US07787446B2

A system for controlling egress buffer saturation includes, for each data packet flow, a comparator for comparing the number of data packets ‘WPC’ temporarily stored within an egress buffer to a predefined threshold value ‘WPCth’. The packet sequence number ‘PSNr’ of a last received in-sequence data packet and each highest packet sequence number ‘HPSNj’ received through respective ones of the plurality of switching planes is stored. By comparing the last received in-sequence packet sequence number ‘PSNr’ to each highest packet sequence number ‘HPSNj’ when the number of data packets ‘WPC’ exceeds the predefined threshold value ‘WPCth’ a determination as to which switching plane(s), among the plurality of switching planes, to unstop the flow of data packets can be made.
US07787429B2

A method and apparatus for establishing a path in a wireless network are provided where the method includes receiving location information about a first neighbor node and a second neighbor node, the first neighbor node being located within a range of a first hop from a source node, the second neighbor node being located within a range of a second hop from the source node, determining a direction of a point where the second neighbor node is located, based on the source node, by using the received location information; detecting a particular second neighbor node having a same direction of a point where a destination node is located, based on the source node, and limitedly establishing a path via the detected second neighbor node, when the source node establishes a path for transmitting predetermined data to the destination node.
US07787420B2

The invention relates to a method and a computer program product for negotiation of a parameter for a protocol that controls data transmission between first Communication Units (CUs) and third CUs via second CUs. An improved protocol parameter adaptation for certain non-transparent data call handovers is achieved by proposing that when an existing association of said first CU with a former second CU is changed to an association of said first CU with a new second CU, protocol entities of the first CU and protocol entities of the third CU associated with the new second CU exchange at least one negotiation message containing a value for said parameter. The invention further relates to a system for data transmission.
US07787415B2

The present invention is directed to methods and wireless communication devices that are configured to enhance communication capacity in a wireless network. In one aspect of the invention various scheduling processes and schedulers for the transmissions of data packets are disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, the selection of appropriate transmission rates to advertise by a common unit which provides wireless service to different types of wireless transmit receive units (WTRUs) is addressed.
US07787414B2

Requesting a network resource includes facilitating a communication session between a mobile node and an endpoint. A trigger event is received at a first anchor point associated with the mobile node. The trigger event indicates that reservation of a network resource is being requested for the communication session. A second anchor point associated with the endpoint is identified. Reservation of the network resources for the communication sessions is initiated over a tunnel between the first anchor point and the second anchor point.
US07787409B2

A cargo, containerized cargo, high value asset monitoring and tracking communication system including a local area network (LAN) transmitter that transmits a first message having a first frequency spectrum, and a wide area network (WAN) uplink device that receives the first message from the local area network radio transmitter, whereby both WAN and LAN share the same spectrum. Further, the WAN uplink device transmits a second message having a second frequency spectrum overlapping the first frequency spectrum to a WAN receiver using an orbital satellite. At least one of the LAN transmitter and the WAN uplink device transmits with a transmission characteristic different from a transmission characteristic of the other. A communication device and method include similar features.
US07787407B2

An efficient method for providing both dedicated and simulcast services over a common wireless infrastructure is described. The services can be available to a single terminal as well as to a multiplicity of terminals simultaneously. The method uses time division multiplexing and orthogonal frequency division multiple access for simulcasting information and transmitting dedicated message information from a plurality of base stations forming a cellular pattern over the same wireless frequency channel. The method comprises the steps of constructing frames for transmission by the plurality of base stations comprising control information, simulcast information and dedicated message information within predetermined time slots of the frames and allocating the simulcast information and the dedicated message information to time slots of the same frame predetermined by the control information of the frame. The underlying modulation technology used is OFDM and thereby the channel delay-dispersion is minimized.
US07787406B2

Methods and arrangements for wireless communications are described. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to adaptively change a snoozing interval of a station. The embodiments may also include determining a timeout (TO) period for a station, examining network traffic of the station after a period of network traffic inactivity not less than the TO period, and determining a snoozing interval, the length of the snoozing interval based upon the examination of the network traffic. The embodiments may also include adjusting the length of the TO period. In some further embodiments, examining network traffic may include determining categories of network traffic. In other further embodiments, examining network traffic may include determining a size of a queue of network traffic for the station. The embodiments may also include redetermining a snoozing interval after returning to a normal power mode.
US07787400B2

A passive full-duplex bidirectional ZPL tap includes first and second network ports and tap ports. A signal separator is configured to receive a data stream from at least one of the first or second network ports and pass through the data stream and configured to obtain a first signal portion comprising at least the first signal component and obtain a second signal portion comprising at least the second signal component. A DSP stage is configured to substantially remove any second data component from the first signal portion and to substantially remove any first data component from the second signal portion. A first receive only Phy is configured to receive the first signal portion and provide the first signal portion to the first tap port and a second receive only Phy is configured to receive the second signal portion and provide the second signal portion to the second tap port.
US07787395B2

Each node of a virtual network can store only a predetermined number of address links to other nodes. In response to receiving a link request between a first node and a second node, it is determined whether both the first and second nodes have less than the predetermined numbering their lists. If this condition is satisfied, the address of the first node is inserted into the second node's list and the address of the second node is inserted into the first node's list. If this condition is not satisfied, it is determined whether the first node list has at least two less than the predetermined number and, if so, then the link between the second and third nodes is broken and they are instead newly linked to the first node.
US07787390B1

An apparatus includes at least one port to exchange packets of data with one or more networks and a user interface circuit that allows a user to input a plurality of event classification rules. Each of the event classification rules describes at least one event characteristic for an event in the apparatus. At least one of the event classification rules describes a plurality of the event characteristics. At least two of the event characteristics are selected from a group including a reboot of the apparatus, a change in state of a processor of the apparatus, a change in state of a memory of the apparatus, a change in state of the at least one port of the apparatus, a change in an attribute of a network interface of the apparatus, a user login, and a user logout. The change in state of the at least one port is generated by a change in spanning tree mode. The apparatus further includes an event classifier to identify events having the at least one event characteristic described by any of the event classification rules. The apparatus further includes a plurality of event counters each to count the events identified by the event classifier for a respective one of the event classification rules.
US07787382B2

A method for calculating service redundancy of a wireless network is provided. The method comprises determining one or more of a plurality of routes through which a node can communicate to reach a destination. A routing metric is calculated for each of the plurality of routes. Using the calculated routing metrics a route having a best routing metric is identified as a best route to the destination. Service redundancy for each node within the wireless network is calculated using a sum of weighted ratios of the best routing metric to at least one alternate routing metric.
US07787380B1

The invention is directed toward techniques for Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) upstream label assignment for the Resource Reservation Protocol with Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE). The techniques include extensions to the RSVP-TE that enable distribution of upstream assigned labels in Path messages from an upstream router to two or more downstream routers of tunnel established over a network. The tunnel may comprise a RSVP-TE P2MP Label Switched Path (LSP) or an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast tunnel. The techniques also include extensions to the RSVP-TE that enable a router to advertise upstream label assignment capability to neighboring routers in the network. The MPLS upstream label assignment using RSVP-TE described herein enables a branch router to avoid traffic replication on a Local Area Network (LAN) for RSVP-TE P2MP LSPs.
US07787370B1

A technique for adaptively load balancing connections in multi-link trunks is disclosed. The present invention provides an adaptive load balancing algorithm that utilizes relative link quality metrics to adjust traffic distribution between links. Link quality metrics may include short-term averages of an observed packet drop rate for each member link in a bundle. The present invention may dynamically adjust the number of flows on each link in proportion to available bandwidth. In addition, link quality metrics may be equalized, such that no link is more lossy than the others.
US07787364B2

A control scheme is disclosed for controlling establishment of a standby channel route for an active channel route in a GMPLS network made up of plural transmission apparatuses. The standby channel route is formed by at least one standby channel route transmission apparatus, an ingress transmission apparatus, and an egress transmission apparatus. The control scheme involves transmitting from the ingress transmission apparatus to the standby channel route transmission apparatus a standby channel path establishing message including pre-reserve information for directing the standby channel route transmission apparatus to pre-reserve a standby channel path of the standby channel route, and setting the standby channel path to pre-reserved status within a band management table of the standby channel route transmission apparatus. The standby channel path that is set to pre-reserved status within the standby channel route transmission apparatus is externally recognized as free by the other transmission apparatuses.
US07787349B2

An optical pickup lens focuses laser beams having different wavelengths λ1, λ2 and λ3 on at least three kinds of optical discs. At least one side of the optical pickup lens has a concentric loop zonal structure for compensating wavefront aberration occurring when recording or reproducing an optical disc having a substrate thickness t1 by the laser beam having the wavelength λ1 and wavefront aberration occurring when recording or reproducing an optical disc having a substrate thickness t2 by the laser beam having the wavelength λ2. When recording or reproducing an optical disc having a substrate thickness t3 by the laser beam having the wavelength λ3, a phase difference given to the laser beam having the wavelength λ3 due to the concentric loop zonal structure is about 0.15λ or smaller.
US07787345B2

An optical read/write apparatus causes a read/write light beam from illuminating means to strike only one side of an optical storage medium including stacked data storage layers each of which is readable/writeable separately from the other layers. In this case, the optical read/write apparatus operates so that data is read/written from/into a second data storage layer after fully recording a recordable area of a first data storage layer. Thus, light can be shone with uniform intensity across the substantially entire recordable area of the second data storage layer without using a complex read/write system even under such conditions that the transmittance to light of the first data storage layer in the recordable area may vary depending on whether any data is recorded in the recordable area.
US07787336B2

A signal processing apparatus of an optical disk recording/reproducing apparatus and a signal processing method performed thereby are provided. The signal processing apparatus may include an operational data generation unit for receiving digital signals, filtering received digital signals and outputting filtered signals as operational data and a data arithmetic-operation unit for performing an arithmetic operation on the operational data output by the operational data generation unit in response to a command.
US07787334B2

When there is a defect area in a specific recording layer, recording of information is continued and reduction in a recording rate is restrained. In an optical recording method for recording information on a multilayer optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers by irradiating the recording layer with a beam spot, any recording layer is set as an escape recording layer. When a defect area is detected while information is recorded on another recording layer except for the escape recording layer, the beam spot moves to the escape recording layer to continue recording the information.
US07787326B1

Within a programmable logic device, a multi-data rate SDRAM interface such as a DDR SDRAM interface includes in one embodiment a DQS clock tree, a slave delay circuit, and a delay-locked loop (DLL). The slave delay circuit is adapted to shift the phase of the DQS signal relative to the phase of data to provide a phase-shifted DQS signal to the DQS clock tree, and the DLL is adapted to control the slave delay circuit. The DLL includes a delay line comprising a plurality of instantiations of the slave delay circuit and a plurality of facsimiles of the DQS clock tree.
US07787309B2

A programmable non-volatile device is operated using a floating gate that functions as a FET gate that overlaps a portion of a source/drain region. This allows a programming voltage for the device to be imparted to the floating gate through capacitive coupling, thus changing the state of the device. The invention can be used in environments such as data encryption, reference trimming, manufacturing ID, security ID, and many other applications.
US07787308B2

A method for programming a flash memory device comprising programming memory cells via repetition of program loops, a first of the program loops including a program execution interval and a verify read interval, a second of the program loops including the program execution interval, the verify read interval, and a judging interval. Also disclosed is a flash memory device comprising a memory cell array having memory cells arranged in rows and columns, a read/program circuit configured to perform program and read operations to the memory cell array, and a control logic circuit configured to control the read/program circuit so as to perform a judging operation according to a program loop number.
US07787300B2

A nonvolatile memory device and programming method and apparatus therefore are described that include operatively coupled first and second sense amplifiers having first and second data registers or latches, a storage circuit for storing a data of the second amplifier, a pass/fail check circuit for checking the content of the second data register whether a cell of the memory device has been sufficiently programmed and a restore circuit for resetting the second data register for reprogramming the device until sufficiently programmed.
US07787298B2

A method for preventing a memory from generating a leakage current is disclosed. The memory includes a boundary memory cell and a neighboring memory cell. The neighboring memory cell is adjacent to the boundary memory cell. The method includes the following step. The first terminal of the neighboring memory cell is connected to the second terminal through a metal line.
US07787296B2

A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array constituted by a plurality of memory blocks, an interface, a write circuit, and a read circuit. A protect flag is written in the memory block. The readout protect flag can be output to an external device through the interface. When a write command is input from the interface, the write circuit executes the write command when the protect flag in the selected memory block has a first value and does not execute the write command when the protect flag has a second value.
US07787294B2

An operating method of a memory is provided. The memory includes a memory cell array composed of a plurality of memory cells, a plurality of bit lines, and a plurality of word lines. During programming the memory, a column of memory cells is selected. A voltage difference is respectively occurred between a bit line corresponding to first source/drain regions of the memory cells in the selected column and adjacent two bit lines, and a bias is respectively applied to a word line corresponding to a control gate of each memory cell in the selected column so as to allow a data bit of the memory cell at a plurality of predetermined programmed states and an unusable bit of each memory cell in an adjacent column which shares the same bit line with the selected column at an unusable state.
US07787291B2

Multilevel phase change memory cells may be programmed forming amorphous regions of amorphous phase change material in a storage region of the phase change memory cell. Crystalline paths of crystalline phase change material are formed through the amorphous regions of amorphous phase change material. Lengths of the crystalline paths are controlled so that at least a first crystalline path has a first length in a first programming state and a second crystalline path has a second length, different from the first length, in a second programming state.
US07787289B2

Embodiments of the present invention disclose an MRAM device having a plurality of magnetic memory cells grouped into words, and write conductors for carrying write currents to write to the memory cells, wherein at least some of the write conductors have a reduced cross-sectional area in the vicinity of a group of memory cells.
US07787287B2

In an MRAM, a curved region (206) is formed in a bit line (202), and this curved region (206) is in bent shape, with a TMR element (203) serving as a center, in this case, in rough U shape (in the illustrated example, in roughly inverted U shape). The bit line (202) in which the curved region (206) is formed includes the TMR element (203) in a space formed by the curved region (206). Thanks to such relatively simple construction, this construction realizes a highly reliable MRAM which ensures that power is substantially saved during data writing into a memory cell while meeting requirements for further miniaturization of the device.
US07787283B2

A termination resistor is mounted on a memory circuit and provides a termination resistance for the memory circuit. The termination resistor includes a node, a plurality of first termination resistors responsive to a corresponding control signal and connected between a power voltage and the node, and a plurality of second termination resistors responsive to a corresponding control signal and connected between a ground voltage and the node.
US07787278B2

Provided is a resistance variable memory device and a method for operating same. The resistance variable memory device has a phase change material between a top electrode and a bottom electrode. In the method for operating a resistance variable memory, the write current is applied in a direction from the top electrode to the bottom electrode, and the read current is applied in a direction from the bottom electrode to the top electrode. The phase change material is programmed by applying the write current, and a resistance drift of the phase change material is restrained by applying the read current.
US07787274B2

A power supply with adjustable outputted voltage includes a casing, a circuit board, a voltage-adjusting knob and a rotary wheel. The casing is provided thereon with a window, and the circuit board is disposed in the casing. The circuit board is electrically connected to AC/DC power input processing circuit in which only AC (or DC) exists or both AC and DC exist simultaneously. The voltage-adjusting knob is electrically connected on the circuit board. The rotary wheel is provided thereon with a plurality of voltage-adjusting numerals. The voltage-adjusting numerals are located to correspond to the window of the casing and are displayed in the window.
US07787267B2

An active power filter includes an energy storage capacitor, an inverter, a filtering circuit and a controller. The inverter is controlled to act as a virtual resister at a fundamental frequency for compensating for the power loss of the active power filter, to act as a virtual capacitor at a fundamental frequency for compensating for a fundamental reactive power of the load, and/or to generate a harmonic current for suppressing the harmonic currents of specific orders of the load.
US07787265B2

A dual-switch forward power converter, and a method of operating the same, employs a self-coupled driver to achieve among other advantages higher efficiency, lower part count and component cost. In one aspect of the present invention, a power converter comprises a transformer and two switching transistors, and said transformer has two serially-connected primary windings with the first winding connected to a first switching transistor which is biased by a pulse controller, and the second winding couples the voltage across said first winding to bias the second switching transistor. In addition, the circuit on the primary side of said transformer further comprises means of dissipating magnetization current and the circuit on the secondary side comprises a rectifier and a low-pass filter.
US07787256B2

A tamper respondent system having: a physical volume containing an electronic device to be protected; an at least partially conductive surface proximate to the electronic device; and a tamper respondent sensor over the electronic device (the sensor comprising: a flexible, dielectric substrate; conductive traces on the substrate; a porous insulating layer having pores over the conductive traces; and adhesive within said pores of said porous insulating layer), wherein the adhesive is in contact with both the substrate and the at least partially conductive surface through the porous insulating layer.
US07787254B2

A multichip module comprises: a first rigid member defining one outer wall of a chamber; a second rigid member defining the opposite wall of the chamber; a sealable interface joining the first and second rigid members at their peripheries, whereby a hollow chamber is formed; a flex circuit having a plurality of integrated circuit chips disposed thereon, the flex circuit affixed to at least one of the first and second rigid members; electrical contacts at least partially extending outward through the sealable interface; and, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet configured to permit fluid to flow through the chamber whereby heat generated by the integrated circuit chips may be removed from the module.
US07787253B1

A framework installation guide assembly is provided that is selectively attachable to mounting rails of an electronic enclosure cabinet. The mounting rails include a plurality of mounting apertures at predetermined intervals. The framework includes a set of guide rails extending into the electronic enclosure cabinet. A first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket are affixed to a first guide rail and second guide rail, respectively, for selectively coupling the guide rails to the vertical mounting rails using fasteners at a selected one of the mounting apertures. An array of rollers is coupled to the first guide rail and the second guide rail for providing support to a bottom-side surface of the electronic component. The array of rollers further provides a slidable support surface for allowing the electronic component to be moved to a position for securing the electronic component to the mounting rails of the electronic enclosure cabinet.
US07787252B2

Various apparatuses and methods for a preferentially cooled electronic device are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide an electronic apparatus including a package substrate and with a semiconductor die electrically and thermally connected to the package substrate by a plurality of connection nodes. At least one thermal trace interconnects at least one subset of the plurality of connection nodes. At least one heat dissipation trace on the package substrate is connected to the at least one subset of the plurality of connection nodes.
US07787246B2

A computer device includes a plurality of information processing units configured to execute respective information processing functions, a plurality of storage units, one of which is arranged in each of the information processing units, and which are removable, a plurality of storage devices physically dispersed in the storage units, and having a redundant configuration, where one storage unit includes at least two storage devices, and a plurality of controllers configured to be installed in the information processing units, and to access the storage devices, where each information processing unit includes one of the controllers.
US07787237B2

A display panel structure includes a circuit board, and a display unit substrate connected to the circuit board and having a display unit. The display panel structure further includes a supporting member comprised of a first supporting section that is fitted to the circuit board, a second supporting section that is fitted to the display unit substrate, and a spacer section to secure a specified space between the circuit board and the display unit substrate. With the supporting member, the display unit substrate is supported in a state inclined relative to the circuit board.
US07787234B2

A digital signal processor includes a component for processing a digital signal, a power line for supplying a power to the component, and a decoupling capacitor connected between the power line and a ground. The decoupling capacitor has an equivalent series resistance larger than zero and not larger than 25 mΩ at 100 kHz and an equivalent series inductance larger than zero and not larger than 800 pH at 500 MHz. This digital signal processor does not generate a lot of digital noise, and has a small, thin size.
US07787228B2

A switchgear control apparatus includes main contacts for first to third phases, operating mechanisms for activating the main contacts for the respective phases, voltage sensors for detecting phase voltages of a three-phase power source, and a contact closing control circuit. The contact closing control circuit first outputs a contact closing signal to the first-phase operating mechanism to close the first-phase main contact corresponding to a central leg of a core of a three-phase reactor at a first-phase voltage peak, and then a contact closing signal to the second- and third-phase operating mechanisms to simultaneously close the second- and third-phase main contacts corresponding to two outer legs of the reactor core at a zero-voltage point of the first phase three-quarter cycle later than close of the main contact for the first phase.
US07787224B2

The integrated protection circuit according to the invention for ESD protecting an circuit device having at least one pad, e.g. a I/O pad, comprises a first transistor (MPI) whose control outputs are connected between the pad (2, 3) and the control input of a clamp transistor (MN4). The control outputs of the clamp transistor (MN4) are connected between the pad (2, 3) and a reference terminal (4). The protection circuit further comprises a second transistor (MN3) whose control outputs are connected between the control output of the first transistor (.MP 1) and the reference terminal (4). Finally the protection circuit also comprises time-delay elements (R, MN 1) connected between a supply voltage terminal (1) and the control inputs of the first transistor (MP I) and the second transistor (MN3).
US07787223B2

A system, method, and device for a circuit breaker used in residential and commercial panels are disclosed. The exemplary circuit may have an overload protection device causing a disruption in a circuit when the circuit is overloaded. One or more sensors may detect a condition of the circuit and transmit a signal associated the detected condition to an integrated circuit via sensor ports. The integrated circuit may cause a disruption in a circuit when the signal of the detected condition is out of predetermine limit. The integrated circuit may also determine if a sensor is coupled to a sensor port.
US07787219B2

An airflow diverter is used to overcome the adverse effect of flow-induced vibration of a disk drive pivot actuator. The diverter may be formed as a separate component or as an integral portion of the flex stiffener or the actuator itself. The invention streamlines the actuator to the incoming airflow and helps reduce the torque disturbance to the actuator as it reduces the sail or parachute effect. This helps reduce power consumption due to a lower drag from the actuator assembly. The contour of the flow deflector is designed to conform closely to the curvature of the disk boundaries when the actuator is rotated to the ID position on the disk. This design serves as a shroud around the disk stack which further helps to reduce power by preserving flow momentum.
US07787210B1

A magnetic hard disk drive includes a method for eliminating that portion of track following error by a read/write transducer that is caused by repeatable runout of the disk tracks. The repeatable runout is eliminated by application of an iterative algorithm that calculates feed-forward correction terms based on gain coefficients iteratively calculated from the amplitude and phase portions of a Bode plot characterizing the system. The corrective coefficients can be inserted into the hard disk drive at a summing junction that redefines the centerline of the track, or at a summing junction that causes the actuator to follow the repeatable runout and make non-repeatable runout corrections relative thereto.
US07787208B2

Provided are a bit patterned medium having a super-track, a method of tracking a track of the bit patterned medium, a head appropriate for the bit patterned medium, and an information recording/reproducing apparatus including the bit patterned medium and the head. The bit patterned medium includes a substrate, and a recording layer comprised of a plurality of bit cells which are formed on the substrate by being separated from each other, along a plurality of tracks. Each of the plurality of tracks includes a super-track comprised of a plurality of sub-tracks. Bit cells formed on a sub-track from among the plurality of sub-tracks in the super-track are disposed so as to deviate from bit cells formed on another sub-track from among the plurality of sub-tracks in the super-track. A track ID (identification) for recognizing the super-track, and a servo burst generating a position error signal when a head tracks the super-track, are arranged in an area of each of the plurality of tracks. Meanwhile, the head includes a writing head recording information in units of sub-tracks, and a reading sensor reproducing the information in units of super-tracks.
US07787206B2

A system and method for providing an interface between a read channel and a disk controller. The interface includes a plurality of differential pair signal lines operable o communicate data and control signals between the read channel and the hard disk controller. The data and control signal lines communicate operations for transferring data between the disk controller and the read channel. The operations may be communicated as commands that may be communicated to a preamplifier circuit to access registers in the preamplifier that may be configured to control the preamplifier operation.
US07787202B2

A technique to perform a guided partial response target search for characterizing a read channel of a disk drive. A target adaptation scheme pre-selects a plurality of targets from a pool of potential targets based on certain criteria and the selected targets are sorted in linear gradient orders. When target adaptation is being performed by comparing the equalizer output with an ideal reconstructed signal, a difference value sets a gradient vector that is used to determine which direction to move along the sorted list of targets to select the next target.
US07787200B2

A master-disk producing device produces a master disk with master-disk identification information added. A disk producing device produces a first disk with the master-disk identification information added, using the master disk with the master-disk identification information added. A first disk device obtains, after the first disk with the master-disk identification information added is mounted, first correction information from a correction-information storing device based on the master-disk identification information of the first disk.
US07787194B2

An adjustable lens mounting assembly has a detent system which provides a defined vertical movement of a lens per detent index. A calibration of a lens during assembly of an image sensor is therefore achieved with no moving parts, and generation of foreign material is minimized. Furthermore, gluing of the components can be dispensed with.
US07787190B2

An optical element includes a first liquid; a second liquid that is immiscible with the first liquid and that has polarity or electrical conductivity; a first substrate portion; a second substrate portion; a sidewall portion; a second electrode disposed on one of the second substrate portion and the sidewall portion; and an accommodating portion constituted by the first substrate portion, the second substrate portion, and the sidewall portion and sealing the first liquid and the second liquid therein. The optical element further includes a first film disposed on the first substrate portion side of the accommodating portion and having high affinity with the first liquid, a second film disposed on the second substrate portion side of the accommodating portion and having high affinity with the second liquid, and a third film disposed at the center of the second film and having high affinity with the first liquid.
US07787177B2

A projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object surface onto an image surface of the projection objective has an object-side imaging subsystem for creating a final intermediate image closest to the image surface from radiation coming from the object surface and an image-side imaging subsystem for directly imaging the final intermediate image onto the image surface. The image-side imaging subsystem includes at least one aspheric primary correcting lens having an aspheric primary correcting surface. The object-side imaging subsystem includes a secondary correcting group having at least one secondary correcting lens having an aspheric secondary correcting surface. Conditions involving maximum incidence angles and subaperture offsets at the correcting surfaces are given which should be observed to obtain sufficient aberration correction at very high image-side numerical apertures NA.
US07787175B1

A chirped pulse amplification (CPA) system and method is described wherein a pulse selector is added after a final amplifier in the system. The pulse selector is configured to select amplified pulses such that the system output repetition rate of the CPA system is below an ASE-limiting repetition rate of the amplifiers. The system may also comprise pulse pickers placed before the final amplifier to control pulse energy of the amplified pulses.
US07787172B2

The present invention provides a projection apparatus, that includes: a light source; a light source control unit for controlling the output of the light source; at least one spatial light modulator for modulating the illumination light from the light source by a plurality of pixel elements; and an optical system for projecting, onto a screen, the illumination light deflected by the spatial light modulator, wherein: the light source control unit performs a gamma (γ) correction on input image data by a modulation control of the light source.
US07787156B2

A facsimile device connected to a public line in parallel with an external telephone is provided. The facsimile device includes a facsimile circuit configured to send and receive image data through the public line, a voltage detector that detects a voltage of the public line, a telephone status monitoring unit configured to judge whether the external telephone closes the public line based on the voltage of the public line detected by the voltage detector and a reference voltage, a monitoring operation control unit configured to keep the telephone status monitoring unit in an inactive state until a predetermined time elapses from a time when the facsimile circuit releases the public line, and to activate the telephone status monitoring unit if the predetermined time elapses from the time when the facsimile circuit releases the public line.
US07787136B2

A printer comprises a receiving section which receives printing jobs from a networked personal computers, a storage section which stores the received printing jobs, and a printing section which executes a printing job extracted from the storage section. A control section of the printer determines whether the printing jobs received by the receiving section include special printing, and causes a display section to display a list of the printing jobs including the special printing. The printing section executes the printing job selected from the displayed list by the user through an input section.
US07787131B1

An imaging system. Implementations of imaging systems may include a laser light source, at least one imaging detector coupled to the laser light source, a shearing interferometer coupled to at least one imaging detector, and a timing system coupled to the at least one imaging detector and the laser light source. A ranging detector may be coupled to the laser light source and the timing system, and at least on sensitivity modulator may be coupled with the at least one imaging detector and with the timing system.
US07787129B2

A method of analyzing tissue includes inserting a radiation source into tissue, impinging radiation upon the tissue, obtaining a sample signal of the radiation that impinges upon the tissue, and determining a refractive index of the tissue from the sample signal. The method may also include determining at least one other optical property of the tissue. The method may provide for identifying tissue as part of a biopsy method. A device for analyzing tissue may include a low-coherence interferometer and a probe optically coupled to the interferometer, where the probe includes a radiation source.
US07787120B2

Detection sensitivity is improved by increasing the amount of light of beams that irradiate a sample cell without causing saturation of a detector with ultraviolet beams or visible beams. This spectrophotometer includes a sample cell, which stores a sample to be measured, a visible light source and an ultraviolet light source each for supplying an incident beam that enters the sample, a spectroscope, which disperses a beam that has passed through the sample, an optical detector, which detects beams dispersed from such beam (spectrum), and a dichroic element which reflects or transmits ultraviolet beams from the ultraviolet light source and which transmits or reflects visible beams from the visible light source. Optics are configured such that ultraviolet beams and visible beams that have passed through or have been reflected by the dichroic element enter the sample cell.
US07787119B2

There is described a method for identifying at least one target in a substantially transparent medium. High-power, ultra-short laser pulses are transmitted into the medium. A diameter of the laser pulses is enlarged and the laser pulses having an enlarged beam diameter are focused using a focusing element so as to generate filaments substantially near a geometrical focal zone of the focusing element, whereby a spontaneous fluorescence signal (amplified through amplified spontaneous emission or not) is detected and analyzed to identify the target.
US07787118B2

A method of obtaining spectral information comprises initiating at least a first excitation at a first excitation frequency and a second excitation at a second frequency in a surface enhanced sample. The method further comprises varying one of said first and second excitation frequencies, detecting an output signal having an output signal strength and identifying an output signal peak. In addition the method includes correlating the identified output signal with the first and second excitation frequencies to obtain spectral information, in which the surface enhanced sample substrate is configured to enhance the field corresponding to at least one of the first and second excitation, or output fields initiated in this sample.
US07787107B2

Indicating relative speed is disclosed. A first grating coupled to a first moving object is illuminated using a coherent light source to generate a first diffracted beam and a diffracted order beam. A second grating coupled to a second moving object is illuminated using the first diffracted beam and the second diffracted beam to generate a third diffracted beam and a fourth diffracted beam. The third diffracted beam and the fourth diffracted beam are measured. A relative speed of the first moving object with respect to the second moving object is indicated based at least in part on the measured third diffracted beam and the measured fourth diffracted beam.
US07787099B2

The present invention relates to an alignment film printing mask, and more particularly, to a jig for an alignment film printing mask. A jig according to the present invention includes a plurality of supporting members each having at least one bent portion, arranged at regular intervals along a width direction of the alignment film printing mask for supporting the alignment film printing mask, at l one connection member for connecting the supporting members, and fastening units for securing the alignment film printing mask supported by the supporting members.
US07787094B2

