US07968699B2

The present invention relates to multiple promoters and to expression units comprising them; to the use thereof for regulating transcription and expression of genes; to expression cassettes which comprise multiple promoters or expression units of this kind; to vectors which comprise such expression cassettes; to genetically modified microorganisms which comprise vectors and/or expression units of this kind; and to processes for preparing biosynthetic products by culturing said genetically modified microorganisms.
US07968696B1

The present invention relates to viral interleukin-6 (v-IL-6), which can be obtained by recombinant expression of the DNA of human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8), and which may be used in diagnosis and treatment of human diseases such as kaposi sarcoma, Castleman's disease, multiple myeloma, kidney cell carcinoma, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis or B cell lymphoma.
US07968693B2

Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G Protein-Coupled Receptors and the genes encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T2R taste G Protein-Coupled Receptors that are believed to be involved in bitter taste sensation, and the genes encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating a novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes.
US07968691B2

The invention relates to novel variants of the enzymatic peptide pullulanase, the gene sequences encoding said novel peptides, expression vectors comprising those gene sequences as well as organisms expressing the novel pullulanase variants. The novel pullulanase variants of the present invention were made empirically by the use of codon-optimization procedures, selective truncation of “wild-type” molecules and through the replacement of selected amino acid residues. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of these novel pullulanase peptides in the textile, fermentation, food and other industries.
US07968690B2

The invention concerns agonist anti-trkC antibodies, polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding the same. The invention further concerns use of such antibodies, polypeptides and/or polynucleotides in the treatment and/or prevention of neuropathies, such as sensory neuropathies, including taxol-induced sensory neuropathy, cisplatin-induced sensory neuropathy, and pyridoxine-induced sensory neuropathy.
US07968688B2

The present invention relates to a novel human gene that is differentially expressed in human carcinoma. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding a novel human polypeptide named C35 that is overexpressed in human breast and bladder carcinoma. This invention also relates to C35 polypeptide, in particular C35 peptide epitopes and C35 peptide epitope analogs, as well as vectors, host cells, antibodies directed to C35 polypeptides, and the recombinant methods for producing the same. The present invention further relates to diagnostic methods for detecting carcinomas, including human breast carcinomas. The present invention further relates to the formulation and use of the C35 gene and polypeptides, in particular C35 peptide epitopes and C35 peptide epitope analogs, in immunogenic compositions or vaccines, to induce antibody or cell-mediated immunity against target cells, such as tumor cells, that express the C35 gene. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of C35 activity.
US07968687B2

This invention relates to CD 19 binding agents and methods of using such CD 19 binding agents for treating disease.
US07968682B2

Provided are degradation-resistant fibrinogen sealants comprising a first composition comprising one or more of fibrinogen γA/γ′ heterodimers and/or fibrinogen γ′/γ′ homodimers and a second composition comprising thrombin and, optionally, degradation-resistant fibrinogen sealants disclosed herein may further comprise Factor XIII and calcium. Degradation-resistant fibrinogen sealants are suitable for the treatment of trauma, particularly vascular trauma.
US07968677B2

The present invention provides an improved coating for surfaces of medical implants. The coating comprises at least one interfacial biomaterial (IFBM) which is comprised of at least one binding module that binds to the surface of an implant or implant-related material (“implant module”) and at least one binding module that selectively binds to a target analyte or that is designed to have a desired effect (“analyte module”). The modules are connected by a linker. In some embodiments, the IFBM coating acts to promote the recognition and attachment of target analytes to surface of the device. The IFBM coating improves the performance of implanted medical devices, for example, by promoting osteointegration of the implant.
US07968675B2

A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. The method includes the steps of: (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are therapeutic and diagnostic methods using targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor.
US07968669B2

A polymer having at least one carbamate linkage prepared by: (i) reacting (a) at least one diisocyanate, polyisocyanate, or mixture thereof, and (b) at least one fluorinated compound selected from the formula (I): Rf(CH2)x[(CF2CF2)y(CH2CH2)z]m(R1)r-xH  (I) wherein Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; the total number of carbons in said formula (I) excluding (R1)r-XH ranges from about 8 to about 22; and (ii) optionally reacting with (c) water, a linking agent, or a mixture thereof.
US07968661B2

A method for the polymerization of free radically polymerizable vinyl monomers involves polymerizing free radically (co)polymerizable vinyl monomers in a batch reaction under essentially adiabatic conditions in the presence of an non-reactive diluent that can remain in the polymer product.
US07968651B2

Provided are a conducting polymer film composition comprising a graft copolymer of a self-doped conducting polymer and an organic opto-electronic device comprising a conducting polymer film formed of the above-mentioned composition. In the graft copolymer, the conducting polymer and a polyacid are connected to each other via chemical binding. Therefore, the composition of the present invention can be used in organic opto-electronic devices with minimal or no dedoping occurring from heat generated inside the device. As a result, the present invention can improve efficiency and life-time of the organic opto-electronic device.
US07968642B2

A redispersible polymer including, as a redispersing aid, a protective colloid system including from 30% to 100% of a low molecular weight polyacrylamide colloid having a 20% solution viscosity in water of 200 to 800 Centipoise.
US07968640B2

A non-stick coating application for high heat welding environments comprised of a fluorinated polymer combined with acidified graphite to which a hardening agent, such as alumina, may be added in some embodiments.
US07968639B2

The present invention provides a polyvinyl acetal powder which is excellent in flowability during the coating process when it is applied to a powder coating material. This polyvinyl acetal powder enables to obtain a coating film having good impact resistance and uniformity of thickness (uniformity of coating film thickness). The present invention also provides a powder coating material using the polyvinyl acetal powder. Specifically, the present invention is a polyvinyl acetal powder having an average particle diameter of 10 to 150 μm, a maximum particle diameter of 250 μm or less, and a melt flow rate of 1 to 200 g/10 min. as measured in accordance with JIS K7210: 1999. The present invention also is a powder coating material containing this polyvinyl acetal powder.
US07968635B2

Free-flowing filler compositions containing silated cyclic core polysulfide coupling agents, and rubber and tire compositions containing the filler compositions.
US07968627B2

The present invention provides a functionally dry warm mix asphalt binder composition modified with lubricating agents or additives that can be mixed with aggregate and compacted at temperatures substantially below asphalt binder compositions that do not contain the disclosed lubricating additives.
US07968625B2

A process for producing an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion which includes adding a specific compound to a to-be-treated aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion containing a particle of fluoropolymer dispersed therein, the to-be-treated aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion containing a fluorinated surfactant (A) with a molecular weight lower than 1000 in an amount of 100 ppm or less of the fluoropolymer and the specific compound being (1) a sulfosuccinic acid alkyl ester or a salt thereof, or a sulfosuccinic acid fluoroalkyl ester or a salt thereof, (2) the fluorinated surfactant (A), (3) a fluorinated surfactant (B) with a molecular weight lower than 1000, differing from the fluorinated surfactant (A) and/or (4) an aliphatic carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, which compound is added in total amount of 10 to 5000 ppm of said fluoropolymer.
US07968618B2

A one-component self-etching self-priming dental adhesive composition is disclosed. The composition comprises glycerol phosphate di(meth)acrylate monomer, at least one mono-functional polymerizable monomer having just one ethylenically unsaturated group, at least one multi-functional polymerizable monomer having at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups, at least one aprotic solvent, at least one protic solvent, and at least one polymerization initiator.
US07968608B2

Provided are new compounds based on salts of aromatic acids containing perfluoroalkyl substituents. The compounds can be used as surfactants.
US07968607B2

This invention relates to skin pore tighteners each of which comprises, as an active ingredient, a compound represented by the following formula: R1—OG   (1) wherein R1 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 32 carbon atoms, and OG represents a residual group obtained by removing a hydrogen atom from a hydroxyl group of a polyhydric alcohol, monosaccharide or oligosaccharide at least one hydroxyl group of which has been sulfated or phosphatized, or a salt thereof, and also to skin elasticity improvers each of which comprises, as an active ingredient, a glyceryl ether derivative represented by the following formula: wherein R1 represents the same group as defined above, and X1 and X2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, —SO3OH or —PO(OH)2 with the proviso that X1 and X2 are not hydrogen atoms at the same time, or a salt thereof.
US07968601B2

the N-oxide forms, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein n represents an integer being 1 or 2; R1 and R2 each independently represents hydrogen C1-4alkyl, NR9R10, C1-4alkyloxy; or R1 and R2 taken together with the carbon atom with which they are attached form a C3-6cycloalkyl; and where n is 2, either R1 or R2 may be absent to form an unsaturated bond; R3 represents a C6-12cycloalkyl, preferably selected from cylo-octanyl and cyclohexyl or R3 represents a monovalent radical having one of the following formulae  wherein said C6-12cycloalkyl or monovalent radical may optionally be substituted with one, or where possible two, three or more substituents selected from the group consisting of C1-4alkyl, C1-4alkyloxy, halo or hydroxy; Q represents Het1 or Ar2 wherein said C3-8cycloalkyl, Het1 or Ar2 are optionally substituted with one or where possible two or more substituents selected from halo, C1-4alkyl, C1-4alkyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, NR5R6, C1-4alkyloxy substituted with one or where possible two, three or more substituents each independently selected from hydroxycarbonyl, Het2 and NR7R8, and C1-4alkyl substituted with one or where possible two or three halo substituents, preferably trifluoromethyl; R5 and R6 each independently represent hydrogen, C1-4alkyl, or C1-4alkyl substituted with phenyl; R7 and R8 each independently represent hydrogen or C1-4alkyl; R9 and R10 each independently represent hydrogen, C1-4alkyl or C1-4alkyloxycarbonyl; L represents C1-4alkyl; Het1 represents a heterocycle selected from pyridinyl, thiophenyl, or 1,3-benzodioxolyl; Het2 represents piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl or morpholinyl; Ar2 represents phenyl, naphtyl or indenyl.
US07968590B2

IAP binding molecules and compositions including these are disclosed. The IAP binding molecules interact with IAPs (inhibitor of apoptosis proteins) in cells and may be used to modify apoptosis in cells treated with such molecules. Embodiments of these compounds have a Kd of less that 0.1 micromolar. Methods of using these IAP binding molecules for therapeutic, diagnostic, and assay purposes are also disclosed.
US07968588B2

A pharmaceutical composition for injection comprising a depsipeptide antibiotic, WAP-8294A2, as an active ingredient, which is stable and contains WAP-8294A2 in high concentrations is provided. This composition comprises WAP-8294A2 of the following structural formula (1) as an active ingredient and is characterized in that 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin or β-cyclodextrin is contained as a stabilizer or solubilizer and the pH of the composition is not adjusted. This composition is mixed with a pH-adjusting agent such as dextrose and with an infusion or diluent comprising a solution of disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, and sodium hydroxide at the time of use to prepare a solution for intravenous administration of WAP-8294A2.
US07968585B2

The present invention discloses novel compounds of Formula (I): having 11β-HSD type 1 antagonist activity, as well as methods for preparing such compounds. In another embodiment, the invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula I, as well as methods of using the compounds and compositions to treat diabetes, hyperglycemia, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and other conditions associated with 11β-HSD type 1 activity.
US07968578B2

The invention is directed to indole amide derivatives as EP4 receptor antagonists useful for the treatment of EP4 mediated diseases or conditions, such as acute and chronic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are also included.
US07968577B2

Novel non-steroidal compounds are provided which are useful in treating diseases associated with modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-κB activity including inflammatory and immune diseases, obesity and diabetes having the structure of formula (I) an enantiomer, diastereomer, tautomer, solvate (e.g. a hydrate), or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, thereof, wherein: M is selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclo, and heteroaryl, provided that if M is alkyl then R6 and R7 taken together with the carbon atom to which they are both attached are selected from a group other than cycloalkyl; Q is selected from (i) hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, and substituted C1-C4 alkyl; or (ii) Q and R6 are combined with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a 3- to 6-membered cycloalkyl; or (iii) Q and MaM are combined with the carbon atom(s) to which they are attached to form a 3- to 7-membered ring containing 1-2 heteroatoms which are independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, SO2, and N which ring may be optionally substituted with 0-2 R5 groups or carbonyl; Z is selected from cycloalkyl, heterocyclo, aryl, or heteroaryl; and Ma, Za, R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, R7, and R22 are as defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating metabolic and inflammatory- or immune-associated diseases or disorders using said compounds.
US07968575B2

Disclosed are novel NO-donating compounds, designed such that when NO is released from the compound a residue which is a naturally occurring metabolite is formed, and thus a development of tolerance to the compounds upon repetitive administration is prevented or decreased. Also disclosed are methods of preparing such NO-donating compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and medical devices containing such compounds and methods utilizing such compounds in the treatment of various medical conditions.
US07968572B2

It is intended to provide a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein all the symbols are as defined in the description; which has a p38 MAP kinase inhibitory activity, a salt thereof, an N-oxide thereof, a solvate thereof, or a prodrug thereof. The compound of the invention is useful for preventing or treating a disease in which the abnormal production of a cytokine such as an inflammatory cytokine or a chemokine or overreaction to them is considered to be involved in the cause and aggravation of pathological conditions, in other words, an inflammatory disease, a respiratory disease, a cardiovascular disease, a central nervous system disease or the like, which is a cytokine-mediated disease.
US07968564B2

Tricyclic compounds of Formula I are inhibitors of HIV integrase and inhibitors of HIV replication: wherein bond a, ring A, R1, R2 and R3 are defined herein. The compounds are useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of infection by HIV and the prophylaxis, treatment, or delay in the onset of AIDS. The compounds are employed against HIV infection and AIDS as compounds per se or in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The compounds and their salts can be employed as ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions, optionally in combination with other antivirals, immunomodulators, antibiotics or vaccines.
US07968563B2

Imidazo[4,5-c] ring compounds, (e.g. imidazo[4,5-c]pyridines, imidazo[4,5-c]quinolines, 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro imidazo[4,5-c]quinolines, imidazo[4,5-c]naphthyridine, and 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro imidazo[4,5-c]naphthyridine compounds) having an oxime or hydroxylamine substituent at the 2-position, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, and methods of making and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for modulating cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases are disclosed.
US07968560B2

Novel compounds having the general formula (I) below: are useful in a wide variety of applications in human or veterinary medicine (in dermatology, and also in the fields of cardiovascular diseases, immune diseases and/or diseases associated with lipid metabolism), or, alternatively are formulated into cosmetic compositions.
US07968559B2

Compounds of formula I are disclosed, as well as compositions comprising them and methods of their use to treat, prevent and/or manage diseases and disorders:
US07968558B2

The present invention concerns novel amidines derivatives of 2-heteroaryl-quinazoline and quinolines of general formula (I), to a process for their preparation, to their pharmaceutical compositions and to the use of these compounds, salts and solvates thereof, along with the corresponding pharmaceutical compositions, for the treatment of pain and inflammatory disorders. Compounds of this invention are extremely potent analgesics, suitable for the treatment of both inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Particularly for the treatment of neuropathic pain the compounds of the invention have been proved largely superior to the standards currently in the clinical use. These compounds are not acting through inhibition of COX or NOS enzymes but are effective in inhibiting inflammatory cytokine production induced by inflammatory stimuli.
US07968555B2

Processes for preparing entecavir and novel intermediates thereof using carbon-silicon oxidation.
US07968546B2

Disclosed are compounds of Formula I wherein X is and R2, R1, A, B, D, E, R9 are as defined herein useful for treating cancers.
US07968539B2

This disclosure provides a new class of compounds referred to as “reversed chloroquines” (RCQs), which are highly effective against CQR and CQS malaria parasites. RCQs are hybrid molecules, which include an antimalarial quinoline analog (such as chloroquine) moiety and a CQR reversal moiety. Exemplary RCQ chemical structures are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions including the disclosed RCQ compounds, and methods of using such compounds and compositions for the treatment of malaria and inhibition of CQR or CQS Plasmodium sp. (such as P. falciparum).
US07968535B2

This invention relates to the use of azapaullones, particularly in combination with immunomodulating agents, in the prevention, and/or treatment of pancreatic autoimmune disorders, e.g. type I diabetes or LADA and neurodegenerative disorders.
US07968532B2

The present invention provides methods for treating and preventing gynecomastia by administering 4-hydroxy tamoxifen to a patient. When percutaneously administered to a patient's breasts, 4-hydroxy tamoxifen concentrates locally, and exerts an anti-estrogenic effect. In patients with gynecomastia, this reduces the effective estrogen-androgen ratio in the breast tissue, thereby reducing ductal proliferation, epithelial and stromal hyperplasia, and pain. In patients at risk for developing gynecomastia, 4-hydroxy tamoxifen's anti-estrogenic effect prevents tissue proliferation and its accompanying pain.
US07968528B2

The invention relates to a biological preparation comprising orthosilicic and silicic acid, a primary (“constant/first”) osmolyt choline and a weak alkalinizing agent without free hydroxyl groups and to a method for preparing the preparation, comprising: i) hydrolysing a silicon comprising choline solution thereby forming a choline stabilized orthosilicic acid and oligomers solution; ii) alkalizing the choline orthosilicic acid and oligomers solution by adding a weak alkalizing agent without hydroxyl groups; and iii) optionally adding a divalent trace element and/or secondary osmolyte, to biological preparation obtainable and its uses.
US07968527B2

Methods and compositions for inhibiting FGF signaling are described. Methods of the invention include contacting an FGF-responsive cell with exogenous heparan sulfate 6-O endosulfatase (Sulf1) in an amount effective to modify endogenous heparan sulfate, thereby inhibiting FGF signaling. Methods of the invention also include contacting an FGF-responsive cell with an exogenous Sulf1-modified compound, the exogenous Sulf1-modified compound being characterized by the ability to reduce binding of FGF2 or FGF4 to FGFR1. Compositions comprising exogenous Sulf1-modified compounds are also provided for use in conjunction with methods of the present invention.
US07968514B2

The invention relates to therapeutic and prophylactic treatment of ovarian cancer and metastases thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to immunogenic polypeptides comprising at least a portion of an ovarian tissue cell-associated protein or immunologically active variants thereof and to nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides and to the use thereof in immunotherapeutic methods of treatment. Said immunogenic polypeptides are provided by the zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins. ZP glycoproteins and fragments thereof that can induce a CD8+ and/or CD4+ T cell response as well as nucleic acid sequences encoding them can suitably be used in the present immunotherapeutic strategies.
US07968513B2

The present invention relates to peptides derived from casein and their use in the management of lactating animals, particularly to methods for decreasing the length of the dry period of a lactating livestock animal, for increasing its milk yield and milk hygiene after parturition and for improving the livestock welfare. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising peptides derived from casein in the form of a sterile solution, which compositions are clear and substantially devoid of micelles.
US07968510B2

The present invention relates to benefit agent containing delivery particles, compositions comprising said particles, and processes for making and using the aforementioned particles and compositions. When employed in compositions, for example, compositions for cleaning, fabric care, or coating onto various substrates, textiles or surfaces, such particles increase the efficiency of benefit agent delivery, thereby allowing reduced amounts of benefit agents to be employed. In addition to allowing the amount of benefit agent to be reduced, such particles allow a broad range of benefit agents to be employed.
US07968509B2

The present invention relates to a softening detergent composition containing a glyceryl monoether represented by formula (I) and (b) a clay mineral: R—O—(C3H6O2)n—H  (I) wherein R represents a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and n represents the degree of condensation of glycerin and denotes a number from 3 to 5.
US07968504B2

This invention is a composition that includes a transesterified fatty acid ester resulting from the reaction of a fatty acid ester, in the presence of an acid, with a hydroxyl-containing compound. The fatty acid esters of the invention are selected from those with a carbon number of eight to twenty. The hydroxyl-containing compound is an alcohol having a carbon number between one and eighteen. The resulting composition is useful as a lubricant, as a heat transfer agent, as a rheological modifier and as a corrosion/moisture inhibitor, among other uses.
US07968503B2

Nanoparticles comprising molybdenum, methods of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising molybdenum, and nanotechnology applications of nanoparticles comprising molybdenum, such as electronics, optical devices, photonics, reagents for fine chemical synthesis, pigments and catalysts, are provided.
US07968499B2

Compositions comprising a rhamnolipid component and one or more active agents, and related methods of use.
US07968497B2

This invention relates to the use of selected adjuvants to improve the performance of S-(+)-abscisic acid (S-ABA, ABA) or ABA salts on plants.
US07968491B2

The present invention relates to a catalyst for preparing phthalic anhydride by gas phase oxidation of o-xylene and/or naphthalene, comprising at least three catalyst zones which have different compositions and, from the gas inlet side toward the gas outlet side, are referred to as first, second and third catalyst zone, the catalyst zones having in each case an active composition comprising TiO2 with a content of Na of less than 0.3% by weight, and the active composition content decreasing from the first catalyst zone disposed toward the gas inlet side to the third catalyst zone disposed toward the gas outlet side, with the proviso that (a) the first catalyst zone has an active composition content between about 7 and 12% by weight, (b) the second catalyst zone has an active composition content in the range between 6 and 11% by weight, the active composition content of the second catalyst zone being less than or equal to the active composition content of the first catalyst zone, and (c) the third catalyst zone has an active composition content in the range between 5 and 10% by weight, the active composition content of the third catalyst zone being less than or equal to the active composition content of the second catalyst zone. Also described is a preferred process for preparing such a catalyst and the preferred use of the titanium dioxide used in accordance with the invention.
US07968484B2

A high-strength, fracture-resistant silicon nitride ceramic material that includes about 5 to about 75 wt-% of elongated reinforcing grains of beta-silicon nitride, about 20 to about 95 wt-% of fine grains of beta-silicon nitride, wherein the fine grains have a major axis of less than about 1 micron; and about 1 to about 15 wt-% of an amorphous intergranular phase comprising Si, N, O, a rare earth element and a secondary densification element. The elongated reinforcing grains have an aspect ratio of 2:1 or greater and a major axis measuring about 1 micron or greater. The elongated reinforcing grains are essentially isotropically oriented within the ceramic microstructure. The silicon nitride ceramic exhibits a room temperature flexure strength of 1,000 MPa or greater and a fracture toughness of 9 MPa-m(1/2) or greater. The silicon nitride ceramic exhibits a peak strength of 800 MPa or greater at 1200 degrees C. Also included are methods of making silicon nitride ceramic materials which exhibit the described high flexure strength and fracture-resistant values.
US07968480B2

Nonwoven polymer materials and articles made therefrom. Materials of the invention include at least one nonwoven polymer web with at least one layer of at least about 50% by weight of a multi-lobal fiber. Materials and articles of the invention have improved properties, such as particle retention capacity, acoustic absorption, stiffness, crop color uniformity, and crop yield, when compared with nonwoven polymer materials and articles made with round fiber in place of all of the multi-lobal fiber.
US07968477B1

A fabric assembly particularly useful as soft body armor has two separate sections each containing a number of fabrics made from yarns having a tenacity of at least 7.3 grams per dtex and a modulus of at least 100 grams per dtex. Compressed fabrics in the first section are employed and are connected by connectors that have a force to break in tension not greater than 65N and define areas on the outer surfaces of the compressed fabric in a range from 15 to 350 square mm. Fabrics in the second section have at most a small amount of compression and are not joined other than to prevent slippage of the fabrics relative to one another.
US07968475B2

A fabric assembly particularly useful as soft body armor has two separate sections each containing a number of fabrics made from yarns having a tenacity of at least 7.3 grams per dtex and a modulus of at least 100 grams per dtex. Compressed fabrics in the first section are employed and connected by a connector having a force to break in tension not greater than 65N to form delineated areas in a range from 15 square mm to 350 square mm. Fabrics in the second section are not compressed and are not joined other than to prevent slippage of the fabrics relative to one another.
US07968469B2

A method for processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor chamber includes coupling RF power at a first VHF frequency f1 to a plasma via one of the electrodes of the chamber, and providing a center ground return path for RF current passing directly between the ceiling electrode and the workpiece support electrode for the frequency f1. The method further includes providing a variable height edge ground annular element and providing a ground return path through the edge ground annular element for the frequency f1. The method controls the uniformity of plasma ion density distribution by controlling the distance between the variable height edge ground annular element and one of: (a) height of ceiling electrode or (b) height of workpiece support electrode.
US07968465B2

A method of polishing a semiconductor substrate surface having at least one ruthenium feature thereon and at least one dielectric material, wherein the substrate is contacted with an aqueous composition containing from about 0.0005 to about 1 moles/kilogram of periodic acid, from about 0.2% to about 6% % by weight of silica abrasive having an average particle size of about 50 nm or less, and an amine in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of the composition to between about 2.5 and 7. The removal selectivity of the ruthenium to a. low-K dielectric is greater than 20:1. Advantageously, the substrate further has a tantalum-containing compound, and the polishing rate of the tantalum-containing compound is about the same as the polishing rate of the ruthenium, so that the polishing process is a one-step process.
US07968461B2

It is required that a line width of a wiring is prevented from being wider to be miniaturized when the wiring or the like is formed by a dropping method typified by an ink-jetting method. Therefore, the invention provides a method for narrowing (miniaturizing) the line width according to a method different from a conventional method. A region to be liquid-repellent is formed and further, a region to be lyophilic is formed selectively in the region to be liquid-repellent in a surface for forming a pattern, before forming a desired pattern. After that, a pattern for a wiring or the like is formed in the lyophilic region by a dropping method typified by an ink-jetting method for dropping a composition including a conductive material for the wiring or the like.
US07968454B2

A method of forming a pattern structure includes forming a thin film pattern on a substrate, the thin film pattern including depression portions with first bottom widths, forming a protection layer on the thin film pattern by implanting ions into the thin film pattern, and etching a lower portion of the thin film pattern selectively using the protection layer as a mask to increase the first bottom widths of the depression portions into second bottom widths.
US07968453B2

A tube is arranged to be in contact with an insulating layer in an opening formation region, and a treatment agent (etching gas or etchant) is discharged to the insulating layer through the tube. With the discharged treatment agent (etching gas or etchant), the insulating layer is selectively removed to form an opening in the insulating layer. Therefore, the insulating layer provided with the opening is formed over a first conductive layer, and the first conductive layer below the insulating layer is exposed at the bottom of the opening. A second conductive layer is formed in the opening to be in contact with an exposed part of the first conductive layer, so that the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are electrically connected in the opening provided in the insulating layer.
US07968449B2

A method for manufacturing a printed wiring board having one or more layers of a conductive pattern and an insulating pattern, including forming an insulating pattern on an insulating substrate; semi-hardening at least one of the insulating substrate and the insulating pattern; forming a conductive pattern on the insulating substrate and/or the insulating pattern, thereby providing a stack structure; performing a thermal treatment on the stack structure to fully harden the semi-hardened insulating substrate and/or insulating pattern; and firing the conductive pattern. In the method, the conductive pattern and the insulating pattern are simultaneously formed on the same layer using an inkjet process.
US07968448B2

A semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The device comprises a semiconductor die, a passivation layer, a wiring redistribution layer (RDL), an Ni/Au layer, and a solder mask. The semiconductor die comprises a top metal exposed in an active surface thereof. The passivation layer overlies the active surface of the semiconductor die, and comprises a through passivation opening overlying the top metal. The wiring RDL, comprising an Al layer, overlies the passivation layer, and electrically connects to the top metal via the passivation opening. The solder mask overlies the passivation layer and the wiring RDL, exposing a terminal of the wiring RDL.
US07968438B2

Exemplary embodiments provide semiconductor devices with a high-quality semiconductor material on a lattice mismatched substrate and methods for their manufacturing using low temperature growth techniques followed by an insulator-capped annealing process. The semiconductor material can have high-quality with a sufficiently low threading dislocation (TD) density, and can be effectively used for integrated circuit applications such as an integration of optically-active materials (e.g., Group III-V materials) with silicon circuitry. In an exemplary embodiment, the high-quality semiconductor material can include one or more ultra-thin high-quality semiconductor epitaxial layers/films/materials having a desired thickness on the lattice mismatched substrate. Each ultra-thin high-quality semiconductor epitaxial layer can be formed by capping a low-temperature grown initial ultra-thin semiconductor material, annealing the capped initial ultra-thin semiconductor material, and removing the capping layer.
US07968422B2

A method of forming shallow trench isolation on a substrate using a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) is described. The method comprises generating a GCIB, and irradiating the substrate with the GCIB to form a shallow trench isolation structure by growing a dielectric layer in at least one region on the substrate.
US07968421B2

Manufacturing a semiconductor device includes defining bulb-type trenches having spherical portions in a silicon substrate. Oxide layers are formed in surfaces of spherical portions of the bulb-type trenches by conducting an oxidation process for the silicon substrate having the bulb-type trenches defined therein. An insulation layer is formed on the entire surface of the silicon substrate including the surfaces of the bulb-type trenches, which have the oxide layers formed in the surfaces of the spherical portions thereof. Isolation trenches are defined by etching the insulation layer, whereby SOI structures having the oxide layers interposed between portions of the silicon substrate are formed.
US07968420B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming an insulating film on a substrate; selectively removing the insulating film, so as to form a groove including a first groove area having a first depth and a second groove area having a second depth, the second depth being smaller than the first depth; infusing a conductive liquid material into the first groove area and the second groove area; treating the conductive liquid material, so as to form a first conductive film in the first groove area and a second conductive film in the second groove area; and forming a second insulating film on the first and the second conductive films, followed by forming a third conductive film on the second insulating film.
US07968418B1

An isolation trench structure includes both a deep trench isolation (DTI) trench and a shallow trench isolation (STI) trench. The DTI trench can be formed by etching a deeper, narrower trench in a substrate and filling the deeper trench with one or more materials (such as an oxide). The STI trench can be formed by etching a shallower, wider trench in the substrate and filling the shallower trench with one or more materials (such as an oxide). The STI trench surrounds a portion of the DTI trench, such as by completely encircling an upper portion of the DTI trench. The DTI and STI trenches are filled during different operations, and the DTI and STI trenches can be filled with the same material(s) or with different material(s).
US07968415B2

A method of fabricating a transistor (10) comprises forming source and drain regions (46) and (47) using a first sidewall (42) and (43) as a mask and forming a deep blanket source and drain regions (54) and (56) using a second sidewall (50) and (51) as a mask, the second sidewall (50) and (51) comprising at least part of the first sidewall (42) and (43).
US07968408B2

