US08184920B2
A microscope system is constructed by a light guiding optical system 20 having an objective lens 21 and beam splitters 27a and 27b for splitting an optical image of a sample S, a photodetector 31 for acquiring an image of the sample S, and two CCD cameras 33 and 34 for focus control disposed on optical paths split by the beam splitters 27a and 27b. The cameras 33 and 34 are disposed being inclined with respect to the optical path so that the optical paths thereof in the light guiding optical system 20 vary along a z-axis direction in opposite directions to each other. Images acquired by these cameras 33 and 34 are analyzed in a focus controller 37, and the image pickup focal point to the sample S is controlled on the basis of the analysis result, whereby the focus control when an image of the sample is acquired can be suitably performed.
US08184919B2
A high dynamic range image can be recovered from a full-resolution lower-dynamic-range image and a reduced-resolution higher-dynamic-range image. Information regarding higher spatial frequencies may be obtained by extracting high spatial frequencies from the lower-dynamic-range image. In some embodiments an approximate impulse-response function is determined by comparing the higher- and lower-dynamic range images. A scaling image obtained by applying the impulse-response function to a high-frequency band of the lower-dynamic range image is combined with an upsampled higher-dynamic range image to yield a reconstructed image.
US08184910B2
An image recognition device has a first resolution converter 202 that lowers resolution of an input image, an area reader 203 that reads out a processing area from an output of the first resolution converter 202, a second resolution converter 204 that lowers the resolution of the processing area sliced out by the area reader to be lower than in the first resolution converter 202, and a pattern comparator 205.
US08184909B2
A method for comparing a plurality of geometrical data representations each representing a spatial boundary surface of a corresponding geometrical object which surface changes over a selected extent of the object bounded thereby through providing the plurality of geometrical data representations on a common format basis, including scaling so as to each to have a common selected extent, to thereby result in a plurality of standardized spatial boundary surface geometrical data representations and comparing them at a plurality of matching section locations along each of the common extents at each of which there is a section outline curve representations. Comparing selected features of the commonly scaled section outline curve representations for such representations at corresponding ones of the selected matched section locations provides a basis for determining similarity therebetween.
US08184907B2
A CG image having a transparency parameter is superimposed on a shot image, which is an image picked up by an image-pickup device, to obtain a combined image. The combined image is displayed in a combined-image-display region. In the combined image, a mask region of the CG image is set based on parameter information used to extract a region of a hand. The transparency parameter of the CG image is set based on a ratio of the size of the region of the CG image excluding the mask region to the size of the shot image. By checking the combined image, which is displayed in the combined-image-display region, the user can set the parameter information by a simple operation.
US08184905B2
An apparatus for color interpolation using an adjustable threshold is disclosed. The color interpolation apparatus calculates the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the elements of the image data and determines the color interpolation method of the image data depending on the difference to perform the corresponding color interpolation. With the present invention, the improved image quality can be provided because the color interpolation can be performed as a user desires.
US08184899B2
In a method of detecting a defect on an object, a preliminary reference image can be obtained from a plurality of comparison regions defined on the object. The preliminary reference image is divided into reference zones by a similar brightness. Each of the reference zones is provided with substantially the same gray level, respectively, to obtain a reference image. Whether a defect exists in an inspection region in the comparison regions is determined using the reference image. Thus, defects in the inspection regions having different brightnesses can be detected using the properly obtained reference image.
US08184888B2
A method and system for polyp segmentation in computed tomography colonogrphy (CTC) volumes is disclosed. The polyp segmentation method utilizes a three-staged probabilistic binary classification approach for automatically segmenting polyp voxels from surrounding tissue in CTC volumes. Based on an input initial polyp position, a polyp tip is detected in a CTC volume using a trained 3D point detector. A local polar coordinate system is then fit to the colon surface in the CTC volume with the origin at the detected polyp tip. Polyp interior voxels and polyp exterior voxels are detected along each axis of the local polar coordinate system using a trained 3D box. A boundary voxel is detected on each axis of the local polar coordinate system based on the detected polyp interior voxels and polyp exterior voxels by boosted 1D curve parsing using a trained classifier. This results in a segmented polyp boundary.
US08184886B2
A method for deformable registration including determining a vector field from a two-dimensional matching of a volume of an object of interest and a two-dimensional image of the object of interest, providing a deformation profile, and finding a volume deformation that maps to a state of the two-dimensional image, wherein the deformation is parameterized by the vector field and control points of the deformation profile to find a control point configuration of the volume deformation.
US08184884B2
A method is described for evaluating a tomography data record. In at least one embodiment, a tomography data record of a hollow organ is generated, the tomography data record is analyzed automatically, and organ sections to be assessed as critical are determined. Further, a corresponding findings list entry is generated in a findings list as a reaction to a determined organ section to be assessed as critical, various organ sections are displayed successively on the basis of the tomography data record, and after its first display, an organ section assessed as critical can be selected for renewed display directly via the findings list. Furthermore, a corresponding tomography workstation is described.
