution line, a copper inductor and aluminum wire bond pads and the integration of the resulting device with an integrated circuit on a single chip, resulting in the decreased size of the chip.
US07781868B2
A semiconductor component includes a semiconductor substrate having a circuit side with integrated circuits and substrate contacts and a back side, a plurality of through interconnects in the substrate, and redistribution conductors on the back side of the substrate. Each through interconnect includes a via aligned with a substrate contact, and a conductive layer at least partially lining the via in physical and electrical contact with the substrate contact. Each redistribution conductor is formed by a portion of the conductive layer. A system includes a supporting substrate and at least one semiconductor substrate having the through interconnects and the redistribution conductors.
US07781864B2
A capacitor includes a first lower metal layer and an insulating layer on a lower interlayer dielectric layer of a semiconductor substrate; a first upper metal layer aligned on the insulating layer to partially expose it; a first capping layer and an upper interlayer dielectric layer on the insulating layer including the first upper metal layer; a second lower metal layer connected to the first upper metal layer through the upper interlayer dielectric layer and the first capping layer; a second capping layer aligned on the upper interlayer dielectric layer including the second lower metal layer and formed with a hole for partially exposing the second lower metal layer; a pad aligned on the second capping layer and connected to the second lower metal layer; a protective layer on the second capping layer; and a second upper metal layer aligned on the second capping layer.
US07781862B2
A two terminal switching device includes first and second conductive terminals and a nanotube article. The article has at least one nanotube, and overlaps at least a portion of each of the first and second terminals. The device also includes a stimulus circuit in electrical communication with at least one of the first and second terminals. The circuit is capable of applying first and second electrical stimuli to at least one of the first and second terminal(s) to change the relative resistance of the device between the first and second terminals between a relatively high resistance and a relatively low resistance. The relatively high resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a first state of the device, and the relatively low resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a second state of the device.
US07781852B1
A circuit element package has a substrate having a plurality of electrically conductive patterns, a die pad, and an access hole formed through the die pad and substrate. A plurality of leads is coupled to the substrate. A circuit element die is attached to the die pad wherein a first sensor port is positioned over the access hole. A die attach membrane is provided for attaching the circuit element die to the die pad. The die attach membrane allows the circuit element die to sense ambient while protecting the circuit element die from environmental damage. An encapsulant is used for covering portions of the circuit element die.
US07781850B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for fabricating a microelectromechanical systems device. The method comprises fabricating a first layer comprising a film having a characteristic electromechanical response, and a characteristic optical response, wherein the characteristic optical response is desirable and the characteristic electromechanical response is undesirable; and modifying the characteristic electromechanical response of the first layer by at least reducing charge build up thereon during activation of the microelectromechanical systems device.
US07781849B2
Provided are semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same, and more specifically, semiconductor devices having a W—Ni alloy thin layer that has a low resistance, and methods of fabricating the same. The semiconductor devices include the W—Ni alloy thin layer. The weight of Ni in the W—Ni alloy thin layer may be in a range from approximately 0.01 to approximately 5.0 wt % of the total weight of the W—Ni alloy thin layer.
US07781848B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region, a source region, a drain region, a source extension region a drain extension region, a first gate insulation film, a second gate insulation film, and a gate electrode. The source region, drain region, source extension region and drain extension region are formed in a surface portion of the semiconductor region. The first gate insulation film is formed on the semiconductor region between the source extension region and the drain extension region. The first gate insulation film is formed of a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film having a nitrogen concentration of 15 atomic % or less. The second gate insulation film is formed on the first gate insulation film and contains nitrogen at a concentration of between 20 atomic % and 57 atomic %. The gate electrode is formed on the second gate insulation film.
US07781847B2
A method of processing a substrate of a device comprises the as following steps. Form a cap layer over the substrate. Form a dummy layer over the cap layer, the cap layer having a top surface. Etch the dummy layer forming patterned dummy elements of variable widths and exposing sidewalls of the dummy elements and portions of the top surface of the cap layer aside from the dummy elements. Deposit a spacer layer over the device covering the patterned dummy elements and exposed surfaces of the cap layer. Etch back the spacer layer forming sidewall spacers aside from the sidewalls of the patterned dummy elements spaced above a minimum spacing and forming super-wide spacers between sidewalls of the patterned dummy elements spaced less than the minimum spacing. Strip the patterned dummy elements. Expose portions of the substrate aside from the sidewall spacers. Pattern exposed portions of the substrate by etching into the substrate.
US07781836B2
An SOI semiconductor device has a substrate, an insulation film, a silicon film, a gate insulation film, a gate electrode, a pair of first diffusion regions, a first region, and a second diffusion region. The insulation film is formed on the substrate. The silicon film is formed on the insulation film. The gate insulation film is formed on the silicon film. The gate electrode is formed on the gate insulation film. The pair of first diffusion regions is formed in the silicon film while sandwiches the under part of the gate electrode in between. The first region is sandwiched by a pair of the first diffusion regions. The second diffusion region contacts with the first region while adjoins one of the first regions and has the same conductivity type with the first region.
US07781831B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate (12), a first insulating layer (14) over a surface of the substrate (12), a layer of nanocrystals (13) over a surface of the first insulating layer (14), a second insulating layer (15) over the layer of nanocrystals (13). A nitriding ambient is applied to the second insulating layer (15) to form a barrier to further oxidation when a third insulating layer (22) is formed over the substrate (12). The nitridation of the second insulating layer (15) prevents oxidation or shrinkage of the nanocrystals and an increase in the thickness of the first insulating layer 14 without adding complexity to the process flow for manufacturing the semiconductor device (10).
US07781827B2
A semiconductor device may include at least one vertical Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) on a substrate. The vertical MOSFET may include at least one superlattice including a plurality of laterally stacked groups of layers transverse to the substrate. The vertical MOSFET(s) may further include a gate laterally adjacent the superlattice, and regions vertically above and below the superlattice and cooperating with the gate for causing transport of charge carriers through the superlattice in the vertical direction. Each group of layers of the superlattice may include stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. At least some atoms from opposing base semiconductor portions may be chemically bound together with the chemical bonds traversing the at least one intervening non-semiconductor monolayer.
US07781822B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes: a memory cell transistor including a gate insulating film, a floating gate electrode, an inter-gate insulating film, and a control gate electrode; a low voltage transistor constituted by a low voltage gate insulating film, a floating gate electrode, an inter-gate insulating film having an opening, a control gate electrode, a first gate contact plug, and a first metallic salicide film electrically in contact with the first gate contact plug; and a high voltage transistor constituted by a high voltage gate insulating film, a floating gate electrode, an inter-gate insulating film having an opening, a control gate electrode, a second gate contact plug, and a second metallic salicide film electrically in contact with the second gate contact plug. The metallic salicide film is formed only directly beneath the gate contact plug.
US07781820B2
The semiconductor memory device includes: an interlayer insulating film that is formed on a semiconductor substrate; an insulating film that is formed on the interlayer insulating film and has a cylinder hole; and a capacitor that has an impurity-containing silicon film, a lower metal electrode, a capacitive insulating film and an upper electrode, which are formed so as to cover a bottom and a side of the cylinder hole, wherein the cylinder hole extends through the insulating film so as to expose an end side of the contact plug, the end side facing opposite from the source electrode; and the impurity-containing silicon film has a silicide layer near an interface between the impurity-containing silicon film and the lower metal electrode, the silicide layer being produced by a reaction of impurity-containing silicon included in the impurity-containing silicon film with metal included in the lower metal electrode.
US07781814B2
The semiconductor integrated circuit device employs on the same silicon substrate a plurality of kinds of MOS transistors with different magnitudes of tunnel current flowing either between the source and gate or between the drain and gate thereof. These MOS transistors include tunnel-current increased MOS transistors at least one of which is for use in constituting a main circuit of the device. The plurality of kinds of MOS transistors also include tunnel-current reduced or depleted MOS transistors at least one of which is for use with a control circuit. This control circuit is inserted between the main circuit and at least one of the two power supply units.
US07781796B2
A nitride semiconductor laser element includes a substrate and a nitride semiconductor layer in which a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer are laminated in this order on the substrate. At least one of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer includes a first section forming recessed and raised portions and a second section embedding the recessed and raised portions of the first section. A region with a higher aluminum mixed crystal ratio than the second section that embeds the recessed and raised portions is disposed on top faces of the raised portions. The nitride semiconductor layer defines resonant planes, and the recessed and raised portions are formed in a shape of stripes that extend substantially parallel to the resonant planes.
US07781794B2
The present invention provides a resin sheet for encapsulating an optical semiconductor element, the resin sheet containing an encapsulation resin layer, an adhesive resin layer, a metal layer and a protective resin layer, in which the encapsulation resin layer and the metal layer adhered onto the adhesive resin layer are disposed adjacently to each other, the protective resin layer is laminated on the encapsulation resin layer and the metal layer so as to cover both the encapsulation resin layer and the metal layer, and the encapsulation resin layer has a taper shape expanding toward the protective resin layer; and an optical semiconductor device containing an optical semiconductor element encapsulated by using the resin sheet. The optical semiconductor element encapsulation resin sheet of the invention can be suitably used for back lights of liquid crystal screens, traffic signals, large-sized outdoor displays, billboards and the like.
US07781787B2
An LED light comprising a light-emitting device provided to power supply means, encapsulating means for encapsulating the light-emitting device with a light-transmitting material, a reflective surface for reflecting the light emitted from the light-emitting device to a direction perpendicular to the center axis of the light-emitting device or at a large angle to the center axis, opposed to the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting device, a light-emitting diode having a side directing surface for directing sideways the light reflected from the reflective surface to a direction perpendicular to the center axis of the light-emitting device or at a large angle to the center axis, and a reflecting mirror disposed around the light-emitting diode.
US07781782B2
An integrated circuit and method are provided for preventing reverse engineering by monitoring light emissions emitted from transistors and such electrically active devices in the integrated circuit. The method prevents, in an integrated circuit, a pattern of light emitted from at least one active device in the integrated circuit from being detected external to the integrated circuit by randomizing a pattern of light emitted from the at least one active device in an integrated circuit and that is emitted external to the integrated circuit. The pattern of light emitted from the at least one active device in the integrated circuit and that is emitted external to the integrated circuit can be randomized by randomizing a clock signal applied to a clocked circuit comprising the at least one active device in the integrated circuit.
US07781779B2
Light-emitting devices and associated methods are provided. The light emitting devices can have a wavelength converting material-coated emission surface.
US07781774B2
A thin film transistor array panel and a method of manufacturing the same include: a substrate; a data line formed on the substrate; a gate line intersecting the data line and including a gate electrode; a source electrode connected to the data line; a drain electrode opposite the source electrode; an organic semiconductor partly in contact with the source electrode and the drain electrode; a gate insulating member positioned between the gate electrode and the organic semiconductor; and an insulating bank having an opening where the organic semiconductor and the gate insulating member are positioned and is formed in a cross shape in which a horizontal part and a vertical part intersect.
US07781770B2
An active matrix display device having a pixel structure in which pixel electrodes, gate wirings and source wirings are suitably arranged in the pixel portions to realize a high numerical aperture without increasing the number of masks or the number of steps. The device comprises a gate electrode and a source wiring on an insulating surface, a first insulating layer on the gate electrode and on the source wiring, a semiconductor layer on the first insulating film, a second insulating layer on the semiconductor film, a gate wiring connected to the gate electrode on the second insulating layer, a connection electrode for connecting the source wiring and the semiconductor layer together, and a pixel electrode connected to the semiconductor layer.
US07781757B2
An organic semiconductor material comprising an amine unit having a secondary or tertiary amine structure and a thiophene unit having a thiophene ring structure and preferably the amine unit has the following structure: wherein R1, R2, and R3 independently represent hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted alkoxy group, an optionally substituted ether group, or an optionally substituted aryl group and may be same or different from each other.
US07781755B2
The main objective of present invention is to provide a manufacturing method of light emitting diode that utilizes metal diffusion bonding technology. AlInGaP light emitting diode epitaxial structure on a temporary substrate is bonded to a permanent substrate having a thermal expansion coefficient similar to that of the epitaxial structure, and then the temporary substrate is removed to produce an LED having a vertical structure and better performance. The other objective of the present invention is to provide a high performance LED that uses metal diffusion technology and wet chemical etching technology to roughen the LED surface in order to improve light extraction efficiency.
US07781735B2
A sun detection sensor assembly for attachment to a thermal imaging device, comprising an elongated tubular body having two ends and a sensor, characterized as Sun TECT sensor, attached to one end, the Sun TECT sensor having a tubular body, an IR window positioned at one end of the tubular body, and a photo a infrared photo transistor positioned within the tubular body, opposite the IR window, the infrared photo transistor having a photo sensitive surface for detecting the exposure from sun when the sun is within a field of view of the Sun TECT Sensor, and an automatic ON/OFF mechanism which is activated by the infrared photo transistor and protecting the thermal imaging device from undesired and harmful infrared radiation.
US07781731B2
Disclosed herein is a method of qualitatively analyzing high-molecular additives in a metal plating solution, including: removing sulfate ions and metal ions from a metal plating solution; and qualitatively analyzing the metal plating solution, from which sulfate ions and metal ions are removed, using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS). The method is advantageous in that the structure and molecular weight of high-molecular additives present in very small amounts in a plating solution can be accurately measured while maintaining the specific structure and molecular weight thereof without degrading the high-molecular additives.
US07781726B2
An encoder calculates an absolute value of an operating angle of a scale plate. The scale plate includes light relay portions formed along an operational direction α in the scale plate with a pattern of a one-dimensional array of optically transparent portions and optically nontransparent portions. The encoder identifies the light relay portion formed on a light receiving region, based on second light intensity profile data VY(m), and by using the patterns of optically transparent and optically nontransparent portions as codes. The position of a light relay portion can be accurately retrieved using reference positions for each light relay portion in the scale plate. The encoder calculates a center-of-gravity position of the identified light relay portion relative to a reference position in the light receiving region, based on first light intensity profile VX(n), and calculates an operating angle of the scale plate from the center-of-gravity position.
US07781716B2
A CMOS image sensor or other type of image sensor comprises a sensor wafer and an underlying circuit wafer. The sensor wafer comprises a plurality of photosensitive elements arranged in respective positions of a two-dimensional array of positions in which a subset of the array positions do not include photosensitive elements but instead include diffusion regions each of which is shared by two or more of the photosensitive elements. The sensor wafer is interconnected with the circuit wafer utilizing a plurality of inter-wafer interconnects coupled to respective ones of the shared diffusion regions in respective ones of the array positions that do not include photosensitive elements. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of image capture device.
US07781710B2
An image pickup apparatus, a control method and a program are provided. The image pickup apparatus includes an imaging module which takes an image; a display module which displays the image taken by the imaging module; a touch panel configured integrally with the display module and manipulatable by a user; a focus frame control module which controls a focus frame in accordance with a manipulation of the touch panel by the user, the focus frame being set at a given position on the image displayed on the display module and being used for focus control; and a focus control module which controls focus based on an image inside the focus frame on the image displayed on the display module.
US07781707B2
A nozzle has a tubular metal core which forms a central injection duct, and a cylindrical, outer, lateral surface. A heater/diffuser device includes a metal heat diffuser of tubular cylindrical shape with an open annular cross-section, mounted around the cylindrical surface of the core. The diffuser has: a cylindrical internal surface fitting the cylindrical surface of the nozzle core, two facing longitudinal free edges which are spaced apart circumferentially, are free of one another, and define between them a longitudinal space extending along a generator line of the cylindrical surface of the diffuser, and a recessed, channel-like seat formed in a surface of the diffuser element. A resistor is housed in the channel-like seat. The distance between the longitudinal free edges is such that, when the nozzle unit is heated by the supply of electrical current through the resistor, the diffuser is free to expand thermally by extending in the circumferential direction around the nozzle without moving radially away from the outer surface of the nozzle core.
US07781706B2
Provided is a conductive composition formed of a mixture of liquid silicone rubber and conductive carbon black wherein a weight ratio between the liquid silicon rubber and the conductive carbon black is 100:1-15, or a conductive composition formed of a mixture of liquid silicon rubber and graphite powder wherein a weight ratio between the liquid silicon rubber and the graphite powder is 100:10-150. A carbon flexible heating structure is manufactured by mixing a conductive composition formed of liquid silicon rubber and a filler, agitating a mixture of the liquid silicon rubber and conductive carbon black by adding a diluent at a rate of 1-100% with respect to the weight of the liquid silicon rubber, and molding the mixture into a particular shape and curing the molded mixture.
US07781702B2
A cooking apparatus is disclosed. The cooking apparatus includes a housing having a cooking chamber and a heating unit. The heating unit includes a partition plate detachably installed in the chamber, the partition plate partitioning the chamber into sub-chambers, and a heater configured to heat at least one of the sub-chambers.
US07781700B2
A welding power supply includes a user interface that allows the operator to adjust one or more welding parameters comprising a welding sequence for a welding process. The user interface may include a display, which may be a graphical display depicting the welding sequence and the one or more welding parameters. The user interface may further dynamically depict a pictograph, icon or other graphical image showing how changes to the one or more welding parameters will affect the welding process, which in an exemplary manner may be the welding bead profile and/or the welding arc profile.
US07781697B2
A method of forming one or more micro-displays includes forming a first portion of a seal ring overlying a device substrate and surrounding one or more device chips formed on the device substrate, forming a second portion of the seal ring overlying a transparent cover, forming a first layer overlying the transparent cover, plasma bonding the first layer to a second layer formed overlying the device substrate and the one or more device chips, and fusing the first and second portions of the seal ring together using a beam of electromagnetic radiation.
US07781685B2
A kit or set made up of a number of differently dimensioned types of cable glands, which can each be used to hold and fix cables of different diameters or dimensions, respectively including two differently dimensioned clamping or sealing inserts so that the cable can be clamped at an outer sheath on the one hand and at an inner sheath on the other hand, wherein a shielding braid is provided between the two sheaths and emerges from the larger sheath at a point where the latter ends, with the result that it can come into touching contact with the respective cable gland. In this case, a smaller clamping or sealing insert of a larger cable gland type also has the same dimensions with regard to its support in the respective screw sleeve as the larger clamping or sealing insert of a further cable gland type of smaller dimensions; in other words, two differently dimensioned cable glands nevertheless each contain a structurally identical clamping and sealing insert, thereby improving the mass production and stocking of the sealing inserts.
US07781675B2
A network cabinet is provided comprising a door comprising first and second opposing lateral sides. A hinge lever is rotatably connected to the door and a retractable hinge pin is connected to the hinge lever and is positioned closer to the first lateral side of the door than the second lateral side. A lever stop is also connected to the door and is associated with the hinge lever. The lever stop prevents retraction of the hinge pin from an extended position with the second lateral side of the door in an open position.
US07781667B2
Electronic wind instrument includes a body section, and a blowing unit pivotably supported on the body section. The blowing unit includes a lip plate section that abuts with a lower lip part of a human player, and a blowing detection section that detects a flow rate of a breath blown by the human player. The blowing unit, which is pivotable about a longitudinal shaft of the body section, includes retaining elements that retain the blowing unit at a predetermined pivoting position, and scale marks for indicating a pivoting position of the blowing unit retained by the retaining elements.
US07781660B2
An interchangeable drum assembly having a first drum body member, a first drum skin, a first drum skin tension device secured to said first drum body member, a second drum body member, a second drum skin, first tension members on the first drum body, second tension members on the second drum body, and, drum body connector rods extending between the first and second drum bodies by which the first and second drum bodies are attached to one another in edge abutting relation, and a drum body extension which can be releasably positioned between the first and second drum body members, to make the drum body deeper.
US07781654B1
A string instrument includes a body portion having a first longitudinal axis, an elongate neck portion having a second longitudinal axis and first and second opposing ends located along the second longitudinal axis, and a fastener that secures one of the first or second ends to the body portion, wherein the first and second axes are misaligned from each other in a same plane.
US07781651B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV715590. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV715590, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV715590 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV715590 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV715590.
US07781645B2
The invention relates to the field of plant and agricultural technology. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of zinc finger proteins and fusions of said proteins to regulate gene expression and metabolic pathways in plants.
US07781643B2
The present invention is directed to the production, breeding and use of transgenic non-human animals such as mice in which specific genes or portions of genes have been replaced by homologues from another animal to make the physiology of the animals so modified more like that of the other animal with respect to drug pharmacokinetics and metabolism. The invention also extends to the use of the genetically modified non-human animals of the invention for pharmacological and/or toxicological studies.
US07781636B2
A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) in a reaction zone comprises providing to a hydrocarbon feedstock containing methane and a catalytic particulate material to the reaction zone and contacting the catalytic particulate material and the hydrocarbon feedstock in a substantially countercurrent fashion in the reaction zone, while operating the reaction zone under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of said methane to a first effluent having said higher hydrocarbon(s).
