US08036639B2

In a communication network, a method and system for confirming secure communication network setup in a wireless local area network (WLAN) are provided. After a secure communication configuration is completed in a wireless network between a configurator station and a client station, a test exchange operation may be utilized during a configurator registration window to verify or validate the successful exchange of the SSID and passphrase to the client station. In this regard, the test exchange verifies the ability of the client station to connect to the corresponding WLAN. The test exchange may comprise an IEEE 802.11 or WLAN exchange phase, a Wi-Fi protected access (WPA) exchange phase, and a secure configuration protocol echo exchange phase. The WLAN and WPA exchanges may be utilized to enable a WPA joining of the client station while the secure configuration protocol echo exchange may be utilized to provide further authentication support.
US08036636B1

A method of operating a communication system is disclosed. An access gateway sends an authentication request to an authentication server. The access gateway receives an authentication response from the authentication server that includes a suppress record attribute. In response to the suppress record attribute, the access gateway disables an accounting record function. A communication system is disclosed. An access gateway sends an authentication request to an authentication server. The authentication server provides an authentication response that includes a suppress record attribute. The access gateway disables an accounting record function in response to the suppress record attribute.
US08036627B2

The present invention relates to a bidirectional frequency mixer, as well as a radiofrequency transceiver system including at least such a mixer. The mixer includes two ports separated in intermediate frequency FI, one for the reception, the other for the emission and a common port in frequency RF both for reception and for emission. It also includes at least fours mixing cells and three phase shifting means of signals used to remove the undesirable frequencies generated by the mixing cells. The mixer enables a rejection of the frequencies produced by a local oscillator in transmitting phase and a rejection of the image phase in receiving phase to be preformed. The invention is in particular applicable to designing microwave integrated circuits, in particular in millimetric frequency band.
US08036624B2

A tuning control system and associated method is provided for continuously and automatically tuning a lobed amplitude slope matching filter (ASMF) to a band center of an interfering signal to provide improved rejection of an interfering signal coupled from a transmission antenna into a local receive antenna in the presence of local multi-path, thereby Providing improved interference cancellation system performance. The tuning control system is provided as an element of an interference cancellation system.
US08036621B2

There is provided a receiving apparatus having a simple configuration and an excellent ability to eliminate multipath noise, in which an antenna in a good reception state can be instantly selected. A reception signal from an antenna is inputted to an intermediate-frequency amplifying circuit via an antenna switching circuit, a front end and an A/D converting circuit, and an S meter signal from an S meter circuit is inputted to a controlling section via a noise detecting filter and an absolute value circuit. Then, the controlling section compares noise components outputted from the absolute value circuit (noise level) with a threshold value Vth outputted from a threshold value setting section. When the noise level becomes higher than the threshold value Vth, an antenna selection controlling signal is outputted to the antenna switching circuit, and antennas are switched.
US08036620B2

In order to restore synchronization quickly in the case where synchronization with a transmission signal is not established, when a synchronization signal is not received by an antenna selected in advance in a receiving apparatus (2), a selection controller (C2) continuously switches between antennas (6a to 6h), repeats an antenna switching process for measuring received strengths of the respective antennas in a cycle shorter than a transmission period of transmission information in a radio signal so as to detect an antenna with maximum strength, selects and switches to the detected antenna with maximum strength as a receiving antenna for receiving synchronization information, and continues the connection until at least the synchronization information is received. Further, the selection controller (C2) makes a control so that the antenna switching process for detecting the antenna with maximum strength is repeated for a period longer than a non-transmission period of transmission information.
US08036611B2

A phase modulation method with a polar transmitter. A target frequency is first designated by comparing the RF signal with a reference frequency and the phase sample. An oscillator control word is generated based on the target frequency. A digital oscillator can modulate from a first phase to a second phase to synthesize a preliminary RF signal based on the oscillator control word. When the target frequency exceeds the modulation capability of the digital oscillator, the oscillator control word is generated based on the target frequency minus 180 degrees, and the preliminary RF signal is shifted by 180 degrees to be the RF signal having the target frequency. When the target frequency does not exceed the modulation capability of the digital oscillator, the oscillator control word is generated solely based on the target frequency to output the preliminary RF signal to be the RF signal having the target frequency.
US08036607B2

In a case where a switching source wireless communication system is a wireless communication system in which a transmission timing of a packet or data rate can be controlled in a wireless base station, the switching source wireless communication system, which notifies information on a timing when a wireless terminal communicates the switching destination wireless communication system with respect to the switching source wireless communication system in advance, starts time-division communication between switching destination and switching source wireless communication systems, and receives the timing information, controls a transmission timing or a data rate in accordance with the timing information.
US08036594B2

A rebroadcasting apparatus for mobile media includes a receiving antenna and a transmitting antenna. The signal to be rebroadcast is received with a circularly polarized directional antenna. The transmitting antenna has circular polarization opposite to the polarization of the receiving antenna. Amplifiers and filters may be included between receiving and transmitting antennas to regulate retransmitted signal quality. The transmitting antenna uses one or more bays of quasi-helical dipole radiators excited using manifold feed equipped with tuning paddles. The transmitting antenna may be formed from light-weight sheet metal or other readily mass-produced materials. The transmitting antenna may be housed within an ordinary security camera enclosure or similar radio-transparent housing.
US08036592B2

A method and apparatus for providing an integrated presentation of existing media program services and secondary media program services is described. The method comprises the steps of accepting a election of a secondary media program transmitted on a secondary media program channel; accessing a mapping to determine a primary media program channel associated with the selected secondary media program channel; commanding a first tuner module to receive conditional access information associated with the primary media program channel from the primary service provider; evaluating the conditional access information to determine if a second tuner is authorized to receive the secondary media program channel; and commanding a second tuner module to receive the secondary media program if the second tuner is authorized to receive the secondary media program channel.
US08036584B2

An image forming system includes image forming means for forming toner images on toner receiving resin layers of respective sides of a recording material; fixing means for heat fixing the toner images on the recording material in a fixing nip; and smoothing means for smoothing the toner receiving resin layers of the recording material having the toner images formed by the fixing means; wherein the system is operable in an image formation mode in which the toner images formed on the respective sides of the recording material are fixed by the fixing means sequentially, and then the toner receiving resin layers of the recording material are smoothed by the smoothing means sequentially.
US08036569B2

An image forming apparatus has a first body with a scanner and an operation panel disposed on one side of the scanner. A top surface of the scanner and a top surface of the operation panel are in a same plane. A second body is disposed below the first body, to support the first body. The first body rotates between open and closed positions relative to the second body.
US08036568B2

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section and a toner cartridge which is loadable into the image forming section. The toner cartridge includes a seal member which is bonded to a peripheral edge of a toner discharging port by an electro-releasing adhesive, of which adhesive force decreases when a current is applied thereto. The image forming section includes a first electrode and a second electrode that contact the peripheral edge of the toner discharging port and the seal member, respectively, when the toner cartridge is loaded into the image forming section. When a current is applied to the electro-releasing adhesive via the first and second electrodes, the adhesive force of the electro-releasing adhesive decreases, whereby the seal member is released from the toner discharging port.
US08036562B2

An image forming apparatus 1 to form a panel sheet 100 placed at sections 111 to 113, 115 to 117 and 119 to 121 where operation buttons to be operated by a user are located, having a display 24b to display country setting screen to conduct country setting, operation buttons 24a at the sections 111 to 113, 115 to 117 and 119 to 121 to received operation to select a country in a state where the country setting screen to conduct country setting is being displayed on the display 24b. The panel sheet 100 corresponding to the language selected via the operation buttons 24a at the sections 111 to 113, 115 to 117 and 119 to 121.
US08036557B2

A fixing device includes a heat roller having a degaussing alloy material, an induction heating member for exciting the heat roller, an inverter circuit for giving power at a predetermined frequency to the induction heating member, and a control unit, and when driving at a first drive frequency and fixing small size sheets by continuous passing, a local temperature rise occurs at an end part of the heat roller, and the end part approaches the Curie temperature, and when impedance of the inverter circuit reduces and an excessive current flows in the circuit, the fixing device drives at a higher second drive frequency, thereby increases a resistance of the heat roller by an epidermal effect of magnetic flux, increases an apparent resistance of the inverter circuit, makes it possible to use a flowing current within a normal range, heating a central part of the heat roller, and continues the fixing.
US08036552B2

A color image forming apparatus causes a light emitting unit to emit light to a superimposed pattern in which a black developer (Bk) is superimposed on a color developer (Y, M, C) as a background color, detects diffuse reflected light by a light receiving unit, calculates positional deviation among the colors using the black developer (Bk) as a reference color based on a detection result, and adjusts an image forming condition.
US08036551B2

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, a controlling section, a detecting section, and a correcting section. The image forming section forms an image on an object. The controlling section controls the image forming section to form a calibration pattern on the object. The calibration pattern includes a plurality of marks in a first group and a plurality of marks in a second group. The plurality of marks in each of the first group and the second group is arranged in a first direction over a predetermined range. The plurality of marks in each of the first group and the second group includes first marks and second marks. The first mark in the first group corresponds to the second mark in the second group in a second direction different from the first direction in at least part of the predetermined range. The first mark in the second group corresponds to the second mark in the first group in the second direction in at least part of the predetermined range. The detecting section detects the first mark and the second mark formed on the object. The correcting section corrects, based on the detected first mark, a deviation in the first direction of an image forming position at which the image forming section forms an image, and corrects, based on the detected second mark, a deviation in the second direction of the image forming position.
US08036550B2

An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image bearing members, a developing unit, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer body, and a registration roller. A linear speed difference between the intermediate transfer belt and the secondary transfer body is variably set based on a basis weight of a recording medium.
US08036547B2

The present application is directed to methods of controlling the transfer voltage in a transfer nip formed between the photoconductive member and the transfer member. The methods offset the effects of large transfer current spikes caused when a media sheet enters and exits the transfer nip and account for temperature and humidity operating parameters using wet-bulb temperature measurements to adjust the transfer voltage. The control may include either ramping up or ramping down the transfer voltage. The ramped transfer voltage may include a series of alternating positive and negative steps that generally trend to ramp up or down. The size of the steps may further be adjusted to provide a smooth transition.
US08036546B2

An abnormal sound diagnostic apparatus for an image formation device, which includes: a specification section that specifies an independently operable drive section; an operation section that selectively operates the drive section specified by the specification section; a receiving section that receives an abnormal sound confirmation input which is inputted in a case where an abnormal sound occurs by operating the drive section through the operation section; and an identifying section that, on the basis of the abnormal sound confirmation input received by the receiving section, identifies the drive section specified by the specification section as an abnormal sound occurring location.
US08036544B2

An image forming apparatus has a developer container containing a developer and a developer carrying member for carrying the developer and adapted to switch an AC voltage to be applied to the developer carrying member. The apparatus includes a detecting member for detecting the amount of developer in the developer container and a processing portion for determining the amount of developer in the developer container according to the value output by the detecting member when the AC voltage is applied to the developer carrying member. The processing portion is adapted to determine the amount of developer by executing a process that corresponds to the operation of switching the AC voltage.
US08036531B2

A optical switch and switching system is provided for effecting a switchover from a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber includes a first, large scale switching component and a second, small scale switching component. The first, large scale switching component is configured to establish a cross connect between the second optical fiber and the second, small scale switching component. The second, small scale switching component may then be configured to select the cross connect following establishment of the cross connect, thereby ensuring rapid switchover from the first fiber to the second fiber, regardless of the speed of the first large scale switching component.
US08036527B2

An apparatus and method for protection switching of an optical channel at each node in an optical network based on wavelength division multiplexing optical transmission technology are provided. The method can be applied to any node having at least two optical fiber inputs and outputs. The apparatus includes: a splitter receiving an electrical signal and splitting the received electrical signal into a plurality of electrical signals which are substantially identical to the received electrical signal; an output switching unit selecting output paths of the electrical signals split by the splitter according to an optical channel path control command of the optical network; and a plurality of optical transponders being assigned to the respective output paths of the electrical signals, converting the electrical signal input by the selection of the output switching unit to an optical signal, and transmitting the converted optical signal to another node of the optical network.
US08036526B2

A method and apparatus for restoration of operating conditions of a WDM optical ring network comprising a plurality of amplifiers linked together in a ring after a break or fault has occurred in the network. The method comprises in response to repair of the break or other fault, increasing output power or/and pump power of an amplifier in the network such that the output power or/and pump power increases substantially in accordance with a ramp function.
US08036524B2

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for auto-focusing a camera, which includes the steps of detecting an initial value of an encoder by measuring an initial position of a lens system, matching the measured initial value of the encoder with the initial position value of the lens system to be moved, measuring a distance value of a subject through a distance measuring sensor, determining a displacement that a focus lens has to be moved with respect to the measured distance value, and adjusting a position of the focus lens such that a position value of the focus lens actually moved is the same as the displacement value.
US08036517B2

A video stream (for example, H.264 video) includes intra-encoded portions. Decoding an intra-encoded portion utilizes the result of decoding one or more other portions (called predecessors) in the frame. Frame reconstruction involves identifying a portion that has no predecessor portions that have not been decoded and then initiating decoding of the identified portion(s). When the decoding of a portion is substantially complete, then the remaining portions to be decoded are examined to identify portions that have no predecessors that have not been decoded. By carrying out this method, multiple portions may be decoded simultaneously. Each can be decoded on a different work entity, thereby increasing the rate of decoding of the overall frame. Because deblock filtering a predecessor destroys information needed in the intra-decoding of other portions, prefiltered predecessor information is stored in a buffer for subsequent use during intra-decoding, thereby facilitating simultaneous decoding of multiple portions.
US08036510B2

Disclosed is an optical fiber cable that includes optical fibers and a deformable coupling element enclosed within a buffer tube. The coupling element is formed from a deformable yet substantially incompressible material and features a number of raised members projecting toward the optical fibers. The design of the coupling element layer permits coupling of the optical fibers to the buffer tube without the use of a compressive cushioning layer. This arrangement distributes the compressive force applied to discrete points along the outer perimeter of the optical fiber element.
US08036508B2

A method for aligning an opto-electronic component assembly (OECA) on a substrate includes positioning a substrate on an assembly surface and positioning an OECA on the substrate such that a first OECA alignment face projects from a first substrate alignment face. The substrate and the OECA are advanced towards a contact face of a first assembly alignment mechanism such that the first substrate alignment face contacts the contact face of the first assembly alignment mechanism after the first OECA alignment face contacts the contact face. The OECA is displaced relative to the first substrate alignment face when the first OECA alignment face contacts the contact face and the substrate continues to move towards the contact face thereby aligning the OECA on the substrate relative to the first substrate alignment face.
US08036485B2

Picture quality measurement systems and methods are provided for measuring DC blockiness within video blocks. Block boundaries are located within a test video frame. The relative AC differences within each block are measured using a reference video frame, a statistically estimated reference or a default value of the white video level divided by two. An objective DC blockiness map, a subjective DC blockiness map or both may be generated.
US08036471B2

A coding method, apparatus, and medium with software encoded thereon to implement a coding method. The coding method includes jointly encoding joint events that each are defined by a cluster of consecutive non-zero-valued coefficients, each joint event defined by three parameters: the number of zero-valued coefficients preceding the cluster, the number of non-zero-valued coefficients in the cluster, and an indication of which trailing coefficients up to a maximum number of M trailing coefficients have amplitude greater than 1, with the coding using a 3-dimensional joint VLC table. The method further includes encoding the amplitude of the non-zero-valued trailing coefficients that have amplitude greater than 1 encoding the amplitude of any remaining non-zero-valued coefficients in the clusters that have more than M non-zero-valued coefficients.
US08036462B2

Methods and systems for segmenting images, wherein the image pixels are categorized into a plurality of subsets using one or more indexes, then a log-likelihood function of one or more of the indexes is determined, and one or more maps are generated based on the determination of the log-likelihood function of one or more of the indexes.
US08036458B2

A method for detecting a redeye defect in a digital image containing an eye comprises converting the digital image into an intensity image, and segmenting the intensity image into segments each having a local intensity maximum. Separately, the original digital image is thresholded to identify regions of relatively high intensity and a size falling within a predetermined range. Of these, a region is selected having substantially the highest average intensity, and those segments from the segmentation of the intensity image whose maxima are located in the selected region are identified.
US08036456B2

An image rendering method for masking a visual defect is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes determining a location of the visual defect, identifying a plurality of sub-pixels neighboring the visual defect and utilizing contrast sensitivity functions and visual masking characteristics of a human visual system to optimize adjustments to the plurality of neighboring sub-pixels to mask the visual defect.
US08036455B2

It is received first image data described on the basis of a first color space. It is acquired color space converting information adapted to be used to convert the first image data into second image data described on the basis of a prescribed second color space. The first image data is converted into the second image data in accordance with the color space converting information. A prescribed feature quantity is extracted from the second image data.
US08036450B2

The acquisition and reproduction units of the system are interconnected by means of a network in order to survey and regenerate the outline of any kind of object and to reproduced it either virtually in a CAD 3D system or materially in plastic, composite or papery material.
US08036449B2

A method for performing a convergence calculation using a projective transformation between images captured by two cameras to observe a flat part of an object in the images, wherein a computational load is reduced while securing a convergence property of the convergence calculation. Initial values (n0(i), d0(i)) are set to values satisfying a limiting condition that should be satisfied by the initial values (n0(i), d0(i)), where the limiting condition is that a plane πa(i) defined by the initial values (n0(i), d0(i)) of given types of parameters (n(i), d(i)) of a projective transformation matrix in the convergence calculation is inclined with respect to an actual plane including the flat part of the object to be observed.
US08036447B2

A pattern inspection apparatus has a setting unit of a plurality of cell areas A and B of different cell comparison pitches and inspects the plurality of cell areas of the different cell comparison pitches in accordance with settings of the setting unit. As information to read out image data for an inspection image and a reference image from an image memory, in addition to position information of a defective image, identification information showing either a cell comparison or a die comparison and relative position information of the reference image can be set. The apparatus also has a unit for setting a plurality of inspection threshold values every inspection area and inspects a plurality of inspection areas by the plurality of inspection threshold values.
US08036446B2

A mask forming method includes preparing design data of mask including pattern regions having identical repetition patterns respectively, generating mask pattern data of mask based on the design data, generating inspection control information for controlling inspection of defect on mask based on the mask pattern data, the information including positional information of the pattern regions and inspection sensitivity information of the repetition pattern, providing the inspection control information to mask pattern data, forming mask pattern of mask based on the mask pattern data, and inspecting the mask pattern based on the mask pattern data comprising inspecting portion in the mask pattern different from the pattern regions by Die-to-Database comparison method, the inspecting the portion including selecting portion corresponding to repetition pattern from the mask pattern based on the positional information, and inspecting the selected portion by Die-to-Die comparison method at an inspection sensitivity corresponding to inspection sensitivity information.
US08036440B2

A method for detecting pulmonary embolisms in computed tomographic (CT) angiography includes providing a digitized (CT) image acquired from inside a pulmonary vessel, the image comprising a plurality of intensities corresponding to a 3-dimensional grid of voxels, for each voxel in the image, extracting a first pulmonary embolism (PE) candidate and PE boundary from the voxel, and for each voxel in the PE boundary, selecting a voxel from the PE boundary, extracting a subsequent PE candidate and PE boundary from the voxel, merging the subsequent PE candidate with the first PE candidate, and merging the subsequent PE boundary with the first PE boundary.
US08036437B2

An embodiment of a medical imaging system is proposed. The system includes means for providing a sequence of recorded input images each one offering a digital representation at a corresponding instant of a body part being perfused with a contrast agent, each input image including a plurality of visualizing values each one representing a corresponding portion of the body part, and means for associating each sequence of corresponding sets in the input images of at least one visualizing value with a model function of time; the system further includes means for generating a sequence of computed images at further instants, each computed image including a plurality of further visualizing values each one being determined by an instantaneous function-value which is calculated from the associated model function at the corresponding further instant, and means for displaying the sequence of computed images.
US08036432B2

A system and method of saving digital content classified by person-based clustering. The system for saving digital content classified by person-based clustering, includes a database to save a plurality of digital content classified by person-based clustering; a data structure generation unit to generate a data structure composed of a plurality of nodes using the plurality of digital content; a face recognition unit to extract a face descriptor of new digital content to be saved in the database; a cluster classification unit to classify the new digital content and the plurality of digital content by the person-based clustering using the extracted face descriptor, and a data structure update unit to update the data structure according to the classification.
US08036428B2

A system and method for determining a motion vector uses both a main block from an image and at least one ancillary block relating to the main block from the image. The main block and ancillary block are then tracked from image to image to provide a motion vector. The use of a composite tracking unit allows for more accurate correlation and identification of a motion vector.
US08036424B2

A field recognition apparatus includes a first camera for imaging a forward field and a second camera for imaging a road surface. The second camera has a light axis tilted toward a downward direction for accurately tracking a characteristic point in consecutively captured images to calculate an optical flow and for accurately recognizing road structure information. In this manner, three dimensional information of obstacles in a field is accurately processed and detected.
US08036422B2

A feeder control system and method are disclosed. The system includes a feeder information detector, and a feeder information leverager to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting. The method includes the steps of detecting feeder information, and leveraging the feeder information to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting.
US08036421B2

The picture information of video can be used in various ways to identify the video or its topical subject matter. This enables numerous novel arrangements in which particular video of interest to a particular consumer can be discerned. A variety of other embodiments and features are also detailed.
US08036410B2

Offset baffles are provided in a speaker for acoustic signal arrival synchronization. The speaker includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes a first side positioned at an angle with respect to a horizontal axis or plane. The first side includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion are offset from one another by a first offset in a first direction and a second offset in a second direction. The first offset in the first direction and the second offset in the second direction define a vent extending across a width of the first side. The vent is positioned above a low-frequency transducer and below a high-frequency transducer. The low-frequency transducer is mounted to the lower portion and generates a first acoustic signal within a first frequency range. The high-frequency transducer is mounted to the upper portion and generates a second acoustic signal within a second frequency range. The low-frequency transducer and the high-frequency transducer are displaced by the first offset in the first direction and the second offset in the second direction to adjust a low-frequency transducer acoustic origin position and a high-frequency transducer acoustic origin position. The upper portion and the lower portion configured such that a first acoustic signal arrival time and a second acoustic signal arrival time are synchronized in a listening area
US08036406B2

A storage case that detects and indicates presence of oscillating or quiescent activity of hearing aids is disclosed. Within the storage case, there is a transducer coupled to a logic circuit. The logic circuit is further coupled to one or more visual cues. The transducer picks up any sounds within the storage case and converts the sounds into electrical signals. The logic circuit receives the electrical signals and activates a visual cue that alerts the user if the logic circuit interprets at least one of the electrical signals to be from an oscillating or quiescent activity of the hearing aid.
US08036398B2

A signal processing circuit includes a delaying unit that is configured to carry out delay processing on the basis of periodicity information synchronized with the periodicity of a periodic noise included in an input signal and a filter unit that is configured to receive the input signal and has a notch characteristic at a frequency f. The frequency f satisfies f=N/T, where N represents an integer equal to or greater than one and T represents a delaying time applied by the delaying unit.
US08036394B1

Bandwidth expansion for audio signals by frequency band translations plus adaptive gains to create higher frequencies; use of a common channel for both stereo channels limits computational complexity. Adaptive cut-off frequency determination by power spectrum curve analysis, and bass expansion by both fundamental frequency illusion and equalization.
US08036391B2

The automatic adjustment of audio alert characteristics of an alert device using ambient noise levels is described. In one aspect of the invention, a machine-readable medium has executable instructions to cause a machine to perform a method to receive an audio sample of ambient noise and adjust a characteristic of the audio alert, such as, the volume level of the audio alert, based on the ambient noise level.
US08036380B2

A message authentication code, MAC, is generated in an electronic circuit, wherein the MAC integrity protects a data value, PD. A random challenge word, RND, is received from a source that is external to the electronic circuit. A first function G(RND,K) is evaluated that generates a first encrypted value, K′, from RND and K, wherein K is a secret key value that is stored on the electronic circuit. A second function F(RND,K) is evaluated that generates a second encrypted value, K″, from RND and K. The MAC is then generated in accordance with MAC=K″+m1K′+m2K′2+ . . . +MlK′l, wherein m1, m2, . . . , ml are derived by representing the data value, PD, as an l-tuple of elements in a field, GF(2n), wherein n is an integer greater than zero. A hardware-efficient arrangement is also disclosed for generating this and other MACs.
US08036378B2

Disclosed herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for performing authentication. The proposed scheme utilizes new algorithms that introduce randomness using a physical value for authentication. An exemplary method includes sharing an initial state value S(0) with a sender and a receiver, generating a sender S(t, v) based on a parameter t and an identifier v and based at least in part on the value S(0). The method includes generating a receiver S(t, v) from S(0) based on the parameter t and the identifier v wherein the parameter t is related to a physical value in authenticating the identifier v based on a comparison of the sender S(t, v) and the receiver S(t, v). The process of generating the sender S(t, v) and the receiver S(t, v) includes a random variable generated by a process such as by a random number generator, the Brownian Motion or Wiener Process. Other embodiments do not use the physical value for authentication.
US08036377B1

The disclosure provides a hardware architecture for encryption and decryption device. The hardware architecture can improve the encryption and decryption data rate by using parallel processing, and pipeline operation. Further, the hardware architecture can save footprint by sharing hardware components. Additionally, the hardware architecture can be associated with a memory to protect the information stored at the memory. The encryption device can include a tweaking value manager that is configured to generate an array of tweaking values corresponding to the array of data blocks based on a tweaking encryption key, a first encryption unit that is configured to encrypt a first portion of the array of data blocks into a first portion of encrypted data blocks based on corresponding tweaking values and a data encryption key, a second encryption unit that is configured to encrypt a second portion of the array of data blocks into a second portion of encrypted data blocks based on corresponding tweaking values and the data encryption key, and a data block combiner that is configured to combine the first portion of encrypted data blocks and the second portion of encrypted data blocks into an array of encrypted data blocks.
US08036375B2

In one embodiment, a method for providing voice quality assurance is provided. The method determines voice information for an end point in a voice communication system. The voice information may be from an ingress microphone. The method determines if the voice quality is considered degraded based on an analysis of the voice information. For example, the voice information may indicate that it is distorted, too loud, too soft, is subject to an external noise, etc. Feedback information is determined if the voice quality is considered degraded where the feedback information designed to improve voice quality at an ingress point for a user speaking. The feedback information is then outputted at the end point to the user using the end point.
US08036366B2

A system and method are disclosed for intelligent formatting of VoIP telephone numbers. The intelligent VoIP formatting system includes a presentation and user interface layer, an E.164 formatting engine, a location routine, and a database of telephone number data which are used to deconstruct input telephone numbers and reconstruct them as E.164 compliant telephone numbers.
US08036359B2

According to one embodiment, a server apparatus includes a connection controller which selectively executes first processing to execute the communication connections among the several data terminals, respectively, and second processing to make the several data terminals, respectively, to communication-connect to the conference processing unit, a processor which executes a first screen display mode to individually display a plurality of screens, related to each of the several data terminals, and executes a second screen display mode to display screens, in which a plurality of screens related to each of the several data terminals are synthesized by the conference processing unit, based on the prescribed conditions, and a switching controller which selectively executes switching from the first screen display mode to the second screen display mode, or from the second screen display mode to the first screen display mode, and maintaining a screen display mode before switching, based on the prescribed conditions.
US08036353B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method to monitor service outages of a service center, detect a service outage, identify one or more customers affected by the service outage, and assign a credit to each of the affected one or more customers. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08036351B2

Monitoring criteria is received that corresponds to a usage quantity for a plurality of services. Each of the plurality of services is provided over ones of a plurality of different communication systems. Actual service usage information is received for the plurality of services. The actual service usage information and the monitoring criteria are compared. An electronic notification message is sent when the monitoring criteria for one or more of the plurality of services is satisfied.
US08036350B2

A voice mail system that allows for the delivery of voice messages by chunks, thereby optimizing the delivery of the information. When a subscriber attempts to listen to his or her voice mail message, the header information for the first voice mail message is down loaded and played back to the subscriber. While the subscriber listens to the header information, the next two blocks of data of the voice message are downloaded. Upon the completion of the playback of the header information, the first two blocks of the voice mail message are available for playback and the first block is immediately available for playback. As the subscriber listens to the voice mail message subsequent blocks of the first voice mail message, and optionally header information and blocks of subsequent voice mail messages are simultaneously down loaded. Thus, the subscriber is able to seamlessly listen to the voice mail messages without a delay in the retrieval of the voice mail messages regardless of the order the subscriber listens to the messages.
US08036349B2

A method that associates the first telephone number of a first user with a second telephone number of a second user that has a relationship with the first user; tracks incoming and outgoing telephone calls; and stores a plurality of telephone messages received by the first user. For each telephone message, the method assigns such telephone message to one of first, second, and third groups; and sorts the plurality of telephone messages for playback. By doing so, the telephone messages may be prioritized such that the first user may be able to more quickly determine whether or not the first user should return a telephone message, often reducing the number of unnecessary telephone calls and improving efficiency.
US08036344B2

In an alarm system, outgoing calls representing a sensed alarm condition are routed to one of several communications networks. The calls are routed by first initiating a telephone call to a defined number, in response to sensing the alarm condition, and then selecting one of plurality a plurality of available networks based on called number information. A communication over the chosen network is placed to signal the alarm condition. Routing may be performed at an interface module in communication with a conventional alarm panel.
US08036334B2

A method and apparatus is provided for providing a phase glitch error filter for a delay lock loop. The device comprises a delay lock loop to provide an output signal based upon a phase difference between a reference signal and a feedback signal. The delay lock loop comprises a filter unit to provide filtering of noise on a phase control signal to substantially reduce a false delay lock loop state.
US08036324B2

A digital broadcasting receiving apparatus has a signal level detecting circuit; a peak detecting section; an abnormal peak deciding section; a specified peak deciding section; a prescribed in-band power deciding section; and makes a decision as to whether a signal being received is a digital broadcasting signal or not according to decision results output form the signal level detecting circuit, the abnormal peak deciding section, the specified peak deciding section and the prescribed in-band power deciding section.
US08036323B2

Aspects of a method and system for decoding single antenna interference cancellation (SAIC) and redundancy processing adaptation using frame process are provided. A receiver may decode video, voice, and/or speech bit sequences based on a first decoding algorithm that may utilize data redundancy and that may impose physical constraints. The receiver may also decode a bit sequence based on a second decoding algorithm that utilizes SAIC. The first and second decoding algorithms may be adapted to perform in parallel and a decoded received bit sequence may be selected based on a redundancy verification parameter. The first and second decoding algorithms may also be adapted to be performed sequentially where the subsequent decoding operation may be conditioned to the initial decoding operation. Moreover, either the first or the second decoding algorithm may be selected for decoding the received bit sequence. The selection may be based on noise and/or interference measurements.
US08036305B2

Apparatus and methods construct parameters for a unit associated with a precoder to a channel. Embodiments include forming a plurality of values for precoder constructions, where the values may be obtained from applying a transmission quality criterion to each precoder construction for varying channels lengths. Each precoder construction may be built for a predetermined channel length with a different channel length for each precoder construction. A subset of the precoder constructions operate substantially over the entire distance range covered by the varying channels lengths.
US08036302B2

