US08040948B2
A moving-image signal, such as typically a luminance signal organized in blocks of pixels is coded via a technique that envisages the steps of: comparing a block to be coded with a plurality of candidate prediction blocks; determining, for each candidate prediction block, a respective value of an index representing the difference between the block to be coded and each candidate prediction block; and choosing between the candidate prediction blocks, as a function of the respective value of the aforesaid index, a prediction block to be used for coding of the block to be coded. The signal is sampled pixel by pixel on the block to be coded and on the plurality of candidate prediction blocks, thus generating respective surfaces representing the pattern of the signal in the block to be coded and in the candidate prediction blocks. Chosen as an index is an index of the parallelism between the aforesaid respective surfaces.
US08040940B2
A transmitter/receiver device includes: a transmitter unit including a parallel/serial converting circuit, a waveform deteriorating circuit, and a transmitter circuit; and a receiver unit including a receiver circuit, a serial/parallel converting circuit, and an error detecting circuit. The parallel/serial converting circuit converts a transmitter-side parallel signal to a transmitter-side serial signal. The waveform deteriorating circuit deteriorates a signal waveform of the transmitter-side serial signal. The transmitter circuit transmits to the receiver unit the signal whose waveform is deteriorated. The receiver circuit receives, as a receiver-side serial signal, the signal transmitted from the transmitter circuit. The serial/parallel converting circuit converts the receiver-side serial signal to a receiver-side parallel signal. The error detecting circuit detects a bit error rate of the receiver-side parallel signal.
US08040937B2
A method is provided for improving a signal-to-noise ratio in a received signal. The method involves receiving a spread spectrum signal (SSS) with a power level below a noise floor of a receiver. The SSS is generated by modulating a data signal using a spreading sequence (SS) comprised of a random number sequence (RNS). The SS can be generated using a chaos generator or any other deterministic means. The method also involves comparing a magnitude of each number of the RNS which was used to generate the SSS to an adaptable threshold value. The adaptable threshold value is selected based on a minimum magnitude of each number necessary to produce samples having a predetermined signal-to-noise ratio. Notably, samples of the received SSS are excluded from a receiver processing based on a result of the comparison. Similarly, each number of a random number sequence is excluded from the receiver processing based on the comparison.
US08040935B2
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for spread spectrum modulation and demodulation using a special spread spectrum sequence, characterized in that Golay complementary codes are modulated onto orthogonal channels such that a corresponding complex complementary code is obtained. The signal spread by such complex complementary code has a low peak-to-average power ratio, a sound self-correlation property and cross-correlation property, which can well solve the problem of multi-access interference such that the communication performance of the entire system is improved.
US08040925B2
A broadband fiber laser provides a lasing cavity including a reflective minor and at least one fiber Bragg grating for further providing a lasing signal to resonate and be amplified therein. Alternatively, the wavelength of the fiber laser can be either fixed or tunable by varying the central wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating and/or by adjusting the switching status of an optical switch pair.
US08040919B2
A transmission method in which a first signal frame, carrying a payload in a first part of the signal frame and second information in a second part of the signal frame, is transmitted intact between a signal source and a signal destination by copying the second information into the first part of at least one additional signal frame, transmitting both frames between the signal source and the signal destination and, at the destination, reconstructing the first signal frame by retrieving its original second information from the first part or parts of the additional signal frame or frames and placing the retrieved second information in the second part of the first signal frame. A typical application of the transmission method lies in its use in an SDH transmission system.
US08040917B2
An apparatus, system, and method for upgrading to a new codec used in a digital broadcasting environment are provided. The apparatus includes a first transceiver that receives a transport stream; a first parser that parses the transport stream to determine a codec packet, and decodes codec information contained therein; and a codec-comparison unit that compares the decoded codec information with existing codec information, and determines whether a codec should be downloaded. The system includes a device manufacturer that manufactures a codec packet; a broadcaster that transmits a transport stream containing the codec packet; and a rendering device that parses the transport stream, compares existing codec information with new codec information, and upgrades a codec based on the comparison. The method includes receiving a transport stream; parsing the stream; decoding new codec information; comparing the new codec information with existing information; and upgrading the codec based on the new codec information.
US08040913B2
A method for performing random access in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes transmitting a preamble for random access in uplink, receiving a random access response message including back-off information as a response to the preamble, and performing back-off using the back-off information when the random access has failed.
US08040912B2
Provided is a multicarrier communication apparatus by which information quantity of CQI reporting can be reduced. In the apparatus, each CQI is recorded in a CQI table section (122) by being classified into a plurality of CQI groups by following a certain rule. A CQI selecting section (123) estimates fluctuation range and variance of reception qualities of the entire resource block to be reported, based on an SINR value outputted from a quality level calculating section (121). Then, based on the estimated values, the CQI selecting section selects a suitable CQI group in a first step, selects a suitable CQI value from among the CQIs included in the selected CQI group in a second step, and outputs the ID of the selected CQI group and the selected CQI value to a CQI generating section (124) . Based on such information, the CQI generating section (124) generates a CQI frame to be transmitted to a base station.
US08040910B2
Aspects of a method and system for data exchange with a multimedia and Ethernet enabled LAN subsystem are provided. A networking subsystem may receive a protocol data unit via a network link, extract audio and/or video data from the protocol data unit, and communicate the audio and/or video data to an audio and/or video processor via a bus that bypasses the one or both of a northbridge and a southbridge. A networking subsystem may receive audio and/or video data from an audio and/or video processor via a bus that bypasses said one or both of a northbridge and a southbridge, encapsulate the audio and/or video data into a protocol data unit, and transmit the protocol data unit onto a network link. The protocol data unit may be received over said the network link utilizing Ethernet physical layer protocols. The bus may be scaled based on a type, format, and/or rate of data communicated over it.
US08040909B2
A packet data transmission method of the HSDPA system includes collecting information on the quality of physical channels, a status of the MAC buffer, the priority level of data, the delay of data, and the like, determining the transmission order of data and the size of a data block to be transmitted based on the collected information, and transmitting the data block through the physical layer according to the order of transmissions. Since the HSDPA scheduler takes into account the delay of data, the quality of real-time services can be improved.
US08040908B2
A method and apparatus for reducing a transmission delay of a downlink frame in a wireless communication system are provided. A frame transmission method in an access point (AP) includes classifying each of a plurality of hosts as any one of a normal destination and a suspect destination according to whether a retransmission is exhausted, and managing at least one frame to be transmitted to each of the normal destination and the suspect destination in a first queue and a second queue, and assigning at least one frame transmission attempt to the first queue and the second queue according to a transmission priority.
US08040905B2
A method for establishing an emergency call includes: if an emergency call request message sent by a User Equipment (UE) contains an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem Public User Identity (IMPU) in a TEL URI format, a Proxy-Call Session Control Function entity (P-CSCF) generates an IMPU in a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) URI format according to the IMPU in the TEL URI format, sends both IMPUs to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), and receives an emergency callback initiated by the PSAP. The PSAP initiates the emergency callback according to one of the two IMPUs. A system for establishing an emergency call includes a UE, a P-CSCF and a PSAP. The PSAP can always acquire the IMPU in the TEL URI format and the IMPU in the SIP URI format of the UE, and initiate an emergency callback to the UE according to the IMPU in the SIP URI format.
US08040903B2
A plurality of peer network devices are configured to load-balance data transmitted between them on a point-by-point basis. Each peer device has a team of network resources coupling it to a local area network. A peer device transmitting data to one of the other peer devices load-balances the data over the team of resources of the receiving one of the peer devices. Each peer device multicasts to the other peer devices a data frame from that includes peer data defining attributes of the team of the multicasting peer device. The multicast data frame is updated with new peer data whenever one or more of the attributes of the team of the multicasting peer device are changed.
US08040891B2
In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving a first request to retransmit a first packet. The method also includes selectively retransmitting the first packet based on a first list that identifies packets to retransmit and based on a second list that identifies packets that have been retransmitted.
US08040888B1
A packet switch includes individual route tables for ports of the packet switch. Each route table is associated with a port and individually maps a destination identifier of a data packet received at the port to another port in the packet switch. In some embodiments, the packet switch routes a data packet to an intermediate device based on a destination identifier in the data packet. The intermediate device services the data packet and sends the data packet, which includes the same destination identifier, back to the packet switch. In turn, the packet switch routes the data packet to a destination device based on the destination identifier in the data packet. The destination device terminates the data packet and may further service the data packet. In this way, the packet switch routes the data packet to both the intermediate device and the destination device based on the same destination identifier.
US08040886B2
A versatile and efficient technique for classifying packets in an intermediate node. According to the technique, criteria and rules associated with the packet are applied to one or more classification stages containing content-addressable memories (CAMs). Each stage examines specific criteria associated with the packet, e.g., a packet field, and generates a rule and additional criteria. The additional rule and criteria are provided to the next classification stage. This process continues until a final rule is provided to a final classification stage. At the final classification stage, the final rule is used to generate an identifier, e.g., queue identifier (ID), associated with the classified packet.
US08040885B2
Disclosed is a wireless network system and a method for transmitting and receiving various information and data related to broadcast or multicast services in a wireless network.
US08040883B2
In various embodiments, one or more methods and/or systems described may provide probing and/or data replication capabilities for monitoring a user's computing device and the data the user's computing device transmits and/or receives to and/or from one or more networks. In some embodiments, an authorization signal may be intercepted, where the authorization signal may convey information about the user and/or the user's computing device, and a probe to replicate data to and/or from the user's computing device may be initiated. In various embodiments, the replicated data may be communicated to a mediation computing device, where one or more analyses may be performed.
US08040875B2
Caller ID information provided coincident to a Voice over IP (VoIP) call is validated by one or more network devices. An originating router detects an offered IP address associated with a calling party node, for example, upon receiving a SIP Invite message initiated by the calling party node. The originating router determines the validity of the offered IP address and hence determines the validity of the Caller ID information based on the validity of the offered IP address. The originating router sends indicia of the validity to a terminating router, connected to a called party node, by inserting a verification bit in the SIP Invite message and sending the transformed SIP Invite message to the terminating router. Alternatively, the terminating router may query the originating router for indicia of validity. Upon receiving the indicia of validity, the terminating router may notify the called party node and so inform the called party whether it can rely on the Caller ID information.
US08040873B2
A telephony communications network supporting translation of private signaling codes for transmission over a private and/or IP network. A digital telephone emits a private signaling code for accessing a particular PBX function. An adapter coupled to the digital telephone translates the private signaling code into a SIP invite, request, response, information, notification message, and/or instant message if the private signaling code is destined for the IP network. If the private signaling code is not destined for the IP network, the private signaling code is not translated and is transmitted over the private network. If the private signaling code is destined for the IP network, the private signaling code is translated into a SIP message and transmitted over the IP network to a SIP user agent. A PBX is also coupled to the adapter that receives the private signaling codes. The codes are transmitted to the PBX for rendering a function for the digital telephone. A SIP telephone aware of the private signaling codes may also access PBX functions by translating private signaling codes into/from SIP messages.
US08040870B1
Radios synchronize their timing mechanisms using a timing signal that those radios propagate from one radio to another. Radios that are close to each other transmit only during times that none of the other nearby radios is trying to receive. In one scheme, a “master” radio initiates communication while another “slave” radio responds in a pre-determined manner. The master generates and propagates an inverted timing signal to the slave, which propagates approximately the same inverted timing signal to other radios in the slave's cluster. Each radio can be in one of three different modes: “source,” “auto,” and “recipient” modes. A “source” radio generates a timing signal independently. A “recipient” radio uses a received timing signal and forwards it to other radios. An “auto” radio behaves as a “recipient” radio while a timing signal is detectable, but behaves as a “source” radio if the timing signal is lost.
US08040856B2
A system and method for obtaining a transmit beamforming vector for transmission of high definition video data over a wireless medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one transceiver, a memory configured to store a first transmit beamforming vector, and a processor configured to i) perform beamforming with the first transmit beamforming vector to modulate a first training signal, ii) transmit the modulated training signal via the at least one transceiver, iii) receive a second modulated training signal via the at least one transceiver, iv) obtain a second transmit beamforming vector based on the modulated second training signal, v) replace the first transmit beamforming vector in the memory with the second transmit beamforming vector, and vi) determine whether to use the second transmit beamforming vector to modulate a high definition video data signal to be transmitted.
US08040846B2
In a mobile communication system using both a discontinuous transmission scheme and a compressed mode transmission scheme, if a preamble and/or a postamble of a channel including control information for transmitting a specific channel overlaps a compressed mode (CM) gap, an overall transmission unit is not transmitted or remaining signals of the transmission unit excluding the preamble and/or the postamble overlapping the CM gap are transmitted.
US08040844B2
A base station selectively communicates with terminals using first and second separately allocated frequency bands, e.g., separate cellular/PCS bands, of a government spectrum allocation based on propagation conditions between the base station and the terminals. The base station may transmit in the first frequency band and receive in the second frequency band during a first time slot and transmit in the second frequency band and receive in the first frequency band during a second time slot. The base station may transmit to a terminal in the first frequency band while receiving from the terminal in the second frequency band during the first time slot and may transmit to the first terminal in the second frequency band while receiving from the first terminal in the first frequency band during the second time slot.
US08040842B2
A radio communication system for preventing transmission and receiving data from colliding with each other in radio relay communication. The radio communication system includes a plurality of radio base stations each having a scheduler for arranging a schedule of assignment of a slot into which data is to be inserted in a radio frame, a terminal for performing communication with at least one of the radio base stations through a connection, and a relay station for performing relay forwarding of the radio frame exchanged through the connection, the relay station including a scheduler control section for giving an instruction of the schedule to the scheduler. The scheduler control section gives the instruction to the scheduler so as not to generate duplicate slot assignment, in which the whole or a part of data is assigned to the same slot in radio frames sent at the same timing.
US08040832B2
Provided is a radio communication base station device which can prevent lowering of use efficiency of a channel communication resource for performing a frequency diversity transmission when simultaneously performing a frequency scheduling transmission and the frequency diversity transmission in a multicarrier communication. In the device, a modulation unit (12) executes a modulation process on Dch data after encoded so as to generate a Dch data symbol. A modulation unit (22) executes a modulation process on the encoded Lch data so as to generate an Lch data symbol. An allocation unit (103) allocates the Dch data symbol and the Lch data symbol to respective subcarriers constituting an OFDM symbol and outputs them to a multiplexing unit (104). Here, when a plurality of Dch are used for a Dch data symbol of one mobile station, the allocation unit (103) uses Dch of continuous channel numbers.
US08040816B2
A wireless communication apparatus including: a specific external communication section configured to communicate with a specific external communication device through a wireless communication while successively changing a communication frequency band that is a frequency band in which a communication is performed; and a communication condition recognizing section configured to recognize a communication condition in each of a plurality of frequency ranges each having a predetermined range width, wherein the specific external communication section determines, on the basis of the recognized communication condition in each of the plurality of frequency ranges, a set number of a plurality of communication planned frequency bands in each of which the specific external communication section is planned to communicate with the specific external communication device, by allocating to a part of the plurality of frequency ranges, and wherein the specific external communication section communicates, in the determined communication planned frequency bands, with the specific external communication device while successively changing the communication frequency band.
US08040809B2
Aspects of a method and system for a client QoS based connection session jogging are provided. While receiving a service over a particular delivery route, a user of a user device is provided with the capability to request an alternate route to continue to deliver the service via a user interface operation. The user device generates a connection handover (HO) request and transmits the request to a network management (NM) server. The NM server determines the alternate route and continues the service over the determined alternate route. The NM server supports both unsolicited and solicited connection HO request. A connection session profile associated with the particular delivery route is updated based on the determined alternate route information. The service is continued over the alternate route with the updated connection session profile. A connection HO request indicates a desired QoS from the user of the user device for the received service.
US08040807B2
Various techniques are disclosed for managing traffic flow for transport over a plurality of communication channels of a shared access cable network. According to various embodiments, one or more devices of the cable network (such as, for example, a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS)), may be operable to implement at least a portion of the traffic flow management techniques. In at least one embodiment, one or more aspects of the traffic flow management techniques disclosed herein may be used for performing real-time shaping of traffic flows across multiple different channels of a DOCSIS channel bonding group. In some embodiments, various different traffic shaping and/or traffic scheduling techniques may be employed (e.g., in DOCSIS 3.0 compatible cable networks) to reduce and/or mitigate issues which, for example, may arise as a result of an inability to represent traffic schedulers as tree-based hierarchies. Other aspects are disclosed for implementing quality of service (QoS) procedures on shared access network(s), such as for example hybrid fiber/coaxial (HFC) cable networks.
US08040802B2
An exemplary method of controlling communications includes determining a total congestion window size for a router device. An allocation of at least a portion of the determined total congestion window size to allocated at least one mobile station that communicates with the router device over a wireless link is determined based on the determined total congestion window size. The determined allocation is then reported to a source of a communication intended for the at least one mobile station.
US08040800B2
A method for establishing a communication session between a first communication client located within a first communication network, and a second communication client, via a signaling server located within a second communication network distinct from the first communication network and connected thereto via a address translation device. The method includes the step of binding a first address and a second address of the first communication client within the address translation device, by having the first communication client transmit registration messages according to the UDP protocol to the communication server. The method further includes saving, at the communication server, an incoming signaling message sent from the second communication client and intended for the first communication client; replying, by the communication server, to the registration message of the first communication client that follows with a reply message requesting that the first communication client send a new registration message using the TCP protocol; and delivering, by the communication server, the incoming signaling message after the new registration message using the TCP protocol has been received from the first communication client.
US08040797B2
In one embodiment, a sliced tunnel is signaled between a head-end node and a tail-end node. One or more fork nodes along the sliced tunnel are configured to furcate the sliced tunnel into a plurality of child tunnels of the sliced tunnel. Also, one or more merge nodes along the sliced tunnel are configured to merge a plurality of child tunnels of the sliced tunnel that intersect at the merge node.
US08040795B2
A SONET network terminated by routers includes working paths and backup paths. The routers pre-establishes in their link state data bases the links in both for both the working and backup paths. However, the links involved in the backup paths are given higher costs, then the links working paths, that the routers select only the links in the working path. If there is a failure in a link in a working path, an APS arrangement provides rapid switchover of the optical links so as to substitute one or more links in the corresponding backup path. This is accomplished by changing the relative costs of the working and backup links involved, so that the routers select the backup links for their routing tables.
US08040788B2
A system and method for allocating communication resources in a multi-transceiver communication system, where multiple transmitters transmit respective signals to a generally similar area. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise allocating frequency and time bandwidth for communication with a second communication system. A first portion of a plurality of transmitters may be allocated for communication with the second communication system utilizing the allocated frequency and time bandwidth. A second portion of the plurality of transmitters may be allocated for a purpose other than utilizing the allocated frequency and time bandwidth to communicate with the second communication system. For example, the second portion of the plurality of transmitters may be blocked from transmitting or allocated for communication with a third communication system utilizing the allocated frequency and time bandwidth. In an exemplary communication system, a resource allocation module may perform various functionality associated with the previously described allocation(s).
US08040781B2
An optical rotating plate has an optical rotating material layer. A phase plate is provided on a first surface side of the optical rotating plate and has at least one birefringent material layer. The first surface side is disposed toward an emitting side of an optical path, thereby giving different phase differences to a first linearly polarized light group containing at least a linearly polarized light having a first wavelength and a second linearly polarized light group containing at least a linearly polarized light having a second wavelength which is different from the first wavelength.
US08040768B2
An information recording apparatus such as an optical disc that can avoid an unrecordable condition between a power-on operation and an available state for recording thereby to solve a problem that an image taking chance is missed in a recording step, wherein its constitution is such that: receiving a command to turn on the apparatus after switching, a system controller drives a power-supply circuit to activate a drive controller and a memory controller; if the optical disc is not replaced while in power-off operation by a sub-battery, the system controller issues a request for high-speed activation, based on information stored in an EEPROM, to the drive controller, and drives plural drive control units one after another thereby to establish an activation period confirmedly, allowing the memory controller to accept a request for a recording start from the system controller without waiting for a report of activation completion to be issued by the drive controller.
US08040763B2
An objective lens driving device includes a lens holder (3) holding an objective lens (1, 2), a stationary part (5) that supports the lens holder (3) via wires (7a, 7b), an electromagnetic coil (11a-11d, 12a-12d) provided on the lens holder, and a magnet (4a, 4b) provided on the stationary part and magnetized in a multipolar manner so that different magnetic pole surfaces are arranged on a surface of the magnet facing the electromagnetic coil. The lens holder has a convex portion (16a-16d, 17a-17d) on a surface thereof facing the magnet. The convex portion has at least one groove (601-604, 701-704) portion extending parallel to a direction of magnetic flux lines of the magnet facing the convex portion, and at least a surface of the convex portion is formed of material having magnetic property.
US08040761B2
A near-field light generating device includes: a waveguide; a buffer layer disposed on the top surface of the waveguide; an adhesion layer that is formed by incompletely oxidizing a metal layer and disposed on the buffer layer; and a near-field light generating element disposed on the adhesion layer. The adhesion layer has a resistance-area product higher than that of the metal layer unoxidized and lower than that of a layer that is formed by completely oxidizing the metal layer. A layered structure consisting of the buffer layer, the adhesion layer and the near-field light generating element has a peel-test adhesive strength higher than that of a layered structure consisting of the buffer layer and the near-field light generating element.
US08040749B2
A Flash memory controller is disclosed. The Flash memory controller comprises a host interface, a Flash memory interface, controller logic coupled between the host interface, the controller logic handling a plurality of voltages. The controller also includes a mechanism for allowing a multiple voltage host to interface with a high voltage or a multiple voltage Flash memory. A multiple voltage Flash memory controller in accordance with the present invention provides the following advantages over conventional Flash memory controllers: (1) a voltage host is allowed to interface with multiple Flash memory components that operate at different voltages in any combination; (2) power consumption efficiency is improved by integrating the programmable voltage regulator, and voltage comparator mechanism with the Flash memory controller; (3) External jumper selection is eliminated for power source configuration; and (4) Flash memory controller power source interface pin-outs are simplified.
US08040748B2
A differential latch-based one time programmable memory cell is provided. The differential latch-based one time programmable memory cell includes a differential latching amplifier having a first set of fuse devices coupled to the first input and a second set of fuse devices coupled to the second input. Only one set of fuse devices can be programmed in a memory cell. If one or more fuse devices in a set of fuse devices are programmed, the side having the programmed fuse will present a lower voltage at its input to the differential latching amplifier. Differential latching amplifier outputs a “0” or a “1” depending on the side having the programmed fuse.
US08040734B2
A sense amplifying method, applied in a memory having a memory cell and a reference cell, includes: charging the memory cell and the reference cell to have a cell current and a reference current, respectively; duplicating the cell current and the reference current to respectively generate a mirrored cell current via a first current path and a mirrored reference current via a second current path and equalizing a first voltage drop generated as the mirrored cell current flows by the first current path and a second voltage drop generated as the mirrored reference current flows by the second current path; and removing the equalization of the first voltage drop and the second voltage drop and adjusting first voltage drop and the second voltage drop according to a first current flowing by the first current path and a second current flowing by the second current path.
US08040732B2
Embodiments of NAND Flash memory devices and methods recognize that effective column coupling capacitance can be reduced by maintaining a sourced voltage on adjacent columns of an array. Maintaining the columns in a charged state prior to array operations (read, write, and program) reduces current surges and improves data read timing. Devices and methods charge the array columns at pre-charge and following array access operations.
US08040706B2
A pulse width modulated half bridge dimming controller for dimming a lighting ballast is described. The top half of the bridge is comprised of two switches, the top switch set, and the bottom half of the bridge is comprised of two switches, the bottom switch set. Each switch also has a diode in parallel with it. The drivers for the switches are configured so that each of the switches can be turned on and off independently of all of all the other switches. Preferably, the controller is capable of operating in all four quadrants. In one preferred embodiment the switches are IGBTs. The switches are controlled in a manner so that when one of the switch sets changes states, the second switch set has one switch on and one switch off, so that one of the diodes in the second switch set is disposed to block shoot through and provide a path to allow current to continue flowing in the inductive load.
US08040705B2
A circuit with an isolation interface and a remote on/off function is disclosed. The circuit includes a controller included in a primary side of the circuit. The controller is coupled to receive a primary side feedback signal and the controller is configured to enter a shutdown mode when the primary side feedback signal exceeds a feedback signal threshold. The circuit also includes an isolation interface coupled to galvanically isolate the primary side from a secondary side of the circuit. The isolation interface translates a secondary side feedback signal from the secondary side into the primary side feedback signal on the primary side. The isolation interface is configured to adjust the primary side feedback signal to exceed the feedback signal threshold in response to an on/off signal.
US08040704B2
Switching Converter with a novel two-loop Integrated magnetic structure integrates transformer and two output inductors and eliminates large circulating current in the transformer secondary side resulting in ultra high efficiency and zero ripple output current as well as zero ripple currents in both output inductors simultaneously. The novel lossless switching method eliminates the primary side switching losses to result in switching converter with highest efficiency, compact size and additional performance advantages, such as ultra low output ripple voltage, low EMI noise and improved reliability with additional benefits when operated with a front-end Power Factor Converter for computer server applications.
US08040703B2
A power control system includes a feedback loop having a power factor correction (PFC) and output voltage controller and a switching power converter. The switching power converter includes an inductor to supply charge to an output capacitor and a switch to control inductor current ramp-up times. The PFC and output voltage controller provides a control signal to the switch to control PFC and regulate output voltage of the switching power converter. During a single period of the control signal, the PFC and output voltage controller obtains the line input voltage and output voltage of the switching power converter using a single feedback signal received from the switching power converter.
US08040701B2
A first switch group includes switches provided on a path for charging a flying capacitor using an input voltage. A second switch group includes switches provided on a path for charging an output capacitor using charge stored in the flying capacitor. A pulse modulator generates a pulse signal having a duty ratio adjusted so that a feedback voltage corresponding to an output voltage of a charge pump circuit matches a given reference voltage. A driver receives the pulse signal from the pulse modulator, and turns on either one of the first switch group and the second switch group during a period corresponding to a high-time of the pulse signal and turns on the other switch group during a period corresponding to a low-time thereof.
US08040696B2
The configurations of a resonant converter system and a controlling method thereof are provided. The proposed resonant converter system includes a resonant converter receiving an input voltage for outputting an output voltage, a rectifying device having a first rectifying switch and a synchronous rectification control circuit coupled to the resonant converter and including a signal generation apparatus generating a weighted turn-off signal to turn off the first rectifying switch at a zero crossing point of a first current flowing through the first rectifying switch.
US08040692B2
The invention relates to a mounting apparatus for electrical line and plug-in connecting elements for telecommunications and data technology, having at least one front panel (5), which has a supporting structure (12) with side supporting elements (14) and at least one panel (11) with a plurality of receptacles (10) for connecting sockets, with the front panel (5) being formed completely from plastic.
US08040685B2
A wiring board and method of forming the 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 an edge of the second substrate, and at least one via formed in at least one of the first substrate or the second substrate. A thickness of a portion of the base substrate that is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate is greater than a thickness of a portion of the base substrate that is not sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08040684B2
A package for providing electromagnetic shielding for microwave circuits. The package includes a top board having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite to the upper surface and a side surface joining the upper surface and the lower surface, and a bottom board having an upper surface attached to the lower surface of the top board, a lower surface opposite to the upper surface and an outer side surface joining the upper surface and the lower surface. The top board further includes at least one ground layer formed therein and a first metal coating formed on at least part of the side surface of the top board. The bottom board includes an inner side surface extending from the upper surface of the bottom board toward the lower surface of the bottom board and an inner lower surface joining the inner side surface, thereby providing an inner space for accommodating the microwave circuit. The bottom board further includes a second metal coating formed on at least part of the outer side surface of the bottom board and a third metal coating formed on at least part of the lower surface of the bottom board. The ground layer, the first metal coating, the second metal coating and the third metal coating are electrically coupled to provide an electric shield for the microwave circuit.
US08040681B2
A circuit arrangement is provided that includes at least one semiconductor component, at least one filter arrangement, which has at least two discretely made coil elements, which are disposed adjacent to one another with parallel aligned magnetic field axes, and a contacting unit, which has electrical traces for an electrically conductive connection of the semiconductor component to the filter arrangement. A thickness of the semiconductor component is at least 20% of a thickness of the coil elements.
US08040680B2
An information processing apparatus including: a main unit; a cooling fan that suctions open air into the main unit to cool inside the main unit with an air flow; and a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device that is provided within the main unit to be used as an external storage device, the device including: a printed circuit board; a nonvolatile semiconductor memory that is mounted on the printed circuit board; a memory controller that is mounted on the printed circuit board and controls the nonvolatile semiconductor memory; and a temperature sensor that is mounted on the printed circuit board and detects temperature within the nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, wherein the memory controller is disposed at an upstream side of the air flow and the temperature sensor is disposed at a downstream side of the air flow.
US08040676B2
A carrier body for electrical or electronic component elements or circuits, the carrier body being electrically nonconductive or virtually nonconductive. In order to simplify the carrier body while at the same time providing extremely improved heat dissipation, the invention process that the carrier body is provided integrally with heat-dissipating or heat-supplying cooling elements.
US08040675B2
According to an aspect of the embodiment, an optical module includes a case, an optical transceiver part in the case, a radiating part on the case; a thermal conductive sheet having a property of transferring and having a first end and second end; a first fixing part for fixing the first end of the thermal conductive sheet to the optical transceiver unit; and a second fixing part for fixing the second end of the thermal conductive sheet to the radiating point.
US08040666B2
A door movably mounted to a cabinet to selectively close a chamber. The door has a peripheral edge, and a standardized service interface is located on the peripheral edge. The standardized service interface is configured to supply at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device. The peripheral edge can be the top edge of the door. The standardized service interface can receive the service from the use environment of the cabinet. A connector can be incorporated into the standardized service interface to selectively supply the consumer electronic device with the service. The service can comprise mechanical, power, or data communication.
US08040662B2
A solid electrolytic capacitor includes a cathode terminal structured such that the cathode terminal's flat portion connected to a cathode portion has a divided structure made up of a first flat portion and a second flat portion spaced from each other by a predetermined distance to form a slit. Therefore, even if the cathode terminal is caused to be peeled off from the cathode portion, the peeling can be restricted to only one of the first and second flat portions, so that the peeled-off area can be prevented from increasing. Accordingly, the reliability of the state of fixture of the cathode terminal to the cathode portion is improved, so that the solid electrolytic capacitor can be provided having the structure with which the reliability of the solid electrolytic capacitor can be improved.