US07781635B1
A mixture and method of using such mixture is provided for purifying carbon nanotubes. A substituted imidazolium cation is utilized to suspend carbon nanotubes in a nonpolar liquid. A polar solvent immiscible with the nonpolar liquid is mixed in to remove soot from the suspension, allowing recovery of the nanotubes. The relative gentleness of the separation provides nanotubes that are undamaged and unoxidized. The components of the mixture are economically advantageous for this use and the method is simple compared to other nanotube purification methods.
US07781623B2
A process for the production of a color-stable composition containing cardanol, including (a) subjecting crude, cashew nutshell liquid to distillation to obtain a distillate; (b) reacting the distillate with acetic anhydride to obtain a reaction mixture; and (c) subjecting the reaction mixture to fractional distillation is provided. A method for the production of color-stable phenalkamines, including (a) subjecting crude, cashew nutshell liquid to distillation to obtain a distillate; (b) reacting the distillate with acetic anhydride to obtain a reaction mixture; (c) subjecting the reaction mixture to fractional distillation to obtain a cardanol-containing fractional distillate; and (d) reacting the fractional distillate with an aliphatic amine and formaldehyde to form a color-stable phenalkamine is also provided.
US07781617B2
A medicine which effectively functions as an immunosuppressant or anti-inflammatory agent and is effective in diminishing the occurrence of side effects. The medicine comprises a combination of: a diaryl sulfide or diaryl ether compound having a 2-amino-1,3-propanediol structure and having the function of diminishing lymphocytes circulating through the periphery; and an immunosuppressant and/or an anti-inflammatory agent.
US07781612B2
The present invention provides a process for producing a fluorinated sulfonyl fluoride useful as e.g. a material for an ion exchange resin, and a novel chemical substance useful as an intermediate in the production process.That is, to provide a process comprising oxidizing Y—S—RA-E-RB by means of an oxidizing agent essentially containing a halogen atom to obtain XSO2—RA-E-RB, and in a case that X is a fluorine atom, reacting the compound with fluorine in a liquid phase as it is, and in a case that X is a halogen atom other than a fluorine atom, converting X into a fluorine atom, and then reacting the obtained compound with fluorine in a liquid phase to obtain FSO2—RAF-EF-RBF, and then decomposing it to obtain FSO2—RAF—COF (wherein RA is a bivalent organic group such as an alkylene group, RB is a monovalent organic group such as a perfluoroalkyl group, E is —CH2OCO—, Y is a monovalent organic group such as a cyano group or the like, X is a halogen atom, RAF is a bivalent organic group having RA fluorinated or the like, RBF is the same group as RB or the like, and EF is —CF2OCO—).
US07781610B2
Supported heterogeneous organotin catalysts of the formula X1, X2, or X3: wherein Z is a spacer group; Y is an insoluble phenyl-group containing copolymer; R1, R2, R3, R5, and R6 are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkylene, phenyl, vinyl, allyl, naphthyl, aralkyl, and Z; and R4 is alkyl, alkylene, phenyl, vinyl, allyl, naphthyl, or aralkyl.
US07781604B2
The present invention is a fluorine-containing acrylate or alpha-substituted, fluorine-containing acrylate, represented by the following formula (1): wherein a is an integer of from 1 to 4 and b is an integer of from 1 to 4, provided that a total of a and b is 3, 4, or 5; R1 is a group represented by the following formula (2): —(C4H8O)d(C3H6O)e(C2H4O)f(CH2O)g— (2) wherein d, e, f, and g are, independently of each other, an integer of from 0 to 4, provided that a molecular weight of R1 is in a range of 30 to 300, and these repeating units may be sequenced at random; R2 is an acryl group- or alpha-substituted acryl group-containing group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and represented by the following formula (3): wherein R3 is, independently of each other, a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a methyl group, or a trifluoromethyl group, R4 is a divalent or trivalent linking moiety having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, optionally having an ether bond and/or an ester bond, and n is 1 or 2; Rf is a perfluoropolyether residue represented by the following formula (4): wherein j, k, l, and m are, independently of each other, an integer of from 0 to 50, provided that a molecular weight of Rf is in a range of 200 to 6000, X is a fluorine atom or a trifluoromethyl group, and these repeating units may be sequenced at random; Z is a divalent organic group; and c is 0 or 1.
US07781598B2
The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of substituted indoles which are useful as therapeutic agents.
US07781591B2
The present teachings provide compounds of formula I and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, and esters, wherein R1, R2, and X are as defined herein. The present teachings also provide methods of making the compounds of formula I, and methods of treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or compounds of formula I to a mammal including a human.
US07781589B2
A method of determining beryllium or a beryllium compound thereof in a sample, includes providing a sample suspected of comprising beryllium or a compound thereof, extracting beryllium or a compound thereof from the sample by dissolving in a solution, adding a fluorescent indicator to the solution to thereby bind any beryllium or a compound thereof to the fluorescent indicator, and determining the presence or amount of any beryllium or a compound thereof in the sample by measuring fluorescence.
US07781587B2
The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein A, B, W, Y, Z, and R1 have any of the meanings defined in the specification and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I, processes for preparing compounds of formula I, intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula I, and therapeutic methods for treating cancer using compounds of formula I.
US07781575B2
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed.
US07781572B2
Methods for the preparation of nanosized nutrient formulations for enhanced absorption of nutritional agents. The methods include the complexation of cyclodextrin with carotenoids and incorporation of the complexes into the nutritional supplements without intermediate collection, isolation, and drying steps.
US07781571B2
Chromophores that absorb both UV and short wavelength visible light are disclosed. The chromophores are particularly suitable for use in intraocular lens materials.
US07781569B2
Compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer, particularly melanoma, myeloma, small cell lung cancer, thymic lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, B-cell lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and acute T-cell leukemia, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions include one or more anti-ganglioside antibodies and polynucleotides that encode such anti-ganglioside antibodies. These antibodies may be for example, hamster antibodies, chimeric human/hamster antibodies, or humanized antibodies. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the treatment of cancer and can be used to induce apoptosis in a cancer cell.
US07781565B2
Methods and compositions are described for classifying cells and/or peptides that associate or bind with a particular characteristic pattern to a plurality of cells or cell lines. Aspects of the invention also include the use of peptide(s) having an appropriate binding characteristic to deliver a drug to a cell or cell population.
US07781558B2
The present invention relates to polymeric compositions useful in the manufacture of biocompatible medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to certain hydrophilic monomers capable of polymerization to form polymeric compositions having desirable physical characteristics useful in the manufacture of ophthalmic devices. The polymeric compositions comprise polymerized hydrophilic siloxanyl monomers.
US07781556B2
Silicone based liquid crystal and vesicles are prepared by first reacting (A) an ≡Si—H containing polysiloxane, (B) a mono-alkenyl polyether, in the presence of a platinum catalyst until an ≡Si—H containing polysiloxane with polyether groups (C) is formed. The ≡Si—H containing polysiloxane with polyether groups (C) is then reacted with (D) an unsaturated hydrocarbon such as an α,ω-dienes, and (E) water, in the presence of a platinum catalyst until the silicone based liquid crystal or vesicle is formed. The silicone based liquid crystal or vesicle can also be heated until a hard liquid crystal gel or vesicle paste are formed.
US07781555B2
A microcontact printing stamp is formed by curing a silicone rubber composition on a master. An addition reaction cure silicone rubber composition is used comprising (A) an organopolysiloxane containing at least two aliphatic unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon groups, (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing at least two SiH groups, (C) an addition reaction catalyst, and (D) a reinforcing resin. The cured composition has a nonfunctional low-molecular-weight siloxane D3-D20 content of up to 200 ppm.
US07781547B2
The invention relates to new polymerization processes using hydrofluorocarbons to produce polymers. In particular, the invention relates to new polymerization processes using turbulent flow reactor systems using diluents including one or more hydrofluorocarbon(s) to produce polymers.
US07781542B2
An epoxy resin composition comprising an epoxy resin component combined with a sufficient amount of an imidazole curative to provide curing of the epoxy resin composition. The epoxy resin composition further includes a non-hydroxyl containing cure accelerator for the imidazole curative.
US07781540B2
A resin composition, and molded articles thereof, where the resin composition simultaneously satisfies resistances, such as heat and environmental resistance, and moldability at high levels, and has excellent optical properties, such as high refractivity and low birefringence. The resin composition contains a polyester resin formed from a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component (a) and a polycarbonate resin formed from a carbonate-forming component and a diol component (b), the diol component (a) containing a specific fluorene-containing compound and the diol component (b) containing a specific fluorene-containing compound.
US07781538B2
The invention relates to tin-free reaction products of hydroxyl-containing hydrogenated ketone resins, carbonyl-hydrogenated ketone-aldehyde resins, and carbonyl-hydrogenated and ring-hydrogenated ketone-aldehyde resins based on aromatic ketones and polyisocyanates, to a process for their preparation and to the use thereof, in particular as a main component, base component or additive component in coating materials, adhesives, inks, polishes, glazes, stains, pigment pastes, filling compounds, cosmetics articles, sealants and/or insulants.
US07781528B2
A power transmission belt having a body with a length, an inside, an outside, and laterally spaced side surfaces. The body has a first rubber composition that includes an organic peroxide used as a cross-linking agent and N,N′-m-phenylenedimaleimide and/or quinone dioxime in an amount of 0.5 to 13 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of rubber components. The rubber components include (a) ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer and/or an ethylene-α,β-unsaturated carboxylate copolymer, and (b) an ethylene α-olefin rubber in a ratio of from 5:95 to 100:0 by weight.
US07781525B2
A curable composition, which comprises: (A) an organic polymer having a reactive silicon-containing group, (B) a carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt of a carboxylic acid, (C) an amine compound having no reactive silicon group, (D) a silane compound substituted with an amino group and (E) a silane compound substituted with an epoxy group, wherein the ratio of the molar number (d) of all amino groups of the silane compound substituted with an amino group (D) contained in the composition to the molar number (e) of all epoxy groups of a silane compound substituted with an amino group (E) contained in the composition (i.e., the ratio of (d)/(e))) is 1 or more, and further the total amount of the component (D) and the component (E) with respect to 100 g of the component (A) is 30 mmol or more. The above curable composition is a curable composition which comprises an organic polymer having a silicon-containing group and being crosslinkable through the formation of a siloxane bonding, and which uses a curing catalyst free of an organotin compound and exhibits good adhesiveness and also stable curability even after it is stored.
US07781523B2
The present invention relates to styrene-based thermoplastic resin compositions in which 1-10 weight part of a low-gloss additive selected from a group consisting of polyolefin copolymer(C) containing glycidyl methacrylate functional groups, styrene polymer(D) harboring two or more carboxyl functional groups per molecule, and a mixture of them, was added to 100 weight part of basic resin composed of 30-70 weight part of graft copolymer(A) containing rubber modified styrene and 30-70 weight part of copolymer(B) harboring styrene. The thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention has excellent impact strength and satisfactorily low gloss.
US07781522B2
A curable silicone composition includes: (A) an organopolysiloxane represented by the siloxane unit formula (1) given below and having at least two univalent organic groups that contain epoxy groups and are free of aromatic rings: [R13SiO1/2]a[R22SiO2/2]b[R3SiO3/2]c (where R1, R2, and R3 are univalent organic groups, at least two of which are univalent organic groups which contain epoxy groups and are free of aromatic rings; more than 20 mole % of R3 are aryl groups; a+b+c equals 1; on average, “a” satisfies the following condition: 0≦a≦0.8; on average, “b” satisfies the following condition: 0.2≦b≦0.8; and, on average, “c” satisfies the following condition: 0.2
US07781520B2
High-viscosity aqueous emulsions of functional alkoxysilanes, condensed oligomers thereof, organopolysiloxanes, their preparation and use for the surface treatment of inorganic materials High-viscosity aqueous oil-in-water emulsion which comprises from 50 to 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the emulsion, of functional alkoxysilanes and/or condensed oligomers thereof and/or organoalkoxysiloxanes, at least one emulsifier and water and has a pH of from 5 to 9 and a mean droplet size of the disperse phase of less than 5 μm, wherein the width of the droplet size distribution, expressed as the span (see formula (I)), is >1.5, preferably from 3 to 8. The preparation of the emulsions having the desired droplet size distribution is carried out in apparatuses having at least one pressure stage at a pressure of from 2 to 15 MPa. The emulsion can be used for hydrophobicizing porous mineral building materials. D 90 - D 10 D 50 ( I )
US07781517B2
A polymer composition includes a substantially transparent, rubber modified aromatic vinyl resin and a cyclic alkyl phosphate compound. In some embodiments, the cyclic alkyl phosphate compound is able to impart good flame retardancy, while maintaining a good balance of the other physical and mechanical properties of the resin including the transparency and impact strength of the resin.
US07781512B2
A system for curing a binders applied to glass fibers is disclosed. The curing of the binder is accomplished by passing the binder coated glass fibers through a curing oven having one or more temperature zones. The temperature of the binder coated glass fibers is monitored and the temperature in the curing oven is adjusted to ensure proper heating of the glass fibers thereby ensuring uniform curing of the binder composition. Temperature measurements are made either as the product traverses the oven or as the cured product exits the curing oven. The invention is particularly useful for curing acrylic thermoset binders and formaldehyde-free binders.
US07781510B2
This invention pertains to highly filled polymer compositions comprising a low molecular weight ethylene and/or alpha olefin homopolymers and copolymers, or blends therefrom, filled with high concentrations of fillers or additives. Examples of such fillers or additives include fire retardants, talc, ceramic manufacturing agents, color concentrates, crosslinking agents, and blowing agents. Because of the low crystallinity (and therefore high percentage of amorphous phase) and low viscosities of the base polymers, highly processable compositions can be formed containing even if containing relatively high loadings of fillers or additives. Such highly filled compositions are thus ideally suited as concentrates or masterbatch formulations for a variety of different compounding applications.
US07781508B2
A rubber composition, which comprises 100 parts by weight of an ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer rubber, 5-40 parts by weight of EPDM, 1-40 parts by weight of an α-olefin oligomer, 0.5-4 parts by weight of an organic peroxide cross-linking agent, 0.5-4 parts by weight of an amine-based vulcanizing agent, and 300-1,000 parts by weight of magnetic powder. The rubber composition is a rubber composition filled a magnetic powder at a high packing density, where an ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer rubber having amine vulcanizable groups as a binder, and effectively usable in rubber-bonded sensor magnets, etc., without any foaming at the time of vulcanization molding and with distinguished processabilities such as mold releasability, etc.
US07781504B2
Disclosed herein are compounds of the formula: (R)x—Sn—(R′)4-x wherein: R is alkyl; R′ is a moiety selected from the group consisting of: w is 0 or 1; x is 1 or 2; y is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and Z is a linear, branched, cyclic, or aromatic hydrocarbon. These compounds are excellent stabilizers for halogen-containing resins, such as PVC.
US07781501B2
Thermosetting adhesives for use in e.g., particleboard or fiberboard, wherein the adhesives comprise a resin having azetidinium functional groups, can provide fast tack-building and curing, as well as ultimately excellent bonding characteristics. Preferably, the azetidinium-functional resin is formed from the reaction product of a polyamidoamine and epichlorohydrin.
US07781497B2
A conventional part of a refrigerator containing an antibiotic substance has problems in that discoloration occurs with time, a surface of the part of the refrigerator is corroded during a manufacturing process, or the whitening effect is degraded, and production costs increase.The present invention relates to an antibiotic method for processing a part of a refrigerator using a silver-based antibiotic substance. The antibiotic method comprises the steps of forming a preform of the part to have a thickness relatively smaller than that of a finished product of the part through an extrusion process; mixing 0.05 to 0.1% by weight of the silver-based antibiotic substance in the form of pellets with a resin based on the total weight of the resin; and forming an antibiotic layer on a surface of the preform of the part using the resin with the antibiotic substance mixed therewith. The antibiotic layer may be formed by laminating a film made of the resin with the antibiotic substance mixed therewith, or formed on the surface of the part of the refrigerator through multi-extrusion. Further, the silver-based antibiotic substance may comprise 60 to 80% by weight of an oxide of Ag ions having diameters of several dozen to hundred nanometers, 10 to 20% by weight of zirconium phosphate, and 10 to 20% by weight of a zinc oxide. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that the production costs of the refrigerator are reduced, and the antibiotic and whitening effects are improved.
US07781493B2
The invention is a composition comprising: a) one or more film forming resins having at least one functional group capable of polymerization; b) one or more reactive diluents capable of reacting with the film forming resin; c) one or more silicon, titanium, zirconium, aluminum or metal containing compounds capable of promoting adhesion of the composition to glass; d) one or more fillers capable of imparting abrasion resistance to the composition when cured; and e) one or more compounds which is reactive with the film forming resin which also contains at least one acidic moiety. The composition of the invention is useful as a frit on the window of a vehicle.
US07781491B2
A process of doping zero-valance double metals into a cationic exchange resin to increase reactive activity of zero-valance metals includes providing a cationic exchange resin to contact a first metal in the form of ions to reduce the first metal which then attaches to the cationic exchange resin; providing a second metal in the form of ions to contact and attach to the first metal; and reducing the second metal to zero valance and forming a carrier containing double metals. The cationic exchange resin is selected from a strong acidic ion exchange resin of which the ion exchange functional group is SO3Na and SO3H. The first metal is selected from the noble metal group: palladium, platinum and copper. The second metal is selected from the normal metals group, such as tin. The first metal and the second metal respectively have particle diameters ranging from 20 to 100 nm.
US07781482B2
A compound comprising or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof is disclosed herein. Y, A, and B are as described herein. Methods, compositions, and medicaments related to these compounds are also disclosed.
US07781481B2
N-(benzenesulphonyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indols, wherein the indol is substituted by cyano, carboxy or alkylcarbonyloxy and their use as therapeutical agents.
US07781479B2
A compound of the following formula (1), or its prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, being useful as a diabetic medicine or preventive, or blood sugar regulator, or therapeutic agent for hyperlipemia, etc. wherein the ring Z is an optionally substituted heteroaryl, W4 is a single bond, lower alkylene, etc., Ar2 is an optionally substituted aryl, etc., W3 is a single bond, lower alkylene, etc., Ar1 is an optionally substituted arylene, etc., each of W1 and W2 is an optionally substituted lower alkylene, etc., and R1 is carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl.
US07781476B2
Tetracyclic 3-substituted indoles having serotonin receptor affinity and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US07781475B2
The present invention relates to oxindoles of the formula I, their use as protein kinase activators or inhibitors, a method for their manufacture, their use for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases and their use for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition.
US07781471B2
The invention concerns compounds of formula (I): Wherein X, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as described herein. The invention also concerns a method for preparing same and the therapeutic use thereof.
US07781469B2
A compound of the formula (I): pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein Y is a group of the formula: wherein Ring A is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl, X3 is COOR17 or the like Y is not optionally substituted phenyl which is substituted with the formula: —CR9R10X3 at the para position, R1 to R10 are each independently halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or the like, X1 is —O—, —S— or the like.
US07781464B2
The present invention relates to novel heterocyclic diphenyl ether and diphenyl amine compounds, derivatives, analogs, tautomeric forms, stereoisomers, polymorphs, hydrates, solvates, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and pharmaceutically acceptable solvates thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions containing these singly or in combination. The compounds of the present invention are effective in lowering blood glucose, serum insulin, free fatty acids, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and are useful in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diabetes. The compounds of the present invention are effective in treatment of obesity, inflammation, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis and immunological diseases, including the treatment of cancer. Furthermore, the compounds are useful for the treatment of disorders associated with insulin resistance.
US07781459B2
The invention relates to acyl-carboxyphenylurea derivatives and to their physiologically tolerated salts and physiologically functional derivatives.Compounds of the formula I, in which the radicals have the stated meanings, and the physiological tolerated salts thereof and processes for preparing them are described. The compounds are suitable for example for the treatment of type II diabetes.
US07781454B2
Compounds of Formula I: are HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors, wherein V, W, X, Y, Z, R1, R2, R4, R5, R6, ring A, ring B, j and k are defined herein. The compounds of Formula I, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, are useful in the inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase, the prophylaxis and treatment of infection by HIV and in the prophylaxis, delay in the onset or progression, and treatment of AIDS. The compounds and their salts can be employed as ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions, optionally in combination with other antivirals, immunomodulators, antibiotics or vaccines.
US07781452B2
A compound represented by the following general formula (1), or a salt or hydrate thereof:[Formula 1] wherein R1 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group or C2-C6 alkynyl group which may be substituted, or a phenyl group which may be substituted, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group, R3 represents methyl or ethyl group, R4 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group, R5 represents a hydrogen atom, provided that a compound wherein R1 is a C1-C6 alkyl group unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom and R2 is a hydrogen atom is excluded.