A M-I-M capacitor semiconductor device capable of enhancing the reliability and capacitance of a capacitor and maximizing the integration density of the device, and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a capacitor lower metal layer formed over the semiconductor substrate, a SiN capacitor dielectric layer having a thickness of approximately 30 nm or less formed over the capacitor lower metal layer, and a capacitor upper metal layer formed over a portion of the capacitor dielectric layer and overlapping with the capacitor lower metal layer.
US07968404B2

A semiconductor device is provided which includes a semiconductor substrate (10), an ONO film (16) provided on the semiconductor substrate (10), and a bit line (14) formed in the semiconductor substrate (10) and connected to a contact (34) provided on the bit line (14), the semiconductor substrate (10) having trench isolation regions (50) provided at both sides of the bit line (14), the contact (34) being interposed between the trench isolation regions (50). Accordingly, even if the bit line (14) and the contact (34) is overlapped in a misaligned manner in a direction vertical to the bit line (14), the leakage current does not flow between the bit line (14) and the semiconductor substrate (10) via the contact (34), because the contact (34) is formed on the trench isolation region (50). This makes it possible to make the overlapping margin of the bit line (14) and the contact (34) large, thereby providing a semiconductor device in which the memory cell can be downsized.
US07968400B2

Low voltage, middle voltage and high voltage CMOS devices have upper buffer layers of the same conductivity type as the sources and drains that extend under the sources and drains and the gates but not past the middle of the gates, and lower bulk buffer layers of the opposite conductivity type to the upper buffer layers extend from under the upper buffer layers to past the middle of the gates forming an overlap of the two bulk buffer layers under the gates. The upper buffer layers and the lower bulk buffer layers can be implanted for both the NMOS and PMOS FETs using two masking layers. For middle voltage and high voltage devices the upper buffer layers together with the lower bulk buffer layers provide a resurf region.
US07968394B2

A method includes forming a semiconductor structure, the semiconductor structure includes a first current electrode region, a second current electrode region, and a channel region, the channel region is located between the first current electrode region and the second current electrode region, wherein the channel region is located in a fin structure of the semiconductor structure, wherein a carrier transport in the channel region is generally in a horizontal direction between the first current electrode region and the second current electrode region. The method further includes forming a first contact, wherein forming the first contact includes removing a first portion of the semiconductor structure to form an opening, wherein the opening is in the first current electrode region and forming contact material in the opening.
US07968392B2

Dual-gate memory cells and tri-gate CMOS devices are integrated on a common substrate. A plurality of silicon bodies are formed from a monocrystalline silicon on the substrate to define a plurality of transistors including dual-gate memory cells, PMOS transistors, and NMOS transistors. An insulative layer is formed overlying the silicon body of the memory cell. A layer of a high-k dielectric and at least a metal layer cover the silicon bodies and their overlying layers. Next, gain regions of the transistors are filled with polysilicon. Thus, a gate is formed on the top surface and both sidewalls of a tri-gate transistor. Thereafter, the high-k dielectric and the metal layer overlying the insulative layer of the memory cell are removed to expose the insulative layer. Thus, two electrically-isolated gates of the memory cell are formed.
US07968386B2

Application form of and demand for an IC chip formed with a silicon wafer are expected to increase, and further reduction in cost is required. An object of the invention is to provide a structure of an IC chip and a process capable of producing at a lower cost. In view of the above described object, one feature of the invention is to provide the steps of forming a separation layer over an insulating substrate and forming a thin film integrated circuit having a semiconductor film as an active region over the separation layer, wherein the thin film integrated circuit is not separated. There is less limitation on the shape of a mother substrate in the case of using the insulating substrate, when compared with the case of taking a chip out of a circular silicon wafer. Accordingly, reduction in cost of an IC chip can be achieved.
US07968382B2

An object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing semiconductor devices that are flexible in which elements fabricated using a comparatively low-temperature (less than 500° C.) process are separated from a substrate. After a molybdenum film is formed over a glass substrate, a molybdenum oxide film is formed over the molybdenum film, a nonmetal inorganic film and an organic compound film are stacked over the molybdenum oxide film, and elements fabricated by a comparatively low-temperature (less than 500° C.) process are formed using existing manufacturing equipment for large glass substrates, the elements are separated from the glass substrate.
US07968377B2

An integrated circuit package system is provided. A protruding pad is formed on a leadframe. A die is attached to the leadframe. The die is electrically connected to the leadframe. At least portions of the leadframe, the protruding pad, and the die are encapsulated in an encapsulant.
US07968376B2

Packaged microelectronic devices and methods for manufacturing packaged microelectronic devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a packaged microelectronic device can include a support member and at least one die in a stacked configuration attached to the support member. The support member may include a leadframe disposed longitudinally between first and second ends and latitudinally between first and second sides. The leadframe includes a lead extending between the first end and the first side.
US07968374B2

A layered chip package has a main body including pairs of layer portions, and wiring disposed on a side surface of the main body. Each layer portion includes a semiconductor chip. The pairs of layer portions include at least one specific pair of layer portions including a first-type layer portion and a second-type layer portion. The first-type layer portion includes electrodes each connected to the semiconductor chip and each having an end face located at the side surface of the main body on which the wiring is disposed, whereas the second-type layer portion does not include such electrodes. A layered substructure formed of a stack of two substructures, each of which includes aligned preliminary layer portions, is used to fabricate a stack of a predetermined two or greater number of pairs of layer portions, and the main body is fabricated by stacking an additional first-type layer portion together with the stack, the number of the additional first-type layer portion being equal to the number of the specific pair(s) of layer portions included in the stack.
US07968372B2

A copper pillar may be provided on a chip and a first tin-containing layer may be provided over the copper pillar. A second tin-containing layer may be provided on a substrate. The first tin-containing layer may be joined with the second tin-containing layer during a packaging process.
US07968368B2

A method of manufacturing a field effect transistor, which has high alignment accuracy between a gate electrode and source and drain electrodes and can provide a transparent device at a low cost. Since a patterned light blocking film is formed on the rear side of a substrate and used as a photomask for forming a gate electrode pattern and a source and drain electrode pattern on the front side of the substrate, the number of photomasks is reduced, and self-alignment between the gate electrode and the source and drain electrodes is carried out, thereby improving the alignment accuracy of these electrodes. Thereby, a method of manufacturing a high-accuracy low-cost field effect transistor can be provided.
US07968366B2

An image sensor and method of manufacturing the same are provided. According to an embodiment, the image sensor comprises: a circuit including an interconnection on a substrate; a lower electrode on the interconnection; a separated intrinsic layer on the lower electrode; a second conductive type conduction layer on the separated intrinsic layer; and an upper electrode on the second conductive type conduction layer. The separated intrinsic layer can have an inwardly sloping sidewall to focus light incident the photodiode for the unit pixel.
US07968360B2

In a method of producing a nitride semiconductor light-emitting device including a nitride semiconductor active layer (105) held between an n-type nitride semiconductor layer (103, 104) and a p-type nitride semiconductor layer (106 to 108) on a substrate (101), at least any one of the n-type layer, the active layer and the p-type layer includes a multilayer film structure, and a surfactant material is supplied to a crystal growth surface just before, during or after crystal growth of a layer included in the multilayer film structure.
US07968357B2

The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device having a large holding capacitance in the inside of a pixel. A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate arranged to face the first substrate in an opposed manner, and liquid crystal sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate includes a video signal line, a pixel electrode, a thin film transistor having a first electrode thereof connected to the video signal line and a second electrode thereof connected to the pixel electrode, a first silicon nitride film formed above the second electrode, an organic insulation film formed above the first silicon nitride film, a capacitance electrode formed above the organic insulation film, and a second silicon nitride film formed above the capacitance electrode and below the pixel electrode. The second silicon nitride film is a film which is formed at a temperature lower than a forming temperature of the first silicon nitride film. The first silicon nitride film and the second silicon nitride film form a contact hole therein by etching both of the first silicon nitride film and the second silicon nitride film collectively by dry etching. The second electrode and the pixel electrode are connected to each other via the contact hole. A potential different from a potential applied to the pixel electrode is applied to the capacitance electrode, and a holding capacitance is formed by the pixel electrode, the second silicon nitride film and the capacitance electrode.
US07968346B2

Fluorescent pH detector and methods for measuring pH using the fluorescent pH detector.
US07968340B2

The present invention relates to a structural protein of adeno-associated virus (AAV) which comprises at least one modification which brings about a reduction in the antigenicity, its production and use.
US07968339B2

The present invention relates to a method for increasing genetic recombination frequency in a genomic DNA and a method for inducing genome rearrangement. Specifically, according to the present invention there are provided: the method for increasing genetic recombination frequency in a cell in which genetic recombination takes place at any sites in the genome, comprising causing a restriction enzyme to be expressed in the cell, inducing transient activation of the restriction enzyme, and then introducing 2 or more double strand cleavages into any genomic DNA of the cell, so as to increase the genetic recombination frequency; the method for inducing genome rearrangement through the use of the above method; and cells each prepared through the use of the above 2 methods.
US07968331B2

A cell co-culture apparatus and a method of co-culturing and isolating cells using the cell co-culture apparatus to research interactions between cells by direct contact between the cells are provided. The cell co-culture apparatus includes a first substrate including a substrate portion and a plurality of projections provided on a surface of the substrate portion, each of the projections having a top surface for culturing cells, a second substrate including a same number of first channels as a number of the projections such that the channels fit with the projections and substrate surfaces formed between the first channels, and a third substrate including a plurality of second channels corresponding with the top surfaces and a plurality of third channels corresponding with the substrate surfaces.
US07968328B2

The invention relates to a method for the enantioselective N-acylation of aminoalkylphenols, and to a method for producing enantiomer-pure compounds of formulae (I-S) and/or (I-R).
US07968326B2

The present invention relates to the use of enzymes and/or whole-cell catalysts for the removal of undesired by-products from crosslinkable preparations.
US07968325B2

Coexpression of a polyhydroxyalkanoic acid synthase and a either a fatty acid:acyl-CoA transferase or an acyl-CoA synthetase in cells enables the biosynthesis of polyester materials. Plasmids, bacteria, materials, and methods for the preparation of polyesters are disclosed.
US07968319B2

The invention discloses a method for producing 1,3-propanediol and 2,3-butanediol from raw starch materials, including the following steps: 1) Candida krusei or Hansenula Arabitolgens Fang are inoculated into a fermentation medium with the saccharifying liquid of the raw starches as a carbon source; the yeast cells are cultured on an aerobic condition until glucose-consuming-rate is significantly reduced, and then fermented anaerobically to a glucose concentration from 5 to 10 g/L; the fermentation broth is collected and filtered to remove the yeast cells in the broth, and the resultant filtrate is glycerin fermentation broth; 2) Klebsiella, Clostridium butyricum, or Clostridium pasteurianum are inoculated into a fermentation medium in which the glycerin fermentation broth obtained from step 1) serves as a carbon source; the bacteria are fermented anaerobically for 30-32 hours, and then fermented aerobically when the production rate of 1,3-propanediol decreased obviously, and the fermentation was stopped when the concentration of glycerin is reduced to a level below 10 g/L, and finally 1,3-propanediol and 2,3-butanediol are obtained. The method of the present invention can effectively reduce production cost and increase productivity.
US07968316B2

Disclosed is a method for the mass production of a monomeric or dimeric immunoglobulin Fc region, free of initial methionine residues, using a recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a recombinant immunoglobulin Fc region comprising an immunoglobulin Fc region linked at the N-terminus thereof to an immunoglobulin Fc region via a peptide bond.
US07968310B2

The present invention provides modified Campylobacter sialyltransferase proteins that exhibit enhanced expression as compared to its unmodified form. Nucleic acids that encode the sialyltransferase proteins are also included, as are methods to produce and use the sialyltransferase proteins.
US07968299B2

The present invention is method of determining whether or not associations between a given protein and other proteins in a cell are specific. The method comprises (a) providing a first sample of the cells in which the given protein contains a tag, (b) providing a second sample of the same cells, wherein the given protein and the other proteins are metabolically labeled, and wherein neither the given protein nor the other proteins are tagged, (c) mixing and lysing the first cell sample and the second cell sample to provide a mixture of proteins, (d) binding the tag of the given protein to a substrate, (e) isolating proteins associated with the tagged given protein bound to the substrate, whereby the associated proteins comprise: (i) proteins specifically associated with the tagged given protein, (ii) proteins non-specifically associated with the tagged given protein, or (iii) a combination thereof, (f) determining whether each associated protein is unlabeled or a mixture of labeled and unlabeled proteins, wherein if the associated protein is not labeled, then that protein was specifically associated in the cell with the tagged given protein.
US07968298B2

It has been discovered that herpesviruses can trigger an increase in the production of HIV-suppressive chemokines, and that these chemokines block the CCR5 receptor, which is used as a co-receptor with CD4 in the CCR5-tropic forms of HIV-1 that predominate in early stage HIV-1 infection. Use of live, attenuated or killed herpesviruses, or of herpesvirus proteins which trigger an increase in production of HIV-suppressive chemokines, or of nucleic acids encoding those proteins, can likewise be used to prevent establishment of HIV-1 infection or to inhibit HIV-1 replication. The invention provides uses, methods and compositions related to these discoveries.
US07968285B2

The present invention relates to the use of an immunogenic composition that comprises a porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigen for treatment of several clinical manifestations (diseases). Preferably, the clinical manifestations are associated with a PCV2 infection. Preferably, they include lymphadenopathy, lymphoid depletion and/or multinucleated/giant histiocytes. Moreover, the clinical symptoms include lymphadenopathy in combination with one or a multiple of the following symptoms in pigs: (1) interstitial pneumonia with interlobular edema, (2) cutaneous pallor or icterus, (3) mottled atrophic livers, (4) gastric ulcers, (5) nephritis and (6) reproductive disorders, e.g. abortion, stillbirths, mummies, etc. Furthermore the clinical symptoms include Pia like lesions, normally known to be associated with Lawsonia intracellularis infections.
US07968284B2

The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
US07968279B2

A reference control for cell by cell analysis on flow cytometric analyzers contains cellular analogs made of permeated blood cells containing therein aggregated intracellular proteins and preserved antigenic sites thereof, having cellular membrane permeable to antibodies and a suspension medium. The reference control is frozen after being prepared and thawed prior to use. The cellular analogs further contain a fluorescence marker therein. Further disclosed are a method of making the reference control and a method using the reference control, as an internal or stand-alone control, for measurements of cellular hemoglobin and cellular hemoglobin variant of a blood sample.
US07968274B2

An optical waveguide manufacturing method which obviates a developing step and stably provides greater differences in refractive index between a core and cladding layers. A core formation photosensitive resin layer is formed on a surface of an under-cladding layer, and then exposed in a predetermined pattern. A core is formed which is defined by an exposed portion of the core formation photosensitive resin layer. Surfaces of the exposed portion and an unexposed portion of the core formation photosensitive resin layer are covered with an over-cladding layer formation photosensitive resin layer. The two photosensitive resin layers are heated, whereby a resin of the unexposed portion of the core formation photosensitive resin layer and a resin of the over-cladding layer formation photosensitive resin layer are melt-mixed together to form a mixture layer. Then, the mixture layer is exposed, whereby a third cladding layer is formed defined by the exposed mixture layer.
US07968271B2

The present invention provides a photosensitive recording material having a support, and a photosensitive layer and a protective layer formed in this order on or above the support. The photosensitive layer contains a polymerization initiator, a sensitizing agent, and a polymerizable compound. Further, the protective layer contains a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble dye that has an absorption wavelength region different from the absorption wavelength region of the sensitizing agent, and the dye is dispersed in a solid state in the protective layer. The present invention also provides a planographic printing plate precursor including the photosensitive recording material, a stack of the photosensitive recording materials, and a stack of the planographic printing plate precursors.
US07968270B2

A lithographic structure consisting essentially of: an organic antireflective material disposed on a substrate; a vapor-deposited RCHX material, wherein R is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, B, Sn, Fe and Ti, and wherein X is not present or is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of O, N, S and F; and a photoresist material disposed on the RCHX material. The invention is also directed to methods of making the lithographic structure, and using the structure to pattern a substrate.
US07968267B2

The purpose is to provide, in a development apparatus using a two-component developer, a compact development apparatus, image forming apparatus and development method that prevents carrier deterioration and that can carry out good image formation over a long time period. In a development apparatus using a developer in which are mixed a toner, a carrier, and opposite polarity particles that are charged to a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner, the surface charge density of the opposite polarity particles should be in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 times the surface charge density of the carrier.
US07968261B2

A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and a charge transport layer, and wherein at least one of the charge transport layer and the photogenerating layer contains a zirconocene.
US07968260B2

The present invention has: a first step of measuring, as an initial condition of a substrate, any of a film thickness of a processing film on the substrate, a refractive index of the processing film, an absorption coefficient of the processing film, and a warpage amount of the substrate; a second step of estimating a dimension of a pattern of the processing film after predetermined processing from a previously obtained first relation between the initial condition and the dimension of the pattern of the processing film based on a measurement result of the initial condition; a third step of obtaining a correction value for a processing condition of the predetermined processing from a previously obtained second relation between the processing condition of the predetermined processing and the dimension of the pattern of the processing film based on an estimation result of the dimension of the pattern; a fourth step of correcting the processing condition of the predetermined processing based on the correction value; and a fifth step of performing predetermined processing on the substrate under the corrected processing condition to form the predetermined pattern in the processing film on the substrate.
US07968259B2

In a multi-project-chip semiconductor device, semiconductor elements fabricated on a wafer have a layout that corresponds to an exposure order of a pattern of the semiconductor elements and that is based on information indicating manufacture conditions and the number of shots and are arranged such that the semiconductor elements having the same manufacture condition are adjacent to each other in ascending or descending order of the number of shots.
US07968251B2

In one aspect a substrate such as a sheet metal product, in particular for use as a bipolar plate in a fuel cell or in an electrolyzer, is characterized in that it has, on at least one side, a conductive and corrosion-resistant protective coating of a metal oxide having a treatment which ensures the conductivity. The coating can be produced by introducing a piece of sheet metal into a coating plant and providing it with the conductive and corrosion-resistant protective coating of the metal oxide. In another aspect, an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell comprises an electrically conductive contact element having a first surface facing an electrode for conducting electrical current, and the contact element comprises an electrically conductive substrate and an electrically conductive coating comprising a doped metal oxide, desirably a doped tin oxide, and preferably a fluorine doped tin oxide.
US07968247B2

Provided are a polymer electrolyte membrane and a fuel cell including the same. The polymer electrolyte membrane has a phosphoric acid that is substituted with an aliphatic hydrocarbon. The polymer electrolyte membrane has excellent ion conductivity, heat resistance, and liquid-holding properties. The fuel cell including the polymer electrolyte membrane exhibits excellent performance.
US07968245B2

A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode. The anode electrode includes a first portion made of a first anode material and a second portion made of a second anode material. The first anode material is a higher performance, lower oxidation resistant material than the second anode material.
US07968236B2

A portable electricity generation device comprises a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell having an anode end with a catalyst facilitating the separation of hydrogen atoms into electrons and protons, a cathode end facilitating the combination of the electrons and protons into water molecules in the presence of oxygen, and a current bearing portion providing a current path for the electrons to traverse. The electricity generation device also includes a fuel storage container for storing a supply of hydrogen and delivering the supply of hydrogen to an anode end of the plurality of fuel cells so as to initiate a flow of the electrons through the current bearing portion. In addition, the portable electricity generation device includes an air moving device configured to direct atmospheric air toward a cathode end of the plurality of fuel cells, wherein the air moving device is positioned to convectively cool the plurality of fuel cells as it supplies atmospheric air to the cathode end.
US07968233B2

Lithium metal powder based inks are provided. The inks are provided in formulations suitable for printing using a variety of printing techniques, including screen printing, offset litho printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing, pad printing and inkjet printing. The inks include lithium metal powder, a polymer binder and optionally electrically conductive materials and/or lithium salts in a solvent. The inks are well suited for use in printing electrodes for use in lithium metal batteries. Batteries made from lithium powder based anodes and electronic applications such as RFID labels, Smart Cards and wearable medical devices are also provided.
US07968223B2

A secondary battery module includes a plurality of unit batteries, a housing receiving the unit batteries, a cell barrier plate disposed between the unit batteries to transfer heat generated from the unit batteries, a cooling plate disposed in contact with an end of the cell barrier plate, and a heat dissipation assembly disposed proximate to the cooling plate to dissipate heat transferred to the cooling plate.
US07968212B2

The reaction product of a triamine and a dialkyl maleate and/or dialkyl fumarate, wherein the reaction product has a viscosity of less than 2000 cPs is disclosed. Polyurea coatings comprising this reaction product are also disclosed, as are substrates coated with the same.
US07968206B2

This invention relates to a method for forming a multi-layer coating, comprising sequentially applying a primer surfacer, a basecoat, and a clear coat composition on an automotive substrate in a wet-on-wet-on-wet manner, and simultaneously curing the applied three layers together in a single baking step, wherein the primer surfacer comprises: a film forming binder, a volatile organic liquid carrier, and pigment(s); and the binder contains about: (a) about 30 to 80% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a hydroxyl functional polyester resin; (b) about 10 to 30% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of a melamine resin, a blocked polyisocyanate resin, or a mixture thereof; (c) about 10 to 40% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a dispersed graft polymer comprising a non-crosslinked core of acrylic polymer which is substantially non-soluble in non-polar organic solvent and, grafted to the core, one end of an acrylic stabilizer in the form of a macromonomer, said acrylic stabilizer being soluble in a non-polar organic solvent; wherein the composition is, preferably, essentially free of crosslinked nonaqueous dispersion resin particles or crosslinked microgel resin particles or both, and the composition also contains at least one non-polar organic solvent at the time of application. The resulting multi-layered coating film has excellent aesthetic appearance, chipping resistance, sag resistance, and film build even when formed in a three wet layered application method.
US07968201B2

A multi-layer thin film stack, particularly suitable as a component of a solar cell, is deposited on a transparent dielectric substrate. The multi-layer film stack comprises a transparent electrically conductive metal oxide layer deposited over the dielectric substrate, the conductive metal oxide layer having a refractive index less than 2.0, a light transmittance optimizing interlayer having a refractive index between 2.3 and 3.5, deposited over the electrically conductive metal oxide layer, and a silicon layer having a refractive index of at least 4.5 deposited over the light transmittance optimizing interlayer. The film stack can be deposited by any suitable method, but deposition of each of these layers by atmospheric chemical vapor deposition is preferred.
US07968200B2

The ceramic product provided by the present invention is provided with at least two ceramic members bonded to each other, and the bond parts between these ceramic members bonded to each other are formed from glass having leucite crystals precipitated within the glass matrix.
US07968193B2

The invention relates to polymerisable compositions obtained as follows: a) reaction of A) between 0.5 and 5 parts by weight of at least one silicon compound of formula (I): SimR1nR2oOrXs with B) between 0.01 and 2.0 parts by weight of water C) between 0 and 4.0 parts by weight of at least one acid; and b) subsequent addition of D) between 0.5 and 5 parts by weight of at least one (meth)acrylate of formula (II), E) between 98.99 and 55 parts by weight of at least one polymerisable, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, different from D) and F) between 0 and 30 parts by weight of at least one polymer and/or copolymer, which is obtained by the polymerisation or copolymerisation of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer E). The invention also relates to polymers and laminate glass obtained from the composition and to a method for producing laminate glass.
US07968191B2

Modified carbon products including a metal group attached to the modified carbon product. The modified carbon products are particularly useful for various applications such as catalysis, electronic conduction, ionic conduction, absorbents, heat transfer and luminescence.
US07968189B2

Provided is a re-peeling pressure-sensitive adhesive composition for a surface protecting material for an adherend having a photocatalytic layer, comprising: a (meth)acryl-based polymer including, as monomer units, 50 to 99.9% by weight of (A) at least one acrylate-based monomer represented by the general formula (1): CH2═CR1COOR2 wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R2 represents an alkyl group having 2 to 14 carbon atoms, 0.1 to 10% by weight of (B) a functional-group-containing vinyl-based monomer, and 0 to 49.9% by weight of (C) a vinyl-based monomer copolymerizable with the component (A) and/or the component (B); and (D) a surfactant having a molecular weight of 150 to 5000, the amount of the component (D) being from 0.01 to 30 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the (meth)acryl-based polymer. The re-peeling pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is excellent in re-peeling property, contact-angle-recoverability, and weather resistance.
US07968187B2

A composite is provided, comprising a substrate and a film on the substrate. The film has an RMS surface roughness of 25 nm to 500 nm, a film coverage of 25% to 60%, a surface energy of less than 70 dyne/cm; and a durability of 10 to 5000 microNewtons. Depending on the particular environment in which the film is to be used, a durability of 10 to 500 microNewtons may be preferred. A film thickness 3 to 100 times the RMS surface roughness of the film is preferred.
US07968186B2

An acoustic solar control laminate comprising a multi-layer interlayer formed of a solar control film bonded between two polymeric sheets with at least one being an acoustic poly(vinyl acetal) sheet is provided.
US07968176B2

An air filter material includes a laminate of an air inlet layer and an air outlet layer, and has a mean flow pore size of 20 μm to 40 μm, a minimum pore size of 2.4 μm to 3.8 μm, and a maximum pore size of 80 μm or less. The air inlet layer is a needle punched nonwoven fabric layer having an areal fiber weight of 55 g/m2 to 100 g/m2. The air outlet layer is a laminated spunlace nonwoven fabric made by laminating at least two or more spunlace nonwoven fabric layers having an areal fiber weight of 20 g/m2 to 60 g/m2, a mean flow pore size of 50 μm to 90 μm, a minimum pore size of 3.0 μm to 10.0 μm, and a maximum pore size of 180 μm or less.
US07968168B2

The use of a substrate supported polymer film as a surface coating for fiber/plastics composite structures produced by the crushed core method from composite structures having a core and at least one prepreg layer, wherein the polymer film is applied to a prepreg surface with its resin side facing the surface before the composite structure is cured and optionally before it is placed in the mold, and curing is effected under applied pressure and at an elevated temperature. The substrate supported polymer film comprises a resin matrix which has a degree of crosslinking that is below its gel point, and which is produced from at least one difunctional or polyfunctional aromatic organic cyanate and at least one difunctional or polyfunctional aromatic alcohol in proportions giving a molar ratio of OCN groups to OH groups in the starting materials used for the production of the prepolymer of from 95:5 to 70:30, and which also contains at least one filler.
US07968159B2

A vacuum insulation panel (VIP) in an example comprises first and second walls and a plurality of tensile elements. The first and second walls are structurally coupled to allow formation of a vacuum cavity between the first and second walls. The plurality of tensile elements structurally supports the first and second walls against external pressure contemporaneous with tension on the plurality of tensile elements. The plurality of tensile elements is located in the vacuum cavity between the first and second walls.
US07968150B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel imidazole alcohol compound that adheres strongly to metal surfaces in metal products, especially copper, aluminum and steel products, and that has a superior rust-preventive effect even in a thin film, and a surface-treating agent using the same. The novel imidazole alcohol compound is expressed by the following general formula (1) show a rust-preventive effect. (In general formula (1), R1, R2 and R3 are each hydrogen, a vinyl group or an alkyl group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aromatic ring may be formed by R2 and R3, X indicates hydrogen, an alkyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a substituent group which may contain N or O, m indicates an integer from 0 to 20, and n and l indicate integers from 1 to 3.) The above-mentioned imidazole alcohol compound can be produced by reacting an imidazole compound and an epoxy alcohol compound.
US07968130B2

The present invention is directed to a calcium-enriched chewable baked food product in which at least one piece of the food product provides the recommended daily DRI of elemental calcium. The calcium-enriched baked food product has a mouth feel, texture and taste substantially similar to a non-calcium-enriched baked food product. The food product also provides Vitamin D3 in a range of 100-2400 IU and optionally may be enrobed with a flavored coating. The present invention is also directed to a method for producing the calcium-enriched food product.
US07968129B2

The invention relates to a cosmetic preparation which includes a skin care complex having an anti-ageing effect. The complex consists of liposomes comprising a mixture of cosmetic oil, extract of Plukenetia volubilis seeds, extract of Cynara scolymus leaves and hydrogenated retinol. The liposomes are homogeneously dispersed in a gel network consisting of water and a gel-forming agent.
US07968126B2

A method of creating an atrioventricular bypass tract for a heart comprises growing mesenchymal stem cells into a strip with two ends, attaching one end of the strip onto the atrium of the heart, and attaching the other end of the strip to the ventricle of the heart, to create a tract connecting the atrium to the ventricle to provide a path for electrical signals generated by the sinus node to propagate across the tract and excite the ventricle.
US07968114B2

A device for promoting the clotting of blood comprises a clay material in particle form and a receptacle for containing the clay material. At least a portion of the receptacle is defined by a mesh. Another device comprises a gauze substrate and a clay material disposed on the gauze substrate. Another device is a bandage comprising a substrate, a mesh mounted on the substrate, and particles of a clay material retained in the mesh. A hemostatic sponge comprises a substrate, a hemostatic material disposed on a first surface of the substrate, and a release agent disposed on a second surface of the substrate. The release agent is disposed on the wound-contacting surface of the substrate. When treating a bleeding wound, application of the hemostatic sponge causes at least a portion of the hemostatic material to come into contact with blood through the release agent and through the substrate.
US07968110B2

A material and method for augmenting soft tissue. The tissue augmentation material consists essentially of water and a polysaccharide gel former selected from the group consisting of a cellulose polysaccharide, starch, chitin, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, hydrophobe modified polysaccharide, an alginate, a carrageenan, agar, agarose, an intramolecular complex of a polysaccharide, an oligosaccharide and a macrocylic polysaccharide. Glycerin may also be included. The material may be used to augment soft tissue in a variety of areas, including the facial region and vocal folds.
US07968108B2

Agricultural crops are protected from the growth of undesirable vegetation as well as nematode and insect infestations, by the application of hydrogen cyanamide in combination with a short-chain, water-soluble monocarboxylic or polycarboxylic acid, the acid containing 1-3 carboxy groups and either no hydroxy groups or 1-3 hydroxy groups.
US07968107B2