US08040655B2
A substrate hold apparatus is provided an electrostatic chuck for electrostatically attracting and holding a substrate thereon, a push-up member contactable with a position of vicinity of an edge of the substrate on the electrostatic chuck from below for pushing up the substrate, a drive apparatus for driving at least one of the electrostatic chuck and push-up member to thereby allow the push-up member to push up the substrate, a force sensor for detecting a force applied to the push-up member in an pushing-up operation, and a control unit wherein the control unit is configured to measure the force from the force sensor as a first measurement, output a normal state signal when the measured force in the first measurement is equal to or larger than a lower limit value and is equal to or smaller than a upper limit value.
US08040648B2
The invention relates to a speed controller comprising: at the input, a rectifier module (12) in order to generate, on a power bus (10, 11), a direct voltage from an alternating voltage available on an electrical supply network (A), a bus capacitor (Cb) connected between a positive line and a negative line of the power bus, an inverter module (13) supplied by the power bus and controlled to deliver an alternating voltage to an electric load (2), a device (14) for protecting the controller consisting of a first electronic switch of the JFET transistor type (T1) and a second electronic switch (T2) mounted on the power bus, in parallel with the JFET transistor (T1).
US08040646B2
A buffer device includes a first driving circuit coupled between a signal terminal of the buffer device and a first reference potential, a current-limiting component including a first terminal coupled to the signal terminal, and a second driving circuit coupled between a second terminal of the current-limiting component and a second reference potential, wherein the current-limiting component limits an amount of ESD current flowing through the second driving circuit, and makes an amount of ESD current flowing through the first driving circuit be larger than the amount of ESD current flowing through the second driving circuit.
US08040644B2
An electrical switching apparatus comprises: a first terminal; a second terminal; separable contacts electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts; and an arc fault trip circuit cooperating with the operating mechanism and structured to trip open the separable contacts responsive to an arc fault condition. An inductor is electrically connected in series between the first terminal and the second terminal. A capacitor includes a first lead electrically connected between the inductor and the second terminal, and a second lead electrically connected to a ground or neutral conductor. The inductor and the capacitor are structured to cooperate with a power circuit impedance downstream of the second terminal to form a filter trap circuit.
US08040638B2
A rotary actuator arm assembly for positioning a transducer over a data track of at least one rotating magnetic disk. The actuator includes self contained spacers with semi-kinematic mounting features to accurately locate and secure a set of self-aligning components, thereby eliminating azimuth alignment problems created by conventional assembly procedures.
US08040633B2
A magnetic recording-reproducing apparatus includes: a magnetic recording medium in which portions corresponding to track portions serve as recording areas and in which portions between the recording areas serve as non-recording areas; and a magnetic head having a main pole and a side shield disposed on both sides of the main pole in a cross-track direction. In the magnetic recording-reproducing apparatus, following inequality (I) is satisfied: S>Tw/2+Gw (I) where Tw is a track width, Gw is a gap width, and S is a distance between the center of the main pole of the magnetic head and an edge on the main pole side of each of the side shields.
US08040628B2
A hard disk drive that includes a head that is coupled to a disk. The disk drive further includes a comparator circuit that is coupled to the head. The comparator circuit receives a synchronization signal and a write clock. The comparator generates a write error signal if a comparison of the synchronization and write clock signals exceeds a threshold. The write error signal can inhibit a write operation or cause a rewrite of data.
US08040616B2
A lens barrel includes: a barrel body; a diaphragm pivotally held in the barrel body; a diaphragm operating member that changes the diameter of the diaphragm; an operation arm that can pivot in the barrel body and fits in the diaphragm operating member, the operation arm, when pivoted, changing the diameter of the diaphragm via the diaphragm operating member; and a light-blocking plate that prevents unwanted light from entering the barrel body and has a passage portion through which the operation arm passes and an engagement portion that an engaging piece protruding from the diaphragm operating member engages, the light-blocking plate, along with the diaphragm operating member, pivotally supported, wherein the passage portion has an opening having a width that is substantially the same as the width of the operation arm.
US08040614B2
Disclosed herein is a zoom lens including a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group, a fourth lens group, and a fifth lens group. The zoom lens satisfies following conditional expressions (1) and (2), 0.03
US08040608B2
Exemplary apparatus and/or method can be provided using which, it is possible to provide information associated with at least one portion of a sample. For example, at least one electro-magnetic radiation received from the at least one portion of the sample can be separated into a plurality of first radiations, one of the first radiations having a phase delay that is different from a phase delay of another of the first radiations. In addition, at least one of the first radiations can be received and separated into second radiations according to wavelengths of the received at least one of the first radiations. Further, it is possible to detect the second radiations and generate information regarding a position of the at least one portion of the sample as a function of at least one characteristic of at least one interference of the first radiations. According to another exemplary embodiment, it is possible to provide system, method and computer accessible medium, in which data associated with first radiations can be obtained, and the information regarding a position of the at least one portion of the sample may be generated. Such information can be generated based on the data by separating second radiations associated with the portion(s) of the sample according to wavelengths of at least one of the second radiations. For example, one of the second radiations can have a phase delay that is different from a phase delay of another one of the second radiations, and the second radiations may be interfering.
US08040606B2
In a transmission grating as a dispersive element, diffraction efficiency is enhanced and manufacturing costs are considerably reduced. A dispersive element includes resin members for forming a diffraction grating, being composed of a plurality of diffraction grating members having a cross-sectional shape respectively surrounded by two straight lines such as a triangular shape, and metal members as light-shielding members each being formed on corresponding one of the diffraction grating members at one side of the diffraction grating member along any of the straight line and the curved line of the cross-sectional shape of the diffraction grating member formed by the resin member. The metal members are configured to reduce zero-order transmitted light with respect to incident light, and to enhance diffraction efficiency of first-order transmitted light.
US08040605B2
In a transmission grating as a dispersive element, diffraction efficiency is enhanced and manufacturing costs are considerably reduced. A dispersive element includes resin members for forming a diffraction grating, being composed of a plurality of diffraction grating members having a cross-sectional shape respectively surrounded by two straight lines such as a triangular shape, and metal members as light-shielding members each being formed on corresponding one of the diffraction grating members at one side of the diffraction grating member along any of the straight line and the curved line of the cross-sectional shape of the diffraction grating member formed by the resin member. The metal members are configured to reduce zero-order transmitted light with respect to incident light, and to enhance diffraction efficiency of first-order transmitted light.
US08040597B2
An illuminating device adapted to be included in a microscope is provided. The illuminating device includes at least one lens that can change the numerical aperture of a light beam collected on a pupil plane of an objective lens.
US08040583B2
The present invention relates to a liquid device, liquid device manufacturing apparatus and method, and an image display device that are so configured as to achieve increase in the capacitance and allow suppression of breakdown. An insulating film 43 having a higher insulating property and a higher dielectric constant than a water-repellent film 44 is newly formed between a lower electrode 42 and the water-repellent film 44, to thereby compensate for the dielectric strength and suppress breakdown. As the material of the insulating film 43, one having a higher insulating property and a higher dielectric constant is preferable. For example, polymer materials and inorganic materials are cited. For example, SOG is a silica-based inorganic coating material. A solution thereof is applied and deposited by a spin-coating method or the like, followed by being turned to glass through baking at a comparatively-low temperature. The present invention can be applied to a liquid device.
US08040579B2
An image processing apparatus includes a preview creating unit, an image storing unit, a display unit, and a system control unit. The preview creating unit creates a preview image indicating a result of processing an image based on setting specified for the image. The image storing unit stores therein the preview image. The system control unit reads the preview image from the storage unit and displays the preview image on the display unit to restore the setting.
US08040570B2
Systems and methods for print coating de-saturation. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and system for controlling the output of a printer. When content is transmitted to a printer to be printed on a surface with a location-encoding pattern, the pattern is generally printed in a material different from the content material. By way of example, the content is generally transmitted in the CMYK color spectrum. The Key or black value is translated into the CMY values resulting in the K or black value being zero. The system and method alter the C, M, and Y values of the content such that it is ensured that no conversion occurs which would cause the Key color to be used in printing the content. The adjusted output is then sent to the printer.
US08040569B2
This invention allows printing an image with less image deterioration with respect to a document including both text and an image. An image processing apparatus includes a pixel value acquisition unit which acquires a pixel value of a pixel as a target in an input digital image, and a pixel value correction/modification processing unit which executes a correction/modification process based on the pixel value of the pixel acquired by the pixel value acquisition unit. The pixel value correction/modification processing unit includes a contrast correcting unit which executes contrast correction based on information representing a brightness value corresponding to the pixel value of the pixel, and an intermediate color removing unit which removes intermediate color in the digital image by replacing the pixel value of the pixel by pixel values of pixels around that pixel.
US08040565B2
An image processing device including an image signal reception unit configured to receive an image signal of an image to be processed; a density reduction area detector configured to detect a density reduction area satisfying predetermined image density reduction requirements in the image to be processed based on the image signal; a specific image area detector configured to detect a specific image area satisfying predetermined specific image requirements different from the predetermined image density reduction requirements in the image to be processed based on the image signal; and a density controller configured to reduce density of the density reduction area detected by the density reduction area detector in a non-specific image area other than the specific image area detected by the specific image area detector, and to not reduce density of the density reduction area in the specific image area.
US08040544B2
An image output system includes input section for inputting an image or data, instruction acceptance section for accepting an instruction of outputting the input image or an image generated from the input data, image output section for outputting the instructed image, and log-recording section for recording an image log, including at least the image to be output and the result information of an output process for the image to be output, irrespective of whether or not the output of the instructed image has been completed successfully.
US08040536B2
An image processing apparatus comprises: a reception unit adapted to receive image data transmitted from a host computer; first and second communication units adapted to communicate with a second image processing apparatus different from the image processing apparatus; a determination unit adapted to determine a type of image data; and a decision unit adapted to decide, on the basis of determination by the determination unit, whether to use the first communication unit or the second communication unit to transfer the image data.
US08040532B2
A method and system are presented for use in controlling the processing of a structure. First measured data is provided being indicative of at least one of the following: a thickness (d2) of at least one layer (L2) of the structure W in at least selected sites of the structure prior to the processing of the structure, and a surface profile of the structure prior to processing. An optical measurement is applied to at least the selected sites of the structure after processing and second measured data is generated being indicative of at least one of the following: a thickness of the process structure (d′) and a surface profile of the processed structure. The second measured data is analyzed by interpreting it using the first measured data to thereby determine a thickness (d′1 or d′2) of at least one layer of the process structure. This determined thickness is thus indicative of the quality of the processing.
US08040529B2
A focused image is taken around the focal point by a confocal displacement meter. In a measurement apparatus, a confocal displacement meter system OPT-A includes a laser diode 1, a collimator lens 4, an objective lens 6, a half mirror 3, a diaphragm plate 31, and a photodiode 2. An observation image imaging system OPT-B is a telecentric light receiving optical system, and the observation image imaging system OPT-B includes a white light source 94, an objective lens 6, a dichroic mirror 5, a diaphragm plate 81, an image formation lens 82, and an image sensor 9. The collimator lens 4 is swept by an oscillator 7 in a two-headed arrow direction. A diameter of a diaphragm hole of the diaphragm plate 81 is set such that a depth of field of the objective lens 6 is not lower than sweep amplitude of the collimator lens 4.
US08040528B2
A method for determining rotational position of a target in a target tracking System is disclosed. The target comprises a plurality of light emitting elements arranged circumferentially around the target. The target tracking System further comprises a tracker unit capable of detecting light emitted by said light emitting elements. The method comprises the Steps of emitting from said light emitting elements an omni-directional synchronization signal; detecting in the tracker unit said synchronization signal; activating said light emitting elements sequentially starting from a reference direction, wherein each light emitting element is activated for a predetermined time and emits light during the time it is activated; detecting in the tracker unit a time when a maximum amount of light is received from the target; and calculating the reference direction for the target relative to a coordinate System based on the time interval between detection of the synchronization signal and the detection of a maximum amount of light received from the target. An active target for use in the method is also disclosed.
US08040525B2
A laser tracker includes a first optical system located on a structure and that launches a beam from the structure. The laser tracker also includes a locator camera having a second optical system that includes a lens having a center and a clear aperture through which light may pass. The clear aperture has a clear aperture diameter. The second optical system includes a light source that illuminates a retroreflector, receives light reflected back from the retroreflector and forms an image on a photosensitive array that is converted to a digital data set from which the angular direction of the targets can be determined.
US08040518B2
A method and device for measuring trace levels of particles in an air sample is described. A device operating in a gradiometer configuration with two cavities built from a monolithic structure and utilizing a single probe laser, provides common mode subtraction of acoustic, vibrational, laser intensity and other noise sources, which allows sensitivity more closely approaching the quantum limit. Differential measurements between the two cavities occur simultaneously, which reduces errors due to cavity drift. Absorptive gradiometry can therefore provide noise immune detection for trace gasses, including broad linewidth absorbers where frequency-noise immune schemes are not practical. Differential measurements can be used for background subtraction, sensing vapor plume gradients and determining vapor plume propagation direction.
US08040490B2
A liquid immersion exposure apparatus includes: a first optical member having an exit surface via which an exposure beam exits; a first movable body movable with respect to the first optical member while holding a substrate; a cover member movable with movement of the first movable body and capable of retaining a liquid in a space formed between the exit surface and the cover member when the cover member is arranged at a position opposite to the exit surface; a first holding portion provided on the first movable body and holding the cover member; and a transport section removing the cover member from the first holding portion and moving the cover member independently from the first movable body. Upon exposing the substrate through the liquid, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the performance which would be otherwise caused due to the cover member.
US08040489B2
A substrate processing method which includes an exposure step wherein an immersion area of a first liquid is formed on a substrate and the substrate is exposed by being irradiated with an exposure light through the first liquid, and an immersion step wherein the substrate is immersed in a second liquid before the exposure step. By this method, occurrences of problems caused by adhesion marks, which are always involved in immersion exposure, can be reduced.
US08040488B2
A substrate processing apparatus comprises an indexer block, an anti-reflection film processing block, a resist film processing block, a development processing block, a processing block for liquid immersion exposure processing, and an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the interface block. The processing block for liquid immersion exposure processing comprises a coating processing group for resist cover film and a removal processing group for resist cover film. The resist cover film is formed in the processing block for liquid immersion exposure processing before the exposure processing. The resist cover film is removed in the processing block for liquid immersion exposure processing after the exposure processing.
US08040485B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed. According to an embodiment, the liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, wherein each of the first and second substrates includes pixel regions to form a matrix, a black matrix layer arranged in a region other than the pixel regions gate lines and data lines arranged in a portion corresponding to the black matrix layer spacers arranged in predetermined portions provided on the black matrix layer wherein each spacer includes one or more balls, and a solid to adhere the balls to the first or second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer filled between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08040484B2
An LCD panel that provides improved image quality by preventing light leakage and maintaining constant cell gap is provided, along with a method of making the LCD panel. The LCD panel includes a first member that has a column spacer, a second member that is positioned substantially parallel to the first member, and a polymer layer disposed between the column spacer and the second member. The polymer layer combines the column spacer with the second member. A liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first member and the second member.
US08040475B2
Disclosed is reflective morphable display with multi-layered depth viewing, low power consumption and few components and a method of activating various features thereof. The disclosed display includes a bi-stable reflective cholesteric liquid display crystal (ChLCD) layered in combination with a display device such as an LCD and a quarter lambda (λ/4) retardation film layer. Linearly polarized light emerging from the front surface of a display device is circularly polarized by the λ/4 layer before entering the ChLCD layer. In its reflective state, the ChLCD layer receiving a portion of the ambient light having the same handedness of the ChLCD is reflected in a mirror-like manner. Also in its reflective state, when it receives light that is circularly polarized by the λ/4 retardation film layer, the ChLCD layer acts as a shutter. A display device with depth viewing is provided as the ChLCD layer pixelated so it is configured to display font and/or other indicia.
US08040465B2
Apparatus and methods for harnessing external light to illuminate a display screen of an electronic device are provided. The display screen may be illuminated using a light harness, a reflector, a translucent surface, or any combination thereof. The light harness may be cylindrical or hexahedral. The light harness may be coupled to an external light input or a collector. The reflector may be repositioned toward or away from the display screen to reflect external light toward the display screen. The translucent surface may allow external light to pass through it to illuminate the display screen. The translucent surface may protect the rear face of the display screen, or the rear face of the display screen may itself be translucent.
US08040455B2
A display device including a display module and an information processing device having the same is described herein. The display device includes a display module, a supporting frame, and a fixing frame. The supporting frame supports a rear face of the display module corresponding to a peripheral area, a side face of the display module, and includes a coupling portion used for connecting the fixing frame to an information input device. A rear housing receives the display device. A front housing is connected to the rear housing and has an opening to expose a display screen of the display module.
US08040446B2
In a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display, an insulating layer for storage capacitors is reduced in thickness to increase the storage capacity while maintaining the aperture ratio in a stable manner. A thin film transistor array panel for the liquid crystal display includes an insulating substrate, and a gate line assembly and a storage capacitor line assembly formed on the insulating substrate. The gate line assembly has gate lines and gate electrodes. A gate insulating layer covers the gate line assembly and the storage capacitor line assembly. A semiconductor pattern is formed on the gate insulating layer. A data line assembly and storage capacitor conductive patterns are formed on the gate insulating layer overlaid with the semiconductor pattern. The data line assembly has data lines, source electrodes and drain electrodes. The storage capacitor conductive patterns are partially overlapped with the storage capacitor line assembly to thereby form first storage capacitors. A passivation layer covers the data line assembly, the storage capacitor conductive patterns and the semiconductor pattern. First and second contact holes are formed at the passivation layer while exposing the drain electrodes and the storage capacitor conductive patterns. Pixel electrodes are formed on the passivation layer while being connected to the drain electrodes and the storage capacitor conductive patterns through the first and the second contact holes. The pixel electrodes form second storage capacitors in association with parts of the storage capacitor line assembly.
US08040444B2
A mask is provided. The mask includes a mask body, a first exposing part and a second exposing part. The first exposing part is on the mask body. The first exposing part includes a first light transmitting portion and second light transmitting portions. The first light transmitting portion exposes a portion of the photoresist film corresponding to the output terminal to a light of a first light amount. The second light transmitting portions exposes an adjacent portion of the photoresist film adjacent to the output terminal to a light of a second light amount smaller than the first light amount. The second exposing part is on the mask body. The second exposing part includes third light transmitting portions for partially exposing the photoresist film corresponding to the storage electrode to a light of a third light amount that is between the first and second light amounts.
US08040442B2
A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a liquid crystal display panel and a touch panel is disclosed. A first transparent electrode is disposed on an upper surface of the liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image. A second transparent electrode is disposed on a lower surface of a retardation member and the second transparent electrode is opposite to the first transparent electrode. Accordingly, the entire thickness of the liquid crystal display apparatus may be decreased, and the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal display apparatus may be reduced.
US08040439B2
In a method for sorting and storing stations in a television or radio broadcasting set, the received stations are firstly represented in an arbitrary order in a matrixlike list or table on a display device. An input field into which a user inputs a program location number is represented for each station. The input may be effected by directly inputting one or more numerals, or be selecting a number from a list of available program location numbers. Selection fields whose selection brings about a deletion of the respective station or a shift to the end of the list may additionally be represented. Once the input or selection fields have been filled in or selected, the stations are sorted in accordance with the inputs. The sorted list is then stored.
US08040436B2
A method for modifying a video image of a display apparatus, the method including dividing received broadcast signals into a video signal, an audio signal, and supplementary information, converting the video signal to a video image and displaying the converted video image, displaying a video image modifying menu for allowing a user to remotely change a size or aspect ratio for the displayed video image, and adjusting at least one of the size and aspect ratio of the displayed video image based on the supplementary information.
US08040431B2
Disclosed is a camera apparatus including an enclosure configured to enclose an imaging unit, a terminal arrangement unit arranged adjacent to a curved surface of an edge portion of the enclosure, and a cover member for covering the terminal arrangement unit, configured to move to open in parallel and along a straight guide groove provided near the terminal arrangement unit, and to turn along the curved surface of the edge portion when the cover has moved to open a prescribed amount along the straight guide groove.
US08040421B2
An image display device includes a display, an attitude angle detection unit and a controller. The display displays an image based on image data with photography information. The photography information includes position information and attitude angle information of a camera at a time of photography. If the attitude angle of the display is altered, the controller controls the display, based on the position information and the attitude angle information of the image displayed at the display and based on the attitude angle detected by the attitude angle detection unit, so as to display an image that was photographed within a predetermined region with respect to the position information of the image displayed at the display and that includes attitude angle information corresponding to the detected attitude angle.
US08040420B2
The camera according to this invention comprises an L-shaped frame that is capable of changing the size or aspect ratio of the viewfinder by relative movement, a back-face image-pickup device for photographing an image of the eye of the photographer, and a photographing optical system for forming the image of the subject image to the internal CCD, analyzes the image captured by the back-face image-pickup device and calculates the distance and direction to the eye of the photographer from the center of the viewfinder, and based on the calculated information and the size or aspect ratio information of the viewfinder, the photographer performs optical zooming or shifting of the photographing optical system, or performs electronic zooming or shifting by cropping the taken image by use of the CCD, in order for the range that the photographer observed via the viewfinder to become the photographing range.
US08040414B2
The solid-state imaging device includes: a first node for receiving a first signal from outside the solid-state imaging device; a second node for receiving a second signal from outside the solid-state imaging device; a test signal selection circuit for outputting the first signal received at the first node and the second signal received at the second node as a test signal by switching between the first and second signals at desired timing; and a test signal input circuit for supplying the test signal from the test signal selection circuit to an input of the A/D converter.
US08040401B2
An image pickup system according to the present invention includes an extracting unit for extracting a block area with a predetermined size from a signal of an image pickup device, a transforming unit for transforming the signal in the extracted block area into a signal in a frequency space, an estimating unit for estimating the amount of noises of a frequency component except for a zero-order component based on the zero-order component in the transformed signal in the frequency space, a noise reducing unit for reducing noises of the frequency component except for the zero-order component based on the estimated amount of noises, and a compressing unit for compressing the zero-order component and the frequency component except for the zero-order component from which the noises are reduced.
US08040400B2
An image sensing system is disclosed. The image sensing system includes a signal determination unit which recognizes a saturated region of an image obtained by photoelectric conversion where the signal level is saturated, and a desaturated region where the signal level is not saturated, and determines whether an inner region serving as a desaturated region surrounded by the saturated region exists.
US08040398B2
An imaging apparatus is provided, which includes an image capturing unit, an adjusting unit and a display unit. The adjusting unit adjusts a clipped area for an image captured by the image capturing unit on photographing mode. The display unit displays a first number of pixels of the clipped area adjusted by the adjusting unit.
US08040396B2
There is described an image capturing apparatus, which makes it possible to conduct a high-accurate range finding operation irrespective of the position of the subject. The apparatus, comprises: a plurality of imaging elements; a plurality of luminance signal generating sections, each of which generates a luminance signal by mixing the plural wavelength signals with each other at a predetermined mixture ratio; a plurality of mixture ratio controlling sections, which respectively correspond to the plurality of imaging elements, and each of which changes a mixture ratio, at which the plural wavelength signals are mixed with each other, based on a positional relationship between a corresponding one of the plurality of imaging elements and a subject; and a range detecting section to detect a distance to the subject, based on a correlation between luminance signals, each of which is the luminance signal generated by each of the luminance signal generating sections.
US08040385B2
An image pickup apparatus includes a photoelectric conversion element which photoelectrically converts an optical image formed by an imaging optical system to acquire image data, a read control unit which thins out pixels, as needed, and reads the image data acquired by the photoelectric conversion element, a region setting unit which sets the region of an output image, a read rule selection unit which selects the pixel thinning read rule of the read control unit, and a distortion correction unit which corrects distortion of the image data read from the photoelectric conversion element. The distortion correction unit includes a filter processing unit which executes filter processing for the image data, and a filter coefficient setting unit which sets the filter coefficient of the filter processing unit in accordance with the pixel thinning read rule.
US08040383B2
A communication system includes a first and a second communication devices, and the first and the second communication devices includes a first and a second transmission units that are disposed respectively on bodies of the communication devices and wirelessly transmits predetermined information to each other. The first communication device further includes a first reception unit that is disposed in a position where the first reception unit is capable of communicating with the second transmission unit and receives second information that has been transmitted from the second transmission unit, and a first control unit that controls the first communication device such that, when communication becomes possible between the first reception unit and the second transmission unit, the first reception unit receives the second information, and such that, when communication becomes possible between the first transmission unit and the second reception unit, the first transmission unit transmits first information.
US08040381B2
There are provided a camera system which operates the proper image blur corrector when image blur correction devices are incorporated in a camera body and in an interchangeable lens, and a method for controlling this camera system. The camera system (1) includes the camera body (3) and the interchangeable lens (2), which is removably attachable to the camera body (3). The camera body (3) has an imaging unit (71), the body image blur corrector (75), and a body microprocessor (12) configured to control the operation of the imaging unit (71) and the body image blur corrector (75). The interchangeable lens (2) has the lens image blur corrector (82) and a lens microprocessor (20) configured to control the operation of the lens image blur corrector (82). The body microcomputer (12) selects either the body or lens image blur corrector (75 or 82), sets the selected image blur corrector to a correction enabled state, and sets the other image blur corrector to a correction disabled state.
US08040374B2
According to one embodiment, a head-separated device has an imaging unit, a control unit configured to control the imaging unit and a connection unit configured to connect the imaging unit with the control unit, wherein the imaging unit comprises sensor configured to capture an image, and a transmitter configured to transmit a video signal, a sync signal (HD, VD) and a clock signal to restore or to reproduce the image captured by the sensor, and the control unit comprises a determining module configured to determine whether a waveform of the video signal has a level that the video processor is processable, and a setting module configured to set the transmitter to perform enhancement correction to the video signal, if the determining module determines that the waveform of the video signal does not have the level that the video processor is processable.
US08040370B2
It is possible to prevent an image processing amount from increasing and obtain excellent display characteristics. A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes: a flat display device having approximately square pixels arranged on a flat display plane in a square manner: and an optical plate which is disposed in front of the display device and has optical apertures which extend linearly in the same direction as a diagonal line of a rectangle obtained by connecting n pieces of the pixels vertically, for controlling directions of light rays from the pixels. The flat display plane of the flat display device are divided to elemental images, each corresponding to each of the optical apertures in the optical plate, and an average value of pitches of the elemental images is larger than m (m=1,2,3 . . . ) times a length of a diagonal line of a rectangle obtained by connecting n pieces of the pixels laterally and the pitch of the optical apertures in the optical plate is equal to m times the length of the diagonal line of the rectangle obtained by connecting n pieces of the pixels laterally.
US08040353B2
Disclosed is a system for producing images including emulation techniques using multiple processors. The system provides for emulation of graphics processing resources such that a central processing unit may provide graphics support. Disclosed embodiments include emulation of selected graphics calls as well as emulation of a programmable graphics processor for compatibility with systems having no compatible GPU. Embodiments also include optimization of graphics code for a particular kind of processor.
US08040339B2
Circuitry for controlling a display matrix formed of light-emitting diodes arranged in rows and columns, diodes in each row being connected to common row lines, and diodes in each column being connected to common column lines, each of the column lines being selectively connected to a current source for providing a current to each of the column lines when the column line is selected, a column voltage being present at a column node of each column line while the column line is selected, each of the row lines being selectively connected to a rowoff voltage for turning off the diodes in that row, the circuitry including circuitry for generating the rowoff voltage including: capture circuitry arranged to capture a maximum value of the column voltages present at the column nodes of a plurality of selected column lines; storage circuitry arranged to store the maximum column voltage; and output circuitry arranged to provide the rowoff voltage based on the maximum column voltage.
US08040338B2
A display array which can reduce the row connections between the display and the driver circuit and methods of manufacturing and operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display device comprises an array of MEMS display elements and a plurality of voltage dividers coupled to the array and configured to provide row output voltages to drive the array, wherein each row is connected to at least two inputs joined by a voltage divider.
US08040337B2
A display device includes a display panel, an environmental sensor, a correction circuit and a driving circuit. The correction circuit is configured to generate a corrected gray-scale data on the basis of input gray-scale data. The driving circuit is configured to drive the display panel in response to the corrected gray-scale data. The correction circuit generates the corrected gray-scale data by executing a correction using a polynomial in which the input gray-scale data are used as variables. Coefficients of the polynomial are changed in response to an output signal of the environmental sensor.
US08040335B2
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a system comprises a display having a display area for displaying an image corresponding to image data signals applied thereto, the display being capable of maintaining the image to be displayed after termination of application of the image data signals, an area designation unit for designating a part of the display area and a controller unit for receiving image data and generating image data signals to be applied to the display, the controller unit being configured to inhibit application of image data signals to the part of the display area when designated while applying new image data signals to the display.
US08040333B2
This invention discloses a type of radial circuit for use in driving LCD monitors. The radial circuit includes an odd-even column data generator. The odd-even column data generator receives data from a modulation counter and divides the data into two groups of data having opposite levels: odd column modulation data and even column modulation data. The odd-even column data generator then sends the two sets of data to a comparator comparing the display data and modulation data of the LCD. The comparator is used to control the odd and even columns of the LCD. This utility model divides all the columns in the same row into odd and even columns. An opposite driver voltage waveform is output from between the odd and even columns of the neighboring columns. While the odd columns discharge, the even column recharges. This type of simultaneous discharge and recharge process creates just the right mutual electric charge compensation; and it results in minimizing the electric charge dissipation which saves energy.
US08040330B2
An untethered stylus is configured to cooperate with a location sensing device that generates a drive signal. The stylus includes transceiver circuitry disposed in a housing, which is configured to receive the drive signal and transmit a stylus signal for reception by the location sensor. Energy circuitry is disposed in the housing and energized by the drive signal. A reference frequency generator, disposed in the housing and coupled to the transceiver circuitry and energy circuitry, is configured to generate a number of reference frequencies based on a source frequency of the drive signal, the reference frequencies indicative of a number of stylus states and synchronized to the source frequency of the drive signal. The transceiver circuitry is configured to mix the reference frequencies with the stylus signal.
US08040315B2
A display device includes a scanning line drive circuit, which includes plural stages of D type of flip-flops (DFFs) connected in cascade. The first DFF stage receives a pixel signal of video data to be displayed. These DFF stages have outputs respectively connected to AND gates. The DFF stages and AND gates receive a common clock signal. The DFF stages are responsive to the clock signal to sequentially shift respective values held therein to the following stages with delay. Thus, a drive device is provided which can drive a display panel in a simple configuration without using an OE (Output Enable) signal.
US08040312B2
A display implemented with a unique circuit arrangement. The display includes a glass substrate, a plurality of serial-connected source drivers and at least one gate driver. The source drivers and the at least one gate driver are disposed on the glass substrate using, for example, chip-on-glass technology. The display further includes at least one flexible connector, such as a flexible printed circuit board. Each of the at least one flexible connector corresponds to a selected one of the source drivers. The selected one of the source drivers is configured to receive image data and control information from the corresponded flexible connector, and convey the image data and the control information to at least one neighboring source driver.
