US07911670B2

A device for analysing a specimen by fluorescence includes a confocal microscope, illumination means capable of emitting a light beam that converges, by means of an objective, on a focal spot, means for successively positioning the focal spot at various points on the specimen during analysis. The confocal microscope includes an objective mounted on a movable rapid-scan carriage driven in a reciprocating linear movement along a traverse direction by a rotating motor by means of a device of the connecting rod type. The specimen is placed on a movable support driven in a longitudinal movement and is able to move along the axis of the objective of the microscope in order to position the specimen relative to the focal spot. The excitation light spectrum is spread over the surface of the specimen in such a way that the excitation light reflected by the specimen and corresponding to the wavelengths close to fluorescence converge on points that are sufficiently distant from a diaphragm positioned in front of a device for measuring the fluorescence.
US07911667B2

A technique is provided which can realize scanning by a light flux having a desired optical characteristic in a light beam scanning device adopting a multi-beam optical system. There are provided a pre-deflection optical system that shapes divergent light beams from plural light sources into a light flux having a cross-sectional shape long in a specified direction, and a rotary deflector that deflects the light flux shaped by the pre-deflection optical system and scans it in the specified direction, and the pre-deflection optical system includes a first optical system that weakens a degree of divergence of the divergent light beams from the plural light sources or converts them into parallel light beams or converging light beams, a second optical system including at least one lens having a negative power in a rotation axis direction of the rotary deflector, and a third optical system having a positive power in the rotation axis direction of the rotary deflector.
US07911657B2

A method of obtaining graphical information from a single-or multi-page document printed on a hard media where reading out of the position of the document elements is performed by using a method of volumetric scanning of a document (even closed) is described. Processing of scanning results, comprises joining up the separate scanning layers scanning results, removing noise, correction of document image orientation, dividing information into portions relating to separate pages, is performed after reading the information. Then text information recognition contained in the graphical file is performed. Information may be read out by using methods of magnetic resonance scanning, supersonic scanning, X-ray scanning etc. The results of scanning in electronic form may be stored for further transmission thereof on a medium or via communication channels to a distant location for recognition. A device for realization of the described method is also disclosed.
US07911655B2

The present invention provides a unique and novel system for acquiring digital images of identification documents such as drivers license, passports, or medical insurance records using a digital camera so as to establish a high resolution image and extracting data automatically with machine vision tools so as to acquire accurate data. The present invention teaches also a system that acquires multi-spectral images of both sides of the identification document.
US07911652B2

A test target is written in a non image zone at set time intervals. The test target is sensed. At least one of frequency, amplitude and phase of banding, which is inherent in a printing device, is determined based on the sensed test target. At least one banding compensation parameter based at least on one of the determined frequency, amplitude and phase of banding is determined. Characteristics of producing an image based on the determined banding compensation parameter are adjusted to compensate the banding inherent in the printing device.
US07911637B2

Management of multiple paper sources during printing is provided. A setting screen allows setting a page layout indicating a number of pages to be arranged on a single face of a sheet of paper. An additional setting screen having different setting items allows setting of multiple paper feed sources for a single print job where the paper feed sources include a paper feed source for the first page of the print job and another paper feed source for a page different from the first page. The page layout may be changed in accordance with an operation on a page image indicating a set page layout when the additional setting screen includes the page image. In addition, both setting screens may be provided by a single printer driver.
US07911633B2

Employing an extended network interface and system architecture comprising operatively connecting a Foreign Device Interface (FDI) device and Multi-Function Device (MFD) via a network-based communication mechanism, configuring the FDI device as either a vend card device and/or accounting device, monitoring job-level accounting information or additional resource usage information from the MFD, synthesizing multiple information sources from at least one function performed by the MFD, and extending the functionality of said network interface and system architecture.
US07911631B2

A communication system includes a printing unit, an image scanning unit, an accessing system connectable to a web page. The printing unit prints out the web page on a first recording medium. When the web page includes an input field and the data input in the input field is to be transmitted to a predetermined destination, the printing unit prints out an image having a fill-in area to be filled in by the user, and a destination area indicating the destination, on a second recording medium. The communication system includes a scan controller that controls the scanning unit to scan the second recording medium to capture an image thereof, a recognition system that recognizes contents written in the fill-in area and the destination area based on the scanned image, and a data transmitting system that transmits contents extracted from the fill-in area to the destination extracted from the destination area.
US07911624B2

A device and method for the interferometric measurement of phase masks, particularly from lithography. Radiation passing through a coherence mask is brought to interference by a diffraction grating. A phase mask is arranged in or near the pupil plane of the first imaging optics which can be positioned exactly in the x-y direction by which interferograms are generated which are phase-shifted in the x-y direction by translational displacement of the coherence mask or of the diffraction grating. The interferograms are imaged onto the spatially resolving detector by second imaging optic and the phase and transmission functions of the phase mask are determined by an evaluation unit. The invention can, of course, generally be applied to planar phase objects, such as biological structures, for example, points of establishment with respect to an interference microscope.
US07911622B2

An optical sensor includes at least one optical coupler and an optical waveguide in optical communication with the at least one optical coupler. The optical waveguide is configured to receive a first optical signal from the at least one optical coupler. The first optical signal has a group velocity and a phase velocity while propagating through at least a portion of the optical waveguide, the group velocity less than the phase velocity. An interference between the first optical signal and a second optical signal is affected by perturbations to at least a portion of the optical sensor.
US07911617B2

A system for scattered light and simultaneous multi-color (e.g., greater than sixteen colors) fluorescence light detecting, and for analyzing, classifying and identifying biological particles and items of interest. A sample to be tested may be entered in a disposable microfluidic cartridge which in turn is insertable in a portable, hand-holdable, or wearable miniaturized cytometer instrument. The present system may be incorporated in the cytometer instrument. It may have significant application relative to biological warfare, environmental substances, the medical field and other fields.
US07911607B2

A light measuring device is disclosed which can take in light from different portions of a plane light source efficiently to carry out measurement. The light measuring device for measuring light from a plane light source includes a spatial division device configured to carry out operation for successively taking in light from different portions of the plane light source. An optical condensing device condenses the light from the different portions of the plane light source taken in by the operation of the spatial division device. A detector receives the light condensed by the optical condensing device and outputs a signal corresponding to the received light.
US07911603B2

In a spectrographic workpiece metrology system having an optical viewing window, the viewing window is calibrated against a reference sample of a known absolute reflectance spectrum to produce a normalized reflectance spectrum of the reference sample, which is combined with the absolute reflectance spectrum to produce a correction factor. Successive production workpieces are measured through the window and calibrated against the viewing window reflectance, and transformed to absolute reflectance spectra using the same correction factor without having to re-load the reference sample.
US07911595B2

A liquid fuel property detection apparatus includes a fuel passage, a light emitting device for emitting a light including a plurality of predetermined wavelengths toward the fuel in the passage, a light receiving device for receiving the light passing through the fuel, and a calculation unit for calculating the concentration of at least one of aroma, paraffin and olefin, which are hydrocarbon component components contained in the fuel. The calculation unit calculates the concentration of a specific component, which is one of aroma, paraffin and olefin, based on the reference transmittance of light in the specific component and the actual transmittance calculated from the amount of light emitted by the light emitting device and the amount of light received by the light receiving device with respect to each wavelength of the light.
US07911594B2

Chromatographic separations are often characterized by multiple detectors through which the sample flows serially. As the sample flows between detectors, it becomes progressively diluted due to mixing and diffusion. This phenomenon is traditionally called interdetector “band broadening” and often results in significant distortion of the sample's derived physical properties such as molar mass. This method to characterize the broadening present in a chromatographic system, and an algorithm whereby the narrow peaks of the upstream detector are numerically broadened so they can be compared to the broadened peaks of the downstream detector, is described. Although the technique results in some loss of resolution, its stability and generality allow it a broad range of application. Examples are presented for data collected by dRI, MALS, UV, and viscometric detectors.
US07911591B2

An L2F velocimeter comprises a probe for insertion into a fluid, the probe having an open area therein to allow the fluid to pass through. The probe comprises an illumination system to direct a pair of light beams, separated by a distance, through the open area, and a collection system to collect forward scattered light scattered from particles in the fluid. The collection system has an optical axis in common with the illumination system. The velocimeter further comprises an electro optical assembly connected to the probe to provide light to the illumination system, to receive light collected from the collection system, to measure a lapse time in fluctuations of the forward scattered light created by particles passing through the pair of light beams and to calculate the velocity of the fluid based on the lapse time and the separation distance.
US07911589B2

In order to derive a distance to a target object, in the detection of lower and upper dynamic ranges different detection methods are used simultaneously for the same light signal in an opto-electric distance measuring method having at least one emission of at least one light signal onto a target object and one detection of the light signal scattered back by the target object, wherein the upper dynamic range is recorded by means of a threshold value method and the lower dynamic range is recorded by means of signal scanning for the identification and temporal positioning of the back-scattered light signal.
US07911582B2

An exposure apparatus illuminates a pattern with an energy beam and transfers the pattern onto a substrate via a projection optical system. The exposure apparatus includes a substrate stage on which the substrate is mounted and that moves within a two-dimensional plane holding the substrate. A supply mechanism supplies liquid to a space between the projection optical system and the substrate on the substrate stage. A recovery mechanism recovers the liquid and an auxiliary recovery mechanism recovers the liquid which could not be recovered by the recovery mechanism.
US07911573B2

A liquid crystal display device including first and second substrates, a liquid crystal layer, a plurality of gate bus lines extending in a first direction, a plurality of drain bus lines extending in a second direction, at least one auxiliary capacitance bus line extending in the first direction, a first sub picture element electrode, a second sub picture element electrode, and first and second auxiliary capacitance lower electrodes extending from the auxiliary capacitance bus line in the second direction, such that a combination of the first and second auxiliary capacitance lower electrodes and a portion of the auxiliary capacitance bus line within a picture element region form a generally cross-shaped structure. Also, a portion of the first sub picture element electrode overlaps a portion of the first auxiliary capacitance lower electrode, a portion of the second auxiliary capacitance lower electrode, and a portion of the auxiliary capacitance bus line.
US07911569B2

With regard to an optical laminate having a applied film containing a lyotropic liquid crystalline compound, the present invention provides a method of producing an optical laminate that can prevent this applied film from becoming white turbidity.The present invention is a method of producing an optical laminate having a base material and a applied film laminated on at least one surface of the base material and containing a lyotropic liquid crystalline compound, where the method includes a step A of applying a solution containing at least one kind of a lyotropic liquid crystalline compound on a base material to form a wet applied film, and a step B of drying the wet applied film by spraying a wind onto the surface of the wet applied film simultaneously with this step A or after performing this step A and before the wet applied film is dried. In this step B, the wind is sprayed preferably in a tilted direction, and the wind direction is preferably from 0° to 60° or below relative to the plane of the base material.
US07911562B2

To provide a liquid crystal display, in which substrates are strongly fixed with an even cell gap to exhibit an excellent display quality. The liquid crystal display includes a spacer side substrate and a counter substrate in which the spacer side substrate and the counter substrate oppose a first alignment layer and a second alignment layer to each other; and in which a liquid crystal layer having a liquid crystal material are held between the spacer side substrate and the counter substrate. Additionally, a reactive alignment layer having a curable resin is formed on at least one of the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer, and the spacer side substrate and the counter substrate are bonded to each other with the reactive alignment layer interposed therebetween.
US07911560B2

The present invention provides a laminated liquid crystal display device having a configuration in which substrates for both panels can be electrically connected easily. The display device, which is implemented by multiple-layered liquid crystal cell panels configured by laminating a liquid crystal cell panel having a rigid panel substrate and a liquid crystal cell panel having a flexible panel substrate, makes use of the flexibility of the flexible panel substrate for making electrical connection between the flexible panel substrate and the rigid panel substrate. A part of the flexible panel substrate is protruded and, on this protrusion, electrode wire lines are provided for making electrical connection between the panel substrates. Bending the flexible panel substrate allows the electrode wire lines, formed on the protrusion, to be brought into contact with the rigid panel substrate.
US07911559B2

An illuminating device achieves higher brightness by improving the utilization efficiency of light from a light source in an illuminating device for emitting plane-shaped light. The backlight device includes a light guide member, and LED units facing side surfaces of the light guide member, and propagates light that is emitted by the LEDs and made incident to the side surfaces in the light guide member so as to emit plane-shaped light from a first main surface of the light guide member. The backlight device includes an insulating reflective member placed outside a second main surface of the light guide member facing the first main surface, and a metal reflective sheet laminated on the insulating reflective sheet on the side opposite to the light guide member.
US07911548B2

An electrically-driven liquid crystal lens, which can be switched between a convex lens and a concave lens by changing an optical path difference based on an electric field application, and a stereoscopic display device using the same are disclosed. The electrically-driven liquid crystal lens includes first and second substrates arranged opposite each other and each defining a plurality of lens regions, a plurality of first electrodes formed on the first substrate based on the lens region and spaced apart from one another, a second electrode formed over the entire surface of the second substrate, a liquid crystal layer filled between the first substrate and the second substrate, first and second voltage sources to apply different voltages to the plurality of first electrodes in each lens region, the first and second voltage sources providing the liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates with a convex lens optical path difference and a concave lens optical path difference, respectively, with respect to each lens region, and a selector to select any one of the first and second voltage sources so as to apply voltages to the first electrodes.
US07911542B2

A display device and a method for labeling input sources are disclosed, to set and provide label information of the input sources on a screen of the display device, for a user's convenience, in which the display device includes a plurality of input terminals respectively connected to a plurality of input sources, a controller configured to display a menu of setting label information of the input sources on a screen, and to display the corresponding label information along with an image of the input source selected by a user; and a memory configured to store the received label information of the input sources.
US07911541B2

A liquid crystal display device includes a four-color conversion circuit with no chromatic changes in which the chromaticity and luminance of input image data are maintained, a four-color conversion circuit with chromatic changes in which the chromaticity and luminance of input image data are not necessarily maintained, and a selector for switching between the outputs from the two conversion circuits according to a level detection signal from a level detection circuit that detects whether the level of input image data is equal to 100% white level or higher. Display data from the selector is supplied to a liquid crystal section that displays an image by four-color pixels of red, green, blue, and white. The image data conversion circuit controls the light emission quantity of a backlight (BL) as white color, and converts input image data so that the level of data displayed on the liquid crystal section becomes uniform.
US07911539B2

A VSB reception system includes a sequence generator for decoding a symbol corresponding to the supplemental data and generating a predefined sequence included in the supplemental data at VSB transmission system. The reception system also includes a modified legacy VSB receiver for processing the data received from the VSB transmission system in a reverse order of the VSB transmission system by using the sequence, and a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the data from the modified legacy VSB receiver into the MPEG data and the supplemental data. The VSB reception system also includes a supplemental data processor for processing the supplemental data segment from the demultiplexer in a reverse order of the transmission system, to obtain the supplemental data, thereby carrying out the slicer prediction, decoding, and symbol decision more accurately by using the predefined sequence, to improve a performance.
US07911536B2

A dynamic region, such as subtitles, is detected in a stream of digital video, and displayed along with a static region also in the stream, such as a video region, so that nearly all of the total vertical display area of a monitor displaying the dynamic and static regions is filled. For example, when the dynamic region is detected, the vertical size of the static region is adjusted to allow the vertical display of the dynamic and static region on the monitor simultaneously, without extending beyond or reducing to less than the total vertical display size of the monitor. Also, when the dynamic region is not detected, the vertical height of the static region is adjusted to fill the total vertical display size. Moreover, iterative increase and decrease in the vertical sizes of the regions may allow for a more pleasant viewer experience.
US07911535B2

According to one embodiment, a memory stores demonstration image data. A set module outputs a set signal to order a demonstration. An image reading module reads the demonstration image data from the memory in response to the set signal. And a display control module controls execution of a demonstration mode which outputs the read demonstration image data for displaying, next controls execution of a display mode which outputs on-air image data for displaying at the end of the demonstration mode, and controls execution of a shift in the demonstration mode after the display mode being elapsed a predetermined time.
US07911527B2

A focusing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: an image pickup device which obtains an image signal of a subject that is captured by an image capturing device, wherein the image capturing device incorporates a focus optical system therein; a search interval calculating device which acquires contrast characteristics that are obtained for a subject of a predetermined spatial frequency at a predetermined focal length and calculates a search interval in capturing of an image based on the contrast characteristics; a focus evaluation value acquiring device which moves a focus lens to a detecting point for each search interval in a predetermined searching range and acquires a focus evaluation value at each detecting point from the image signal; and a focus detecting device which detects a focus position by using the focus evaluation value at each detecting point that is acquired by the focus evaluation value acquiring device.
US07911526B2

The present invention is directed to the provision of an automatic focusing apparatus that can detect a focusing point at a sufficiently high speed for practical use and can achieve a lens condition having good focusing performance. The automatic focusing apparatus of the present invention includes a liquid crystal lens which forms a refractive index profile, an optical-to-electrical conversion unit which converts an optical image focused through the liquid crystal lens into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal as an image signal, a focus signal extracting unit which causes the refractive index profile to change by applying a first range of voltage to the liquid crystal lens, and extracts a plurality of focus signals based on the image signal, a focusing point identifying unit which identifies a focus signal corresponding to a focusing point from among the plurality of extracted focus signals, and a focusing point adjusting unit which adjusts the focusing point by applying to the liquid crystal lens a second voltage that is capable of generating the refractive index profile corresponding to the focus signal identified by the focusing point identifying unit and that is smaller than the first range of voltage applied to the liquid crystal lens in order to obtain the focus signal identified by the focusing point identifying unit.
US07911521B2

In a photoelectric conversion device, groups of unit pixels are arranged in a well, where each of the unit pixels includes photoelectric conversion elements, an amplifier transistor, and transfer transistors. The photoelectric conversion device includes a line used to supply a voltage to the well, a well-contact part used to connect the well-voltage-supply line to the well, and transfer-control lines used to control the transfer transistors. The transfer-control lines are symmetrically arranged with respect to the well-voltage-supply line in respective regions of the unit-pixel groups.
US07911509B2

A mobile video terminal includes a video camera to supply video signals; processing logic to selectively encode the video signals from the video camera at different quality levels; a memory to store the video signals encoded by the processing logic; and a power supply to supply power for the mobile video terminal, where the processing logic is further configured to automatically alter the encoding of the video signals from the video camera based on a condition of at least one of the memory, the power supply, or the processing logic.
US07911508B2

Disclosed are a portable recording/reproducing apparatus for recording predefined information onto a recording medium and reproducing the recorded information, and a method for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus includes a recording section to collect an external sound and output audio information in accordance with the sound collection results; a shooting section to shoot the outside and output motion picture information in accordance with shooting results; a display section to display a motion picture in accordance with the motion picture information; a retention section to retain the shooting section as desired in a ready-for-shooting state or in a storage state in which shooting cannot be performed; a detection section to detect whether or not the shooting section is retained in the ready-for-shooting state by the retention section; and a control section, which, when the detection section detects at the beginning of audio information recording that the shooting section is retained in the ready-for-shooting state, exercises control so that the motion picture based on the motion picture information appears on the display section. The apparatus can record a still picture based on a motion picture while recording audio information.
US07911505B2

A method of determining when an image capture device with a rolling shutter is in an environment having a flickering illuminant by using autocorrelation or frequency analysis of difference vectors produced from first and second captured images.
US07911497B2

An exemplary method for processing and outputting video frames includes receiving a stream of video frames, inserting geo-location data into a video frame to generate a modified video frame, and outputting the modified video frame. An exemplary system includes an antenna which receives a stream of video frames, a processor which inserts geo-location data into a video frame to generate a modified video frame, and an output for outputting the modified video frame.
US07911495B2

An electronic conference support device has a cut screen information management section that stores information related to a cut screen object which forms a portion of a screen image displayed on a presenter-side display unit; a screen image generation processor that generates a screen image based on stored information related to a cut screen object designated from among cut screen objects contained in a screen image displayed on a participant-side display unit, by incorporating the designated cut screen object into image data to be newly displayed on the participant-side display unit; and an edit screen information storage unit that stores, in association with each other, information related to the generated screen image and information related to the cut screen object incorporated into the screen image.
US07911491B2

An apparatus includes an output voltage sensing unit, which senses an output voltage of a laser diode, which has been sampled during a power control period and transmits the sensed output voltage of the laser diode to an output voltage control unit; the output voltage control unit, which obtains an error voltage between a reference voltage and the sensed output voltage of the laser diode and generates a control voltage by proportionally integrating the error voltage; and an optical power compensation unit, which receives the control voltage and generates a compensated control voltage by compensating for an optical power deviation on the photosensitive drum during the printing period.
US07911484B2

A source driver comprising a frame memory, a first line buffer, and a second line buffer. The frame memory stores bits of pixel values of an image. The first line buffer then sequentially latches the bits of the pixel values from the frame memory with a first address index. The second line buffer then sequentially latch the bits of the pixel values from the first line buffer with a second address index, which is different from the first address index, and writes the bits of the pixel values back to the frame memory, such that the image is scrolled. The present invention also provides a method of refreshing the frame memory in a source driver.
US07911483B1

A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, a graphics input and an audio input simultaneously. A soft horizontal scrolling mechanism preferably enables placement of the contents of graphics windows on arbitrary positions on a display line. By blanking out one or more pixels aligned to the start address, the content of a graphics window may be shifted to the left. By accessing graphics data of an address just prior to the start address and blanking out one or more pixels aligned to that address, the content of a graphics window may be shifted to the right.
US07911474B2

A memory manager interfaces between a rendering application and the driver controlling one or more memories. A multi-level brick cache system caches bricks in a memory hierarchy to accelerate the rendering. One example memory hierarchy may include system memory, AGP memory, and graphics memory. The memory manager allows control of brick overwriting based on current or past rendering. Since different memories are typically available, one or more memory managers may control storage of bricks into different memories to optimize rendering. Management of different memory levels, overwriting based on current or previous rendering, and an interfacing memory manager may each be used alone or in any possible combination.
US07911470B1

An apparatus and method for fairly arbitrating between clients with varying workloads. The clients are configured in a pipeline for processing graphics data. An arbitration unit selects requests from each of the clients to access a shared resource. Each client provides a signal to the arbitration unit for each clock cycle. The signal indicates whether the client is waiting for a response from the arbitration unit and whether the client is not blocked from outputting processed data to a downstream client. The signals from each client are integrated over several clock cycles to determine a servicing priority for each client. Arbitrating based on the servicing priorities improves performance of the pipeline by ensuring that each client is allocated access to the shared resource based on the aggregate processing load distribution.
US07911461B2

A current distributor that simplifies the architecture and reduces the connecting wires. According to the invention, current distributor can be utilized for distributing the current evenly through a plurality of rows of light-emitting diodes. Each respectively is coupled between a supply pin and a first current pin. The first current pin is coupled to the current distributor. The current distributor is coupled to a total current pin. The current distributor comprises a first resistor, a plurality of first clamp circuitries, a second clamp circuitry and a plurality of first transistors. The first resistor has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the supply pin. Each of the plurality of first clamp circuitries has a first terminal and a second terminal. Each of the first terminal of the first clamp circuitries is coupled to the second end of the first resistor. Each of the second terminal of the first clamp circuitries is coupled to the first current pin. The second clamp circuitry has a first terminal and a second terminal. The second terminal of the second clamp circuitry is coupled to the second end of the first resistor. The plurality of first transistors has a first terminal, a second terminal and a gate. The first terminal is coupled to the first current pin. The gate is coupled to the cathode of the second diode. The second terminal is coupled to the total current pin.
US07911460B2

An organic electroluminescent display device includes a substrate, a gate line on the substrate, a data line crossing the gate line over the substrate, a switching thin film transistor near the crossing of the gate line and data line, a driving thin film transistor system including a plurality of sub-TFTs connected in parallel to the switching thin film transistor via a gate base, a power line crossing the gate line over the substrate and electrically connected with the plurality of sub-TFTs, a first electrode over the driving thin film transistor system in contact with the plurality of sub-TFTs, an organic electroluminescent layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode of transparent material on the organic electroluminescent layer.
US07911459B2

A pixel circuit has a light emitting diode, a driving transistor, a capacitor, and a first switch. The light emitting diode had a first end to receive a first supply voltage. The driving transistor has a source and drain respectively receiving a second supply voltage and coupled to a second end of the light emitting diode. The capacitor has a first end coupled to a gate of the driving transistor and a second end receiving a reference voltage. The first switch is controlled by a first scan signal to couple the source of the driving transistor to the second end of the capacitor. The pixel circuit operates in a pre-charge period, a programming period, and an emission period sequentially, and the first scan signal is asserted to turn on the first switch during the pre-charge and emission periods.
US07911436B2

A shift register includes a plurality of stages connected to one another to sequentially generate output signals. Each of the stages has a plurality of output terminals, and each of the output terminals is connected to at least two gate lines and outputs a first output voltage alternately to the at least two gate lines to turn on thin film transistors.
US07911434B2

This invention realizes reduction in consumption of DC current in a level converter circuit by setting level shifters in an operating state only when necessary in accordance with hierarchical control, in which an output pulse of a level shifter (311) that is constantly in a power-ON state is used to set a level shifter (321) of the next hierarchical level in the operating state, then output pulses of the level shifter (311) and the level shifter (321) are used to generate control pulses LT1 and LT2, which are used to set level shifters (341 to 346) of the next hierarchical level in the operating state, and an output pulse of one of the level shifters is used to set level shifters (351), (352) and (353) of the next hierarchical level in the operating state. Thus, a level converter circuit in which the consumption of DC current is reduced and which enables reduction in power consumption of the whole device, a display device equipped with this level converter circuit, and a portable telephone device using the display device as an output display unit can be constructed.
US07911432B2

Methods and apparatus for repairing inoperative pixels in a display are provided. In particular, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for improving the effective yield rates of displays, such as liquid crystal micro-displays, by disconnecting inoperative pixels from their defective drive circuitry and tying such pixels to the working drive circuit of a nearby pixel. A display can be repaired without the need to provide redundant drive circuitry underneath each pixel.
US07911413B2

Disclosed is a method of driving a plasma display panel enabling to improve an overall contrast characteristic of the plasma display panel by reducing a voltage difference between scan and sustain electrodes Y and Z to decrease an emission amount of light generated by a discharge between the scan and sustain electrodes Y and Z. The present invention includes a first step of applying a reset pulse to the scan electrode to form predetermined wall charges on the electrodes for a set-up period and a second step of applying a pulse of a predetermined level to the sustain electrode to reduce a voltage difference between the scan and sustain electrodes while the reset pulse is applied.
US07911410B2

A headset may include a communication interface to receive one or more images from a device. The headset may further include a pair of earpieces, each earpiece including a speaker and a display to show at least one of the one or more images from the device.
US07911404B2

An RF tag includes a first transmission line which is connected to a grounding conductor and forms an electric closed loop to constitute a dipole antenna. A power supply circuit is connected between a branch point on the first transmission line and the grounding conductor. A second transmission line is connected to the branch point and arranged in parallel with the power supply circuit to constitute an inductor.
US07911397B2

A removable antenna and a resilient antenna are provided for an electronic device such as a laptop computer. An antenna resonating element is mounted within the antenna. Flexible coupling structures are used to physically and removably attach the antenna to the electronic device. The flexible coupling structures couple the antenna resonating element to circuitry in the electronic device. The coupling structures may allow the antenna to break away from the electronic device without causing damage. A user may extend the antenna by rotating the removable antenna to its extended position. The electronic device may have an antenna receptacle that holds the resilient antenna in a stowed position and that allows the resilient antenna to flex to an extended position. A user may extend the resilient antenna by removing the resilient antenna from the antenna receptacle and flexing the antenna into its extended position.
US07911396B2

The invention concerns a meandered antenna comprising: a first meandered conductive element including a plurality of arms, two consecutive arms forming a meander; a second conductive element forming with the first conductive element a radiating two-wired line, the second conductive element including a plurality of arms engaged each between two consecutive arms of the first conductive element. The antenna is characterized in that it is designed to operate without ground element, in particular without ground plane.
US07911395B2

There is provided an optically driven, transmitting and receiving antenna transformable into an electrically invisible antenna when inactive, including a light source, a semiconductor wafer illuminatable by the light source and a microwave source or sensor. The wafer has a surface for forming optically induced plasma or electron hole concentration, assuming a spatial and temporal pattern defined by a light beam impinging thereon. Upon the wafer being exposed to the light beam having a power level sufficient for creating a dense plasma or electron hole concentration in the wafer, the wafer becomes reflective to microwaves, and returns to transparency when light from the light source is turned off.
US07911392B2

An antenna assembly has a plurality of conductive elements to enable use in multiple frequency bands assigned for a mobile wireless communications. The antenna assembly has a six-sided support frame non-electrically conductive material which provides external surfaces on which specific conductive patterns are formed with the patterns on different surface being selectively connected together. The support frame is mounted on one major surface of a dielectric substrate that has an opposite major surface with a conductive layer that serves as ground plane. A portion of the opposite major surface, on which the conductive layer is not applied, forms one surface of the support frame.
US07911387B2

A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.
US07911374B2

A target position is estimated in such a manner to maintain target position continuity, with high accuracy, even when the X coordinate displacement of the target is large. On a scan in which the target position is not detected, when a trajectory of the target in the past is within a predetermined region in the vicinity of the Y-axis, a position for estimate is a position having an X coordinate resulting from shifting, by a first displacement, the X coordinate estimated according to the trajectory, on a basis of the X coordinate of a previous position, while when the trajectory is not within the predetermined region, the position for estimate is a position having an X coordinate resulting from shifting, by a second displacement that is larger than the first displacement, the X coordinate estimated according to the trajectory, on a basis of the X coordinate of a previous position.
US07911373B2

A radar system, including: a compact, active phased array antenna for transmission and reception of a focused radiation beam, circuits for providing signals to produce or detect a radiation beam by the phased array antenna and to control or detect the direction of the radiation beam, and wherein the radar is adapted to be mounted on a missile and scan a selected area proceeding the direction of motion of the missile.
US07911369B2

A pipelined AD converter (1) includes a plurality of conversion stages (11, 11, . . . ). In each of the conversion stages, an analog-to-digital conversion circuit (101) converts an input voltage (Vin) from the preceding stage to a digital code (Dout). A digital-to-analog conversion circuit (102) converts the digital code obtained by the analog-to-digital conversion circuit to an intermediate voltage (Vda). A charge operation circuit (103) has: a capacitor section (C1, C2) for sampling the input voltage; and an amplifier section (104) for amplifying a mixed voltage of the input voltage sampled by the capacitor section and the intermediate voltage obtained by the digital-to-analog conversion circuit. The amplifier section (104) includes a plurality of op-amps (amp1, amp1, . . . ) having the same configuration and connected in parallel with each other.
US07911367B2

A method for converting an N-bit digital value into an analog value is provided. N-M most significant bits of the digital value are converted into a first PWM signal whose period is a multiple of a base time period. M least significant bits of the digital value are converted into a second PWM signal whose period is a ½M fraction of the period of the first PWM signal. A third PWM signal is generated by inserting, during the pulse pause of the first PWM signal, the pulse of a selected single period of the second PWM signal into the first PWM signal. Further, the third PWM signal is low-pass filtered.
US07911362B2