US07781447B2
The present invention relates to methods of alleviating and inhibiting a lymphoproliferative disorder in a mammal, the method comprising administering one or more rapamycin derivatives (including rapamycin) to the mammal. Further, the invention provides a method for identifying agents which are useful for alleviating and inhibiting a lymphoproliferative disorders, as well as a method for identifying agents which are capable of inhibiting metastasis of lymphatic tumors in a mammal.
US07781441B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I wherein R, R1, R2, R3, R4, aryl, n, and m are as defined in the specification and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts and tautomeric forms thereof. Such compounds have good activity on the 5-HT5A receptor. Therefore, the invention provides methods for the treatment of certain CNS disorders with such compounds.
US07781437B2
The present application discloses a compound, or enantiomers, stereoisomers, rotamers, tautomers, racemates or prodrug of said compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or esters of said compound, or of said prodrug, said compound having the general structure shown in Formula 1: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester thereof, wherein the various moieties are defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of treating chemokine mediated diseases, such as, palliative therapy, curative therapy, prophylactic therapy of certain diseases and conditions such as inflammatory diseases (non-limiting example(s) include, psoriasis), autoimmune diseases (non-limiting example(s) include, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis), graft rejection (non-limiting example(s) include, allograft rejection, xenograft rejection), infectious diseases (e.g, tuberculoid leprosy), fixed drug eruptions, cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, type I diabetes, viral meningitis and tumors using a compound of Formula 1.
US07781433B2
A thienopyrimidine of formula (I): and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof have activity as inhibitors of PI3K with selectivity for the P110α subtype, and may be used to treat diseases and disorders arising from abnormal cell growth, function or behaviour, particularly those associated with PI3 kinase such as cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular disease, viral infection, inflammation, metabolism/endocrine disorders and neurological disorders. Processes for synthesizing the compounds are also described.
US07781430B2
Compounds of formulae I and II: are disclosed as 5-HT3 inhibitors. Those compounds that exhibit central activity are useful in treating CINV; those that inhibit peripheral receptors are useful to treat IBS-D.
US07781424B2
A modified release pharmaceutical composition comprising, as active ingredient, a compound of formula (I), wherein R1 represents C1-2 alkyl substituted by one or more fluoro substituents; R2 represents hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy or ethoxy, and n represents 0, 1 or 2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier; provided that the formulation may only contain iota-carageenan and a neutral gelling polymer when the compound of formula (I) is in the form of a salt; such formulations being of use for the treatment of a cardiovascular disorder.
US07781422B2
Compounds of the formula (I): wherein A, B, D, M, Ar, W, X, Y, Z and R1 are as defined herein, are useful in the prevention and treatment of hepatitis C infections. The compounds, their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in medicine are disclosed.
US07781420B2
The invention describes the use of clodronic acid, its addition salts or esters as active ingredient for the preparation of a pharmaceutical for treating podotrochlosis with associated osteoporosis in horses.
US07781417B2
The invention relates to a compound according to the following general formula (I), in which: m represents an integer equal to 5, 6 or 7; n and n1 represent an integer from 1 to 5; the A groups represent, in particular, a hydrogenated atom; X represents O or S; Y represents, in particular, a group NR1, R1, representing, in particular, a hydrogenated atom; W represents CH or N; and Z represents, in particular, a hydrogenated atom.
US07781412B2
Compositions of matter and methods of treating cancer patients may prevent or limit cardiotoxicity during or after chemotherapy, and/or may prevent or lower resistance to anthracycline drugs, both of which are believed to be caused by the human enzyme carbonyl reductase. Thus, the compositions and methods may be used to reduce the dosages of anthracycline anti-cancer drugs necessary to produce a desired cancer-cell-killing performance. Preferred embodiments comprise treating cancer patients with a pharmaceutical composition comprising biphenyl compounds having two halogenated (or pseudo-halogenated) and/or hydroxylated, aryl groups that are linked by a bridging atom. The preferred composition of biphenyl compound(s) may be administered in a pharmaceutical composition also comprising at least one anthracycline compound, or may be administered separately than the at least one anthracycline compound. Especially-preferred biphenyl compounds include triclosan, hexachlorophene, and dichlorophene.
US07781406B2
A method for modulating a transplantation-associated immune response in a subject is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of a conjugate comprising a carboxyl group-containing organic compound and albumin, wherein the carboxyl group-containing organic compound is a cytostatic or an immunosuppressant. A method for preparing the conjugate is also disclosed. The method includes activating the carboxyl group-containing organic compound with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbonyldiimide in an organic solvent, and reacting activated carboxyl group-containing organic compound with albumin, wherein the carboxyl group-containing organic compound is a cytostatic or an immunosuppressant.
US07781393B2
The invention methods using a insulin-like growth factor receptor inhibitor to inhibit tumor cell growth in a subject in need thereof.
US07781389B2
The invention proposes a bleaching agent-containing washing or cleaning agent that contains a particulate phthalimidoperoxyalkanoic acid and an active substance selected from the group encompassing Zn ions, benzotriazole, nitrate ions, phosphonocarboxylic acids, phosphonic acids, phosphates, polyaspartic acids, fatty amines, surfactants having nitrogen-containing head groups, and mixtures thereof.
US07781376B2
A superconducting wire includes first and second superconducting layers disposed on one or more substrates in stacked relationship, the first superconducting layer comprising a high temperature superconducting oxide of a first composition and the second superconducting layer comprising a high temperature superconducting layer of a second composition, wherein the first and second compositions are different. The first superconductor layer optionally includes a high temperature superconductor composition selected to provide enhanced critical current (Ic(c)) in the presence of magnetic fields perpendicular to surface of the superconducting layer (H//c). The second superconductor layer optionally includes a high temperature superconductor composition selected to provide enhanced critical current (Ic) in the presence of magnetic fields parallel to surface of the superconducting layer (H//ab).
US07781368B2
Carbon monoxide is removed from streams by adsorption on an adsorption composition which comprises copper, zinc and zirconium oxides and whose copper-comprising component has a degree of reduction, expressed as weight ratio of metallic copper to the sum of metallic copper and copper oxides, calculated as CuO, of at least 45% and not more than 75%.
US07781367B2
The present invention relates to an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst, and aiming at providing a catalyst which has a higher catalytic activity than that of conventional catalysts and, in particular, a strong ability to oxidize nitrogen monoxide. The present invention relates to an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst whose catalytic component is supported on a carrier, characterized in that the catalytic component is platinum colloid which has an average particle size of 80 nm to 120 nm, a particle size D20, a 20% cumulative particle size distribution from smaller particle size side, of 50 nm or more, and a particle size D90, a 90% cumulative particle size distribution from smaller particle size side, of 200 nm or less. The exhaust gas cleaning catalyst of the present invention has a high catalytic activity for cleaning exhaust gases and, in particular, a strong ability to oxidize nitrogen monoxide.
US07781362B2
Degradation of catalyst activity for silicoaluminophosphate catalysts is minimized for oxygenate-to-olefin reaction systems that are exposed to airborne salt concentrations above a threshold value. When airborne salt concentrations above the threshold value are detected, an air intake flow can be diverted into a cleaning flow path and/or an alternative source of regeneration media can be provided.
US07781357B2
A dielectric ceramic composition comprising forsterite in an amount of 93.0 to 99.0 mol % when calculating in terms of 2MgO.SiO2 and calcium titanate in an amount of 1.0 to 7.0 mol % when calculating in terms of CaTiO3 as main components, and as a subcomponent, aluminum oxide in an amount of 0.2 to 5 mass % when calculating in terms of Al2O3 per 100 mass % of said main components. According to the present invention, a dielectric ceramic composition, capable of having both low permittivity and good frequency-temperature characteristic as well as ensuring high Qf value and further having sufficient mechanical strength, and suitable to use in an antenna, a filter and the like used in the high-frequency region, can be provided. Also, the present invention allows providing a dielectric ceramic composition further having resistance to reduction in addition to all of the above properties.
US07781349B2
In the present invention, a BARC stack comprising at least a first BARC layer and at least a second BARC layer is optimized for reducing substrate reflectivity in lithographic processing applications. The first BARC layer is positioned adjacent the resist layer, while the second BARC layer is positioned adjacent the first BARC layer. The optical parameters of the first BARC layer are determined to be slightly different from the optical parameters of the resist, thus resulting in a small optical step at the interface resist/first BARC. Furthermore, the second BARC may be selected to have optical parameters such that the optical step at the interface first BARC/second BARC is slightly larger but still relatively small compared to the optical step between resist and substrate. The thicknesses for the BARC layers can be determined from substrate reflectivity calculations. The latter allows obtaining a low substrate reflectivity for various pitches in a pattern to be printed.
US07781345B2
In a method of manufacturing an imprint substrate, a concave pattern, which is recessed, is formed on a top surface of the mold substrate. A light blocking layer is formed on the concave pattern and the top surface of the mold substrate. After bonding an adhesive substrate to the mold substrate such that the adhesive substrate faces the mold substrate, the adhesive substrate is separated from the mold substrate, so that the light blocking layer on the top surface is removed from the mold substrate. An imprint substrate having the light blocking layer only on the concave pattern is formed.
US07781335B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of: (a) forming a first insulating film having moisture absorbency on a substrate; (b) forming a dummy contact hole and a contact hole in the first insulating film; (c) heat-treating the substrate, thereby removing water contained in the first insulating film; and (d) forming a contact and a dummy contact. The heat treatment in the step (c) removes water contained in the first insulating film through the contact hole and the dummy contact hole.
US07781325B2
Copper pillar tin bump on semiconductor chip comprises a copper layer composed on chip and a tin layer entirely wrapping whole outer surface of said copper layer. A method for forming of the copper pillar tin bump on semiconductor chip comprises: composing the first copper layer on said chip; applying photoresist to said first copper layer, exposing and developing a part of said photoresist, composing the copper pillar layer at the developed part of photoresist, composing the upper tin layer, removing said photoresist, removing said the first copper layer except disposing place of copper pillar layer, composing side tin layer. The minute pattern makes it possible to form a high density packaging by reducing a pitch of copper pillar tin bump. Signal delay can be reduced by low electric resistance, and underfill can be easily soaked.
US07781324B2
For electrically connecting a wiring formed on one surface of an insulating substrate such as an FPC to an individual electrode arranged facing the other surface of the substrate, firstly, a through hole and a notch are formed by irradiating a laser beam from above onto the FPC. Next, the FPC is arranged to be positioned such that the individual electrode, the through hole and the notch are overlapped in a plan view. Next, an electroconductive liquid droplet having a diameter greater than a width of the notch is jetted, toward an area formed with the notch, from the one surface side of the FPC. The landed electroconductive liquid droplet flows along the notch in a thickness direction of the substrate due to an action of a capillary force and reaches assuredly to the individual electrode, thereby electrically connecting the wiring and electrode arranged sandwiching the insulating substrate assuredly.
US07781319B2
According to the present invention, it is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising a PMOS transistor and a NMOS transistor, wherein the method facilitates obtaining a FUSI phase of a suitable composition for the NMOS transistor and the PMOS transistor respectively, with fewer mask layers and through a fewer number of manufacturing steps.
US07781314B2
Affords a manufacturing method enabling nitride-based semiconductor devices containing epitaxial films excelling in flatness and crystallinity to be easily produced. Method of manufacturing nitride semiconductor devices that are formed onto a semiconductor substrate being a compound containing nitrogen, and a Group IIIA element for forming compounds with nitrogen, including steps of: heating the semiconductor substrate (1) to a film-deposition temperature; supplying to the substrate a film-deposition gas containing a source gas for the Group IIIA element and a nitrogen source gas; and epitaxially growing onto the semiconductor substrate a thin film (2) of a compound containing nitrogen and the Group IIIA element; and being furnished with a step, in advance of the epitaxial growth step, of heating the semiconductor substrate to a pretreating temperature less than the film-deposition temperature, to clean the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US07781311B2
System and method for filling vias in integrated circuits A preferred embodiment comprises forming a spacer layer on a substrate, forming a via with walls and a bottom in the spacer layer, depositing a conformal conductive layer on the spacer layer and on the walls and bottom of the via, spinning-on a photo-definable material on the conductive layer, forming a fill layer on the conductive layer and filling the via, exposing portions of the fill layer to an exposing light using a photomask, developing the fill layer to remove select portions of the fill layer and leave a portion of the fill layer filling the via, and removing the spacer layer. The use of a spin-on photo-definable material increases the material's filling and planarizing capabilities, while enabling a reduction in the number of process steps, which may reduce the likelihood of manufacturing defects, thereby increasing manufacturing yield.
US07781309B2
A direct bonded SOI wafer having an entire buried oxide film layer covered and not exposed is manufactured by: (A) forming a laminated body by laminating a semiconductor wafer and a support wafer via an oxide film; and (B) forming a thin-film single crystal silicon layer on the support wafer using a buried oxide film layer by film-thinning the semiconductor wafer to a predetermined thickness. In a process (C) the entire buried oxide film layer is covered by a main surface on the laminating side of the support wafer and the single crystal silicon layer. The covering of the entire buried film layer is carried out by, between process (A) and (B), removing the oxide film formed on the circumferential end edge of the main surface on the laminating side and the chamfered portion to leave the oxide film only on the laminated surface except the circumferential end edge.
US07781306B2
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing thereof are provided. The method includes a step of forming a first insulating film containing silicon and oxygen as its composition over a single-crystal semiconductor substrate, a step of forming a second insulating film containing silicon and nitrogen as its composition over the first insulating film, a step of irradiating the second insulating film with first ions to form a separation layer in the single-crystal semiconductor substrate, a step of irradiating the second insulating film with second ions so that halogen is contained in the first insulating film, and a step of performing heat treatment to separate the single-crystal semiconductor substrate with a single-crystal semiconductor film left over the supporting substrate.
US07781304B2
A semiconductor device having a trench isolation region and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The method includes forming a first trench region in a substrate, and a second trench region having a larger width than the first trench region in the substrate. A lower material layer may fill the first and second trench regions. The lower material layer may be etched by a first etching process to form a first preliminary lower material layer pattern remaining in the first trench region and form a second preliminary lower material layer pattern that remains in the second trench region. An upper surface of the second preliminary lower material layer pattern may be at a different height than the first preliminary lower material layer pattern. The first and second preliminary lower material layer patterns may be etched by a second etching process to form first and second lower material layer patterns having top surfaces at substantially the same height. First and second upper material layer patterns may be formed on the first and second lower material layer patterns, respectively.
US07781301B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes: forming an interlayer sacrificial film and an insulating film located thereon above a semiconductor substrate having a semiconductor element, the interlayer sacrificial film having a wiring provided therein; etching the insulating film, or, etching the insulating film and the interlayer sacrificial film to form a trench reaching the interlayer sacrificial film; forming a gas permeable film in the trench; gasifying and removing the interlayer sacrificial film through the trench and the gas permeable film; and forming a sealing film on the gas permeable film for sealing the vicinity of an opening of the trench after removing the interlayer sacrificial film.
US07781297B2
The present invention discloses a semiconductor device and a method of manufacture thereof. The present invention prevents from leaning or collapsing in the subsequent dip-out process by making the bottom plate of adjacent capacitors to be connected each other and supported each other in patterning the conductive layer for the bottom plate of capacitor.
US07781290B2
A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device includes an NMOS thin body channel including a silicon epitaxial layer. An NMOS insulating layer is formed on a surface of the NMOS thin body channel and surrounds the NMOS thin body channel. An NMOS metal gate is formed on the NMOS insulating layer. The CMOS device further includes a p-channel metal-oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistor including a PMOS thin body channel including a silicon epitaxial layer. A PMOS insulating layer is formed on a surface of and surrounds the PMOS thin body channel. A PMOS metal gate is formed on the PMOS insulating layer. The NMOS insulating layer includes a silicon oxide layer and the PMOS insulating layer includes an electron-trapping layer, the NMOS insulating layer includes a hole trapping dielectric layer and the PMOS insulating layer includes a silicon oxide layer, or the NMOS insulating layer includes a hole-trapping dielectric layer and the PMOS insulating layer includes an electron-trapping dielectric layer.
US07781284B2
There is provided a semiconductor device which comprises a first interlayer insulating film (first insulating film) formed over a silicon (semiconductor) substrate, a capacitor formed on the first interlayer insulating film and having a lower electrode, a dielectric film, and an upper electrode, a fourth interlayer insulating film (second insulating film) formed over the capacitor and the first interlayer insulating film, and a metal pattern formed on the fourth interlayer insulating film over the capacitor and its periphery to have a stress in an opposite direction to the fourth interlayer insulating film. As a result, characteristics of the capacitor covered with the interlayer insulating film can be improved.
US07781281B2
A method of fabricating a self-aligned contact pad (SAC) includes forming stacks of a conductive line and a capping layer on a semiconductor substrate, spacers covering sidewalls of the stacks, and an insulation layer filling gaps between the stacks and exposing the top of the capping layer, etching the capping layer to form damascene grooves, forming a plurality of first etching masks with a material different from that of the capping layer to fill the damascene grooves without covering the top of the insulation layer, and forming a second etching mask having an opening region that exposes some of the first etching masks and a portion of the insulation layer located between the first etching masks. The method further includes etching the portion of the insulation layer exposed by the opening region using the first and second etching masks to form a plurality of opening holes, removing the second etching mask, forming a conductive layer filling the opening holes to cover the remaining first etching masks and performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process on the conductive layer using the capping layer as a polishing end point to remove the first etching masks such that a plurality of SAC pads separated from each other are formed that fill the opening holes.
US07781262B2
The method of producing a semiconductor device in which chips are resin-molded, including steps of: preparing frames having front and back surfaces and die pads; preparing an insulation resin sheet having a first and a second surfaces; preparing a resin-sealing metal mold having cap pins; mounting the resin sheet inside the resin-sealing metal mold in such a manner that the second surface of the resin sheet contacts an inner bottom surface of the resin-sealing metal mold; mounting power chips on the surfaces of the die pads; positioning the frames on the first surface of the resin sheet in such a manner that the back surfaces of the die pads contact the first surface of the resin sheet; pressing the die pads toward the resin sheet using the cap pins and fixing the die pads; injecting a sealing resin in the resin-sealing metal mold and hardening the sealing resin; and removing the semiconductor device in which the power chips are molded with the sealing resin out from the resin-sealing metal mold. The resin sheet may include a metal foil which is disposed to the second surface.
US07781261B2
An integrated circuit package system includes: mounting a device structure in an offset location over a carrier with the device structure having a bond pad and a contact pad; connecting an electrical interconnect between the bond pad and the carrier; forming an anti-flash structure over the device structure with the anti-flash structure exposing the contact pad; and forming a package encapsulation adjacent to the anti-flash structure and over the carrier.
US07781253B2
An image sensor including a first epitaxial layer formed over a semiconductor substrate; first photodiodes formed spaced apart in the first epitaxial layer; a first isolation region electrically isolating the first photodiodes from each other; a second epitaxial layer formed over the first epitaxial layer; second photodiodes formed spaced apart in the second epitaxial layer; and a second isolation region electrically isolating the second photodiodes from each other.
US07781252B2
A method of manufacturing a CMOS image sensor comprising forming a first insulating film on a silicon semiconductor substrate which includes a metal pad; selectively etching the first insulating film, so as to form a first insulating film pattern with a first opening which exposes the metal pad; forming a metal pad protective film in the first opening portion with a predetermined thickness; forming a second insulating film on the first insulating film pattern and metal pad protective film; selectively etching the second insulating film, so as to form a second insulating film pattern which includes a second opening which exposes the metal pad protective film; forming a color filter array (CFA) on the second insulating film pattern; forming micro lenses on the CFA; and performing an etching process in order to remove the metal pad protective film so as to form a metal pad opening.
US07781248B2
There are provided a method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor light emitting device and a nitride semiconductor light emitting device manufactured using the same. A method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor light emitting device according to an aspect of the invention includes: forming a mask layer on a substrate; removing a portion of the mask layer to form openings provided as regions where light emitting structures are formed; forming a light emitting structure by sequentially growing a first conductivity type nitride semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity type nitride semiconductor layer on the substrate through each of the openings of the mask layer; and forming first and second electrodes to be electrically connected to the first and second conductivity type nitride semiconductor layers, respectively.
US07781247B2
A method of producing one or more vertical light-emitting diode (VLED) dies having a light-emitting diode (LED) stack comprising Group III-Group V combinations of elements (e.g., GaN, AlN, InN, AlGaN, InGaN, and InAlGaN) and a metal substrate is provided. The techniques include forming an InGaN or InAlGaN interface layer above a suitable growth-supporting substrate, such as sapphire or silicon carbide (SiC), and forming the LED stack above the interface layer. Such an interface layer may absorb a majority of the energy from a laser pulse used during laser lift-off of the growth-supporting substrate in an effort to prevent damage to the light emitting layers of the LED stack, which may result in improved brightness performance over VLED dies produced with conventional buffer layers.