US08040309B2
A display panel with image sticking elimination circuit is provided. The image sticking elimination circuit can be applied in a display unit comprising a plurality of pixel units driven by a gate driving circuit and a data driving circuit. The gate driving circuit is driven by a first voltage and a second voltage. The first voltage turns on the pixel units for receiving data signals and the second voltage turns off the pixel units for preventing the pixel units from receiving data signals. A switch is coupled between a data line driven by the data driving circuit and an ESD circuit. The image sticking elimination circuit is charged by the first voltage and the charged power is output to turn on the switch and the pixel units when abnormal power shut down occurs.
US08040297B2
An emission control driver that applies an emission control signal for controlling an emission operation of a pixel circuit is provided. The emission control driver includes an emission control circuit with a plurality of transistors and a capacitor placed between a positive power supply voltage and a negative power supply voltage. When the driver is fabricated in an organic light emitting display (OLED), the transistors send a high level or low level emission control signal to a pixel circuit in response to a scan signal, and can be the same type transistors as the pixel circuit transistors. Further, the emission control driver may include a transistor for interrupting the positive power supply voltage in response to an initializing signal to initialize a capacitor of the pixel circuit.
US08040286B2
A high-frequency module has an antenna configured by integrally connecting a slot plate laid out with radiation slots to a plate having plural thin plates formed with a waveguide for supplying power to the slot plate, using a diffusion bonding. The waveguide of the antenna is connected to a dielectric waveguide of a high-frequency package via a waveguide provided on a resin substrate, thereby configuring a slot antenna at low cost, and connecting a power-supply slot of the slot antenna to a waveguide terminal of the high-frequency package with low loss.
US08040284B2
A handset device including a ground plane, an antenna, a first conductive strip and a second conductive strip is provided. The antenna is electrically connected to the ground plane and forms a current loop with the ground plane. The ground plane forms a current area according to the current loop. The first conductive strip is electrically connected to the current area and changes a current distribution on the ground plane to increase a current density passing through the current area.
US08040282B2
A card-type device that includes an antenna body disposed on a housing and movable along a turning shaft between an upright position and a flat position. An antenna turning member applies an urging force to the antenna body in a direction in which the antenna body turns to the upright position. A locking projection projecting and a corresponding locking portion which is fitted to the locking projection when the antenna body is in the flat position, stops the antenna body from turning. When the antenna body moves in a direction in which the antenna body is to be unlocked, the locking projection is released from the locking portion, and the antenna body automatically turns toward the upright position by the urging force of the antenna turning member.
US08040281B2
The present invention relates to a radiofrequency device (1) comprising: at least one sheet (2) of a substrate, and at least one wire booster aerial (3), formed with an electrically insulated conductor wire, comprising at least one turn, and having two ends connected to each other electrically in a connection zone (10).
US08040277B2
A method and a mobile device configured to obtain position information from a position broadcast system, the position broadcast system comprising a plurality of transmitters that each broadcast a respective signal containing position information for the respective transmitter. The method comprising: measuring signal strengths of signals from a plurality of the transmitters of the position broadcast system; and determining that the mobile device is out of range of the position broadcast system if the measured signals strengths satisfy at least one out of range criterion.
US08040276B2
A method for testing GPS receivers may read GPS files with data for a plurality of GPS satellites, and two or more GPS satellites may be selected from that data. The method may receive parameters for a GPS receiver to be tested. The method may generate two or more GPS signals for the two or more selected GPS satellites. The method may operate on the two or more GPS signals using the received parameters for the GPS receiver to generate two or more calculated GPS signals. These two or more calculated GPS signals may be re-sampled to a common rate. The two or more re-sampled GPS signals may be added together to create a composite GPS signal. The composite GPS signal may be generated using a hardware signal generator, where the composite GPS signal used to test the GPS receiver.
US08040270B2
According to embodiments of the present technique, a system and a method for obtaining low-noise measurements for a wide range of analog signal strengths is provided. According to aspects of the present technique, a low-gain measurement of an input pixel charge is performed, wherein the input pixel charge is distributed to two feedback capacitors, which together provide a relatively low integrator gain. After the low-gain measurement, a high-gain measurement is performed, wherein one of the capacitors is remove from the feedback loop and the charge is redistributed to the remaining capacitor.
US08040261B2
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate compound text input. The device is able to assemble language objects in the memory to generate compound language solutions. The device is able to generate compound language solutions by employing different groupings of data sources to generate different portions of the compound language solutions.
US08040249B2
One embodiment includes an apparatus that includes a piezoelectric transducer to generate an acoustic signal that is to modulate along a mandrel, wherein the piezoelectric transducer includes at least one piezoelectric element and at least one electrode that is without non-permanent joints.
US08040242B2
An RFID tag is provided including an object ID and a counter. Such an RFID tag may be employed in an RFID tag system including a parent RFID tag having an object ID and a counter, a child RFID tag, and a reader/writer configured to read the object ID and the counter of the parent RFID tag, combine values of the object ID and the counter, and write the combined value to an object ID of the child RFID tag.
US08040241B2
A capacitance-based occupant detection system accurately determines seat occupancy and a failure of an electrode and between electrodes and includes an impedance calculation section, a Re/Im part calculation section, and a determination section. A first impedance Z1 is calculated including a main-body impedance Za between a main electrode and a vehicle body. The Re/Im part calculation section calculates real and imaginary parts of the first impedance Z1 based on the first impedance Z1 calculated by the impedance calculation section. The determination section determines the presence or absence of destruction of the main electrode and a guard electrode based on an imaginary part of the first impedance Z1 calculated by the Re/Im part calculation section.
US08040237B2
Methods and apparatus to detect carrying of a portable audience measurement device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing; a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data; a first status sensor to detect a first distance between the housing and an object at a first time, wherein the first status sensor is to detect a second distance between the housing and the object at a second time; and a distance comparator to generate a first signal indicative of a relationship between the first distance and the second distance to enable determination of whether the device is being carried by a person.
US08040234B2
An appliance network has a service key accessory to facilitate remote diagnosis and service of an appliance.
US08040232B2
Provided are a Ubiquitous Sensor Network (USN) middleware apparatus and method for generating an information service based on heterogeneous sensor networks and a system for providing the information service using the same. In the system, a sensor node constructing a sensor network senses environment information, and a sensor network data transmitter collects sensed data sensed by the sensor node in real-time and transmits the collected sensed data in a message form. A USN middleware extracts object and environment information by cleaning, classifying and integrating the message received from the sensor network data transmitter, generates conditional events and context aware information from the extracted object and environment information, and provides the information service to an application program, the application program providing a user with information related to environment where the sensor network observes.
US08040230B2
An alarm control apparatus which collects alarms from a plant and handles the alarms includes: a defining section for defining a conditioning process which is executed when performing a filtering process on the alarms; and a filtering section for performing the filtering process on the collected alarms in accordance with the conditioning process defined by the defining section.
US08040222B2
A radio-frequency tag communication system including (a) a radio-frequency tag, (b) a radio-frequency tag communication device configured to transmit a transmitted signal toward the radio-frequency tag, and to receive a reply signal transmitted from the radio-frequency tag in response to the transmitted signal, for thereby effecting radio communication with the radio-frequency tag, and (c) at least one reference tag disposed fixedly in an area of communication of the radio-frequency tag communication system and configured to transmit a reply signal in response to the transmitted signal, for thereby effecting radio communication with the radio-frequency tag communication device, and wherein the radio-frequency tag communication device includes a directivity control portion configured to control a directivity of communication with the radio-frequency tag, on the basis of a result of the radio communication of the radio-frequency tag communication device with the at least one reference tag.
US08040220B2
A storing unit stores a plurality of pieces of tag information to be stored in a single radio-frequency-identification tag. A responding unit transmits, in response to a request from a reader/writer, part of the stored tag information to the reader/writer.
US08040214B2
A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a lower-surface oxidation preventing insulating film formed on a lower surface of a metal resistor element; an upper-surface oxidation preventing insulating film formed on an upper surface of the metal resistor element; and a side-surface oxidation preventing insulating film formed only near a side surface of the metal resistor element by performing anisotropic etching after being deposited on a whole surface of a wafer in a process separated from the lower-surface oxidation preventing insulating film and the upper-surface oxidation preventing insulating film. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the increase of the resistance value due to the oxidation of the metal resistor element and also to prevent the increase of the parasitic capacitance between metal wiring layers without complicating the fabrication process.
US08040212B2
An inductor includes a core formed of a magnetic material and a foil winding wound at least partially around or through at least a portion of the core. A first end of the winding extends away from the core to form an extended output tongue configured and arranged to supplement or serve as a substitute for a printed circuit board foil trace. A second end of the winding forms a solder tab. At least a portion of the extended output tongue and the solder tab are formed at a same height relative to a bottom surface of the core. Another inductor includes a core formed of a magnetic material, a winding wound at least partially around or through at least a portion of the core, and a ground return conductor attached to the core. The core does not form a magnetic path loop around the ground return conductor.
US08040208B2
A passive part includes a filter unit having first resonance electrode to a third resonance electrode and an impedance matching circuit unit electrically connected to the third resonance electrode of the filter unit arranged on a dielectric substrate. The entire passive part has a configuration including a circuit unit equivalent to characteristic containing the second impedance matching circuit by an impedance component of the third resonance electrode. For example, by modifying the width of the third resonance electrode, it is possible to adjust the impedance in the same way as when a capacitance as the impedance matching circuit unit is connected, without connecting any capacitance.
US08040176B2
A temperature-compensated internal voltage having a desired compensation range is generated with a sufficient controllability and stability. A temperature characteristic adding circuit generates a standard voltage having temperature dependence from a reference voltage not having temperature dependence. The standard voltage is A/D-converted and then added with standard code information (TN_VREF <4:0>) which specifies the level of the internal voltage. The additional value (TN_VREF2 <4:0>) is D/A-converted to generate an offset voltage having temperature dependence. The internal voltage of a desired level is generated based on the offset voltage.
US08040175B2
An apparatus and a method for maintaining an output voltage of a charge pump circuit near a target voltage is disclosed. A regulated supply voltage is generated based on the output voltage of the charge pump. The regulated supply voltage is applied to a voltage input to the charge pump circuit and to a voltage input of a clock driver that provides a regulated clock signal to the charge pump circuit.
US08040163B2
Disclosed herein is a bootstrap circuit configured to employ first, second and third transistors of the same conduction type wherein: a node section connecting a gate electrode of the first transistor and a specific one of the source and drain areas of a third transistor to each other is put in a floating state when the third transistor is put in a turned-off state; a gate electrode of the second transistor is connected to a clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals; and a voltage-variation repression capacitor is provided between the node section and a first voltage supply line.
US08040160B2
A driver arrangement comprises a charge pump based oscillator (OSC) having a first charging element (CE1) with a first capacitance (C1) for generating an oscillator signal depending on a first capacitance (C1) and on a first charging current (I1). A controllable current source (CCS) is configured to generated a first and a second charging current (I1, I2) depending on a current control signal, wherein first and second charging currents (I1, I2) have a first predetermined scaling ratio (α). The current control signal is provided by a control unit (CTL). An output circuit (DRV) of the driver arrangement comprises a second charging element (CE2) having a second capacitance (C2). The output circuit (DRV) is configured to generate an output signal depending on a data signal (TXD), on the second charging current (I2) and on the second capacitance (C2). Herein, the second capacitance (C2) has a second predetermined scaling ratio (β) with respect to the first capacitance (C1).
US08040143B2
Systems and methods are provided for determining the value of a capacitance. A system for sensing capacitance comprises an oscillator arrangement comprising a plurality of oscillators and a mismatch compensation arrangement coupled between the oscillator arrangement and a first capacitive element having a first capacitance. The mismatch compensation arrangement is configured to selectively couple the first capacitive element to a respective oscillator of the plurality of oscillators, wherein an oscillation frequency of the respective oscillator is influenced by the first capacitance.
US08040141B2
A radio frequency (RF) sensor that measures RF current includes a substrate that has an inner perimeter that defines an aperture. A conductor extends through the aperture. Sensor pads are arranged on the aperture and are connected to form two sensor loops. The loops generate an electrical signal that represents RF current flow through the center conductor. Additionally, a plurality of circular conductive rings may be included in the RF sensor to generate a signal representing the voltage of the conductor.
US08040136B2
An NMR signal acquisition device that can increase the magnetic field homogeneity in a high frequency magnetic field by one of the following. (a) Current paths each having a different inductance are provided to adjust the diversion ratio of the current, (b) A current path branch point is provided in an intermediate part of the winding of a solenoidal coil so that there are more current paths in the intermediate part of the winding than in the current paths connected to the feeding points at both ends, (c) The radiuses of current paths are adjusted, (d) Winding pitches in the axis direction are adjusted, (e) Current path widths are adjusted, and (f) The solenoidal coil has both positive direction current paths and negative direction current paths.
US08040129B2
A rotation detecting device capable of outputting information on the absolute angle using an ABZ phase signal and without extra operation and procedures required, and a bearing assembly having this rotation detecting device incorporated therein are provided. The device includes an absolute angle detecting sensor unit for detecting the rotation angle of a rotating member as an absolute angle and a rotation pulse signal generating section for generating a rotation pulse signal including an index signal corresponding to a zero phase of the absolute angle detecting sensor unit and a pulse signal of a constant interval, based on the absolute angle detected by the absolute angle detecting sensor unit. The rotation pulse signal is outputted in an absolute angle output mode, under which the rotational pulse signal is outputted from a time the index signal is outputted to the current absolute angle.
US08040119B2
A valley detecting circuit and method are provided for a voltage across a switching device, which detect a voltage across the switching device to produce a first voltage proportional to the voltage across the switching device, clamp the first voltage to produce a second voltage, level shift the second voltage to produce a third voltage, and compare the second voltage with the third voltage to determine a valley for the first voltage.
US08040110B2
One or more cells are charged by measuring one or more cell parameters or changes in said cell parameters, inputting the measured cell parameter(s) or changes in cell parameters into a state of charge estimation model, obtaining a state of charge of the cell(s) from the state of charge estimation model, selecting an allowable temperature rise for the cell(s), determining a charge parameter in accordance with the state of charge of the cell(s) and in accordance with the selected allowable temperature rise for the cell(s), and supplying energy to the cell(s) in accordance with the determined charge parameter. The invention may be embodied as methods, apparatus and computer program products.
US08040107B2
A mobile telephone has a rechargeable battery, and the rechargeable battery is charged through a battery charger; the battery charger includes an information processing system serving as a charge controller and a battery manager; the battery manager measures a discharging time period of the rechargeable battery so as to store pieces of duration data expressing a charge-and-discharge cycle, and determines a charge initiation level and a charge completion level on the basis of the pieces of duration data in such a manner to reduce the number of charging operation without shortage of electric charge for the rechargeable battery; and the charge controller carries out the charging with reference to the charge initiation level and charge completion level so that the rechargeable battery is prolonged in life time.
US08040095B2
The method of synchronizing sequential phase switchings in driving stator windings of a multiphase sensorless brushless motor with a reconstructed information on the current angular position of a permanent magnet rotor, includes sampling on a currently non-conductive stator winding a voltage induced thereon by the resultant magnetic field produced by the drive current forced through currently conductive stator windings that inverts its sign when the rotor transitions across a plurality of significant angular positions, at which orthogonality between the resultant magnetic field and a magnetic axis of the non-excited winding verifies. The sign of the sampled voltage induced on the currently non-excited winding is compared with the sign that is expected upon transiting across the angular position of inversion by the moving rotor for the current phase drive configuration to sequentially switch to the next phase drive configuration upon verifying conformity of the sign of the sampled voltage with the expected sign.
US08040090B2
A brushless motor controller that controls a brushless motor by determining an energizing timing of a three-phase stator coil based on the rotational position and speed of a rotor. The controller includes a normal timing generation unit, an advancing timing generation unit, and a control switching unit. The normal timing generation unit generates a normal energizing timing. The advancing angle timing generation unit generates an advancing angle energizing timing advanced by a predetermined amount from the normal energizing timing and a final advancing angle energizing timing delayed by a delay amount from the advancing angle energizing timing. The control switching unit switches rotation control of the motor between a first rotation control executed in accordance with the normal energizing timing and a second rotation control executed in accordance with the final advancing angle energizing timing.
US08040086B2
A current detector unit has a current detecting portion detecting a current flowing between a three-phase inverter and a direct-current power supply as a detection current; a three-phase current detecting portion for detecting a three-phase current of the inverter based on the detection current; and a judging portion judging, based on the detection current, whether or not a target time point belongs to a period during which the three-phase current can be detected. If the judging portion judges that the target time point belongs to the period, the three-phase current detecting portion detects the three-phase current.
US08040081B2
If any short-circuit failure occurs in an inverter, then a motor generator is used to execute a safety driving. If the rotational speed of a motor generator calculated from a detection value of a position sensor exceeds a predetermined reference rotational speed during the safety driving, an MGECU turns on all of the switching elements connected in parallel to a switching element in which a short-circuit failure occurs with respect to a power supply line. If the rotational speed is equal to or less than the reference rotational speed, the MGECU turns on only the switching elements connected in series to the switching element in which the short-circuit failure occurs. In this way, any excessive currents can be prevented from occurring in the inverter without restricting the safety driving.
US08040073B2
A gas-discharge lamp igniter is disclosed which has a group of gas-discharge lamps, such as those for LCD backlighting, connected in parallel with one another between the pair of outputs of an AC power supply. Provided one for each lamp to be energized, current-balancing transformers have their secondary windings serially interconnected. The lamps are connected to one of the pair of outputs of the AC power supply via the respective primary windings of the current-balancing transformers and the serial connection of the secondary windings thereof.
US08040068B2
A radio frequency (RF) system includes a control module that allocates M predetermined frequency intervals. The system also includes N RF sources that each applies first RF power to electrodes within a plasma chamber at frequencies within an assigned respective one of the M predetermined frequency intervals. The N RF sources also each respond to second RF power including feedback from the plasma chamber. The N RF sources each include a processing module that adjusts the first RF power based on the second RF power and the respective one of the M predetermined frequency intervals. M and N are integers greater than 1.
US08040061B2
An opaque zone in the polycrystalline (PCA) discharge vessel of a high intensity discharge lamp may be made by creating residual pores in predetermined regions of the final-sintered discharge vessel. The control over the placement of the opaque zone is achieved by forming a carbonaceous residue in a specific region of the discharge vessel prior to final sintering. During sintering, the carbonaceous material causes residual porosity in the sintered PCA. The higher emissivity of the opaque PCA provides localized cooling in order to provide more control over the condensate behavior in the discharge vessel.
US08040060B2
An electron tube of the present invention includes: a vacuum vessel including a side tube portion made of glass and a plate-like member blocking one opening of the side tube portion and made of glass; a first metal film provided on an end face of the side tube portion; a second metal film arranged facing the first metal film and provided on a marginal part of a face at a vacuum side of the plate-like member; a third metal film provided on at least one of an outer wall face of the side tube portion adjacent to the end face and a side face of the plate-like member adjacent to the marginal part; and a metal member made of a low-melting-point metal, for sealing a gap between the side tube portion and the plate-like member while contacting the first metal film, the second metal film, and the third metal film.
US08040049B2
One embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an organic electroluminescence element wherein the organic electroluminescence has a substrate, a partition wall on the substrate, a pixel on the substrate sectioned by the partition wall, an organic luminescent layer on the pixel, forming an under-layer on the entire surface of a luminescent area including the inside surface of the pixel and the upper surface of the partition wall and forming the organic luminescent layer by coating an ink which includes an organic luminous material by a printing method on the surface of the under-layer.
US08040043B2
In an organic EL panel for enhancing luminous efficiency and utilization efficiency of light, monochromatic RGB lights emitted from the organic EL panel in which organic EL elements optimum for three monochromatic primary RGB colors are patterned in a stripe-like manner, are adjusted by a liquid crystal panel so as to obtain monochromatic RGB output lights. In addition, the three monochromatic RGB lights are led through color filters with black matrices in order to enhance the color purities and visibilities of the adjusted lights.
US08040037B2
An image display apparatus includes a hermetic container and an image display member arranged in the hermetic container. The hermetic container is provided with a first substrate, a second substrate arranged to be opposed to the first substrate, and an outer frame arranged between both of the substrates. The first substrate includes an aperture through which an electric power supplying terminal penetrates to the image display member. The aperture is sealed by a sealing member guiding the electric power supplying terminal to an outside of the hermetic container. The sealing member is adhered on a back surface of the first substrate. The back surface is opposite to a surface of the first substrate, on, which the outer frame is arranged. An electroconductive member is arranged between the sealing member and the back surface. The electroconductive member is at predetermined electric potential.
US08040034B2
An electron source producing an electron beam which is highly reliable and stable even when it is externally oscillated. The electron source comprises a cathode (1) having an electron emitting section which is so connected to be interposed between top ends of two filaments (3) which are respectively connected to two conductive pins (4) provided on an insulator member (5), an end of the cathode (1) which differs from the electron emitting section being fixed to the insulator member (5), wherein the two filaments (3) are being twofold symmetry with a center on a center axis of the cathode (1), and preferably, the end of the cathode (1) which differs from the electron emitting section is fixed to the insulator member (5) via a metallic member (6) brazed to the insulator member, and more preferably, a curved portion is provided to the filaments.
US08040027B2
When the coordinates of multiple primaries are set within specific ranges in a chromaticity diagram (e.g. the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram), the proportion of the contrast ratio of one primary to the contrast ratio of the other primary should conform to some requirements to achieve the white balance of dark-state, so as to effectively display the natural color and mitigate the color shift of low-luminance images.
US08040020B2
A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) ultrasonic transducer device includes a substrate defining an opening and an active transducer having multiple of active layers stacked over the opening of the substrate. The active transducer is completely encapsulated by multiple passivation layers.
US08040019B2
Conventional drivers for transducers oftentimes did not provide an efficient driving mechanism because the driving signal was not “close enough” to the natural frequency of the transducer. Here, a driver for a transducer is provided that measures the natural frequency of the transducer and generates a driving signal accordingly. Thus, a more efficient driver is provided.
US08040016B2
The present invention relates to a brush 10 suitable for coming into contact with conducting plates 12 provided on an electric motor commutator 11. According to the invention, the brush has a means 15 for adjusting its pole coverage between the start of life of the motor and its stabilized operation. This is therefore a brush with pole coverage that can be varied over its operating life. Such a brush is more particularly fitted into a motor for a ventilation (air conditioning) system for motor vehicle.
US08040014B2
A stator core suspension includes a frame for supporting a stator core; a keybar coupled to a stator core section of the stator core; and a spring bar coupled to the frame and coupled to the keybar so as to be substantially aligned radially outboard of the keybar. A spring bar used in the stator core suspension may also include a substantially uniform cross-section throughout a length thereof, which may also be rectangular or round in cross-section.
US08040006B2
A motor rotor has a rotor yoke having a polygonal column structure, a plurality of magnet fixing sections formed on the lateral surface of the rotor yoke, segment magnets respectively fixed to the magnet fixing sections and extending in the axial direction of the rotor yoke, and projections provided on the rotor yoke and protruding outward from the rotor yoke, the projections being provided at each boundary section located between each of the adjacent magnet fixing sections and being provided in pairs in the axial direction of the rotor yoke.
US08040001B2
The present invention provides an assembly for mounting to, or forming part of, the stator assembly of a rotating electrical machine. A plurality of component modules are provided at angularly spaced-apart locations around the assembly and contain power electronics components. Electrically conductive toroidal inlet and outlet manifolds are provided to convey coolant fluid (preferably a liquid dielectric such as MIDEL) to and from the component modules. The inlet and outlet manifolds provide a dual function as a coolant circuit for conveying coolant fluid and as busbars.
US08039995B2
An inductive power transfer system (1) comprises a primary unit (10) operable to generate an electromagnetic field and at least one secondary device (30), separable from the primary unit, and adapted to couple with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit so that power can be received inductively by the secondary device from the primary unit without direct electrical conductive contacts therebetween. The system detects if there is a substantial difference between, on the one hand, a power drawn from the primary unit and, on the other hand, a power required by the secondary device or, if there is more than one secondary device, a combined power required by the secondary devices. Following such detection, the system restricts or stops the inductive power supply from the primary unit. Such a system can detect the presence of unwanted parasitic loads in the vicinity of the primary unit reliably.
US08039994B2
Various systems and methods are provided for minimizing an inrush current to a load after a voltage sag in a power voltage. In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising the steps of applying a power voltage (100) to a load (246), and detecting a sag in the power voltage (106) during steady-state operation of the load. The method includes the steps of adding an impedance (RT) to the load upon detection of the sag in the power voltage, and removing the impedance when the power voltage has reached a predetermined point in the power voltage cycle after the voltage has returned to normal.
US08039993B2
Systems and methods for discharging a high-voltage bus coupled to a discharge circuit are provided. A method comprises obtaining a first voltage level of the high-voltage bus. The method further comprises determining a first discharge time based on the first voltage level and activating the discharge circuit. The method further comprises obtaining a second voltage level of the high-voltage bus after the first discharge time, comparing the first voltage level and the second voltage level, and deactivating the discharge circuit if a difference between the first voltage level and the second voltage level is less than a threshold value.
US08039990B2
Methods of manufacturing a direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configured as an intrinsic power transfer switch are provided. One method includes providing multiple inputs, multiple rectifiers coupled to the inputs, a common node coupled to the rectifiers, and at least one DC output coupled to the common node. The DC output(s) is/are adapted for connection to at least one electrical load and a first input is adapted for connection to a first electrical service. A second input is adapted for connection to a second electrical service, the DC UPS continuing to supply power to the at least one electrical load in the event of a loss of either the first or second electrical services. Also provided are methods of manufacturing an intrinsic power transfer switch for a high-power electrical load requiring at least two electrical service inputs.
US08039988B2
A solar powered ventilation system for regulating the interior temperature of a motorized vehicle and a method of controlling the same is provided. The vehicle includes a battery pack in electrical communication with at least one motor assembly that is selectively operable to propel the vehicle. The solar powered ventilation system includes a solar panel in electrical communication with a fan and the battery pack. The method includes: determining if sufficient solar load is available; if so, determining the current vehicle power mode; determining if the current battery pack temperature is greater than a threshold battery pack temperature if the vehicle is in “off” or “accessories on” mode; and commanding the solar powered ventilation system to modify the interior temperature of the vehicle to thereby decrease the temperature of the battery pack if the current battery pack temperature is greater than the threshold battery pack temperature.
US08039987B2
A power source device includes first and second rechargeable batteries, a load circuit, a first step-up converter converting voltage between a first node to which the first battery is connected and a second node to which the load circuit is connected, a second step-up converter converting voltage between a third node to which the second battery is connected and the second node, and a charge/discharge unit transmitting power received from an external power source. Preferably, the power source device further includes a first system main relay, a second system main relay, and a controller controlling the first and second system main relays and the first and second step-up converters.
US08039982B2
The disclosure concerns a method for operating a wind turbine having a generator, the generator having for each phase a plurality of coils, wherein the plurality of coils of each phase includes at least one group of coils including at least two coils, the group of coils including at least two subgroups including at least one coil, wherein the generator has a first state in which the coils of the group of coils are electrically connected in series, and, the generator has a second state in which the at least two subgroups are switched electrically in parallel; the method including: changing the state of the generator. Further, the disclosure concerns a coil arrangement for an electric machine for a wind turbine, the electrical machine having for each phase a plurality of coils, wherein the plurality of coils of each phase includes at least one group of coils including at least two coils, the group of coils including at least two subgroups including at least one coil, wherein the electrical machine has a first state in which the coils of the group of coils are electrically connected in series, and, the electrical machine has a second state in which the at least two subgroups are switched electrically in parallel.
US08039972B2
A printed circuit board and method thereof and a solder ball land and method thereof. The example printed circuit board (PCB) may include a first solder ball land having a first surface treatment portion configured for a first type of resistance and a second solder ball land having a second surface treatment portion configured for a second type of resistance. The example solder ball land may include a first surface treatment portion configured for a first type of resistance and a second surface treatment portion configured for a second type of resistance. A first example method may include first treating a first surface of a first solder ball land to increase a first type of resistance and second treating a second surface of a second solder ball land to increase a second type of resistance other than the first type of resistance. A second example method may include first treating a solder ball land to increase a first type of resistance and second treating the solder ball land to increase a second type of resistance other than the first type of resistance.
US08039966B2
A structure, tool and method for forming in-situ metallic/dielectric caps for interconnects. The method includes forming wire embedded in a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, the wire comprising a copper core and an electrically conductive liner on sidewalls and a bottom of the copper core, a top surface of the wire coplanar with a top surface of the dielectric layer; forming a metal cap on an entire top surface of the copper core; without exposing the substrate to oxygen, forming a dielectric cap over the metal cap, any exposed portions of the liner, and the dielectric layer; and wherein the dielectric cap is an oxygen diffusion barrier and contains no oxygen atoms.
US08039945B2
A plastic package for an image sensor or other electronic component which comprises a plastic body, preferably of LCP material, molded around a leadframe and defining a cavity in which the image sensor is to be disposed. A lid assembly is provided having a transparent glass lid retained in a plastic lid frame which is weldable or otherwise bondable to the plastic body of the package to enclose the image sensor mounted in the cavity. The leadframe is usually composed of copper or a copper alloy, or a ferrous alloy having a copper coating. An interfacial layer is formed on the surfaces of the leadframe at least in those portions which are in contact with the plastic body which serves to provide substantially improved adhesion between the leadframe and the plastic material to achieve a hermetic bond between the metal and plastic materials. The interfacial layer is composed of a cuprous oxide base layer formed on a surface of the leadframe, and a cupric oxide layer formed on the cuprous oxide layer. The cupric oxide outer layer has an acicular structure which provides an interlocking mechanism for adhesion to the plastic material molded thereto in forming the package.
US08039942B2
A ball grid array package stacking system includes: providing a base substrate; coupling an integrated circuit to the base substrate; coupling a stacking substrate over the base substrate; mounting a heat spreader, having an access port, around the base substrate and the stacking substrate; and coupling a stacked integrated circuit to the stacking substrate through the access port.
US08039938B2
A package includes a pad chip having contact pads, a spring chip having micro-springs in contact with the contact pads to form interconnects, the area in which the micro-springs contact the contact pads forming an interconnect area, an assembly material between the pad chip and the spring chip arranged to form a gap between the pad chip and the spring chip, and an underfill material in a portion of the gap to form a mold from the pad chip and the spring chip. A package includes a pad chip having contact pads, a spring chip having micro-springs in contact with the contact pads to form interconnects, the area in which the micro-springs contact the contact pads forming an interconnect area, an assembly material between the pad chip and the spring chip arranged to form a gap between the pad chip and the spring chip, an underfill material in the gap to form a mold from the pad chip and the spring chip, and at least one wall between the underfill material and the interconnect area. A method of assembling a package includes aligning a pad chip with a spring chip to form at least one interconnect in an interconnect area, adhering the pad chip to the spring chip so that there is a gap between the pad chip and the spring chip, dispensing underfill material into the gap to seal the interconnect area from an environment external to the package, and curing the underfill material to form a solid mold.