An exemplary liquid crystal panel includes (1) a first substrate (11), a second substrate (12) opposite to the first substrate, a first adhesive strip (13) provided at a periphery of the liquid crystal panel between the first and second substrates, and at least one second adhesive strip (14) in direct contact with an outside of the first adhesive strip. The first and second substrates are bonded to each other by the first adhesive strip and the at least one second adhesive strip.
US07787093B2

An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes gate and data lines crossing on a substrate, common lines parallel to and between the gate lines, thin film transistors at crossing portions of the gate and data lines, and a pixel electrode. The common lines define pixel regions, which are each divided into first and second regions by the corresponding gate line. The thin film transistors each include a gate electrode in a first direction, a semiconductor layer on the gate electrode, and source and drain electrodes on the semiconductor layer in a second direction. The source and drain electrodes cross the gate electrode in each of the first and second regions. The pixel electrode is connected to the drain electrode.
US07787090B2

An in plane switching liquid crystal display (IPS LCD) (100) has two substrates (110, 120) opposite to each other and spaced apart a predetermined distance; a liquid crystal layer (130) between the two substrates, and having a plurality of liquid crystal molecules; and an electrode array (111) formed on one of the substrate. Only one alignment layer (112) is provided, adjacent to the liquid crystal layer, which is formed on the substrate having the electrode array.
US07787089B2

A first conductive layer in which a first electrode film is formed, a first protective layer on the first conductive layer, a first hole penetrating through the first protective layer to reach the first electrode film, a second conductive layer including a second electrode film which is disposed on the first protective layer and in contact with a portion of the first electrode film at the bottom of the first hole and the lower electrode, a second protective layer disposed on the second conductive layer and including the insulating film, a second hole disposed on the second protective layer and penetrating through the second protective layer to reach the second electrode film, and a third conductive layer including a third electrode film which is in contact with a portion of the second electrode film at the bottom of the second hole and the upper electrode.
US07787088B2

An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a pixel electrode in a pixel region, a second substrate facing the first substrate and including a common electrode, a first alignment layer on the pixel electrode, a second alignment layer on the common electrode, a first ferroelectric liquid crystal layer on the first alignment layer and including a first spontaneous polarization, a second ferroelectric liquid crystal layer on the second alignment layer and including a second spontaneous polarization, a rotational direction of the first ferroelectric liquid crystal layer with respect to the first alignment layer being different from a rotational direction of the second ferroelectric liquid crystal layer with respect to the second alignment layer, and a twisted nematic liquid crystal layer between the first and second ferroelectric liquid crystal layers.
US07787081B2

A photo-sensitive element, a readout pixel with the photo-sensitive element, and a liquid crystal display with the readout pixels are described. The photo-sensitive element includes a switch TFT and a photo detecting device. The hate electrode of the switch TFT is electrically connected to a switch line and the source electrode of the switch TFT is electrically connected to a readout line. The photo detecting device is connected between the switch line and the drain electrode of the switch TFT for detecting the brightness of a light incident thereon. The photo detecting device is preferably a photo TFT, a photo diode, or a light sensitive resistor. The photo TFT and the switch TFT are preferably amorphous silicon transistors. The switch line is preferably a gate line disposed on the TFT array substrate of the crystal display.
US07787080B2

A projection system includes a projector that emits imaging light, a polarization screen that selectively reflects, of the imaging light, only light in a specified state of polarization, and a reflecting element placed on an optical path between the projector and the polarization screen to reflect the imaging light. The projector emits imaging light containing circularly polarized light whose state of polarization varies according to the wave range of the light, and the first and the second reflective layers in the reflecting element have polarization characteristics and reflection wave ranges corresponding to the state of polarization and the wave range of the circularly polarized light contained in the imaging light in such a manner that the state of polarization of the circularly polarized light, after being reflected from the first and the second reflective layers, is uniform irrespective of the wave range of the light.
US07787076B2

As a shape on a cross-section vertical to a longitudinal direction (L) of the hot cathode fluorescent lamp (20a (20b)), a light source rear side reflecting plane (62) of a reflector (60) includes a mound portion (623). The mound portion (623) is defined by two recessed inclining planes and protrudes toward a hot cathode fluorescent lamp (20a (20b)).
US07787075B2

Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal display that compensates an hourglass phenomenon using a backlight unit. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel, a polarizer adhered to the liquid crystal panel, and a backlight unit including a diffuser sheet. A predetermined region of the diffuser sheet facing a region of the polarizer, where an hourglass phenomenon occurs, is formed to permit a smaller quantity of light to be transmitted therethrough than other regions of the diffuser sheet. With this construction, the liquid crystal display can avoid the hourglass phenomenon from being observed by a viewer, and prevent non-uniform brightness while improving image quality.
US07787071B2

A display device 1 of an embodiment of the invention has a first display panel (10A), a second display panel (10B) that is disposed behind the first display panel (10A), a front rim 20 that is disposed in front of the first display panel (10A), an intermediate cases (30, 35) that are disposed between the first display panel (10A) and the second display panel (10B), and support the first display panel (10A) and the second display panel (10B), and a backlight 40 that is provided behind the second display panel (10B). At least the front rim 20, intermediate cases (30, 35) and backlight 40 are provided with fixing holes 23a, 33a, 38a, 44a in their corners, and fixing is effected integrally at each corner. Thanks to such structure, a display device is provided in which the distance between the two display panels can be altered by an inexpensive method.
US07787060B2

A video apparatus having a display module and a method of controlling the same are provided, whereby an electric field strength or automatic gain control (AGC) signal is recognized from a received broadcast signal and a power supply mode of the display module is controlled according to a level of the recognized AGC signal, to prevent an overheating of the display module without using an additional device. The video apparatus includes a display module for displaying a broadcast signal received via a broadcast channel, the display module being selectively driven according to one of a plurality of power supply modes; and a controller for controllably setting the power supply mode of the display module according to the strength of an electric field of the received broadcast signal, the controller maintaining the set power supply mode if the electric field strength lies between lower and upper thresholds defining a threshold region.
US07787058B1

Information is provided to on-air personnel that is synchronized to a playlist executed by a broadcast automation system. A type is defined within a broadcast automation system and is associated with studio segments and non-studio segments that follow studio segments in a playlist. As the playlist is executed, the broadcast automation system provides a count until the next segment with the specified type. The count is monitored and if the count matches a predetermined value, then a trigger is generated based on the predetermined value and the playlist. Each trigger is associated with a particular action, such as the display of a message on certain display units. Once the trigger is generated, the action is performed. The invention can be used to automatically provide countdown information to on-camera personnel based on the playlist.
US07787052B2

A broadcasting receiver having a freeze function and a method thereof. The broadcasting receiver has an operation reception unit receiving predetermined operation signals; a graphic driver unit continuously outputting one frame of same image signal and/or one frame of same additional data, according to a freezing command input through the operation reception unit; a scaler unit scaling the one frame of same image signal and/or the one frame of same additional data; a display unit displaying the one frame of same image signal and/or the one frame of same additional data as scaled; an on-screen-display (OSD) generation unit producing OSD data corresponding to a predetermined external operation signal input through the operation reception unit; and a control unit controlling the graphic driver unit to blend the OSD data with the one frame of same image signal and/or the one frame of same additional data and output them as blended.
US07787039B2

To provide a drive method for finding out an optimum storage period quickly. To provide a drive method for finding out an optimum storage period quickly. In the method for driving the MOS sensor having a plurality of pixels, after all the plurality of pixels are simultaneously reset, signals are then sequentially outputted from said plurality of pixels. The period from the reset time to the time just before said plurality of pixels output saturated signals is termed as the storage period.
US07787038B2

A CMOS image sensor is disclosed which can achieve reduction of the voltage used to read out signal charge and can achieve expansion of the dynamic range. A P-well region is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and an embedded photodiode, a transfer transistor, an amplification transistor, a selection transistor, a reset transistor, a floating diffusion and so forth are provided in the P-well region. Signal charge of the photodiode is transferred to the floating diffusion by operation of the transfer transistor. A substrate bias voltage in the form of a negative voltage is applied to the P-well region in synchronism with the charge transfer operation of the transfer transistor to control the potential balance between the photodiode and the transfer gate portion to reduce the voltage for charge transfer. Further, during charge storage of the photodiode, the substrate bias voltage is varied to modify the angle of the sensitivity curve to achieve expansion of the dynamic range.
US07787032B2

Methods and apparatuses for dark current reduction by adjustment of electrical characteristics of transfer gates in pixels within an imaging sensor based on image comparisons.
US07787026B1

A camera has a continuous full-resolution burst mode wherein a sequence of full-resolution images is captured, is image processed by a pipeline of dedicated hardware image processing engines, is zoomed by a zoom engine, is compressed by a compression engine, and is stored into nonvolatile storage as a sequence of discrete files. The capturing of images and the storing of files continues at a rate of at least three frames per second until the user indicates burst mode operation is to stop or until nonvolatile storage becomes filled. Although the camera has a buffer memory into which raw sensor data is placed before image processing, the number of images that can be captured in a single burst is not limited by the size of the buffer memory. The cost of a consumer market camera having continuous burst mode capability is therefore reduced by reducing the required amount of buffer memory.
US07787017B2

The invention concerns a method for identification of stationary or moving objects such as images, texts or physical items on the basis of a digital representation (308), to be learned, of the object or of a part of the object. Within the representation (308) to be learned or within a detail (310), a search window (312) is initially selected here which occurs only once within the representation (308) to be learned or within the detail (310). At least one search detail (314, 316, 318) within the search window (312) is then selected, and forms the basis for the object identification. The invention further relates to a digital camera, in particular for image processing in an industrial environment.
US07787014B2

In some implementations, a portable imaging system includes a host computer, a docking station connected to the host computer, and a portable imaging device intermittently attached to the docking station and configured to communicate data with the host computer through a wired connection when the portable imaging device is attached to the docking station, and through a wireless connection when detached from the docking station. In some implementations, a method for communicating data between a portable imaging device and a computer is also provided. In some implementations, the method includes determining whether a wired connection is established between the portable imaging device and the computer. In some implementations, if established, the wired connection is used to communicate data between the portable imaging device and the computer. In some implementations, if a wired connection is not established, a wireless connection between the portable imaging device and the computer is established and used to communicate data between the portable imaging device and the computer.
US07787007B2

A system and method is disclosed for composing a video layout having an aspect ratio of 16:9 from a plurality of video segments having an aspect ratio other than 16:9. For example, the plurality of video segments might have an aspect ratio of 4:3. To create a composite frame having an aspect ratio of about 16:9, the disclosed system scales each one of the segments and places each scaled segment in the layout in such a way that the composite layout has an aspect ratio of about 16:9.
US07787003B2

An image forming apparatus including: a photoconductor, adapted such that an electrostatic latent image is formed thereon and extending in a first direction; and an optical scanner, operable to emit a light beam to expose the photoconductor while scanning in the first direction, wherein: the photoconductor and the optical scanner define a space therebetween; and the space allows air to flow therethrough in the first direction.
US07787002B2

In transfer of even pixel data, focusing on even-number data, only the even data is selected out of eight pixels of image data read out from a storage circuit and transferred to an LED head in a unit of four bits. Four pixel data are simply selected out of eight pixels without performing one-pixel conversion. In transfer of odd pixel data, focusing on odd data, when data is “0”, “0” is directly transferred. When data is “1”, if the previous pixel data is “1”, “1” is directly transferred, and if the previous pixel data is “0”, data is converted into “0” to be transferred.
US07786998B2

The present disclosure discusses methods and apparatus for controlling the video playback in a video playback system. In particular, a method for controlling video playback includes receiving a flip call to display video data from a flip queue buffer. Processing of the video data is then initiated. Flip acknowledgement information is issued in response to receiving the flip call information and prior to completion of the processing of video data to be displayed from the flip queue buffer. By issuing flip acknowledgement information regardless of whether the processing of the video data has been completed, video flip calls can continue to be issued at a constant rate and other processing can continue without waiting, thus resulting in better and smoother video playback and economizing processing resources. Additionally, a decision whether or not to drop a particular video frame is made based on whether a flip queue buffer from a predetermined number of flip queue buffers is available. The disclosed apparatus includes a flip manager, such as under the control of a driver, that controls the timing of video frame flips, rather than an application controlling the timing.
US07786996B2

A system of inter-connectable modules that can be used to build consumer electronic sub-systems and products. Familial features are included for easy setup and control. Data is passed between modules using a common interface to permit easy routing and reconfiguration of data flows.
US07786994B2

Systems, methods, and/or techniques (“tools”) for determining Unicode points from glyph elements are provided. The tools may receive indications of commands that relate to text containing glyphs. Responding to the commands, the tools may convert the glyphs to corresponding Unicode representations. The tools may also provide glyph substitution tables that include Unicode fields for storing Unicode representations of characters, along with first and second glyph fields for storing glyphs of the characters. The glyph substitution tables may include links pointing from the second glyph fields to the first glyph fields, and may also include links pointing from the first glyph fields to the Unicode fields. Finally, the tools may provide character mapping tables that include Unicode fields for storing Unicode representations of characters. The character mapping tables may also include glyph fields for storing glyphs of the characters, and may include links pointing from the glyph fields to the Unicode fields.
US07786990B2

A cursor mode display system and method for indicating an offset distance between a cursor position on an image and a closest image slice in a corresponding image series. First, the three-dimensional coordinates associated with the cursor position on the image are determined by projecting the cursor position onto a three-dimensional patient coordinate system. The closest image slice is then identified as the image slice in the corresponding image series that is closest to the three-dimensional coordinates of the cursor position. The offset distance between the closest image slice and the three-dimensional coordinates associated with the cursor position is then calculated. If the offset distance does not exceed a threshold value, then the closest image slice is displayed. Otherwise a modified version of the closest image slice is displayed.
US07786984B2

The invention concerns a method and system for digitally processing information to be written on an observation form, said form being preprinted with at least one blank chart having at least one line and several columns, each column corresponding to a determined printed time, said form being also preprinted with a pattern adapted to cooperate with a digital pen and a computerized localization system for determining the position of the pen; using a pen having a writing tip and a digital tip; filling in data in one column at a time; reproducing said data in the computerized localization system and associating to said data its recording time; and comparing said recording time with the localized printed time of said data, so as to detect any inconsistency between the recording time and the printed time.
US07786971B2

A flat panel display device and a picture quality controlling method thereof is provided. The flat panel display device includes a display panel. A memory stores location information about a panel defect location on the display panel and a compensation value to be dispersed for a plurality of frame periods. A compensating part detects the data to be displayed at the panel defect location and adjusts the data to be displayed at the panel defect location with the compensation value from the memory.
US07786968B2

An output pulse of a flip flop is delayed in a delay inverter circuit before supplied to an input terminal of a level shifter. Then, an output pulse of the next stage flip flop is supplied to a reset terminal of the first flip flop and also to an enable terminal of the level shifter. Further, the level shifter output a sampling pulse with a beginning end equal to the beginning end of the pulse supplied to the input terminal and a terminal and equal to the beginning and of the pulse supplied to the enable terminal. With this arrangement, the subject invention provides a pulse output circuit, a driving circuit for a display device using the pulse output circuit, a display device and a pulse output method, that reduce delay of the terminal end of the pulse in sequentially outputting pulses from plural output terminals.
US07786951B2

A (display) device (31,4,5) contains multiple panels (3,7) like e.g. displays. Every display can be used to display its own content and can be rolled out of a sub-housing (5) like e.g. a cartridge separately. In different configurations the same cartridge can be arranged in such a way that the panels are used for a separate functionality or multiple display panels form one big screen.
US07786950B2

A loop antenna is disclosed which can prevent the occurrence of variance in the loop length of the installed loop antenna element, and a method for manufacturing the loop antenna. The loop antenna comprises electrical wires constituting the antenna element and a housing that holds the electrical wires. Furthermore, the housing is formed with first guide grooves that guide the first end portions of the electrical wires and that have wall surfaces against which the tip ends on the side of the first end portions of the electrical wires abut, and second guide grooves that guide the second end portions of the electrical wires and that have wall surfaces against which the tip ends on the side of the second end portions of the electrical wires abut. Moreover, crimp parts with which the end portions of the electrical wires are connected by crimping are provided inside the respective guide grooves. In addition, a pair of contact parts that make contact with external terminals are respectively connected to the crimp parts.
US07786942B2

An antenna arrangement implemented within a printed circuit board (PCB) having three metal co planar layers, for use in multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication systems. The antenna arrangement comprises a first dipole antenna and second dipole antenna, substantially symmetrical to the first dipole antenna a slot antenna positioned substantially between the first and the second dipole antennas. The antenna arrangement is implemented in three coplanar metal layers. The antennas are used for MIMO communication systems, specifically complying with IEEE 802.11n and are shaped such that their combined radiation pattern exhibits a substantially omni directional radiation pattern.
US07786941B2

An antenna module is provided. The antenna module comprises a first radiation conductor, a second radiation conductor, a short-circuit element (s/c element), a ground plane, a feed-in cable and a spurious radiation conductor. One terminal of the second radiation conductor is near the first radiation conductor with a gap. One terminal of the s/c element is connected to the second radiation conductor and the other side of the s/c element is connected to the ground plane. The feed-in cable comprises a centre conductor and an external conductor, wherein the centre conductor is connected to the first radiation conductor and the external conductor is connected to the ground plane. The spurious radiation conductor is connected to the second radiation conductor. The second radiation conductor comprises a spurious radiation plate, a first radiation piece and a second radiation piece within the two sides of the second radiation conductor. The first radiation piece and a second radiation piece are in parallel and a gap is conducted between the first radiation piece and the second radiation piece.
US07786939B2

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and an antenna thereof of which the radiation pattern is not distorted regardless of the length of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a terminal body; an antenna connected to a high frequency signal source within the terminal body; and a grounding means connected to a ground voltage source within the terminal body.
US07786929B2

A method and device for predicting satellite trajectory extension data used in a mobile apparatus. The device in accordance with the present invention comprises an I/O interface and a microprocessor. The input/output (I/O) interface is used for obtaining at least one satellite navigation message for a satellite. The microprocessor is used for determining a propagating condition according to the satellite navigation message, estimating a plurality of parameters of a satellite trajectory prediction model according to the propagating condition, and propagating a set of satellite trajectory extension data by using the satellite trajectory prediction model.
US07786928B2

A monostatic multi-beam radar sensor for motor vehicles, having a group antenna, a planar lens having multiple inputs, and a homodyne mixer system, wherein the mixer system comprises multiple transfer mixers that are connected in parallel to the inputs of the lens.
US07786925B1

A method and apparatus determines the shape of an orbiting or airborne object. A radar determines the general location and a telescope is directed toward the object to form an image of background stars, which will be occluded by the object. The image is compared with a memorized star map, to identify the region of the image in the map. Stars visible in the map which are not visible in the image are listed. The invisible stars are paired with next adjacent visible stars to form star pairs. The midpoints are identified of lines extending between star pairs. Segment lines are drawn between a midpoint and the next closest midpoint. The segment lines define an outline of the object.
US07786924B2

According to one embodiment, a DVOR apparatus includes a main device outputting a radio frequency (RF) signal, a distributor distributing the RF signal output from a main device into a plurality of systems, and sideband antennas radiating the RF signal, wherein, the main device includes a RF signal output unit outputting the RF signal, a measuring unit measuring power levels of reflected waves, a determining unit determining presence or absence of faulty power levels from the measurement results, a generating unit generating selection signals to control selections of outputs of the RF signal for the distributor, a comparison unit comparing the selection signals with the determining results, and a specifying unit specifying faulty sideband antennas and a faulty transmission path of the RF signal among the main device and the distributor from the comparison results.
US07786922B2

A method according to the present invention includes transmitting a Mode S interrogation and receiving a response from an aircraft that has received the Mode S interrogation. A range to the aircraft is determined based on a time period between transmitting the Mode S interrogation and receiving the response. The method further includes receiving information from one or more data sources and determining at least one of a bearing to the aircraft and a position of the aircraft using the determined range and the information from the one or more data sources. Information can be received from any number (or type) of data sources, such as ADS-B-equipped aircraft.
US07786916B2

A multi-bit digital to analog converter is implemented by a switched-capacitor arrangement in which a reservoir capacitor (Cf) accumulates charge representing the desired analog output signal (Vout+/Vout−). An array of further capacitors (C0-CN) correspond in number at least to the number of data bits (D0-DN) to be converted. The capacitors (Cf, C0-CN) are selectively interconnected with one another and with reference voltage sources (Vmid, Vdd, Vss) in a repetitive sequence of phases including (i) a sampling phase (P2) in which the further capacitors are connected (S3, S4) to reference voltages selected in accordance with the values of the data bits, (ii) an equalization phase (P6a) in which the further capacitors are connected (S2) in parallel with one another without connecting them in parallel with the first capacitor, followed by (iii) a transfer phase (P6b) in which the parallel connected further capacitors are connected (S1, S5) in parallel with the first capacitor. The equalization phase masks nonlinearities arising in switches (S2) and thereby improves harmonic distortion.
US07786913B2

An embodiment of the present invention provides a phase locked loop that operates on clock signals derived from an RF clock signal generated by the phase locked loop. A frequency reference input provides a reference clock. A controllable oscillator generates the RF clock signal. A phase detection circuit operates on the reference clock to provide digital phase error samples indicative of a phase difference between the reference clock and the RF clock. A dithering circuit is coupled to the reference signal and injects a short sequence dither signal into the reference signal in order to overcome quantization noise and thereby improve RMS phase-error detection for integer channels.
US07786911B2

A high-order delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter. A plurality of stages are connected to accept an analog input signal and produce a digital output signal. Each stage has a resettable Δ-Σ converter of second order or higher. Resetting each stage before accepting a new input purges the integrators of any information related to the previous input, allowing step inputs to the system. The stability of the converter is ensured using local feedback loops at each stage. Each stage provides a digital representation of a portion of the analog input signal. A decimation filter receives the digital signals from the stages and arranges them into the digital output signal.
US07786909B2

With high speed analog to digital converters (ADCs), components within the ADC can enter a saturation region when an input exceeded the input range of the ADC, which can cause errors. Here, a sample of an input signal to an ADC is compared with the upper and lower full-scale levels of the ADC. If input overload is detected, inputs to amplifiers in an input stage of the ADC are forced to zero for the duration of the input overload, and are thus prevented from going into saturation. Input overload conditions are signaled directly to an output digital block of the ADC, which provides output digital codes equivalent to either the upper or the lower full scale level depending on whether the input overload is signaled as exceeding the upper level or the lower level. Input overload recovery time of the ADC may thus be minimized.
US07786906B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for modulation coding a stream of binary input data. A 4-ary enumerative encoding algorithm is applied to the input bit-stream to produce a succession of 4-ary output symbols. The 4-ary algorithm is operative to simultaneously encode respective generalized Fibonacci codes in the odd and even interleaves of the input bit-stream. The bits of each successive 4-ary output symbol are then interleaved, producing an output bit-stream which has global and interleaved run-length constraints. Inverting the bits of the 4-ary output symbols produces an output bit-stream with (G, I)-constraints as in the PRML (G, I) codes used in reverse-concatenation modulation systems. Corresponding decoding systems are also provided.
US07786902B1

Methods, algorithms, software, circuits, architectures, and systems for conditionally encoding information and processing conditionally encoded information. The present invention takes advantage of codes where most randomly selected data units fulfill the coding constraints. Thus, only those data units that need encoding (i.e., that do not fulfill coding constraints) are encoded, and those data units that do not need encoding (i.e., that fulfill coding constraints) are not encoded. By doing so, one may increase the density, bandwidth and/or gain of data communications, increase the error checking and/or correcting capabilities of a data communications system, and/or reduce interference in a multi-user system.
US07786898B2

A method in computerized system mounted on a vehicle including a cabin and an engine. The system including a visible (VIS) camera sensitive to visible light, the VIS camera mounted inside the cabin, wherein the VIS camera acquires consecutively in real time multiple image frames including VIS images of an object within a field of view of the VIS camera and in the environment of the vehicle. The system also including a FIR camera mounted on the vehicle in front of the engine, wherein the FIR camera acquires consecutively in real time multiple FIR image frames including FIR images of the object within a field of view of the FIR camera and in the environment of the vehicle. The FIR images and VIS images are processed simultaneously, thereby producing a detected object when the object is present in the environment.
US07786894B2

A sensing platform for monitoring a transmission system, and method therefor, may include a sensor that senses one or more conditions relating to a condition of the transmission system and/or the condition of an environment around the transmission system. A control system operatively associated with the sensor produces output data based on an output signal produced by the sensor. A transmitter operatively associated with the control system transmits the output data from the control system.
US07786892B2

A method for the interpretation of a radio-lectrical command for equipment in which the command is interpreted as a function of the emission zone is provided. This is achieved whereby the electromagnetic characteristics of the field generated by the radio-electrical command in the vicinity of a device for reception of radio-electrical commands are determined. The characteristics are compared to determine if the point of the radio-electrical command is located in a near-field or in a far-field zone. A command is then carried out as a function of the command received and as a function of the emission zone of the command. This permits the same command to have two meaning for the equipment.
US07786890B2

A network status indicating circuit includes a logic circuit, a switch circuit, and an indicating unit. The logic circuit includes nine input ends, a NOT gate, and two OR gates. The switch circuit includes two input ends and two output ends. The indicating unit includes two LEDs. The logic circuit is connected to the indicating unit to indicate the status of a network IC.
US07786889B2

The present invention relates to an atmosphere device (1) with a user interface (3) for controlling the setting of a lighting unit (2a) and/or a fragrance unit (2b) of the atmosphere device (1), thus determining the atmosphere conditions in a room. The user interlace (3) is based on a system comprising a detecting device (4) and transponders (6). By bringing the transponders (6) within the range of detection by the detecting device (4), the transponders (6) will send a return signal, which signal controls the settings of the atmosphere device (1). Each transponder (6) is programmed to control a particular color or a specific light intensity and/or a particular odor spectrum and intensity.
US07786886B2

A display system for a steering wheel includes: a vehicle information acquiring unit for acquiring vehicle information; an irradiation unit mounted to the steering column such that the irradiation unit is stationary during rotation of the steering wheel; a display device mounted to the steering wheel; and a display controller for controlling display content based on the vehicle information. A method includes: acquiring vehicle information; detecting a steering direction and/or a steering amount of the steering wheel; calculating a display range and/or a display speed to be displayed based on the steering information; controlling display content, based on information acquired by the vehicle information acquiring unit and a result calculated by the display portion calculating unit; and displaying the steering direction, the steering amount, and/or the steering time at a position on the steering wheel that is stationary during rotation of the steering wheel.
US07786883B1

An electronic level indicator for facilitating the leveling of RV's including battery-powered base and handheld mobile units with an RF link between them. A sensor in the base generates a coded signal transmitted to the mobile unit which activates LED's in a pattern showing low corners of the RV.
US07786882B2

An occupant-detecting apparatus includes a plurality of load sensors configured to detect a load imparted on a vehicle seat, and an occupant-sitting determination device configured to determine whether or not an occupant is seated on the vehicle seat, based on detected result of the load sensors. The load sensors are configured to detect loads at different positions on the vehicle seat, and the occupant-sitting determination device is configured not to perform occupant-sitting determination if an absolute value (ΔW) of a variable amount in a sum of detected result of the load sensors is lesser than a predetermined threshold value (TH/L).
US07786872B2

Remote communication devices, radio frequency identification devices, wireless communication systems, wireless communication methods, radio frequency identification device communication methods, and methods of forming a remote intelligent communication device are provided. According to one aspect, a remote intelligent communication device includes communication circuitry configured to at least one of receive communication signals and generate communication signals; and an antenna coupled with the communication circuitry and substantially tuned to a plurality of frequencies, the antenna being configured to communicate wireless signals corresponding to the communication signals including at least one of receiving wireless signals and outputting wireless signals. Another aspect includes a wireless communication method including providing a remote intelligent communication device having an antenna substantially tuned to a plurality of frequencies; and communicating wireless signals using the antenna including at least one of receiving wireless signals at one of the frequencies and outputting wireless signals at one of the frequencies.
US07786868B2

A radio frequency identification (RFID) device is capable of operating in multiple passive modes, in either a fully passive mode or a boosted passive mode. The device includes an RFID chip that is suitable for operation of passive RFID devices. An antenna is coupled to the chip for receiving radio frequency signals, such as those sent by a reader/detector device. In addition, the RFID device has an energy booster which may be used to boost the energy of signals received by the device, in order to enable operation at a reduced level of RF signal. The energy boost may be selectively applied in order to transform the passive RFID device into operating in a boosted passive mode. The energy booster may include a one-port transistor and an energy source that is used to power the transistor. The energy source may be a rechargeable energy source.
US07786866B2

An RFID tag can include a transmitting device and a receiving device for transmitting data to and receiving data from a tag reader, and the tag can include a memory for storing identification data unambiguously labeling the RFID tag and circuitry which automatically executes functions depending on the fact that: the reader demonstrates knowledge of an internal password in a memory of the tag; and information stored in the memory of the tag for an internal state permits the execution of the function. The tag also includes circuitry for changing the stored password and/or the internal state, in particular depending on a previous comparison of the internal password to one received from the reader.
US07786863B2

An information processing device of the invention has an antenna circuit, and a reader/writer device provided with a received signal generating circuit, a microcomputer, a transmitted signal generating circuit, a level detecting circuit, and a D/A converter. The received signal generating circuit is connected to the microcomputer and the antenna circuit, the transmitted signal generating circuit is connected to the microcomputer and the antenna circuit, the D/A converter is connected to the microcomputer and the antenna circuit, the level detecting circuit is connected to the microcomputer and the antenna circuit, and the antenna circuit has an antenna, a resonant capacitor, and a variable capacitor.
US07786849B2

A proximity sensor system for a vehicle includes a first remote sensor that senses objects in a rearward area relative to the vehicle. A trailer detection module determines that one of the objects is a trailer that is attached to the vehicle based on a repeating pattern of signals from the first remote sensor. A response module selectively responds to the objects other than the trailer based on the objects outside of a predetermined distance threshold. An indicator responds to response module signals.
US07786847B2

An RFID device includes an analog block configured to receive a radio frequency signal so as to output an operation command signal, a digital block configured to output an address, a temperature address, an operation control signal, and a temperature sensor activation signal in response to the operation command signal received from the analog block and to provide a corresponding response signal into the analog block. The device further includes a memory block configured to receive the address, the temperature address, and the operation control signal so as to generate an internal control signal for controlling the internal operation, and to read/write data in a cell array including a non-volatile ferroelectric capacitor in response to the internal control signal, and a temperature sensor processing unit configured to detect a temperature change state of an RFID tag in response to the temperature sensor activation signal.
US07786840B2

The present invention is an optimized geometry for stacking multiple windings, where each winding multiple-turn coil having both a start lead and a finish lead on a perimeter of the coil. The start lead of each winding of the stack is indexed respective of adjacent windings of the stack.
US07786835B2