New, oil-based suspension concentrates composed of at least one room-temperature-solid active agrochemical substance, at least one “closed” penetrant, at least one vegetable oil or mineral oil, at least one nonionic surfactant and/or at least one anionic surfactant, and optionally one or more additives from the groups of the emulsifiers, foam inhibitors, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants and/or inert filler materials, a process for producing these suspension concentrates and their use for applying the active substances comprised.
US07968099B2

A novel gene (designated 193P1E1B) and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 193P1E1B exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 193P1E1B provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 193P1E1B gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 191P1E1B can be used in active or passive immunization.
US07968098B2

An object of the invention is to provide a peptide derived from a glioma-associated antigen being useful for the specific immunotherapy for glioma patients. The invention provides a KIF-derived peptide which is capable of binding to an HLA-A24 molecule and recognized by the cellular immune system, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising said peptide for the treatment or prevention of glioma.
US07968093B2

This invention relates to human antibodies that bind to human insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-IR), to derivatives of these antibodies (Fabs, single chain antibodies, bi-specific antibodies, or fusion proteins), and to uses of the antibodies and derivatives in therapeutic, and diagnostic methods. The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding the anti-IGF-IR, methods of generating the antibodies and expression. The invention further relates to combination therapies using ant-IGF-IR antibodies with anti-neoplastic drugs.
US07968086B2

The present invention relates, in general, to an expression vector and in particular, to a genetically stable viral expression vector.
US07968084B2

The present invention is directed to a hair treatment preparation comprising a payload in an intimate relationship to a polymeric nanostructure, the polymeric nanostructure being reactive to hair or capable of being immobilized onto or in hair. The nanoscopic nature of the entities being engineered ensures three distinct characteristics. First, the imparted attribute can be either nearly permanent or semi-permanent, depending on the attachment chemistry. In the semi-permanent version, the intended effect can be controllably erased by removal of the nanostructure by simple chemical or physical means. Second, the nanoscopic entities are invisibly small. Their presence does not deteriorate the hand or feel of the hair. Third, the nano-technology approach is infinitely flexible and adaptable. It can be coupled with many existing dyes, colorants, UV absorbers, fragrances, softening agents and the like for hair treatment. Methods for treating hair with the hair treatment preparations of the invention are also encompassed.
US07968080B2

Provided are therapeutic and diagnostic somatostatin analogs including radiotherapeutic and radiodiagnostic reagents, and methods of making and use thereof.
US07968078B2

Provided is a method of preparing hydrogen using an amino acid. The method of preparing hydrogen using an amino acid includes: (a) mixing a metal borohydride and a zwitterionic material; (b) adding a solvent thereto to dissolve the mixture; and (c) generating hydrogen from the solution. The provided method of preparing hydrogen using an amino acid can reduce manufacturing costs, reduce a heating value of hydrogen during hydrolysis, increase a hydrogen generation rate, and allow a hydrogen generating apparatus to be small in size.
US07968077B2

A method for manufacturing titanium dioxide by reacting titanium tetrachloride with an oxygen-bearing gas in a tubular reactor and subsequently cooling the titanium dioxide particle/gas mixture in a cooling section, where the gas/particle flow is caused to rotate. Titanium tetrachloride is introduced in the cross-sectional plane of the reactor, but not in the radial direction, whereby the flow velocity of the oxygen-bearing gas is more than 20 m/s. Scrub solids free the inner wall of the reactor and the reactor cooling section of TiO2 deposits, thereby achieving a better cooling performance, which produces a TiO2 pigment with a narrow particle size distribution.
US07968068B2

The present invention is directed to a novel metal-promoted zeolite catalyst, a method of producing the catalyst and a method of using the catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with improved hydrothermal durability. The novel metal-promoted zeolite is formed from a low sodium zeolite and is hydrothermally treated after metal ion-exchange.
US07968066B2

This invention relates to a method for producing chromates, especially for producing alkali metal chromates. The method comprises following steps: the obtaining of a mixture of alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal chromate, and ferrous residue after the reaction of chromite ore with an oxidant in the reactor in the presence of molten salt or in aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide, the obtaining of a leaching slurry by leaching the reaction products with aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide, the separating of the primary chromate product from the leaching slurry, the obtaining of pure chromate crystal by purifying the primary chromate product. Both the primary chromate product and the pure chromate crystal can be used as the raw materials to manufacture other chromium compounds. Compared with the currently-used roasting method, the method has the advantages of decreasing the reaction temperature by about 700° C., of improving the chromium recovery rate up to nearly 100%, of minimizing the amount of the ferrous residue by not adding calcium-containing auxiliaries, and of completely eliminating the disposal problem of the chromium-containing residue and the environmental pollution due to the addition of calcium-containing auxiliaries, by using ferrous residue as the raw materials for other industries after extraction of magnesium.
US07968063B2

A mercury removal apparatus for a liquid hydrocarbon includes a conversion device which converts a mercury component in a raw liquid hydrocarbon into elemental mercury to obtain a first liquid hydrocarbon containing the elemental mercury. The apparatus also includes a first stripping device which brings the first liquid hydrocarbon into counter-current contact with a first stripping gas, thereby transferring the elemental mercury in the first liquid hydrocarbon to the first stripping gas to obtain (i) a second liquid hydrocarbon in which the amount of the elemental mercury decreases and (ii) a first gaseous hydrocarbon containing the elemental mercury.
US07968058B2

The present invention provides a test strip for measuring a concentration of an analyte of interest in a biological fluid, wherein the test strip may be encoded with information that can be read by a test meter into which the test strip is inserted. In one embodiment, a first test strip comprises: a first measurement electrode connectable to a test meter; a first trace loop with a first associated resistance, where the first trace loop is connectable to the test meter; and a second trace loop with a second associated resistance, where the second trace loop is connectable to the test meter. The test meter is adapted to: receive the first test strip; connect to the first measurement electrode, the first trace loop, and the second trace loop; and obtain a first resistance ratio by comparing the first and second associated resistances.
US07968057B2

A waste treatment apparatus having an autoclave that includes a pressure vessel (11) having a first mouth part (20) to receive waste material and a second mouth part (19) to discharge treated material, with the autoclave being rotatable at a longitudinal axis to agitate the waste material during treatment and to discharge waste material from the autoclave.
US07968055B2

The measurement is conducted by means of thermogravimetric scales (10) bearing at one end of the beam (20) a catalyst body (30) for catalysing a coking reaction of the tars present in the gas state. Precautions are taken in order to ensure homogeneity and regularity of the sampled gas flow and to guarantee predominant catalysis on the catalytic body (30), the weight increase of which gives the weight of the deposited coke and indirectly the content of tars present in the gas state in the gas to be measured. A calorimetric device (34) for analyzing gases from the coking of the tars provides a complementary and/or additional measurement. The solid tars are filtered beforehand, but their content may be measured by an auxiliary device.Possible application to analyzing gases from biomass.
US07968048B2

A composite sparger for use in elevated temperature and corrosive environments. The composite sparger is formed from a thermally conductive non-combustible metal substrate. The surfaces of the conductive non-combustible metal exposed to the reactor environment are protected with a corrosion resistant layer. The corrosion resistant layer protects the substrate material from the corrosive environment of the reactor vessel and the substrate material conducts heat away from the corrosion resistant layer to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant layer. The substrate material and corrosion resistant material may be selected so as to provide for sufficient thermal conduction to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant material.
US07968040B2

Method for fabricating a fluid connector for fuel cell system: (a) a thermoplastic parison (19) is extruded, (b) the parison is placed in a mould (10a, 10b), (c) an intermediate zone is created, in which the two walls of the parison are joined in a gastight manner, (d) a gas is blown inside the parison into each cavity of the mould, and (e) the mould is opened.
US07968038B2

A large diameter, flexible, kink-resistant, delivery catheter or sheath for percutaneous delivery of a contained and implantable medical device in the vasculature of a patient. The delivery catheter or sheath includes a reinforcement such as a flat wire coil with uniform spacing between the turns, which is compression fitted about an inner, lubricous PTFE tube. The delivery catheter or sheath further includes an outer tube of a heat formable polyamide material which is heat formed and compressed through the spaces between the turns of the wire coil to mechanically connect to a roughened outer surface of the inner tube. A polymeric radiopaque marker tube may be positioned at the distal end of the coil and between the inner and outer tubes for radiographic visualization. A side port may also be positioned thereat for the infusion of contrast media.
US07968035B2

A method of manufacturing an ink stick for use in a phase change ink jet imaging device comprises heating phase change ink material to an extrusion temperature at which the phase change ink material is in a malleable state. The heated ink material is then extruded through an extrusion orifice to form an extruded element. A forging element is then pressed against the extruded element to form an ink stick.
US07968022B1

A method for reformulating reclaimed, contaminated mixed waste plastics into useful articles wherein a plurality of batches of the mixed waste plastics are preprocessed to produce substantially homogeneous mixtures of a desired particle size range that are characterized according to their respective apparent densities, and are thereafter blended to produce a mixed plastic feed material having a rheology predetermined to be desirable for reprocessing into at least one of such useful articles.
US07968019B2

An object of the invention was to provide a method for producing an optical compensation film having low haze and high uniformity of retardation, and a polarization plate and a liquid crystal displaying apparatus which is considerably reduced in the visivility variation caused by heat from a direct lighting type backlight of variation of the environment conditions and the color reproducibility is excellent. Disclosed is a method for producing an optical compensation film comprising the steps of cellulose resin film formed by melt-casting a composition which containing a cellulose resin, wherein the cellulose resin has a residual sulfuric acid content of 0.1-50 ppm, providing a polymer layer on the cellulose resin film, and stretching the cellulose resin film together with the polymer layer.
US07968014B2

One or more embodiments provide for a device that utilizes voltage switchable dielectric material having semi-conductive or conductive materials that have a relatively high aspect ratio for purpose of enhancing mechanical and electrical characteristics of the VSD material on the device.
US07968013B2

Nicotinamide and/or a compound which is chemically combined with nicotinamide may be used as a carbon nanotube (“CNT”) n-doping material. CNTs n-doped with the CNT n-doping material may have long-lasting doping stability in the air without de-doping. Further, CNT n-doping state may be easily controlled when using the CNT n-doping material. The CNT n-doping material and/or CNTs n-doped with the CNT n-doping material may be used for various applications.
US07968012B2

Disclosed are methods for manufacturing electromagnetic interference shields for use in nonconductive housings of electronic equipment. In one embodiment, the shield may include an electrically nonconductive substrate, such as a thermoformable film, coated with an electrically conductive element, such as an extensible ink or a combination of conductive fibers with an extensible film. In one embodiment, a compressible conductive perimeter gap gasket may be formed by using a form in place process.
US07968008B2

Particles and particle films are provided. In certain examples, particles produced from a single phase process may be used to provide industrial scale synthesis of particles for use in devices such as printed wiring boards.
US07968000B2

An etchant composition is provided. The etchant composition includes about 40 to about 65 wt % of phosphoric acid, about 2 to about 5 wt % of nitric acid, about 2 to about 20 wt % of acetic acid, about 0.1 to about 2 wt % of a compound containing phosphate, about 0.1 to about 2 wt % of a compound simultaneously containing an amino group and a carboxyl group, and a remaining weight percent of water for the total weight of the composition.
US07967982B2

A skimming system for removing a floating layer from a water surface. The skimming system includes at least one guide element that is movable relative to the floating layer, which guide element includes at least one unit that catches the floating layer. The at least one removal unit includes at least one collecting container that is detachably attached to the guide element. The collecting container is furthermore vertically adjustable, so that it is not only easy to detach and exchange the collecting container but that it is moreover possible to position the floating layer removal means at a desired depth in or below the floating layer. In this way an optimum removal of the floating layer can be realized. The inlet of the collecting container is present at a location where the extent to which water is mixed with the floating layer is minimal.
US07967980B2

A rear half part of a surface of a main body of a working oil tank installed in line with a control valve opposing to the valve is dented in an inclining surface shape in the direction moving away from the valve so that between both the tank and the valve, is formed a working space for attaching and detaching a pressure compensating spool, while return tubes are separately connected to the upper and the lower side of a filter case side wall within the body. Within the body, is provided a cylindrical filter case having a bottom in which a return filter for return oil is housed, and the return tubes are connected to the case side wall in a state of communicating with the inside of the filter case. In this configuration, a filter receiving plate is provided in a lower part within the filter case with leaving a gap between the plate and the filter case bottom wall in a state that the plate is supported by a return pipe, the return filter is disposed on the plate, and the return tubes are connected to the filter case side wall on the lower side than the plate.
US07967979B2

An anaerobic to aerobic sequence enhances biological degradation of many organic pollutants. Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for effective treatment of storm-water runoff pollutants such as hydrocarbons, nitrates, phosphorus, and heavy metals using sediment filtration and adsorption, and biochemical processes under bi-phasic bioretention conditions. By integrating these pollution cleanup pro-usages into a single unit, this apparatus optimizes retention time of the runoff through the system and maximizes removal rates of runoff pollutants, resulting in more reliable and efficient treatment mechanism than previous systems.
US07967977B2

A filter device, especially a line filter forming part of hydraulic installations, includes a filter housing (1) that can be removed from a filter head and is used to receive a filter element (5) that separates a non-filtered side (13) from a filtered side (11) in a position in the filter housing for the operation of the filter. The filter device is provided with a display device (19, 21) signaling the absence or presence of the filter element (5) in the filter housing (1) in the operating position.
US07967976B2

A method for treating crude or residual fuel oil includes extracting vanadium from the fuel oil by contacting the fuel oil with an adsorbent and a solvent. The adsorbent may be modified with a compound having both acidic functionality and basic functionality. The method provides effective removal of vanadium from crude or residual fuel oil at moderate temperatures.
US07967975B2

A system for sealing the legs of two stages of cyclones in series used in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes, comprising a terminal leg configuration, which is devoid of moving parts and makes use of a long-radius curve, and which changes the flow direction of the descending mass flow of catalyst in dense phase into a plane orthogonal to the ascending gaseous flow. This prevents the entry of gaseous phase inside the leg, and promotes efficient sealing and preventing the “packing-down” of the dense bed of particulates.
US07967972B2

The connections to anodes used in impressed current electrochemical treatments of steel in concrete construction are at risk from rapid corrosion arising from induced anodic dissolution when these connections are embedded in reinforced concrete. A corrosion resistant connection that does not require any further protective insulation can be formed using titanium conductors [2,6] and connecting the conductors together at a conductor-conductor connection [5] using a clamping device comprising a non-metallic material wherein the clamping device only brings corrosion resistant material into contact with the conductors.
US07967966B2

A gel and buffer system for gel electrophoresis wherein separation occurs at neutral pH.
US07967959B2

A cathodic protection system for use in an electrolyte includes a protected structure to be at least partially immersed in the electrolyte, at least one sacrificial anode to be at least partially immersed in the electrolyte and electrically connected to the protected structure, and a substantially impermeable barrier disposed between the at least one sacrificial anode and the electrolyte.
US07967957B2

For forming alumina films on substrates by sputtering of an aluminum metal target in an oxidizing gas-containing atmosphere, a method of producing α crystal structure-based alumina films efficiently includes as an early film formation, forming films under conditions suited for formation of α crystal structure alumina. For example the forming forms films of αcrystal structure alumina in a poisoning mode discharge condition only in an early stage of film formation.
US07967953B2

This invention relates to a paper substrate containing high surface sizing and low internal sizing and having high dimensional stability, as well as methods of making and using the composition.
US07967947B2

The first invention aims to provide a method for preparing stiffer bulky pulp at a freeness level comparable to that obtained by mechanical treatments to improve the bulkiness of product paper by searching for a method capable of adjusting freeness while suppressing damage to pulp fibers and internal fibrillation in a process for producing pulp. The second invention aims to strip contaminants deposited on pulp fibers and/or inorganic particles to reduce adhesion of the contaminants and decrease microorganisms in a treatment of process water containing long pulp fiber fractions used in a process for producing pulp and paper, thereby clarifying process water and thus preparing high-quality pulp and paper.According to the first invention, cavitation is generated in a pulp suspension preferably by a liquid jet and the resulting fine bubbles are introduced into the pulp suspension to adjust the pulp suspension to a desired freeness by means of the impact force induced by collapse of the fine bubbles in a process for producing pulp. According to the second invention, process water containing 50% by weight or less, based on total solids, of long pulp fiber fractions used in a process for producing pulp and/or paper is treated by cavitation generated by a liquid jet and then returned to the process for producing pulp and/or paper and reused.
US07967946B2

An improved boiler that allows distillation of ethanol from a continuous flow of a hydrous feedstock compound, which may be beer or other semi-solid substance. The internal compartment of the boiler is separated into different zones by a plurality of primary baffle plates and secondary baffle plates. The hydrous feedstock compound is heated as it passes from one zone to another zone and ethanol inside the hydrous feedstock compound vaporizes. The ethanol rich vapor is channeled through a collector column and then collected for further processing. The temperature of the hydrous feedstock compound is slightly different from one zone to another zone because of ethanol concentration changes as the hydrous feedstock compound moves from one zone to another. At the last zone, where most of ethanol is removed, the remaining hydrous feedstock compound is removed from the boiler.
US07967942B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide various polymeric matrices that may be used as a binder matrix for polymer solder hybrid thermal interface materials. In alternative embodiments the binder matrix material may be phophozene, perfluoro ether, polyether, or urethane. For one embodiment, the binder matrix is selected to provide improved adhesion to a variety of interfaces. For an alternative embodiment the binder matrix is selected to provide low contact resistance. In alternative embodiments, polymeric materials containing fusible and non-fusible particles may be used in application where heat removal is desired and is not restricted to thermal interface materials for microelectronic devices.
US07967925B2

A method of providing solution heat treatment to an aluminum alloy. A non-isothermal process is used to provide a faster heat treatment cycle time while maintaining or further improving the alloy mechanical properties after subsequent aging hardening. The process includes establishing a temperature inside a processing vessel that is greater than a soaking temperature but less than a liquidus temperature of the alloy, rapidly heating the alloy to the soaking temperature in a first heating operation, reducing the temperature inside of the processing vessel to the soaking temperature, then heating the alloy to a temperature above the soaking temperature through a gradually increasing temperature in a second heating operation. Protocols for the improved solution heat treatment may be based on one or more of computational thermodynamics, dissolution kinetics and coarsening kinetics.
US07967901B2

A lubricating liquid separator which can damp compressor pulsation noise effectively and improve the lubricating liquid separating performance without greatly enlarging the size of the separator itself. A demister having a sound absorbing performance is disposed on an outer periphery of a partition plate. Compressed gas which enters the interior of a housing through a compressed gas inlet port flows as rotating flow in a flow path between the partition plate and a portion of a side wall of the housing opposed to the partition plate. Pressure pulsation of the compressed gas is diminished by the demister, and a compressor pulsation noise by the rotating flow of the compressed gas is diminished by the sound absorption of the demister. Further, with the demister, reflection of the compressed gas at a wall surface of the partition plate is suppressed, and scattering of lubricating liquid separated from the compressed gas is suppressed.
US07967894B1

A combustion system having improved mercury collection. The system includes a combustion chamber for burning a fuel containing mercury, whereby burning produces a flue gas stream containing mercury and a device for removing mercury from the flue gas stream. The device includes a thermopolymer substrate; and a mercury-receptor attached to the substrate. In one embodiment, the system may further include a collector downstream of the device for collecting the mercury attached to the thermopolymer. The inventions further include alternative methods of mercury removal and preparation of the polymer substrate.
US07967887B1

An exhaust aftertreatment filter and method is provided for filtering engine exhaust, and reduces the maximum temperature experienced by the filter including during regeneration including during burn-off of trapped contaminant particulate including carbon oxidation combustion.
US07967885B2

An impact moisture separator for removing entrained liquids from a gas stream includes a plurality of outer vanes, each of the outer vanes oriented in a first direction; and a plurality of inner vanes, each of the inner vanes oriented in a second direction tilted away from the first direction by a specified angle.
US07967873B1

A dyed textile article. The dyed textile article includes a synthetic fiber substrate and a dye affixed to the substrate in a dye process that includes a using a dye assistant having an amidic nitrogen adjacent to an aromatic ring. The dye assistant may be N-methyl formanilide. The substrate of the present inventions may be a variety of substrates and is most preferably an aromatic polyamide. The present inventions also include a dye bath and a method of dyeing using a dyeing assistant having an amidic nitrogen adjacent to an aromatic ring.
US07967871B2

The present invention relates to use of a compound for promoting antiredeposition during laundering of a textile fabric, in which the compound is a polymer comprising a polysaccharide backbone substituted by one or more groups -L-R1, where L represents an ester, amide or ether linkage and R represents an anionic alkyl group or a salt thereof, which has a degree of substitution of from 0.005 to 1 and a degree of biodegradation of at least 60% in 28 days. The use of such polymers in the manufacture of a laundry cleaning composition is also provided as well as laundry cleaning compositions containing such polymers.
US07967870B2

A device for retrieving data from radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is disclosed. The device includes a mobile base, a robotic arm, and a data reading device. The robotic arm is attached to the mobile base. The data reading device employed to collect the data of electric tags is attached to the end of the robotic arm. A device for retrieving data from an RFID tag arrives at the position, where the electric tag is, by moving the mobile base and adjusting the height of the robotic arm. The movement is controlled according to the position and the height of the electric tag. Finally, the data reading device reads the data stored in the electric tag.
US07967862B2

A method for implanting an articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis into an intervertebral disc space comprises surgically accessing the intervertebral disc space through an opening on a first lateral side of the intervertebral disc space and inserting a first half of the articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis through the opening and into the intervertebral disc space. The method further comprises inserting a second half of the articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis through the opening on the first lateral side of the intervertebral disc space and positioning the first half of the articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis on a second lateral side of the intervertebral disc space. The method also comprises positioning the second half of the articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis on the first lateral side of the intervertebral disc space.
US07967855B2

A stent that is adapted for introduction into a body passageway and which releases at least one biological agent after being inserted in the body passageway. The release of the at least one biological agent can be a controlled release via molecular diffusion through a non-porous polymer layer.
US07967848B2

An assembly that includes a fixator component, a clamping mechanism, a screw head, a load sharing mechanism, and a blocker. The fixator component further includes a bulbous end, a neck portion, and a threaded end. The clamping mechanism is positioned around the neck portion of the fixator component. The load sharing mechanism is positioned in between the screw head and the bone fixator component. The screw head further includes a pair of diametrically opposed arms, a socket and a slot. The socket is positioned between the pair of arms and the slot is positioned above the socket. The socket is dimensioned and configured to house the bulbous end of the fixator component. The load sharing mechanism provides tensile resistance to the screw head and the blocker is adapted to engage the screw head.
US07967847B2

Spinal fusion rods extend along a longitudinal axis and include a rod portion and a fusion portion along the longitudinal axis. The fusion rods can be employed alone or in combination with one another and with other spinal implant components in spinal stabilization and reconstruction procedures.
US07967836B2

A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that forms cavities and indentations in the balloon and/or catheter sections. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser or another type of laser or mechanical material removal tool is used to remove the polymeric material, virtually without thermal effects. Cavities in the sleeve sections of the balloon are defined and if desired, indentations in the cone sections are defined. Material removal, particularly near the balloon sleeves enables a thinner, more flexible bonding area between the catheter shaft and the balloon. Further, the indentations along the cone sections enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile. Rigidity near the sleeves is reduced for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways.
US07967833B2

The invention provides devices and methods for performing closed-chest surgical intervention within an internal cavity of a patient's heart or great vessel. A scope extending through a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest is used to view an internal portion of the patient's chest. An internal penetration is formed in a wall of the heart or great vessel using cutting means introduced through a percutaneous penetration in an intercostal space in the patient's chest. An interventional tool is inserted through the internal penetration to perform a surgical procedure under visualization using the scope. A cutting tool is introduced into the patient's left atrium from a right portion of the patient's chest to remove the patient's mitral valve. A replacement valve is then introduced through an intercostal space in the right portion of the chest and through the internal penetration in the heart, and the replacement valve is attached in the mitral valve position.
US07967825B2

A device, and method of using the device, for securing a coronoid process fragment to the remainder of a coronoid process of an ulna of a patient at a site of fracture, wherein the device comprises a frame component and at least two guiding components.
US07967822B2

Methods and apparatus for orthopedic implants.
US07967817B2

A multi-electrode lead comprises an elongate carrier having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of electrical conductors is carried by the carrier, a plurality of electrodes being connected in spaced relationship to each conductor. The electrodes are arranged at axially spaced intervals along the carrier so that, along the length of the carrier, any one electrode associated with any one of the conductors only once has an electrode associated with another one of the conductors adjacent to that any one electrode. In another aspect of the invention, an ablating device comprises an elongate tubular sleeve for effecting spot ablation of tissue, a sensing electrode catheter being receivable in a passage of a sleeve for assisting in positioning of an ablating electrode, in use. Preferably, the sensing electrode catheter is the multi-electrode lead of the first aspect of the invention.
US07967804B2

A disposable diaper has a covering member adapted to cover a wearer's crotch and waist regions. The covering member includes an elastically stretchable first layer and an inelastically stretchable second layer formed with a plurality of continuous fibers. The continuous fibers are fixed to the first layer in at least two bonding zones. The covering member presents a particularly large value of L/D, a ratio of a length L of each continuous fiber and a distance D in straight line between each pair of the adjacent bonding zones.
US07967801B2

An absorbent article having a liquid pervious topsheet having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion differs in structure from the second portion. The topsheet has a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline. The second portion has a first structurally modified zone and a second structurally modified zone. The first structurally modified zone and the second structurally modified zone are on opposing sides of the longitudinal centerline and the first structurally modified zone and the second structurally modified zone are on opposing sides of an axis parallel to the transverse centerline. The first structurally modified zone and the second structurally modified zone are spaced apart from one another. The first structurally modified zone and the second structurally modified zone together make up more than about 10% of the area of the topsheet.
US07967800B2

An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and in particular human and animal wounds, includes a contractor for accumulating concentrated ozonated water and systems to deliver ozonated water from the reservoir to a nozzle having one or more jets for delivering a spray of ozonated water on to the surface to be treated. The nozzle has an encircling shroud and systems are provided for withdrawing ozonated gas liberated at the nozzle from around the nozzle. A collection tray is provided which is located under the surface/wound to be treated to receive ozonated water flowing from the treatment region and where any residual ozone is broken down.
US07967794B2

A safety needle assembly comprises a cannula holding member, a cannula fixed to the cannula holding member, and a safety device mounted on the cannula holding member. The cannula holding member includes one or more outwardly directed fins extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the cannula holding member. The safety device includes a collar adapted to be mounted on the cannula holding member and a sheath. The sheath possesses an interior bounded by a back wall and a pair of oppositely positioned side walls, and also includes an opening positioned opposite the back wall. The sheath is also provided with at least one fin engaging member connected to the back wall and extending from the back wall in a direction toward the opening. The fin engaging member is spaced from the side walls of the sheath. The sheath is pivotally connected to the collar to pivot in a closing direction toward the cannula so that during pivoting of the sheath in the closing direction the cannula passes through the opening in the sheath and is positioned in the interior of the sheath to be covered by the sheath, with the distal end portion of the at least one fin engaging member automatically engaging at least one of the fins on the cannula holding member when the cannula is positioned within the interior of the sheath to lock the sheath relative to the cannula holding member to prevent the sheath from being pivoted away from the cannula.
US07967787B2

A gastrostomy tube extension device which can facilitate insertion or removal of a gastrostomy tube by making the degree of extension of the gastrostomy tube constant. A gastrostomy tube extension device used for inserting and taking out a gastrostomy tube into/from a hole formed on a patient's abdomen, the gastrostomy tube including an outer fixing member to be installed on the skin surface side, an inner fixing member installed on the inner surface side of the stomach wall, and a tube member for connecting the outer fixing member and the inner fixing member and the gastrostomy tube extension device comprising a rod and an engaging member. The rod has a rod-shaped member which can push the center of the distal end of the inner fixing member with its distal portion toward the distal end, and with a plurality of engaging step portions formed on the proximal portion. The engaging member is also provided with a lower engaging portion which can engage with an outer fixing member and an upper engaging portion which can engage one of the engaging step portions of the rod.
US07967786B2

An access needle well-suited for percutaneous implantation in a body lumen, such as the stomach or the jejunum. In one embodiment, the access needle comprises a cannula, a needle, a retractable stopper and a spreader. The cannula is a tubular member having a lumen and a pair of side windows providing access to the lumen. The needle is slidably mounted within the cannula lumen and comprises a needle stem and a needle handle, the needle handle extending outwardly from the needle stem proximate to the proximal end thereof. The stopper is coupled to the needle stem for translational movement, the stopper comprising a pair of outwardly-biasing wings removably insertable through the side windows for engaging an interior surface of a patient. The spreader is mounted within the cannula and spreads the wings outwardly as the wings are inserted out the side windows.
US07967785B2

A system and method for detecting the presence of a medicament reservoir within the housing of an infusion pump. A medicament reservoir, affixed to a reservoir cap is removably inserted within the housing of an infusion pump. A magnet is affixed to or embedded in one or both of the reservoir or the reservoir cap. Alternately, the cap or the reservoir can be made of magnetic material. A sensing device embedded or otherwise affixed to the pump housing senses the presence or absence of the magnetic field created by the magnet. The presence of the magnetic field indicates that the reservoir is inserted properly within the housing and the absence of the magnetic field indicates that the reservoir has been at least partially withdrawn from the pump's housing.
US07967780B2