US08039928B2
A chip stack package includes a plurality of chips that are stacked by using adhesive layers as intermediary media, and a through via electrode formed through the chips to electrically couple the chips. The through via electrode is classified as a power supply through via electrode, a ground through via electrode, or a signal transfer through via electrode. The power supply through via electrode and the ground through via electrode are formed of a first material such as copper, and the signal transfer through via electrode is formed of second material such as polycrystalline silicon doped with impurities. The signal transfer through via electrode may have a diametrically smaller cross section than that of each of the power supply through via electrode and the ground through via electrode regardless of their resistivities.
US08039927B2
The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention comprises at least one desired thin film 4 formed on a linear substrate 3 having a length ten or more times greater than a width, thickness, or diameter of the linear substrate itself. Adopting semiconductor as the thin film 4 forms a linear semiconductor thin film. The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention is produced by utilizing a fiber-drawing technique which is a fabricating technique of optical fibers.
US08039922B2
When a positive voltage of V1 is applied to a drive capacitor with a braking voltage V2 at 0V, a moveable electrode moves toward the drive electrode, and a capacitance C of a tunable capacitor becomes smaller. When the braking voltage V2 is applied a lower portion brake electrode of the brake capacitor moves in a horizontal direction, such that the inter electrode separation distance between an upper portion brake electrode and the lower portion brake electrode becomes 0 μm. The moveable electrode configured integrally formed with the lower portion brake electrode also moves in the horizontal direction, and the inter electrode separation distance between the moveable electrode and a fixed electrode becomes 0 μm. Since the two electrodes make contact with each other with a dielectric layer interposed therebetween, the position of the moveable electrode can be stably maintained by frictional force between the electrodes.
US08039918B2
A semiconductor photo detector is provided that includes a layer structure deposited over a semiconductor substrate, and having a second mesa formed on the semiconductor substrate and a first mesa formed on the second mesa, wherein an outer periphery of the second mesa is located outside of the outer periphery of the first mesa in two-dimensional view, and wherein surfaces of the first mesa and the second mesa are covered by a passivation film.
US08039916B2
An active pixel sensor in a p-type semiconductor body includes an n-type common node formed below a pinning region. A plurality of n-type blue detectors more lightly doped than the common node are disposed below pinning regions and are spaced apart from the common node forming channels below blue color-select gates. A buried green photocollector is coupled to the surface through a first deep contact spaced apart from the common node forming a channel below a green color-select gate. A red photocollector buried deeper than the green photocollector is coupled to the surface through a second deep contact spaced apart from the common node forming a channel below a red color-select gate. A reset-transistor has a source disposed over and in contact with the common node. A source-follower transistor has gate coupled to the common node, a drain coupled to a power-supply node, and a source forming a pixel-sensor output.
US08039909B2
A semiconductor nanowire is coated with a chemical coating layer that comprises a functional material which modulates the quantity of free charge carriers within the semiconductor nanowire. The outer surface of the chemical coating layer includes a chemical group that facilitates bonding with molecules to be detected through electrostatic forces. The bonding between the chemical coating layer and the molecules alters the electrical charge distribution in the chemical coating layer, which alters the amount of the free charge carriers and the conductivity in the semiconductor nanowire. The coated semiconductor nanowire may be employed as a chemical sensor for the type of chemicals that bonds with the functional material in the chemical coating layer. Detection of such chemicals may indicate pH of a solution, a vapor pressure of a reactive material in gas phase, and/or a concentration of a molecule in a solution.
US08039907B2
A transistor, comprising a first gate structure formed on a substrate, and having a stacked structure of a first gate electrode and a first gate hard mask, a first gate spacer formed on sidewalls of the first gate structure, a second gate structure having a stacked structure of a second gate electrode and a second gate hard mask, the second gate structure surrounding both sidewalls and top surfaces of the first gate structure and the first gate spacer, and a second gate spacer formed on sidewalls of the second gate structure.
US08039902B2
Semiconductor devices include a substrate having first and second active regions; a P-channel transistor associated with the first active region and including at least one of source and drain regions; an N-channel field-effect transistor associated with the second active region and including at least one of the source and drain regions; first and second contact pad layers each including silicon (Si) and SiGe epitaxial layers on the source and drain regions the SiGe epitaxial layers being sequentially stacked on the Si epitaxial layers; an interlayer insulating film; a first metal silicide film on the SiGe epitaxial layer of the P-channel transistor and a second metal silicide film on the Si epitaxial layer of the N-channel transistor; and contact plugs on the first and second metal silicide films.
US08039901B2
A semiconductor device includes a gate electrode disposed on a semiconductor substrate and source/drain regions disposed at both sides of the gate electrode, the source/drain regions being formed by implanting impurities. The source/drain regions include an epitaxial layer formed by epitaxially growing a semiconductor material having a different lattice constant from that of the semiconductor substrate in a recessed position at a side of the gate electrode, and a diffusion layer disposed in a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate.
US08039898B2
An embodiment of a process for manufacturing a semiconductor power device envisages the steps of: providing a body made of semiconductor material having a first top surface; forming an active region with a first type of conductivity in the proximity of the first top surface and inside an active portion of the body; and forming an edge-termination structure. The edge-termination structure is formed by: a ring region having the first type of conductivity and a first doping level, set within a peripheral edge portion of the body and electrically coupled to the active region; and a guard region, having the first type of conductivity and a second doping level, higher than the first doping level, set in the proximity of the first top surface and connecting the active region to the ring region. The process further envisages the steps of: forming a surface layer having the first type of conductivity on the first top surface, also at the peripheral edge portion, in contact with the guard region; and etching the surface layer in order to remove it above the edge portion in such a manner that the etch terminates inside the guard region.
US08039893B2
There is provided a semiconductor device formed of a highly integrated high-speed CMOS inverter coupling circuit using SGTs provided on at least two stages. A semiconductor device according to the present invention is formed of a CMOS inverter coupling circuit in which n (n is two or above) CMOS inverters are coupled with each other, each of the n inverters has: a pMOS SGT; an nMOS SGT, an input terminal arranged so as to connect a gate of the pMOS SGT with a gate of the nMOS SGT; an output terminal arranged to connect a drain diffusion layer of the pMOS SGT with a drain diffusion layer of the nMOS SGT in an island-shaped semiconductor lower layer; a pMOS SGT power supply wiring line arranged on a source diffusion layer of the pMOS SGT; and an nMOS SGT power supply wiring line arranged on a source diffusion layer of the NMOS SGT, and an n−1th output terminal is connected with an nth input terminal.
US08039890B2
A random number generating device includes a semiconductor device including a source region, a drain region, a channel region provided between the source region and the drain region, and an insulating portion provided on the channel region, the insulating portion including a trap insulating film having traps based on dangling bonds and expressed by Six(SiO2)y(Si3N4)1-yMz (M is an element other than Si, O, and N, x≧0, 1≧y≧0, z≧0, the case where x=0 and y=1 and z=0 is excluded), conductivity of the channel region varying randomly depending on the amount of charge caught in the traps, and a random number generating unit connected to the semiconductor device and generating random numbers based on a random variation in the conductivity of the channel region.
US08039887B2
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a source region and a drain region formed in the semiconductor substrate so as to be separated from each other; a first insulating film formed between the source region and the drain region, on the semiconductor substrate; a floating electrode formed on the first insulating film and including a semiconductor conductive material layer having extension strain; a second insulating film formed on the floating electrode; and a control electrode formed on the second insulating film. The extension strain of the floating electrode becomes gradually small as the location advances from the second insulating film toward the first insulating film, and the floating electrode has extension strain of 0.01% or more at an interface between the floating electrode and the second insulating film, and has extension strain less than 0.01% at an interface between the floating electrode and the first insulating film.
US08039878B2
By appropriately orienting the channel length direction with respect to the crystallographic characteristics of the silicon layer, the stress-inducing effects of strained silicon/carbon material may be significantly enhanced compared to conventional techniques. In one illustrative embodiment, the channel may be oriented along the <100> direction for a (100) surface orientation, thereby providing an electron mobility increase of approximately a factor of four.
US08039877B2
A method of forming a field effect transistor having a heavily doped p-type (110) semiconductor layer over a metal substrate starts with providing a heavily doped p-type (110) silicon layer, and forming a lightly doped p-type (110) silicon layer on the P heavily doped-type (110) silicon layer. The method also includes forming a p-channel MOSFET which has a channel region along a (110) crystalline plane in the lightly doped p-type (110) silicon layer to allow a current conduction in a <110> direction. The p-channel MOSFET also includes a gate dielectric layer having a high dielectric constant material lining the (110) crystalline plane. The method further includes forming a top conductor layer overlying the lightly doped p-type (110) silicon layer and a bottom conductor layer underlying the heavily doped p-type (110) silicon layer. A current conduction from the top conductor layer to the bottom conductor layer is characterized by a hole mobility along a <110> crystalline orientation and on a (110) crystalline plane.
US08039875B2
The present invention relates to a design structure for a pixel sensor cell. The pixel sensor cell approximately doubles the available signal for a given quanta of light. A design structure for a pixel sensor cell having reduced complexity includes an n-type collection well region formed beneath a surface of a substrate for collecting electrons generated by electromagnetic radiation impinging on the pixel sensor cell and a p-type collection well region formed beneath the surface of the substrate for collecting holes generated by the impinging photons. A circuit structure having a first input is coupled to the n-type collection well region and a second input is coupled to the p-type collection well region, wherein an output signal of the pixel sensor cell is the magnitude of the difference of a signal of the first input and a signal of the second input.
US08039867B2
A ZnO-containing semiconductor layer, doped with Se, has an emission peak wavelength in visual light and has a band gap equivalent to a band gap of ZnO.
US08039861B2
The present invention relates to a gallium nitride (GaN) compound semiconductor light emitting element (LED) and a method of manufacturing the same. The present invention provides a vertical GaN LED capable of improving the characteristics of a horizontal LED by means of a metallic protective film layer and a metallic support layer. According to the present invention, a thick metallic protective film layer with a thickness of at least 10 microns is formed on the lateral and/or bottom sides of the vertical GaN LED to protect the element against external impact and to easily separate the chip. Further, a metallic substrate is used instead of a sapphire substrate to efficiently release the generated heat to the outside when the element is operated, so that the LED can be suitable for a high-power application and an element having improved optical output characteristics can also be manufactured. A metallic support layer is formed to protect the element from being distorted or damaged due to impact. Furthermore, a P-type electrode is partially formed on a P-GaN layer in a mesh form to thereby maximize the emission of photons generated in the active layer toward the N-GaN layer.
US08039857B2
An optical semiconductor device includes a light emitting element having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having a first electrode provided thereon, the second surface being located on the opposite side from the first surface and having a second electrode provided thereon; a first conductive member connected to the first surface; a second conductive member connected to the second surface; a first external electrode connected to the first conductive member; a second external electrode connected to the second conductive member; and an enclosure sealing the light emitting element, the first conductive member, and the second conductive member between the first external electrode and the second external electrode, and being configured to transmit light emitted from the light emitting element.
US08039852B2
A display apparatus including a TFT array substrate on which TFTs are formed in an array, a counter substrate disposed so as to face the TFT array substrate, and a sealing pattern for adhering the TFT array substrate and the counter substrate to each other, wherein the counter substrate has a counter electrode, and the TFT array substrate has a first conductive layer, a first insulating film formed on the first conductive layer, a second conductive layer disposed so as to intersect the first conductive layer via the first insulating film, a second insulating film formed on the second conductive layer and having at least two layers, and common electrode wiring provided below the sealing pattern and electrically connected to the counter electrode by the sealing pattern, and the sealing pattern overlaps the second conductive layer via the second insulating film.
US08039851B2
In the field of opto-electronic technology, a three-dimensional (3D) light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting plate is described. The 3D LED light-emitting plate includes an aluminum substrate. The aluminum substrate is vertically disposed. Notches are formed on an upper side of the aluminum substrate in a thickness direction. LED chips are mounted in the notches. A flexible circuit layer is disposed on a surface of the aluminum substrate. Each LED chip is connected to a circuit of the flexible circuit layer by a gold wire. A fluorescent colloid light-emitting shell is disposed outside each LED chip correspondingly. A cavity is formed between the LED chip and the fluorescent colloid light-emitting shell. A lower portion of the fluorescent colloid light-emitting shell is fixed on the aluminum substrate. The 3D LED light-emitting plate effectively improves the luminous brightness and efficiency of an LED and enlarges an effective light-emitting angle, and alleviates the problem of non-uniform light pattern and light color, such that an LED white light lamp can achieve the luminous effect of a tungsten lamp. The fluorescent colloid light-emitting shell wraps the LED chip, which not only protects the LED chip from dust and produces white light, but is also suitable for use in a severe environment. Moreover, the production cost is reduced due to the simple structure.
US08039845B2
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for coupling semiconductor-based photonic devices to diamond. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photonic device is optically coupled with a diamond structure. The photonic device comprises a semiconductor material and is optically coupled with the diamond structure with an adhesive substance that adheres the photonic device to the diamond structure. A method for coupling the photonic device with the diamond structure is also provided. The method comprises: depositing a semiconductor material on the diamond structure; forming the photonic device in the semiconductor material so that the photonic device couples with the diamond structure; and adhering the photonic device to the diamond structure.
US08039844B2
This invention provides a top-gate microcrystalline thin film transistor and a method for manufacturing the same. An inversion layer channel is formed in a top interface of a microcrystalline active layer, and being separated from an incubation layer in a bottom interface of the microcrystalline active layer. The inversion layer channel is formed in the crystallized layer of the top interface of the microcrystalline active layer. As such, the present microcrystalline thin film transistor has better electrical performance and reliability.
US08039837B2
A semiconductor test structure includes a PFET transistor, having a source region, a drain region, a gate disposed between the source region and the drain region, a body disposed under the gate, and a body contact. The source region and drain region float, and the body contact is electrically connected to the body of the PFET transistor and to the ground. This grounds the body of the PFET transistor, and the body contact of the test structure is electrically connected to a capacitor that is electrically connected to ground.
US08039828B2
A semiconductor device such as a phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate including an active region, a conductive pattern disposed to expose the active region, an interlayer dielectric pattern provided on the conductive pattern and including an opening formed on the exposed active region and a contact hole spaced apart from the opening to expose the conductive pattern, a semiconductor pattern and a heater electrode pattern electrically connected to the exposed active region and provided in the opening, a contact plug connected to the exposed conductive pattern and provided to fill the contact hole, and a phase change material layer provided on the heater electrode pattern.
US08039824B2
The invention relates to a canister (1) for final repository of spent fuel elements from a nuclear reactor, comprising an insert (2) that contains said spent fuel elements, an inner copper casing (4a, 4b, 4c) that encloses the insert (2), and at least one outer casing (5a, 5b, 5c) that encloses the copper casting and that consists of a passive-film-forming metal or metal alloy, the passive film on the casing being constituted by an essentially oxidic film that is rich in one or more of the metals in the group of metals that consist of the metals zirconium, chromium and titanium.
US08039820B2
There is provided a connection device for connecting a first depressurization vessel to a second depressurization vessel. The connection device includes a communication hole comprising a first opening which is connected to the first depressurization vessel, and a second opening which is connected to the second depressurization vessel, the first opening and the second opening being, respectively, at opposite ends of the communication hole such that extreme ultraviolet radiation passes in a radiation direction from the first opening to the second opening; a gas inlet through which a gas flows into the communication hole in a direction perpendicular to the radiation direction of the extreme ultraviolet radiation; and a gas outlet which is opposed to the gas inlet such that the gas passes out the gas outlet.
US08039819B2
A device and a method for creating a spatial dose distribution in a medium volume (22) are described. A laser system produces laser pulses (12) with a pulse length shorter than 200 fs (femtoseconds) and is capable to be focused to peak intensities greater than 10^18 W/cm^2 (watts per centimeter squared). An electron source (18) is capable of releasing a high-energy electron pulse (20), in particular the electrons having an energy greater than 100 MeV, upon irradiation with said laser pulses (12) propagating into the medium volume (22). The light paths (52, 56,58) of at least some of the laser pulses (12) are adjustable in such a way that high-energy electron pulses (20) are emitted from the irradiated at least one electron source on different trajectories (20,28,60,62) through the medium volume (22) thereby depositing their dose in the medium volume (22) according to a provided pattern.
US08039816B2
To accurately obtain fluorescence intensity in a variable passband. Provided is a fluorescence observation apparatus including an excitation light source that emits excitation light; a Fabry-Perot resonator including a variable passband in which the wavelength of light that passes therethrough changes with changes in distance between the surfaces of optical members opposing each other with a distance therebetween, a fixed passband in which the wavelength of light that passes therethrough does not change irrespective of changes in the distance between the surfaces, and a transition band therebetween; an excitation-light cut filter that blocks passage of the excitation light; a band cut filter having a cut-off band including the transition band and not including the wavelength of the excitation light; and a photodetector that detects fluorescence that has passed through the Fabry-Perot resonator, the excitation-light cut filter, and the band cut filter.
US08039812B1
A method and device that provides independent temperature control of x-ray detector crystals, either singly or in small groups. In addition to a thermal control network for the crystals, electronic devices are associated with each detector crystal and are independently cooled using Peltier devices so that lifetime and reliability are maximized. In most operating environments the ambient temperature is less than the operating temperature of the detector crystals. In these situations, the heat removed from the electronics can be used to heat the detector crystals, resulting in efficient operation.
US08039811B1
A CMOS TDI image sensor consists of M pixels where each pixel is formed by a column of N TDI stages. Each TDI stage contains a photodiode that collects photo-charge and a pre-amplifier that proportionally converts the photo-charge to a voltage. Each TDI stage also has a set of capacitors, amplifiers, and switches for storage of the integrated signal voltages, where Correlated Double Sampling (CDS) technique (true or pseudo) maintains both photo-signal and reset voltages simultaneously. The CDS signal voltages can be passed from one TDI stage to the next TDI stage along a column for summing. The CDS signal voltages of the last TDI stages of M pixels are read out with a differential amplifier. This CMOS TDI structure is especially advantageous for implementing X-ray scanning detector systems requiring large pixel sizes and signal processing circuitry that is physically separated from the photodiode array for X-ray shielding.
US08039807B2
A part of exposure beam through a liquid (LQ) via a projection optical system (PL) enters a light-transmitting section (44), enters an optical member (41) without passing through gas, and is focused. The exposure apparatus receives the exposure light from the projection optical system to perform various measurements even if the numerical aperture of the projection optical system increases.
US08039802B2
Provided are an apparatus for generating/detecting terahertz wave and a method of manufacturing the same. The apparatus includes a substrate, a photo conductive layer, a first electrode and a second electrode, and a lens. The photo conductive layer is formed on an entire surface of the substrate. The first electrode and a second electrode formed on the photo conductive layer. The first and second electrodes are spaced from each other by a certain gap. The lens is formed on the first and second electrodes. The lens is filled in the gap between the first and second electrodes.
US08039792B2
A gamma ray detector uses a scintillation detector having a response that matches a response characteristic of a photodiode. The detector may be used to measure natural gamma rays and/or gamma rays produced by interaction of neutrons from a neutron source with the earth formation.
US08039791B2
An example method for determining a partial density of a compound in a downhole fluid may comprise exposing the downhole fluid to an electromagnetic radiation, and measuring a spectrum of radiation absorption by the downhole fluid. An absorption peak of the compound may be identified in the measured spectrum. A first parameter indicative of radiation absorption by the downhole fluid may be determined in the identified absorption peak. Second and third parameters indicative of radiation absorptions by the downhole fluid may be determined essentially out of the identified absorption peak. A weighted combination of the second and third parameters may be computed, and the partial density of the compound may be determined from a difference between the weighted combination and the first parameter.
US08039790B2
Methods and phantoms for verification in radiotherapy systems. A phantom for verification in a radiotherapy system may include a body to support a detector surface for obtaining a panoramic image of individual radiation beams in the radiotherapy system. The detector surface may be positioned in an intermediate region between the one or more sources and a target isocenter of the radiotherapy system. The detector surface may at least partially surround the target isocenter.
US08039776B2
A wavefront microscope or camera utilizes a wavefront sensor to measure the local intensity and phase gradient of the wavefront and output image maps based on the intensity and phase gradient. A wavefront sensor provides a metal film having patterned structured two dimensional (2D) apertures that convert a phase gradient of a wavefront into a measurable form onto a photodetector array. A computer is used to analyze the data by separating signals projected and recorded on the array from the different apertures, predict a center of each projection, and sum signals for each projection to display the intensity while determining a center position change/offset from the predicted center to display the phase gradient of the wavefront.
US08039770B2
A movable arm assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus including a stationary contact and an operating mechanism. The arm assembly includes a biasing member and an arm member having a first end, an opposite second end, a pivot point therebetween, and a portion having a longitudinal axis. A movable contact is disposed at or about the first end. The arm member engages a crossbar member at or about the pivot point such that the arm member can pivot from a first position to a second position. The biasing member engages the arm member at a point between the pivot point and the second end and includes a portion that engages and biases against a housings of the crossbar member. The longitudinal axis of the portion of the arm member is oriented generally parallel to the portion of the biasing member when the arm member is at the first position.
US08039769B2
The invention concerns an armrest mounted joystick for communication of operator initiated control signals to a vehicle controller. A plurality of switches require that the operator be safely located in the operation position in order for the control signals to reach the vehicle controller. Only when all of the switches change state, at substantially the same time, does the joystick either activate or de-activate, in response.
US08039766B2
An article 12 includes at least one component 28, 52, 54, 56, 58 moveable with respect to a ground. A load path extends from the component to the ground and includes a force detector 34. If one of the moveable components is requested to move in a way considered to be risky, and if a force discrepancy is detected, an action is commanded. In one specific embodiment the action is a corrective action. In one application of the disclosed subject matter the article is a hospital bed, the moveable components are a weigh frame and various deck sections, and the force detector is a load cell.
US08039756B2
A multilayered wiring board has electrodes disposed on a first surface and a second surface, alternately layered insulation layers and wiring layers, and vias that are disposed in the insulation layer and electrically connect the wiring layers. The second electrode disposed on the second surface is embedded in the insulation layer exposed on said second surface, and the second wiring layer covered by the insulation layer exposed on said second surface does not have a layer for improving adhesion to the insulation layer.
US08039754B2
A conductor carrier includes a base insulating film, a contact insulating film, at least one first printed conductor and one second printed conductor. The contact insulating film includes at least one first recess and one second recess. The printed conductors are embedded between the two insulating films and each forms a first overlapping region with the first or second recess of the contact insulating film. The conductor carrier also includes an insulating region which separates the first printed conductor from the second printed conductor in an insulating manner due to the contact insulating film being less raised than outside the insulating region, and extends between the first and second recesses of the contact insulating film in a meandering manner. A configuration having the conductor carrier is also provided.
US08039753B2
A flexible printed circuit board includes a first substrate portion having at least one first terminal, a second substrate portion in communication with the first substrate portion and having at least one circuit device, a connection substrate portion in communication with the second substrate portion, the connection substrate portion extending away from the second substrate portion in a same direction as the first substrate portion, and a third substrate portion in communication with the connection substrate portion, the third substrate portion having at least one second terminal.
US08039752B2
A heat dissipating structure of a print circuit board to improve heat-dissipation efficiency for mounted electronic components while retaining required soldering strength is disclosed.The heat dissipation structure of a print circuit board comprising a stack of multiple layers including a mounting surface layer on which electronic components including heat generating components are soldered. On both sides of the print circuit board, inner vias bore surface layers but inner layers are not bored. Core vias bore the inner layers in the print circuit board but the surface layers are not bored. The inner vias and the core vias are positioned at the predetermined distance over the layer surface. Heat from heat generating components is conducted through the inner vias on surface layers and the core vias inside the circuit board to the outside, high efficiency of the heat-dissipation is achieved.
US08039745B2
A cable strain relief module assembly for securing a cable and providing strain relief is described. The cable strain relief module assembly includes a module and a twist nut. The module has a male threaded portion and the twist nut has a female threaded portion. A portion of a cable may be captivated between the male threaded portion of the module and the female portion of the twist nut when the module and twist nut are engaged.
US08039740B2
A single P-N junction solar cell is provided having two depletion regions for charge separation while allowing the electrons and holes to recombine such that the voltages associated with both depletion regions of the solar cell will add together. The single p-n junction solar cell includes an alloy of either InGaN or InAlN formed on one side of the P-N junction with Si formed on the other side in order to produce characteristics of a two junction (2J) tandem solar cell through only a single P-N junction. A single P-N junction solar cell having tandem solar cell characteristics will achieve power conversion efficiencies exceeding 30%.
US08039726B2
A device includes a first thermally conductive substrate having a first patterned electrode disposed thereon and a second thermally conductive substrate having a second patterned electrode disposed thereon, wherein the first and second thermally conductive substrates are arranged such that the first and second patterned electrodes are adjacent to one another. The device includes a plurality of nanowires disposed between the first and second patterned electrodes, wherein the plurality of nanowires is formed of a thermoelectric material. The device also includes a joining material disposed between the plurality of nanowires and at least one of the first and second patterned electrodes.
US08039725B2
An electronic keyboard instrument that emits sounds in both upward and downward directions from speakers solely for upward sound emission and from speakers solely for downward sound emission to realize acoustics similar to that of acoustic piano, and constitutes rear parts of resonance chambers in a speaker box by a common partition plate to prevent the speaker box from becoming complicated in construction. Woofers directed downward are disposed at a lower part of the speaker box, and squawker directed upward are disposed at an upper part of the speaker box. The internal space of the speaker box is partitioned by one horizontal partition plate into an upper space where resonance chambers for the squawkers are defined by vertical partition plates and a lower space where resonance chambers for the woofers are defined by vertical partition plates. Rear parts of the resonance chambers are constituted by the horizontal partition plate.
US08039719B2
A novel double haploid maize line designated PHWWD and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing double haploid maize line PHWWD with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHWWD through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the double haploid line PHWWD or a trait conversion of PHWWD with another maize line. Inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PHWWD, methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PHWWD and the inbred maize lines and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US08039718B2
An inbred corn line, designated BB33, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line BB33, to the plants and plant parts of inbred corn line BB33 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing inbred corn line BB33 with itself or another corn line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line BB33.
US08039711B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH110135. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH110135, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH110135 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 CH110135.
US08039708B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH550494. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH550494, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH550494 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 CH550494.
US08039696B2
A soybean cultivar designated 8023330 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 8023330, to the plants of soybean 8023330, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 8023330 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 8023330 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 8023330, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 8023330 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 8023330 with another soybean cultivar.
US08039688B2
Transgenic plants with increased resistance to geminivirus infection, and nucleic acid constructs useful in producing such plants, are described. In addition, methods of making the transgenic plants of the present invention are included. The transgenic plants express a mutant AL1/C1 geminivirus protein, which increases resistance to infection by at least one geminivirus, compared to a non-transformed control plant.
US08039686B2
This invention provides methods for monitoring QTL effects and marker assisted selection (MAS) involving providing a recursively determined correlation between one or more markers and a phenotype of interest.
US08039672B2
The invention relates to a method of obtaining 3,3-diphenylpropylamines (I), wherein R1 is H, alkyl, haloalkyl or alkoxyalkyl, R2 is alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, NO2, CN, CHO, which may be free or protected, CH2OH or COOR6, and R3 and R4 are selected independently from H and alkyl or together with the nitrogen to which they are bound form a ring having 3 to 7 members. The inventive method consists in reacting a propylenephenylamine and a disubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon and, if necessary, separating the desired enantiomer or the mixture of enantiomers, and/or converting the compound (I) into a salt. Compounds (I) are muscarinic receptor antagonists which can be used in the treatment of urinary incontinence and other symptoms of urinary bladder hyperactivity. Said compounds include tolterodine.
US08039668B2
Methods of using apogossypol and its derivatives for treating inflammation is disclosed. Also, there is described a group of compounds having structure A, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, N-oxide, or solvate thereof are provided: wherein each R is independently H, C(O)X, C(O)NHX, NH(CO)X, SO2NHX, or NHSO2X, wherein X is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, heterocycle, or substituted heterocycle. Compounds of group A may be used for treating various diseases or disorders, such as cancer.
US08039664B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing butanediol dimethacrylates, which comprises the transesterification of butanediol with an ester of methacrylic acid in the presence of catalysts, wherein a combination comprising at least one lithium compound and at least one calcium compound is used as catalyst, at least one of the compounds of lithium and/or of calcium is an oxide, a hydroxide, an alkoxide having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a carboxylate having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and at least part of the reaction is carried out in the presence of an effective amount of water. The process of the invention makes a particularly inexpensive preparation of butanediol dimethacrylates having a very high purity possible.
US08039663B2
The invention is based on the discovery that certain well-defined compounds derived from pentacyclopentadecane dimethanol are useful components in adhesive formulations. In particular, the invention compounds described herein provide high Tg values and low shrinkage. Compounds of the invention are useful as adhesives for use in the semiconductor packaging industry.
US08039662B2
The present invention describes a process for the synthesis of an amino acid methyl ester comprising the following steps: (a) refluxing a reaction mixture comprising a free amino acid, methanol and a strong acid; (b) concentrating the mixture; (c) adding methanol; (d) repeating steps a-c one or more times.
US08039653B2
Methods, particles, and devices are disclosed for filtration of oil for use of the oil in the preparation of biodiesel. Disclosed particles may comprise a substantially inert porous particle with a coating comprising a polymer having amine, amino, and/or imine group(s).
US08039650B2
A diamine and an epihalohydrin are subjected to ring-opening addition reaction in the presence of water, to thereby produce a tetrahalohydrinamino compound (i.e., halohydrin compound). Thereafter, the halohydrin compound is reacted with an alkali metal hydroxide in the co-presence of a phase-transfer catalyst, to thereby allow cyclization reaction to proceed. An alkali metal halide by-produced during the cyclization reaction is dissolved in water and removed through phase separation. The resultant organic layer is washed with water for phase separation. Then, a crude tetraglycidylamino compound obtained by recovering unreacted epihalohydrin through evaporation is dissolved in an organic solvent and washed with water for phase separation. Subsequently, the organic solvent is recovered through evaporation under reduced pressure with heating, to thereby isolate a tetraglycidylamino compound (i.e., a product of interest). An aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution is added to the organic solvent recovered through evaporation, followed by thermal treatment. The thus-purified organic solvent is recycled. This method can effectively produce, at low cost, a tetraglycidylamino compound (i.e., a product of interest) of reliable quality having low residual epihalohydrin and hydrolyzable halogen contents.