A map user interface is described, including a first view transmitted from a server computer system to the client computer system, the first view including a first map and the initial path displayed on the first map, the initial path being from a starting location via at least one intermediate location to an end location, a deletion selector, selection of the deletion selector causing transmission of a deletion command being indicative of removal of a selected one of the locations, and a second view generated in response to the transmission of the deletion command, the second view including a second map and the modified path displayed on the second map, the modified path including all of the locations but not including the selected location.
US07911361B2

A vehicle recommendation speed display system includes a vehicle speed sensor, a recommendation speed processing unit that calculates a recommended speed based on a vehicle speed and a display unit that is usually mounted in a speedometer. The recommendation speed processing unit is configured to send information on the vehicle recommended speed to the display unit to display the recommended speed regardless of whether an actual vehicle speed is higher than the recommended speed or not in order to prevent a driver from being irritated by a difference between the actual vehicle speed and a vehicle speed intended by the driver.
US07911357B2

A traffic signal housing includes a bottom housing element that has a radius and a power circuit that is connected to an external source via one or more pluggable connectors through the bottom housing element. Three distinct arrays of LEDs provide a tri-color signal, wherein each array is powered by the power circuit. A distribution cover is coupled to the bottom housing element to enclose the power circuit and the LED arrays.
US07911355B2

A data storing apparatus that wirelessly transmits data, wherein the apparatus is deformable so as to block wireless transmission of data when the apparatus is in the deformed state.
US07911351B2

A current limiting system in accordance with the present invention comprises an accessory or canopy mount device that is permanently installed between a source of electrical power 1 and a track lighting system 2. The system may be installed integrally with a track lighting system to supply power to a plurality of lighting tracks from a plurality of power sources or circuits, as desired by a user or lighting designer. The system may also be configured to be compatible with a wide variety of track lighting system power tracks and is difficult to remove once properly installed, thereby making it tamper-proof.
US07911346B1

A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for inventory control of items in a location. In an embodiment, this comprises an identification tag associated with a transaction authorizing some items to be removed from the location, such as a purchase, an identification tag reader configured to read the identification tag and placed to cover a portion of the location, and a computer configured to process information including the identification tag read by the reader and take action in response, such as issuing an alert. An identification tag reader having erase/reprogram capability may be provided to reprogram identification tags, and the reprogrammed code may include an identification of the transaction. The inventory control system may be further configured to detect when an identification tag is brought back into the location. In some embodiments, encryption is used in reprogramming the identification tag, and authentication is performed when the tag is detected at an egress to the location.
US07911343B2

A method for mounting multiple small RFID chips onto larger antenna. The chips are mechanically aligned with an interdigitated gap at the feed point of the antenna by electrostatic or magnetic techniques. In an alternate embodiment RF field coupling between the chips and the antenna is employed.
US07911342B2

An operation state detection device comprises data communication devices and a detection device. The data communication devices are respectively attached to an operator, and a person or an object as an operation target. The data communication devices mutually perform data communication when the operator contacts the person or the object and thereby a path is formed through the operator, and the person or the object. The detection device detects the data communication performed between the data communication devices.
US07911338B2

A wireless system includes a server having a port, a plurality of sensors or devices, each of which includes a wireless transceiver and a proximity sensor; and a wireless module. The wireless module includes a port interconnected with the port of the server, a wireless transceiver cooperating with the port of the wireless module, the wireless transceiver of the wireless module being structured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless transceiver of the sensors or devices, a proximity sensor structured to sense one of the sensors or devices, and a target structured to be sensed by the proximity sensor of such one of the sensors or devices. The port of the server is structured to cooperate with the port of the wireless module to transmit and receive wireless messages. The port of the wireless module cooperates with the wireless transceiver to transmit and receive the wireless messages.
US07911336B1

A detection system for an enclosed container includes many nanosensors for detecting materials harmful to human beings within an enclosed container and transmitting a corresponding resonance frequency. The nanosensors are carried on or within walls of the container, e.g., embedded in a coating. At least one detection device detects a condition of the nanosensors and outputs a signal responsive thereto, which can be received by a monitoring system external to the container. Containers which have harmful materials within them can be inspected or stopped before entering the country.
US07911335B1

A location-based and preference-based system and method for matching information such as the attributes, interests and/or characteristics profiles of persons with the expressed preferences of mobile users to alert and direct such users to any persons having information matching the user's express preferences. In particular, the system comprises a mobile device such as a GPS-capable PDA that stores the user's preferences and communicates with a server that contains or accesses the profiles of the persons to compare the profiles and preferences. Comparison of the user's preferences with the various profiles allows the user only to be informed of those persons that it is likely to be interested in. The system and method thus provides for a mobile real-time point of interest exchange network.
US07911331B2

A walker collision detector includes a chamber member and a pressure sensor. The chamber member defines a chamber. On a back side of the chamber member, a concave portion for housing the pressure sensor is formed. The pressure sensor is connected to the chamber member for detecting the pressure in the chamber. The pressure sensor in a housed condition in the concave portion is connected to the chamber member, and is fixed on a front face of a bumper reinforcement. Therefore, a pressure sensor arrangement space conventionally required for installing the pressure sensor is not required, and cutting work or the like of the bumper reinforcement is not required. As a result, the walker collision detector has an improved installability on a vehicle.
US07911327B2

A vibration device is provided. The vibration device includes a case, a vibrator, a coil, and a spring. The vibrator is disposed inside the case and including a magnet, a yoke, and a weight. The coil is supported by the case. The spring allows the vibrator to be elastically supported by the case. The spring includes a first coupling portion coupled to the vibrator, a second coupling portion coupled to the case, and a connecting portion connecting the first coupling portion to the second coupling portion. The second coupling portion is disposed on a concentric circle with respect to a center of the first coupling portion. A region in which the second coupling portion is disposed on the concentric circle ranges from 40% or more to less than 100% of a total region of the concentric circle.
US07911321B2

A keyless entry system has a handle housing and a grip cover defining a door handle grip, a keyless entry pad defining a plurality of keys, each identified with a corresponding symbol, a plurality of sensors in proximity to the keys for detecting an object in the vicinity of the keys, an illumination source to selectively backlight the sensors and symbols, and a light-controlling membrane extending over the keyless entry pad. Entering a keyless entry code into the keyless entry pad by selecting keys in a predetermined sequence enables a latch to be selectively disposed in either a locked condition or an unlocked condition. In ambient light, the light-controlling membrane renders the symbol invisible. When the illumination source backlights the sensor and the symbol, the light-controlling membrane renders the symbol visible.
US07911320B2

A vehicle provided with means to prevent the use of the vehicle, or access to it, by unauthorized persons is described. The method includes receiving an operator identifier from a certain operator; determining a group identifier associated with the received operator identifier, the group identifier being indicative of a group of one or more potential operators authorized to operate the asset; determining, based on the group identifier and the received operator identifier, whether the certain operator is one of the potential operators and thus authorized to utilize the asset; and communicating with the asset to enable usage of the asset by the certain operator in response to successfully determining that the certain operator is authorized to utilize the asset.
US07911310B2

An inductor circuit is disclosed. The inductor circuit includes a first in-silicon inductor and a second in-silicon inductor each having multiple turns. A portion of the multiple turns of the second in-silicon inductor is formed between turns of the first in-silicon inductor. The first and second in-silicon inductors are configured such that a differential current flowing through the first in-silicon inductor and the second in-silicon inductor flows in a same direction in corresponding turns of inductors.
US07911303B2

A circuit breaker includes a vacuum valve, an electromagnet including a first coil for driving an operating shaft of the vacuum valve toward an opening direction by electromagnetic repulsion, a movable core and a permanent magnet. Further, an operating mechanism is provided which excites the first coil to close the vacuum valve, holds the vacuum valve closed by an attractive force of the permanent magnet and excites the first coil in a direction reverse to an excitation direction in closing operation to open the vacuum valve. In the circuit breaker, together with the first coil, a second coil is disposed which is excited simultaneously with an electromagnetic repulsion coil for a quick opening operation by electromagnetic repulsion is provided in the electromagnet.
US07911302B2

A mechanism for a circuit breaker contact arm that allows current limiting by reducing the opening time is disclosed. A secondary trip assembly is arranged to actuate due to magnetic forces generated during an undesirable electrical condition such as a short circuit. The secondary trip system releases a contact arm assembly allowing the contact arm to rotate to an open position that interrupts the flow of electrical power.
US07911301B2

An electromagnetic relay has a solenoid formed from a wound coil, a movable iron core that is reciprocated upwardly and downwardly in an axial hole of the solenoid, and a movable contact point that reciprocates together with the movable iron core. The movable contact point is contacted and separated with and from a fixed contact point for opening and closing a contact point. An arc generated at a time of opening and closing of the contact point is flowed, in a predetermined direction, by the magnetic field of at least a single permanent magnet placed at a side of the fixed contact point and the movable contact point that are contacted and separated with and from each other. Coil terminals are connected to leader lines of the coil, at least at a single side of the flow of the arc.
US07911295B2

A common mode noise filter includes a nonmagnetic layer, first and second magnetic layers sandwiching the nonmagnetic layer between the magnetic layers and contacting the nonmagnetic layer, a plane coil provided between the first and second magnetic layers and contacting the nonmagnetic layer, and an external electrode connected electrically with the plane coil. The first and second magnetic layers include a magnetic oxide layer and an insulator layer provided on the magnetic oxide layer. The insulator layer contains glass component. This common mode noise filter has a large bonding strength between the external electrode and the insulator layer.
US07911293B2

Techniques are disclosed that allow for programmable attenuation using thermometer code steps. By thermometer coding the attenuator structure, monotonicity is guaranteed or otherwise greatly improved, which eliminates instability problems with automatic gain control loops and without the need for compensation or trimming. In addition, the thermometer coding technique also greatly reduces phase discontinuity between adjacent gain states.
US07911290B2

A transmission system for a digital signal includes a transmitter and a receiver connected thereto by a transfer bus. The transmission system includes at least one conductive line capacitively coupled with the transfer bus.
US07911288B1

To reduce cross-talk, an integrated circuit may include a uniform signal trace for a first signal; and a pair of non-uniform signal traces forming a differential pair for a differential signal. The pair of non-uniform signal traces near the uniform signal trace.
US07911280B2

An amplifier stage for generating an amplified output signal from an input signal, a mobile device comprising an audio amplifier, and an amplification method for generating an amplified output signal from an input signal using an amplifier stage are described.
US07911279B2

An amplifying device includes a cascode amplifier and a biasing circuit. The cascode amplifier is configured to receive an input signal and to output an amplified output signal corresponding to the input signal. The biasing circuit is configured to bias the cascode amplifier, the biasing circuit including a first current mirror and a second current mirror stacked on the first current mirror. The biasing circuit improves linearity of the cascode amplifier across a wide temperature range.
US07911274B2

The variable transconductance circuit includes: a voltage-current conversion circuit for outputting a current signal linear with an input voltage signal; first and second MOS transistors for converting the current signal received to a square-root compressed voltage signal; and third and fourth MOS transistors for converting the square-root compressed voltage signal to a linear current signal. A bias current at the first and second MOS transistors and a bias current at the third and fourth MOS transistors are varied to control transconductance.
US07911266B2

A low complexity and low power phase shift keying demodulator structure includes a digitizer, a phase-transition-independent carrier clock extractor, a binary correlater, a delay element, and a sampler. The digitizer digitizes a BPSK signal for an output waveform. The phase-transition-independent carrier clock extractor detects the phase transition on the output of the digitizer and produces a carrier clock signal. The binary correlater has correlated processes to the output signal of the digitizer and carrier clock signal obtained from the phase-transition-independent carrier clock extractor. The sampler samples the signal from the binary correlater according to the signal from the delay element in order to finish the demodulation with only a small capacitance.
US07911261B1

A substrate biasing circuit may include a first pump control circuit that generates a first control signal in response to a first reference voltage and a voltage of a first substrate portion, and includes a first reference generator coupled between a temperature compensated voltage and a reference power supply voltage that varies the first reference voltage in response to the voltage of the first substrate voltage and the temperature compensated voltage. A first clamp circuit may generate a first clamp signal in response to a first limit voltage and the voltage of the first substrate portion, the first limit voltage being a scaled version of the temperature compensated voltage. A first charge pump may pump the first substrate portion in at least a first voltage direction in response to the first control signal, and is prevented from pumping in the first voltage direction in response to the first clamp signal.
US07911260B2

Circuit, system and method of current control circuits are disclosed. In one embodiment, a control circuit includes a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor. The first source/drains of the first and the second MOS transistors are coupled to an output of a power source. A second source/drain of the first MOS transistor is coupled to a first output node of the current control circuit. A second source/drain of the second MOS transistor is coupled to a second output node of the current control circuit. The control circuit further includes a means to block flow of current from the first output node of the current control circuit to the second output node of the current control circuit.
US07911258B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit device including a fuse latch circuit including a fuse and a latch circuit for latching fuse data held in the fuse, a fuse counter circuit for counting the number of transfers of the fuse data, and a control circuit including a transmitter circuit for transmitting the fuse data to a memory macro connected to the control circuit, and a detour data path circuit which when the fuse data is not transferred, does not transfer the fuse data to the memory macro, and forms a detour data path for detouring the fuse data in the detour data path circuit itself.
US07911254B2

A direct-current-offset correction device includes a digital-to-analog converter that converts a digital signal into an analog signal, a modulator that modulates the analog signal to generate a modulated signal, a direct-current-offset correction value calculation unit that calculates a direct-current-offset correction value as a reverse characteristic component of a carrier leak occurring in the modulated signal based on a demodulated signal which is demodulated by feeding back the modulated signal, a direct-current-offset correction unit that corrects a direct-current-offset on the digital signal based on the direct-current-offset correction value, a correction value detection unit that detects whether or not the direct-current-offset correction value is zero or a neighboring value of zero, and an offset generation unit that superimposes a direct-current-offset component on the analog signal based on a detection result of the correction value detection unit.
US07911228B2

The present invention provides integrated circuits with improved logic cells. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit having a plurality of logic cells (LC) is provided, each LC comprising: a lookup table having a LUT output terminal; and, a first multiplexer; wherein, a first multiplexer input terminal is connected to of a first input terminal of the LC, a second multiplexer input terminal is connected to the LUT output terminal, a multiplexer output terminal is connected to a first output terminal of the LC, and a multiplexer select terminal is connected to a second input terminal of the LC so as to select which of the signals appearing at the first and second multiplexer input terminal to pass through; wherein, by coupling in chain the first input terminal of one LC to the first output terminal of another LC, a WLUT chain is formed.
US07911225B2

A data output device includes a pre-driver unit configured to control a driving force according to an impedance control signal and to drive output data using the driving force. The data output device includes a main-driver unit configured to control an impedance according to pull-up and pull-down resistance control codes having values that correspond to the impedance control signal provided to the pre-driver unit and to drive an output of the pre-driver unit by utilizing the controlled impedance.
US07911214B2

An electrical resistance measurement method and a component inspection process to which the electrical resistance measurement method is applied. In the first step, a measuring object, for example, one pair of zinc-plated steel plates on which surfaces films are formed is prepared. Then, an elastic electroconductive material is sandwiched by the pair of zinc-plated steel plates and a spacer which regulates a space between the zinc-plated steel plates. Next, in the second step, an electrical resistance is measured in a state in which the pair zinc-plated steel plates sandwich the elastic electroconductive material.
US07911212B2

A filter rod measuring station is equipped with measuring devices which measure at least the mass (M) of a filter rod and the draw resistance (PD) of the filter rod, and a microwave measuring device is provided for measuring the mass of the softener and/or the moisture content and/or the dry mass of the filter rod.
US07911211B2

An embodiment disclosed herein is directed to a method of monitoring an electromagnetic shield effectiveness including transmitting a first electromagnetic field toward a first surface of an electromagnetic shield, detecting a second electromagnetic field transmitted from a second surface of the electromagnetic shield, generating a first signal corresponding to the second electromagnetic field and determining whether a defect exists at the electromagnetic shield by comparing the first signal to a predetermined threshold.
US07911204B2

A reel shaft sensor is provided for a barcode printer and is applied to a reel shaft of the barcode printer. The reel shaft sensor device includes a plurality of magnetic elements and at least one magnetic sensor. The reel shaft has an end to which a connection member is mounted for coupling the interior of a housing of the barcode printer. The magnetic element is arranged inside the connection member and the magnetic sensor is installed inside the housing of the barcode printer and corresponding in position to the connection member. The magnetic sensor detects a magnetic signal from the magnetic elements that rotates with the reel shaft to determine the rotational speed and angular position of the reel shaft. The device is a small-size, magnetism operating shaft sensor.
US07911202B2

Provided is an electromagnetic coil arrangement comprising a set of electromagnetic sensors at fixed locations with respect to each other, each of the electromagnetic sensors comprising a planar coil coupled to a conductive layer, the planar coil comprising non-concentric rings. Further, provided is an electromagnetic tracking system, comprising an electromagnetic coil arrangement, at least one complementary electromagnetic sensor and a processor configured to process a signal comprising data indicative of a mutual inductance between the at least one complementary electromagnetic sensor and each of the set of the electromagnetic sensors of the electromagnetic coil arrangement. Also, provided are a method of tracking and a method of manufacturing an electromagnetic coil arrangement.
US07911195B2

An electronic circuit includes a bandgap reference circuit and a start-up circuit for starting up the bandgap reference circuit. The bandgap reference circuit includes at least one electric path having a semiconductor diode and a resistor connected in series with said semiconductor diode, wherein the voltage across the resistor is proportional to the absolute temperature of the semiconductor diode. The start-up circuit assists starting up the bandgap reference circuit until the voltage across the resistor reaches a preset threshold voltage, and the start-up circuit turns off automatically when the voltage across the resistor has reached the threshold voltage.
US07911194B2

Pulse width modulation (PWM) controllers and output stage driver circuits and related methods of communicating switching regulator mode information. The controller includes circuitry that recognizes intervals when the load driven by the regulator is in a low power mode. Responsive to recognizing the low power mode, the controller generates a PWM mode signal having at least three (3) different levels including at least one intermediate level that is coupled to at least one driver. Based on the PWM mode signal, the regulator is switched into a power saving low power operational mode.
US07911192B2

A switching regulator having first and second power switches. The first power switch has at least two transistors connected in series, the transistors having a first maximum voltage across their terminals which is less than the input voltage of the regulator. The transistors have at least a first node at the point where they are connected, and a first control circuit controls the voltage at the first node so that the voltages across the terminals of the transistors of the first power switch do not exceed the first maximum voltage. The second power switch also has at least two transistors connected in series, the transistors having a maximum voltage across their terminals that is less than the input voltage. The transistors have at least a second node at the point where they are connected, and a second control circuit controls the voltage at the second node so that the voltages across the terminals of the transistors of the second power switch do not exceed the second maximum voltage.
US07911179B2

A charging/discharging apparatus for simultaneously charging or discharging multiple battery blocks forming a battery pack individually or at one time is provided at low cost. The charging/discharging apparatus includes a group of conductors for connecting one line each respectively to both ends of a group of battery blocks connected in series forming a battery pack and a connection point between battery blocks, a group of discharging circuits mutually connected in series and connected in parallel to battery blocks via the conductors and each disposed at every battery block for discharging the battery block, a group of charging circuits mutually connected in series and connected in parallel with the discharging circuits and the battery blocks via the conductors and each disposed at every battery block for charging the battery block, and a charging/discharging control unit for instructing at least one selected discharging circuit to perform discharging from the group of discharging circuits or one selected charging circuit to perform charging from the group of charging circuits.
US07911178B2

The present invention provides enhanced serial communication reliability in a situation where a plurality of cell controllers and a battery controller are daisy-chained to form a serial communication configuration. While the plurality of cell controllers and the battery controller are daisy-chained to form a serial communication configuration, the battery controller or each cell controller includes a communication speed detection means, which detects the communication speed of data input from an additional controller, and a reception timing correction means, which corrects the reception timing for data input from the additional controller in accordance with the communication speed detected by the communication speed detection means.
US07911172B2

An accurate load position control is made possible even when rigidity of a load drive system using a motor is relatively low. Load position signal xl is a present-position measurement value of a load, and after compensation in response to a phase delay thereof has been performed by a stability compensation circuit, the high-frequency portion thereof is taken as a control-target position signal xfb by replacing, in a position-signal combination circuit, a motor position signal xm as a present-position measurement value of a motor, and then the control-target position signal xfb is fed back to a position control circuit. Thereby, a torque command signal indicating a torque target value for driving the load is outputted.
US07911169B2

An induction actuated container cover includes a control housing having a cover opening, a cover panel pivotally mounted to the control housing to pivotally move between a closed position that the cover panel covers at the cover opening and an opened position that the cover panel exposes the cover opening, and an automatic driving arrangement including a sensor mounted at the control housing for detecting a target movement of a user and an actuation unit supported in the control housing to operatively link with the sensor, wherein the actuation unit is actuated to generate a decelerating and torque enhancing force to move the cover panel between the opened and closed position in a hydraulic manner.
US07911164B2

A circuit installation that executes full voltage activation, division voltage operation, and delayed breaking brake to electric load by increasing the power to the load activated to promote its activation performance or reducing operation power in the course of operation by the load to save power consumption or limit operation performance of the load.
US07911161B2

An automotive power inverter is provided. The power inverter includes a chassis, a microelectronic die coupled to the chassis and having an integrated circuit formed thereon, and an insulating region between the chassis and the microelectronic die.
US07911159B2

A circuit arrangement and a method for operating a high intensity discharge lamp driver, which assure long-lasting stable operation of a high intensity discharge lamp regardless of the type or the age of the lamp. This is achieved by the determination of a correctional setpoint signal for a given time period based on the a difference signal between a principal setpoint signal and the actual output current signal for a given time period. The principal setpoint signal is then adjusted by the determined correctional setpoint signal.
US07911156B2

The output current of a ballast is dynamically limited when an over-temperature condition is detected in the ballast according to one of (i) a step function or (ii) a combination of step and continuous functions, so as to reduce the temperature of the ballast while continuing to operate it.
US07911153B2

A microprocessor controlled electronic ballast for lighting equipment is described wherein light level control is performed by varying the power provided to the light. Lighting power is adjusted by driving the lamp through a resonant circuit with a variable frequency power signal. The programmable microprocessor controls overall operation including preheating, ignition, and shutdown.
US07911148B2

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement which is used to operate a low pressure discharge lamp (EL), wherein the discharge lamp receives power. Said circuit arrangement is embodied in such a manner that power-determination components (C2a, L2a) of the circuit arrangement are embodied in a temperature-dependent manner such that the power consumption of the lamp is limited when the temperature rises. Capacitors (C2a) and throttles (L2a) can be embodied in a temperature-dependent manner in a control circuit (AS) of the circuit arrangement.
US07911144B2

The invention relates to a metal halide lamp for a vehicle headlamp comprising a cylindrically-shaped discharge vessel (23) having a ceramic wall which encloses a discharge space comprising Xe and ionizable filling, and a cylindrically-shaped outer bulb (21) surrounding the discharge vessel (23). According to the invention a portion (25, 26) of the surface of the outer bulb (21) facing away from the discharge vessel (23) is shaped as a negative lens. Preferably, the portion (25, 26) encompasses a segment of the outer bulb (21) with a segment angle α in the range between 30≦α≦60°. Preferably, the portion (25) forming the negative lens is shaped as a flat surface.
US07911143B2

The invention relates to a discharge lamp, in particular a high-pressure discharge lamp, having a discharge vessel (1) which has two diametrically opposite necks (2, 3) into each of which a holding rod (5, 10) is fused at least in places, with an electrode (4, 9) which extends into the discharge vessel (1) being arranged on each holding rod (5, 10), and with in each case at least one annular plate (7, 12) at least partially clasping a holding rod (5, 10), with at least one of the annular plates (7, 12) being arranged in the discharge vessel (1).
US07911135B2

A light-emitting element is provided which has a light-emitting layer between a first electrode and a second electrode, where the light-emitting layer has a first layer and a second layer; the first layer contains a first organic compound and a third organic compound; the second layer contains a second organic compound and the third organic compound; the first layer is provided to be in contact with the second layer on the first electrode side; the first organic compound is an organic compound with an electron transporting property; the second organic compound is an organic compound with a hole transporting property; the third organic compound has an electron trapping property; and light emission from the third organic compound can be obtained when voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode so that the potential of the first electrode is higher than that of the second electrode.
US07911133B2

An OLED device including a transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a transparent electrode layer disposed over the first surface of the substrate, a short reduction layer disposed over the transparent electrode layer, an organic light-emitting element disposed over the short reduction layer and including at least one light-emitting layer and a charge injection layer disposed over the light emitting layer, a reflective electrode layer disposed over the charge injection layer and a light extraction enhancement structure disposed over the first or second surface of the substrate; wherein the short reduction layer is a transparent film having a through-thickness resistivity of 10−9 to 102 ohm-cm2; wherein the reflective electrode layer includes Ag or Ag alloy containing more than 80% of Ag; and the total device size is larger than 10 times the substrate thickness.
US07911129B2

The invention relates to an arrangement for an organic pin-type light-emitting diode with an electrode and a counter-electrode and a stack with organic layers between the electrode and the counter-electrode, where the stack with the organic layers comprises an emission layer comprising a k (k=1, 2, 3, . . . ) organic matrix materials, a doped charge carrier transport layer, which is arranged between the electrode and the emission layer, a further doped charge carrier transport layer, which is arranged between the counter-electrode and the emission layer, and one block layer, which is arranged between one of the doped charge carrier transport layers and the emission layer. The organic layers of the stack are formed by means of n (n≦k+2) organic matrix materials, where the n organic matrix materials comprise the k organic matrix materials of the emission layer. The stack with the organic layers can also be executed in a block-layer-free manner, where then the emission layer and the doped charge carrier transport layer are formed from an organic matrix material. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such arrangements is stated.
US07911122B2

The invention relates to a lamp base with a plastic base part which has electrical connections for the power supply of at least one lighting device of the lamp, the lighting device being enclosed by a lamp vessel and the electrical connections being configured by metal pins. The first ends of these pins project laterally, perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the lamp base, from the plastic base part in order to establish electrical contact with the lamp socket, and the second ends are adapted to connect a power supply wire for the at least one lighting device which wire is to the outside of the lamp vessel. The invention is characterized in that the plastic base part has a recess on a lower face of the plastic base part facing away from the lamp vessel, the two ends of the metal pins being disposed in the recess.
US07911118B2

The invention relates to a heat sink (1) for cooling a light element. The heat sink (1) has a thermally conducting inner part (2) suitable for accommodating the light element. The heat sink (1) additionally has a thermally conducting outer part (3) which encloses the inner part in at least one plane. The at least one light element is galvanically shielded from the thermally conducting inner part. The inner part (2) and the outer part (3) can be joined to one another via at least one thermally conducting bridging link (4) in such a way that there is at least one opening (5) between the inner part (2) and the outer part (3).
US07911114B2

An impact drive actuator comprises a fixing member, a vibrator, a vibrating member, a movable body, a drive circuit, and a friction adjustment section. The friction adjustment section includes a first electrode disposed on a surface of the movable body that faces the vibrating member and a second electrode disposed on a surface of the vibrating member that faces the movable body and electrically isolated from the first electrode. An electrostatic force is caused to act between the first and second electrodes to change an electrostatic force between the vibrating member and movable body so as to change the frictional force acting between the movable body and vibrating member.
US07911101B2

In an electric motor of an SBW actuator, a rotor shaft is rotated upon energization of the motor. A rotor core is rotated integrally with the rotor shaft. A resilient member enables tilting or decentering of the rotor shaft upon application of a decentering force on the rotor shaft. A stator core contacts the rotor core when the rotor shaft is tilted or decentered.
US07911094B2

A stepping motor may include a rotor having a rotation shaft and a permanent magnet, a stator provided with a stator core formed with a flange part and pole teeth, a drive coil and a terminal block disposed on an outer peripheral side of the stator. The flange part of the stator core may be provided with a terminal block holding part and the terminal block holding part is formed with a first holding part, which is formed to be bent from the flange part and extended in an axial direction of a motor, for supporting a bottom face of the terminal block. Further, a plurality of terminal pins may be arranged in the terminal block so that a plurality of the terminal pins is disposed in the terminal block along an axial direction of the rotation shaft.
US07911088B2

An improved battery, monitoring circuit and method for communicating with the battery is provided. Such batteries and communication methods are particularly useful in UPS systems that use such batteries to provide back-up power to electrical loads. In one aspect, performance, manufacturing, trend and/or other data are stored in non-volatile memory of the battery and are communicated to an external system such as a UPS. In another aspect, a method for communicating via single-wire interface is provided. In one aspect, a same interface is used to communicate with both conventional batteries and improved batteries having increased monitoring capabilities.
US07911087B2

The switching system for reducing standby power consumed by an electrical device includes a remote control device configured to selectively emit a radio frequency signal and a switching apparatus in electrical communication with a power supply and the electrical device. The switching apparatus includes a passive radio frequency receiver for receiving the emitted radio frequency signal and a switch. The passive radio frequency receiver converts the received radio frequency signal into electrical power. The switch is actuable, in response to the electrical power generated by the passive radio frequency receiver, from an inactive mode. The switch substantially restricts the electrical device consuming standby power from the power supply, to an active mode. The switch allows the electrical device to consume power from the power supply.
US07911086B2

A signal output device that outputs an output signal according to an input signal expressing a logical value that includes a high-voltage side switching circuit between a first terminal and a second terminal in accordance with a first control signal. The device includes a low-voltage side switching circuit between a first and second terminal for outputting a low-voltage side reference voltage in accordance with a second control signal and a control section. The high-voltage and low-voltage side switching circuits include a plurality of switching devices serially connected between the first terminal and the second terminal and each of which is opened in accordance with a provided control voltage. The control circuit opens the plurality of switching devices substantially in synchronization with each other, where a voltage inputted to the first terminal is outputted from the second terminal by short-circuiting between the first terminal and the second terminal.
US07911085B2

The power saving uninterruptible power supply (UPS) has a first and second switches, an energy spared switch, a transformer, an automatic voltage regulator (AVR), a charger-and-inverter, a normal mode determination unit and an electric switch. When the utility power is stable, the first and second switches are connected together to supply the utility power to a load. At the time, the energy spared switch is physically disconnected with the utility power and the transformer and the AVR. Therefore, the transformer and AVR do not consume more energy of the utility power and the transforming efficiency of the UPS is increased.
US07911080B2

An automotive electrical system and a method for managing an automotive electrical system including a battery are provided. A state of charge of the battery is determined. An electrical system function is prevented from being performed based on the determined state of charge of the battery.
US07911076B2

A wind driven generator includes a rotor disposed in a cylindrical duct and supported by a frame for rotation in response to wind flowing through the duct. The rotor includes plural circumferentially spaced paralleled rotor blades supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. Each blade is supported for pivotal movement to change blade pitch, angle of attack or camber as the rotor rotates. A pitch or camber control motor, self-governing wind vane mechanism, or governing mechanism is operable to move a circular cam to vary blade pitch or camber to control rotor speed. The duct is mounted on a mast having a base supported on a foundation for pivotal movement to face the wind for maximizing air flow through the duct. Electric power generators are connected to opposite ends of the rotor at respective power output or drive shafts.
US07911074B2