US07781243B2
A method of manufacturing a display substrate includes forming a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) on a first substrate in a matrix, forming a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the TFTs, forming a connecting pad to receive a common voltage, forming an organic pattern on the connecting pad, depositing an inorganic alignment layer covering the organic pattern on the first substrate, and removing the organic pattern and the inorganic alignment layer remaining on the organic pattern.
US07781228B2
A system and method are provided to detect target analytes based on magnetic resonance measurements. Magnetic structures produce distinct magnetic field regions having a size comparable to the analyte. When the analyte is bound in those regions, magnetic resonance signals from the sample are changed, leading to detection of the analyte.
US07781224B2
A human-safe fluorescence particle that can be used for fluorescence detection instruments or act as a safe simulant for mimicking the fluorescence properties of microorganisms. The particle comprises a non-biological carrier and natural fluorophores encapsulated in the non-biological carrier. By doping biodegradable-polymer drug delivery microspheres with natural or synthetic fluorophores, the desired fluorescence can be attained or biological organisms can be simulated without the associated risks and logistical difficulties of live microorganisms.
US07781219B2
Provided herein methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, is at risk of developing, having, or experiencing a complication of cardiovascular disease, and methods of treating subjects who are identified by the current methods of being at risk for cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotien A-I related biomolecules in a bodily sample from the subject. Also, provided are kits and reagents for use in the present methods. Also provided are methods for monitoring the status of cardiovascular disease in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with cardiovascular disease. Such method comprising determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotein A-I related molecules in bodily samples taken from the subject over time or before and after therapy.
US07781217B2
Resonant sensors and methods of detecting specific molecules with enhanced sensitivity. Optical energy is introduced into a microcavity, such as a silica toroid-shaped microcavity. The microcavity sensor has a functionalized outer surface and a sufficiently high Q value to generate an evanescent optical field with increased intensity. A molecule bound to the functionalized outer surface interacts with the external optical field, thereby heating the microcavity and generating a detectable resonant wavelength shift, which indicates a small number of molecules, even a single molecule, without the use of fluorescent or metal labels. Resonant sensors and methods can also be used to detect specific molecules, even a single molecule, within an environment. One application is detecting very small quantities or a single molecule of heavy water in ordinary water.
US07781216B2
A purified preparation of primate embryonic stem cells is disclosed. This preparation is characterized by the following cell surface markers: SSEA-1 (−); SSEA-4 (+); TRA-1-60 (+); TRA-1-81 (+); and alkaline phosphatase (+). In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cells of the preparation are human embryonic stem cells, have normal karyotypes, and continue to proliferate in an undifferentiated state after continuous culture for eleven months. The embryonic stem cell lines also retain the ability, throughout the culture, to form trophoblast and to differentiate into all tissues derived from all three embryonic germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm). A method for isolating a primate embryonic stem cell line is also disclosed.
US07781213B2
Disclosed are embryonic stem cell-derived dendritic cells, genetically modified immature dendritic cells capable of maturation, as well as methods for the production of such cells. In one embodiment, the cells made be produced by a method comprising the steps of providing a population of embryonic stem cells; culturing the embryonic stem cells in the presence of a cytokine or combination of cytokines which brings about differentiation of the embryonic stem cells into dendritic cells; and recovering the dendritic cells from the culture. In a further embodiment, the cells may be genetically modified.
US07781211B2
The present application discloses a method of manipulating a biological sample of cells, which includes multi-lineage stem cells, progenitor cells, other marrow stromal cells: allowing the sample of cells to settle in a container; transferring supernatant from the container to another container; and isolating cells from the supernatant, which has comparatively lower density in the sample.
US07781210B2
The present invention provides Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-negative NK cell lines. The NK cell lines of the present invention are useful for screening factors associated with the proliferation and expression functions of NK cells and to discover factors produced by the NK cells. In addition, the cell lines are immortalized despite the fact that they are EBV-negative. Thus, unknown mechanisms of oncogenesis may be elucidated through an understanding of the mechanisms underlying the immortalization of the cell lines of the present invention.
US07781208B2
A method for producing viral gene delivery vehicles which can be transferred to pre-selected cell types by using targeting conjugates. The gene delivery vehicles comprise: 1) the gene of interest; and 2) a viral capsid or envelope carrying a member of a specific binding pair, the counterpart of which is not directly associated with the surface of the target cell. These vehicles can be rendered unable to bind to their natural cell receptor. The targeting conjugates include the counterpart member of the specific binding pair, linked to a targeting moiety which is a cell-type specific ligand (or fragments thereof). The number of the specific binding pair present on the viral vehicles can be, for example, an immunoglobulin binding moiety (e.g., capable of binding to a Fc fragment, protein A, protein G, FcR or an anti-Ig antibody), or biotin, avidin or streptavidin. The virus' outer membrane or capsid may contain a substance which mediates entrance of the gene delivery vehicle into the target cell. Due to the specificity of the ligand, the binding pair's high affinity, and the gene delivery vehicle's inability to be targeted when used alone, the universality of the method for gene delivery, together with its high cell type selectively can be achieved by using various targeting conjugates.
US07781204B2
There is provided a biochip capable of quantitatively grasping hybridization efficiency. In the biochip comprising a plurality of probe sites with target molecules bonded thereto, respectively, the probe sites disposed thereon, the marker sites with a known number of fluorescent molecules bonded thereto, respectively, are disposed. With the biochip, the number of the fluorescent molecules bonded to the respective marker sites is already known, so that respective hybridization efficiencies at the probe sites can be quantitatively grasped by comparing respective intensity of fluorescent light of the probe sites with an intensity of fluorescent light of the marker sites. The fluorescent molecule may be bonded to the respective marker sites when the biochip is formed, or the respective marker sites may be made up such that the fluorescent molecule of a predetermined molecular weight is bonded thereto by a predetermined processing applied to the biochip. The respective marker sites may be formed by use of a biopolymer of the same species as that for the respective probe sites.
US07781193B2
The present invention provides a method for extracting lipids from microorganisms without using organic solvent as an extraction solvent. In particular, the present invention provides a method for extracting lipids from microorganisms by lysing cells and removing water soluble compound and/or materials by washing the lysed cell mixtures with aqueous washing solutions until a substantially non-emulsified lipid is obtained.
US07781192B2
The invention relates to an improved method for producing D-pantothenic acid and/or the salts thereof and the use of said substance as an additive for animal food.
US07781189B2
Novel strains of genetically modified prokaryotic micro-organisms capable of expressing polypeptides having the enzyme activity of the enzymes uridine phosphorylase (UdP) and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) are described; the strains in question can be used, both in the form of whole cells and in the form of crude or purified extracts, to catalyse transglycosylation reactions between a donor nucleoside and an acceptor base with particularly high yields. The associated plasmid vectors are also described.
US07781185B2
An article for holding a liquefied sample for the quantification of biological material in the sample includes a device having a reaction chamber enclosing a volume therein, the reaction chamber having an upper opening through which a liquefied sample can be poured and a plurality of discrete non-permeable compartments, each of the compartments having an upper rim and being configured and dimensioned to hold separate aliquots of a liquefied sample therein; and a gasket lid removably secured to the top of the device, the gasket lid being configured and dimensioned for sealing the upper rim of each compartment to prevent liquid communication between the compartments.
US07781183B2
Disclosed herein is a pharmacophore model for inhibiting anthrax lethal factor protease activity which comprises a first aromatic center A, a second aromatic center B, a first polar center C, a second polar center D, a third polar center E, and a neutral linker F. Also disclosed are small molecules fitting the pharmacophore model and compositions and methods of using thereof.
US07781178B2
The invention relates to the following methods [1] to [3] and to a kit for carrying out the methods: [1] a method for detecting heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free immunoglobulin lambda light chain level of a specimen and comparing at least one value of the kappa chain level, the lambda chain level, and a kappa/lambda ratio with that of a healthy subject; [2] a method for detecting a complication of viral infection in a patient with heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free immunoglobulin lambda light chain level of a specimen and comparing at least one value of the kappa chain level, the lambda chain level, and a kappa/lambda ratio with that of a healthy subject; [3] A method for detecting severity of heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free immunoglobulin lambda light chain level of a specimen and comparing at least one value of the kappa chain level, the lambda chain level, and a kappa/lambda ratio with that of a healthy subject or a patient suffering slight heart disease.
US07781176B2
The present invention relates to novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating diseases, disorders, and/or conditions related to these novel human secreted proteins.
US07781173B2
The invention provides populations of molecules that are prepared as, or treated to become, homogeneous for one or more molecular characteristics. In an aspect, the invention relates to molecular weight standards that may be used to determine the molecular weight or apparent molecular weight of uncharacterized molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, as well as in other applications. In one aspect, the molecular weight standards are pre-stained.
US07781153B2
A polymer resin composition, a method for forming a pattern using the polymer resin composition, and a method for fabricating a capacitor using the polymer resin composition are disclosed. The polymer resin composition includes about 75 to 93 percent by weight of a copolymer prepared from benzyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and hydroxyethyl methacrylate; about 1 to 7 percent by weight of a cross-linking agent; about 0.01 to 0.5 percent by weight of a thermal acid generator; about 0.01 to 1 percent by weight of a photoacid generator; about 0.00001 to 0.001 percent by weight of an organic base; and a solvent.
US07781138B2
A process for preparing toner particles and compositions adapted for use in preparing toners that comprise a blend of a first polyester resin with a second sharp melting polyester resin. The process includes forming an emulsion resin comprising a branched polyester resin, a crystalline polyester resin, a colorant, and optionally a wax. The resin mixture is aggregated using an aggregating agent, such as a zinc acetate solution, to form an aggregate mixture. The aggregate mixture is then coalesced at a temperature of from about 5 to about 20° C. above the Tg of the emulsion resin to produce the resultant toner particles.
US07781136B2
A toner comprising toner particles containing a colorant and a binder resin, the binder resin comprising a polyester resin, wherein the polyester resin comprises at least a polyester segment containing an aromatic dial component, the polyester segment being derived from an aromatic diol and a dicarboxylic acid, wherein a content of the polyester segment containing an aromatic dial component is higher in a surface-portion of the toner particle than in a central portion of the toner particle.
US07781133B2
A photoconductor that includes, for example, a backing layer, a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and a charge transport layer, and wherein the outermost layer of said backing layer is comprised of a self crosslinked acrylic resin and a crosslinkable siloxane component.
US07781125B2
A lithography mask blank used as a material for producing a lithography mask includes at least one thin film which is formed on a substrate and has a desired function. The blank has a nitrogen-containing thin film as the above-mentioned thin film and an ammonium ion production preventing layer for preventing production of ammonium ions, which is formed on the nitrogen-containing thin film or at least at a surface portion of the nitrogen-containing thin film and which is exposed on the surface of the lithography mask after the lithography mask is manufactured.
US07781110B2
A fuel cell system that is capable of handling gasified fuel in an aqueous solution tank includes an aqueous solution tank which holds fuel aqueous solution, a fuel cell including an anode supplied with the fuel aqueous solution from the aqueous solution tank, and a cathode provided with a catalyst containing platinum Pt, an air supplying unit including an air pump and arranged to supply air to the cathode in the fuel cell, and a gas guide arranged to add a gas containing gasified methanol from the aqueous solution tank to the air to be sent to the cathode.
US07781108B2
Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode.
US07781107B2
As a freezing judgment mechanism, comprised in a gas-liquid separator are electrodes and, an iron core, a magnetic absorption substance located within the water, and guides and for controlling the operation of the magnetic absorption substance. The control unit applies a voltage to the electrodes, changing the iron core to an electromagnet by the magnetic field generated between the electrodes. When not frozen, the electromagnet and the magnetic absorption substance are pulled together, the contact points A and B close, and a conductive state is achieved. When frozen, even if the electromagnet and the magnetic absorption substance are pulled together, ice exists between the two items, so it is difficult for the magnetic absorption substance to float upward. After voltage is applied to the electrodes, the control unit judges the water Wa within the gas-liquid separator to be frozen when a conductive state is not detected even after a specified time has elapsed.
US07781100B2
A cathode material including a first compound and a second compound is disclosed. The first compound has a formula of A3xM12y(PO4)3 and includes plural micrometer-sized secondary particles, each of which has a particle size larger than 1 μm and is composed of crystalline nanometer-sized primary particles, each of which has a particle size ranging from 10 to 500 nm. The second compound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of SiC, BN and metal oxide having a formula of M2aOb and is coated on the first compound. A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Groups IA, IIA and IIIA; each of M1 and M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Groups IIA, IIIA, IVA and VA and transition metal elements, respectively; and 0
US07781095B2
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode that has an uncoated region that is not coated with an active material along an edge, a negative electrode that has an uncoated region that is not coated with an active material along an edge, and a separator that is placed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The battery further comprises current collecting plates that are joined with the uncoated regions of the positive electrode and negative electrode while covering the uncoated regions, a case for housing the electrode assembly and the current collecting plates, and a cap assembly that is coupled with the case to seal it and includes terminals that are coupled with the current collecting plates.
US07781093B2
Disclosed herein are an electrode assembly having separators the upper ends of which are sealed and a secondary battery including the same. The electrode assembly has a cathode/separator/anode structure that can be charged and discharged. The separators, which protrude beyond the upper ends of the electrodes, are bent in one direction, the separators are heat-treated such that the bent state of the separators is fixed, and an insulative coating layer is formed at the bent surfaces of the separators. Consequently, foreign matter is prevented from being introduced into the electrode assembly, and therefore, the safety of electrode assembly is improved.
US07781087B2
An electro-conductive plate assembly for a fuel cell has a pair of stamped plates joined together to define a coolant volume therein. Each of the pair of stamped plates has a flow field on a major outer surface arranged to maximize the contact area between major inner surfaces of the plates while allowing coolant to distribute and flow readily within the coolant volume. The flow fields formed on the major outer surfaces provide corresponding sets of lands on the major inner surfaces that contact to form a third flow field of the coolant volume. The third flow field formed by the lands includes a plurality of longitudinal channels and an array of flow disruptors. The bipolar plate assembly further includes a seal arrangement and integral manifolds to direct reactant gas and coolant flow through the fuel cell.
US07781078B2
A method and system for magnetic recording using self-organized magnetic nanoparticles is disclosed. The method may include depositing surfactant coated nanoparticles on a substrate, wherein the surfactant coated nanoparticles represent first bits of recorded information. The surfactant coating is then removed from selected of the surfactant coated nanoparticles. The selected nanoparticles with their surfactant coating removed may then be designated to represent second bits of recorded information. The surfactant coated nanoparticles have a first saturation magnetic moment and the selected nanoparticles with the surfactant coating removed have a second saturation magnetic moment. Therefore, by selectively removing the surfactant coating from certain nanoparticles, a write operation for recording the first and second bits of information may be performed. A read operation may be carried out by detecting the different magnetic moments of the surfactant coated nanoparticles and the non-surfactant coated nanoparticles.
US07781077B2
A phosphorescent OLED uses a phosphorescent dopant in the emissive layer, the dopant includes a metal complex containing a plurality of moieties linking to a transition metal ion. One or more of the moieties contain a ligand with a C—SP3 carbon center. The transition metal ion can be an iridium ion. The C—SP3 carbon is linked to a chalcogen atom in an ion form, a nitrogen-containing heterocylic ring and two functional groups, wherein each of the functional groups is selected from aryl, alkyl and heteroaryl. The tetrahedral structure of this carbon center hinders close packing and intermolecular interactions and, therefore, renders the transport of holes in the light-emitting device more efficient. With such chemical structure and property, the self-quenching characteristics of the dopant in high doping concentration can be effectively reduced.
US07781075B2
An organic light-emitting device is provided, which comprises an anode, a cathode and a light-emitting layer between them. An organic light-emitting material having the structure of Formulas I or II is doped in the light-emitting layer. In the Formulas I and II, R1˜R9 are H, F, CF3, NO2, an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group or any combinations thereof; and M is a transition metal atom.
US07781074B2
An organic electroluminescent element comprising a pair of electrodes and at least one organic compound layer including a luminescent layer between the pair of electrodes, wherein at least one of the at least one organic compound layer comprises a compound represented by the following formula (I): wherein in formula (I), Q1 represents an atomic group necessary for forming an unsaturated ring together with the carbon atom; Q2 and Q3 each independently represent an atomic group necessary for forming an unsaturated ring together with the nitrogen atom; X represents a partial structure comprising an atom that is linked to the platinum atom; A1 represents a linking group; B1, B2 and B3 each independently represent a linking group or a single bond; m and n each independently represent 0 or 1; and at least one of m and n is not 1.
US07781071B2
The present invention provides extruded tubes for heat exchangers having improved corrosion resistance when used alone and when part of a brazed heat exchanger assembly with compatible finstock. The tubes are formed from a first aluminum alloy containing 0.4 to 1.1% by weight manganese, up to 0.01% by weight copper, up to 0.05% by weight zinc, up to 0.2% by weight iron, up to 0.2% by weight silicon, up to 0.01% by weight nickel, up to 0.05% by weight titanium and the balance aluminum and incidental impurities. The fins are formed from a second aluminum alloy containing 0.9 to 1.5% by weight manganese or an alloy of the AA3003 type, this second aluminum alloy further containing at least 0.5% by weight zinc.
US07781066B2
A multilayer ceramic substrate includes a base layer made of an aggregate of a first powder including a glass material and a first ceramic material, a constraining layer made of an aggregate of a second powder including a second ceramic material that is not sintered at a temperature at which the glass material melts, an intermediate layer made of an aggregate of a third powder including a viscosity-reducing material that reduces the viscosity of the melt of the glass material, and a conductive film disposed along at least one main surface of the base layer, the constraining layer, and the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is arranged such that one main surface thereof is in contact with the base layer and the other main surface thereof is in contact with the constraining layer. At least a portion of the first powder is in a sintered state. The second powder is in an unsintered state, and particles of the second powder are bonded to each other by diffusion or flow of a portion of the first powder including the glass material and a portion of the third powder into the constraining layer.
US07781057B2
The present invention provides for a resin mixture that comprises a highly structured resin 40 and a less structured resin 50. The highly structured resin 40 and the less structured resin 50 are mixed to a ratio of between 1:9 and 4:1 by volume, with a more particular ratio of 1:5 to 3:1. The highly structured resin forms ordered micro regions and the ordered micro regions impose order on surrounding less structured resin molecules. The micro regions are essentially groups of the HS resin that will naturally form order structures.
US07781052B2
In making a particle board by forming a mat from particles obtained from a wooden material and pressing the mat, a particle board light in weight and excellent in strength, dimensional stability and surface properties can be made at a low cost by using a wooden material of low specific gravity and carrying out the press of the particle board with a high compression ratio in mat thickness before and after the press.
US07781048B2
A transparent conductive multilayer body of the present invention is characterized by having: a transparent film base; an SiOx film (x is no less than 1.5 and less than 2) which is provided on one surface of the above described film base in accordance with a dry process, and has a thickness of 1 nm to 30 nm and a relative index of refraction of 1.6 to 1.9; an SiO2 film which is provided on the above described SiOx film and has a thickness of 10 nm to 50 nm; and a transparent conductive thin film which is provided on the above described SiO2 film and has a thickness of 20 nm to 35 nm.
US07781046B2
A shingle and a method of making it is provided in which the rear surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.
US07781045B2
The present invention provides electrolyte sheets for solid oxide fuel cells, the electrolyte sheets being able to improve their adhesion to electrode films formed on both surfaces thereof and being also able to improve electric power generation characteristics of fuel cells by an increase in their electrode reaction areas. There is disclosed an electrolyte sheet for solid oxide fuel cells including a sintered sheet, wherein surface roughness of the sheet as measured by an optical and laser-based non-contact three-dimensional profile measuring system is 2.0 to 20 μm in Rz and 0.20 to 3.0 μm in Ra, and wherein a ratio of Rz of one surface (having a greater Rz and a greater Ra) to Rz of the other surface having a smaller Rz and a smaller Ra is in a range of 1.0 to 3.0, and a ratio of Ra of one surface (having a greater Rz and a greater Ra) to Ra of the other surface having a smaller Rz and a smaller Ra is in a range of 1.0 to 3.0, and a ratio of Rmax to Rz (Rmax/Rz ratio) of at least one surface is in a range of 1.0 to 2.0.
US07781042B2
The present invention relates to an optical storage medium using nanoparticles, and more specifically to a multi-layer optical storage medium.According to the invention, the optical storage medium has two or more storage layers with nanoparticles, each storage layer being made of a dielectric material, wherein the dielectric materials of at least two storage layers have a different dielectric permittivity.