There are provided a magnetic element capable of enhancing magnetic permeability of a magnetic member, improving a direct current superposition characteristic, and improving production efficiency and a method of manufacturing the magnetic element. The magnetic element includes a coil (30) formed of a conductor having an insulating film, a first core member (20) constituted of insulative soft magnetic ferrite and covering the coil (30), and a second core member (50) having soft magnetic metal powder as material and surrounded by the first core member (20). Furthermore, the magnetic element includes a third core member (40) which has soft magnetic metal powder as material and a higher filling ratio of the soft magnetic metal powder than the second core member 50 and is surrounded by the first core member (20).
US07786832B2

An inductor (100) includes a magnetic core (30) and an insulative housing (10). The magnetic core has a wire wound (40) around a central portion (33) thereof, a projecting portion (31) formed on a lower end thereof and a stepped-portion (321) extending downwardly from the projecting portion. The insulative housing encloses the stepped-portion and the projecting portion of magnetic core to thereby integrate the insulative housing and the magnetic core together by insert molding.
US07786829B2

A high-frequency MEMS switch comprises a signal conductor which is arranged on a substrate and an oblong switching element which has a bent elastic bending area and is fastened on the substrate in a cantilevered manner. An electrode arrangement generates an electrostatic force which bends the switching element toward the signal conductor. The switching element is arranged longitudinally parallel to the signal conductor, and has a contact area which extends transversely to the switch element over the signal conductor. Under the effect of the electrostatic force, the elastic bending area of the switching element progressively approaches the electrode arrangement in a direction parallel to the signal line. The switching element has, for example, two mutually parallel extending switching arms, which are mutually connected by a bridge as the contact area and are arranged on both sides of the signal line and parallel thereto.
US07786824B2

A multilayer filter has a capacitor element body, at least two signal terminal electrodes, and at least one grounding terminal electrode. The capacitor element body has a plurality of laminated insulator layers, a first signal internal electrode and a grounding internal electrode arranged to be opposed to each other with at least one insulator layer out of the plurality of insulator layers in between, and a second signal internal electrode arranged to be opposed to either one internal electrode of the first signal internal electrode and the grounding internal electrode with at least one insulator layer out of the plurality of insulator layers in between. The second signal internal electrode is connected to the at least two signal terminal electrodes. The first signal internal electrode is connected through a through-hole conductor to only the second signal internal electrode. The grounding internal electrode is connected to the at least one grounding terminal electrode.
US07786811B2

A digital phase locked loop has a digital controlled oscillator, a feedback loop coupled to the output of said digital controlled oscillator, a phase detector for comparing a feedback signal from said feedback loop with a reference signal to produce a phase error signal, and a low pass filter for filtering the phase error signal for controlling said digital controlled oscillator. A bandwidth calculation unit calculates the required filter bandwidth based on the phase error. The bandwidth calculation unit then controls the bandwidth of said low pass filter, which is thus adaptively adjusted in accordance with the phase error.
US07786807B1

A Radio Frequency (RF) cascode power amplifier operates with differing battery supply voltages. A transconductance stage has a transistor with an RF signal input at its gate. A cascode stage has at least one cascode transistor, the cascode stage coupled in series with the transconductance stage between a battery voltage node and ground, the cascode stage having an RF signal output at the battery voltage node and at least one bias input to the at least one cascode transistor. Cascode bias feedback circuitry applies fixed bias voltage(s) to the at least one two bias inputs for a low battery voltage and applies feedback bias voltage(s) to the at least two bias inputs for a high battery voltage, the feedback bias voltage(s) based upon a voltage of the battery voltage node. More than two differing battery supply voltages are supported.
US07786803B2

Apparatus and methods provide an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) with one or more self-biased cascode current mirrors. Applicable topologies include a current-mirror OTA and a folded-cascode OTA. In one embodiment, the self-biasing cascode current mirror is an optional aspect of the folded-cascode OTA. The self-biasing can advantageous reduce the number of biasing circuits used, which can save chip area and cost. One embodiment includes an input differential pair of a current-mirror OTA.
US07786801B2

An operational amplifier includes a differential amplifier, an output stage, and a control unit. The differential amplifier generates a first current through a first output node and a second current through a second output node in response to a voltage difference between a first input signal input through a first input terminal and a second input signal input through a second input terminal. The output stage generates an output signal through an output node. The control unit receives a voltage of the first output node and a voltage of the second output node, as bias voltages, and controls an output current of the output stage to determine the output signal of the output stage in response to the received voltages of the first and second output nodes.
US07786799B2

The system contains a first MOS transistor having a first source element, a first drain element, and a first gate element. A first low voltage current source has two ends. The ends of the low voltage current source are connected to at least two of the first MOS transistor elements. At least one first Zener clamp is in parallel with the low voltage current source.
US07786793B2

Disclosed herein is a semiconductor integrated circuit including a stoppable circuit unit configured to be alternately switched between a stopped state and an operating state; a first voltage line configured to apply a first voltage to the stoppable circuit unit when the stoppable circuit unit is in the operating state; a second voltage line configured to apply the first voltage to the stoppable circuit unit when the stoppable circuit unit is in a transient state of switching from the stopped state to the operating state; and a third voltage line configured to apply a second voltage to the stoppable circuit unit.
US07786792B1

Circuits, architectures, systems, and methods for generating temperature-stable reference voltages with offset compensation. The circuits generally include a diode junction voltage generator, and three composite voltage generators configured to operate in first and second phases or modes of operation. The diode junction voltage generator produces first and diode junction voltages with different current densities (Vd1 and Vd2). The first composite voltage (VC1) comprises at least a fraction of the first and/or second diode junction voltage. The second composite voltage (VC2) is generated during the first phase and comprises a difference between Vd2 and a sum of VC1 and an offset voltage (Ve) of an amplifier and/or other summation circuit. The third composite voltage (VC3) is generated during the second phase such that VC3 is proportional to a difference between Vd1 and a sum of Ve and VC2. A temperature-stable reference voltage proportional to VC3 may be continuously generated. Embodiments advantageously produce reference voltages much smaller than the band-gap voltage, are substantially insensitive to any voltage offset in the associated summation circuit, and/or produce low noise without further filtering.
US07786787B2

A switch includes at least two signal ports in series with a series FET connected therebetween, and a shunt path having an FET, whereby an input bias is applied to a gate on the series FET and to a drain on the shunt FET. In one embodiment, the switch includes a control signal input, an FET connected in series across the first port and the second port, the series FET having a gate coupled to the control signal input, and a shunt path provided by an FET, the shunt FET having a drain coupled to the control signal input and to the gate of the series FET, whereby a single control signal is applied to both the series FET and the shunt FET, via the control signal input, in order to turn the series FET on and simultaneously turn the shunt FET off and, conversely, in order to turn the series FET off and simultaneously turn the shunt FET on.
US07786777B2

The circuit arrangement (1) comprises an input (2) for the connection of an oscillator (3) and an amplifier circuit (20) having a first input (21) that is coupled to the input (1) of the circuit arrangement (1), having a second input (22) and an output (23) that is connected to an output (4) of the circuit arrangement (1). A clock signal (Vout) with a duty cycle (φ) can be accessed at the output (4) of the circuit arrangement (1). The circuit arrangement (1) furthermore incorporates a low-pass filter (40), the input of which is connected to the output (23) of the amplifier circuit (20), and an integrator circuit (50) the input of which is connected to the low-pass filter (40) and the output of which is connected to the second input (22) of the amplifier circuit (20) for the delivery of an adjustable threshold value (Vth) for controlling the duty cycle (φ).
US07786775B2

The object is to provide a delay circuit capable of improving the accuracy of delay time with a simple circuit configuration. A delay circuit includes a first delay unit including a plurality of delay elements connected in series for detecting delay time characteristics of the first delay unit, a detection unit detects the number of delay elements used in the first delay unit to delay an input signal by a reference time, a second delay unit including a plurality of delay elements connected in series so as to output a signal delayed in accordance with the delay time characteristics of the first delay unit, and a selection unit selects the number of delay elements in the second delay unit to delay the input signal in accordance with the number of delay elements detected by the detection unit. The ratio between each of the delay values of the plurality of delay elements in the first delay unit and each of the delay values of the corresponding the plurality of delay elements in the second delay unit are equivalent to the ratio between the reference time and a desired delay time in the second delay unit.
US07786774B2

A phase synchronization apparatus includes an oscillator gain setting member configured to discriminate a frequency by sequentially delaying input clock signal after dividing the input clock signal at a predetermined division ratio and to generate an oscillator gain setting signal by using discriminated frequency information, and a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit configured to oscillates output clock signal having a frequency corresponding to the oscillator gain setting signal in response to the input clock signal.
US07786766B2

A control system includes a zero crossing detecting circuit for detecting a zero crossing of an AC signal. The circuit includes a transformer having a primary portion and a secondary portion. The primary portion receives the AC signal. The secondary portion comprises first and second terminals. The first terminal is biased at a first DC voltage level. An output switch is operatively connected to the second terminal and has an on state and an off state. The output switch selectively activates an output signal of the zero crossing detecting circuit according to an activation voltage level sensed by the output switch and corresponding to the zero crossing. While in the off state, the output switch is biased at a second DC voltage level. A voltage difference between the first and second DC voltage levels substantially equals the activation voltage level. A controller monitors the output signal and controls an operation based on the output signal.
US07786765B2

A low voltage shutdown circuit comprises an input node for receiving a voltage Vin to be monitored, first and second voltage-to-current (V to I) converters arranged to receive Vin at respective inputs and to convert Vin to currents I1 and I2 at respective outputs, and a current comparison circuit arranged to produce an output which is in a first state when I1I2. The V to I converters have respective voltage-to-current transfer functions which intersect at a non-zero threshold voltage Vth, such that the current comparison circuit output toggles when Vin
US07786760B2

An output buffer circuit is provided. The output buffer circuit receives a control signal (OE) and a data signal (Dout) from a first core circuit (10) and operates in a transmitting mode according to the control signal. The output buffer circuit converts the data signal into an output signal at a first voltage level or a ground voltage level according to the data signal logic level and a supply voltage (VDDIO). The supply voltage is adjusted to pull up or pull down the first voltage level of the output signal.
US07786759B2

An embodiment of a bidirectional signal interface includes first and second nodes and first and second translating circuits. The first and second nodes are respectively operable to receive a first logic signal and a second logic signal. The first translating circuit has a first signal path coupled between the first and second nodes, is operable to sense a transition of the first logic signal on the first node, and, in response to the transition, is operable to couple the first logic signal to the second node via the first signal path. The second translating circuit has a second signal path that is coupled between the first and second nodes and that is parallel to the first signal path, is operable to sense a transition of the second logic signal on the second node, and is, in response to the transition of the second logic signal, operable to couple the second logic signal to the first node via the second signal path.
US07786757B2

Methods for interconnecting base, switching and interconnect resources for configurable integrated circuits are provided, where these methods include the following steps: interconnecting base and switching resources with interconnect resources to form a hierarchical interconnect structure; physically placing the hierarchical interconnect structure in a two dimensional format; and directly interconnecting selected neighboring base and switching resources. The integrated circuits generated include base resources, interconnect resources; and switching resources that are interconnected to form a hierarchical interconnect structure, and, additional interconnect resources that directly interconnect neighboring switching or base resources.
US07786747B2

Microdisplay assemblies, methods of packaging microdisplays, and methods of testing microdisplays are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a microdisplay assembly includes a support and a microdisplay disposed on the support. The microdisplay includes a semiconductor workpiece mounted to the support and an optical device region disposed over the semiconductor workpiece. A plurality of contacts is disposed over a portion of the semiconductor workpiece, wherein each of the plurality of contacts comprises a protruding feature.
US07786746B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus, and more particularly a technology for measuring and managing a physical amount of factors that exert an influence upon an operation of a semiconductor integrated circuit is provided; more particularly, a semiconductor integrated circuit that is an object of measurement, and a measurement circuit which measures a physical factor that exerts an influence upon the actual operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit, such as jitter or noise jitter, and noise of this semiconductor integrated circuit are provided on an identical chip; also, a measurement result of the measurement circuit of the present invention is analyzed, and is fed back to a circuit for adjusting the semiconductor integrated circuit that is the object of measurement.
US07786741B2

The invention relates to a contact arrangement for a measuring probe or a measuring head for measuring high frequency, especially on a semiconductor wafer. The arrangement comprises a contact end for electrically contacting planar structures. A coplanar conductor structure having at lease two conductors carried by a dielectric is provided at the contact end. Between the dielectric and the contact end, the measuring tip is configured in such a manner that the conductors of the coplanar conductor structure are disposed in mid-air and in a resilient manner in relation to the dielectric retaining them. The invention is characterized in that the dielectric is provided with at least one arrangement for transmitting electrical signals, the arrangement being electrically connected to at least one conductor of the conductor structure in such a manner that the arrangement transmits signals from the at least one conductor that is electrically connected to the arrangement.
US07786740B2

Method and apparatus using a retention arrangement for probes used for electrical testing of a device under test (DUT). The apparatus has a number of probes each of which has a connect end for applying a test signal, a retaining portion, at least one arm portion and a contact tip for making an electrical contact with the DUT. A retention arrangement has a tip holder for holding each of the probes by its contacting tip and a plate with openings for holding each of the probes below the retaining portion. The retaining portion of each of the probes is potted in a potting region defined above the plate with the aid of a potting agent. The apparatus can be used with space transformers, a variety of probes of different geometries and scrub motion characteristics and is well-suited for use in probe card apparatus under tight pitch and small tolerance requirements.
US07786738B2

Systems and methods are described below for cancelling low frequency errors in electronic systems including MEMS systems. The systems include a first circuit coupled to one or more switches. One or more bond wires are coupled to the switches and a second circuit. Control signals are coupled to the switches, and the control signals are configured to control coupling of the first circuit to the second circuit via the switch to cancel variable offsets introduced by the bond wire in an output of the first circuit.
US07786735B2

A control system for an electrical power system includes an electrical corrective device, a voltage measuring device coupled to each phase of the electric power system, a current measuring device connected between each phase of the electric power system and the electrical corrective device, and a protective device connected to outputs of the voltage measuring device and the current measuring device. The protective device includes a controller configured to detect an imbalance using the measured voltages and currents output from the voltage measuring device and the current measuring device without using or independently of other recent voltage or current measurements for other points in the electrical corrective device and independently of a neutral-ground measurement at the electrical corrective device.
US07786732B2

In a system having a boring tool and an above-ground portable locator for locating the boring tool as moved by a drill string in a region which includes an in-ground line, an apparatus is described for monitoring the positional relationship between the boring tool and the line. The apparatus includes a transmitter for generating a magnetic locating field from one of the boring tool or an underground length of the line. A receiver is carried by the boring tool if the field is generated from the line, or connected to the line if the field is generated from the boring tool, for detecting an intensity of the magnetic locating field to produce a magnetic field intensity indicative signal that is indicative of the positional relationship between the boring tool and the line. A remote display indicates the detected intensity of the magnetic locating field.
US07786725B2

A magnetic field detection apparatus capable of changing the detection range and detection sensitivity as desired for a specific application is disclosed. A magnetoresistance effect element is applied a bias magnetic field and an external magnetic field. The bias magnetic field and the external magnetic field are generated on the same straight line, and therefore the bias magnetic field functions to hamper the external magnetic field applied to the magnetoresistance effect element. Thus, the magnetization of the free layer of the magnetoresistance effect element is suppressed, and the rotational angle of the magnetized vector is reduced. As a result, the characteristic of the resistance value of the magnetoresistance effect element to the external magnetic field is shifted by an amount equivalent to the bias magnetic field.
US07786723B2

This invention provides for a test stage for a printhead integrated circuit tester for testing operation of printhead integrated circuits mounted on a carrier. The test stage includes a support structure. A fixture is arranged on the support structure and is configured to receive and locate the carrier. A clamping mechanism is arranged on the fixture. The clamping mechanism has at least one clamp assembly for clamping the carrier to the test stage. A controller controls operation of the clamping mechanism.
US07786722B2

A method of sorting automated tray transfer trays includes detecting if a die remains in the tray. The method includes the ability to interrupt the automated tray transfer process to prevent mixing processed and unprocessed dice. An apparatus includes a sensor for detecting if a die remains in the tray. A sensor includes a protrusion on an automated tray transfer handler.
US07786715B2

The present invention is related to a dc/dc converter. A dc/dc converter according to the present invention comprises an inductor, a switch unit connected to both ends of the inductor and charging or retrieving an energy into the inductor, an output unit comprising an output switch unit outputting the energy charged in the inductor into an output end and a first comparison unit controlling an on-off of the output switch unit, a freewheeling switch unit connected to both ends of the inductor and returning a residual current remained in the inductor, a current sense unit sensing the residual current, an offset current generation unit generating an offset current, an error amplifier comparing the residual current inputted from the current sense unit to the offset current generated in the offset current unit and outputting the error signal, and a control unit controlling the switch unit with the error signal inputted from the error amplifier.
US07786710B2

An apparatus for reactive power compensation in an ac medium voltage power network. The apparatus includes a common connection; a first branch including a first switch, and a first capacitor; and a second branch including a second switch and a second capacitor.
US07786709B2

The invention provides a power converter and method for controlling same, comprising a plurality of switch elements, an inductive reactor, and at least two ports for the movement of electrical energy. Any energy-moving port may be made unipolar, bidirectional, bipolar, or bidirectionally bipolar. Ports may be equipped with sensing circuitry to allow the converter output to be controlled responsively to an input signal. The invention may be configured to be used in many ways, for example, as a power-supply, as an amplifier, or as a frequency converter. The invention may comprise energy predictive calculating means to obtain excellent transient response to line and load variations. The invention may also include a switch to create a low impedance path around the inductor to allow current to recirculate through the inductor when it is not needed at any of the ports.
US07786707B2

The invention provides an oscillator circuit that reduces the dependence of an oscillation frequency on a power supply voltage. When a first charging and discharging circuit completes its discharge, a terminal voltage of a first capacitor of the first charging and discharging circuit is initialized to a power supply voltage and simultaneously a second charging and discharging circuit starts its discharge. Then, when the second charging and discharging circuit completes its discharge, a terminal voltage of a second capacitor of the second charging and discharging circuit is initialized to the power supply voltage and simultaneously the first charging and discharging circuit starts its discharge. The first and second charging and discharging circuits alternately repeat the initialization and the discharge, and the discharge is always started from the power supply voltage.
US07786706B2

A method for charging a rechargeable battery by using a charge power supply that charges the rechargeable battery at constant voltage is provided. A pulse charge operation is performed at a charge process start. The charge process is stopped when current in the pulse charge operation is not greater than a predetermined value and it is determined that the rechargeable battery is in a full-charge state. On the other hand, the rechargeable battery is charged at constant voltage when the current in the pulse charge operation is greater than the predetermined value.
US07786702B1

An apparatus for charging either a normal or a sulfated type of a storage battery includes a first charging stage, a second charging stage, and a final third charging stage. The first charging stage applies a pulsed voltage with a high peak and average voltage to the battery until an average current of about 12 amperes is attained, at which time transition into the second charging stage occurs. A pulse width modulator reduces the average voltage and average current to a safe level and continue to charge the battery for about 20 minutes. At that time transition into the third charging stage occurs wherein a low ripple 14.8 VDC steady state current-limited voltage is applied to the battery for a second duration of about four hours, after which charging is complete and the apparatus shuts itself off.
US07786698B2

A method of charging a battery includes applying a charging current from a semiconductor device to the battery during a first battery charging time period. The method also includes measuring a charging voltage level at the battery during the first battery charging time period. During a non-charging voltage measurement time interval, the method includes temporarily stopping application of the charging current from the semiconductor device to the battery and measuring a non-charging voltage level at the battery while the charging current is not being applied to the battery.
US07786692B2

A signal transmission apparatus of a DC brushless motor for a ceiling fan is provided. The signal transmission apparatus comprises a transmitting line. The transmitting line is configured to transmit processed output signals of a plurality of electromagnetic sensors, in which usage of transmission lines is reduced. The output signals of the electromagnetic sensors represent the operation of the magnetic poles of the DC brushless motor.
US07786691B2

Presented is a harmonic regulator that regulates a plurality of individual harmonics in a system having periodic torque disturbances to commanded values, including zero. For each harmonic being regulated, a feedback signal having at least one harmonic component due to the harmonic being regulated is transformed from a source reference frame to a harmonic reference frame of the harmonic being regulated to form a qd feedback signal. The qd feedback signal is subtracted from the commanded value to form a qd signal and regulated. The regulated qd signal is transformed to a destination reference frame to form a compensation signal and the compensation signal is added to a control signal to form a qd control signal that drives each harmonic being regulated towards the commanded value.
US07786690B2

The present invention restrains high frequency leakage current while reducing ripples of current flowing through a motor having one set and another set of independent phase windings. A plurality of inverter type drive means drives the respective phase windings and a PWM control means controls the respective inverter type drive means, by a switching sequence connecting one end of all phase windings including the other set to the negative side of the power supply when both ends of the phase winding included in one set are connected to the positive side of the power supply and connecting at least one end of all phase windings included in the other set to the positive side of the power supply when both ends of at least one phase winding included in one set are connected to the negative side of the power supply.
US07786686B2

A method is for estimating an angular position of a rotor of a motor having position sensors along the circumference of a stator and generating digital signals that switch each time the rotor crosses certain angular positions. The method includes storing rotor angular positions at every digital signal switching, and determining for each rotor revolution a time interval elapsed between a current and a precedent switching edge of the signal generated. The method also includes estimating the angular position during a current rotor revolution by identifying which position sensor generated the last detected switching edge. The corresponding angular position and the time interval elapsed between two consecutive rotor crossings, through a same angular position, correspond to a sum between the angular position and a product between a fraction of the time interval elapsed from the corresponding precedent switching edge multiplied by 360° and a number of polar pairs.
US07786653B2

The present invention provides a MEMS piezoelectric switch that has an articulated unimorph bridge attached to a substrate. The bridge includes a passive layer of zirconia and at least one silicon-based material, an active layer of a piezoelectric material that has a high piezoelectric coefficient, at least one pair of interdigitated electrodes, disposed on the top surface of the active layer and across which the bias voltage is applied, and a top contact electrode. A bottom contact electrode is provided on the substrate, and signals flow through the switch when the top and bottom contact electrodes contact one another.
US07786648B2

A driving system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a structure and a vibration system. The structure has at least one point to frictional couple to and drive a movable element in one of at least two directions. The structure also has at least two bending modes which each have a different resonant frequency. The vibration system applies two or more vibration signals which are at a vibration frequency to each of the bending modes of the structure. The vibration frequency is substantially the same as one of the resonant frequencies. At the vibration frequency one of the bending modes of the structure is vibrating substantially at resonance and the other of the bending modes of the structure is vibrating at partial resonance. The vibration system adjusts a phase shift between the two or more applied vibration signals to control which one of the at least two directions the moveable element is moved.
US07786636B2

A magnetic bearing device has a rotor, electromagnets that control axial/radial positions of the rotor, and a power source that supplies power to the electromagnets. A switching circuit switches a voltage of a common node connected to each one end of the electromagnets. The switching circuit includes a first switch element that connects and disconnects between one end of the power source and the common node, and a first rectifier element connected between the other end of the power source and the common node. An excitation control circuit controls excitation of each of the electromagnets by a supply current that flows through the electromagnets in one direction or a regenerated current that flows through the electromagnets in one direction. The excitation control circuit includes a second switch element that connects and disconnects between the other end of one of the electromagnets and the other end of the power source, and a second rectifier element connected between the other end of one of the electromagnets and the one end of the power source.
US07786635B2

A motor that includes a motor frame, an end-bell assembly, a stator assembly, and filling material is described. The stator assembly is placed within the frame such that at least one open area is defined between an inner diameter of the stator assembly and an inner diameter of the motor frame. The at least one end-bell assembly is attached to the motor frame, forming an inside area adjacent the motor frame and the stator assembly. The motor also includes a material configured to fill the at least one open area and the inside area of the at least one end-bell assembly for the purpose of sealing the stator assembly and the inside area associated with the at least one end-bell assembly. The material assists in a bonding and attachment between any two or more of the stator assembly, the motor frame, and the at least one end-bell assembly.
US07786622B2

A juvenile product includes a power adapter comprising a first AC-to-DC converter to generate a DC transmission voltage from a line power source, and a power cable coupled to the power adapter and configured to carry the DC transmission voltage. A power transmitter coupled to the power cable includes a transmitter coil and a DC-to-AC converter coupled to the transmitter coil such that an AC current flows through the transmitter coil based on the DC transmission voltage. A power supply includes a receiver coil configured for generation of induced current in the receiver coil via inductive coupling with the transmitter coil, and further includes a second AC-to-DC converter coupled to the receiver coil to generate DC power based on the induced current. An electrical load coupled to the power supply is configured for operation via the DC power.
US07786612B2

The invention relates to a method of constructing a wind energy plant and to a wind energy plant as such. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for constructing wind energy plants at lower expenses and more rapidly. According to one embodiment, a method for constructing a wind energy plant that comprises a tower that is based on a foundation and an electrical power module, the power module is mounted on the tower foundation before the tower itself is constructed. The power module includes a transformer and may optionally an inverter and/or other electrical installations, such as for example switch cabinets, that are provided for controlling the wind energy plant and/or for guiding the electrical power that is provided by the generator of the wind energy plant and that is fed to a network.
US07786607B2

A method and apparatus for correcting overlay errors in a lithography system. During lithographic exposure, features being exposed on the wafer need to overlay existing features on the wafer. Overlay is a critical performance parameter of lithography tools. The wafer is locally heated during exposure. Thermal expansion causes stress between the wafer and the wafer table, which will cause the wafer to slip if it exceeds the local frictional force. To increase the amount of expansion allowed before slipping occurs, the wafer chuck is uniformly expanded after the wafer has been loaded. This creates an initial stress between the wafer and the wafer table. As the wafer expands due to heating during exposure, the expansion first acts to relieve the initial stress before causing an opposite stress from thermal expansion. The wafer may be also be heated prior to attachment to the wafer chuck, creating the initial stress as the wafer cools.
US07786601B2

There is provided a semiconductor chip and a multi-chip package. Each semiconductor chip includes a plurality of pads formed on a first surface thereof and electrically connected to an integrated circuit, and interconnection patterns formed as stripes on a second surface of the semiconductor chip. The interconnection patterns are formed by transferring a part of the basic layout configured with a pattern of stripes extending from a center portion to an edge portion, wherein the pads are electrically connected to the interconnection patterns.
US07786600B2

A circuit substrate includes a substrate body having a first terminal and a second terminal separated from the first terminal. A circuit wire includes a wiring unit for electrically connecting the first and second terminals by electrically connecting conductive polarization particles that include a first polarity and a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity. The circuit wire also includes an insulation unit for insulating the wiring unit.
US07786586B2

An inductor of a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The inductor has a spiral structure, and includes a semiconductor substrate formed with a sub-structure. At least one metal line layer may be formed over the semiconductor substrate. At least one inductor line layer may be formed over the metal line layer. A space layer may be formed between the inductor line layer and the semiconductor substrate.
US07786582B2

A system and method is disclosed for providing a redistribution metal layer in an integrated circuit. The redistribution metal layer is formed from the last metal layer in the integrated circuit during manufacture of the integrated circuit before final passivation is applied. The last metal layer provides sites for solder bump pads used in flip chip interconnection. The redistribution metal layer can be (1) a flat layer deposited over the next to last metal layer through an opening in a dielectric layer, or (2) deposited over an array of vias connected to the next to last metal layer. Space between the solder bump pads is deposited with narrower traces for connecting active circuit areas below. A final passivation layer is deposited to ensure product reliability.
US07786579B2

A microelectronic package having integrated circuits is provided. The microelectronic package includes multiple dielectric laminate layers, copper circuitry between the dielectric laminate layers where the copper circuitry includes circuit traces, and ball grid arrays/land grid arrays operatively connected to the copper circuitry such that conduction occurs. Further, proximate to the connection of the copper circuitry and the ball grid arrays/land grid arrays, a protective copper tongue is below an extension of the circuit traces, such that the protective copper tongue prevents the circuit traces from being affected by cracking propagated in the dielectric laminate layers or the ball grid arrays/land grid arrays.
US07786573B2

A packaging chip formed with plural wafers. The packaging chip includes plural wafers stacked in order and plural interconnection electrodes directly connecting the plural wafers from an upper surface of an uppermost wafer of the plural wafers to the other wafers. At least one or more of the plural wafers mounts a predetermined circuit device thereon. Further, at least one or more wafers of the plural wafers have a cavity of a predetermined size. Meanwhile, the packaging chip further includes plural pads independently arranged on the upper surface of the uppermost wafer one another and electrically connected to the plural interconnection electrodes respectively. Accordingly, the present invention can enhance the performance and reliability of a packaging chip and improve fabrication yield.
US07786572B2

A System In Package (SIP) arrangement and method of connecting a plurality of flip chips and wire bond chips with reduced wiring complexity and increase flexibility. The SIP arrangement includes at least one wire bond chip and at least one flip chip.
US07786570B2

Provided are a heat sink package in which a semiconductor package and a heat sink are bound to each other and a method of fabricating the same.The heat sink package includes a heat sink having a cavity on an upper surface thereof; a metal layer formed on the bottom surface of the cavity; a solder paste layer formed on the metal layer; a substrate on the solder paste layer; and a lead and a semiconductor chip mounted on the substrate.
US07786568B2

A WBGA semiconductor package primarily comprises a substrate, a chip, a chip-bonding adhesive, a plurality of bonding wires electrically connecting the chip and the substrate, an encapsulant to encapsulate the chip and the bonding wires, and a plurality of external terminals disposed under the substrate. The substrate has a depression for accommodating the chip-bonding adhesive and a slot for passing through bonding wires. The chip is partially embedded in the depression to dispose on the substrate. During the chip bonding step, the chip-bonding adhesive is confined in the depression in a manner to fill the gaps between the sides of the first chip and the inwalls around the depression to generate a non-planar adhering interface by partially covering the sides of the first chip. Therefore, the total package thickness is reduced, the delamination of the passivation layer and the fractures at the sides of the chip are avoided.
US07786564B2

A semiconductor device according to the present invention is provided with a semiconductor chip in which a plurality of electrode pads is provided on a principal surface, a plurality of bump electrodes provided on the electrode pads of the semiconductor chip, a square-shaped wiring board which is disposed on a side of the principal surface of the semiconductor chip, and in which at least two sides of an outer circumference that face each other are positioned in an area on the principal surface of the semiconductor chip, a plurality of external terminals which is provided on the wiring board, and which are electrically connected to a plurality of the bump electrodes through a wiring of the wiring board, and sealing material which is provided between the semiconductor chip and the wiring board, and which covers a connection part between the bump electrode and the wiring.
US07786560B2

A package structure including a chip, a lid, a substrate, a plurality of wires, an encapsulant, and a moisture resistive layer is provided. The chip has an active area where at least one MEMS device is disposed. The lid is covered on the chip, and the substrate is used to carry the chip and the lid. The plurality of wires is electrically connected between the substrate and the chip. The encapsulant is sealed around the lid and exposes an upper surface of the lid. The moisture resistive layer is covered on the encapsulant to enhance the airtightness and the moisture resistance of the encapsulant.
US07786559B2