US08184882B2
A system, computer program product, and related methods are described for obtaining, processing, and/or and archiving full-field breast image data, such as full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) data, in a manner that promotes ready integration with current x-ray mammogram-based breast cancer screening methodologies, and which can alternatively be used to support a full-field-only environment. Two-dimensional thick-slice images computed from a three-dimensional data volume are used to facilitate efficient archiving for a breast imaging session, the two-dimensional thick-slice images corresponding to slab-like subvolumes of the breast. Clinician data overload problems that can arise from the existence of large amounts of three-dimensional full-field breast image data are reduced. Archive space is also preserved while still providing sufficient information data for future reference purposes. Related adjunctive full-field workflow methods are also described. The described embodiments are applicable to FFBU imaging and other full-field breast imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, PET, and others.
US08184881B2
Display and navigation for multiple computer-aided detection (CAD) detections is described. A medical image is displayed to a viewer, and a request is received to instantiate CAD-assisted viewing. A timewise presentation sequence for the CAD detections is automatically computed according to a predetermined sequencing criterion. For each CAD detection, an expanded presentation window is displayed for its associated location in the medical image, the expanded presentation windows being displayed according to the timewise presentation sequence. Also described is a navigational tool comprising a plot of an operating curve onto which a computed feature associated with the CAD algorithm can be mapped, the operating curve characterizing an application of the CAD algorithm to a reference database of mammographic cases having known diagnoses. The navigational tool further comprises a plurality of CAD pointer icons spatially distributed therealong according to mappings of the computed feature for the CAD detections onto the operating curve.
US08184880B2
Systems, methods, and devices are used to match images. Points of interest from a first image are identified for matching to a second image. In response to the identified points of interest, regions and features can be identified and used to match the points of interest to a corresponding second image or second series of images. Regions can be used to match the points of interest when regions of the first image are matched to the second image with high confidence scores, for example above a threshold. Features of the first image can be matched to the second image, and these matched features may be used to match the points of interest to the second image, for example when the confidence scores for the regions are below the threshold value. Constraint can be used to evaluate the matched points of interest, for example by excluding bad points.
US08184875B2
A method for creating, displaying, and analyzing X-ray images of a plurality of objects is disclosed. The method comprising, for each of the objects recording three-dimensional X-ray image data of the object in a single measurement; creating a three-dimensional X-ray image of the object from the three-dimensional X-ray image data; creating one or two two-dimensional X-ray images of the object from the three-dimensional X-ray image data; displaying the one or two two-dimensional X-ray images of the object; and analyzing the one or two two-dimensional X-ray images of the object. For a subset of the plurality of objects the three-dimensional X-ray image of the object is displayed, wherein the subset of the plurality of objects is determined based on the step of, for each of the objects, analyzing the one or two two-dimensional X-ray images of the object.
US08184870B2
A characteristic amount calculating means calculates first characteristic amounts, which do not require normalization, and normalized second characteristic amounts. A first discriminating portion discriminates whether a candidate for a face is included in the target image, by referring to first reference data with the first characteristic amounts, calculated from the target image. The first reference data is obtained by learning the first characteristic amounts of a plurality of images, which are known either to be of faces or to not be of faces. In the case that the candidate is included, a second discriminating portion discriminates whether the candidate is a face, by referring to second reference data, obtained by learning the second characteristic amounts of a plurality of images, which known either to be of faces or to not to be of faces.
US08184869B2
Methods and systems for enhancing a digital image include analyzing the digital image to determine if the digital image includes a facial component. Facial characteristics of the facial component are determined for each image that does include at least one facial component. The digital image is then modified based on the facial characteristics.
US08184868B2
A digital image acquisition device is for acquiring digital images including one or more preview images. A face detector analyzes the one or more preview images to ascertain information relating to candidate face regions therein. A speed-optimized filter produces a first set of candidate red-eye regions based on the candidate face region information provided by the face detector.
US08184861B2
Apparatuses, methods and programs store a plurality of target types, each target type having recognition attribute information indicating the likelihood that the target type will be recognized based on a type of road or a type of area. The apparatuses, methods and programs acquire vehicle position information indicating a current position of a vehicle, acquire image information in the vicinity of the vehicle, and acquire road attribute information about a road on which the vehicle is traveling, the road attribute information acquired based on the vehicle position information. The apparatuses, methods and programs determine a target type defining a target for image recognition within the image information, the target type being determined based on the acquired road attribute information and the stored recognition attribute information, and perform image recognition of a target feature included in the image information, the target feature being of the determined target type.