US07781036B2
A flexible pouch for cooking a food item using microwave energy. The pouch includes a base configured to retain hot gases above atmospheric pressure within the pouch to heat and cook the food item when the package is exposed to microwave energy. The pouch also includes a cover comprising a sealant layer and a score layer. The score layer includes a weak portion which ruptures and vents the pouch at a predictable location when pressure within the pouch due to the hot gasses exceeds a predetermined pressure.
US07781035B2
A container for precision substrate having one or more component formed by molding a thermoplastic resin, characterized in that the component satisfies characteristics [1] and [2] below. [1] When being brought to contact ultra high purity argon gas (impurity concentration: 1 ppb or less) at 25° C. having a flow rate of 1.2 L/min., a water amount in said argon gas after 300 minutes is 30 ppb or less per a surface area 1 cm2 of the component. [2] When being placed in the air at 100° C., an increase amount of organics in the air in 300 minutes is 150 ng or less per weight 1 g of the component. According to the container, demands for low contamination can be satisfied.
US07781025B2
A tool having a grip head and a stem is placed behind the body panel to which the fuel door is hinged. The grip head interfaces with the goose neck of the fuel door at a location not visible to an onlooker when the fuel door is at its open position. The grip head has a predetermined shape which allows it to grasp the goose neck, whereby rotation of the stem (manually or robotically) results in opening and closing of the fuel door selectively as needed for a painting process to ensue.
US07781010B2
An apparatus for coating medical devices at the point of care with a polymer and/or therapeutic agent comprising an environmentally controlled device coating chamber in which the device may be delivered by the manufacturer as the device packaging, or the device may be placed into the chamber at the point of care. The environmentally controlled chamber can provide a sterile enclosure in which the polymer and/or a therapeutic agent can be applied to an uncoated or previously coated device and converted to another form (such as a liquid to a film or gel) if desired, under controlled and reproducible conditions. The environmentally controlled chamber can accommodate and provide for coating the device by immersion, spray and other methods of covering the device surface with a liquid or powder. The chamber can provide for energy sources, both internally, such as heat produced by film heaters, and externally, such as UV light or microwave passing through the enclosure. The chamber may allow for changes in atmosphere to affect the coating, such as the introduction of certain gases and introducing pressure or vacuum.
US07781009B2
The present invention discloses a sugar-free hard coating prepared from a liquid maltitol syrup comprising DP4+ fraction. In the chewing gum process, the liquid maltitol can be applied at high dry substance, i.e. higher than 65%. The obtained hard coating is crunchy, non-sticky and is not cracking during post-processing.
US07780999B2
The present invention relates to a method for distilling an alcoholic mixture under reduced pressure, wherein a portion of the fluid alcoholic mixture is distilled at a temperature below about 0° C. such that the fluid alcoholic mixture remains fluid while distilling. The present invention further relates to condensing the alcoholic distillate with a first condenser at a first condenser temperature of from about −269° C. to about −15° C. to provide a first alcoholic condensate. The alcoholic mixtures contemplated for use according to the method of the present invention include, but are not limited to, gin, vodka, rum, or neutral spirits. The present invention also relates to an alcoholic beverage prepared by the reduced pressure distillation method of the invention.
US07780997B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutically active extracts of Vitex leucoxylon exhibiting hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory properties. This extract is suitable for administrating to animals and humans in treating diabetes, liver disorders and related inflammatory diseases. The extract is found suitable for treating insulin and non-insulin diabetes mellitus.
US07780977B2
A medicinal composition comprising: (a) a core comprising a medicinally effective unit dose of one or more active medicaments; and (b) said medicament(s) being enclosed within a film material which comprises at least 40% by weight hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose.
US07780972B2
A semi-flexible insecticide strip is removably attached to the belt of a pelt collar to regenerate a pest-killing medicament and increase its efficacy. The strip is secured to the belt surface that faces the animal skin or fur by attachment loops or edged retainers that are generally perpendicular to the length direction of the belt. Due to the geometry and elasticity of the semi-flexible insecticide strip, and its attachment method, the strip contacts the skin or fur of the animal despite movement of the pet collar when the animal is being exercised with a pet leash attached thereto. The contact effectively transfers the insecticide and kills ticks and fleas or retards development of mature flea adults. The insecticide is contained within a plurality of plastic pores of the insecticide strip or in a sponge affixed thereto.
US07780967B2
A Clostridial toxin pharmaceutical composition comprising a Clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum toxin and a polysaccharide, such as a hydroxyethyl starch, wherein the pharmaceutical composition has a reduced toxicity. The Clostridial toxin pharmaceutical composition can be essentially free of any blood or serum derived proteins, filtrates or fractions.
US07780966B2
An artificial invasin complex is prepared from purified or recombinantly prepared invasins and gram negative bacteria lipopolysaccharides. Typically, IpaB is mixed with IpaC to form a IpaB:IpaC complex. This invasin protein complex is then mixed with the lipopolysaccharide to form an artificial invasin complex. Additional bioactive molecules can be incorporated into the complex during manufacture. This artificial invasin complex is similar in function to native Invaplex 24 or Invaplex 50. The artificial invasin complex has superior immunogenicity properties relative to the native complex and can be tailor made. Its method of preparation lends itself to scale up. The artificial invasin complex can facilitate transport of biomolecules, therapeutics and antibiotics across cell membranes in a manner similar to native Shigella Invaplex.
US07780963B2
The present invention relates to antibodies that differentially recognize multi-dimensional conformations of Aβ-derived diffusible ligands, also known as ADDLs. The antibodies of the invention can distinguish between Alzheimer's Disease and control human brain extracts and are useful in methods of detecting ADDLs and diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease. The present antibodies also block binding of ADDLs to neurons, assembly of ADDLS, and tau phosphorylation and are there useful in methods for the preventing and treating diseases associated with soluble oligomers of amyloid β1-42.
US07780962B2
The subject invention relates to viruses that are able to replicate and thereby kill neoplastic cells with a deficiency in the IFN-mediated antiviral response, and their use in treating neoplastic disease including cancer and large tumors. RNA and DNA viruses are useful in this regard. The invention also relates to methods for the selection, design, purification and use of such viruses for cancer therapy.
US07780958B2
The present invention relates to a bio-stable hydrogel for use in the treatment and prevention of incontinence and vesicouretal reflux. The hydrogel is obtainable by combining acrylamide and methylene bis-acrylamide in amounts to provide about 0.5 to 25% by weight polyacrylamide, based on the total weight of the hydrogel.
US07780957B2
The invention provides block copolymers formed of poly(ethylene glycol) segments and poly(amino acid derivative) segments having side chains of at least one kind of specific amine residue. The invention also provides polyion complexes of such copolymers with polynucleotides and the like. These block copolymers are useful as carriers for in vivo delivery of active substances such as DNA.
US07780945B2
A method that allows producing hydrogen from methanol in a simple manner and an apparatus that is small in size and light in weight, which can produce hydrogen from methanol, are provided. The apparatus comprises a container (4) that retains liquid methanol (2) as a source material and gases (3) generated therein, a substrate (5) that is immersed in liquid methanol (2) in the container (4) loaded with a catalyst, and a power supply (6) for passing a direct or an alternating current through the substrate (5). The substrate may be made of an oxide or oxidized material, especially oxidized diamond, and loaded with a transition metal catalyst, especially Ni catalyst. With the substrate (5) heated, a novel catalytic methanol decomposition reaction occurs by a combination of abrupt temperature gradient directing towards methanol from the surface of the substrate, a catalysis of the oxide or oxidized material of the substrate and a catalysis of the catalyst loaded on the substrate, and a large amount of hydrogen gas is produced.
US07780936B2
Process for manufacturing an electrochemical device including a cathode, an anode and at least one electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein at least one of the cathode, the anode and the electrolyte membrane, contains at least a ceramic material.
US07780934B2
A process is described that removes by chemical oxidation the excess ammonia (NH3) gas from flue gases that have been subjected to selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by ammonia injection. Methods for the removal of residual ammonia from flue gases prior to fouling air pre-heaters or deposition on fly ash are discussed.
US07780931B2
Process for preparing TiO2 powders starting from a liquid comprising chlorinated titanium compounds, the process comprising: a) atomizing said liquid and reacting the atomized liquid with a flow of steam and air at a temperature of 100-250° C. for converting said chlorinated titanium compounds to titanium dioxide TiO2; b) the gaseous phase and the entrained TiO2 powders obtained from step a) are then fed to an oven operated at a temperature in the range 400-900° C. to remove the residual organic compounds and hydrochloridic acid from said powders.
US07780929B2
The present invention provides a fluid mixing apparatus having a numbering-up mechanism that distributes plural kinds of fluids and concurrently performs multiple mixing or reactions, comprising: a rectifying section having a plurality of annular channels that rectify the plural kinds of fluids into respective concentric annular flows; a distribution section having a plurality of distribution channels that distribute the plural kinds of fluids rectified by the rectifying section into a plurality of flows; a converging section having a plurality of converging channels that converge different kinds of fluids among the plural kinds of fluids distributed by the distribution section; and a mixing/reaction section having a plurality of mixing/reaction channels that cause mixing or reaction of the plural kinds of fluids converged by the converging section, wherein a plurality of pressure loss increasing devices are provided in the distribution channels.
US07780924B2
An apparatus for making a combustible gas that comprises a vessel filled with a liquid, a submerged electric arc between a moving anode acting on a cathode moving in a direction perpendicular to the anode. An incandescence of an interface area between the electrodes is enclosed on all sides by insulating skirts, except for clearances suitable for the flow of the liquid through the electric arc and the exit of the liquid. The gas produced by the submerged electric arc acting on the liquid, bubbles to the surface of the liquid for collection at a desired pressure, physical and chemical esoenergetic reactions caused by the electric arc generate heat acquired by the liquid, which can be used to in an external heat exchanger to generate steam or electricity, and solid residues accumulate in strainers placed along a liquid flow for periodic collection.
US07780920B2
A system and method are provided for monitoring and controlling a sterilization system. Briefly described, the system can be implemented as follows. A current transformer is operatively associated with a source of power for a radiation source. A power meter is operatively associated with the source of power. The power meter is also operatively associated with the current transformer. The power meter is designed to monitor the source of power to confirm the radiation source provides a desired dosage.
US07780917B2
A device and method are provided for the reliable calibration of detector units for the detection of low-molecular substances in a liquid flow.
US07780915B2
The present invention includes devices and methods for the detection of an analyte in a fecal sample. The fecal sample test device includes a sample collection structure and sample collection housing, a detection housing, a fecal suspension solution or fecal dilution solution, a detection housing capable of attachment to the collection housing and an analyte detecting means. When attached, the collection housing permits a portion of liquid extracted sample to fluidly flow into the detection housing where the analyte detection means detects the presence or quantity of an analyte suspected of being present in the fecal sample.
US07780913B2
A system for warning of corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances. The system comprises painting a surface with a paint or coating that includes an indicator material and monitoring the surface for indications of the corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances.
US07780908B2
An austenitic stainless steel includes (a) 0.03 wt % to 0.12 wt % of C, (b) 0.2 wt % to 1.0 wt % of Si, (c) 8.55 wt % to 10.12 wt % of Mn, (d) 14.0 wt % to 16.0 wt % of Cr, (e) 4.05 wt % to 4.31 wt % of Ni, (f) 0.04 wt % to 0.07 wt % of N, (g) 1.0 wt % to 3.5 wt % of Cu, (h) trace amount of Mo, and the balance being Fe and incidental impurities. The austenitic stainless steel has a δ-ferrite content less than 8.5 and equal to 6.77[(d)+(h)+1.5(b)]−4.85[(e)+30(a)+30(f)+0.5(c)+0.3(g)]−52.75.
US07780906B2
A device for control of bubbling of a metal bath in a ladle or in another similar metallurgical vessel including a bottom injector linked to a source of supply of pressurized stirring gas to be injected with aid of a pipe provided with a facility for adjusting flow rate, at least one vibration sensor mounted on the vessel itself or on a support frame, a signal processing unit processing a vibratory signal gathered by the sensor, and wherein the signal processing unit includes at least, and in successive order of processing of the vibratory signal, a high-pass analog filter, a digitizer, a digital filter calibrated on vibratory responses of the ladle, and a computer for computing a sliding temporal quadratic mean of RMS type.
US07780904B2
The invention provides a method for manufacturing spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics that can reduce the diameter of a filament without decreasing productivity and can stably produce nonwoven fabrics, comprising: quenching a multiple number of continuous melt-spun filaments through spinning nozzles with quench air fed to a quenching chamber, drawing the filaments, and depositing the filaments on a moving collector surface, wherein the quench air fed to the quenching chamber is divided into at least 2 streams in vertical direction, and an air velocity of the quench air in the lowermost stream is set higher than that of the 50 quench air in the uppermost stream. The invention also provides an apparatus for manufacturing spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics, wherein quench air fed to the quenching chamber is divided into at least 2 streams in the vertical direction, wherein the velocities of the quench air are independently controllable in the respective streams.
US07780898B2
A method and apparatus for manufacturing and inspecting plastic containers. The apparatus may comprise a blow-molder comprising a plurality of molds and spindles for forming a plastic container from a preform. The apparatus may also comprise an inspection device, located in the blow-molder, for inspecting the plastic container after formation by the blow-molder. The inspection device may comprise (i) two or more light energy sources for directing light energy from an exterior of the plastic container toward the plastic container after formation of the plastic container by the blow-molder, and (ii) two or more light energy sensors, each light energy sensor operatively associated with one of the light energy sources, wherein each light energy sensor is for sensing a portion of the light energy that passes through of the plastic container and generating a signal from the sensed portion of the light energy that passes through the plastic container that is related to the light energy absorbed by the plastic container. The apparatus may also comprise a transfer arm in the blow molder for transporting the plastic container along the transport path through the inspection device. The apparatus may also comprise a microprocessor in communication with the inspection device for (i) determining a container attribute of the plastic container based on the signals related to the light energy absorbed by the plastic container; and (ii) determining the mold involved in formation of the plastic container based on at least one signal received by the microprocessor.
US07780894B2
Disclosed is a tilt-up wall system that defines a space to receive a material, such as concrete. The system can include a plurality of forms and an opening system. The opening system defines the location of an opening that will receive a window, door, or other structure mountable or installable into the tilt-up wall. The opening system can include one or more corner assemblies, one or more spacer members, one or more lower supports, and one or more upper supports.
US07780884B2
Embodiments of the present invention teach a method for post-mold treatment of a molded article and an apparatus for implementing the method. For example, a method of post-mold treatment of a molded article is provided. The method can be implemented in a molded article receptacle. The method comprises at a first instance in time, subjecting the molded article to a first type of post-mold treatment; and at a second instance in time, subjecting the molded article to a second type of post-mold treatment.
US07780876B2
A colloidal solution of fine particles of metal or alloy having an average grain size of 10 nm or more is provided which is heat treated to cause coloration, or a metal colloidal pigment having inherent color, a conductive paste material or a conductive ink for printed substrate electronic parts or the like based on a colloid prepared by dispersing fine metal particles at high concentration in a liquid is provided.
US07780875B2
The present invention relates to a process of producing composite materials by a sol/gel-process, comprising carbon nanoparticles and organic polymer material. The invention further relates to composite materials, which are manufactured with the use of said sol/gel technology.
US07780874B2
The present invention relates to a multi-phase liquid composition comprising a conductive fluid and a non-conductive fluid, the non-conductive fluid being immiscible in the conductive fluid, the composition having a mean arithmetic cinematic viscosity of between about 1.5 cSt and about 40 cSt, within a temperature range of about −20° C. to about +70° C. The invention also pertains to an optical electrowetting device comprising said multi-phase liquid composition, as well as an optical lens driven by electrowetting, and apparatus comprising the same.
US07780870B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal composition including a siloxane polymer, a nematic liquid crystal compound substituted with at least one fluorine atom, and at least one dichroic dye; and a liquid crystal composition including a siloxane polymer having liquid crystalline group at the side chain of the polymer, a low molecular-weight liquid crystal compound, and a dichroic dye, in which the dielectric constant anisotropy of the liquid crystal composition is changed from being positive to being negative when the frequency of the voltage to be applied is increased.
US07780858B2
A system for reducing or preventing the growth of organisms in the process water used to coat glass fibers with a formaldehyde-free binder composition. One or more biocides is added to the process water that mitigates the growth of microbes in the water. The biocides are added in an amount sufficient to minimize growth of organisms without adversely affecting the application of the binder composition to the glass fibers.
US07780853B2
The present invention relates to methods for conducting maintenance on chromatography columns used in industrial-scale chromatography. In particular, the invention is concerned with safer methods for performing maintenance on such columns, such as cleaning and replacing bed supports, distributors, nozzles, O-rings and other column components, by the use of a handling device to support, lift, carry and manipulate such column components.
US07780852B2
A system for producing energy includes a solvent chamber, a pressure chamber and a semi-permeable barrier separating the solvent chamber from the pressure chamber.The solvent chamber holds a solvent, and the pressure chamber hold a solute solution comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent. The semi-permeable barrier is permeable to solvent molecules and impermeable to solute molecules. Solvent molecules effuse across the semi-permeable barrier into the solute solution of the closed pressure chamber to increase the pressure of the pressure chamber, thereby generating energy in the form of hydrostatic pressure. A conversion device may convert the increased pressure in the pressure chamber to energy. The solute solution may be expelled and recycled after use.
US07780841B2
A sensor array for sensing at least one of chemical moieties and biological moieties is provided. The sensor array comprises a plurality of working electrodes electrically associated with a reference electrode, each working electrode in combination with the reference electrode forming a transducer. Each working electrode is provided with a coating of a sensing element comprised of an ionizable moiety and a functional group sensitive to one of the chemical and/or biological moieties.
US07780837B2
The present invention relates to electrolytic recovery of metal, and in particular methods and apparatus for producing cathode plates suitable for such electrolytic recovery. The invention provides a method of providing an electrically conductive coating on a cathode plate comprising inverting and submerging an upper portion of the cathode plate in an electrolytic bath adjacent at least one anode and applying a current to electroplate the upper portion of the cathode plate wherein each anode includes: i) a first base portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a hanger bar of said cathode plate; ii) a second extended portion connected to and extending from the base portion and adapted to be positioned adjacent a blade of the cathode plate wherein the profile of each anode is shaped such that in use, a consistent thickness of coating is electroplated over said hanger bar and cathode blade.
US07780834B2
An apparatus and method for electrochemically modifying the retention of a species on a chromatography material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing having an effluent flow channel adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough. The effluent flow channel comprises chromatography material. The apparatus further comprises first and second electrodes positioned such that at least a portion of the chromatography material is disposed between the first and second electrodes, and fluid flow through the apparatus is between, and in contact with, the first and second electrodes.
US07780829B2
A sensor element for the determination of the concentration of gas components in a gas mixture, particularly of the concentration of gas components in the exhaust of internal combustion engines, with two electrodes, that together with a solid electrolyte constitute a pumping cell, whose outer pumping electrode is exposed to the gas mixture by way of a porous protective layer, and with a reference electrode, which is disposed on the solid electrolyte and is exposed to a reference gas, and which with a solid electrolyte and a Nernst electrode constitutes a concentration or Nernst cell, is thereby characterized in that at least periodically the Nernst voltage between the outer pumping electrode and the Nernst electrode is tapped and analyzed.
US07780826B2
There is disclosed a method for producing a Cr-doped FeCoB based target material that can be used efficiently in magnetron sputtering processes and has a low magnetic permeability. In the method for producing the target material, there are firstly provided raw-materials of two or more kinds of FeCoB based alloy powders which are different in composition from each other, wherein at least one of the FeCoB based alloy powders comprises Fe and Co in a total amount of 60 atom % or more such that Fe:Co atomic ratio is within a range of 70:30 to 40:60, and comprises Cr in an amount which is from 15 to 25 atom % greater than B. Then, the two or more kinds of the FeCoB based alloy powder are mixed and consolidated to form a target material.
US07780825B2
A substrate holding and transporting assembly is disclosed. The substrate holding and transporting assembly includes a base plate and a pair of clamps connected to the base plate in a spaced apart orientation, the spaced apart orientation of the pair of clamps enable support of a substrate with at least two independent points. The substrate holding and transporting assembly also includes an electrode assembly connected to the base plate at a location that is substantially between the pair of clamps. The electrode assembly defined to impart an electrical contact to the substrate when present and held by the pair of clamps.
US07780808B2
A method of reinforcing a laminated wing skin (10) for an aircraft. The method comprises laying-up a plurality of fibers to form the laminated wing skin (10). A composite reinforcement member (14) is positioned on a surface (16) of the laminated skin (10) and one or more further layers are laid up so as to enclose the composite reinforcing member (14) at a position adjacent one surface of the laminated skin (10).