An apparatus with communication capability is connected to another apparatus through a communication path. The apparatus includes a transmitting unit that transmits specific data with a preemphasized component to the other apparatus, the preemphasized component being varied within a predetermined range by changing a setting of a preemphasis driver, and a preemphasis amount control unit that sets, for the preemphasis driver, optimal setting information about the preemphasized component of the specific data received from the other apparatus in response to the transmission of the specific data from the transmitting unit.
US08036301B2

A technique for controlling a transmitter apparatus is useful for reducing power consumption, and may be particularly applicable to portable apparatuses such as mobile transceivers which employ a battery power supply. According to an exemplary embodiment, the transmitter apparatus includes a power amplifier for amplifying a transmission signal. A processor controls the power amplifier based on a type of digital modulation associated with the transmission signal.
US08036297B2

Disclosed is a space-time coding apparatus and method to flexibly adjust diversity/multiplexing orders in a multiple-antenna system. The transmitting apparatus for the multiple-antenna system includes a space-time code controller, an encoder, a demultiplexer, and a space-time encoder. The space-time code controller generates space-time codes by determining bases according to a multiplexing order required by a receiver. The encoder modulates and encodes data destined for the receiver in accordance with a predetermined modulation level. The demultiplexer demultiplexes data received from the encoder in order to transmit the data through at least one antenna. The space-time encoder space-time-codes the demultiplexed data using the space-time codes.
US08036285B2

The present application relates to a communication method in which a succession of time domain symbols (TDS) are transmitted by a transmitter to one or more receivers. Each time domain symbol has a plurality of signals which are transmitted in parallel by the transmitter. The signals may comprise data signals or pilot signals. At the transmitter, a set of pilot signals assigned to a given time domain symbol is provided with information about a phase vector applied to the time domain symbol. The phase vector is preferably selected with consideration of the reduction in the ratio of peak-to-average-power which can be achieved when the vector is applied to the time domain symbol. Transmitters and receivers for use in the communication method are also provided. The invention is particularly application to OFDM communication systems.
US08036284B2

A first integrated circuit is coupled to a first connector. A second connector is coupled to the first connector through multiple conductors, in which alternating pairs of conductors are reversed. A second integrated circuit is coupled to the second connector through a second group of conductors. The first integrated circuit includes multiple differential drivers and the second integrated circuit includes multiple differential receivers. The inductive coupling coefficient of the first device is modified to be substantially the same as the inductive coupling coefficient of the second device.
US08036279B2

An image decoding apparatus is capable of decoding coded bit streams with different coding schemes. The image decoding apparatus includes a coding scheme decision section for deciding a coding scheme from coding scheme identification information multiplexed into a coded bit stream, a setting unit for setting header information on a second coding scheme in accordance with header information in a first coding scheme, and a decoder for decoding image coded data in the first coding scheme in response to the header information on the second coding scheme, which is set.
US08036276B2

A water ring scanning apparatus and method, and an apparatus and method for encoding/decoding video sequences using the same are disclosed. A water ring scanning apparatus includes: a preferential scan unit for scanning information on a water ring origin point (water_ring(0)) in an image frame, which is a most significant bit of the image frame to be preferentially scanned; a scan location decision unit for deciding a location of i_th generated water ring (water_ring(i)), which is a rectangular-shape ring surrounding the water ring origin point; and a scan unit for scanning information on the location of the i_th generated water ring.
US08036271B2

A method for determining a first and a second reference picture used for inter-prediction of a macroblock, comprising the steps of (A) finding a co-located picture and block, (B) determining a reference index, (C) mapping the reference index to a lowest valued reference index in a current reference list and (D) using the reference index to determine the second reference picture.
US08036269B2

A method and apparatus for accessing a memory for processing moving pictures, which loads data from a frame buffer of an external memory, and uses a motion prediction technique. The method includes the steps of: loading, from the frame buffer, pixels of a relevant block of 8×8 size and extra pixel data necessary for an inter prediction while performing the inter prediction of a block of an 8×8 size following division of a macroblock, storing the pixels of the relevant block size of 8×8 and the extra pixel data in an internal cache memory. The stored pixels of the relevant block size of 8×8 and the stored extra pixel data are used; and then the stored pixels of the relevant block size of 8×8 and the stored extra pixel data stored in the cache memory are re-used during an inter prediction of the relevant block size of 8×8 and sub-blocks.
US08036263B2

This disclosure describes identifying key frames from a sequence of video frames. A first set of information generated by operating on uncompressed data is accessed. A second set of information generated by compressing the data is also accessed. The first and second sets of information are used to identify key frames from the video frames.
US08036260B2

An equalizer is provided, including: a feedback combiner to combine an input signal and a feedback signal to produce a first signal; a delay line to delay the first signal to produce a second signal; a feed-forward combiner to combine the second signal and a feed-forward signal to produce an output signal; an interim decision circuit to extract a sign bit from the first signal; N feedback scaling elements to generate N scaled feedback signals; M feed-forward scaling elements to generate M scaled feed forward signals; a feedback circuit to pass the N scaled feedback signals through feedback delay elements and feedback summing elements to generate the feedback signal in response to the sign bit; and a feed forward circuit to pass the M scaled feed forward signals through feed-forward delay elements and feed-forward summing elements to generate the feed-forward signal in response to the sign bit.
US08036259B2

A first communication apparatus sequentially generates a pulse sequence having pulse signals arranged based on the UWB communication system, performs a framing process to form a frame having at least a preamble and a data portion on the generated pulse sequence and inserts a preamble segment including a sequence of steady pulse signals in the data portion at a predetermined time interval, and transmits it as a radio wave. A second communication apparatus receives a pulse sequence as a radio wave transmitted from the first communication apparatus, and detects at least the preamble segment from the frame contained in the received pulse sequence through a detection window structured to have a predetermined time length, whereby a transmission timing for the pulse sequence to the first communication apparatus 2 controlled according to a state of detection of the preamble segment.
US08036258B2

A communication system is provided which offers increased transmission speed while maintaining a low bit error rate. At the transmitter, a digital input is entered and a microprocessor determines from a particular subset of pulse sequence codes a single sequence of pulse coefficients that corresponds to that particular digital input. The sequence of pulse coefficients are then multiplied by a pulse shape, modulate and transmitted. At the receiver, the modulated pulses are demodulated. The demodulated pulses are then, on a pulse by pulse basis, subtracted from each of the subset of pulse sequences with the absolute values of each pulse for each pulse sequence being summed. A comparator selects a sequence of pulse coefficients corresponding to the lowest summed value of a particular pulse sequence, which is then mapped to a digital signal which is the same digital signal as the digital input.
US08036255B1

A method of transmitting a spread spectrum signal in a single communication session between a transmitter and a receiver, stores a series of N unique waveform designs and a hopping sequence in a transmitter memory. A signal is transmitted to a receiver according to the hopping sequence using the plurality of N unique waveform designs. Preferably, each waveform design is characterized by a unique composite spreading code that is formed by at least some of a plurality of constituent code segments. Alternatively or additionally, the waveform designs may differ by any one or more of code length, symbol or chip timing or phase, frame or burst structure, chip offset, modulation, error control coding, encryption scheme, or scrambling code. A transmitter and receiver are also disclosed, as is the concept of appending chips between symbols to expand the universe of unique spreading codes without incurring an increase in processing gain.
US08036253B2

An intracavity resonant Fabry-Perot saturable absorber (R-FPSA) induces modelocking in a laser such as a fiber laser. An optical limiter such as a two photon absorber (TPA) can be used in conjunction with the R-FPSA, so that Q-switching is inhibited, resulting in laser output that is cw modelocked. By using both an R-FPSA and a TPA, the Q-switched modelocked behavior of a fiber laser is observed to evolve into cw modelocking.
US08036248B2

A method, apparatus and system for employing an automatic data aligner for multiple serial receivers in serial link technologies is provided. In one embodiment, converting a transmission data path of a single bit into a parallel bit via a data aligner, wherein the data is being transmitted via one or more ports. Further, binding data transmission channels to reduce latency in transmission of the data, wherein the binding of the data transmission channels further includes inserting delay to match latency via the one or more ports.
US08036233B2

A power line communication apparatus transmits a signal to a first power line communication apparatus through a power line connecting to a second power line communication apparatus. The power line communication apparatus includes an information retriever for retrieving transmission rate information indicating both a first transmission rate and second transmission rate. The first transmission rate correspond to a first path of the power line along which the signal is directly transmitted to the first power line communication apparatus, and the second transmission rate corresponds to a second path of the power line along which the signal is transmitted through the second power line communication apparatus to the first power line communication apparatus. A selector selects, based on the transmission rate information, a path corresponding to a higher transmission rate among the first and second paths. A transmitter transmits the signal through the selected path.
US08036232B2

A packet filtering apparatus for filtering a packet transmitted from a mobile node to a correspondent node in a network system using Mobile Internet Protocol (IP). The packet filtering apparatus includes a next header reader for reading a next header of the received packet to determine whether it is a mobility header, a mobility header type reader for reading a mobility header type when the next header is the mobility header, a mobility option reader for reading a mobility option added by the mobile node, and a packet rule applier for determining whether a home address included in the mobility option read by the mobility option reader is identical to a source address stored in a packet filter rule, and determining whether to pass the packet according to the determination result.
US08036223B2

A method, apparatus and system for managing loss of packets in data transmissions is provided. In a method embodiment, selective acknowledgements are received at a sending computer from a receiving computer. The sending computer is configured to analyze patterns in the selective acknowledgements and infer a type of packet loss. As a result of the inference, the packet delivery strategy from the sending computer can be adjusted.
US08036220B2

A packet is pre-dropped if its Time-To-Live (TTL) value is not large enough to reach a destination, such as, but not limited to, its destination if it is a unicast packet, or at least one more destination for a multicast packet. A packet switching device maintains associations between (a) nearest receiving node distances and (b) prefixes or complete addresses. If a packet does not have enough TTL to reach an intended recipient identified by a corresponding nearest receiving node distance, then the packet is dropped even though the TTL has not expired. In this manner, some bandwidth and other network resources are not wasted on traffic that will timeout via the TTL mechanism before reaching a subsequent intended recipient.
US08036219B2

A technique for providing data unit concatenation in a shared communications network is disclosed. The technique establishes a distinction between a first address space and a second address space within one or more shared communications networks, such as a wireless local area network, in a telecommunications system. At a transmitter node, data units arriving from one or more source nodes are packaged together if they are intended a network accessible through a receiver and then are transmitted to the receiver node. During the transfer of data units across the telecommunications system, the addressing mechanism will use either source and destination nodes or transmitter and receiver nodes, depending on the address space relevant at the moment of transmission. The technique increases utilization efficiency, because overhead attributed to headers, acknowledgements and interframe gaps is reduced.
US08036215B2

In one embodiment, a session is refreshed using a message that is simplified for refresh purposes. The refresh message that is used is a message used for another purpose in a protocol (e.g., SIP). For example, a reINVITE message may be used as a refresh message. If the reINVITE message is used for its intended purpose, the reINVITE message may be used to change the characteristics of a session. This reINVITE message includes an SDP and full header such that the parameters can be properly changed. However, the reINVITE message may be used to refresh a session. This may be referred to as a simple refresh message. But, the simple refresh message does not include an SDP or any other message body. The simple refresh message includes only a reduced header. This reduces time spent building and parsing the simple refresh message.
US08036204B2

In a packet communications system, a control apparatus implements routing control of a received packet directed for the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a plurality of network interface cards; a communication manager configured to select at least one network interface card among from the plurality of network interface cards, in accordance with information regarding the network interface card; and an upper layer manager configured to receive the packet transmitted from the control apparatus, with using a selected network interface card.
US08036203B2

A method, apparatus and computer program product for coordinating adjacent channel transmissions on multiple-radio nodes is presented. A Maximum Channel Occupancy Duration (MCOD) limit for a length of an overall transmit period is defined. A set of timers (NNAV) for each neighbor node is maintained, each of said NNAV including a first timer (CTSNNAV) for the channel which, if set, indicates the maximum duration of a transmission to said neighbor node and a second timer (RTSNNAV) for a channel which, if set, prevents the neighbor node from authorizing a transmission the channel.
US08036198B2

Managing communication in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system using segments in an OFDMA frame is accomplished by setting at least a first segment in the OFDMA frame as a high power segment for a plurality of base station in the OFDMA system. Further, communication is established between at least one base station and at least one communication device in the OFDMA system, in response to setting the at least first segment as a high power segment. Managing the communication further includes assigning a region of the first segment to a set of base stations in the OFDMA system. The assigned region can be used by the set of base stations at high power level to communicate with communication devices located in overlapping areas. A method for coordinating uplink transmission in the OFDMA system for reducing uplink interference is also provided.
US08036197B2

A network element may provide a plurality of user equipments with a dedicated pilot sequence for uplink reference signal transmission. A user equipment may, after receipt of a dedicated pilot sequence, spread the pilot sequences using a block spreading method.
US08036185B2

A consolidated RF switch includes a cell controller configured to process data packets received from an access port communicatively coupled to a plurality of mobile units via a wireless network, and an RFID network controller configured to process tag information received from an RFID reader communicatively coupled to a plurality of RFID tags. The cell controller and the RFID network controller are configured to transmit the tag information and the data packets to one or more enterprise applications.
US08036175B2

A handoff method between a source network to which a terminal is connected in order of a Base Station (BS) and an Access Service Network (ASN), and a target network to which the terminal is connected in order of a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN), a Packet Control Function (PCF) and an Access Network (AN). The terminal sends a handoff request message with AN information of the target network to the ASN via the BS. The ASN forwards the handoff request message to the PCF via the PDSN using the AN information. Upon receipt of the handoff request message, the PCF sends a request for session information to the ASN via the PDSN. The PDSN sends a request for context information to the ASN. Upon receipt of the session information request and the context information request, the ASN transfers the context information to the PDSN and transfers the session information to the AN via the PDSN and the PCF.
US08036172B1

A method and system for resilient mobile communications in a network when network elements are removed, upgraded or fail are provided. A mobile device communicates with an endpoint through foreign and home agents communicatively connected to the network. An active home agent stores communication information for the mobile node and multicasts the communication information to non-active home agents associated with the active home agent. When an active home agent is removed, upgraded or fails, the mobile device is able to maintain mobile communications with the endpoint through one or more non-active home agent. A non-active home agent having a high priority is transitioned to active status to maintain communication service between the mobile node and endpoint.
US08036167B2

A media center system comprises a first wireless controller operative to communicate with a first set of devices on a first WLAN using a first wireless standard; a first network processor coupled to the first wireless controller and operative to establish wireless communication over a first channel with the first set of devices on the first WLAN; a second wireless controller operative to communicate with a second set of devices on a second WLAN using a second wireless standard, the second wireless controller substantially dedicated for multimedia content delivery; and a second network processor coupled to the second wireless controller and operative to establish wireless communication over a second channel with the second set of devices on the second WLAN, the second channel being different than the first channel.
US08036161B2

A wireless switch device is provided that includes a first wired Ethernet interface and a second wired Ethernet interface, and a plurality of virtual wireless switch modules (VWSMs) implemented within the wireless switch device. The VWSMs include a first VWSM that is coupled to a first access port via the first wired Ethernet interface that is allocated to the first VWSM, and a second VWSM that is coupled to a second access port via the second wired Ethernet interface that is allocated to the second VWSM. The first VWSM can be control and manage the first access port, and the second VWSM can control and manage the second access port.
US08036160B1

Disclosed herein are a system, method, and computer-readable medium with instructions for recommending a service provider based on a user's approximate current location. The service provider may be recommended for a service that is verified under a user's insurance policy and is also within proximity to the user's approximate current location. The user's approximate current location may be determined by location-based technology. The entity that receives and/or recommends the service provider may initiate a request for the service from the service provider. Further embodiments are related to routing a call to provide information to the user that is responsive to the user's location-relevant request. For example, systems, such as an automotive telematics system, may request information and be routed to the appropriate division of a user's insurance provider such that the automotive telematics system can provide services to the user that are user-specific (e.g., covered by the user's insurance policy).
US08036153B2

An ambient country identifier (ACI) signal can be used to automatically provide location awareness for a WLAN device. If an ACI signal is detected, then the WLAN device can configure itself to comply with channel and power settings for the country having the detected ACI signal. After detection of the ACI signal, the WLAN device can be “locked” to the country having that ACI signal, thereby ensuring legal operation of the WLAN device even after subsequent restarts. If an ACI signal is not detected, then the WLAN device can be configured in a default mode, e.g. an “open mode” in which end users can configure the WLAN device by entering a country of operation or a “common mode” in which the channel and transmit power settings meet global spectrum usage requirements.
US08036149B2

In the multi-casting communication system, on receipt of a signal transmitted from one of mobile communication terminals with a half-duplex communication switch thereof being on, the PoC server records a user of the mobile communication terminal in a subscriber list as a next speaker, if there is another mobile communication terminal presently making multi-casting communication, and further if no mobile communication terminals are recorded in the subscriber list. Thus, it is clear who speaks next.
US08036148B2

A high-frequency circuit for wireless communications selectively using a first frequency band and a second frequency band lower than the first frequency band, comprising an antenna terminal; first and second transmission terminals to which transmitting signals in the first and second frequency bands are input; first and second receiving terminals from which received signals in the first and second frequency bands are output; a diplexer circuit for branching a first-frequency-band-signal path and a second-frequency-band-signal path; a switch circuit for switching a path for a transmitting signal and a path for a received signal; a low-noise amplifier circuit disposed between the switch circuit and the second receiving terminal for amplifying a received signal in the second frequency band; and first and second filter circuits disposed between the antenna terminal and the low-noise amplifier circuit in this order from the antenna terminal, both filter circuits passing a received signal in the second frequency band but blocking a frequency band lower than the second frequency band, and the band blocked by the first filter circuit being lower than the band blocked by the second filter circuit.
US08036147B2

A technique for exchanging LCAS control information between a first network element and a second network element interconnected by a bi-directional optical communication line, while conveying substantially unidirectional data traffic in the form of a virtual concatenated group (VCG) binary stream transmitted in a first direction via the bi-directional optical communication line, the technique comprising: —in the first direction, transmitting the LCAS control information via the bi-directional optical communication line in the VCG binary stream, by placing the information in one or more overhead bytes conventionally specified for the VCG binary stream, —in a second (opposite) direction, transmitting the LCAS control information in an existing binary stream non-related to the above-mentioned unidirectional data traffic; the existing binary stream should pass via a communication trail connecting the first network element and the second network element but not obligatory coinciding with the above-mentioned line; the discussed information should be placed in one or more overhead bytes of the existing binary stream.
US08036139B2

Improved systems and methods for distributing interdomain routing information within an Autonomous System (AS). A protocol extension to BGP, iBGPd (internal Border Gateway Protocol downloader), has been developed to replace IBGP in distributing BGP interdomain routing information within an AS. The iBGPd technique distributes routing information hop-by-hop using a reliable multi-party transport protocol. Scalability is greatly improved since the use of a full mesh of TCP connections is avoided. Also, there are improvements in routing information propagation delay and routing stability. Drawbacks related to the use of route reflectors and confederations are avoided.
US08036138B2

Various embodiments include a method and system for optimizing the initial configuration of cyclic sleeping devices on a wireless network. The devices, or nodes, may need additional configuration by a configuration device after being placed on the network. Some nodes may sleep and not report in to the configuration device causing the configuration device to reach out to these non-reporting nodes. The configuration device may have limited resources with which to transmit the configuration to the nodes, and so the network can be efficiently configured if the configuration device reaches out to non-reporting nodes when it does not expect to use its transmission resources to configure a reporting node. This can be accomplished by maintaining a list of nodes yet to be configured, using the node configuration and reporting times to determine periods in which the configuration device's transmission resources will be idle, contacting non-reporting nodes during those periods.
US08036131B2

A method for transmitting channel quality information based on a differential scheme is disclosed. When channel quality information of a predetermined number of sub-bands selected by a receiver in a frequency selective channel is transmitted, total average channel information is transmitted. Channel information of the selected sub-bands is transmitted as sub-band differential information associated with average channel information. In this case, the sub-band differential information may be denoted by a specific value contained in a differential-value range including only positive (+) values. If at least two channel quality information is transmitted by a MIMO system, channel quality information of one channel is transmitted, then channel quality information of the other channel is transmitted as spatial differential information. In this case, the spatial differential information is denoted by a specific value contained in a differential-value range asymmetrical on the basis of “0”.
US08036130B2

A wireless access node includes a first radio operable to transmit/receive on one of at least N transmission channels. A second radio is operable to transmit/receive on another one of the at least N transmission channels. A first filter bank, of less than N filters, filters a first transmit/receive signal of the first radio. A second filter bank, of less than N filters, filters a second transmit/receive signal of the second radio. Generally, N is greater than 2.
US08036124B1

A device may store a first and second queue of packets, calculate an average queue size based on the number of packets in the first and second queues and discard a packet when the packet is a session creation packet and the calculated average queue size is greater than a threshold value.
US08036117B1

A system provides congestion control in a network device. The system includes multiple queues, a dequeue engine, a drop engine, and an arbiter. The queues temporarily store data. The dequeue engine selects a first one of the queues and dequeues data from the first queue. The drop engine selects a second one of the queues to examine and selectively drop data from the second queue. The arbiter controls selection of the queues by the dequeue engine and the drop engine.
US08036116B2

A system and method for receiving performance measurements for a communications network, generating alerts based on each performance measurement and a corresponding performance threshold, receiving network traps from network elements of the communications network, each network trap being generated by the network element based on a process measurement and a corresponding process threshold and correlating the alerts and the network traps to generate correlated alerts.
US08036114B2

The present invention provides for a method for reserving spare bandwidth for a link in a communication network including a plurality of links. The method provides for monitoring the volume of traffic routed through each link of the communication network. A single link failure for each link is then simulated and the volume of traffic which would be rerouted through each link for maintaining communication and the volume of traffic removed from each link are determined for each simulated single link failure. The difference between the volume of traffic which would need to be rerouted through each link and the corresponding volume of traffic removed from each link is then computed, and a maximum difference value is determined for each link for all simulated single link failures. An amount of spare bandwidth equivalent to the determined maximum difference is then reserved for each link.
US08036109B2

Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with set transparent network communication are described. In one embodiment, in response to receiving a listen signal from a listen requestor, where the listen signal contains a handle identifying a set of interfaces from which the listen requestor is configured to receive incoming network communications: a set of listening endpoints are opened, where a member of the set of listening endpoints is associated with a member of the set of interfaces. The handle is modified to produce a modified handle that identifies the set of listening endpoints. The modified handle facilitates set transparent communication between the listen requester and a member of the set of listening endpoints. The modified handle is provided to the listen requester.
US08036105B2

A solution for monitoring a problem condition in a communications system is provided. A communications protocol implementation monitors the communications system for the problem condition. The communications protocol implementation can initiate a response based on the problem condition being present. In this manner, the communications protocol implementation provides an effective monitor for detecting and/or recovering from a problem condition in the communications system.
US08036100B2

A digital signal demultiplexing apparatus that can demultiplex and a digital signal multiplexing apparatus that can multiplex signals of channels having arbitrary frequency intervals and bandwidths are provided. The digital signal demultiplexing apparatus performs discrete Fourier transform on an input signal, output samples existing within frequency bands of each channel from samples of the frequency domain, add samples such that the number of samples of each channel become a power of two, and performs, on the samples of each channel, discrete inverse Fourier transform of a length the same as the number of the samples. The digital signal multiplexing apparatus performs discrete Fourier transform of a length the same as the number of samples of an input signal for a predetermined period, outputs samples existing within frequency bands of each channel from samples of the frequency domain of each channel, and arrange the samples according to frequency assignment of each channel to perform discrete inverse Fourier transform.
US08036097B2

Plural grooves or lands formed in an information recording carrier include at least a wobbling region and data is recorded wobblingly in this wobbling region by phase shift modulation while recorded digitally with a single or multiple waves as a channel bit.
US08036089B2

An optical pick-up to perform recording or reproducing for an optical recording medium is disclosed, which includes a light source configured to emit a light beam, an objective lens configured to focus the light beam onto the optical recording medium, and an aberration generation device provided between the light source and the objective lens, configured to generate coma aberration for the beam focused by the objective lens, based on a detected value from a device configured to detect a degree of tilt of the optical recording medium, wherein the tilt is compensated for by the coma aberration generated by the aberration generation device.
US08036084B2

A standalone duplication system with network connection has a casing, multiple recording devices, a control module, a bridge unit, a storage device and a network module, wherein the bridge unit connects between the control module, the storage device and the network module. When the bridge unit confirms that the control module has disconnected from the storage device and the network module receives a data transfer command, the storage device can receive data via the network module and store data for duplication. Therefore, the standalone duplication system is capable of receiving data from different computers over a network without using a high-end central processing unit (CPU). The standalone duplication system need not be moved to different places and connected to and disconnected from different personal computers again and again. Users operate their own personal computers to send required data to the standalone duplication system via the network.
US08036083B2

This optical disk device includes an examination means which examines a first physical characteristic of an optical disk, and a servo means which starts servo control based upon that first physical characteristic. This optical disk device includes a read means which incorporates the examination means, and which reads type information from the optical disk under that servo control based upon the first physical characteristic. This optical disk device includes a control means which decides whether or not a second physical characteristic of the optical disk, which is determined as a standard for the type of type information read, and the first physical characteristic, agree with one another. And, if the control means has decided that these two physical characteristics do not agree with one another, it commands the read means to read replay data from the optical disk, under that servo control based upon the first physical characteristic.
US08036081B2

An optical disk processing system having a recording unit and a printing unit is provided. The optical disk processing system comprises a printing unit and a recording unit. A drive controller of the recording unit rotationally drives a loaded optical disk (D) and detects whether or not a rotational speed is reduced during acceleration. When the rotational speed is reduced, it is judged that a stick-slip has occurred and loading of a plurality of the optical disks (D) is detected.
US08036079B2

The present invention allows the usability of a write-once recording medium to be enhanced. The write-once recording medium is provided with an ordinary recording/reproduction area, an alternate area, a first alternate-address management information area (DMA) and a second alternate-address management information area (TDMA). In addition, written/unwritten state indication information (a space bitmap) is also recorded. The second alternate-address management information area is an area allowing alternate-address management information recorded therein to be renewed by adding alternate-address management information thereto. In addition, the written/unwritten state indication information indicates whether or not data has been recorded in each data unit (cluster) on the recording medium. Thus, it is possible to correctly execute management of defects and properly implement renewal of data in the write-once recording medium.
US08036077B2

A method and apparatus for recording information on a multi-layer record carrier includes recording control information in a control information zone before recording user information after a layer jump. This ensures that all user information can be read and recorded reliably, while the storage capacity of the record carrier for storing user information is not reduced.
US08036072B2

A holographic recording and reproduction system includes a servo optical path, which is used to provide a servo mechanism, so that holographic interference fringes can be stored continuously into a holographic recording medium, and when the reproduction signals are desired, they can be fetched and obtained swiftly and accurately by making use of the servo mechanism. In addition, the servo light spot of the servo optical path is located on the optical axis of an object lens, thus reducing the image aberrations produced and raising the quality of the signals read for the servo track searching. Moreover, the light intensity distribution of the reference beams reflected by the holographic recording medium is monitored and controlled, as such realizing the analysis and adjustment of the relative distance and inclination angle between the holographic recording and reproduction system and the holographic recording medium.
US08036068B1

A user can select an alarm sound source from a list including, e.g., radio and Internet, and at the user-defined alarm time, audio received from the source is automatically displayed on a speaker to awaken the user.
US08036066B2

The invention relates to a watch comprising a first hour wheel (16) which is rotatably driven around a rotating pin (3) by means of a drive unit and supports a first hour hand (1), and a second hour wheel ((26) that is joined to the first hour wheel (16) via a springy catching connection and is rotatably driven about a second rotating pin (13) by the first hour wheel (16), a second hour hand (11) being rotatably driven by means of said second hour wheel (26). The watch further comprises a manually adjustable winding stem (62) which supports a drive wheel and with the aid of which the two hour wheels (16 and 23) can be adjusted jointly or individually. The first hour wheel (16) can be adjusted by the drive wheel while the second hour wheel or a third hour tube (26) that supports the second hour hand (11) can be blocked by a manually actuated blocking device.
US08036064B2

In a building environment, a distance associated with a building automation device is determined as a function of an interval or an inserted time delay between a wireless transmission of a signal and wireless reception of another signal. For example, a two-way communication is provided with an automatic interval or a desired time delay inserted before responding to a received transmission. By using two-way transmissions, the building automation devices may be free of clock synchronization. Acoustic signals may be used in a building environment to determine a distance. The building automation device may also use radio frequency information for communicating with other devices.
US08036059B2

A circuit arrangement for reading out data time delayed from a semiconductor memory comprises a common data input at which read data, which are read out of a semiconductor memory, are present and a data buffer FIFO for buffering the read data. The buffer FIFI comprises a plurality of FIFO modules each comprising a plurality of individual FIFO cells. Each FIFO module can be addressed via respective allocated first input and output pointers and each FIFO cell can be addressed via respective allocated second input and output pointers. The circuit arrangement further comprises a controllable read latency generator generating the first and second output pointers for driving the FIFO modules and FIFO cells with a read latency predetermined with reference to the first and second input pointers, respectively, and a common data output at which the read data are present time-delayed in dependence on the predetermined read latency.
US08036048B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit according to one aspect of the present invention may includes a plurality of driving circuits to drive a respective plurality of word lines with either a first voltage supplied from a first power supply or a second voltage supplied from a second power supply in accordance with a control signal, and a plurality of gate transistors in each of which a gate is connected to one of the plurality of word lines, and a connection state between a storage node and a bit line is changed based on the voltage provided to the word line connected to the gate. In the semiconductor integrated circuit, a gate oxide film of each of the plurality of gate transistors is thinner than a gate oxide film of each of transistors constituting the plurality of driving circuits.
US08036046B2

A data output circuit includes a strobe signal controlling block configured to generate a first delayed strobe signal by delaying a first strobe signal by a certain delay amount, an input/output sense amplifying block configured to amplify first parallel data signals to generate second parallel data signals having the same number of bits as that of the first parallel data signals in response to the first strobe signal and the first delayed strobe signal, a storing block configured to latch the second parallel data signals in response to a second strobe signal and a second delayed strobe signal, and a parallel-to-serial converting block configured to sequentially output the second parallel data signals latched in the storing block, wherein the first strobe signal is used to generate a data signal that is outputted first among the second parallel data signals.
US08036043B2

A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a vertical array structure comprised of bit lines and source lines arranged in the same direction as the bit lines, each source lines corresponding to the bit lines and memory cell strings vertically formed between each pair of the bit lines and source lines. Multiple strings of memory cells can be stacked in the vertical direction, and adjacent memory cell strings may share bit line or source line.
US08036040B2

The present invention provides a memory system which contributes to improvement in efficiency of a data process accompanying a memory access. A memory system has a rewritable nonvolatile memory, a buffer memory, and a controller. The controller controls, in response to an access request from an external apparatus, first data transfer between the controller and the external apparatus, second data transfer between the controller and the nonvolatile memory, and third data transfer between the controller and the buffer memory, controls transfer from the controller to the buffer memory in the third data transfer and transfer from the buffer memory to the controller in a time sharing manner, and enables the first data transfer or the second data transfer to be performed in parallel with the transfer carried out in the time sharing manner.
US08036039B2