US08184851B2
The present invention relates generally to watermarking. In one implementation a method of pre-analyzing a digital signal for encoding digital watermarks using a digital filter comprising determining what changes in the digital signal will be affected by the digital filter is provided. In another implementation a system for pre-analyzing a digital signal for encoding at least one digital watermark using a digital filter is provided. The method includes a processor for identifying an area of the digital signal that will be affected by the digital filter; and an encoder for encoding the at least one digital watermark in the digital signal, the encoder encoding the at least one digital watermark so as to avoid the at least one area of the digital signal that will be affected by the digital filter. Other implementations are provided as well.
US08184843B2
A method and apparatus for sound source localization using microphones are disclosed. The method includes: receiving signals coming from a sound source through microphones covering all directions; distinguishing the received signals into those signals directly input to the microphones from the sound source (direct signals) and those signals indirectly input to the microphones (indirect signals); identifying a candidate region at which the sound source is present using locations of the microphones receiving direct signals; selecting a point in the candidate region as a candidate location; drawing one or more virtual tangent lines, contacting with the circumference of the apparatus, from the candidate location; placing locations of the microphones receiving indirect signals on the virtual tangent lines; and localizing the sound source on the basis of signals passing through the microphones receiving direct signals and through the virtual locations of the microphones receiving indirect signals.
US08184837B2
A hearing aid and a method for operating a hearing aid include a signal processing device operable by using different signal processing parameters and a UV sensor connected to the signal processing device. The signal processing device can set at least one signal processing parameter as a function of an output signal of the UV sensor. At least one predetermined signal processing parameter can be set in each case for within and outside of enclosed spaces. It is possible to reliably distinguish between environmental situations within and outside of enclosed spaces by using the UV light intensity in the environment to be measured by the UV sensor, so that the method of operation of the hearing aid, e.g. of an aural program, is advantageously automatically matched to these two environmental situations.
US08184831B2
An audio playing system is provided comprising a first processing module, a second processing module, a control module, an output module, and a displaying module. The first and second processing modules amplify an audio signal and respectively generates a first first processed signal, a first second processed signal, a second first processed signal, and a second second processed signal. The control module is coupled to the first processing module and the second processing module and generates a playing signal according to a control signal, the first first processed signal, the first second processed signal, the second first processed signal, and the second second processed signal. The output module is coupled to the control module and amplifies the playing signal to generate an output signal. The displaying module is coupled to the output module and plays the output signal.
US08184825B1
An interface device for interconnecting fixed controls of a vehicle to electronic devices. The interface device is capable of receiving control signals from fixed controls, such as steering wheel controls, backseat controls, handlebar controls, and the like, and then transmitting corresponding control signals to the electronic devices. In one aspect, the device is programmable such that the interface device emits signals corresponding to the same signals that would be emitted from a handheld remote control sold in conjunction with the different electronic devices. In one embodiment, the device is an interface between the fixed controls and a replacement stereo receiver. In another embodiment, the device is capable of recognizing spoken voice commands and generating corresponding IR signals in order to control the electronic devices. In still another embodiment, the device is an interface between the fixed controls and multiple electronic devices, such as an audio and video component.
US08184817B2
Provided is a multi-channel acoustic signal processing device by which loads of arithmetic operations are reduced. The multi-channel acoustic signal processing device includes: a decorrelated signal generation unit, and a matrix operation unit and a third arithmetic unit. The decorrelated signal generation unit generates a decorrelated signal w′ indicating a sound which includes a sound indicated by an input signal x and reverberation, by performing reverberation processing on the input signal x. The matrix operation unit and the third arithmetic unit generate audio signals of m channels, by performing arithmetic operation on the input signal x and the decorrelated signal w′ generated by the decorrelated signal generation unit, using a matrix R3 which indicates distribution of a signal intensity level and distribution of reverberation.
US08184815B2
To provide a microphone unit for stereophonic recording capable of adjusting an intersecting angle of sound collecting axes in accordance with conditions without impairing directivity and sound quality of the microphone. Respective rotation bases (408, 508) are rotatable about a center axis with respect to mounting bases (404, 504), respectively, which are mounted to a main body (20) of a portable sound recorder (10) through respective brackets (402, 502). Respective top ends of respective knurls (414, 514) of leading ends of the respective rotation bases (408, 508) has a shape being cut to form an inclined surface from a radial direction, and respective microphones (418, 518) are retained so that diaphragms (420, 520) are in consonance with the cut surface. Accordingly, by rotation of the respective rotation bases (408, 508), sound collecting axes (426, 526) vertically extending from the diaphragms (420, 520) are changed in their axes like a precession, thereby being capable of adjusting an intersecting angle of the sound collecting axes (426, 526) of right and left microphones (418, 518).
US08184811B1
In a digital content management system, a mobile device determines whether it is authorized to use digital content by sending, to a service provider, a hash value that has been pre-stored in the mobile device and that is associated with the digital content. The hash value is generated by combining a user identifier, among other data, into a combined hash. The other data included in the combined hash may be, for example, a service provider key unknown to the user, and a hash of the protected content. A telecommunications service provider, such as a service provider of a CDMA wireless network, determines whether the hash value is valid and, accordingly, whether the mobile device is authorized to use the digital content.