US07780802B2
A process for making Al—Zn—Mg alloy products, and products formed according to such processes are disclosed. The present invention provides a product having an improved compromise between mechanical characteristics and corrosion strength.
US07780786B2
An internal member of a plasma processing vessel includes a base material and a film formed by thermal spraying of ceramic on a surface of the base material. The film is formed of ceramic which includes at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of B, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Cr, Y, Zr, Ta, Ce and Nd. In addition, at least a portion of the film is sealed by a resin.
US07780785B2
An apparatus and method for performing a cyclical layer deposition process, such as atomic layer deposition is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a substrate support having a substrate receiving surface, and a chamber lid comprising a tapered passageway extending from a central portion of the chamber lid and a bottom surface extending from the passageway to a peripheral portion of the chamber lid, the bottom surface shaped and sized to substantially cover the substrate receiving surface. The apparatus also includes one or more valves coupled to the gradually expanding channel, and one or more gas sources coupled to each valve.
US07780784B2
A molding assembly for forming an ingot, including side members each having engaging end portions, the engaging end portions of the side members being engaged with respective ones of the side members such that the side members form a polygonal prism having sides, corners, a top opening and a bottom opening, the engaging end portions of the side members engaging to form connecting portions positioned in the sides, and a bottom member fitted to close the bottom opening of the polygonal prism so as to form a molding device for molding a molten material into an ingot.
US07780783B2
The invention provides an apparatus for producing a single crystal, and a method for producing a silicon single crystal using the same. An apparatus for producing a single crystal includes a heating device which heats polycrystalline silicon raw material held in a crucible to form silicon melt, and a pulling up device which grows a silicon single crystal while pulling it up from the silicon melt accompanied with rotation. By providing the apparatus with a magnetic field generation unit which applies to the silicon melt a cusp magnetic field a shape of neutral plane of which is symmetric around the rotation axis of the silicon single crystal and is curved in the upward direction, various conditions for producing a silicon single crystal having a defect free region is relaxed, and a silicon single crystal having a defect free region is produced at high efficiency.
US07780781B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a method for producing an aggregate is disclosed comprising mixing IBA and a second, silicoaluminous material having a calcium content less than the IBA. The method further comprises agglomerating the mixture, such as by pelletizing, and pyroprocessing the agglomerates, such as by sintering or vitrification, to form the aggregate. The second material may be a clay, such as bentonite or kaolin, a mining waste, such as granite sawing residues, waste glass, or furnace bottom ash, for example. The addition of the second material has been found to facilitate production of lightweight and normal weight aggregates. Preferably, the IBA or the mixture of IBA and the second material are wet milled prior to agglomeration. A lightweight sintered aggregate comprising IBA and the second material and an aggregate comprising IBA and the second material are also disclosed.
US07780780B2
According to the method of producing organic pigment fine particles of the present invention, when producing organic pigment fine particles by allowing two or more solutions at least one of which is an organic pigment solution in which an organic pigment is dissolved to flow through a microchannel, the organic pigment solution flows through the microchannel in a non-laminar state. Accordingly, the contact area of solutions per unit time can be increased and the length of diffusion mixing can be shortened, and thus instantaneous mixing of solutions becomes possible. As a result, nanometer-scale monodisperse organic pigment fine particles can be produced in a stable manner.
US07780774B2
A method of making a phase change ink composition includes adding to a device with a stirring element at least one pigment, at least one dispersant and at least one synergist, processing the device at an elevated temperature and at a stirring rate to wet the at least one pigment to obtain an ink concentrate, and mixing the ink concentrate with an ink vehicle to obtain the ink composition. The device may be an extruder, an attritor or the like. The method allows for the reduction in the amount of dispersant to include in the ink.
US07780773B2
Pre-treatment compositions include organic liquids and cross-linking initiators. Pre-treatment compositions are included in ink sets that also include oil-based ink compositions. Oil-based ink compositions include organic liquids, unsaturated fatty materials having terminal polar functional groups, colorants, and metal salts. Methods for ink-jet printing use pre-treatment compositions and oil-based ink compositions.
US07780764B2
The present invention relates generally to processes and systems for recovering helium from low helium-containing feed gases (i.e., containing less than about 10 volume % helium and more typically, less than about 5% helium by volume). The present invention more particularly relates to processes and systems for recovering helium from low helium-containing feed gases using temperature swing adsorption (TSA) systems and multiple (e.g. two) stage vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) systems. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the first stage VPSA system is configured to provide regeneration gas for the TSA system, and/or the VPSA second stage tail gas is recycled to the first stage VPSA system.
US07780759B2
A direct reduction process for a solid metalliferous material having a particle size distribution that at least in part contains micron sized particles includes supplying the metalliferous material, a solid carbonaceous material, an oxygen-containing gas, and a fluidizing gas into a fluidized bed in a vessel and maintaining the fluidized bed in the vessel, at least partially reducing metalliferous material in the vessel, and discharging a product stream that comprises the partially reduced metalliferous material from the vessel. The process includes (a) establishing and maintaining a carbon-rich zone within the fluidized bed; (b) passing metalliferous material, including metallized material (which term includes partially metallized material), through the carbon-rich zone; and (c) injecting the oxygen-containing gas into the carbon-rich zone and oxidizing metallized material, solid carbonaceous material and other oxidizable solids and gases and causing controlled agglomeration of particles.
US07780756B2
The disclosure is directed to a process for producing separable iron and titanium oxides from an ore containing titanium oxide and ferric oxide, comprising: (a) forming agglomerates comprising carbon-based materials and the ore, the quantity of carbon of the agglomerates being sufficient for, at an elevated temperature, reducing ferric oxide to ferrous oxide and forming a ferrous oxide-rich molten slag, (b) introducing the agglomerates onto a carbon bed of a moving hearth furnace; (c) heating the agglomerates in the moving hearth furnace to a temperature sufficient for reducing and melting the agglomerates to produce a ferrous oxide-rich molten slag; (d) metallizing the ferrous oxide of the molten slag by reaction of the ferrous oxide and the carbon of the carbon bed at a furnace temperature sufficient for maintaining the slag in a molten state; and (e) solidifying the slag after metallization of the ferrous oxide to form a matrix of titanium oxide-rich slag having a plurality of metallic iron granules distributed there through; and (f) separating the metallic iron granules from the slag, the slag comprising greater than 85% titanium dioxide based on the entire weight of the matrix after separation of the metallic iron. The disclosure is also directed to a metallization product of a ferrous oxide-rich molten slag.
US07780752B2
A cyclone dust-separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The cyclone dust-separating apparatus includes a cyclone unit having a cyclone chamber to whirl first air drawn in from the outside thus to separate dust or dirt therefrom, a filter unit disposed in a filtering chamber located in a downstream of the cyclone unit and having a filter to filter dust or dirt from the first air, a cleaning unit to brush away the dust or dirt accumulated in the filter by using second air drawn in from the outside, and a dust collecting unit to collect and store the dust or dirt separated from the first air by the cyclone chamber and the dust or dirt brushed away from the filter by the cleaning unit.
US07780740B2
A method of implanting a prosthetic acetabular cup into a patient is disclosed. The method comprises gaining access to an acetabulum of the patient, where the acetabulum includes an inner portion formed of bone and an outer portion formed of articular cartilage. The method also comprises creating a recess within the articular cartilage of the outer portion of the acetabulum without removing any portion of bone from the inner portion of the acetabulum. The recess is shaped to mate with a snap-fit structure of the prosthetic acetabular cup. Finally, the method comprises securely engaging the prosthetic acetabular cup with the acetabulum by snap-fitting the snap-fit structure of the prosthetic acetabular cup with the recess in the articular cartilage of the outer portion of the acetabulum.
US07780737B2
The invention relates to a system which is used to replace ball bone joints. The inventive system consists of: a bone anchoring shell (1) comprising a smooth articular surface (7) on the inner concave face thereof; a prosthesis (5) comprising a polished ball (4) and a neck (6) which is characterised in that it is smooth and slightly flared, in order to enable a wear-free low friction movement; and a mobile articular cup (3) which slides (i) on the ball (4) and the neck (6) of a prosthesis (5) and (ii) in the smooth cavity (7) of the bone anchoring shell (1) and which is characterised in that the opening (8) in said cup (3) tapers towards the center thereof, with an inside diameter (9) of equal to or less than that of the ball (4), such that the flared part adapts perfectly to the flared neck (6) in all of the respective positions of the mobile parts.
US07780730B2
A method for non-surgically treating an internal nasal valve of a patient comprising, injecting a working device into the internal nasal valve of the patient, wherein the injected working device in the nasal tissue causes an alteration of an internal or external nasal valve. A device introduced by injection into the nose, allowing for structural support or filling of defects in the nose, and causing a change in external shape of the nose. The device and inserts and implants described also have use in cosmetic applications relating to the facial tissue.
US07780720B2
An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angiological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.
US07780716B2
The invention is directed to a delivery system for delivering a medical device. The delivery system includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end. The inner member defines a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end. A tip is formed at the distal end of the inner member. A bumper is freely disposed on the inner member. The bumper has a proximal end and a distal end. A seat is defined between the tip and the distal end of the bumper. Additionally, a sheath is disposed about the inner member, the sheath having a proximal end and a distal end. The sheath is movable from a first sheath position substantially covering the seat, and a second sheath position axially offset to expose the seat. The invention also includes a handle in contact with the proximal end of the inner member.
US07780708B2
There is provided an implant retaining device, which has the effect of preventing an intervertebral implant from jutting out of the receiving bed. The implant retaining device generally includes a plate having at least one throughbore to receive a screw, and a screw for securing the plate to the vertebrae. The plate may be dimensioned to cover a portion of the opening of a receiving bed, and thus, need only be secured to a single vertebral body. In an alternate embodiment, the plate may be used during bone fracture correction procedures to prevent a bone screw from backing out of engagement with adjacent bone sections. A method of retaining an intervertebral implant using the device is also provided.
US07780706B2
A pedicle screw assembly (10) that includes a cannulated pedicle screw (20) having a scalloped shank (24), a swivel top head 30 having inclined female threads (44) in a left and right arm (34, 36) to prevent splaying, a set screw (50) having mating male threads 52, a rod conforming washer (60) that is rotatably coupled to the set screw (50), the conforming washer including reduced ends to induce a coupled rod (80) to bend. A rod reduction system including an inner and an outer cannula (90, 100), the inner cannula (90) including a left and right arm (92, 94) that engage the swivel top head's (30) left and right arm (34, 36) and the outer cannula (100) dimensioned to securely slide over the inner cannula (90) to reduce the rod (80) into the swivel top head's (30) rod receiving area (38).
US07780703B2
A device is disclosed for securing a spinal rod to the spine which includes a head portion configured to receive a spinal rod, a locking cap configured to engage the head portion and the spinal rod upon rotation of the locking cap relative to the head portion to secure the position of the head portion relative to the spinal rod, and a fastener portion depending from the head portion and configured to engage the spine. The locking cap has discontinuous opposed engagement flanges that are received within opposed engagement slots of the head portion when the locking cap is rotated into a locked position.
US07780698B2
A low-cost disposable tourniquet cuff having improved safety includes a cuff with opposing ends and an inflatable bladder having a first bladder side and a second bladder side. The bladder has a length dimension that is greater than the circumference of a limb of a patient at a desired limb location for applying the cuff, but less than the distance between first and second cuff ends. A port is provided for inflating the bladder, and a fastener is attached to the second bladder side and adapted to allow the surgical user to releasably secure the fastener to the first bladder side only if the cuff overlaps upon itself by at least a predetermined minimum cuff overlap length at the desired limb location.
US07780697B2
An assembly for loading a collapsible embolic protection filter 1 into a catheter 2, comprises a catheter 2 defining a reception space at a distal end of the catheter 2 for receiving a collapsed embolic protection filter 1; and a separate removable pushing device 8 for delivering the embolic protection filter 1 into the reception space. The pushing device 8 comprises an elongate stem 71 with a proximal stop 72 for engagement with the filter 1. A separate loading device 7 to collapse the embolic protection filter 1 is also provided. The loading device 7 defines an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end being configured for co-operative alignment with the reception space.
US07780690B2
Instruments for use in minimally invasive carpal tunnel release include a cannula and a cutting member movable longitudinally within the cannula to advance a cutting blade of the cutting member along a longitudinal slot in the cannula to sever a transverse carpal ligament disposed over the slot. A dilating member is provided for creating a subligamentous space to accommodate the cannula and/or for removing adhered synovium from a lower surface of the ligament. A method for minimally invasive carpal tunnel release involves establishing a subcutaneous pathway to the carpal tunnel from an incision in the forearm, introducing the cannula in the carpal tunnel via the pathway, and severing the transverse carpal ligament with the cutting blade of the cutting member, all of which steps are performed under direct endoscopic visualization.
US07780682B2
Integrated systems and associated methods for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchoring devices for such purposes.
US07780669B2
An adjustable reamer spindle is provided to aid the surgeon in controlling the instrument. The reamer spindle is easily disassembled for cleaning. The spindle has a repositionable handle, a locking ring, and an elastic device. The elastic device biases against a handle locking mechanism that locks the repositionable handle at angular positions about an axis of the spindle. The elastic device further biases a locking ring into a locked position. The locking ring aids in holding the reamer spindle together. Removal of the locking ring against an elastic bias of the elastic means unfastens an end of the assembly in order to facilitate disassembly and/or cleaning. Adjustment of the position of the handle about the spindle enables the palm/grip of each hand to be changed in order to provide maximum control in different orientations. The adjustment is desirable in order to accommodate operating on the left or right side of the patient, standing behind or in-front of the patient, or the use of a different surgical approach. Further, adjustment is important to accommodate the differing needs of surgeons who are naturally left or right handed.
US07780667B2
Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for treating fractures and other bone maladies. The systems, devices and methods may include one or both of a stabilizing structure, such as an implant, bone plate, or other device and a fastening assembly, such as a lag screw and compression screw assembly. The stabilizing structure in some embodiments has a proximal section with a transverse aperture and a cross-section that may be shaped to more accurately conform to the anatomical shape of cortical bone and to provide additional strength and robustness in its lateral portions, preferably without requiring significant additional material. The fastening assembly may be received to slide, in a controlled way, in the transverse aperture of the stabilizing structure. In some embodiments, the engaging member and the compression member are configured so that the compression member interacts at least indirectly with the stabilizing structure and a portion of the engaging member to enable controlled movement between the first and second bone fragments. This configuration is useful for, among other things, compressing a fracture.
US07780658B2
A cryosurgical system adapted for treatment of fibroadenomas within the breast of a patient. The system includes cryoprobes and a control system which operates the cryoprobes to accomplish freezing in two stages, including a high power freeze and a low power freeze.
US07780657B2
A cryogenic medical system includes a medical device and a console connectable to the medical device at a connection point. The console controls the temperature of the medical device. The console includes a first cooling system directing coolant to the medical device at a first temperature along a coolant supply line and a second cooling system chilling the coolant within the coolant supply line to a temperature below the first temperature before the coolant reaches the connection point.
US07780656B2
A spray of cryogen is patterned to create a pattern of cooled regions on a target tissue for cosmetic dermatological treatment. In one embodiment, the cryogen is patterned using a heated mask. An optical source is configured to irradiate the target tissue in a region at least partially overlapping the cooled regions to create a pattern of treatment zones. A control unit adjusts the timing of between the cryogen and optical pulses.
US07780649B2
A system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a cannula interconnected to a collection vessel by a flexible conduit. The collection vessel can comprise one or more syringe bodies. The syringe bodies are provided with tissue removed from a body using the cannula by a tissue transfer channel. As a result, multiple syringe bodies can be loaded with tissue, without requiring manual handling of that tissue. Alternatively or in addition, a collection bag can be provided for receiving tissue removed from a body using a cannula. The tissue collection bag can include a filter. A collection vessel comprising a collection bag can be used in combination with a collection vessel comprising one or more syringe bodies.
US07780647B2
A medical device is adapted for at least partial implantation into a body and includes first and second sections along the length of the device. A first therapeutic agent is associated with the first section and a second therapeutic agent is associated with the second section. The first therapeutic agent can be one or more antiproliferative, such as paclitaxel, a paclitaxel derivative, or a paclitaxel pro-drug, anti-coagulant, antithrombotic, thrombolytic, fibrinolytic, or combination thereof. The second therapeutic agent can be one or more antimicrobials, such as one or more antibiotics. Each of the first and second therapeutic agents can either be posited on one or more surfaces of the respective section, or impregnated within the section. The device can include a separator to space the first and second sections. A method of making a medical device and a method of establishing access to a vessel within a body are also provided.
US07780645B2
A method of delivering embolic particles to an aneurysm includes inserting a delivery catheter into the vasculature of a patient and directing the distal end of the delivery catheter to a pre-selected deployment site. Embolic particles are loaded into the delivery catheter, and hydraulic pressure is applied to move the embolic particles through the delivery catheter. The hydraulic pressure is adjusted to control the velocity of the embolic particles and to reduce jetting.
US07780635B2
The present invention provides fluid and material delivery methods and devices for practicing the methods. The invention provides a method of delivering cellular material comprising injecting the cellular material into a subject such that the injected cells retain their inherent morphologic characteristics upon injection. The method comprises the steps of aspirating the cellular material into a fluid delivery device which incorporates a syringe arrangement. The cellular material is aspirated into the main body of the syringe until the desired amount of a material has filled the syringe body. The needle of the fluid delivery device is then inserted into the skin of a subject at an angle about parallel to the skin until a desired depth has been reached. The cellular material is then injected in the subject until the desired volume of material has been injected. The needle of the device is then rotated approximately 45 to 90 degrees and the needle is removed from the injection site.
US07780629B2
A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a matted fabric layer composed of at least two matted fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.
US07780620B2
A method for determining the hematocrit and/or blood volume during an extracorporeal blood treatment with an extracorporeal blood circuit, in which blood is taken with a blood pump via an arterial cannula and an arterial flexible-tube line and blood is fed back via a venous flexible-tube line and a venous cannula. Pressure is measured in the extracorporeal blood circuit and a change in the hematocrit is determined from a change in the pressure. The respective relationship between hematocrit HKT or blood volume RBV and pressure P in the extracorporeal circuit is stored for various cannula diameters and various blood-flow values. The respective relationship for a given cannula diameter and blood flow is selected. The hematocrit and/or blood volume is determined taking account of the selected relationship.
US07780616B2
In order to provide a walking assistance device capable of favorably providing an assisting force for maintaining the upright posture while reducing the sense of pressure when worn by the user, a hip support member (1) of the walking assisting device, which comprises an assisting force generator (hip joint actuator 10) disposed at least on a side of a hip joint to provide an assisting force to a movement of a lower limb, is provided with: a back support (4) equipped with pads (18, 19, 20) for respectively abutting an intermediate portion between right and left erector spinae muscles, lateral outer sides of the spinae muscles and right and left iliac crests; and a belt (5) connected to the back support for tightening a lower part of the rectus abdominis muscle. In this way, a supporting force can be provided to the lumbar vertebrae to steadily keep the upright posture while reducing a resistance to a bending movement of the waist caused by the support member. Further, the drive torque from the assisting force generator can be supported by the whole hip portion and this can contribute to preventing inadvertent move of the support member.
US07780614B2
An orthopedic support for supporting a joint of a wearer is provided and includes a sheet of flexible laminate material configured to at least partially enclose the joint. The orthopedic support also includes a spacer material attached to the sheet of material about at least a portion of its outer periphery, and at least one strap integrally defined in the sheet of material and configured to tension and secure the sheet of material about the wearer's joint.
US07780611B2
A medical instrument such as a guidewire that is designed to have controlled torque transmission along its length. Specially treated areas are placed in selected and equal areas along the entire length of the elongated shaft of the medical instrument, and are separated from one another by untreated areas. This process ensures that any torque is transmitted distally, in a smooth manner, regardless of the guidewire position, thus resulting in a substantial reduction in whipping. In one embodiment, a stainless steel guidewire is utilized, and is subjected to annealing heat treatment in selected areas. This annealing process creates a mandrel that has repeated temper properties along its length. Torque applied at one end of this mandrel is transmitted to the opposite end in an even and controlled manner, even when the mandrel is formed into a loop.
US07780607B2
Mechanical activity of a heart is sensed by a cardiac lead that carries a triboelectric sensor. The triboelectric sensor produces a triboelectric signal in response to cardiac contractions. A lead fabricated according to the invention can be used for a variety of purposes, including without limitation, pacing capture verification, electromechanical conductivity status of the myocardium (including detecting relatively reduced myocardial activity indicative of ischemia, myocyte necrosis, arterial stenosis and the like). The sensor allows detection of mechanical activity without signal blanking traditionally utilized to stimulate and sense cardiac activity. Traditional circuitry can be employed to stimulate/sense while a triboelectric sensor unit(s) detect evoked and/or intrinsic mechanical cardiac activity. A reduction from a prior amplitude signal can be used to set patient (or clinician) alert signals, set a logical flag regarding possible lead dislodgement, compare prior and current signals, store same in memory, and/or provide via telemetry for display.