A helical auger turbine and hydrokinetic device for use with electrical generators for producing electricity. The auger turbine includes a generally helical turbine blade rotatably mounted on a central shaft, which may be tapered at each end, and a flange extending perpendicularly to an edge of the turbine blade. At least one turbine blade support connection is included for connecting the central shaft to a support structure. An electrical generator may be powered by the helical auger turbine, that can be used in a tidal water flow. The helical auger turbine can operate a high pressure pump connected to a hydraulic accumulator for storing pressurized hydraulic fluid from the high pressure pump. An electrical generator can be operated by hydraulic fluid delivered from the hydraulic accumulator at times of slow water flow. A plurality of helical auger turbines can be horizontally oriented under water, tethered to legs of an ocean platform such as an oil rig secured to the seabed.
US07911072B2

The invention relates to methods for controlling a wind turbine connected to the utility grid by detecting status of the utility grid, and controlling one or more rotor blades and/or emitted power to the grid in returning to the operational wind turbine settings of normal grid mode. The invention also relates to a wind turbine and a wind park comprising at least two wind turbines.
US07911070B2

An integrated circuit package system includes: mounting an integrated circuit, having a planar interconnect, over a carrier with the planar interconnect at a non-active side of the integrated circuit and an active side of the integrated circuit facing the carrier; connecting the integrated circuit and the carrier; connecting the planar interconnect and the carrier; and forming an encapsulation over the integrated circuit, the carrier, and the planar interconnect.
US07911057B2

Consistent with an example embodiment, an integrated circuit device (IC) is assembled on a package substrate and encapsulated in a molding compound. There is a semiconductor die having a circuit pattern with contact pads. A package substrate having bump pad landings corresponding to the contact pads of the circuit pattern, has an interposer layer sandwiched between them. The interposer layer includes randomly distributed mutually isolated conductive columns of spherical particles embedded in an elastomeric material, wherein the interposer layer is subjected to a compressive force from pressure exerted upon an underside surface of the semiconductor die. The compressive force deforms the interposer layer causing the conductive columns of spherical particles to electrically connect the contact pads of the circuit pattern with the corresponding bump pad landings of the package substrate. The compressive force may be obtained from forces generated by thermal expansion properties of the molding compound and package substrate, metal clips or combinations, thereof.
US07911055B2

In a semiconductor device, capacitance between copper interconnections is decreased and the insulation breakdown is improved simultaneously, and a countermeasure is taken for misalignment via by a manufacturing method including the steps of forming an interconnection containing copper as a main ingredient in an insulative film above a substrate, forming insulative films and a barrier insulative film for a reservoir pattern, forming an insulative film capable of suppressing or preventing copper from diffusing on the upper surface and on the lateral surface of the interconnection and above the insulative film and the insulative film, forming insulative films of low dielectric constant, in which the insulative film is formed such that the deposition rate above the opposing lateral surfaces of the interconnections is larger than the deposition rate therebelow to form an air gap between the adjacent interconnections and, finally, planarizing the insulative film by interlayer CMP.
US07911054B2

In a non-leaded type semiconductor device, a tab, tab suspension leads, and other leads are exposed to one surface of a seal member. A semiconductor element is positioned within the seal member and fixed to a surface of the tab with an adhesive. The tab is formed larger than the semiconductor element so that outer peripheral edges of the tab are positioned outside outer peripheral edges of the semiconductor element. A groove is formed in the tab surface portion positioned between the area to which the semiconductor element is fixed and wire connection areas to which the wires are connected, the groove being formed so as to surround the semiconductor element fixing area, thereby preventing peeling-off between the tab to which the semiconductor element is fixed and the resin which constitutes the package.
US07911052B2

The formation of electronic assemblies is described. In one embodiment, an electronic assembly includes a semiconductor die and a plurality of spaced apart nanotube structures on the semiconductor die. The electronic assembly also includes a fluid positioned between the spaced apart nanotube structures on the semiconductor die. The electronic assembly also includes a endcap covering the plurality of nanotube structures and the fluid, wherein the endcap is positioned to define a gap between the nanotube structures and an interior surface of the endcap. The endcap is also positioned to form a closed chamber including the working fluid, the nanotube structures, and the gap between the nanotube structures and the interior surface of the endcap.
US07911050B2

A COF which can effectively dissipate the heat by using a simple structure and its manufacturing method. A semiconductor device of COF, which is formed over the main surface of a flexible substrate having no device hole and where a semiconductor chip is mounted over the inner lead interconnection, is characterized by forming a first resin layer over the second main surface of the flexible substrate opposite the side where the semiconductor chip is mounted and at the position corresponding to the semiconductor chip.
US07911044B2

The present invention discloses a structure of package comprising: a substrate with a die receiving through hole; a base attached on a lower surface of the substrate; a die disposed within the die receiving through hole and attached on the base; a dielectric layer formed on the die and the substrate; a re-distribution layer (RDL) formed on the dielectric layer and coupled to the die; a protection layer formed over the RDL; and pluralities of pads formed on the protection layer and coupled to the RDL. The RDL is made from an alloy comprising Ti/Cu/Au alloy or Ti/Cu/Ni/Au alloy.
US07911040B2

An integrated circuit package system comprising: providing an integrated circuit die; forming a top paddle over the integrated circuit die wherein the top paddle has planar dimensions smaller than planar dimensions of the integrated circuit die; forming leads adjacent the top paddle; attaching first connectors to the integrated circuit die and the top paddle; attaching second connectors to the integrated circuit die and the leads; and forming an encapsulant over the first connectors, the second connectors, the integrated circuit die, and the top paddle.
US07911036B2

A semiconductor wafer with rear side identification and to a method for producing the same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rear side identification has a multiplicity of information regarding the monocrystalline and surface and also rear side constitution. A multiplicity of semiconductor device positions arranged in rows and columns are provided on the top side of the semiconductor wafer, an information chip being arranged at an exposed semiconductor device position, the information chip having at least the information of the rear side identification.
US07911021B2

A high-voltage termination structure includes a peripheral voltage-spreading network. One or more trench structures are connected at least partly in series between first and second power supply voltages. The trench structures include first and second current-limiting structures connected in series with a semiconductor material, and also includes permanent charge in a trench-wall dielectric. The current-limiting structures in the trench structures are jointly connected in a series-parallel ladder configuration. The current-limiting structures, in combination with the semiconductor material, provide a voltage distribution between the core portion and the edge portion.
US07911019B2

A reflowable camera module has a set of solder joints formed on a bottom surface of the camera module that provide electrical signal and power connections between the camera module and a printed circuit substrate. The solder joints are susceptible to failure caused by shear forces, particularly in corner regions. Additional localized mechanical supports are provided to protect those solder joints carrying power and electrical signals for the camera module. The localized mechanical supports are formed outside of a region containing the solder joints carrying power and electrical signals. The localized mechanical supports may include dummy solder joints formed in corner regions and/or dummy leads used to support the camera module. Solder joint reliability is enhanced without requiring the use of an underfill encapsulant.
US07910999B2

The invention describes a structure and a process for providing ESD semiconductor protection with reduced input capacitance. The structure consists of heavily doped P+ guard rings surrounding the I/O ESD protection device and the Vcc to Bss protection device. In addition, there is a heavily doped N+ guard ring surrounding the I/O protection device its P+ guard ring. The guard rings enhance structure diode elements providing enhanced ESD energy discharge path capability enabling the elimination of a specific conventional Vss to I/O pad ESD protection device. This reduces the capacitance seen by the I/O circuit while still providing adequate ESD protection for the active circuit devices.
US07910998B2

An SCR device includes a substrate, a plurality of isolation structures defining a first region and a second region in the substrate, an n well disposed in the substrate, an n type first doped region disposed in the first region in the substrate, a p type second doped region disposed in the second region in the substrate, and a p type third doped region (PESD implant region) disposed underneath the first doped region in the first region in the substrate. The well is disposed underneath the first region and the second region, and the third doped region isolates the first doped region from the well.
US07910997B2

A method of manufacturing transistors of a first and second type on a substrate includes producing doped semiconductor areas with a first conductivity type in eventual contact areas of a first type of transistors, depositing a first intrinsic semiconductor layer over an entire surface, activating dopants in the semiconductor areas such that a contact area with the first conductivity type is produced in the intrinsic semiconductor layer, depositing a gate dielectric, producing a gate electrode by depositing a first conductive layer and patterning the first conductive layer, performing ion doping with dopants to produce contact areas with a second conductivity type for a second type of transistor, depositing a passivation layer, opening contact openings, and depositing and patterning a second conductive layer.
US07910995B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor-on-insulator region on a substrate. The semiconductor-on-insulator region includes a first semiconductor region overlying a dielectric region. The device includes an MOS transistor and a bipolar transistor. The MOS transistor has a drain region, a body region, and a source region in the first semiconductor region. The MOS transistor also includes a gate. The device also includes a second semiconductor region overlying the substrate and adjacent to the drain region, and a third semiconductor region overlying the substrate and adjacent to the second semiconductor region. The bipolar transistor includes has the drain region of the MOS transistor as an emitter, the second semiconductor region as a base, and the third semiconductor region as a collector. Accordingly, the drain of the MOS transistor also functions as the emitter of the bipolar transistor. Additionally, the gate and the base are coupled by a resistive element.
US07910992B2

In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a MOSFET power chip includes a first vertical MOSFET and a second vertical MOSFET. The first vertical MOSFET includes a semiconductor body having a first surface defining a source and a second surface defining a drain and a gate structure formed in the semiconductor body near the second surface. A via is formed within the semiconductor body and is substantially perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface. The via has a first end electrically coupled to the first surface and a second end electrically coupled to the gate structure. The second vertical MOSFET includes a semiconductor body having a first surface defining a source, a second surface defining a drain and a gate structure formed in the semiconductor body near the first surface. The first surface of the first vertical MOSFET and the second surface of the second vertical MOSFET are substantially co-planar and an electrically conductive can substantially surrounds the MOSFETS and shorts the first surface of the first vertical MOSFET to the second surface of the second vertical MOSFET.
US07910987B2

A gate electrode <13> is provided to fill up a trench <300> while covering its opening. Assuming that WG represents the diameter (sectional width) of a head portion of the gate electrode <13> located upward beyond a P-type base layer <4> and an N+-type emitter diffusion layer <51>, WT represents the diameter (sectional width) of an inner wall of a linearly extending portion of the trench <300> and WC represents the distance between the boundary (the inner wall of the trench 300) between a gate oxide film <11> and the P-type base layer <4> and an end surface of the gate electrode <13> located upward beyond the trench <300> in a section of the trench <300>, relation of either WG≧1.3·WT or WC≧0.2 μm holds between these dimensions.
US07910985B2

Described is a method for fabricating a semiconductor device having an FET of a trench-gate structure obtained by disposing a conductive layer, which will be a gate, in a trench extended in the main surface of a semiconductor substrate, wherein the upper surface of the trench-gate conductive layer is formed equal to or higher than the main surface of the semiconductor substrate. In addition, the conductive layer of the trench gate is formed to have a substantially flat or concave upper surface and the upper surface is formed equal to or higher than the main surface of the semiconductor substrate. Moreover, after etching of the semiconductor substrate to form the upper surface of the conductive layer of the trench gate equal to or higher than the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, a channel region and a source region are formed by ion implantation. The semiconductor device thus fabricated according to the present invention is free from occurrence of a source offset.
US07910983B2

A MOS transistor having an increased gate-drain capacitance is described. One embodiment provides a drift zone of a first conduction type. At least one transistor cell has a body zone, a source zone separated from the drift zone by the body zone, and a gate electrode, which is arranged adjacent to the body zone and which is dielectrically insulated from the body zone by a gate dielectric. At least one compensation zone of the first conduction type is arranged in the drift zone. At least one feedback electrode is arranged at a distance from the body zone, which is dielectrically insulated from the drift zone by a feedback dielectric and which is electrically conductively connected to the gate electrode.
US07910979B2

The invention provides a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprising a plurality of memory strings each including a plurality of electrically programmable memory cells connected in series. The memory string includes a semiconductor pillar, an insulator formed around the circumference of the semiconductor pillar, and first through nth electrodes to be turned into gate electrodes (n denotes a natural number equal to 2 or more) formed around the circumference of the insulator. It also includes interlayer electrodes formed in regions between the first through nth electrodes around the circumference of the insulator.
US07910974B2

A silicon nitride film, which is a second hard mask, is dry etched to be removed completely. The silicon nitride film, which is formed on a sidewall of a silicon nitride film used as a first hard mask, has a relatively low etching rate. Therefore, if the silicon nitride film is continued etching until the corresponding portion thereof is removed, polysilicon is etched in a direction of depth in trench shape. Then, floating gates in adjacent cells are separated and a step portion of the polysilicon is formed. Consequently, a remaining portion of the silicon nitride film used as the first hard mask is removed, an ONO film is laminated on a whole surface of the poly silicon having the step portion on an edge that has been etched, and then, a polysilicon for a control gate is laminated on the ONO film.
US07910969B2

A MRAM memory and process thereof is described. A GMR magnetic layer is patterned to form a memory bit layer and an intermediate conductive layer. The intermediate conductive layer is disposed between two conductive layers such that shallow metal plugs can be utilized to interconnect the intermediate conductive layer and the conductive layers. Thus, a conventional deep tungsten plug process, interconnecting two conductive layers, is eliminated.
US07910962B2

To enable driving at a high withstand voltage and a large current, increase latchup immunity, and reduce ON resistance per unit area in an IGBT, a trench constituted by an upper stage trench and a lower stage trench is formed over an entire wafer surface between an n+ emitter region and a p+ collector region, and the trench is filled with a trench-filling insulating film. Thus, a drift region for supporting the withstand voltage is folded in the depth direction of the wafer, thereby lengthening the effective drift length. An emitter-side field plate is buried in the trench-filling insulating film to block a lateral electric field generated on the emitter side of the trench-filling insulating film, and as a result, an electric field generated at a PN junction between an n− drift region and a p base region is reduced.
US07910960B2

In a semiconductor integrated circuit device, testing pads (209b) using a conductive layer, such as relocation wiring layers (205) are provided just above or in the neighborhood of terminals like bonding pads (202b) used only for probe inspection at which bump electrodes (208) are not provided. Similar testing pads may be provided even with respect to terminals like bonding pads provided with bump electrodes. A probe test is executed by using these testing pads or under the combined use of under bump metallurgies antecedent to the formation of the bump electrodes together with the testing pads. According to the above, bump electrodes for pads dedicated for probe testing may not be added owing to the use of the testing pads. Further, the use of testing pads provided in the neighborhood of the terminals like the bonding pads and smaller in size than the under bump metallurgies enables a probe test to be executed after a relocation wiring process.
US07910956B2

Methods and devices yielding an improved semiconductor device with interface circuit are disclosed. Configuring a semiconductor with parallel device features reduces process variation (e.g., lithographically-induced process variation or other defects). Embodiments of the present invention provide semiconductor devices with I/O cell device features (e.g., I/O gates or core gates) laid out in parallel. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention can allow patterning devices to be made to more exacting tolerances because some patterning devices may have a higher capability along one axis than another. Embodiments of the present invention also include a semiconductor device having like-functioned I/O cells arranged such that their layouts and rotational orientations with respect to their corresponding core remain constant. Furthermore, disclosed semiconductor devices may include at least one circuit cell having non-parallel features, where the circuit cell is arranged either within the core or within a corresponding interface circuit cell.
US07910954B2

An image sensor element is provided according to an embodiment which comprises image sensor element portions sensitive to at least partially different wavelength ranges.
US07910953B2

An optical semiconductor device includes a distributed Bragg reflection layer of a first conductivity type, a distortion elaxation layer of the first conductivity type, a light absorbing layer, and a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, sequentially arranged on a semiconductor substrate. The distortion relaxation layer the same material as the semiconductor substrate. The total optical length of layers between the distributed Bragg reflection layer and the light absorbing layer is an integer multiple of one-half the wavelength of incident light that is detected.
US07910952B2

One aspect relates to a power semiconductor arrangement includes a power semiconductor module which is mechanically connected to a heat sink. In order to improve the thermal cycling stability of the connection between a baseplate of the module and a circuit carrier connected thereto, recesses are provided in the baseplate. One aspect further relates to a power semiconductor module.
US07910951B2

In a CMOS implemented free or parasitic pnp transistor, triggering is controlled by introducing a low side zener reference voltage.
US07910947B2

A solar battery module as a panel-shaped semiconductor module comprises multiple rod-shaped electric power generation semiconductor elements arranged in multiple rows and columns, a conductive connection mechanism connecting in series multiple semiconductor elements in each column and electrically connecting in parallel multiple semiconductor elements in each row, and a conductive inner metal case housing the multiple semiconductor elements and constituting the conductive connection mechanism, wherein each row of semiconductor elements is housed in each reflecting surface-forming groove of the inner metal case, the positive electrodes of the semiconductor electrodes are connected to the bottom plate and the negative electrodes are connected to finger leads, and the top is covered with a transparent cover member.
US07910946B2

A semiconductor apparatus and a light emitting apparatus which are capable of efficiently dissipating the heat generated by a semiconductor device and have high reliability, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided.The light emitting apparatus comprises a light emitting device, a heat dissipating member that has an upper surface and a lower surface and supports the light emitting device mounted on the upper surface, first and second leads and an insulating resin that holds the first and second leads at positions isolated from the heat dissipating member, wherein an inner lead of the first lead and an inner lead of the second lead are held at positions lower than the upper surface and higher than the lower surface.
US07910945B2

A light emitting diode structure is disclosed that includes a light emitting active portion formed of epitaxial layers and carrier substrate supporting the active portion. A bonding metal system that predominates in nickel and tin joins the active portion to the carrier substrate. At least one titanium adhesion layer is between the active portion and the carrier substrate and a platinum barrier layer is between the nickel-tin bonding system and the titanium adhesion layer. The platinum layer has a thickness sufficient to substantially prevent tin in the nickel tin bonding system from migrating into or through the titanium adhesion layer.
US07910944B2

Side-mountable semiconductor light emitting device packages include an electrically insulating substrate having a front face and a back face and a side face extending therebetween. The side face is configured for mounting on an underlying surface. An electrically conductive contact is provided proximate an edge of the substrate on the back face of the substrate and/or on a recessed region on the side face of the substrate. The contact is positioned to be positioned proximate an electrical connection region of the underlying surface when the semiconductor light emitting device package is side mounted on the underlying surface. A conductive trace extends along the front face of the substrate and is electrically connected to the contact. A semiconductor light emitting device is mounted on the front face of the substrate and electrically connected to the conductive trace.
US07910940B2

A semiconductor light-emitting device 10 has a semiconductor chip 12 for emitting light having a wavelength in blue to ultraviolet regions, and a sealing portion 16 formed in at least a partial region on a passage path on which the light is passed. The sealing portion 16 includes a sealing material 16d which is a composite material including a matrix material 16a made of a resin, nano-particles 16b made of an inorganic material which are distributed in the matrix material 16a, the nano-particle 16b having an effective particle size which is ¼ or less of the wavelength of the light in the matrix material 16a, and a fluorescent material 16c.
US07910939B2

A semiconductor light-emitting device has a semiconductor light-emitting element for emitting light with emission wavelengths of 390 to 420 nm, wherein the wavelengths of light from the semiconductor light-emitting element are converted by a fluorescent substance having a monochromatic emission peak. The emission wavelengths of 390 to 420 nm, which have almost no adverse effect on human bodies and components of the semiconductor light-emitting device, are in a low human visibility range. Since light whose wavelengths are converted by the fluorescent substance are hardly affected by direct light from the semiconductor light-emitting element, light from the fluorescent substance has a favorable color tone. Also, the semiconductor light-emitting device allows desired luminous colors to be obtained only by changing fluorescent substance materials without changing the structure of the semiconductor light-emitting device or the semiconductor light-emitting element.
US07910938B2

A light emitting packaged diode ids disclosed that includes a light emitting diode mounted in a reflective package in which the surfaces adjacent the diode are near-Lambertian reflectors. An encapsulant in the package is bordered by the Lambertian reflectors and a phosphor in the encapsulant converts frequencies emitted by the LED chip and, together with the frequencies emitted by the LED chip, produces white light. A substantially flat meniscus formed by the encapsulant defines the emitting surface of the packaged diode.
US07910929B2

An object is to provide a semiconductor device including a microcrystalline semiconductor film with favorable quality and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device. In a thin film transistor formed using a microcrystalline semiconductor film, yttria-stabilized zirconia having a fluorite structure is formed in the uppermost layer of a gate insulating film in order to improve quality of a microcrystalline semiconductor film to be formed in the initial stage of deposition. The microcrystalline semiconductor film is deposited on the yttria-stabilized zirconia, so that the microcrystalline semiconductor film around an interface with a base particularly has favorable crystallinity while by crystallinity of the base.
US07910928B2

A four-mask process thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate and a method for fabricating the same is disclosed, which prevents a semiconductor tail from being formed. An open area is thus obtained and wavy noise is prevented from occurring. The method of fabricating a TFT array substrate comprises: forming a gate line, a gate electrode and a pad electrode on a substrate; sequentially depositing a gate insulation layer, a silicon layer and a metal layer on an entire surface of the substrate including the gate line; forming an open area in the pad electrode; forming a semiconductor layer, data line and source/drain electrodes by patterning the silicon layer and the metal layer; and forming a pixel electrode connected with the drain electrode and a transparent conductive layer connected with the pad electrode by depositing and patterning a transparent conductive material on the entire surface of the substrate including the data line, and simultaneously defining a channel region by separating the source and drain electrodes from each other.
US07910927B2

A gate wire and a storage electrode wire extending in a transverse direction are provided, and a data wire extending in a longitudinal direction intersects the gate wire and the storage electrode wire. A plurality of pixel electrodes and a plurality of TFTs are provided on pixel areas defined by the intersections of the data wire and the gate wire. The storage electrode wire is interconnected by a plurality of storage electrodes connections provided on the pixel areas. In this way, a common bar disposed between gate pads and a display area is omitted or has reduced width. Therefore, the fan-out areas becomes to have sufficient size to reduce the resistance difference between the signal lines.
US07910924B2

A liquid crystal apparatus is provided wherein the liquid crystal layer comprises a section formed by polymerizing a polymerizable compound in the presence of a liquid crystal by selectively irradiating active energy rays onto the substrate surface when no voltage is applied, or alignment control layers and bumps are formed by polymerizing a polymerizable compound which is added to said liquid crystal, or first electrodes with a vertical alignment control film and a second electrode with a horizontal alignment control film face each other and alignment control of the liquid crystal is performed by irradiating light from a direction tilted from the normal line direction on said liquid crystal display apparatus. A liquid crystal display apparatus which can implement high transmittance, high-speed response and a wide viewing angle can be provided.
US07910919B2

An organic light emitting display and a fabricating method thereof in which an alignment mark is formed in the non-display region. The organic light emitting display includes a substrate having a display region and a non-display region; a buffer layer formed the overall substrate; a gate insulating layer; a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating layer corresponding to the active layer; an interlayer dielectric layer formed on the gate insulating layer; a source/drain electrode formed on the interlayer dielectric layer and electrically coupled to the active layer; an insulating layer formed on the source/drain electrode; and an organic light emitting diode formed on the insulating layer and electrically coupled to the source/drain electrode. Further, the organic light emitting display includes an alignment mark formed on one of the substrate and the buffer layer.
US07910904B2

A phase change memory may be formed which is amenable to multilevel programming. The phase change material may be formed with a lateral extent which does not exceed the lateral extent of an underlying heater. As a result, the possibility of current bypassing the amorphous phase change material in the reset state is reduced, reducing the programming current that is necessary to prevent this situation. In addition, a more controllable multilevel phase change memory may be formed in some embodiments.
US07910898B2

Beam detectors configuring a beam monitor are connected to a single current measurement apparatus through respective switches. If a width of a beam incident hole of each of the beam detectors 32 in the X direction is Wf, a gap between the beam incident holes of adjacent beam detectors in the X direction is Ws, a beam width of the ion beam in the X direction is Wb, a total number of beam detectors is “p”, and “n” is an integer of 0≦n≦(p−2) and satisfying Wb<{n·Wf+(n+1)Ws}, a measuring process of receiving the ion beam by the beam monitor and measuring the waveforms of the beam currents flowing into the current measurement apparatus in a state in which the plurality of switches skipped by “n” are simultaneously switched ON and a switching process of switching the switches simultaneously switched ON under the condition, are repeated.
US07910897B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a substrate with an ultraviolet curing process. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for processing a substrate including depositing a silicon carbide dielectric layer on a substrate surface and curing the silicon carbide dielectric layer with ultra-violet curing radiation. The silicon carbide dielectric layer may comprise a nitrogen containing silicon carbide layer, an oxygen containing silicon carbide layer, or a phenyl containing silicon carbide layer. The silicon carbide dielectric layer may be used as a barrier layer, an etch stop, or as an anti-reflective coating in a damascene formation technique.
US07910894B2

A scintillating material Cs(2-z)RbzLiLn(1-x)X6:xCe3+, where X is either Br or I, Ln is Y or Gd or Lu or Sc or La, where z is greater or equal to 0 and less or equal to 2, and x is above 0.0005 useful for detecting neutrons in a sample of radiation.
US07910891B2

Unused camera pixel locations are recovered when shifting from photographing an x-ray scintillation image of a larger subject to that of a substantially smaller one by using a suitably shorter optical path combined with appropriate changes in focus. The optical path for large subjects involves a first mirror followed by a second mirror. The camera receives light from the second mirror, and is in a fixed and unchanging physical relationship to that second mirror, forming a unitary mirror-camera assembly. To shorten the optical path that unitary assembly is rotated about an axis from a position where it was in the optical path downstream from the first mirror to one where the second mirror is interposed between the scintillation screen and the first mirror, and also such that the camera looks in a different direction along the shortened optical path length. Focus adjustment to accommodate the different optical paths may be accomplished by changing the spacing of elements internal to the lens, or, the entire lens assembly can be moved a bit closer to or further away from the camera body. The scintillation image may be replaced with a glass plate carrying a document illuminated from within a housing carrying the unitary mirror-camera assembly.
US07910886B2

An object of the present invention is to suppress measurement errors caused by the fact that the shrink amount due to scan of an electron beam differs pattern by pattern. To accomplish this object, according to the invention, functions indicative of a process of change of pattern dimension when the electron beam is irradiated on a sample are prepared in respect of the kinds of sample patterns, and dimension values of a particular pattern measured by scanning the electron beam on the particular pattern are fitted to a function prepared for the particular pattern to calculate a dimension of the particular pattern before it changes.
US07910885B2

A system and method for determining a cross sectional feature of a measured structural element having a sub-micron cross section, the cross section is defined by an intermediate section that is located between a first and a second traverse sections. The method starts by a first step of scanning, at a first tilt state, a first portion of a reference structural element and at least the first traverse section of the measured structural element, to determine a first relationship between the reference structural element and the first traverse section. The first step is followed by a second step of scanning, at a second tilt state, a second portion of a reference structural element and at least the second traverse section of the measured structural element, to determine a second relationship between the reference structural element and the second traverse section. The method ends by a third step of determining a cross sectional feature of the measured structural element in response to the first and second relationships.
US07910878B2

The present invention provides a mass spectrometer including an ion source for generating pre-cursor ions, ion fragmentation means for generating fragment ions from the pre-cursor ions, a reflectron for focusing the kinetic energy distribution of the ions, and an ion detector wherein the mass spectrometer also includes axial spatial distribution focusing means which in use acts on the ions after the ion fragmentation means and before the reflectron, the axial spatial distribution focusing means being operable to reduce the spatial distribution of the ions in the direction of the ion optical axis of the spectrometer. Suitably the axial spatial distribution focusing means comprising a cell with two electrodes 52, 54 which may be apertures or high transmission grids. A pulsed electrostatic field is generated by applying a high voltage pulse 60 to the first electrode 52 at the time when the pre-cursor ions of interest 56, 58 have just passed into the pulser 50. The second electrode 54 is maintained at 0V during this time.
US07910876B2

A plant sensor includes a light source section having first and second light emitters configured to irradiate first and second measuring light toward an object to be measured, respectively, and a light receiver configured to receive reflected light from the object to be measured, and output light-receiving signals. A controller is configured to control emission of the first and second light emitters at a different timing, an integrator is configured to integrate the light-receiving signals, and output an integration signal, and a calculator is configured to calculate, according to the integration signal, a reflection rate as a ratio of light intensity of the reflected light of the first measuring light from the object to be measured to light intensity of the first measuring light, a reflection rate as a ratio of light intensity of the reflected light of the second measuring light from the object to be measured to light intensity of the second measuring light, and to obtain information regarding a growing condition of the object to be measured.
US07910875B2

Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods for indicating an amount of use of a pulse oximetry sensor. According to one embodiment, the system includes an oximeter that monitors the amount of use for a given sensor. The oximeter and/or the sensor may advantageously include a visual alarm, an audio alarm, a vibrational alarm, a power down function, or the like, which can be activated when a predetermined amount of use has expired. According to another embodiment, the system includes a sensor having a memory device storing a unique identifier.
US07910874B2

A charge coupled device (CCD) includes a low noise charge gain circuit that amplifies charge of a cell dependent upon the charge accumulated by the cell. The low noise charge gain circuit receives clocking signals, such as from an input diode, which allow charge to accumulate in a reservoir well and then flow into a receiving well. The low noise charge gain circuit also receives a voltage signal corresponding to charge accumulated on an associated cell. The amount of charge flowing into the receiving well depends on this voltage signal.
US07910870B2

A solar tracker includes a sunlight-detecting unit, a control unit, a first motor and a second motor. The sunlight-detecting unit detects the position of the sun. Based on the position of the sun, the control unit instructs the first motor to rotate a solar cell array and the second motor to tilt the solar cell array.
US07910865B2

An arrangement for controlling induction coils of an induction cooking hob so as to minimize noise production resulting from intermodulation of certain frequencies of operation. The induction coils are operated in two modes, with a first mode at the same frequency fg so to produce a low intermodulation or differential frequency, or at a second mode having a high differential frequency of about 18 kHz. Alternating back and forth between said modes of operation makes it possible to reach predefined average values for the power of the induction coils for a given time period, while at the same time minimizing development of disturbing noise.
US07910859B2

A heater pad for a variable reflectance mirror reflective element of a vehicular mirror assembly includes a flexible substrate, an electrically conductive heating element, and first and second electrically conducting elements. The first electrically conducting element is in electrical connection with a transparent second surface electrically conductive coating of the equipped mirror reflective element and the second electrically conducting element is in electrical connection with a third surface electrically conductive coating of the equipped mirror reflective element when the equipped mirror reflective element is normally equipped with the heater pad. The electrically conducting elements and the heating element are electrically isolated from one another. The heating element and the first and second electrically conducting elements terminate at an electrical connector that is configured to electrically conductively connect with a wire harness that provides electrical connection to at least one of a power source and a control circuit.
US07910844B2