US08039635B2
N-hydroxy-4-{5-[4-(5-isopropyl-2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)phenoxy]pentoxy} benzamidine 2 ethansulfonic acid salt, a process for the preparation thereof, a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating osteoporosis, bone fractures or allergic inflammatory diseases, comprising the same, and an oral formulation for preventing and treating osteoporosis, bone fractures or allergic inflammatory diseases, comprising the same are described.
US08039625B2
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include coronene charge-transport materials, methods of forming coronene charge-transport materials, and methods of using the coronene charge-transport materials.
US08039623B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or mixtures thereof that inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus NS3-NS4A protease. As such, they act by interfering with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The invention further relates to compositions comprising these compounds either for ex vivo use or for administration to a patient suffering from HCV infection and to processes for preparing the compounds. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a patient by administering a composition comprising a compound of this invention. The invention further relates to processes for preparing these compounds.
US08039617B2
A method for selectively producing stable alpha form crystals of sapropterin hydrochloride is provided. In this method, the alpha form crystal of sapropterin hydrochloride is produced by dissolving sapropterin hydrochloride with hydrochloric acid at a concentration of not less than 4 mol/L at not less than 70 degrees C.; adding heated ethanol to the solution; and cooling the solution at a cooling rate of not faster than 3 degrees C./min to a temperature of 40 to 55 degrees C. to precipitate the crystals.
US08039610B2
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to nucleotide sequences for SOD1.
US08039599B1
Monoclonal antibodies to rapamycin and to 40-O-alkylated derivatives of rapamycin are provided, together with novel haptens, immunogenic conjugates, and processes for making them and assay kits for using them.
US08039588B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods related to variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs).
US08039585B2
Unregulated angiogenesis is associated with a variety of pathological conditions. Tumor growth and metastasis is dependent on the development of new blood vessels. The development of new blood vessels in the eye, or ocular neovascularization, has been implicated in a variety of serious ocular diseases. For instance, choroidal neovascularization is linked to age-related macular degeneration, while retinal neovascularization is linked to diabetic retinopathy. The present invention is based on the discovery of a peptide sequence, C16Y, which inhibits ocular neovascularization and tumor growth in vivo. C16Y is a scrambled version of the C16 peptide sequence from the y1 chain of laminin-1. Unlike C16, which is an angiogenic stimulator, C16Y has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis. The present invention discloses methods of treating ocular neovascularization and cancer using both full-length and truncated versions of the C16Y.
US08039579B2
Methods for forming maleimide functionalized polymers are provided. In one such embodiment, a maleimide functionalized polymer is prepared in a method that includes a step of carrying out a reverse Diels-Alder reaction. Intermediates useful in the methods, as well as methods for preparing the intermediates, are also provided. Also provided are polymeric reagents, methods of using polymeric reagents, compounds and conjugates.
US08039578B2
A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing. In one embodiment, the process comprises (a) forming polyester polymer particles from a polyester polymer melt; (b) quenching at least a portion of the particles, (c) drying at least a portion of the particles, (d) crystallizing at least a portion of the particles, (e) annealing at least a portion of the particles. At all points during and between steps (b) through (e), the average bulk temperature of the particles is maintained above 165° C.
US08039577B2
Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein titanium nitride particles that provide one or more of the following advantages: improving the reheat properties of the compositions, improving the color of the compositions through reduced yellowness, and improving the UV-blocking properties of the compositions. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The titanium nitride particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable, or decreased yellowness is desired, or increased resistance to the effects of ultraviolet light is desired, or any combination of the foregoing.
US08039575B2
Provided are a polycarbonate resin composition containing a glass filler, which is excellent in transparency, strength, and heat resistance and provided with high flame retardancy even without using a flame retardant, and a polycarbonate resin molded article obtained by molding the resin composition. The flame-retardant polycarbonate resin composition contains a combination including (A) 55 to 95 mass % of an aromatic polycarbonate resin containing a polycarbonate-polyorganosiloxane copolymer and (B) 45 to 5 mass % of a glass filler having a refractive index smaller or larger than a refractive index of the aromatic polycarbonate resin by 0.002 or less, and (C) 0.05 to 20.0 parts by mass of a silicone compound having a reactive functional group with respect to 100 parts by mass of the combination. The polycarbonate resin molded article has a thickness of 0.3 to 10 mm which is obtained by molding the composition.
US08039567B2
Disclosed herein are an alternating copolymer of phenylene vinylene and biarylene vinylene, a preparation method thereof, and an organic thin film transistor including the same. The organic thin film transistor maintains low off-state leakage current and realizes a high on/off current ratio and high charge mobility because the organic active layer thereof is formed of an alternating copolymer of phenylene vinylene and biarylene vinylene.
US08039566B2
This invention relates to olefin metathesis catalysts general formula (I): having a thiazol-2-ylidene ligand of general formula (II): The catalysts have been found to be particularly good initiators of (a) ring-closing metathesis reactions used to prepare tetra-substituted cyclic olefins, and (b) cross-metathesis reactions used to prepare tri-substituted and di-substituted olefins.
US08039556B2
The present invention provides bimodal polyethylene resins in which the high molecular weight ethylene copolymer component typically has a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution, with short chain branching content being substantially constant across its molecular weight distribution. The resins of this invention are typically characterized by improved toughness and resistance to slow crack propagation properties making them useful for pressure pipe applications.
US08039548B2
A process for purification of a hydroxycarboxylic acid by distillation, comprising: distilling a hydroxycarboxylic acid solution containing a high-boiling point hydroxy compound comprising at least one species selected from the group consisting of alcohols and phenols having a higher boiling point than the hydroxycarboxylic acid. As a result, a hydroxycarboxylic acid suitable as a starting material for production of a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid can be obtained. The purified hydroxycarboxylic acid is further polycondensed to provide a hydroxycarboxylic acid oligomer, which is de-polymerized to provide a cyclic ester comprising a dimer of the hydroxycarboxylic acid, and the cyclic ester is converted into a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid by ring-opening polymerization thereof.
US08039544B2
A composition includes a first cylcoolefin substituted with at least one epoxy group and an aromatic amine. The composition is capable of bonding to a filler having a corresponding binding site. The composition is compatible with a metathesis catalyst capable of catalyzing a ring-opening metathesis polymerization reaction when contacted with the first cycloolefin. An associated method is also provided.
US08039537B2
A modified bismaleimide resin of Formula (I) or (II) is provided. In Formula (I) or (II), Q is —CH2—, —C(CH3)2—, —O—, —S—, —SO2— or null, R is —(CH2)2—, —(CH2)6—, —(CH2)8—, —(CH2)12—, —CH2—C(CH3)2—CH2—CH(CH3)—CH2—CH2—, 10
US08039528B2
A method for the manufacture of an adhesive id described, comprising: (A) Providing an initial reaction product of a solution polymerization reaction, the initial reaction product comprising polymer, unreacted polymerizable reactant, non-polymerizable material, and solvent; and (B) Purifying the initial reaction product by adding an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent to the initial reaction product and allowing the unreacted polymerizable reactant in the initial reaction product to further react, thereby providing a second reaction product comprising additional polymer and a lower level of unreacted polymerizable reactant than was present in the initial reaction product. Optionally, the method of the invention may further comprise: Precipitating the polymer from the second reaction product to provide a precipitated polymer, and separating the precipitated polymer from the remainder of the second reaction product, the precipitated polymer comprising a lower level of non-polymerizable material or unreacted polymerizable reactant or both non-polymerizable material and unreacted polymerizable reactant than was present in the second reaction product.
US08039527B2
The present invention describes polymer compositions containing boron nitride particles that are encapsulated in layers of turbostratic carbon. The polymers so prepared exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity.
US08039524B2
A grafting reagent and related method of using the reagent to form a polymeric layer on a support surface, and particularly a porous support surface, in a manner that provides and/or preserves desired properties (such as porosity) of the surface. The reagent and method can be used to provide a thin, conformable, uniform, uncrosslinked coating having desired properties onto the surface of a preformed, and particularly a porous, polymeric substrate. The method includes the steps of a) providing a porous support surface, b) providing a nonpolymeric grafting reagent comprising a photoinitator group, c) providing one or more polymerizable monomers adapted to be contacted with the surface, in the presence of the grafting reagent, and to be polymerized upon activation of the photoinitiator; and d) applying the grafting reagent and monomer(s) to the surface in a manner, and under conditions, suitable to coat the surface with the grafting reagent and to cause the polymerization of monomers to the surface upon activation of the grafting reagent.
US08039523B2
A resin composition for pressure-foam molding, which comprises an ethylene-based copolymer and a foaming agent, wherein the ethylene-based copolymer has monomer units derived from ethylene and monomer units derived from an a-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, has a melt flow rate of 0.01 to 0.7 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution of 5 or more determined by a gel permeation chromatography, an activation energy of flow of 40 kJ/mol or more, and inflection points of 3 or less on a melting curve within temperature range from 25° C. to the end point of melting obtained by a differential scanning calorimetry; a foam obtained by press foaming; and a process for producing the foam.
US08039516B2
Methods for concomitant administration of colchicine together with one or more macrolide antibiotics, e.g., clarithromycin, are disclosed. Such methods reduce the dangers commonly associated with such concomitant administration and provide additional benefits.
US08039515B2
Methods for concomitant administration of colchicine together with one or more macrolide antibiotics, e.g., clarithromycin, are disclosed. Such methods reduce the dangers commonly associated with such concomitant administration and provide additional benefits.
US08039512B2
A process for the production of fats or oils and their extracts containing biologically active chemical compounds from a lipid substrate, the process comprising: a) inoculation of a lipid substrate with fungally derived lipolytic enzymes; b) incubating the inoculated substrate for a period of between about 7-120 days at a temperature of between about 435° C., at a humidity of between about 75-100%, and c) processing said substrate mixture to obtain a biologically active fat or oil.
US08039501B2
This invention provides compounds having the structural formula: wherein: R1 is an acyl or sulfonyl group, R2 is an acyl group selected from the group consisting of acyl groups derived from cycloaliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic monocarboxylic acids, imidazolylcarbonyl and triazolylcarbonyl, and R3 is hydrogen or an amino-protecting group, a stereoisomer thereof, a solvate thereof, or a salt thereof, being useful as anti-inflammatory agents and anti-cancer agents.
US08039475B2
The invention relates to compositions and co-crystals each comprising (1S,3aR,6aS)-2-[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-Cyclohexyl-2-(pyrazine-2-carbonylamino)acetyl]amino]-3,3-dimethylbutanoyl]-N-[(3S)-1-(cyclopropylamino)-1,2-dioxohexan-3-yl]-3,3a,4,5,6,6a-hexahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrole-1-carboxamide having the structure: and the co-crystal former salicylic acid. Also within the scope of this invention are methods of making and using the same.
US08039467B2
This invention relates to compounds of the Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or isomer thereof, which can be useful for the treatment of diseases or conditions mediated by MMPs, ADAMs, TACE, TNF-α or combinations thereof.
US08039466B2
The invention relates to novel chimeric antibiotics of formula I wherein R1 represents OH, OPO3H2 or OCOR5; R2 represents H, OH or OPO3H2; R3 represents H or halogen; R4 is H, (C1-C3)alkyl, or cycloalkyl; R5 represents piperidin-4-yl or R5 is the residue of a naturally occurring amino acid, of the enantiomer of a naturally occurring amino acid or of dimethylaminoglycine; n is 0 or 1; and to salts (in particular pharmaceutically acceptable salts) of compounds of formula I. These chimeric compounds are useful in the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of infections (e.g. bacterial infections).
US08039464B2
The present invention relates generally to the cytoprotective activity of mixed muscarinic inhibition/PARP modulation and in particular to the use of dual inhibitors of M1 muscarinic receptor and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) as epithelioprotective medicaments, particularly as medicaments for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one of the common lung diseases associated with a significant inflammatory component such as severe sepsis, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cystic fibrosis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, pneumoconiosis or lung cancer. Particularly preferred compounds are condensed diazepinones, e.g. condensed benzodiazepinones such as pirenzepine or compounds which are metabolized to condensed benzodiazepinones such as olanzapine.
US08039453B2
The present invention relates to derivatives of vinca alkaloids. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds as well as processes of preparation and treatment of various conditions are also disclosed.
US08039452B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a medicinal composition useful for external application in the treatment of a fungal infection reaching the lower part of a thick keratin layer. Provided is an antifungal medicinal composition, comprising: (1) a film-forming agent; (2) a water-soluble plasticizer in a form of a solid or a paste at 20° C. at 1 atm; and (3) an antifungal compound represented by a general formula (1) and/or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
US08039450B2
Compounds and methods of treating anti-inflammatory conditions are disclosed.
US08039449B2
A hemostatic powder comprises a chitosan salt together with at least one inert material. The disclosure also relates to hemostatic powders into which fluid penetrability is 0.5 cm or more within 1 minute. At least one medical surfactant may optionally be included. The hemostatic powders may be incorporated into wound dressings.
US08039447B2
The present invention relates to the use of a compound having the formula (I) wherein: n represents an integer varying from 720 to 6 200, and i varies from 1 to n, Ri represents in particular OH, or a group of the formula (III) wherein k represents an integer varying from 1 to 17, and R′i represents a linear or branched alkyl chain comprising p carbon atoms, wherein p is an integer varying from 1 to 17, with the proviso that k+p is not greater than 28, and preferably not greater than 20, and wherein at least one Ri group represents a group of formula (III), for the preparation of a viscoelastic composition.
US08039445B2
The present invention relates, generally, to improved methods of delivering a biologically active agent, in particular a therapeutic or prophylactic nucleic acid, to the ocular sphere of a subject comprising administering said agent to the ciliary body tissue(s) or cells and/or to the extra-ocular muscle tissue or cells. More particularly, the invention relates to devices, their uses, notably in gene therapy, and to methods for treating pathologies of the ocular sphere by specific ciliary body tissue(s) or cells and/or extra-ocular muscle or cells administration of a therapeutic product and transfer thereof into the ocular tissue to be treated. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the product in a form suitable for ciliary body tissue(s) or cells and/or extra-ocular muscle or cells administration, their preparation and uses.
US08039441B2
Glucopyranosyl-substituted cyclopropyl-benzene derivatives defined according to claim 1, including the tautomers, the stereoisomers thereof, the mixtures thereof and the salts thereof. The compounds according to the invention are suitable for the treatment of metabolic disorders.
US08039440B2
Novel peptidic or peptidomimetic agents or small molecules for modulating the biological effect of a chemokine. According to the present invention, the therapeutic agents preferably are endowed with the capacity to bind to certain chemokines in order to modulate the biological interaction between the target ligand, chemokine, and the respective target receptor, chemokine receptor. These peptides may be described as agonist ligands or antagonists. Next, preferably certain peptides share consensus sequences are described which characterize the families or categories of these modulator peptides.
US08039435B2
The present invention is directed to compounds according to formula, (R2R3)-A1-c(A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9)-A10-R1, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof that act as ligands for one or more of the melanocortin receptors, to methods of using such compounds to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds.
US08039419B2
The invention provides a heat sensitive recording material comprising heat sensitive recording layer provided on a support and having a hollow particle and a heat sensitive coloring component.
US08039415B2
A honeycomb structure includes large-volume cells and small-volume cells with a cell wall therebetween; a plug sealing at either one of end portions of the cells; and a catalyst supported on the cell wall. The large-volume cell has a larger cross-sectional area perpendicular to its longitudinal direction than that of the small-volume cell. The large-volume cell is sealed at one end portion of the honeycomb structure, while the small-volume cell is sealed at the other end portion of the honeycomb structure. The catalyst is supported only on the cell walls forming the large-volume cells, or on both of the cell walls forming said large-volume cells and the cell walls forming said small-volume cells. An amount of the catalyst supported on the cell walls forming the large-volume cells is larger per unit volume than that on the cell walls forming the small-volume cells.
US08039414B2
A method for preparing a metal catalyst includes a proton conductive material coating layer formed on the surface of a conductive material. Also, an electrode may be prepared using the metal catalyst. The method for preparing the metal catalyst comprises mixing the conductive catalyst material, the proton conductive material, and a first solvent, casting the mixture onto a supporting layer and drying the mixture to form a conductive catalyst containing film. The method further comprises separating the conductive catalyst containing film from the supporting layer and pulverizing the conductive catalyst containing film to obtain the metal catalyst. The method for preparing the electrode comprises mixing the metal catalyst with a hydrophobic binder and a second solvent, coating the mixture on an electrode support, and drying it.
US08039406B2
A method of filling a gap on a substrate comprises disposing the substrate, on which the gap is formed, on a susceptor in a chamber; applying a source power to the chamber to generate plasmas into the chamber; supplying a process gas into the chamber; filling a thin film into a gap by applying a first bias power to the susceptor, an amplitude of the first bias power being periodically modulated; stopping supply of the process gas and cutting off the first bias power; and extinguish the plasmas in the chamber.
US08039405B2
A method for producing a conductive oxide-deposited substrate including depositing a conductive oxide thin film over a substrate, subjecting the conductive oxide thin film to heat treatment by irradiating with a condensed laser beam so as to be thermally changed in part, and subjecting the conductive oxide thin film to etching treatment so as to remove a part which has not been thermally changed, wherein the conductive oxide thin film absorbs the laser beam, and at least a part of the conductive oxide thin film is an amorphous phase.
US08039403B2
In a manufacturing method of a thin film transistor (1), the oxide film forming step is performed whereby: a process-target substrate (2) having a surface on which a gate oxide film (4) should be formed is immersed in an oxidizing solution containing an active oxidizing species; and a gate oxide film (4) is formed through direct oxidation of polycrystalline silicon (51) on the process-target substrate (2). With this step, a silicon dioxide film (42) is formed while growing a silicon dioxide film (41) on the process-target substrate 2. Accordingly, the interface between the polycrystalline silicon (51) and the gate oxide film (4) is kept clean. The gate oxide film (4) is uniformly formed with excellent quality in insulation tolerance and other properties. Therefore, the thin film transistor (1) contains a high quality oxide film with excellent insulation tolerance and other properties which can be formed at low temperature.
US08039392B2
A memory device has a sidewall insulating member with a sidewall insulating member length according to a first spacer layer thickness. A first electrode formed from a second spacer layer having a first electrode length according to a thickness of a second spacer layer and a second electrode formed from the second spacer layer having a second electrode length according to the thickness of the second spacer layer are formed on sidewalls of the sidewall insulating member. A bridge of memory material having a bridge width extends from a top surface of the first electrode to a top surface of the second electrode across a top surface of the sidewall insulating member, wherein the bridge comprises memory material.
US08039390B2
The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a groove forming step of forming a groove in an insulating layer made of an insulating material containing Si and O; an alloy film applying step of covering the side surface and the bottom surface of the groove with an alloy film made of an alloy material containing Cu and Mn by sputtering; a thinning step of reducing the thickness of a portion of the alloy film covering the bottom surface of the groove; a wire forming step of forming a Cu wire made of a metallic material mainly composed of Cu in the groove after the thinning step; and a barrier film forming step of forming a barrier film made of MnSiO between the Cu wire and the insulating layer by heat treatment.
US08039388B1
The embodiments of methods described in this disclosure for trimming back nitride spacers for replacement gates allows the hard mask layers (or hard mask) to protect the polysilicon above the high-K dielectric during trim back process. The process sequence also allows determining the trim-back amount based on the process uniformity (or control) of nitride deposition and nitride etchback (or trimming) processes. Nitride spacer trim-back process integration is critical to avoid creating undesirable consequences, such as silicided polyisicon on top of high-K dielectric described above. The integrated process also allows widening the space between the gate structures to allow formation of silicide with good quality and allow contact plugs to have sufficient contact with the silicide regions. The silicide with good quality and good contact between the contact plugs and the silicide regions increase the yield of contact and allows the contact resistance to be in acceptable and workable ranges.
US08039383B2
A masking layer is formed on a dielectric region of an electronic device so that, during subsequent formation of a capping layer on electrically conductive regions of the electronic device that are separated by the dielectric region, the masking layer inhibits formation of capping layer material on or in the dielectric region. The capping layer can be formed selectively on the electrically conductive regions or non-selectively; in either case (particularly in the latter), capping layer material formed over the dielectric region can subsequently be removed, thus ensuring that capping layer material is formed only on the electrically conductive regions. Silane-based materials, such as silane-based SAMs, can be used to form the masking layer. The capping layer can be formed of an electrically conductive material (e.g., a cobalt alloy, a nickel alloy, tungsten, tantalum, tantalum nitride), a semiconductor material, or an electrically insulative material, and can be formed using any appropriate process, including conventional deposition processes such as electroless deposition, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition.
US08039374B2
Techniques for low temperature ion implantation are provided to improve throughput. Specifically, the pressure of the backside gas may temporarily, continually or continuously increase before the starting of the implant process, such that the wafer may be quickly cooled down from room temperature to be essentially equal to the prescribed implant temperature. Further, after the vacuum venting process, the wafer may wait an extra time in the load lock chamber before the wafer is moved out the ion implanter, in order to allow the wafer temperature to reach a higher temperature quickly for minimizing water condensation on the wafer surface. Furthermore, to accurately monitor the wafer temperature during a period of changing wafer temperature, a non-contact type temperature measuring device may be used to monitor wafer temperature in a real time manner with minimized condensation.
US08039368B2
Disclosed are methods of fabricating nanogaps and various devices composed of nanogaps. The nanogap devices disclosed herein can be used as in a number of electronic, photonic and quantum mechanical devices, including field-effect transistors and logic circuits.
US08039365B2
An integrated circuit package system that includes providing a wafer level spacer including apertures, which define unit spacers that are interconnected, and configuring the unit spacers to substantially align over devices formed within a substrate.
US08039364B2
An adhesive layer of which thickness is over 25 μm and a dicing tape are laminated on a rear surface of a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer is cut together with a part of the adhesive layer by using a first blade of which cutting depth reaches the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is cut together with a part of the dicing tape by using a second blade of which cutting depth reaches the dicing tape and of which width is narrower than the first blade. A semiconductor element sectioned by cutting the semiconductor wafer with the adhesive layer is picked up from the dicing tape, and is adhered on another semiconductor element or a circuit board.
US08039361B2
The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a multilayered semiconductor wafer comprising a handle wafer (5) and a layer (40) comprising silicon carbide bonded to the handle wafer (5), the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a handle wafer (5), b) providing a donor wafer (1) comprising a donor layer (2) and a remainder (3) of the donor wafer, the donor layer (2) comprising monocrystalline silicon, e) bonding the donor layer (2) of the donor wafer (1) to the handle wafer (5), and f) removing the remainder (3) of the donor wafer in order to expose the donor layer (2) which remains bonded to the handle wafer (5), the process being characterized by further steps of c) implanting carbon ions into the donor layer (2) in order to produce a layer (4) comprising implanted carbon, and d) heat-treating the donor layer (2) comprising the layer (4) comprising implanted carbon in order to form a silicon carbide donor layer (44) in at least part of the donor layer (2). The invention also relates to a multilayered semiconductor wafer comprising a handle wafer (5) and a silicon carbide donor layer (44) which is bonded to the handle wafer (5), wherein the silicon carbide donor layer (44) is free of twins and free of additional silicon carbide polytypes, as determined by X-ray diffraction.
US08039357B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming voids within semiconductor constructions. In some embodiments the voids may be utilized as microstructures for distributing coolant, for guiding electromagnetic radiation, or for separation and/or characterization of materials. Some embodiments include constructions having micro-structures therein which correspond to voids, conduits, insulative structures, semiconductor structures or conductive structures.
US08039350B2
Methods of fabricating metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistors having elevated source/drain regions are provided. The MOS transistors formed by these methods may include a gate pattern formed to cross over a predetermined region of a substrate. Recessed regions are provided in the substrate adjacent to the gate pattern. Epitaxial layers are provided on bottom surfaces of the recessed regions. High concentration impurity regions are provided in the epitaxial layers. The recessed regions may be formed using a chemical dry etching techniques.
US08039349B2
Embodiments of a method are provided for fabricating a non-planar semiconductor device including a substrate having a plurality of raised crystalline structures formed thereon. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of amorphorizing a portion of each raised crystalline structure included within the plurality of raised crystalline structures, forming a sacrificial strain layer over the plurality of raised crystalline structures to apply stress to the amorphized portion of each raised crystalline structure, annealing the non-planar semiconductor device to recrystallize the amorphized portion of each raised crystalline structure in a stress-memorized state, and removing the sacrificial strain layer.
US08039345B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device may include forming a first pattern on a substrate, and forming a first dielectric layer on the first pattern. The first pattern may be between portions of the first dielectric layer and the substrate. A second dielectric layer may be formed on the first dielectric layer, and the first dielectric layer may be between the first pattern and the second dielectric layer. A second pattern may be formed on the second dielectric layer. Portions of the second dielectric layer may be exposed by the second pattern, and the first and second dielectric layers may be between portions of the first and second patterns. The exposed portions of the second dielectric layer may be isotropically etched.
US08039328B2
A process for forming a trench Schottky barrier device includes the forming of an oxide layer within the trenches in the surface of a silicon wafer, and then depositing a full continuous metal barrier layer over the full upper surface of the wafer including the trench interiors and the mesas between trenches with a barrier contact made to the mesas only. Palladium, titanium or any conventional barrier metal can be used.
US08039327B2
A transistor forming method includes forming a dielectric spacer in a trench surrounding an active area island, forming line openings through the spacer, and forming a gate line extending through the line openings, over opposing sidewalls, and over a top of the fin. Source/drain regions are in the fin. Another method includes forming an interlayer dielectric over areas of the fin intended for source/drain regions, forming contact openings through the interlayer dielectric, and forming a source/drain plug in contact with an exposed portion of the spacer and in electrical connection with the top, one of opposing endwalls, and both of the opposing sidewalls of the fin.
US08039325B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a capacitorless one-transistor memory cell includes forming a first floating body pattern on a lower insulating layer of a substrate and a first gate pattern crossing over the first floating body pattern and covering sidewalls of the first floating body pattern is formed. The first floating body pattern at both sides of the first gate pattern is partially etched to form a protrusion portion extending between and above the partially etched regions, and first impurity regions are formed in the partially etched regions of the first floating body pattern.
US08039306B2
A reconstituted electronic device including: a first face and a second face; a plurality of individual chips placed perpendicular to the faces, each individual chip carrying, on one of its surfaces, at least one component, tracks, and a connection mechanism that are flush with one or other of the faces of the reconstituted electronic device; and an encapsulant that encapsulates the individual chips.
US08039300B2
The present invention relates to the use of a shaped bottom electrode in a resistance variable memory device. The shaped bottom electrode ensures that the thickness of the insulating material at the tip of the bottom electrode is thinnest, creating the largest electric field at the tip of the bottom electrode. The arrangement of electrodes and the structure of the memory element makes it possible to create conduction paths with stable, consistent and reproducible switching and memory properties in the memory device.
US08039292B2
A photovoltaic cell and a method of forming an electrode grid on a photovoltaic semiconductor substrate of a photovoltaic cell are disclosed. In one embodiment, the photovoltaic cell comprises a photovoltaic semiconductor substrate; a back electrode electrically connected to a back surface of the substrate; and a front electrode electrically connected to a front surface of the substrate. The substrate, back electrode, and front electrode form an electric circuit for generating an electric current when said substrate absorbs light. The front electrode is comprised of a metal grid defining a multitude of holes. These holes may be periodic, aperiodic, or partially periodic. The front electrode may be formed by depositing nanospheres on the substrate; forming a metallic layer on the substrate, around the nanospheres; and removing the nanospheres, leaving an electrode grid defining a multitude of holes on the substrate.
US08039288B2
A high performance electric device which uses an adhesive layer over a substrate. A color filter is over a substrate, and an adhesive layer is also located over the substrate and color film. An insulating layer is over the adhesive layer, and thin film transistors cover the insulating film and the color filters. Light emitting elements cover the thin film transistors and emit light through the substrate that is through the adhesive layer and color filter. The substrate may be plastic, thus increasing the heat resistance.
US08039279B2
One embodiment of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a light emitting diode. The method includes forming an insulating layer on an area, not covered by a seed layer, of at least one of a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer, wherein the impurity concentration varies on the surface of the area; and immersing at least part of the seed layer into an electrolyte having metal ions which tend to reduce and deposit on the seed layer under no bias voltage.
US08039262B2
A method for controlling a tissue processor and a tissue processor for processing tissue samples is described. A retort is provided including a cover that can be opened and closed by an operator. The retort cover is closed prior to tissue processing. The actuation state of a first and a second operating element can be determined. An operator is prompted to confirm unlocking of the closed retort cover by actuating a second operating element. The tissue processing is interrupted when an actuation of the second operating element is determined and the closed retort cover is unlocked and is continued after the retort cover is once again locked. After having completed tissue processing the retort cover is unlocked. By means of the described method and tissue processor improper intervention during ongoing tissue processing is prevented.
US08039259B2
A buffer solution for suspending animal or human cells and for dissolving biologically active molecules in order to introduce the biologically active molecules into the cells using electric current. The buffer solution includes at least one of sodium succinate, mannitol and sodium lactobionate. The buffer solution has a buffer capacity of at least 20 mmol*l−1*pH−1 at a change in the from pH 7 to pH 8 and at a temperature of 25° C., and an ionic strength of at least 200 mmol * l−1.
US08039256B2
To efficiently select and proliferate the mesenchymal stem cells without necessity of an exclusive separating device and a complicated separating operation, mesenchymal stem cells are cultured by seeding at least one of a bone marrow solution, an umbilical cord blood, a peripheral blood, a synovial membrane and an amniotic membrane in a liquid culture medium which is filled in a vessel, includes water as its main components and having a specific gravity between 1.06 and 1.10 at 37° C., and making a culture at a temperature 37±2° C. on a ceiling side surface of the vessel, preferably the specific gravity being regulated by use of at least one selected from silica fine powder coated by polyvinyl pyrrolidone, a water soluble copolymer of sucrose and epichlorohydrin, and a water soluble compound including a triiodo aromatic ring.
US08039253B2
A pharmaceutical for prevention and treatment of demyelination-associated neural function impairing diseases contains erythropoietin as an active ingredient, and protectively act on the survival of oligodendrocytes, which form a myelin sheath, in cerebrovascular dementia typified by multiple sclerosis and Binswanger disease, diseases involving demyelination. The pharmaceutical and method also promote maturation of undifferentiated oligodendrocytes present in the brain, activating remyelination. Through these mechanisms, the pharmaceutical and method can prevent and treat demyelination-associated neural function impairing diseases.
US08039252B2
A multi-chamber cell culture assembly has provisions for the distribution of nutrient culture medium and gasses throughout each of the chambers. A device is constructed to provide a large surface area for the growth and cultivation of hybridomas, mammalian and insect cells. The device may incorporate macro, micro or nano structures on the growth surfaces to promote or enhance distribution of nutrients, cell product, gasses or growth area. Cell growth, nutrient addition and cell product withdrawal may be carried out automatically.