An enteral feeding unit that reduces the occurrence of gastro-esophogeal-pharynegal reflux during feeding includes an automatable feeding pump with a feedback sensor for sensing a relative pressure in a patient's stomach and esophagus, and a regulator system for controlling and monitoring feeding rate to the patient as a function of the relative gastro-esophageal pressure. The system includes a stomach probe that provides a fluid-tight closure of the esophagus. The stomach probe includes a tampon-bladder for watertight closure of the esophagus, in which the tampon-bladder is formed of flexible and/or elastic material. At least an inner cavity of the bladder is provided for the reception of a fluid medium. A prescribed pressure for the medium in the tampon-bladder (53) is maintained by an inner lumen forming the stomach probe, from which an outer hose-like lumen (62) extending to the tampon-bladder (53) is so arranged that between the outer lumen (62) and the inner lumen (61) a channel is formed connected to the inner cavity of the tampon-bladder (53) arranged on the outer lumen (62) by a number of openings (57). The inner cavity (58) of the tampon-bladder (53) is connected via a canal formed between the inner and outer lumina (62) with a suitably graded reservoir or equalizing vessel for the liquid medium situated above the tampon-bladder and outside the patient.
US07967763B2

An apparatus and method for treating subcutaneous tissues using acoustic waves in the range of low acoustic pressure ultrasound waves is disclosed. The method includes injections of enhancing agents, wherein disruption of subcutaneous tissues and subcutaneous cavitational bioeffects are produced by ultrasound waves having a power that will not produce tissue cavitation in the absence of the enhancing agents. The apparatus and method of use is useful for treatment of subcutaneous abnormalities including cellulite, lipomas, and tumors.
US07967760B2

The present application is directed to a detector to detect or generate measuring signals that are indicative of the respiration of a person, wherein said detector can be used advantageously in view of hygiene and stands out due to a simple and robust configuration. According to a first aspect, the detector detects a signal that is indicative of the activity of the respiratory muscles of a person to be examined, the detector comprising a band which, in the application position, is passed around a torso region which widens and narrows when the person to be examined breathes, as well as a structure that is included in the band and loaded in accordance with the narrowing or widening of the torso region. The structure is configured such that it causes a change in the volume of a measuring space device depending on a tensile force. It is thus advantageously possible to detect or measure the forces acting on the band in a non-electric manner and, on the basis of this detection or measurement, draw conclusions relating to the widening or narrowing of the torso.
US07967751B2

An ambulatory repeater for use in automated patient care is presented. A local memory store includes a cryptographic key, sensitive information, and physiological measures. The cryptographic key is uniquely assigned to the implantable medical device prior to implant of the implantable medical device into a patient. The sensitive information is preencrypted under the cryptographic key and physiological measures are measured by the implantable medical device. An authentication module is in receipt of the cryptographic key. A permissions module confirms authorization of an external data processing device against the cryptographic key. A decryption module decrypts the sensitive information with the cryptographic key into decrypted information. A processor is operatively coupled to the local memory store. A communications module exchanges the decrypted information and the physiological measures with the external data processing device over a wireless interface contingent upon the authorization confirmation. An internal power supply supplies power to the foregoing components.
US07967747B2

A filter apparatus for use in a body vessel lumen having a wall, which may include a first elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, a second elongate member attached proximate a first end to the first elongate member and having a second end, and a plurality of connectors attached to the second elongate member at spaced-apart intervals of the second elongate member and slidably disposed on the first elongate member, the second elongate member movable between a first elongate configuration where the connectors are at a first average distance apart from each other and a second filtering configuration where the connectors are at a second average distance apart less than the first.
US07967723B2

A method and a apparatus for operating an automatic synchronized transmission for motor vehicles. The transmission having a countershaft design, with a countershaft parallel to input and an output shafts, which communicate with each other and the countershaft by means of gear wheel pairs. The transmission further having at least one coupling and synchronization device for at least one idler gear, with the aid of which at least one idler gear can be rotationally fixed to a transmission shaft, such that when the motor vehicle is stationary and a starting gear is engaged, torque of the countershaft is not drive-effectively reduced. Thus, ensuring that when the starting gear is engaged, no undesired acceleration of the vehicle occurs.
US07967715B2

A transmission is disclosed having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gear sets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members. The input member is continuously interconnected with a member of the planetary gear sets. The output member is continuously interconnected with another member of the planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are produced by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.
US07967706B2

A racket for ball games may include a frame which is formed by a frame profile or a hollow profile and has a racket head and a handle portion connected thereto preferably via a heart region. Two indentations that are symmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis of the racket may be provided in the heart region of the frame. A vibrating device may be arranged in each of the two indentations. The vibrating means of the racket may preferably be effective for vibrations having at least two vibration modes or degrees of freedom. Additionally or alternatively, a racket for ball games may include a frame which forms a head region for receiving strings and a handle portion for holding the racket. The frame may include one respective inwardly-facing C-profile in at least two segments of the head region.
US07967703B2

A method of making a golf ball comprising: forming a cover about a core comprising at least one cover layer comprising a cover inner surface and a cover outer surface and having a thickness D; treating the cover outer surface with a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition and forming a treated cover region which extends inward from the cover outer surface a penetration depth DCTr, an untreated cover region being disposed between the cover inner surface and the treated cover region and having a depth (DCUTr)=(D)−(DCTr); wherein the treated cover region has a hardness α and the untreated cover region has a hardness β different than the hardness α. The method may comprise treating the cover inner surface with a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition and forming a treated cover region which extends outward from the cover inner surface; The method may also comprise forming a cover comprising a cover inner surface having a hardness β and a cover outer surface having a hardness α; treating the cover outer surface with a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition wherein the treated cover outer surface has a hardness α′ different from hardness α; and wherein hardness β is different than at least one of hardness α and hardness α′.
US07967702B2

In order to provide a golf ball with a water immersion indicator, a golf ball with indicia or a particular recognizable color is overlain with an opacification layer that provides a mask over the indicia or the colored ball until such time as the ball has been immersed in water for a predetermined period of time affecting the ball's performance. The opacification layer when removed or otherwise made transparent, while providing for a change in the appearance of the golf ball upon water immersion, does not need to have a layer or indicia which changes color in reaction to the infusion of water. Rather the opacification layer is either removed or made transparent to expose an underlying colored surface or a surface bearing pre-determined indicia, thus to alter the appearance of the ball when it has been immersed in water for a period of time which affects golf ball properties. The subject system provides an easy way to make indicia visible upon water immersion since one does not have to create the indicia in response to water activation, but rather uncover already-printed indicia due to the removal or transparency of the opacification layer. Opacification reduction or elimination is accomplished through a number of physical processes involving a water-activated binder and either insoluble pigment particles, effervescing bubbles, the use of transparent oils, agglomeration or the complete or partial removal of the opacification layer.
US07967696B2

A golf club (2) includes a head (4), a shaft (6) and a grip (8). An elastic member (10) is attached to an external surface of the shaft (6). The elastic member (10) is ring-shaped and has no end. The elastic member (10) is externally fitted in the shaft (6) in a state in which an elastic contracting force is maintained. It is preferable that a fastening member for fastening the elastic member (10) from an outside should be provided. The fastening member is constituted to enable a mutual transition of a fastening state in which the elastic member is fastened and a removing state in which the fastening member is removed from the elastic member and is also removed from the golf club. It is preferable that the fastening member should be provided in no contact with the shaft (6) in the fastening state.
US07967694B2

A rotary game table includes at least two of a pool table surface, an air powered hockey table surface, a gambling surface, a gaming surface, and a table soccer surface. The combination game table is pivotally supported by a side support member at each end thereof. A plug assembly is connected to rotary game table and communicates electrical power thereto.
US07967689B2

A miniature spooling apparatus is described. The miniature spooling apparatus includes a housing having a miniature motor attached within the housing. The miniature motor has a shaft extending therefrom, with a mechanically powered spool attached with the shaft. A magnet is connected with the shaft and/or the spool. An integrated circuit is connected with the motor to operate the motor. Additionally, a magnetic reed switch is connected with the integrated circuit such that as a user pulls the thread and manually rotates the item, the magnet rotates to actuate the magnetic reed switch which is connected with the integrated circuit, thereby initiating the motor to start winding the thread around the spool. When the spool is still for a predetermined amount of time, the integrated circuit is configured to turn off the motor. Additionally, the miniature spooling apparatus is housed in an item, such as a pen, to conceal the apparatus.
US07967683B2

A stabilizing mechanism for output torque of a transmission member, including: a transmission member having a force-input section and a force-output section which are separated from each other; an engaging member positioned between the force-input section and the force-output section, the engaging member including a first engaging section and a second engaging section respectively disposed on the force-input section and the force-output section in predetermined positions, the first and second engaging sections being engaged with each other by a predetermined engagement depth for transmitting force from the force-input section to the force-output section; and a resilient member for providing resilient force to keep the first and second engaging sections engaged with each other. The resilient member is compressible under force. The resilient member has a compressible distance shorter than the engagement depth of the first and second engaging sections.
US07967672B2

A card reading device comprises a rail (18) for guiding a card; card sensors (46, 48, 50) for detecting a passing card which is slid by hand and guided by the rail (18), which are placed in a card sliding direction with a certain gap; and reading sensors (52, 54) for reading code attached to the card, which are placed between the two card sensors in the card sliding direction. The card have the cord which is printed in UV-luminous ink on the card, and the code comprises at least two code rows which are placed across the card sliding direction with a certain gap. The two reading sensors (52, 54) are placed in positions which correspond to the gap of the two code rows, and the card sensors (46, 48, 50) output signal for detecting a position of the passing card.
US07967657B2

A computer system provides a virtual world. The computer system includes a server subsystem serving virtual world data, via a communication network, and receives data and/or commands. A registration subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, verifies information from a toy, registers the toy, and determines a quantity of toys registered by a user who is registering the toy. The verifying includes determining the validity of the information. A virtual world providing subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, provides the virtual world data, which produces data that presents the virtual world. The virtual world data includes a virtual toy representing the toy and a reward provided to the user for registering the toy. The reward is based on the quantity of toys previously registered by the user, such that the reward received for registering the toy is different than another reward previously received by the user for registering another toy.
US07967649B2

A contact for connecting a wire to a terminal has a contact part engageable with the terminal and defining a main plane, and a wire part formed unitarily with the contact part and forming in an open position a seat offset from the plane and adapted to receive the wire and lying in a closed position coplanar with the contact part.
US07967647B2

An electrically-conductive contact for an electrical connector is disclosed. Such a contact may include a lead portion, an offset portion extending from an end of the lead portion, and a mounting portion that may extend from a distal end of the offset portion. The lead portion and the distal end of the offset portion may each define an imaginary plane that may intersect at a non-zero, acute angle. An electrical connector that is suitable for orthogonal connector applications may include a connector housing securing two such electrical contacts. The distance between the respective mounting portions of the two such contacts may be defined independently of the contact pitch.
US07967642B2

A connector (10) in the field of telecommunications has contacts (12) with which wires are connectable inside the connector (10), and at least three wire openings (16, 116), each opening (16, 116) being adapted to accommodate at least two wires and exposed on an outside of the connector (10) distal from the contacts, the wire openings (16, 116) being exposed in at least three different directions.
US07967639B1

A connector has an insulating housing defining a plurality of terminal receiving cavities each extending vertically to pass therethrough, a plurality of conductive terminals received in the terminal receiving cavities and a shell mounted to the insulating housing. A rear surface of the insulating housing is protruded outward to from a projection defining an inserting groove passing therethrough. The shell has a base board, a holding board facing the base board and a pair of sideboards connecting the base board and the holding board. Top edges of the base board and the holding board are extended towards each other to form eave portions. An inserting portion is extended from a portion of the base board. The shell encircles the insulating housing with the eave portions covering tops of two opposed sides of the insulating housing and the inserting portion being inserted into the inserting groove and further connected to ground.
US07967625B2

An electrical connector includes a connector body and a seal protection cap. The connector body includes a cap housing, a body, and a fitting section provided with a seal. The seal protection cap includes a front face plate and a protection section. The front face plate is provided with an opening in order to allow a continuity check from a front face of the fitting section. The protection section extends cylindrically from a peripheral edge of the front face plate along a side face of the fitting section so as to cover the seal. The seal protection cap is applied to the fitting section of the connector body so as to cover the seal.
US07967612B2

An electrical connector assembly for establishing electrical connection between an Integrated Package (IC) and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is provided. The electrical connector assembly comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts received in the insulative housing, a PCB adapted to have the insulative housing mounted thereon and a metal reinforcement element disposed on a lower surface of the housing and soldered to the PCB. By way abovementioned, a back plate may be canceled and space under the PCB is saved under a condition that steady mechanical connection between the PCB and the housing is achieved.
US07967610B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for manufacturing a portable electronic device that does not cause yield loss or premature failure due a connector shell contacting the housing or its attached components during assembly. One example provides a connector shell that is split in at least two separate pieces or portions. A first piece of the connector shell is attached to a subassembly. A second piece of the connector shell is attached to or included as part of an endcap. During assembly, the subassembly and first connector shell piece is inserted into a housing from a first end. The endcap and the second piece of the connector shell can then be inserted into, or attached to, a second end of the housing.
US07967591B2

A method and apparatus for co-curing a multiple material golf club head is disclosed herein. The club head preferably is composed of a metal face component and an aft-body composed of a plurality of plies of pre-preg material.
US07967587B2

An injection nozzle having a nozzle body defining an injection cavity and at least one curing device integrally formed within the nozzle body.
US07967586B2

The present invention enables the manufacture of a trochoid pump having a crescent which has been considered theoretically impossible, by employing an inner rotor of a trochoid pump. An inner rotor having a predetermined number N of teeth that is equal to or larger than 4 is formed in advance. In order to manufacture an outer rotor with a predetermined number (N plus a natural number equal to or larger than 2) of teeth, row circles of a diameter slightly smaller than that of a drawn circle are disposed so as to bring the row circles into contact with the tooth bottomland of the inner rotor tooth profile, the inner rotor tooth profile is rotated by half a tooth about the center of the inner rotor and the outer rotor tooth profile is also rotated by half a tooth of the predetermined number (N plus a natural number equal to or larger than 2) of teeth about a virtual center of the outer rotor including the row circles, an established center is determined from the virtual center or the like at the time at which the contact state is assumed, a reference circle is drawn that has a radius from the established center to the row circles and that has the total predetermined number (N plus a natural number equal to or larger than 2) of the equidistantly spaced row circles to form the row circles as outer rotor tooth tips, thereby manufacturing the outer rotor tooth profile.
US07967575B2

An arrangement of a low air inlet and a circuit for driving a torque generator in an ultra-compact centrifugal fan is disclosed. In the ultra-compact centrifugal fan, a region occupied by the circuit is not completely arranged radially inside a cup-shaped portion to which an impeller is attached. At least a part of the low air inlet provided on a bottom of a housing of the centrifugal fan is arranged in a range of predetermined angle in an imaginary ring-shaped portion surrounding a base portion covered by the cup-shaped portion. A part of the circuit, that is not covered by the cup-shaped portion, is arranged upstream of the range of the predetermined angle in a flowing direction of airflow.
US07967572B2

One form of a hydrogen operated power system according to this invention is a fuel cell system (20) provided with a supply system which supplies a gaseous fuel from a fuel supply tank (24) to a fuel cell (22), characterized in that a pump (32) is provided in the supply system, which is driven by a sensorless motor (34) having no sensor that detects at least a rotational position of the motor (34).
US07967570B2

A turbine vane includes a platform; and at least one airfoil mounted to the platform and having a trailing edge and a leading edge, wherein the vane is composed of a functionally graded material having a first material and a second material, wherein the trailing edge includes a greater amount of the first material than the second material, and the leading edge includes a greater amount of the second material than the first material.
US07967565B1

A turbine rotor blade made from a spar and a shell each having an airfoil cross sectional shape and each formed from a high temperature exotic material and formed by a wire EDM process to form a thin wall shell from Molybdenum and the spar from Waspalloy or IN100 in order to form a turbine blade that requires very low amounts of cooling air while allowing for high temperature use above what nickel super alloys can be exposed to. The spar and shell are secured to the platform by a bolt passing through the widest section of the hollow spar and connected at one end to a tip cap and to the other end to the platform and root piece of the blade.
US07967559B2

A stator-rotor assembly which includes at least one interface region between the stator and rotor is described. At least one stator or rotor surface in the interface region includes a pattern of inverted turbulators. The inverted turbulators restrict gas flow through a gap between the stator and the rotor. Various turbomachines which can contain such a stator-rotor assembly are also described. The disclosure also discusses methods to restrict gas flow through gaps in a stator-rotor assembly utilizing the inverted turbulators.
US07967556B2

A turbomachine has at least one stator (4) and at least one downstream rotor (7), with the stator (4) being provided with stationary stator blades and the rotor (7) comprising several rotor blades attached to a rotating shaft. A casing (2) confines the passage of fluid through the rotor (7) and the stator (4) in the outward direction. A mechanism for peripheral jet creation is provided in the area of at least one vane of the stator (4), with at least one nozzle (21) issuing fluid at the radially outer boundary of a main flow path.
US07967555B2

A process for casting a turbine engine component is provided. The process comprises the steps of placing a refractory core assembly comprising two intersecting plates in a die, encapsulating the refractory core assembly in a wax pattern having the form of the turbine engine component, forming a ceramic shell mold about the wax pattern, removing the wax pattern, and pouring molten material into the ceramic shell mold to form the turbine engine component.
US07967554B2

A centrifugal particle separator removes particles such as dust particles from a compressed airflow prior to reaching and cooling the turbine blades of a turbine engine. A particle separator structure defines a plurality of inward-facing pockets which are separated by pocket dividers defining an airflow path having a diameter that decreases from the entrance to the exit. A centrifugal force created by the rotating centrifugal particle separator assembly causes particles to collect within the plurality of pockets and the remaining compressed air is provided to cool the turbine blades. The decreasing diameter of the airflow path forces the airflow with particles to accelerate to a rotational velocity greater than that of the rotating particle separator by conservation of momentum.
US07967549B2

A system includes an end effector, a robotic wrist for orienting the end effector; and a robotic arm for positioning the end effector. The robotic arm is foldable into a stack. The robotic wrist is mounted to a last link of the robotic arm.
US07967545B2

A device for mounting on an implement carrier such as a fork lift truck, hoisting crane or the like in order to move, hold or lift an object. The device comprises—a carrier part which is mounted on the implement carrier preferably by the carrier part being in the form of a sleeve which is inserted on the implement carrier's fork structure, and—a holding part which is attached to the carrier. part, the holding part being provided with at least one securing device with characteristics that make it possible to secure an object by contact between at least one of the object's surfaces and the securing device, —a trigger that ensures that the forces acting between the object's surface and the securing device are broken or discontinued, thus releasing the object.
US07967543B2

A system and method for automated trailer loading that utilizes an automatic case loader for loading product in a trailer is disclosed. A mobile base structure provides a support framework for a drive subassembly, conveyance subassembly, an industrial robot, a distance measurement sensor, and a control subassembly. Under the operation of the control subassembly, product advances through a powered transportation path and is stacked as product columns which are presented to an industrial robot which places the product columns within the trailer. The control subassembly coordinates the selective articulated movement of the industrial robot and the activation of the drive subassembly, which provides for forward and reverse movement as well as traverse movement between so that product may be loaded within multiple trailers without interruption.
US07967541B2

An apparatus for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick is provided to improve the stability of transferring pipes during a round trip operation.
US07967538B1

A captured screw assembly is disclosed for locating a fixture plate relative to a base plate. The assembly includes a screw with a head having a diameter larger than the threaded body to form a shoulder. A bushing is frictionally engaged in an opening in the fixture plate and includes a central opening extending through the bushing and the fixture plate. The screw extends through the central opening of the bushing and threadedly engages a threaded hole in the base plate to accurately position the fixture plate relative to the base plate. The shoulder of the screw and a shoulder in the central opening of the bushing abut when the screw is fully engaged in the threaded hole. The screw and bushing include a capture feature formed therebetween to retain the screw within the bushing when the screw is disengaged from the threaded hole.
US07967537B2

An adjustment device aligns supporting parts that pivotally accommodate the guide rails of a freight loading system on structures having inherent dimensional tolerances. The structures can in particular be in an aircraft fuselage. Each supporting part is designed as a bearing insert that can be inserted in a bearing eye of a bearing block such that it cannot rotate. Each bearing insert has fitting surface sections separated from one another by planes of symmetry. Each bearing insert has at least one asymmetrically arranged axis accommodation.
US07967530B2

A sub-ducting apparatus comprising a sub-duct, and a remotely operable path-finding head for facilitation of the subduct into a duct. The head is detachable at the end of the subduct and includes an expandable portion or a cutter, as a result of which, twisted or jammed cables may be removed from the duct.
US07967528B2

A dowel sleeve has a tubular body with a mounting assembly at one end for releasable connection to a construction plate, and a leg support engagable at the other end for adjustable support. The construction plate has spaced non-circular holes. A first flange of the mounting assembly has a complementary profile, of smaller dimensions, to the non-circular holes, while a second flange has a similar profile, of larger dimensions, with its major-axis non-aligned with the major-axis of the first flange. The first flange is inserted through one of the non-circular holes, and the tubular body is rotated so the first and second flanges engage opposed faces of the construction plate.The leg support has a spigot engagable in the tubular body, the exterior of which is engaged by an abutment face. The effective length of the support leg is adjustable by selectively detaching one or more leg member segments, each provided with a disc-like base member.
US07967512B2

A retainer plate 7a is fitted on a smaller-diameter step portion 9a of an outer ring 5a, and a retaining ring 11 fitted on the smaller-diameter step portion 9a is engaged with retaining projections 15 formed on an inner circumferential surface of a fitting hole 12 formed through the retainer plate 7a, thereby preventing the retainer plate 7a from falling-off from the smaller-diameter step portion 9a. The structures and shapes of the various portions are so determined that working or machining can be easily effected to form these portions so as to overcome a problem encountered with the conventional structure.
US07967509B2

A pouch with a valve includes first and second pouch sidewalls sealed to one another to define an opening. A resealable closure mechanism is attached to inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls proximate the opening to define a pouch interior opposite the opening. A channel extends from the interior to the opening between a section of the first closure element and the first sidewall. A pleated thermoplastic member is sealingly disposed in the channel and has an aperture disposed through the member. A fluid path may provide direct fluid communication between the interior and an exterior of the pouch, wherein the fluid path passes through an edge of the pouch defined by at least one of the first or second pouch sidewalls. A valve is sealingly disposed in the fluid path, wherein the valve comprises a pleated thermoplastic member attached to at least one of the first or second pouch sidewalls and having an aperture disposed through the pleated thermoplastic member to provide fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the pouch.
US07967506B2

A power supply temperature sensor and system includes a power supply housing configured to receive at least one power supply unit, such as a battery cell. The power supply housing includes an aperture which provides communication between the battery cell and an ambient environment outside the power supply housing. A sensor having a sensing element is configured to sense a temperature of the battery cell, and a sensor housing surrounds at least a portion of the sensor, including at least a portion of the sensing element. This electrically isolates the sensing element from the battery cell. A portion of the sensor housing is configured to be disposed through the aperture in the power supply housing to make contact with the battery cell to facilitate conductive heat transfer between the battery cell and the sensor housing, thereby facilitating an accurate measurement of the temperature of the battery cell.
US07967496B2

A batch mixer comprises a mixing drum rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending between an inlet opening and a discharge opening at opposing ends of the drum. Mixing members and transfer members supported in the drum mix the material when rotated in a first direction and transfer the material to the discharge opening when rotated in an opposing direction. An inlet chute for charging the drum and a discharge chute for emptying the drum communicate with the inlet opening and the discharge opening respectively. The inlet chute pivots relative to the drum about a vertical axis from a charging position in communication with the inlet opening to an access position in which the inlet opening is unobstructed by the inlet chute. The inlet end wall locating the inlet opening therein is removable for greater access.
US07967493B2

A light guide plate has a light incident surface, a light emitting surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface or the light emitting surface has a plurality of light guide units disposed thereon. Each of the light guide units has a first curved surface and a second curved surface connected with the first curved surface. Both of the first curved surface and the second curved surface are concave surfaces or convex surfaces. In a cross section perpendicular to the light incident surface and passing through the first curved surface and the second curved surface, the first curved surface and the cross section intersect in a first curved line, and the second curved surface and the cross section intersect in a second curved line. A curvature radius of the first curved line is greater than that of the second curved line.
US07967487B2

A lamp assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing receiving at least one light source. The housing includes a covering pane and including first and second fixing arrangement for releasably securing the lamp to the vehicle.
US07967484B2

A system for the customization of an electronic candle, which system includes an electronic candle assembly comprising an illumination element and means for illuminating the illumination element for providing a simulated illuminated wax candle effect, a first sleeve having a translucent portion and first customizing indicia, a second sleeve having a translucent portion and second customizing indicia, a second indicia being visually distinguishable from the first indicia, the assembly and each sleeve has cooperable constructions for selective assembly of each sleeve to the electronic candle assembly for customizing the alternative electronic candle.
US07967478B2

A device redistributes light emitted by one or more LEDs and constitutes a secondary optical component for the construction of sources, lamps, illuminating bodies, and solid state optical signaling apparatuses. In one of its basic forms the device comprises a main optical element and an optical protection case coupled by a pin, with the optical element being disposed in a cavity of the protection case.
US07967475B2

An LED device radiator of an LED projection system, and more particularly, a radiator for cooling an LED device used in an LED projector is disclosed. The radiator includes a red LED device connected to a first substrate, a green LED device connected to a second substrate, a blue LED device connected to a third substrate, a first heat sink connecting a rear surface of the first substrate such that heat emitted from the red LED device is transferred to the first heat sink, and a second heat sink connecting a rear surface of each of the second and third substrate such that heat emitted from the green LED device and the blue LED device is transferred to the second heat sink.
US07967470B2

An illuminating ribbon has a decoration ribbon and a flexible circuit board with light-emitting devices. The decoration ribbon has two long sides, in which one of the two long sides has a sewing line. The flexible circuit board with light-emitting devices is disposed on the decoration ribbon and fixed to one long side of the decoration ribbon via the sewing line. The flexible circuit board with light-emitting devices includes an insulator with flexible flat surface; first and second electrical wires; N light-emitting devices; and a power device. The first and second electrical wires are embedded in parallel into the insulator with flexible flat surface. The N light-emitting devices are connected to the first and second electrical wires. The power device is connected to the first and second electrical wires to supply power to the N light-emitting devices and thus to generate light on the decoration ribbon.
US07967467B2

A portable lighting device that is lightweight and features a space-efficient design includes a body containing a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. The body includes a pair of pivot arms that are spaced from one another. A lamp assembly includes a lamp assembly housing containing a light source that is powered by the Li-ion battery. The lamp assembly housing is pivotally connected to each of the pair of pivot arms and positioned there between. A handle includes a gripping portion that is spaced from the body so that a gripping space is defined between the gripping portion of the handle and the body. A removable bumper pad is positioned on the bottom of the body. The portable lighting device features recesses on opposite sides that are engaged by corresponding tabs on a charging rack. This prevents non-compatible lighting devices from being positioned on the charging rack.
US07967451B2

Methods, devices, and systems are provided for displaying an image using a multi-directional image displaying device in a compact, configurable device having an expansive viewing angle. An image projector projects an image having a plurality of image pixels. A distribution object is aligned with the image projector. The distribution object is utilized to redirect the image pixels projected by the image projector onto one or more display surfaces. As such, in one embodiment, a wide view display of the first image that expands at least the width of a user field of view results from the spreading of the image pixels. A compact housing unit provides support for the image projector and the distribution object. In one embodiment, the multi-directional image displaying device can be adjusted to change the wide view display of the image.
US07967449B2

An arc tube includes: a tube spherical portion containing a pair of electrodes each of which has a shaft portion and a coil winding portion formed by winding coil around the shaft portion; and a pair of seal portions extending from both sides of the tube spherical portion. The coil winding portion of at least one of the electrodes has a coil portion formed by winding the coil at least once around the shaft portion in the longitudinal direction of the shaft portion, a tip disposed on the tip side of the coil portion, and a base disposed on the base side of the coil portion. The coil of the base positioned on the surface side of the electrode is melt-treated. The coil forming the base is not melted to be combined with the shaft portion.
US07967443B2

A projection system comprising a first imaging component, at least a second imaging component, and a color combiner. The first and second imaging components each comprise an imager and a reflective polarizer that is configured to at least partially separate a light beam from the imager into a first portion and second portion, where the first portion and the second portion have substantially orthogonal polarization states. The first portions of the light beams are directed in the same direction above or below a plane defined by the second portions of the light beams. The color combiner is configured to combine the second portions of the light beams, where the second portions of the light beams have substantially orthogonal polarization states prior to entering the color combiner.
US07967436B2

Wavefront measurements of eyes are typically taken when the pupil is in a first configuration in an evaluation context. The results can be represented by a set of basis function coefficients. Prescriptive treatments are often applied in a treatment context, which is different from the evaluation context. Hence, the patient pupil can be in a different, second configuration, during treatment. Systems and methods are provided for determining a transformed set of basis function coefficients, based on a difference between the first and second configurations, which can be used to establish the vision treatment.
US07967427B2

A liquid container detachably mountable on a liquid ejection apparatus, includes: a surface parallel to an insertion direction into the liquid ejection apparatus; and a plurality of conformity identification protrusions integrally formed at the surface to be in parallel to the insertion direction for preventing erroneous insertion of the liquid container to a container mounting portion due to a difference in shape of the conformity identification protrusions, wherein each of the conformity identification protrusions has a different length from a contact portion located at one end in the insertion direction to a reference surface located at the other end in the insertion direction.
US07967419B2

An inkjet printhead comprises a plurality of nozzles; a supply of printing fluid in fluid communication with the plurality of nozzles; and a plurality of heater elements corresponding respectively to each of the nozzles, the heater elements for heating the printing fluid to form a gas bubble for ejecting a drop of printing fluid of a predetermined volume from the nozzle. Each of the heater elements has an area proportional to the predetermined volume. The area being such that an amount of energy generated by each heater element to form the gas bubble is substantially equal to or less than an amount of energy absorbable by a drop of printing fluid having the predetermined volume.
US07967414B2

An ink-jet printer head has a plurality of print modules each having a tip formed with a respective nozzle orifice from ink droplets can be projected. A flexibly deformable mounting element has a plurality of seats each holding a respective one of the tips so that the element can be deformed to fit a substrate to be printed. The mounting element is readily deformable so that the print modules can be oriented to fit the substrate being printed.
US07967412B2