A flash memory device includes a memory cell array on which data is stored, and page buffers that are connected to the memory cells through the bit lines and apply one of the first voltage, second voltage or third voltage between the first and second voltage, to the respective bit line when performing the program.
US08036036B2

A semiconductor device includes at least two adjacent memory cell blocks, each of the memory cell blocks having a plurality of memory cell units, each of memory cell units having a plurality of electrically reprogrammable and erasable memory cells connected in series, a plurality of cell gates for selecting the plurality of memory cells within the two adjacent memory cell blocks, each of the plurality of cell gates being formed with roughly rectangular closed loops or roughly U shaped open loops, each of the loops being connected to a corresponding cell of the memory cells in a corresponding memory cell unit of the plurality of memory cell units within one of the two adjacent memory cell blocks and being connected to a corresponding memory cell of the memory cells in a corresponding memory cell unit of the plurality of memory cell units within the other memory cell block of the two adjacent memory cell blocks and a plurality of pairs of first and second selection gates for selecting the memory cell block, the plurality of cell gates being located between one pair of the first and second selection gates within a corresponding block of the memory cell block.
US08036033B2

Semiconductor memory having both volatile and non-volatile modes and methods of operation. A semiconductor memory cell includes a substrate having a first conductivity type; a first region embedded in the substrate at a first location of the substrate and having a second conductivity type; a second region embedded in the substrate at a second location the substrate and have the second conductivity type, such that at least a portion of the substrate having the first conductivity type is located between the first and second locations and functions as a floating body to store data in volatile memory; a floating gate or trapping layer positioned in between the first and second locations and above a surface of the substrate and insulated from the surface by an insulating layer; the floating gate or trapping layer being configured to receive transfer of data stored by the volatile memory and store the data as nonvolatile memory in the floating gate or trapping layer upon interruption of power to the memory cell; and a control gate positioned above the floating gate or trapping layer and a second insulating layer between the floating gate or trapping layer and the control gate.
US08036032B2

A memory circuit includes a high voltage region providing storage of a nonvolatile bit, and a low voltage region providing at least partial storage of a volatile bit. The high and low voltage regions are isolated from one another and formed by a plurality of transistors in series between a current source and a bit line.
US08036025B2

A magnetoresistive element which records information by supplying spin-polarized electrons to a magnetic material, includes a first pinned layer which is made of a magnetic material and has a first magnetization directed in a direction perpendicular to a film surface, a free layer which is made of a magnetic material and has a second magnetization directed in the direction perpendicular to the film surface, the direction of the second magnetization reversing by the spin-polarized electrons, and a first nonmagnetic layer which is provided between the first pinned layer and the free layer. A saturation magnetization Ms of the free layer satisfies a relationship 0≦Ms<√{square root over ( )}{Jw/(6πAt)}. Jw is a write current density, t is a thickness of the free layer, A is a constant.
US08036021B2

A memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells arranged at intersections of bit line pairs and word lines. Each memory cell includes a first transistor having one main electrode connected to a first bit line, a second transistor having one main electrode connected to a second bit line, a first node electrode for data-storage connected to the other main electrode of the first transistor, a second node electrode for data-storage connected to the other main electrode of the second transistor, and a shield electrode formed surrounding the first and second node electrodes. The first and second transistors have respective gates both connected to an identical word line, and the first and second bit lines are connected to an identical sense amp. The first and second node electrodes, the first and second bit lines, the word line and the shield electrode are isolated from each other using insulating films.
US08036011B2

A memory module includes a plurality of buses and a plurality of memory chips arranged close to each other along each of the plurality of buses. An N-th memory chip, where N is an integer, of the plurality of memory chips is connected to any one of the plurality of buses, and each of the other memory chips of the plurality of memory chips, except for the N-th memory chip, is connected to the other one of the plurality of buses.
US08036008B2

Three or more circuits including a driving inverter circuit and rectifier circuits are connected in series, each of the circuits including a high-voltage side MOSFET and a low-voltage side MOSFET connected in series as well as a smoothing capacitor having positive and negative terminals between which the MOSFETs are connected. LC series circuits, each including a capacitor and an inductor, are disposed individually between one specific circuit and the other circuits with periods of resonance of the LC series circuits made equal to one another. In performing DC/DC power conversion through charging and discharging operation of the capacitors, a resonance phenomenon of the LC series circuits is used to improve conversion efficiency and achieve a reduction in size of the apparatus structure.
US08036005B2

A switching apparatus for grounding an inverter (3) that converts a direct current voltage into an alternative current voltage at mains frequency, with an inverter housing (7) and with a safety fuse (8) that connects a positive or a negative direct current voltage to a grounding terminal, is intended to be provided such that a technician has the possibility of grounding an inverter appliance optionally positively or negatively at little expense, with the possibility for an IP-65 region of the appliance to remain closed. This is achieved in that a safety fuse (8), which is accessible and can be plugged from the outside, is arranged on said inverter housing (7) and can be contacted optionally to a positive or a negative direct current voltage in such a manner that either a positive or a negative direct current voltage is grounded through said safety fuse (8).
US08035999B2

An isolating self-oscillation flyback converter includes a coupling transformer T1, a FET TR1, a transistor TR2, a photoelectric coupling isolator OC1 and a load feedback circuit Adj. The common polarity terminal of a feedback winding Nfb of the coupling transformer T1 is connected to the gate of the FET TR1 via a capacitance C1 and a resistance R2, and connected to the base of the transistor TR2 via a capacitance C2. The base of the transistor TR2 is also connected to the emitter of the photoelectric coupling isolator OC1. The photoelectric coupling isolator OC1 is connected to the positive terminal of the output voltage. The opposite polarity terminal of the feedback winding Nfb is connected to the collector of the photoelectric coupling isolator OC1 via a resistance R5, and connected to ground via a capacitance C5. The common polarity terminal of the feedback winding Nfb is also connected to the cathode of a diode D, and the anode of the diode D is connected to ground. A set of windings are removed by forming a loop circuit directly between the feedback winding Nfb and the photoelectric coupling isolator OC1.
US08035997B2

Circuitry includes an acquiring circuit to acquire period and phase information of an oscillation. The acquiring circuit includes a first input electrically coupled to a first connection and a second input electrically coupled to a second connection. The first connection and the second connection are for electrically coupling to an oscillating circuit. A control circuit includes a first input electrically coupled to an output of the acquiring circuit. The control circuit includes a second input electrically coupled to a third connection for supply of a voltage that is based on the rectified voltage. A switch includes a controlled segment for electrically coupling a fourth connection to a reference potential connection, and a control connection that is electrically coupled to an output of the control circuit to excite an oscillation in the oscillating circuit via a DC voltage.
US08035989B2

In the invention, a finger board is bent like a “letter V”, and a thickness adjustment plate is provided between the finger boards of modules to be able to move, thereby being able to adjust the height of a finger. Such a configuration enables to increase the contact pressure of the finger by increasing the height of the finger when the finger is inserted, and when the finger is detached, reduce the contact pressure by reducing the height of the finger. This accordingly provides a shield chassis of suppressing any possible noise with no loss of insertability/removability.
US08035987B2

Disclosed herein is an electronic device which includes a functional part provided in a housing. In a mounting surface of the housing, a mounting part is provided on the side of a side end of the housing with respect to a position corresponding to the functional part, and the mounting surface of the housing is provided with a groove for partitioning from each other the mounting part and a region corresponding to the functional part.
US08035986B2

A battery cell interconnect and voltage sensing assembly and a method for coupling a battery cell assembly thereto are provided. The battery cell interconnect and voltage sensing assembly includes a circuit board, electrical interconnect members, and an electrical connector. The circuit board further has slots therethrough for receiving the electrical interconnect members thereon. Electrical terminals from battery cell assemblies are coupled to the electrical interconnect members. The circuit board also has electrical traces for routing voltages at the electrical interconnect members to the electrical connector for sensing voltages of the battery cell assemblies.
US08035984B2

Substrate structure embodiments generally have first and second sides and are configured to form at least one opening that communicates between the first and second sides. A circuit path is carried on the first side and extended over the opening wherein the circuit path has a near side facing the substrate and has a far side facing away from the substrate. A circuit element has at least one bonding pad and is inserted into the opening after which the conductive bump is arranged to join the pad to the path. In another embodiment, the bump joins the pad to the near side of the path. In another embodiment, the path defines a hole and the bump fills the hole. In yet another system embodiment, the opening comprises a recess and associated vias. These embodiments may also have a second conductive circuit path carried on the first side and having a near side facing the substrate and a far side facing away from the substrate. The systems may then include a second circuit element and at least one second conductive bump.
US08035983B2

A wiring board and method of forming a wiring board. The wiring board includes a first substrate and a second substrate having a smaller mounting area than a mounting area of the first substrate. A base substrate is laminated between the first substrate and the second substrate such that the first substrate extends beyond at least one edge of the second substrate. At least one of the base substrate, the first substrate or the second substrate comprises pliable resin, and at least one other of the base substrate, the first substrate or the second substrate comprises an inorganic filler.
US08035981B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element, a supporting substrate where the semiconductor element is mounted, and a capacitor provided on the semiconductor element and coupled to the supporting substrate via an outside connection terminal. The capacitor includes a valve metal part, an anodic oxide film formed on a surface of the valve metal part, and a conductive part formed on the anodic oxide film and made of a conductive material.
US08035978B2

A printed circuit board includes a mounted a first electronic component. The printed circuit board includes a first through holes extending from a mounting surface on which the electronic component is mounted. The printed circuit board includes a second through holes extending from a surface opposite the mounting surface and aligned with the first through holes. A second electronic component may be longitudinally between the first through holes and the second through holes. The first and second through holes may be electrically connected with the second electronic component.
US08035976B2

A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The radio architecture includes improved push buttons employing 4-bar living hinge linkage and front loaded decorative trim buttons.
US08035975B2

An electronic module (100) includes a housing having a longitudinal body portion and a mounting portion extending rearward from the body portion, with a channel defined in a top or bottom section of the mounting portion; a slider member (61) accommodated in the channel of mounting portion; an actuator member (62) including a transversal beam (621) across the mounting portion and two leg portions (622) connected to opposite ends of the transversal beam and disposed outward of lateral sides of the mounting portion, said leg portions pivotally linked to the mounted portion of the housing and connected to the slider member; and a pull member (64) having two arm portions (641) spaced apart one another and an intermediate portion (642) connected to the arm portions, said two arm portions arranged under the transversal beam and engaged with the leg portions of the actuator member.
US08035973B2

A floating heat sink device is provided that attaches to a cage in a floating configuration that enables the heat sink device to move, or “float”, as the parallel optical communications device secured to the cage moves relative to the cage. Because the heat sink device floats with movement of the parallel optical communications device, at least one surface of the parallel optical communications device maintains continuous contact with at least one surface of the heat sink device at all times. Ensuring that these surfaces are maintained in continuous contact at all times ensures that heat produced by the parallel optical communications device will be transferred into and absorbed by the floating heat sink device.
US08035971B2

Articles for supporting computers on users' laps and for isolating the users from heat from the computers. Embodiments may include a body, a top surface for contacting the computer, a bottom surface for contacting the user's lap, and back and front walls or surfaces. In various embodiments, the body defines a hollow area and a side opening, the back is taller than the front, the top surface is at an acute angle to the bottom surface, the bottom surface has a greater horizontal dimension from front to back than the top surface, the bottom surface has a greater horizontal dimension from left to right than the top surface; the article has a cross section that is a trapezoid (e.g., isosceles), the article comprises a foam portion (e.g., tubular) and fabric covering the foam portion, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, each surface comprises the foam covered with fabric.
US08035964B2

The extruded section forms a tunnel that is substantially rectangular and is provided with fins on at least one side of the rectangle. The fins allow air to flow outside the housing by natural convection in the extrusion direction. A side without fins serves as a base for fastening the housing and as a support for power electronic components of the power electronic device. The fins are machined transversely to the extrusion direction to form notches in the fins. The notches being aligned in succession to allow air to flow outside the housing by natural convection in the optimum direction.
US08035961B2

A cam lock apparatus includes a carrier having a bezel with a locking cam handle. The locking cam handle is pivotally attached to the bezel by a pivot pin. A resilient member is compressed between the pivot pin and the locking cam handle, whereby the first end of the locking cam handle is biased to move relative to the bezel and the carrier.
US08035957B2

A monitor apparatus includes a monitor main body displayed with an image, a base to support the monitor main body, a lower link having an end coupled to a base hinge to tilt with respect to the base, an upper link having an end coupled to a monitor hinge to tilt with respect to the monitor main body, and a middle link having a first side tiltably coupled to a first middle hinge with respect to the lower link and a second side tiltably coupled to a second middle hinge with respect to the upper link to control the upper link and the lower link to be folded in parallel. The monitor apparatus provides a various angle change of the monitor main body, and a packing volume of the monitor apparatus is reduced.
US08035953B2

A solid electrolytic capacitor including an anode body, a dielectric layer arranged on the anode body, a conductive polymer layer arranged on the dielectric layer, and a cathode layer including a carbon layer arranged on the conductive polymer layer and a silver layer arranged on the carbon layer. The conductive polymer layer includes ridges and valleys formed in a surface that faces toward the cathode layer. The silver layer includes a first silver layer, which is arranged on the carbon layer, covers the ridges and valleys, and mainly contains spherical silver particles, and a second silver layer, which is arranged on the first silver layer and mainly contains silver flakes.
US08035952B2

A conductive composition comprises a π conjugated conductive polymer, a polyanion, and a hydroxy group-containing aromatic compound containing two or more hydroxy groups. An antistatic coating material comprises the conductive composition and a solvent. An antistatic coating is produced by applying the antistatic coating material. A capacitor comprises an anode composed of a porous valve metal body; a dielectric layer formed by oxidizing a surface of the anode; and a cathode formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the cathode has a solid electrolyte layer comprising the conductive composition.
US08035949B2

A semiconductor device applies a hold voltage Vhold to an upper electrode of an electrostatic actuator and a ground voltage to a lower electrode. After the semiconductor device sets the voltage of the lower electrode to a test voltage Vtest, it eliminates the hold voltage Vhold from the upper electrode and places the voltage of the upper electrode in a high impedance state. The potential difference between the upper electrode and the lower electrode is set to Vhold−Vtest=Vmon. Thereafter, the voltage of the lower electrode is returned to the ground voltage. Whether the electrostatic actuator is placed in an open state or in a closed state is determined by measuring the capacitance between the electrodes based on the amount of drop of the voltage of the upper electrode due to capacitance coupling at the time. With this operation, the state of the electrostatic actuator can be simply and accurately determined, and when it is determined that charging and the like occur to the electrostatic actuator, it can be promptly returned to a normal operation state.
US08035948B2

This static eliminator is used for eliminating static electricity from an object by ionizing the air to be blown to a charged object, and has a case 12 body provided with an air blow duct 15 for blowing out an ionized air, and an electric discharge module 27 being mounted detachably on the case body 12. The electric discharge module 27 has an electric discharge needle substrate 31 having a plurality of electric discharge needles 38 arranged straightly, and a surface panel 32 detachably mounted on the case body, and the electric discharge module 27 is mounted on the case body 12 by mean of a mounting screw member 36 in the portion of the surface panel 12. By dismounting the electric discharge module 27 from the case body 12, the electric discharge needles can be replaced.
US08035936B2

A multiple pole arc-fault circuit breaker includes a first pole assembly, a second pole assembly, a microprocessor, and a single test button. At least one of the first pole assembly and the second pole assembly has a trip mechanism. The microprocessor is electrically coupled to the first pole assembly and to the second pole assembly, and, in response to receiving a single test signal, is operative to perform electrical tests for both the first pole assembly and the second pole assembly. In response to successful completion of the electrical tests, the microprocessor is further operative to actuate the trip mechanism. The single test button is mounted to the housing and includes a single test position which causes the sending of the single test signal for initiating the electrical tests.
US08035935B2

A countermeasure for mitigating Electromagnetic Pulse E3 (EMP-E3) induced currents flowing through the neutral of a star-connected three-phase power transformer without compromising its neutral end insulation performance. It comprises an external neutral-grounding device; a first linear resistor (R10) is connected from the transformer neutral (N) to ground (G) sized to render said induced currents, for any given EMP-E3 severity, reduced and inconsequential to the equipment operation. Contingently, a second non-linear neutral-grounding resistor (R11) provides a shunting path-to-ground of substantially low resistance, as prevailing by virtue of its non-linearity under large power system fault currents; such a bypass functionality is formulated/designed according to IEEE/ANSI/NEMA recommended insulation coordination guidelines in order to sustain proper protective margins to the equipment neutral basic insulation levels (BIL/BSL).
US08035933B2

Disclosed is the structure of a persistent current switch and a control method for the same. In the switch structure, a portion of a superconducting wire to be used as a switch is formed with slits such that the flow of current is controlled by the switch, to facilitate a transition between the superconducting state and the normal state of the superconducting wire. The structure of the persistent current switch includes a first slit longitudinally extending from a first point on one end of a superconducting wire to a second point and from a third point to a fourth point, the second, third, and fourth points being arranged sequentially in a longitudinal line, and second and third slits provided at opposite sides of a region between the second point and the third point where no first slit exists.
US08035931B2

The conventional free layer in a TMR read head has been replaced by a composite of two or more magnetic layers, one of which is iron rich The result is an improved device that has a higher MR ratio than prior art devices, while still maintaining free layer softness and acceptable magnetostriction. A process for manufacturing the device is also described.
US08035928B2

An apparatus includes a current perpendicular to the plane sensing element, a DC current source connected to the sensing element, a microwave AC current source connected to supply AC current to the sensing element, and a detector for measuring a voltage representative of phase difference between the AC current and AC voltage across the multilayer structure when the sensing element is subjected to a magnetic field. A method for sensing a magnetic field is also provided.
US08035927B2

An extraordinary magnetoresistive sensor (EMR sensor) having a lead structure that is self aligned with a magnetic shunt structure. To form an EMR sensor according to an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of layers are deposited to form quantum well structure such as a two dimensional electron gas structure (2DEG). A first mask structure is deposited having two openings, and a material removal process is performed to remove portions of the sensor material from areas exposed by the openings. The distance between the two openings in the first mask defines a distance between a set of leads and the shunt structure. A non-magnetic metal is then deposited. A second mask structure is then formed to define shape of the leads.
US08035919B2

A multi-channel thin-film magnetic head includes a substrate, a plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements formed on the substrate, a closure fixed onto the plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements, a protection film laminated on a whole area of a TBS of the plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements and the closure, and many micro-grooves formed in a surface of the protection film.
US08035918B2

A spindle motor includes a spindle motor hub that supports one or more disks, and has a contact area reduction portion that minimizes the area of contact between the hub and a disk when the disk is mounted to the hub. The spindle motor hub includes a hub body having a cylindrical sidewall that includes a contact section around which the disk extends and a non-contact section. The non-contact section is constituted by the contact area reduction portion. An outer diameter of the cylindrical hub body at the contact section is greater than an outer diameter of the cylindrical hub body at the contact area reduction portion of the non-contact section.
US08035915B2

Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient layout of circuit elements on a circuit board. A hard disk drive (HDD) according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided with a circuit board. The circuit board has an IC of HDC, MPU, and R/W channel, an IC of MDU, an SPM aperture, and a carriage bearing aperture. The IC is provided on the circuit board on the side where the center of a carriage bearing protrusion is positioned with respect to a central line AB parallel to the short sides of the surface of the housing and on the side opposite to the side where the center of the carriage bearing protrusion is positioned with respect to a central line CD parallel to the long sides of the surface of the housing. The IC of MDU is provided on the circuit board on the side where the center of the carriage bearing protrusion is positioned with respect to the central line CD and at a position between the center of an SPM protrusion and the center of the carriage bearing protrusion in the longitudinal direction of the surface of the housing.
US08035914B2

A hard disk drive is provided. The hard disk drive comprises a plant configured to drive the hard disk drive, a main controller configured to control the plant, and an additional controller connected in parallel with the main controller. A response function in consideration of the plant and the main controller is referred to as a main response function, and a response function in consideration of the plant and the additional controller is referred to as a first response function. The first response function cancels a function value corresponding to a section of the main response function that is associated with disturbance. The response function of the additional controller may be designed using the first response function. The hard disk drive removes a portion of the main response function to minimize the influence of the disturbance.
US08035911B2

In one embodiment, a method of diagnosing an error in a cartridge drive, comprises detecting an occurrence of a defined event in a cartridge drive, in response to the defined event, initiating an analysis routine of at least one event log from the cartridge drive, and invoking an intervention routine when the analysis indicates that the defined event represents a failure threat.
US08035905B2

An optical element positioning apparatus capable of moving an optical element from a storage state to a use state and improving the accuracy of positioning the optical element to a use position on an optical path. A holding member that holds the optical element is guided by guide shafts to be movable between the storage state and the use state. The holding member is provided with guide-supporting and receiving portions through which the guide shafts are slidably inserted. The guide shafts are supported by holding portions. A degree of freedom in positioning the holding member at the use position is provided. Holding-member positioning parts of the guide-supporting and receiving portions are pressed by an urging device against ends of the holding portions, whereby the holding member is positioned and held at the use position.
US08035884B2

Light in the visible spectrum is modulated using an array of modulation elements, and control circuitry connected to the array for controlling each of the modulation elements independently, each of the modulation elements having a surface which is caused to exhibit a predetermined impedance characteristic to particular frequencies of light. The amplitude of light delivered by each of the modulation elements is controlled independently by pulse code modulation. Each modulation element has a deformable portion held under tensile stress, and the control circuitry controls the deformation of the deformable portion. Each deformable element has a deformation mechanism and an optical portion, the deformation mechanism and the optical portion independently imparting to the element respectively a controlled deformation characteristic and a controlled modulation characteristic. The deformable modulation element may be a non-metal. The elements are made by forming a sandwich of two layers and a sacrificial layer between them, the sacrificial layer having a thickness related to the final cavity dimension, and using water or an oxygen based plasma to remove the sacrificial layer.
US08035873B2

A hologram recording method includes generating light of a pattern in which a plurality of unit blocks, which include at least one pixel and express luminance, are arrayed, the pattern being sectioned into a region of a signal beam and a region of a reference beam, and being generated such that the region of the reference beam includes a plurality of unit blocks whose numbers of pixels are different; collecting the generated light at a common optical system, and illuminating it onto an optical recording medium; and recording, as a hologram, data which the signal beam expresses.
US08035869B2

An image reading device including (1) a transparent member having an image reading area, (2) a line sensor that moves in a line sensor moving direction, which is perpendicular to a reading line direction of the line sensor, (3) a first supporting structure that supports, at opposite ends of the image reading area in the line sensor moving direction, the transparent member such that the transparent member is not deformed with respect to the reading line direction when an external force is applied to the transparent member, and (4) a second supporting structure that supports, at opposite ends of the image reading area in the reading line direction, the transparent member such that the transparent member is movable between a first posture, where the transparent member is in a flat plate shape, and a second posture, where the transparent member is bent with respect to the line sensor moving direction.
US08035860B2

Disclosed is a method for processing FM-AM mixed halftone images on a multi-bit depth imaging apparatus, which relates to a method for producing halftone dots in the field of image hard copying. In the prior art, since it is hard to avoid the impact of the error diffusion for the output apparatus to control the mixed dots with multi-bit imaging depth based on the error diffusion, the output of the mixed dots with multi-bit imaging depth cannot satisfy requirements of the apparatus. According to the method of the present invention, the dynamic algorithm for controlling the multi-bit mixed dots is used for screening based on the existing mixed screening process using dual-feedback error diffusion. Furthermore, multi-bit halftone images with high quality and rich gradations can be output by the multi-bit depth imaging apparatus. The method of the present invention can solve the phenomenon of sawtooth in the margins of the mixed dots output by the conventional single-bit apparatus and obtain the FM-AM mixed dots with the effect of high resolution and continuous gradations, which are output under low resolution.
US08035857B2

Bleed widths are set for finishing pages. Bleed regions including the finishing pages are determined based on the set bleed widths for the finishing pages, and the size of the finishing page. The allocation of manuscript data is determined to align the center of the manuscript data to be allocated to that of each determined bleed region.
US08035846B2

Print attributes are set in print type where a plurality of original paper images are arranged on at least one surface of print paper so that useless print can be prevented. A print attribute for defining a specific relationship between an original paper size and a print paper size is provided as one of the print attributes of the print type, one print attribute is selected from a plurality of options so that the specific relationship between the original paper size and the print paper size is set. As a result, a combination of the original paper size and the print paper size intended by a user can be set securely even in the above print type, so that useless print can be prevented securely.
US08035842B2

A disclosed image forming apparatus includes: an image data input unit inputting image data; an image data storage unit storing the image data; a storage method change unit changing a storage method of the image data; an image data output unit outputting the image data; an available capacity detection unit detecting available capacity of the image data storage unit; an available capacity judgment unit judging whether the available capacity is not more than a predetermined value; and a storage method selection unit prompting selection of a storage method performed by the image data storage unit. When the available capacity is judged to be not more than the predetermined value, the storage method selection unit prompts the selection of a storage method, the storage method change unit changes the storage method of the image data, and the image data output unit outputs image data.
US08035833B2

A communication interface unit of a facsimile and a transformer for preventing a power source noise. The communication interface unit includes the transformer between a line unit and a MODEM for electrically separating the circuit boards of the line unit and the MODEM for preventing the power source noise causing data transmission error from flowing into the line unit. Also, a method for bonding the ferrite core and the housing in order to prevent damage to the transformer caused by an external force and minimizing generation of capacitance component by bonding. The bonding method can be more effectively implemented when an integrated circuit type data access arrangement circuit is used for accessing the PSTN. The present invention can prevent distortion of data generated by power source noise such as EFT and also prevent the ferrite core slipping off from the housing.
US08035831B2

Aspects of the present invention relate to management and modification of documents stored on a remote computing device via a user interface on a local imaging device. Some aspects relate to the use of user input at an imaging device to modify document content. User input at the imaging device may include identification of a user characteristic and selection of a document stored on the remote computing device. After modification, the document may be sent to the imaging device or another destination.
US08035829B2

The present invention increases output throughput and enhances user-friendliness by subjecting image data to magnification processing by an optimal image processing means, with an optimal magnification ratio, in accordance with a service provided to a user. When a service provided to the user is selected and a magnification ratio is set, a CPU of a MFP determines the distribution of respective magnification ratios of a first image data processor and a second image data processor. For instance, when the selected service is a “service relating to the output of image data” the distribution of respective magnification ratios is determined so that magnification processing with the set magnification ratio is carried out in the first image data processor. When the selected service is “a plurality of services relating to the output of image data”, and the set magnification ratios are all identical for each service, the distribution of respective magnification ratios is determined so that magnification processing with the respective magnification ratios is carried out in the first image data processor. When the set magnification ratios are different for each service, the distribution of respective magnification ratios is determined so that magnification processing with the respective magnification ratios is carried out in the second image data processor.
US08035825B2

A document editing device includes: a data set storage unit that stores a plurality of data sets, each including a character string, an attribute of the character string, and a font size for the attribute; a threshold value storage unit that stores a threshold value indicating an acceptable range for a ratio between font sizes for at least two of a plurality of attributes stored in the data set storage unit; a ratio calculation unit that calculates the ratio between the font sizes for at least two of the plurality of attributes stored in the data set storage unit; and a resize unit that changes the font sizes for at least two of the plurality of attributes so as to cause the ratio between the font sizes for at least two of the plurality of attributes to fall within an acceptable range if the ratio calculated by the ratio calculation unit is outside [SN1]the acceptable range indicated by the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit.
US08035817B2

A reflectance of a color shifted painting color is also measured conveniently.A first reflectance R(αa) of a first reflected light Va inside an incident plane A is measured, and a first locus l of termini of first bisection vectors Ha(|Ha|=|R(αa)|), which displaces two-dimensionally inside the incident plane A, is determined. A second reflectance R(αb) of a second reflected light Vb outside the incident plane A is measured, and a second locus m of termini of second bisection vectors Hb (|Hb|=|R(αb)|), which displaces three-dimensionally outside the incident plane A, is measured. A locus n (x, y, zi) of a terminus of a bisection vector Hi on a plane z=z that is parallel to a plane under measurement is approximately modeled with a numerical equation showing an ellipse from the first locus l and the second locus m, thereby determining an approximation model equation, and an overall locus n′ (x, y, z) of the overall termini of bisection vectors H′ of reflected lights V′ other than the first reflected light Va and the second reflected light Vb is approximately determined.
US08035813B2

Methods for measuring emissions of gaseous substances to the atmosphere using scattered sunlight spectroscopy and an optical measuring device are disclosed in which the device includes a telescopic member defining a field-of-view of the optical measuring device and a scanner for controlling variation of the direction of the field of view to scan a predetermined layer of the atmosphere, the method comprising scanning the field-of-view to scan the predetermined layer of the atmosphere in the form of at least a part of a cone having its apex positioned at the optical measuring device and having a cone angle β. Optical measuring devices themselves are disclosed.
US08035808B2

A surface defect inspection apparatus and method for irradiating a beam multiple times to a same region on a surface of an inspection sample, detecting each scattered light from the same region by detection optical systems individually to produce plural signals, and wherein irradiating the beam includes performing a line illumination of the beam on a line illumination region of the sample surface. The line illumination region is moved in a longitudinal direction at a pitch shorter than a length of the line illumination region in the longitudinal direction.
US08035805B2

A guide includes a brittle material layer and a magnetically attracting magnetic body, e.g., a metal layer. A recess and a projection are formed on the metal layer. The brittle material layer is made of, e.g., a sprayed ceramic material and covers the recess formed on the magnetically attracting metal layer. A movable body moves as it levitates above the surface of the brittle material layer.
US08035801B2

A method for in-situ aberration measurement in an optical imaging system of lithographic tools. According to the method, a reticle pattern is imaged to form an imaged pattern by transmitting beams through a reticle via the optical imaging system. The imaged reticle pattern is shaped to have plural groups of imaged linewidths. The plural groups of imaged linewidths are measured using either of an image sensor, a CD-SEM and a microscope by modifying the intensity distribution at an exit pupil plane of the optical imaging system. The asymmetry and ununiformity of the imaged linewidths are calculated. Aberrations of the optical imaging system are calculated.
US08035793B2

Provided is an apparatus for dispensing sealant material including: a disposable syringe in which sealant material is filled; a nozzle member installed at a bottom portion of the syringe, for dispensing the sealant material over a substrate; and a gas supply unit for supplying gas into the syringe to apply pressure to the sealant material in a syringe main body, and dispensing the sealant material.
US08035788B2

A liquid crystal display device includes: first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other, each of the first and second substrates having an image-displaying sub pixel and a viewing angle-adjusting sub pixel; a thin film transistor corresponding to each of the image-displaying sub pixel and the viewing angle-adjusting sub pixel; a liquid crystal display layer between the first and second substrates, the liquid crystal layer having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy; a first field distortion means in the image-displaying sub pixel; and a second field distortion means in the viewing angle-adjusting sub pixel.
US08035783B2