US08039245B2
A method which enhances a disinfection process by using a catalyst which increases in effective surface area during the process. Also disclosed are contact lens disinfecting systems which are designed to maintain a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide solution for a longer period of time before increasing the overall surface area of catalyst exposed to the hydrogen peroxide solution. The devices utilize pressure from expanding oxygen generated within the system through use of a small catalyst, or through exposure of only a small portion of a large catalyst, to control deployment of the large catalyst for completing disproportionation of the hydrogen peroxide.
US08039236B2
The present invention provides a protein which catalyzes the synthesis of a dipeptide different from L-Ala-L-Ala, a process for producing the protein which catalyzes the synthesis of a dipeptide, a process for producing a dipeptide using the protein which catalyzes the synthesis of a dipeptide, and a process for producing the dipeptide using a culture of a microorganism producing the protein which catalyzes the synthesis of a dipeptide or the like as an enzyme source.
US08039216B2
Disclosed is are methods for identifying a nucleic acid in a sample. In one example, the method includes: (a) contacting the nucleic acid in the sample with an oligonucleotide that is specific for the nucleic acid in the sample and that is labeled with at least a first fluorescent dye; (b) contacting the nucleic acid in the sample with a second fluorescent dye that is different from the first fluorescent dye, such that the second fluorescent dye interacts with the nucleic acid; (c) amplifying the nucleic acid if present in the sample; and (d) detecting the nucleic acid if present in the sample by observing fluorescence from the first fluorescent dye after the oligonucleotide hybridizes to the amplified nucleic acid and determining the melting temperature of the amplified nucleic acid by measuring the fluorescence of the second fluorescent dye. The second fluorescent dye may include a fluorescent intercalating agent.
US08039209B2
Screening methods for identifying substances that provide therapeutic value for various diseases associated with protein misfolding are provided. Genetic and chemical screening methods are provided using a yeast system. The methods of the invention provide a rapid and cost-effective method to screen for compounds that prevent protein misfolding and/or protein fibril formation and/or protein aggregation which includes numerous neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease as well as non-neuronal diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
US08039195B2
A method of lithography patterning includes forming a resist pattern on a substrate, the resist pattern including at least one desired opening and at least one padding opening therein on the substrate; forming a patterned photosensitive material layer on the resist pattern and the substrate, wherein the patterned photosensitive material layer covers the padding opening of the resist pattern; and applying a resolution enhancement lithography by assist of chemical shrink (RELACS) process to the desired opening of the resist pattern.
US08039189B2
The present invention can provide small-diameter core material particles for electro photographic carrier, the particles that can prevent occurrences of carrier adhesions and reduce toner spent, have excellent durability and cause little fluctuations in image density with a narrow particle diameter distribution, and an efficient, cost-effective production method thereof. That is, the core material particles for electro photographic carrier are particles wherein the weight average particle diameter, Dw, is in the range of 22 μm to 32 μm, the ratio of Dw to the number average particle diameter, Dp, satisfies the condition, 1
US08039187B2
An emulsion aggregation toner composition includes toner particles including: an unsaturated polymeric resin, selected from amorphous resins, crystalline resins, and mixtures thereof; an optional colorant; an optional wax; an optional coagulant; and a photo initiator capable of initiating crosslinking of said unsaturated polymeric resin.
US08039185B2
To provide a toner for developing a latent electrostatic image comprising at least a colorant, a wax, and a binder resin, wherein Iwax (s) is a value measured by FTIR-ATR Spectroscopy before heating a mirror-surfaced pellet formed by compressing and molding the toner, and Iwax (t) is a value measured by FTIR-ATR Spectroscopy after heating the pellet at a surface temperature thereof of 130° C. for 1 minute satisfy Formulae (1), (2), (3), and (4), Iwax (t)≧0.2*100/[T½(° C.)] Formula (1) Iwax (s)≦0.26 Formula (2) Iwax (t)≦0.50 Formula (3) Iwax (t)>Iwax (s) Formula (4) wherein both Iwax(s) and Iwax(t) are obtained by a formula: absorbance derived from the wax (2850 cm−1)/absorbance derived from the binder resin (828 cm−1).
US08039184B2
Provided is a two-component developer with which degradation of development is inhibited even in the case of prolonged use, and thereby a high quality image exhibiting high resolution and sufficient image density can be formed for a long duration. Also disclosed is a two-component developer possessing a carrier and a toner, wherein the carrier in which magnetic material powder is dispersed in a binder resin containing a phenol formaldehyde resin has a shape coefficient SF-1 of 1.0-1.2, a shape coefficient SF-2 of 1.1-2.5 and a volume-based median particle diameter of 10-100 μm, and the toner possesses a colored particle and an external additive particle, wherein the external additive particle comprises a titanic acid compound and iron, and the iron content is 100-1,000 ppm, based on the titanic acid compound.
US08039177B2
A method of correcting a flare comprising: calculating a distribution of a flare value corresponding to pattern data on the pattern data as a flare map; calculating an occupancy of a pattern having a predetermined flare value on the pattern data as a flare value occupancy for each flare value, by using the flare map; determining a reference flare value to be a reference of the flare value based on the distribution of the flare value occupancy; and performing a pattern correction corresponding to the flare value with a pattern correction amount at the reference flare value as a reference.
US08039173B2
A cathode catalyst for a fuel cell includes a carrier and an A-B alloy supported on the carrier, where A is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pd, Ir, Rh, and combinations thereof, and B is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, and combinations thereof. The carrier is composed of at least one chalcogen element selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and combinations thereof.
US08039160B2
Multi-layer polyelectrolyte membranes are described wherein at least one of the layers contains at least one acrylic resin or vinyl resin having at least one ionic or ionizable group, and at least one additional polymer. The polymer has small or large domain sizes with respect to the acrylic resin or vinyl resin that is present in one or more layers. The polymer preferably has improved conductivity when formed into a film. The membranes are useful in batteries, fuel cells, and the like.
US08039149B2
The present invention relates to bismuth oxyfluoride nanocomposites used as positive electrodes in primary and rechargeable electromechanical energy storage systems.
US08039147B2
A rechargeable battery according to embodiments of the present invention has improved safety against puncture and collapse. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a case, a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal, a cap plate, and a short circuit member. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode, a separator, and a second electrode. The case contains the electrode assembly. The first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal are electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode of the electrode assembly, respectively. The short circuit member extends from the end of one of the first electrode and the second electrode and is wound around the outermost periphery of the electrode assembly to short circuit the electrode assembly when the secondary battery is punctured or collapsed.
US08039140B2
An absorbent battery separator comprising a substantially homogeneous blend of a thermoplastic polymer and of at least one inert filler, where the inert filler is pyrogenic silica, precipitated silica, titanium dioxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide, or mixtures thereof and, the separator has a volume porosity of at least 75% and an extraction pore size of greater than 2 microns.
US08039133B2
A magnetic recording medium, and method of manufacturing the same, is provided with excellent recording performance by employing a granular magnetic layer having a specified composition. A magnetic recording medium according to the present invention comprises a nonmagnetic underlayer, a granular magnetic layer, a protective film, and a liquid lubrication layer sequentially laminated on a nonmagnetic substrate. The granular magnetic layer consists of ferromagnetic crystal grains containing cobalt and nonmagnetic grain boundary region surrounding the ferromagnetic crystal grains. The ferromagnetic crystal grains contain platinum in the range of 15 at % to 17 at %.
US08039113B2
Environmental barrier coatings providing CMAS mitigation capability for ceramic substrate components
Environmental barrier coating having CMAS mitigation capability for oxide components. In one embodiment, the barrier coating includes an outer layer selected from AeAl2O19, AeHfO3, AeZrO3, ZnAl2O4, MgAl2O4, Ln4Al2O9, Lna4Ga2O9, Ln3Al5O12, Ln3Ga5O12, and Ga2O3.
US08039111B2
An article with a silica-based film that contains an organic material and has excellent mechanical strength. This article includes a substrate and an organic-inorganic composite film that is formed on the surface of the substrate. The organic-inorganic composite film contains silica as its main component. A value of (0.19A+0.03) or lower (A denotes the film thickness [μm]) is obtained through X-ray diffraction analysis on the organic-inorganic composite film, with the X-ray incident angle being fixed at 1° with respect to the surface of the organic-inorganic composite film, when the intensity of a peak at a diffraction angle of 3° to 10° is standardized using the intensity of a halo pattern peak at a diffraction angle of 20° to 30°. A value of 0.25 or lower is obtained through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis on the organic-inorganic composite film, when the intensity of a peak at around 950 cm−1 based on a Si—OH group is standardized using the intensity of a peak at around 1100 cm−1 based on a Si—O—Si bond.
US08039110B2
A composite material, useful in producing wood-based materials, comprises (a) at least one cellulose- or lignocellulose-containing material and (b) at least one aminoalkylsilane, or at least one cocondensate of the at least one aminoalkylsilane and at least one further functional silane, or an aqueous solution which contains the at least one aminoalkylsilane or the at least one cocondensate of the at least one aminoalkylsilane and the at least one further functional silane.
US08039104B2
Articles are provided that include an optical film and an optically clear pressure sensitive adhesive layer on at least one outer surface of the optical film. Additionally, articles are provided that include a pressure sensitive adhesive layer that resists bubble formation when adhered to an outgassing substrate. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer in the various articles contain a (meth)acrylate block copolymer.
US08039102B1
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a reinforced film for blast resistance protection and methods thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a reinforced film comprising an elastomeric polymer laminate, and a scrim layer at least partially embedded in the elastomeric polymer laminate layer, wherein the reinforced film comprises a puncture resistance of at least five thousand pounds per square inch.
US08039096B2
A coating includes a first layer of a ceramic alloy and a second layer disposed on the first layer and including carbon. The coating has a hardness of from 10 to 20 GPa and a coefficient of friction of less than or equal to 0.12. A method of coating a substrate includes cleaning the substrate, forming the first layer on the substrate, and depositing the second layer onto the first layer to thereby coat the substrate.
US08039094B2
The invention relates to a machine-readable security element for security products, containing at least one particulate substance that has electroluminescent properties and a transparent, electrically conductive pigment. Also disclosed are a printing ink for producing such a security element and a security product comprising said security element.
US08039087B2
There is disclosed a honeycomb structure 1 having a plurality of cells 4 partitioned by cell walls 2 to function as fluid passages, a predetermined cell 4 being plugged by a plugging material at one end face, a remaining cell 4 being plugged by the plugging material at the other end face, wherein a Young's modulus of the plugging material is lower than that of the cell wall 2. A strength of the plugging material is lower than that of the cell wall. A porosity of the plugging material is 97% or more of that of the cell wall. There is provided a honeycomb structure whose end face is not easily cracked and which is superior in durability.
US08039083B2
A fabric separable fastener member is provided which comprises a fiber for a base fabric and a fiber for a fastening element firmly anchored by the fused fiber for the base fabric and which is excellent in flexibility and durability without a back-coated layer.The separable fastener member comprises (α1) a ground warp, (α2) a ground weft containing a binder fiber, and (α3) a pile yarn, and the pile yarn (α3) is anchored by the fused binder fiber. In the separable fastener member, each of the ground warp (α1), the ground weft (α2) and the pile yarn (α3) comprises a polyester fiber, the mass ratio of the ground warp (a1) relative to the ground weft (a2) is 40/60 to 80/20, and the mass ratio of the total amount of the ground warp (a1) and the ground weft (a2) relative to the pile yarn (a3) is 90/10 to 50/50.
US08039081B2
Void-maintaining laminates comprising fuzzy woven or fuzzy membrane layers are provided. Laminates of the present invention comprise at least one sheet-like core element, typically comprising void spaces or channels and, bonded thereto, at least one layer of fuzzy woven composite for use in geotechnical applications. The superior adhesion or bonding of the respective layers to one another, and its contribution to the structural integrity of void spaces or channels, enables the construction and positioning of drainage composites having the desirable characteristics of high permittivity and high transmissivity. Numerous embodiments of the invention are possible. Fuzzy geocomposites of the invention can be used, for example, underneath buildings, foundations, roadways and other paved structures, or in landfills or other types of geotechnical installations to replace or complement conventional drainage materials such as sand, stone and gravel. Methods for making the fuzzy geocomposites are also provided.
US08039080B2
A segmented insulative device and related kit for insulating components of a thermal distribution system. The kit includes a sheet of segmented insulation formed by a composite layer of segmented, flexible, pre-sewn insulation that is easily cut to size in the field using scissors, utility knives or other simple, hand-held cutting devices. The kit also includes two-sided hook-and-loop straps as fasteners, also easily cut to length, using hand-held devices. The segmented insulation and the hook-and-loop straps are attached to one another in the field using a stapler or other hand-held attachment device. This provides an installation kit that an installer can use to provide a versatile insulation in the form of the assembled segmented insulative device. The segmented insulative device lends itself to quick customization on-site rather than requiring costly off-site manufacture or pre-assembly and subsequent quick installation on the pipe component requiring thermal installation.
US08039066B2
A cellulous acylate film in which X-ray diffractive intensity satisfies the following Formulae (I) to (V) and in which a half-value width of the peak at 2θ2 is 2.8° or less as observed in the sectional view in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the film: 0.00≦Ici/Ico<0.60; Formula (I) Iam=I1+{(I3−I1)/(2θ3−2θ1)}×(2θ2−2θ1); Formula (II) Ic=I2−Iam; Formula (III) Ici=Ic11/Ic12; and Formula (IV) Ico={(Ic21/Ic22)+(Ic31/Ic32)}/2. Formula (V)
US08039064B2
A compound having a good durability against light and capable of producing desired liquid crystallinity after polymerization, and a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing such a compound, are provided. Further, an optical element having a good durability against light, and an optical information writing/reading device employing such an element, are provided.A compound represented by CH2═CR1—COO—R2-Cy-Ph-R3—OCO—CR4═CH2. R1 and R4 are each preferably a hydrogen atom. R3 is preferably a C1-6 alkylene group wherein an oxygen atom is present or not present at an end of the group to be bonded to a cyclic group, and wherein some or all of hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms in the group may be substituted by fluorine atoms; or an alkylene group wherein an oxygen atom is present at an end of the group to be bonded to a cyclic group. A diffraction grating 2 produced by employing this liquid crystal compound has a good durability against light, and accordingly, it is possible to constitute an optical information writing/reading device suitable for large capacity recording by employing a blue laser as a light source 1.
US08039054B2
A layer deposition method includes: feeding a reactant with a first flow of an inert gas as a carrier gas into a reaction chamber to chemisorb the reactant on a substrate; feeding the first flow of the inert gas to purge the reaction chamber and a first reactant feed line; and feeding the second flow of the inert gas into the reaction chamber through a feed line different from the first reactant feed line.
US08039047B2
A coating for permanent hydrophilization of surfaces and its use are provided. The coating is made of nano-scale particles having hydrophilic side chains, which can be sintered. The coating may be made of 10 to 90% inorganic structures, 5 to 70% hydrophilic side chains, and 0 to 50% organic side chains having functional groups.
US08039042B2
A method of fabricating an electron source having a self-aligned gate aperture is disclosed. A substrate is deposited on a first conductive layer. Over the first conductive layer an emitter layer is deposited. The emitter layer includes one or a plurality of spaced-apart nano-structures and a solid surface with nano-structures protruding above the surface. An insulator is conformally deposited over the emitter layer surface and forms a post from each protruding nano-structure. A second conductive layer is deposited over the insulator and the second conductive layer and the insulator are removed from the nano-structures such that apertures are formed in the second conductive layer and at least the ends of the nano-structures are exposed at the centers of said apertures.
US08039040B2
A method for the formation of a luminescent layer having a uniform thickness in a desired pattern and an organic electroluminescent device that can realize high-quality display and is highly reliable. The luminescent layer is formed by providing a blanket having a resin film having a surface tension of not less than 35 dynes/cm as a surface layer and an ink for a luminescent layer, having a viscosity (ink temperature 23° C.) in the range of 5 to 200 cP as measured at a shear rate of 100/sec, and containing a solvent having a surface tension of not more than 40 dynes/cm and a boiling temperature in the range of 150 to 250° C., filling the ink into cells in a gravure form, allowing the blanket to receive the ink from the cells, and transferring the ink on the blanket onto a luminescent layer forming face.
US08039034B2
A method for preparing a beverage through a capsule (2) inserted in a beverage machine; the capsule comprising an enclosure (20) containing one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewing fluid is introduced in the enclosure to brew the said one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewed liquid is filtered by a filtering wall (22) and delivered from the capsule, wherein the filtering wall extends from substantially the bottom of the enclosure and said filtering wall is associated to an overflow wall (3) that forces the brewed liquid to traverse at least one overflow aperture (25). The method is particularly suitable for brewing a tea containing capsule.
US08039029B2
The capsule (2) for brewing food fragments comprises a filtering means (22) delimitating one filtering side of a brewing enclosure (20). It also comprises an overflow wall (3) positioned in the path of brewed liquid after the filtering means. The filtering means (22) are integral with the overflow wall (3).
US08039026B1
This invention relates to methods and compositions for bringing about changes in skin pigmentation. More particularly, this invention relates to compounds which affect melanogenesis and can be used as depigmenting agents or as agents for darkening skin utilizing the PAR-2 pathway.
US08039022B2
The present invention provides a hydrogen peroxide solution for sterilization which has a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 30 to 45% by weight, an Fe concentration of 2 ppb or less and an Al concentration of at least 15 ppb and in which a concentration of a stabilizer comprising orthophosphoric acid is 40 ppm at the most. The above hydrogen peroxide solution for sterilization is used for sterilizing vessels filled with beverages and foods and packaging materials in an aseptic filling equipment. The above hydrogen peroxide solution for sterilization has less evaporation residue, does not clog a narrow piping part such as a spray nozzle and therefore makes it possible to stably operate an aseptic filling equipment. Further, an austenite base stainless material can be used as a material for the transporting facilities and the tanks.
US08039021B2
A bioerodible composition for delivery of a bioactive agent is the reaction product of a reaction mixture which includes an oxidized dextran solution, and a mixture of solids containing a dihydrazide, a bioactive agent, and optionally a pH adjusting agent in an amount sufficient to achieve a pH of the reaction mixture of 6 or less. The composition may include a release agent for controlled release of the bioactive agent from the composition. A bioactive agent may therefore be administered to a body site in need of the same by providing a first aliquot portion of a reaction mixture comprising an oxidized dextran solution, and a second aliquot portion of a reaction mixture comprising a mixture of solids comprised of a dihydrazide, a bioactive agent, and a solid acid which is present in an amount sufficient to achieve a pH of the reaction mixture of 6 or less, mixing the first and second aliquot portions to form the reaction mixture thereof, and thereafter installing the reaction mixture at the body site and allowing a solidified bioerodible drug delivery composition to be formed thereby in situ.
US08039013B2
The present invention relates to novel active substance combinations which contain spiroxamine, which is known, a known azole and a known carboxamide and which are very suitable for controlling undesired phytopathogenic fungi.
US08039010B2
A biocompatible, sustained release intraocular drug delivery system comprising a protein or polynucleotide therapeutic agent, a polymeric carrier for the therapeutic agent and a long chain fatty alcohol release modifier. The biocompatible, sustained release intraocular drug delivery system can be used to treat an ocular condition.
US08039007B2
Various specific meningococcal proteins are disclosed. The invention provides related polypeptides, nucleic acids, antibodies and methods. These can all be used in medicine for treating or preventing disease and/or infection caused by meningococcus, such as bacterial meningitis.
US08039006B2
The invention relates to a composition of spores of nonpathogenic bacteria of the Bacillus genus, adsorbed onto a matrix made up of at least one water-insoluble adsorbent compound and a cellulose derivative, which can be obtained by the fluidized air bed technique, useful in the pharmaceutical, veterinary and nutrition fields.
US08038998B2
Improved methods for treatment of cancer which involve the targeting of slow-growing, relatively mutationally-spared cancer stem line are provided. These methods are an improvement over previous cancer therapeutic methods because they provide for very early cancer treatment and reduce the likelihood of clinical relapse after treatment.
US08038997B2
Described herein are deposited hybridoma cell lines and the monoclonal antibodies produced by these hybridomas, and antigen binding fragments thereof. These monoclonal antibodies and antigen binding fragments specifically bind marinobufagenin. The disclosure also encompasses the use of these monoclonal antibodies or antigen binding fragments in a method for detecting the presence of marinobufagenin in a biological sample. Also provided are methods for the use of these monoclonal antibodies or antigen binding fragments as prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic agents for the detection, inhibition and treatment of a cardiovascular disease, for example, essential hypertension, hypertension associated with preeclampsia, eclampsia, or renal failure, or myocardial fibrosis in a subject.
US08038986B2
The present invention relates to a method of inducing an immune response to a parasite utilizing an immunogenic composition comprising a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (“GPI”) inositolglycan domain or its derivative or equivalent. The present invention is useful as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment for microorganism infections of mammals such as parasite infections and particularly infection by Plasmodium species. The invention also provides a method of monitoring, or qualitatively or quantitatively assessing an immune response to a microorganism such as a parasite. More particularly, this aspect of the present invention is directed to assessing said immune response utilizing a GPI inositoglycan domain or its derivative or equivalent, which facilitates the qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of anti-GPI antibodies in a biological sample, the identification of unique specificities of antibodies, epitope specific screening or the rational design of immunogenic molecules and the generation, thereby, of functionally effective immunointeractive molecules.
US08038980B2
According to at least one aspect of the present invention, an ammonia borane containing hydrogen storage material is provided to be present with substantially reduced formation of borazine or diborane. In at least one embodiment, the hydrogen storage material includes at least one ammonia borane (NH3BH3); and at least one amide of the formula M(NH2)x, wherein M is a cationic element or a combination of two or more cationic elements from groups 1 to 14 of the periodic table and x represents a total cationic charge to charge balance M.
US08038976B2
An activated carbon producing system includes a heating furnace for thermally decomposing multi-layer film including a polyvinyl alcohol layer and cellulose triacetate (TAC) layers formed on surfaces of the polyvinyl alcohol layer, to produce carbonized material by carbonization. An activation device activates the carbonized material with heat, to produce activated carbon by forming fine pores therein. A burner assembly combusts acetic acid contained in pyrolysis gas created by thermal decomposition in the heating furnace, to produce gaseous carbon dioxide. A first heat exchanger exchanges heat between the pyrolysis gas from the burner assembly and heat exchange medium, to provide the heating furnace with the heat of the heat exchange medium. A washer absorbs gaseous carbon dioxide contained in the pyrolysis gas from the first heat exchanger by use of alkaline absorption solution. If the multi-layer film contains additive, the washer washes away the combusted additive.
US08038973B2
The present invention provides a high purity silicon production system and production method suitable for using inexpensive metallurgical grade metal silicon as a material and using the slag refining method to produce high purity silicon with a purity of 6N or more suitable for solar battery applications, in particular, high purity silicon with a boron content of at least not more than 0.3 mass ppm, inexpensively on an industrial scale, that is, a high purity silicon production system and production method using the slag refining method wherein a direct electromagnetic induction heating means having the function of directly heating the molten silicon in the crucible by electromagnetic induction is arranged outside the outside wall surface of the above crucible and the crucible is formed by an oxidation resistant material at least at a region where the molten silicon contacts the crucible inside wall surface at the time of not powering the direct electromagnetic induction heating means.
US08038961B2
Provided is an apparatus for preparing silanes of the general formula HnSiCU n where n=1, 2, 3 and/or 4 by dismutation of a chlorinated silane in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the apparatus includes: a distillation column having a column bottom, a column top, at least one feed inlet, a plurality of product offtakes, and a chimney tray; and a side reactor containing a catalyst bed having an upper edge, the side reactor being connected to the distillation column via at least three pipes including a first pipe, a second pipe, and a third pipe.
US08038951B2
Provided are catalyst composites comprising: a catalytic material on a carrier, the catalytic material comprising a precious metal selected from a palladium component and an oxygen storage component, the oxygen storage component being present in an amount of at least 10% by weight, wherein substantially all of the oxygen storage component is in intimate contact with the palladium component and the catalytic material is effective to substantially simultaneously oxidize carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons and reduce nitrogen oxides. A catalyst composite comprising: a catalytic material on a carrier, the catalytic material comprising a palladium component and a ceria-zirconia composite support, the ceria being present in an amount in the range of 10 to 70% by weight, wherein substantially all of the ceria is in intimate contact with at least a portion of the palladium component. Methods of making and using these catalysts along with systems containing these catalysts are also provided.
US08038947B2
Provided are sensor devices, methods, systems, and kits for measuring the concentration of at least one target analyte. Sensor devices may be mounted into an optical system for measuring the target analyte. Example sensor devices may also be removably mounted in a holder that enables the sensor device to be inserted into a container that allows the sensor device to contact an analyte containing sample. Further provided are methods that include contacting a sensor device with an analyte-containing sample; determining analyte concentration; and optionally repeating these steps to determine if the analyte concentration spikes or exceeds a predetermined level, which may trigger an alarm response.
US08038928B2
In a method for manufacturing a ceramic filter element for an exhaust gas filter for internal combustion engines, a combustible non-ceramic support web provided with flow channel is impregnated with ceramic slurry. Subsequently, the support web, formed in a desired geometric shape, is fired until the support web is combusted and a rigid filter body is produced. Before impregnating the support web, a combustible sealing bead is applied such onto the support web that the flow channels are closed alternatingly by the sealing bead.
US08038923B2
One method of forming a part includes deforming a shape memory polymer from a permanent shape into a temporary shape, where the permanent shape of the shape memory polymer is a predetermined part shape and the temporary shape is a shape larger than the predetermined part shape. The shape memory polymer in each of the permanent shape and the temporary shape defines a cavity therein. The method further includes introducing a molding material into the cavity of the shape memory polymer, and reverting the shape memory polymer back into its permanent shape. Other methods for forming the part are also disclosed herein.
US08038920B2
Methods of fabricating elastomeric implants employ a mold with PVA crystals and irrigant added to the mold independent of each other. Related molds are also described.
US08038918B2
A container and method of forming intimately bonded plastic components including a lower base with a closed bottom and an upstanding peripheral wall, and an upwardly extending ring telescopically engaged with the base and extending from a lower edge at an intermediate height on said base wall to an upper edge vertically spaced above the base wall to define three distinct zones along the height of the container.
US08038917B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) comprising: contacting a thermoplastic polymer, a cross-linkable elastomer, at least one curative, and at least one cure activator in a solvent to form Composition A. The solvent is then removed, and thereafter the cross-linkable elastomer is at least partially cured. The average particle size of the cross-linkable elastomer is 10 microns or less after the solvent is removed.
US08038916B2
To provide a reliable solid-liquid separating method and apparatus for a slurry, even though the solid component of the slurry is finely divided particles and/or of a shape difficult to entangle, without exudation through gaps in processed portions and, also, with no need to exercise a maintenance work such as replacement of filters, a solid-liquid separating apparatus includes a mold having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, a gate for opening and closing a second open end of the mold, and a pressing rod slidable into the mold to compress the slurry. Sheet-like fibrous filters are placed on a leading end face of the pressing rod and an inner surface of the gate to seal gaps between the mold and the pressing rod and between the gate and mold. With the filters so placed, the slurry within the mold unit is compressed to provide a solidified product, thereby accomplishing solid-liquid separation.
US08038914B2
In a method for producing a molded article having a resin part, the resin part is injection-molded to an opening of a main body part and the molded article has an excellent air-tightness between the resin part and the main body part. A foam sealant is attached to a peripheral portion around the opening of the main body part. Attached to the main body part is a retainer made of the same kind of resin as injected resin and adapted to keep the foam sealant compressed in its thickness direction. The main body part is placed within a mold so that the retainer is exposed inside a cavity of the mold. A molten resin is injected into the cavity of the mold. The injected resin and the retainer are integrated into the resin part.
US08038904B2
A compound for non-linear optics for use at 350 nm and below. The compound includes a material for non-linear optics comprising AxM(1-x)Al3B4O12. x is larger than or equal to zero and smaller than or equal to 0.1, A is selected from a group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Yb, and Lu, and M is selected from a group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Yb, and Lu. The compound is free from a molybdenum bearing impurity of at least 1000 parts per million.
US08038900B2
An improved processing of sugar beet molasses (MDS—Molasses Desugarized Solubles) with the addition of applied heat at about 140° F. to about 180° F. for a time sufficient to, along with alkali degradation, at any given concentration of MDS, show an increase in overall melt value performance when compared to non-use of the heat step.
US08038895B2
A method for detection of mechanical defects in a semiconductor ingot section which has at least one planar surface, and a thickness at right angles to this surface of 1 cm to 100 cm, involves scanning the planar surface by at least one ultrasound head which is coupled via a liquid coupling medium to the planar surface and, at each measurement point (x,y) producing at least one ultrasound pulse which is directed at the planar surface of the ingot section, recording the ultrasound-pulse echo as a function of time, such that an echo from the planar surface, an echo from a surface opposite the planar surface, and further echoes are detected, with the positions (xp, yp, zp) of mechanical defects in the ingot section being determined from the further echoes.
US08038893B2
To grasp a removable particle contamination and appropriately removing a particle contamination exposing from a surface of a semiconductor layer, this production method of the semiconductor optical device includes a surface treatment step in which particle contaminations removed from a surface of a cap layer 5 by etching are limited to particle contaminations A1, C2 higher than the thickness of a resist layer 22 formed on the surface of the cap layer 5. Therefore, the heights of removable particle contaminations can be preliminarily grasped based on the thickness of the resist layer 22 formed, whereby the particle contaminations exposing from the surface of the cap layer 5 can be appropriately removed by etching just enough. By repeating steps S11-S17 while changing the thickness of the resist layer 22, it is feasible to prevent unnecessary etching of a wafer and to remove the particle contaminations more completely.
US08038890B2
A piezoelectric-driven MEMS device can be fabricated reliably and consistently. The piezoelectric-driven MEMS device includes: a movable flat beam having a piezoelectric film disposed above a substrate with a recessed portion such that the piezoelectric film is bridged over the recessed portion, piezoelectric drive mechanisms disposed at both ends of the piezoelectric film and configured to drive the piezoelectric film, and a first electrode disposed at the center of the substrate-side of the piezoelectric film, and a second electrode disposed on a flat part of the recessed portion of the substrate and facing the first electrode of the movable flat beam.
US08038886B2
A container for use with a hemodialysis apparatus having a vent structure is described. The vent structure is porous, and allows air in the container to vent when the container is being filled with fluid, but expands when the vent structure becomes wet, when filling is complete, thereby closing off the pores and inhibiting (e.g., preventing) fluid from flowing through the vent structure, and reentry of air into the container. The vent structure can also include a micro-porous membrane.