US08184810B2
An IC card includes a tamper resistant module which has one or more applications and a card control unit for controlling an operation of the IC card, a secure memory area which is accessible from only the tamper resistant module, and a contactless interface which serves to communicate with a service terminal. The card control unit generates storage instruction information, and the contactless interface transmits the storage instruction information to the service terminal. The storage instruction information contains an address of the secure memory area as a write area of data, an address of a normal memory area that indicates a save area for temporarily saving the data, an identifier of the application which executes a data movement from the normal memory area to the secure memory area, and an address of a relay terminal which relays the data.
US08184809B2
A process for distributing digital audio sequences according to a nominal stream format that include a succession of frames, each of which includes at least one digital audio block grouping a plurality of coefficients corresponding to digitally coded audio elements, including modifying at least one block of an original stream of sequences, in an adaptive manner on the original stream as a function of at least a part of characteristics representative of the structure, content and parameters of the original stream, a target profile and external events.
US08184808B2
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for a chaotic asymmetric encryption system that is based on a mathematically proven chaotic dynamical system, the ergodic property of chaotic maps, conventional Diffie-Hellman key exchange procedure, a modified Diffie-Hellman key exchange procedure and a public key which is any number that could be chosen from the interval 0,1.
US08184802B1
An adaptive analog echo/near-end crosstalk (NEXT) cancellation system includes a bit slicer that receives a first analog receive signal and that generates a first error control signal. A digital signal processor (DSP) receives a digital receive signal and a digital transmit signal and generates second and third error control signals. A first summing module generates a fourth error control signal by summing the second and third error control signals. A selector outputs the first error control signal during a first mode and the fourth error control signal during a second mode. An echo/NEXT cancellation module communicates with the selector and generates an estimated echo/NEXT signal based on the first error control signal and an analog transmit signal during the first mode and based on the fourth error control signal and the analog transmit signal during the second mode.
US08184787B2
A system and method is disclosed for creating a personalized phone bill populated with names from a subscriber's personal address book on the subscriber's device. A billing application receives a request to generate a phone bill for a subscriber, and obtains usage data for that subscriber's device. In one embodiment, the billing application then sends a request to a translation server to search a network address book, which is synchronized with the personal address book on a subscriber's device, to match the usage data with the names from the network address book. The matched names are then transmitted from the translation server to the billing application, where the billing application includes the matched names in a usage section of the bill, thereby generating a personalized phone bill that a subscriber can more easily review and understand.
US08184783B2
An integrated communication interface is provided for composing and sending messages. The interface is multi-configurable to seamlessly switch between different communication methods, e.g., electronic mail, instant messaging, SMS, chat, voice, and the like, without loss of message content. The interface allows a user to begin composing a message to be sent using one communication method, such as electronic mail, and subsequently change the communication method and send the message via a second communication method, such as instant messaging. When the communication method is changed, the user interface may also change to include elements specific to a particular communication method. The integrated communication interface may display information about participants in the communication, such as the participants' presence, i.e., whether they are online and available for communication, and may automatically choose the best method of communication based on the preferences and online presence of the participants.
US08184782B1
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for processing voice calls. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a call recording method for allowing a subscriber to selectively record a call made to the subscriber from callers. The method includes receiving a call at an enhanced service platform from a caller using a telephone number associated with the subscriber. Included is accessing a database associated with the subscriber to determine recording preference and call destination preference. Also included is routing the call based on the call destination preference wherein the enhanced service platform records call voice content in the subscriber data storage area.
US08184778B2
A line measurement method is provided. The method includes obtaining data of relation between a line length and an insertion loss phase radian, and obtaining data of relation between the line length and a loop attenuation parameter value; obtaining four length values from the data of relation between the line length and the insertion loss phase radian, and defining a length range to obtain the first and the second length range; and determining the boundary of the second length range close to a midpoint of the first length range, using a line length value corresponding to the boundary close to the midpoint as a measured line length, and using a line diameter corresponding to the line length value as a measured line diameter.
US08184764B1
A shift register comprising a plurality of shift register stages {SN}. Each shift register stage comprises a first input, a second input, a third input for receiving a first clock signal, a fourth input for receiving a second clock signal, an output for providing an output signal OUT(N), therefrom. The stages is electrically connected to each other in serial such that the first input of the shift register stage SN is electrically connected to the output of the (N−1)-th shift register stage SN−1 for receiving an output signal OUT(N−1) therefrom, the second input of the shift register stage SN is electrically connected to the output of the (N+1)-th shift register stage SN+1 for receiving an output signal OUT(N+1) therefrom, and the output of the shift register stage SN is electrically connected to the first input of the (N+1)-th shift register stage SN+1 for providing the output signal OUT(N+1) thereto.