A leaf switch may include a cam body formed with a plurality of cam parts in a multistage shape and a plurality of leaf contact pieces which are extended toward the cam body and whose tip end sides of the plurality of leaf contact pieces are respectively abutted with the plurality of cam parts, and base end sides of the plurality of leaf contact pieces are held at the same height position. Further, an ice making device may include a water supply leaf switch for controlling water supply from a water-supply part to an ice tray, and a water supply amount adjust mechanism which includes an operation member that causes a leaf contact piece to deform to adjust a timing when the water supply switch is turned on or off. Further, an ice making device may include an ice detecting lever and a lever position detecting mechanism which detects ice amount in an ice storage part by detecting a position of the ice detecting lever.
US07910839B2

An electro-conductive contact structure for sealing the interior of an enclosure from interference includes first and second electro-conductive contact surfaces. In one embodiment, the first electro-conductive contact surface includes a plurality of projections, and the second electro-conductive contact surface includes a plurality of slots. The projections are configured for insertion into the slots to form an electro-conductive interface between the first and second portions of the enclosure. In another embodiment, the electro-conductive contact structures are formed on first and second housing parts, respectively. In another embodiment, the electro-conductive contact surfaces each include a series of fingers and a plurality of pockets between the fingers.
US07910838B2

An intercoupling component is provided that electrically connects the device leads of an integrated circuit package to a substrate. The package includes external device leads, each device lead having a downwardly extending section proximate a side of the package body, and the intercoupling component includes an insulating support member. The support member includes a first surface including first electrical attachment sites, each configured for making an electrical connection with a corresponding one of the device leads of the package. The support member also includes an opposite second surface including second electrical attachment sites in electrical contact with the first electrical attachment sites, each of the second electrical attachment sites including a plurality of solder balls associated with each device lead. The plurality of solder balls are used to form an electrical connection between each surface mount pad on the substrate and the corresponding conductive pad of the intercoupling component.
US07910829B2

A cable management system includes track units whose tracks are engageable to each other at longitudinal ends to ease installation of the tracks to a wall surface as a chain of longitudinally aligned tracks. The system also includes an adjustable track unit whose longitudinal length can be varied, so that a desired length of longitudinally aligned track units can be obtained without cutting a track unit of the system. In addition, the system includes a cap attachable at an end of a track unit for strengthening the engagement between the cover and the track of the track unit.
US07910823B2

A solar cell includes a photoelectric conversion substrate, a first electrode on one surface of the substrate, a second electrode on the other surface of the substrate, and a third electrode on the other surface of the substrate. The third electrode extracts electric power from the second electrode, and overlaps the second electrode at the periphery in the in-plane direction of the photoelectric conversion substrate. The thickness of the second electrode is larger than that of the third electrode, and the difference between the thickness of the second electrode and that of the third electrode is not less than 10 micrometers and not more than 30 micrometers.
US07910822B1

A photovoltaic strip is physically separated from a semiconductor wafer utilizing physical sawing or other techniques. In accordance with one embodiment, a type of semiconductor wafer is first determined by interrogating the wafer to identify one or more of its optical, thermal, or electrical characteristics. This information regarding substrate type is then communicated to a separation apparatus, which then accomplishes precise physical separation of the substrate into discrete strips. Electrical performance of the strips may be tested prior to their incorporation into an assembled solar cell, where they are coupled to a concentrating element utilizing an elastomer encapsulant.
US07910820B2

An information processing apparatus is disclosed. An analyzing section chronologically continuously analyzes sound data which chronologically continue in each of predetermined frequency bands. A continuous characteristic quantity extracting section which extracts a continuous characteristic quantity which is a characteristic quantity which chronologically continues from an analysis result of the analyzing section. A cutting section cuts the continuous characteristic quantity into regions each of which has a predetermined length. A regional characteristic quantity extracting section extracts a regional characteristic quantity which is a characteristic quantity represented by one scalar or vector from each of the regions into which the continuous characteristic quantity has been cut. A target characteristic quantity estimating section estimates a target characteristic quantity which is a characteristic quantity which represents one characteristic of the sound data from each of the regional characteristic quantities.
US07910815B2

The present invention relates to the field of brass wind musical instruments, and more specifically to an improved axial flow valve which resists wear and optimizes air flow.
US07910814B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH493326. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH493326, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH493326 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH493326.
US07910812B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH746441. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH746441, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH746441 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH746441.
US07910809B1

According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XR31C09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XR31C09, to the plants of soybean XR31C09 to plant parts of soybean variety XR31C09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XR31C09 with another soybean plant, using XR31C09 as either the male or the female parent.
US07910807B2

Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.
US07910806B2

Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
US07910796B2

Disclosed is an absorbent sanitary article for absorbing body fluids which comprises a matrix containing metallic silver, wherein the silver is present bound to a fiber 24 exclusively on the surface thereof.
US07910795B2

A technique for imparting latent elasticity to components of an absorbent article is provided. More specifically, a latent elastic film that contains a crosslinkable semi-crystalline polyolefin is initially incorporated into an absorbent article. The film is not highly elastic prior to crosslinking and is thus dimensionally stable. Consequently, the film need not be maintained in a mechanically stretched condition during attachment to other components of the absorbent article, which provides for greater freedom in the location and manner in which the components are attached together. Once incorporated into the absorbent article, the semi-crystalline polyolefin is crosslinked to form a three-dimensional network having elastic memory. The film may also be heat activated, either through crosslinking or an additional step, to cause the film to shrink and further improve its stretch characteristics.
US07910793B2

A wound dressing including an absorbent core defining opposed proximal and distal surfaces, the distal surface of the absorbent core defining a central portion, a border portion and an intermediate portion interposed between the central and border portions. The backing layer defines at least one compliant element disassociated from the distal surface of the absorbent core and including at least one ridge extending outwardly relative to the distal surface of the absorbent core.
US07910785B2

This disclosure relates to a process for hydrocarbon conversion comprising contacting, under conversion conditions, a feedstock suitable for hydrocarbon conversion with a catalyst comprising an EMM-10 family molecular sieve.
US07910780B2

The present invention relates to a method for purifying terephthalaldehyde which comprises a first step of dissolving terephthalaldehyde containing impurities in an aromatic solvent at high temperature to prepare a solution; and a second step of quenching the solution to re-crystallize it into terephthalaldehyde. In accordance with the present invention, high pure terephthalaldehyde may be economically prepared.
US07910778B2

In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, benzene and hydrogen are contacted with a catalyst under hydroalkylation conditions to produce an effluent containing cyclohexylbenzene. The catalyst comprises a composite of a molecular sieve, an inorganic oxide different from said molecular sieve and at least one hydrogenation metal, wherein at least 50 wt % of said hydrogenation metal is supported on the inorganic oxide.
US07910773B2

A method for adsorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from organic matter comprises adsorbing the VOCs onto palladium doped ZSM-5, optionally at ambient temperature. The organic matter can be perishable organic goods such as food, including fruit and/or vegetables, horticultural produce, including plants and/or cut flowers, or refuse. The palladium doped ZSM-5 has a Si:Al ratio of less than or equal to 100:1 and preferably has a palladium content of from 0.1 wt % to 10.0 wt % based on the total weight of the doped ZSM-5.
US07910758B2

Hydrogenated vegetable oil exhibiting superior thermal stability and containing reduced levels of saturates and trans fatty acids are produced using an activated hydrogenation catalyst and/or an improved hydrogenation process incorporating high shear. The use of a high shear mechanical device incorporated into the hydrogenation process as a reactor device is shown to be capable of enabling reactions that would normally not be feasible under a given set of reaction pressure and temperature conditions. For example, the hydrogenation process described herein enables a reduction of hydrogenation time, and operation at lower temperatures than current processes. The resulting hydrogenated vegetable oil is particularly useful in frying, confectionery baking, and other applications where a product with a low trans fat content or higher thermal stability is desirable. The hydrogenated oil produced may comprise less than 10 weight % of trans fatty acids with less than 5 weight % of linolenic acid (C18:3).
US07910744B2

The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of substituted phosphanes and substituted phosphanes manufactured according to the method. Phosphanes, phosphane oxides, sulfides or selenides are used as ligands in coordination compounds. They play a central role in controlling the activity and selectivity of catalysts. The object is achieved by the invention by synthesizing heterocyclic substituents on aromatic groups by introducing acetyl groups. In this manner, previously unknown representatives of the families of phosphanes, phosphane oxides, sulfides and selenides are made accessible.
US07910741B2

A compound represented by the following general formula (I), its salt, solvates thereof or prodrugs thereof: (wherein each symbol is as defined in the description.) The compounds represented by the general formula (I) are useful in preventing and/or treating various inflammatory diseases (asthma, nephritis, nephropathy, hepatitis, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, ulcerative colitis, etc.), immunological diseases (autoimmune diseases, rejection in organ transplantation, immunosuppression, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, etc.), infection with human immunodeficiency virus (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, etc.), allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis, urticaria, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis, etc.), ischemic reperfusion injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock accompanying bacterial infection, diabetes, cancer metastasis and so on.
US07910740B2

The invention relates to compounds of formula wherein hetaryl I, hetaryl II, and R1 are as described herein. Compounds of formula I are modulators for amyloid beta and thus, they may be useful for the treatment or prevention of a disease associated with the deposition of β-amyloid in the brain, in particular Alzheimer's disease.
US07910739B2

The invention provides compounds of formula: which have a tacrine moiety connected to an heterocyclic moiety through a linker. Through careful selection of the substituents and the linker, the activity and selectivity towards acetylcholinesterase can be modulated. The compounds show potent AChE inhibition activities together with modifications in the β-amyloid aggregation properties by binding simultaneously to the catalytic and peripheral AChE sites. They are useful in the treatment of AChE mediated diseases, such as the Alzheimer's disease.
US07910718B2

Oleosin- and steroleosin-encoding polynucleotides from coffee plants are disclosed. Also disclosed are promoter sequences from coffee oleosin genes, and methods for using these polynucleotides and promoters for gene regulation and manipulation of flavor, aroma and other features of coffee beans.
US07910714B2

Disclosed are sequences encoding monomeric variants of DsRed fluorescent proteins and methods of use.
US07910701B2

Cytokines and their receptors have proven usefulness in both basic research and as therapeutics. The present invention provides a new human cytokine receptor designated as “Zcytor14.”
US07910700B2

Thermostable fluorescent proteins (TSFPs), methods for generating these and other stability-enhanced proteins, polynucleotides encoding such proteins, and assays and method for using the TSFPs and TSFP-encoding nucleic acid molecules are provided. The TSFPs of the invention show extremely enhanced levels of stability and thermotolerance. In one case, for example, a TSFP of the invention is so stable it can be heated to 99° C. for short periods of time without denaturing, and retains 85% of its fluorescence when heated to 80° C. for several minutes. The invention also provides a method for generating stability-enhanced variants of a protein, including but not limited to fluorescent proteins.
US07910689B2

Provided for separating polymer from a slurry comprising polymer and unreacted carrier fluid is (a) a method comprising supplying slurry to a first heating means to increase the temperature of the slurry, using a first separator means to extract a portion of unreacted carrier fluid from the slurry to obtain a slurry enriched in polymer, supplying the enriched slurry to a second heating means to increase the temperature of the enriched slurry, and using a second separator means to extract an additional portion of unreacted carrier fluid from the enriched slurry to obtain a further enriched slurry, and (b) an apparatus comprising a first heating means, a first separator means, a second heating means and a second separator means.
US07910677B2

The present invention relates to methods and polymers based upon vinyl type monomers that contain pendant carboxylic acid groups and ester group functionality. The polymers may be prepared under selected conditions of partial neutralization to provide relatively high conversions and/or relatively high values of molecular weight and/or selected amounts of repeating unit tacticity. The polymers may then be used in detergent formulations.
US07910676B2

The present invention relates to methods and polymers based upon vinyl type monomers that contain pendant carboxylic acid groups and ester group functionality. The polymers may be prepared under selected conditions of partial neutralization to provide relatively high conversions and/or relatively high values of molecular weight and/or selected amounts of repeating unit tacticity.
US07910672B2

The present invention is a powder of a vinylpyrrolidone polymer having a K value of smaller than 50, characterized in that a content of particles having a particle diameter of 106 μm or smaller is 10% by mass or less and a content of particles having a particle diameter of greater than 1,000 μm is 5% by mass or lower. A process for production of a powder of a vinylpyrrolidone polymer according to the present invention is characterized in that a vinylpyrrolidone polymer having a K value of smaller than 50 is formed into a solution having a concentration from 30% to 70% by mass, and the solution is dried by using a hot surface adhesion-type dryer, followed by pulverization so that a content of particles having a particle diameter of 106 μm or smaller is 10% by mass or lower and a content of particles having a particle diameter of greater than 1,000 μm is 5% by mass or lower.Thus, there is provided a powder of a vinylpyrrolidone polymer, which has excellent solubility in spite of having a low K value determined by a Fikentscher method and can be made into solution with favorable handleability without dust rising, and a process for production of the same.
US07910669B2

A method comprising (a) contacting a support and a chromium-containing compound to form chromium-containing support, (b) heat treating the chromium-containing support in an oxidizing atmosphere to form a treated support, (c) contacting the treated support with carbon monoxide to form a CO-contacted support, and (d) contacting the CO-contacted support with hydrogen to form a catalyst. A method comprising oxidizing a chromium-treated support to form a polymerization catalyst, contacting the polymerization catalyst with carbon monoxide to form a reduced polymerization catalyst, contacting the reduced polymerization catalyst with hydrogen to form an activated polymerization catalyst, and contacting the activated polymerization catalyst with ethylene in a reaction zone under suitable reaction conditions to form a random copolymer. A method comprising reducing a polymerization catalyst comprising Cr(VI) to form a polymerization catalyst comprising Cr(II), and treating the polymerization catalyst comprising Cr(II) with hydrogen.
US07910666B2

Mercaptan-hardened epoxy polymer compositions, methods of making the mercaptan-hardened epoxy polymer compositions, and methods of using the mercaptan-hardened epoxy polymer compositions are provided. The mercaptan-hardened epoxy polymer can be produced by contacting a thiol ester composition and an epoxide composition to produce a mixture and then heating the mixture to produce the mercaptan-hardened epoxy polymer. In some embodiments, the thiol ester compositions include thiol esters, hydroxy thiol esters, and crosslinked thiol esters. Adhesive polymer compositions, methods of making the adhesive polymer compositions, and methods of using the adhesive polymer compositions are provided. The adhesive polymer composition can be produced by contacting a thiol ester composition and an epoxide composition to produce a mixture and then heating the mixture to produce the adhesive polymer composition.
US07910665B2

An epoxy resin composition comprising an epoxy resin and, as the effective curing agent, an epoxy-reactive polyphosphonate which can be of the formula (I) where “Y” is an arylene and “n” can range from about 2 to about 30.
US07910659B2

Disclosed is an acrylic syrup containing a vinyl monomer (A) of methyl methacrylate and a polymerized solid component (B) which is a high polymer of said vinyl monomer and has a weight average molecular weight of from 30,000 to 2,000,000 as measured by the GPC and a viscosity at 25° C. of from 0.1 to 50 Pa·s, wherein at least part of said polymerized solid component (B) is a grafted rubber obtained by graft-polymerizing said vinyl monomer with a rubbery polymer, and said grafted rubber has a large branching coefficient. The acrylic resin molded articles obtained from the acrylic syrup exhibit excellent impact resistance.
US07910656B2

The invention relates to an epoxy adhesive composition comprising a) a first epoxy resin, b) a second epoxy resin modified with an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, the latter comprising on average less than about 25 weight percent acrylonitrile, and c) a toughener. The total amount of component b) and component c) is higher than about 30 percent based on the total weight of the composition, and the weight ratio of component c) to component b) is greater than about 1:1.The invention further relates to the use of said epoxy adhesive composition for the assembly of parts of a vehicle. It also relates to a vehicle, parts of which are assembled by said epoxy adhesive composition.
US07910652B2

The invention relates to a polyamide moulding compound containing 70 to 99.5% by weight of at least one thermoplastic polyamide and 0.5 to 30% by weight of at least one polyamide oligomer with linear or branched chain structure with a number average molar mass of 800 to 5000 g/mol with basic end groups which are at least partially NH2 end groups, and carboxyl end groups, one of these end groups being present in excess and the concentration of the end group present in excess being at most 300 mmol/kg.
US07910649B2

The present invention is drawn to the use of blocked maleimide monomers for the preparation of latex particles, including those having active maleimide surface groups. In accordance with this, a method of forming latex particulates can comprise the steps of preparing a monomer emulsion including an aqueous phase and an organic monomer phase, wherein the organic monomer phase includes at least one blocked maleimide monomer; polymerizing the organic monomer phase to form blocked maleimide latex particulates dispersed in the aqueous phase; and unblocking the blocked maleimide latex particulates to form latex particulates with active maleimide groups at least on the surface of the latex particulates.
US07910637B2

A process for in-line blending of plasticizers and polymers is provided. The process includes providing a single reactor train including one or more serially configured reactors, a high-pressure separator downstream fluidly connected to the reactor train, and one or more storage tanks, wherein the reactor train produces one or more base polymer components and the one or more storage tanks store one or more off-line produced plasticizers; contacting in the reactor train olefin monomers, catalyst systems, optional comonomers, optional scavengers, and optional diluents or solvents, at a temperature above the solid-fluid phase transition temperature of the polymerization system and a pressure no lower than 10 MPa below the cloud point pressure of the polymerization system and less than 1500 MPa, forming a reactor effluent including a homogeneous fluid phase polymer-monomer mixture; passing the reactor effluent through the separator to separate a monomer-rich phase from a polymer-rich phase; and feeding the plasticizers to the process after the reactor train and while the base polymer still has a substantial quantity of light components to form a plasticized polymer blend with improved blend quality.
US07910635B2

The specification describes a process for making gelled ink resins which exhibit improved properties such as lower viscosity under low shear and less viscosity decrease with increasing shear. In a preferred embodiment, a rosin-based or hydrocarbon-based resin is mixed with an organic solvent and reacted with a polyamine reactant, such as melamine-formaldehyde resin or hexamethylene diamine, under conditions sufficient to produce a substantially covalently cross-link gelled resin. The resulting gelled resin resists viscosity breakdown under high shear conditions and may be used directly for making ink compositions, obviating the need for further gelation and avoiding the use of conventional organo-metallic gelling agents.
US07910632B2

An assembly for use in orthodontic treatment includes at least two articles, and each article includes an orthodontic appliance as well as an adhesive that extends across the base of each appliance. The adhesive of at least one article differs from the adhesive of at least one other article in terms of composition, properties or characteristics, such that the adhesive can be tailored to enhance the bond between the particular selected appliance and its intended tooth.
US07910630B2

Process for the preparation of dimethyl ether product by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas to dimethyl ether comprising the steps of contacting a stream of synthesis gas comprising carbon dioxide in a dimethyl ether synthesis step in one or more reactors and with one or more catalysts being active in formation of methanol and dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether, to form a product mixture comprising the dimethyl ether and carbon dioxide, washing the product mixture in a scrubbing zone with a liquid solvent being rich in dialkyl ether of a polyalkylene glycol and thereby dissolving carbon dioxide and dimethyl ether in the liquid solvent, treating the liquid solvent being withdrawn from the scrubbing zone sequentially in separation zone to effect desorption of the dissolved carbon dioxide and to recover a substantially pure dimethyl ether product and the liquid solvent in its substantially lean form and recycling the lean liquid solvent to the scrubbing zone.
US07910622B2

The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulation of the quorum sensing of bacteria. In an embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act as replacements for naturally occurring bacterial quorum sensing ligands in a ligand-protein binding system; that is, they imitate the effect of natural ligands and produce an agonistic effect. In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act in a manner which disturbs or inhibits the naturally occurring ligand-protein binding system in quorum sensing bacteria; that is, they produce an antagonistic effect. The compounds of the present invention comprise N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) comprised of a wide range of acyl groups.
US07910620B2

The present invention relates to methods of decreasing the infectivity, morbidity and rate of mortality, in treating diseases associated with a variety of pathogenic organisms, specifically diseases involving one or more pathogens that require neuraminidase as a virulence factor. In addition, the present invention uses biology based therapy to treat neuraminidase dependent infections or diseases dependent on sialic acid metabolism.
US07910616B2

Disclosed herein are compounds of Formula (I) that include a sulfonate ester, ester or ether group. Compounds of Formula (I) can be included in pharmaceutical compositions, and can be used to treating and/or ameliorating a disease or condition, such as cancer, a microbial disease and/or inflammation.
US07910614B2

The present invention relates to azolylmethyloxiranes of the general formula I in which A or B is benzodioxolyl which is optionally substituted by one to five of the following substituents: halogen, CN, NO2, amino, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, C1-C4-alkylamino, C1-C4-dialkylamino, thio or C1-C4-alkylthio, and the respective other substituent A or B is phenyl or 5-membered or 6-membered heteroaryl, these substituents optionally being substituted by one to three of the following substituents: halogen, CN, NO2, amino, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, C1-C4-alkylamino, C1-C4-dialkylamino, thio or C1-C4-alkylthio, and to the plant-compatible acid addition salts or metal salts thereof, to the use of the compounds of the formula I for controlling phytopathogenic fungi and to compositions comprising these compounds.
US07910613B2

The Invention relates to compounds of the formula I, wherein the variables are as defined in the claims, for use as a medicament. The compounds are A2A-receptor legends and are useful in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders where an A2A-receptor is implicated.
US07910612B2

The present invention comprises 4-Oxy-N-[1,3,4]-thiadiazol-2-yl-benzene sulfonamides, the derivatives thereof and salts thereof as well as processes for their preparation and methods for their use as pharmaceutical compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to 4-oxy-N-[1,3,4]-thiadiazol-2-yl-benzene sulfonamides and to their physiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functional derivatives that exhibit peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPAR) PPARalpha, PPARdelta and PPARgamma agonist activity. The compounds themselves are defined by the structure of the formula I, wherein the various unnamed substituents are defined herein. The compounds are suitable for the treatment of disorders of fatty acid metabolism and glucose utilization disorders as well as of disorders in which insulin resistance is involved as well as demyelinating and other neurodegenerative disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system.
US07910606B2

The present invention is directed to a compound of formula I, in which R0; R1; R2; R3; R4; Q; V, G and M have the meanings indicated below. The compound of formula I is a pharmacologically active compound. It exhibits a strong anti-thrombotic effect and is suitable, for example, for the therapy and prophylaxis of a cardio-vascular disorder like a thromboembolic disease or restenosis. It is a reversible inhibitor of the blood clotting enzymes factor Xa (FXa) and/or factor VIIa (FVIIa), and can in general be applied in conditions in which an undesired activity of factor Xa and/or factor VIIa is present or for the cure or prevention of which an inhibition of factor Xa and/or factor VIIa is intended. The invention furthermore is directed to a process for the preparation of the compound of formula I, and pharmaceutical preparation comprising it.
US07910599B2

A method for treating eating disorders by repeatedly administering naloxone in a dosage sufficient to block the effects of opiate agonists to a subject suffering from an eating disorder caused by one or more related problem responses; while the amount of naloxone in the subject's body is sufficient to block opiate effects, having the subject make one of the problem responses from which the subject suffers in the presence of stimuli similar to those to which it had been learned, after the amount of naloxone is no longer sufficient to block opiate effects, having the subject make healthy eating responses to food items that do not trigger the problem responses; and continuing the steps of administration of naloxone and having one after another of the problem responses made, followed by having a naloxone-free period in which healthy eating occurs, until the problem responses are extinguished.
US07910595B2

Compounds effective in inhibiting replication of Hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) or other viruses are disclosed. This invention is also directed to compositions comprising such compounds, co-formulation or co-administration of such compounds with other anti-viral or therapeutic agents, processes and intermediates for the syntheses of such compounds, and methods of using such compounds for the treatment of HCV or other viral infections.
US07910584B2

The subject of the present invention is a compound of formula (I): in the base, hydrate or solvate state, in the form of cis/trans isomers or of mixtures thereof, preparation and therapeutic use thereof.
US07910580B2

Tumor growth and metastases in cancer patients are inhibited by administration of a combination therapy including effective amounts of 5-Fluorouracil and a methylol transfer agent such as taurolidine, taurultam or mixtures thereof.
US07910574B2

A method for controlling schistosome parasites in a mammal comprising delivering an effective amount of an agent for silencing TGR activity in the parasites.
US07910568B2

The present invention provides new derivatives of 4- or 5-aminosalicylic acid, and a pharmaceutical composition containing these derivatives of 4- or 5-aminosalicylic acid as active ingredients, useful for the treatment of intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and for the prevention/treatment of colon cancer. More particularly, these derivatives comprise a hydrogen sulfide releasing moiety linked via an azo, an ester, an anhydride, a thioester or an amide linkage to a molecule of 4- or 5-aminosalicylic acid. Furthermore, the present invention provides a process for preparing these compounds and their use for treating IBD and IBS and the prevention/treatment of colon cancer.
US07910565B2

Androgen receptor-based vaccines for eliciting an immune reaction in vivo against cells expressing androgen receptor are disclosed. The vaccines are useful in the treatment of prostate cancer. Also disclosed are methods for inducing immune reaction to androgen receptor or treating prostate cancer in a mammal, using the vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the vaccines.
US07910556B2

A compound, or a salt or solvate thereof having a structure of Ar—CO-AA1-AA2-AA3-AA4-NH—X—NR1R2 is disclosed. Ar represents an optionally substituted phenyl group or an aromatic heterocyclic group; AA1 represents a hydrophobic amino acid; AA2 represents an unsubstituted amino acid containing 2 or more carbon atoms; AA3 represents an unsubstituted amino acid containing 2 or more carbon atoms; AA4 represents a hydrophobic amino acid; X represents a divalent saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 2-6 carbon atoms; and R1 and R2 represent a saturated or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1-8 carbon atoms, or alternatively R1 and R2 may form a ring together with an adjacent nitrogen atom. A pharmaceutical composition for prevention/treatment of diseases associated with PAR-2 is also disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition includes the above compound, a salt or a solvate thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US07910550B2

A human Kunitz-type inhibitor polypeptide with enhanced antifibrinolytic activity, methods of making, and methods of use. The novel polypeptide is structurally similar to the KD1 domain of human tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2). In another aspect, methods of treating a subject afflicted with cancer or a precancerous condition are described. Generally, the method includes administering to a subject in need of treatment an effective amount of a polypeptide. In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises a KD1 domain of human TFPI-2. In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises human TFPI-2, itself. In certain embodiments, the polypeptide is administered in an amount effective to induce apoptosis in tumor cells.
US07910546B2

The present invention features compositions and related methods for treating IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders and conditions (e.g., gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenogastric reflux, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory bowel disease, functional heartburn, dyspepsia (including functional dyspepsia or nonulcer dyspepsia), gastroparesis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (or colonic pseudo-obstruction), and disorders and conditions associated with constipation, e.g., constipation associated with use of opiate pain killers, post-surgical constipation (post-operative ileus), and constipation associated with neuropathic disorders as well as other conditions and disorders using peptides and other agents that activate the guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) receptor.
US07910544B2

The invention provides novel P1R polypeptide antagonists. These antagonists contain amino acid substitutions at selected positions in truncated PTH and PRHrP polypeptides and function by binding selectively to the juxtamembrane (“J”) domain of the receptor. The J domain is the region of the receptor that spans the seven transmembrane domain and the extracellular loops.
US07910537B1

A decontamination composition and method for detoxifying chemical warfare agents on surfaces, wherein said composition comprises mixtures of household cleaners and chemicals such as ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, baking soda and washing soda.
US07910536B2

The present invention relates to a liquid bleaching composition comprising a hypohalite bleach, a trimethoxy benzoic acid or a salt thereof and a compound selected from the group consisting of bleach-unstable brighteners, and bleach-unstable coloring-agents and mixtures thereof.
US07910534B2

The present invention relates to a solid laundry detergent composition in particulate form comprising a plurality of particulate components, the composition comprises: (i) an alkyl benzene sulphonate; (ii) a hydratable material; (iii) from 0% to less than 5%, by weight of the composition, of zeolite builder; (iv) from 0% to less than 5%, by weight of the composition, of phosphate builder; and (v) optionally, from 0% to less than 5%, by weight of the composition, of silicate salt; wherein at least 30%, by weight of the composition, of the particulate components present in the composition comprise at least 15%, by weight of the particulate component, of the hydratable material, and wherein any particulate component comprising at least 5%, by weight of the particulate component, of alkyl benzene sulphonate also comprises at least 15%, by weight of the particulate component, of the hydratable material.
US07910523B2

The present invention includes composition and methods for making and using a combinatorial library to identify modified thioaptamers that bind to, and affect the immune response of a host animal, transcription factors such as IL-6, NF-κB, AP-1 and the like. Composition and methods are also provided for the treatment of viral infections, as well as, vaccines and vaccine adjuvants are provided that modify host immune responses.
US07910522B2

The present invention relates to methods for the identification or cloning of polynucleotides encoding a selected phenotype, particularly from environmental DNA. In a specific embodiment, the method comprises (i) cloning environmental DNA fragments into E. coli cloning vectors to produce a metagenomic library, (ii) identifying or selecting cloning vectors in the library which contain DNA fragments having a particular characteristic of interest, (iii) modifying the identified or selected cloning vectors into shuttle or expression vectors for transfer and integration in a selected host cell, (iv) transferring the modified cloning vectors into the selected host-cell and (v) identifying or cloning the DNA fragments contained in the modified cloning vectors which encode the selected phenotype in the selected host cell.
US07910521B2

A coated conductor with simplified layer architecture includes a biaxial textured substrate, a template buffer layer composed of a material having the general formula RE2−xB2+xO7 with RE being at least one lanthanoid metal, B being at least one metal selected from Zr and Hf and −0.4≦x≦+0.7, where the superconductor layer is obtainable by hybrid liquid phase epitaxy and can be deposited directly onto the template buffer layer.
US07910519B2

The present invention relates to an image recording element comprising a support having thereon an aqueous subbing layer and an extruded dye receiving layer, wherein the image recording element is a thermal dye receiver. The present invention also relates to a method of making a thermal dye receiving element comprising providing a support for an imaging element; applying an aqueous subbing layer to the support; and extruding thereon at least one thermal dye receiving layer.
US07910512B2

To provide a production process of an electrode catalyst for fuel cell whose initial voltage is high and whose endurance characteristics, especially, whose voltage drop being caused by high-potential application is less.A production process according to the present invention of an electrode catalyst for fuel cell is characterized in that: it includes: a dispersing step of dispersing a conductive support in a solution; a loading step of dropping a platinum-salt solution, a base-metal-salt solution and an iridium-salt solution to the resulting dispersion liquid, thereby loading respective metallic salts on the conductive support as hydroxides under an alkaline condition; and an alloying step of heating the conductive support with metallic hydroxides loaded in a reducing atmosphere to reduce them, thereby alloying them.
US07910507B2

There is provided a glass ceramic material for plasma display, in which glass fine grains (A) having a softening point of 570-640° C. are in 40-70 wt %, and glass fine grains (B) having a softening point of 480-540° C. are in 30-60 wt %, the glass ceramic material for plasma display being characterized in that the glass fine grains (A) comprise 2-12 wt % of SiO2, 50-58 wt % of B2O3, 10-20 wt % of Al2O3, 0-6 wt % of ZnO, 0-2.8 wt % of Li2O, and 10-22 wt % of at least one selected from MgO, CaO, SrO and BaO and that refractive index of the glass fine grains (A) is 1.53-1.56.
US07910499B2