Methods and assemblies relate to bezel packaging of a sealed glass assembly, such as a frit-sealed OLED device. The bezel packaging includes a shock absorbent intermediate layer of low modulus of elasticity material applied between the sealed glass assembly and the bezel. A bonding agent, which may include the low modulus of elasticity material and/or a separate bonding material, affixes the sealed glass assembly to the bezel. Bezel modifications may be made to stabilize the bezel. Exemplary bezel modifications include reinforced bezel side walls and supporting straps attached between bezel walls. The bezel design may include a gap between the edges of the sealed glass assembly and the bezel walls, so as to avoid direct contact therewith. The gap may be filled at least in part with low modulus of elasticity organic adhesive to provide additional shock absorbency. The low modulus of elasticity material may include foam, ceramic fiber cloth and/or a low modulus of elasticity polymeric organic coating.
US07786555B2

A semiconductor device that includes multiple heat sinks is provided along with methods for forming a semiconductor device having multiple heat sinks. The semiconductor device includes a first heat sink that is configured as a conductive lead frame. The conductive lead frame is electrically coupled to a conducting area of a semiconductor die. The semiconductor device also includes a second heat sink that is configured as a conductive clip. The conductive clip is electrically coupled to another conducting area of the die. Alternative embodiments of the device may include more than two heat sinks.
US07786549B2

A structure and method for providing an antifuse which is closed by laser energy with an electrostatic assist. Two or more metal segments are formed over a semiconductor structure with an air gap or a porous dielectric between the metal segments. Pulsed laser energy is applied to one or more of the metal segments while a voltage potential is applied between the metal segments to create an electrostatic field. The pulsed laser energy softens the metal segment, and the electrostatic field causes the metal segments to move into contact with each other. The electrostatic field reduces the amount of laser energy which must be applied to the semiconductor structure to close the antifuse.
US07786539B2

In order to provide a dielectric film which can avoid both boron leakage and an increase of the leak current, a semiconductor apparatus which has the dielectric film, a production method of the dielectric film and a production method of the semiconductor apparatus, a dielectric film layered product is applied which includes: a semiconductor substrate (2); a first hafnium-containing silicon oxide nitride layer (3a) made from a microcrystalline structure; a second hafnium-containing silicon oxide nitride layer (3b) made from a non-crystalline structure; and a layered film which is made from the first and second hafnium-containing silicon oxide nitride layers that are layered on the semiconductor substrate, and which has a nitrogen ratio of 15-40 atomic percent.
US07786535B2

Design structures for high-voltage integrated circuits. The design structure, which is formed using a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, may include device structure with a semiconductor body positioned between first and second gate electrodes. The first and second gate electrodes and the semiconductor body may be formed from the monocrystalline SOI layer of the SOI substrate. A dielectric layer separates each of the first and second gate electrodes from the semiconductor body. These dielectric layers are formed by defining trenches in the SOI layer and filling the trenches with a dielectric material, which may occur concurrently with a process forming other device isolation regions.
US07786534B2

A plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of wiring layers connecting a supporting substrate having SOI structure and uppermost wire are formed along a peripheral part of a semiconductor chip together with the uppermost wire, to thereby surround a transistor forming region in which a transistor is to be formed.
US07786532B2

The relationship between a distance Ls between a base layer and an n type buffer layer formed on the surface of a drift layer and the thickness t of a semiconductor substrate in contact with the drift layer is set to Ls≦t≦2×Ls. A loss upon turn-off of a high breakdown voltage semiconductor device can be reduced without deteriorating breakdown voltage characteristics.
US07786527B2

A semiconductor structure including at least one transistor located on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, wherein the at least one transistor has a sub-lithographic channel length, is provided. Also provided is a method to form such a semiconductor structure using self-assembling block copolymer that can be placed at a specific location using a pre-fabricated hard mask pattern.
US07786524B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a first region and a second region being adjacent to the first region; a floating gate electrode layer formed above the semiconductor substrate in the first region, the floating gate electrode layer including a first width; a dummy gate electrode layer formed above the semiconductor substrate in the second region, the dummy gate electrode layer including a second width being greater than the first width of the floating gate electrode layer; a first gate insulating film formed on the floating gate electrode layer, the first gate insulating film including a first thickness; a second gate insulating film formed on the dummy gate electrode layer, the second gate insulating film including a second thickness being greater than the first thickness of the first gate insulating film; and a control gate electrode layer formed on the first and the second gate insulating films.
US07786515B2

A solid-state imaging device including: a semiconductor substrate on which an imaging region having a light receiving section is formed; and a predetermined layer formed on the semiconductor substrate by planarization processing using liquid containing a metal element, wherein at least a first diffusion protection film is formed between the light receiving section and the predetermined layer.
US07786514B2

The invention discloses a switching device for a pixel electrode of display device. The switching device comprises a gate formed on a substrate; a gate-insulating layer formed on the gate; a first buffer layer formed between the substrate and the gate and/or between the gate and the gate-insulating layer, wherein the first buffer layer comprises TaSix, TaSixNy, TiSix, TiSixNy, WSix, WSixNy, or WCxNy; a semiconductor layer formed on a portion of the gate-insulating layer; and a source and a drain formed on a portion of the semiconductor layer.
US07786513B2

In a semiconductor integrated circuit device, from a first power source strap supplying a potential to a first standard cell receiving a supply of the potential, the potential is supplied via a first cell power source line having a constant width. The width of the first cell power source line is determined in accordance with power consumed by the first standard cell and with the number of standard cells that can be placed between the first power source strap and a third power source strap.
US07786511B2

To provide a semiconductor device that has a sufficiently low on-resistance and excellent low-capacitance and high-speed characteristics as compared with conventional GaN-based diodes. The semiconductor device includes: a substrate (101); a buffer layer (102); a stack structure (103 and 104) including at least one heterojunction unit (103 and 104) that is a stack of a layer (GaN layer 103) made of a nitride semiconductor and a layer (AlGaN layer 104) made of another nitride semiconductor having a larger band gap than the nitride semiconductor (GaN layer 103); a Schottky electrode (106) that is placed at a first end of the stack structure (103 and 104) and forms a Schottky barrier contact with the heterojunction unit (103 and 104); and an ohmic electrode (107) that is placed at a second end of the stack structure (103 and 104) and forms an ohmic contact with the heterojunction unit (103 and 104).
US07786510B2

An HBT structure and manufacturing method thereof, in which the HBT structure includes an emitter, an intrinsic base, a collector, an insulating sidewall, and a stress-inducing base formed by selective epitaxial growth to locally induce a stress to the HBT structure. Compressive or tensile stress is additionally induced from outside to modify physical and electric properties of a semiconductor layer, thereby improving the performance of the transistor.
US07786506B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region having a pn junction and a field shaping region located adjacent the pn junction to increase the reverse breakdown voltage of the device. The field shaping region is coupled via capacitive voltage coupling regions to substantially the same voltages as are applied to the pn junction. When a reverse voltage is applied across the pn junction and the device is non-conducting, a capacitive electric field is present in a part of the field shaping region which extends beyond a limit of the pn junction depletion region which would exist in the absence of the field shaping region. The electric field in the field shaping region inducing a stretched electric field limited to a correspondingly stretched pn junction depletion region in the semiconductor region.
US07786505B1

Formation of a thyristor-based memory cell is described. A first gate dielectric of the storage element is formed over a base region thereof located in a silicon layer. A transistor is coupled to the storage element via a cathode region located in the silicon layer. The transistor has a gate electrode formed over a second gate dielectric. A spacer is formed at least in part along a sidewall of the gate electrode facing a gate electrode of the storage element. A shallow implant region is formed in the silicon layer responsive at least in part to the spacer. The spacer offsets the shallow implant region from the sidewall. A portion of the shallow implant region is for an extension region. The first gate dielectric and the second gate dielectric are formed at least in part by deposition of a dielectric material.
US07786492B2

A light-emitting device offering satisfactory light emission characteristics combined with improved reliability has a substrate on the principal surface of which a non-polar electrode layer is formed, an LED chip mounted in a predetermined region on the non-polar electrode layer, a plurality of cathode and anode electrode layers formed on the principal surface of the substrate for supplying electric power to the LED chip, and a reflective frame formed of a metal material containing aluminum as its main content, the reflective frame having its inner circumferential surface formed into a reflective surface for reflecting the light from the LED chip. The reflective frame is fixed, directly, or indirectly with adhesive, to the non-polar electrode layer so as to surround the LED chip, with the inside of the reflective frame sealed with a light-transmitting member. An anodized aluminum coat with a thickness of 2 μm to 10 μm is formed by anodization at least on the inner circumferential surface, formed into the reflective surface, of the reflective frame.
US07786486B2

An electronic semiconductor package is described. The package has a wide band gap electronic semiconductor device requiring heat removal. On one side of the electronic semiconductor device is a first, thermally-conductive, electrically-insulative substrate having a predetermined electrically-conductive wire pattern affixed thereto. On the other side of the electronic semiconductor device is a second, thermally-conductive, electrically-insulative substrate. A heat removal device is mechanically-coupled to the second substrate. The heat removal device is made of a graphite-metal or metal-matrix composite material and a fin array structure of the same material. The coefficients of thermal expansion of the heat removal device and the first and second substrates are matched to minimize internal and external stresses.
US07786479B2

A liquid crystal display array substrate. A trench is in a substrate. A gate, a gate dielectric layer, a semiconductor layer and a doped semiconductor layer are disposed in the trench, wherein the semiconductor layer comprises a channel. A source electrode and a drain electrode are respectively electrically connected to portions of the semiconductor layer on opposite sides of the channel.
US07786475B2

A test circuit for, and method of, determining electrical properties of an underlying interconnect layer and an overlying interconnect layer of an integrated circuit (IC) and an IC incorporating the test circuit or the method. In one embodiment, the test circuit includes a gate chain having a ring path and a stage. In one embodiment, the stage includes: (1) a underlying test segment in the underlying interconnect layer, (2) a overlying test segment in the overlying interconnect layer and (3) logic circuitry activatible after formation of the underlying interconnect layer and before formation of the overlying interconnect layer to place the underlying test segment in the ring path and further activatible after the formation of the overlying interconnect layer to substitute the overlying test segment for the underlying test segment in the ring path.
US07786471B2

The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescence device comprising a substrate, an anode, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light-emitting layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, and a cathode, wherein the electron injection layer contains alkali metal nitride and has a thickness of 0.2-10 nm. The organic electroluminescence device of the present invention has improved electron injection from the cathode to the organic layer, high device luminance and efficiency, long device lifetime, low material poisonousness, wide choice of film-forming thickness and low film-forming temperature.
US07786468B2

A method for forming strained Si or SiGe on relaxed SiGe on insulator (SGOI) or a SiGe on Si heterostructure is described incorporating growing epitaxial Si1-yGey layers on a semiconductor substrate, smoothing surfaces by Chemo-Mechanical Polishing, bonding two substrates together via thermal treatments and transferring the SiGe layer from one substrate to the other via highly selective etching using SiGe itself as the etch-stop. The transferred SiGe layer may have its upper surface smoothed by CMP for epitaxial deposition of relaxed Si1-yGey, and strained Si1-yGey depending upon composition, strained Si, strained SiC, strained Ge, strained GeC, and strained Si1-yGeyC or a heavily doped layer to make electrical contacts for the SiGe/Si heterojunction diodes.
US07786464B2

An integrated circuit includes a first electrode, resistivity changing material coupled to the first electrode, and a second electrode. The integrated circuit includes a dielectric material layer between the resistivity changing material and the second electrode. The dielectric material layer includes nanocrystals.
US07786461B2

A memory cell device includes a memory cell access layer, a dielectric material over the memory cell access layer, a memory material structure within the dielectric material, and a top electrode in electrical contact with the memory material structure. The memory material structure has upper and lower memory material portions and a memory material element therebetween. The lower memory material layer is in electrical contact with a bottom electrode. The lower memory material layer has an average lateral dimension. The memory material element defines an electrical property state change region therein and has a minimum lateral dimension which is substantially less than the average lateral dimension. In some examples the memory material element is a tapered structure with the electrical property state change region at the junction of the memory material element and the lower memory material layer.
US07786451B2

Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed.
US07786449B2

An arrangement for detecting and initiating indication of doses of radiation includes radiation dose receiving elements and function handling elements for storing and displaying received radiations/radiation doses. The arrangement is operable by one or several power sources, and includes one or several portable meters exhibiting miniature external dimensions and having internal power sources. The respective meter is provided with radiation receiving elements and function handling elements. Each meter includes one or several preferably continuously connected first components, requiring low power, and temporarily connectable second components, requiring increased or increasing power in relation to the low power. One or several third components, handling the temporary connection and disconnection of the second component or components, is/are included. The first components are activated at low radiation intensities and the second components are connected when high radiation intensities are occurring. The third components connect and disconnect the second components at the different intensities.
US07786444B2

Methods and systems for improving image quality of single photon nuclear imaging systems, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) systems for imaging of an object under study, such as small objects including small animals of different sizes using synthetic apertures. The methods and systems include processes and instrumentations for high-resolution, high detection efficiency leading to lower image noise and artifact-free synthetic aperture single photon nuclear images, such as SPECT images. Also, the method and systems provide design parameters, hardware settings, and data acquisition processes for optimal imaging of objects having different sizes.
US07786443B2

The invention relates to a dual-modality imaging system and a method for dual-modality imaging, wherein a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner for acquiring PET imaging data and at least one optical imaging detector for acquiring optical imaging data are arranged to acquire the PET imaging data and the optical imaging data of an imaged object (5) simultaneously (i.e. at the same time and at superimposed fields-of-view). The at least one optical imaging detector is a non-contact optical imaging detector.
US07786442B2

The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for ion source positioning and adjustment. According to one embodiment, the invention relates to an apparatus for ion source positioning and adjustment. The apparatus comprises a bottom plate, a middle plate and a top plate, wherein the top plate is coupled to the middle plate by at least one adjustment member for causing the top plate to move in a first direction, wherein the at least one adjustment member positions the top plate in a predetermined position with respect to the middle plate; and the middle plate is coupled to the bottom plate by a worm gear assembly for causing the middle plate to move in a second direction with respect to the bottom plate.
US07786436B1

An improved method, apparatus, and control/guiding software for localizing, characterizing, and correcting defects in integrated circuits, particularly open or resistive contact/via defects and metal bridging defects, using FIB technology. An apparatus for identifying an abnormal discontinuity in a contact/via in an integrated circuit comprising a focused ion beam system to scan the ion beam over the contact/via to do remove or deposit via material, a detector to collect a secondary particle signal from the contact/via material that gets removed, a sub-system for storing the secondary particle signal from the contact/via in time as well as x-y scan position, a sub-system for correlating secondary particle signals and identifying discontinuities in the correlated secondary particle signals, a sub-system for optimizing the display of the abnormal discontinuity; and a computer to implement software aspects of the system.
US07786431B1

A beam generator for generating an electrically neutral dual-particle (proton and electron) beam with a uniform magnetic pole orientation imposed on the particles. The uniform orientation gives the dual-particle beam a uniform magnetic field, enabling magnetic modulation of the beam and making the beam self-collimating. Proton and electron beams are generated separately but under common control to ensure equal particle densities to ensure net electrical neutrality when combined. The proton and electron beams may also be concurrently magnetically or electrostatically modulated before being combined. A magnetic lens imposes uniform right, neutral, or left spin on the combined beam. A resonant chamber with fixed or variable resonant frequency determines the frequency of a carrier signal modulated by the modulated combined beam. Electric neutrality prevents detection of the beam with antennas that rely on a signal inducing a voltage on a conductor.
US07786430B2

Layered structures such as photosensing arrays include layers in which charge carriers can be transported. For example, a carrier-transporting substructure that includes a solution processing artifact can transport charge carriers that flow to or from it through charge-flow surface parts that are on electrically conductive regions of a circuitry substructure; the circuitry substructure can also have channel surface parts that are on semiconductive channel regions, with a set of the channel regions operating as acceptable switches in an application. Or a first substructure's surface can have carrier-active surface parts on electrode regions and line surface parts on line regions; a second substructure can include a transport layer on carrier-active surface parts and, over it, an electrically conductive layer; to prevent leakage, an open region can be defined in the electrically conductive layer over the line surface part and/or an electrically insulating layer portion can cover the line surface part.
US07786427B2

A memory module is formed of multiple memory chips and an optical interface chip fixed on a substrate. The chips are interconnected by proximity communication (PxC) in which each chip includes transmitting and receiving elements, such as electrical pads which form capacitively coupled links when the chips are placed together with their pads facing each other. The PxC links may be directly between the chips or through an intermediate passive bridge chip. The interface chip is coupled to an external optical channel and includes converters between optical and electrical signals, control circuitry, buffers, and PxC elements for communicating with the memory chips. The array of memories may be a linear or two-dimensional array around the interface chip forming a redundant PxC network, optionally with redundant PxC connections. Multiple rectangular memory chips may present their narrow sides to the interface chip to maximize bandwidth.
US07786423B2

An image sensor is disclosed that can provide a microlens aligned directly above an active area of a substrate. The image sensor can include a substrate having a pixel area. An active region can be formed on the pixel area and can include photodiodes. Metal lines and an interlayer dielectric can be provided on the pixel area of the substrate. A microlens can be formed above the metal lines and interlayer dielectric to be directly aligned with the active area of the pixel area. To achieve such an alignment, an alignment key of the microlens can be aligned with an alignment key of the active region. In one embodiment, the microlens can avoid being formed right above the metal lines.
US07786422B2

A high dynamic range sensitive sensor element or array is provided which uses phase domain integration techniques to accurately capture high and low intensity images. The sensor element of the present invention is not limited by dynamic range characteristics exhibited by prior art solid-state pixel structures and is thus capable of capturing a full spectrum of electromagnetic radiation to provide a high quality output image.
US07786420B2

An exemplary light source device (10) includes a power supply (12), a light source (14), and a photodetector (16). The photodetector includes a light sensor (17) and a resistor (18) connected in parallel. The power supply, the light source, and the photodetector are connected in series. When the intensity of ambient light increases, a resistance of the light sensor decreases so as to increase a light intensity of the light source. When the intensity of ambient light decreases, the resistance of the light sensor increases so as to decrease the light intensity of the light source.
US07786413B2

When a timer period reaches an increase-stopping-time during the long-push state of a timer key, increase of the timer period is stopped once. Accordingly, even though a long-push state is continued due to a fault of the timer key, the indication of the timer period is not repeated.
US07786407B2

Patent of Invention for PROCESS CAPILLARY ELECTRIC WELDING OF LOW AND HIGH ALLOY STEELS, HARDENED OR NOT, AND BI-METALS, FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF A DETERMINED TEXTURE, WITHOUT THERMAL TREATMENT, in which the first layer (1) is used to line the bevel and its root with electrodes of crystallization of the deposited welding material, said weld being adequate for the obtainment of the austenitic plus ferretic texture. With the second layer (2), proceed with the filling of the bevel with the crystallization of the deposited weld, obtaining a perlitic or pearlitic plus troostitic texture, while in the third and fifth layers (3, 5), the electrode for the obtainment of an austenitic plus ferritic texture. In the fourth layer (4), the electrode of deposited weld crystallization for the obtainment of a sorbitic plus bainitic texture is used, and in the sixth layer (6), an electrode for deposited weld crystallization for the obtainment of a bainitic texture is used.
US07786404B2

A plurality of stretches of laser weld are executed on a structure to be welded by means of a device for focusing and orientation of the laser beam, which is associated to a component element of a manipulator robot. The focusing head is kept in the proximity of, but not closely adjacent to, the different areas to be welded and can consequently follow a simplified path, whilst the device for orientation of the laser beam aims the latter on the different areas of the structure to be welded, so that the speed of travel of the laser beam spot along the longitudinal direction of the weld stretch is independent from the speed of travel of the robot end element.
US07786401B2

Recovering metallic materials, such as copper, from waste materials. The A dynamic sensor measures the rate of change of current generated by metallic materials in the waste materials. Preprocessing and post processing of the waste materials may be completed to further concentrate the amount the metallic materials recovered from the waste.
US07786400B2

An operating device for an electrical appliance, for example a cooking appliance, is provided with a deformable metallic control panel, underneath which an electret microphone cartridge is disposed. The membrane of the microphone cartridge can be coupled to the lower side of the control panel by means of an elastomer. When pressure is exerted on the control panel by a user pressing on the operating field and causing it to deflect, the membrane of the electret microphone is moved, which in turn causes movement in the microphone and causes a signal that can be evaluated as the operating input by a user.
US07786395B2

An input device includes a base. A keycap is coupled to the base by a key guide structure, wherein the keycap defines an aperture. A flexible illumination guide is coupled to the base and is located immediately adjacent the aperture. An illumination device is coupled to the base and is operable to provide illumination through the flexible illumination guide and out of the aperture.
US07786388B2

A card insulator is formed with slits that conform to height changes required by the components mounted to a card. The insulative sheet has simple linear slits that extend completely through the sheet and allow the insulator to deform with simple linear bends when contacted by the tall components mounted to the card. The linear bends allow the surface of the deformed insulator to be flexible without buckling the insulator and without bowing the card.
US07786381B2

An improved power conduit for use with automatic pool cleaners particularly configured to avoid the formation of persistent coils and/or knots. Embodiments in accordance with the invention are characterized by the use of at least one axially stiff elongate member together with axially flexible and axially swivelable means for coupling said stiff member between a stationary power source fitting and a cleaner. The axially flexible and axially swivelable means can be implemented in a variety of ways, e.g., a flexible elongate hose member and a swivel coupling.
US07786380B2

The present disclosure is a wall plate with a multiple flexible member covered opening. A wall plate with a multiple flexible member covered opening may allow for multiple types of wires to run through the same wall box and wall plate. Wall plate may be designed to directly attach to a standard single gang wall box for an easy installation. Wall plate may include multiple flexible members that may allow cables to enter and exit through the flexible members while covering an opening defined by a frame of the wall plate to provide a finished appearance.
US07786378B2

A conductor for an automobile is provided. The conductor is configured by compressing a plurality of surrounding wires that surround a central wire. Individual wires of single materials are combined in various combinations. Materials from which individual wires are formed in one embodiment are one of stainless steel, copper or copper alloy. Materials from which individual wires are formed in another embodiment are one of stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum alloy.
US07786363B1

An annular drum hoop for a drum having a cylindrical drum shell, two drumheads and multiple tension control devices and the annular drum hoop has an outer ring, a mounting segment, an inner ring, multiple holding mounts and a curved segment. The mounting segment is formed on the outer ring. The inner ring is formed annularly on the mounting side of the annular drum hoop and is formed with the mounting segment. The holding mounts are formed on the annular drum hoop between the mounting segment and the inner ring at intervals and each holding mount has a through hole formed through the holding mount to mount on one of the tension control devices. The curved segment is formed on and protrudes inwards from the free edge of the outer ring and has an inner surface, a curved outer surface and an engaging groove formed in the inner surface.
US07786352B2

Methods for the production of an apolipoprotein in plants are described. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for the expression of apolipoprotein in plants comprising: (a) providing a chimeric nucleic acid construct comprising in the 5′ to 3′ direction of transcription as operably linked components: (i) a nucleic acid sequence capable of controlling expression in plant cells; and (ii) a nucleic acid sequence encoding an apolipoprotein polypeptide; (b) introducing the chimeric nucleic acid construct into a plant cell; and growing the plant cell into a mature plant capable of setting seed wherein the seed expresses apolipoprotein.
US07786340B2

An absorbent article for absorbing liquid, typically body liquid, with a loading indicator, said article includes a dark topsheet having an L Hunter value of less than 60, preferably being black, an underlying layer comprising a light layer having an L Hunter value of 60 or more and a backsheet, all layers being coextensive to have a common peripheral edge. By this execution the light layer is noticeable along the peripheral edge of the article, thereby providing said loading indicator by changing color to the color of the absorbed liquid.
US07786328B2

Novel cyclohexyl-1,4-diamine compounds corresponding to formula I processes for preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical formulations comprising these compounds, methods of making such pharmaceutical formulations and the related methods of treating or inhibiting certain conditions or disorders.
US07786324B2

In a synthesis of a borazine compound by a reaction of an alkali boron hydride represented by ABH4 (A represents lithium atom, sodium atom or potassium atom) and an amine salt represented by (RNH3)nX (R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, X represents a sulfate group or a halogen atom, and n is 1 or 2), or b) diborane (B2H6) and an amine represented by RNH2 (R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group), a water content of raw material is controlled below a prescribed value; mixed solvents containing solvents each having a prescribed boiling point are used as a solvent for reaction; or a raw material is gradually fed to a reactor in a reaction. Or, a borazine compound is subjected to distillation purification treatment and filtration treatment. By such a method, a high purity of borazine compound can be produced safely and in a high yield.
US07786311B2

The present invention is directed to novel 1,2,4-thiadiazol-2-ium derivatives useful as agonists or antagonists of the melanocortin receptor. More particularly, the compounds of the present invention are useful for the treatment of metabolic, CNS and dermatological disorders such as obesity, impaired oral glucose tolerance, elevated blood glucose levels, type II diabetes, Syndrome X, diabetic retinopathy, spinal cord injury, nerve injury, acute neurodegenerative disorders, chronic neurodegenerative disorders, plexopathies, male erectile dysfunction, dry eyes, acne, dry skin, aged skin, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, excessive ear wax, meibomian gland disorder, pseudofolliculitis, yeast infections, dandruff, hidradenitis suppurativa, ocular rosacea and eccrine gland disorder.
US07786307B2

The application relates to novel amino alcohols of general formula (I) where R, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, X1 and X2 each have the definitions illustrated in detail in the description, to a process for their preparation and to the use of these compounds as medicines, in particular as renin inhibitors.
US07786302B2

In this invention the novel polymorphs of the valacyclovir hydrochloride and methods for preparing these novel polymorphs are provided.
US07786292B2

The present invention provides compounds having a chelating moiety and an oligonucleotide sequence wherein the oligonucleotide includes one or more modified nucleobases, such as hydroxynucleobases. The disclosed compounds are suitable for antisense therapy. The chelating moiety can be complexed to an ion of a lanthanide metal. These compounds are efficient translation inhibitors of nucleic acids and have increased binding affinity for target nucleic acids. The invention also includes compositions and methods of using these compositions as antisense therapy.
US07786291B2

The invention provides short interfering nucleic acids, either single-stranded or double-stranded, that cause RNAi-induced degradation of mRNA from the Nav1.8 sodium channel gene; to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such short interfering nucleic acids; recombinant vectors comprising such short interfering nucleic acids; a method for inhibiting translation of an mRNA; a method for inhibiting expression of a polypeptide; a method for blocking the membrane potential in a cell; a method for blocking the sodium current in a cell; and a method for inhibiting chronic pain.
US07786283B2

The invention provides constructs that feature a nucleic acid molecule encoding an amino terminal region of a BRI polypeptide. A construct of the invention can further include a multiple cloning site joined to the 3′ end of the BRI nucleic acid molecule or a nucleic acid molecule encoding a heterologous polypeptide operably linked to the BRI nucleic acid molecule. The invention further provides methods of directing a heterologous polypeptide through the secretory pathway in a cell. Such methods utilize a construct of the invention that additionally contains a promoter that directs expression of the BRI and heterologous nucleic acid molecules. The construct is introduced into a cell and, following expression, the fusion protein is directed through the secretory pathway of the cell. In addition, a construct of the invention can be introduced into an animal to make the animal transgenic for the heterologous polypeptide.
US07786280B1

The invention is directed to an isolated genomic polynucleotide fragment that encodes human soluble (cytosolic) aminopeptidase P, vectors and hosts containing the fragment and fragments hybridizing to noncoding regions as well as antisense oligonucleotides to these fragments. The invention is further directed to methods of using these fragments to obtain human soluble aminopeptidase P and to diagnose, treat, prevent and/or ameliorate a pathological disorder.
US07786275B2

The present invention relates to Par-4 mutants which cause apoptosis in cancer cells which are sensitive to Par-4 and also induce apoptosis in cancer cells which are resistant to Par-4. The present invention also relates to methods of using the Par-4 mutant to treat certain cancers, as well as to kits, vectors, and polypeptides for same.
US07786272B2

The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.
US07786264B2

The present invention relates to monoclonal antibody specifically binding to polypeptide(s) comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No. 1 of hepatitis E virus ORF 2 or its conserved variants or its active fragments, or other monoclonal antibodies against ORF2 which can cross react with said monoclonal antibody of present invention, and its nucleotide sequence or its degenerate sequence; to the antigenic determinant in hepatitis E virus ORF2; to a method for screening isolated or recombined polypeptide or polypeptide analog, which has the same property of specifically binding said monoclonal antibody 8C11 and/or 8H3 as said antigenic determinant 1) or 3) of hepatitis E virus ORF2; to polypeptide or polypeptide analog screened by the method above and its nucleotide sequence or degenerate sequence; to a use of said polypeptide or polypeptide analog in preparation of a medicament for the diagnosis and/or precaution of hepatitis E virus infection; to a diagnostic kit for hepatitis E virus infection and a vaccine composition for prophylaxis of hepatitis E virus infection; to use of said monoclonal antibodies or their active fragments or conserved variants in preparation of a medicament for diagnosis, prophylaxis and/or treatment of hepatitis E virus infection; to pharmaceutical composition for prophylaxis and/or treatment of hepatitis E virus infection and a method for prophylaxis and/or treatment of hepatitis E virus infection; to a recombinant expression vector comprising said nucleotide molecule in present invention and a host cell transformed with said recombinant expression vector that is able to express monoclonal antibody and its conserved variants or active fragments or polypeptide or polypeptide analogs.
US07786259B2

The present invention provides a process for preparing an immobilized peptide derivative of formula (Vb): comprising reacting a functionalized solid support comprising Sub-L wherein Sub is a solid support and L is a cleavable linker, with H—[NH—A—C(O)]—O(tBu), then reacting the immobilized product with compound of the formula RHN—A—C(O)OH, wherein the RHN—A—C(O) group is the residue of a N-protected α-amino acid, in the presence of a coupling agent, to yield an immobilized peptide derivative of the formula (Vb).
US07786257B2

A novel peptide sequence having the general formula AB wherein each of A and B represent a chain of amino acid residues and wherein said A chain is capable of binding with a major histocompatibility complex on an antigen presenting cell, and wherein said B chain is capable of binding with a Signal-2 receptor on an antigen presenting cell. Preferred forms of the peptide sequence further include an X chain positioned intermediate the A chain and the B chain. Moreover, preferred forms include an A chain which has at least about 10% sequence homology with a Signal-1 moiety, or is a peptidomimetic of a Signal-1 moiety, said B chain has at least 10% sequence homology with a Signal-2 receptor moiety, or is a peptidomimetic of a Signal-2 receptor moiety, and wherein the X chain has at least one amino acid residue, or is a peptidomimetic of that amino acid residue. Advantageously, the novel peptide sequence is capable of shifting a type-1 immune response to a type-2 immune response or from a type-2 immune response to a type-1 immune response.
US07786252B2