A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal layer interposed between first and second substrates, a first electrode, and a second electrode having a plurality of linear portions. A reflective display portion and a transmissive display portion are included in one pixel. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflective display portion is smaller than that of the liquid crystal layer in the transmissive display portion. First and second polarizers having transmission axes approximately perpendicular to each other are provided on outer sides of the first and second substrates. The transmission axis of one of the first and second polarizers is set approximately in parallel to a liquid crystal orientation direction. The plurality of linear portions of the second electrode have predetermined electrode widths and a predetermined electrode distance therebetween.
US08035782B2

A transflective LCD panel includes a substrate, a first polycrystalline silicon pattern disposed in a reflection region, a second polycrystalline silicon pattern disposed in a peripheral region, an insulating layer disposed on the first and second polycrystalline silicon pattern and the substrate, a gate electrode disposed on the insulating layer in the reflection region, a storage capacitor line disposed on the insulating layer in the peripheral region, a first inter-layer dielectric disposed on the insulating layer, the gate electrode and the storage capacitor line, a reflection electrode disposed on the first inter-layer dielectric, a second inter-layer dielectric disposed on the first inter-layer dielectric and the reflection electrode, and a transmission electrode disposed on the second inter-layer dielectric and electrically connected to the reflection electrode through an opening of the second inter-layer dielectric. The second polycrystalline silicon pattern, the storage capacitor line, and the insulating layer disposed therebetween form a storage capacitor.
US08035777B2

The present invention provides an optical filter comprising a crystalline polymer having a spherulite structure, particularly an optical filter comprising porous particles formed of a crystalline polymer in which single particles per se have a spherulite structure. This optical filter can convert linear polarized light to nonpolarized light close to natural light with high efficiency.
US08035769B2

A device for holding an LCD display includes a substantially U-shaped support adapted to stably rest upon a flat surface, the support having two upright arms; a fastening plate threadedly secured to the LCD display; and a hollow coupling extending rearward of the fastening plate, the coupling comprising two vertically aligned first holes proximate one side, two vertically aligned second holes proximate the other side, a first threaded hole at one side, and a second threaded hole at the other side. The arms are adapted to pass through the first and second holes, a first fastener is adapted to drive through the first threaded hole to secure to one arm, and a second fastener is adapted to drive through the second threaded hole to secure to the other arm.
US08035767B2

A liquid crystal display includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, the pixels including a plurality of pixel electrodes each including a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode; a plurality of first thin film transistors electrically connected to the first subpixel electrodes; a plurality of second thin film transistors electrically connected to the second subpixel electrodes; a plurality of third thin film transistors electrically connected to the second subpixel electrodes; a plurality of first gate lines electrically connected to the first and second thin film transistors; a plurality of data lines electrically connected to the first and second thin film transistors; a plurality of the second gate lines electrically connected to the third thin film transistors; and a plurality of capacitance electrode lines overlapping the first and second gate lines and disposed in a same layer as a layer of the pixel electrodes, wherein drain electrodes of the third thin film transistors overlap the capacitance electrode lines.
US08035755B2

In the course of the channel presetting process, the central frequency is set by a step of 1 MHz within the range from the minimum frequency in the VHF band channel plan to the maximum frequency of the VHF band adopted in the place of destination for the scheduled shipment of the TV broadcast receivers, attempts are made to detect broadcast signals by changing frequency within a range of 1.5 MHz to the high frequency side and 0.5 MHz to the low frequency side from the central frequency, and the frequencies of the detected broadcast signals are stored in the semiconductor memory.
US08035748B2

Herein described is a method and system for generating an improved video output when deinterlacing pull-down video. The improvement results from reducing cross-chroma artifacts. In a representative embodiment, the method comprises first computing an adjusted chroma of a present pixel from a present top field or present bottom field of film sourced video as a function of an execution stage field phase. The method further comprises second computing a chroma of an absent pixel vertically adjacent to the present pixel, wherein the second computing is performed as a function of the execution stage field phase. In a representative embodiment, a deinterlacer video engine and a local storage circuitry process the 3:2 pull-down video by applying various equations for performing the first computing and the second computing. An adjusted chroma and an absent pixel chroma is computed for each present pixel at each execution stage field phase.
US08035731B2

A monitor with a large screen is provided at the back of the camera. In the recording mode, a preview image or a captured image is displayed in a part of the monitor where there is little possibility of being covered by the hand of the operator. In the reproducing mode, a reproduced image is displayed on substantially the entire screen of the monitor. A touch panel is provided over the monitor, and operation buttons such as a zoom operation button and an exposure correcting button are displayed on a part of the monitor where no image is displayed in the recording mode. Therefore, the part of the monitor can also be used as a camera operational part.
US08035729B2

In a digital camera 1, in an automatic shooting stand-by state, when judged at Step S26 that an automatic shooting condition has been satisfied (N at Step S26), whether or not to issue an AE re-processing command is judged. In other words, whether or not the current shooting condition is similar to a condition where an automatic shooting condition is satisfied is judged. When judged to issue the AE re-processing command, exposure tracking in an aperture-priority mode is performed (S28), and shooting exposure conditions excluding the aperture value for still-image shooting in the aperture-priority mode are determined. Then, the storage is updated (Step 29), and the process returns to Step S26. When judged at Step S26 that an automatic shooting condition has been satisfied (Y at Step S26), record processing for still-image shooting is performed with the updated shooting exposure conditions without changing the aperture value (Step S30).
US08035713B2

When a middle voltage within a withstanding voltage of a transistor from a first voltage VL as a low voltage of a source voltage and a second voltage VH as a high voltage of the source voltage is represented by VM and a third voltage within the withstanding voltage of a transistor from the second voltage VH or the first voltage VL is represented by VS or VD, a driving circuit includes: a first transistor whose source electrode is connected to a node of the middle voltage VM; a second transistor whose source electrode is connected to the drain electrode of the first transistor and whose drain electrode is connected to an output terminal; and a controller applying a signal having an amplitude of a difference between the voltages VL and VH to the gate electrode of the first transistor and applying a signal having an amplitude of a difference between the voltages VS and VH or between the voltages VL and VD to the gate electrode of the second transistor.
US08035711B2

Improving the dynamic range of captured images is disclosed by using sub-pixel arrays to capture light at different exposures and generate color pixel outputs for an image in a single frame. Each sub-pixel array can include multiple sub-pixels. The sub-pixels that make up a sub-pixel array can include red (R) sub-pixels, green (G) sub-pixels, blue (B) sub-pixels, and in some embodiments, clear sub-pixels. Those sub-pixel arrays having clear sub-pixels effectively have a higher exposure level and can capture low-light scenes (for dark areas) better than those sub-pixel arrays without clear sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel array can produce a color pixel output that is a combination of the outputs of the sub-pixels in the sub-pixel array. Each sub-pixel in a sub-pixel array can have the same exposure time, or in some embodiments, individual sub-pixels within a sub-pixel array can have different exposure times to improve the overall dynamic range even more.
US08035707B2

An imaging apparatus comprises an image-capturing element that outputs image signals representing a plurality of color components and an analyzing device that analyzes a captured photographic image based upon image signals with linearity, which are output from the image-capturing element.
US08035705B2

An image processing system including: a CCD which outputs an image signal; an edge extraction unit which extracts an edge signal from the image signal; a false edge estimation unit which estimates an edge signal that arises due to noise components based upon the image signal; an edge correction unit which corrects the edge signal by performing coring processing based upon the edge signal that arises due to noise components; and an edge enhancement unit which performs enhancement processing on the image signal based upon the edge signal thus corrected.
US08035698B2

Joint automatic demosaicking and white balancing. In one example embodiment, a digital image processing method includes several acts. First, directional color correlation signals, global gains, and orientations of edges are calculated in a CFA input image. Next, missing luminance components in CFA chrominance locations are demosaicked along edges in the input image using CFA chrominance components and the directional color correlation signals. Then, the CFA chrominance components are white-balanced using the demosaicked luminance components, the CFA chrominance components, and white-balancing gains expressed as a function of the global gains and local gains calculated directly from a pixel under consideration. Next, missing chrominance components in CFA chrominance locations in the input image are demosaicked. Finally, missing chrominance components in CFA luminance locations in the input image are demosaicked. Performance of these acts results in the transformation of the CFA input image into a full-color white-balanced output image.
US08035696B2

A solid-state imaging apparatus includes comparing means for comparing a pixel signal obtained by a pixel section and a reference signal the value of which varies in a stepwise manner, analog-digital converting means for outputting, as a digital value, the amount of time when the pixel signal and the reference signal change levels by the comparing means, reset signal generating means for generating a reset signal that triggers a reset operation to be input to the comparing means in order to adjust the reference in the analog-digital converting means, and waveform processing means provided between the reset signal generating means and the comparing means for increasing the degree of dullness of a waveform of the reset signal.
US08035695B2

An image sensing apparatus which has an optical system, the focal length of which is variable, and an image sensing element that converts an image formed by the optical system into an electrical signal, and can sense and record a moving image and still image, includes a focal length detection circuit for detecting the focal length of the optical system, and a control unit for inhibiting recording of the still image in accordance with the focal length detected by the focal length detection circuit.
US08035688B2

A computer program product and method for calibrating and characterizing a color display perform calibrating and characterizing steps. A light source is operated in order to emit light from one or more light emitters on the light source. A color capture device, e.g., a digital camera, is calibrated and characterized based on the emitted light. Then, color images are displayed on the color display and captured on the color capture device. The color display is calibrated and characterized based on the captured color images. Computer program instructions are recorded on the computer readable medium, and are executable by a processor, for performing the calibrating and characterizing steps. A method for generating a controlled light source includes displaying light source selections to a user and receiving a user light source selection. Selected light emitters produce a light output matching the user light source selection.
US08035678B2

A compact light scanning apparatus is disclosed which can provide a high light scanning efficiency. The apparatus includes a scanner that scans a light beam from a light source to form an image in an effective scan area, and a light detector that detects light. The light scanning apparatus includes a light-introducing member that introduces a partial light beam component of the light beam within its light beam width to the light detector in a state in which the light beam scanned by the scanner proceeds toward outside the effective scan area.
US08035669B2

According to an aspect of the invention, a control method for an exposure shutter of an image forming apparatus includes, opening the shutter only to a slit glass for monochrome when monochrome printing is performed, and opening the shutter to slit glasses for monochrome and color when color printing is performed.
US08035665B2

Methods of using control data to control a display of an image by a display device include encoding the control data as a line of video data, including the line of encoded control data in a video signal having a number of lines of image video data, transmitting the video signal to the display device, and using the control data to process the video signal and display the image.
US08035652B2

OSD data YD includes a color designating signal As and a color changing signal Ex. When a color register number is designated by the color designating signal As, a color storage unit 41 outputs an appropriate color signal. A Y signal is branched from the outputted color signal and subjected to a modulating process by the color changing signal Ex. The Y changing signal obtained by the modulating process is merged with a Cb signal and a Cr signal so as to form new color signal. The OSD data YD with changed color is subjected to a synthesizing process with image data XD according to the predetermined mixture ratio.
US08035651B2

A method of adjusting a displaying state of a display apparatus includes determining a reference color temperature and a reference Δu′v′, determining setting color temperatures corresponding to gradations of a gray level according to the reference color temperature to make color temperature differences between adjacent gradations of the gray level be within a predetermined color temperature range, measuring coordinates according to the gradations within a gray area formed by the gray level and displayable in the display apparatus on a predetermined color coordinates system corresponding to the reference Δu′v′ and the setting color temperatures corresponding to the gradations, and setting the coordinates corresponding to the gradations measured about each gradation of the gray level of the display apparatus. Thus the method of adjusting a displaying state of a display apparatus varies a color sensation to have directionality and linearity between gradations of a gray level, thereby improving color representation.
US08035645B2

Multichip graphics processing subsystems include at least three distinct graphics devices (e.g., expansion cards) coupled to a high-speed bus (e.g., a PCI Express bus) and operable in a distributed rendering mode. One of the graphics devices provides pixel data to a display device, and at least one of the other graphics devices transfers the pixel data it generates to another of the devices via the bus to be displayed. Where the high-speed bus provides data transfer lanes, allocation of lanes among the graphics devices can be optimized.
US08035632B2

The picture frame comprises: a decorative frame (18), support or hanging means (22, 24), a display screen (12), a driver circuit (46, 48) for driving the screen, and a processor (32). It further includes wireless interface means (34), in particular of the Bluetooth type, for interfacing with a remote appliance such as a mobile telephone in order to receive therefrom digital image data blocks, each corresponding to an image for storing in a memory (40) and for displaying on the display screen. In the event of a change in the state of a change of a screen orientation sensor (50), the processor applies pivot processing to the image data so as to restore the initial orientation of the displayed image. The picture frame also includes self-adaptive means for controlling its brightness level and suitable for detecting and storing successive changes of state in a sensor and for extrapolating from said changes an automatic control relationship for controlling the brightness level of the screen.
US08035621B2

An input device and mobile terminal having the same is provided. The input device includes a housing having at least one transmissive region, a touch board located substantially adjacent the housing, the touch board being configured to sense a touch applied to the housing, a plurality of light emitting units, each light emitting unit being at least partially located in or on the touch board, and a controller configured to selectively turn on at least one of the light emitting units to be visible through the at least one transmissive region when the touch board senses a touch applied to the housing.
US08035610B2

A LCD includes a first data line, a second data line and a third data line arranged sequentially, a first scan line, a second scan line and a third scan line arranged sequentially, and a pixel array. The pixel array includes a first pixel, a second pixel, a third pixel and a fourth pixel. The first pixel has a first transistor coupled to the first data line and the second scan line. The second pixel has a second transistor coupled to the second data line and the first scan line. The third pixel has a third transistor coupled to the second data line and the second scan line. The fourth pixel has a fourth transistor coupled to the third data line and the third scan line.
US08035609B2

Imaging elements are provided. An imaging element has a wireless communication circuit adapted to detect a wireless communication signal and to generate a control signal; an illumination circuit having an illumination element, the illumination circuit being adapted so that the illumination element generates light at an intensity that is based upon the control signal and a body containing the wireless communication circuit and the light source, wherein the body occupies a space that is less than about five cubic millimeters. The imaging element can also incorporate radiation sensors and can provide wireless signals indicative of sampled radiation.
US08035607B2

The invention provides an image display apparatus that includes: a frame memory into which inputted image data is stored; a statistical computation section that performs statistical computation on a gradation value of each pixel on the basis of the image data for each frame image; a correction section that corrects the image data stored in the frame memory on a frame-by-frame basis by means of a statistical computation result calculated at the statistical computation section; an image display section that performs image display by means of the image data corrected at the correction section; a light source control section that calculates a control amount applied to the amount of light emitted from a light source on the basis of the corrected image data and then controls the amount of light emitted from the light source in accordance with the control amount; and a still picture judgment section that makes a judgment as to whether the frame image constitutes a still picture or not. In such a configuration of the image display apparatus according to an aspect of the invention, the statistical computation section suspends the statistical computation till the frame image is updated if the still picture judgment section judges that the frame image constitutes a still picture.
US08035603B2

An illumination system capable of varying the light emission intensity of illumination light while maintaining the color balance of the illumination light is provided. An additive process illumination system obtaining a specific color light by mixing a plurality of color lights, the illumination system may include a plurality of light sources each emitting a different color light; a lighting period varying means for varying the lighting period of each light source; a light emission intensity varying means for varying the light emission intensity of each light source; and a control means for controlling the lighting period varying means and the light emission intensity varying means to control the light emission amount of each light source.
US08035587B2

A method for driving a liquid crystal device to record an image on the liquid crystal device is provided. The liquid crystal device has: a pair of electrodes; and a liquid crystal layer of cholestric liquid crystal sandwiched between the pair of electrodes. The method includes: applying a voltage V1 higher than a threshold value of a phase change to the homeotropic phase to make the liquid crystal layer to be in a homeotoropic phase; applying selectively two voltages V2H and V2L higher than the voltage V1 to each portion of the liquid crystal layer; and applying a voltage V3 under a condition of such a magnification and application time that a portion to which the voltage V2H has been applied changes to a planar phase and a portion to which the voltage V2L has been applied changes to a focal conic phase.
US08035586B2

Drive voltages corresponding to forward voltages for colors R, G, and B are supplied to display pixels for colors R, G, and B arranged on a display panel to correct disruption of a color balance due to aging and temperature dependence of EL elements. The maximum voltage among the drive voltages is detected, and a predetermined voltage is added to the maximum voltage by a charge pump or the like, so that an operation voltage of a level shifter in a gate driver is obtained. An operation signal having a level equal to that of the operation voltage is supplied to a gate of a transistor arranged in each pixel. Therefore, regardless of aging or the like, the control transistor accurately executes an ON operation at a timing for scanning to make it possible to prevent an image display from being defective.
US08035570B2

Various high-strength microwave antenna assemblies are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. The antenna is a dipole antenna with the distal end of the radiating portion being tapered and terminating at a tip to allow for direct insertion into tissue. Antenna rigidity comes from placing distal and proximal radiating portions in a pre-stressed state, assembling them via threaded or overlapping joints, or fixedly attaching an inner conductor to the distal portion. The inner conductor is affixed to the distal portion by, e.g., welding, brazing, soldering, or by adhesives. A junction member made from a hard dielectric material, e.g., ceramic, can be placed between the two portions and can have uniform or non-uniform shapes to accommodate varying antenna designs. Electrical chokes may also be used to contain returning currents to the distal end of the antenna.
US08035565B2

An antenna device (AD) for a RF communication equipment, comprises i) a substrate (S) comprising front (FS) and back (BS) sides, ii) a planar antenna element (AE) fixed to the substrate back side (BS), iii) a group of at least one component (G1) fixed to the substrate front side (FS), in an area located under the antenna element (AE), and connected to the antenna element (AE) through at least a first connecting means (VH 1) passing through the substrate (S), and a low resistivity layer (BL) buried into the substrate (S) for connecting to ground in order to isolate at least the group of component(s) from electromagnetic disturbances induced by the antenna element (AE).
US08035562B2

An advanced multiple-beam GPS receiving system is achieved that is capable of simultaneously tracking multiple GPS satellites independently, detecting multiple interference signals individually, and suppressing directional gain in the antenna pattern of each beam in the interference directions. The GPS receiving system can be used for both planar and non-planar receiving arrays, including arrays that are conformally applied to the surface of a platform such as an aircraft. The GPS receiver combines spatial filtering and acquisition code correlation for enhanced rejection of interfering sources. Enhanced gain in the direction of GPS satellites and the ability to shape the beam patterns to suppress gain in the direction of interfering sources make the GPS receiving system largely insensitive to interfering and jamming signals that plague conventional GPS receivers.
US08035556B2

An apparatus for transmitting a pseudolite signal so that a navigation signal is transmitted includes: at least four pseudolite configured to generate and output pseudolite codes for navigation; antennas configured to transmit signals outputted by the pseudolite corresponding to the antennas, respectively; and a single synchronization clock unit configured to provide each of the pseudolites with a synchronization clock.
US08035554B2

A device for measuring a position of a mobile station according to the present invention comprises: first measuring means for measuring the position of the mobile station based on observed data of signals from satellites using a one-epoch measuring method; second measuring means for measuring the position of the mobile station using previous determination result of the position of the mobile station and speed information representative of a speed of the mobile station; third measuring means for measuring the position of the mobile station using solutions of variables derived from previous determination results of the first or second measuring means; and controlling means 60 for selecting one of the respective measuring means which is to execute its measuring process; wherein if reliability of the determination result of the selected measuring means is lower than a predetermined reference value, the controlling means selects another measuring means to make it execute its measuring process.
US08035549B1

A method for calculating a drop track time for a radar system includes receiving characteristics of the radar system as an input, determining in a computer process the characteristics of a target being tracked by the radar system, calculating in a computer process a target track drop time for the target based on the characteristics of the radar system and the target, determining in a computer process whether a value associated with the target being tracked has been updated within the target track drop time, and discontinuing the tracking of the target if a value associated with the target being tracked is not updated within the target track drop time.
US08035547B1

A system and method of providing aerial navigation. Techniques are described for receiving global positioning system data, receiving local positioning system data such as instrument landing system data, generating a virtual target flight path using the global positioning system data and the local positioning system data, and presenting a virtual target flight path indicator corresponding to the virtual target flight path. In one implementation, the system includes a user interface, a global positioning component, a local positioning component, and a processing system.
US08035542B2

A digital-to-analog converter generates a voltage from power supply and ground voltages, generates upper and lower limit reference voltages for a reference width which regards the generated voltage as an intermediate potential, converts a change in an analog input signal with respect to the upper and lower limit reference voltages into a digital code, and performs a control in order to achieve a sample and hold of the analog input signal.
US08035541B2

A digital-analog converter circuit includes: a first digital-analog conversion part that obtains an analog output signal in response to a value of a digital input signal; and a second digital-analog conversion part that generates a control signal in response to a value of a digital gain control input signal externally input, wherein the first digital-analog conversion part adjusts a start voltage or end voltage of the analog output signal based on the digital gain control input signal for controlling the second digital-analog conversion part.
US08035538B2

A sigma-delta converter suitable for measuring a photocurrent comprises an input node adapted to receive a current to be measured (Imeas), a capacitor connected to the input node, a clocked comparator coupled to the input node and to a reference voltage Vref at respective inputs, and a switchable current source connected to the input node which conducts a reference current Iref when switched on. The converter is arranged in a sigma-delta configuration, with the current source switched on to pull down the voltage (VCMP) at the input node when the comparator output toggles due to VCMP increasing above Vref, and to be switched off when the comparator output toggles due to VCMP falling below Vref, such that the comparator output comprises a digital bitstream which varies with Imeas.
US08035537B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for programmable decoding of a plurality of code types. A method is provided for decoding data encoded using one of a plurality of code types, where each of the code types correspond to a communication standard. The code type associated with the data is identified and the data is allocated to a plurality of programmable parallel decoders. The programmable parallel decoders can be reconfigured to decode data encoded using each of the plurality of code types. A method is also provided for interleaving data among M parallel decoders using a communications network. An interleaver table is employed, wherein each entry in the interleaver table identifies one of the M parallel decoders as a target decoder and a target address of a communications network for interleaved data. Data is interleaved by writing the data to the target address of the communications network. The communications network can comprise, for example, a cross-bar switch and/or one or more first-in-first-out buffers.
US08035531B2

To provide a parking support device for easily and quickly moving or rotating a target parking frame to an appropriate position. The parking support device includes a target parking position setting unit configured to set a target parking position at which a vehicle is to be parked with a target parking frame superimposed on an actual image displaying an area surrounding the vehicle. The parking support device guides the vehicle to the target parking position set by the target parking position setting unit. The target parking position setting unit moves the target parking frame initially displayed on a touch display to a position indicated by a coordinate point determined by a touch operation.
US08035528B2

Fast detection of contact status with an AC wetting voltage using a ratiometric approach is described herein. In one embodiment, a voltage source wets the contact with a wetting voltage. A contact voltage monitor receives voltage obtained from the contact and converts the voltage to a first frequency output. A wetting voltage monitor receives wetting voltage provided from the voltage source to the contact and converts the sensed wetting voltage to a second frequency output. A processor generates a ratio between the first frequency output and the second frequency output and determines the status of the contact and the field wires associated with the contact in accordance with the generated ratio.
US08035526B2

A system provides assisted living messages with varying levels of detail to a person, according to proximity gradients. In one embodiment, the system involves location data. The location data associates first and second notification devices with respective first and second locations at a dwelling. A remote configuration module may enable a caregiver at a location other than the dwelling to specify multiple messages to be presented to the person at the dwelling, to assign first and second messages among the multiple messages to the first location, and to associate the first and second messages with first and second proximities, respectively, for the first location. The first notification device may automatically present the first message in response to detecting the person within the first proximity, and the second message in response to detecting the person within the second proximity. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08035518B2

An electronic tag housing secures an electronic tag to an elongate article. The housing includes a cover and a base positioned over the cover for supporting the tag therebetween. The cover and base define a passageway therebetween for insertable receipt of the elongate article. A pressure plate is movably secured to the cover. The pressure plate is movable into engagement with the elongate article to clamp the article therein.
US08035516B2

A system and method for false alarm prevention in unstable locations is presented. In one embodiment, the method comprises activating an asset sensor and a reference sensor, detecting motion in the asset sensor, determining if the reference sensor detects motion, and preventing transmission of an alarm if the reference sensor detects the motion. In another embodiment, the method comprises activating an asset sensor and a reference sensor, detecting motion in the asset sensor and transmitting acceleration data in accordance with the detected motion, sensing local acceleration data from the reference sensor, and signaling an alarm if a difference between the transmitted acceleration data and the local acceleration data is greater than a predetermined threshold. The reference sensor can be mounted in a control panel, and the asset and reference sensors can be enrolled in the control panel.
US08035513B2

A sensor circuit for remotely commanding the operation of a remote device includes a motion sensor circuit for detecting motion relative thereto and having an output conditioned upon motion detection. Additionally, a photocell sensor circuit for detecting a low ambient illumination level has an output command conditioned upon the detection of a predetermined illumination level that is electrically coupled to a control circuit having a plurality of inputs. The invention further includes a data output comprising a remote device operation command and a transmitter circuit coupled to the data output of said control circuit for transmitting said operation command to a remote device.
US08035504B2

A child restraint warning system configured to be secured to a child seat/carrier having a base, a seat detachably connected to the base, where the child seat/carrier includes a harness configured to be releasably secured with a latch. When the seat is secured on the base a seat position sensor sends a signal to a control unit positioned on the back of the seat. The control unit is switched into an active status for detecting an unlocked condition of the harness latch. A first series of audible warning signals is produced by the control unit if the latch remains unlocked for a pre-determined period of time. If the latch continues to be in an unlocked condition after the first series of warning signals the control unit generates a second series of signals, which can be spoken messages pre-programmed by the user.
US08035493B2

A head-up display device includes a light source, a display unit for producing display virtual images including an alarm display image, a mirror for reflecting the light to show the alarm display image in a field of front view of a driver, at least one on-vehicle device that the driver operates, a visual-line shift detecting means and a display position shifting means. The mirror reflects the light representing the alarm display image so that a driver can see the alarm display image in a display area that is set on one of a front windshield and a combiner in front of the driver and in a field of front vision of the driver. The visual-line shift detecting means detects a visual line shift of the driver from a usual forward visual range of the driver toward the on-vehicle device that the driver operates. The display position shifting means shifts positions of the display area to a position between the usual forward visual range and a portion/part, of the on-vehicle device at operation, which the driver watches during the operation when the visual-line shift detecting means detects the visual line shift from the usual forward visual range toward the on-vehicle device.
US08035491B2

The present invention generally pertains to systems and methods for communicating messages in wireless networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a wireless sensor network has a first node and a second node. The second node is configured to wirelessly transmit a message through a channel of the wireless sensor network to the first node. The second node is further configured to determine whether to retransmit the message through the channel of the wireless sensor network to the first node based on an amount of energy detected for the channel by the second node immediately after transmission of the message by the second node.
US08035476B2

The present invention relates to a chip resistor and method for making the same. The chip resistor includes a substrate, a pair of bottom electrodes, a resistive film, a pair of main upper electrodes, a first protective coat, a pair of barrier layers, a second protective coat, a pair of side electrodes and at least one plated layer. The first protective coat is disposed over the resistive film, and covers part of the main upper electrodes. The barrier layers are disposed on the main upper electrodes, and cover part of the first protective coat. The second protective coat is disposed on the first protective coat, and covers part of the barrier layers. The plated layers cover the barrier layers, the bottom electrodes and the side electrodes. As a result, the chip resistor features high corrosion resistance.
US08035475B2

A resistor assembly and method of assembling a resistor to a coupling, comprises providing a resistor having a first end and a second end, the resistor being tubular in shape and providing a coupling housing having an open end for receiving the first end of the resistor, the coupling housing including a sealing member, a retainer, and a support washer. The retainer is interposed between the support washer and sealing member. The first end of the resistor is inserted into the open end of the coupling housing. The tube is rotated within the coupling housing so that the resistor is in sealing engagement with the sealing member and retained by retaining member.
US08035469B2

The present invention provides a fixing structure and a fixing member for a stationary induction apparatus, which can easily and inexpensively be assembled with a small number of constituent elements, and which are capable of reliable fixation. A fixing portion 4 which fixes the core 2 of a reactor to a case 1 is provided. The fixing portion 4 has a slide block 40 in contact with the core 2; a fixing bolt 42 which fixes the slide block 40 with respect to the case 1; and a slide base 41 provided between the slide block 40 and the case 1, and fixed to the case 1 together with the slide block 40. The slide block 40 and the slide base 41 have inclined faces 40d, 41b in mutual contact, and the slide block 40 has a first impelling portion 40a which impels the core 2 in a vertical direction and a second impelling portion 40b which impels the core 2 in a horizontal direction, according to fastening by the fixing bolt 42.
US08035466B2

A coaxial to transmission line connector has a connector and an attachment area with a windowed electrical attachment point that when soldered in place on a ground reference of an electrical device, creates an electrical and mechanical connection between an outer conductor of the coaxial to transmission line connector. The attachment area has at least one mechanical alignment point and a corresponding reference pivot point located substantially co-planar at the termination of the coaxial dielectric region at an edge of a PCB and a port of the coaxial to transmission line connector. The at least one mechanical alignment point and the corresponding reference pivot plane serve to automatically align the coaxial to transmission line connector to the electrical device. Opposite the attachment area is a dielectric area following termination of the outer conductor in the transition area of the microstrip transmission line.
US08035459B2

A power divider includes first and second amplifiers (AMP1, AMP2), and an isolation circuit. AMP1 includes a first capacitor (C1) with one end connected to input, a first FET (FET1) having a gate connected to the other end of C1, a first feedback circuit connecting the FET1 drain and the one end of C1, a first source circuit connecting the FET1 source and ground, and a second capacitor connecting the FET1 drain and a first output. AMP2 includes a third capacitor with one end connected to input, a second FET (FET2) having a gate connected to the other end of the third capacitor, a second feedback circuit connecting the FET2 drain and the one end of the third capacitor, a second source circuit connecting the FET2 source and ground, and a fourth capacitor connecting the FET2 drain and a second output. The isolation circuit connects the FET1 and FET2 sources.
US08035453B1

An oscillator circuit includes differential variable delay circuits coupled together to form a ring oscillator. Each of the differential variable delay circuits has first and second inputs and first, second, third, and fourth transistors. A constant supply voltage is provided to sources of the first and the second transistors in each of the differential variable delay circuits. A variable supply voltage is provided to sources of the third and the fourth transistors in each of the differential variable delay circuits. Gates of the first and the third transistors are coupled to the first input. Gates of the second and the fourth transistors are coupled to the second input. The oscillator circuit generates a periodic output signal having a frequency that varies based on changes in the variable supply voltage.
US08035451B2

A difference between a reference clock and feedback clock is detected to generate a difference signal that is filtered to generate a voltage controlled oscillator control signal and produce an oscillation signal having an oscillation frequency. A first frequency dividing circuit divides the oscillation signal by a selected one of a number of first frequency divisors to generate an output signal at a selected frequency. A second frequency dividing circuit divides the output signal by a selected one of a number of second frequency divisors to generate the feedback clock. The frequency divisors are selected by a frequency selection signal. The first frequency dividing circuit samples the frequency selection signal at the rate of the oscillation signal divided by a least common multiple of the plurality of first frequency divisors. The second frequency dividing circuit samples the sampled frequency selection signal at the rate of the feedback clock.
US08035450B2