US08038869B2
Processes and systems are provided for removing contaminants from a vapor stream containing hydrocarbon and hydrogen, and can include: providing a feed stream to a first pressurized vapor liquid separator that produces a liquid stream and a vapor stream containing hydrocarbon and hydrogen, passing the vapor stream to an inlet of a particulate trap containing a plurality of treatment zones that remove contaminants from the vapor stream to produce a particulate trap effluent, and passing the particulate trap effluent directly to a catalytic hydrogenation zone. The processes and systems can also include: passing the liquid stream from the first pressurized vapor liquid separator to a second vapor liquid separator that produces an overhead vapor stream and a liquid bottoms stream, condensing the overhead vapor stream from the second vapor liquid separator to form a liquid overhead stream, routing the liquid overhead stream to the inlet of the particulate trap.
US08038865B2
Describes a diaphragm for an electrolytic diaphragm cell, e.g., a chlor-alkali cell, in which the diaphragm comprises fibrous material substantially resistant to the environment within the electrolytic cell and spheroidal ceramic microspheres at least partially resistant to the environment within the electrolytic cell associated with said diaphragm. Also describes a diaphragm for an electrolytic cell in which the diaphragm comprises a base mat of fibrous material chosen from asbestos fibers, resin-modified asbestos fibers, synthetic fibers, or mixtures of such fibers on which base mat is applied a coating comprising spheroidal ceramic microspheres. Further describes a synthetic diaphragm for an electrolytic cell, e.g., a chlor-alkali cell, on which is applied a coating comprising substantially water-insoluble inorganic particulate material, e.g., clay material, and spheroidal ceramic microspheres. Still further describes adding a dopant composition comprising spheroidal ceramic microspheres to the anolyte compartment of an electrolytic cell, e.g., a chlor-alkali cell, while the cell is operating.
US08038861B2
A laminated gas sensor element extending in a longitudinal direction and having a detection part including a plate-shaped element body which has a heater layer having an embedded resistance heating body and a detection layer laminated to the heater layer and having a vertical surface along a lamination direction and a horizontal surface perpendicular to the lamination direction; and a porous protective layer coating the vertical surface and the horizontal surface of the element body constituting the detection part, wherein a thickness of the protective layer formed on the vertical surface is thicker than a thickness of the protective layer formed on the horizontal surface.
US08038857B2
Provided are a thin film transistor substrate having a transparent electroconductive film in which residues and so on resulting etching are hardly generated; a process for producing the same; and a liquid crystal display using this thin film transistor substrate. A thin film transistor substrate, comprising a transparent substrate, a source electrode formed over the transparent substrate, a drain electrode formed over the transparent substrate, and a transparent pixel electrode formed over the transparent substrate, wherein the transparent pixel electrode is a transparent electroconductive film which is made mainly of indium oxide, and further comprises one or two or more oxides selected from tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide, nickel oxide and niobium oxide, and the transparent pixel electrode is electrically connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode; a process for producing the same; and a liquid crystal display using this thin film transistor substrate.
US08038855B2
An electrode for use in producing copper in either a conventional electrowinning cell or the direct electrowinning cell is provided. The electrode includes a hanger bar and an electrode body coupled with the hanger bar. The electrode body includes at least one conductor rod having a core and an outer layer surrounding the core and a substrate coupled with the conductor rod.
US08038853B2
Described herein is a method for the photo-induced reduction/oxidation of carbon nanotubes, and their use in photochemical cells and in electrochemical cells for the generation of hydrogen.
US08038850B2
A sputter deposition apparatus and method, and a substrate holder for use with a sputter deposition apparatus is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, a sputter deposition apparatus is provided, including at least one sputter target, a first plasma, a substrate holder, and a further plasma. In one embodiment, the further plasma is an ECWR plasma. According to an additional embodiment of the invention, an anode is provided between the further plasma, and the substrate holder. According to a further embodiment, the substrate holder includes a dielectric layer with varying thickness.
US08038847B2
A fabric for a papermaking machine that includes a machine facing side and a web facing side comprising pockets formed by warp and weft yarns is provided. Each pocket is defined by four sides on the web facing side, each of the four sides is formed by a knuckle of a single yarn that passes over only two consecutive yarns to define the knuckle.
US08038845B2
A process for manufacturing fiberboard by preparing a fiber slurry mixture including containing cellulose fibers and water then atomizing a liquid bituminous material, such as asphalt. The liquid bituminous material is atomized by mixing it with a pressurized gas, such as compressed air, forming a mist comprising droplets of bituminous material having a diameter between 20 microns and 50 microns. A water spray solidifies the bituminous material droplets thereby forming bituminous particles which fall into the fiber slurry within the spray chamber. From there the slurry is sheared, dewatered, and dried, forming a finished fiberboard.
US08038841B2
Coarsely shredded paper powder is pulverized using a first vertical roller mill equipped with a plurality of first pulverizing rollers 15 to obtain a fine paper powder having an average particle diameter of 50 μm or greater and less than 150 μm. Then, such a fine paper powder is further pulverized using a second vertical roller mill equipped with a plurality of second pulverizing rollers 25 to obtain a fine paper powder having an average particle diameter of 25 μm or greater and less than 50 μm. Concerning the inclination angle θ1 of grooves 15a, 25a with respect to axes L of rotation of said first and second pulverizing rollers, an angle of inclination θ1 of the first pulverizing rollers 15 is smaller than an angle of inclination θ2 of the second pulverizing rollers 25. Accordingly, the fine paper powder can be produced without incurring a substantial environmental impact.
US08038840B2
A process for refining and producing cellulose, lignin and xylose from biomass material comprises the following steps: pulverizing and screening the biomass material; and then dipping the biomass material in organic acid with lower boiling point and decomposing it into xylose, xylo-oligosaccharide, cellulose and lignin to make the biomass material fluidify; cooling the fluidified biomass material after finishing the reaction, adding organic solvent, and mixing uniformly and standing; separating, washing and drying the precipitation to obtain amorphous cellulose after precipitating; distilling the mother solution of precipitation of cellulose and recovering the organic acid and the resulting volatile organic substance; standing the distilled mother solution after cooling, and then separating, washing and drying the precipitation to obtain xylose and xylo-oligosaccharide after precipitating; distilling and recovering the organic solvent in the mother solution of precipitation of xylose and xylo-oligosaccharide, and separating and drying the precipitation separated out from the distilled mother solution.
US08038839B2
Provided is a laminated body comprising a substrate to be ground and a support, where the substrate is ground to a very small thickness and can then be separated from the support without damaging the substrate. One embodiment of the present invention is a laminated body comprising a substrate to be ground, a joining layer in contact with the substrate to be ground, a photothermal conversion layer comprising a light absorbing agent and a heat decomposable resin, and a light transmitting support. After grinding the substrate surface which is opposite that in contact with the joining layer, the laminated body is irradiated through the light transmitting layer and the photothermal conversion layer decomposes to separate the substrate and the light transmitting support.
US08038837B2
A ring-shaped component for use in a plasma processing includes an inner ring-shaped member provided to surround an outer periphery of a substrate to be subjected to the plasma processing and an outer ring-shaped member provided to surround an outer periphery of the inner ring-shaped member. The outer ring-shaped member has a first surface facing a processing space side and a second surface facing an opposite side of the plasma generation side. The second surface has thereon one or more ring-shaped grooves.
US08038830B2
There are provided a composition for matte layer formation suitable for the production of a matte synthetic leather having a matte surface with a high level of jet-blackness even without the practice of embossing, raising, etc., and a release sheet for the production of a matte synthetic leather by using the composition. The composition for matte layer formation suitable for the production of a matte synthetic leather comprises a thermosetting resin and a matting agent as indispensable components. The matting agent comprises one or at least two types of organic or/and inorganic porous fine particles. The porous fine particles have a mean particle diameter in the range of 0.5 to 20 μm and a specific surface area in the range of 1 to 1000 m2/g. The release sheet is produced by using the composition.
US08038822B2
Multilayered screens with parallel light-emitting stripes for scanning beam display systems. The light-emitting materials may include phosphor materials and non-phosphor materials.
US08038821B2
A special patch is adhered to the bare metal of a dash panel in covering relation to one or more pass-through holes and their margins before a truck cab is primed and painted. After painting, a cover of the patch is peeled off to expose an electrically conductive medium that remains adhered to the bare metal. A ground block is mounted on the dash panel with a stud passing through a pass-through hole. The electrically conductive medium establishes conductivity of the body of the ground block to the dash panel.
US08038813B2
The invention relates to a heat-generating mixture, to a method and a device for generating heat, especially for heating food such as water, coffee, etc.
US08038793B2
The invention provides an epitaxial growth method which is a single wafer processing epitaxial growth method by which at least a single crystal substrate is placed in a reaction chamber with an upper wall having a downward convexity and an epitaxial layer is deposited on the single crystal substrate by introducing raw material gas and carrier gas into the reaction chamber through a gas feed port, in which, after any one of the radius of curvature of the upper wall of the reaction chamber and a difference between an upper end of the gas feed port and a lower end of the upper wall of the reaction chamber in the height direction or both are adjusted in accordance with the flow rate of the carrier gas which is introduced into the reaction chamber through the gas feed port, an epitaxial layer is deposited on the single crystal substrate. As a result, a single wafer processing epitaxial growth method is provided that can obtain the effects, such as an increase in the quality of an epitaxial wafer and an increase in productivity, which are produced by the degree of the flow rate of carrier gas, and deposit an epitaxial layer on a single crystal substrate without deforming the film thickness shape.
US08038790B1
Structural cement panel for resisting transverse and shear loads equal to transverse and shear loads provided by plywood and oriented strain board, when fastened to framing for use in shear walls, flooring and roofing systems. The panels provide reduced thermal transmission compared to other structural cement panels. The panels employ one or more layers of a continuous phase resulting from curing an aqueous mixture of calcium sulfate alpha hemihydrate, hydraulic cement, coated expanded perlite particles filler, optional additional fillers, active pozzolan and lime. The coated perlite has a particle size of 1-500 microns, a median diameter of 20-150 microns, and an effective particle density (specific gravity) of less than 0.50 g/cc. The panels are reinforced with fibers, for example alkali-resistant glass fibers. The preferred panel contains no intentionally added entrained air. A method of improving fire resistance in a building is also disclosed.
US08038788B2
Coating systems characterized in that they contain 0.5% by weight to 30% by weight of a hydrophilic, structurally modified, optionally reground, fumed silica.
US08038781B2
An ink composition includes a colorant represented by the following formula (I); water; a guanidine-based compound; and a colorless water-soluble planar compound having more than ten delocalized π-electrons within one molecule: wherein Pc represents a (k+l+m+n)-valent phthalocyanine nucleus represented by the following formula (II); wherein the symbols in the formulae (I) and (II) are defined in the specification.
US08038777B2
An air sterilization device with low aerosol bounce includes an air conditioning pipe, a porous filter media, and a UV light generator. This porous filter media, it is secured on the fixing portion. This porous filter media has many irregularly distributed channels. The channel is coated with a coating layer having a thickness between 10 μm to 1000 μm sticking aerosols for avoiding bounce effect. The UV light generator can emit UV light to kill biological aerosols. It is suitable for long-term usage. So, the bounce effect of aerosols can be significantly reduced. The maintenance cost is low. The sterilization effect is excellent. Plus, the flow rate of the air conditioning system remains high.
US08038772B2
A filter cartridge for recovering halogenated hydrocarbons (HKW), such as those occurring in inhalation anesthetics in the medical field, contains a first gas inlet; a container which contains a filter insert; wherein the container is connected over a connection with a cover and with a gas release; wherein the container is united via two sealing rings and a filter plate with the cover; wherein the filter insert contains a zeolite; wherein the filter insert has openings; wherein the filter insert adapts with the base of the filter insert to recesses in the container.
US08038762B2
A process for production of a chain metal powder, which comprises the steps of reducing metal ions contained in an aqueous solution, while applying a magnetic filed to the solution, in the presence of both a reducing agent capable of generating a gas during the reduction of metal ions and a foamable water soluble compound, through the generation of a gas, a bubble layer on the surface of the aqueous solution to form a chain metal powder, separating the bubble layer formed on the surface of the aqueous solution from the solution, and collecting the chain metal powder contained in the bubble layer.
US08038760B1
A method for producing a metal article according to one embodiment may involve the steps of: Providing a composite metal powder including a substantially homogeneous dispersion of molybdenum and molybdenum disulfide sub-particles that are fused together to form individual particles of the composite metal powder; and compressing the molybdenum/molybdenum disulfide composite metal powder under sufficient pressure to cause the mixture to behave as a nearly solid mass.
US08038748B2
Hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies, heating assemblies, and methods of operating the same
Combustion-based heating assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies that include at least a reforming region adapted to be heated by the heating assemblies. The heating assembly may include at least one fuel chamber and at least one heating and ignition source. The at least one fuel chamber may be adapted to receive at least one fuel stream at a first temperature. The fuel stream may include a liquid, combustible, carbon-containing fuel having an ignition temperature greater than the first temperature at which the fuel stream is delivered to the fuel chamber. The at least one heating and ignition source may be adapted to heat at least a portion of the fuel chamber to raise the temperature of at least a portion of the carbon-containing fuel to a second temperature at least as great as the ignition temperature and to ignite the carbon-containing fuel. Methods of use are also disclosed.
US08038743B1
A supercritical water reformer (SCWR) and methods for using supercritical water to convert hydrocarbons, particularly hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel fuel or gasoline, into carbonaceous gases and hydrogen. The synthesis gas stream generated by the fuel reforming reaction can then be further refined to increase hydrogen content, and the resultant hydrogen can be utilized to power fuel cells.
US08038742B2
The present invention provides a fuel for homogeneous charge compression ignition engines, which can achieve a stable homogeneous charge compression ignition at a higher output. The fuel satisfies the following requirements (1), (2), (3), and (4): (1) certain distillation characteristics between an initial boiling point (IBP): 0° C. or higher and 60° C. or lower; and an end point (EP): 250° C. or higher and 380° C. or lower; (2) research octane number: 62 or greater and 85 or less; (3) density at 15° C.: 0.700 g/cm3 or higher and lower than 0.800 g/cm3; and (4) Reid vapor pressure at 37.8° C.: 30 kPa or greater and lower than 65 kPa.
US08038737B2
A method of modulating a stability of a sulfonated dye, particularly its ozonefastness is provided. The method comprises providing a salt of the dye, wherein the salt comprises at least one organic cation selected from the group consisting of: a first organic cation having a positive charge delocalized between a nitrogen atom and at least one other heteroatom; a second organic cation having a positive charge delocalized between a nitrogen atom and at least two other atoms; and a third organic cation of formula (A): wherein: Rp, Rq and Rr are each independently selected from a C1-6 alkyl group; s is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and Ar is a C6-12 aryl group or C3-12 heteroaryl group.
US08038724B2
A textile, such as a hairpiece, includes a plurality of fiber single-ply threads. The plurality of fiber single-ply threads are grouped such that designs may be created on desired portions of the plurality of fiber single-ply threads, such as a decolorized portion. The textile includes a fixed part to hold the fiber single-ply threads. A variety of techniques may be used to create a design on the plurality of fiber single-ply threads with precision. For example, various dispersion dyes on transcription paper could be applied to a surface of the single-ply threads with a heat pressing process. The textile, exhibiting designs on a plurality of fiber single-ply threads, is also configured to be attached or adorned.
US08038723B2
An epilatory composition, substantially provided as flat strips, comprises a gel-like matrix material, for example a rosin-based or sugar-based material and, mixed with the matrix material, a particulate material, for example colloidal particles of fumed silica, and a polyethylene in the form of a homopolymer. The particles reduce the tendency of the epilatory composition to flow, under warm ambient conditions with improved efficacy over known epilatory compositions.
US08038720B2
An intragastric and/or intragastrointestinal device may include a prosthesis, which may reside within the gastrointestinal tract lumen. The device may include a restrictive element that constricts or restricts the gastrointestinal tract lumen, limiting the amount of food and/or fluid an individual consumes.
US08038709B2
The present invention relates to implantable medical devices and methods that employ these medical devices to treat heart valves. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided comprising a body. The body may have a portion thereof including therapeutic agent and can be configured to support the device proximate a heart valve. Methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may also include providing a medical device having a body with at least a portion thereof including a therapeutic agent. These methods may also include positioning the medical device in a location proximate to a downstream surface of the heart valve and securing the device. The therapeutic agent released may then be delivered to the heart valve.
US08038696B2
An embolic protection filtering device and methods and making and using filtering devices. An example filtering device may include an elongate shaft or filter wire, a filter coupled to the filter wire, and a sheath. The methods for using the filtering device include using an introducer member to help back load a guidewire into the sheath and then advance the filtering device along the guidewire to a target region.
US08038687B2
The present invention describes apparatus and methods for tying a filament across subcutaneous punctures. According to some embodiments, the apparatus and methods provide pre-tied knots that are inserted into a bodily lumen. Needles flanking the subcutaneous puncture are inserted into the lumen and grab the pre-tied knots. The pre-tied knots are pulled through tiny holes flanking the subcutaneous puncture by the needles, leaving an internal length of the filament across the subcutaneous puncture. The filament is then externally tied, closing the subcutaneous puncture.
US08038686B2
A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to align a clip with the jaws, features to prevent unintentional migration of a clip, and features to prevent clip fallout during formation.
US08038681B2
A femoral orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a posterior femoral trial having a cutting guide defined therein and an anterior femoral trial removably coupled to the posterior femoral trial. The anterior femoral trial may also include a cutting guide defined therein. The femoral orthopaedic surgical instrument may also include a base block couplable to the posterior femoral trial in place of the anterior femoral trial. A plurality of additional orthopaedic instruments may be coupled to the base block.
US08038680B2
A driver for delivering an insert to a bone anchor, the bone anchor having an internal cavity with a set of internal threads, the driver adapted to rotate with respect to a bone anchor that is anchored in a vertebral body in order to engage external threads on the insert with the set of internal threads in the bone anchor and axially advance the threadedly engaged insert within the bone anchor while simultaneously preventing the bone anchor from rotating with respect to the vertebral body the driver having: 1) a threaded retention rod for engaging a bore in the insert; 2) a driver head to engage with the insert to apply torque to the insert and rotate the insert; and 3) an anchor stabilizer to engage with a proximal face of the bone anchor to prevent the bone anchor from rotating with respect to the vertebral body.
US08038668B2
A cryosurgery device for dispensing a liquid refrigerant from a container having a valve stem extending outwardly therefrom. The device includes an actuator adapted to seat on the valve stem of the container in order to depress the valve stem to release the refrigerant from the container. The actuator includes an inner passageway having opposed ends disposed therein, one of the ends of the passageway being in fluid communication with the valve stem. An applicator tube is mounted to the actuator at the other end of the inner passageway. A cap is disposed on the top of the container. The actuator is movably positioned on the cap and a shield is attached to the cap to completely receiving the applicator tube. Liquid refrigerant can only be dispensed when the actuator is positioned properly and the applicator tube is disposed within the shield means.
US08038667B2
Fluid communication to an end of a catheter is afforded through a connection hub selectively attachable thereto. The connection hub includes a catheter receiving element and a fluid coupling element that are relatively rotatable coaxially between a catheter receiving condition and a catheter capture condition of the connection hub. The catheter capture condition, a compressible sealing sleeve disposed interior of the connection hub between a pair of clamping jaws projecting from the catheter receiving element is urged into sealing engagement with the exterior of the catheter, catheter is gripped mechanically through the sealing sleeve by the clamping jaws. The exteriors of each of the catheter receiving element and the fluid coupling element are formed into planar actuation handles that facilitate relative rotation of the catheter receiving element and the fluid coupling element into coplanar alignment in the catheter capture condition of the connection hub.
US08038664B2
Apparatus for delivering a quantity of fluid to bone marrow of a bone or providing access to remove fluids from a target site is provided. The apparatus may include a driver, a plunger operating and cartridge assembly mechanism, a cartridge assembly having a fluid reservoir and a bone penetrating needle.
US08038659B2
Systems and methods are described for configuring several modules each individually small enough to pass through a digestive tract; and a tether or other means for releasably configuring at least the several modules in a group. Such a tether may (directly or indirectly) couple some of the modules via at least a gap in another module from which the tether may slip free, in some embodiments. Such methods may include modes of administering a medication or otherwise taking an action in response to the one or more phenomena.
US08038640B2
In some arrangements, a pump for moving a fluid has one or more pump chambers and one or more flow control valves with diaphragm actuation regions. Motive fluid can activate the diaphragm actuation regions, and a pattern of fluid flow can be controlled by varying the pressure levels of the motive fluid.
US08038639B2
A kidney failure therapy system includes: (a) a dilaysate supply; (b) at least one valve actuator; (c) at least one pump actuator; and (d) a disposable unit including first and second flexible sheets sealed together for form: (i) at least one flow path configured to be placed in fluid communication with the dilaysate supply; and operable with the at least one valve actuator; and (ii) at least one pumping portion configured to operate with the at least one pump actuator.
US08038636B2
An orthopedic device in the form of a cervical collar having height and circumferential adjustment includes an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The anterior portion includes a main support piece having depending projections configured to engage a height adjustment mechanism. Each of the anterior and posterior portions also includes a proximal support portion having a three-dimensional anatomically configured shape to support, immobilize, and stabilize an anatomical portion of a wearer. The anterior and/or posterior portion includes circumferential adjustment mechanisms to accommodate different sizes or differing degrees of swelling of anatomical portions.
US08038627B2
A biopsy device comprises a cannula having a transverse tissue receiving aperture and a cutter that is movable relative to the cannula to sever tissue protruding through the aperture. A first valve assembly comprises a first valve body and a first actuator. The first valve body has a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port is in fluid communication with either atmospheric air or a pressurized medium. The second port is in fluid communication with the cannula. The third port is in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The first actuator is translatable relative to the first valve body to selectively couple either the first port or the third port with the second port. An optional second valve assembly is operable to selectively couple the cannula with either a source of saline or the first valve assembly.
US08038624B2
Disclosed is a system for the detection of cardiac events (a guardian system) that includes an implanted device called a cardiosaver, a physician's programmer and an external alarm system. The system is designed to provide early detection of cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction or exercise induced myocardial ischemia caused by an increased heart rate or exertion. The system can also alert the patient with a less urgent alarm if a heart arrhythmia is detected. Using one or more detection algorithms, the cardiosaver can detect a change in the patient's electrogram that is indicative of a cardiac event within five minutes after it occurs and then automatically warn the patient that the event is occurring. To provide this warning, the guardian system includes an internal alarm sub-system (internal alarm means) within the cardiosaver and/or an external alarm system (external alarm means). If the guardian system is put into a pacemaker, the algorithm can utilize a different analysis of the electrogram depending on whether or not the pacemaker is actually pacing the heart.
US08038611B2
This invention includes surgical retractors that comprise an expandable frame that includes at least two base components, a connector, and at least two retractor blades attached to the expandable frame. Also included are surgical retractors that comprise a housing component that includes a cylindrical portion and a contiguous blade portion, assemblies comprising a surgical retractor assembled to at least one obtruator, illuminated surgical cannulas, and methods of using the same during a surgical procedure.
US08038608B2
An object of the present invention is to enable clearly identifying whether a body-cavity image displayed on a display unit is based on data which is directly received by a viewer itself, or whether the body-cavity image displayed on the display unit is based on data received by another receiving device. An identification notifying unit presents different identification modes such as a capsule mark and a cable mark 41 which are sensory recognizable between the case where a body-cavity image based on body-cavity image data which a first receiving unit has received directly from a capsule endoscope is displayed, and the case where a body-cavity image 40 based on body-cavity image data which a second receiving unit has received via another receiving device is displayed. Thus, it is possible to clearly identify which receiver has received the body-cavity image data based on which the body-cavity image is displayed.
US08038604B2
An endoscope distal end cover includes a cover portion provided with a coupling port for covering at least a part of an outer circumferential portion of a distal end portion main body configuring an insertion portion of an endoscope; an opening portion for allowing a surface of the distal end portion main body to be in communication with outside when the cover portion is disposed on the distal end portion main body; a finger-hooking portion provided on the cover portion and located away from an edge portion of the coupling port by a predetermined distance; a plastic-deformation portion formed adjacent to the finger-hooking portion and along a predetermined direction of the cover portion; and convex portion engaged with an engaging portion provided to the distal end portion main body, the convex portion being provided on an inner surface of the cover portion adjacent to the plastic-deformation portion.
US08038599B2
A communication apparatus (3) arranged outside a subject (1) has an external device (32) which sequentially transmits control signals. A capsule endoscope (2) is introduced inside the subject (1). Thereafter, a system control circuit controls a driving of an intra-capsule function executing circuit so as to start driving at a previously set given time, by supplying driving power to the intra-capsule function executing circuit to control the driving thereof based on a result of detection by a control-signal detecting circuit which is provided in the capsule endoscope (2) and which detects a discontinuous state of input of the control signals. Thus, a collection and transmission of images inside the subject can be performed accurately.In addition, a transmitting unit generates and transmits a communication confirmation signal to the communication apparatus. In response, a receiving unit receives a communication permission signal from the communication apparatus. A communication controller determines whether to transmit in-vivo information or not based on the state of reception of the communication permission signal.
US08038594B2
Surgical instruments for prolapse repair are disclosed. The surgical instruments have straight portions and helical portions.
US08038586B2
A portable exercise apparatus comprising a member, for placing on the user's back, a shoulder strap, extending out of the member, for passing around the user's shoulder, a torso strap, extending out of the member, for passing around the user's torso, wherein the torso strap has a first strap portion and a second strap portion, a resistance band, a latching member, having a first latch portion and a second latch portion, wherein the latch portions are interlockable and the first latch portion is provided on the first strap portion and the second latch portion is provided on the second strap portion, and a locking member, for securing the latch portions in an interlocked position.
US08038583B2
The shoe accessory includes a platform for supporting a conventional shoe that is bendable in a manner corresponding to bending of a wearer's show during walking, etc. The shoe accessory's base has a convex or other non-planar surface that causes the shoe accessory to be stable in a longitudinal (heel-toe) direction, and unstable in a lateral (medial/lateral) direction. The non-planar surface may be defined by one or more ridge segments on the platform's bottom side. One or more straps are provided to temporarily secure the wearer's conventional shoe to the platform in a non-destructive manner. A generally U-shaped heel retainer may be provided adjacent a rear portion of the platform for receiving the heel of the shoe. The shoe accessory makes a flat-soled shoe laterally unstable while allowing for longitudinal stability and a naturalistic gait, and thus facilitates exercise of leg and foot muscles during normal walking, running, etc.
US08038579B2
A system for training and evaluating bilateral symmetric force output of upper limbs has a force application unit of bilateral upper limbs, a movable link unit, a signal conversion unit, a computing unit and a driving unit. The force application unit of bilateral upper limbs has at least two force sensors. When stroke patients perform training, the system can instantaneously measure values of forces exerted by users and sensed by the sensors, and determine if the movable link unit is driven according to a pre-configured training pattern, so that both hands of patients are allowed to perform training movements pushing forward and pulling backward to promote training mechanism of dual-brain hemisphere organization and improve moving capability of upper limb of affected side.
US08038559B2
The end faces of a first pin contain bulging curved faces having an egg-like shape, when viewed along a chain width direction. Each bulging curved face includes a first end portion, a second end portion and a maximum width portion with respect to a chain advancing direction. With respect to perpendicular directions, the distance between the center of the maximum width portion and the first end portion is relatively large, whereas the distance between the center of the maximum width portion and the second end portion is relatively short. It is possible to enlarge the surface area of the bulging curved face.
US08038549B2
The present invention provides a shooting aid apparatus for basketball players including a device worn by a basketball player to aid the player's shooting forearm to be kept parallel to the vertical centerline of the body during the shooting motion without any apparatus restraints. The centerline of the body is an imaginary line dividing the player vertically down the middle of his or her body. The shooting aid comprises a sleeve adapted to fit around the forearm or wrist of the shooting arm of the basketball player. The sleeve carries a light that brightly illuminates in response to the forearm of the shooter being in a vertical position.
US08038545B2
A hollow golf club head with a concave portion is disclosed and claimed. The club head includes a metallic portion and a light weight portion, which may be formed of plastic, composite, or the like. The concave portion allows the club designer to make a club head having very thin portions while still maintaining the requisite structural integrity. Convex bulges may optionally be provided to house weight inserts to enhance the playing characteristics of the golf club.
US08038544B2
A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, comprising of a body portion and a crown portion, each portion constructed of a different density material. Combining a high-density material in the body portion, with a low-density material in the crown portion, creates an ultra-low center of gravity relative to the geometric face center, resulting in higher launch angles and spin rate ratios. The material for the crown portion is preferably a composite. A vibration dampening gasket is disposed between the ledge and lip sections of the body and crown respectively.
US08038542B2
A waterslide amusement ride having in a portion thereof, a linear induction motor to efficiently and effectively affect the motion of a vehicle sliding on the ride. The linear induction motor comprises linear induction motor units embedded below a sliding surface, and a reaction plate mounted to the bottom of the vehicle. Depending on the configuration of the linear induction motor units and the reaction plate, the linear induction motor drive can be used to accelerate the vehicle, decelerate the vehicle, maintain the speed of the vehicle up an uphill section, or rotate the vehicle.
US08038533B2
A game system includes a parent game device and a plurality of child game devices connected thereto. The parent game device displays a common screen on a CRT, and each of the plurality of child game devices displays an individual screen on an LCD provided for each child device. The parent game device detects a degree of progress of a game of each child game device, selects for each child game device predetermined display information data out of a plurality of display information data on the basis of the detected degree of progress of the game, and creates different parent game device data for each child device on the basis of the display information data. Each child game device generates image data for displaying the individual screen on the LCD on the basis of the parent game device data received from the parent game device.
US08038532B2
This invention relates to a method of performing a competition between teams by means of at least two sets of modular units (20A, 20B; 21A, 21B; 22A, 22B). The invention further relates to a modular unit for performing a competition between teams. Said method comprises the steps of connecting a first set of modular units (20A, 21A, 22A) to a second set of modular units (20B, 21B, 22B), wherein each set comprises at least one modular unit (10); determining which first modular unit in the first set is connected to which second modular unit or units in the first set; determining which third modular unit in the second set is connected to which fourth modular unit or units in the second set; determining a set of information items for at least one modular unit, wherein each information item individually relates to a specific modular unit in said sets (20A, 20B; 21A, 21B; 22A, 22B); and wherein said set of information items represents competition-related information, and wherein said set of information items depends on the way in which said modular units are located relative to one another, a property for each modular unit and of which first competition performed; distributing the set of information items to the corresponding modular units; and presenting said set of information items on the modular units. A modular unit, when used in conjunction with more modular units, can thus provide a freely selectable field of any form or shape for performing a competition, such as sports or games.