Disclosed is a process for the preparation of multilayered, shaped articles having high transparency and low haze having at least one layer contains one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and homogeneous blends thereof, and a separate layer which contains a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The thermoplastic polymer components and the polyamide components have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about −0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into one or more of the layers of the article while maintaining high clarity. These articles can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into one or more layers to impart oxygen-scavenging properties.
US07786243B2

Golf equipment having improved cut and shear resistance that includes a polyurea composition, preferably saturated and/or water resistant, formed of a polyurea prepolymer and a curing agent, wherein the polyurea prepolymer includes an isocyanate and an amine-terminated compound, and wherein the curing agent includes a hydroxy-terminated curing agent, amine-terminated curing agent, or a mixture thereof.
US07786237B2

A polyethylene may be prepared using a mixture of a silica supported catalyst and a magnesium chloride supported catalyst. By changing the ratio of the two catalysts, the polyethylene produced may have a varying bulk density and shear response. The method allows for the tuning or targeting of properties to fit a specific application, such as a blow molding or vapor barrier film.
US07786230B2

Disclosed is a method for preparing a cycloolefin polymer containing polar functional groups, comprising the steps of: a) preparing a catalyst mixture including i) a precatalyst; ii) a first cocatalyst; and iii) a second cocatalyst; and b) subjecting a monomer solution comprising a norbornene-based compound containing a polar functional group to an addition polymerization reaction in the presence of an organic solvent and the catalyst mixture, wherein the product yield of the prepared polymer is 50% by weight or more based on the total weight of the monomer.
US07786217B2

The present invention provides copolymers which include a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to at least one cationically polymerizable isomonoolefin species and a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to at least one anionically polymerizable monomer species selected from the group consisting of monomers of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, n, p, M, X, and L are defined herein. The present invention also provides methods for making and using (e.g., in articles of manufacture such as medical devices) the copolymers of the present invention.
US07786204B2

A propylene polymer composition having a high impact strength and a high stiffness for the manufacture of parts having an excellent surface quality comprising A) 70 to 98 wt.-% of a heterophasic propylene copolymer with ethylene or an alpha-olefin with 4 to 12 carbon atoms, the propylene copolymer, which contains more than 60 wt.-% propylene, having a melt flow rate (MFR2) of 0.5 to 50 g/10 min and a ratio between elastomer molecular weight and total molecular weight expressed as Mw/Mw(XCS) of more than 0.8, Mw being the weight average molecular weight of the propylene copolymer and Mw(XCS) being the weight average molecular weight of the propylene copolymer which is soluble in xylene at +23° C., and the propylene copolymer further containing a portion of 5 to 35 wt.-% soluble in xylene at +23° C. (XCS content), B) 2 to 30 wt.-% of a mineral filler, C) 0.0001 to 1.0 wt.-% of a β-nucleating agent promoting the β-modification of the propylene copolymer, said composition having a content of β-modification of more than 50% determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and an impact strength at −20° C. which is at least 50% higher than the impact strength of the propylene copolymer (A).
US07786197B2

A flame retardant resin composition consisting essentially of: (A) 100 parts by weight of the total of resin components (components A) which include at least 60 wt % of an aromatic polyester resin; (B) an organic phosphorus compound (component B-1) represented by the following general formula (1) and having an acid value of 0.7 mgKOH/g or less or an organic phosphorus compound (component B-2) represented by the following general formula (2); (C) 0 to 50 parts by weight of a flame retardancy improving resin (component C); and (D) 0 to 200 parts by weight of a filler (component D), and a molded article thereof. Wherein, when the organic phosphorus compound is the component B-1, the amount of the component B-1 is 1 to 100 parts by weight and when the organic phosphorus compound is the component B-2, the component B-2 is used in combination with a biscumyl compound (component B-3), the amount of the component B-2 is 5 to 30 parts by weight, and the amount of the component B-3 is 0.01 to 5 parts by weight. According to the present invention, there can be obtained a flame retardant polyester resin composition which contains substantially no halogen and has UL-94 V-2 flame retardancy or V-0 flame retardancy under favorable conditions as well as a molded article thereof.
US07786194B2

Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a composition prepared from a Class 1 member, a Class 2 member, and a Class 3 member, said Class 1 member contributing approximately 0.1 percent to approximately 10 percent by dry weight of said composition, said Class 2 member contributing approximately 1 percent to approximately 10 percent by dry weight of said composition, and said Class 3 member contributing an amount up to a balance by dry weight of said composition.
US07786193B2

The invention relates to a novel thermoplastic stiffening material used for manufacturing shoes or shoe parts, and to an environmentally friendly method for the production thereof. The inventive material is proved in the form of a hot-melt adhesive/filling compound and is characterized in that it is comprised of one or more hot-melt adhesives and of one or more fillers, which are provided in quantities ranging from 50 to 15% by weight and which do not dissolve in the hot-melt adhesive. The hot-melt adhesive/filler compound simultaneously fulfills the following parameters: 1. MVR value between 2 and 6, preferably between 3 and 5 cm3/10 min; 2. Surface tack, when measured according to DIN EN 14610 at 65° C., ranging from at least 10 N/2 cm, preferably 15 N/2 cm, particularly 20 N/2 cm; 3. Bonding value/peel resistance with regard to upper materials and linings of at least 30 N/5 cm when measured according to DIN 53357; 4. Longitudinal extension of no greater than 25%, preferably less than 20%, when measured at a temperature of 90° C.
US07786191B2

The invention relates to a process for melt-shaping a polymer composition wherein the constituent components for the polymer composition are supplied directly to the shaping device in the form of a mixture of granules on or in which the constituent components are present. The granule mixture contains at least 3 granule-fractions containing the matrix polymer that differ in composition.The invention also relates to the granule mixture suitable for the melt-shaping process, the installation for the preparation and the process for preparing the granule mixture. The process results in a greater reproducibility and in articles with improved properties.
US07786181B2

The invention relates to a solid powdery composition comprising unexpanded thermally expandable microspheres including a thermoplastic polymer shell encapsulating a propellant and from about 0.1 to about 50 wt % of at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of acids having a melting point below about 200° C. and precursors therefore. The invention further relates to preparation and use thereof, a composition comprising a polymeric resin, preparation thereof, a process for working a polymeric resin and a material obtainable thereby.
US07786180B2

A process for synthesising methanol comprises the steps of: (i) reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock and separating water to generate a make-up gas comprising hydrogen and carbon oxides, the make-up gas mixture having a stoichiometric number, R, R=([H2]−[CO2])/([CO2]+[CO]) of less than 2.0, (ii) combining the make up gas with an unreacted synthesis gas to form a synthesis gas mixture, (iii) passing the synthesis gas through a bed of methanol synthesis catalyst to generate a product stream, (iv) cooling the product stream to recover a crude methanol stream from the unreacted synthesis gas, (v) removing a portion of the unreacted synthesis gas as a purge gas, and (vi) feeding the remaining unreacted synthesis gas to step (ii), wherein hydrogen is recovered from a portion of the purge gas and the make up gas, and the recovered hydrogen is included in the synthesis gas mixture.
US07786178B2

A process for producing a fine silver particle colloidal dispersion which can simply form conductive silver layers and antimicrobial coatings by screen printing or the like. The process is characterized by having a reaction step of allowing an aqueous silver nitrate solution to react with a mixed solution of an aqueous iron(II) sulfate solution and an aqueous sodium citrate solution to form an agglomerate of fine silver particles, a filtration step of filtering the resultant agglomerate of fine silver particles to obtain a cake of the agglomerate of fine silver particles, a dispersion step of adding pure water to the cake to obtain a first fine silver particle colloidal dispersion of a water system in which dispersion the fine silver particles have been dispersed in the pure water, and a concentration and washing step of concentrating and washing the first fine silver particle colloidal dispersion of a water system.
US07786177B2

Phenylalanine enamide derivatives of formula (1) are described: wherein R1 is a group Ar1 L2Ar2Alk- in which: Ar1 is an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group; L2 is a covalent bond or a linker atom or group; Ar2 is an optionally substituted arylene or heteroarylene group; and Alk is a chain —CH2—CH(R)—, —CH═C(R)— or in which R is a carboxylic acid (—CO2H) or a derivative or biostere thereof; X is an —O— or —S— atom or —N(R2)— group in which: Rx, Ry and Rz which may be the same or different is each a hydrogen atom or an optional substituent; or Rz is an atom or group as previously defined and Rx and Ry are joined together to form an optionally substituted spiro linked cycloaliphatic or heterocycloaliphatic group; and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof. The compounds are able to inhibit the binding of integrins to their ligands and are of use in the prophylaxis and treatment of immuno or inflammatory disorders or disorders involving the inappropriate growth or migration of cells.
US07786176B2

A vaginal treatment composition that rapidly forms a gel when placed into contact with monovalent or polyvalent cations, such as sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca2+) cations naturally found in vaginal mucosa, is provided. The gel may form in less than about 1 hour, in some embodiments less than about 1 minute, and in some embodiments, less than about 30 seconds. Among other things, such rapid gelation reduces the likelihood of leakage during use. In addition, because the gel may form intravaginally, it is more likely to retain its structure and shape over an extended period of time. In this manner, the gel may provide the prolonged release of a therapeutic agent that inhibits and/or treats vaginal infection. For instance, the gel may remain within the vagina for about 2 to about 48 hours to provide the desired effect.
US07786171B2

The invention relates to novel amide derivatives that are positive allosteric modulators of neuronal nicotinic receptors, compositions comprising the same, processes for preparing such compounds, and methods for using such compounds and compositions.
US07786159B2

The invention relates to compounds and their use in the treatment of thrombocytopenia resulting from diseases or conditions such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, cancer chemotherapy, surgery, bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, radiation injury or treatment, chronic viral infection, and pancytopenia. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and compositions of the invention as well as methods for treating such diseases or conditions in a mammal, including a human, by administering to such mammal an effective amount of a selected thrombopoietin receptor agonist.
US07786157B2

The present invention provides compounds having formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salts and N-oxides thereof, wherein the subscript m is an integer from 0-4; Ar is an optionally substituted aryl; B is an optionally substituted aryl; L1 is an optionally substituted linking group selected from the group consisting of C1-4 alkylene, C1-4 heteroalkylene, C2-4 alkenylene and —CH2N(Ru)X5—; and L2 is a bond or C1-3 alkylene. The compounds act as potent antagonists of the CCR1 receptor, and have in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.
US07786156B2

The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of an 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl compound of the formula [A], or a salt thereof, wherein each of R3 and R4 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, said process comprising reacting a hydrazine compound of the formula [B] wherein R is hydrogen or acyl, R2 is hydrogen or a protecting group, are hydrogen or lower alkyl, and R6 is hydrogen or COOR7, or a salt thereof, with a 1,2,4-triazolyl forming reagent. In addition, novel intermediates for the synthesis of the anti-migraine agent Rizatriptan and methods for their synthesis are presented.
US07786150B2

Disclosed herein is a compound having a structure or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a prodrug thereof. Therapeutic methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed.
US07786146B2

This invention provides compounds of formula I where the dashed line represents an optional double bond; where R1 is phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, or isothiazolyl, optionally substituted, and other substituents are defined herein. Such compounds are potassium channel modulators.
US07786144B2

The present invention relates to sulphur containing pyrazole derivatives, and their S-oxidized active metabolites, as selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists having a high CB1/CB2 receptor subtype selectivity, to methods for the preparation of these compounds, to novel intermediates useful for the synthesis of these pyrazole derivatives, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of these pyrazole derivatives as active ingredients, as well as to the use of these pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The compounds have the general formula (I) wherein the symbols have the meanings given in the specification.
US07786140B2

A piperidine derivative of the formula (I) is found to bind specifically with the NR1/NR2B receptor and usable as an analgesic (pain treatment drug). wherein X is OH or lower alkylsulfonyloxy; Ar is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl; n is an integer of 1 to 4; m is an integer of 0 to 1; R1 is hydrogen; R2 is OH or R1 and R2 taken together may form a single bond; excluding that 1) n is 2; m is 0; R1 and R2 taken together may form a single bond; and Ar is optionally substituted phenyl and 2) n is 3; m is 0; R1 and R2 taken together may form a single bond; and Ar is phenyl.
US07786130B2

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US07786126B2

A composition containing SLV308 or its N-oxide, or at least one pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof: and L-DOPA or at least one pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment of disorders requiring recovery of dopaminergic function using this composition, including Parkinson's disease and restless leg syndrome.
US07786123B2

Indolylmaleimide derivatives comprising either a substituted phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, quinazolinyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl or pyrimidinyl residue have interesting pharmaceutical properties, e.g. in the treatment and/or prevention of T-cell mediated acute or chronic inflammatory diseases or disorders, autoimmune diseases, graft rejection or cancer.
US07786122B2

There is provided a series of novel α-(N-sulfonamido)acetamide compounds of the Formula (I) wherein R, R1, R2 and R3 are defined herein, which are inhibitors of β-amyloid peptide (β-AP) production and are useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and other conditions affected by anti-amyloid activity.
US07786118B2

In its several embodiments, this invention discloses a pharmaceutical formulation comprising at least one antineoplastic agent or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and at least one dissolution enhancing agent sufficient to substantially dissolve said at least one antineoplastic agent in at least one aqueous diluent, wherein said dissolution enhancing agent is urea, L-histidine, L-threonine, L-asparagine, L-serine, L-glutamine or mixtures thereof; a lyophilized powder comprising said pharmaceutical formulation, and articles of manufacture thereof.
US07786115B2

The invention concerns a compound of the Formula I wherein m is 0-2 and each R1 is a group such as hydroxy, halogeno, trifluoromethyl heterocyclyl and heterocyclyloxy; R2 is halogeno, trifluoromethyl or (1-6C)alkyl; R3 is hydrogen, halogeno or (1-6C)alkyl; and R4 is (3-6C)cycloalkyl;or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of diseases or medical conditions mediated by cytokines.
US07786113B2

Objects of the present invention are the compounds of formula I their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, enantiomeric forms, diastereoisomers and racemates, the preparation of the above-mentioned compounds, medicaments containing them and their manufacture, as well as the use of the above-mentioned compounds in the control or prevention of illnesses such as cancer.
US07786110B2

Compounds of the formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein, R1 is a group of formula A or formula B, and X, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, Ra and Rb are as defined herein. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for treating diseases mediated by a P2X3 and/or a P2X2/3 receptor antagonist and methods of making the subject compounds.
US07786101B2

A composition comprises drospirenone as the sole therapeutically active agent.
US07786091B2

The invention provides compositions and methods for ameliorating defects in myosin VIIa (MYO7A) expression and/or function, including providing vectors for myosin VIIa expression and formulations comprising them, and methods of using them, for treating human retinitis pigmentosa (or retinal degeneration), and blindness and deafness such as that found in Usher syndrome. The invention provides in vivo gene therapy for ameliorating defects in myosin VIIa (MYO7A) expression and/or function, including compositions and methods for gene transfer of the human myosin VIIa (MYO7A) gene (the MYO7A gene.
US07786088B2

The present invention relates to the targeted delivery of a delivery vehicle construct which specifically binds to and stimulates endocytosis into cells expressing the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), and particularly human airway epithelia. The delivery vehicle construct comprises a portion of uPA and a cargo linked thereto and is useful for the targeted delivery of the cargo to a cell. In one aspect of the invention, the uPA portion of the delivery vehicle construct comprises the wild-type uPA, a fragment of uPA which has the PAI-1 binding region deleted, or a uPA peptide comprising amino acids 13-19 and is useful for the targeted delivery of the cargo to cells, and in particular to airway epithelia. The present invention also provides a method for delivering the delivery vehicle construct to a cell. The method comprises the steps of (a) contacting a target cell with a delivery vehicle construct comprising a uPA portion and a cargo portion; and (b) obtaining a desired result in the target cell.
US07786085B2

The present invention provides improved methods, kits, and pharmaceutical compositions for increasing hematopoietic cell survival and/or reducing or preventing the side effects of chemotherapy, and mobilizing hematopoietic progenitor cells from bone marrow into peripheral blood following chemotherapy, comprising administering an effective amount of angiotensinogen, angiotensin I (AI), AI analogues, AI fragments and analogues thereof, angiotensin II (AII), AII analogues, AII fragments or analogues thereof or AII AT2 type 2 receptor agonists to a patient in need of chemotherapy.
US07786084B2

The invention relates to the treatment of burn injuries. Described are methods for modulating a burn injury in a subject, the method comprising providing the subject with a gene-regulatory peptide or functional analogue thereof, e.g., LQG, AQG, LQGV (SEQ ID NO:1), AQGV (SEQ ID NO:2), LQGA (SEQ ID NO:3), VLPALP (SEQ ID NO:4), ALPALP (SEQ ID NO:5), VAPALP (SEQ ID NO:6), ALPALPQ (SEQ ID NO:7), VLPAAPQ (SEQ ID NO:8), VLPALAQ (SEQ ID NO:9), LAGV (SEQ ID NO:10), VLAALP (SEQ ID NO:11), VLPALA (SEQ ID NO:12), VLPALPQ (SEQ ID NO:13), VLAALPQ (SEQ ID NO:14), VLPALPA (SEQ ID NO:15), GVLPALP (SEQ ID NO:16), LPGC (SEQ ID NO:19), MTRV (SEQ ID NO:20), MTR, and VVC. Also described is the use of an NF-kappaB down-regulating peptide or functional analogue thereof for the production of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of burn injury of a subject.
US07786083B2

The present invention provides stable metastin derivatives having excellent biological activities (a cancer metastasis suppressing activity, a cancer growth suppressing activity, a gonadotropic hormone secretion stimulating activity, sex hormone secretion stimulating activity, etc.).By substituting the constituent amino acids of metastin with specific amino acids, the metastin derivatives of the present invention achieve more improved blood stability, solubility, etc., reduced gelation tendency, improved pharmacokinetics, as well as exhibit an excellent cancer metastasis suppressing activity or a cancer growth suppressing activity. The metastin derivatives of the present invention also have a gonadotropic hormone secretion suppressing activity, sex hormone secretion suppressing activity, etc.
US07786082B2

Embodiments of the present invention include the use of placental alkaline phosphatase and other members of the alkaline phosphatase family alone or in combination with human transferrin and, optionally, human α1-antitrypsin to enhance the proliferation and survival of adult or embryonic stem cells and stem cell-derived progenitor cells in vivo.
US07786071B2

Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded therefrom are provided. These include mutated PON enzymes with increased, modified or substantially the same substrate specificity as compared to respective wild-type PON. Also provided are kits and methods using these enzymes.
US07786070B2

The invention relates to the use of a Factor VIIa for the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of a condition affectable by Factor VIIa, said medicament being for subcutaneous, intramuscular or intradermal administration, and to the use of a Factor VIIa for the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of a condition affectable by Factor VIIa, wherein said medicament, when administered subcutaneously, intradermally or intramuscularly, shows a prolonged biological half-life.
US07786069B2

A fabric treatment composition is provided. The fabric treatment composition includes a fabric treatment agent and a carrier component for containing the fabric treatment agent in a solid form during operation conditions in a dryer. The fabric treatment composition is constructed for transferring the composition to wet fabric as a result of solubilizing the fabric treatment composition by contacting the fabric treatment composition with the wet fabric during a drying operation in a dryer. A method for treating fabric is provided.
US07786065B2

A novel class of ionic liquids and methods for their preparation are disclosed. Specifically, these novel ionic liquids can be derived from peracid anions. The present invention also relates to compositions containing these novel ionic liquids and method of using the same.
US07786058B2

A rolling device employing a lubricating grease composition containing a thickener which is a mixture of (a) one or more diurea compounds made from one or more primary amines and a diisocyanate; (b) at least one fatty acid metal salt; (c) at least one amide compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic amides and bisamides, where the proportions of (a), (b) and (c) satisfy the relationship: a/(b+c)=0.2−10 provided that (1) the proportion of ingredient (a) is 1-10, (2) the proportion of ingredient (b) is 0.5-2.5, and (3) the proportion of ingredient (c) is 0.5-2.5, and the amount of the thickener is 2 to 30% by weight, based on the lubricating grease composition; (d) a base oil which is a lube base oil having a pour point of −36 to −67.7° C. that includes a synthetic hydrocarbon oil as the main component; and (e) 1-7% by weight of an additive mixture containing an organomolybdenum complex, an organozinc compound of a dithiocarbamic acid, and an organozinc compound of dithiophosphoric acid.
US07786043B2

The invention relates to 2-(pyridin-2-yl)-pyrimidine compounds of general formula (I) and their use for controlling pathogenic fungi and as plant protection products that, as an active constituent, contain compounds of this type: In general formula (I), k represents 0, 1, 2, 3; m represents 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; n represents 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; R1, independent of one another, represents halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkyl halide, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkoxy halide, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy-C1-C4 alkyl, amino, phenoxy, which is optionally substituted by halogen or C1-C4 alkyl, NHR, NR2, C(Ra)═N—ORb, S(═O)pA1 or C(═O)A2, or two radicals R1 bound to adjacent carbon atoms can, together, also represent a group —O-Alk-O—, wherein Alk represents a linear or branched C1-C4 alkylene, and 1, 2, 3 or 4 hydrogen atoms can also be replaced by halogen; R2 represents C1-C4 alkyl halide, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkoxy halide, hydroxy, halogen, CN or NO2; whereby R2 can also represent hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl when at least one of the three following conditions is fulfilled: n represents 3, 4 or 5; k represents 1, 2 or 3; if m is not equal to 0, at least one of the radicals R1 represents a radical that differs from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy and C1-C4 alkyl halide, and; R3 represents C1-C4 alkyl.
US07786041B2

Synergistic crop plant-compatible herbicidal compositions comprising herbicides from the group of the benzoylcyclohexanedionesHerbicidal compositions comprising A) a compound from the group of the benzoylpyrazoles, B) at least one further herbicide and C) at least one safener are described as herbicides which are active against monocotyledonous and/or dicotyledonous harmful plants. Compared to the herbicides used on their own, these compositions have superior activity and at the same time high compatibility with crop plants.
US07786035B2

A glass composition which is reduced in the amount of residual bubbles and is produced using smaller amounts of an environmentally unfriendly component such as arsenic oxide and antimony oxide. This glass composition contains, in terms of mass %: 40-70% SiO2; 5-20% B2O3; 10-25% Al2O3; 0-10% MgO; 0-20% CaO; 0-20% SrO; 0-10% BaO; 0-0.5% Li2O; 0-1.0% Na2O; 0-1.5% K2O; and 0-1.5%, excluding 0%, Cl, Li2O+Na2O+K2O exceeding 0.06%. The glass composition can be produced suitably using, for example, a chloride as part of the raw glass materials.
US07786034B2

A process is provided for issuing material from a nozzle in a rotor rotating at a given rotational speed wherein the material is issued by way of a fluid jet. The material can be collected on a collector concentric to the rotor. The collector can be a flexible belt moving in the axial direction of the rotor. The collected material can take the form of discrete particles, fibers, plexifilamentary web, discrete fibrils or a membrane.
US07786031B2

Flame resistant fabrics of suitable strength and comfort level for use in apparel applications. The fabrics incorporate yarns utilizing specific blends of (A) halogen containing fibers, (B) silica embedded cellulosic fibers and (C) strength imparting synthetic fibers.
US07786028B2

A flexible nonwoven mat of polymeric fibers is liquid water transmission resistant and is particularly well suited for use as a prefabricated building construction underlayment. The polymeric fibers may be standard polymeric fibers or sheathed polymeric fibers that have fiber sheaths with a lower softening point temperature than the softening point temperature of the fiber cores. Preferably, the polymeric fibers are spunbond fibers and are bonded together through the application of heat and pressure. Where the fibers are sheathed fibers, interstices of the nonwoven mat are at least partially filled by a portion of the polymeric material of the sheaths that is dispersed into the interstices to reduce the porosity of the mat. In certain embodiments, the polymeric fibers on the top major surface of the mat are coated with a hydrophobic binder coating material, which is overlaid with a water repellant coating material, such as a filled asphalt, modified bitumen, or a non-asphaltic polymeric film, to increase the liquid water impermeability and enhance other physical properties of the mat.
US07786023B2

A metal pad formation method and metal pad structure using the same are provided. A wider first pad metal is formed together with a first metal. A dielectric layer is then deposited thereon. A first opening and a second opening are formed in the dielectric layer to respectively expose the first metal and the first pad metal. Then, the first opening is filled by W metal to generate a first via. Finally, a second metal and a second pad metal are formed to respectively cover the first via and the first pad metal to generate the metal pad.
US07786020B1

A method for fabricating a nonvolatile memory device includes repeatedly stacking a stacked structure over a substrate to form a multi-stacked structure, wherein the stacked structure includes a conductive layer and an insulation layer, forming a photoresist pattern over the multi-stacked structure, first-etching an uppermost stacked structure of the multi-stacked structure using the photoresist pattern as an etch barrier, second-etching a resultant structure formed by the first-etching through the use of a breakthrough etching, slimming the photoresist pattern to form a slimmed photoresist pattern, and third-etching the uppermost stacked structure using the slimmed photoresist pattern as an etch barrier and, at the same time, etching a stacked structure disposed under the uppermost stacked structure and exposed by the first-etching.
US07786013B2

The present invention relates to methods of fabricating semiconductor devices, including forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate by a reactive ion etching (RIE) method with a reactive product of film stack of a carbon film/silicon oxide film/carbon-containing silicon oxide film, the trench having an inner surface; and removing the reactive product, by treating the trench with diluted hydrofluoric acid to remove the carbon film and the silicon oxide film followed by treating the film by a hydrofluoric acid vapor phase cleaning (HFVPC) method to remove the carbon-containing silicon oxide film.
US07786008B2

A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a silicon substrate having a circuitry layer; creating a partial via through the circuitry layer; filling the partial via with a plug having a bottom surface; creating a recess that is angled outward and exposes the bottom surface of the plug; and coating the recess with a recess-insulation-layer while leaving the bottom surface of the plug exposed.
US07786006B2

A method for forming an interconnect structure for copper metallization and an interconnect structure containing a metal nitride diffusion barrier are described. The method includes providing a substrate having a micro-feature opening formed within a dielectric material and forming a metal nitride diffusion barrier containing ruthenium, nitrogen, and a nitride-forming metal over the surfaces of the micro-feature. The nitride-forming metal is selected from Groups IVB, VB, VIB, and VIIB of the Periodic Table, and the metal nitride diffusion barrier is formed by exposing the substrate to a precursor of the nitride-forming metal, a nitrogen precursor, and a ruthenium precursor.
US07786001B2

An electrical structure and method of forming. The electrical structure includes a first substrate comprising a first electrically conductive pad, a second substrate comprising a second electrically conductive pad, and an interconnect structure electrically and mechanically connecting the first electrically conductive pad to the second electrically conductive pad. The interconnect structure comprises a non-solder metallic core structure, a first solder structure, and a second solder structure. The first solder structure electrically and mechanically connects a first portion of the non-solder metallic core structure to the first electrically conductive pad. The second solder structure electrically and mechanically connects a second portion of the non-solder metallic core structure to the second electrically conductive pad.
US07786000B2

An anti-fuse one-time-programmable (OTP) nonvolatile memory cell has a P well substrate with two P.sup.− doped regions. Another N.sup.+ doped region, functioning as a bit line, is positioned adjacent and between the two P.sup.− doped regions on the substrate. An anti-fuse is defined over the N.sup.+ doped region. Two insulator regions are deposited over the two P.sup.− doped regions. An impurity doped polysilicon layer is defined over the two insulator regions and the anti-fuse. A polycide layer is defined over the impurity doped polysilicon layer. The polycide layer and the polysilicon layer function as a word line. A programmed region, i.e., a link, functioning as a diode, is formed on the anti-fuse after the anti-fuse OTP nonvolatile memory cell is programmed. The array structure of anti-fuse OTP nonvolatile memory cells and methods for programming, reading, and fabricating such a cell are also disclosed.
US07785994B2

In the ion implantation method and semiconductor device manufacturing method relating to the present invention, a disc on which multiple semiconductor substrates are mounted is positioned in the manner that a first angle β1 is made between an X-Y plane perpendicular to an ion beam and a line perpendicular to the Y-axis in a disc rotation plane. In this state, an ion beam is emitted to implant a first conductivity type impurity in the semiconductor substrates while the disc is rotated about a disc rotation axis. Then, the disc is positioned in the manner that a second angle β2 is made between the X-Y plane and a line perpendicular to the Y-axis in the disc rotation plane. In this state, an ion beam is emitted to implant a second conductivity type impurity in the semiconductor substrates while the disc is rotated about the disc rotation axis.
US07785990B2

A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first chip region, a second chip region, and a scribe lane region between the first and second chip regions in a wafer, the wafer having a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, and forming a penetrating extension hole and a scribe connector in the scribe lane region, the penetrating extension hole penetrating the wafer from the first surface to the second surface and extending along the scribe lane region, wherein the scribe connector connects the first and second chip regions spaced apart from each other by the penetrating extension hole.
US07785989B2

A method of manufacturing a solar cell by providing a gallium arsenide carrier with a prepared bonding surface; providing a sapphire substrate; bonding the gallium arsenide carrier and the sapphire substrate to produce a composite structure; detaching the bulk of the gallium arsenide carrier from the composite structure, leaving a gallium arsenide growth substrate on the sapphire substrate; and depositing a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell on the growth substrate. For some solar cells, the method further includes mounting a surrogate second substrate on top of the sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell; and removing the growth substrate.
US07785980B2

An object of the present inventions is to overcome a problem that the presence of a metal film, which is opaque to a visible light, between a lower layer alignment mark and a photoresist prevents the detection of the lower layer alignment mark, to make the pattern formation difficult. In the present inventions, an insulating film is placed beneath the alignment mark in structure; an alignment mark consisting of said multi-layered film comprising an alignment mark layer and the insulating film, which constitutes a stepped part with an increased difference in level, is first formed, inside a mark hole, in a manner of self-alignment; and then the metal film which is the very cause of the above problem is formed thereon. Since the metal film itself has a stepped shape corresponding to the alignment mark, alignment can be made with great accuracy.
US07785978B2

A variable resistance memory cell structure and a method of forming it. The method includes forming a first electrode, forming an insulating material over the first electrode, forming a via in the insulating material to expose a surface of the first electrode, forming a heater material within the via using gas cluster ion beams, forming a variable resistance material within the via, and forming a second electrode such that the heater material and variable resistance material are provided between the first and second electrodes.
US07785969B2