An operational amplifier having a first amplification stage with an input terminal to receive a signal to be amplified, and a first output terminal, and a second amplification stage having a first input terminal connected to the first output terminal, and an output terminal to provide the amplified signal. The first and second amplification stages define, between the input terminal and the output terminal, a signal transfer function having first and second poles. The amplifier further includes a decoupling stage having a further input terminal connected to the first stage input terminal, and a further output terminal connected to the second stage output terminal. The decoupling stage is so arranged as to introduce at least one zero in the operational amplifier transfer function.
US08035447B2

Active circuits with active loads linearized via distortion cancellation are described. In one design, an apparatus includes a first stage and a load stage. For an amplifier, the first stage amplifies an input signal and provides an output signal having a larger signal level. For a mixer, the first stage mixes an input signal with an LO signal and provides an output signal. The load stage provides an active load for the first stage and is linearized by canceling distortion generated by the active load. In one design, the load stage includes a first transistor that provides the active load and generates distortion due to its nonlinearity. The load stage further includes at least one transistor that generates a replica of the distortion from the first transistor. The distortion replica is used to cancel the distortion from the first transistor. The first stage may also be linearized with distortion cancellation.
US08035443B2

Techniques are disclosed for extending an amplifier's linear operating range by concatenating an amplifier exhibiting gain compression with a gain expansion stage. In an exemplary embodiment, a gain expansion stage incorporates a Class-B stage, a Class-AB stage, or a combination of the two. In an exemplary embodiment, both the gain compression stage and gain expansion stage are provided with a replica current biasing scheme to ensure stable biasing current over variations in temperature, process, and/or supply voltage. Further disclosed is an output voltage biasing scheme to set the DC output voltage to ensure maximum linear operating range.
US08035436B2

A phase-interpolator circuit is described. In the phase-interpolator circuit, an output signal, having a fundamental frequency and a phase, is generated based on a weighted summation of a first reference signal and a second reference signal, where the first reference signal has the fundamental frequency and a first phase, and the second reference signal has the same fundamental frequency and a second phase. Note that contributions of the first reference signal and the second reference signal, respectively, to the output signal are determined based on associated first and second impedance values in a weighting circuit in the phase-interpolator circuit. For example, a programmable capacitance ratio of two capacitors may be used to interpolate between the first reference signal and the second reference signal. Additionally, the phase-interpolator circuit may include a biasing circuit that provides a DC bias to the weighting circuit, and which amplifies the output of the weighting circuit to provide the output signal.
US08035435B1

Circuits, demultiplexers, and methods are disclosed. A circuit includes a reference clock input to receive clock pulses at a reference clock speed. An internal divided clock input receives a divided clock signal from a clock divider that is driven by the clock pulses. The clock divider generates the divided clock signal at a second clock speed that is a fraction of the reference clock speed. An external divided clock input receives an external divided clock signal. The external divided clock signal is driven by the clock pulses and operates at the second clock speed. A clock transition synchronization circuit suppresses application of one or more of the clock pulses to the clock divider when the divided clock signal transitions between clock states out of synchronization with the external divided clock signal.
US08035430B2

Systems and methods for design and operation of signal generator circuitry with output frequencies greater than the oscillator frequency. Accordingly, in a first method embodiment, a method of producing an output periodic electronic signal comprises accessing four signals having a quadrature phase relationship. First and second pairs of these signals having a one half cycle phase relationship are averaged to produce two signals having an improved duty cycle and a one-quarter cycle phase relationship. The first and second averaged periodic electronic signals are combined in an exclusive OR circuit to produce the output periodic electronic signal at twice the oscillator frequency. Advantageously, the periodic signal may comprise a desirable duty cycle of 50 percent.
US08035429B2

A semiconductor device includes a plurality of synchronization clock generators configured to generate a plurality of synchronization clock signals by mixing phases of first and second source clock signals having an identical frequency, a first clock transmission path configured to sequentially apply the first source clock signal to the plurality of synchronization clock generators by transferring the first source clock signal in a forward direction, a second clock transmission path configured to sequentially apply the second source clock signal to the plurality of synchronization clock generators by transferring the second source clock signal in a backward direction, and a plurality of data output units configured to synchronize a plurality of data with the plurality of synchronization clock signals and outputting the synchronized plurality of data.
US08035422B2

The invention relates to a transconductance amplifier, providing current variations di=k·dv when it receives voltage variations dv.The amplifier comprises a first MOS transistor (MN4) whose drain provides differential currents (I−di, I+di). It comprises an output stage having a second transistor (MP5) of a type opposite to the first, whose source is linked to the drain of the first, whose gate is biased at a constant potential (Vref), and whose drain receives the current variations which are provided by the first transistor and which must be applied to a sampling capacitor. The amplifier furthermore comprises a filter (FLT) with frequency response centered on the central frequency Fo of the signals to be converted, having a very high impedance around this central frequency and a low impedance outside the useful spectrum, the filter being connected to the source of the second transistor (MP5) so as to divert away from the second transistor the current variations which are in a frequency band situated outside the useful spectrum.
US08035421B2

A charge sampling circuit, has a control signal generator for controlling an analog input signal to the charge sampling circuit to be integrated by an integrator during a sampling phase responsive to a sampling signal from the control signal generator. The current of the analog input signal is integrated to an integrated charge for producing a proportional voltage or current sample at a signal output at the end of the sampling phase.
US08035410B2

A latch circuit includes a feedback circuit having inverter circuits and at least two input terminals and an input circuit for inputting input signals or signals having the same phase as the input signals to the input terminals of the feedback circuit in synchronization with a clock signal. In the feedback circuit section, only when the input signals or the signals having the same phase as the input signals are input to the at least two input terminals at the same time, positive feedback using a predetermined number of amplification stages is applied to the input terminals.
US08035399B2

A system and method for using a physical layer device to locate a thermal signature in a cable plant for diagnostic, enhanced, and higher power applications. Cable heating in specific sections of a network cable is detected through an automatic identification of a thermal signature in electrical measurements of a network cable. The correlation of the thermal signature to a specific section of the network cable enables network personnel to locate hot spots in the network cable with ease.
US08035396B2

Battery system is widely used in emergent power plant or communication network power plant and its effective management is important. When any one of batteries connected to each other in series is failed during operation of the battery system, since reliability of the system cannot be secured, a problem is arisen to stable operation of the communication network. In a method of separating inferior battery, the battery is operated in floating charge state without separation to generate square current containing charge current and easily generated to flow through the battery cell, voltage signal generated from terminal voltage of the battery by the measuring signal is processed such that only internal impedance voltage signal is separated from harmonics ripple voltage and noise voltage by a synchronized detection calculating algorithm to calculate the internal impedance or effective value thereof (resistance component). When the algorithm is applied after filtering only fundamental frequency and similar component by general filter, measuring precision can be improved and measuring time can be reduced.
US08035395B2

A battery life predicting device and a battery life predicting method capable of accurately predict the lifetime of storage batteries are provided. The expected lifetime value selecting unit 7 selects, as an expected lifetime value, a lifetime value that corresponds to the load power applied by the storage battery during discharge and the ambient temperature of the location where the storage battery 3 is installed while referring to the lifetime data stored in the lifetime data storing unit 5, the first diminution in lifetime calculating unit 12a calculates the first diminution in lifetime based on a natural logarithm function that takes the time obtained by converting the number of discharge cycles of the storage battery 3 as a variable, the second diminution in lifetime calculating unit 12b calculates the second diminution in lifetime from the mean value of the storage battery temperatures during charging, discharging or an idle state, the ambient temperature and the time elapsed after the installation of the storage battery 3, and the remaining lifetime value calculating unit 12c calculates the remaining lifetime value by subtracting the first diminution in lifetime and the second diminution in lifetime from the expected lifetime value.
US08035376B2

A method of providing polarized noble gas for NMR or MRI applications incorporates a control module, a plurality of optical pumping modules each including an optical pumping cell operably associated with the control module; a plurality of dispensing systems, one for each optical pumping module wherein each dispensing system is operably associated with the control module and the its associated optical pumping module to dispense meted volumes of polarized gas from the hyperpolarizer; the optical pumping modules, and the dispensing systems, where a noble gas is directed to a selected one of the optical pumping modules, polarized and dispensed by the associated dispensing system.
US08035375B2

The present invention provides a material for the construction of external coverings accessible by humans or animals. It aims to increase the breakdown voltage between a high voltage VRF, high frequency source of energy and the human or animal, by adaptation of materials and structures. According to an embodiment of the invention, a structure is provided for the cover 18 used in MRI or NMR systems, which carries a greater proportion Vs of the voltage VRF across itself, thereby reducing the voltage Vg across the gap 22 and reducing the likelihood of breakdown.
US08035374B1

A tool disposable within a well pipe, such as for detecting a freepoint of a well pipe, includes an electromagnet capable of inducing a magnetic field within a wall of a well pipe. The tool includes a Barkhausen noise sensing device capable of sensing magnetic Barkhausen noise in response to the electromagnet inducing the magnetic field within the wall of the well pipe. The tool may be moved along the well pipe so as make two passes of the tool along the well pipe, with one pass being performed while the well pipe is less stressed and the other pass being performed while the well pipe is more stressed, with the output of the tool during a first pass being compared to the output of the tool during a second pass to determine the location of the freepoint of the well pipe.
US08035371B2

The invention relates to more accurate rotative and linear positional measurement for a rotary-linear drive. A measuring system comprising a linear sensor (12) and a rotary sensor (20) is disclosed. A decoupling unit (11,14,17) decouples the rotary displacement from the linear displacement of a shaft (10). The decoupling unit (11,14,17) has either a first measuring section (11), which is coupled in a fixed manner to the shaft to be measured (10) and tapped by the linear sensor (12) and a second measuring section (17), which is exclusively non-rotatably coupled to the shaft to be measured (10) and is tapped by the rotary sensor (20), or a first measuring section, which is coupled in a fixed manner exclusively linearly to the shaft to be measured and is tapped by the linear sensor and a second measuring section, which is non-rotatably coupled to the shaft to be measured and is tapped by the rotary sensor. In each case, the linear displacement is decoupled from the rotary displacement for the measuring process, permitting high-resolution standard measuring sensors to be used.
US08035359B2

An apparatus and method for supplying power to circuits of an integrated circuit (IC) from the wasted power in low-swing high-speed differential line drivers used in the IC, is disclosed. In a high speed line driver the load resistors of the driver are connected to a power supply, either the local power supply or the receiver power supply. DC power for the driver is supplied through these resistors. A large portion of this power, supplied from the power supply is wasted in the DC set-up circuit of the differential line driver. It is proposed to use this wasted power to power selected circuits of an IC. The use of this wasted power from the drivers for powering the circuits reduces the overall power dissipation of the system.
US08035340B2

An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit, having a primary coil and an electrical drive unit which applies electrical drive signals to the primary coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field. The system also comprises at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit and having a secondary coil which couples with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit. A control unit causes a circuit including said primary coil to operate, during a measurement period, in an undriven resonating condition. In this condition the application of the drive signals to the primary coil by the electrical drive unit is suspended so that energy stored in the circuit decays over the course of the period. A decay measurement unit takes one or more measures of such energy decay during the measurement period. In dependence upon said one or more energy decay measures, the control unit controls the electrical drive unit so as to restrict or stop inductive power transfer from the primary unit.
US08035339B2

A power supply device capable of reducing noise intruding into connecting terminals for signal input or output will be provided. A cradle device 3 has a case 18; a positive supply terminal 21P and a negative power supply terminal 21N exposed from the case 18; a charger 52 provided inside the case and setting the positive power supply terminal 21P and the negative power supply terminal 21 at constant potentials being different from each other; an input terminal 21S exposed from the case 18 and arranged between the positive power supply terminal 21P and the negative power supply terminal 21N adjacent to the positive power supply terminal P and the negative power supply terminal 21N; and an amplifier 51 provided inside the case 18 and operating based on a signal input into the input terminal 21S.
US08035333B2

A fan motor speed control circuit includes: a driving circuit configured to drive a fan motor so as to run at a rotation speed corresponding to a drive signal; a comparison circuit configured to output a comparison signal for matching a rotation speed of the fan motor with a target rotation speed, based on a reference signal corresponding to the target rotation speed of the fan motor and a speed signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the fan motor; and a selection circuit configured to output to the driving circuit the drive signal corresponding to one signal out of the reference signal and the comparison signal, the one signal being a signal by which the fan motor is driven at a higher rotation speed.
US08035331B2

An AC/DC converting circuit, has a full-bridge rectifier having two input terminals and two output terminals, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, an electronic switch having a control terminal, a trigger circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal, and a detecting circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal. The first capacitor and the second capacitor are serially connected between the output terminals of the full-bridge rectifier, the input terminals of the full-bridge rectifier are connected to an AC input, one end of the electronic switch is connected between the first capacitor and the second capacitor, the other end of the electronic switch is connected to one of the output terminals of the full-bridge rectifier, the input terminal and the output terminal of the detecting circuit are connected to the output terminals of the full-bridge rectifier, the output terminal of the detecting circuit is connected to an input terminal of the trigger circuit, and the output terminal of the trigger circuit is connected to the control terminal of the electronic switch.
US08035321B2

An electron acceleration portion of a Betatron having a vacuum chamber with an interior wall spaced from an exterior wall with a main electron orbit located approximate to the exterior wall and the interior wall. An electron injector has an anode structured and arranged adjacent a wall selected from the group consisting of the interior wall and the exterior wall that is shaped so as to not impede the main electron orbit. There is at least one electron deflection plate disposed approximate an anode end of the anode and the main electron orbit. There can be two electron deflection plates spaced apart that form a gap of a width effective to receive emitted electrons from the electron injector. Such that, there is a voltage potential between the two electron deflection plates that is effective to deflect emitted electrons towards the main electron orbit.
US08035316B2

A current-limiting protection circuit of remotely controlled ceiling fan-lamp is disclosed. The current-limiting protection circuit includes a microcontroller unit for detecting rectangular wave signal reflective of the power used by a lamp load. The rectangular wave signal is compared with nominal value. In the case that the positive bandwidth of the rectangular wave signal is larger than the nominal value, it is indicated that the lamp load is in an overloaded state. Under such circumstance, the microcontroller unit controls a lamp load driving unit to change driving manner and lower the power used by the lamp load to a value within the nominal range.
US08035310B2

A light source driving circuit including a driving module, a plurality of first switches, a detecting unit, and a control unit is provided. The plurality of first switches is respectively coupled to corresponding light sources and these light sources are driven by the driving module. The detecting unit is coupled to the driving module to detect a working parameter of each light source and transmit the working parameter to the control unit. When the detecting unit detects some of these light sources are broken down, the control unit sequentially turns on the first switches to find out the failed light source. Moreover, the first switch coupled to the failed light source is remained on, and the driving signal is regulated according to the number of the failed light source, such that the brightness of the panel does not decrease.
US08035303B1

Electrode configurations for a gas discharge device such as a plasma display panel (PDP) having one or more substrates and a multiplicity of pixels or sub-pixels defined by a hollow plasma-shell filled with an ionizable gas. In one embodiment, there is used a plasma-dome having a dome and an opposing flat side. One or more addressing electrodes are in electrical contact with each plasma-dome, at least one electrode being in contact with a side of the plasma-dome that is flat. The gas discharge device may include inorganic and/or organic luminescent substances that are excited by a gas discharge within each plasma-dome or by photons emitted from another luminescent substance. The luminescent substance is located on an exterior and/or interior surface of the plasma-dome and/or incorporated into the shell of the plasma-dome. The shell may be made of one or more luminescent substances.
US08035297B2

An organic electroluminescent device including in sequence an anode, a first emitting layer (5), a carrier barrier layer (6), a second emitting layer (7) and a cathode stacked; wherein the ionization potential of the carrier barrier layer (6) is more than the ionization potential of the first emitting layer (5) by 0.1 eV or more and the affinity level of the carrier barrier layer (6) is less than the affinity levels of the first emitting layer (5) and the second emitting layer (7) by 0.1 eV or more.
US08035276B2

A vibration actuator with good driving performance, and a lens barrel and camera equipped therewith, is provided. There is provided a vibration actuator comprising: an electromechanical conversion element that is excited by a driving signal; a vibrating body including a joining face, to which the electromechanical conversion element is joined, and a driving face, at which a vibration wave is produced by the excitation; and a relative motion member that is pressingly touched against the driving face, is driven by the vibration wave, and relatively moves with respect to the vibrating body, wherein at a first and a second portion of the electromechanical conversion element in a direction parallel to the joining face and orthogonal to a direction of the relative movement of the vibrating body and the relative motion member, thickness in a direction orthogonal to the joining face differs between the first portion and the second portion.
US08035273B2

A rotor for an electric machine having a number of poles includes a shaft that extends along a portion of an axis and defines an outer surface. A first core portion is formed as a single inseparable component and includes a first portion that extends from the outer surface to a first outside diameter to define a first thickness, and a second portion spaced axially from the first portion that includes a reduced back portion that extends from an inside diameter to the first outside diameter to define a second thickness that is less than the first thickness. A second core portion is connected to the first core portion and includes a second outside diameter that is substantially the same as the first outside diameter.
US08035270B2

A wheel motor can include a stator adapted to be coupled to a vehicle. The stator can include a body portion and a core extending radially outward from the body portion. A rotor can be disposed about the stator and can have a portion positioned radially outboard of and around the stator core. The rotor can include a plurality of magnets aligned with the stator core, and can be adapted to be coupled to a rotatable vehicle component. At least one winding element can be disposed circumferentially around the stator core, and a controller can be positioned in a pocket integrally formed in the stator body portion. The controller can be coupled to the at least one winding element and can be arranged to selectively provide a current supply to the at least one winding element to generate a magnetic flux to rotate the rotor relative to the stator.
US08035265B2

A motor stator is disclosed. Each of a first phase, second phase and third phase of three-phase winding has multiple toroidal coils and crossover wires connecting the coils. The crossover wire of the first phase runs inside the second phase coil and the third phase coil. The crossover wire of the second phase runs over the first phase coil with a guide by guide posts and runs inside the third phase coil. The crossover wire of the third phase runs over the first phase coil and the second phase coil with a guide by the guide posts.
US08035263B2

An electric motor has a rotor (52) rotatable around a rotation axis (56) and has a stator (60) arranged around said rotor (52), which stator is equipped with poles (11′ to 16′). Each pole has an individual winding (11 to 16), and the latter together form a winding arrangement (30) that serves to generate a rotating field. Arranged approximately concentrically with the rotation axis (56) is an arrangement having electrical connection elements (U, V, W, U′, V′, W′). The latter are equipped with mounting elements (34, V1, W1, U′1, V′1, 32, 36) to each of which an associated end of an individual winding is mechanically and electrically connected. A connection arrangement (40) has a plurality of conductors (42, 44, 46) each of which is connected, by means of a welded connection (155), to the connection elements of the stator in order to electrically interconnect them in a predetermined fashion.
US08035248B2

A system and a process for energizing loads through a control unit, said loads being energized from a power network, said system comprising: connecting elements, each including a processing unit operatively connected to a respective power switch so as to lead the latter to opening and closing conditions, de-energizing and energizing a respective adjacent load that is electrically coupled to the connecting element; a pair of electrical conductors connected to a power network for energizing the loads and which are disposed so as to define an energizing means which is common to the connecting elements and to the control unit; and a signal conductor not galvanically isolated from the power network and which is common to the processing units and to the control unit, connecting them so as to allow the control unit to instruct, through the processing units and through coded electrical signals, the opening and closing of each respective power switch.
US08035236B2

A semiconductor device comprising curable polyorganosiloxane composites is provided where the composites contain at least 0.1 wt % of the 4th and/or 13th group elements of the periodic table. The cured polyorganosiloxane composites may be catalyst-free, have increased stability, and can be used as encapsulation resin at a temperature far lower than 300° C., have excellent light transmission properties (colorless transparency) in a wavelength region of from ultraviolet light to visible light, light resistance, heat resistance, resistance to moist heat and UV resistance, and has excellent adhesiveness toward metal, ceramics, and plastic surfaces over a long period of time.
US08035231B2

The semiconductor device 1 includes interconnect layers 10, 20, an IC chip 30, via plugs 42, 44, a seal resin 50, and solder balls 60. The interconnect layer 10 includes a via plug 42. An end face of the via plug 42 on the side of the interconnect layer 20 is smaller in area than the opposite end face, i.e. the end face on the side of the IC chip 30. An end face of the via plug 44 on the side of the interconnect layer 10 is smaller in area than the opposite end face, i.e. the end face on the side of the solder balls 60. The thermal decomposition temperature of the insulating resin 14 constituting the interconnect layer 10 is higher than that of the insulating resin 24 constituting the interconnect layer 20.
US08035229B2

A semiconductor device includes: a gate electrode formed above a semiconductor region; a drain region and a source region formed in portions of the semiconductor region located below sides of the gate electrode in a gate length direction, respectively; a plurality of drain contacts formed on the drain region to be spaced apart in a gate width direction of the gate electrode; and a plurality of source contacts formed on the source region to be spaced apart in the gate width direction of the gate electrode. The intervals between the drain contacts are greater than the intervals between the source contacts.
US08035218B2

A microelectronic package includes a first substrate (120) having a first surface area (125) and a second substrate (130) having a second surface area (135). The first substrate includes a first set of interconnects (126) having a first pitch (127) at a first surface (121) and a second set of interconnects (128) having a second pitch (129) at a second surface (222). The second substrate is coupled to the first substrate using the second set of interconnects and includes a third set of interconnects (236) having a third pitch (237) and internal electrically conductive layers (233, 234) connected to each other with a microvia (240). The first pitch is smaller than the second pitch, the second pitch is smaller than the third pitch, and the first surface area is smaller than the second surface area.
US08035216B2

Decoupling capacitors are frequently used in computer systems in order to control noise. In general, decoupling capacitors are placed as close as possible to the devices they protect in order to minimize the amount of line inductance and series resistance between the devices and the capacitors. An integrated circuit package includes a substrate (110, 210) having a first surface (111, 211) and an opposing second surface (112, 212), and a die platform (130, 230) adjacent to the first surface of the substrate. The substrate has a recess (120, 220) therein. The integrated circuit package further includes a capacitor (140, 240) in the recess of the substrate. The presence of a recess in the substrate provides an opportunity to reduce the separation distance between a die supported by the die platform and the decoupling capacitors. A further advantage of embodiments of the invention lies in its ability to maintain socket compatibility.
US08035212B2

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor chip mounting body, with an enhanced shock-resistance at portions of the bonding member corresponding to the corners of a semiconductor chip, is provided. The semiconductor chip mounting body includes a circuit board having a circuit pattern formed on a mounting surface thereof, a semiconductor chip mounted on the circuit pattern of the circuit board, and a bonding member arranged at least between the circuit board and the semiconductor chip, and on the sides of the semiconductor chip to fix the semiconductor chip on the circuit board. The bonding member contains thermosetting resin and magnetic powder dispersed in the thermosetting resin. The magnetic powder is locally disposed in portions of the bonding member which is located the corners of the semiconductor chip.
US08035201B2

Embodiments relate to a method for forming reliable interconnects by the use of a device layer that can serve as a barrier or an etch stop layer, among other applications. The device layer is UV resistant in that its dielectric constant and stress remain stable or relatively stable when subjected to UV curing.
US08035199B2

A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor fin which is formed on the semiconductor substrate, which has a long side direction and a short side direction, and which has a carbon-containing silicon film including an impurity and a silicon film formed on the carbon-containing silicon film, a gate electrode which is formed to face both side surfaces of the semiconductor fin in the short side direction, source and drain regions which are respectively formed in the semiconductor fin located in the direction of both sides in the long side direction of the semiconductor fin so as to sandwich the gate electrode, and an element isolation insulating film which is formed on the side surface of the semiconductor fin and between the gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate.
US08035194B2

Provided is a semiconductor device capable of removing a power ground grid noise using a small area. The semiconductor device includes a first chip including at least one decoupling capacitor; and a second semiconductor chip stacked over the first semiconductor chip, including internal circuits.
US08035167B2

A complementary bipolar semiconductor device (CBi semiconductor device) comprising a substrate of a first conductivity type, active bipolar transistor regions in the substrate, in which the base, emitter and collector of vertical bipolar transistors are arranged, vertical epitaxial-base npn bipolar transistors in a first subset of the active bipolar transistor regions, vertical epitaxial-base pnp bipolar transistors in a second subset of the active bipolar transistor regions, collector contact regions which are respectively arranged adjoining an active bipolar transistor region, and shallow field insulation regions which respectively laterally delimit the active bipolar transistor regions and the collector contact regions, wherein arranged between the first or the second or both the first and also the second subset of active bipolar transistor regions on the one hand and the adjoining collector contact regions on the other hand is a respective shallow field insulation region of a first type with a first depthwise extent in the direction of the substrate interior and shallow field insulation regions of a second type of a second greater depthwise extent than the first depthwise extent of the active bipolar transistor regions delimit the active bipolar transistor regions and collector contact regions viewed in cross-section at their sides facing away from each other.
US08035158B2

Aiming at realizing high breakdown voltage and low ON resistance of a semiconductor device having the super-junction structure, the semiconductor device of the present invention has a semiconductor substrate having an element forming region having a gate electrode formed therein, and a periphery region formed around the element forming region, and having an field oxide film formed therein; and a parallel p-n layer having n-type drift regions and p-type column regions alternately arranged therein, formed along the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, as being distributed over the element forming region and a part of the periphery region, wherein the periphery region has no column region formed beneath the end portion on the element forming region side of the field oxide film and has p-type column regions as at least one column region formed under the field oxide film.
US08035155B2

A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a floating gate; an erasing gat; and a control gate. The floating gate is provided on a channel region of a semiconductor substrate through a first insulating layer. The erasing gate is provided on the floating gate through a second insulating layer. The control gate is provided beside the floating gate and the erasing gate through a third insulating layer. The floating gate is U-shaped.
US08035150B2

A memory cell array of a NOR type flash memory is constructed by arranging memory cell transistors in a matrix, each of the memory cell transistors includes a contact connecting a semiconductor substrate to an overlayer wire. Columns of the memory cell transistors are isolated from one another by shallow trench isolations. The height of top surface of a filling oxide film in the shallow trench isolation which is adjacent to each drain contact is equal to that of top surface of the drain region. The top surface of a filling oxide film in the shallow trench isolation which is adjacent to each channel region is higher than a top surface of the semiconductor substrate in the channel region.
US08035149B2

A nonvolatile memory device includes an active region defined by a device isolation layer in a semiconductor substrate, a word line passing over the active region and a charge storage region defined by a crossing of the active region and the word line and disposed between the active region and the word line. The charge storage region is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the word line.
US08035148B2

An integrated circuit includes a micromachined transducer and a charge pump. More particularly, on one silicon substrate, a control circuit delivers high voltage from the charge pump to operate the transducer. An electronic apparatus, such as a cell phone or automatic test equipment may include such an integrated circuit.
US08035146B2

A nonvolatile ferroelectric memory device includes a plurality of unit cell arrays, wherein each of the plurality of unit cell arrays includes: a bottom word line; a plurality of insulating layers formed on the bottom word line, respectively; a floating channel layer comprising a plurality of channel regions located on the plurality of insulating layers and a plurality of drain and source regions which are alternately electrically connected in series to the plurality of channel regions; a plurality of ferroelectric layers formed respectively on the plurality of channel regions of the floating channel layer; and a plurality of word lines formed on the plurality of ferroelectric layers, respectively. The unit cell array reads and writes a plurality of data by inducing different channel resistance to the plurality of channel regions depending on polarity states of the plurality of ferroelectric layers.
US08035145B2

A magnetic memory device is provided. The magnetic memory device includes an invariable pinning pattern and a variable pinning pattern on a substrate. A tunnel barrier pattern is interposed between the invariable pinning pattern and the variable pinning pattern, and the pinned pattern is interposed between the invariable pinning pattern and the tunnel barrier pattern. A storage free pattern is interposed between the tunnel barrier pattern and the variable pinning pattern, and a guide free pattern is interposed between the storage free pattern and the variable pinning pattern. A free reversing pattern is interposed between the storage and guide free patterns. The free reversing pattern reverses a magnetization direction of the storage free pattern and a magnetization direction of the guide free pattern in the opposite directions.
US08035143B2

Disclosed are an image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate formed on a first surface thereof with a readout circuitry and a photodiode area; a metal interconnection layer formed on the first surface; a connection via metal extending from the first surface to a second surface of the semiconductor substrate, the connection via metal having a projection part projecting from the second surface; an insulating layer formed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate to expose the projection part while surrounding a portion of a lateral side of the projection part; and a metal pad formed on the insulating layer such that the metal pad covers the projection part, thereby shortening an optical path to reduce light loss and improve image sensitivity.
US08035142B2

A pixel cell with a photo-conversion device and at least one structure includes a deuterated material adjacent the photo-conversion device.
US08035138B2

A junction field effect transistor of the present invention includes: a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate; a second conductivity type epitaxial layer formed on the semiconductor substrate; a first conductivity type epitaxial layer formed on the second conductivity type epitaxial layer; a second conductivity type source region which penetrates the first conductivity type epitaxial layer in a layer thickness direction thereof and is connected to the second conductivity type epitaxial layer; a second conductivity type drain region which is spaced from the source region, penetrates the first conductivity type epitaxial layer in the layer thickness direction, and is connected to the second conductivity type epitaxial layer; a source electrode connected to the source region; a drain electrode connected to the drain region; and a gate electrode electrically connected to the first conductivity type epitaxial layer between the source region and the drain region.
US08035134B2

In a first functional block, a source voltage input terminal of a PMOS transistor and a substrate voltage input terminal of an NMOS transistor are connected to their voltage supply terminals, respectively. The substrate voltage input terminal of the PMOS transistor in the ith (1≦i≦n−1) functional block and the source voltage input terminal of the NMOS transistor therein are connected bijectively with the source voltage input terminal of the PMOS transistor in the i+1th functional block and the substrate voltage input terminal of the NMOS transistor therein. In the nth functional block, the substrate voltage input terminal of the PMOS transistor and the source voltage input terminal of the NMOS transistor are connected to their voltage supply terminals, respectively.
US08035133B2

A semiconductor device includes a substrate portion having a plurality of diffusion regions defined in a non-symmetrical manner relative to a virtual line defined to bisect the substrate portion. A gate electrode level region is formed above the substrate portion to include a number of conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction and fabricated from a respective originating rectangular-shaped layout feature. The gate electrode level region includes conductive features defined along at least four different virtual lines of extent in the first parallel direction. A width size of the conductive features within the gate electrode level region is measured perpendicular to the first parallel direction. Within a five wavelength photolithographic interaction radius within the gate electrode level region, the width size of the conductive features is less than 193 nanometers, which is the wavelength of light used in a photolithography process to fabricate the conductive features.
US08035123B2

The present invention discloses a high light-extraction efficiency LED structure, wherein metallic pads and metallic mesh wires made of an aluminum-silver alloy are formed on an LED, whereby the high-reflectivity aluminum-silver alloy makes the light incident on the metallic pads and metallic mesh wires reflected once more or repeatedly and then emitted from the surface or lateral side of the LED, wherefore the present invention can decrease the light loss and increase the light-extraction efficiency.
US08035116B2