US08184761B2
A method and apparatus for controlling phase locked loop are provided. The apparatus includes a voltage controlled oscillator configured to generate an output signal with a frequency proportional to a control voltage fed into the oscillator. The apparatus also includes an analog loop filter connected to the oscillator and configured to form the control voltage for the oscillator, and a charge pump configured to generate a current pulse into the loop filter. The apparatus includes a phase-frequency detector operationally connected to the charge pump and configured to form waveforms, based on a reference signal and a feedback signal, the feedback signal being proportional to the output signal of the oscillator. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to modulate the feedback signal on the basis of the frequency or phase error of the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator and the reference signal.
US08184760B2
Circuit and method for an adaptive elastic buffer for receiving data including timing signals. Received data is recovered and stored in the adaptive elastic buffer, and a recovery clock pointer is increased to identify the next buffer location for stuffing received data, responsive to a controller. When a data fetch enable condition occurs, the controller causes a receiver circuit to fetch the data stored at a location identified by a system clock pointer. Underflow and overflow conditions are detected and the controller adapts the effective elastic buffer depth to compensate for these conditions. A buffer of M/2 physical locations is adaptively operated to provide a data buffer of M virtual locations. A method of buffering received data with a buffer having M/2 physical locations so as to provide the benefit of a buffer with M virtual locations is disclosed.
US08184757B2
An on-die scope is described. The on-die scope can include one or more scope slicers, phase sweeping circuitry, voltage sweeping circuitry, and eye-diagram data collection circuitry. The clock and data recovery circuitry can receive an input signal, and output a recovered clock signal and a recovered bit-stream. The phase sweeping circuitry can receive the recovered clock signal, and output the scope clock signal by adding a phase offset to the recovered clock signal. A scope slicer can receive the voltage threshold, the scope clock signal, and the input signal, and output a scope bit-stream. The eye-diagram data collection circuitry can detect one or more bit-patterns in the recovered bit-stream, and modify values of one or more scope counters based solely or partly on the scope bit-stream and the recovered bit-stream.
US08184753B2
An apparatus and method for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) channel equalization are disclosed. The apparatus includes a compensation value setting unit setting a compensation value in the form of a diagonal matrix by use of a diagonal matrix of diagonal elements extracted from a channel matrix of an OFDM receiver, and a preset divergence suppression value, an initial estimation value calculation unit calculating an initial estimate value by use of a fast Fourier transform (FFT)-processed signal of the OFDM receiver and the compensation value, an equalization unit detecting a transmission signal to be processed by use of the compensation value, the channel matrix and the diagonal matrix, and a symbol decision unit determining a symbol for an adjacent signal of a transmission signal, which is to be processed among a plurality of signals output from the equalization unit, and providing the symbol-determined adjacent signal to the equalization unit.
US08184750B2
A technique for increasing decoding reliability in an adaptive minimum mean squared error with successive interference cancellation (MMSE/SIC) decoder in a channel-coded multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system. A code block selector evaluates reliability metrics and determines whether the reliability metric of the decoded symbols of a particular indexed code block of a first code word satisfies a quality threshold. Depending upon this determination, a composite second code word is formed at each indexed code block using a previously calculated MMSE-LLR output of a second code word or a SIC-LLR output using the indexed symbols of a first code word. Composite second code word is decoded with increased accuracy.
US08184747B2
A flexible timebase for eye diagrams uses a stable free running oscillator as a sample clock for equivalent time sampling of an input serial digital signal and of a reference signal derived from a subdivided recovered clock of the input serial digital signal. The reference signal samples are provided to a digital phase-locked loop that provides the flexible timebase to an eye pattern generator. The eye pattern generator accumulates the input serial digital signal samples at times corresponding to the reference signal samples to produce the eye diagram. A linear phase detector in the digital phase locked loop converts the reference signal samples to a complex signal using a Hilbert transform and then to a linear ramp of phase values using a CORDIC algorithm with arctangent lookup table. The digital phase-locked loop feedback is subtracted from the linear ramp to provide the input to the loop filter.
US08184745B2
A receiver receives a received signal from a communication link, the received signal comprising a stream of symbols modulated onto a carrier, each of the stream symbols selected from a constellation of symbols to represent a plurality of encoded data bits. The receiver comprises a demodulator to produce a stream of received symbols derived from the received signal; a channel decoder to produce a received stream of data bits derived from the stream of received symbols; and a memory device to store information related to the plurality of symbols in the constellation. For each of the symbols in the stream of received symbols, the demodulator: determines which of the plurality of symbols in the constellation is a respective closest symbol to that received symbol; identifies a respective nearest neighbor symbol for each data bit represented by the closest symbol for that received symbol based on the information stored in the memory device; and for each data bit represented by the respective closest symbol for that received symbol, subtracts the distance between the respective closest symbol and that received symbol from the distance between the respective nearest neighbor symbol and that received symbol in order to produce respective soft bits for that received symbol.