Apparatus for thermally processing a substrate includes a source of laser radiation comprising a plurality diode lasers arranged along a slow axis, optics directing the laser radiation from the source to the substrate, and an array of photodetectors arranged along a fast axis perpendicular to the slow axis and receiving portions of the laser radiation reflected from the substrate through the optics.
US07910496B2

By removing excess material of an interlayer dielectric material deposited by SACVD, the gap filling capabilities of this deposition technique may be exploited, while, on the other hand, negative effects of this material may be reduced. In other aspects, a buffer material, such as silicon dioxide, may be formed prior to depositing the interlayer dielectric material on the basis of SACVD, thereby creating enhanced uniformity during the deposition process when depositing the interlayer dielectric material on dielectric layers having different high intrinsic stress levels. Consequently, the reliability of the interlayer dielectric material may be enhanced while nevertheless maintaining the advantages provided by an SACVD deposition.
US07910484B2

A method of forming a TEOS oxide layer over an nitrogen doped silicon carbide or nitrogen doped hydrogenated silicon carbide layer formed on a substrate. The method includes forming the nitrogen doped silicon carbide or nitrogen doped hydrogenated silicon carbide layer on a top surface and a top side beveled edge proximate to the top surface of a substrate; removing or preventing formation of a carbon-rich layer on a bottom side bevel edge region proximate to a bottom surface of the substrate or converting the carbon-rich layer to nitrogen doped silicon carbide or nitrogen doped hydrogenated silicon carbide; and forming the TEOS oxide layer on the top surface, the top side beveled edge and the bottom side bevel edge region of the substrate.
US07910482B2

A method for processing a substrate comprising at least a buried oxide (BOX) layer and a semiconductor material layer is provided. The method includes etching the semiconductor material layer to form a vertical semiconductor material structure overlying the BOX layer, leaving an exposed portion of the BOX layer. The method further includes exposing a top surface of the exposed portion of the BOX layer to an oxide etch resistant species to form a thin oxide etch resistant layer overlying the exposed portion of the BOX layer.
US07910478B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, forms connection pads electrically connected to integrated circuit portion formed in a semiconductor substrate, lays an insulating film and a protective film one over another, forms sub-lines electrically connected to the connection pads on the protective film, forms a coating film covering the sub-lines and the protective film, sticks a dry film onto the coating film, forms external connection electrodes externally connectable and electrically connected to the sub-lines, and removes the dry film and forms a sealing layer covering the coating film and side surfaces of the external connection electrodes.
US07910469B2

An electrical circuit containing a substrate having thereon a receptive layer, wherein the receptive layer has a conductive polymer impregnated in the receptive layer, and a method for forming the electrical circuit.
US07910462B2

An assembly and method of making the same wherein the assembly incorporates a rare-earth oxide film to form a [110] crystal lattice orientation semiconductor film. The assembly comprises a substrate, a rare-earth oxide film formed on the substrate, and a [110]-oriented semiconductor film formed on the rare-earth oxide film. The rare-earth oxide film having a [110] crystal lattice orientation. The substrate has a [001] crystal lattice orientation.
US07910457B2

It is an object to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate in which contamination of a semiconductor layer due to an impurity is prevented and the bonding strength between a support substrate and the semiconductor layer can be increased. An oxide film containing first halogen is formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, and the semiconductor substrate is irradiated with ions of second halogen, whereby a separation layer is formed and the second halogen is contained in a semiconductor substrate. Then, heat treatment is performed in a state in which the semiconductor substrate and the support substrate are superposed with an insulating surface containing hydrogen interposed therebetween, whereby part of the semiconductor substrate is separated along the separation layer, so that a semiconductor layer containing the second halogen is provided over the support substrate.
US07910456B1

An embodiment of a composite substrate member in accordance with the present invention has a handle substrate member derived from a plurality of nanoparticles in a fluid mixture, and a thickness of material transferred to the handle substrate member. The handle substrate member may be formed from a plurality of liquid layers, for example a thinner surface layer conveying specific properties to the donor/substrate interface, and a thicker support layer dispensed over the surface layer.
US07910454B2

The invention pertains to a combination of a substrate (6) and a wafer (15), wherein the substrate (6) and the wafer (15) are arranged parallel to one another and bonded together with the aid of an adhesive layer (8) situated between the substrate (6) and the wafer (15), and wherein the adhesive is chosen such that its adhesive properties are neutralized or at least diminished when a predetermined temperature is exceeded. According to the invention, the adhesive layer (8) is only applied annularly between the substrate (6) and the wafer (15) in the edge region of the wafer (15).
US07910453B2

The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a microelectronic device. The method includes forming recessed shallow trench isolation (STI) features in a semiconductor substrate, defining a semiconductor region between adjacent two of the recessed STI features; forming a tunnel dielectric feature within the semiconductor region; forming a nitride layer on the recessed STI features and the tunnel dielectric feature; etching the nitride layer to form nitride openings within the recessed STI features; partially removing the recessed STI features through the nitride openings, resulting in gaps between the nitride layer and the recessed STI features; and forming a first dielectric material on surfaces of the nitride layer, sealing the nitride openings.
US07910452B2

A method for fabricating a capacitor includes forming an isolation layer over a substrate. The isolation layer forms a plurality of open regions. Storage nodes are formed on surfaces of the open regions. An upper portion of the isolation layer is etched to expose upper outer walls of the storage nodes. A sacrificial layer is formed over the isolation layer to enclose the upper outer walls of the storage nodes. The isolation layer and the sacrificial layer are then removed.
US07910446B2

Electronic devices and methods for forming electronic devices that allow for a reduction in device dimensions while also maintaining or reducing leakage current for non-volatile memory devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a non-volatile memory device is provided. The method comprises depositing a floating gate polysilicon layer on a substrate, forming a silicon oxide layer on the floating gate polysilicon layer, depositing a first silicon oxynitride layer on the silicon oxide layer, depositing a high-k dielectric material layer on the first silicon oxynitride layer, depositing a second silicon oxynitride on the high-k dielectric material, and forming a control gate polysilicon layer on the second silicon oxynitride layer. In one embodiment, the high-k dielectric material layer comprises hafnium silicon oxynitride.
US07910442B2

A method including partially etching a first portion of a first layer, wherein the first layer is a conductive layer, is provided. The method further includes removing at least a portion of a second layer. The method further includes completing etching of said first portion of the conductive layer so that said first portion of the conductive layer is removed. The method further includes completing formation of the semiconductor device.
US07910439B2

A manufacturing process and design structure for a super self-aligned trench power MOSFET. A plurality of super self-aligned trenches of different depths are formed into the body layer and epitaxial layers, preferably by using a multilayer stack of dielectric material etched to form spacers. Respective trenches contain gate conductors, body-contact conductors, and preferably a third trench containing a recessed field plate. This results in a MOSFET structure having high cell density and low gate charges and gate-drain charges.
US07910437B1

A method for fabricating a semiconductor device may include: forming an outer trench, including: a first trench, and a second trench formed under the first trench, the second trench being formed by etching a substrate, forming a dielectric layer, which fills the second trench, by performing a thermal oxidation process, such that a width of the second trench is less than a width of the first trench, forming a gate dielectric layer along a surface of a semiconductor structure including the dielectric layer, and forming a gate electrode, which fills a remaining portion of the outer trench, over the gate dielectric layer.
US07910432B2

Each of the memory strings includes: a first columnar semiconductor layer extending in a vertical direction to a substrate; a plurality of first conductive layers formed to sandwich an insulation layer with a charge trap layer and expand in a two-dimensional manner; a second columnar semiconductor layer formed in contact with the top surface of the first columnar semiconductor layer and extending in a vertical direction to the substrate; and a plurality of second conductive layers formed to sandwich an insulation layer with the second columnar semiconductor layer and formed in a stripe pattern extending in a first direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. Respective ends of the plurality of first conductive layers in the first direction are formed in a stepwise manner in relation to each other, entirety of the plurality of the second conductive layers are formed in an area immediately above the top layer of the first conductive layers, and the plurality of first conductive layers and the plurality of second conductive layers are covered with a protection insulation layer that is formed continuously with the plurality of first conductive layers and the second conductive layers.
US07910427B1

A SRAM of complete CMOS type having its memory cell composed of six MISFETs, in which a pair of local wiring lines for connecting the input/output terminals of CMOS inverters are formed of a refractory metal silicide layer formed over a first conducting layer constituting the individual gate electrodes of the drive MISFETs, the transfer MISFETs and the load MISFETs of the memory cell and in which a reference voltage line formed over the local wiring lines is arranged to be superposed over the local wiring lines to form a capacity element. Moreover, the capacity element is formed between the local wiring lines and the first conducting layer by superposing the local wiring lines over the first conducting layer. Moreover, the local wiring lines are formed by using resistance lowering means such as silicification. In addition, there are made common the means for lowering the resistance of the gate electrode of the transfer MISFETs and the means for forming the local wiring lines.
US07910423B2

A semiconductor device includes an SOI substrate, a first STI-type isolation region, a second STI-type isolation region, and an alignment mark region. The SOI substrate includes a support substrate, an insulating layer deposited on the support substrate, and a semiconductor layer which includes a thin film region and a thick film region. The thin film region includes a first semiconductor layer deposited on the support substrate, and the thick film region includes the first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer deposited on a part of the first semiconductor layer. The first STI-type isolation region is disposed at the thin film region. The second STI-type isolation region is disposed at the thick film region. The alignment mark region is disposed at the thick film region. An alignment mark to be used for alignment of the second STI-type isolation region is disposed at the alignment mark region.
US07910420B1

A system and method is disclosed for improving complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatible non volatile memory (NVM) retention reliability in memory cells. A memory cell of the invention comprises a backend layer that reduces charge leakage from a floating gate of the memory cell. A first bottom portion of the backend layer is formed from a first layer of silicon oxynitride having a low value of defect/trap density. A second top portion of the backend layer is formed from a second layer of silicon oxynitride having a high value of defect/trap density. The first layer of silicon oxynitride inhibits electron transport and the second layer of silicon oxynitride protects CMOS devices from plasma induced damage.
US07910415B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a substrate; an insulating film formed thereon; a first semiconductor layer where strain is induced in the directions parallel to the surface of the substrate, the first semiconductor layer being on the insulating film; a source region and a drain region formed in the first semiconductor layer; and a gate layered body formed of a gate insulating film and a gate electrode on the first semiconductor layer is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) forming a second semiconductor layer by epitaxial growth on the first semiconductor layer; (b) heating the second semiconductor layer; and (c) removing the second semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer is different in lattice constant in an in-plane direction from the first semiconductor layer. Step (b) induces the strain in the first semiconductor layer by exposing the surface of the second semiconductor layer to energy lines.
US07910412B2

An array substrate for use in an X-ray sensing device and in an LCD device is fabricated using plasma gas treatment. Especially, an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) transparent conductive metallic layer is plasma-treated by N2 plasma, He plasma or Ar plasma, before forming the insulation layer on the ITO transparent conductive metallic layer. Thus, the plasma removes the impurities on a surface of the transparent conductive metallic layer and changes the lattice structure of the surface of the transparent conductive metallic layer, and thus the adhesion between the transparent conductive metallic layer and the insulation layer is improved. The defects caused by a gap or a space between the transparent conductive metallic layer and the insulation layer do not occur.
US07910404B2

A method of manufacturing a stacked die module includes applying a plurality of stacked die structures to a carrier. Each stacked die structure includes a first semiconductor die applied to the carrier and a second semiconductor die stacked over the first semiconductor die. The second semiconductor die has a larger lateral surface area than the first semiconductor die. A dam is applied around each of the stacked die structures, thereby forming an enclosed cavity for each of the stacked die structures. The enclosed cavity for each stacked die structure surrounds the first semiconductor die of the stacked die structure.
US07910401B2

An organic thin film transistor that can reduce contact resistance between source and drain electrodes and an organic semiconductor layer and can be readily manufactured, a flat panel display apparatus utilizing the organic thin film transistor, and a method of manufacturing the organic thin film transistor. The organic thin film transistor includes: a substrate; a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed on the gate insulating film; a conductive polymer layer disposed to cover at least a portion of each of source and drain electrodes; a hydrophobic material layer disposed on the substrate and the source and drain electrodes except regions where the conductive polymer layer are formed; an organic semiconductor layer electrically connected to the source and drain electrodes; a gate insulating film disposed to cover the organic semiconductor layer; and a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulating film.
US07910400B2

A quantum dot electroluminescence device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The quantum dot electroluminescence device comprises an insulating substrate; a quantum dot luminescence layer supported by the insulating substrate, and composed of a monolayer or multilayer of quantum dots, which are cross-linked by a cross-link agent; an anode electrode and a cathode electrode connected to an external power supply to inject carriers to the quantum dot luminescence layer; a hole transfer layer interposed between the anode electrode and the quantum dot luminescence layer, and composed of p-type polymer semiconductor; and an electron transfer layer interposed between the cathode electrode and the quantum dot luminescence layer, and composed of metal oxide or n-type polymer semiconductor.
US07910387B2

A phosphor coating method for fabricating a light-emitting semiconductor is provided. The phosphor coating method comprises the steps as follows: First a light emitting semiconductor wafer having a plurality of die units formed thereon is provided, and a photoresist is then formed on the light emitting semiconductor wafer to cover the die units. A pattern process is conducted to form a plurality of openings associated with the die units, whereby each die can be exposed via one of the openings. Subsequently, a compound mixed with phosphor is filled into the openings.
US07910384B2

Method for producing a modulated grating for an optimal reflection spectrum, which grating is a multiple wavelength reflector. The method includes the following steps: a) Determining wavelengths to be reflected b) Calculating a preliminary grating c) Comparing the reflection spectrum ro(f) with the characteristics of the wanted modulated grating d) Differences lead to a directional change of ro(f) e) Calculating a target function G(z) f) Changing the grating (zk) depending on the real and imaginary part of G(z) g) Repeating steps c) to f) until the grating reflects the predetermined wavelengths.
US07910376B2

A method for detecting trace explosives which includes obtaining a sample believed to contain explosives residue and contacting the sample and a carrier container containing the sample with a reagent. The sample and the carrier is illuminated by an appropriate laser or other light source while it is contained within a light tight box. The sample and the carrier is observed during the elimination to determine photoluminescence of the sample as an indication that it contains trace explosives. The reagent may be an alkaline containing substance, a lanthanide complex, a lanthanide complex containing sensitizing ligands or nanocrystals.
US07910375B2

The invention relates to a test system for analyzing body fluids of the type comprising a test element tape carrying a plurality of test elements, a tape deflector for the test element tape for the selective application of body fluid, and a light source as well as a detector for optically analyzing test elements to which body fluid has been applied. The tape deflector has a rotatable optical element which acts as a deflection roller during transport of the test element tape. The optical element is positioned in the optical path between the light source and the detector.
US07910369B2

The present invention provides methods for the culture of animal pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated progeny cells, tissues, and organs, and nonhuman animal embryos and fetuses.
US07910363B1

Polyamine cationic lipids have been synthesized that have the ability to be transported into cells having an active polyamine transport system. Accordingly, these lipids may be conjugated with various agents and, thereby, act as vectors for transporting the agent into the cell aided by the cell's own polyamine transport system. A method of delivering an agent into a cell includes associating the agent with a polyamine cationic lipid selected from compounds 25, 26, 27, 28, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and combinations thereof and contacting the cell therewith.
US07910357B2

The present invention is characterized by the following points:In a biochip reader used for reading a measurement sample image by light beam irradiation, a correction method for the distribution of quantity of light which is devised to remove the influence of shading for the whole image and such a biochip reader can be realized by correcting non-uniformity in said quantity of light in light beam irradiation by dividing the quantities of light of pixels in a measured image obtained from the measurement of a measurement sample by a distribution of quantity of light in an image obtained from the measurement of a uniform fluorescent plate that presents a uniform fluorescent light distribution, the positions of pixels in the measured image being correspondent to those in the image obtained through the above uniform fluorescent plate measurement.
US07910345B2

Compositions and methods of producing components of protein biosynthetic machinery that include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases, which incorporate keto amino acids into proteins are provided. Methods for identifying these orthogonal pairs are also provided along with methods of producing proteins with keto amino acids using these orthogonal pairs.
US07910344B2

Extracellular tyrosinases obtainable from Trichoderma spp. and methods for producing them by recombinant technology. The enzymes are particularly useful in cross-linking food proteins.
US07910343B2

A cell lysis device for lysing cells or viruses, comprising a cell lysis tube having a sample inlet; a pump connected to the cell lysis tube for transferring a sample into the tube; a sealing unit for reversibly sealing a specific region of the tube; and a laser source for generating a laser is provide. Further, a method of lysing cells or viruses using the cell lysis device is provide. The method comprises introducing a sample containing cells or viruses and optionally magnetic beads to the cell lysis tube through the sample inlet; transferring the sample to a specific region in the cell lysis tube by means of the pump; temporarily sealing the region of the cell lysis tube where the sample is placed with the sealing unit; irradiating the sample with the laser; removing the sealing unit from the cell lysis tube; and discharging the sample from the cell lysis tube by means of the pump.
US07910341B1

Present-day harvest methods for sweet sorghum are labor intensive, and/or require that large quantities of matter be removed to a central location for processing. A field harvesting process for harvesting and further processing sweet sorghum includes cutting the crop and reducing it to its separated juice and solids in the field. The juice is stored and fermented on the farm, followed by distillation by a mobile distillation process to separate the valuable alcohol from the stillage.
US07910337B2

The invention provides a method for generating and selecting drug-sensitizing antisense DNA fragments. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a gene of interest using knowledge of bacterial physiology, biochemistry, genetics, genomics, and other means. The method includes PCR amplification of a gene of interest using genomic DNA as a template; fragmentation of the DNA by sonication or other means; selecting DNA fragments no longer than 400 base pairs; ligating the DNA fragments into a suitable expression plasmid with a selectable marker; transforming the plasmids containing the DNA fragments into the organism from which the gene of interest originated; and selecting clones from transformed cells that show a phenotypic difference of the clone grown in the presence of the inducer relative to the phenotype in the absence of inducer.
US07910331B2

CTLA-8 related antigens from mammals, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding said antigens. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.
US07910327B2

The invention relates to the microbiological and medical industry, genetic engineering, biotechnology. A Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain was obtained on the basis of constructing a recombinant plasmid DNA comprising a structural gene of a human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) under the control of a regulatory promoter, providing the synthesis and production of AFP in a secreted soluble form, this AFP having activity identical or similar to the activity of a human AFP. The obtained recombinant AFP may be used as an active substance for the preparation of therapeutic agents for use in oncology, immunotherapy, cosmetology and also for the diagnosis of cancer and embryonic pathologies.
US07910321B2

The present invention relates to novel members of the Tumor Necrosis Factor family of receptors. The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human TR2 receptor and two splice variants thereof. TR2 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of TR2 receptor activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting disease states related to the aberrant expression of TR2 receptors. Further provided are therapeutic methods for treating disease states related to aberrant proliferation and differentiation of cells which express the TR2 receptors.
US07910313B2

The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for zcyto20, zcyto21, zcyto22, zycto24, and zcyto25 proteins which are most closely related to interferon-α at the amino acid sequence level. The receptor for this protein family is a class II cytokine receptor. The present invention includes methods of reducing viral infections and increasing monocyte counts. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zcyto20 polypeptides, and methods of producing the polynucleotides and polypeptides.
US07910311B2

Systems and methods of identifying, sequencing and/or detecting nucleic acid polymers, as well as related components (e.g., substrates, software and the like) are disclosed.
US07910300B2

Genetic diseases can be diagnosed by detection of mutations in causative genes. Protein truncation assays can be used to detect gene products of truncation-type mutations. However, the sensitivity of the assays is often insufficient to detect mutations present in a sample of DNA at a low frequency. Sensitivity can be increased by dividing samples so that the signal generated by a mutant allele comprises a larger fraction of the total alleles than prior to dividing. Thus a previously undetectable signal generated by the mutant allele can become detectable in the assay. Such increased sensitivity permits detection at early stages and in samples having high levels of other alleles.
US07910298B2

The present invention is related to a method for a high through-put screening detection of genetic modifications in genome engineering and a system for homologous recombination of an exogenous nucleotide sequence into a target cell genome sequence.
US07910294B2

There is disclosed a sensitive method for specific detection of ligands comprising the steps of (a) contacting the sample with reagents capable of forming a reagent complex, which reagent complex comprises a receptor capable of specifically binding to said ligand and a nucleic acid molecule; and (b) detecting any complexes formed by binding of the receptor part of said reagent complex to ligand present in the sample by specifically detecting the presence of the nucleic acid molecule by amplifying a region of the nucleic acid and simultaneously detecting products of the amplification reaction in real-time.
US07910290B2

A method of forming an image using a topcoat composition. A composition that includes functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes derivatives of the formulas TmR3 where m is equal to 8, 10 or 12 and QnMnR1,R2,R3 where n is equal to 8, 10 or 12 are provided. The functional groups include aqueous base soluble moieties. Mixtures of the functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes derivatives are highly suitable as a topcoat for photoresist in photolithography and immersion photolithography applications.
US07910286B2

(1) A packaged body of lithographic printing plate precursors, wherein an image-recording layer or a protective layer of the outermost surface layer contains an inorganic layered compound. (2) A lithographic printing plate precursor having a protective layer containing an inorganic layered compound, and an image-recording layer containing a binder polymer. (3) A lithographic printing plate precursor having a protective layer containing an inorganic layered compound, and an image-recording layer containing an infrared absorber and an iodonium compound.
US07910285B2

A positive resist composition for immersion exposure including a resin component (A) which has an acid dissociable dissolution inhibiting group and exhibits increased alkali solubility under action of acid and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, the resin component (A) including a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester having an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group and a structural unit (a3) derived from an acrylate ester having a polar group-containing aliphatic hydrocarbon group, the amount of the structural unit (a3) based on the combined total of all structural units constituting the resin component (A) being 3 to 12 mol %.
US07910278B2

The present invention provides a toner for developing electrostatic image comprising a colored particle containing a binder resin, a colorant and a release agent, wherein the toner for developing electrostatic image has two or more peaks of loss tangent (tan δ) in the range from 50 to 120° C., a loss tangent (tan δ) in the range from 100 to 200° C. is 0.8 or less, and a dispersed diameter of the release agent is 0.1 times or less shorter than a volume average particle diameter of the colored particle.
US07910276B2

Disclosed herein are emulsion aggregation toner particles having less than about 15 atomic percent oxygen in relation to a total atomic percent of 100 for all elements on the surface thereof. Such toner particles exhibit lower marks on print defects.
US07910275B2

Embodiments include a chemical toner composition having a first resin including a styrene vinyl copolymer and having a Tg of from about 46 to about 56° C., b) a second resin including a styrene vinyl copolymer having a Tg of from about 55 to about 65° C., c) a distilled wax having a heat of crystallization and a heat of enthalpy, both from about 1.0 to about 4.0 J/g for every weight percent of the wax used in the chemical toner composition, and wherein the wax has a peak melting point of from about 70 to about 99° C., and d) a colorant, wherein the chemical toner has a gloss of from about 30 to about 80 GGU.
US07910267B1

An optical mask for providing a pattern for portion of an electronic device, such as a magnetic recording transducer, is disclosed. The optical mask includes a device feature and at least one detached correction feature. The device feature includes a corner corresponding to a device corner of the pattern. The device corner has an angle of greater than zero degrees and less than one hundred eighty degrees. The at least one detached correction feature resides in proximity to but is physically separated from the corner. Each of the at least one detached correction feature is sub-resolution.
US07910264B2

To provide a reflective mask blank for exposure that can solve a problem of adsorption failure in fixing a reflective mask using an electrostatic chuck and thus can flatten the surface of the mask using the electrostatic chuck, thereby realizing high-accuracy pattern transfer. In a reflective mask blank for exposure having a multilayer reflective film formed on a board and adapted to reflect exposure light and an absorbent layer formed on the multilayer reflective film and adapted to absorb the exposure light, the shape of a surface of the mask blank on its side opposite to its transfer pattern forming surface is a shape having a convex surface.
US07910259B2

A method of manufacturing an anode for a fuel cell including: performing an acid treatment for a carbon-based compound; washing the resultant obtained from the acid treatment with water and then performing a freeze-drying (lyophilization) process; forming a microporous diffusion layer by dispersing the lyophilized resultant in a solvent, coating the dispersed resultant on a porous carbon support, and drying; and forming a catalyst layer on top of the microporous diffusion layer, an anode for a fuel cell obtained according to the method herein, and a fuel cell using the same. An anode having improved efficiency on liquid fuel diffusion can be obtained when using the fuel diffusion layer including the microporous diffusion layer formed of the carbon-based compounds obtained after an acid treatment and a freeze-drying process according to the present invention. A fuel cell having improved performance can be manufactured by using such an anode.
US07910243B2

A thin polymer battery pack that can withstand a strong external impact includes: a pouch type bare cell having an exposed electrode tab: a circuit electrically coupled to the electrode tab of the pouch type bare cell; a frame case covering an upper part of the pouch type bare cell where the circuit is arranged, two short side parts having a narrow width connected to the upper part of the pouch type bare cell, and a lower part of the pouch type bare cell, two long side parts of a broader width than the two short side parts connected to an exposed upper part of the pouch type bare cell, and a reinforcement label having a metal layer to attach as a single body to both long side parts and the lower part of the pouch type bare cell.
US07910238B2

An alkaline battery of the present invention includes a battery case, a power generating element housed in the interior of the battery case, and an assembled sealing part for closing the opening of the battery case. The assembled sealing part includes a resin sealing member. The sealing member includes a central cylindrical portion having a through-hole for inserting a shank of a negative electrode current collector therethrough, a peripheral cylindrical portion interposed between the periphery of the negative electrode terminal plate and the end portion of the opening of the battery case, and a joint portion for joining the central cylindrical portion and the peripheral cylindrical portion. The end portion of the opening of the battery case is curved such that the top of the peripheral cylindrical portion of the sealing member is wrapped therein, and the curved portion is crimped inward so that the periphery of the negative electrode terminal plate is fixed tightly. The sealing member includes polyamide having an equilibrium moisture content at a relative humidity of 50% of 0.9 to 1.7%.
US07910237B2

The present invention can provide a polymer electrolyte membrane having power generation characteristics with a high output and long life and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the same. The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte membrane having a porous polymer film and a proton conducting component present in a hole of the porous polymer film, characterized in that the proton conducting component has a compound having a proton conducting group and a bicyclo ring structure.
US07910223B2

A planarization composition is disclosed herein that comprises: a) a structural constituent; and b) a solvent system, wherein the solvent system is compatible with the structural constituent and lowers the lowers at least one of the intermolecular forces or surface forces components of the planarization composition. A film that includes this planarization composition is also disclosed. In addition, another planarization composition is disclosed herein that comprises: a) a cresol-based polymer compound; and b) a solvent system comprising at least one alcohol and at least one ether acetate-based solvent. A film that includes this planarization composition is also disclosed. A layered component is also disclosed herein that comprises: a) a substrate having a surface topography; and b) a planarization composition or a film such as those described herein, wherein the composition is coupled to the substrate. Methods of forming a planarization compositions are also disclosed herein that comprise: a) providing a structural constituent; b) providing a solvent system, wherein the solvent system is compatible with the structural constituent and lowers at least one of the intermolecular forces or surface forces components of the planarization composition; and c) blending the structural constituent and the solvent system to form a planarization composition. Methods of forming a film are also disclosed that comprise: a) providing a planarization composition such as those disclosed herein; and b) evaporating at least part of the solvent system to form a film.
US07910218B2

A component of a process chamber is refurbished and cleaned to remove an intermetallic compound from the component. The component has a structure having a coating that includes a first metal layer over the intermetallic compound. To refurbish the component, the first metal layer is removed to form an exposed surface that at least partially includes the intermetallic compound. The exposed surface is bead blasted in a penetrative bead blasting step by propelling blasting beads having a bead diameter of less than about 180 micrometers with a gas that is pressurized to a pressure of less than about 310 kPa (45 psi), towards the exposed surface, thereby removing the intermetallic compound from the exposed surface of the structure to form a cleaned surface. A second metal layer is then formed over the cleaned surface.
US07910215B2

Transparent especially glass, substrate (6) having at least on one of its sides an antireflection coating made from a stack (A) of thin dielectric layers of alternating high and low refractive indices, characterized in that the stack comprises, in succession: a high-index first film (1) having a refractive index n1 between 1.8 and 2.3 and a geometrical thickness e1 of between 10 and 25 nm; a low-index second film (2) with a refractive index n2 of between 1.40 and 1.55 and a geometrical thickness e2 of between 20 and 50 nm; a high-index third film (3) with a refractive index n3 of between 1.8 and 2.3 and a geometrical thickness n3 of between 110 and 150 nm; and a low-index fourth film (4) with a refractive index n4 of between 1.40 and 1.55 and a geometrical thickness e4 of between 60 and 95 nm, the algebraic sum of the geometrical thickness e3+e1 being between 125 and 160 nm.
US07910213B2

A gas-barrier laminate with a plastic substrate, an inorganic thin film formed on at least one surface of the plastic substrate, and a coating layer formed by applying a coating material on a surface of the inorganic thin film, wherein said coating layer contains a polyester-based resin having a molecular weight of 3000 to 15000 and a polyurethane-based resin having a molecular weight of 8000 to 30000 at a weight ratio of 5/95 to 95/5, and said gas-barrier laminate has an oxygen permeability of not more than 25 fmol/m2/s/Pa; and a gas-barrier laminate comprising a plastic substrate, an inorganic thin film formed on at least one surface of the plastic substrate, and a coating layer formed by applying a coating material on a surface of the inorganic thin film, wherein the gas-barrier laminate exhibits an oxygen permeability of not more than 50 fmol/m2/s/Pa as measured with respect to a gas-barrier film obtained by laminating an unstretched polypropylene film having a thickness of 60 μm on the coating layer of the gas-barrier laminate after subjecting the gas-barrier film to hydrothermal treatment at 120° C. for 30 min, and the coating layer has either a hardness of 0.1 to 0.5 GPa as measured at 23° C. in atmospheric air by a nano-indentation hardness testing method, a hardness of 0.03 to 0.5 GPa as measured at 23° C. in water by a nano-indentation hardness testing method, or a ratio of number of carbon atoms derived from carboxyl groups to number of carbon atoms constituting the surface of the coating layer of 0.005 to 0.1.
US07910206B2

The present invention relates to a self-rolling pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, including a shrinkable film layer; a restriction layer disposed on a side of the shrinkable film layer; and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the side of the restriction layer which is opposite to the side on which the shrinkable film layer is disposed. The self-rolling pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is a releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer after an adhesiveness decreasing treatment has a pressure-sensitive adhesive power (180° C. peeling, against a silicon mirror wafer, tensile speed: 300 mm/min) of 6.5 N/10 mm or less, and in which the self-rolling pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet rolls up in one direction from an end to form one tubular roll or rolls up from two opposing ends toward a center of the two opposing ends to form two tubular rolls, when the self-rolling pressure-sensitive sheet is stimulated to induce the contraction of the shrinkable film layer.
US07910194B2