A method for forming a semiconductor device of the present invention solves problems in a process for forming a fin type gate including a recess region, such as, a complicated process, low production margin, and difficulty in forming an accurate fin shape. In a process for forming an isolation dielectric film defining an active region, a nitride film pattern is formed in such a manner that the size of the nitride film is adjusted according to line width of a fin portion in a fin type active region formed in a subsequent process step, and an isolation dielectric film is formed in every region except for the nitride film pattern of a semiconductor substrate. Then, a recess is etched, and the isolation dielectric film is removed from a region where the line width of the nitride film pattern was reduced to a certain degree. Consequently, a process margin for forming a fin type active region is increased, and the shape of a fin shaped portion can be adjusted accurately, which together contribute to improved electrical properties in the semiconductor devices.
US07785962B2

A method of forming a plurality of capacitors includes an insulative material received over a capacitor array area and a circuitry area. The array area comprises a plurality of capacitor electrode openings within the insulative material received over individual capacitor storage node locations. The intervening area comprises a trench. Conductive metal nitride-comprising material is formed within the openings and against a sidewall portion of the trench to less than completely fill the trench. Inner sidewalls of the conductive material within the trench are annealed in a nitrogen-comprising atmosphere. The insulative material within the array area is etched with a liquid etching solution effective to expose outer sidewall portions of the conductive material within the array area. The conductive material within the array area is incorporated into a plurality of capacitors.
US07785958B2

A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate, a trench within the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer on the substrate. The second dielectric layer has a first part that is formed in the trench and a second part. After a first metal layer with a first workfunction is formed on the first and second parts of the second dielectric layer, part of the first metal layer is converted into a second metal layer with a second workfunction.
US07785954B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory integrated circuit intended to improve properties and reliability of its peripheral circuit includes the step of forming a tunnel oxide film (21a) in the cell array region, gate oxide film (21b) for a high-voltage circuit and gate oxide film (21c) for a low-voltage circuit both in the peripheral circuit to respectively optimum values of thickness, and covering them with a first-layer polycrystalline silicon film (22). After that, device isolation grooves (13) are formed and buried with a device isolation insulating film (14). The first-layer polycrystalline silicon film (24) is a non-doped film, and after device isolation, a second-layer polycrystalline silicon film (24) is doped with phosphorus in the cell array region to form floating gates made of the first-layer polycrystalline silicon film (22) and the second-layer polycrystalline silicon film (24). In the peripheral circuit, gate electrodes are made of a multi-layered film including the first-layer polycrystalline silicon, film (22), second-layer polycrystalline silicon film (24) and third-layer polycrystalline silicon film 28, and impurities are ion implanted thereafter to respective transistor regions under respectively optimum conditions.
US07785946B2

Integrated circuits and methods of manufacture and design thereof are disclosed. For example, a method of manufacturing includes using a first mask to pattern a gate material forming a plurality of first and second features. The first features form gate electrodes of the semiconductor devices, whereas the second features are dummy electrodes. Based on the location of these dummy electrodes, selected dummy electrodes are removed using a second mask. The use of the method provides greater flexibility in tailoring individual devices for different objectives.
US07785927B2

A semiconductor die package is provided. The semiconductor die package includes a plurality of dies arranged in a stacked configuration. Through-silicon vias are formed in the lower or intermediate dies to allow electrical connections to dies stacked above. The lower die is positioned face up and has redistribution lines electrically coupling underlying semiconductor components to the through-silicon vias. The dies stacked above the lower die may be oriented face up such that the contact pads are facing away from the lower die or flipped such that the contact pads are facing the lower die. The stacked dies may be electrically coupled to the redistribution lines via wire bonding or solder balls. Additionally, the lower die may have another set of redistribution lines on an opposing side from the stacked dies to reroute the vias to a different pin-out configuration.
US07785918B2

An image device which includes reflowed color filters. Reflowed color filters may be formed by heat treating preliminary color filters. When preliminary color filters are reflowed, color filters of different colors may be formed continuous with each other. Contiguous color filters in an image device may reduce manufacturing costs, maximize optical efficiency, minimize noise, and/or minimize crosstalk.
US07785917B2

An image sensor including a first region where a pad is to be formed, and a second region where a light-receiving element is to be formed. A pad is formed over a substrate of the first region. A passivation layer is formed over the substrate of the first and second regions to expose a portion of the pad. A color filter is formed over the passivation layer of the second region. A microlens is formed over the color filter. A bump is formed over the pad. A protective layer is formed between the bump and the pad to expose the portion of the pad.
US07785904B2

The present invention relates to hydrophilic, high quantum yield acridinium compounds. It has been discovered that the placement of electron-donating groups in the acridinium ring system increases the amount of light that is emitted by the corresponding acridinium compound when its chemiluminescence is triggered by alkaline peroxide. More specifically, it has been found that the placement of one or two hydrophilic, alkoxy groups at the C-2 and/or C-7 position of the acridinium ring system of acridinium compounds increases their quantum yield and enhances the aqueous solubility of these compounds. The present hydrophilic, high quantum yield, acridinium compounds are useful chemiluminescent labels for improving the sensitivity of immunoassays.
US07785898B2

The present invention provides methods for identifying and/or enriching fetal cells from maternal blood, using as fetal cell markers the antibodies that the mother produces against paternally inherited fetal antigens. The fetal cell-maternal antibody complexes are identified and isolated using labelled agents that bind to the maternal antibodies. The present invention also provides fetal cells, isolated by use of said maternal antibodies, as a source of fetal DNA for prenatal genetic diagnosis of the fetus.
US07785893B2

A method of detecting a substance present in a gas or a gas mixture using SIFT-MS technology comprising the steps of inducing a supply of alkoxymethyl cations into the inlet of the flow tube, reacting a sample of the as with the alkoxymethyl cations, analysing the reacted gas sample, and calculating the concentration of trace levels of molecules containing heteroatoms in the reacted gas sample.
US07785890B2

A method and device for analysis of reaction media containing one or more cells. This method and device can be used to perform an automated high-throughput analysis.
US07785869B2

A sonication apparatus is directed to a microfluidic-based system to automate differential extraction of specific cell types within a mixed sample. The microfluidic-based system includes a sonication module for selective cell lysis, separating means to eliminate centrifugation, high surface area pillar chip modules to purify DNA from a cell lysate, and microfluidic circuitry to integrate the steps in an automated platform.
US07785867B2

The invention provides a culture apparatus or a reserving stock room which receives a lot of culture vessels without vibration. The culture apparatus or the reserving stock room is provided with storage shelves (12a, 12b, . . . ) for culture vessels arranged in a circular arc shape or an annular shape, and a carrying means (15) for taking in and out the culture vessels to an inner side of the circular arc shaped arrangement or the annular shaped arrangement from the storage shelves (12a, 12b, . . . ). Further, the culture apparatus or the reserving stock room is provided with storage shelves (12a, 12b, . . . ) for culture vessels arranged on a table (13) in a circular arc shape or an annular shape, an air distribution port (39) provided in the table (13) such that an air in an inner side of the circular arc shaped arrangement or the annular shaped arrangement flows from a lower side to an upper side, and a circulation passage (36) for returning the air sucked from an upper side within a stock room to the distribution port (39) via a lower side within the stock room.
US07785865B2

A membrane array used to detect one or more analytes from a small sample of fluid with high sensitivity is provided. The membrane array can be employed in various analytical devices and is especially useful for identifying analytes from whole blood with minimal or negligible background interference.
US07785859B2

The present invention relates to methods for displaying (poly)peptides/proteins on the surface of bacteriophage particles by attaching the (poly)peptide/proteins via disulfide bonds.
US07785855B2

The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding polypeptides having amylase activity, and methods for making and using them. In one aspect, the polypeptides having amylase activity have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and increased temperature. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for producing an alcohol, for producing a high-maltose or a high-glucose syrup or a mixed syrup, for liquifying a starch-comprising composition, comprising use of polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids of this invention.
US07785843B2

Provided herein are libraries of nucleic acid species each comprising a transcription unit having a promoter region operatively linked to a coding sequence. The coding sequence of each nucleic acid species encodes a RNA cleavage substrate comprising a unique compomer species and a cleavage site. Each compomer species has a molecular mass distinguishable from the molecular mass of other compomer species in the library, and cleavage at a cleavage site releases a polynucleotide comprising the compomer species from the RNA cleavage substrate.
US07785830B2

The present invention relates to an expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide encoding a fusion protein comprising the signal sequence of the gac gene of Pseudomonas diminuta and a polypeptide of interest, a prokaryotic host cell transformed with such an expression vector and a process for production of a polypeptide of interest using said host cell and said expression vector.
US07785823B2

There is provided a method of separating free-astaxanthin selectively from green algae and, more particularly, to a method of separating free-astaxanthin selectively from Haematococcus pluvialis, the method comprising: mixing a cell culture containing Haematococcus pluvialis with an alkanic solvent and stirring, thereby obtaining an alkanic solvent extract containing astaxanthin material including free-astaxanthin and astaxanthin ester (step 1); and mixing the alkanic solvent extract with an alcohol and stirring, thereby obtaining an alcoholic extract containing free-astaxanthin (step 2).
US07785814B2

The invention provides a method of detecting a proliferative disease, such as a disease associated with the abnormal expression of BORIS, in a mammal comprising detecting antibodies to BORIS in a sample obtained from the mammal. The invention also provides BORIS polypeptides as well as compositions and kits comprising the BORIS polypeptides and methods of using the same. The invention further provides a method of inducing an immune response in a mammal using BORIS polypeptides.
US07785813B2

This invention provides methods employing prefoldin-4 (PFDN-4) nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences to detect cancer or a propensity to develop cancer, to monitor the efficacy of a cancer treatment, and/or for prognostic applications. Further, the invention provides methods of identifying inhibitors of PfDN-4 and methods of treating cancer by inhibiting the expression and/or activity of PFDN-4.
US07785799B2

The present invention concerns methods and compositions involving flavivirus envelope protein domain III antigens for the detection of virus and detection of antibodies against the virus. Such methods and compositions may be used to detect TBE serocomplex viruses or West Nile virus infection in a subject, patient, animal or biological fluid. The present invention also concerns kits for implementing such methods. In some embodiments, kits contain a recombinant TBE serocomplex virus or West Nile virus envelope protein domain III antigen.
US07785790B1

Disclosed are improved methods of making and using immobilized arrays of nucleic acids, particularly methods for producing replicas of such arrays. Included are methods for producing high density arrays of nucleic acids and replicas of such arrays, as well as methods for preserving the resolution of arrays through rounds of replication. Also included are methods which take advantage of the availability of replicas of arrays for increased sensitivity in detection of sequences on arrays. Improved methods of sequencing nucleic acids immobilized on arrays utilizing single copies of arrays and methods taking further advantage of the availability of replicas of arrays are disclosed. The improvements lead to higher fidelity and longer read lengths of sequences immobilized on arrays. Methods are also disclosed which improve the efficiency of multiplex PCR using arrays of immobilized nucleic acids.
US07785782B2

A device for in-line blood screening and testing using biochips is disclosed. The screening methods include nucleic acid amplification techniques and antibody/antigen assays to detect target molecules and agents indicative of infectious diseases or metabolic diseases.
US07785775B2

The present invention relates to an isolated novel virus causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans (“hSARS virus”). The hSARS virus is identified to be morphologically and phylogenetically similar to known member of Coronaviridae. The present invention provides the complete genomic sequence of the hSARS virus. Furthermore, the invention provides the nucleic acids and peptides encoded by and/or derived from the hSARS virus and their use in diagnostic methods and therapeutic methods, including vaccines. In addition, the invention provides chimeric or recombinant viruses encoded by said nucleotide sequences and antibodies immunospecific to the polypeptides encoded by the nucleotide sequences.
US07785770B2

The use of sugar-containing hydrogels as very highly porous, aqueous support material for the immobilization of oligonucleotides, peptides, proteins, antigens, antibodies, polysaccharides, and other biomolecules for sensor applications. Unusually large sizes of interconnected pores allow large target molecules to pass rapidly into and through the gel and bind to immobilized biomolecules. Sugar-containing hydrogels have extremely low non-specific absorption of labeled target molecules, providing low background levels. Some hydrogel materials do not have this type of homogeneous interconnected macroporosity, thus large target molecules cannot readily diffuse through them. Additionally, they nearly always experience non-specific absorption of labeled target molecules, limiting their usefulness in sensor applications. A method is provided for preparing sugar polyacrylate hydrogels with functional chemical groups which covalently bond oligonucleotides and peptides. A method for copolymerizing acrylate-terminated oligonucleotides with sugar acrylate monomers and diacrylate cross-linking agents is also provided.
US07785765B2

The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition comprising at least a thermoplastic elastomer (a), a photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer (b), and a photopolymerization initiator (c), characterized in that the thermoplastic elastomer (a) comprises at least vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon units, butadiene units, and alkylene units and contains alkylene units not less than 5 wt % and not more than 80 wt % with respect to the total amount of butadiene units and alkylene units. The present invention provides a photosensitive resin composition that simultaneously achieves excellent fine line reproducibility, ester solvent resistance, and prevention of cracks occurring on plate surface.
US07785764B2

Provided is an image transfer material, comprising an optional support material, and a non-woven or woven fiber web layer, wherein the fiber web is impregnated or coated with a image receiving formulation. The fiber web layer is optionally attached to the support with an adhesion layer. Also provided is a heat transfer process wherein after imaging, the fiber web and adhesion layer are peeled from the optional support material and placed, preferably image side up (when imaged), on top of a receptor element. Alternatively, the fiber web and adhesion layer are peeled and then optionally imaged prior to being placed on the receptor element. Then, an optional non-stick sheet is placed over the imaged fiber web (if placed imaged side up) and heat is applied to the fiber web or the non-stick sheet, if present. The adhesion layer then melts and adheres the imaged web layer to the receptor element.
US07785762B2

An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member for bearing a latent electrostatic image including a substrate, an intermediate layer containing a metal oxide, a photosensitive layer including a charge transport layer and a charge generating layer containing an organic charge genetrating material, an image forming device for forming the latent electrostatic image on the image bearing member, a developing device for developing the latent electrostatic image with a toner to form a visualized image, a transfer device for transferring the visualized image to a recording medium, a fixing device for fixing the transferred image on the recording medium; and a discharging device including a light source that provides light having a wavelength shorter than 500 nm for optically discharging the image bearing member to remove remaining charges thereon by irradiating the image bearing member with light having a wavelength shorter than 500 nm which is absorbed by the metal oxide in the intermediate layer.
US07785760B2

A toner is provided including a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent, which has a volume average particle diameter (Dv) of from 3 to 9 μm, and wherein the binder resin and the release agent form a sea-island structure in which the island formed of the release agent is dispersed in the sea formed of the binder resin in a cross-sectional image of the toner obtained by a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and the following relationships are satisfied: IB>IA and IB>IC, wherein each of IA, IB, and IC represents an area ratio (%) of the island in an outermost region (A) of the cross-sectional image of the toner, an intermediate region (B) thereof located under the outermost region (A), and an innermost region (C) thereof located under the intermediate region (B); and a method of preparing the toner.
US07785757B2

A photoconductor containing a thiophosphate photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer, and a top polymeric overcoating layer in contact with and contiguous to a charge transport layer.
US07785751B2

Disclosed is an electrolyte membrane which enables a fuel cell to have a high maximum output when used therein since it has high proton conductivity and high hydrogen gas impermeability. Also disclosed are a method for producing such an electrolyte membrane, and a solid polymer fuel cell using such an electrolyte membrane. A method for producing an electrolyte membrane including a step for impregnating a porous base with a solution containing a sulfonic acid group-containing vinyl monomer and then polymerizing the monomer is characterized in that 80% by mole or more of vinyl sulfonic acid having purity of 90% or more, and/or a salt thereof is contained as the sulfonic acid group-containing vinyl monomer, and the concentration of the vinyl sulfonic acid and/or a salt thereof in the solution is set at 35% by weight or more.
US07785744B2

A water purification system includes a fuel cell stack, a steam generator, and a water purification unit. The fuel cell stack is adapted to provide heat to the steam generator and the steam generator is adapted to provide steam to the water purification unit.
US07785706B2

A layered semiconductor wafer contains the following layers in the given order: a monocrystalline substrate wafer (1) containing substantially silicon, a first amorphous intermediate layer (2) of an electrically insulating material having a thickness of 2 nm to 100 nm, a monocrystalline first oxide layer (3) having a cubic Ia-3 crystal structure, a composition of (M12O3)1-x(M22O3)x wherein each of M1 and M2 is a metal and wherein 0≦x≦1, and a lattice constant which differs from the lattice constant of the material of the substrate wafer by 0% to 5%. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing such semiconductor wafers by epitaxial deposition.
US07785703B2

A prefabricated, faced roofing board composite includes a first board layer made of a polymeric material or a predominantly polymeric material and a fire and weather resistant fiberglass-based facer bonded to a top major surface of the first board layer and forming a top major surface of the composite. The fiberglass-based facer is substantially impervious to the passage of hot gases of combustion, water, and water vapor through the thickness of the fiberglass-based facer. The faced composite can be a cover board, an insulation board; can include cover board and insulation board layers; and can include cover board, insulation board, and baseboard layers. A second fiberglass-based facer that is substantially impervious to the passage of hot gases of combustion through its thickness can form a bottom major surface of the composite. The polymeric material or predominantly polymeric material of the board layer to which each fiberglass-based facer is bonded penetrates part of the way through, but not completely through, the fiberglass-based facer.
US07785702B2

The present invention relates to a storage unit for gases, in particular a sorptive storage, with the storage unit comprising a sorbent for the reversible uptake of the gases to be stored and the sorbent being based on discrete sorptive particles. The sorptive particles are embedded in a solid gas-permeable three-dimensional support having a foam structure and/or are fixed thereto. The storage unit is particularly suitable for the storage of combustible or fossil gases, e.g. hydrogen, natural gas and the like, and thus as gas storage unit in power stations and motor vehicles.
US07785700B2

A coating layer formed from an outermost layer and an inner layer disposed on a substrate surface of a surface coated cutting tool. The inner layer is formed from a periodic table group IVa, Va, VIa metal, Al, Si, B compound. The outermost layer is formed from aluminum nitride or aluminum carbonitride. The outermost layer has a chlorine content of more than 0 and no more than 0.5 atomic percent. The protective coating on the tool surface is made easier to form during cutting by further adding a predetermined amount of chlorine to the film formed from aluminum nitride, which provides thermal stability and lubricity. Lubricity can be increased by using this protective coating.
US07785686B2

A molding for a vehicle eliminates the need for equipment and reduces assembly time. An end cap has an end cap main unit inserted into the inner space from an opening in a molding main unit end surface, a catch portion (engaging portion) to engage and disengage from a molding main unit curved portion (engaged portion). The base end portion is rotatably installed in the end cap main unit and the rotating end portion side is inserted into the inner space from the opening in the molding main unit end surface. An end cap movable portion on which a second protrusion is formed contacts a first protrusion in the molding main unit to prevent movement in the direction removing the end cap from the opening in the molding main unit by making contact with the first protrusion when the catch portion has engaged the curved portion.
US07785684B2

Window trim apparatuses are provided that include scored grooves made by methods other than extrusion. Also provided are methods and apparatuses for manufacturing and using same.
US07785683B2

The invention relates to a fluid product dispensing pump cylinder which is intended to be assembled to a fluid product tank. According to the invention, the pump cylinder is made from a thermoplastic alloy comprising a mixture of homopolymer polypropylene and high-density polyethylene.
US07785671B2

A thermal barrier coating system comprising a metal substrate, a metal bonding layer and a ceramics thermal barrier layer wherein the ceramics thermal barrier layer has a columnar structure of a stabilized zirconia containing a stabilizer or a stabilized ZrO2—HfO2 solid solution containing a stabilizer, and comprises 0.1 to 10 mol % of lanthanum oxide.
US07785666B1

A method and system for fabricating a magnetic recording device are described. The method and system include providing a mask layer on the magnetic recording device and imprinting a pattern in the mask layer to form a mask. The method and system also include transferring the pattern from the mask to the magnetic recording device. In another aspect, the method and system include providing a malleable mask layer on the magnetic recording device. In this aspect, the method and system also include depressing an imprint mask into the mask layer and curing the mask layer while the imprint mask is depressed into the mask layer to provide a mask having a pattern. The pattern may correspond to a read sensor and/or a perpendicular magnetic recording pole. The method and system also include transferring the pattern from the mask to the magnetic recording device.
US07785661B2

A process for production of coated silicon-carbon composite particles includes providing a carbon residue-forming material, providing particles of a carbonaceous material, and coating in a liquid suspension mixture the particles of carbonaceous material with the carbon residue-forming material to form coated carbonaceous particles. Providing silicon particles added to the mixture, coating the silicon particles embedded on the coated carbonaceous particles to form silicon-carbon composite particle. Some embodiments utilize the composite particle in an anode of a battery.
US07785655B2

A liquid crystal dispensing system includes a container to contain liquid crystal to be dispensed, a discharge pump to receive the liquid crystal from the container and to discharge the liquid crystal, a nozzle to dispense the liquid crystal discharged from the discharge pump onto a substrate, and a control unit to control a dispensing amount of liquid crystal discharged from the discharge pump and to compensate the dispensing amount when the dispensing amount of liquid crystal exceeds a limitation value.
US07785650B2

Water soluble, gelatin-free dip coatings for pharmaceutical solid dosage forms such as tablets comprising HPMC and xanthan gum, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof, or HPMC and castor oil or maltodextrin.
US07785647B2

A method of providing an antioxidant to a medical device is described.
US07785644B1

A method of producing a food product such as a colored veined cheese product includes providing a cheese curd to which a flavorant is added. The cheese curd and the flavorant are worked into a homogenous mixture. A colored vein mimetic is added to the homogeneous mixture in an amount for a time sufficient to produce the colored veins within the cheese product such that the cheese product has a flavor and an appearance of a naturally veined cheese.
US07785640B2

Disclosed is an effervescent composition that includes an effervescent agent and cranberry extract, preferably in an amount sufficient to decrease the measurable amount of bacteria present in the urine of an individual having a urinary tract infection.
US07785634B2

The present invention provides novel methods of forming mineralized gelatin carriers from bone. The present invention further provides mineralized gelatin carriers themselves; bone products that include such mineralized gelatin carriers including DBM bone products; and kits that include mineralized gelatin carriers formed from bone. The present invention further provides methods for making DBM bone products, wherein both the DBM and a mineralized gelatin carrier for the DBM are derived independently from a bone lot.
US07785631B2

The present invention encompasses a solid dose delivery vehicle for ballistic administration of a bioactive material to subcutaneous and intradermal tissue, the delivery vehicle being sized and shaped for penetrating the epidermis. The delivery vehicle further comprises a stabilizing polyol glass loaded with the bioactive material and capable of releasing the bioactive material in situ. The present invention further includes methods of making and using the solid dose delivery vehicle of the invention.
US07785623B2

A cosmetic treatment process is provided herein useful for reducing fine lines, wrinkles, or fine lines and wrinkles. The process comprises contacting a composition to an area of the skin or tissue of a subject, wherein the composition comprises a substance encapsulated within a lipid vesicle comprising a lipid having one or more polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains. The lipid vesicle has a charged surface, and an electric voltage is applied directly to the area of the skin that is contacted with the composition, whereby fine lines, wrinkles, or fine lines and wrinkles are reduced.
US07785619B2

Individualized responsive dosing pharmanutrient systems, compositions, methods of dosing, and processes of producing the same, which allow a consumer to generate individualistic biological responses/effects. More specifically, a pharmanutrient system for generating individualized biological conditions/responses which utilizes ultra-low dosage amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, co-enzymes, organics substrates, inorganic or synthetic substrates, biological components, and/or other nutrients incorporated or provided with a pharmacologically active ingredient in a bio-active delivery system which preferably avoids first pass metabolism, such that an individual may take multiple doses of the same or different pharmanutrient based on varying desired biological response within each dosing period.
US07785607B2

The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing and monitoring various distinct presentations of tuberculosis: active tuberculosis disease, latent tuberculosis infection and recent tuberculosis infection. The rapid immune assay is based on the evaluation of the frequency of Interferon (IFN) gamma-producing antigen-specific T lymphocytes responding to selected peptide sequences from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, selected for their immunogenicity. The invention concerns also immunogenic and vaccine compositions based on these specific peptide sequences.
US07785602B2

This invention relates to a recombinant vector including a recombinant porcine adenovirus, stably incorporating and capable of expression of at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence. The nucleotide sequence is preferably one which encodes an antigenic determinant of Hog Cholera Virus or Pseudorabies virus. The further invention relates to a method of production of recombinant vectors, to methods of preparation of vaccines based on the vectors, to administration strategies and to methods of protecting pigs from disease.
US07785595B2

The present invention provides liquid formulations of antibodies or fragments thereof that specifically bind to a hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigen, which formulations exhibit stability, low to undetectable levels of aggregations, and very little to no loss of the biological activities of the antibodies or antibody fragments, even during long periods of storage. Furthermore, the invention provides methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with HBV infection utilizing the liquid formulations of the present invention.
US07785591B2

The invention relates to recombinant polypeptides, in particular antibodies or antibody fragments that bind Ed-B-isoforms of fibronectin and can block their function. In addition, the diagnostic and pharmaceutical application of the polypeptides according to the invention is disclosed.
US07785589B2

The present invention relates to antibodies raised against fragments of apolipoprotein B, in particular defined peptides thereof, for immunization or therapeutic treatment of mammals, including humans, against ischemic cardiovascular diseases, using one or more of such antibodies.
US07785588B2

NTNRα, NTNRα extracellular domain (ECD), NTNRα variants, chimeric NTNRα (e.g., NTNRα immunoadhesion), and antibodies which bind thereto (including agonist and neutralizing antibodies) are disclosed. Various uses for these molecules are described, including methods to modulate cell activity and survival by response to NTNRα-ligands, for example NTN, by providing NTNRα to the cell.
US07785578B2

The present invention is drawn to a pharmaceutical compound for the treatment of posterior retinal diseases through topical application of the compound. The compound includes an effective amount of a therapeutic compound, and at least one additional agent that helps to prolong the residence time of the therapeutic compound within the extraocular space, or increase the transport of the therapeutic compound across a tissue of an eye toward and into a posterior ocular region, or both. The invention is additionally drawn to a device and method for delivering the compound.
US07785571B2

A composition comprising an antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof specific for at least one epitope of hsp90 from an organism of the Aspergillus genus, and at least one antifungal agent selected from the group consisting of: itraconazole and voriconazole.
US07785570B2

The present invention relates to a combination vaccine for the protection of poultry against Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, to the use of a live over-attenuated Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale strain and a live attenuated poultry virus for the manufacturing of such a combination vaccine, to methods for the preparation of said combination vaccine and to vaccination kits for the immunization of poultry against Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale.
US07785568B2

Example compositions of liposomes with hydrophilic polymers on their surface, and containing relatively high concentrations of contrast-enhancing agents for computed tomography are provided. Example pharmaceutical compositions of such liposomes, when administered to a subject, provide for increased contrast of extended duration, as measured by computed tomography, in the bloodstream and other tissues of the subject. Also provided are example methods for making the liposomes containing high concentrations of contrast-enhancing agents, and example methods for using the compositions.
US07785559B2

A method which especially can safely produce a hypobromous acid or a water-soluble salt thereof, that does not require expensive equipment or the like, does not involve extra work such as pre-mixing or have restrictions such as producing immediately prior to use, and is simple. Further, a method which can efficiently and rapidly form a hypobromous acid or a water-soluble salt thereof which is stable and has high sterilization/anti-microbial effect, and which does not form harmful bromic acid. At least either a hypobromous acid or a water-soluble salt thereof is formed by reacting at least either a hypochlorous acid or a water-soluble salt thereof with a bromide in a liquid to be treated, wherein the at least either hypobromous acid a water-soluble salt thereof is formed by adding a modified chlorite to the liquid to be treated.
US07785557B2

A transparent and conductive film comprising at least one network of graphene flakes is described herein. This film may further comprise an interpenetrating network of other nanostructures, a polymer and/or a functionalization agent(s). A method of fabricating the above device is also described, and may comprise depositing graphene flakes in solution and evaporating solvent therefrom.
US07785550B2

A process for separating hydrogen from a gas flow having an oxygen constituent and including predominantly hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane and/or other hydrocarbons, as well as a device for conducting the process, is disclosed. The gas flow undergoes a process to thermally convert oxygen prior to the pressure swing adsorption process.
US07785548B2

Disclosed is a fuel filter for removing sulfur containing compounds from an internal combustion fuel stream. In one embodiment, the fuel filter comprises at least one column comprising an adsorbent. In one exemplary embodiment the adsorbent is capable of removing sulfur containing compounds, especially sulfur containing aromatic compounds, from fuels used in internal combustion engines, especially diesel fuels. Also disclosed is an apparatus for extending the life cycle of a post combustion emission control device. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a fuel filter for removing sulfur containing compounds from an internal combustion fuel stream and an emission control device. Finally, a method for removing sulfur containing compounds from an internal combustion fuel stream is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the method comprises passing a fuel through a fuel filter capable of removing sulfur containing compounds, storing the removed sulfur containing compounds, releasing a portion of the stored sulfur containing compounds, and sending the portion through the engine and into an emission control device.
US07785541B1

A mount for aiming and firing an aerosol spray can having housing with legs extending from a housing point creating a central axis whereby the housing and aerosol can freely rotate 360 degrees serving to stir the can contents and having rotative fasteners for fixing the angle of the housing and therefore spray path to a desired target and an adjustable laser for targeting and calibrating the device, with an access door and locking member for securing an aerosol spray can therein, whereby when actuated via remote control, operates to turn a cam and series of linkages in a manner whereby a pushrod is driven downwards to discharge the held aerosol can at an interval relative to the cams speed setting.
US07785538B2

A fluid handling device including an eaves section of a first side wall engaged with a recess of a strip plate including a plurality of wells using concavity and convexity and an eaves section of a second side wall engaged with a recess of the strip plate using concavity and convexity. Slits are further formed in a corner section of the second side wall connecting to another side wall, so as to extend downwards from an upper end section. The second side wall also is partially cut away from the other side wall and is more easily deformed than the first side wall.
US07785537B2

A sample container includes a cap that covers a container body holding a liquid sample containing a reagent and a test body. The cap includes an outer lid that covers the container body, an inner lid that is slidably attached to the outer lid and has an opening for dispensing the liquid sample, a shutter that is driven integrally with the inner lid and covers the opening of the inner lid so that the opening can be opened and closed, a translating unit that is attached to the outer lid and has an engaging portion which is formed obliquely descending from a center of the cap to an outer edge of the cap and to which the shutter is fitted, and a pressing member that is arranged between the outer lid and the inner lid to press the inner lid to close the shutter, wherein the translating unit translates sliding movement of the inner lid to a movement of the shutter in a direction perpendicular to the sliding movement to open and close the opening of the inner lid.
US07785533B2