A printer is provided having an elongate carrier spaced from a platen, ejection nozzle integrated circuits carried by the carrier to define an elongate printing zone between the carrier and platen, controllers carried by the carrier each configured to control a group of the integrated circuits, capping devices carried by the carrier to be reciprocally displaceable to cap respective integrated circuits, and an elongate camshaft positioned along the elongate carrier and along the capping devices and a translating member interconnecting the elongate camshaft and the capping devices, so that rotational movement of the elongate camshaft driven by a motor results in the reciprocal movement of the capping devices between the capping and non-capping positions.
US07967411B2

An apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head capable of ejecting liquid from a plurality of ejection ports by driving a plurality of ejection energy generation elements corresponding to the plurality of ejection portions. The apparatus includes a wiping mechanism capable of wiping an ejection port face in which a plurality of ejection ports is arranged in the liquid ejecting head. The ink ejection from the plurality of ejection ports is performed in a manner of a plurality of divisions. A time interval from a last wiping to a next wiping is adjusted according to an interval of the ejection energy generating elements corresponding to an adjacent ejection port.
US07967410B2

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a conveying mechanism that is provided in this apparatus body and conveys a sheet, a recording head that moves along a moving path orthogonal to a conveying direction of the sheet, ejects an ink to the sheet to print an image on the sheet, and, after the printing is finished, stands by in a first standby position on one end side of the moving path, and a CPU that moves the recording head that is on standby in the first standby position to an arbitrary position of the moving path.
US07967407B2

A printing system includes a printer that prints only a sense mark on a substrate and an imaging unit. The imaging unit prints data onto the substrate and includes a plurality of printheads. The printing system also includes a sensor that detects the sense mark and a controller that instructs the imaging unit to print data onto the substrate, wherein the controller distributes print data among the plurality of printheads.
US07967399B1

A drawer slide (12) has a moveable lock member (30) and a set of spaced apart slots (24, 26, 28) configured for receiving respective chassis mounting lugs (22). The slots (24, 28) are substantially vertical, and the slot (26) extends on one side of the slots (24, 28) and at an angle to the vertical, sloping downward and away from the slots (24, 28). The lock member (30) is linearly moveable from a closed position adjacent to the slot (24) to an open position aside of the slot (24) to selectively allow the mounting lug (22) to be removed from the slot (24). The lock member (30) includes an elongate tab (42) for slidably fitting within an elongate slot (44) in the drawer slide (12), and an elongate slot (58) through which a rivet extends to slidably secure the lock member (30) to the drawer slide (12).
US07967386B2

An armrest assembly for an automobile seat, in which an armrest protrudes from a foldable seatback such that a passenger rests his/her arm on the armrest when the seatback is folded, and comes into contact with the seatback when the seatback is folded out in order to take a seat. The armrest assembly includes an armrest, which is installed on a seatback of the seat via links so as to protrude from the seatback, an external force transmitting device, which is coupled with at least one of the links, and transmits external force to the coupled link such that the armrest protrudes from the seatback, and a pressing unit, which installed on one side of the seatback such that the external force is applied to the external force transmitting device when the seatback is folded.
US07967373B2

A transversely aligned support part is arranged between an assembly support of a vehicle body and a front part. The support part is connected to the assembly support via bolt and clip elements, and the front part is fastenable to the support part by bolts in a manner such that it can be vertically aligned via adjusting elements.
US07967366B1

Disclosed herein is a damage mitigation system. In some embodiments, for example, the damage mitigation system can be used for protecting a vehicle from hail damage. The damage mitigation system includes a housing for storing at least one pad. The pad can be pulled from the housing, inflated, and positioned over an object to be protected. In some embodiments, the damage mitigation system can include a self-inflating pad. In some embodiments, the damage mitigation system can include an inflatable pad that is not self-inflating. The damage mitigation system also includes a motor for retracting the pad back into the housing. The housing includes pinching rods for squeezing the air from the pad as the pad is retracted so that the pad can be stored in a non-inflated configuration.
US07967358B2

A vehicular footrest includes a footrest part (36) for making contact with a foot (F) of a vehicle occupant (M), and a footrest base member (34). The footrest has a front surface load absorption mechanism (33) for absorbing a load applied to a firewall (23), and a lower limb load absorption mechanism (35) for absorbing a load applied from a vehicle occupant to the footrest part (36).
US07967357B2

A trailer having a chassis, a set of wheels for rollably supporting the chassis on the ground, and a rigid container carried by the chassis. The rigid container includes a floor, a sidewall, an access door for loading/unloading materials into the container, and a convertible rigid roof. The convertible roof is movable between a closed position which permits waste or other materials to be compressed into the trailer, and an open position which permits the trailer to be loaded with bulk goods from the top. The convertible roof includes movable rigid panels, and a locking bar for holding the panels closed and connecting the opposite sidewalls of the trailer to each other against the expansion pressure exerted by loosely compressed materials transported in the trailer. The panels may be rotating panels hinged to a wall, or may be provided as sliding panels running in tracks.
US07967355B2

The tool storage device includes a base having a top side, a bottom side, and a hollow upright pivot shaft with two ends. At the top end of the hollow upright pivot shaft is an end cap having a plughole and a connecting mechanism. The bottom end of the hollow upright pivot shaft is attached to the top side of the base. The bottom side of the base has a pole cover containing a plughole for receiving a connecting structure. Fastening structures are provided to facilitate fastening of the vertical tool storage device to a structure, such as a wall. The end cap and the pole cover of the tool storage device enable the vertical tool storage device to be connected to a fastening and connecting structure.
US07967350B2

The invention provides an impact absorber module for a motor vehicle, the module comprising: a top transverse element for bearing against an impact beam of the vehicle; a bottom transverse element and two uprights connecting the top and bottom transverse elements together so as to form substantially a frame referred to as an absorber frame, the bottom transverse element or one of the two uprights being designed to bear against a bottom structural part of the vehicle; and a wall forming an air guide and extending from the top transverse element towards a radiator of the vehicle.
US07967345B2

An actuator for a latch assembly comprising a cam member including cam surfaces to engage detents to, operate said latch assembly, the resulting motion of the detents to operate a release member for a header latching portion and simultaneously to operate a release member for a sill latching portion, or alternatively to operate release members for jamb latching portions.
US07967341B2

An interleaf is disclosed, as well as a process and device for producing an interleaf, in particular for a book-like identification document. At least one additional layer (26) made of thermally resistant plastics is laminated onto at least one layer (24) made of thermoplastic elastomer, a section (42) of the at least one additional layer (24) being integrated into a folding region (31) without producing a thickened region on the outer side of the at least one layer (24) made of thermoplastic elastomer.
US07967339B2

A safety belt buckle presenter adapted for use with a translatable buckle includes an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change when exposed to an activation signal, wherein the element is drivenly coupled to the buckle, and configured to cause the buckle to translate between deployed and stowed positions as a result of the change.
US07967322B1

Disclosed is a trailer hitch system that is configured to rotate to a stowing position and an operating position. When in the operational position, a coupler arm of the trailer is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the trailer so that the coupler arm contributes to the length of the trailer. When in the stowing position, the coupler arm of the trailer is bent at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the trailer so that the coupler arm does not contribute to the overall length of the trailer.
US07967313B1

A wheeled vehicle includes a pair of leg driven skis and hand operated levers for simultaneously applying power to a crank and drive sprocket to propel the vehicle. A pair of controllers, one at the top of each thrust lever, include handles that are pushed and pulled to reciprocate the levers and may simultaneously be rotated through wrist and forearm action to steer the vehicle. Auxiliary steering is provided through a handlebar mounted to the vehicle separately from the thrust levers. The skis are operatively coupled to their associated levers, either directly through a pivotal connection or indirectly through an elongate link rotatably coupled at one end to the lever and at the other end to the ski.
US07967310B2

A wheel suspension for the rear wheels of a motor vehicle is created, with three links being provided in an upper link plane, and with a foremost link as viewed in the direction of travel being provided as a track rod and the two further links being provided as separate individual links at both sides of a vertical wheel central transverse plane. A triangular link is arranged in the lower link plane, which triangular link holds a spiral or air spring and a damper strut spaced apart from one another. By corresponding pole formations defined by the links, elastokinematic or imaginary pivot axes are formed, which permits an elastokinematic adjustment of the wheel in a toe-in sense under the influence of braking forces, side forces and load shift forces. The wheel suspension is also configured such that an elastokinematic adjustment of the wheel in a toe-out sense is obtained in the event of wheel loads and drive forces.
US07967306B2

A tilting, preferably three-wheeled, vehicle is disclosed that has a tilting mechanism that allows the vehicle to have leaning characteristics substantially similar to those offered by an in-line two-wheeled vehicle, but that does not require complex linkages and/or control systems to operate effectively. A tilting linkage is operably secured to a frame to allow a pair of spaced apart wheels to remain substantially aligned with the plane of the vehicle throughout its range of movement while still allowing the steering axes of each wheel to intersect the substantially vertical centerline of each wheel. The linkage also allows the caster angle of each wheel's pivot axis can be optimized independently of the angle of the vehicle's handlebar steering shaft.
US07967305B2

Vehicle having at least one non-driven wheel which, between outer and inner frame sections of the vehicle, can rotate about an axle arranged to be fixed against rotation and axially non-displaceable with respect to the frame sections, and the wheel having a wheel bearing arrangement which is arranged substantially without free play on the axle in such a way that the wheel is arranged with a respective spacing in the axial direction from the frame sections, the wheel bearing arrangement being clamped in between a radial projection formed at one end of the axle and a fixing arrangement fitted to the other end of the axle and comprising a bush arranged concentrically around the other end of the axle, and the axle being held non-displaceably in the axial direction with respect to the frame sections by means of the bush, the wheel bearing arrangement and the radial projection.
US07967303B2

Disclosed is a carriage system for a water vessel. The carriage system comprises a support assembly and a wheel assembly. The support assembly is removably attached to a first side of the water vessel. The support assembly comprises a first body member disposed on an inner surface of the first side, and a handle member removably attached to the first body member. The wheel assembly is removably attached to a second side opposite to the first side of the water vessel. The wheel assembly comprises a second body member disposed on an inner surface of the second side, and a wheel member removably attached to the second body member. The support assembly facilitates pulling of the water vessel. Further, the wheel assembly facilitates movement of the water vessel upon being pulled using the support assembly.
US07967297B2

A brush seal for use with a housing and sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area is provided. In an embodiment, the brush seal includes a retainer and a plurality of bristles. The retainer is comprised of a thermally-sensitive material having a thermal expansion rate. The bristles are connected to and extend from the retainer. In an embodiment, the retainer is not fixedly connected to the housing, and the thermal expansion rate of the retainer is greater than the thermal expansion rate of a portion of the housing adjacent the retainer. In another embodiment, a joint associated with a plurality of bristles is permitted to move into a headspace provided above the joint. A method for making a control-gap brush seal assembly for use in connection with a shaft is also disclosed.
US07967294B2

A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system is disclosed. The system includes a card input department with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes towards the front wall at an angle between 12 and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.
US07967290B2

In an image transferring apparatus of the invention, a relay unit, which is provided in a main body frame and includes a conveyance switching mechanism to eject a sheet on which an image is fixed by a fixing section to a sheet ejection section or to switch back the sheet in the middle of ejection, can be pulled out, and a automatic duplex unit to guide the switched back sheet to an image forming section is mounted to the main body frame to be capable of being detached. An intermediate unit to guide the sheet switched back by the relay unit, together with the fixing section, is fixed and placed in the main body frame. The intermediate unit is provided with a guide member to be capable of being opened and closed between a guide position for the switched back sheet and an open position opposite to the guide position. The guide member always receives a spring force toward the open position, and when the automatic duplex unit is mounted to the main body frame, the guide member is moved to the guide position by contact with a pressing body of the automatic duplex unit side, and when the automatic duplex unit is detached from the main body frame, the guide member is opened to the open position by the spring force.
US07967288B2

A paper supply apparatus includes: a placement surface on which paper to be transported is placed; a fixed guide that guides the transport of the paper; a movable guide whose distance to the fixed guide in the widthwise direction of the paper is capable of being adjusted and that guides the transport of the paper; a paper supply roller that abuts the paper in a position, on the side where the fixed guide is located, and that is rotationally driven so as to transport the paper; an abutment member, provided on the movable guide. The abutment member is disposed in a position so that a second abutment point where the abutment member abuts the surface of the paper is further downstream in the transport direction of the paper than a first abutment point where the paper supply roller abuts the surface of the paper.
US07967280B2

An air spring including a spring seat, and a flexible sleeve connected to the spring seat. The flexible sleeve forms a compression chamber and includes a lobe that rolls along a surface of the spring seat during compression of the flexible sleeve. An annular barrier is disposed on the spring seat between the lobe of the flexible sleeve and the surface of the spring seat to deflect debris and ice from becoming lodged or trapped in the spring seat that may damage the flexible sleeve.
US07967275B2

A hard film and a hard film-coated material having better wear resistance and sliding performance (due to lower friction coefficients) than conventional surface coating layers, wherein the hard film includes at least one covering layer A and at least one covering layer B stacked one over the other, both having a thickness of 5 to 100 nm. The covering layer has a composition represented by the formula M(BaCbN1−a−b), where M denotes one or more elements selected from W, V, Mo, and Nb, and a and b denote the atomic ratio of B and C, respectively, as defined below. 0≦a≦0.3 . . . (1A), and 0≦b≦0.5 . . . (2A). Covering layer B has a composition represented by the formula Ti1−x−yCrxAlySiz(C1−ANA) where x, y, z, and A denote the atomic ratio of Cr, Al, Si, and N, respectively, as defined below. 0≦1−x−y≦0.5 . . . (1B), 0≦x≦0.5 . . . (2B), 0.4≦y≦0.7 . . . (3B), 0≦z≦0.15 . . . (4B), and 0.5≦A≦1 . . . (5B).
US07967273B2

The support stand includes a base, a rotatable bracket, a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. Both the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly connect the rotatable bracket with the base. The first hinge assembly has a first pivotal shaft. The second hinge assembly has a second pivotal shaft. The first pivotal shaft is non-rotatably engaged with the second pivotal shaft, and aligned in a substantially straight line.
US07967269B2

A roller type adjustable screen fixing apparatus includes: a fixing base, having at least one operating slot; at least one distal plate device disposed at an external side of the distal plate, having at least two distal plates embedded in the operating slot, and slidably moving in the operating slot, and a frame plate disposed at an external side of the distal plate; at least one linking device, having at least one roller installed in the operating slot and linked with the distal plate; and a containing space, defined by the upper frame plates of the corresponding distal plates for installing a screen. The distal plate is contractible in the operating slot for adjusting the containing space, such that the invention can fit screens of different sizes, and provide a convenient replacement and a dynamic adjustment.
US07967261B2

A locking device for multiple-section telescoping tubes wherein a smaller tube is telescopically retractable into or extensible from within a larger tube includes a pair of opposing blocks, disposed within the telescoping tubes, one block being attached to the smaller tube, the other block being configured to move laterally with respect to the first block when the blocks are moved longitudinally with respect to each other. Depending on the direction of longitudinal movement of the blocks, one block may be caused to bear against an inner side of the larger tube to resist retraction of the smaller tube, or the blocks may be allowed to move away from the inner side of the larger tube to allow free sliding extension of the smaller tube. The device also includes means for selectively longitudinally moving one of the blocks with respect to the other, so as to allow free sliding retraction of the smaller tube, when desired.
US07967260B2

The present invention relates to a supporting structure having function of rod-linkage latching which comprises a connecting unit, a base seat, a base seat hinge, a main hinge, at least one rod-linkage mechanism and at least one rod-linkage latching device. By providing a rod-linkage latching device between a connecting unit and a rod-linkage mechanism the two connecting rods of the rod-linkage mechanism generate a relative movement while the connecting unit performs tilt angle adjusting toward the base seat, so a tenon sheet of one connecting rod is moved and a latching member of the rod-linkage latching device loses stop and extends then the movement of the tenon sheet is limited thus a locking status is formed, so a torsion spring disposed between the connecting unit and the base seat is pressed so an energy saving status is formed, therefore the connecting unit has a certain angle with respect to the base seat and an advantage of saving volume while packaging and conveying is achieved, and the supporting structure provided by the present invention can be disposed vertically or be hanged.
US07967259B2

An extension device includes the first tubular member, the second tubular member movably inserted into the first tubular member, and the third tubular member movably inserted into the second tubular member and a regulating device that regulates movement of the third tubular member with respect to the second tubular member. The regulating device includes a regulating member protruding from the inner hole portion to the outside of the third tubular member band is brought in the outer hole portion, and a pressing member for pressing the regulating member in the protruding direction.
US07967258B2

The present invention provides a system and method for actively manipulating fluid flow over a surface using synthetic pulsators. Synthetic pulsators produce pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow proximate to the synthetic pulsator. The synthetic pulsator includes a synthetic jet actuator(s) located within an ambient pressure chamber, wherein the synthetic jet actuator is operable to produce an oscillatory flow. The oscillatory flow of the synthetic jet(s) produces the pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow. These synthetic pulsators may then be actively manipulated to control the flow behavior of the ducted fluid flow, influence the inception point and trajectory of flow field vortices within the fluid flow, and reduce flow separation within the primary fluid flow.
US07967244B2

An onboard system for determining the instantaneous weight and balance of an aircraft simply, reliably, accurately, and requiring a minimum amount of calibration includes a memory for storing previously determined breakout friction data of the aircraft's landing gear shock struts, sensors for sensing the pressures in the struts, the vertical loads exerted by the landing gear on the aircraft, and the attitude of the aircraft relative to the horizontal during loading or unloading thereof, and a computer for computing the vertical load in each of the landing gears from the stored calibration breakout friction data and the shock strut pressures, landing gear vertical loads and aircraft attitude sensed during the loading or unloading. The computer then computes the gross weight of the aircraft and the location of its center of gravity (CG) using the computed vertical loads in the landing gears.
US07967243B2

The invention relates to a configuration of engines (3) for aircraft located in the rear part of the fuselage (2) of said aircraft, the engines (3) being attached in a fixed manner by pylons (5) to the structure of the aircraft, said structure comprising a torsion box (14) which traverses the fuselage (2) and is used to attach the pylons (5), the fuselage (2) comprising an opening (4) allowing the passage of the suspension pylons (5) for the engines (3), said configuration further comprising a pivoting area (8), an actuator (7) and a fitting (6) through which the actuator (7) is attached to the suspension pylons (5) and to the torsion box (14) of the aircraft, such that the assembly formed by the actuator (7) and the fitting (6) allow balancing the pylon (5) and engine (3) assembly of the aircraft through the pivoting area (8), thus achieving controllable and optimal thrust vectoring of the aircraft for each flight phase.
US07967239B2

A drive system for a high speed rotary-wing aircraft includes a combiner gearbox in meshing engagement with a main gearbox. The combiner gearbox is driven by one or more engines such that a main rotor system and a translational thrust system are driven thereby. The engine drives the combiner gearbox and thus the main gearbox through an overrunning clutch. The drive system permits the main rotor system RPM to be controlled by offloading power to the translational thrust system during a high speed flight profile.
US07967233B2

The present invention relates to a brake device for webbing or belt cartridges built as a flexible one piece body (1), preferably made of a material like rubber, doted with a characteristic design. Said single flexible body comprises an ellipsoidal central portion (2), having in its center two symmetrical openings (3) for coupling to a reel, and two radially spaced rods (4), said rods having a rounded shape finishing, conforming two brackets (5) in circumference arcs.
US07967231B2

A bale processing apparatus for receiving and shredding a bale of material is disclosed. The bale processing apparatus comprises a hopper having a top and a bottom, a top opening through which a bale is received into the hopper and a bottom opening through which the material of the bale is dispersed. The bottom opening is at least partially positioned below the top opening. The apparatus further includes a bale shredding assembly for removing material from a bale received in the hopper. The bale shredding assembly is located in the interior of the hopper below the top opening and above the bottom opening.
US07967230B2

The kitchen tool is composed of: a handle, a support yoke, and a crushing plate. The handle is connected to the support yoke. The support yoke is shaped to form a parabolic arch with arms that are biased to spring inward or outward in an alternative embodiment. The end of each arm has a mounting hole along with three locking holes. These pivot axles are connected to the mounting holes on the support yoke arms. The holes and posts are arranged such that they for two positions for the device. In a first position the crushing plate is place is a position perpendicular to the support yoke arms. In a second position the crushing plate is place is a position parallel to the support yoke which makes the device's profile much thinner and easier to fit into a standard kitchen drawer.
US07967224B2

The invention relates to a spray head for atomising a medium using a pressurised propellant, with a spray head body (10) which comprises a fastening ring (6) and an actuating element (20) movably connected thereto, a holding element (12) which comprises an inlet port (24), an adjoining duct section (26) and a holding section (28), and a duct element (14) which has an outlet port (62) for the medium and which has in at least one section a diameter such that the medium to be discharged atomizes in the flow of propellant, the duct element (14) preferably being a capillary pipe or capillary tube and/or having a constant diameter over its entire length, the duct element (14) being arranged in the holding section (28) of the holding element (12) and, preferably, being bent through approximately 90° in the holding section (28) of the holding element (12) and the holding element (12) preferably being connected to the spray head body (10). The assembly of this spray head is made easier by the fact that the holding element (12) comprises, at least in the holding section (28), particularly at the upper end thereof, at least one clamping element (50) for clamping or latching the duct element (14) on the holding element (12).
US07967220B2

A manual spray dispenser for dispensing a mixture of two compositions comprises a container having a first and second chamber and a single dispensing spray outlet for dispensing controlled amounts of liquids from each of the first and second chambers. At least one of the chambers has a separator in the form of a pouch for physically separating the contents of the container from an interior surface of the chamber. The first chamber can contain a first composition and the second chamber can contain a second composition having a reactive component that reacts with at least one compound upon contact or mixing. The dispenser further contains a dispensing system for simultaneously dispensing the first composition and the second composition from their respective first and second chambers, mixing the two compositions together, and dispensing a mixture of the two compositions from the container under pressure.
US07967216B2

A wireless IC device prevents deviations of the resonant frequency from the desired value. An antenna coil has an end portion positioned in a connector provided on the negative-most side in the z-axis direction and an end portion positioned in a connector provided on the positive-most side in the z-axis direction. A wireless IC is electrically connected to the end portions. A via hole conductor is provided between the end portion and the wireless IC and penetrates through a plurality of insulator layers. A via hole conductor is provided in the antenna coil such that the length of a current path thereto from the end portion is the shortest among a plurality of via hole conductors. The distance between the via hole conductor and the via hole conductor is larger than the distances between the penetrating via hole conductor and the via hole conductors.
US07967208B2

A system, method and computer program product are provided for marking an article of manufacture. After marking an article of manufacture with a first identifier that describes at least one aspect of the article, such article is further marked with a supplemental identifier that describes the at least one aspect of the article.
US07967195B2

A network arrangement is provided for processing credit transactions. A financial network is used to route communications securely between interfaces with the financial network. Merchant systems are coupled with the interfaces, with each merchant system transmitting requests for authorization of credit transactions through the financial network. An issuer system authorizes credit transactions in response to receipt of requests that specify at least a credit account to be used to support a particular credit transaction and a transaction amount for the particular credit transaction. A guarantor system separate from the issuer system determines whether to guarantee credit transactions in response to the requests and transmits responses indicating whether specific credit transactions are to be guaranteed through the financial network to the merchant systems.
US07967175B2

A backpack suspension system is provided that provides a more natural feel as it is able to match a hiker's twisting and bending motions. A backpack suspension system comprises a frame having an upper and a lower portion, and a hub connecting the upper and lower portion. The upper and lower portion comprise a plurality of rods adapted to rotate within the hub. The hub is adapted to pivot about a horizontal axis. In certain embodiments the frame is substantially X shaped and in certain embodiments the hub is substantially X shaped.
US07967173B2

The technology described herein provides a device and associated methods for storing, displaying, and shaping hats, caps, or the like. This device includes multiple rings of the same diameter and multiple rings of varied diameters to provide for the storing and displaying of a multiplicity of hats while simultaneously maintaining the curvature of the brim portion of the hat. This device provides for the training of the brim of a hat to a particular degree of curvature as desired by the wearer and as selected from the multiple rings of varied diameters of the device. Other comparable uses are also contemplated herein, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
US07967169B2

An improved device for dispensing toothpaste from a flexible tube using only manual pressure on the flexible tube. The device is formed to fit precisely the inner shape of the toothpaste tube and slides forward as the tube is manually squeezed from the outside. As the device moves toward the tube opening the toothpaste is expelled. Friction strips attached to the device on two sides come into contact with friction strips on the two interior sides of the toothpaste tube. As the device is propelled forward by manual pressure it is prevented from moving rearward toward the closed end of the toothpaste tube because of the friction strips. Thus as the tube is depressed and the toothpaste is expelled the flattened portion of the tube remains flattened and the tube is ready for the next use.
US07967165B2

A metal reinforcement fitting 10 including a strip 12 curved vertically upward is attached to a bottom 20b of a transportation container 20, and thus upward force can be applied to the bottom 20b. The upward force of the metal reinforcement fitting 10 can suppress downward force of a heavy article housed in the transportation container 20. Accordingly, if the metal reinforcement fitting 10 is attached to the bottom 20b of the transportation container 20 before the heavy article is housed, the bottom 20b can be prevented from bulging. Additionally, even if the bottom 20b of the transportation container 20 has already bulged, instability caused by deformation of the bottom 20b can be improved by attachment of the metal reinforcement fitting 10. Thus the provided metal reinforcement fitting has durability for long-term use of a transportation container.
US07967164B1

A leakage containment device for containing leakage from an oil tank supplying oil to a heating system includes a container including a bottom wall and a perimeter wall being coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall to define an interior space. An upper edge of the perimeter wall defines an upper open end of the container to permit an oil tank to be placed in the interior space. A lid is hingedly coupled to the upper edge of the perimeter wall. The lid selectively closes the upper open end of the container when the lid is in a closed position over the upper open end. The lid is pivoted away from the upper open end to permit access to the upper open end.
US07967163B1

A pre-filled disposable container has a rigid tubular body, a flexible bag positioned within the rigid tubular body, a cap, and a base sealing element. The rigid tubular body has an open-ended top and an open-ended bottom. The flexible bag has a top portion with a dispensing aperture, a bottom portion, and an outwardly extending annular flange. An annular retaining ring is adapted to lock the outwardly extending annular flange of the flexible bag against a top rim of the rigid tubular body. The cap is adapted to fit over the top portion of the flexible bag. A tear strip removably connects the cap and the annular retaining ring. The base sealing element is adapted to engage the open-ended bottom of the rigid tubular body to seal a vacuum aperture.
US07967161B2

A shipping container liner system for use in the shipping of bulk flowable products is described. The system comprises a specially adapted shipping container liner that is self-supporting without the need of rear-mounted rigid supportive bars to retain the liner within the shipping container during filling and discharge. The system comprises an arrangement of interior support baffles operating in conjunction with a plurality of exterior anchor straps adapted to distribute the cargo load throughout the length of the liner. A specialized hopper for unloading the bulk material is also disclosed.
US07967159B2

The present invention relates to a reversible child resistant cap and a closure system having two positions, the first being a child resistant position and the other being a non-child resistant position.
US07967152B2

An apparatus, system and method to facilitate fluid flow across a filter. The apparatus includes a filtration layer coupled to a support layer to form a composite filter. The support layer includes a hydroentangled cellulosic material forming a plurality of apertures. The apertures form channels to facilitate fluid flow across the filter while the support layer provides structural support to the filtration layer to enable lateral flow while preventing pleat deformation and collapse.
US07967148B2

A process for classifying water-absorbing polymer beads, wherein screens having different mesh sizes are used before and after the postcrosslinking to remove the oversize.
US07967143B2

A multi-layered blister package includes a first panel having at least one first aperture defined therein, wherein a blister pocket is visible through the at least one first aperture and retains an article therein. A second panel has at least one exit aperture defined therein by a first non-continuous cut line, wherein the at least one exit aperture aligns with the at least one first aperture when the first panel is disposed over the second panel. A first fold line separates the first and second panels. A biasing force transmitting member is provided with the first panel, such that a biasing force is applied to the blister pocket via the biasing force transmitting member. The biasing force transmitting member includes at least one of a plurality of spring legs encompassing the at least one first aperture and a shield member disposed between the first panel and the blister pocket.
US07967138B2

A packaging system is disclosed for shipping a prosthetic tissue valve in a storage solution and preparing and loading of the bioprosthetic valve onto a catheter-based delivery system. The packaging system includes a fluid tight container filled with the storage solution attached to a delivery catheter, wherein the container surrounds the prosthetic tissue valve that is in a pre-loaded position on the delivery catheter during shipment and storage. The prosthetic tissue valve may include an attachment mechanism that attaches to the delivery catheter to properly position the tissue valve for loading within the delivery catheter. In another embodiment where the prosthetic tissue valve is not attached to the delivery catheter during shipment, the attachment mechanism may interact with the prosthetic tissue valve shipping container to prevent the bioprosthetic valve from moving during shipment.
US07967137B2

The invention provides a tray organizer apparatus for safely organizing routine expendable medical supplies for in hospital patients disclosing a plurality of variants in the form of a non power embodiment of a surface tray with shaped recesses for retaining medical supplies and power embodiments with 110 ac volt supply with a multiplicity of 110 volt outlet and a plurality of USB ports, Firewire port, and other devices such tiltable LED illuminated mirrors.The tray organizer is formed of injection molded plastic, folded sheet metal or other equal structures and incorporates a peripheral upstanding rim connected to a lower planar surface from which a number of recessed openings are formed with enclosed bottom surfaces to retain expendable supplies in a variety of shapes.
US07967136B2

A sanitary case having a cavity defined by a bottom and perimeter wall extending upwardly from the bottom, at least one slot defined through the perimeter wall adjacent the bottom, and a liner disposed on the bottom. A plurality of upstanding dividers depending inwardly from the perimeter wall may define a plurality of cavities. The slot is adapted to receive the liner therethrough.
US07967135B2

A beverage can having a primary fluid volume and a segregated secondary container. The secondary container could contain a liquid or a granulated solid. The two containers are separated by a barrier which can be opened. The beverage can has a lid with a conventional pull-tab and downward-opening hatch. However, the hatch is equipped with a piercer extending down into the can. When the pull-tab is actuated, the piercer breaches the barrier separating the secondary container from the primary fluid volume. The contents of the secondary container can then be mixed with the primary fluid.
US07967125B2