A semiconductor device includes a substrate; a first conductive type semiconductor layer disposed on a main surface of the substrate; a second conductive type semiconductor layer disposed on the first conductive type semiconductor layer; a plurality of light emitting elements; and a second conductive side wiring pattern for commonly connecting the second conductive type semiconductor layer in the light emitting elements arranged adjacently. The second conductive type semiconductor layer includes a first conductive type semiconductor connection surface and a second conductive type semiconductor connection surface between the first conductive type semiconductor layer.
US08035107B2

A first conductive film, a first insulating film, a semiconductor film, an impurity semiconductor film, a second conductive film, and a first resist mask are formed; first etching is performed to expose at least a surface of the first conductive film; second etching accompanied by side etching is performed on part of the first conductive film to form a gate electrode layer; a second resist mask is formed; third etching is performed to form a source and drain electrode layers, a source and drain regions, and a semiconductor layer; a second insulating film is formed; an opening portion is formed in the second insulating film to partially expose the source or drain electrode layer; a pixel electrode is selectively formed in the opening portion and over the second insulating film; and a supporting portion formed using the gate electrode layer is formed in a region overlapping with the opening portion.
US08035103B2

The present invention provides a circuit board which can improve characteristics of a circuit element, an electronic device, and a method for producing a circuit board. The method for producing a circuit board of the present invention is a method for producing a circuit board including one or more polysilicon layers at the same layer level, wherein the method includes the steps of: forming a photoresist film on the polysilicon layer; forming a photoresist pattern film having side surfaces with different inclination angles by patterning the photoresist film; forming the one or more polysilicon layers having side surfaces with different inclination angles by etching the polysilicon film using the photoresist pattern film.
US08035101B2

A transistor, a semiconductor device including the transistor and methods of manufacturing the same are provided, the transistor including a threshold voltage adjusting layer contacting a channel layer. A source electrode and a drain electrode contacting may be formed opposing ends of the channel layer. A gate electrode separated from the channel layer may be formed. A gate insulating layer may be formed between the channel layer and the gate electrode.
US08035098B1

The present invention is directed to a transistor with an asymmetric silicon germanium source region, and various methods of making same. In one illustrative embodiment, the transistor includes a gate electrode formed above a semiconducting substrate comprised of silicon, a doped source region comprising a region of epitaxially grown silicon that is doped with germanium formed in the semiconducting substrate and a doped drain region formed in the semiconducting substrate.
US08035096B2

A switching device according to the present invention includes ion conductive layer 23 containing titanium oxide, first electrode 21 provided in contact with ion conductive layer 23, and second electrode 22 provided in contact with ion conductive layer 23 and which can supply metal ions to ion conductive layer 23.
US08035093B2

A printing system includes a movable tray for holding recording media. The movable tray includes spaced-apart reference marks for determining distance traveled by the tray. A reference-mark optical detector is positioned to provide a field of view through which the reference marks pass. An identifying-mark optical detector provides a field of view through which media-type identifying marks on a piece of recording medium pass. A signal processor provides an output relative to: a) amount of reference marks passing through the field of view of the reference-mark optical detector, and b) signal variation in a signal provided by the identifying-mark optical detector. A look-up table includes media identification signal patterns that are correlated to corresponding media types. Finally, a comparator compares the output of the signal processor to the media identification signal patterns in the look-up table in order to identify type of recording medium.
US08035089B2

In a scanning probe apparatus capable of always effectively canceling an inertial force to suppress vibration even in repetitive use while replacing a sample holding table or a probe, a stage for a sample or the probe includes a drive element for moving the sample holding table and movable portions movable in a direction in which an inertial force generated during movement of the sample holding table. The stage is configured so that the drive element, the movable portions, and the sample holding table or the probe are integrally detachably mountable to a main assembly of the scanning probe apparatus.
US08035083B1

A source of terahertz radiation at a fundamental terahertz frequency is tunable over a fundamental terahertz frequency range, and is coupled into a first waveguide. The first waveguide supports only a single transverse spatial mode within the fundamental terahertz frequency range. A solid-state frequency multiplier receives from the first waveguide the terahertz radiation and produces terahertz radiation at a harmonic terahertz frequency. A second waveguide receives the harmonic terahertz radiation. The tunable terahertz source can comprise a backward wave oscillator with output tunable over about 0.10-0.18 THz, 0.18-0.26 THz, or 0.2-0.37 THz. The frequency multiplier can comprises at least one varistor or Schottky diode, and can comprise a doubler, tripler, pair of doublers, doubler and tripler, or pair of triplers. The terahertz source can be incorporated into a terahertz spectrometer or a terahertz imaging system.
US08035079B2

An optical encoder includes a scale, and a detecting head which is disposed facing the scale. The scale is provided with a grating which has a predetermined optical pattern with respect to a direction of relative movement, and the detecting head is provided with a light emitting section which irradiates predetermined light to the scale, and a light detecting section which detects a movement of a pattern of light distribution formed on a light receiving surface of a photodetector, by light reflected by the grating upon being irradiated to the scale from the light emitting section. A light transmitting member is disposed on a surface of the light emitting section and the photodetector of the detecting head, toward the scale, and a light propagation controlling pattern for controlling propagation of light is disposed on a surface of the light transmitting member, facing the scale.
US08035076B2

A physical information acquiring method of acquiring physical information for a predetermined purpose on the basis of change information that is acquired under predetermined detection conditions for a physical quantity using an portion for physical quantity distribution detection. The portion for physical quantity distribution detection includes a detector that detects change information corresponding to a change in a physical quantity made incident on the detector and has unit components that output unit signals based on the change information detected by the detector arranged in a predetermined order. In the physical information acquiring method, a carrier signal is converted into a signal related to a frequency on the basis of the change information detected by the detector. The physical information for a predetermined purpose is acquired using the signal related to a frequency.
US08035067B2

A solid-state image capturing device, includes a semiconductor board, upon which same semiconductor board are disposed in a predetermined order: a first detecting unit for detecting a first wavelength region component within an electromagnetic wave; and a second detecting unit for detecting a second wavelength region component which is longer wavelength side than at least the first wavelength region component, wherein in the depth direction from the surface of the semiconductor board, a valid region where a first electroconductive type dopant of the second detecting unit is formed reaches a portion deeper than a valid region where a first electroconductive type dopant of the first detecting unit is formed.
US08035052B2

A method and an apparatus for grouping individual products such as industrially baked products that travel past a visiometry station into lots for counting them. In a viewing zone of a conveyor belt, a laser triangulation visiometry system is used. The method and apparatus also uses a signal processor associated with the camera that deduces from the images acquired thereby at least one piece of information on the location of the products on the conveyor belt as well as height information thereon. This information is then used by the signal processor to automatically distinguish between the presence of a product and the presence of contaminating material (for example flour or chocolate particles) on the conveyor belt and to distinguish the presence of several partially or fully overlapping products from the presence of a single product on said conveyor belt. Preferably, two cameras are disposed symmetrically relative to a laser plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the viewing zone.
US08035041B2

A combination weigher of the present invention comprises a plurality of base groups into which a plurality of combination hoppers (4) which are circularly arranged are divided; a plurality of collecting chutes (6A to 6D) which are respectively disposed to respectively correspond to the base groups, a plurality of collecting hoppers (7A to 7D) respectively provided at the outlets of the collecting chutes; and a control means (21) wherein the control means (21) is configured to perform: a combination process to determine p discharge groups each including one or more base groups and perform combination calculation for each of the discharge groups to select combination hoppers forming optimal combination, a process to cause the combination hoppers forming optimal combinations in all discharge groups to discharge the objects to be weighed simultaneously; and a process to sequentially select the discharge groups and to cause the collecting hoppers corresponding to the base groups including the combination hoppers forming the optimal combinations in the discharge groups to discharge the objects to be weighed, according to the selected sequence.
US08035027B2

Solar module structures and methods for assembling solar module structures. The solar module structures comprise pyramidal three-dimensional thin-film solar cells arranged in solar module structures. The pyramidal three-dimensional thin-film solar cell comprises a pyramidal three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate with emitter junction regions and doped base regions. The three-dimensional thin-film solar cell further includes emitter metallization regions and base metallization regions. The three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate comprises a plurality of pyramid-shaped unit cells. The solar module structures may be used in solar glass applications, building facade applications, rooftop installation applications as well as for centralized solar electricity generation.
US08035024B2

This invention provides a signal processing and signal synthesis technique from a family of signal processing and signal synthesis techniques designed to readily interwork or be used individually in creating new forms of rich musical timbres. Phase staggered multi-channel signal panning creates spatial perturbation and chase effects for subtle or dramatic application, and may be swept with control signals from a low-frequency oscillator, transient envelope, or other source. Phase-staggering and modulation parameters may be recalled from stored program control or modulated in real-time by arbitrary control signals, including those derived from the original input signal. The invention may be used individually or in conjunction with other signal processing and signal synthesis techniques in creating new forms of rich musical timbres. The invention may also be used in spatially-distributed timbre construction.
US08035020B2

Methods, systems, and devices are described for collaborative handling of music contributions over a network. Embodiments of the invention provide a portal, the portal being accessible over the network by a plurality of workstations and configured to provide a set of editing capabilities for editing music elements. Music contributions may be received at the portal. At least a portion of the music contributions include music elements. In certain embodiments, the music elements have been deconstructed from an audio signal or a score image. A number of collaboration requests may be received at the portal over the network. Some collaboration requests may originate from a first workstation, while other collaboration requests may originate from a second workstation. In response to at least one of the collaboration requests, at least a portion of the music elements may be edited using the editing capabilities of the portal.
US08035015B1

A novel maize variety designated 10034320 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety 10034320 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 10034320 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety 10034320, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety 10034320. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety 10034320.
US08035011B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH524818. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH524818, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH524818 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH524818.
US08035006B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV112211. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV112211, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV112211 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV112211 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV112211.
US08034995B2

The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having feruloyl esterase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08034994B2

The present invention relates to the field of agricultural biotechnology. Disclosed herein are expression constructs with expression specificity for the starchy endosperm and/or the germinating embryo, transgenic plants comprising such expression constructs, and methods of making and using such DNA constructs and transgenic plants.
US08034992B2

Novel gibberellin 2-oxidase (GA2ox) genes were identified. Differential expression of GA2ox genes correlated with flower development, seed germination, tiller growth and other developmental processes. In addition, the early and increased growth of tiller and adventitious root and altered root architecture caused by overexpression of GA2oxs further suggest the pleiotropic role of GA2oxs in controlling growth and architecture in plants such as rice. GA2ox5, GA2ox6 and GA2ox9 were three genes encoding class C20 GA2oxs in rice. Mutants or transgenic rice overexpressing class C20 GA2oxs exhibited a broad range of mutant phenotypes, including semi-dwarfism, increased root system and higher tiller numbers that may favor grain yield. Mutations in the conserved domain III were found to affect the physiological activity of class C20 GA2oxs.
US08034987B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved process whereby the yield structure of the components can be varied by a simple method, and the products can be produced stably and efficiently in a process for producing propylene and aromatic hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon feedstock containing C4-12 olefins using a medium pore diameter zeolite-containing catalyst. A process for producing is disclosed which comprises a propylene production step wherein a specific zeolite catalyst is used to remove a C4+ hydrocarbon component from a reaction mixture, and part of the hydrocarbon component is recycled as necessary without modification, and an aromatic hydrocarbon production step wherein all or a part of the C4+ hydrocarbon component is used as the raw material.
US08034976B2

The present invention provides a nitrogen-containing carbon material characterized in that it satisfies a specific relational expression between the number ratio of nitrogen atoms to carbon atoms and the number ratio of hydrogen atoms to carbon atoms and has peaks in specific regions in the X-ray diffraction and in the laser Raman spectrum. The nitrogen-containing carbon material of the present invention can be produced by carbonizing azulmic acid in an inert gas atmosphere, and it is useful as an electrode material or the like because it has a high nitrogen content and a low hydrogen content.
US08034969B2

N—[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester is produced by hydrogenation of L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester and 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde produced in situ by the hydrolysis or cleavage of a 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde precursor. The production method is efficient and low cost, as compared with conventional N—[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester synthesis.
US08034963B2

The present invention relates to a process for cooling fatty acid distillate from scrubbing section in a fats and oils refinery comprising cooling the fatty acid distillate by heat recovery in at least one heat-exchanging zone with refined oils having a temperature above about 50° C. heating the refined fats and oils to a temperature above about 70° C. The present invention relates further to a process for refining crude fats and oils, and refining plant for refining crude fats and oils.
US08034962B2

The present invention provides an acid anhydride ester obtained by esterifying cyclohexane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid-1,2-anhydride and a composition of the ester, and a heat-curable resin composition and a cured product of the composition. _Provided is an epoxy resin composition using the acid anhydride ester as a curing agent for an epoxy resin, the epoxy resin composition having, for example, the following properties (1), (2), and (3): (1) the epoxy resin composition has a low viscosity at room temperature, so the components of the composition can be favorably blended with each other, (2) the acid anhydride ester has a low vapor pressure at curing temperature, so no evaporation loss occurs after curing, and the intended design of blend is capable, and (3) a cured product to be made from the composition is colorless and transparent, and changes its color to a small extent even when the product is irradiated with light or heated for a long time period. The composition is suitably used as, for example, an encapsulant for a photoelectric conversion element such as a blue LED or a white LED, a molded article, a coating, or an adhesive.
US08034961B2

The present invention relates to a process for preparing stereoisomerically enriched 4-aryl-4-hydroxybutanoic acid derivatives by reducing 4-aryl-4-ketobutanoic acid derivatives in the presence of ruthenium-containing catalysts.
US08034952B2

The present invention generally relates to supramolecular assemblies and their modes of synthesis. The supramolecular assemblies include a 1:8 ratio of a supermolecular polyhedral building block and a triangular molecular building block, the supermolecular polyhedral building block having points of extension corresponding to the vertices of a rhombicuboctahedron for linking the supermolecular polyhedral building block to the triangular building block.
US08034947B2

The invention relates to a pyridine oxide compound represented by formula (I), an optically active compound thereof, a salt thereof and a hydrate thereof, and, in the presence of the compound as a catalyst, performing 1) a method for producing an ester compound or an amide compound from a carboxylic acid equivalent and an alcohol or an amine, 2) an asymmetric esterification reaction or 3) an asymmetric amidation reaction. In formula (I), each R1 may be the same as the other R1 or different and each R1 represents an alkyl group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, a carboxyl group, an ester group, a cyano group, a halogen atom, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a nitrogen atom; each R2 may be the same as the other R2 or different and each R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, a carboxyl group, an ester group, a cyano group, a halogen atom, an oxygen atom or the like, and R3 and R4 may be the same or different and R3 and R4 each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, a carboxyl group, an ester group, a cyano group, a halogen atom, an oxygen atom or the like.
US08034933B2

The present invention provides a compound of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R9, R10, A and B are as defined in the specification. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound of this invention, and methods of treatment using the compound of this invention. The invention also relates to the use of a combination of a compound of this invention and one or more antiviral or other agents useful in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The invention further relates to the use of a compound of this invention, alone or in combination with another agent, in the treatment of solid organ transplant rejection, graft v. host disease, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, asthma, allergies or multiple sclerosis.
US08034924B2

Crystals of a purine nucleoside compound, particularly crystals of 2′,3′-dideoxyinosine, which have excellent storage stability and have a concentration of phosphate attached to the crystal of 25 ppm or more, may be produce by: (1) preparing an aqueous solution containing phosphate ion (PO43−) and a purine nucleoside compound; and (2) crystallizing the purine nucleoside compound from the aqueous solution.
US08034923B1

Processes are disclosed that use 3′-reversibly terminated nucleoside triphosphates to analyze DNA for purposes other than sequencing using cyclic reversible termination. These processes are based on the unexpected ability of terminal transferase to accept these triphosphates as substrates, the unexpected ability of polymerases to add reversibly and irreversibly terminated triphosphates in competition with each other, the development of cleavage conditions to remove the terminating group rapidly, in high yield, and without substantial damage to the terminated oligonucleotide product, and the ability of reversibly terminated primer extension products to capture groups. The presently preferred embodiments of the disclosed processes use a triphosphate having its 3′-OH group blocked as a 3′-ONH2 group, which can be removed in buffered NaNO2 and use variants of Taq DNA polymerase, including one that has a replacement (L616A).
US08034922B2

Compositions and methods for modulating transcription by RNA polymerases are described.
US08034919B2

A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 4 and mutated sequences thereof.
US08034918B2

A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 2 and mutated sequences thereof.
US08034915B2

Provided are novel nucleic acid molecule encoding modified HAP1 DNA-binding domains. Also provided are novel reporter genes based on GFP and extension. The materials provided by the invention may be used in a variety of methods of activating genes having HAP1 upstream activation sequences in plants, which methods can be used to co-ordinate or investigate gene expression, optionally in conjunction with GAL4-regulated expression, and also in novel “enhancer” traps.
US08034903B2

The invention relates to a modified antibody which contains two or more H chain V regions and two or more L chain V regions of monoclonal antibody and can transduce a signal into cells by crosslinking TPO receptor to thereby exert TPO agonist action. The modified antibody can be used as a TPO signal transduction agonist and, therefore, useful as a remedy for various diseases such as platelet-reduction-related blood diseases, thrombopenia following chemotherapy for cancer or leukemia, etc.
US08034897B1

The present invention is directed to recombinant spider silk proteins, nucleic acids, coding for these recombinant spider silk proteins, as well as hosts suitable for expressing those nucleic acids. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a method of aggregation of spider silk proteins and the use of the proteins in the field of biotechnology and/or medicine and other industrial fields, in particular in the manufacture of automotive parts, in the aircraft construction, in the processing of textiles and leather, as well as in the manufacture and processing of paper and the like.
US08034892B2

A biocidal polymer including at least one repeating unit of formula (A): wherein: R1 in each occurrence independently represents a divalent aromatic group containing 6 to 30 carbon atoms, a C2-C16 alkylene group or an alkylene biscyclohexyl; Y in each occurrence independently represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; and Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 in each occurrence independently represent a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; wherein at least one of Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 in the at least one repeating unit of formula (A) is a halogen atom.
US08034891B2

A novel polyether-modified organopolysiloxane and a novel diorganopolysiloxane-polyether block copolymer are more resistant to oxidation than the heretofore existing polyoxyalkylene-modified organopolysiloxanes and are thus more resistant to producing allergenically antigenic oxidation products during elapsed time in storage. Methods of producing this novel polyether-modified organopolysiloxane and novel diorganopolysiloxane-polyether block copolymer are also provided, as well as cosmetic that the modified organopolysiloxane or diorganopolysiloxane-polyether block copolymer.
US08034884B2

Gas-phase fluidized-bed reactor for polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers, comprising a reactor chamber (1) in the form of a vertical tube, if desired a calming zone (2) following the upper section of the reactor chamber, a circulation gas line (3), a circulation gas compressor (4) and a cooling device (5), where, in the region of transition of the reaction gas from the circulation gas line into the reactor chamber and in the lower section of the reactor chamber itself, there is either no gas distributor plate at all or only a gas distributor plate the total surface area of whose gas orifices is more than 20% of the total surface area of said gas distributor plate.
US08034881B2

A cross-linkable nitrile rubber composition containing a highly saturated nitrile rubber (a) having an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer unit and a carboxyl-group containing monomer unit and having an iodine value of 120 or less, a cross-linking agent (b), and a specific cyclic amidine and/or cyclic amidinium salt (c) is provided. Preferably, the cross-linking agent (b) is a polyamine-based cross-linking agent (d), and more preferably, the carboxyl-group containing monomer unit is an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monoester monomer unit.
US08034876B2

There are provided an organic fiber-reinforced composite resin composition which is good in fiber dispersion, excellent in appearance, excellent in mechanical properties such as tensile elongation at break or impact strength and easy in thermal recycle; and a molded article obtained therefrom.An organic fiber-reinforced composite resin composition comprising (a) 60 to 95% by weight of a polyolefin resin (provided that an acid-modified polyolefin resin is excluded) and (b) 40 to 5% by weight (provided that (a)+(b)=100% by weight) of organic fiber to which a polar resin (provided that an acid-modified polyolefin resin is excluded) is attached, or an organic fiber-reinforced composite resin composition comprising organic fiber in an amount of 10 to 200 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin and having an Izod impact strength at −40° C. of 10 kJ/m2 or more, and further, an organic fiber-reinforced composite resin molded article obtained therefrom.
US08034872B2

Hydrolysates and/or condensates of epoxy- and silane-functional oligomers and polymers, prepared by hydrolyzing and/or condensing at least one oligomer and/or polymer (A) containing at least one epoxide group (a1) and at least one hydrolyzable silane group (a2); and also (meth)acrylate copolymers (A) containing lateral and/or terminal epoxide groups (a1) and lateral and/or terminal hydrolyzable silane groups (a2), in a molar ratio (a1): (a2) of from 15:1 to 1: 1.5, processes for preparing them, and their use.
US08034867B2

Hybrid clays for obtaining nanocomposites useful in the automotive, aviation, construction and packaging industry, among others. The hybrid clay comprises clays intercalated with the itaconic acid (ITA) monomer or its derivative monooctadecyl itaconate (MODIT), and a process for the preparation of these hybrid clays and the process to obtain polyolefin/clay nanocomposites.
US08034860B2

Both the viscosity of a plastisol comprising a dispersed polymer, a plasticizer for the polymers and at least one liquid diluent, and exudation of liquids from articles formed from the plastisol are minimized when the difference between 1) the weighted average of the Hildebrand solubility parameter values of all liquid ingredients, including plasticizer, in the plastisol and 2) the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the dispersed polymer is ±0.6 to ±1. The plastisols of the present invention are suitable for fabrication into films and molded objects, and as coating materials for a variety of metallic and non-metallic substrates.
US08034849B2

A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition capable of giving a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet which simultaneously realizes satisfactory holding power, adhesion, and peel resistance in peeling from curved surfaces, while balancing these properties, and has satisfactory heat resistance. The composition comprises the following ingredients: (A) a maleimide crosslinking agent having two or more maleimide groups per molecule; (B) a monomer which, when caused to homopolymerize, gives a homopolymer having a glass transition temperature of −40° C. or lower; (C) a carboxylated monomer copolymerizable with the monomer of the ingredient (B); and (D) a photopolymerization initiator, the maleimide crosslinking agent of the ingredient (A) being contained in an amount of 0.01-2 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the sum of the monomers of the ingredients (B) and (C).
US08034845B2

Novel formulations containing a fluorinated chloramphenicol or thiamphenicol derivative antibiotic such as florfenicol, and methods for using such formulations in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases of bovines and swine, including bovine respiratory disease.
US08034830B2

An aqueous, stable, sterile pharmaceutical composition of the thrombin inhibitor argatroban in a solution containing an acid to solubilize the argatroban, substantially free from dehydrated alcohol is described, as well as a method for its preparation.
US08034825B2

The invention provides small molecule drugs that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water-soluble oligomer obtained from a monodisperse or bimodal water-soluble oligomer composition. A conjugate of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits a reduced biological membrane crossing rate as compared to the biological membrane crossing rate of the small molecule drug not attached to the water-soluble oligomer.
US08034824B2

The present invention is to provide means to treat breast cancer and/or mastitis by topically administering a non-steroidal antiinflammatory analgetic agent and/or an anticancer agent and allowing them efficiently to arrive into the mammary gland. The present invention provides an iontophoretic preparation for treating breast cancer and/or mastitis which contains a non-steroidal antiinflammatory analgetic agent and/or an anticancer agent as an active ingredient and has a donor to be applied on a nipple part for topical administration of the active ingredient from the nipple part to the mammary gland by application of electric potential.
US08034820B2

The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions, which are useful for treatment of depression and the like, and which comprises a compound having an adenosine A2A receptor antagonistic activity such as (E)-8-(3,4-dimethoxystyryl)-1,3-diethyl-7-methyl-3,7-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6-dione or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and an antidepressant drug (for example, a tricyclic antidepressant, a tetracyclic antidepressant, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a selective noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, a serotonin-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, a 5-HT2 antagonist or the like), and the like.
US08034815B2

The present invention is directed to a compound of Formula I: and/or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, tautomer, optical isomer, or combination thereof, a composition comprising the thiosemicarbazone, a method of administration thereof, and use thereof to treat a cancer.
US08034810B2

α-Amino hydroxamic acid derivative of the formula I, in which R is C2-C7-alkyl, which is mono-, di- or trisubstituted by halogen, nitro, lower acyloxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C3-C5-cycloalkyl or unsubstituted or substituted C3-C6-heteroaryl comprising one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, S and N; or C3-C7-alkenyl or C3-C7-alkynyl, which in each case is unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by halogen, nitro, lower acyloxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C3-C5-cycloalkyl or unsubstituted or substituted C3-C6-heteroaryl comprising one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, S and N; and the other symbols are as defined in claim 1, are described. These compounds are MMP and in particular MMP2 inhibitors and can be used for treatment of MMP dependent diseases, in particular inflammation conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, tumors (tumor growth, metastasis, progression or invasion) and pulmonary disorders (e.g. emphysema, COPD).
US08034799B2

Methods are provided for reducing copper values for, by way of example, treating, preventing or ameliorating tissue damage such as, for example, tissue damage that may be caused by (i) disorders of the heart muscle (for example, cardiomyopathy or myocarditis) such as idiopathic cardiomyopathy, metabolic cardiomyopathy which includes diabetic cardiomyopathy, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, drug-induced cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and hypertensive cardiomyopathy, (ii) atheromatous disorders of the major blood vessels (macrovascular disease) such as the aorta, the coronary arteries, the carotid arteries, the cerebrovascular arteries, the renal arteries, the iliac arteries, the femoral arteries, and the popliteal arteries, (iii) toxic, drug-induced, and metabolic (including hypertensive and/or diabetic disorders of small blood vessels (microvascular disease) such as the retinal arterioles, the glomerular arterioles, the vasa nervorum, cardiac arterioles, and associated capillary beds of the eye, the kidney, the heart, and the central and peripheral nervous systems, (iv) plaque rupture of atheromatous lesions of major blood vessels such as the aorta, the coronary arteries, the carotid arteries, the cerebrovascular arteries, the renal arteries, the iliac arteries, the fermoral arteries and the popliteal arteries, (v) diabetes or the complications of diabetes.
US08034789B2

Methods and compositions for modulating the activities of connexins are provided, including, for example, for use in post-surgical, trauma, or tissue engineering applications. These compounds and methods can be used therapeutically, for example, to reduce the severity of adverse effects associated diseases and disorders where localized disruption in direct cell-cell communication is desirable.
US08034774B2

Peptide compounds and methods for upregulating expression of a gene encoding an antioxidative enzyme, such as superoxide dismutase or catalase, to counteract harmful oxidative effects of reactive oxygen species and other free radicals are described. The peptide compounds may be used to treat or prevent diseases and conditions characterized by undesirable elevation of reactive oxygen species and other free radicals, to upregulate AP-1 gene expression, and to treat pain. The peptide compounds may be used as components of pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements.
US08034772B2

The vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors of the present invention are naturally occurring or recombinantly engineered soluble forms with or without a C-terminal transmembrane region of the receptor for VEGF, a very selective growth factor for endothelial cells. The soluble forms of the receptors will bind the growth factor with high affinity but do not result in signal transduction. These soluble forms of the receptor bind VEGF and inhibit its function.
US08034769B2

The invention relates to substances which inhibit the binding of oxidized proteins to CD36 or inhibit the functions of CD36 that are induced by the interaction of CD36 with oxidized proteins. The invention also relates to the use of these substances as medicaments for humans and animals. In one embodiment, a medicament includes an oxidized protein, an oxidized peptide, or structural analog or mimetic thereof. Methods for prophylaxis or therapy of acute infections, inhibition of angiogenesis, and improvement of hemostasis include administering to an animal or human in need thereof an effective amount of a medicament including an oxidized protein, an oxidized peptide, or structural analog or mimetic thereof. An example of an acute infection is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
US08034765B2

The present invention provides stable pharmaceutical compositions of poorly water soluble pharmaceutical agents and stabilizing agents which function to increase stability of the compositions. The use of stabilizing agents provide extended stability of nanoparticle suspensions and other formulations of poorly water soluble pharmaceutical agents such as docetaxel under certain conditions, for example upon dilution for administration.
US08034754B2

The invention relates to lubricants which contain a phosphorus to nitrogen ratio of ≧1.0 and a sulfur content of >1.4 wt. %. The phosphorus contribution is primarily from an acid phosphate species and the sulfur content is primarily from an antiwear agent. This lubricant composition has been found to provide exceptional protection to new gears or “green gears”, during the break-in phase.
US08034733B2

An optical glass comprises, denoted as weight percentages, SiO2-2-22%, B2O3: 3-24%, ZnO:>8% and ≦30%, CaO+BaO+ZnO: 10-50%, MgO: 0-3%, La2O3+Y2O3+Gd2O3+Yb2O3: 1-33%, TiO2: 2-20%, ZrO2: 0-10%, Nb2O5: 2-32%, Li2O: 0-5%, Na2O: 0-8%, K2O: 0-10%, WO3: 0-20%. The ratio by weight of La2O3 to the combined contents of La2O3, Y2O3, Gd2O3, and Yb2O3 (La2O3/(La2O3+Y2O3+Gd2O3+Yb2O3)) falls within a range of 0.7 to 1.
US08034732B2

An antimicrobial glass is provided which can release a predetermined amount of silver ion rapidly for a long period of time and can provide a predetermined antimicrobial treatment repeatedly to a matter to be antibacterialized during or after washing and which is excellent in discoloration prevention effect and discriminativity, and a method for producing the same is also provided.A tabular antimicrobial glass capable of exerting an antimicrobial effect by releasing silver ions, wherein the maximum diameter (t1) is adjusted within the range of 3 to 30 mm and which contains an inorganic coloring agent as a compounded component, wherein the addition amount of the inorganic coloring agent is adjusted to a value within the range of 0.001 to 0.5% by weight to the total amount.
US08034726B2

By forming a buffer material above differently stressed contact etch stop layers followed by the deposition of a further stress-inducing material, enhanced overall device performance may be accomplished, wherein an undesired influence of the additional stress-inducing layer may be reduced in device regions, for instance, by removing the additional material or by performing a relaxation implantation process. Furthermore, process uniformity during a patterning sequence for forming contact openings may be enhanced by partially removing the additional stress-inducing layer at an area at which a contact opening is to be formed.
US08034721B2

A first film and a second film are formed on a semiconductor substrate in this order. A resist pattern is formed on the second film. An opening is formed by removing the second film exposed between the resist pattern at a state where the second film remains on the bottom. A first removal preventing film is formed on the side wall of the opening and the residual film is removed at a state where the projecting part of the second film protruding from the side wall to the opening remains. The first film exposed in the opening is removed. A second removal preventing film is formed on the first removal preventing film and the surface of the semiconductor substrate exposed in the opening is removed at a state where the projecting part of the semiconductor substrate protruding from the side wall to the opening remains and a round part is formed at the projecting part of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate exposed in the opening is further removed.
US08034720B2

A substrate processing method that can remove a silicon nitride film without damaging a thermally-oxidized film. A substrate having at least a thermally-oxidized film and a silicon nitride film formed on the thermally-oxidized film is heated to a temperature of not less than 60° C. Then, hydrogen fluoride gas is supplied toward the substrate.
US08034711B2