US08184736B2
Methods and apparatuses for encoding a plurality of bits into a plurality of pairs of simultaneous electrical pulses.
US08184715B1
Techniques are disclosed for employing a set of stream processors to greatly accelerate common video encoding and transcoding tasks, with the goal of making these tasks run at a reasonable rate on off-the-shelf hardware. Stream processors are most commonly found in the graphics processing unit (GPU), a commodity piece of computer hardware used to generate images for display. Embodiments of the invention are particularly advantageous to accelerate video encoding and transcoding tasks in which the blocks being processed have dependencies on their neighboring blocks.
US08184712B2
Various embodiments of the present invention include compression/decompression methods, systems, and devices that adjust a division of a total computational complexity of compression and decompression between encoding and decoding. These embodiments include an encoder that encodes a received signal at a selectable level of computational complexity and a decoder that decodes a received, encoded signal at a selectable level computational complexity. Video-codec embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated into relatively inexpensive video-recording devices, including hand-held, video-recording consumer devices such as video recorders and cell phones.
US08184686B2
According to a first aspect, there is provided a circuit for recovering data received over a communication channel. The circuit includes an adaptive equalizer operable to remove ISI (intersymbol interference) from a received signal and a timing recovery circuit operable to sample recovered data. The timing recovery circuit includes a detector based on a Hogge Phase detector. According to another aspect, there is provided a module in which the circuit may be implemented. According to another aspect, there is provided a method for recovering data received over a communication channel. The method involves removing ISI from a received signal using an adaptive equalizer, and sampling recovered data using a detector based on a Hogge phase detector. According to another aspect, the timing recovery circuit includes a plurality of phase detectors, each one being operable to sample recovered data. A selector is provided for selecting which sampled recovered data is to be output.
US08184685B2
A system and method are provided for identifying the data rate of an input signal in a communications receiver. The method supplies a candidate frequency from a list of potential input data rate frequencies. A first test is performed, attempting to phase-lock a coded input data signal using a reference signal at the candidate frequency. If the input signal is phase-locked, a second test is performed of monitoring a phase detector output signal for the occurrence of a phase-lock interrupt. If a phase-lock interrupt is not monitored, a third test is performed of harmonic band detection. In response to passing the first, second, and third tests, the candidate frequency is selected as the reference frequency and the input data signal is decoded. If the first, second, or third test is failed, an alternate candidate frequency is supplied from the list and the tests are repeated, beginning with the first test.
US08184680B2
A data transceiver system may include an error corrector. The error corrector may include a plurality of delay units, each delay unit being configured to delay a corresponding data signal among a plurality of data signals by a time in response to a corresponding delay code among a plurality of delay codes and outputting the delayed data signal, an error detector configured to receive the plurality of delay codes, determine whether an error has occurred, and output an error signal according to the determination in a data frame lock operation, and a delay controller configured to set initial values of the plurality of delay codes to a predetermined value, vary and output each of the plurality of delay codes in response to a lock signal, and reset initial values the plurality of delay codes in response to the error signal in the data frame lock operation.
US08184675B2
Respective residual frequency offsets of de-spread correlated signals derived from a received communication signal are determined and used to improve receiver performance in high-velocity situations. The knowledge of the residual frequency offsets of the respective fingers can be used for adaptive AFC combining, improved velocity estimation, and adaptive residual frequency offset compensation.
US08184672B2
A cellular communications system includes a base station and a plurality of user devices, wherein each user device is operable to communicate with the base station over a communication channel having a plurality of frequency resources, wherein the base station is operable: i) to provide each user device with a respective initial allocation of the frequency resources; and ii) to provide at least one user device with a periodic communications opportunity in which the user device can communicate with the base station, wherein each user device is operable to apply a frequency shift to its initially allocated frequency resource in accordance with a frequency hopping sequence, wherein the user devices use the same frequency hopping sequence and are synchronized with each other so that, at any point in time, a common frequency shift is applied by the user devices.
US08184665B2
A disclosed network device includes a plurality of interface cards that receive clock signals and clock signal quality information from other devices via communication lines, respectively being predetermined communication line types corresponding to the plurality of interface cards, a controller that acquires the clock signal quality information and determines one of the clock signals having a highest quality based on this, and a clock processor that generates a synchronization clock signal used for network synchronization the clock processor, based on the determined one of the clock signals, whereby the clock processor includes a frequency measuring instrument that measures a frequency component of the one of the clock signals, and determines the communication line type corresponding to one of the interface cards, and a clock controller that provides a coefficient to a digital filter based on the determined communication line type.