A channel formed on a chip is opened without contaminating contents of the channel. Channels (107a) and (107b) provided on a substrate (103) are covered by pressing a lid (113) composed of a resin layer (102) and a plate-like lid (101) to a surface of the substrate (103). A fixing device has a retainer plate (104), which retains the plate-like lid (101) of a chip (112), a board (108) on which the substrate (103) is placed, and a screw (106). When covering the channels (107a) and (107b), the screw (106) is fastened and the lid (113) is pressed to the substrate (103) to be fixed. And, when opening an upper portion of the channels (107a) and (107b), the screw (106) is turned upward and a pressure is released, and the lid (113) is removed from the upper potion of the substrate (103).
US07785529B2

The invention refers to a method and an apparatus for fabricating a tridimensional solid object by sintering inorganic particles of controlled size distribution. The particles are directed onto a target area in a powdery stream in the shape of a conical surface which is coaxial to a simultaneous heating flux while an at least bidimensional relative movement is maintained between the target area, the powdery stream and the heating flux. As a result the particles sinterization occurs in a single operation directly onto the target area.
US07785527B1

A method of making dielectric ceramics containing mixed metal oxides is provided. The method comprises the steps of at least partially coating a metal oxide powder with a metal hydroxide or metal oxide, compacting the coated powder with one or more additional metal compounds or metal compound precursors, and directly sintering the compact in a single step. The method of the invention may be used to avoid occurrence of significant quantities of one or more undesired but thermodynamically or kinetically favored side products. The method of the invention may also be used to synthesize perovskites, in particular lead-magnesium-niobium (PMN), lead-magnesium-niobium-lead-titanium (PMN-PT) perovskites, or lead zirconate titanate (PZT).
US07785525B2

Provided is an RTM molding method enabling to yield an FRP molded body formed so as to be increased in the fiber volume content and to thereby be made more excellent in strength and lightweightness. The resin composition is a chain-curing resin composition, and after the initiation of the curing of the resin composition, the highest temperature at the curing head of the resin composition, undergoing chain curing, within 10 seconds after the initiation of the curing is increased to be higher by 50° C. or more than the temperature of the resin composition at after the impregnation and before the curing, and thus, the resin composition is chain-cured with a Vf of 41% or more.
US07785524B2

A CPU provides a fluorescent light detecting head with an irradiation instruction, in response to which the fluorescent light detecting head irradiates an ultraviolet ray for detection on an ultraviolet curing resin material to be examined. The CPU then acquires from the fluorescent light detecting head an intensity of a fluorescent light emitted from a photo polymerization initiator included in the ultraviolet curing resin material when receiving the ultraviolet ray for detection. The CPU retrieves a predetermined number of past data of the intensity of the fluorescent light from a storage unit and performs a (moving) average calculation processing to calculate the intensity of the fluorescent light at the current time. The CPU performs an estimation processing of a state of the ultraviolet curing resin material based on the calculated intensity of the fluorescent light.
US07785518B2

A method of molding a composite article includes providing a first floating mold that has a fluid backing, wherein the fluid defining the fluid backing is stored in a fluid chamber positioned beneath the first floating mold, providing a second non-floating mold that does not include a fluid backing, and sealing the first floating mold to the second non-floating mold to define a molding chamber thereinbetween.
US07785508B2

The invention provides a medical implant or medical implant part comprising a body and a surface layer, wherein the surface layer comprises a mixture comprising at least one hydrophilic polymer and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having a weight average molecular weight of about 400,000 atomic mass units or more. The invention also provides a method for producing such a medical implant or medical implant.
US07785503B2

An optical film composed of a thermoplastic resin film obtained by using a melt extruding machine, characterized in that said thermoplastic resin film satisfies a relation of the formula below over the whole surface of the film when an angle made by the extruding direction of the thermoplastic resin film from the melt extruding machine and a slow phase axis at each point is α, and a retardation amount at each point is Re, is provided. [sin2 2α]×[sin2(π·Re/550)]≦4.0×10−5. According to the present invention, an optical film wherein there is no problem on a residual solvent, optical distortion is small, and there is no problem of color unevenness and color absence of a liquid crystal display obtained by using the optical film as a protective film of a polarizer is provided.
US07785502B2

A method of enabling entry of data into a computer system via a printed form is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing the printed form, the form containing human-readable information and machine-readable coded data, the coded data being indicative of an identity of the form and of a plurality of locations on the form; (ii) operatively positioning a sensing device relative to the form; (iii) sensing at least some of the coded data; (iv) generating indicating data using the sensed coded data, the indicating data being indicative of the identity of the form and the position of the sensing device relative to the form; and (v) sending the indicating data to a computer system, thereby enabling the computer system to identify the data for entry. The coded data comprises an ink composition containing an IR-absorbing dye and a singlet oxygen quencher.
US07785497B2

A new ramming paste for aluminum reduction cell cathodes is a high swelling cold ramming paste made of a blend of pitch, light oil diluent and an aggregate comprising a mixture of anthracite and crushed anode butts or calcined coke. The presence of the crushed anode butts or calcined coke increases the sodium swelling index of the paste by about four times higher than that of regular ramming pastes. This new high swelling cold ramming paste may also contain an amount of a refractory hard material, such as TiB2.
US07785494B2

Compositions consisting of a mixture of filamentary nickel powder(s) and a thermosetting epoxy resin form the basis of anisotropic conductive materials. The filamentary nickel powder has a three-dimensional chain-like network structure. When such filamentary nickel powder is dispersed in a polymer thin film, such as an epoxy resin, it exhibits anisotropic conductivity.
US07785493B2

The present invention relates to coatings comprising electrically conductive polymers and melamine derivatives, their preparation and use, and dispersions for the preparation of such coatings.
US07785492B1

Disclosed is a process for exfoliating a layered material to produce nano-scaled platelets having a thickness smaller than 100 nm, typically smaller than 10 nm, and often between 0.34 nm and 1.02 nm. The process comprises: (a) charging a layered material to an intercalation chamber comprising a gaseous environment at a first temperature and a first pressure sufficient to cause gas species to penetrate into the interstitial space between layers of the layered material, forming a gas-intercalated layered material; and (b) operating a discharge valve to rapidly eject the gas-intercalated layered material through a nozzle into an exfoliation zone at a second pressure and a second temperature, allowing gas species residing in the interstitial space to exfoliate the layered material to produce the platelets. The gaseous environment preferably contains only environmentally benign gases that are reactive (e.g., oxygen) or non-reactive (e.g., noble gases) with the layered material. The process can additionally include dispersing the platelets in a matrix material to form a nanocomposite. The process also can include an additional process of re-compressing the nana-scaled platelets into a product such as a flexible graphite sheet.
US07785490B2

A Pr-doped inorganic compound contains a solid solution having been formed by substitution of at least a part of at least one kind of substitutable ions, which are contained at a substitutable ion site in a matrix oxide, by Pr. The Pr-doped inorganic compound satisfies the condition represented by the formula: 0.91r2≦r1≦1.05r2 wherein r1 represents the mean ionic radius of ionic radiuses of all of elements, including Pr, which elements constitute the substitutable ion site having been doped with Pr, and r2 represents the ionic radius of Pr.
US07785487B2

The aqueous slurry is useful for chemical mechanical polishing semiconductor substrates having copper interconnects. The aqueous slurry includes by weight percent, 0.01 to 25 oxidizing agent, 0.1 to 50 abrasive particles, 0.001 to 3 polyvinyl pyrrolidone, 0.01 to 10 inhibitor for decreasing static etch of the copper interconnects, 0.001 to 5 phosphorus-containing compound for increasing removal rate of the copper interconnects, 0.001 to 10 complexing agent formed during polishing and balance water; and the aqueous slurry has a pH of at least 8.
US07785471B2

This invention relates to a polymer membrane assembly for selective separation of permeate compositions by carbon weight. This invention also relates to a process for utilizing these polymer membrane assemblies in separation processes for selective carbon weight separation of hydrocarbon feedstreams components. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to the use membrane assemblies for the selective separation by carbon weight of aromatics from a hydrocarbon based feedstream.
US07785463B2

A system, program product and method continuously optimize an ultrafiltration rate during an extracorporeal renal replacement process by modeling physiological and actual rate data. The system maps the sensed, physiological data to a mathematical model to assess the data in terms of the ultrafiltration rate. The model provides parameters used to predict where the treatment is headed based on current conditions. The system processes the parameters in terms of preset criteria to generate the optimized ultrafiltration rate. Where the system is networked, communication of the data may be accomplished using remote and online communication techniques.
US07785454B2

A gas diffusion electrode comprising an electrically conductive web, a non-catalyzed gas diffusion layer comprising at least one electroconductive filler and at least one binder, and a noble metal coating obtained by subjecting an electrically conductive web to a first ion beam having an energy not higher than 500 eV, then to a second beam having an energy of at least 500 eV, containing the ions of at least one noble metal.
US07785453B2

An electrode for electrochemical processes for gas production, which in the installed state is located parallel and opposite to an ion exchange membrane and consists of a multitude of horizontal lamellar elements which are structured and three-dimensionally shaped and are in contact with only one surface with the membrane, wherein the lamellar elements have grooves and holes, the major part of the holes being placed in the grooves and the surfaces of such holes or part thereof are located in the grooves or extend into the grooves whereby the holes are ideally placed in the contact area of the respective lamellar element with the membrane.
US07785452B2

An apparatus and method for finishing an electrically conductive part through electrochemistry is disclosed. The cathode electrode is configured so as to fit simultaneously in one or more windows or pockets or in a combination thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention a disc-covering cathode electrode is provided that can simultaneously finish all of the windows and pockets using an electrolyte.
US07785448B2

A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.
US07785447B2

Closed apparatus and processes by which carbon feedstock is composed of a mixture of non-coking coal fines and another carbonaceous material, such as waste coke fines, are described. The coal and coke fines are mixed together and may be formed into solid pieces. The mixture alone or as solid pieces is fired through pyrolyzation into solid pieces of coke, with solid and gaseous by-products of pyrolyzation being recycled for use within the coke-producing closed system, thereby reducing or eliminating release of undesirable substances to the environment. A char-forming binder may or may not be added to the carbon mixture prior to pyrolyzation.
US07785443B2

Tissue products are disclosed containing an additive composition. The additive composition, for instance, comprises an aqueous dispersion containing an alpha-olefin polymer, an ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer, or mixtures thereof. The alpha-olefin polymer may comprise an interpolymer of ethylene and octene, while the ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer may comprise ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer. The additive composition may also contain a dispersing agent, such as a fatty acid. The additive composition may be incorporated into the tissue web as the web is being formed. Alternatively, the additive composition may be topically applied to the web in a post processing operation. For instance, in one embodiment, the additive composition may be applied to the web as a creping adhesive during a creping operation.
US07785441B2

The present invention aims to provide a plasma generator capable of creating a spatially uniform distribution of high-density plasma. This object is achieved by the following construction. Multiple antennas 16 are located on the sidewall of a vacuum chamber 11, and a RF power source is connected to three or four antennas 16 in parallel via a plate-shaped conductor 19. The length of the conductor of each antenna 16 is shorter than the quarter wavelength of the induction electromagnetic wave generated within the vacuum chamber. Setting the length of the conductor of the antenna in such a manner prevents the occurrence of a standing wave and thereby maintains the uniformity of the plasma within the vacuum chamber. In addition, the plate-shaped conductor 19 improves the heat-releasing efficiency, which also contributes to the suppression of the impedance.
US07785439B2

A method for connecting a catheter balloon with a catheter shaft of a balloon catheter that improves the welding quality of a weld between the catheter balloon and the catheter shaft of the balloon catheter. Preferably, a welding energy absorbing device is arranged, preferably in the form of a colored tubing, in the area of a fixation site after attaching a pre-fixation and then to irradiate this welding energy absorbing device with the radiation energy to carry out the welding. After the welding the pre-fixation and the welding energy absorbing device are removed.
US07785434B2

Apparatus and methods are provided for substantially continuously forming thin-walled sleeves that may be incorporated into tubular devices sized for introduction into a patient. In one embodiment, a pair of sheets including coated surfaces oriented towards one another are directed through a cutting apparatus to cut the sheets into multiple pairs of strips. The pairs of strips are bonded together to create a plurality of sleeves having lumens defined by the coated surfaces. In another embodiment, a sheet having a coated surface is fed through a cutting tool to separate the sheet into a plurality of strips, and the strips are formed into sleeves, e.g., by feeding the strips through a die or mandrel using a substantially continuous process. Optionally, the sleeves may be subsequently cut into individual tubular devices and/or further processed, e.g., by providing one or more layers around the sleeves to create catheters, sheaths, or other apparatus.
US07785431B2

The invention concerns a compressible plate for flexographic printing, designed to be positioned on a support cylinder of a printing machine. The invention is characterized in that said plate (1) comprises a photopolymer layer (10) and a compressible layer (11) made of a material exhibiting voids forming between 10 and 60% by volume of said compressible layer, the material comprising at least 70% by weight of a polymer or a mixture of polymers chemically compatible with the photopolymer.
US07785421B2

The substrate treatment method includes: a cleaning step of supplying deionized water to a major surface of a substrate to clean the substrate; a pre-drying treatment step of supplying a pre-drying treatment liquid containing an organic solvent more volatile than the deionized water to the major surface of the substrate after the cleaning step to replace deionized water remaining on the major surface with the pre-drying treatment liquid; and a drying step of removing the pre-drying treatment liquid supplied to the major surface of the substrate after the pre-drying treatment step to dry the substrate. The pre-drying treatment step includes: a deionized water/organic solvent mixture supplying step of supplying a mixture of the deionized water and the organic solvent as the pre-drying treatment liquid to the major surface of the substrate; and a mixing ratio changing step of increasing the proportion of the organic solvent in the mixture of the deionized water and the organic solvent during the deionized water/organic solvent mixture supplying step.
US07785418B2

An adjusting mechanism adjusts a boat to be parallel to a furnace having an opening and a receiving space, which has a first symmetrical line. When the boat having a second symmetrical line is inserted into the space, a first gap area is formed between sidewalls of the space and the boat. The mechanism includes an adjusting element and an adjusting tool, which is removably disposed in the opening and has a wide part, a narrow part and a through hole. The narrow part blocks the opening. When the boat is inserted into the space, a second gap area smaller than the first gap area is formed between the sidewalls of the boat and the through hole at the narrow part. The adjusting element adjusts the first and second symmetrical lines to be parallel to each other according to the second gap area.
US07785415B2

Systems and methods for local synthesis of silicon nanowires and carbon nanotubes, as well as electric field assisted self-assembly of silicon nanowires and carbon nanotubes, are described. By employing localized heating in the growth of the nanowires or nanotubes, the structures can be synthesized on a device in a room temperature chamber without the device being subjected to overall heating. The method is localized and selective, and provides for a suspended microstructure to achieve the thermal requirement for vapor deposition synthesis, while the remainder of the chip or substrate remains at room temperature. Furthermore, by employing electric field assisted self-assembly techniques according to the present invention, it is not necessary to grow the nanotubes and nanowires and separately connect them to a device. Instead, the present invention provides for self-assembly of the nanotubes and nanowires on the devices themselves, thus providing for nano- to micro-integration.
US07785410B2

Disclosed is an ink jet ink composition suitable for printing on substrates holding high static electrical charges such as polyethylene and PVC films and tubes. The ink jet ink composition comprises an organic solvent having a boiling point greater than 56° C., a binder resin soluble in the organic solvent, a colorant soluble in the organic solvent, and a polyvinylbutyral resin. Also disclosed is a method of printing images on such plastic substrates and a method for reducing microsatellite formation during ink jet printing. The ink jet ink composition provides improved print quality and reduced need for cleaning the nozzle.
US07785409B2

The present invention discloses a fire-resistant ground cover and a composition and method for treating cellulosic material such as biomass, wood and organic mulch to increase its resistance to flame to provide a fire-resistant ground cover material.
US07785401B2

The present invention relates to a fluid separation device (10) for separating fluid, oil and oil spray from a gas. This fluid separation device (10) comprises a base carrier (21) in which fluid separator elements (20) in the form of flow-through tubes with worm-like segments (23) arranged therein, are integrated. The worm-like segments (23) at the same time form spiral flow paths (25) for the gas. They have a maximal length of half a pitch of the worm-like segment (23) so that the base carrier (21) together with the associated fluid separator elements (20) may be formed as one piece. Several base carriers may be arranged one after the other in a manner such that individual fluid separator elements of various base carriers form a common flow path for the gas.
US07785394B2

An in-line deep box treatment of molten metal wherein, instead of gaseous Cl2, a solid salt reactant containing a halide salt (e.g., MgCl2) as one of its components may be injected into the molten metal along with an inert gas (typically argon) through the existing degasser impellor. The salt flux may be metered into the inert gas stream at a controlled rate. A salt injector flux tank may be retrofitted to current rotary degassing equipments without requiring a specialized rotor design or changes in the degasser unit design. Using the halide salt-based solid flux, the benefits of alkali, alkaline earth, and inclusion removal may be achieved without the industrial hygiene, environmental, and safety issues associated with storing and using the gaseous and hazardous Cl2 during molten metal degassing.
US07785387B2

Modified fertilizer materials are produced, comprising a) at least one fertilizer granule coated with a dispersant to form at least one fertilizer granule-dispersant particle, b) a dispersant, which comprises at least one agrochemical blended with at least one powder, and c) an overcoating material that is applied to the at least one fertilizer granule-dispersant particle. Methods of producing a modified fertilizer materials comprise: a) providing at least one fertilizer granule, b) providing a dispersant that comprises at least one agrochemical blended with at least one powder, c) providing an overcoating material, d) applying the dispersant to the at least one fertilizer granule to form at least one fertilizer granule-dispersant particle, and e) applying the overcoating material to the at least one fertilizer granule-dispersant particle to form the modified fertilizer material.
US07785384B2

A filter assembly is configured to be incorporated into an exhaust treatment device. The filter assembly comprises a frame, a filter media element, and a plurality of dividers supporting the filter media element within the frame. The frame has a first end and a second end defining a frame length therebetween. The filter media element is disposed within the frame and extends generally perpendicular to the frame length as a series of pleated contours. The plurality of dividers includes a first divider and a second divider. The first divider is disposed adjacent to the filter media element at the first end of the frame. The second divider is disposed adjacent to the filter media element at the second end of the frame.
US07785380B2

Method and apparatus for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon fuel. The apparatus includes a combustion reactor (3) and a sulfur trap (4) and the combustion reactor (3) is adapted to operate with an air-to-fuel ratio below 1 and in the presence of steam. The sulfur trap (4) is located downstream the combustion reactor (3) and is adapted to remove sulfur compounds formed in the combustion reactor (3).
US07785372B2

An artificial joint member made of a polymeric material including a portion made of a polymeric substance has a sliding surface composed of a polymer having phosphoryl choline groups. With such an arrangement, the artificial joint member is provided with a sliding part capable of keeping a satisfactory lubricating state for a long time.
US07785360B2

An instrument for implanting an expandable cylindrical vascular prosthesis includes an outer tube and an inner tube which can be displaced relative to one another. The inner tube is longitudinally slotted on the distal end, at least in an area thereof, and ensheathes the stent with this area which includes the longitudinal slot. In order to implant the stent, the outer tube is retracted. The stent then expands with continuous retracting movement of the outer tube and the inner tube is pressed open along the longitudinal slot. Implantation is terminated, when the outer tube is retracted along the entire length of the stent. The implantation is reversible by pushing the outer tube forward, as long as the stent has not yet fully exited the instrument. In this way, the inner tube is constricted together with the stent, and compressed to an initial position.
US07785346B2

The invention relates to method and apparatus for relieving headaches. The method broadly comprises the step of applying a sufficient force to a given area of the triangular fossa region of the patient's ear for a sustained period of time effective for treating the patient by reducing the perceived pain of the headache. Apparatus is disclosed for employing the method, the apparatus comprising a banded earplug device having a biased headband positionable about the head of the patient and a pair of pods at opposite ends of the biased headband. The pods are placeable in compressive engagement with an area of the triangular fossa region in each of the patient's ears.
US07785345B2

A filter for filtering micro-emboli from a patient's blood during an angioplasty procedure is disclosed which comprises a plurality of curved wires connected to a rod between a first connector fixed with respect to the rod and a second connector slidingly mounted on the rod. Two layers of filter material are connected to opposite sides of the wires, and each layer includes perforations which are offset from the perforations in the other layer. When the rod and the wires are disposed within a catheter, the inner wall of the catheter compresses the wires toward the rod and when the rod is extended from the catheter, the wires resume their curved shape and pull the sliding connector along the rod toward the fixed connector.
US07785344B2

The present invention relates generally to perfusion catheters and distal protection devices. According to an embodiment, the present invention includes a distal protection filter comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal protection device disposed at the distal end, a coupling member that couples the elongate shaft to the distal protection device, and a first space between the coupling member and the elongate shaft. A method of filtering debris from a blood vessel is also disclosed.
US07785338B2

The present invention is generally directed towards the field of lancing aids in which disposable lancet systems are used. The lancet system according to the invention has a needle body which surrounds the needle tip in a lancet system in a protective manner and also comprises a protection against re-use of an ejected lancet system.
US07785337B2

A surgical micro-burring instrument including an outer tubular member coaxially maintaining an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member defines a proximal section, a distal section, and a central lumen extending from the proximal section to the distal section. The distal section forms a pocket and an elevator tip. The pocket has a bottom wall and an opposed upper opening. The elevator tip extends distal the pocket. The inner tubular member forms a bur received within the pocket. Upon final assembly, at least a portion of the bur is exposed relative to the outer tubular member via the upper opening of the pocket. The elevator tip is configured to facilitate lifting of soft tissue, such as mucosa, while positioning the bur, via the pocket, in an appropriate location for cutting contacted harder tissue, such as turbinate bone or septal bone/cartilage.
US07785333B2

An overtube includes an insertion portion that has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and at least the distal end portion thereof is inserted into a subject; a first lumen that is formed in the insertion portion and that allows freely inserting and removing a device for carrying out medical procedures in the subject; puncture needles that pass through the insertion portion, have a control member connected to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion, and puncture tissue; and second lumens that are provided in the insertion portion and through which puncture needles are passed, the second lumens having on the distal end portion of the insertion portion openings through which distal ends of the puncture needles extend and retract, and the openings being provided on an inside of the insertion portion defined by the first lumen.
US07785329B2

An adjustable reamer spindle is provided to aid a surgeon in controlling an instrument. The reamer spindle is easily disassembled for cleaning. The spindle has a repositionable handle, a locking ring, and an elastic device. The locking ring aids in holding the reamer spindle together. Removal of the locking ring against an elastic bias of a spring 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.
US07785324B2

Apparatus, systems and methods for forming lesions in target tissue and positioning an insulation element adjacent to non-target tissue.
US07785323B2

A probe including an elongate body defining a distal region adapted to be bent into a loop and an inflatable tissue coagulation body supported on the elongate body distal region.
US07785322B2

A tissue treatment system has a radio frequency generator and a handheld treatment instrument that generates a gas plasma jet for delivering thermal energy to a tissue surface to be treated. Incorporated in the housing for the generator is a calibration device for adjusting the energy output of the generator, if necessary, at the beginning of a treatment session. The calibration device has a target element with a target surface, a transducer for sensing changes in temperature of the target element with respect to the temperature of a reference element, and an energy output adjuster for adjusting the radio frequency energy output of the generator in response to a calibration signal generated by the transducer. The generator housing has a receptacle for locating the nozzle of the handheld instrument in juxtaposition with the target element so that when a plasma burst is generated as part of a calibration sequence it is incident on the target surface. The generator output is automatically adjusted to compensate for any deviation of a calibration value, produced from the calibration signal, from a reference value. Also disclosed is a method of regenerating the reticular architecture of tissue, the method including calibrating the energy delivery of a tissue treatment system.
US07785313B2

A closed loop/semi-closed loop infusion system provides therapy modification and safeguards against the over-delivery or under-delivery of insulin. A glucose sensor system is configured to obtain a measured blood glucose value. A controller is operationally connected with the glucose sensor system and configured to trigger an alarm based on a measured blood glucose value or amount of insulin delivered, selectively perform calibration of the glucose sensor system when the alarm is triggered, and adjust a therapy delivery parameter when the alarm is triggered, wherein the adjusted therapy delivery parameter is limited to be within a boundary. Thereafter, a delivery system delivers therapy at the adjusted therapy delivery parameter.
US07785311B2

A diaper for holding an absorbent article in close bodily contact in the crotch region of the wearer. The diaper comprises a front region, a crotch region having a specified Crotch Holding Force, and a rear region. The crotch region of the diaper typically is elastically extensible in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The diaper provides an upward holding force against the absorbent article in the crotch region to hold the article in close bodily contact. A system comprising the diaper and an absorbent article for use therewith, and a method for holding such an article in close bodily contact by wearing the diaper, is also disclosed.
US07785310B2

A disposable diaper is provided, including an absorber, a top sheet arranged to cover the top surface of the absorber, a back sheet arranged to cover the bottom surface of the absorber, and a skin-contact sheet arranged over the top sheet. The top sheet is at least partially composed of a liquid-permeable material, the back sheet is composed of a liquid-impermeable material, and the skin-contact sheet is at least partially composed of a breathable waterproof sheet and is provided with a feces-passing opening capable of allowing feces to pass therethrough.
US07785309B2

A disposable absorbent garment having an inner layer with a first end panel, a second end panel, and a pair of side panels formed separate from the first and second end panels. The first and second end panels are stretchable in at least the lateral direction of the garment. The side panels extend longitudinally between the first and second end panels in laterally spaced relationship with each other such that the end panels and side panels together define a central opening of the inner layer. The side panels are each secured to the first and second end panels and are extensible in at least the lateral direction of the garment. The garment includes an outer layer is in opposed relationship with the inner layer and an absorbent assembly disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer.
US07785308B2

An array of disposable absorbent articles. The array has a first absorbent article and a second absorbent article. The first absorbent article is enclosed in a first package having i.) an outer surface wherein the outer surface has an outer surface area and ii.) a first identifier having a first surface area. The first identifier is disposed on the first absorbent article and corresponds to a first absorbency. The first identifier is disposed on the first package. A second absorbent article is enclosed in a second package having i.) an outer surface wherein the outer surface has an outer surface area and ii.) a second identifier having a second surface area. The second identifier is disposed on the second absorbent article and corresponds to a second absorbency. The first surface area of the first absorbent article is different than the second surface area of the second absorbent article.
US07785306B2

An absorbent article including a cover layer, a barrier layer and an absorbent system arranged between the cover layer and the barrier layer, the absorbent article being drapeable and possessing the absorbency attributes required of a sanitary napkin.
US07785300B2

A medical connector contains a plurality of arms having respective entrance ports. The medical connector also contains a cover preferably having first and second caps coupled together by a first tether, and a fastener coupled to at least one of the first and second caps by a second tether. The fastener is secured to a portion of the medical connector. The first and second caps are adapted to cover at least a portion of the entrance ports of respective first and second arms of the plurality of arms. The medical connector preferably has a sleeve that is detachably coupled to a first arm of the plurality of arms. The first cap preferably comprises a first portion with a first inner diameter adapted to encircle an end of the first arm and a second portion with a second inner diameter adapted to encircle a distal end of the sleeve.
US07785293B2

A drive mechanism for delivery of infusion medium has a coil and an armature moveable toward a forward position, in response to the electromagnetic field produced by activation of the coil. A piston is moveable axially within a piston channel to a forward position, in response to movement of the armature to its forward position. The armature and piston are moved toward a retracted position, when the coil is not energized. In the retracted position of the piston, a piston chamber is formed between the piston and a valve member and is filled with infusion medium. As the piston is moved to its forward position, the piston chamber volume is reduced and pressure within the piston chamber increases to a point where the pressure moves the valve member into an open position through an outlet.
US07785292B2

The invention concerns an injection device with a housing adapted to receive a syringe having a discharge nozzle and a plunger. There is a trigger and a drive arranged to act upon the plunger on actuation of the trigger to advance the syringe from a retracted position to an extended position through an opening in the housing. A locking mechanism is arranged in and moveable relative to the housing. The locking mechanism is engaged with the plunger when the syringe is not in its extended position and disengaged from the plunger when the syringe is in its extended position. This means that movement of the plunger relative to the syringe is prevented when, in use, the syringe is advanced from a retracted position to an extended position. Hence the contents of the syringe are not expelled from the syringe during advancement from the retracted position to the extended position. The contents are only expelled when the syringe reaches the extended position.
US07785291B2

Described herein are bioerodible, biodegradable, or digestible self-deploying intragastric implants that may be swallowed. Once swallowed, the implants undergo self-expansion in the stomach and apply a suitable pressure against the stomach wall to provide a feeling of satiety to the individual. The implants then dissolve or are disassembled perhaps using gastric liquids and pass out of the stomach. Methods of using the devices, perhaps for an individual participating in a dietary control regimen, are described.
US07785285B2

A punctal plug inserted into the punctum-canaliculus, includes a shaft, a tip portion attached to one end of said shaft and a brim attached to the other end of said shaft, and a thin member penetrated into either one or all 3 out of said tip portion, shaft and brim, or said tip portion and shaft, or said shaft and brim. The thin member is thread 0.05 mm or less in diameter. The brim is disk shaped and the diameter of the brim is far smaller than the diameter of the tip. A protuberance is attached to the tip portion.
US07785280B2

An apparatus for high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) comprises a patient interface which includes an expandable air chamber and an air pulse generator in fluid communication with the patient interface. The air pulse generator includes a variable displacement air chamber and programmable controller which controls the air pulse generator to vary the frequency and volume of air pulses delivered to the patient interface such that HFCWO therapy may be programmed for a particular patient.
US07785278B2

An ultrasound surgical apparatus and associated methods of use enabling relatively pain-free wound debridement is provided. The apparatus is constructed from a tip mechanically coupled to a shaft. The shaft is mechanical coupled to an ultrasound transducer driven by a generator. The ultrasound tip possesses at least one radial surface, a cavity, or some other form of a hollowed out area, within at least one of the radial surfaces, and a cutting member at the opening of the cavity. A method of debriding a wound and/or tissue with the apparatus can be practiced by delivering ultrasonic energy released from the various surfaces of the vibrating tip to the wound and/or tissue prior to and/or while portions of the tip are scrapped across the wound and/or tissue.
US07785270B2

The present invention relates generally to devices and systems for detecting infection within catheters. In particular, the present invention provides catheter testing systems configured to sterilely collect a biological sample from the interior of a catheter for purposes of testing the biological sample (e.g., for the presence of fibrin, sepsis, etc.).
US07785258B2

In certain embodiments, a method of maintaining health of a patient uses an analyte detection system. The analyte detection system is coupled to the patient such that a bodily fluid of the patient is accessible to the analyte detection system. The method includes automatically initiating and conducting a measurement of an analyte in the bodily fluid using the analyte detection system. The method further includes determining a treatment dose for the patient based on the measurement using the analyte detection system.
US07785241B2