A bonding structure and the method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The bonding structure of the invention includes a copper-based pad formed in an insulator layer and a protection layer substantially covering top surface of the copper-based pad. The protection layer is self-aligned formed and the material thereof is selected from a group consisting of metal nitride, copper alloy, copper compounds, and a combination thereof.
US08034702B2

A method of forming a through substrate interconnect includes forming a via into a semiconductor substrate. The via extends into semiconductive material of the substrate. A liquid dielectric is applied to line at least an elevationally outermost portion of sidewalls of the via relative a side of the substrate from which the via was initially formed. The liquid dielectric is solidified within the via. Conductive material is formed within the via over the solidified dielectric and a through substrate interconnect is formed with the conductive material.
US08034691B2

An HDP-CVD process is described, including a deposition step conducted in an HDP-CVD chamber and a pre-heating step that is performed outside of the HDP-CVD chamber before the deposition step and pre-heats a wafer to a temperature higher than room temperature and required in the HDP-CVD process deposition step.
US08034690B2

An exemplary method of etching an oxide layer and a nitride layer is provided. In particular, a substrate is provided. A surface of the substrate has an isolating structure projecting therefrom. A first oxide layer, a nitride layer and a second oxide layer are sequentially provided on the surface of the substrate, wherein the first oxide layer is uncovered on the isolating structure, the nitride layer is formed overlying the first oxide layer, and the second oxide layer is formed overlying the nitride layer. An isotropic etching process is performed by using an etching mask unmasking the isolating structure, and thereby removing the unmasked portion of the second oxide layer and the unmasked portion of the nitride layer and further exposing sidewalls of the isolating structure. The unmasked portion of the first oxide layer generally is partially removed due to over-etching.
US08034688B2

A semiconductor device includes a drift layer having a first conductivity type and a body region adjacent the drift layer. The body region has a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type and forms a p-n junction with the drift layer. The device further includes a contactor region in the body region and having the first conductivity type, and a shunt channel region extending through the body region from the contactor region to the drift layer. The shunt channel region has the first conductivity type. The device further includes a first terminal in electrical contact with the body region and the contactor region, and a second terminal in electrical contact with the drift layer. The shunt channel region has a length, thickness and doping concentration selected such that: 1) the shunt channel region is fully depleted when zero voltage is applied across the first and second terminals, 2) the shunt channel becomes conductive at a voltages less than the built-in potential of the drift layer to body region p-n junction, and/or 3) the shunt channel is not conductive for voltages that reverse biase the p-n junction between the drift region and the body region.
US08034683B2

A method of forming a phase change material layer includes preparing a substrate having an insulator and a conductor, loading the substrate into a process housing, injecting a deposition gas into the process housing to selectively form a phase change material layer on an exposed surface of the conductor, and unloading the substrate from the process housing, wherein a lifetime of the deposition gas in the process housing is shorter than a time the deposition gas takes to react by thermal energy.
US08034665B2

A method of forming a microelectronic package including the steps of providing a three-layer metal plate, having a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. A plurality of conductive elements is formed from the first layer of the metal plate. A dielectric sheet is attached to the first layer of the metal plate, such that the dielectric sheet is remote from the third layer. A plurality of conductive features is then formed from the third layer of the metal plate which are also remote from the dielectric sheet. A microelectronic element is next electrically conducted to the conductive elements and a heat spreader is thermally connected the microelectronic element.
US08034663B2

Exemplary embodiments provide methods and systems for assembling electronic devices, such as integrated circuit (IC) chips, using a release member having a phase change material. Specifically, IC elements/components can be selectively received, stored, inspected, repaired, and/or released in a scalable manner during the assembly of IC chips by inducing phase change of the phase change material. The release member can be glass with the IC elements grown on the glass. In some embodiments, the release member can be used for a low cost placement of the IC elements in combination with an intermediate transfer layer.
US08034659B2

To provide a method of manufacturing semiconductor devices, the method being capable of efficiently obtaining a singulated semiconductor chip upon which an adhesive is adhered and also capable of excellently bonding a semiconductor chip to a wiring substrate, and provide an adhesive film. A layered product 60 in which a dicing tape 9, an adhesive layer 3, and a semiconductor wafer 6 are stacked in this order so that a circuit surface 6a of the semiconductor wafer 6 may face the dicing tape 9 side. A cutting position is recognized by recognizing a circuit pattern P in the circuit surface 6a from a rear surface 6b of the semiconductor wafer 6. At least the semiconductor wafer 6 and the adhesive layer 3 are cut in the thickness direction of the layered product 60. The dicing tape 9 is cured to peel off the dicing tape 9 and the adhesive layer 3. A projection electrode 4 of a semiconductor chip 26 is aligned with a wiring 12 of a wiring substrate 40. The wiring substrate 40 and the semiconductor chip 26 are bonded via an adhesive layer 23 so that the wiring 12 and the projection electrode 4 may be electrically connected to each other.
US08034658B2

This publication discloses an electronic module and a method for manufacturing an electronic module, in which a component (6) is glued (5) to the surface of a conductive layer, from which conductive layer conductive patterns (14) are later formed. After gluing the component (6), an insulating-material layer (1), which surrounds the component (6) attached to the conductive layer, is formed on, or attached to the surface of the conductive layer. After the gluing of the component (6), feed-throughs are also made, through which electrical contacts can be made between the conductive layer and the contact zones (7) of the component. After this, conductive patterns (14) are made from the conductive layer, to the surface of which the component (6) is glued.
US08034656B2

An annealing method of a zinc oxide thin film, comprises loading a substrate coated with a zinc oxide thin film into a chamber, allowing a hydrogen gas to be flowed into the chamber, fixing pressure in the chamber and annealing the zinc oxide thin film using the hydrogen gas in the chamber.
US08034651B2

A light receiving device 1 includes a support substrate 12 provided thereon with a photodetector 11 including a photodetecting portion 111 and a base substrate 112 on which the photodetecting portion 111 is placed; and a transparent substrate 13 disposed so as to oppose the face of the support substrate 12 on which the photodetector 11 is provided. Between the support substrate 12 and the transparent substrate 13, a frame portion 14 is provided so as to surround the photodetector 11. The frame portion 14 is a photo-curing adhesive, and directly adhered to the transparent substrate 13 and the support substrate 12. Such structure provides a light receiving device capable of exhibiting the desired performance, and a method of manufacturing such light receiving device can also be provided.
US08034644B2

Methods of making a light emitter are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a method comprises fabricating a line of first leads, the line of first leads comprising a plurality connected individual first leads; fabricating a line of second leads, the line of second leads comprising a plurality of connected individual second leads; physically connecting the line of first leads to the line of second leads, wherein a first individual first lead is adjacent a first individual second lead; attaching a light emitting device to the first individual first lead; electrically connecting the light emitting device to the first individual second lead; encapsulating a portion of the individual first lead and a portion of the individual second lead as a single unit; and separating the encapsulated first individual lead and the second individual lead from the first line of leads and the second line of leads.
US08034643B2

A method for fabrication of a semiconductor device on a substrate, the semiconductor having a wafer. The method includes the steps:(a) applying a seed layer of a thermally conductive metal to the wafer;(b) electroplating a relatively thick layer of the conductive metal on the seed layer, and(c) removing the substrate. A corresponding semiconductor device is also disclosed.
US08034637B2

Techniques for exchange coupling of magnetic layers in semiconductor devices are provided. In one aspect, a semiconductor device is provided. The device comprises at least two magnetic layers, and a spacer layer formed between the magnetic layers, the spacer layer being configured to provide ferromagnetic exchange coupling between the layers, the magnetic layers experiencing anti-ferromagnetic dipole coupling, such that a net coupling of the magnetic layers is anti-ferromagnetic in a zero applied magnetic field. The semiconductor device may comprise magnetic random access memory (MRAM). In another aspect, a method for coupling magnetic layers in a semiconductor device comprising at least two magnetic layers and a spacer layer therebetween, the method comprises the following step. Ferromagnetic exchange coupling is provided of the magnetic layers, the magnetic layers experiencing anti-ferromagnetic dipole coupling, such that a net coupling of the magnetic layers is anti-ferromagnetic in a zero applied magnetic field.
US08034635B2

The detection of endothelial cell antibodies has been proven clinically important for successful organ transplantation. Disclosed are methods of isolating endothelial cell antibodies and methods for donor-specific crossmatching.
US08034632B2

A homogeneous immunoassay method and system for quantitative determination of total immunoglobulin E and specific antibody levels to a plurality of allergens, in which a relatively small sampling of blood is required. The method utilizes relatively small microparticles in aqueous suspension. The immunoassay procedure is an immunometric sandwich procedure preferably utilizing biotin-streptavidin signal amplification techniques and R-phycoerytherin fluorescent labels.
US08034630B2

The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the protein encoded by the polynucleotide has a hyaluronic acid binding ability, the protein, a method for measuring hyaluronic acid using the protein, and a reagent kit for measuring hyaluronic acid comprising the protein as a constituent.
US08034627B2

Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally comprise ionizing a dihydrorxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. In certain preferred embodiments the methods include immunopurifying the dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites prior to mass spectrometry. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites in a single assay.
US08034600B2

The present invention relates to a polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity obtained from a strain of Aspergillus niger.
US08034597B2

A polypeptide having an endonuclease activity derived from a psychrophilic microorganism Shewanella sp. strain Ac10, which exhibits high activity at low temperatures, can remove any nucleic acid present in a protein solution and can reduce the viscosity of a protein extract; and a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide.
US08034587B2

The present invention relates to the cloning and characterization of a prokaryotic DNA repair ligase, which is shown to possess a range of activities that allow the ligation and repair of non-compatible DNA ends and double strand breaks (DSBs). The enzyme has a range of applications in the manipulation and cloning of nucleic acids.
US08034583B2

The present invention relates to engineering metabolic pathways in bacterial host cells which results in enhanced carbon flow for the production of ascorbic acid (ASA) intermediates. In particular, the invention relates to increasing the production of ASA intermediates in bacterial cells by enhancing the availability of gluconate resulting from the inactivation of endogenous gluconate transporter genes.
US08034579B2

The present disclosure is relates to novel proteins and peptides having novel and/or enhanced functions and/or behaviors with respect to a native protein or peptide, and methods of making the novel proteins and peptides using techniques of circular permutation and protein engineering.
US08034578B2

The present invention provides the method of predicting an non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) prognosis.
US08034572B2

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for identifying a molecule, which interferes with the interaction between a glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor family ligand (GFL) and a heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), by screening a library of molecules against a matrix anchored complex comprising at least one immobilized glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor family ligand (GFL) and at least one heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), wherein the interfering molecule is isolated based on its capacity to replace a glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor family ligand (GFL) in said anchored complex. The invention also relates to a complex for identifying such a molecule. The invention also relates to methods for preventing or delaying a neurodegenerative process as well as to method for prophylactic treatment or treatment of a disorder in the nervous system.
US08034564B2

The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a human obesity and diabetes predisposing gene, specifically the TBC1D1 gene, some mutant alleles of which cause susceptibility to obesity and/or diabetes. More specifically, the invention relates to germline mutations in the TBC1D1 gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to obesity and diabetes. Finally, the invention relates to the screening of the TBC1D1 gene for mutations/alterations, which are useful for diagnosing the predisposition to obesity.
US08034557B2

Disclosed herein are point mutations in the LMNA gene that cause HGPS. These mutations activate a cryptic splice site within the LMNA gene, which leads to deletion of part of exon 11 and generation of a mutant Lamin A protein product that is 50 amino acids shorter than the normal protein. In addition to the novel Lamin A variant protein and nucleic acids encoding this variant, methods of using these molecules in detecting biological conditions associated with a LMNA mutation in a subject (e.g., HGPS, arteriosclerosis, and other age-related diseases), methods of treating such conditions, methods of selecting treatments, methods of screening for compounds that influence Lamin A activity, and methods of influencing the expression of LMNA or LMNA variants are also described. Oligonucleotides and other compounds for use in examples of the described methods are also provided, as are protein-specific binding agents, such as antibodies, that bind specifically to at least one epitope of a Lamin A variant protein preferentially compared to wildtype Lamin A, and methods of using such antibodies in diagnosis, treatment, and screening. Also provided are kits for carrying out the methods described herein.
US08034550B2

Arrays of distinct chemically reactive materials used for assaying or screening are assembled by arranging premanufactured strips, each having a linear array of chemically reactive materials on its surface, into a frame to be exposed to a substance to be analyzed. The strips provide great flexibility in generating different types of arrays while still permitting efficiencies to be gained by batch processing of each strip type. The arrays further provide for novel read-out and reaction promotion techniques making use of the ability of the strips to direct and received energy to and from particular sites.
US08034547B2

A pattern forming method includes (a) coating a substrate with a resist composition including a resin that includes a repeating unit represented by a following general formula (NGH-1), and, by the action of an acid, increases the polarity and decreases the solubility in a negative developing solution; (b) exposing; and (d) developing with a negative developing solution: wherein RNGH1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and RNGH2 to RNGH4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, provided that at least one of RNGH2 to RNGH4 represents a hydroxyl group.
US08034544B2

A method for forming a fine contact hole of a semiconductor device comprises performing two-step etching processes using a first exposure mask including a plurality of rectangular light transmitting regions each having a given pitch and a second exposure mask including a plurality of rectangular light transmitting regions arranged a shielding region of the first exposure mask with a ‘cross (+)’ shape in the center of rectangular light transmitting regions of the second exposure mask. Each of four corner regions of the light transmitting regions of the first exposure mask is overlapped with four corner regions of rectangular light transmitting regions of the second exposure mask. As a result, the fine contact hole pattern obtained by the method has a uniform size.
US08034537B2

A positive photosensitive composition comprises: (A) a resin that has an acid decomposable repeating unit represented by formula (I) and increases its solubility in an alkali developer by action of an acid; (B) a compound that generates an acid in irradiation with actinic light or radiation; (C) a resin that has: at least one of a fluorine atom and a silicon atom; and a group selected from the group consisting of groups (x) to (z); and (D) a solvent: (x) an alkali soluble group, (y) a group which decomposes by action of an alkali developer and increases a solubility of the resin (C) in an alkali developer, and (z) a group which decomposes by action of an acid, wherein, Xa1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cyano group or a halogen atom, Ry1 to Ry3 each independently represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group, and at least two of Ry1 to Ry3 may be coupled to form a ring structure, and Z represents a divalent linking group.
US08034530B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide an information recording method for recording information in a data rewritable type optical recording medium having a plurality of information recording layers, which can form recording marks having good shapes. In the information recording method according to the present invention, information is recorded in an optical recording medium 10 having at least a stacked L0 layer 20 and L1 layer 30 by projecting a laser beam thereonto whose power is modulated between a plurality of powers including at least a recording power (Pw) and an erasing power (Pe) via a light incidence plane 13a. When information is recorded, λ/NA is set to be equal to or shorter than 700 nm, where λ is a wavelength of the laser beam and NA is a numerical aperture (NA) of an objective lens, and a ratio (Pe/Pw) of the recording power and the erasing power when information is to be recorded in the L0 layer 20 is set to be smaller than that when information is to be recorded in the L1 layer 30.
US08034524B2

A toner satisfying at least one of the following relationships: 10° C.<(T1−T2)<60° C. and 0
US08034520B2

Disclosed is a magenta toner, which contains magenta colorants composed of compound A represented by Formulas (1), (2) or (3) in an amount of mA and compound B selected from a group consisting of a mono-azo pigment, a naphthol pigment and rhodamine chelate pigment in an amount of mA, and a ratio of amount mA:mB is 90:10 to 55:45. are described in the specification.
US08034509B2

The membrane electrode assembly 1 has an anode 10, a cathode 20, and an electrolyte membrane 30 disposed between the anode and cathode; the anode and cathode are gas diffusion electrodes; the electrolyte membrane contains a solid electrolyte in which a plurality of pores with mean pore diameters of 1 to 30 nm are formed; and the solid electrolyte has a backbone comprising organic groups having one or more metal atoms, oxygen atoms bonded to the metal atoms, and carbon atoms bonded to the metal atoms or oxygen atoms, and also has functional groups with ion-exchange capabilities that are bonded to the organic groups in the pores.
US08034491B2

An organic electrolytic solution is provided. The electrolytic solution comprises a lithium salt, an organic solvent comprising a first solvent having a high dielectric constant and a second solvent having a low boiling point, and a surfactant having a hydrophilic segment with two ends, each end being connected to a hydrophobic segment. The organic electrolytic solution effectively prevents the electrolytic solution from contacting the anode of the lithium battery to thereby suppress a side reaction on the surface of the anode. This enhances charge/discharge efficiency, lifespan and reliability of the battery.
US08034489B2

Organic electrolyte solutions and lithium batteries using the same are provided. The organic electrolyte solutions use a silane compound that prevents crack formation caused by volumetric changes in the anode active material during battery charging/discharging. This improves charge/discharge characteristics, thereby also improving stability, reliability, and charge/discharge efficiency of the battery.
US08034484B2

An electrochemical device of the present invention comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte, wherein at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode includes a compound having a structure represented by the general formula (1): It is thereby possible to obtain a lightweight and high energy-density electrochemical device having an excellent cycle characteristic.
US08034481B2

A pouch-type secondary battery including: an electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator; a negative electrode tab electrically connected to the negative electrode plate and having a first tab tape; and a positive electrode tab electrically connected to the positive electrode plate and having a second tab tape wherein one or two of end portions which the positive electrode tab crosses are located inside a sealing portion.
US08034475B2

A secondary battery includes an anode for a secondary battery, a cathode which absorbs and discharges lithium ions, and an electrolyte which is placed between the anode for the secondary battery and the cathode. The anode for the secondary battery includes an anode active material layer which absorbs and discharges lithium ions, the anode active material layer including a first layer including carbon as a chief ingredient, and a second layer including at least one first element having a theoretical capacity greater than a theoretical capacity of graphite, and at least one second element which has a theoretical capacity equal to or less than the theoretical capacity of graphite. The second layer includes particles, and the particles include the first element and the second element.
US08034473B2

A storage battery air-cooling device cools down, by forced air circulation, a heat generation of a storage battery mounted in a vehicle as a driving power source of the vehicle. The device includes a battery case containing the storage battery with a marginal space on an outer circumference; a cool box which can be placed and extracted from a vehicle cabin for refrigerating an object; a pair of ducts communicating a case chamber of the battery case with a box chamber of the cool box to form a closed air circulation path; and a fan being set in a halfway position of the closed air circulation path to drive to forcedly circulate air in the path.
US08034471B2

In a perpendicular magnetic recording medium in which at least a soft magnetic underlayer, an orientation control layer, a magnetic recording layer and a protective layer are formed on a non-magnetic substrate in order from the bottom, the orientation control layer has a laminated structure of two or more layers including an intermediate layer and a seed layer which is disposed closer to the non-magnetic substrate than the intermediate layer. The seed layer includes two or more kinds of elements having a face-centered cubic structure, has face-centered cubic (111) plane crystals oriented in a direction perpendicular to a substrate surface, and has a pseudo-hexagonal structure.
US08034469B1

There is described a two-Level Layer System with Pyrochlore Phase and Oxides. Besides a good thermal insulation property, thermal insulation layer systems must also have a long lifetime of the thermal insulation layer. The layer system has a layer sequence of a metallic bonding layer, an inner ceramic layer and an outer ceramic layer, which are specially matched to one another.
US08034467B2

Disclosed herein is a moisture-reactive composition having a moisture-reactive polysiloxane having a main chain and one or more side chains, wherein the main chain and/or the one or more side chains has a group represented by the formula: —MXmYn; and wherein M is selected from the group consisting of a multivalent metal atom, B, and P═O; X is a hydrogen atom, a substituted or nonsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy group; Y is a substituted or nonsubstituted alkoxy, siloxy, carboxyl, or diketolate group; m is from 1 to 3; and n is from 0 to 2.
US08034465B2

An organic light-emitting device comprising an anode; a cathode; a hole-transporting layer disposed between the anode and the cathode; a phosphorescent light-emitting layer disposed between the hole-transporting layer and the cathode, wherein the phosphorescent light-emitting layer includes at least one host and at least one phosphorescent dopant; a first exciton-blocking layer disposed between the hole-transporting layer and the phosphorescent light-emitting layer; wherein the first exciton-blocking layer has a triplet energy greater than the triplet energy of the host in the phosphorescent light-emitting layer; and a second exciton-blocking layer disposed between the first exciton-blocking layer and the phosphorescent light-emitting layer, wherein the second exciton-blocking layer is in contact with the phosphorescent light-emitting layer, and wherein the second exciton-blocking layer has a triplet energy less than the triplet energy of the first exciton-blocking layer.
US08034460B2

Disclosed herein are a metallic laminate, including (i) a metal layer and (ii) a polyimide resin layer having a coefficient of thermal expansion of 19 ppm/° C. or less and a glass transition temperature of 350° C. or more, laminated on the metal layer, and a method of manufacturing the same. According to this invention, the metallic laminate has a good external appearance, having no foam on the polyimide resin layer.
US08034453B2

Epoxy resins and composite materials that generate reduced levels of sulfur dioxide and which unexpectedly have reduced self-extinguishing times. The epoxy resins are composed of from 50 to 70 weight percent of an epoxy resin component. The epoxy resin composition also includes from 20 to 35 weight percent of a thermoplastic blend that is composed of polyetherimide and polyamideimide. The epoxy resin composition further includes from 5 to 25 weight percent of a curative agent. The composite materials may be used for primary structures in aircraft and other load-bearing structures.
US08034449B1

A novel class of flowable biomass feedstock particles with unusually large surface areas that can be manufactured in remarkably uniform sizes using low-energy comminution techniques. The feedstock particles are roughly parallelepiped in shape and characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially with the grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. The particles exhibit a disrupted grain structure with prominent end and surface checks that greatly enhances their skeletal surface area as compared to their envelope surface area. The L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers. The W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers. The L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top surfaces characterized by some surface checking between longitudinally arrayed fibers. The feedstock particles are manufactured from a variety of plant biomass materials including wood, crop residues, plantation grasses, hemp, bagasse, and bamboo.
US08034443B2

Plastic composite material made up of a polymer matrix with a concentration of a nanofiber material and with a concentration of graphite-based particles. The matrix additionally contains at least one inorganic filler in the form of silicate-based particles or in the form of glass particles.
US08034440B2

An elastomeric film includes a first layer co-extruded with a second layer. The first layer includes a single-site catalyzed ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer having a density of about 0.860 to about 0.900 grams per centimeter. The second layer includes a styrene copolymer selected from styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene, or styrene-(ethylene/propylene)-styrene-(ethylene/propylene). The first layer may optionally include filler particles. An extensible laminate including the elastomeric film is also disclosed.
US08034435B2

The invention relates to a plastic film with an interference multilayer system applied thereon that comprises at least two layers. Said layers can be obtained by hardening and/or applying thermal treatment to a coating composition containing nanoscale inorganic solid particles having polymerizable and/or polycondensable organic surface groups, thereby forming a layer that is crosslinked by means of the polymerizable and/or polycondensable organic surface groups. The films can be used as an optical laminating film.
US08034426B2

A two-layered optical recording medium which includes a first substrate, a first information layer, a second information layer, and a second substrate formed in this order as viewed from the light beam irradiation side, the first information layer includes a first lower dielectric layer, a first recording layer, a first upper dielectric layer, a first reflective layer, and an inorganic dielectric layer formed in this order as viewed from the light beam irradiation side; the second information layer includes a second lower dielectric layer, a second recording layer, a second upper dielectric layer, and a second reflective layer formed in this order as viewed from the light beam irradiation side; and the first reflective layer is made of Cu with a content of 99.8% by mass to 95.0% by mass and one or more metals selected from Ta, Nb, Zr, Ni, Cr, Ge, Au, and Mo.
US08034423B2

A recording medium in which a base paper, a first layer including a binder, and a second layer including kaolin and at least one pigment selected from calcined kaolin, delaminated kaolin, and amorphous silica are laminated in that order. A total content of at least one pigment selected from the group of pigments is 10% or more of the total amount of pigments in the second layer. A Cobb water absorption degree within a contact time of 120 sec in a water absorption test at a surface of the first layer of the base paper provided with the first layer is than 2.0 g/m2 or less, and a water absorption amount within a contact time of 0.5 sec determined by a Bristow test at a surface of the second layer is from 2 mL/m2 to 8 mL/m2.
US08034418B2

A plurality of antenna elements, each of which has first and second linear conductors whose first ends are electrically interconnected are formed. The antenna elements are arranged in plane in such a way that the first and second linear conductors are alternated and separated from one another at regular intervals, thereby forming one or more array antennas which are disposed in a chamber. The second ends of the first linear conductors are connected to a high-frequency power supply, and the second ends of the second linear conductors are connected to ground. A plurality of substrates are parallel placed on both sides of the array antennas at distances approximate to the distances between the linear conductors. A film is formed by introducing an ingredient gas into the chamber.
US08034411B2

The present invention relates to a method of preventing abnormal large grains from being included in a NCD thin film during a hot filament CVD process by appropriately controlling the deposition condition regarding a temperature-measuring means, a deposition pressure, an electrical potential and/or the composition of a raw material gas flow.
US08034405B2

The invention relates to a method for coating a substrate with a fluid. This method comprises the steps: (i) of supply of a substrate and of a yield point fluid; and (ii) of shearing of the fluid and of application of the fluid to the substrate, the fluid supplied comprising a solvent-free reactive polyurethane mixture.
US08034401B2

A plurality of conductive patterns are formed so as to be arranged in a scanning direction of a recording head. A state of each of the conductive patterns and a state between the adjacent conductive patterns are electrically checked to detect a wire break and a short circuit in the conductive patterns.
US08034400B2

The invention relates to a method of releasing an ensemble of nanofibers from a dielectric substrate as well as to applications of the method. The organic nanofibers are grown on the substrate and can be released by first providing a polar liquid to a surface of the substrate and subsequently supplying energy to the combined system of nanofibers and liquid. The release may preferably be followed by transferring the released nanofibers to another substrate for application of the nanofibers, including alignment and/or structuring of the nanofibers. The applications includes light emitting, guiding and sensing applications.
US08034386B2

A food material capable of suppressing the genesis of breast cancer or proliferation of terminal breast cancer. An extract of Agaricus Blazei Murill comprising an ingredient capable of suppressing the genesis of breast cancer or proliferation of terminal breast cancer is provided. This ingredient can be a chromatographic main elution fraction of 100 to 2000 molecular weight obtained through the steps of extracting the fruit body of Agaricus Blazei Murill with hot water, dialyzing the obtained extract and subjecting the obtained dialysis external fluid to chromatography. Alternatively, the above ingredient can be a dialysis external fluid obtained through the steps of extracting the fruit body of Agaricus Blazei Murill with hot water, adding ethanol to the obtained extract to thereby obtain precipitates, and dissolving the precipitates in water and dialyzing the resultant solution.
US08034376B2

Compositions and methods useful in administering nucleic acid based therapies, for example association complexes such as liposomes and lipoplexes are described.
US08034372B2

A method for helping pets recover from periods of strenuous activity includes providing a source of carbohydrates formulated to provide a readily available replenishment source of glycogen for the pet and providing a replenishment source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which are expended at rates that are higher during the strenuous activity than during non-strenuous activity.
US08034368B2

The invention relates to a drug delivery device for providing local analgesia, local anesthesia or nerve blockade at a site in a human or animal in need thereof, the device comprising a fibrillar collagen matrix; and at least one drug substance selected from the group consisting of amino amide anesthetics, amino ester anesthetics and mixtures thereof, the at least one drug substance being substantially homogeneously dispersed in the collagen matrix, and the at least one drug substance being present in an amount sufficient to provide a duration of local analgesia, local anesthesia or nerve blockade which lasts for at least about one day after administration.
US08034367B2

A method mixes a first component, a second component, and a buffer material. The first component includes an electrophilic polymer material comprising poly(ethylene glycol) having a functionality of at least three. The second component includes a nucleophilic material comprising a natural or synthetic protein at a concentration of about 25% or less that, when mixed with the first component within a reaction pH range, cross-links with the first component to form a non-liquid, three-dimensional barrier. The buffer material includes tris-hydroxymethylaminomethane having a pH within the reaction pH range. The method applies the mixture to adhere to a tissue region.
US08034365B2

Described herein are N-substituted monomers and polymers, methods of making such monomers and polymers, and methods of using them in various applications, such as medical devices. In preferred embodiments, the medical device is a stent.
US08034351B2

The present invention provides compositions and methods for augmenting vaccine immunogenicity using mucin-immunoglobulin fusion proteins.
US08034337B2

Fully human monoclonal Abs includes (i) an antigen-binding variable region that exhibits very high binding affinity for IL-1α and (ii) a constant region that is effective at both activating the complement system though C1q binding and binding to several different Fc receptors.
US08034334B2

A method of promoting the regression of a cancer in a mammal comprising: (i) administering to the mammal nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy, and (ii) subsequently administering: (a) autologous T-cells, which have been previously isolated, selected for highly avid recognition of an antigen of the cancer, the regression of which is to be promoted, and rapidly expanded in vitro only once, and, either concomitantly with the autologous T-cells or subsequently to the autologous T-cells, by the same route or a different route, a T-cell growth factor that promotes the growth and activation of the autologous T-cells, or (b) autologous T-cells, which have been previously isolated, selected for highly avid recognition of an antigen of the cancer, the regression of which is to be promoted, modified to express a T-cell growth factor that promotes the growth and activation of the autologous T-cells, and rapidly expanded in vitro only once, whereupon the regression of the cancer in the mammal is promoted.
US08034330B2

It has been discovered that there are at least two significant antigens present on the cells of animal species such as pigs that elicit an immune or inflammatory response immediately upon implantation into humans or contact with human serum. The first is an α-galactosyl (Gal) epitope, for example, Galα(1→3)Galβ(1→4)GlcNac (linear B type 2) or Galα (1→3)Galβ(1→4)Glc (linear B type 6). The second is an N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) structure. By eliminating these epitopes, preferably by genetically engineering the animal so that the epitope is either not produced or is greatly reduced, or by chemical or enzymatic treatment of the animal's cells to remove the epitopes, it is possible to produce organs, tissues and cells suitable for xenotransplantation into humans. Cells can be rendered even more compatible by genetically engineering the animal to express a human complement regulatory protein (inhibitor), such as CD59, on its cells, or to express an excess of a pig complement regulatory protein.
US08034327B2

The present invention relates to new and improved interleukin-7 polypeptides, as well as compositions comprising the same, their preparation and uses. The invention more particularly relates to hyperglycosylated IL-7 polypeptides having improved properties, as well as their manufacture and therapeutic uses. The invention also discloses novel IL-7 polypeptides having modified amino acid sequences containing artificially created glycosylation site(s), as well as corresponding nucleic acid molecules, vectors and recombinant host cells. The invention also relates to the use of such polypeptides, cells or nucleic acids for curative or preventive treatment of mammalian subjects, including human subjects.
US08034325B2

A discrete powder which includes particles in which a biliquid foam has been entrapped within a matrix of a polymeric material. A process for the preparation of these discrete powders includes the steps of: i) preparing a biliquid foam, ii) forming a dispersion of the biliquid foam in an aqueous solution, suspension or dispersion of a polymeric material, and iii) subjecting the dispersion to drying under conditions such that a discrete powder is formed.
US08034319B2