US08184655B2
A deferral management method is implemented in a wireless local area network (WLAN) including an access point (AP) and a plurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs). The AP sends a deferral management capabilities request message to the WTRUs to determine the deferral management capabilities of the WTRUs. In response, each of the WTRUs sends a deferral management capabilities indicator message to the AP. The AP may also send a deferral management parameter set message to the WTRUs to indicate values for setting deferral management parameters. In response, each of the WTRUs may optionally send a deferral management parameter set execution confirmation message to the AP. The WTRUs may also set the values of various deferral management parameters in accordance with a certain rule specified in a deferral management rule message sent by the AP. Optionally, the WTRUs may respond to the AP with a deferral management rule execution confirmation message.
US08184654B2
A repeater receives an indication that a subscriber unit is initiating a call session on a channel, and indicates that the channel is busy. The repeater repeats a transmission from the subscriber unit and sets a timer for a first time upon determination that the transmission has ended. The timer is set for a second time if a new transmission is not received from a subscriber unit that is allowed to transmit on the channel prior to the expiration of the first time; otherwise, the repeater accepts a new transmission from a subscriber unit that is allowed to transmit on the channel if the new transmission is received prior to an expiration of the second time. Upon receipt of each new transmission received prior to the expiration of the second time, the repeater clears the timer, repeats the transmission on the channel, and resets the timer for the first time upon determination that the transmission has ended.
US08184653B2
Systems and methods for configuring a network of radios for dynamic spectrum access are described. A network radio can include hardware and/or software modules for detecting a radio environment and negotiating common communications channels with a plurality of other radios in the network. Network radio behavior can be defined by a plurality of predefined policies which are used in combination with the information about the radio environment to select common operating parameters.
US08184649B2
In a system in which several data links are available for the transmission while one respective sending unit is allocated to the data links to temporarily store data that is to be transmitted via the respective data link, data packets containing non-real-time critical data are subdivided into fragments of variable sizes prior to forwarding to a sending unit. Data packets containing real time-critical data are preferably forwarded to a sending unit without being fragmented. Additionally, a minimum fragment size can be predefined for the fragmentation process.
US08184647B2
In a configuration scheme for one or more network elements, a network management entity determines a set of at least one parameter value from a set of operable parameter values and sends the determined set to a network element. The network element then selects a parameter value from the received set and uses the selected parameter value to configure one or more aspects of the network element.
US08184643B2
The invention relates generally to data communications using multiple data networks to transport data to one or more end user devices.
US08184642B2
Program clock references in first and second MPEG data streams are re-stamped in accordance with delays introduced into the first and second MPEG data streams. Accordingly, the program clock references in the first MPEG data stream are re-stamped according to a variable delay in the first MPEG data stream, and the program clock references in the second MPEG data stream are re-stamped according to a variable delay in the second MPEG data stream. The re-stamped program clock references in the second MPEG data stream are corrected according to a fixed delay in the second MPEG data stream. The first and second MPEG data streams are multiplexed, and the multiplexed first and second MPEG data streams are transmitted and received.
US08184638B2
The present invention provides a method and system for assuring H.323 alias address portability to an H.323 user in real-time H.323 multimedia communications where the H.323 user is registered with a home gatekeeper for the home zone of the H.323 user. Alias address portability may be obtained using a central database that is known to the administrative zones and is used for alias address mapping, or alternatively, may be obtained by using a distributed database. The method may be implemented by: sending, by the H.323 user, a message with a called H.323 entity's alias address, to the home gatekeeper to originate a call to the called H.323 entity; confirming that the alias address, services, and service providers are portable; converting the alias address to a called routable alias address for the called H.323 entity and sending the alias address to the H.323 user; and placing the call to the called H.323 entity.
US08184637B2
A method, system and apparatus for dynamically modifying the quality of service provided to a mobile communication device. The method includes the steps of establishing a secure tunnel between the mobile communication device and a remote network through a wireless network; communicating through the secure tunnel at a first quality of service; determining that a second quality of service, higher or lower than the first quality of service, is more appropriate to the communication type, and requesting, from the wireless network, the second quality of service.
US08184633B2
A system for and method of efficient interoperability assessment based on automated Behavioral Profiling and Emulation of SIP or T.38 Fax-relay Enabled Devices, for example, for profiling and emulating VoIP Phones such as SIP Phones, or T.38 Fax-relay devices such as Internet Aware Fax Terminals. The method includes a Multi-step/Multi-technology Iterative Profiling Stage that allows creating a Behavioral Profile based on the analysis of a plurality of traffic samples. Also, the method presents an efficient process of Device Emulation of an actual device to be used in interoperability assessment, including a Standard State Machine parameterized by a set of characteristics stored in the Behavioral Profile. The Emulation method can be used to duplicate one or more device behaviors exhibited either by different firmware revisions, software upgrades or by different OEM product models.
US08184632B1
A system and method adds and manages entries on a list of entries of routing information to allow the top entry to be used for routing to a destination corresponding to the list. Costs of a wireless link may be a function of the success rate experienced on that wireless link.