A deformed-coin detector accurately detecting a deformed coin without being affected by a variation in transporting speed of a coin. A coin transported along a coin transporting face comes into contact with detecting elements of coin-thickness detecting bodies, the detecting elements move by a distance corresponding to the dimension of the coin in its thickness direction and simultaneously, light shielding portions of the coin-thickness detecting bodies move. A light detecting portion detects a light shielding amount that varies due to movement of the light shielding portions. A coin denomination determining unit determines a denomination of the coin transported along the coin transporting face and reads a reference light-shielding amount pre-stored in a reference light shielding amount storing unit regarding the denomination. The light shielding amount detected by the light detecting portion is compared with the reference light shielding amount, and when the detected light shielding amount is out of a predetermined range with respect to the reference light shielding amount, the coin is judged to be a deformed coin.
US07967121B2

Embodiments of the present invention include strut based overrunning drives that provide one or more of greater durability, lower heat generation, high torque loads carrying capability, and/or ease of end of life assessment. In some embodiments, a drive assembly may include a shaft; a pocket plate disposed about the shaft and having a plurality of pockets formed on a first side thereof; a notch plate disposed about the shaft adjacent the pocket plate, the notch plate having a plurality of notches formed on a side of the notch plate facing the pockets of the pocket plate; a plurality struts disposed in the pockets; a resilient member disposed within the pockets and biasing the struts towards the notches; and a drive surface rotationally coupled to one of the pocket plate or the notch plate, wherein the other of the pocket plate or the notch plate is rotationally coupled to the shaft.
US07967114B2

A clamp device inserted between two parts can prevent a relative movement between a brake disc and a brake caliper of a vehicle brake. The device includes two plates, with adjustable separation by way of at least two rollers running against each other and rolling on roller surfaces on facing inner sides of the plates. When the rollers are located in the region of a first section of the roller surfaces, the separation of the plates for bringing about clamping in an extended state is greater than the separation adopted by the plates to generate clamping in a withdrawn state when the rollers are located in the region of a second section of the roller surfaces. The position of the rollers relative to the roller surfaces may be altered by an actuator.
US07967109B2

A roping belt for a safety harness comprising an equipment-carrying device having at least one U-shaped attachment loop securedly fastened to the belt by fixing means and composed of a joining part made of flexible textile material and of a pre-formed stiffener part made of semi-rigid plastic. The joining part and the stiffener part are inserted in one another and are housed at least one of the ends thereof in a securing gusset fixed to the belt to form a non-articulated join biasing the equipment-carrying device to a salient position.
US07967105B2

An aero-acoustic aviation engine inlet with a single air blowing slot or multiple air blowing slots flows air over one or more segments of inlet acoustic lining surfaces at speeds that are higher than the inlet mean air flow speed, for aggressive inlet noise abatement.
US07967103B2

An attachment apparatus for forming an arrangement comprising a plurality of loudspeaker boxes hanging one above the other comprises a latching connection by means of which two loudspeaker boxes which are adjacent in the arrangement can be connected together at a pre-selectable angle.
US07967102B2

A steering shaft support structure for an all terrain vehicle in which both forces of push and pull applied to an EPS unit are reduced when a load is applied to handlebars. The structure includes a steering shaft rotatably supported by a body frame and handlebars attached to the steering shaft. The EPS unit is also supported by the body frame. Two sets of adjustable joints are interposed between the steering shaft and the EPS unit in such a manner that their axes are shiftable. With this, if a load is applied to the handlebars, the adjustable joint associated with the steering shaft follows the inclination of the steering shaft, so that the connection point (swing point) of the adjustable joint associated with the EPS unit does not shift. This reduces both forces of push and pull applied to the EPS unit.
US07967100B2

A vehicle includes a center console provided with left and right walls, and a top wall, provided to the rear, in the front/back direction of the vehicle, of a front panel. The top wall, extends rearward, in the front/back direction of the vehicle, from a center portion, in the direction of width of the vehicle, of the front panel to at least a front end of a front seat. The top wall is provided at a position that is higher than a bottommost end of a front portion of a seating surface of a seat cushion portion of the front seat and higher than a top end of an engine, and at a position that is lower than a top end of the front panel.
US07967099B2

Fluid control propulsion system, machine including the system, and method of controlling the propulsion of a machine having a compacting drum and a wheel mounted on an axle, drum and axle motors operatively connected with the drum and the axle, respectively, and drum and axle pumps operatively connected to an engine and fluidly connected to the pumps. A fluid control orifice disposed in fluid communication between the pumps is selectively disengageable in response to at least one of operator instruction, sensed pressure differential between the drum and axle pumps, and sensed disparity in rotational speed between the drum and axle.
US07967098B2

An exterior airbag cushion for a vehicle is constructed so that a cushion unit is rapidly expanded ahead of a vehicle and a device having the exterior airbag cushion. The exterior airbag device includes a plurality of airbag housings which are mounted to a vehicle bumper, a cushion unit which is accommodated in the airbag housings and expanded ahead of the vehicle bumper, a shape memory wire which extends along the edge of the cushion unit, and an inflator which supplies airbag gas to provide an expansionary force.
US07967080B2

A boring tool moves having a pitch orientation, a yaw orientation and a roll orientation and is steerable underground using the roll orientation. A maximum drill string curvature is established for steering. The boring tool is advanced over a path segment. An averaged roll characteristic is determined for movement of the boring tool along the path segment. A path segment pitch orientation is established based on at least one measured pitch orientation along the path segment. Using the maximum drill string curvature in combination with the averaged roll characteristic and the path segment pitch orientation, the yaw orientation is determined. The averaged roll characteristic is determined based on a series of incremental roll measurements that are spaced across the path segment. A set of coupled ordinary differential equations is used to characterize movement of the boring tool.
US07967075B2

A kickover tool for placing and extracting a valve in a mandrel having a hydraulic piston, a kickover arm portion mechanically connected to the hydraulic piston, the kickover arm portion being actuated by application of pressure to the piston. Upon full stoke of the piston, pressure is relieved, and measurement of the pressure relief can be used to indicate proper placement in a side pocket mandrel.
US07967072B2

A release mechanism for incorporation into a logging head. The release mechanism may be a tensile release mechanism that employs a plurality of tensile members for interchangeable insertion into a plurality of tensile compartments. As a result, a weakpoint for the logging head may be user defined on location at the oilfield. Furthermore, for potentially deeper wells, a rotatable release mechanism may be alternatively or additionally incorporated into the logging head. The rotatable release mechanism may be employed to effectuate a release of the logging head upon signaling from surface equipment. Additionally, the rotatable release mechanism may be powered to achieve the release solely from a downhole power source.
US07967069B2

A method for managing a fracturing operation. In one implementation, the method may include positioning a seismic source and at least one seismic receiver near a hydrocarbon reservoir; pumping a fracturing fluid into a well bore of the hydrocarbon reservoir; performing a seismic survey with the seismic source and the at least one seismic receiver during the fracturing operation; and identifying locations of the fracturing fluid within subsurface formations in which the hydrocarbon reservoir is located.
US07967061B2

A heat exchanger includes a plurality of multi-channel heat exchange tubes extending between spaced inlet and outlet headers. Each heat exchange tube has a plurality of flow channels defining discrete flow paths extending longitudinally in parallel relationship from its inlet end to its outlet end. The inlet header has a channel for receiving a two-phase fluid from a fluid circuit and a chamber for collecting the fluid. The chamber has an inlet in flow communication with the channel and an outlet in flow communication with the plurality of fluid flow paths of the heat exchange tubes. The channel defines a relatively high turbulence flow passage that induces uniform mixing of the liquid phase refrigerant and the vapor phase fluid and reduces potential stratification of the vapor phase and the liquid phase within the fluid passing through the header.
US07967059B2

A heat dissipation device includes a base, a fin group, a plurality of heat pipes connecting the base and the fin group, a fan cover covering the fin group and a fan located at a side of the fan cover. The heat pipes are received in the base and extend through the fin group. The heat pipes are received in two opposite sides of the fin group and sandwiched between the fan cover and the fin group. The fan cover includes a body and a pair of side walls extending from the body. The side walls each include a plurality of heat-dissipating fins formed on an outer surface thereof for increasing heat dissipating surface of the heat dissipating device.
US07967055B2

A substrate is coated by applying an essentially pure aluminum first layer to a surface of the substrate. At least a first portion of the first layer is oxidized so as to provide a protective coating of desired properties. The substrate may be a refractory metal-based investment casting core.
US07967049B2

An apparatus for automatically peeling a removal tape from a removal-tape-attached adhesive tape and affixing the adhesive tape to a battery module. A removal-tape-attached adhesive insulation tape supplied from an uncoiler is held in a folded state by means of a carrier plate. The carrier plate reciprocates between a first position and a second position. When the carrier plate has moved from the first position to the second position, a tape holding unit holds the tape by means of suction. Subsequently, as a result of movement of the carrier plate from the second position to the first position, the removal tape is peeled from the removal-tape-attached adhesive insulation tape T, thereby uncovering an adhesive surface of the adhesive tape. The battery module is dropped toward the adhesive tape at an inclination with reference to the vertical direction, whereby the adhesive tape is affixed to the battery module.
US07967044B2

The present invention relates generally to brush cutting heads, and more specifically, to protective guard members for cutting tooth assemblies mounted on brush cutting heads. A brush cutting head includes a support body having a first end, an opposed second end and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The intermediate portion has an outer surface. A plurality of collars is mounted to the support body at spaced intervals along the intermediate portion with each collar extending outwardly from the outer surface. The brush cutting head further also has a plurality of cutting teeth assemblies carried on the outer surface of the support body. Each cutting tooth assembly is associated with at least one collar. Also provided is at least one guard member for protecting at least one cutting tooth of the plurality from impacts with hard objects. The at least one guard member is carried on one of the collars with at least a portion thereof projecting beyond the outermost edge of the one collar. The at least one guard member has an outermost margin which defines a protective envelope that at least partially encompasses the at least one cutting tooth.
US07967034B2

A device and method are provided for needle penetrating and filling a chamber with a predetermined substance, and laser resealing a resulting needle hole in the device. A needle penetrable and laser resealable portion of the device is pierceable with a needle to form a needle aperture therethrough to fill the chamber through the needle, and is laser resealable to hermetically seal the needle aperture by applying laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength and power thereto. The needle penetrable and laser resealable portion defines a predetermined wall thickness in an axial direction thereof, and includes a thermoplastic that substantially prevents the formation of particles released into the chamber from the needle penetrable and laser resealable portion during penetration by and withdrawal of the needle. The thermoplastic includes a predetermined amount of pigment that allows the thermoplastic to substantially absorb laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength, substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness thereof, and hermetically seal a needle aperture formed in the needle penetration region thereof in a predetermined time period.
US07967032B2

The inventive entrance/exit piping structure 20 for an intercooler 10 is formed of a plurality of pipes 21 to 24, the pipe end portions 20a, 20b are bundled together to have a circular contour and, in a middle portion 20c, the respective pipes are arranged adjacent to each other and are bent together.
US07967031B2

A delivery pipe (1) for the transport of solids is described. The delivery pipe (1) has a double-layer pipe body (2) which has a coupling collar (7, 8) on the inlet-side pipe end (5) and on the outlet-side pipe end (6). A first wear ring (9) and a second wear ring (10) are provided in succession in the longitudinal direction of the pipe body (2) in the region of the inlet-side coupling collar (7). The second inner wear ring (10) has a length (L) which is sized greater than or equal to half the internal diameter (ID) of the pipe body (2). As a result, wear phenomena can be reduced in the inlet-side region of the delivery pipe (1) and the service life of the delivery pipe (1) can be increased considerably.
US07967024B2

A hydraulic valve assembly for an excavator including a hydraulic valve movable along a longitudinal axis to control a flow of fluid, a flange coupled to the hydraulic valve, the flange including a receptor, and a locking mechanism movable between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation. In the locked orientation, the locking mechanism cooperates with the receptor to inhibit movement of the hydraulic valve along the longitudinal axis and in the unlocked orientation the hydraulic valve is free to move along the longitudinal axis.
US07967023B2

A control valve for use in a liquid-carrying system, such as a heating or cooling system, containing a differential pressure governor which keeps the differential pressure between the inlet and the outlet constant. The control valve also includes an arrangement for setting and adjusting the maximum flow of liquid through the valve. This arrangement comprises a flow valve having two cooperating valve members (4 and 6), which are arranged in the flow path and are constructed as two concentric rings, each of which has a recess extending about 180 degrees in the circumferential direction. The outer ring (4) is stationary relative to the valve housing, while the inner ring (6) may be displaced in the circumferential direction by means of a rotatable handle, whereby a greater or smaller overlap between the recesses may be provided. The maximum flow amount may hereby be set manually. The inner ring (6) may also be displaced in the axial direction, whereby a greater or smaller overlap between the recesses in the axial direction may be provided. The flow amount may hereby be adjusted within the limits of the presetting e.g. by means of an actuator. The flow may be blocked completely in an outer position.
US07967022B2

A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes.
US07967019B2

A cleaning material is applied to a surface of a substrate. The cleaning material includes one or more polymeric materials for entrapping contaminants present on the surface of the substrate. A rinsing fluid is applied to the surface of the substrate at a controlled velocity to effect removal of the cleaning material and contaminants entrapped within the cleaning material from the surface of the substrate. The controlled velocity of the rinsing fluid is set to cause the cleaning material to behave in an elastic manner when impacted by the rinsing fluid, thereby improving contaminant removal from the surface of the substrate.
US07967016B2

A platform Smart Scalpel system using rapid real-time feedback for effecting laser treatment. The platform system includes an imaging system for rapid real-time detection of tissue characteristics, a processing system for processing the detected characteristics, and a treatment system for effecting treatment in accordance with results of the processing. The platform system provides for preprogramming and real-time inputting conditions and parameters for diagnosis using the imaging system and/or treatment using the treatment system.
US07967013B2

Mask system includes frame, cushion, cushion clip, swivel elbow, headgear and/or headgear clips configured for use in a clinical or hospital environment. One or more components of the mask system configured to promote single patient use, for example, by providing an age indicator and/or preventing disassembly and/or cleaning.
US07967007B2

A heater can be configured to operate with either a first fuel at a first pressure or a second fuel at a second pressure and can include a fluid flow controller. In some embodiments, the fluid flow controller is configured to permit flow of fuel to a first passageway and to direct a first fuel to a first oxygen depletion sensor line when the controller is in a first position and permit the flow of fuel to a second passageway and to direct a second fuel to a second oxygen depletion sensor line when the controller is in a second position.
US07967005B2

A duel fuel gas control valve controls the supply of gas (e.g., natural gas or liquid propane gas) to a gas grill. The duel fuel gas control valve is structured to control either natural or LP gas flow at the desired operating characteristics based on conventional gas supply characteristics and gas grill requirements. A restrictor mechanism, when in first and second configurations, respectively, restricts movement of the valve core to a first predetermined range for a first mode of operation (first type of gas supply) and to a second predetermined range for a second mode of operation (second type of gas supply).
US07966992B2

A system and method for operating a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having at least one actuator for controlling charge dilution of at least one cylinder and at least one spark plug per cylinder include attempting to improve combustion quality by modifying ignition energy of the at least one spark plug before modifying charge dilution of the cylinder, and modifying both ignition energy and charge dilution substantially simultaneously to establish combustion if an ionization sense signal associated with the cylinder indicates a misfire.
US07966990B2

The present invention provides a heated catalyzed fuel injector that dispenses fuel substantially exclusively during the power stroke of an internal combustion engine, wherein ignition occurs in a fast burn zone at high fuel density such that a leading surface of the fuel is completely burned within several microseconds. In operation, the fuel injector precisely meters instantly igniting fuel at a predetermined crank angle for optimal power stroke production. Specifically, the fuel is metered into the fuel injector, such that the fuel injector heats, vaporizes, compresses and mildly oxidizes the fuel, and then dispenses the fuel as a relatively low pressure gas column into a combustion chamber of the engine.
US07966967B2

An electrostatic coating system (1) comprising a coating gun (2) for spraying a coating material toward an article (9) to be coated, and a robot arm (3) for moving the coating gun (2) with respect to the article (9) to be coated wherein a voltage is applied to the coating gun (2). A needle-like electrode (11) which is an electrostatic electrode having a pointed end applied with a voltage having the same polarity as that of the voltage applied to the coating gun (2), is attached to the coating gun (2) or the robot arm (3).
US07966962B1

A boarding aid assists a person in embarking on and disembarking from a deployed dinghy having inflatable pontoon sides with inboard side portions providing opposite inboard side locations. A handgrip bar is supported by a support structure coupled with the dinghy at the opposite inboard side locations, at least substantially midway between the bottom and the gunwale of each pontoon side of the dinghy. When the support structure is in an erect position, the handgrip bar is placed across the beam of the dinghy, with the handgrip bar spaced from the bow and the stern of the dinghy, at an elevated position placing handgrips directly above gunwales of the pontoon sides, rendering a handgrip accessible for ready grasping by a person remaining essentially erect as the person steps aboard or leaves the dinghy. The support structure is selectively removable for stowing apart from the dinghy. In some embodiments, selective pivotal movement of the support structure away from an erect position enables the support structure to be collapsed into a position nested between the pontoon sides for compact stowing with the dinghy.
US07966961B2

A pontoon structure consisting of two concrete side members with a buoyancy member interposed between them, a plurality of transverse members linking the side members and a deck extending between the side members.
US07966959B1

The invention is directed to an apparatus for mitigating the load impact on a surface watercraft and passengers therein, during high speed travel. The hull includes a damping cavity for mitigating the load impact on the surface watercraft. The damping cavity is positioned on a dry portion of an undersurface of the hull between a forward end and an aft end of the hull. The damping cavity includes a porous plate on the undersurface, and a deck plate within the hull body. The deck plate and the porous plate are separated by a gap, and an inflatable bladder may be positioned in the gap between the plates.
US07966956B2

Individual motors in a sewing machine of the invention are provided, for each of a plurality of machine heads, for individually driving respective mechanical components, such as a needle bar driving mechanism, thread take-up lever and presser foot mechanism. A plurality of rotary hooks are driven by a common motor. Even in a case where embroidering workpieces set on the individual machine heads differ in material between the heads and upper threads used for the machine heads differ in characteristic between the heads, the sewing machine can make, in a concurrent, parallel fashion, embroidery products of different texture suited for the respective materials, characteristics, etc., by setting independent stitch formation per machine head.
US07966950B2

A shelf assembly is for carrying goods on a rear seat of a vehicle. The shelf assembly includes a base, a pair of front legs, and a pair rear legs. The base includes a first and a second section. The base, which is for resting on the rear seat, has a front and a rear portion opposing the front portion. The rear legs extend from the rear portion of the sections of the base for supporting the base on the rear seat of the vehicle. A section hinge pivotally connects the first section and the second for folding the first section relative to the second section at the section hinge. A pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs are adapted to extend from the front portion of the sections of the base to support the base on a floor of the vehicle.
US07966946B1

A railway car truck includes side frames each having a pedestal formed on longitudinally opposite ends thereof. Each pedestal has an upper jaw and a lower jaw surrounding a pedestal opening. The upper jaw has a roof section above the pedestal opening and the lower jaw has an inner wall and an outer wall on opposite sides of the pedestal opening. The inner and outer walls are spaced apart from one another to define a wide pedestal opening. A bearing adapter is received in each pedestal opening. Each bearing adapter includes a concave opening to receive a bearing and a generally rectangular center section having a top surface generally opposite the concave opening. The bearing adapter has steps extending outward from sides thereof that have outer surfaces separated by a distance corresponding to the width of the pedestal opening. The railway car truck also includes an elastomeric adapter pad mounted on top of the bearing adapter that has a generally flat, generally rectangular top section and depending legs that extend along the outer surfaces of the steps. The top section defines a pad for engaging the roof section. The depending legs define pads for engaging the inner and outer walls.
US07966942B2

The invention relates to a bending mount (24) for a switch arrangement for magnetically levitated railways. The bending mount comprises at least a box-shaped support element (25) that extends in the longitudinal direction (x) and on which are fixed successively arranged supporting metal sheets (27) that extend on both sides of the support element and serve to assemble the pieces of equipment (10, 12). According to the invention, the supporting metal sheets (27) are configured as single-piece components which extend over the width of the bending mount and are interlinked in the longitudinal direction to form a chain. Said chain essentially does not influence the flexural rigidity of the support element (25) in the desired direction (y) of a switching arrangement but exhibits a high rigidity against torsion about the longitudinal axis (x) and against vibrations in the vertical direction (z).
US07966936B1

A high speed underwater projectile configuration that includes a cylindrical telescoping cavitator design capable of providing projectile nose shape change where such change to the projectile nose tip geometry results in supercavitation and a concomitant vaporous cavity in the water that reduces projectile drag resistance while maximizing projectile range and where the projectile nose tip further includes a retractable cavitator piston feature. The projectile nose is designed to house a cylindrical cavitator piston that protrudes forward from the projectile and is held in place until launch. Velocity induced hydrodynamic forces on the forward face of this cavitator piston cause the piston to start moving aft and to gradually cause the piston to retract into the projectile nose, until a larger, secondary cavitator is exposed to the vaporous cavity.
US07966934B2

A method of processing an overcoat-free on-press developable lithographic printing plate with ink and/or fountain solution is described. The plate comprises on a substrate a photosensitive layer which is either capable of hardening (negative-working) or solubilization (positive-working) upon exposure to a laser, the non-hardened or solubilized areas of the photosensitive layer being soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution. The plate is exposed with a laser, heated to an elevated temperature, and then developed with ink and/or fountain solution on a lithographic press. The laser exposed plate is preferably heated by passing through a heating device or while mounted on a lithographic press before on-press development.
US07966928B2

A food press utensil is disclosed that varies incrementally as needed a weight of the utensil for pressing and cooking different food items on a cooking surface, wherein weight adjustment of the food press, by stacking of a plurality of food presses or other compatible weights, results in even heat distribution on the food to allow for uniform cooking and browning. The food press further can comprise a plurality of apertures through the body of the food press, to allow steam to vent and thus to prevent the food from becoming soggy as it cooks. The food press also can be made to accommodate a surface area of the food that exceeds a surface area of the food press, and thus can be used in any pan or griddle. The invention further can comprise a scraper surface to effect debris removal and preparation of the food cooking surface.
US07966927B2

A machine for preparing and dispensing drinks by extraction under pressure of a food substance contained in a capsule which can function in a standalone mode in order to deliver several drinks successively. The machine includes an extraction module for receiving a capsule, a heat insulated water reservoir for supplying the extraction module, a pump and an electrical power supply that includes a low voltage electrical accumulator configured to supply the pump. The reservoir has a heating device that includes an electrical element powered by the accumulator.
US07966925B2

A sealing unit includes a mismatched metal-to-metal seal and an o-ring seal with a vent hole therebetween. The mismatched metal-to-metal seal may provide a sealing surface between two metals that may withstand high temperatures and pressure while avoiding leakage over many cycles. The sealing units of the present invention may provide a seal capable of withstanding pressures greater than about 5,000 psig, and typically greater than 6,000 psig, and more typically greater than 7,000 psig; and temperatures greater than about 300° F., and typically greater than about 400° F., and more typically greater than about 500° F. over a service life of more than 5,000 cycles. By providing a vent hole between the metal-to-metal seal and the o-ring seal, should either seal leak, damage to the other/good seal may be prevented by expelling the leak out of the system.
US07966924B1

A variable displacement bent axis unit comprising a housing and a yoke pivotally disposed therein wherein the yoke has a cam member attached thereto. A control mechanism that changes the displacement of the unit has a control valve disposed therein that engages the cam member. The cam member itself has a non-linear feedback profile such that the feedback profile provides a linearized speed ratio.
US07966921B1

An apparatus for interfacing an external store to an under-wing pylon suspension rack on a tactical aircraft.
US07966909B2

The present invention relates to a process for forming a razor blade. The process includes the steps of: a) providing a substrate, b) forming a wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate that has an included angle of less than thirty degrees and a tip radius of less than 1,000 angstroms, c) placing the substrate in a vacuum chamber, d) placing a first solid target in the vacuum chamber, e) providing a gas to be ionized in the vacuum chamber, and f) generating ions from the first solid target by applying a negative voltage to the first solid target in pulses, the ions forming a thin film coating on the wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate.
US07966907B2

A finger joint mechanism (1) having two wave gear reduction drives (20, 30) disposed coaxially with each other, in which rotational force of a motor (40) is transmitted to a rotation input shaft (13) common to the drive gears through a driving bevel gear (42) and a driven bevel gear (43). Output shafts (11, 12) are formed integrally with bosses (24, 34) of the cup-like flexible external gears (22, 32) of the wave gear drives (20, 30), and mounting arms (9, 10) of a rotating member (3) are fixedly connected to the output shafts. The wave gear reduction drives, which can be easily reduced in size, are used as the reduction gears for a rotary actuator (5) assembled in the finger joint mechanism. Since the finger joint mechanism uses the two wave gear reduction drives, the rate of increase in torque capacity against the rate of increase in an installation space is much higher than a case where one gear reduction drive with a large model number is used to increase torque capacity of the mechanism.
US07966898B2

A microfluidic embedded nanoelectromechanical system (NEMs) force sensor provides an electrical readout. The force sensor contains a deformable member that is integrated with a strain sensor. The strain sensor converts a deformation of the deformable member into an electrical signal. A microfluidic channel encapsulates the force sensor, controls a fluidic environment around the force sensor, and improves the read out. In addition, a microfluidic embedded vacuum insulated biocalorimeter is provided. A calorimeter chamber contains a parylene membrane. Both sides of the chamber are under vacuum during measurement of a sample. A microfluidic cannel (built from parylene) is used to deliver a sample to the chamber. A thermopile, used as a thermometer is located between two layers of parylene.
US07966896B2

A fixture for a torque meter includes a bearing having a cylindrical stator and a rotor, two or more arms, and two or more elastic members. The cylindrical stator defines a through hole therein. The rotor is rotatably received in the through hole and is configured for holding the torque meter. The at least two arms are respectively connected to two opposite sides of the cylindrical stator. Each of the elastic members elastically supporting a corresponding arm, a compression direction and a rebound direction of the elastic members are parallel to a rotation axis of the rotor.
US07966891B2

A fatigue test apparatus for thin workpiece includes a supporting module, a driving mechanism, a first connecting module, a second connecting module, a first holding post, a second holding post and a computer system. The first and second connecting modules are respectively fixed to two sides of the supporting module. Ends of the first holding post and the second holding post are fixed to the first and second connecting modules. The computer system electronically connects with and controls the driving mechanism. The first holding post and the second holding post are drive to rotate by the driving mechanism.
US07966888B2

A screw fastener includes a first screwdriver including a first bit configured to fasten a first screw by engaging with a recess of the first screw, and a first motor configured to rotate the first bit, a second screwdriver including a second bit configured to fasten a first screw by engaging with a recess of the second screw, and a second motor configured to rotate the second bit, an elevator unit configured to simultaneously ascend and descend both the first screwdriver and the second screwdriver, and a controller configured to control the first motor and the second motor so that seating of the first screw can start after torquing-up of the second screw starts.
US07966871B2

A method of identifying an individual short circuit fuel injector, within an injector bank of an engine comprising a plurality of fuel injectors. Each fuel injector has a piezoelectric actuator and an associated injector select switch forming part of an injector drive circuit. The method comprises: (i) charging all of the piezoelectric actuators of the plurality of fuel injectors within the injector bank during a charge phase; (ii) at the end of the charge phase waiting for a delay period; and (iii) subsequently closing an injector select switch of a fuel injector to select said fuel injector. The method further comprises: (iv) determining a stack voltage present on terminals of the piezoelectric actuator of the selected fuel injector and storing the stack voltage in a data store. The stack voltage is indicative of an amount of charge present on the selected injector at the end of the delay period. The method further comprises (v) repeating steps (i) to (iv) for each fuel injector in the injector bank in turn; and (vi) identifying the individual short circuit fuel injector as being the injector which has discharged beyond a predetermined voltage drop limit during the delay period. The method also comprises generating a short circuit fault signal for the identified fuel injector.
US07966870B2

An air flow measuring device includes a body with a main air passage and a sensor attached to the body for detecting a flow rate of air passing through the main air passage. A positioning part that positions the body and the sensor is configured to be exposed to the outside.
US07966867B2

The invention provides a scanning probe microscope capable of performing highly accurate three-dimensional profile measurement in a state in which no sliding of the probe or deformation of the sample substantially occurs. The present invention realizes a highly accurate three-dimensional profile measurement using a scanning probe microscope, in which the method performs measurement to obtain an accurate three-dimensional profile without causing damage to the sample by having the probe contact the sample at the measurement point and then move to a next measurement point, wherein the probe is pulled up and retracted temporarily and then moved to the next measurement point where it is approximated to the sample again, the method comprises analyzing the signals of the contact force sensor so as to obtain the height of the probe at the time when the probe contacts the sample with zero contact force, so as to substantially eliminate errors caused by sliding of the probe and deformation of the sample caused by minute contact force.
US07966866B2

Methods and instruments for characterizing a material, such as the properties of bone in a living human subject, using a test probe constructed for insertion into the material and a reference probe aligned with the test probe in a housing. The housing is hand held or placed so that the reference probe contacts the surface of the material under pressure applied either by hand or by the weight of the housing. The test probe is inserted into the material to indent the material while maintaining the reference probe substantially under the hand pressure or weight of the housing allowing evaluation of a property of the material related to indentation of the material by the probe. Force can be generated by a voice coil in a magnet structure to the end of which the test probe is connected and supported in the magnet structure by a flexure, opposing flexures, a linear translation stage, or a linear bearing. Optionally, a measurement unit containing the test probe and reference probe is connected to a base unit with a wireless connection, allowing in the field material testing.
US07966864B2

Method for ascertaining an ethanol content of a fuel with the steps: ascertaining the vapor pressure of the fuel, ascertaining the temperature of the fuel and ascertaining the ethanol content of the fuel as a function of the vapor pressure and the temperature, which were ascertained.
US07966860B2