The present invention pertains to carpet and methods of making carpet. In one aspect, the carpet includes (a) a primary backing which has a face and a back surface, (b) a plurality of fibers attached to the primary backing and extending from the face of the primary backing and exposed at the back surface of the primary backing, (c) an adhesive backing, (d) an optional secondary backing adjacent to the adhesive backing, and (e) at least one homogeneously branched ethylene polymer. The method includes extrusion coating at least one homogeneously branched ethylene polymer onto the back surface of a primary backing to provide an adhesive backing. The method can include additional steps or procedures, either separately or in various combinations. Additional steps and procedures include washing or scouring the primary backing and fibers prior to the extrusion step, and utilizing implosion agents. The preferred homogeneously branched ethylene polymer is a substantially linear ethylene polymer. The constructions and methods described herein are particularly suited for making tufted, broad-loom carpet having improved abrasion resistance.
US07910188B2

A frictional holding pad removably attaches handheld items, such as a cell phone, to a surface, such as a dash, to allow storage of handheld items on the surface with the pad to prevent the items from shifting or sliding due to the movement of the support surface. A smoother application side of the pad clings to the handheld item by specific or mechanical adhesion, and a contoured exposed side of the pad clings to the surface by specific or mechanical adhesion. The smoother application side of the pad can have a greater surface area than the contoured exposed side so the pad remains with the handheld item when removed from the surface. Indicia can be formed on the pad. The pad can be translucent or transparent. The pad can include an expanded vinyl material or a polyurethane material.
US07910177B2

A method for growing films on substrates using sequentially pulsed precursors and reactants, system and devices for performing the method, semiconductor devices so produced, and machine readable media containing the method.
US07910172B2

A method for fabricating a component having an environmental barrier coating. The method includes providing a component including silicon having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. A bondcoat is bonded to at least a portion of an outer surface of the component. An intermediate layer having a general composition of RE2Si2O7 is bonded to the bondcoat. The intermediate layer has a second coefficient of thermal expansion matched to the first coefficient of thermal expansion. A protective layer having a general composition of RE2SiO5 is bonded to the intermediate layer. A surface layer is bonded to the protective layer. The surface layer includes RE and has a ratio of RE to oxygen of at least 2:3.
US07910171B2

An antibiotic film comprised of a base adhesive layer of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), a second layer of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and a final layer of an antibiotic, preferably a zeolite contained in a water-based acrylic coating. The antibiotic laminating film is formed by passing a base film layer with water based zeolite and acrylic dispersion coated thereon through an oven to remove all water from the dispersion. The film is then wound into a roll until it is ready for extrusion coating with a thermal adhesive. After extrusion coating, the plain side of the film is corona treated and primed to promote adhesion. The thermal adhesive is then extruded onto the primer side of the film layer and cooled. The adhesive side of the film is then cooled.
US07910170B2

This invention provides a coating composition for use on a food-contact surface of a container (e.g., a food or beverage can) that includes a polymer having one or more segments of Formula I: —O—Ar—Rn—C(O)—O—R1—O—C(O)—Rn—Ar—O— wherein each Ar is independently a divalent aryl group (i.e., an arylene group) or heteroarylene group; R1 is a divalent organic group; each R is independently a divalent organic group; and n is 0 or 1. Containers comprising the polymer and methods of making such containers are also provided.
US07910154B2

A light emitting device may include an n-clad layer formed on a crystalline wafer; a porous layer formed by processing the n-clad layer in a mixed gas atmosphere of HCl and NH3. The light emitting device may further include an active layer and a p-clad layer formed on the porous layer.
US07910151B2

Devices and methods for the controlled release or exposure of reservoir contents, and methods of manufacture thereof, are provided. The device includes a reservoir cap formed of an electrically conductive material, which prevents the reservoir contents from passing out from the device and prevents exposure of the reservoir contents to molecules outside of the device; an electrical input lead connected to said reservoir cap; and an electrical output lead connected to said reservoir cap, such that upon application of an electrical current through the reservoir cap, via the input lead and output lead, the reservoir cap ruptures to release or expose the reservoir contents. The reservoir contents can comprise a release system containing drug molecules for release or can comprise a secondary device, such as a sensor. The controlled release system may be incorporated into an implantable drug delivery or biosensing device.
US07910150B2

A water-soluble dietary fiber-containing composition comprises a water-soluble dietary fiber material and a thickening polysaccharide in a mixing ratio, by mass, ranging from 95:5 to 80:20 and has a solubility, in water at 30° C., of not more than 80%. The composition may be prepared by a method comprising the steps of dissolving, in water, a water-soluble dietary fiber material and a thickening polysaccharide such that the mixing ratio of the former to the latter, by mass, ranges from 95:5 to 80:20 and then drying the resulting aqueous solution. The composition has a low solubility in water and therefore, can be incorporated into various foods, while maintaining desired excellent quality thereof without being accompanied by the reduction of the working characteristics of the raw materials for these foods.
US07910149B2

The present invention relates to a water-free low viscous liquid bread improver, which comprises a liquid emulsifier based on esters of hydroxy polycarboxylic acid derivatives, a glyceride based stabilizer and additive(s) and less than about 20% oil, to the use thereof, and to a process for producing a liquid bread improver. The liquid bread improver according to the present invention may be used in, for example, a variety of products in the bakery industry or in extruded snacks.
US07910140B2

The alkali metal salts form of β-acids dissolved in propylene glycol is used to control microbial growth in food products, process streams and other applications, including in cosmetic formulations.
US07910134B2

A composition comprising an alloplastic injectable suspension for use as a dermal filler comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent is provided. A method of making a composition comprising an alloplastic injectable suspension for use as a dermal filler comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent, said method comprising admixing a biocompatible and pliable material with a physiologically acceptable suspending agent, is also provided. A method of augmenting soft tissue to provide long-term reduction of a skin defect, said method comprising stimulating collagen beneath the skin defect is further provided. In an embodiment of the method of augmenting soft tissue, the stimulation of collagen production is effected by injecting into the deep reticular dermis an a dermal filler, said dermal filler being an alloplastic injectable suspension and comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent.
US07910130B2

Novel phosphate starch derivatives are useful in wound healing. Novel phosphorylated cottons are useful in wound healing. Silver-derivatized wound care products are provided which survive washing and remain part of the wound care product. Silver-derivatized wound care products are provided that have favorable elastase-sequestering activity while advantageously appearing white-colored, without needing to darken to grey or black as usually would occur when working with silver. Also, starch products with outstanding water uptake are provided.
US07910125B2

The resorption of a medical implant can be controlled with the use of particles embedded in a resorbable bulk material forming the implant or portion thereof. The implant can be removed from a body of a mammal by natural biological mechanisms after use. The resorption of the implant can involve swelling and/or hydrolyzing of the particles within the implant upon contact with a body fluid such that porosity and flow of fluid within the bulk material of the implant is increased. Resorption of the implant may also involve the use of particles with magnetic properties embedded within the implant such that an applied magnetic field causes the particles to vibrate within the bulk material thereby increasing the porosity and thus the flow of fluid, hence facilitating resorption of the implant. The resorption rate of the implant can be controlled by modulating swelling, hydrolysis, or movement of the embedded particles.
US07910115B2

A polypeptide absorbable into digestive organs, which is linked with a bioactive polypeptide, and assists absorption of the bioactive polypeptide into digestive organs when it is orally taken; a fusion polypeptide comprising the polypeptide absorbable into digestive organs and the bioactive polypeptide; and an oral composition comprising the fusion polypeptide are provided.
US07910105B2

The present invention provides methods of screening for compositions useful for treating, ameliorating, or preventing fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions by measuring changes in the level(s) of IL-21 and/or IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) (e.g., the level of expression of IL-21 and/or IL-21R protein and/or mRNA, the level of activity of IL-21 and/or IL-21R, the level of interaction of IL-21 with IL-21R). The invention further provides antagonists of IL-21 or IL-21R for the treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions. Further provided herein are methods of diagnosing, prognosing, and monitoring the progress (e.g., the course of treatment) of fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions by measuring the level of IL-21 and/or IL-21R (i.e., the level of activity of IL-21 and/or IL-21R, the level of expression of IL-21 and/or IL-21R (e.g., the level of IL-21 and/or IL-21R gene products), and/or the level of interaction of IL-21 with IL-21R).
US07910104B2

The present invention provides for modified forms of anti-CD52 antibodies with reduced numbers of potential T-cell epitopes that are expected to display decreased immunogenicity.
US07910102B2

Disclosed is a composition of matter comprising an OSK1 peptide analog, and in some embodiments, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprises the composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are DNAs encoding the inventive composition of matter, an expression vector comprising the DNA, and host cells comprising the expression vector. Methods of treating an autoimmune disorder and of preventing or mitigating a relapse of a symptom of multiple sclerosis are also disclosed.
US07910096B2

Human and humanized monoclonal antibodies which binds specifically to subunit A of Shiga like toxin II have been developed which are effective to prevent or ameliorate one or more symptoms of HUS in a human. Effective dosages for treatment or prevention range from approximately 0.1 to 5.0 mg of antibody/kg of patient weight. The examples demonstrate the preferred dosage ranges based on the pig model, and what is being tested in phase I clinical trials. Antibodies are preferably transfused over a period of two hours, although this will depend on the patient and the disease state at the time of treatment. Preferred dosages for treatment of humans are between 0.1 mg/kg-5.0 mg/kg of 5C120, or an equivalent dosage of another antibody to subunit A of STX2. In the most preferred embodiments, dosages of 0.1 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, or 5.0 mg/kg of 5C12 (low dose, anticipated therapeutic dose based on animal data and high dose) are administered.
US07910095B2

Novel human monoclonal antibodies derived from a transgenic mouse are disclosed as well as a process for the preparation of the novel monoclonals and a therapeutic method of treating an individual for hemolytic uremic syndrome or of protecting an individual against hemolytic uremic syndrome by administration of the monoclonals to the individual in need of treatment or protection.
US07910091B2

The present application discloses a system for trapping flying insects, utilizing carbon dioxide in conjunction with one or more biochemical lures, visual lures or both. Preferably, a biochemical lure such as lactic acid, a salt of lactic acid, or combinations thereof, are employed in particular geometric shapes contained in specifically designed housing to ensure an effective release rate over extended periods of time.
US07910087B2

Novel luciferins, methods of making luciferins, and uses of the same are disclosed.
US07910082B2

A method for preparing ordered mesoporous silicon carbide (OMSiC) nanocomposites uses an evaporation-induced self-assembly of a precursor composition that preferably includes a phenolic resin, pre-hydrolyzed tetraethyl orthosilicate, a surfactant, and butanol. The precursor mixture is dried, cross-linked and heated to form ordered mesoporous silicon carbide material having discrete domains of ordered, mesoscale pores.
US07910081B2

The invention provides a process for the production of fumed silica. The process comprises providing a silicon halide feedstock comprising about 80% to 100% methyltrichlorosilane, combining the silicon halide feedstock with hydrogen gas and oxygen gas to form a reactant mixture, discharging the reactant mixture out of a burner, and combusting the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas of the reactant mixture so as to hydrolyze the silicon halide feedstock to produce fumed silica. Hydrogen (H2) is present in a mole fraction of about 0.11 or less based on the reactant mixture, and/or the velocity of the reactant mixture upon exiting the burner is about 25 m/s or more.
US07910080B2

A phosphorous pentoxide producing method includes forming a kiln bed using feed agglomerates with a calcium-to-silica mole ratio of from 0.5 to 1.0 and maintaining a bed temperature at or above 1260° C. along a portion of the bed length without exceeding 1380° C. along the entire bed length. Less than 10% of the agglomerates' phosphate input to the kiln remains in the kiln residue as phosphate. Another method includes maintaining a bed temperature at or above 1180° C. along a portion of the bed length and establishing a bed surface-to-volume ratio multiplied by a time for bed heat up to 1180° C. of less than 50 minutes-ft2/ft3.
US07910074B2

A liquid transfer system for transferring liquid from a plurality of containers to a plurality of destinations comprises a plurality of inlet valves. Each inlet valve is operable between an open position allowing liquid from a container to be drawn into the system and a closed position blocking liquid from a container from being drawn into the system. Liquid drawn from each of the liquid containers is delivered to a buffer chamber designed to degas the liquid in the buffer chamber. The buffer chamber leads to a vented feeder chamber that is also adapted to retain a volume of liquid. A chamber connection valve is provided between the buffer chamber and the feeder chamber to allow or block the flow of liquid between the buffer chamber and the feeder chamber. The feeder chamber is connected to a plurality of distribution valves operable to deliver liquid to a plurality of destinations.
US07910070B2

A process and system for separating and saturating benzene from a reforming reactor effluent begins with introducing the reforming reactor effluent to a combined stabilizer and naphtha splitter. An overhead stream comprising light ends, a sidecut stream comprising C4− C5 compounds, a bottoms stream comprising C7+ compounds and a heart cut stream comprising C4, C5, C6 compounds including benzene are all removed from the combined stabilizer and naphtha splitter. The heart cut stream is introduced to a side stripper to produce a side stripper overhead stream reduced in benzene and a side stripper bottoms stream enriched in benzene. At least a portion of the side stripper bottoms stream enriched in benzene is introduced into a hydrogenation zone to saturate benzene and generate a hydrogenation zone effluent reduced in benzene. The side stripper overhead stream may be recycled to the combined stabilizer and naphtha splitter.
US07910064B2

This invention provides nanowire based molecular sensors and methods for detecting analytes in a microfluidic system. Methods for sensing analytes include detecting changed electrical parameters associated with contact of a nanowire with the analyte in a microfluidic system. Sensors of the invention include nanowires mounted in microchambers of a microfluidic system in electrical contact with the detector, whereby electrical parameter changes induced in the nanowire by the analyte can be monitored by the detector.
US07910055B2

A system for recovery and reutilization of sterilant gas mixture from a sterilizer chamber includes a storage tank in gaseous communication with a sterilizer chamber via a gas recovery assembly, wherein after sterilization the gas recovery assembly evacuates the sterilant gas mixture to the storage recovery tank. The system also includes an inert purge gas supply adapted to supply a purge gas to the sterilizer chamber after the sterilant gas mixture is withdrawn to the storage recovery tank, wherein the gas recovery assembly evacuates an additional portion of the purge gas from the sterilizer chamber to the storage tank to enrich the gas mixture for later reutilization in subsequent sterilization cycles.
US07910048B2

The process for the synthesis of rhenium powders comprises the injection of ammonium perrhenate powder through a carrier gas in a plasma torch of a plasma reactor operated using a mixture including hydrogen as the plasma gas, yielding metallic rhenium under the following chemical reaction: 2NH4ReO4+4H2→2Re+N2↑+8H2O↑. The reactor is provided with a quench zone for cooling the metallic rhenium so as to yield rhenium nano and micro powders.
US07910046B2

A method of laminating a sheet or sheets to a substrate and a method of laminating a plurality of articles. The substrate is inserted into a press. The sheet is inserted into the press over the substrate. Liquid thermoset polymer is injected into the press. Heat and pressure are applied forcing the liquid thermoset polymer against the sheet and forcing the sheet against the substrate. The liquid thermoset polymer is allowed to cure under heat and pressure forming a cured silicone rubber sheet. The cured silicone rubber sheet is removed from the press. A plurality of articles may be laminated by laminating the second of the articles while the first article is cooling.
US07910038B2

A method for making a preform includes creating a pressure differential between an inside and an outside of a perforated shape memory polymer mandrel in its temporary shape. The pressure differential is such that pressure outside the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel is greater than pressure inside the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel. The perforated shape memory polymer mandrel has i) a predetermined preform shape as the temporary shape and ii) a shrunken shape as its permanent shape, wherein the shrunken shape is configured such that it is removable from the predetermined preform shape. The method further includes depositing, as the pressure differential is maintained, at least one material onto a surface of the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel. The at least one material is set in the predetermined preform shape, thereby forming the preform.
US07910036B2

A method of moulding an object of indefinite length. A first portion of molten material is injected into a mould comprising a stationary platen and a moving platen and solidifies to form a first portion of solid material at a first position. The moving platen is moved in a given direction to open the mould and move the material in said given direction to a second position in communication with the mould. The moving platen is then moved in the opposite direction to close the mould. A further portion of molten material is injected into the mould and solidifies to form a further portion of solid material intimately bonded to said first portion. The steps are repeated to form an object comprising the first portion and further portions of material bonded together as a linear array of indefinite length.
US07910035B2

A method for manufacturing an integrated solar cell and concentrator. The method includes providing a first photovoltaic region and a second photovoltaic region disposed within a first mold member. A second mold member is coupled to the first mold member to form a cavity region. The cavity region forms a first concentrator region overlying a vicinity of the first photovoltaic region and a second concentrator region overlying a vicinity of the second photovoltaic region. The method includes transferring a molding compound in a fluidic state into the cavity region to fill the cavity region with the molding compound and initiating a curing process of the molding compound to form a first concentrator element and a second concentrator element overlying the respective photovoltaic regions.
US07910034B2

An injection-molding arrangement for molding a molded part is disclosed. In particular a grommet can be molded onto a cable. The arrangement has at least two injection-molding tools, which are arranged in a holding device offset in relation to each other along a longitudinal extent of a cable located in the injection-molding arrangement and enclose at least certain portions of the cable during the injection-molding operation. Furthermore, a method of molding on a molded part and use of the injection-molding arrangement for molding on a molded part is disclosed.
US07910032B2

The present invention provides an exemplary process for manufacturing a flexible packaging laminate into a pouch for containing liquids such as edible oil. The process includes taking granules of polypropylene and medium density polyethylene in a proportion of 1-1.5:1.5-2.5, —melting the granules at 200-230 degrees Celsius in a 3 layer blown film extruder to form a co-extruded film, —printing the film by a Rotogravure printing technique at 40-60 degrees Celsius, —laminating the printed film with a conventional 5 layer co-extruded nylon film at 60-80 degrees Celsius, —curing the laminated film at 35-45 degrees Celsius for at least 2 days, —and slitting the cured laminated film to a desired size for using with a Form Fill Seal machine (FFS Machine) at 160-180 degrees Celsius, to make pouches that hold liquids, such as edible oil.
US07910031B2

The invention relates to film products containing desired levels of active components and methods of their preparation. Desirably, the films disintegrate in water and may be formed by a controlled drying process, or other process that maintains the required uniformity of the film. Desirably, the films may be exposed to temperatures above that at which the active components typically degrade without concern for loss of the desired activity.
US07910028B2

The direct vapor depositing resin composition of the present invention comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of (A-I): a graft copolymer obtained by graft-polymerizing one or more monomers or a monomer mixture to a complex rubber-like polymer (G) composed of a polyorganosiloxane and a (meth)acrylate-based polymer and (A-II): a graft copolymer obtained by graft-polymerizing one or more monomers or a monomer mixture including an alkyl (meth)acrylate as an essential component to a rubber-like polymer (R) in which the content of diene units is 30% by weight or less in 100% by weight of the whole rubber-like polymer. The direct vapor depositing resin composition of the present invention can provide a beautiful bright appearance after direct vapor deposition of a metal, further, has high level mechanical strengths such as impact strength and the like, and weather resistance, and is also excellent in hot plate welding property with a transparent resin such as PMMA resins, PC resins and the like.
US07910023B2

According to the invention, a highly crystalline α-sialon is synthesized to emit highly intense light and a white LED showing an excellent color rendering characteristic is provided by shifting emitted light to the short wavelength side (blue shift). Such an α-sialon is designed so as to be expressed by general formula (Lix, Cay, Euz) (Si12−(m+n)Alm+n) (OnN16−n) wherein the numerical ranges of x, y, z, m and n are respectively 0
US07910022B2

Disclosed are photoluminescent compositions containing photoluminescent phosphorescent materials and photoluminescent fluorescent materials whose emission signature lies partly or fully in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Also disclosed are photoluminescent compositions containing photoluminescent phosphorescent materials and photoluminescent fluorescent materials whose emission signature lies partly or fully in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum which are high in intensity and high in persistence.
US07910021B2

A polymerizable optically active compound of formula (1) has high helical twisting power. When added to a liquid crystal (LC) composition it achieves required helical pitch without largely impairing the physical and optical properties of the LC composition. The compound is suited to be compounded with a LC material, particularly a cholesteric LC material for making an optically anisotropic element excellent in heat resistance, solvent resistance, transparency, optical characteristics, and LC alignment fixing ability. The compound is also useful to form a LC alignment layer, a LC alignment controlling agent, a coating material, a protective film, etc. X1 and X2 each represent a (meth)acryloyloxy group; Y1 and Y2 each represent a single bond, an optionally branched C1-8 alkylene group, an ether linkage, a thioether linkage, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, an optionally substituted 6-membered ring, an optionally substituted naphthalene ring, or a combination thereof.
US07910020B2

Liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds including at least one mesogenic substructure and at least one long flexible segment and a compound selected from a photochromic compound, a dichroic compound and a photochromic-dichroic compound and methods of synthesizing the same and their use in articles of manufacture and ophthalmic devices are disclosed.
US07910019B2

Compounds including at least one mesogenic substructure and at least one long flexible segment and methods of synthesizing the same are disclosed. Formulations which include various embodiments of the mesogen containing compounds and their use in articles of manufacture and ophthalmic devices are also disclosed.
US07910016B2

A main component has a general formula of {(1−x)(K1-a-bNaaLib)m(Nb1-c-dTacSbd)O3−x(M10.5Bi0.5)nM2O3} (wherein M1 is Ca, Sr or Ba, M2 is Ti, Zr or Sn, 0.005≦x≦0.5, 0≦a≦0.9, 0≦b≦0.3, 0≦a+b≦0.9, 0≦c≦0.5, 0≦d≦0.1, 0.9≦m≦1.1, and 0.9≦n≦1.1). At least one specific element selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Lu is contained at as in sample numbers 46 to 48, 0.1 to 10 mol in total per 100 mols of the main component (preferably, 1.5 to 10 mol). This provides a piezoelectric ceramic composition and a piezoelectric ceramic electronic component that can have a desired high piezoelectric d constant in a consistent and highly efficient manner in both a very low electric field and a high electric field.
US07910011B2

A magnetic head includes: a pole layer including a track width defining portion and a wide portion; and an encasing layer disposed on a bottom forming layer and having a groove that accommodates the pole layer. The groove includes a first portion for accommodating at least part of the track width defining portion, and a second portion for accommodating at least part of the wide portion. A manufacturing method for the magnetic head includes: the step of etching a nonmagnetic layer that will become the encasing layer later, such that an initial groove including the first portion is formed in the nonmagnetic layer; the step of forming an initial groove mask covering the first portion; and a second etching step for etching the nonmagnetic layer so as to complete the groove. When the second etching step starts, a portion of the top surface of the bottom forming layer located in a region in which the second portion is to be formed is covered with the nonmagnetic layer or the initial groove mask.
US07910007B2

It is an object of the present invention, in performing cooling treatment of a waste liquid, to provide a mechanism which safely treats the waste liquid by cooling, without increasing cost and without providing large equipment. A treatment method of a waste liquid is proposed, in which a chemical liquid is supplied from a chemical liquid supply portion to a chemical liquid treatment portion; water is supplied from a water supply portion to a water treatment portion; a first waste liquid discharged from the chemical liquid treatment portion is made to flow into an inner pipe through a waste chemical portion, concurrently with making a second waste liquid discharged from the water treatment portion flow through a waste water portion into an outer pipe which is disposed outside the inner pipe; and the second waste liquid has a lower temperature than the first waste liquid.
US07910006B2

The water is at the origin of an entire series of geological and climatic processes and is primarily the basis of all forms of life. Actually, it is the majority component of all living organisms (50% to 98%); the human body contains 70% of the total mass thereof. The biosphere in its entirety consists of 80% water. Although this may be one of the most highly examined liquids, its properties comprising numerous anomalies have not yet all been elucidated. It plays an essential role in the structure and metabolism of all living beings. This biological role is due to its physical and chemical properties that are out of the ordinary. Bernal and Flower established a rule defining that each oxygen atom has two hydrogen atoms as neighbors and each hydrogen bond contains one hydrogen atom. The separation of the liquid water molecules produces the formation of hydroxyl ion (OH−) and hydronium ions (H3O+), which hampers this rule. The appearance of OH− and H3O+ ions produces “ionic defects” in the structure of the water (Bernal, J. and Fowler, R. (1933). “A Theory of Water and Ionic Solution, with Particular Reference to Hydrogen and Hydroxyl Ions.” Journal of Chemical Physics 1(8): 515-548). In the absence of an electric field, there is an equilibrium between the hydroxyl ions and the hydronium ions. If an electromagnetic field that polarizes in water is sent on, these two ions move independently and the equilibrium is broken. These ionic compounds can go to be adsorbed, for example, on colloidal particles.
US07910005B2

The use of a sulfur-impregnated organoclay provides a mercury or arsenic removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The Hg/As removal media described herein is prepared by impregnating an organophilic clay with elemental (free state) sulfur. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with impregnating the organoclay with sulfur.
US07909994B2

A method and device for increasing the loading capacity of a chromatography column through dilution of a mobile phase at the head of the column. A strong mobile phase is provided for dissolving a sample. A sample is injected into the strong mobile phase, and subsequently diluted with a weak mobile phase. The resulting sample-containing weak mobile phase is passed through a chromatography column for retention and separation of the components of the sample.
US07909990B2

A filter device is made up of: a filter portion having a fluid outlet at its axis, and a fluid inlet in a position away from the axis, in which a fluid containing particles is supplied at a predetermined flow speed from the fluid inlet to cause a swirling, particles are moved outward in a centrifugal state and the fluid from which the particles are separated is discharged from the fluid outlet, and the particles separated by slowing down the swirling are allowed to sink; and a settlement portion in which the particles that settle in the filter portion are allowed to settle. Thus, a fluid containing particles is supplied at a predetermined flow speed to cause swirling, the particles are separated by a centrifugal force caused by the swirling and allowed to sink and settle, and the fluid from which the particles are separated is discharged. A large amount of particles can be allowed to settle and be reliably removed in a short time with this small-sized and simple device. The filter device does not clog, does not need washing and exchanging work and keeps the costs low.
US07909985B2

A method for recovering valuable chemical products from heavy hydrocarbons such as tar sand or petroleum waste products is disclosed and described. Heavy hydrocarbons can be contacted with a fragmentation fluid which includes ozone and a solvent carrier. The fragmentation fluid can be provided at supercritical conditions. For example, supercritical CO2 can be an effective liquid solvent carrier for ozone. During contact with the fragmentation fluid, the heavy hydrocarbons are reduced in size to form a product mixture of chemical compounds. This product mixture typically includes chemical species which are more suitable than the original heavy hydrocarbons to commercial uses and/or further separation to provide useful starting materials for a wide variety of synthesis and industrial applications.
US07909984B2

A sensor designed to determine the amount and concentration of analyte in a sample having a volume of less than about 1 μL. The sensor has a working electrode coated with a non-leachable redox mediator. The redox mediator acts as an electron transfer agent between the analyte and the electrode. In addition, a second electron transfer agent, such as an enzyme, can be added to facilitate the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the analyte. The redox mediator is typically a redox compound bound to a polymer. The preferred redox mediators are air-oxidizable.The amount of analyte can be determined by coulometry. One particular coulometric technique includes the measurement of the current between the working electrode and a counter or reference electrode at two or more times. The charge passed by this current to or from the analyte is correlated with the amount of analyte in the sample. Other electrochemical detection methods, such as amperometric, voltammetric, and potentiometric techniques, can also be used.The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US07909979B2

The present invention provides a water photolysis system comprising: a casing 1 into which incident sunlight L can enter from the outside and a photolytic layer 5 which is disposed inside the casing 1; wherein the photolytic layer 5 has a light-transmissive porous material 51 and photocatalyst particles 52 supported thereon; a water layer 4 containing water in its liquid state is disposed below the photolytic layer 5 with a first space 6 disposed between the water layer and the photolytic layer; a sealed second space 7 is formed above the photolytic layer 5 in the casing 1; vapor generated from the water layer 4 is introduced into the photolytic layer 5 via the first space 6; and the vapor is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen by the photocatalyst particles 52, which are excited by the sunlight L.
US07909970B2

An oxygen sensor is employed for determining whether the exhaust air-fuel ratio is rich or lean. A voltage is applied to the oxygen sensor at device impedance calculation intervals to calculate device impedance. After device impedance calculation, a reverse voltage is applied to the oxygen sensor with a view toward promptly negating the influence of voltage application on the sensor output. Subsequently, the sensor output of the oxygen sensor is sampled at sampling time intervals until it is concluded that the device impedance calculation period is over.
US07909966B2

The invention disclosed relates to catalytic distillation column internals providing improved liquid reaction mixture and catalyst contacting for simultaneous catalytic reaction and separation of the reaction mixture. The invention is an improved catalytic distillation apparatus providing optimum balance of catalytic reaction and mass transfer steps, wherein distribution, mixing and feeding of liquid reaction mixture to the reaction zone and distillation section are better controlled and more uniformly applied. At least one catalyst bed is situated in at least one receiving pan of a distillation tray so that the tray performs the functions of both of the reaction section and the distillation section of the catalytic distillation column simultaneously within a stage.
US07909964B2

This invention relates to a porous pulp mold comprising sintered particles and a plurality of drainage channels. The pulp mold of the invention can be produced in a fast and cost effective way. The molding surface of the invention comprises small pore openings, to evacuate fluid and prevent fibers from entering the pulp mold. Furthermore the pulp mold of the invention comprises drainage channels improving the drainage capabilities of the pulp mold. The molding surface can be heated to at least 200° C., due to high heat conductivity of the pulp mold and its ability to withstand high temperatures.
US07909963B2

A method is provided for measuring hydrophobic contaminants distributed in paper pulp suspension. The method comprises: adding a fluorescent dye (18) to the paper pulp suspension (12) including fibers and hydrophobic contaminants, the dye (18) interacting with the hydrophobic contaminants of the paper pulp suspension (12); submitting the paper pulp suspension (12) including the fibers, the hydrophobic contaminants, and the dye (18) to light characterized by a wavelength exciting the dye (18) to produce light emission signals; and detecting the light emission signals and evaluating the signals to measure the hydrophobic contaminants.
US07909961B2

A method and apparatus for etching photomasks are provided herein. The apparatus includes a process chamber with a shield above a substrate support. The shield comprises a plate with apertures, and the plate has two zones with at least one characteristic, such as material or potential bias, that is different from each other. The method provides for etching a photomask substrate with a distribution of ions and neutral species that pass through the shield.
US07909954B2

A method and apparatus are provided, for forming a filter element including a media pack in the form of a coiled fluted filter media, by winding the web of fluted filter media around a pair of tools of a mandrel. The tools engage the sides of the filter media. The tools define a major to provide the media pack with a oblong or elongated shape. The web may be fed at constant linear speed, and/or a motor may be controlled in a manner to provide constant driving torque to maintain a constant tension on the web. The winding apparatus and methods may include apparatus or methods to modify the feed path of the web to adjust the tension of the web as it is being wound. Further, the coiled media packs can be fixtured to prevent relaxation. A method may form various shaped media packs with the same apparatus.
US07909946B2