US07780606B2
A system comprising an implantable medical device (IMD). The IMD includes an implantable sensor operable to produce an electrical signal representative of mechanical activity of a heart of a subject and a controller circuit coupled to the sensor. The IMD also includes a heart sound sensor interface circuit to produce a heart sound signal, a tachyarrhythmia detector, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit includes a hemodynamic stability assessment module configured to determine that at least one episode of ventricular tachyarrhythmia is detected in a subject and obtain a measurement of hemodynamic stability of the ventricular tachyarrhythmia from the heart sound signal.
US07780605B2
A blood pressure measuring apparatus includes a plurality of mechanisms compressing a cuff, and the mechanisms are separately controlled. Therefore, a stable measurement attitude is maintained irrespective of a circumference or a shape of an upper arm. Compression degrees are separately controlled, whereby a pressure can evenly be applied to the cuff to improve a compression force acting on an artery.
US07780599B2
The invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging system having an ultrasound intra-esophageal endoscope device for scanning a patient's organs, for use in particular with transesophageal echocardiography, and an intratracheal transmission device defining a transmission path for sound waves originating from the endoscope device. A transmission device is specially adapted for use with an endoscope device in an ultrasonic imaging system having a flexible balloon member connected to a supply line for a sound wave transmission fluid medium.
US07780594B2
A retractor is disclosed. The retractor includes a housing, at least one blade holder slidably coupled to the housing, and an actuator handle to control sliding movement of the blade holder. The blade holder and the actuator handle hold at least one blade.
US07780582B2
A dumbbell and incremental weight plate for same comprise a bar that extends generally axially between opposing end regions, a weight plate mass mounted about the bar at each end region, and at least one incremental weight plate mountable on the dumbbell. The weight plate mass and the incremental weight plate have respective magnetic regions that cause the incremental weight plate to be selectively magnetically secured to the weight plate mass or to be magnetically repelled from the weight plate mass to assist the user in removing the incremental weight plate from the dumbbell.
US07780581B1
An apparatus attachable to a foot of a user, such as in a leg extension mechanism (stilt device). First and second support members extend from opposing sides of a foot support surface adapted to support the foot. A retention strap has opposing first and second ends each removeably attachable to the support members by the user, preferably by an opposing pair of buckle assemblies. The strap, the support members and the foot support surface maintain the strap in a semi-circular arc nominally symmetric about a centerline of the surface, with the arc having a width greater than a width of the foot support surface to facilitate insertion of the foot between the surface and the strap along the centerline. The support members are preferably slideably adjustable to accommodate different foot widths. A toe guide is also preferably slideably adjustable to align the toes of the foot along the centerline.
US07780575B1
Triangular shaped smooth outside and cavities inside with a PVC parallett/ballet bar supported by blind holes at the top of a pair of triangular end caps. End cap bar opening has a ridged inside dimension that is tapered slightly from the inside to the outside surface areas. Tapering by ridged ramps located inside that bar opening, allows the end caps and bar to forcibly seize unto each other with a firm bond requiring no further fastening agent. Bar may include a filler pole for rigidity especially in longer length devices. End caps likewise seize and hold both a PVC bar and/or the PVC/filler insert combination.
US07780550B2
The invention provides a colored golf ball composed of a core, a cover having a plurality of dimples formed on an outside surface thereof, and an inside layer in contact with the cover. The ball satisfies the following conditions: (i) a color difference ΔE* between the inside layer and the ball of at least 30; (ii) the inside layer has a lightness L* value, expressed in the L*a*b* color system based on JIS Z8729, of at least 82 and a chroma C, defined as (a*2+b*2)1/2, of at most 10; (iii) the ball has a lightness L* value of at least 50; (iv) the lightness L* value of the ball≦the lightness L* value of the inside layer; (v) the inside layer has a transparency which is up to 10% in terms of total transmittance and up to 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance; and (vi) the cover has a transparency which is at least 50% in terms of total transmittance and at least 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance. The colored golf ball of the invention is a fluorescent ball, yet retains a sense of transparency and thus confers a sense of quality. The ball also has weather resistance and is able to prevent changes in color. Moreover, the golf ball of the invention has a reassuring and psychologically calming effect on the golfer during play, and has a suitable look and feel.
US07780535B2
A method and apparatus for actively controlling the impact between a club head and a golf ball. A golf club head has a face with an actuator material or device mechanically coupled to influence face motion. The face actuation controls impact parameters, impact properties, or resulting ball parameters such as speed, direction and spin rates resulting from the impact event between the face of the club and the golf ball. Further, the apparatus has a control device for determining the actuation of the face. Several embodiments are presented for controlling parameters such as ball speed and direction. The invention can use energy derived from the ball impact, converted into electrical energy, and then reapplied in a controlled fashion to influence an aspect of the face, such as position, velocity, deformation, stiffness, vibration, motion, temperature, or other physical parameter.
US07780530B2
Characters set corresponding to users are registered in a character server, so the users can download characters from the character server and feature the characters in various games. Also, characters of different players can notify characters of players within a range permitted beforehand regarding their own locations in different games or different virtual spaces, and can send messages one to another. Further, in addition to the appearance of the character, attributes of the character and items which the player have can be stored in the character server, and used throughout various games. Thus, the same characters can be featured in various types of game programs.
US07780523B2
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine.
US07780521B2
Based on that the insurance BET operation portion 7 is operated, the specific winning prize lottery process (S14) is executed to determine the specific winning prize, which does not become the count object, among plural prizes by the lottery. And the number of times of game, which becomes the winning prize other than the specific winning prize according to the lottery result, is counted in the count process of game number of times (S21), and at the time that the number of times of game reaches to the predetermined number of times of game for giving the threshold prize, the special payout is given to the player.
US07780519B2
A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine. The method includes receiving a wager from a player and displaying a first winning combination of symbols in an array. The first winning combination is associated with a first award. In response to a predetermined event, the first winning combination is upgraded to a second winning combination of symbols, and the second winning combination is associated with a second award that is higher than the first award. The second winning combination of symbols is displayed and the player is provided with the second award.
US07780517B2
An operator configurable cash out menu that is displayed when a player presses the cash out button of a gaming device. The present invention provides for more flexible cash outs than in known gaming systems, wherein the player can select one or more methods of payment. The player can select an amount of money to be transferred to a casino account. The player can also select an amount of money to issue on a ticket that the gaming device prints and provides to the player, whereby the player can redeem the ticket for cash. The present invention also enables the player to select different amounts of money to cash out. The player can choose: (i) to have some or all of the amount transferred to the casino account; (ii) to have some or all of the amount issue as cash printed on a ticket; or (iii) to have some be transferred to the account and some issue on a ticket.
US07780506B2
A sanding block for sanding high and extended surfaces configured for use in combination with an attached pole. The sanding block is round in shape and is rotationally mounted on a pole mount that interfaces between the sanding block and the pole, which attaches to a rotatable hub of the pole mount. This allows the sanding block to rotate during use and the pole to be rotated to different angles in relation to the flat working surface of the sanding block. Adjacent surface marring is prevented by the rotation of the sanding block upon contact of a side edge with such an adjacent surface. Optionally the pole mount can be locked to prevent rotation if desired and a barrel can provide an interface between the pole and the pole mount. This barrel can be straight, angled, or adjustable for angle, in the different preferred embodiments.
US07780503B2
A polishing apparatus makes it possible to polish and remove an extra conductive film while preventing the occurrence of erosion and without lowering of the throughput. The polishing apparatus includes: a polishing table having a polishing surface; a top ring for holding a workpiece having a surface conductive film, and pressing the conductive film against the polishing surface to polish the conductive film; an optical sensor for monitoring the polishing state of the conductive film by emitting light toward the conductive film of the workpiece held by the top ring, receiving reflected light from the conductive film, and measuring a change in the reflectance of the reflected light; and a control section for controlling a pressure at which the workpiece is pressed on the polishing surface.
US07780466B1
A cable connector assembly (1) includes an insulative housing (10), a number of contacts (12) disposed in the housing, a cover (15) molded onto the housing and a locking member (16) assembled to the housing and the cover. The locking member defines about a front end thereof a retention portion (160) for securing the locking member on the housing, an actuating portion (162) about a rear end thereof, and a locking portion (161) extending rearwards across the retention portion and connecting to the actuating portion.
US07780465B2
A latching system for use in selectively securing a module within a receptacle of a host device is described. In one or more examples, the latching system includes a powered actuation mechanism and a latching mechanism. In one or more examples, the module latching mechanism includes a latch and the powered actuation mechanism disengages a latch from a catch. In one or more examples, two latches are provided. In one or more examples, the latching mechanism of a module includes a pusher that interacts with a latch located on a receptacle. In one or more examples, a module includes two latches.
US07780457B2
The invention relates to physical connections of a plurality of mutually insulated connecting elements, especially configured for printed circuit boards, the physical connection being a component of an electric connection between two or more conducting elements with direct contact using a spring. The electric terminal represents such a connection, and allows rapid and simple detachment of the conductor, similar to the plug'n'play technology used for plugging in the conductors. A clamping system is provided which allows to simply and rapidly detach the conductor and which is accessible from several sides of the terminal. The advantageous accessibility of the clamping system makes it possible to always use the tools for operating the clamping system in a manner perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board.
US07780452B2
In a listening comprehension test using individual examination execution devices, according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid a dishonest act such as peeping at another examinee's answers. An individual examination execution device (101) reads examination question data and individual information from an examination question storage means (102) storing the examination questions and an individual information storage means (103) storing the individual information, respectively. Further, the individual examination device selectively generates actual questions according to the individual information read by an actual question generation means (104), and reproduces the actual questions by a reproduction means (105), thereby preventing dishonest acts of respective examinees.
US07780447B2
A dental implant assembly for supporting a dental prosthesis. The assembly comprises a dental implant and an abutment. The dental implant comprises a body portion, a collar portion and a central bore. The body portion is located at a distal end of the dental implant and is configured to lie at least substantially below a crest of a patient's jawbone. The collar portion is located at a proximal end of the dental implant and forms an abutment mating surface which defines an outer edge that has a generally scalloped shape. The central bore extends through the collar portion and into the implant body portion. The central bore includes a threaded portion and a post portion. The abutment comprises a post configured to fit within the post portion of the central bore and an implant mating surface that is configured to mate with the abutment mating surface of the dental implant.
US07780444B1
A screw-type orthodontic anchor having an upper member with a pair of slots formed therein with the slots being of different depths. A head portion disposed below the upper member with a collar or cap enveloping the upper member and having a protrusion formed on the inner surfaces thereof which is positioned in a hole extending through the head portion.
US07780442B2
An orthodontic appliance of the bracket or tube type for bondable mounting on a tooth including an appliance body having a buccal/labial archwire receiving side and a lingual side and a polymer resin bonding base molded to the lingual side such that at least part of the body is embedded in the base, and wherein the base may include openings for receiving an auxiliary or a secondary archwire.
US07780438B2
Disclosed is a substrate heating apparatus including a hot plate that heats a substrate, and a cooling plate that supports the substrate and moves between a first position (home position) and the second position above the hot plate to transfer wafers between the two positions. A heat-radiating fin structure is connected to the cooling plate to move together with the cooling plate. The fin structure is thermally connected to the cooling plate via heat pipes. A suction port is arranged so as to locate adjacent to the fin structure when the cooling plate is in the home position. The fin structure is cooled by a gas passing therethrough before flown into the suction port, whereby the cooling plate is cooled through heat transfer from the cooling plate to the fin structure through the heat pipes.
US07780434B2
A nozzle for an injection molding apparatus is provided. The injection molding apparatus has a mold component that defines a mold cavity and a gate into the mold cavity. The nozzle includes a nozzle body, a heater, a tip, a tip retainer, and a nozzle seal piece. The nozzle body defines a nozzle body melt passage therethrough that is adapted to receive melt from a melt source. The heater is thermally connected to the nozzle body for heating melt in the nozzle body. The tip defines a tip melt passage therethrough that is downstream from the nozzle body melt passage, and that is adapted to be upstream from the gate. The tip retainer is removably connected with respect to the nozzle body. The nozzle seal piece is connected with respect to the nozzle body. The material of nozzle seal piece has a thermal conductivity that is less than at least one of the thermal conductivity of the material of the tip and the thermal conductivity of the material of the tip retainer.
US07780431B2
A nanoimprint mold includes a substrate having at least one substantially non-transferable feature and at least one transferable feature defined at different portions thereon. Methods for forming the same are also disclosed.
US07780430B2
To provide an apparatus and method for producing a resin film product from a thermoplastic resin in a stable manner without damage to the product, wherein the resin film product is thin and has a uniform, flat surface.A mandrel 7 that comes into proximity or contact with the surface of a moving resin film to guide the movement of the resin film when a resin film in continuous form is continuously produced, the mandrel comprising: a mandrel main body 71 having an opening; and a guide part 72 that is composed of an elastic member attached to the opening 71a and that can advance and retract relative to the resin film, and an apparatus and method for producing a resin film using the mandrel.
US07780429B2
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional molding device for producing a three-dimensional molded object. The three-dimensional molding device comprises a receptacle for retaining a light-curing resin, a light source for irradiating light to cure the light-curing resin retained inside the receptacle, wherein the three-dimensional molded object is produced by curing the light-curing resin, and a flexible three-dimensional molded object holding plate, which adheres to the light-curing resin and holds the three-dimensional molded object when the resin in the receptacle is cured.
US07780417B2
A wind energy plant with a rotor hub which is connected to at least one pitch bearing, and with at least one rotor blade, the blade root of which is connectable to the pitch bearing via joining means, wherein a stiffening element is provided, which is arranged between the rotor blade root and the pitch bearing and connected to the same via the joining means.
US07780405B2
A blower system, wherein a blower case and a motor holding housing are comprised as separate members, a spiral casing is provided with an enlarged part enlarged in an axial direction to an opposite side from the suction port from a centrifugal type blower fan. The motor holding housing is provided with a holder storing and holding the motor, an extension extending from the holder in a diametrical direction of the fan, a circumferential wall connected with the extension and forming an inner circumferential wall of the enlarged part in the spiral casing. A cooling air passage is provided between the holder and the circumferential wall to guide part of the air circulating inside the spiral casing to the motor. The cooling air passage has an inlet into which air flows from the spiral casing and an outlet at the circumferential wall, out of which air flows to the motor.
US07780391B2
Processing chambers (3A-3F) for applying a process to a substrate W housed therein are provided at a periphery of a conveying chamber 2. A conveying case (4) houses the substrate (W) in a state isolated from an outside atmosphere. The conveyance case (4) has a gate valve (30) and a transfer mechanism (22). A conveying mechanism (5) supports the conveyance case 4, and carries the conveyance case (4) to a position for conveying in/conveying out a substrate. The number of processing chambers connectable to a conveying chamber is not limited, and conveyance to the processing chamber can be executed while maintaining a predetermined ambience for an atmosphere of a substrate that is to be processed.
US07780387B2
The present invention relates to a fixture set which comprises an accessory part (2), and at least one means for fixing the accessory part (2) to a front surface of a wall of a hollow frame (1), through a hole (6) provided through said wall. The fixing means comprises an anchor (5), a bolt (3) screwed into the anchor (5) and a splitter (4) arranged between the head of the bolt (3) and the anchor (5). The anchor is entirely inserted in the hole (6) in the wall and comprises at least two parts (12) which are radially expandable by the splitter (4), when tightening the bolt, to lock the anchor (5) against the back surface of the wall. Both the splitter (4) and the anchor (5) comprise mutually interlockable structures for substantially restricting rotation of the anchor relative to the splitter. Moreover, the accessory part (2), or an intermediate accessory piece arranged between the accessory part and the wall, comprises means for substantially restricting rotation of said splitter (4) relative to the accessory part (2).
US07780381B2
A slot milling cutter, which comprises a cutting head as well as a fastener integrated with the cutting head, which fastener is intended to be received in a tool coupling, the cutting head being provided with at least two insert seats, and cutting inserts being mounted in the insert seats. The invention also relates to a cutting insert separately.
US07780378B2
A device and a process for transporting a sleeve, in particular for a cup or a can, in which the sleeve is transported during the production process from a first working station to a second working station. The sleeve is transported by a blast of air, whereby the blast of air is generated in the opposite direction to the transport direction of the sleeve. A first working station comprises a mandrel for taking up the sleeve. An air jet is provided for creating the blast of air, the mouthpiece of the air jet being directed towards the mandrel in the opposite direction to the transport direction of the sleeve.
US07780376B2
Various embodiments of subsurface support devices, interior underpin brackets, and systems and methods for elevating a settled or settling structure are disclosed. One embodiment comprises an interior underpin bracket. One such bracket comprises: a support shaft having a bore adapted to receive an underpin pipe; and at least two support arms pivotally fixed to the support shaft, the support arms adjustable between a retracted position in which the support arms are disposed parallel to the support shaft and an extended position in which the support arms are disposed perpendicular to the support shaft.
US07780374B2
Disclosed herein are methods, devices and systems to maintain the accessibility and integrity of equipment contained in underground housings. The methods, devices and systems and methods of the present invention maintain the accessibility and integrity of equipment contained in underground housings by providing at least one barrier that prevents burrowing animals from off-loading displaced ground dirt or other debris into the space created by the underground housing.
US07780373B2
The invention relates to making compacted snow pavements and can be used in apparatuses for compacting snow mass. The inventive apparatus for making compacted snow pavements comprises a front sliding support 1, a rear sliding support 2, a power generator 7, a heat unit 5 having a working zone and provided with a means for supplying heat to snow mass through the working zone, and a means 11 for dynamic compaction. The heat unit 5 is made in the form of at least one separate heat module. The means for supplying heat is arranged so as to be capable of adjusting intensity of the heat flow and fixing the direction in which it is supplied to the working zone. The method of making a compacted snow pavement consists in using the inventive apparatus. The technical result attainable thereby resides in providing a pavement that possesses high load-bearing capacity, wear resistance as well as improved gripping characteristics.
US07780372B2
A device for restricting flow through a curb inlet opening defined in a street storm drain by secure positioning a face plate extending thereover. Multiple flow slots are defined extending through the face plate to allow limited flow therethrough. The face plate is securable to the drain by mounting apparatus which includes one or more mounting brackets along with an engagement device attachable to the flow limiting slots and the brackets to hold the face plate in position extending over the curb inlet opening. Mounting brackets can have teeth for engaging storm drain for enhanced securement therewith. The flow restricting slots are preferably radially arranged with respect to one another and can include lateral slots further engageable with the mounting bracket to prevent rotation thereof during tightening thereof. Conical washers can extend over the head of mounting bolts for protection thereof.
US07780371B2
A supporting framework with connection node and struts has at least two strut receiving elements, each strut receiving element being arranged centrally on an imaginary cube face of the connection node. Arms extend from the strut receiving elements and run parallel to the edges of the imaginary cube face and extend up to an edge of the imaginary cube face that is perpendicular to the arms. The arms of one strut receiving element meet arms of an adjacent strut receiving element arranged orthogonal thereto and form at least one loop. A connection element can be hooked into the loop for producing a diagonal connection.
US07780368B2
A method and apparatus for a reconfigurable keyboard is provided. One implementation involves a row mounting mechanism for mounting each row of keys on a row frame, the row mounting mechanism allowing one or more keys of each row to be moved and locked in a certain row position, whereby the spacing of one or more keys in each row on the keyboard can change. The apparatus also includes a column mounting mechanism for mounting each column of keys on a column frame, the column mounting mechanism allowing one or more keys of each column to be moved and locked in a certain column position, whereby the spacing of one or more keys in each column on the keyboard can change. As such, one or more keys can be moved in row or column and to lock or unlock key positioning for arranging the keys on a keyboard according to a reconfigurable layout.
US07780364B2
Glare is reduced by acquiring an input image with a camera having a lens and a sensor, in which a pin-hole mask is placed in close proximity to the sensor. The mask localizes the glare at readily identifiable pixels, which can then be filtered to produce a glare reduce output image.
US07780363B1
A device for operably mounting a camera to a bow. The device includes a guideway, a mounting bracket assembly, a biasing system, an attachment mechanism for securing a camera to the mounting bracket assembly and an attachment mechanism for securing the mounting bracket to a bow. A traveler on the mounting bracket assembly operably engages the guideway for movement along the longitudinal length of the guideway. The mounting bracket assembly includes a shelf, suitable for supporting a camera, attached to the traveler by a transversely extending strut. The biasing system is operable for longitudinally biasing the mounting bracket assembly away from both longitudinal ends of the guideway into a rest position intermediate the longitudinal ends of the guideway, thereby damping any recoil effect experienced by the camera caused by release of an arrow from the bow.