A method for configuring an array of transducers in an ultrasonic test apparatus for detecting flaws in welds connecting the edges of metal bodies such as plates or pipelines. The method includes the steps of: providing geometrical data of the bevelled edges of the bodies before being welded; identifying different facets of the geometry of the edges; providing geometrical data of a reference plate including a reflector; selecting the angles; and the positions of the transducers in accordance with the geometry of the edges; mounting the transducers to a scanning mechanism in accordance with the selections made; connecting the transducers to at least one control unit for transmitting ultrasound and receiving echo signals by means of the transducers and subsequently calibrating by means of the reference plate the positions of the transducers relative to the scanning mechanism and calibrating gain and gate settings by means of the reference plate.
US07966859B2

A biosensor has an underfill detection system that determines whether a sample of a biological fluid is large enough for an analysis of one or more analytes. The underfill detection system applies an excitation signal to the sample, which generates an output signal in response to the excitation signal. The underfill detection system switches the amplitude of the excitation signal. The transition of the excitation signal to a different amplitude changes the output signal when the sample is not large enough for an accurate and/or precise analysis. The underfill detection system measures and compares the output signal with one or more underfill thresholds to determine whether an underfill condition exists.
US07966857B1

An HVAC connector is disclosed that includes a one-piece conduit. The conduit includes a generally planar, rectangular mounting flange that defines an air inlet into the conduit. A first body portion extends from the mounting flange and a second body portion extends from the first body portion to define a generally tubular takeoff neck having a round outlet that is disposed generally parallel to the mounting flange.
US07966839B2

A system for controlling a heating and cooling system for use on a machine includes a condenser, an evaporator assembly, an electric motor driven compressor, and a master controller operable to determine and regulate an operational speed of the compressor. The master controller includes a plurality of control algorithms each receiving respective dynamic input information and outputting a respective controller speed request based upon the respective dynamic input information.
US07966835B2

A climate control device includes a first and a second thermal module. The first module is configured to provide climate conditioned air to a first portion of a seat. The second module is configured to provide climate conditioned air to a second portion of the seat. A control system is provided for controlling the climate control device. The control system includes an input device for providing a set point for the system. A first control unit of the control system is provided for the first thermal module and a second control unit is provided for the second thermal module.
US07966828B2

A variable area fan nozzle for use with a gas turbine engine system includes a nozzle section that is attachable to a gas turbine engine for influencing flow through the fan bypass passage of the gas turbine engine. The nozzle section is movable between a first length and a second length that is larger than the first length to influence the flow. For example, the nozzle section includes members that are woven together to form collapsible openings that are open when the nozzle section is moved to the first length and that are closed when the nozzle section is moved to the second length.
US07966823B2

A gas turbine engine augmentor includes an augmentor outer casing 502 and an annular augmentor liner 504 disposed radially within and radially separated from the augmentor outer casing 502 to form a generally annular augmentor liner cooling flow path 500 between the augmentor casing and the annular augmentor liner, and an augmentor flow splitter duct 506 disposed at the upstream end of the augmentor liner and radially between the augmentor outer casing 502 and the annular augmentor liner 504 and defining a splitter flow path 520 between the annular augmentor liner 504 and the annular augmentor flow splitter duct 506. A method of operating a gas turbofan engine including an augmentor includes directing a portion of fan bypass air into a generally annular augmentor liner cooling flow path 500 between an augmentor outer casing 502 and an annular augmentor liner 504, directing a portion of the air in the augmentor liner cooling flow path 500 into a splitter flow path 520 disposed radially outside the augmentor liner 504 and maintaining positive backflow pressure margin between air flow within the splitter flow path and the augmentor liner cooling flow path 500.
US07966822B2

A gas turbine combustion system for burning air and fuel into exhaust gases. The gas turbine combustion system may include a combustor, a turbine nozzle integral with the combustor for providing the air to the combustor, and a fuel injector for providing the fuel to the combustor. The turbine nozzle and the fuel injector are positioned within the combustor such that a mixture of the air and the fuel flows in a first direction and the exhaust gases flow in a second direction.
US07966819B2

Fuel injector assemblies with frictionally damped fuel supply members, including fuel feed strips. More particularly, the invention provides friction dampers and/or assemblies that frictionally damp movement of fuel supply members in at least one direction. Some of the embodiments provide a friction damper that is easily serviceable, and can be installed after final assembly of a fuel injector. Aspects of the invention are applicable to other components of fuel injectors and gas turbine engines in addition to fuel supply members.
US07966817B2

An internal combustion engine comprises includes a turbo-compound and the known Föttinger-coupling is replaced by a torsion vibration damper. The Föttinger-coupling, which is used to transmit power, has high losses in power when it is necessary to have a differential rotational speed between the input side and the output side, that is, the appearance of a slip. The losses are not used in a torsion vibration damper which has at least the same quality as a Föttinger-coupling.
US07966812B2

A method of regenerating a particulate filter utilizes two temperature levels, with the first, lower, level removing stored hydrocarbons and urea from an SCR catalyst. The second, higher, level then follows for filter regeneration. Because the regeneration occurs after the SCR catalyst has been purged of hydrocarbons and urea, for example, the temperature experienced by the SCR catalyst during regeneration is reduced. In this way, SCR degradation may be reduced.
US07966806B2

A turbofan engine assembly includes a core gas turbine engine including a high-pressure compressor, a combustor, and a high-pressure turbine, a low-pressure turbine coupled to said core gas turbine engine, a counter-rotating booster compressor comprising a first rotor section configured to rotate in a first direction and a second rotor section configured to rotate in an opposite second direction, and a gearbox comprising an input and an output, said gearbox output coupled to at least one of said first and second rotor sections, said gearbox input coupled to said low-pressure turbine. A method of assembling the turbofan engine assembly described herein is also provided.
US07966803B2

A pulsed detonation combustor (PDC) is described. The PDC includes an outer casing defining a first hollow chamber configured to receive a flow and an inner liner. The inner liner includes at least one portion positioned within the first hollow chamber and configured to receive the flow from a plenum formed between the outer casing and inner liner. The PDC further includes a flow turning device with geometric features configured to direct the flow from the plenum to a second hollow chamber defined within the inner liner. The PDC also includes at least one fuel injection port located downstream of an inlet to the outer casing and an ignition device located downstream of the at least one fuel injection port and configured to periodically ignite fuel.
US07966800B2

The invention relates to a drag chain system. The aim of the invention is to reduce the generation of noise in such a system. For this purpose, a side piece has at least one elastic element which is fixed at one end. The side piece comprises at least one stop so that the elastic element of a side piece can interact with a stop of another side piece.
US07966792B1

This device for encasing light strings for storage provides a canister as a handle that is concentric with a cylindrical feed tube that is at least partially within the canister together with a cartridge type removable dispensing tube that slides over the feed tube and within the canister. The canister is attached to the large end of a funnel on the feed tube entry end through which a light string may be fed. The canister and feed tube thus form an annular slot into which the removable cartridge type dispensing tube may be received and releasably secured slidably over the feed tube. The tubular plastic is loaded on the dispensing tube prior to the dispensing tube being slid and secured over the feed tube.
US07966782B2

An enclosed structure, such as a patio enclosure, sunroom, or solarium, is attachable to the exterior wall of a building, has a high proportion of windows and a roof, and constructed from a framework of composite members and insulating wall panels, wherein header and post beams of the room wall assemblies are extruded from material having improved thermal characteristics and stability. Importantly, the beams enable wire services to be routed in concealed fashion from a power source associated with the building to accessible locations in the room and remote to the building. The header and post beams are configured to enable the wire services to be concealed but yet accessible for repair and routing through the header beams and into one or more post beams, as desired.
US07966778B2

Device for the earthquake-resistant mounting of a partition between a floor (2) and a ceiling (4). The partition includes: a frame having (i) a lower runner (8) and an upper runner (10) which are essentially horizontal, and (ii) essentially-vertical studs which connect the upper and lower runners; and a coating (6) which is fixed to the frame. The device includes: a contoured slide (18) which is intended to be solidly connected to the upper runner (10) and which has an essentially-U-shaped cross-section, and a top rail (30) which is intended to be fixed to the ceiling (4) and partially housed in the slide (18) between the arms of the U-shaped section thereof. The slide (18) and the top rail (30) are mounted such that they can move vertically in relation to one another. In addition, reversible detent elements are also provided between the slide (18) and the top rail (30).
US07966777B2

A telescoping mast apparatus has a plurality of nesting cylinders. The telescoping mast apparatus has a plurality of telescoping cylinders and a plurality of straps. The plurality of cylinders is extendable from a base. Each strap extends from near a bottom of an outer cylinder, around an upper roller near a top of the outer cylinder, and is attached near a bottom of an inner cylinder. The plurality of straps and the plurality of telescoping cylinders intercouples in series with alternating straps and cylinders. The plurality of cylinders is extended by retracting a first strap from the outer cylinder, which raises an intermediate cylinder, which retracts the intermediate strap from the intermediate cylinder, which raises the second intermediate cylinder.
US07966772B2

A tubular insert sleeve for an excavated hole and a safety cover fitted to cover an operatively upper end of the insert sleeve are provided to maintain the integrity of an excavated hole and limit access to the hole in order to improve the safety of the public. The sleeve is made of cooperating segments which can easily be separated and which a form a sleeve when assembled. The operatively upper end of the assembled sleeve forms an outwardly extending bell-shaped end of greater outer diameter to define an outwardly extending flange which is more easily grasped for removal of the sleeve from an excavated hole.
US07966771B2

A door operator includes a housing, a first pressure compartment; a second pressure compartment, a drive unit disposed in the housing and coupleable to a door via an output shaft, the driving unit being associated with the first pressure compartment, a hydraulic pump in hydraulic connection with the first and second pressure compartments, a motor in driving relationship with the hydraulic pump, and a spring force accumulator disposed in the housing. The spring force accumulator is associated with the second pressure compartment and coupled to the drive unit.
US07966770B1

A counterbalance assembly for counterbalancing a tilt-in window sash within a guide track of a window frame. A brake shoe housing is provided having a face section and a rear section defined between a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges. At least one of the two side edges is a curved surface having a convex curvature. A curl spring is provided having a free end. The free end of the curl spring engages the brake shoe housing, therein applying a turning torque to the brake shoe housing that cocks the brake shoe housing and moves the curved surface into tangential contact with the guide track. A cam actuator is interposed between the face section and the rear section that spreads these sections into contact with the guide track when the tilt-in window sash is tilted forward.
US07966766B2

The instant invention provides a kit for assembly of a raised garden bed. The raised garden bed includes panel members, corner connector members, and linear connector members constructed of a polymeric material and adapted to be snapped together into a substantially rigid raised garden bed without the need for special tools or excessive strength. A tongue and groove arrangement is also provided to allow for panel member stacking for increased garden bed height. The components of the kit are constructed and arranged to be packed into a relatively small profile for shipping and transport and are generally light enough to be loaded and unloaded without the need for equipment such as a forklift or pallet jack.
US07966762B2

A bolt action rifle with safety latching mechanism has an upper receiver including a movable bolt assembly, a lower receiver having a trigger assembly and releasably attached to the upper receiver, the bolt assembly movable between a cocked position and an uncocked position, and the upper receiver and the lower receiver including a latching mechanism operable to prevent the lower receiver from being detached from the upper receiver while the bolt assembly is in the cocked position.
US07966759B2

A firearm lock that is inserted through the magazine port of a suitable firearm. The firearm lock extends from the magazine port into the bolt compartment of the firearm. The lock blocks the firearm bolt from returning from a retracted position, which may prevent the firearm from being disassembled, preventing circumvention of the lock. The lock may have a projection that can be moved into the magazine release mechanism recess to secure the lock in place. The firearm lock may be unlocked by hand or may require a key or a combination.
US07966756B1

The illuminable address display system may include mobile support blocks adjustably connected to each other. An anterior side of each support block may have an illuminable transparent number. The system may further include a plurality of conductive cords, with ball bearings attached directly to first and second opposed ends. The cords may adjustably connect adjacent support blocks and the first conductive cord may connect to a power source. Each support block perimeter may also includes a track with a plurality of sockets running along the thereof. A conductive coupling may be seated within each support block and electronically coupled to the track. The conductive couplings transmit electricity from the power source, along adjacent conductive cords, and to a light-emitting member in each support block. A controller may be coupled to the conductive cords for toggling each illuminable number into off or on modes.
US07966751B2

Sole with stretchable structure, in which the forepart is associated with a stretchable material to fit differing foot widths easily; and footwear equipped with such a sole. The sole base (1) comprises openings (4) in which the lugs (3) of the stretchable part (2) are positioned in a sealed manner. The insole (5) comprises a deformable structure (6) in its forepart. When the wearer's foot is put into a footwear article provided with such a complex, it exerts pressure on the edges of the upper (10) thus causing deformation of the sole, which avoids feelings of compression of the foot.
US07966746B2

A device and related method are provided for lyophilizing a substance within the device and storing therein the lyophilized substance. The device is penetrable by a needle for filling the device with the substance to be lyophilized, and a resulting needle hole in the device is laser resealable by transmitting thereon laser radiation from a laser source. The device defines a chamber for receiving therein the substance to be lyophilized. A needle penetrable and laser resealable portion of the device is pierceable with a needle to form a needle aperture therethrough to fill the chamber with the substance to be lyophilized through the needle, and is laser resealable to hermetically seal the needle aperture by applying laser radiation thereto. A filter is connectable in fluid communication between an interior and exterior of the chamber for permitting fluid to flow therethrough in a direction from the interior to the exterior of the chamber, and for substantially preventing contaminants from flowing therethrough in a direction from the exterior to the interior of the chamber.
US07966736B2

The grass-cutting head (101) has a body (103) forming a housing for at least one spool of cutting line (F1; F2), provided with at least one outlet hole (111) of an end of the cutting line wound on said spool positioned inside the head. For each outlet hole, a guide channel for the cutting line is also provided, extending from the inside of the housing towards the hole and having an inclined trend, gradually moving away from said axis of rotation.
US07966734B2

A tack strip cutter including a top blade holder and a bottom blade holder having a leverage handle for bringing the blade holders together with a leverage force. A splay inhibition guide on one of the blade holders prevents lateral movement of the blade holders when the tool is used.
US07966723B2

An electronics component support assembly and an electronics system assembly employing the component support assembly are provided. The component support assembly includes a rotatable base support and a component connector assembly. The rotatable base support is sized to reside within an electronics enclosure and to operatively support multiple electronics components thereon. The component connector assembly is associated with the rotatable base support, and at least some electronics components of the multiple electronics components couple thereto when operatively supported by the rotatable base support. Rotation of the rotatable base support facilitates access to the multiple electronics components, and the component connector assembly allows for rotation of the rotatable base support with the multiple electronics components operatively supported on the rotatable base support.
US07966722B2

Planarization methods for maintaining planar surfaces in the fabrication of such devices as BAW devices and capacitors on a planar or planarized substrate are described. In accordance with the method, a metal layer is deposited and patterned, and an oxide layer is deposited using a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP CVD) process to a thickness equal to the thickness of the metal layer. The HDP CVD process provides an oxide layer on the patterned metal tapering upward from the edge of the patterned metal layer. Then, after masking and etching the oxide layer from the patterned metal layer, the patterned metal layer and surrounding oxide layer form a substantially planar layer, interrupted by small remaining oxide protrusions at the edges of the patterned layer. These small remaining oxide protrusions may be too small to significantly disturb the flatness of a further oxide or other layer or they may be further mitigated by the application of another HDP CVD oxide film.
US07966715B2

A method of manufacturing a carbon electrode for melting an object to be melted by arc discharge, includes: a rubbing step of rubbing the surface of the carbon electrode before power is supplied with a rubbing material of the same type as the object to be melted.
US07966714B2

Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.
US07966708B2

A method of crimping a stent to a support element is disclosed, the method comprising: positioning a polymeric stent around a support element; heating the stent, wherein the heated stent is above ambient temperature; and allowing the heated stent to radially contract onto the support element, wherein the heated stent radially contracts at least partially due to heating the stent.
US07966697B2

A hinge has two leaves (11″), (13″) connected by a hinge pin (42″) retained in alternate sleeves (17″), (19″) on the facing edges of the two leaves, with limited axial movement of the hinge leaves relative to one another along the pin. A spring (46″) biases the leaves towards one end of this movement, where sleeves (19″) on one leaf (13″) have slots (74, 84) at one axial end and sleeves (17″) are axially preceded by flanges (76) which, according to the angular opening of the hinge, either abut the ends of the respective sleeves (19″) or enter one or other of the slots (74, 84). When the flange (76) abuts the sleeve end, the hinge is free to rotate, but when the hinge reaches an opening angle at which spring pressure causes the flange (76) to enter one or other of the slots, the hinge is locked. It can be released by manually sliding the locked sleeves (17″), (19″) apart against the spring pressure.
US07966694B2

A foldable electronic equipment comprising a first part (2) and a second part (3) that are interconnected through a hinge (4). The hinge (4) comprises at least one leaf spring (17) that is connected to the first part (2) and the second part (3) and is arranged to force the first part (2) and the second part (3) away from each other. Additionally, a camera is provided on the hinge, the camera being aligned with an opening on the hinge when the first part and the second part are forced away from each other.
US07966682B2

A tunnel finisher in which the articles of clothing (14) are impinged on with steam pulses in a discontinuous fashion. This lowers the steam requirement. It is additionally provided that other points of the article of clothing (14) are continuously impinged on with steam, as a result of which no damage to the articles of clothing (14) occurs during the steam impingement. It is finally provided that transport hangers (15), on which the articles of clothing (14) hang while being transported through the tunnel finisher, are rotated in opposite directions, as a result of which halves of adjacent articles of clothing (14) alternately assume relatively large and relatively small spacings relative to one another. In this way, the articles of clothing (14) can be impinged on effectively and with steam.
US07966678B2

An infant care bed for supporting an infant having incorporated therein, certain testing and evaluation devices to carrying out the evaluation of an infant in a medical care facility. The apparatus can carry out at least one of the following tests on the infant: determining the weight of an infant, determining the sucking strength of an infant, determining the ability of the infant to hear certain frequencies and determining the bilirubin level of the infant's blood. The infant care bed includes a computer with a memory device such that the hospital can input a customized protocol of the tests to be performed on the infant and the criteria for passing the tests. A data input allows the personnel to input test results and a display provides an account of the tests performed and the tests not performed to assure that all of the tests required by the protocol are conducted.
US07966676B2

The present invention provides a toilet bowl flushing water tank device which can largely open a discharge valve element instantaneously and, at the same time, can ensure a relatively large space in the vicinity of a discharge valve device thus enhancing a discharge capacity with a small power. A push button mounted on a tank lid body of a flushing water tank body is arranged at a position offset to one side from a position where a discharge opening is formed, a leverage device is constituted of a lever which is interlockingly connected to the discharge valve element and a pedestal which pivotally supports a middle portion of the lever. The pedestal pivotally supports a middle portion of the lever at a position closer to a push button side than the discharge valve device.
US07971260B2

A system for collecting data regarding network behaviors of users is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system combines session records of users with corresponding transaction records reflective of e-commerce transactions. The session records may, for example, be generated by one or more collection engines deployed by one or more Internet Service Providers. The transaction records may, for example, be obtained through interactions with one or more merchant web sites. By combining these two types of information, the system can, for example, identify a set of user actions that led to a particular purchase transaction.
US07971259B2

A device and a method for establishing a trusted path between a user interface and a software application to securely execute the software stored in a memory along the trusted path and offer the user's desired service are provided. Accordingly, the trusted path is established so that attackers can not invade a normal path between the user interface and software. Additionally, the device securely executes the original software which is not fabricated so that the user can receive desired services from the device.
US07971251B2

Systems and methods for distributed monitoring of a wireless network using a plurality of wireless client devices in communication with the wireless network.
US07971243B2

A method and apparatus for restricting access of an application to computer hardware. The apparatus includes both an authentication module and a validation module. The authentication module is within the trusted firmware layer. The purpose of the authentication module is to verify a cryptographic key presented by an application. The validation module is responsive to the authentication module and limits access of the application to the computer hardware. The authentication modules may be implemented in software through a firmware call, or through a hardware register of the computer.
US07971234B1

The invention provides an authentication scheme that allows networked devices to establish trust in connection with the exchange of keys pursuant to an asymmetrical cryptographic technique, such as Diffie-Hellman. The invention provides a technique, referred to as offline key establishment, that establishes a trust relationship between two networked devices that use Diffie-Helman. Offline key sharing provides for the exchange of authentication information using a separate channel which, in the preferred embodiment does not constitute an IP connection. Thus, while communications between networked devices may ultimately proceed via a network connection, trust between the networked devices is established via a separate, offline channel, such as a telephone call or email message. The use of offline key establishment allows for such features as one way key sharing; and addresses situations where one party to the exchange does not want to share all of his keys, but just one or two keys.
US07971233B2

A communication device sends content or content identification information to another communication device and receives content or content identification information from another communication device. The communication device includes an evaluation value calculation unit that calculates an evaluation value; an evaluation value data receiving unit that receives the evaluation value from each of other communication devices aside from the terminal itself; a ranking processing portion that ranks the evaluation values of the terminal itself and the other communication devices, and generates an evaluation value ranking; and a user input/output accepting portion that presents the evaluation value ranking to the user of the terminal itself.
US07971227B1

A method and apparatus are provided for implementing transfer of files to receivers in a digital broadcast system. The data files are partitioned into segments that are interspersed in a broadcast signal. Segment headers are provided to indicate the number of segments that constitute a corresponding data file and to uniquely identify each of segment in a data file. Receivers allocate memory to store segments for a selected data file based on data in the segment headers. The headers can be provided with data to address data files to selected receivers. Receivers are programmed to monitor the progress of storing segments of a selected data file during an initial broadcast and to use rebroadcasts to complete a file transfer.
US07971224B2

A method for activating several applications, where a received start up application determines whether a first application or a second application will be activated. The first application, which is received, along with the start up application, is activated if a file of additional data is not present in a memory. Conversely, the second application will be activated if the file is present in the memory.
US07971223B2

A queue management module receives a message to queue location information for multimedia content. The queue management module stores the location information in a queue corresponding to a subscriber. The queue management module receives a message for location information from a video distribution module. The queue management module transmits a message for retrieval of multimedia content to the video distribution module. In other examples, a queue agent module transmits a message for location information for multimedia content to a queue management module. The queue agent module receives a message for retrieval of content from the queue management module. The queue agent module retrieves the multimedia content from the remote content server using the location information received in the message for retrieval of content. A data storage module identifies available storage in limited storage provided for the subscriber and stores the retrieved multimedia content in the limited storage for the subscriber.
US07971216B2

A method of displaying broadcast channel information on a broadcast terminal. The method includes touching a pointer at a first position on a touch screen of the broadcast terminal and then dragging the pointer to a second position on the touch screen, and displaying information about broadcast channels respectively assigned in advance to the first and second positions while the pointer is dragged from the first position to the second position.
US07971213B2

Disclosed is a spindle motor comprising: an integral turntable including: a table on which a rotating body to be installed, and an inner side wall and an outer side wall formed to be recessed upwards at a portion therebetween on a lower surface of the table so that a predetermined hollow is formed, a surface of thereof being formed slant; a ball cover for covering a ball inserted into the hollow and the hollow; a rotation shaft an upper portion of which is inserted into a center of the integral turntable; a bearing supporting a lower portion of the rotation shaft; a coil formed on an outside of the rotation shaft; and a magnet formed on an outside of the coil.
US07971210B2

The present invention concerns a method and system for enabling a server application to be executed in the same Java Virtual Machine (VM) as a client application using direct Java method calls without the need for remote communications protocol processing of the method calls. This is achieved by providing an application program interface (API) that exposes objects comprising the server application program to the client application program, whereby a client application method call is reduced by the interface to a Plain Old Java Objects (POJO) method call.
US07971209B2

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for messaging. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method may include initiating a call from a first application to a second application. The method may determine whether the first application is local to the second application. A call may be made as a local call from the first application to the second application, when it is determined that the first and second applications are on the same computer. A call may be made as a remote call from the first application to the second application, when it is determined that the first and second applications are on separate computers. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US07971208B2

Various embodiments provide for a layered approach to developing operating system platform components such as a color management system. This can be accomplished by providing new functionality and by utilizing an existing API module comprising existing APIs to receive input that can be associated with either current functionality, legacy functionality, or the new functionality. Furthermore, a rule-based module conceptually located below the operating system's existing public API module can be used to determine the appropriate processing functionality for the received input—which can then be processed accordingly.
US07971207B2

An integrating component exposes a connection interface for creating and maintaining connections. A proxy client component is disclosed that interacts with a known application-level interface and converts known application-level interface commands into appropriate commands for the connection interface of the integrating component. The proxy client component interacts with the integrating component to represent underlying connection-oriented devices and attendant device characteristics to the known application-level interface. This allows an application programmer to take advantage of a connection-oriented I/O subsystem and underlying connection-oriented devices without requiring the programmer to learn another interface. Benefits include the ability to dynamically redirect a data stream received over a created connection from one data transport to another under application control. This is useful in multimedia applications where different types of data may come over the same connection.
US07971200B2

A defective self-sustained code-upgrade code is recovered. A relevant unset variable is set to avoid an un-initialized command failure. A relevant set variable is unset to render a second invocation of the set variable to appear as a first invocation A fix-named file is retrieved containing a plurality of code entries organized in a stanza style. The fixed-named file is executed. The plurality of stanza-organized entries are sourced by the defective code-upgrade code to change a variable which has been previously set, thereby overriding an existing process.
US07971197B2

A digital computer system automatically creates an Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) that potentially exploits VLIW instructions, vector operations, fused operations, and specialized operations with the goal of increasing the performance of a set of applications while keeping hardware cost below a designer specified limit, or with the goal of minimizing hardware cost given a required level of performance.
US07971196B2

A method and implementing computer system are provided in which selected information is embedded within computer program structures without requiring separate bit strings. In an exemplary embodiment, the embedded selected information includes an identification of a licensed user together with a serial number of the associated licensed program. That information is converted into a binary representation, and a transfer function is used to embed the binary representation into the structure of the licensed program. In the example, when a licensed program is compiled, linked and downloaded over an interconnection network, the order or sequence of the modules of the licensed program is arranged in a manner to correspond to the embedded selected information. The embedded information can then be extracted from the program by analysis of the organization of the modules comprising the program.
US07971195B2

Instructions in an asynchronous transactional messaging language are transformed into instructions that are compatible with the web services. In one embodiment, the asynchronous transactional messaging language is XLANG/s, and the web service languages are the web services description language (WSDL) and the simple object access protocol (SOAP). A programmer simply writes high level declarative statements that pertain to the specific type of business transaction. During compilation, selected instructions are transformed into instructions that are compatible with web services. This transformation is transparent to the designer of the business application. The asynchronous transactional messaging language source files are compiled in an iterative compilation process. During each pass of this compilation process, different variables are parsed. The parsed results are logically organized in a tree structure. The tree structure is traversed in depth first traversal order. During this traversal, instructions are transformed into instructions compatible with web services.
US07971194B1

Techniques that facilitate development of applications that may be executed by a client program. The client program may be a modeling framework that may be hosted by a browser or other client-side program. A programming language (referred to as “GmlScript”) is provided for developing the applications. In one embodiment, the programming language provides various features such as object-oriented programming, client-side scripting, self-contained components, aspect-oriented programming, namespaces and self-contained components (kits), classes, methods, and properties, prototypes for multiple inheritance, events and listeners for implementing dynamics and constraints, transactions for ensuring model consistency and for undo/redo operations, objects persistency, dynamic loading, introspection, self documentation, preprocessing pragmas, and other features.
US07971192B2

A method of analyzing simulation results of a model, the method comprising: obtaining a process model including model elements including tasks, non-reusable sub-processes, and called reusable sub-processes; assigning a unique identifier to each model-element; generating unique model-element-proxies for all model-elements except for model elements corresponding to a model-reusable-sub-process or a model element contained by a model-reusable-sub-process; generating unique model-element-proxies for model-reusable-sub-processes and model-elements contained by model-reusable-sub-processes; associating each generated model-element-proxy with a corresponding model-element; executing simulation of the process model and persisting for each element instance data produced during simulation, the instance data including an element instance identifier and a corresponding model-element-proxy identifier; querying persisted simulation data for information using model-element-proxy identifiers.
US07971180B2

A method for scoring and ranking multi-dimensional project plans for implementing packaged software applications, the method includes: determining one or more dimensions for a project plan; assigning one or more attributes to each of the one or more dimensions; assigning one or more utility functions to each of the one or more attributes; assigning one or more weights to each of the one or more attributes; assigning one or more ordering factors to one or more combinations and permutations of the dimensions; calculating a series of scores for the one or more combinations and permutations of the dimensions; ranking the one or more combinations and permutations of the dimensions based on the calculated series of scores; and wherein each of the one or more combinations and permutations of the dimensions represents a different individual multi-dimensional project plan.
US07971179B2

A system and method for providing artifact lifespan and relationship representation is disclosed. A timeline portion of a lifespan of at least two artifacts is provided. In addition, a relationship representation portion between the at least two artifacts is also provided. The timeline portion of the lifespan of the at least two artifacts and the relationship representation portion between the at least two artifacts is then combined at a ligature. A browser is then provided for displaying the ligature, wherein the browser is capable of adding, removing or editing the timeline portion and the representation portion of the ligature.
US07971178B1

Techniques are present for designing of integrated circuits. Both custom design data and synthesized digital design data are received and merged into a design database in an automated process. The design database is then made accessible to layout tools so that the layout tools may operate upon it. These layout tools can include, but are not limited to, custom tools, digitals, or a combinations of these.
US07971177B2

A method for simulating operation of a charge trapping memory cell which computes the amount of charge trapped by determining first tunneling current through the tunneling layer, determining second tunneling current out of the charge trapping layer to the gate, determining third tunneling current escaping from traps in the charge trapping layer and tunneling out to the gate, and integrating said tunneling currents over a time interval. A change in threshold voltage can be computed for a transistor including the charge trapping structure. The parameter set can include only physical parameters, including layer thickness, band offsets and dielectric constants.
US07971176B2