A copper alloy consists essentially of Cu: 69 to 88 mass %, Si: 2 to 5 mass %, Zr: 0.0005 to 0.04 mass %, P: 0.01 to 0.25 mass %, and Zn: balance; has relation of, in terms of content of element a, [a] mass %, f0=[Cu]−3.5[Si]−3[P]=61 to 71, f1=[P]/[Zr]=0.7 to 200, f2=[Si]/[Zr]=75 to 5000, and f3=[Si]/[P]=12 to 240; has a metal structure containing α phase and, K phase and/or γ phase, and has relation of, in terms of a content of phase b, [b]%, in an area rate, f4=[α]+[γ]+[K]≧85 and f5=[γ]+[K]+0.3[μ]−[β]=5 to 95; and has an average grain diameter of 200 μm or less in a macrostructure when melted and solidified.
US07909944B2

A surface conditioning composition is provided in which a titanium phosphate compound can be stored in the state of a dispersion liquid for a long period of time while being stably present in the dispersion liquid, with favorable stability also in the bath, and with the composition being capable of forming a conversion coating film in a sufficient amount of the film even in the case of application to conversion resistant metal materials such as high-tensile steel sheets.
US07909940B2

Dish washing machine including a steam generator, which supplies steam during the washing procedure to aid in the washing of items in the dish washer, and a method for controlling the same. The dish washing machine capable of discharging residual water from the steam generator to remove impurities in the water contained therein. Discharging the residual water in the steam generator may be performed prior to, during or after the washing procedure in such a manner so as to protect other components from damage due to the high temperatures associated with the residual water.
US07909938B2

A washing-agent dispenser for a household washing machine having a main casing, defining at least a container for a washing agent, and a member for closing the container. The closing member includes a substantially rigid body made of a first material, associated to which there are sealing means, made at least in part with a second substantially elastic or soft material. Associated to the rigid body of the closing member there are at least partially elastic or yielding complements, which are functionally distinct from the sealing means and are able to undergo deformation in the course of the use of the closing member. The complements are made at least in part of an elastic, soft, or yielding material, in particular of a synthetic type, which can be overmoulded directly on the rigid body of the closing member. Preferably, a plurality of complements is formed in a single component, which can include also said sealing means.
US07909933B2

The invention provides a plasma processing method capable of reducing particle caused by flinging up of particles by airflow due to the pressure fluctuation in the processing chamber during the time the sample is carried into the processing chamber, subjected to plasma processing and carried out of the processing chamber. The invention provides a plasma processing method using a plasma processing apparatus comprising multiple plasma processing chambers for processing samples, a transfer chamber connected to the processing chambers for transferring samples, and a supply system for supplying gas which is the same gas as a transferring gas supplied to the transfer chamber to both the processing chambers and transfer chamber or to only the processing chambers, wherein the process comprises (b) a step of transferring the sample into the processing chamber with the transferring gas supplied to the processing chamber; (c) thereafter, generating plasma from the transferring gas supplied to the processing chamber while maintaining the supply of transferring gas to the processing chamber; (d) a step of switching the gas supplied to the processing chamber from transferring gas to processing gas while maintaining plasma by supplying processing gas continuously to the processing chamber; and (e) a step of subjecting the sample to plasma processing.
US07909924B2

A printing ink is disclosed containing: non-water soluble polymeric surfactant; and water as a dispersed phase, wherein the non-water soluble polymeric surfactant stabilizes the water to form a stabilized emulsion heatset printing ink.
US07909922B2

A dehumidifier is provided. A dehumidifier includes a cabinet defining an outer appearance, a barrier installed in the cabinet to collect condensed water removed from air, a bucket assembly for storing the condensed water directed from the barrier, and a condensed water detecting unit for detecting an amount or level of the condensed water stored in the bucket assembly.
US07909921B1

A pollution control device that provides an external air filtration system for pollutants and other undesirable materials. The system includes a pipe which is attached to the external wall of a building and which provides water to each of the filtration units. An air flow chute is associated with the pollution control device and allows incoming air to pass through a replaceable filter and adjacent to an ultraviolet light setup that are located within each air filtration unit. The air being drawn into the system and subsequently filtered is drawn in by a rooftop device that draws air upward through the device and expels it through the top of the air flow chute.
US07909914B2

The present invention relates to a method of removing acid gases, notably carbonyl sulfide, contained in gaseous effluents, comprising: an acid gas absorption stage by contacting the gaseous effluent with an aqueous solution comprising 2-[2-amino-1-(aminomethyl)ethoxy]ethanol, and possibly another alkanolamine and an organic compound, and at least one aqueous solution regeneration stage. The method can comprise a second aqueous solution regeneration stage. The regeneration stages are carried out by expansion and/or thermal regeneration.
US07909912B2

A method is disclosed for enhancing condensation and separation in a fluid separator, wherein: —a fluid mixture is accelerated to a transonic or supersonic velocity in a throat section of a flow channel and thereby expanded and cooled such that at least some initially gaseous components become supersaturated and condense; —at least some condensed components are removed from the fluid mixture in the flow channel at a location downstream of the throat section; and —condensation of at least some supersaturated components is enhanced by illuminating the fluid mixture flowing through the flow channel by a radiation source (10), such as an Ultraviolet (UV) light source which excites and/or ionizes and induces mercury, water, aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and/or other components to condense thereby forming condensation nuclei for other supersaturated fluid components.
US07909911B2

A carbon dioxide permeable membrane is described. In some embodiments, the membrane includes a body having a first side and an opposite second side; a plurality of first regions formed from a molten carbonate having a temperature of about 400 degrees Celsius to about 1200 degrees Celsius, the plurality of first regions forming a portion of the body and the plurality of first regions extending from the first side of the body to the second side of the body; a plurality of second regions formed from an oxygen conductive solid oxide, the plurality of second regions combining with the plurality of first regions to form the body and the plurality of second regions extending from the first side of the body to the second side of the body; and the body is configured to allow carbon dioxide to pass from the first side to the second side.
US07909906B2

A cold work steel has the following chemical composition in weight-%: 1.25-1.75% (C+N), however at least 0.5% C 0.1-1.5% Si 0.1-1.5% Mn 4.0-5.5% Cr 2.5-4.5% (Mo+W/2), however max. 0.5% W 3.0-4.5% (V+Nb/2), however max. 0.5% Nb max 0.3% S balance iron and unavoidable impurities, and a microstructure which in the hardened and tempered condition of the steel contains 6-13 vol-% of vanadium-rich MX-carbides, -nitrides and/or carbonitrides which are evenly distributed in the matrix of the steel, where X is carbon and/or nitrogen, at least 90 vol-% of said carbides, nitrides and/or carbonitrides having an equivalent diameter, Deq, which is smaller than 3.0 μm; and totally max. 1 vol-% of other, possibly existing carbides, nitrides or carbonitrides.
US07909901B2

A liquid cartridge includes a vessel body for containing liquid. The vessel body includes a plurality of surfaces. An oxygen outlet is provided on one surface among the plurality of surfaces of the vessel body. And an oxygen input is provided on a surface other than a furthest surface from the surface on which the oxygen outlet is provided among the plurality of surfaces of the vessel body.
US07909888B2

Provided is a process for dyeing or lightening human keratin fibers, comprising applying to the keratin fibers: a) at least one anhydrous composition (A) comprising at least one fatty substance and at least one surfactant; b) at least one composition (B) comprising monoethanolamine and at least one basic amino acid; and c) at least one composition (C) comprising at least one oxidizing agent; provided that when the process is a dyeing process, the at least one anhydrous composition (A) is free from organic amines and the at least one composition (B) comprises at least one oxidation dye and/or at least one direct dye fiber. Also provided is a multi-compartment device comprising: a first compartment comprising at least one an anhydrous composition (A) comprising at least one fatty substance and at least one surfactant; a second compartment comprising at least composition (B) comprising monoethanolamine and at least one basic amino acid; and a third compartment comprising at least one composition (C) comprising at least one oxidizing agent.
US07909882B2

A joint replacement prosthesis and procedure reduce the number of steps to complete a joint replacement. The joint replacement prosthesis comprises a ball and socket unit that fixes the ball in the socket prior to surgery. The unit is coupled to a bone structure in the patient and is coupled with a prosthesis that is fixed to another bone of the patient, such as a femoral implant fixed in a femur and providing a coupling at the end of a neck portion that is easily fit into a femoral head and acetabulum unit. A tether may be used to retain the ball in the socket and/or the ball may be retained by extension in the socket that do not restrict patient motion.
US07909878B2

An artificial spinal disc is provided for unilateral insertion from the posterior side of the patient and includes a pair of plate members with a bearing associated with one plate member and a depression associated with the other for permitting limited flexibility of patient movement. An outrigger is provided which includes rods extending through the pedicles on one side of each of two adjacent vertebrae and posts connected to the rods which provide an artificial facet joint. A method of insertion of the artificial spinal disc hereof includes cutting channels for receiving longitudinally extending ribs on the plate members and removing the natural facet joint in order to permit insertion of the artificial spinal disc. A tool for insertion of the artificial spinal disc acts as a drill guide for creating a passage through the pedicles.
US07909874B2

An artificial spinal implant for placement between adjacent vertebrae to replace disk material and to stabilize the involved vertebrae is described. The artificial disk may be disassembled for installation and/or removal for repair, replacement or adjustment, and may be assembled from the front of the spine as individual component parts, thereby permitting alignment of the spine during the assembly process, and the stabilization of the involved vertebrae once assembly has been completed. Further, the components may be chosen from a set of similar components having different sizes, thereby enabling the implant to be tailor fit to the requirements of the patient.
US07909867B2

The present invention provides materials that have high glucose and oxygen permeability, strength, water content, and resistance to protein adsorption. The materials include an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel that is coated with biomolecules. The IPN hydrogels include two interpenetrating polymer networks. The first polymer network is based on a hydrophilic telechelic macromonomer. The second polymer network is based on a hydrophilic monomer. The hydrophilic monomer is polymerized and cross-linked to form the second polymer network in the presence of the first polymer network. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophilic telechelic macromonomer is PEG-diacrylate or PEG-dimethacrylate and the hydrophilic monomer is an acrylic-based monomer. Any biomolecules may be linked to the IPN hydrogels, but are preferably biomolecules that support the growth of cornea-derived cells. The material is designed to serve as a corneal prosthesis.
US07909865B2

An expandable medical device having a plurality of elongated struts, the plurality of elongated struts being joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter, and the plurality of struts each having a strut width in a circumferential direction. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially through a thickness of the strut. A beneficial agent may be loaded into the opening within the strut. The expandable medical device may further include a plurality of ductile hinges formed between the elongated struts, the ductile hinges allowing the cylindrical device to be expanded or compressed from the first diameter to the second diameter by deformation of the ductile hinges.
US07909861B2

A critical care thermal therapy system incorporating a remote temperature sensor in association with a thermal module adapted for delivering a fluid to a patient in response to the sensed temperature thereof.
US07909860B2

A fixation system including a bone plate having at least a first fixation hole for receiving a bone screw, and a groove in communication with the first fixation hole; a resilient clip disposed the groove; and a drill guide having a tip portion configured to engage the resilient clip when the tip portion is inserted into the first fixation hole.
US07909854B2

A spinal fixation system connector for maintaining a predetermined positions of a spinal linkage members fastened to vertebrae of a patient. The connector includes a body having first and second openings extending along first and second axes, respectively. The connector includes a first fastener for fastening the first member in the first opening and a second fastener for fastening the second member in the second opening. Prior to the first fastener fastening the first spinal linkage member in the first opening and the second fastener fastening the second spinal linkage member in the second opening, the body is manipulatable to adjust an angle between the first axis and the second axis. When the first fastener fastens the first member in the first opening and the second fastener fastens the second member in the second opening, the angle between the first axis and the second axis is fixed.
US07909850B2

Forceps having two-half shells are disclosed. Each half-shell includes a front rim and a base wall and is mounted on a support element in a manner such that the half-shells can adopt a first opened-out configuration and a second closed configuration. The forceps include at least one container element having a cavity for receiving a plurality of biopsy samples. The container element is preferably associated with one of the half-shells.
US07909843B2

A surgical port and dilator are useful for creating access to surgical sites having tortuous geometries and/or requiring relatively long and narrow access to the surgical site. The surgical port or dilator can be provided with an oblique distal end to facilitate placement and the displace tissue near angled surfaces. The surgical port can be inserted into the operative site following dilation in the same fashion as a conventional port. Once inserted, however, the surgical port may then be elongated to provide relatively long and narrow, elliptically- shaped access to the surgical site. The elongation of the port allows the surgeon access to long and narrow surgical sites, such as the spine, without having to expand radially. This reduces trauma to the patient. A locking means is also provided to hold the surgical port in the open position until a release mechanism is activated.
US07909829B2

A tissue retractor and guide device for use in securing a spinal fixation plate to a spine is provided. In general, the device includes an elongate member having a guide member formed thereon or mated thereto with at least one lumen extending therethrough for receiving a tool. The guide member is adapted to couple to a spinal implant, while the distal portion of the elongate member is effective to retract tissue disposed adjacent to the guide member.
US07909820B2

Adaptors for electrically coupling between an electrosurgical generator and a bipolar electrosurgical device are provided. In one preferred embodiment, the adaptor comprises a power input connector for coupling the adaptor with a monopolar mode power output connector of the electrosurgical generator, a ground connector for coupling the adaptor with a ground connector of the electrosurgical generator, a first and a second power output connector, each for coupling the adaptor with a first and a second bipolar mode power input connector of the bipolar electrosurgical device, respectively, a monopolar hand switch connector for coupling the adaptor with a monopolar mode hand switch connector of the electrosurgical generator, and at least one bipolar mode hand switch connector for coupling the adaptor with a bipolar mode hand switch connector of the electrosurgical device.
US07909814B2

A drainage catheter hub having a rotatable lever handle adapted to secure a suture thread to maintain the anchor configuration of the distal end of the catheter to secure the position of the catheter within the patient's body. The rotatable lever handle has a released position for allowing movement of the suture and a secured position for preventing movement of the suture. A suture securement ridge adapted to secure the proximal portion of the suture that may otherwise remain loose during the procedure. The rotatable lever handle and associated rotatable barrel can be depressed relative to hub body in a locked configuration to prevent inadvertent rotational movement of the rotatable lever handle and a release slot or release button that can be actuated by the practitioner to allow for rotational movement of the rotatable lever handle.
US07909813B2

An apparatus and method for curving a catheter after deployment include a catheter having a primary lumen, a secondary lumen, and a resilient fiber contained within the secondary lumen. The resilient fiber and the secondary lumen have corresponding, preformed curve shapes when the catheter is in a straight, unstressed condition. The resilient fiber is slidable within the secondary lumen to create a desired curve shape in the catheter as the curved portion of the resilient fiber slides into an originally straight portion of the secondary lumen. In another embodiment, the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber is held in a straight condition within a stiff, marker ring segment of the catheter until after the catheter is deployed. Once deployed, the resilient fiber is slid out of the marker ring segment, and the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber creates a corresponding curve shape in the catheter.
US07909801B2

A catheter has a lumen for a thrombectomy device and at least two balloons of different compliancies. In one embodiment, the catheter is adapted to clear dialysis grafts. One balloon is adapted to expand a stenosis at a venous junction of a dialysis graft and another balloon is adapted to pull a stenosis at an arterial junction of a dialysis graft. A single catheter may be used to perform a dialysis thrombectomy procedure.
US07909797B2

A method and apparatus for uncoupling a wire guide from and elongate medical device comprising a catheter shaft having a wire guide lumen extending there through, wherein the material surrounding the wire guide lumen is selected or adapted to facilitate splittability for removal of the wire guide. The catheter shaft includes a wire guide port having a stress riser, the stress riser being configured to reduce the force necessary to rupture or split the portion of the shaft wall adjacent to the wire guide port. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter shaft is coextruded and comprises a plurality of materials. The portion of the shaft adjacent the wire guide lumen is formed from a material is selected or adapted to facilitate splittability as compared to the remaining shaft materials.
US07909796B2

An injection device for a syringe, having a syringe body, a cannula with a needle, a plunger with a plunger rod, and an injection carriage for displacing the syringe body and the plunger, comprises at least one actuating element that acts on the injection carriage to carry out the injection procedure. The actuating element (120, 220, 320) cooperates with components which withdraw the needle (108, 208, 308) from the puncture site once the injection procedure has been completed, using a return stroke (H3) that is applied to the injection carriage. A single, targeted linear movement inserts the needle to a defined depth, injects the medicament and, once the injection has been completed, produces a return stroke which allows the needle to be withdrawn into the housing and thus out from the puncture site.
US07909792B2

Control apparatus for an ultrasonic phacoemulsification handpiece utilizes flow rates and temperature measurements as well as power provided to a handpiece for calculating a matrix of power level duty cycle combination that would not generate sufficient heat to create a burn in eye tissue and either prevent operation of handpiece in the matrix or alert a surgeon of such use.
US07909786B2

A compression device for a limb of a patient comprises an inflatable sleeve arranged to surround the limb and a conduit attached to the sleeve arranged to deliver fluid to the sleeve. The compression device also comprises a control system arranged to control fluid flow in the device and a memory arranged to store gathered data relating to use of the device.
US07909785B2

A processor (10) controls the operation of the device and preferably provides for a plurality of operational algorithms or modes. A program switch (18) allows the user to select which algorithm will be used. The processor drives an inverter (12), which drives a power amplifier or bridge (13). The output of the bridge 13 is connected to one or more transducers 16. When the user presses the switch (19A), the processor begins the algorithm. One or more of the transducers are placed on the patient's body in the area to be treated. The algorithms provide for lower-frequency and higher-frequency sweeps, which the transducers convert to microvibrations which, in turn, massage not only the muscles and the larger blood vessels, but also the smaller blood vessels and capillaries, and provide for improved blood circulation in the affected area, thereby relieving pain and enhancing recovery.
US07909778B2

A tissue penetrating system includes a plurality of penetrating members each having a tip. A penetrating member driver is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. A support is provided with a plurality of openings. Each opening receives a penetrating member. Each tip of a penetrating member is uncovered during launch of a penetrating member by the penetrating driver member. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, skin penetrating performance or a skin penetrating setting.
US07909775B2

A method and apparatus (2) for obtaining a sample of blood. An embodiment includes of an apparatus (2) which integrates lancing (12), sample collection, and analysis. The presence of patients finger on the active sampling area can be sensed by monitoring the pressure applied by the finger on the device (2).
US07909772B2

A method and apparatus for estimating a location of pulmonary and aortic components of second heart sounds of a patient over an interval. The method comprises the steps of producing an electronic representation of heart sounds of the patient over the interval, identifying at least one second heart sound in the interval using the electronic representation, for each identified second heart sound generating an estimated value for a location of the aortic component and the pulmonary component. There is also included a method for using the estimated location of the aortic component and the pulmonary component for estimation of the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery of a patient.
US07909771B2

Methods and apparatuses for detecting sleep apnea by analyzing characteristic physiological oscillations of the heart rate variability (HRV). Starting from recorded ECG data of the patient, for example, as a long-term sequence of the changing RR intervals, the heart rate variability is examined using autocorrelation calculations for the occurrence of rhythmic oscillations of various frequencies. If oscillations typical for apnea occur having very long period durations in the range of 20 to 80 seconds, these are detected as a maximum of the autocorrelation function. If a pathological sleep apnea accordingly exists, individual apnea events may be identified by prompt analysis of short recorded RR sequences, e.g., in the minute interval.
US07909770B2

A method for measuring pressure within a heart includes the steps of: (1) providing a passive wireless pressure sensor having a characteristic impedance and a deflectable surface, the characteristic impedance changing in response to deflection of the deflectable surface; (2) inserting the sensor to a location within the body of a patient at which the sensor can detect pressure within the heart; (3) affixing the sensor relative to the heart; (4) interrogating the sensor with an electromagnetic field; (5) receiving a signal from the sensor corresponding to a sensed pressure; and (6) leaving the sensor in situ so that future pressure measurements can be made.
US07909763B2

A neonatal nutrition assessment system is disclosed that includes a remote terminal connected with a server as well as several software modules. A patient diagnosis module operable to allow a physician to record at least one diagnosis relating to a patient with the remote terminal. A parenteral nutrition software module operable to allow the physician to record a parenteral nutrition prescription for a predetermined time period including at least one parenteral nutrition solution to be given the patient. An enteral nutrition software module operable to allow the physician to record an enteral nutrition prescription for the predetermined time period including at least one enteral nutrition solution to be given the patient. An outputs software module operable to allow a user to record a plurality of bodily output values for the patient over the predetermined time period. A medication software module operable to allow the physician to record at least one medication prescription for the patient. A laboratory software module operable to record a plurality of lab results for the patient over the predetermined time period.
US07909753B1

Disclosed is a surgical system for positioning an implant in a patient. The surgical system includes an insertion needle and a connector. The insertion needle has a distal end with a channel formed therein. The channel has a first end and a second end. The first end extends to the distal end. The second is laterally offset from the first end and does not extend to the distal end. The connector has a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the implant that is to be positioned in the patient. The second end has a recess formed therein. The recess generally conforms to the distal end of the insertion needle. The connector has an inwardly directed extension that extends into the recess. The inwardly directed extension engages the insertion needle through the channel.
US07909748B2

An exercise apparatus may include a swivel and one or more elongated members, such as ropes or cords, suspended from the swivel with a support, such as a bar, for the user suspended between either ends of a single elongated member, or between two elongated members. The height of the support can be adjusted by placing ends of the support bar in loops formed along the elongated member. Hand holds and foot holds may also be mounted on the loops. In addition, the support may be prevented from rotating along its longitudinal axis.
US07909745B2

A resistance exercise device enables resistance training by using one or more retractable cables that provide resistance to the user when the user pulls on the cable(s). The resistance exercise device provides a retraction force to retract the cable(s), which is independent of a resistance force applied to the cable(s). The resistance exercise device may thus allow adjustment of the resistance force without affecting the retraction force.
US07909736B2

An exercise apparatus is described herein. The exercise apparatus can have a body forming a first yoke. The first yoke includes a first longitudinal channel extending therethrough and a first slide member is positioned in the first channel. The first slide member is slidable therein in a reciprocating manner and has an abdominal engagement end extending from the channel. The exercise apparatus can further include a second yoke pivotally attached to the body and has a second longitudinal channel extending therethrough. A second slide member is positioned in the second channel and is slidable therein in a reciprocating manner. The second slide member has an upper body engagement end extending from the second channel. The exercise apparatus can include a vibration unit operable to cause all or portions of the exercise apparatus to vibrate.
US07909734B2

Vehicle operation is controllable and/or regulatable by specifying a driver request describing a setpoint rotational speed or a setpoint torque via an accelerator pedal, detecting the instantaneous position of the accelerator pedal and controlling and/or regulating the internal combustion engine such that the setpoint rotational speed or setpoint torque is achievable. To provide for a sustained-action brake to be easily operated in the vehicle, and increase the vehicle's range of use, one of possible braking actions of the vehicle is specified by selecting a determined position of the pedal. As a function of an instantaneously detected position of the accelerator pedal, the operation of the vehicle is controlled and/or regulated such that braking power specified via the accelerator pedal is achieved. A variation in the braking power specified via the accelerator pedal is also converted as continuously as possible to a corresponding braking power by suitably activating additional components or devices.
US07909733B2

A system and method for controlling a hydraulic transmission uses a solenoid valve having a pressure sensor linked to the valve body operable to sense a hydraulic fluid pressure within a cavity of the valve body and to transmit an electrical signal based on the sensed pressure. The transmitted signal is used to identify the end of fill time, and thus to end a clutch fill phase and commence a clutch modulation or lock-up phase.
US07909730B2

A vehicle and a method of operation. The method of operating the vehicle may include a method of controlling a creep torque in a vehicle having a powertrain configured to provide variable creep torque. The method may comprise the steps of: detecting a vehicle creep torque condition, determining a brake torque, and adjusting a creep torque applied by the powertrain based on the brake torque.
US07909726B2

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes.
US07909721B2

Assembly of multiple individual fluid pressure control solenoid valves and an individual fluid temperature sensor so packaged relative to a respective one of the individual solenoid valves as to permit direct or indirect fluid temperature measurement at individual solenoid valves. The assembly can include a lead-frame support (e.g. a printed circuit board) having multiple individual fluid pressure control solenoid valves and an individual transmission oil temperature sensor disposed on the lead-frame support in an oil passage that communicates to an output flow port of a respective one of the individual solenoid valves to provide transmission oil temperature information to a transmission electronic control unit, wherein the transmission electronic control unit provides command signals to the individual solenoid valves in response to the individual transmission oil temperature input signals associated with an individual solenoid valve to achieve more accurate pressure control.
US07909715B2

A basketball having an outer surface and including a first set of channels formed into the outer surface of the basketball. The basketball further includes a bladder, a carcass and at least one cover panel. The carcass covers the bladder and has an outer surface that defines a second set of channels. The cover panel(s) is positioned over the carcass and over at least one of the channels of the second set of channels. The cover panel(s) generally conforms to the shape of the outer surface of the carcass such that the cover panel defines at least one groove in the outer surface of the basketball corresponding to the channels of the second set of channels. The depth of the groove is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm.
US07909711B2

A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a weight of about 1.39 oz to about 1.62 oz, and at a Reynolds number of about 138,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.142, the golf ball has a lift-to-weight ratio of greater than about 0.9 and a drag-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.2.
US07909697B2

A game apparatus has a plurality of actuation devices in which at least two of the actuation devices require different mechanical actions for actuation. The apparatus further includes a speaker, a display screen, and a processor coupled to each of the actuation devices and to the display screen and the speaker. The processor outputs a first command signal to the speaker relating to a first actuation device, then outputs a second command signal to the speaker when the first actuation device is actuated, with the second command signal relating to a second actuation device. The processor outputs image signals to the display screen that are representative of the mechanical actions being taken.
US07909692B2

A remote gaming system and method provides for portable memory devices having predetermined game play outcomes for play on PGDs. The portable memory device having a memory to store at least one predetermined game play outcome for a wager-based game, a processor coupled to the memory, and a biometric sensor. The biometric sensor to measure at least one biometric data from a user to access the wager-based game. A remote gaming server may be in electronic communication with the PGDs or portable memory device to store the predetermined game play outcomes for the wager-based game on the portable memory device.
US07909686B2

A flood and combustion air vent includes a louvered panel supporting a rodent screen for placement across an opening in a wall or door of an enclosed space in a building. The apertures in the louvered panel and rodent screen are sized to accommodate ingress and egress of flood water at a rate of water flow sufficient to prevent destructive hydrostatic forces from acting upon either the exterior or interior surfaces of the wall. Additionally, the rodent screen will prevent intrusion of rodents, vermin and reptiles into the enclosed space.
US07909685B2

Service carts are provided that can be advantageously used to hold both diagnostic tools and repair tools and can be flexibly configured or customized for different work environments or worker preferences. The service carts include a cabinet having two side outer-walls, a back outer-wall, a bottom, and a top. The cabinet can include a plurality of configurable storage spaces with each storage space having a height that is approximately an integer multiple of a minimum storage space height. The cabinet can also be configured to provide electrical power into storage spaces in the cabinet. The cabinet top can comprise a plurality of slots adapted to hold mounting brackets adjustable along a length of the slots. The cabinet may include a fan that pulls air into the cabinet through a filter.
US07909681B2

A chainsaw sharpener mounted on and forward of the electric motor of a sharpener body (2) via a mounting portion (9) having a guide body (8) with an upper plate face (80) and wall faces (81a to 81e) which have a substantial X-shape as seen in plan view, and which are fit into and along an upper part of the saw chain in alignment with a sharpening angle of either a left or right cutter blade (31, 32) of a saw chain (30). Formed at a substantially central surface of the guide body (8) is an exposure portion made of openings (85, 86) which make it possible to watch, from above, the grinding tool (7) and a cutting edge of a cutter blade to be sharpened. A guide portion (87) presses, from above, the cutter blade to be sharpened so as to prevent the cutter blade from wobbling or tilting, and further to define an accurate cutting edge angle.
US07909680B2

The invention relates to a portable power tool for a rotating, preferably disk-shaped tool (12). Said portable power tool comprises a machine housing (14), having a flange (16, 160) or a machine neck, and a protective hood (18) that can be detachably tensioned on the machine neck to cover the tool (12) or that has a protective hood neck (20) or protective hood collar that annularly carries a tightening strap (22). Said strap can be tightened by tensioning means (24). An anti-rotation lock effective between the machine neck and the protective hood (18) is interposed between the protective hood (18) and the machine neck in the form of a profiled structure (26). The invention is characterized in that the tensioning means (24), in its tensioned position, can be connected several times in a form fit to the machine neck and in its detached positioned is no longer connected in a form fit to the machine neck.
US07909676B2

Measuring apparatus (50) of geometrical parameters of cylinders, rolls and similar elements (11), used for the rolling of flat products operating on a machine for the grinding of said cylinders with an autonomous movement, i.e. with a movement independent of the translation movement of the grinding wheel or other parts, characterized in that it comprises at least four sensors (54, 55), situated on a surface orthogonal to the cylinder (11) or roll and in that at least two of said sensors are situated in opposite positions.
US07909668B2

A contact includes a conductive portion, a wire-receiving portion and a bundle of wound wires. The conductive portion has a compliant portion extending from a first end thereof. The compliant portion is configured to be positioned in an opening of a panel. The wire-receiving portion has a wire-receiving channel provided thereon. The bundle of wound wires is mounted in the wire-receiving channel and has a contact section which is configured to engage a mating connector.
US07909666B2

There are provided the steps of preparing a contact (10, 20), which is formed from a metallic sheet including a base portion (11, 21), an elastic deformation portion (12, 22), and a contact portion (13, 23), and in which a recess (15, 25) is formed on a bottom surface of the base portion and a plurality of through-holes (16, 26, 27) are formed to be arranged above the recess and in parallel to the bottom surface of the base portion to extend through the base portion, and holding solder on the through-holes formed on the contact. A desired, solder-attached contact (10a, 20a) is fabricated by the manufacturing method. Further, the solder is a solder ball (90) and the step of holding solder includes the step of preparing the solder ball and the step of press fitting the solder ball into the through-hole.
US07909659B2

An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (20), a plurality of conductive contacts retained in the insulative housing, a shielding member (3) covering the insulative housing and an insulative cover (50) molded outside of the shielding member. The insulative cover has a lever portion (53) extending inside the shielding member and being sandwiched between a portion of the shielding member and the insulative housing. The insulative cover defines a slit (510) on an outer surface (51) thereof for anti-mismating. The insulative cover has a floor piece (511) located below the slit. The lever portion is connected to the floor piece for preventing the floor piece from being cracked.
US07909655B2

A connector jack with reduced host PCB footprint and an assembly of the same are provided. The provided connector jack is constructed based on a housing defining at least a front face with a plug receiving cavity on the surface thereof and with a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within the cavity, and a bottom face having a recess area on the surface thereof and adapted for mounting on a circuit board. In the present invention, at least a portion of the housing is made of a transparent or translucent material so that the status indicators located within the recess will be visible through the transparent portion of the front face of the jack housing, and the recess area occupies a substantial portion of the bottom face and allows to place at least one status indicator and at least one additional component on the circuit board and at least partially within the recess area.
US07909647B2