US07780360B2
Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.
US07780356B2
A slider for a linear motion rolling guide unit can ensure a smooth rolling movement and a reliable lubricating capability and eliminate the need for accurate dimension control to reduce the manufacturing costs. A lubricating member A has a lubricating face 20 exposed on an outer peripheral face of a turning corner 10 in an end cap 2. The rolling elements 11 are lubricated by making contact with the lubricating face 20 while rolling through the turning corner. The lubricating face 20, exposed on the arced face 10b of the turning corner, and the outer peripheral face of the turning corner maintain the relation of crossing each other at two intersections. The lubricating face 20 is longer than the distance between the two intersections. Recessed areas 21 are formed between the outer peripheral face of the turning corner 10 and the lubricating face 20 in the surplus length regions.
US07780349B2
A method and apparatus for quality assurance of beam geometry of robotic radiosurgery systems. The apparatus comprises two or more radio-opaque markers set at a fixed distance from each other and contained in a housing, which is assembled to a collimator fixture for attachment to the collimator interface of the LINAC of a robotic radiosurgery system. A treatment plan is generated to position the LINAC to a series of pre-defined radiation beam orientations, then a simulation of the treatment is carried out, and radiographic images are taken at each LINAC position. The coordinates of the radio-opaque markers obtained from the images are used to determine beam orientation by calculating their directional cosines, the beam off-axis error and the deviation of the radiation source to iso-center distance (SAD). The imaging system is independently calibrated and the quantitative beam geometric information is used to adjust beam geometry for quality assurance.
US07780347B2
A device temperature measurement circuit, an integrated circuit (IC) including a device temperature measurement circuit, a method of characterizing device temperature and a method of monitoring temperature. The circuit includes a constant current source and a clamping device. The clamping device selectively shunts current from the constant current source or allows the current to flow through a PN junction, which may be the body to source/drain junction of a field effect transistor (FET). Voltage measurements are taken directly from the PN junction. Junction temperature is determined from measured junction voltage.
US07780343B2
A device with micromachined (a.k.a. MEMS, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) silicon sensor to measure gas or liquid concentration in a binary mixture formality is disclosed in the present invention. A process for fabricating the said MEMS silicon concentration sensor, which thereby can greatly reduce the sensor fabrication cost by a batch production, is revealed as well. This MEMS process can mass-produce the sensors on silicon substrate in the ways of small size, low power, and high reliability. In addition to the gas or liquid concentration measurement, the present invention further discloses that the said sensor can also readily measure gas or liquid mass flow rate while record the concentration data, which is not viable by other related working principle.
US07780324B2
The present invention provides a water-cooled vehicle LED (Light Emitting Device) heat dissipating device, structured from a light emitting device and a heat dissipating device, wherein the light emitting device includes light emitting members and a base plate, and the heat dissipating device includes a water pump device, a water storage device, a water guide member and a heat dissipating body. The heat dissipating body is disposed at one side of the light emitting device, and includes a front plate, a middle plate and a rear plate. Grooves are hollowed out of the front plate, the middle plate and the rear plate, which form a channel, a water inlet and a water outlet when assembled. The water pump device is used to pump water from the water storage device through the water guide member and the channel, thereby achieving objective of effectively dissipating heat.
US07780313B2
A package structure for light emitting diode (LED) comprises a base, an LED die, an optical lens and a lens holder. The base comprises at least one holder cavity formed on its surface and at least one chase formed on its side surface. The lens holder comprises an opening, at least one holder stem and at least one wedge. The optical lens is arranged between the lens holder and the base, and also through the opening. The lens holder is fastened on the base by wedging the wedge with the chase and positioned on the base by embedding the holder stem into the holder cavity to enhance the positioning between the optical lens and the base, such that the optical lens can generate a desired light pattern. Therefore, the required time of a packaging process can be reduced, and the lens holder can be removed simply for replacing the optical lens, so the objective of changing the light pattern quickly can be achieved.
US07780312B2
A backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display device includes a bottom frame having an inner surface, printed circuit boards on the inner surface, and a plurality of light emitting diodes in rectangular-shaped clusters on each of the printed circuit boards, each of the light emitting diode clusters includes four light emitting diodes.
US07780310B2
A light fixture includes a raceway, a lampholder, and a power pack. The raceway includes an aperture and a locking aperture. The lampholder is electrically connected to a lampholder connector. The power pack includes a power pack cover and a ballast and a deployable sensor. The deployable sensor includes a sensor head, a conduit and pivotable coupling that permits movement of the sensor between a deployed position and a stowed position. The power pack cover includes a latching end. The ballast includes a power input connector adapted to electrically connect to a power cord and a ballast output connector adapted to electrically connect to the lampholder connector. The latching end includes a flange adapted to mate with the aperture of the raceway and a locking protrusion adapted to mate with the locking aperture of the raceway such that the power pack is detachably mountable to the raceway.
US07780308B2
A built-in lamp includes a housing and a holder for fastening in a built-in surface, such as a room ceiling. The built-in lamp also includes a light source socket for holding a light source and a light source region and a direct light reflector. The direct light reflector has a direct light reflector opening which is disposed in the direction of illumination which defines a direct light exit region and which is surrounded at least reasonably by a diffused light exit region. The direct light reflector has a rear opening. The head reflector is disposed on the side of the light source region remote from the direct light exit region. The head reflector is separate from the direct light reflector and is shaped such that it directs at least a large portion of the light emitted from the light source region and incident on to it into the inner space of the direct light reflector.
US07780299B2
A lateral-view mirror assembly comprising a housing having a first lateral-view mirror and a second lateral-view mirror coupled to a rear window of a vehicle and dimensioned to provide a driver of a vehicle with the ability to view objects positioned lateral to a rear portion of the vehicle by looking at a reflection of the objects reflected from the first and second lateral-view mirrors to the rear-view mirror to the driver. The lateral-view mirror assembly is helpful when backing out of a parking space and also when changing lanes.
US07780289B2
Eye glass strap holder for securing two separate pair of glasses, such as, but not limited to, sunglasses and reading glasses, to neck with a double to single strap design and an adjustment block to aid in fastening around one's neck for easy exchanging from one set of glasses, sunglasses or reading glasses to the other.
US07780284B2
A system for an ink delivery system comprises a feed path having an insertion end and a melt end, and an ink stick transport for moving at least one ink stick between the insertion end and the melt end of the feed path. At least one sensor is positioned along the feed path. A controller is configured to actuate the transport to move at least one ink stick in a first direction from the insertion end toward the melt end of the feed path so that a coded sensor feature of the at least one ink stick actuates the at least one sensor to generate a signal. The controller is configured to actuate the transport to move the at least one ink stick in one of the first direction and a second direction toward the insertion end of the feed path in response to the signal.
US07780283B2
An ink loader for a phase change ink imaging device includes at least one guide member for maintaining alignment and orientation of ink sticks as the ink sticks feed to a melt area of an ink loader. The ink loader also includes a keyed opening through which ink sticks are inserted into the ink loader. The keyed opening is positioned with respect to the at least one guide member such that keying elements of ink sticks are spatially separated from the at least one guide member during and after insertion.
US07780281B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate including an active element formation face on which an active element is formed; detection electrodes detecting a remaining amount of ink by being wet in the ink; an antenna transmitting and receiving information; a storage circuit storing information relating to the ink; and a control circuit controlling the detection electrodes, the antenna, and the storage circuit.
US07780279B2
Non-aqueous, radiation-curable inks comprising pigment, dispersant and a liquid carrier, wherein the pigment has an acid value greater than 8 mg of NaOH per gram of pigment. The inks are particularly suitable for use in ink jet printers.
US07780272B2
The lnkjet printer has a pressure chamber, a plezoelectric actuator, and a controller. The plezoelectrlc actuator has a piezoelectric film, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The first electrode, positioned in the region facing the pressure chamber, and the third electrode, positioned adjacent to the first electrode, are attached on one surface of the piezoeiectric film. The second electrode is attached on an opposite surface of the piezoelectric film and overlaps the first and third electrodes. To discharge ink, the controller applies an ink discharge signal between the first and second electrodes comprising an advanced voltage change from a predetermined voltage to the lower voltage and a subsequent voltage change from the lower voltage to the predetermined voltage. The controller also applies a peripheral signal between the second and thIrd electrodes to prevent changes in characteristics of the piezoelectrlc actuator that may affect ink discharge.
US07780268B2
A liquid transport apparatus includes liquid transport channels disposed on an insulating surface of a substrate, individual electrodes disposed in regions corresponding to respective ones of the liquid transport channels, and wiring portions extending along the insulating surface of the substrate. The apparatus further includes a first insulating layer disposed so as to cover the electrodes and in which the wetting angle with respect to a conductive liquid changes according to an electrical potential difference between the conductive liquid and the electrodes, a second insulating layer which is disposed so as to cover the wiring portions disposed in contact with the first insulating layer, and a potential applying unit which applies an electric potential to the electrodes.
US07780267B2
A recording head configured to discharge ink from a nozzle includes a cantilever and a liquid chamber. The cantilever has a free end and a fixed end and bends to generate a pressure for discharging ink. The liquid chamber communicates with the nozzle. The cantilever is disposed in the liquid chamber. The cantilever has a stepped portion on or in a surface facing the nozzle and in the vicinity of the free end.
US07780261B2
A pagewidth printhead assembly that has a pair of pagewidth printheads, each having an array of nozzle for ejecting ink such that the pair of pagewidth printheads print both sides of a sheet of media simultaneously. The assembly also having a capping mechanism with a pair of capping members for capping each of the pagewidth printheads respectively and an actuating mechanism for moving the capping mechanism between a first position in capping engagement with the respective pagewidth printheads and a second position spaced from the nozzles of the respective printheads.
US07780233B2
A belt-type lumbar support includes a belt having first and second end portions. A first attachment tab is located at the first end portion, and a second attachment tab is located at the second end portion. A spring is located at the first end portion and is connected to the first attachment tab. A cable is located at the second end portion and is connected to the second attachment tab. A first belt extension is located at the first end portion and proximate to the first attachment tab and has a first belt extension tongue, wherein at least a portion of the belt extension tongue extends over the spring. A second belt extension is located at the second end portion and proximate to the second attachment tab and has a second belt extension tongue, wherein at least a portion of the second belt extension tongue extends over the cable.
US07780229B2
A vehicle seat includes a seat frame having a seat portion and a cover skirt covering the frame below the seat portion to form a footwell termination at a front region of the cover skirt. The front region of the cover skirt includes a pair of side walls, a front wall, and a back wall. The side and front walls are articulately connected and the side walls are foldable and coupled between the front and back walls. The front wall is displaceable away from the back wall to a pulled-out position in which the side walls are unfolded and the side walls, the front wall, and the back wall together form a storage compartment. The front wall is displaceable toward the back wall to a pushed-in position in which the side walls are folded and lie between the front and back walls and the front and back walls meet.
US07780218B2
A locking device (10) for locking a convertible top (18) in its opened position comprises a catch element (14) and an opposing element (16) bringable into engagement therewith for locking, wherein the catch element or the opposing element is attached on the convertible top (18) and the other element of the catch element and the opposing element is borne on a vehicle body side. One element (14, 16) is displaceably borne in a retainer (20) and is biased in a locking direction by a biasing device (22). The retainer (20) is movable together with the biasing device (22) and with the element (14) borne in the retainer as a function of the movement of the convertible top (18) into an active position and into an idle position. In the active position, an engagement between the catch element and the opposing element is possible, which is excluded in the idle position.
US07780212B2
A dashboard of a vehicle includes an accommodation unit provided at a longitudinal end of the dashboard and positioned adjacent to a door and a side mirror located outside the door adjacent to the accommodation unit, the accommodation unit configured to receive an article, and the accommodation unit including a lid, wherein the lid is configured to stand up adjacent to the side mirror when in an open position.
US07780209B1
A pet scoop includes an elongated tubular shaft having a handle at an upper end and a pivotal, fan-shaped panel at a lower end. A pair of motors move the panel between a raised, contracted orientation and a lowered, expanded orientation. A stack of waste disposal sheets is superimposed on the panel and is secured thereto with removable clamps. Accordingly, the panel may be deployed and expanded beneath a defecating pet to contain and trap the waste for later disposal.
US07780208B2
A hood lock assembly affording effective support in the closing direction of a vehicle hood is provided with flexibility, such that under a predefined overload, the hood is capable of additional movement in the closing direction beyond the normal closed position.
US07780196B2
A collapsible steering column assembly has a steering column with a jacket movable along a longitudinal axis for telescoping and collapsing movement. The jacket is movable about a pivot axis for tilting movement between an upper and a lower limit. A biasing device includes a fixed arm and a rake arm for urging the jacket toward the upper limit. A support bracket is detachably coupled to a mounting component connected to the vehicle. The support bracket is coupled to and supports the jacket during the movements and is movable with the jacket during the collapsing movement. A friction member is mounted to the support bracket and at least partially encircles the fixed arm and engages the fixed arm to form a friction-fit. The friction member slides along the fixed arm during the collapsing movement for transferring energy from the jacket and the support bracket to the biasing device.
US07780194B2
The invention relates to a method for the production of an air bag, more particularly a one-piece woven (OPW) air bag, comprising single layer and double layer areas, a top and bottom outer surface and a coating in at least certain areas. The invention is characteristic in that the single layer area is sealed in such a way that said areas are substantially impermeable to fluids.
US07780193B2
A gas generator (1A) comprising: an ignition chamber (13) in which an igniter (12) and an enhancer agent (14) stored therein; a first combustion chamber (23) and a second combustion chamber (33) in which gas generating agent (24, 34) stored therein respectively; a first transfer path (15) communicating the ignition chamber (13) with the first combustion chamber (23); and a second transfer path (16) communicating the ignition chamber (13) with the second combustion chamber (33). The first transfer path (15) and second transfer path (16) are disposed to be displaced in parallel such that a center line (15a) of the first transfer path (15) and a center line (16a) of the second transfer path (16) do not overlap on the same straight line. Because of such a configuration, in a gas generator having two or more gas output portions driven by one igniter, it becomes possible that an effect of combustion of a gas generating agent in each combustion chamber is substantially or completely independent.
US07780189B2
A technique is provided that is effective in smoothing the airbag deploying motion of an airbag apparatus to be mounted to a motorcycle. In one form, an airbag apparatus mounted to a motorcycle is constructed to hold the loose portions of elongated webbings that join an airbag to the vehicle body in a predetermined bunched state as a folded portion while the airbag is housed, and to release the hold upon the deployment of the airbag.
US07780187B2
The disclosed mounting component and mounting structure may provide an efficient mounting of a folded curtain airbag and/or may prevent movement of the airbag caused by a vehicle member striking the folded curtain airbag. A mounting component and/or mounting structure may include a base piece configured to be attached to the vehicle body and projecting pieces extending from both ends of the base piece for extending over the folded curtain airbag. The base piece and the projecting pieces can be integrated with each other.
US07780180B2
A knee walker includes a frame; a cushion; a front crossmember; two rear wheels; two front spindles and two front wheels each pivotally connected to one of the two front spindles. Positive steering is provided by a handlebar rotatably connected to the front end of the frame; a steering gear responsively engaged with the rotatably connected handlebar shaft; a steering arm actuated by the steering gear responsive to the handlebar; a steering rod connecting the steering arm and one of the two front spindles, so as to pivot one associated front wheel responsive to the steering arm; and a tie rod linking the two front spindles responsively to the steering rod.
US07780179B2
A drive system (3) for a human powered vehicle. The drive system (3) includes at least one input member (31), a transmission system (21) arranged to convert movement of the input member (31) to rotation of an output member (83), and a lock mechanism (123) including at least one drive member (133) for selectively locking a drive wheel (11, 13) to rotation of the output member (83) for rotation therewith. The drive member (133) is arranged for movement from a first operational position in which the drive wheel (11, 13) is not locked to the output member (83) to a second operational position in which the drive wheel (11, 13) is locked to the output member (83), and back to the first operational position, under the control of a user of the vehicle. The drive system (3) allows the user to choose between propelling the vehicle using the drive system (3) or disengaging the drive system (3) from the drive wheel (11, 13) and propelling the vehicle by some other means, for example by wheel rims.
US07780176B2
A center take-off rack-and-pinion steering apparatus includes a cylindrical rack housing having an elongate hole extending in a longitudinal direction, a mounting bracket for mounting ends of a pair of tie rods on a rack shaft, and a slider interposed between the mounting bracket and the rack shaft and slidable in an inner periphery of the elongate hole. The inner periphery of the elongate hole and the slider include sliding contact sections that are brought into sliding contact with each other along with the slide of the slider slides. The sliding contact sections include at least a pair of curved sliding contact surfaces that are brought into sliding contact with each other in a curved shape when seen in an axial direction of the rack shaft.
US07780172B2
In a rotation shaft seal provided with a rubber lip portion, disposed between a housing and a rotation shaft and sliding on the rotation shaft, and a supporting member receiving the lip portion from a low-pressure side, the cross-sectional configuration of the lip portion in free state is a trapezoid diminishing to the end having the maximum thickness portion within an area received by the supporting member.
US07780167B2
A multi-sided playing die capable of indicating at least one of a plurality of symbols on sides of the die comprises an energy storage device within the die and a trigger for discharging energy from the energy storage device to cause rotation of the die out of a position in which said at least one symbol is indicated. The die may include a casing formed from parts arranged to rotate relative to each other to cause rotation of the die.
US07780157B2
A device for stitching collated printed products, in particular signatures, with staples, includes a stitching head base body, a former, a clincher, a staple support and a driver. The former has a supporting projection and a control projection. The supporting projection extends beyond a contour of the control projection. A saddle stitcher having a stitching device is also provided.
US07780153B2
A connecting bearing for elastic connection between at least two elements. The connecting bearing includes a first fastening device and a second fastening device. The first fastening device and second fastening device are each mechanically coupled by a elastomer means. The elastomer means is constructed and used as a vibration insulator.
US07780149B2
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for on-board refining of fuels within motorized vehicles. On board fuel refining is a finish-refining step that allows a fuel to be more precisely tailored to a particular vehicle and internal-combustion engine and to the current conditions under which the fuel is being used. In one embodiment, the fuel is subjected to fluid-shear forces and cavitation.
US07780147B2
A drawworks having a drum spool, a drum shaft concentrically supported by the drum spool, a rotary union, brake assemblies and a brake cooling system which circulates a cooling fluid through the brake assemblies to thereby reduce the operating temperature of the brake assemblies. The brake cooling system includes a cooling fluid passage that extends through the drum spool, the rotary union and the brake assemblies.
US07780129B1
A mounting kit for mounting an article to a wall including: a first support hook including a first leg portion and a second leg portion, the first leg portion including a first face constructed and arranged to face a wall when the first support hook is mounted thereto, and the second leg portion including a first face constructed and arranged to face the wall at a spaced apart distance to provide a gap between the first face of the second leg portion and the wall; and the support block including a first face designed to face the wall when mounted thereto and a top face constructed and arranged to generally face upward toward the support hook when mounted on a wall.
US07780125B2
A support frame for a variety of display devices includes a base, a frame, a sliding part, and a rotation part. The frame is located on the base and has a receiving portion and at least one friction enhancer located in the receiving portion. The sliding part can slide upwards or downwards is located at the frame. The rotation part, pivoted with the sliding part, rotates between a fixed location and a release location; and furthermore has a leaning portion that extends into the receiving portion of the frame. When the rotation part is located at the fixed location, the leaning portion tightly leans against the friction enhancer so that the display device is positioned at the frame. When the rotation part is located at the release location, there is a distance between the leaning portion and the friction enhancer so that the display device can slide upwards or downwards.
US07780117B2
A nacelle inlet lip (22) for an aircraft engine (16) comprises a structural body (30) and an ice protection system (60). The ice protection system (60) comprises a plurality of ice-protectors (62, 64, 66) independently controllable to allow inner zones (52, 54, 56) to be operated in different modes, different power levels, different time intervals and/or different energy amounts. In this manner, an inner aft zone (52), an inner mid zone (54), and an inner aft zone (56) can be anti-iced and/or de-iced to best preserve desired airflow patterns, to minimize ice particle shed size, and to optimize power consumption.
US07780104B2
A bait reel equipped with a turning dial controls the winding of the fishing line by controlling the revolution of the spool during fishing. The bait reel equipped with a turning dial has a dial for spooling connected by the handle axle and the combination of gears. Therefore, it enables the user to manually fine-tune the revolution of the spool, makes the structure of the reel simple even when the turning dial is added by making the guide support add the turning dial to the handle axle so the fishing line can be smoothly and stably wound on or released from the spool, and makes it easy to change and maintain the turning dial by fixing the turning dial to the side cover located, with the possibility of detaching and re-attaching, on the opposite side of the handle.