A method of testing an integrated circuit. The method includes selecting a set of physical features of nets and devices of the integrated circuit, the integrated circuit having pattern input points and pattern observation points connected by the nets, each of the nets defined by an input point and all fan out paths to (i) input points of other nets of the nets or (ii) to the pattern observation points; selecting a measurement unit for each feature of the set of features; assigning a weight to each segment of each fan out path based on a number of the measurement units of the feature in each segment of each fan out path of each of the nets; and generating a set of test patterns optimized for test-coverage and cost based on the weights assigned to each segment of each of the nets of the integrated circuit.
US07971168B1

In various embodiments, each possible different instance of a repeated block can be concurrently optimized for timing. Each instance of a repeated block may be treated as a mode, such as a functional mode or testing mode, allowing implementation calculations to be performed simultaneously. Using multimode timing analysis, all instances of a repeated block can be analyzed and optimized simultaneously. Based on the multimode analysis, instances of a repeated block may be implemented identically or substantially similarly, which can reduce costs associated with implementing the same block more than once (e.g., impact to schedule, CPU/memory resources, ECOs).
US07971161B2

A method for implementing speculative clock gating of digital logic circuits in a multiple stage pipeline design includes generating, in a first pipeline stage n, a valid control signal that is input to a first register in a second pipeline stage n+1, the valid control signal indicative of when an operation is qualified to be performed by the second pipeline stage n+1; and generating, in the first pipeline stage, a speculative valid control signal that is used to gate a clock signal to a plurality of additional registers in the second pipeline stage, wherein the speculative valid control signal is generated using only a subset of a total number of control inputs used in generating the valid control signal, and wherein the clock signal is sent directly, without gating, to the first register in the second pipeline stage.
US07971158B2

A design structure is provided for spacer fill structures and, more particularly, spacer fill structures, a method of manufacturing and a design structure for reducing device variation is provided. The structure includes a plurality of dummy fill shapes in different areas of a device which are configured such that gate perimeter to gate area ratio will result in a total perimeter density being uniform across a chip.
US07971156B2

A computer-implemented method, system, and program product comprises a gesture processing system for capturing a three-dimensional movement of a user, wherein the three-dimensional movement is determined using at least one stereoscopic image device aimed at the user to identify and track at least one particular three-dimensional movement of the user. The gesture processing system predicts at least one defined movement within the captured three-dimensional movement matching at least one gesture definition of at least one gesture type from among a plurality of gesture definitions. A resource control system receives a request to access a resource based on the predicted at least one gesture type. The resource control system only allows user access to the resource by matching the predicted at least one gesture type with at least one required gesture type.
US07971155B1

A data processing system and method of presenting data on a graphical user interface. A dropdown widget with multiple lists is provided. According to an embodiment, items are grouped into multiple lists, and the lists are presented in an alternating or cyclic fashion in response to a user input. In a certain embodiment, a particular list may be selected for display by choosing the corresponding button on a widget. In some cases, multiple lists may be displayed at the same time. The present invention enables the user to select one or more items from mutually exclusive or hierarchically organized lists.
US07971144B2

An adaptive content platform includes one or more content-enabled, dependent applications, each of which includes a user interface and business logic. A services layer, which is interfaced with the dependent applications and a software infrastructure, provides one or more services that are usable by the dependent applications.
US07971143B2

Senseweb is described. In an embodiment, a first selection identifying a region of interest is recognized. Additionally, a second selection indicating at least one selected condition potentially monitored within the region of interest is recognized. Then, at least one sensor in the region of interest monitoring the selected condition is identified, and data communicating the selected condition from the sensor is automatically associated with a representation of the region of interest.
US07971132B2

A method, system and apparatus for adapting the multimedia content for presentation by an application that uses, processes or otherwise services the multimedia content (“multimedia application”) is provided. The method includes receiving the multimedia content formatted in accordance with at least one of a plurality of multimedia protocols; using a function abstracted from the plurality of multimedia protocols to adapt the multimedia content in accordance with one or more capabilities of the multimedia application; and sending the multimedia content so adapted to the multimedia application for presentation.
US07971130B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide multi-level signal memory with LDPC and interleaving. Thus, various embodiments of the present invention provide a memory apparatus that includes a memory block comprising a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell adapted to operate with multi-level signals. Such a memory apparatus also includes a low density parity check (LDPC) coder to LDPC code data values to be written into the memory cells and an interleaver adapted to apply bit interleaved code modulation (BICM) to the LDPC coded data values to generate BICM coded data values. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07971129B2

A method of encoding data for transmissions from a source to a destination over a communications channel is provided. The method operates on an ordered set of source symbols and may generate zero or more redundant symbols from the source symbols, wherein data is encoded in a first step according to a simple FEC code and in a second step, data is encoded according to a second FEC code, more complex than the first FEC code. The first FEC code and/or the second FEC code might comprise coding known in the art. These steps result in two groups of encoded data in such a way that a low-complexity receiver may make use of one of the groups of encoded data while higher complexity receivers may make use of both groups of encoded data.
US07971119B2

A method for defect-based scan analysis comprises, determining a neighborhood net for a circuit node, injecting defects into the neighborhood net, modeling the defects with stuck-at-0 and stuck-at-1 fault models, generating and applying test patterns to the neighborhood net, determining whether the injected defects are observable as faults, adding the test patterns to a set of effective test patterns if the defects are observable, mapping the test patterns to possible stuck-at-0 faults or stuck-at-1 faults, collecting stuck-at-0 and stuck-at-1 fault test patterns, performing stuck-at-0 and stuck-at-1 fault simulations using the stuck-at-0 and stuck-at-1 fault test patterns, respectively, generating first and second fault lists, combining first and second fault lists into combined fault lists, deriving a description of the combined fault lists using a complete set of fault models, filtering the combined fault lists to yield a collection of effective faults, and determining a defect for each of the effective faults.
US07971118B2

Provided are a conversion device and others for converting a test vector set so as to reduce a logic value difference generated before and after scan capture in outputs of scan cells included in a full scan sequential circuit. A conversion device converts a test vector set corresponding to the full scan sequential circuit. The conversion device comprises a setting unit for setting a candidate bit which can be a don't care bit and a fixed bit which cannot be the don't care bit according to predetermined constraint conditions based on an input-output relationship in the logic circuit in order to identify the don't care bit identifiable as don't care from each test vector of the test vector set, and a logic value deciding unit for deciding a logic value for the don't care bit in view of a relationship in a plurality of bit pairs in relation to a test cube including the don't care bit identified by the setting unit.
US07971100B2

A failure identification routine uses a two pass stack trace analysis in conjunction with a list of called types. As each method is called, a call list is generated with the called type, method, and various metadata. During the first pass stack trace analysis, each stack frame is analyzed to determine if the failed type is included in the stack frame. If so, the method associated with the frame is flagged as suspect. If the failed type is not found in the first stack trace, a second pass stack trace analysis is performed and an assembly associated with the method associated with the stack frame is analyzed to determine a set of types. The set of types are analyzed to find at least one match with the called types. If a match exists, the methods associated with the matched types are flagged as suspect.
US07971097B2

A host and a storage system each keep a shared identifier indicating a state of a system. The storage system acquires, at update of data, a data pair including data for a change through processing of the host and data before the update. The storage system relates the data pair to a shared identifier. When the host indicates an identifier, the storage system restores data using the data pair.
US07971096B2

Provided are a system, and article of manufacture for system recovery. An operating system and a backup copy of the operating system are both maintained in a partition of a computational device. A boot loader receives an indication to load the backup copy of the operating system. The boot loader loads the backup copy of the operating system. The computational device is rebooted with the loaded backup copy of the operating system.
US07971085B2

A power supply apparatus for a display device includes a power unit for receiving commercial power, converting the commercial power into main power, supplying or cutting off a supply of the main power to the display device, and supplying the main power to a device installed in the display device, a user interface unit for receiving a power control signal from a user, and a control unit for, when the power control signal is inputted, supply or cutting off a supply of the main power to the display device, detecting a power control state of the device, and transmitting the power control signal to the device according to a detected power control state.
US07971069B2

A replicated networked storage domain of an original data partition and one or more replica data partitions in which each partition is stored on a storage device having a network address, is secured by associating with each partition a secret key; sharing the secret keys between the storage devices and a file manager; requesting access to a specific partition by a client; and accessing the specific partition by the client using a credential encrypted by the key associated with the specific partition and including a network address of a storage device which stores the partition.
US07971053B2

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for detecting an intrusion to a communications network. One embodiment describes a system for detecting intrusions. The system has a peripheral card coupled to a host computer system. The peripheral card has a communications portion and a processor managing the communications portion. The communications portion has only a capability for receiving data packets via a communications network. The communications portion lacks capability of transmitting the data packets via the communications network. The communications portion of the peripheral card reduces intrusion of the communications network.
US07971033B2

A method for reducing the number of load instructions in the load reorder queue (LRQ) that are searched when a load instruction is executed by a processor, including dispatching the load instructions; inserting the load instructions in the LRQ in program order; clearing a load received data field; executing the load instructions; checking load reorder queue (LRQ) entries; re-executing the load instruction of the matching LRQ entry; continuing execution; getting the load data; setting the load received data field; comparing a load sequence number (LSQN) of each load instruction to a snoop_safe register contents; ANDing all the load received data bits if the LSQN is greater in magnitude to the snoop_safe; setting the snoop_safe register to the LSQN of the load instruction; searching the LRQ entry; and setting a load_peril_snoop register to the LRQ index value where the first load instruction younger to the snoop_safe was found.
US07971029B2

A barrier synchronization device for realizing barrier synchronization of at least 2 processor cores belonging to a same synchronization group among a plurality of processor cores is included in a multi-core processor having a plurality of processor cores, and when two or more processor cores in that multi-core processor belong to the same synchronization group, the included barrier synchronization device is used for realizing barrier synchronization.
US07971026B2

According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a processor including a register file which holds physical registers to which general purpose registers provided by an instruction set architecture are assigned, a virtual register assigning unit which assigns a virtual address in the main memory space to a physical register in the register file based on a request from a program, and records a correspondence between each of the virtual addresses and a corresponding one of the physical registers in a virtual register conversion table, and an access converting unit which determines whether or not a virtual address to be accessed is recorded in the virtual register conversion table managed by the virtual register assigning unit, and executes, when the virtual address is recorded therein, processing of accessing the physical register of which a correspondence to the virtual address is recorded in the virtual register conversion table.
US07971018B2

A method and a secure mode controller are provided for controlling context switching between secure and user modes in a processing system including a processor and a memory management unit. The method comprises monitoring the memory management unit to detect a non-cache access to an entry point address that contains a secure mode entry instruction, verifying, in response to detection of the entry point address, that the secure mode entry point instruction is executed by the processor, and enabling context switching from the user mode to the secure mode in response to verifying that the secure mode entry instruction is executed by the processor. Each cache line of an instruction cache and a data cache may have a tag containing a secure bit to identify a secure cache line or a non-secure cache line.
US07971015B2

To generate a checkpoint for a virtual machine (VM), first, while the VM is still running, a copy-on-write (COW) disk file is created pointing to a parent disk file that the VM is using. Next, the VM is stopped, the VM' s memory is marked COW, the device state of the VM is saved to memory, the VM is switched to use the COW disk file, and the VM begins running again for substantially the remainder of the checkpoint generation. Next, the device state that was stored in memory and the unmodified VM memory pages are saved to a checkpoint file. Also, a copy may be made of the parent disk file for retention as part of the checkpoint, or the original parent disk file may be retained as part of the checkpoint. If a copy of the parent disk file was made, then the COW disk file may be committed to the original parent disk file.
US07971006B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for handling status commands directed to a partitioned media library. A controller (e.g., storage router or other device) that controls access to the physical media library can receive a status command and determine whether it should respond to the status command without passing the command to the media changer of the physical media library. If the controller should respond, the controller can construct a response and send it to the issuing host application. Otherwise the controller can pass the command to the media changer of the physical media library.
US07971003B2

A method of making cache memories of a plurality of processors coherent with a shared memory includes one of the processors determining whether an external memory operation is needed for data that is to be maintained coherent. If so, the processor transmits a cache coherency request to a traffic-monitoring device. The traffic-monitoring device transmits memory operation information to the plurality of processors, which includes an address of the data. Each of the processors determines whether the data is in its cache memory and whether a memory operation is needed to make the data coherent. Each processor also transmits to the traffic-monitoring device a message that indicates a state of the data and the memory operation that it will perform on the data. The processors then perform the memory operations on the data. The traffic-monitoring device performs the transmitted memory operations in a fixed order that is based on the states of the data in the processors' cache memories.
US07971002B1

Methods and systems for maintaining instruction coherency in a translation-based computer system architecture are described. A translation coherence cache memory can be used to store a memory page reference that identifies a memory page. The cache memory also stores a permission bit corresponding to the memory page reference. The permission bit indicates whether the memory page comprises code that has been translated into another form.
US07970997B2

A program section layout method capable of improving space efficiency of a cache memory. A grouping unit groups program sections into section groups so that the total size of the program sections composing each section group does not exceed cache memory size. A layout optimization unit optimizes the layout of section group storage regions by combining each section group and a program section that does not belong to any section groups or by combining section groups while keeping the ordering relations of the program sections composing each section group.
US07970990B2

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates scalable high-bandwidth memory access using a memory module with optical interconnect. This system includes an optical channel, a memory buffer, and a random-access memory module. The memory buffer is configured to receive a request from a memory controller via the optical channel. The memory buffer handles the received request by performing operations on the random-access memory module and then sending a response to the memory controller via the optical channel. Hence, the memory module with optical interconnect provides a high-speed serial link to the random-access memory module without consuming a large number of pins per channel on the memory controller.
US07970983B2

Methods, apparatus, and computer code for effecting flash policy configuration operations in accordance with an end-user identifier and/or a host-instance identifier are disclosed herein. Exemplary flash policy configuration operations include (i) configuring a flash error-correction policy, (ii) configuring a flash-management table storage policy; (iii) configuring a wear-leveling policy; (iv) configuring a bad-block management policy and (v) configuring a flash-programming voltage parameter. Exemplary end-user identifiers include but are not limited to email account identifiers, logon user names, and International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSI). Exemplary host-instance identifiers may include but are not limited to International Mobile EQUIPMENT Identifiers (IMEI). Optionally, the flash policy configuration is contingent on authentication context data—for example, strength of the authentication (e.g. login/password vs. smartcard authentication or biometric authentication), date of the authentication, and identity provider information.
US07970980B2

A computer system includes at least one processor, multiple memory modules embodying a main memory, a communications medium for communicating data between the at least one processor and main memory, and memory access control logic which controls the routing of data and access to memory. The communications medium and memory access control logic are designed to accommodate a heterogenous collection of main memory configurations, in which at least one physical parameter is variable for different configurations. The bits of the memory address are mapped to actual memory locations by assigning fixed bit positions to the most critical physical parameters across multiple different module types, and assigning remaining non-contiguous bit positions to less critical physical parameters. In the preferred embodiment, the computer system employs a distributed memory architecture.
US07970976B2

Accessing memory on a first device from a second device is supported by reversible host/client interfacing between the devices. The reversible interfacing permits the first and second devices to be configured respectively as host and client, or respectively as client and host.
US07970973B2

A reciprocating plug detector is configured at the connector of a portable device and is pushed to generate a control signal when the portable device is plugged into a host system. A controller of the portable device then performs a command when receiving the control signal. When the portable device is unplugged from the host system, the reciprocating plug detector may also be used for generating the control signal and before the portable device totally leaves the host system, the controller performs other pre-defined command during these few milliseconds. The portable device is implemented with a variety of computer controllability and provided with power-failure protection for data.
US07970971B2

A device may include a link configured to transmit signals. The signals may provide at least one network topology, such as a bus. A tapping structure may be connected to the device using, for example, at least one of a snap fit, a friction fit or an interference fit. The tapping structure may be configured to tap in-band signals, out-of-band signals, or both in-band signals and out-of-band signals.
US07970967B2

A television with integrated signal switch (100) for sharing a television screen (14), a plurality of console devices compliant with an industry standard (16, 18) and at least one peripheral devices (20) with any computer system in a plurality of computer systems (12), is provided comprising a CPU (30); a hub switch module (32) connected to the CPU (30) and configured to communicate with any of the plurality of computer systems (12), and the at least one peripheral devices (20); a device control module (38) for emulating, according to the industry standard, the plurality of console devices, connected to the CPU (30) and the hub switch (32); a host control module (44) connected to the CPU (30) and configured to communicate with the plurality of console devices (16, 18); and a video control module (50) connected to the CPU (30) and configured to communicate with the television screen (14).
US07970965B2

For use in a storage network comprising a plurality of network elements and operable with a block mode access storage protocol, a method of operating a compression system operatively coupled to at least one computer and to one or more storage devices configured as at least one storage logical unit accommodating data compressed by the compression system, the computer, the storage devices and the compression system are configured as separate network elements. According to the method, the compression system is configured to hold a virtual logical unit, the virtual logical unit is configured to virtually represent in non-compressed form the compressed data stored in the at least one storage logical unit. The size of the virtual logical unit corresponds to an estimated size of raw data which, being compressed, would substantially amount to a size of the storage logical unit. The method includes intercepting one or more data access-related requests from the at least one computer addressed to said storage logical unit, addressing the requests to the virtual logical unit, and facilitating mapping between the compressed data and their virtual representation at the virtual logical unit.
US07970953B2

In one aspect, a shared transport layer frame information structure (FIS) generation logic may generate FISes for each of a plurality of SATA ports. In a further aspect, a port addressing logic, in communication with the shared transport layer FIS generation logic, may select one of the SATA ports for each of the FISes.
US07970951B2

A method for media-based data transfer involves obtaining data, by a first virtual network interface card (VNIC) selected from multiple VNICs, where the multiple VNICs are associated with multiple virtual machines, where each of the multiple virtual machines is located in one of multiple computers communicatively coupled with each other via a chassis interconnect, and where the multiple computers share a physical network interface. The method further involves determining a media type connecting the first VNIC with a second VNIC selected from the multiple VNICs, where the first VNIC and the second VNIC are nodes of a virtual network path, where the first VNIC is located in a first computer selected from the multiple computers, and where the second VNIC is located in a second computer selected from the multiple computers. The method further involves choosing a transfer protocol based on the media type, and transferring the data from the first VNIC to the second VNIC using the transfer protocol.
US07970949B2

A communication interface for providing an interface between a data link and a data processor, the data processor being capable of supporting an operating system and a user application, the communication interface being arranged to: support a first queue of data received over the link and addressed to a logical data port associated with a user application; support a second queue of data received over the link and identified as being directed to the operating system; and analyse data received over the link and identified as being directed to the operating system or the data port to determine whether that data meets one or more predefined criteria, and if it does meet the criteria transmit an interrupt to the operating system.
US07970946B1

Event information with respect to events that occur at a client is recorded. A current client real time clock (RTC) timestamp at the occurrence of each event is also recorded. Each event is assigned a unique sequence identification. Event data including the event information and the associated RTC timestamp and sequence identification information are transmitted to a server. The server reconstructs at least one of: a chronological order of the events on the client and the time when each event occurred at the client.
US07970945B1

A method and apparatus for verifying the content contained on components of a distributed network is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of selecting at least one parameter specifying at least one content associated with a first selected component, comparing the at least one content associated with the selected parameter associated with the first selected component to the at least one content associated with the selected parameter associated with a second selected component, and providing an indication when the value of the at least one content associated with the first and second components is not the same. In one aspect of the invention, the method disclosed is further repeated for each component in the system by comparing a prior tested component with a next selected component.
US07970937B2

Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a domain management system, apparatus and method for hosting and assigning domain names. Embodiments of the domain management system comprise a name assignment system and a hosting system, wherein the hosting system comprises a domain retrieval system and a data storage apparatus. The name assignment system verifies availability and assigns domain names to requesting clients. The name assignment system comprises an input component, a confirmation mechanism and a name storage means. Preferred embodiments of the domain retrieval system comprise a scheduler, a parsing member having a plurality of redirectors and a plurality of servers. The domain retrieval system locates the domain referenced by the domain name by parsing header information and utilizing a wildcard DNS. Once the domain is located, the domain retrieval system forwards the domain to the user computer.
US07970934B1

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for detecting events of interest. In one aspect, a method includes generating a network traffic model that includes forecasted time series data representative of a frequency of actions related to a network traffic entity, and identifying that an event of interest has occurred based on a comparison of actual time series data related to the network traffic entity with the forecasted time series data.
US07970929B1

An architecture, system, and method are provided for transparently mapping a network identification number of a host to an access point of an internet. The host can be moved from a first point to a second point on the internet without having to reconfigure routing tables or to update routing protocols. The network identification number of the host does not change as it is moved from the first point to the second point. Thus, the network identification number of the host does not perform routing. Instead, routing occurs by targeting the exit end module onto which the host is connected, i.e., at the second point. The exit end module thereby contains configuration registers which store mapping tables that note the new destination address of any data being sent to the new host location, and properties such as security and priority codes.
US07970922B2

Systems and methods are described for providing peer-to-peer (P2P) media recommendations. In one embodiment, a central streaming media service operates to stream media presentations to user devices of users. For each user desiring to send and receive recommendations, each time a media presentation is streamed to and played by a user device of the user, the central media service provides a recommendation identifying the media presentation to one or more other users associated with the user. Similarly, the central media service provides media recommendations to the user from one or more other users. Once streaming and playback of the media presentation is complete or substantially complete, the central streaming media service automatically selects a next media presentation for the user from a group of media presentations including those identified by the recommendations provided to the user and begins streaming the next media presentation to the user device of the user.
US07970916B2

In one embodiment, a method can include: receiving a request for service in a first edge proxy; applying a hash function to a source address of an endpoint; and forwarding the request to a second edge proxy in response to a first result of the hash function, or servicing the request in the first edge proxy in response to a second result of the hash function.
US07970914B2

Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method, comprising: automatically detecting at an agent an installation of a communications device to a local network coupled to the agent; automatically offering via the communications device a plurality of user-selectable service options relating to a service provider's network and relating to at least one capability of the communications device, the at least one capability detected by the agent; in response to a selection of at least one service option from the plurality of service options, providing via the agent a user connection address.
US07970909B1

A method and system for associating concurrent communication sessions. First and second communication sessions are established. The first and second communication session correspond to a common user account and are active concurrently. The first and second communication sessions are associated with each other to share data between the first and second communication sessions. The first and second communication sessions can be data network and telephone communication sessions established by a web server and a telephony network server, respectively. An application server can connect the web server and the telephony server to associate the data network and telephone communication sessions and share data between the data network and telephone network communication sessions.
US07970907B2

An example of a method for assigning a resource (for example, storage) includes receiving a request for a resource, wherein the request includes a list of paths. This example also includes retrieving a HardwareAccount, Controller, and an AccessAuthorization object for a first path in the list of paths. This example further includes making an attach device request to a CIMOM for a first available resource, using the Controller and the AccessAuthorization object. This example also includes determining if the first available resource was successfully attached, and if so, recording the assignment as successful, and if not, rolling back all assignments for the first available resource that were previously recorded as successful. Another aspect of the invention is a method for creating at least one LUN.
US07970904B2

A computer implemented method and a computer program product provide a provisioning system for automated provisioning of a computing infrastructure by providing relationship factories with resources of the computing infrastructure. The relationship factories include information necessary for establishing relationships within the computing infrastructure. The provisioning system ranks relationship factories according to suitability to provide for appropriate provisioning of new resources added to the computing infrastructure.
US07970875B1

A system and method for computer originated audio file transmission includes a server having a communications module operable to communicate with a terminal unit. The server may also include a storage module operable to store at least one file. A processor may be provided to separate the file into a plurality of packets. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the communications module is operable to send an initial burst of packets to the terminal unit, wherein the initial burst of packets includes at least two of the plurality of packets. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the communications module is further operable to send additional packets of the plurality of packets at a predetermined rate, until each of the plurality of packets has been sent to the terminal unit.
US07970868B2

A method for delivering content to users from a web site system over a network is presented. The method includes one or more users connecting to the web site system over the network for the purpose of registering as a sending party to provide content to the web site system along with providing one or more smart-tags associated with the content, the smart-tags providing qualifying information about the content, or registering as a subscribing party to request content from the web site system by providing a subscription including one or more smart-tags. The sending party requests the web site system to deliver content provided by the sending party and the subscribing party requests delivery of the desired content. The subscribing party receives the desired content from the web site system over the network when the subscription at least in part matches one or more smart-tags provided by the sending party.
US07970867B2

A system supplies links between objects. A link service receives a link request from a client. The request identifies a source object. The link service aggregates links from link providers for which the source object is a source of the links, and provides the aggregated links to the client.
US07970866B2

In a print system, an application server holds an application program. A client computer uses the application program, and data obtained by the application program is printed by a printer. The server acquires a printer driver according to the client information. The application program obtains print data by using the printer driver and sends the print data to the client computer or the printer. Thus, the application program automatically changes the printer driver according to the client information or user.
US07970863B1

Techniques are provided for managing communications from an external computer system to a gateway device on a home network. Content is downloaded to the home network, stored on the home-networking gateway and then made available to a device on the home network that is capable of using the stored content. Additionally, a home-networking gateway manages communications between external computer systems and the home network to give priority to human interactive communications over the downloading of entertainment content for future use.
US07970851B2

A storage management application is provided to manage and monitor virtual storage servers in a hosting storage server. In addition, in order to facilitate virtual storage server management and monitoring, a virtual storage server administrator role is provided. The role is allowed to access details of the virtual storage server assigned to the role, but not the details of the hosting server and other virtual servers.
US07970848B2

Systems and methods for tracking electronic messages and data are provided. In one embodiment, the invention consists of a method of tracking email messages. In various embodiments, steps may include a) identifying an email message for tracking and b) inserting a linking object, into a tracked email message. Responsive to activation by a receiver of the email message, the linking object enables the receiver to submit information to a commercial anti-spam service or a commercial anti-virus service. The method can be used to identify and track email messages defined as spam or defined as containing viruses. The receiver's privacy may be preserved with respect to content of the email message by limiting the information submitted to signatures of the electronic message and other information associated with the electronic message that are reasonably required for spam or virus analysis.
US07970847B1

A method and computing device for processing data are provided. Rule data for visually coding incoming data is stored. First and second profile data are stored, independent of the rule data. Each profile data comprises a respective range of time and a respective recurrence pattern that repeats indefinitely. Each profile data is associated with a respective subset of the rule data. Respective indications are received that first profile data and second profile have been activated. In response, the respective subset is automatically applied during the respective range of time such that incoming data is visually coded at the display device according to the respective subset during the respective range of time. Automatic application of the respective subset during the respective range of time repeats indefinitely according to the respective recurrence pattern until another indication that the respective profile data has been deactivated is received.
US07970844B2

A method of “stateful failover” is provided that allows email gateway systems in a cluster to deliver email messages that have been accepted for delivery by a member of the cluster, but has failed with out delivering the messages. The method involves creating a backup copy of the messages that have been accepted for delivery by one email gateway system in the stateful failover cluster on one or more other email gateway systems in the stateful failover cluster. Upon detecting the failure of the email gateway system that accepted the message, another member of the stateful failover cluster that has access to the backup copy of the message queue takes responsibility for the delivery of the messages on the mirrored queue.
US07970824B1

The current invention is a Capacity Planning Tool for the Web. This tool is developed and integrated to be within an Internet browser tool. The tool is used as an XML markup language for describing multimedia presentations. It can be used to examine the capacity of the server and network to transmit the entire requested multimedia document smoothly without interruptions. Also, the system can be utilized as part of an interactive e-learning tool for Web page development.
US07970821B2

The invention is directed to a method for a software provider to enable a software-acquiring entity to arrive from an existent first signed piece of code at a second signed piece of code. Both pieces of code were generated at the software provider by use of a first software archive generator under use of generation instructions. The software provider provides to the software-acquiring entity a difference code that comprises the steps necessary to arrive from the first signed piece of code at the second signed piece of code. The difference code is combinable at the software-acquiring entity with the first signed piece of code by a second software archive generator to generate the second signed piece of code. The second software archive generator is therefor to be fed with those generation instructions that were used by the first software archive generator for the generation of both pieces of code.
US07970817B2

An information processing method includes a storing step of storing a correspondence between destination names and e-mail addresses in a storage unit; a setting step of setting a destination name to which a document is to be transmitted; and an upload step of uploading the document to a document management server for a network printing in accordance with an e-mail address corresponding to the set destination name, a document being uploaded to the document management server and then being output in response to an output request from an owner of the e-mail address in the network printing. The uploaded document can be downloaded from the document management server to a printer through a communication medium and can be printed.
US07970814B2

Methods and apparatus for providing a synchronous interface for an asynchronous service including, in a synchronous interface engine executing on a processor, receiving a request from a client for the asynchronous service, issuing an asynchronous service request to perform the asynchronous service, the asynchronous service request including a unique client identifier, and associating a wait condition with the unique client identifier to indicate to the client to wait for a result of the asynchronous service. Methods and apparatus further include receiving the result of the asynchronous service, the result including the unique client identifier, removing the associated wait condition, and sending the result to the client.
US07970808B2

Entities, such as people, places and things, are labeled based on information collected across a possibly large number of documents. One or more documents are scanned to recognize the entities, and features are extracted from the context in which those entities occur in the documents. Observed entity-feature pairs are stored either in an in-memory store or an external store. A store manager optimizes use of the limited amount of space for an in-memory store by determining which store to put an entity-feature pair in, and when to evict features from the in-memory store to make room for new pairs. Feature that may be observed in an entity's context may take forms such as specific word sequences or membership in a particular list.
US07970803B2

A computer system having a transaction based file system is disclosed. The computer system includes file system software that manages the file data and the file system structure of files stored on a persistent data storage device and maintains a transaction file that includes a plurality of transaction records. Each of the transaction records has a header section and a data section. The header section of each transaction record includes one or more fields that are designated to store information corresponding to a file transaction that is represented by the transaction record. The file system software executes a startup process in which a reconstructed file system is generated in random access memory. The startup process skips verification of the data section of a transaction record when the transaction record meets one or more predetermined criterion.
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