A shielded connector achieving sufficient contact load between a shielded conductor and a crimp portion of an outer conductor shell without influence such as deformation of cross sections on signal wires when the crimp portion is crimped onto the conductor, and enhanced pull-out strength of a shielded cable against the shell. The shell includes a tubular connection portion having an arc-shaped cross section and arranged to be inserted into the conductor end portion exposed by stripping off a sheath portion at the cable end portion, shielded conductor crimping portions opposed to the connection portion and arranged to be crimped onto the conductor end portion into which the connection portion has been inserted, and fitting spaces provided to an inside of the conductor crimping portions at positions opposed to the tubular connection portion. Upper ends of the connection portion and the conductor are inserted into the spaces during crimping process.
US07909643B2

A cassette includes a housing having a front and a rear. The housing has a plurality of plug cavities open at the front for receiving plugs therein, and the housing has a rear chamber open to the plug cavities. The cassette also includes a contact subassembly having a circuit board and a plurality of contacts arranged in contact sets coupled to the circuit board. Each contact set is configured to mate with a corresponding plug, where the contact subassembly is loaded into the rear chamber such that the contact sets are received in different corresponding plug cavities. The circuit board is oriented generally parallel to the front of the housing when the contact subassembly is loaded into the rear chamber.
US07909639B2

An electrical connector for a flat sheet-like cable includes an insulative housing with a plurality of terminals and an actuator. The actuator is moveable between a first insertion position and a second operational position, the first position permitting insertion of the cable into the connector and the second position configured such that the contact pads of the cable engage the contact portions of the terminals. The actuator has an abutting part formed on opposite ends thereof. A pair of generally planar securing members is provided at opposite ends of the housing. Each securing member includes a stop surface to define a depth to which the cable may be inserted, a restraining member that interacts with the abutting parts upon positioning the actuator in the second position to define a restraining surface to prevent removal of the cable, and a recess portion defined between the stop surface and the restraining surface.
US07909634B2

An objective is to provide a connection structure of a connecting terminal by which it becomes able to perform a connection of any of pieces for piercing as assuredly without being bended that is piercing through an electrically conductive flat square body, and to provide a method of connecting such the terminal. A unit for connecting a pierced terminal (1) comprises a pierced terminal (20) which comprises a plurality of blades on a pierced terminal (21) that are designed to pierce individually through a flat cable (100) and which is designed to be connected as electrically to such the flat cable (100) due to each of such the blades on the pierced terminal (21) that is piercing therethrough; and a back up plate (30) which comprises an opening for insertion (31) by which an insertion of any of the blades on the pierced terminal (21) is allowed that is piercing through the flat cable (100), wherein such the opening for insertion (31) is designed to be contacted to individual corresponding parts of such the blades on the pierced terminal (21) as not less than two pieces that are facing to each other and that are individually inserted into such the opening for insertion (31), respectively.
US07909633B1

A terminal wire block includes a spring clamp and a screw clamp to hold an electrical wire in a fixed position using one or both of the clamps. The spring clamp includes a cage and a spring to push the wire against one of the walls of the cage. The screw clamp includes an externally threaded fastener such as a screw to hold the wire in place when the fastener is tightened. One or both of the spring clamp and the screw clamp may be operated independently of the other one of the spring clamp and the screw clamp. When operated together, the spring clamp and screw clamp provide additional integrity and security to the contact.
US07909631B2

An electrical connector assembly (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a number of contacts (7) received in the insulative housing (1), a loading arrangement (3) covered the insulative housing (1), a pressing member (2) pressing the loading arrangement (3) and a fix member (4) pressing the pressing member (2) to securely locate the pressing member (2) on the insulative housing (1). The loading arrangement (3) defines a body plate (31) and a tab (32) extending from the body plate (31). The pressing member (2) defines a pressing portion (211) for pressing the tab (32) of the loading arrangement (3) and a stop portion (212) located on the insulative housing (1).
US07909628B2

A card connector (100) for insertion of an electrical card (200) includes an insulative housing (1) defining a receiving space (12) for insertion of the electrical card; a set of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing; and an ejecting mechanism (3) including a slider (31), a coil spring (33) for urging the slider, a connecting rod (34) for restraining the slider, and a spring member (32) retained in the slider. The spring member has a retaining portion (322) retained in the slider, an arcuate cantilever locking arm (324) extending from the retaining portion and protruding towards the receiving space for retaining the electrical card, and a restricting portion (326) extending from a front free end portion (325) of the locking arm and being restricted in a cavity (316) of the slider.
US07909622B2

A cassette includes a shell having a plurality of shielded channels extending between a front and a rear of the shell. Communication modules are loaded into the shielded channels. The communication modules have front mating interfaces configured for mating with corresponding first plugs and rear mating interfaces configured for mating with corresponding second plugs. The communication modules are loaded into the corresponding shielded channels such that the communication modules are individually shielded from one another. Optionally, the shell may have interior walls defining the shielded channels that extend between the front and the rear.
US07909620B2

A low-profile socket contact is provided that is mountable on a print substrate and has a high contact pressure. The socket contact includes a base portion provided on a print substrate, and a contact connecting portion connecting to the tab-shaped contact provided on a central portion of the base portion. The base portion has an opening in which the tab-shaped contact passes through, and a plurality of lead portions solderable to the print substrate. The contact connecting portion has a pair of first bending fragments, a pair of first inverted arms, a pair of second bending fragments, and a pair of second inverted arms. A contact point in contact with the tab-shaped contact is provided on each front ends of the pair of first inverted arms, and a guiding face in which the tab-shaped contact slides is provided on the pair of second inverted arms.
US07909618B2

A board to board connector (1) includes an insulating housing (2) and a plurality of terminals (3) formed on said insulating housing (2), the connector (1) forms two mating faces (251,252) relatively offset from each other inside of the insulating housing (2). Each terminal (3) has two elastic-ends, each end (31,32) protruding from the respective mating faces (251,252). The board to board connector (1) receives a circuit board on the first mating face (251) and a circuit board on the second mating face (252). Because of this offset of the board to board connector (1) design, the two boards are arranged such that the total height of board mounting profile is reduced.
US07909607B2

A method for designing a digital abutment for a dental implant includes the steps of: a) implant planning where implant planning is initiated based on digital data obtained from the patient and loaded into a computer system to enable an implant fixture to be implanted at the implant site in the best position, b) establishment of digital reference abutment where a digital reference abutment is established at the implant site and positioned on the implant fixture, c) adjustment of the digital reference abutment where the digital reference abutment has a subgingival part and a supragingival part at the top side of the subgingival part, and the angle between the subgingival part and the supragingival part is adjusted based on the best prosthesis position, and d) finish of digital abutment where the digital reference abutment becomes a digital abutment for placement after the adjustment.
US07909606B2

Method for planning and performing dental treatments including an acquisition phase of a set of data relating to the position, to the conformation and to the dimension of at least one site inside the oral cavity of a patient who has to undergo a dental treatment and relating to the conformation of at least one portion of the patient's face; a design phase of a virtual prototype of at least one dental prosthesis that can be fitted at the site during the treatment, starting from the set of data and by means of a software program implemented on a computer; a determination phase, by means of the software program and starting from the set of data and from the virtual prototype of the dental prosthesis, of at least one virtual model suitable for visually reproducing the portion of the face following the fitting of the dental prosthesis; a preparation phase of the site by means of a dental instrument, with the assistance of the software and starting from the virtual prototype of the dental prosthesis and from the virtual model before the installation and the manufacture of the dental prosthesis.
US07909602B1

An orthodontic chain elastic is disclosed. The orthodontic chain elastic includes end portions, two intermediate portions disposed between the end portions and a middle portion disposed between the two intermediate portions. Pluralities of apertures are formed in each of the end portions, the intermediate portions, and the middle portion. The end portions have a greater cross section than that of the intermediate portions that in turn have a greater cross section than that of the middle portion.
US07909600B2

A die and mold for manufacturing a mold product is provided. The die and mold includes a body having a cavity that has a shape corresponding to the mold product. The body includes an upper body plate, and a lower body plate facing the upper body plate and combined with the upper body plate. The die and mold also includes a gate. The gate includes an upper gate plate, a plurality of recesses formed on a lower surface of the upper gate plate, and a lower gate plate facing the upper gate plate. A plurality of protrusions is formed on an upper surface of the lower gate plate in a location corresponding to a location in which the plurality of recesses is formed. The gate also includes a resin injection portion through which a resin is injected into the cavity.
US07909598B2

The embodiments of invention relate to a hot runner nozzle including at least one nozzle duct for a plasticized plastic, which ends in a nozzle tip and which can be temperature-controlled by a heater, wherein the hot runner nozzle can be attached to an injection molding tool or the like and wherein the heater and the nozzle duct are provided in a common housing of the hot runner nozzle laterally next to one another. The housing encompasses at least one material recess, which divides the housing adjacent to the nozzle duct and adjoining to the heater into housing regions, which are spaced apart from one another.
US07909591B2

An eccentric screw pump or an eccentric screw motor has a rotor formed from at least a tubular jacket with at least two layers. The outer layer of the jacket consists of a material that is abrasion-resistant and/or corrosion-resistant.
US07909588B2

Portions of the drive system for a piece of rotating equipment are pre-assembled into a subassembly. The subassembly can be held together by a carrier that is fabricated to accept the components in a proper alignment so that the carrier can be installed as a unit. In one embodiment, the carrier becomes a gearbox housing component that is installed, saving the need for individual component alignment. This modular approach allows an assembly having a single part number to apply to a given compressor unit and further allows standardization of air ends of compressors with specific impellers and inlets added to meet requirements of a specific application.
US07909586B2

A fan includes a frame, a stator and a rotor. The stator is disposed in the frame, and the rotor is disposed in the frame and coupled with the stator. The rotor includes a connecting element, an impeller and a shaft. The connecting element has a flange. The impeller is disposed on a periphery of the connecting element. The flange is embedded with the impeller. One end of the shaft is connected to the connecting element and the impeller is rotated when the shaft rotates.
US07909583B2

A pump device and a pump unit of the pump device. The pump device includes a low-temperature flat plate group (low-temperature portion) having a plurality of flat plates as low-temperature objects arranged parallel with each other at specified intervals in a direction crossing a flow passage for a gas; a high-temperature flat plate group (high-temperature portion) having a plurality of flat plates as high-temperature objects arranged parallel with each other at specified intervals in a direction crossing the flow passage; and, a temperature-operating device operating the temperature of at least one of these flat plate groups so that a temperature difference occurs between these flat plate groups. The flat plates are displaced from each other in the flow direction of the flow passage, and a heat insulating layer is interposed between the low-temperature flat plates and the high-temperature flat plates.
US07909582B2

A control apparatus for controlling two oil pumps which are provided on a vehicle wherein the two oil pumps are selectively driven by respective different drive power sources such that one of the two oil pumps is operated while the other oil pump is held at rest, the control apparatus including an air removal control portion configured to temporarily operate the above-indicated other oil pump during an operation of the above-indicated one oil pump, to remove air staying at and around an oil inlet of the above-indicated other oil pump.
US07909571B2

A frame for a centrifugal fan. The frame includes an air inlet and an air outlet. A first barricade is formed on one side of the air inlet and extends outwardly, preventing impurities from entering the air inlet. A second barricade is formed on part of the periphery of the air outlet and extends outwardly and axially, contacting a guide plate of a system and reducing reflow of air.
US07909555B2

An improved convenience closure that is adapted for sealing an end of a can includes an end panel having a peripheral score, a rivet formation, a mustache score and a flex line score defined therein. The mustache score may include a central portion that is positioned radially inwardly on the end panel relative to the rivet formation. The central portion is preferably curved, with a concave side of the curvature facing the rivet formation. The mustache score also may include first and second preferably symmetrical end portions, each of which is continuous with the central portion. Most of the total length of each of the end portions may be curved away from a nearest portion of the peripheral score, with a convex side of curvature facing the nearest portion of the peripheral score. Tooling for making the convenience closure and a method of making such a convenience disclosure are also disclosed.
US07909551B2

An apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels. The invention relates to reconditioning used wine barrels by shaving the inside surface to a predetermined depth, ready for re-crozering, toasting, and re-use. Conventional shaving methods typically involve routing the internal surface by hand, but this technique is problematic in that it is a very slow process, the quality of the wood is often adversely affected, and there is no way of ensuring that the surface will be shaved to the same depth across the entire surface. The resultant internal dimensions of the barrel are not reflective, relatively, of the original barrel surface. The invention includes a scanning device to scan the internal dimensions of the barrel, and a cutting device to shave the internal surface to a predetermined depth relative to the scanned internal dimensions and where the scanning device and the cutting device may be supported by different robotic arms.
US07909549B2

A small-diameter drill for deep hole drilling is provided which is capable of inhibiting the cutting chips from getting bitten and producing a straightness for a drilled hole, thus suitable for drilling a hole having a depth (L) which is 15 or more times the diameter (D) of a drilled hole. The small-diameter drill 1 has a diameter 2 which is 1 mm or less and a drill section 5 including cutting edge(s) 3 and flute(s) 4. The length 11 of the flute 4 is at least 5 times and at most 10 times the drill diameter 2. The diameter of the drill section 5, after being reduced in diameter from the cutting edge 3 toward the rear of the drill section 5, is expanded in diameter so that the outer diameter at the end of the flute 4 becomes at least 0.9 times and at most 0.98 times the drill diameter 2. An expanded-diameter portion 10 is provided between the drill section 5 and a neck section 6 connected to a shank 7 and is expended in diameter from the outer diameter at the end 9 of the flute 4 up to 1 or less times the drill diameter 2. The diameter of the neck section 6 is smaller than the drill diameter 2, and the length 12 of the neck section 6 is 10 or more times the drill diameter 2.
US07909535B2

A soil drainage system which comprises a core pipe (10) having a plurality of perforations (12). A geocomposite core jacket (14) having a plurality of perforations (16) surrounds the core pipe (10). A geotextile filter fabric (18) wraps around and surrounds the geocomposite core jacket (14). The geotextile filter fabric (18) is permeable to water (20) or other fluids and filters out soil particles (22), or other particles, whereby the water (20) readily permeates the geotextile filter fabric (18), the geocomposite core jacket (14) and the core pipe (10) to provide for a rapid and improved flow of the water (20) and subsequent drainage of the water (20) through the core pipe (10).
US07909532B2

A mounting apparatus for an infrared heating device comprising a platform attached to a frame of an infrared heating chamber, at least one telescoping member affixed to said platform, and at least one attachment component which fixedly attaches said at least one telescoping members to said truck frame and allows said support bar to be moved along a horizontal axis at varying positions from the back of a vehicle.
US07909525B2

An article, in particular a writing implement, has a gripping zone with raised structures. In which case, in a region of the gripping zone, the article is coated with a film which has the raised structures on its surface. In particular, the adherence of the raised structures to the surface of the article is improved.
US07909515B2

The difference between a revolution period of larger diameter-side balls and a revolution period of smaller diameter-side balls is smaller as compared with a conventional bearing. The relation, (β−10)≦α<β, is established, where α(°) represents a contact angle of the larger diameter-side ball, and β(°) represents a contact angle of the smaller diameter-side ball.
US07909512B2

A lubricating member is capable of being used in any type of linear motion rolling guide unit and of appropriately lubricating raceway faces over a long period. The lubricating member used in a linear motion rolling guide unit comprises a body 4 impregnated with a lubricant and being in contact with raceway faces of a rail to supply the lubricant to the raceway faces. The body 4 comprises either a single or a plurality of embedding portions 8 having either a recess or a hole. A saturation holding member 9 is embedded in the embedded portion 8. The saturation holding member 9 holds a larger amount of lubricant per unit volume than the body 4 holds the amount of lubricant, and has a relationship ensuring that it has a force sucking the lubricant equal to or smaller than that the body 4 has.
US07909507B2

A thermal inspection method is provided for a component comprising at least one complex internal passage arrangement defining at least one opening. The thermal inspection method includes flowing a fluid through the at least one complex internal passage arrangement. The fluid has an initial temperature that differs from an initial temperature of the component. The thermal inspection method further includes measuring a thermal response of the component to the fluid flow and analyzing the thermal response to determine a number of heat transfer coefficients {hlmn} corresponding to respective locations {l,m,n} within the complex internal passage arrangement. The thermal inspection method further includes using the heat transfer coefficients {hlmn} to determine at least one of (a) a flow rate through respective ones of the at least one opening, and (b) a cross-sectional area for respective ones of the at least one opening.
US07909505B2

A device and method for investigating phase transformation properties and structural changes of materials. In one form, the device simulates actual thermal processing conditions, while the method can be used in both simulations as well as in actual processing conditions. An analysis using at least one of the device and method is referred to as a single sensor differential thermal analysis, as it compares the temperature recorded in a measured specimen against a reference thermal history without requiring the derivation of the reference thermal history from measured reference temperatures.
US07909502B2

Static lamination micro mixer comprising at least one slotted plate having slot openings and an aperture plate having aperture slots arranged above the slotted plate.
US07909500B2

A mixing and kneading machine (1) for continual compounding comprises a screw shaft (3) rotating in a casing 2 and simultaneously moving axially translationally. To sustainably enhance the efficiency of the machine as regards its material thruput per unit of time a screw shaft is proposed having the following geometric ratios: Da/Di=1.5 to 2.0, i.e. the ratio of screw shaft outer diameter Da to screw shaft inner diameter Di is 1.5 to 2.0, Da/H=4 to 6, i.e. the ratio of screw shaft outer diameter Da to stroke H is between 4 and 6, T/H=1.3 to 2.5, i.e. the ratio of pitch T to stroke H is between 1.3 and 2.5. The mixing and kneading machine (1) provided with such a screw shaft (3) is operated preferably at a rotational speed exceeding 500 rpm, particularly exceeding 800 rpm.
US07909483B2

The present invention relates to a lighting system comprising a base part (12) with at least one primary coil (18), and at least one light module (13, 14) with a secondary coil (26) adapted to inductively interact with the primary coil (18). The lighting system is characterized in that said base part (12) comprises a substrate (50) carrying said primary coil (18), the winding of which lying in one plane and forming a flat coupling area (16); the winding of the second coil (26) lies in one plane; and said light module (13, 14) comprises at least one light element (20) and a flat bottom surface, so that the light module (13, 14) is placeable with its flat surface on the flat coupling area (16).
US07909482B2

An electrical device such as an LED light assembly includes a conductive circuit and one or more electrical components connected to the circuit. The electrical components and the circuit are at least partially overmolded with a thermoplastic polymer material to encapsulate the components. The material utilized to cover the circuit and/or electrical components may also be utilized to form a housing or other structure of a finished part.
US07909481B1

An LED light bulb includes a base member and one or more light emitting diodes mounted on the base member and in thermal communication with the base member. The one or more light emitting diodes are configured to emit light. A top-mount member is in thermal communication with the base member. The top-mount member includes a reflective surface configured to reflect the light emitted by the one or more light emitting diodes in predetermined directions. The top-mount member includes one or more cooling members configured to dissipate heat generated by the one or more light emitting diodes to the ambient environment.
US07909474B2

A digital projection apparatus has a first light modulation subsystem with a first light source producing linear illumination of a first spectral color and a second light source producing linear illumination of a second spectral color. A first light modulator chip (110a) has at least two independently addressable linear arrays of light modulating devices. A first spatial filter (108) blocks reflected light and transmits diffracted light along a first optical path. A second light modulation subsystem has at least a third light source producing linear illumination of a third spectral color. A second light modulator chip has at least one independently addressable linear array of light modulating devices. A second spatial filter blocks reflected light and transmits diffracted light along a second optical path. A color combining element directs modulated light onto a common optical path. Projection optics direct modulated light toward a scanning element (122) for projection toward a display surface (124).
US07909472B2

A projection-type image display apparatus includes an image display element, a light source unit, an enlarging projection optical unit, and a display controller portion. The enlarging projection optical unit, includes a projection lens, a group of lenses which are disposed on a same optical axis, sequentially arranged from a side of the image display element and which include at least one lens having a lens surface, and a reflection mirror having a reflection surface which is disposed between the group of lenses and a display portion. The image display element has a display surface larger than a display surface of the display portion, when an entirety of the image display element is enlargedly projected on the display portion through the enlarging projection optical unit; and the display controller portion enables movement of the image on the display surface of the image display element.
US07909461B2

Diagnostic instruments, systems and methods for performing measurements on eyes are disclosed. In one embodiment of the instrument, a left ocular is disposed in a portion of a left visual path for the left eye, the left ocular positioned to permit the left eye to view a target, a right ocular is disposed in a portion of a right visual path for the right eye, the right ocular positioned to permit the right eye to view a target. The instrument can also include a wavefront sensor disposed on a translation stage, the wavefront sensor having an optical path to an imaging sensor, the translation stage being movable to position the optical path of the wavefront sensor in alignment with the portion of the left visual path in a first state and in alignment with the portion of the right visual path in a second state. One or more light sources are optionally provided for propagating light along a least part of the left and right visual paths to illuminate the left and right eyes.
US07909459B2

A multifocal contact lens (10, 50) made of flexible material is able to translocate on an eye by virtue of a lower end (22) of the contact lens (10, 50) being truncated so as to provide a relatively wide surface. The lower end (22) engages with the lower eyelid of a wearer. The lower end (22) may be provided with a forwardly projecting ledge (52).
US07909455B2

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit and a supporting mechanism that supports this image forming unit. A feed tray for placing sheets thereon is provided in a rear part of the image forming unit. The supporting mechanism includes a base member and a turntable. The turntable can move along a guide section to a first position on a rear side and a second position on a front side with respect to the base member. The supporting mechanism includes a rotation stopping mechanism that prevents the turntable from rotating when the turntable is in the first position and a rotating mechanism that rotates the turntable in a horizontal plane in a state in which the turntable has moved to the second position.
US07909451B2

In a printing section, inks of four colors and a transparent ink are jetted onto an image formation area of a recording paper on which an image is recorded, and a transparent ink is jetted onto an adhesion area at which the recording paper is adhered to the other recording paper. Thereafter, the ink on the image formation area is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the image formation area, and with the transparent ink in the adhesion area not cured as the ultraviolet rays are not irradiated to the adhesion area, the recording paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray of an adhering section. When all the recording papers to be adhered are aligned in the paper discharge tray, the adhesion area of the plurality of recording papers is pressed and heated by a heating plate, and the recording papers P are adhered to each other.
US07909435B2

A printing apparatus which performs printing by injecting liquid from a liquid injection head onto a printing medium adhered by electrostatic force on the surfaces of a plurality of conveyor belts disposed at predetermined intervals in a direction crossing a printing medium conveyance direction during carry of the printing medium, characterized in that: the printing medium is electrostatically adhered by potential difference produced between the conveyor belts and a contact portion provided in the vicinity of the sides of the conveyor belts in the width direction such that the contact portion contacts the back surface of the printing medium and does not contact the surfaces of the conveyor belts.
US07909431B2

An image recording apparatus includes liquid ejection heads, wipers, and a movement means. The liquid ejection heads respectively have ejection faces, and are arranged in such a manner that the ejection faces form two rows extending in one direction and in addition two of the ejection faces included in different rows do not overlap each other along a direction perpendicular to the one direction. The liquid ejection heads are divided into one or more head groups each including two of the liquid ejection heads corresponding to the different rows. The movement means moves two of the wipers associated with two liquid ejection heads belonging to each head group, from inner end portions of the ejection faces in opposite directions along the perpendicular direction while keeping the two wipers in contact with the ejection faces.
US07909425B2

An inkjet printing head includes a substrate capable of storing a large volume of information by increasing a number of fuses without enlarging a space for arranging fuses capable of storing information according to the cutting or non-cutting of the fuses, and a selection circuit. For that purpose, two fuses are connected to a set of a drive element and a selection circuit.
US07909423B2

An ink jet recording head includes an ejection outlet array including a plurality of ejection outlets; an ink flow path portion in fluid communication with the ejection outlets to supply ink to the ejection outlets; a recording element substrate provided with the ejection outlet array, the ink flow path portion and a plurality of ejection heat generating resistors, provided correspondingly to the ejection outlets, for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink; a first warming heat generating resistor which is provided in lower layers of the ejecting heat generating resistors and which is extended below the ink flow path portion; and a second warming heat generating resistor provided in an outer peripheral portion of the recording element substrate.
US07909419B2

A locker that may either be opened in a keyed or keyless manner includes a locking mechanism formed predominantly of sheet components. The locking mechanism is designed to be carried by the frame of the locker, and is particularly suited to enable the locker to be used as an evidence locker or similar restricted access storage compartment. Various spring biases are used to force the locking mechanism to a locked position when the locking mechanism is appropriately triggered, such as by a pushbutton. The locking mechanism is designed to be substantially tamper proof and cannot be reset to an unlocked position without a key, if equipped, or access to a lock resetting lever arm that is only accessible through a rear opening of the locker.
US07909418B2

A tool dispensing system has one or more drawers, each drawer having one or more bins. Each bin occupies at least one cell of a drawer cell array which has an integer number M cell columns and an integer number N cell rows. The bins are provided with lockable lids and are selectively transferable between a bin released position and a bin locked position. The bins are transferred between these position through the use of no greater than M actuators for each drawer.
US07909397B2

An entertainment system for a vehicle includes an entertainment console which includes a display and at least one docking station. The at least one docking station receives a portable media player at least partially therein and operatively connects the media player to the entertainment console. The entertainment system may be mounted within a vehicle for use therein or used at a location outside of a vehicle (e.g. home or office) based upon the preference of the user.
US07909395B2

An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a frame which attaches to outdoor furniture, in particular to a chair, and a canopy. Embodiments can be moved from an overhead position to a behind the chair position. The frames can be moved from a collapsed to a fully extended position. In embodiments the canopy can be positioned to contain the collapsed frame and chair in the carrying position.
US07909392B2

A fender protector structure of a vehicle which includes a body structure including a body panel and a fender panel. The body structure defines a wheel well. A fender protector is connected to the body structure for covering an outer periphery of the wheel well, and a reinforcing structure for the fender protector extends from the body panel to the fender panel, wherein the reinforcing structure includes fixing the fender protector to the body panel.
US07909391B2

This front-end panel (10) includes an upper transverse cross member (18) to be fixed to body elements (12) and a frame (20). The frame (20) is fixed beneath the cross member (18) and includes a lower transverse beam (50) and two side-struts (52) connecting the lower beam (50) to the cross member (18). Each strut (52) includes a lower portion (54) which is integral with the beam (50), and an upper portion (56) which is integral with the cross-member (18). The upper portion (56) and the lower portion (54) are mobile relative to one another between a disassembled configuration in which the upper portion (56) is arranged at a distance from the lower portion (54), and an assembled configuration in which the upper portion (56) and the lower portion (54) are fitted together.
US07909388B2

A device for protection against an impact includes at least one energy absorption body, which is arranged behind an interior car body component, so that a force (F) in effect during an impact is transferred from an exterior car body component through an opening of the interior car body component to the energy absorption body.
US07909384B2

An actuation device (30) for a flap element, in particular a variable top receptacle (20), having at least one wall element (22) that is pivotable between a first and a second position, wherein the actuation device comprises a fixedly borne spring element (34) and the spring element traverses a point of maximum deflection between its first and second position by interacting with the wall element (22) during pivoting of the wall element (22).
US07909377B2

The lawn scoop is designed to make picking up any type of small, loose debris a cleaner and easier task for the user. In general terms, the device is a scoop type shovel with the addition of a multipurpose hook/guide at the top end of the handle. After raking or sweeping the debris into a pile, the user stands in front of the debris and attaches the hook/guide part of the scoop to their front pant pocket or belt. This keeps the scoop at the proper angle while enabling the user to use both hands to rake or sweep the debris onto the scoop. Then, by placing the rake or broom over the top of the scoop, aligning the handles of both the scoop and rake using the hook/guide, the user holds both handles together for lifting and disposal. The hook/guide is also designed as part of the hanging system which provides for convenient storage of the combination of scoop and rake/broom.
US07909376B1

An electrical lineman's pole having a top end and a bottom end. A post extends laterally from the pole proximate its top end. A slot receptacle is provided proximate the post. The slot receptacle has an open top that faces the post and extends in a line perpendicular to the post. To utilize the lineman's pole, the top end is brought into contact with a swinging conductive arm of a protective cutout device. The post extending from the pole is passed through the loop on the swinging conductive arm. A portion of the loop is positioned into the slot receptacle. A lineman pushes on the pole assembly to rotate the swinging conductive arm. The portion of the loop in the slot receptacle prevents the swinging conductive arm from rotating out of a selected plane. Consequently, the cutout protective device does not turn from side to side.
US07909375B2

A kitchen utensil includes a handle having a dipping utensil at one end and a gripping surface at a second end thereof. The dipping utensil includes a frame member defining an opening. A tong member is engaged to the handle and is rotatable with respect to the handle between open and closed positions. The tong includes an actuation lever at one end and a gripping surface on a second end, whereby the gripping surfaces of the handle and tong may cooperate to hold an item placed therebetween.
US07909367B2

The present invention is a capillary interconnection fitting and method of clamping a capillary in the fitting that separates a forward ferrule that holds the capillary from a secondary clamping device. The fitting comprises a sealing ferrule, a compression screw and a clamping device. The ferrule is fitted in a compression screw that mates to a fluidic component. The clamping device is decoupled from the ferrule and coupled to the compression screw.
US07909363B2

A label is provided having three parts separated by separation lines. Two of the three parts have pull tabs to allow them to be easily removed. The third part is a narrow strip between the separation lines that does not have a pull tab. When the label parts that have pull tabs are lifted off a product, the label separates at the separation lines, leaving the third narrow strip on the product. This narrow strip is then removed with a scraping action that tends to destroy the narrow strip. This makes it difficult to reconstruct the label after it has been removed from a product. In other embodiments, the label has two parts made of material that stretches when the parts are removed from a product. The stretching distorts a barcode graphic printed on the label making the barcode unreadable.
US07909362B2

An airbag cushion is manufactured with a rear fabric panel and two front fabric panels. Each front fabric panel has a projecting tether portion to be sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel. The front fabric panels are, firstly, superimposed each other. A back end of the projecting tether portion is sewn to a part of a periphery of the front fabric panel, to form a second stitch portion in a recessed shape. A front end of the tether portion is then sewn to the inner face of the rear fabric panel. A periphery of the rear fabric panel is, in addition, sewn to a periphery of the front fabric panel corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel, to form a third stitch portion.
US07909360B2

A bus includes a plurality of bus seats with a side airbag module mounted to each of the plurality of bus seats. The bus includes a plurality of sensors configured to detect a collision event and a side airbag control module configured to determine which side airbag modules to deploy based on information received from the plurality of sensors. The control module is configured to selectively deploy one or more of the side airbag modules.
US07909355B2

A multi-purpose trailer provides further utility by being easily configurable in a carrying orientation, a drive-on loading orientation, and a storage orientation. The storage orientation is capable of near vertical storage, thus taking up very limited amounts of floor space in a garage or storage area. The drive-on loading orientation provides a ramped portion which easily accommodates the loading of wheeled vehicles without the need for additional ramp components or members. Further, mechanisms are provided to easily adjust between the various orientations including hydraulically lifting from a loading orientation to a transport orientation. To provide additional utility, provisions are made on the trailer surface for the attachment of multiple modular accessories.
Patent Agency Ranking