A process for producing a complex oxide containing the valuable metal and an alkali (earth) metal salt, which comprising co-milling a mixture of the valuable metal oxide and/or a precursor thereof, or a mixture of a substance containing the valuable metal oxide and/or a precursor thereof, with an alkali (earth) metal salt to a particle size of the valuable metal oxide or a substance containing the oxide, of 10 μm or less, and heating the co-milled product to a temperature of at least 200° C. so as to induce a solid-phase reaction of the valuable metal oxide with an alkali (earth) metal salt.
US08034317B2

A composition of matter, includes a plurality of anisotropic nanoparticles that are in physical contact with one another, each of the plurality of anisotropic nanoparticles having a) a first dimension that is substantially different than both a second dimension and a third dimension and b) a non-random nanoparticle crystallographic orientation that is substantially aligned with the first direction. The plurality a anisotropic nanoparticles are substantially aligned with respect to each other to define a substantially close packed dense layer having a non-random shared crystallographic orientation that is substantially aligned with a basal plane of the substantially close packed dense layer. The plurality of anisotropic nanoparticles includes a member selected from the group consisting of (In,Ga)y(S,Se)1-y, an In2Se3 stable wurtzite structure that defines a hexagonal rod nanoparticle, Cux(Se)1-x and Cu(In,Ga)y(S,Se)1-y.
US08034315B2

Some embodiments include devices that contain bundles of CNTs. An undulating topography extends over the CNTs and within spaces between the CNTs. A global maximum lateral width is defined as the greatest lateral width of any of the spaces. A material is directly over the CNTs, with the material being a plurality of particles that have minimum cross-sectional equatorial widths exceeding the global maximum lateral width. Some embodiments include methods in which a plurality of crossed carbon nanotubes are formed over a semiconductor substrate. The CNTs form an undulating upper topography extending across the CNTs and within spaces between the CNTs. A global maximum lateral width is defined as the greatest lateral width of any of the spaces. A material is deposited over the CNTs, with the material being deposited as particles that have minimum cross-sectional equatorial widths exceeding the global maximum lateral width.
US08034309B2

In a formulation comprising titanium dioxide as a photocatalyst and an amphoteric metal oxide (alumina or the like) or a basic metal oxide (barium oxide, strontium oxide or the like) as a material having a base point, when a nitrogen oxide (nitrogen monoxide) comes into contact with or approaches titanium dioxide, upon exposed to light, the carbon monoxide is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide (gas) by hydroxy radicals as an active oxygen species produced by titanium dioxide. As is apparent from the molecular structure, nitrogen dioxide is an acidic gas, alumina is an amphoteric metal oxide, and barium oxide and strontium oxide are a basic metal oxide. The oxygen atom thereof serves as a base point to an acid gas. Therefore, nitrogen dioxide is attracted and chemically bonded to the oxygen atom, held on the metal oxide, and kept close to titanium dioxide as the photocatalyst.
US08034306B1

A reaction surface array diagnostic apparatus includes a substrate carrying a plurality of reaction surfaces and, a plate having a plurality of wells, alignable with one of the reaction surfaces and forming a fluid tight well about each reaction surface when the plate and the substrate are sealingly affixed to each other in a frame. The plate is formed of a flexible material which may have an adhesive on one surface. Interlocking latch members are formed on the plate and the frame for releasably latching the plate and the frame in a position for sealing attachment to the substrate.
US08034300B2

This apparatus for producing trichlorosilane includes: a vessel having a gas inlet that introduces a feed gas into the vessel and a gas outlet that discharges a reaction product gas to the outside; a plurality of silicon core rods provided inside the vessel; and a heating mechanism that heats the silicon core rods, wherein a feed gas containing silicon tetrachloride and hydrogen is reacted to produce a reaction product gas containing trichlorosilane and hydrogen chloride. The silicon core rods may be disposed so as to stand upright on the bottom of the vessel, and the heating mechanism may have electrode portions that hold the lower end portions of the silicon core rods on the bottom of the vessel and a power supply that applies an electric current to the silicon core rods through the electrode portions to heat the silicon core rods.
US08034297B2

The present invention discloses a transfer system between the first and second reactors in a double loop reactor that is equipped to reduce clogging in the transfer lines by providing a regulation mechanism arranged to insure equivalent flushing in each transfer line.
US08034295B2

An ion analyzing apparatus includes a sensor; a counter electrode having openings, the counter electrode being positioned so as to substantially surround the sensor; and a bias generating circuit coupled to the sensor, wherein the sensor includes quartz crystal and a pair of electrodes positioned on surface of the quartz crystal, and one of the pair of electrodes is coupled to the bias generating circuit.
US08034284B2

A shaft furnace bleeder valve for controlling a gas outflow from the interior of a pressurized furnace to the ambient atmosphere through an exhaust conduit is proposed. The bleeder valve comprises a valve seat associated with the exhaust conduit, a movable closure member having a central closure surface and a peripheral sealing surface cooperating with the valve seat, the closure surface comprising a convex surface at least in proximity to the sealing surface. The valve further has an actuating mechanism, which is connected to the closure member for moving the closure member between a closed position on the valve seat and an open position distant from the valve seat. According to the invention, the closure member comprises a recurved deflection portion at the periphery of the peripheral sealing surface, the recurved deflection portion comprising a deflection surface inclined against the convex surface by an angle in the range of 30° to 70° for imparting to a gas outflow passing between the valve seat and the closure member a velocity component which is opposite to the initial opening movement of the closure member.
US08034280B2

Catheters, balloons, and methods of manufacturing balloons for balloon catheters using lasers are disclosed. A catheter with a shaft sized for use with a 0.014 inch guide wire includes a polymeric balloon having a body portion with an inflated outer diameter of more than 6 millimeters. An inflatable balloon includes an inflated outer diameter to inner waist diameter ratio of 12.5 to 1. An inflatable polymeric balloon that has a body portion with two regions that have different molecular orientations is also provided. A method of processing an elongate polymeric material includes heating a portion of the polymeric material with a laser while longitudinally stretching the portion of the polymeric material. A method of manufacturing a balloon includes heating and longitudinally stretching a first and second portion of an elongate polymeric tube to form first and second end portion. The remaining body portion is radially expanded to form the balloon.
US08034278B2

Apparatus and methods for molding composite bodies into composite parts using pressure. A lower inflexible mold is combined with an elastic upper mold layer to form a molding cavity in which the composite body to be molded is placed. An elastic pressure layer is used in combination with the upper mold layer to form a pressure chamber. A flexible expansion control layer is used to limit the increase in surface area of the pressure layer during pressurization. A perimeter retention lock is provided to prevent the perimeters of the elastic and flexible layers from moving inward or away from the lower mold during application of pressure to the pressure chamber.
US08034272B2

A closure for a container, e.g., a tube, for a sample, e.g., a biological sample. The closure comprises a cap having a first opening and a second opening, the first opening capable of communicating with the mouth of a container, the second opening sealed by an exterior seal, and intermediate the first opening and the exterior seal, an interior seal. The invention also provides an assembly comprising the closure of this invention and a container. The invention also provides a method for preparing the closure.
US08034267B2

A composite solid tire, including a worn solid rubber tire having a remaining rubber layer, and a thermo-setting polyurethane elastomer layer which is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the rubber layer.
US08034266B2

A process for the production of an open-cell carbon foam from a metallic salt of a lignosulfonate is described. The process includes heating the metallic salt of a lignosulfonate from ambient temperature to a maximum temperature, greater than about 250° C., at a rate sufficiently slow as to provide for essentially uniform heating of the lignin derived material. Heating of the lignin derived material is performed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere having a pressure greater than about 100 psig. The resultant carbon foam can subsequently be optionally subjected to carbonization or graphitization temperatures as desired. The resultant carbon foam has a regular open-cell structure. Densities of the carbon foam products are commonly in the range of about 0.1 g/cm3 to 0.2 g/cm3. The carbon foams may also exhibit compressive strengths of up to about 200 psi. The carbon foam materials potentially have utility as lightweight thermal barriers and in many other of the applications associated with carbon foams.
US08034258B2

The invention relates to an inorganic scintillator material of formula Lu(2-y)Y(y-z-x) CexMzSi(1-v)M′vO5, in which: M represents a divalent alkaline earth metal and M′ represents a trivalent metal, (z+v) being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than or equal to 0.2; z being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; v being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; x being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than 0.1; and y ranging from (x+z) to 1. In particular, this material may equip scintillation detectors for applications in industry, for the medical field (scanners) and/or for detection in oil drilling. The presence of Ca in the crystal reduces the afterglow, while stopping power for high-energy radiation remains high.
US08034255B2

This invention relates to a liquid crystal composition and articles comprising the composition. The composition comprises at least one compound of each of the Formulas (I), (II) and (III), as defined herein. A process for making the composition is also provided.
US08034253B2

Method and composition for decomposing and detoxifying chemical warfare agents, organic toxic compounds (e.g., pesticides), and for removal of contaminants in materials including fuels. The method and composition are based on ferrate (VI). The ferrate is typically applied to a contaminated surface or volume with a phase transfer catalyst and/or with a carrier.
US08034252B2

A metal-polishing liquid includes colloidal silica and a compound represented by Formula (I) or a compound represented by Formula (II). The colloidal silica is substituted by aluminum atoms at least one portion of the silicon atoms on the surfaces thereof. In Formula (I), R1 represents an alkyl group, alkynyl group, alkenyl group, allyl group or aryl group; R2 represents hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, alkynyl group, alkenyl group, allyl group or aryl group; m represents an integer from 0 to 6. In Formula (II), R3 represents an alkyl group or aryl group; n represents an integer from 1 to 30. R1—OOC—(CH2)m—COO—R2  Formula (I) R3—O—(CH2CH2O)n—SO3H  Formula (II)
US08034242B2

This invention discloses dialysis devices, related housings, related membranes, related kits, and related methods.
US08034232B2

Methods and systems for hydrocracking a heavy oil feedstock using, a colloidally or molecularly dispersed catalyst (e.g., molybdenum sulfide) which provide for concentration of the colloidally dispersed catalyst within the lower quality materials requiring additional hydrocracking. In addition to increased catalyst concentration, the inventive systems and methods provide increased reactor throughput, increased reaction rate, and of course higher conversion of asphaltenes and lower quality materials. Increased conversion levels of asphaltenes and lower quality materials also reduces equipment fouling, enables the reactor to process a wider range of lower quality feedstocks, and can lead to more efficient use of a supported catalyst if used in combination with the colloidal or molecular catalyst.
US08034215B2

Patterned fibrous structures, more particularly to fibrous structures that comprise a pattern that conveys to a user a characteristic of the fibrous structure and/or single- or multi-ply sanitary tissue product comprising such a patterned fibrous structure and methods for making same are provided.
US08034212B2

A magnetron plasma processing apparatus has a baffle plate interposed between a processing space and a gas exhaust port so as to confine a plasma in the processing space in a processing chamber. The baffle plate has through holes allowing the processing space and the gas exhaust port to communicate with each other. The baffle plate is provided along lines of magnetic force of a magnetic field at a position where the plate is located.
US08034209B2

An electro-optic display is produced using a sub-assembly comprising a front sheet, an electro-optic medium; and an adhesive layer. An aperture is formed through the adhesive layer where the adhesive layer is not covered by the electro-optic medium, and the sub-assembly is adhered to a backplane having a co-operating member with the aperture engaged with a co-operating member, thus locating the sub-assembly relative to the backplane. In another form of electro-optic display, a chip extends through an aperture in the electro-optic medium and adhesive layer. In a third form, the aforementioned sub-assembly is secured to a backplane and then a cut is made through both backplane and sub-assembly to provide an aligned edge.
US08034197B2

An ultra-high strength stainless steel alloy with enhanced toughness includes in % by weight: 0 to 0.06% carbon (C); 12.0 to 18% chromium (Cr); 16.5 to 31.0% cobalt (Co); 0 to 8% molybdenum (Mo); 0.5 to 5.0% nickel (Ni); 0 to 0.5% titanium (Ti); 0 to 1.0% niobium (Nb); 0 to 0.5% vanadium (V); 0 to 16% tungsten (W); balance iron (Fe) and incidental deoxidizers and impurities. The heat treating method includes the steps of austenitizing at least once followed by quenching, tempering and sub-zero cooling to obtain no more than about 6-8% retained austenite in the finished alloy.
US08034194B2

[Object] To provide a pallet capable of reliably holding a board-like work on a table and applying a liquid to a desired position on an upper surface of the work, and to provide an applying apparatus provided with the pallet. [Solving Means] A pallet for fixing a board-like work is arranged on a table of a liquid applying apparatus, which applies a liquid by moving a nozzle for discharging the liquid and the table relatively to each other. The pallet comprises a base having a work area in which a plurality of works are arranged in parallel in a row direction and/or a column direction, and a holding plate for holding the work at both ends thereof, the holding plate having a window (69) which is positioned to make open central portion of the works arranged in the work area.
US08034193B2

An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 according to the prevent invention includes an apparatus body 2 including a cleaning tank 6 for storing an endoscope retaining tray 4 in which an endoscope 5 is stored, a top cover 3 provided to the apparatus body 2 and caused by a cover body opening/closing mechanism unit to rotationally move between an open-state stop position and a closed-state stop position, a wireless tag 14 provided to either one of the endoscope retaining tray 4 and the endoscope 5 stored in the endoscope retaining tray 4 and transmitting information for identifying the type of the endoscope 5, a wireless receiver unit 22 provided to the apparatus body 2 and receiving the information of the wireless tag 14, and a control unit 10 provided to the apparatus body 2 and determining whether or not to cause an opening movement of the top cover 3 on the basis of the information obtained by the wireless receiver unit 22 to thereby control the rotational movement by the cover body opening/closing mechanism unit. Accordingly, cleaning and disinfection of the used endoscope can be hygienically and effectively performed.
US08034181B2

A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber encased in a vacuum vessel equipped with an evacuator; a sample stage located in the processing chamber and having an upper surface on which a sample as an object to be processed rests; a gas feeding unit for feeding processing gas into the processing chamber; a plurality of refrigerant ducts which are laid out in the internal of the sample stage and through which liquid refrigerant flows and can be evaporated; a cooling circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and a set of pipelines to connect the compressor, the condenser and the expansion valve in this order; and a selecting unit for selectively feeding the refrigerant through the plural refrigerant ducts in the different steps of the processing. The sample is processed by using plasma while the temperature of the sample stage is being controlled by the cooling circuit.
US08034174B2

A diarylide yellow pigment formed by a coupling reaction of a benzidine and a mixture comprising 4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxy-acetoacetanilide and 2,4-dimethyl-acetoacetanilide. The diarylide yellow pigment has a desirable reddish shade than C.I. Pigment Yellow 83, exists in a solid solution, and contains fewer aromatic amine impurities.
US08034173B2

A method for processing compositions, compositions obtained by such a process and methods of use are disclosed for forming a detachable and renewable protective coating which is substantially transparent. The inventive process compositions are produced by making a highly concentrated dispersion of hydrophobically modified silica particles in the presence of an optional, yet preferable, disilazane derivative under high shear conditions. These process compositions are intended to be further diluted to final treatment compositions, optionally while adding other functional ingredients.
US08034171B2

A water base ink for ink-jet recording contains a coloring agent, water, a penetrant, and a surfactant, wherein the penetrant includes diethylene glycol n-hexyl ether (A), the surfactant includes an acetylene glycol-based surfactant (B1) and sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate (B2), and (A), (B1), and (B2) are blended at ratios respectively to fulfill a predetermined condition. Accordingly, the water base ink for ink-jet recording is provided, which is excellent in the permeability, the vaporization characteristic, and the water repellence and which does not deteriorate any resin material forming a casing or the like of an ink jet recording apparatus.
US08034168B2

Disclosed herein are combustion systems and power plants that incorporate sweep-based membrane separation units to remove carbon dioxide from combustion gases. In its most basic embodiment, the invention is a combustion system that includes three discrete units: a combustion unit, a carbon dioxide capture unit, and a sweep-based membrane separation unit. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a power plant including a combustion unit, a power generation system, a carbon dioxide capture unit, and a sweep-based membrane separation unit. In both of these embodiments, the carbon dioxide capture unit and the sweep-based membrane separation unit are configured to be operated in parallel, by which we mean that each unit is adapted to receive exhaust gases from the combustion unit without such gases first passing through the other unit.
US08034166B2

A description is given of an absorption medium for removing carbon dioxide from a gas stream, which comprises an aqueous solution of at least one amine and at least one aminocarboxylic acid and/or aminosulfonic acid. The concomitant use of an aminocarboxylic acid or aminosulfonic acid reduces the energy required for regeneration of the absorption medium.
US08034155B2

Nanosilver porous material particles and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The nanosilver porous material particles include nanosilver particles distributed on the surface thereof. First, a nanosilver precursor is dissolved in water and a proper quantity of a fixation agent is added to form a solution. Next, a proper quantity of the porous material particles is added into the solution and that is mixed well to form a suspension. Next, the suspension is allowed to stand for a predetermined period of time, and then the suspension is filtered to separate the porous material particles from the solution. Finally, the resulting porous material particles are baked and dried.
US08034154B2

The invention relates to a method for repairing components that consist of a superalloy. The method comprises the following steps: a solder material is applied to the repair site; the repair site with the applied solder material is heated until the latter melts; and the melted solder material is left to solidify. A powder blend, whose average composition corresponds to the component alloy constitutes the solder material, the blend comprising at least one elementary powder of the component alloy as one powder type and/or a pre-alloy of the component alloy.
US08034143B2

A cyclone includes a cylindrical housing and has an inner diameter D. An inlet is near a first end of the housing. A deflection member can be positioned within the first end or the second end of the housing, depending on whether the cyclone is uniflow or reverse flow. An outlet tube is positioned within and extends from a second end or the first end of the housing (depending on whether uniflow or reverse flow). A bunker is formed between the outlet tube and an inner wall of the housing in a uniflow design and between the deflection member and the housing in a reverse flow design, and collects particles separated from an inlet gas stream. A gap between the deflection member and the outlet tube has a length in the range of approximately 0.4*D to 0.8*D. The length of the bunker is approximately greater than or equal to 1.5*D.
US08034142B2

A gas/liquid separator is provided in which separation performance for fluid into gas and liquid is enhanced. A gas/liquid separator includes a body which separates a circulation gas into water and hydrogen gas in a separating space, a supply port from which the circulation gas flows into the inner space, the supply port being provided on the side wall surface forming the separating space, and a discharge port through which the separated hydrogen gas flows out of the separating space, the discharge port being provided on the side wall surface. In this case, the discharge port is provided above the supply port.
US08034138B2

An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes a filter member for trapping dust; a dust removing mechanism for removing the dust from the filter member; and a dust container for containing the dust removed from the filter member. The indoor unit further includes a container lifting/lowering mechanism for lifting/lowering the dust container relative to a casing; and a drive unit capable of alternatively performing removal operation by engaging with a dust removing mechanism to drive the dust removing mechanism, and lifting/lowering operation by engaging with a container lifting/lowering mechanism to drive the container lifting/lowering mechanism.
US08034134B2

A design for a microchannel steam microreformer has been developed to provide power in conjunction with a micro fuel cell for a portable, low-power device. The design is optimized for low pumping power and rapid operation as well as thermal efficiency, overall size, and complete generation of the available hydrogen. The design includes at least one microchannel having a grooved surface with a continuous groove oriented in a spiral configuration.
US08034132B2

A process and method transforms solid waste into fuel. The system uses a pressure vessel; a condenser tank to permit selective addition of water to and evacuation of steam from the vessel; a heater to increase the temperature of the vessel; a vacuum pump to selectively reduce pressure within the vessel and to help evacuate steam from the vessel to the condenser tank; and a water pump to selectively add water from the condenser tank to the interior volume of the vessel.
US08034122B2

Agent for lightening keratin fibers containing in a cosmetic carrier (1) at least one cationic 2-acylpyridinium derivative of formula (I), wherein R is a C1-C6 alkyl group, a C2-C6 alkenyl group, a C2-C6 hydroxyalkyl group, a C1-C6 alkoxy C2-C6 alkyl group, a carboxy C1-C6 alkyl group, an aryl C1-C6 alkyl group, a heteroaryl C1-C6 alkyl group, a mono- or di-(C1-C6 alkyl)amino C2-C6 alkyl group, a 3-oxobutyl group, a 2-oxopropyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, R′ is a C4-C4 alkyl group, a C2-C6 hydroxyalkyl group or a C1-C6 alkoxy C2-C6 alkyl group, and X− is a physiologically acceptable anion, (2) at least one alkyl ether sulfate, and (3) an oxidizing agent, especially hydrogen peroxide.
US08034120B2

A suspension liner sleeve adapted to provide an interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket, and having outer and inner surfaces. The liner sleeve includes an elongate, generally conical body portion formed from at least one material segment defining the liner outer surface. The at least one material segment being at least radially elastically extensible from a relaxed non-extended condition and including proximal and distal end areas. The liner sleeve includes a layer of polymeric material disposed on the at least one material segment and defining the liner sleeve inner surface, and a plurality of resilient seal elements protruding radially from the liner sleeve outer surface. The plurality of seal elements extend around at least one peripheral portion of the liner body portion. A pair of opposed annular recesses may be adjacently located above and below each of the at least one seal element.
US08034118B2

An implantable digestive organ is provided for the transport of materials through the digestive tract and in one particular application to an artificial large bowel for replacing all or part of a colon or large bowel. The prosthetic organ of one embodiment includes an outer support structure, an expandable member or members located within the outer support structure, and a flexible inner member forming a conduit for the passage of material. The flexible inner member is located within the outer member and the expandable member or members are located between the inner member and the outer support structure. The expandable members are expanded and contracted, or inflated and deflated to provide a pumping action that pumps the material through the organ. The prosthesis may also include valves or sphincters at the entrance and/or exit points of the organ where material moves into and out of the prosthesis. An implantable pump unit may be included for inflating and deflating the expandable members according to a desired sequence.
US08034106B2

This invention relates to intraocular lenses. More particularly, this invention relates to intraocular lenses that have the ability to alter the light refractive power in response to changes in the tension of the ciliary muscle or ciliary body of the eye or any other accommodative forces. Lenses of this invention are generally referred to as interfacial, i.e., lens properties being defined as the interface of two liquids having different refractive indices, refractive accommodating lenses (IRAL).
US08034104B2

An anatomically approximate prosthetic heart valve includes dissimilar flexible leaflets, dissimilar commissures and/or a non-circular flow orifice. The heart valve may be implanted in the mitral position and have one larger leaflet oriented along the anterior aspect so as to mimic the natural anterior leaflet. Two other smaller leaflets extend around the posterior aspect of the valve. A basic structure providing peripheral support for the leaflets includes two taller commissures on both sides of the larger leaflet, with a third, smaller commissure between the other two leaflets. The larger leaflet may be thicker and/or stronger than the other two leaflets. The base structure defines a flow orifice intended to simulate the shape of the mitral annulus during the systolic phase. For example, the flow orifice may be elliptical. A relatively wide sewing ring has a contoured inflow end and is attached to the base structure in such a way that the valve can be implanted in an intra-atrial position and the taller commissures do not extend too far into the left ventricle, therefore avoiding injury to the ventricle.
US08034101B2

As a novel biodegradable metallic material the degradation speed of which in vivo can be controlled over a broad scope while achieving desired mechanical properties such as strength, work hardening and ductility without restricting the shape of an implant device, it is intended to provide a magnesium-based biodegradable metallic material which comprises Mg containing Mg as the major composition and having a concentration of inevitable impurities equal to or less than 0.05 atomic %, is free from precipitates or intermetallic compounds, and has an average grain size being regulated to equal to or less than ¼ of the minimum part of the material.
US08034098B1

An apparatus is described for supporting and/or constricting a surface of a valve annulus. The apparatus includes a tubular member of dimensions suitable for insertion into a body vessel. The tubular member includes at least two first segments attachable to an interior wall of the body vessel. The tubular member further includes at least one second segment which is capable of decreasing its axial length to draw one of the first segments towards the other first segment.
US08034063B2

The present invention relates generally to medical methods and systems used to restore the angle of His and treat hiatal hernias and other conditions of the lower esophagus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system that allows fixation of the distal esophagus and fundus of the stomach directly to the diaphragmatic crus muscle. The present invention provides a method where the diaphragmatic crus muscle is identified and precisely located from within and through the gastrointestinal lumen followed by the placement of a translumenal anchor which connects and secures the esophagus and stomach to the diaphragmatic crus muscle. This procedure reduces the hiatal hernia, restores the normal anatomy and treats conditions associated with the lower esophagus.
US08034059B2

An acetabular shell or cup removal instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a first end capable of being received within an acetabular cup and a cutting element pivotally attached. Cutting motion is provided to the instrument by a powered handpiece, so that the cutting element is capable of cutting a bone surface adjacent to an outer surface of the acetabular cup when the first end is within the acetabular cup.
US08034056B2

An intramedullary fixation assembly usable with different long bone types and a guide assembly for guiding deployment of the intramedullary fixation assembly. The intramedullary fixation assembly includes a fixation member that has ends and a curved body extending between the ends. The curved body of the fixation member has a radius of curvature configured to extend through the medullary canal regardless of the long bone anatomy. Fasteners fix the fixation member to the bone fragments and are guided by a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a guide body defining openings configured to guide the fasteners through openings defined in the fixation member and into the bone fragments. A fixation end of the guide body includes a pair of opposing, converging surfaces that are configured to engage in a positive fit with an exposed end of the fixation member accessible through the side aperture in the first fragment.
US08034045B1

A medical device including a sheath having an inner liner and an outer layer attachable to a coil independent from each other to allow the inner liner and the outer layer the freedom to move coaxially independent from each other. The coil can be closely wound at a predetermined coil spacing sufficient to inhibit portions of the outer layer from entering into voids between the adjacent coil windings. Intermediate layers for bonding between the coil and the inner liner and/or the outer layer may also be provided. A filler material can be disposed within the voids between the adjacent windings of the coil. The filler material has a dimension sized to bridge the void between adjacent coil windings in order to inhibit portions of the outer layer from bonding to the inner liner. The filler material can be in the form of a ribbon.
US08034029B2

A multiple reservoir or chambered implantable pump is disclosed. The pump according to the present invention is particularly useful in allowing for multiple constant flow rates to be provided from an otherwise constant flow implantable pump. The pump is also useful in allowing for housing of multiple active substances. A multiple reservoir implantable pump is also disclosed, which has at least one chamber capable of providing a constant flow rate and at least one chamber capable of being utilized for patient controlled injections.
US08034025B1

A disposable safety syringe in one embodiment includes a syringe barrel; a plunger comprising a push rod; hollow first, second, and third adapters for forming an airtight engagement with an inner surface at one end of the syringe barrel; and a needle threadedly secured to the first adapter to establish a communication with inside of the syringe barrel prior to beginning a liquid dispensing operation with respect to a subject. After injection and pulling the needle out of a subject, a pulling of the plunger can be stopped, a further pulling of the plunger can also be stopped when an annular cutting groove of the plunger is about flush with the other end of the syringe barrel with the needle being retracted into the syringe barrel, and a breaking operation along the cutting groove can break the plunger.
US08034023B2

An evacuation sheath assembly and method of treating occluded vessels which reduces the risk of distal embolization during vascular interventions is provided. A method of treating a lesion within a blood vessel, includes providing an evacuation sheath assembly having a multi-lumen tube with proximal and distal ends, first and second lumens therebetween, and at least one sealing surface mounted on the distal end of the multi-lumen tube. The evacuation sheath assembly is advanced to a region of interest within a blood vessel. The sealing surface is deployed upstream of the region of interest to occlude antegrade flow adjacent to the lesion to be treated. A dilation catheter is advanced through the multi-lumen tube such that the dilation balloon is positioned across the lesion and the lesion is dilated. Suction is applied to induce retrograde blood flow to carry dislodged embolic material into a lumen of the evacuation sheath assembly.
US08034021B2

The present invention concerns a housing for supporting the proximal inlet ports of at least two isolated lumens, for use in a patient fluid administration system, wherein each of the lumens further comprises a distal outlet for connecting to at least one patient fluid administration member, and wherein the housing further comprises an integral unit, wherein the unit comprises a distal frame layer, a female connector layer, for connecting to at least one of the fluid peripheral elements and at least one intermediate gasket layer for providing sealing between each of the isolated lumens.
US08034020B2

An optical flow sensor is provided, including a heater configured to heat an aliquot of fluid in an adjacent fluid-delivery channel and a sensor disposed adjacent to the fluid-delivery channel downstream from the heater. The sensor is configured to illuminate fluid in the fluid-delivery channel, to collect reflected light from the illuminated fluid, and to determine when the heated aliquot passes the sensor based upon an amount of the reflected light. A method for determining a flow rate of a fluid is also provided. The method includes heating an aliquot of the fluid at a first position of a fluid-delivery channel, illuminating fluid in the fluid-delivery channel at a second position downstream from the first position, measuring an amount of light reflected from the illuminated fluid to determine a change in the amount corresponding to the heated aliquot passing the second position, and calculating the flow rate of the fluid based upon a distance between the first position and the second position and a time between the heating the aliquot and the heated aliquot passing the second position.
US08034009B2

A dressing for applying compression to a wound in a patient includes a bladder having a non-deformable end wall and a deformable membrane. The dressing may include a flexible web having an adhesive layer on one side thereof for securing the dressing to the patient so as to hold the bladder against the patient's skin. Upon inflation, the deformable membrane projects towards the patient's skin and exerts pressure on the wound to reduce the flow of blood from the wound.
US08034005B2

A motion assist device for assisting a periodical motion of a creature such as a human by applying a force with appropriate strength to the creature so as to match a motion scale with a desired motion scale thereof regardless of a motion rhythm of the periodical motion. According to the motion assist device (1), a second model is corrected so as to approximate a value of a motion variable (ξ) to a desired value (ξ0). A second oscillator (ξ2) is generated according to the corrected second model. A periodical force (torque) (T) applied to the human (P) is controlled according to the second oscillator (ξ2).
US08033996B2

This invention provides user interfaces that more intuitively display physiological data obtained from physiological monitoring of one or more subjects. Specifically, the user interfaces of this invention create and display one or more avatars having behaviors guided by physiological monitoring data. The monitoring data is preferably obtained when the subject is performing normal tasks without substantial restraint. This invention provides a range of implementations that accommodate user having varying processing and graphics capabilities, e.g., from handheld electronic devices to ordinary PC-type computers and to systems with enhanced graphics capabilities.
US08033993B2

An endoscope device of the invention includes: an insertion portion disposed with an observation optical system; an operation portion continuously provided to a proximal end side of the insertion portion; a display device main body provided to a proximal end side of the operation portion and disposed with a monitor portion for displaying a subject image; a rotational movement shaft for rotationally movably journaling the display device main body with respect to the operation portion; and a finger-hooking portion provided to the display device main body and for operation of rotationally moving the display device main body about a rotational movement shaft, and thus it is possible for an operator to easily orient the monitor of the display device in an easily viewable direction when operatably grasping the operation portion.
US08033991B2

A handgrip for colonoscope shaft is equipped with force, torque, and acceleration sensors allowing for a comprehensive characterization of colonoscope shaft motion, including recognition of obstacles and recording of forces and torques applied at various times during a colonoscopy procedure. An electronic unit is adapted to receive sensors data wirelessly and calculate a variety of motion parameters guiding a medical practitioner during the procedure and aimed at making colonoscopy safer and less painful.
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