US08038530B2
Methods and apparatus for filtering wagering game content are described herein. In one embodiment, the wagering game system includes a wagering game content filter to receive wagering game content over a communications network and to authenticate the wagering game content. The wagering game system can also include a memory unit to receive the wagering game content after the wagering game content filter has authenticated the wagering game content. The wagering game system can also include a processor to fetch the wagering game content from the memory unit and to conduct a wagering game based on the wagering game content.
US08038522B2
Apparatus and method for playing a Keno type game. The game consists of a plurality of elements, wherein a player specifies the number of game elements (such as the number of stop positions in a reel-type gaming machine), in the same way that the player would decide how many numbers to bet on a Keno game.
US08038505B2
A brassiere cup and pad structure is revealed. The brassiere cup and pad structure consists of two outer linings made from polypropylene and an inner padding made from the same material-polypropylene. By the polypropylene with low melting point, the dye degradation on the outer lining caused by high temperature during foaming processes can be avoided. Thus the amount of defective products in which the outer lining have spots resulted from degraded dyes is reduced. Moreover, the shortcoming of general inner padding made from foam that is easy to turn yellow over time is improved effectively.
US08038494B2
An organic electroluminescent device (OELD) and a method of manufacturing the OELD are provided. The OELD includes a substrate, an anode electrode stacked on the substrate, an organic light emitting layer that is stacked on the anode electrode and has a plurality of protrusions on the organic light emitting layer, and a cathode electrode that covers the protrusions formed on the organic light emitting layer and is formed of a metal.
US08038493B1
A catalyzed exhaust system for an outboard motor engine rotates its catalyst device in a catalyst housing above an adapter plate which supports the engine and separates it from the driveshaft housing. The exhaust gas is directed initially in an upwardly direction and then is turned downwardly to provide space for location and easy access to the catalyst device. A coolant, such as water drawn from a body of water, is reversed in direction of flow several times in order to advantageously fill certain cooling channels in an upward direction. In addition, various coolant channels are vented to remove potential pockets of air in their upper regions.
US08038492B2
A device that when fitted to a motor vessel's existing propulsion gear improves the performance and reduces potential damage and wear of underwater propeller shaft bearings, commonly referred to as “cutlass bearings” that are used on boats, ships, etc. Designed with radially mounted impeller blades around the periphery of the propeller shaft, the device creates a forced flow of water by centrifugal pumping action, which creates suction along the shaft abaft the cutlass bearing, thereby increasing the flow of water through the cutlass bearing. The device also greatly diminishes the probability that fouling around a propeller shaft will severely restrict water flow through the cutlass bearing.
US08038491B2
A boat includes a connection structure that connects couplings via a transfer shaft on a rear end portion of a crankshaft extending rearward from an engine. The crankshaft and the transfer shaft are connected by screwing an external thread and a front internal thread, and the transfer shaft and the couplings are connected by screwing an external thread and an internal thread. There are provided an inner bolt that strengthens the connection between the external thread and the front internal thread, an end bolt that strengthens the connection between the transfer shaft and the couplings, and an outer nut that strengthens the connection between the crankshaft and the transfer shaft. The boat can prevent movement between the crankshaft and an intermediate member and between the intermediate member and a coupling both in a rotational direction and in an axial direction without causing an increase of processing time or processing cost.
US08038467B2
An electrical connector (100) for electrically mating with two different mating interfaces includes an insulative housing (1) defining a first and a second mating spaces (114, 124) located at opposite ends, a plurality of contact terminals (2) received in the insulative housing (1) each of which integrally defines an upper beam (2a), a lower beam (2b), and a fulcrum portion (21) connecting the beams at middle thereof, an actuator (4) pivotally assembled on the housing (1) and capable of rotating between an opened position in which one of the mating spaces (124) is accessible, and a closed position in which the actuator (4) is substantially covering said mating space (124). Each contact terminal (2) forms a first contact portion (221, 231) extending toward a first mating space (114) from the fulcrum portion (21), a second contact portion (251) extending toward a second mating space (124) from the fulcrum portion (21), and a soldered portion (252) solderable onto a PCB (400) which the electrical connector (100) located thereon or therein.
US08038465B2
A vehicle power distribution circuit board has interconnected electronic components and a connector mounted thereon. The interconnected electronic components include one or more heat generating components. The connector includes a main body formed of an electrically insulating material for supporting a plurality of terminals. The terminals have first ends connected to the circuit board and second ends adapted to be connected to a mating connector of a vehicle wiring harness. The main body of the connector is configured to form an air gap between the main body and the circuit board, and the terminals extend from the main body to the first end through the gap. Also, the connector is positioned on the circuit board with a thermally conductive path from one of the heat generating components to the gap such that the terminals within the air gap function as a heat sink to dissipate heat from the heat generating component.
US08038446B2
A training device for nasal hygiene comprises a facial tissue sheet; where the facial tissue sheet has a first side, and where the facial tissue sheet also has a second side having an opposing planar relationship to the first side. A first-side tissue graphic is visible on the first side of the facial tissue sheet. The first-side tissue graphic comprises a permanent graphic and/or an active graphic. In addition, the first-side tissue graphic is a training mark.
US08038439B2
There is disclosed a medical handpiece, in particular a dental handpiece, having a lighting device which includes at least one optical semiconductor element, whereby the at least one optical semiconductor element is arranged at least partially in the interior of the handpiece and is detachably connected to the handpiece. On account of this design, it is possible for the user to easily connect the handpiece to an optical semiconductor element that is needed for a certain treatment and has, for example, a certain desired power level and/or emits a desired wavelength. The handpiece may thus be used for different applications without requiring any additional components such as switches, etc., that take up space. The outside dimensions of the handpiece remain substantially unchanged in comparison with known handpieces.
US08038436B2
An oven for bonding adhesives to the back surface of a textile article includes a housing with a transport frame for passing the textile article through a curing chamber within the housing. The oven also has an air source and a duct system that delivers an airflow into a cool zone on the opposite, pile surface side of the textile article. The airflow has a lower temperature than the elevated temperature of the curing chamber and is supplied to the cool zone in sufficient amounts such that the pressure in the cool zone exceeds the ambient pressure in the curing chamber.
US08038427B2
Apparatus for producing an object by sequentially forming thin layers of a construction material one on top of the other responsive to data defining the object, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of printing heads each having a surface formed with a plurality of output orifices and controllable to dispense the construction material through each orifice independently of the other orifices; a shuttle to which the printing heads are mounted; a support surface; and a controller adapted to control the shuttle to move back and forth over the support surface and as the shuttle moves to control the printing heads to dispense the construction material through each of their respective orifices responsive to the data to form a first layer on the support surface and thereafter, sequentially the other layers; wherein each printing head is dismountable from the shuttle and replaceable independently of the other printing heads.
US08038424B2
A method manufactures solid ink sticks by forming a solid ink paste and injecting the paste into a mold having internal cavities. The method includes generating a solid ink paste, injecting a portion of the paste under pressure into a cooled mold having at least two separable shells that form ink stick cavities, and separating the shells of the cooled mold to release solid ink sticks from the ink stick cavities.
US08038421B2
A scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll, each including a spiral wrap protruding from an end plate and having the same tooth thickness (Tr) and the same base-circle radius (b) defining an involute surface. The fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll are offset from each other by an orbiting radius (ρ) and mesh such that the respective wraps face each other with a phase shift of 180°. The orbiting scroll revolves/orbits along a circular orbit with the orbiting radius (ρ) to compress a gas while a rotation-preventing mechanism prevents rotation of the orbiting scroll. The relationship between the involute surfaces of the spiral wraps of the two scrolls and the dimensions, dimensional tolerance, and assembly standards of the rotation-preventing mechanism are determined so that the median value of an allowable angle of rotation (φ) agrees with an upright position of the orbiting scroll.
US08038416B2
A device including a first discharge passage from a first rotor assembly to an engine, a first return passage that returns to an intake side of the first rotor assembly, a second discharge passage from a second rotor assembly to the engine, a second return passage that returns to an intake side of the second rotor assembly, and a pressure control valve whose valve main body is provided between a discharge port from the second rotor assembly and the first discharge passage. The first discharge passage and the second discharge passage are coupled, and a flow passage control is executed in each of: a low revolution range; an intermediate revolution range; and a high revolution range.
US08038414B2
A rinsing device, in particular for endoscopy, comprising an electrically driven pump, in particular a peristaltic roller pump, as well as a method of operating such a device. A control device is provided to detect and/or adjust a flow rate. In order to avoid an excessively high pressure in case of an unintended stenosis, e.g. kinking of the supply tube, or also intended stenoses, e.g. insertion of a narrow rinsing probe, a current-measuring device is provided to detect a current being received by the pump. The control device is adapted such that when the flow rate exceeds a prespecified limiting value and at the same time the current exceeds a first predetermined current value, the flow rate is reduced to a safe flow-rate value.
US08038410B2
When cold and in the uncoated state, the aerodynamic airfoil is substantially identical to a nominal airfoil determined by the Cartesian coordinates X, Y, Z′ given in Table 1, in which the coordinate Z′ is the ratio D/H where D is the distance from the point in question to a reference plane P0, located at the base of the nominal airfoil, and H is the height of this airfoil, measured from said reference plane up to the tip of the blade. The D and H measurements being taken radially with respect to the axis of the turbine whereas the X coordinate is measured in the axial direction of the turbine.
US08038406B2
An axial fan which includes a hub portion having the rotational center thereof and blades arranged on the outer periphery of the hub portion is equipped with a thickness reinforcing portion which extends from the joint portion between the blade front edge portion of the blade and the hub portion to the outer periphery of the blade along the blade front edge and whose width and thickness are smaller as the distance from the rotational center of the hub portion is larger. There is achieved an arc corresponding to the overlap portion between the blade and a circle of a first radius which passes from the blade front edge side of the blade to the blade rear edge side and has as the center thereof any reference point displaced from the rotational center on a plane vertical to the rotational axis of the hub portion and the blade.
US08038403B2
A turbomachine rotor wheel includes a disk carrying blades having roots engaged and held in an annular recess of the disk. The roots are connected to platforms for co-operating with an annular gasket mounted in an annular groove of the disk. The annular sealing gasket exerts a resilient force on the blade platforms holding the blades in a proper position for operation while the turbomachine is at rest.
US08038399B1
A rim cavity seal arrangement for a gas turbine engine, where the rim cavity is formed between two rotor disk stages with a stator vane assembly positioned between the rotor disks and extending into the rim cavity. A cover plate secured onto a side of the rotor disk includes a plurality of cooling air injectors directed to discharge cooling air into an annular groove formed on the underside of the vane endwall adjacent to the rotor disk to form an air cushion that seals the rim cavity from hot gas ingestion. The cover plate forms a cooling air supply passage with the rotor disk side to supply the injectors, and the cover plate includes at least one metering hole to meter the pressurized air into the injectors.
US08038398B2
An air distribution system for use with a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a nacelle that is coupled to a tower and a rotor that is rotatably coupled to the nacelle with a rotor shaft. The rotor includes at least one rotor blade that is coupled to a hub. The air distribution system includes a conduit that is defined within the rotor shaft. The conduit provides flow communication between the nacelle and the rotor. An air-flow control assembly is coupled in flow communication with the conduit. The air-flow control assembly is configured to selectively channel air from the nacelle to the rotor and from the nacelle to ambient air.
US08038384B2
The invention teaches a turbine capable of receiving wind power and transferring wind power into mechanical energy, and capable of coupling with a generator. The turbine includes a generally flat horizontally mountable support plate capable of rotation about a central axis, the support plate having a plurality of pivot modifications located proximate to an outside circumference, and vanes coupled to the support plate at the pivot modification, each vane having a vane shaft coupled between a pivot modification on the first support plate and a pivot modification on a cap plate, each vane supported by a first rib and a second rib having an exterior edge defined as the exterior circumference edge of the head and the interior circumference edge of the tail, and a material attached between the exterior of the first rib and the exterior of the second rib.
US08038383B2
Vertical axis turbine apparatus is described in which a rotating blade turbine member mounted on a fixed base includes one to fifty, preferably two or three, upwardly and outwardly inclined spars. On each spar is set at least one aerofoil or hydrofoil section blade. If there is more than one spar, the spars are preferably held to one another via a plurality of guy wires.
US08038378B2
A tape type binding apparatus includes a cutter portion formed in a U-shape inside which a paper staple is held, a paper table formed with a drawing hole through which cutter blades of the cutter portion can be inserted, a pair of pressing members arranged on respective sides of the drawing hole, and a pressing piece arranged below the center of the drawing hole. The cutter blades and leg portions of the paper staple penetrate a stack of sheets placed on the paper table by moving down the cutter portion, the pair of pressing members folds the leg portions of the paper staple to inner sides by moving toward the center of the drawing hole through rectangular holes formed on respective cutter blades, and the pressing piece presses and bonds the folded leg portions by relatively moving up with respect to the paper table.
US08038373B2
A safety and restraint assembly allows transition of palletized cargo into a cargo bay and prevents the palletized cargo from inadvertently rolling backwards out through the cargo bay door. The assembly includes a wedge-shaped, spring-loaded, anti-rollout component that rotates downward as force from a pallet is applied to the anti-rollout component during loading of pallets, and the anti-rollout component returns to its original position after the pallet has traversed entirely over the anti-rollout component. The assembly also includes a folding restraint pawl for vertical restraint of adjacent pallets during transport. In an engaged position, the restraint pawl snaps into a slot in the anti-rollout component.
US08038364B2
A composite material comprises: an open grid comprising at least two sets of strands. Each set of strands has openings between adjacent strands. The sets are oriented at a substantial angle to one another. A tack film is laminated to the open grid. The tack film has first and second major surfaces, such that a material of the tack film at its first and second major surfaces is a material including about 50% or more of resinous non-asphaltic component and about 50% or less of asphaltic component.
US08038363B2
A panel fastening system, especially floor panels, whose narrow sides are fitted with retaining profiles. The retaining profile of a front narrow side, the retaining profile of the opposite back narrow side, the retaining profile of a left narrow side and the retaining profile of the opposite right narrow side of a panel match each other in such a way that similar panels can be fixed to one another. The mutually matching retaining profiles have complementary hook elements that can be hooked into one another and the hook elements have retaining surfaces which hold the panels against each other when the panels are mounted in such a way that a gap-free surface is obtained.
US08038358B2
A tape printing apparatus includes an input device, a setting device, and a display device. The apparatus further includes a setting tape width image storage device, a character size image storage device, a tape width acquisition device, a character size acquisition device, a setting tape width image reading device that reads out one of setting tape width images from the setting tape width image storage device, and a character size image reading device that reads out one of character size images from the character size image storage device. The apparatus further includes a setting guide image generation device that generates a setting guide image by combining the one of the setting tape width images and the one of the character size images, and a setting display control device that displays the setting guide image on a setting screen.
US08038357B2
A diaphragm unit includes: a plate-like base member having an optical path hole formed therein; diaphragm blades overlapping with each other in an optical axis direction of an optical system, being supported by the base member so as to be movable in directions in which the diaphragm blades approach and depart from the optical axis along a plan perpendicular to the optical axis, and forming a diaphragm opening centered on the optical axis inside the optical path hole; and a driving mechanism adjusting the size of the diaphragm opening by moving the diaphragm blades.
US08038350B2
In order to prevent degradation of accuracy and decrease of strength when a hydrodynamic bearing device is assembled and to reduce a cost of the hydrodynamic bearing device, a guide face serving as a guide when a disc hub is press fitted into a shaft member is formed on the shaft member. Then, the guide face, an outer circumferential surface of the shaft member adjacent to the guide face, and a boundary portion between the guide face and the outer circumferential surface are ground simultaneously, thereby forming a blunting portion having a radius r in the boundary portion. Thus, no edge remains between the guide face and the outer circumferential surface. Therefore, press-fitting resistance when the disc hub is press fitted to an end of the shaft member can be reduced.
US08038347B2
An imaging system includes a portable litter including a structural housing and a digital detector positioned in the structural housing to detect X-ray signals corresponding to a region of interest to be imaged. The imaging system further includes at least one X-ray source for generating the X-ray signals, the at least one X-ray source positioned above the portable litter on an open gantry arrangement and configured to generate X-rays from different focal spot locations.
US08038341B2
A unit is formed by a winding ratchet (1) and a barrel arbor (4) having an end which includes a non-circular driving formation (5) and a groove (6) adjacent thereto that defines a small-section portion whose shape and dimensions are such that they extend into the section of the driving formation, whereby a shoulder (18) of the barrel arbor limits the height of the groove. The ratchet includes a central opening (2) corresponding to the driving formation and at least one off-centered tapping (3) relative to the ratchet. It includes an attachment washer (8) having a central passage (9) corresponding to the driving formation and engaged therewith in an assembled position, and at least one off-centered piercing (10), at least one screw for screwing the attachment washer onto the ratchet in a position angularly offset so that in this assembled position, the central opening is not aligned with the central passage.
US08038335B2
The present invention discloses improvements on an apparatus for reading a document by illuminating it with a beam of focused light, directing the reflected light to an array of optical sensors, digitalizing the resulting image and storing it for future use. It discloses several aspects of the light pipe element aimed at improving the illumination of the targeted area for the aforementioned purpose, including the shape of the light pipe ends, the use of a refracting coat on the back of the light pipe and the shaping of the light pipe front surface to focus the light rays on the target surface.
US08038325B2
An auxiliary reflecting mirror is manufactured by heating the central portion of a quartz glass tube and compressing the central portion by pushing two end portions of the quartz glass tube so that the wall thickness of the central portion thickens, accommodating the quartz glass tube after thickening the wall thickness of the central portion in a mold having inner surfaces formed to the reflecting surface shape, which is to be formed in an auxiliary reflecting mirror, and forming an expanded portion by expanding the central portion, of which the wall thickness was thickened, by introducing a gas from the two ends of the quartz glass tube, cutting the quartz glass tube in at least the central portion of the expanded portion, evaporating a reflecting film on the outer surface of the expanded portion and forming a reflecting surface.
US08038322B2
A tube elementary LED includes an elementary glass tube through which light can be transmitted and includes two sealed ends respectively provided with a power plug and a power socket and a LED light emitting base plate disposed in the tube that is powered by the power plug and the power socket. A plurality of LED chips for emitting light are mounted on one surface of the LED light emitting base plate and supports fix the LED light emitting base plates in the chamber of the elementary glass tube. The tube elementary LED may include a reflector attached on an internal surface or an external surface of the elementary glass tube to reflect the light emitted from the LED light emitting base plate to outside of the elementary glass tube.
US08038320B2
A package for holding a plurality of LED modules interconnected by wire. The package comprises a plurality of cradles each of which is sized to hold a respective one of the interconnected LED modules. Each of the cradles comprises first and second opposing side vertical surfaces partially defining a space for holding its respective one of the LED modules, each of the LED modules arranged in a respective one of the cradles. A plurality of holding tabs is included at least one of which is on one of the first and second opposing side vertical surfaces of each of the cradles and protruding into the module holding space. Each of the tabs is arranged to hold its respective one of the modules in its cradle, wherein the cradles are arranged adjacent to one another with the interconnecting wire running between adjacent cradles.
US08038319B2
A luminaire and a method of operating a luminaire is provided. The luminaire includes a light source emitting a plurality of light rays. A collimation device is arranged to receive a portion of light from the light source and transmits the portion of light through an exit aperture towards an illuminated area. The exit aperture includes a planar portion and at least one lenslet formed thereon. The lenslet is arranged having a first profile and a second profile, where the portion of light is refracted on a plurality of angles to form a twisted profile by the lenslet.
US08038318B2
A door frame mounted reflector system for a fluorescent troffer is depicted. The fluorescent troffer incorporates the utilization of a troffer housing and hingedly affixed to the troffer housing is a door frame which has attached thereto optical reflectors, the optical reflectors including optionally first and second lenses on either side of the centrally aligned basket and first and second upwardly extending downlight reflectors which extend upward from the longitudinal edge of the door frame towards the top wall of the troffer housing but which are not affixed to the top wall of the troffer housing. These downlight reflectors cover irregularities on the interior top wall of the troffer housing while providing smooth illumination characteristics to the lenses and basket.
US08038303B2
Disclosed is a projection apparatus including: a video display control section 53 to project and display a video according to input video data; and a projection distance obtainment section 14 to irradiate to a projection plane where the video is projected with a laser and displayed by the video display control section 53, and to obtain a projection distance to the projection plane, wherein when the projection distance is obtained by the projection distance obtainment section 14, the video display control section 53 adjusts a display status of at least a first video area 66 corresponding to a laser ranging point 63 which is an area where the laser is irradiated to a display status for obtaining the projection distance so that the distance from the projection apparatus to the projection plane can be measured fast and with high accuracy.
US08038294B2
A novel method for manufacturing a contact lens in which wearing comfort and stability in the circumferential direction that are aimed at can be achieved consistently with a high degree of accuracy irrespective of a profile of an optical zone. An optical zone provided in a center of a lens has a concave rear surface optical zone substantially matching a surface profile of a cornea and has a convex front surface optical zone imparting required spherical diopter power and geometrical center thickness, and a face of either the rear surface optical zone or the front surface optical zone is designed to impart thereto cylindrical power and axial angle required for a toric surface. Furthermore, a junction thickness is established in a joint zone that connects the optical zone with a peripheral zone at multiple sites in a circumferential direction about a geometrical lens center axis of the optical zone. Position of the joint zone is determined on the circumference from profiles established on the rear surface optical zone and the front surface optical zone so as to connect points satisfying the junction thickness thusly established.
US08038292B2
A head mounted display device comprises a frame, an image display unit, an extension member and a retaining mechanism. The frame includes a front part, a connection part and a temple part. The front part is mountable on a user's nose and extends in a right-and-left direction in front of the user's eye. The connection part is fixed to at least one edge portion of right and left side edges of the front part and extends in a rearward direction from the one edge portion. The temple part is mountable on the user's ear and rotatably connected with the connection part around a rotation axis extending along an up-and-down direction. The image display unit includes an optical system and is configured to generate an image to be displayed for the user. The extension member extends in a forward direction from the one edge portion. The retaining mechanism is configured to detachably retain the image display unit in the extension member.
US08038290B2
An image recording apparatus includes a recording head that records an image on a recording medium. A conveyor supports the recording medium on an outer surface thereof so as to convey the recording medium in a conveying direction, and has an attachment region and a non-attachment region on its outer surface. The recording medium is attachable to the attachment region with a first attachment force greater than a second attachment force of the non-attachment region. A medium feeder is configured to feed the recording medium to the conveyor so that at least a part of a leading edge of the recording medium in the conveying direction is positioned on the non-attachment region.
US08038289B2
A cartridge for a printing system is provided which has a body, print media disposed within the body, and a sliding door in the body arranged to be opened during printing so as to expose the print media to enable a print media feed mechanism of the printing system to contact the print media.
US08038286B2
A liquid removal apparatus which removes liquid on a base material, has; an absorbing member which absorbs and removes the liquid on the base material by making contact with or by approaching to the liquid; an internal rotating body which is disposed inside a hollow portion of the absorbing member and has an opening section in an outer circumferential surface of the internal rotating body; a pressure reducing device which reduces pressure of the hollow portion of the absorbing member, an internal rotating body drive device which causes the internal rotating body to rotate relatively with respect to the absorbing member; a movement device which causes relative movement of the base material with respect to the absorbing member and the internal rotating body; and an internal rotating body drive control device which controls the internal rotating body drive device.
US08038283B2
The invention is directed to an ink-jet recording apparatus including: a recording medium transport unit as defined herein; a full-line ink-jet head as defined herein; and an ultraviolet light illumination unit as defined herein, wherein the ultraviolet light illumination unit comprises an aperture-type hot-cathode tube, or an ultraviolet-setting ink-jet recording apparatus including: a recording medium transport unit as defined herein; and ink-jet head as defined herein; and an ultraviolet light illumination unit as defined herein, wherein: the ultraviolet light illumination unit comprises plural aperture-type hot-cathode tubes and apertures of at least one set of aperture-type hot-cathode tubes are rotated so that an overlap of their illumination regions is increased.
US08038281B2
A heater for preheating media in an imaging device including a substantially planar polymeric carrier having an exterior surface. A channel is recessed into the exterior surface of the carrier. A resistance heating element is disposed in the channel, the resistance heating element having a first and second end for coupling to a power source. The heater includes an over molded polymeric layer disposed in the channel such that the resistance heating element is substantially encapsulated in the channel and such that an exterior surface of the over molded layer is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the carrier.
US08038277B2
An ink cartridge includes a case including an ink chamber defined in the case and configured to store ink, and a first wall facing an exterior of the case. The first wall has a first opening formed therethrough, and a second opening formed therethrough. The first opening is configured to introduce air into an interior of the ink chamber, and the second opening is configured to supply ink from an interior of the case to the exterior of the case. The case also includes a second wall facing the exterior of the case and positioned opposite the first wall, and a third wall positioned in the case and defining a portion of the ink chamber. The third wall has a third opening formed therethrough, and the third opening is positioned closer to the second wall than to the first wall. Moreover, the case includes a particular ink path extending from the second opening to the third opening. The particular ink path is in fluid communication with the ink chamber via the third opening.
US08038274B2
There is disclosed an ink tank capable of inhibiting penetration of a gas even in an ink storage section made of a resin, having such a flexibility as to easily apply a negative pressure to ink, having an excellent resource protective property and applicable even to a small and inexpensive ink jet recording device having a large degree of freedom in design. In the ink tank for the ink jet recording device having the ink storage section made of a plastic, the ink storage section has a coating layer including a liquid retaining member capable of retaining ink on an inner surface or an outer surface thereof. The liquid retaining member can include a foam material, a fiber material or a gel-like substance. In the ink storage section, the liquid retaining member included in the coating layer including the liquid retaining member capable of retaining the ink on the outer surface thereof includes a moisture adsorbent which adsorbs a moisture.
US08038273B2
An inkjet cartridge having an ink container including a venting structure with an orifice through a wall of the ink container in direct communication with a meniscus baffle extending into the interior of the ink container. An inkjet cartridge lid including serpentine trenches and orifices formed within a top surface. At least one of the serpentine trenches intersects with at least one of the orifices. The venting structure includes a corridor interposing at least two separate ink reservoirs and including opposing first and second ends. The first end of the corridor resides in communication with an external environment while the second end is partitioned to establish a separate passage in communication with each of the at least two separate ink reservoirs, each passage including a hollow extending into an interior of the ink reservoir.
US08038269B2
A liquid ejecting device is provided. The liquid ejecting device includes: a liquid ejecting head including a nozzle for ejecting a liquid; a liquid supply channel for supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting head; a discharge channel for discharging a gas in the liquid supply channel; a gas permeable film disposed in a connecting portion between the liquid supply channel and the discharge channel, the gas permeable film partitioning the liquid supply channel and the discharge channel; and a suction unit connected to the discharge channel so as to suction the gas in the discharge channel, wherein the liquid supply channel includes a first liquid flow channel extending in an extending direction intersecting a horizontal direction, and wherein the gas permeable film defines a part of the first liquid flow channel extending in the extending direction.
US08038268B2
A liquid applying apparatus can prevent an applying roller from being degraded while contacting with an application liquid for a long time. Specifically, once an applying operation has been completely executed on an applying medium, the apparatus stands by for 60 seconds while holding the application liquid in a liquid holding member. When an applying instruction is not given during this period, the apparatus performs an application liquid collecting operation of discharging the application liquid from the liquid holding member. Thus, upon determining that no applying operation has been performed for a certain period after one applying operation has finished, the apparatus collects the application liquid from the liquid holding member. This avoids immersing the applying roller in the application liquid for a long time. Therefore, the applying roller is prevented from being degraded by the application liquid.
US08038266B2
An air babble trapping apparatus which traps an air bubble in ink includes: a filter having through holes formed in the substrate and an insulating layer with a low wettability formed in a surface of the substrate; and an electric potential control unit which controls an electric potential difference between the electroconductive substrate and the ink. When the electric potential difference is set to be zero, the air bubble in the ink is adhered to a surface of the filter because of the low wettability of the insulating layer. When the electric potential difference is set to be a predetermined value, the air bubble adhered to the surface of the filter is released since the wettability of the surface of the insulating layer of the filter is increased due to an electrowetting phenomenon.
US08038258B2
A printer includes a first print head support carrying a plurality of print heads. The first print head support is movable towards and away from the media support and includes one or more guides movably supporting a first print head service shuttle along the media support.
US08038256B2
When different liquids are charged in a plurality of nozzles, the liquids are drawn by suction or pushed out reliably from the nozzles, so that the liquids collected by suction or pushing out can be reused. For this purpose, a removing unit, which has a cap that operates to cover nozzle discharge ports and to come into tight contact with a head, is provided. Suction is performed from each nozzle separately. Different collection tubes and collection tanks are provided for the removing unit. A liquid having the same liquid composition is accumulated in one collection tank for the same liquid composition via the collection tube of a liquid channel for the same liquid composition.
US08038250B2
A recording head where an actuator, a cavity portion and a flexible flat cable are placed one on another is provided in a head holder of a carriage. A drive IC chip is mounted on the flexible flat cable. A bottom plate portion of a first heat sink is in contact with the drive IC chip so as to be thermally conductable, and a side plate portion thereof is disposed in a standing condition. A base end of a second heat sink is in contact, so as to be thermally conductable, with a wiring pattern formed portion of the flexible flat cable between the drive IC chip and the actuator, and a heat dissipating portion of the second heat sink is extended below the bottom plate portion, and a part of the heat dissipating portion is exposed to the outside of the head holder.
US08038249B2
An ink jet recording apparatus for effecting recording using a recording head for ejecting ink, the ink jet recording apparatus including a heating section for heating the recording head, a detecting unit for detecting a temperature of the recording head, a setting unit for setting a target temperature of the recording head, and a controller for controlling the target temperature of the recording head at or above the target temperature. The controller controls the temperature by heating control for heating the recording head and by diffusing control for diffusing the heat supplied by the heating control.
US08038246B2
It is an object of the invention to achieve a liquid ejection control method and the like that allows the amount of consumed liquid to be reduced. The liquid ejection control method controls the ejection of liquid, from nozzles for ejecting liquid, onto a medium that is fed in a predetermined feed direction, and has a step of detecting a portion of the medium that is positioned on an upstream side in said feed direction, and a step of not ejecting liquid from nozzles of a plurality of nozzles that are located on the upstream side in the feed direction based on the results of the detection.
US08038239B2
A controller for a printhead is provided. The printhead has rows of printing nozzles with each nozzle row formed by adjacent sub-rows of printing nozzles of adjacently disposed printhead modules. Each nozzle row us arranged such that the join of the respective adjacent sub-rows is arbitrarily located relative to the other nozzle rows thereby forming an arbitrarily shaped join region. The controller being configured to determine the arbitrary shape of the join region and to supply dot data to the printhead which compensates for the determined arbitrary shape.