A device for obtaining a predetermined linear force, includes a first elastic force elements and a force output elements in the form of a non-elastic, flexible elongated member, a force transformation elements arranged between the first elastic force element and the force output element, such that a pulling of the force output element creates a tension in the first elastic force element. The force transformation element is arranged and designed such that the pulling force required on the force output element decreases with the distance the force output element is pulled. The device includes a second elastic force element and a second force output element attached thereto wherein the pulling force required on the second force output element increases with the distance the force output element is pulled. The two force output elements are connected to each other such as to summarize the forces.
US07785240B2

A circularly shaped weight includes an opening in the center having a handle extending there through. The handle bi-sects the opening and creates equal openings for receiving a hand or foot of the user. The weight is particularly useful for individuals who may be incapacitated by arthritis or other physical ailments that may prevent them from properly grasping a weight. The novel shape is useful in stacking the weights when they are not in use. A plurality of circularly shaped weight may be fastened together via a coupler.
US07785231B2

A gear shift controlling apparatus of an automatic transmission for a vehicle has a synchronization-time engagement pressure correcting device that, before synchronization of gear-shifting, makes an increase correction of an engagement pressure of the disengaged-side engaging element by a first prescribed amount, to cause an input shaft rotational speed immediately before synchronizing of the automatic transmission to approach a rotational speed calculated by multiplying an output shaft rotational speed by a gear ratio of a gear after gear-shifting the automatic transmission.
US07785229B2

A controllable hydrodynamic torque converter is provided for use within a vehicle having a detectable throttle level, the torque converter comprising a first stator having a first outlet angle and a second stator having a higher second outlet angle. The second stator is selectively engageable with the first stator using a hydraulic clutch to thereby vary the torque converter K-factor during idle and high-throttle conditions, and is permitted to freewheel during low or part throttle conditions. The first outlet angle is at least five degrees lower than the second outlet angle. A vehicle is also provided including an engine having an engine torque and a detectable throttle level, a transmission, a torque converter operable to transmit the engine torque to the transmission and having a stator assembly with two stators, a selectively controllable clutch, and a controller configured to selectively actuate the clutch to vary the K-factor depending on the throttle level.
US07785227B2

The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes three planetary gear sets, six torque-transmitting devices, one fixed interconnection and a grounded member. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
US07785224B2

An electromagnetic actuator having an annular pole piece and an annular armature with surfaces formed thereon through which a magnetic flux passes. One of the annular pole piece and the annular armature is axially movable relative to the other between a first position, in which the surfaces are spaced axially apart by a minimum distance, and a second position in which the surfaces are spaced axially apart by a maximum distance. The surfaces axially overlap one another but do not touch when the one of the annular pole piece and the annular armature is positioned in the first position and in the second position.
US07785214B2

A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a heel, a toe, a crown, a sole, a strike face, and a lower transition region between the strike face and the sole. The lower transition region may have a plurality of nadir angles progressively increasing in size from the central region of the strike face to the heel and/or toe. The club head may further include an upper transition region between the strike face and the crown. The upper transition region may have a plurality of apex angles progressively increasing in size from the central region of the strike face to the heel and/or toe.
US07785213B2

A golf club head includes a metallic head body 1 having a cavity 10 therein and an opening 8 being formed in a face part 2 therethrough to the cavity, and a metallic face plate 9 welded to the opening. The opening 8 is demarcated by an upper edge along an upper end of the face part 2 and a U shaped curved edge (8B, 8A, 8C) located within the face part 2, and is also formed so that, in a state in which the head body 1 is soled in accordance with the lie angle, a projection line A on the face part surface of the perpendicular passing through the lowermost portion X of the opening 8 coincides with a projection line A on the face part surface of the perpendicular passing through a ground contact point Y of a sole part 4, or the projection line drawn with the lowermost portion X of the opening 8 being the reference is positioned close to a heel part 7 with respect to the projection line A drawn with the ground contact point Y of the sole part; and the ratio of width W2 on the toe side with respect to the projection line drawn with the ground contact point Y of the sole part 4 is higher than the ratio of width W1 on the heel side toward a crown part. The face plate 9 is formed so as to have a shape matching the opening 8.
US07785207B2

A water amusement system may include a composite tree and an elevated structure. A composite tree may include a base having an artificial trunk portion. The base may be coupled to the surface. Living plants may be coupled to the base. Portions of the living plants may form branches of the composite tree. In some embodiments, the living plants are living trees. The system may include at least one structure coupled to the base. At least one of the structures may function to contain one or more persons above the surface. The water amusement system may include a water amusement ride coupled to the base. The water amusement ride may include an access point configured to allow participants to access the water amusement ride from the structure.
US07785205B2

A cross groove constant velocity universal joint for a drive shaft or a propeller shaft of an automotive vehicle includes an inner ring and an outer ring each having ball grooves which are alternately slanted in respective directions opposite to each other while alternating with each other in a direction circumferentially thereof. Torque transmission balls are positioned at a crossing area where each of the ball grooves in the inner ring and the associated ball groove in the outer ring are crossed with each other. A cage is provided to retain the torque transmission balls. The number of torque transmission balls is ten, and a crossing angle between the axis of the inner or outer ring and each of the ball grooves in the inner or outer ring is within the range of 10 to 15° or 6 to 9° for the drive shaft or the propeller shaft, respectively.
US07785204B2

Memories coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes identification, negotiation, downloading and verification information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. Hardware devices are used to identify gaming terminals or components.
US07785195B2

A gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme wherein the player may improve their award during the bonus round. The bonus game enables the player to select an award offer from a plurality of award offers. The gaming device enables the player to modify the selected award offer, creating a subsequent or modified award, with the idea of increasing the award offer to receive a greater or higher award during a bonus game.
US07785194B2

Embodiments of the invention are directed to networked gaming devices that can keep particularized records for identified players. A server can store records of player's present and past actions on the gaming network and can communicate with the gaming device using messaging. In some embodiments, status of games or awards can be stored from one gaming session to another, which allows a player to resume a previously started game or award at a later time. Some games include rewards that are collected over time that can be redeemed for personalized rewards.
US07785188B2

A gaming device including a plurality of positions displayed to the player. The gaming device includes a modifier and a symbol display which displays at least one symbol at one or more of the positions. Each symbol includes at least one game element. In a play of the game, the gaming device determines at least one of the game elements to be a designated element and enables the player to pick one of the positions. The gaming device displays at least one of the symbols at one or more of the positions and determines an outcome based on any winning combination of the symbols displayed at the positions. The processor modifies any determined outcome by the modifier when the designated element is displayed at the selected position. The modified outcome is provided to the player in that play of the game.
US07785186B2

A gaming method includes receiving a wager from a player, displaying an image representative of a primary game, determining if a bonus event trigger has occurred, displaying an image representative of a bonus game, the bonus game including a representation associated with the player and a representation associated with an opponent, the representations each having at least one attribute associated with the bonus game, if the bonus event trigger occurs, and determining a payout associated with an outcome of the bonus game. The method also includes offering the player at least one advantage option, the at least one advantage option affecting at least one of the at least one attribute of the representation associated with the player and the at least one attribute of the representation associated with the opponent. A gaming machines and system may be provided to carry out such a method.
US07785182B2

A method of playing a card-based wagering game. The method comprises conducting the card-based wagering game at a gaming terminal and displaying a plurality of cards arranged in an array. The plurality of cards includes a first set of selectable cards and a first set of non-selectable cards. The non-selectable cards are at least partially protected by others of the plurality of cards. One or more of the selectable cards are selected. A player's hand is created by removing the selected cards from the array, which then creates a second set of selectable cards and a second set of non-selectable cards in the array such that the second set of non-selectable cards are at least partially protected by others of the plurality of cards. It is then determined whether the player's hand is a winning hand.
US07785165B2

A method for manufacturing a field emission electron source includes the following steps: (a) providing a pair of conductive bases (32, 42) each having a top (322, 422), the tops being spaced apart from and opposite to each other, the tops being immersed in a solution (50) having carbon nanotubes dispersed therein; (b) applying an alternating voltage (60) between the two conductive bases thereby causing at least one carbon nanotube to become assembled between the tops of the conductive bases; (c) shutting off the alternating voltage between the conductive bases and removing the solution between the tops of the two conductive bases; (d) detaching one of the two conductive bases in a matter such that the carbon nanotube remains connected with one of the tops of the conductive bases; and (e) modifying the carbon nanotube to create a low work function coating on a least a tip/free end thereof.
US07785158B1

An electrode connection platform is made of an electrically conductive material, such as brass, and configured to allow multiple electrical conductors to be rigidly and securely attached to its upper surfaces. The platform is attachable to a terminal of a storage battery. Upper surfaces of the platform are arranged so that interference between electrical conductors is minimized. The platform, with all of its attached electrical conductors, can be removed from a terminal post of a storage battery without necessitating the disconnection of any of the electrical conductors from the platform.
US07785156B1

An electrical connector for a dynamo hub includes a fastening component, a hollow insulating component formed with first and second accommodating spaces and a passage, and an electrode unit including at least one electrode plate that has a welding section disposed in the second accommodating space. The fastening component includes a metallic surrounding wall adapted to be sleeved on a hub axle of the dynamo hub, and having an inner surface formed with a positioning protrusion to be inserted into a groove in the hub axle, and a radial through hole extending from the inner surface to the outer surface and to be radially aligned with the groove in the hub axle. The first accommodating space retains the fastening component therein, and the passage is in spatial communication with the first and second accommodating spaces and is radially aligned with the radial through hole.
US07785152B2

A terminal arrangement in an electrical connector including: an array of terminal pairs arranged along a first direction, each terminal pair comprising a first terminal (5) and a second terminal (6), each of the first terminal and the second terminal having a portion angled toward the other terminal, a connecting end (51, 61) continuing the angled portion, and a terminating end (52, 62) opposite the connecting end, the connecting ends of the first and second terminals of each terminal pair being substantially aligned to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the connecting end of the first terminal having a mating face (511) facing away from the second terminal, the connecting end of the second terminal having a mating face (611) facing toward the first terminal, the mating faces of the first and second terminals being spaced a distance from each other in the second direction. An electrical connector (100) and a connector system including such a terminal arrangement are also disclosed.
US07785150B1

A battery connector includes an insulating housing and a plurality of conductive terminals disposed in the insulating housing. The insulating housing defines a plurality of terminal recesses each extending longitudinally to penetrate through a bottom and a mating surface thereof. A top of each of the terminal recesses defines a locating passageway extending longitudinally. The conductive terminals are disposed in the corresponding terminal recesses. Each of the conductive terminals has a base board. A contact portion projects out of the mating surface of the insulating housing and an elastic portion elastically connects the contact portion to the base board. A portion of an edge of the elastic portion extends upward to form a locating portion slidably moving along the corresponding locating passageway so as to limit the movement area of the conductive terminal and avoid the conductive terminal swaying in the terminal recess.
US07785146B2

The invention relates to a device for locking a cap onto a contact-carrier module, wherein said cap has a bearing for locking the contact disposed in the contact-carrier module is assembled on the coupling face of module in such a way that the cap and the module form a first connector element which includes a latch for latching the cap on the module in a longitudinal contact locking position and a removable stop preventing the coupling of the connector element with a complementary connector element until the cap is latched on the module in the contact locking position.
US07785137B2

An integral riser structure for a watt-hour meter enclosure to provide a mounting structure for a pair of meter jaw assemblies includes a pair of laterally spaced riser walls formed integrally with a back wall of the enclosure and positioned in forwardly spaced relation to the back wall. The riser walls are separated by a recessed wall positioned in a recessed plane located between the plane of the riser walls and the plane of the back wall. The riser walls include holes to receive fasteners to secure the meter jaw assemblies to the riser walls.
US07785125B1

A connector, comprises a housing (10) receiving a plurality of contacts, a stiffener (21) surrounding the housing and a cover (25) rotatably assembled to the stiffener and defining an open position and a closed position relative to the stiffener. The stiffener has a front wall (214) and a rear wall (215), and the front wall is formed with at least one retarding piece (217). The cover has at least one tab (254) engaging with the stiffener when the cover is at the open position, the tab is disposed above the retarding piece, thereby the retarding piece limits a downwardly movement of the cover.
US07785116B2

A block body made of insulating synthetic resin having a terminal supporting plate in one piece therewith. A plurality of elongated ribs project on one surface of the terminal supporting plate and a rescue terminal is arranged on the other surface of the terminal supporting plate. A bus bar is mounted in the block body. A clamping portion of a booster cable can grasp both the rescue terminal and the rib at one time. The plurality of ribs are parallel to each other. The dimension of the rib is defined such that the rib is placed under compressive deformation when the rib is clamped by the clamping portion. The block body has a hole through which the rescue terminal is passed such that the rescue terminal extends along and in contact with the other surface of the terminal supporting plate.
US07785115B2

A distribution connection module (1) for telecommunications and data technology includes a housing (3) in which input and output contacts (4, 5) for the connection of cables or wires are arranged such that they are externally accessible. The housing (3) is designed with a cavity in which functional elements are arranged between the input and output contacts (4, 5).
US07785109B2

A method for monitoring cleaning of a surface includes applying an amount of transparent indicator material to an area of a surface and measuring the amount of transparent indicator material remaining on the surface. The transparent indicator material may be fixed on the surface by drying and, when a fluorescent material, may be measured through exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
US07785099B2

A stringing preventing member is provided and includes: a member having an opening portion through which resin injected from an injection nozzle of an injection molding apparatus is fed to a mold including a fixed mold and a movable mold; and a projection portion protruding inwardly with respect to an opening of the injection nozzle, so as to define at least a part of a contour of the opening portion. A ratio of an effective opening area of the opening portion to a surface area of an inner wall surface of the opening portion contacting with the resin at an inside of the opening potion is 0.6 or less, and a ratio of the effective opening area of the opening portion to an area of the opening of the injection nozzle is 0.6 or more.
US07785097B2

A mold assembly for an automated dry-cast block machine including a mold cavity formed by at least one frame element having a plurality of guide holes therein, a moveable liner plate positioned within the mold cavity and having a plurality of non-driven guide posts configured to align with and slide within the plurality of guide holes within the at least one frame element, and a drive system coupled to the moveable line plate independent of the guide posts and configured to drive the moveable liner toward and away from an interior of the mold cavity.
US07785093B2

An improved stereolithography apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects using multiple chambered resin vats and a quick disconnect mounting system to permit concurrent use of multiple photopolymer build materials and easy change over of resin vats is disclosed. The apparatus permits easy change over from multiple chambered vat use to single chamber vat use and vice versa or change over between multiple chambered vats.
US07785092B2

Systems and methods of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, for example, soft, extended wear silicone hydrogel contact lenses, are provided. The systems generally include a housing having an illuminated chamber, a carrier, for example a tray, movable in the illuminated chamber from an inlet portion to an outlet portion of the housing, and the tray configured to carry a plurality of contact lens molds. Polymerizing light energy is provided, for example, by multiple fluorescent lamps, to the molds at an intensity effective to at least initiate polymerization of a monomer composition located in each of the molds. The light may be illuminated onto two opposing sides of each mold. In some cases, the intensity of the light provided to one side of the mold may be different to the light intensity provided to the opposing side of the mold. In addition, the system may include features that are effective to provide for an instantaneous start and an instantaneous end to the light induced cure of the monomer in the molds. The system may include DALI protocol based technology for controlling the fluorescent lamps.
US07785084B1

A pumping apparatus for pumping a liquid from a source to a target includes a pump having a pump housing and a pump piston. The pump housing defines a central longitudinal bore, a transverse bore communicating with the central bore for conveying a liquid through the pump housing and a liquid reservoir communicating with the central bore and the transverse bore for retaining an amount of the liquid conveyed through the transverse bore. The pump piston is axially and rotatably slidable within the central longitudinal bore for pumping the liquid through the transverse bore.
US07785081B2

A fluid pump assembly is used in combination with a container having a wall. The pump assembly comprises a first casing disposed outside the container in contact with the wall, a first magnetic assembly mounted to the first casing and operatively associated with a drive motor, a second casing disposed inside the container in contact with the wall, and a second magnetic assembly mounted to the second casing and operatively associated with an propeller. The first magnetic assembly includes a rotatable magnetic drive member drivingly coupled to the drive motor. The magnetic drive member is magnetically coupled to the magnetic driven member through the wall for imparting a rotary driving force of the drive motor to the propeller. Furthermore, the second casing is detachably connected to the second side of the wall of the container solely by magnetic attraction force between the first and second magnetic assemblies.
US07785079B2

A compressor of the present invention is provided with a plurality of housing members (a front housing, a cylinder block, and a rear housing) that forms a body, a fastener (a bolt member) for coupling the plurality of the housing members to one another, a drive shaft inserted through the body and coupled to a power source via an electromagnetic clutch, a movable member (a piston) that moves in association with the drive shaft to compress a fluid, a detection body that moves in association with the drive shaft, and a detection part for detecting a rotational state of the drive shaft by means of the detection body. A magnetic sensor having a magnetic impedance element constitutes the detection part. The magnetic sensor is provided on an outer lateral face side of the body and in proximity to the fastener.
US07785076B2

Aspects of the invention relate to a construction system and method for components in high temperature environments, such as the hot gas path components of a turbine engine. Such a component can include a skeleton and a coating. The skeleton can be formed by a plurality of interconnected frame members, which can give the component its general shape. The frame members can be made of ceramic matrix composite. A coating can be provided around at least a portion of the skeleton. Preferably, the coating is a refractory material, such as refractory ceramic. Examples of turbine engine components that can be constructed according to aspects of the invention are airfoils with or without platforms, blade rings, combustor tiles and heat shields. A component according to aspects of the invention can be made using low cost fabrication and construction methods.
US07785074B2

A blade of a rotor of a second stage of a compressor can be defined by coordinates of a discreet combination of points, in a Cartesian reference system (X, Y, Z), where the axis (Z) is a radial axis intersecting the central axis of the compressor. The blade has a profile which can be identified by a series of closed intersection curves between the profile itself and planes (X, Y) lying at distances (Z) from the central axis. The blade also has a non-linearly variable trend of decreasing maximum thickness defined by the closed curves, substantially parallel to a base portion of the blade itself, fixable to the rotor. The variable trend of maximum thickness is substantially situated midway up the blade and is suitable for shifting the natural resonance frequencies of the blade itself outside a functioning velocity range of the rotor.
US07785067B2

A method of assembling a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes coupling at least one turbine nozzle segment within the gas turbine engine. The at least one turbine nozzle segment includes at least one airfoil vane extending between an inner band and an outer band that includes an aft flange and a radial inner surface. The method also includes coupling at least one turbine shroud segment downstream from the at least one turbine nozzle segment, wherein the at least one turbine shroud segment includes a leading edge and a radial inner surface, and coupling a cooling fluid source in flow communication with the at least one turbine nozzle segment such that cooling fluid channeled to each turbine nozzle outer band aft flange is directed at an oblique discharge angle towards the leading edge of the at least one turbine shroud segment.
US07785058B2

A personal vehicle transportation device to protect, secure, and transport a personal vehicle. The personal vehicle transportation device reduces the load placed on the towing vehicle and the personal vehicle transportation device is mechanically operable. The device includes a frame with a platform, a ramp and protective shell attached to opposite sides of the frame. The ramp and protective shell operate substantially simultaneously via a mechanized action. The protective shell includes inflatable bladders to secure the interior cargo.
US07785055B2

The invention relates to a screw (1) having a threaded shank (2) and a screw tip (6). The threaded shank (2) is composed of a shank core (10) and a thread which extends helically over the shank core (10). Two flanks (15, 16) which converge in an outer thread edge (14) has a height (H) measured radially from the shank core (10) to the thread edge (14). The thread (12) has a specific apex angle (α) formed between the adjacent flanks (15, 16). Preferably the outer thread edge (14) extends in a wave form in the radial direction with an amplitude (U) between wave crests (20) forming indentations (24) which interrupt the surface of the flank (15/16). At least one of the two flanks (15, 16) of the thread (12) is formed concavely in the region between the shank core (10) and the thread edge (14), seen in radial profile, in such a way that the apex angle (α) is less than a flank angle (αF). With preference, the thread (12) respectively has in the regions that are not interrupted by indentations (24).
US07785049B2

A fastening device (61) for fastening a hand router to the underside of a work platform (2) of a workbench (1) has radially outwardly extending projections which are associated with a base ring for the hand router and which may be introduced into associated fastening pockets by rotating the base ring in the work platform (2). The fastening pockets can be formed by fastening members (12) associated with the underside (2′) of the work platform (2).
US07785040B2

This invention relates to a method for forming a mono pile foundation in soil for a wind turbine tower including drilling a plurality of holes into the soil, the plurality of holes being arranged along a curve having a contour corresponding to a cross-dimensional shape of the mono pile, and placing the mono pile in an annular cavity, the annular cavity being formed by the plurality of holes alone and/or by the mono pile breaking up intermediate soil walls between adjacent holes in the plurality of holes while being placed therein. A foundation in soil for a wind turbine tower, a wind turbine comprising such a foundation, and use of such a foundation in a wind turbine is also disclosed.
US07785030B2

A connecting element (10), in particular for connecting a lining piece with a support, includes a head part (12) for fastening to the lining piece, and a foot part (14) for fastening to the support. The head part (12) and the foot part (14) are connected with each other elastically so that the foot part (14) is movable relative to the head part (12) in directions perpendicular to a central axis (A) of the connecting element (10).
US07785026B2

A cosmetic stick applicator for treating the lips of a person. The applicator has an elongate, tubular body with an inner chamber for storing a chemical formulation or substance such as an exfoliant, to be applied to the lips. One end of the body has an external, oblique, lip-engageable abrasive applicator surface containing a product-dispensing orifice through which the substance can be ejected. Such ejection is accomplished by means of a finger-engageable wheel that is turned to forcibly discharge the substance through the orifices and onto the applicator surface. Thereafter this surface which now contains the discharged substance, is rubbed against the lips and thus effects a scrubbing thereof, which brings about gentle and controlled exfoliation of accumulated dead skin cells. Following this, excess dead cell material can be wiped off with a tissue or pad.
US07785019B2

There is provided a fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly adapted to provide electrical connectors for electrical conductors. The receptacle and plug define complimentary alignment and keying features for ensuring that the plug is mated with the receptacle in a predetermined orientation. An alignment sleeve is disposed within the plug for receiving a multi-fiber receptacle ferrule and a multi-fiber plug ferrule. The fiber optic receptacle and corresponding plug each include a biasing member assembly for urging the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule towards one another, wherein the biasing member assembly includes a spring, a spring centering cuff and a ferrule boot that operatively engage the rear of the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule, respectively, to substantially center a spring biasing force on the end face of the receptacle ferrule and the plug ferrule. The electrical connectors of the receptacle and plug are preferably provided separate from the biasing member assembly.
US07785011B2

A roller element (10) is provided which has a central body (1) and a roller unit (2). The roller unit (2) is mounted so as to circulate on a non-circular race (21) about the central body (1) and so as to be mobile with respect to the central body (1) by the rolling movement of the rollers (3) of the roller unit (2) on the central body (1). The rollers (3) are configured as balls or substantially cylindrical elements. A peripheral surface of the rollers (3), for a substantial part, is shaped as a rolling surface that corresponds to the central body (1) and for rolling off on the central body (1). The elements of the roller unit (2) have play in relation to one another and/or the roller unit has play regarding its mobility in relation to the central body (1).
US07785010B2

In order to provide a long-life, highly-reliable guide apparatus which exhibits dustproof performance and prevents intrusion of dust into the moving block in environments where there are lots of fine dust such as gypsum and ceramic powder and where no oil contents or oil contents are not liked, there is provided a guide apparatus having a track rail 11, in which rolling-element raceway grooves 12-1 to 12-4 are formed along a longitudinal direction thereof, and a moving block 20 attached to the track rail by way of a plurality of rolling elements in a relatively-movable manner, wherein an end-face dustproof brush 25, which has a brush member 36 whose tip end contacts a surface of the track rail 11 and which eliminates extraneous matters adhering to the surface of the track rail 11 by means of the brush member 36, is attached to outside of each of the side covers 22 with respect to the direction of relative movement.
US07785001B2

An apparatus for sensing a change in environmental conditions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a coating or a wire between two surfaces that has a mechanical property changed as a result of a change in the environmental conditions. The change in the mechanical property of the coating or wire results in a change in a vibration characteristic of the apparatus, such as the frequency, phase, amplitude or quality factor. The change in the vibration characteristic can be used to determine the change in the environmental condition.
US07784999B1

An eductor apparatus has an inlet nozzle section with a primary inlet and a nozzle, a mixing chamber connected to the inlet nozzle section and in fluid communication with a narrow diameter opening of the nozzle, and a diffuser section connected to the mixing chamber opposite the inlet nozzle section. The diffuser section has throat formed therein. The throat has a plurality of lobes formed thereon. The plurality of lobes extend longitudinally along the throat. The lobes are generally equally circumferentially spaced from each other around the throat. The narrow diameter opening of the nozzle has another plurality of lobes formed therearound and extending in longitudinally alignment with the plurality of lobes of the throat.
US07784990B2

A light emitting device includes at least one light source, a rigid nonconductive light source fixing member having at least one fastening unit that includes a plurality of sections defining spaces where the at least one light source is fixed, a wiring line, which transmits a driving signal to the at least one light source, wherein the wiring line is formed in the light source fixing member such that the wiring line is not directly exposed on the outer surface of the light source fixing member, and an optical waveguide that guides light emitted from the at least one light source.
US07784988B2

The invention provides a diffusion plate and a backlight module. The backlight module includes pluralities of light sources, a reflector and a first diffusion plate. The light sources, which are disposed in the reflector, are spatially arranged. The first diffusion plate is disposed on the light sources. There are pluralities of bar-shaped first patterns and second patters, which are arranged in the alternating way, disposed on the emission surface of the first diffusion plate. The contours of first patterns and second patterns are arc shaped. The height of first patterns is H1, and the width is W1. The height of second patterns is H2, and the width is W2. The value of H1/W1 is between 0.4 and 1. The ratio of H2/W2 versus H1/W1 is between 0.6 and 0.9.
US07784987B2

A fiber-optic device includes at least one LED light source having at least one light-emitting semiconductor surface, a fiber-optic optical waveguide having a multiplicity of individual optical fibers combined at one end to form a light-receiving entrance surface, and a lens configuration having optical lenses associated directly with one another, for imaging the light from the LED light source onto the entrance surface. In order to optimize the coupling of LED light into an optical waveguide with regard to technical complexity, efficiency and economic costs, to make the light from different types of LED light sources usable in an identical manner and to avoid undesirable optical effects during the transmission of light, the lens configuration includes at least two aspherical lenses, with at least one input lens and one output lens having an increased diameter relative thereto, and an input lens is associated with each light-emitting semiconductor surface.
US07784984B2

A lamp unit as a vehicle lamp is structured by a compact constitution including a lens arranged on an optical axis extending in a front and rear direction of the lamp, and a light emitting element arranged rearward from the lens. The light emitting element is arranged at a vicinity of the rear side focal point in a state of inclining a light emitting chip in a skewed upper direction relative to a direction of a front face of the lamp. A vicinity of the light emitting element is arranged with a reflector for reflecting light from the light emitting chip to the lens. Light directed in a direction proximate to the optical axis emitted from the light emitting chip is incident on the lens, and also most of other light is made to be incident on the lens by being reflected by the reflector.
US07784973B2

An LED wall lamp includes a heat sink having a base, an LED module attached to a top surface of the base of the heat sink, an envelope attached to the top surface of the base and receiving the LED module therein, and a cover coupled to a top of the base and covering a part of the envelope. The heat sink includes a circular base, a cylindrical transferring portion extending downwards from a bottom surface of the base, and a plurality of radial partition fins. The fins extend evenly and outwards from an outer surface of the transferring portion and simultaneously extending downwards from the bottom surface of the base. Engaging poles extend downwardly from the base of the heat sink for securing the LED wall lamp to a wall.
US07784970B2

The present invention discloses a heat dissipating structure of a light source utility that includes a rear-located heat dissipating element, a light source generating element, a thermally conductive mounting element and a front-located heat dissipating element. The rear-located heat dissipating element has a first surface, and a light source generating element arranged on the first surface. The thermally conductive mounting element is arranged around the light source generating element on the first surface. The front-located heat dissipating element is arranged on the thermally conductive mounting element, and has at least one hole corresponding to the light source generating element. The heat generated from the light source generating element is conducted to the rear-located heat dissipating element, and the thermally conductive mounting element further conducts the heat to the front-located heat dissipating element for heat dissipation.
US07784969B2

A light emitting diode (LED) based light engine that can replace a conventional PAR type bulb with no modifications to a host lighting fixture is provided. The light engine includes a thermally conductive housing including a generally cylindrical wall defining a cavity, an outer surface of the wall includes a plurality of axially radiating fins and disposed on an inner surface of the wall is an annular center wall dividing the cavity into a first, upper cavity and a second, lower cavity; a light module including at least one LED is disposed in the first, upper cavity and configured to contact the annular center wall, wherein heat generated by the at least one LED is disposed in the second, lower cavity and electrically coupled to the light module.
US07784966B2

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. 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.
US07784961B1

A decorative Christmas tree lighting system with individual light strands for each tree bough or branch is herein disclosed, comprising a central bus wire located near the trunk of the tree and a series of five (5) to ten (10) single-ended lighting strands originating in an outward or radial pattern therefrom the central bus wire. Each of these lighting “branch” strands has approximately ten (10) to twenty (20) individual light bulbs, depending on the overall size, and is routed along or around an individual branch or bough of the tree. Each individual light strand is held in place with at least two (2) clip means, one (1) near the outer end of the branch, and one (1) near the tree trunk, which help hold the lights in place. The central bus wire comprises a plurality of electrical plugs on each end to allow for end-to-end connection of multiple light systems. In such a manner, any size tree can be illuminated by simply adding additional light systems.
US07784956B2

A light source is used to extend the operating period of light-activated materials in gazing globes and other decorative or ornamental objects. A gazing globe according to the invention includes a hollow glass globe supported on a stand. Photoluminescent, fluorescent or phosphorescent material is deposited on, or embedded in, the globe. A light-emitting diode (LED) is supported within the globe to activate the material. A solar cell is used to charge one or more batteries, and a light detector is used to switch power from the battery to the source of light when a sufficient level of darkness is detected. A violet or ultraviolet LED may be used as the light source, with the solar cell is supported on the stand. The material deposited on, or embedded in, the globe may intentionally glow in a swirling pattern when activated.
US07784953B2

An apparatus includes a mirror head assembly including a rearwardly-extending ball section, and a mirror support assembly including a tube having a larger-diameter mid-section and a smaller-diameter tapered end section. A socket on the mirror support assembly, when in the end section, captures the ball section with friction to permit angular adjustment but with enough friction to maintain a selected angular position. A spring biases the socket from the mid-section into the end section, but is compressible so that assembly is possible by pressing the ball section against the socket, causing the socket to move from the end section into the mid-section where the ball section snaps into the socket. It is conceived that the ball section and socket components can be reversed, and also that the mirror support assembly can include a two-ball mount, with a ball-and-socket connection at each end.
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