US08184630B2
The invention relates to a method for managing multicast traffic in a data network, and network equipment using said method. Hosts receive from a network interface of a router traffic sent by sources in a multicast group. The hosts and the router communicate with one another by means of a multicast host-router communications protocol by means of which the hosts send to the router messages to request multicast traffic from sources in a multicast group. The router receiving one of said messages obtains in said message identifying data which identify the host that has sent said message, and said router stores in specific records for each network interface of the router, host and multicast group information about the sources the traffic of which has been requested by said host in said messages sent to the router.
US08184629B2
Multiple multicast acknowledgements can be merged into a single multicast acknowledgement, thus reducing traffic and reducing logic complexity. An intermediate node that receives multiple multicast acknowledgements merges the multiple acknowledgements into a single acknowledgement, and then supplies the single merged acknowledgment to the multicast source. Encoding of the single merged acknowledgement conveys to the source which of the multicast targets successfully received (or which failed to receive) the multicast information.
US08184628B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a join message from a receiver at a receiver edge router, the join message identifying a source and a group, and creating at least two forwarding trees for transmitting multicast data streams comprising duplicate data to the receiver edge router. The forwarding trees include a root at a source edge router in communication with the source, and different network paths. The method further includes receiving a packet from one of the forwarding trees and processing the received packet to determine if the packet is a duplicate of another packet received at the receiver edge router. If the packet is a duplicate packet, it is discarded. If the packet is not a duplicate, it is forwarded to the receiver. An apparatus is also disclosed.
US08184626B2
A high-radix interprocessor communications system and method having a plurality of processor nodes, a plurality of first routers and a plurality of second routers. Each first router is connected to a processor node and to two or more second routers. Each first router includes input ports, output ports, row busses, columns channels and a plurality of subswitches arranged in a n x p matrix. Each row bus receives data from one of the plurality of input ports and distributes the data to two or more of the plurality of subswitches. Each column distributes data from one or more subswitches to one or more output ports. Each row bus includes a route selector, wherein the route selector includes a routing table which selects an output port for each packet and which routes the packet through one of the row busses to the selected output port.
US08184622B2
A VoIP network includes an integrated Internet telephony system having an all-in-one architecture in which an application layer gateway function, a signaling processing function and a media processing function are integrated. The integrated Internet telephony system performs ALG processing on a packet bound to a first address and processes a signaling message bound to a second address so as to set up a call session between an external SIP terminal connected to a public network and an internal SIP terminal connected to a private network, and performs media processing on an RTP packet based on a third address, the RTP packet exchanged through the call session. A SIP signaling gateway function, a media gateway function and SIP-ALG function are installed in one chip, and respective functions are allocated with different IP addresses by the application of a virtual interface and aliasing IP addresses.
US08184621B2
The present disclosure provides an apparatus, system and method for short message routing control for delivering the short message when multiple paths exist. The apparatus for short message routing control includes an short message intelligent decision query unit and a Network Domain selection entity (NeDs) connected with each other; the short message intelligent decision query unit is configure to query the NeDs for a routing decision of a short message upon receiving the short message; and the NeDs is configured to determine the routing decision of the short message according to routing decision information stored in the NeDs, and return the determined routing decision to the short message intelligent decision query unit.
US08184618B2
A GGSN receives a request associated with a session creation for a mobile entity. The GGSN begins a process (a four-way handshake) for obtaining network access configuration parameters for the mobile entity and responds to the request prior to the completion of the four-way handshake. The GGSN then completes the four-way handshake. A GGSN creates an association between a first IP address and a first mobile entity and thereafter requests an IP address for a second mobile entity. In response thereto, the GGSN receives the first IP address, which the GGSN declines for the second mobile entity and reserves for the first mobile entity. The GGSN requests an IP address for the second mobile entity a second time and receives a second IP address that is different from the first IP address.
US08184614B2
A telecommunications system includes a packet network; a plurality of VoIP endpoints; and a plurality of VoIP feature servers. The VoIP endpoints are able to send configuration request messages to the feature servers. The feature servers respond with information indicative of supported features. The VoIP endpoints can then update the system configurations based on the response information. Further, newly added feature servers transmit feature availability messages to endpoints when initially installed. The endpoints then respond to configure themselves appropriately.
US08184612B2
A method and an apparatus for managing an HFN for ciphering/deciphering at an RNC of a mobile communication system are provided. In the method, a Timing Adjustment (ToA) value is received from a base station, and a Connection Frame Number (CFN) is corrected. Whether correction of the CFN has been generated within the same cycle is determined by comparing the correction CFN with an absolute CFN serving as a reference. An HFN value is changed or maintained depending on whether the CFN correction has been generated within the same cycle.
US08184605B2
A hierarchical directional internet-oriented ad-hoc network, defined by a software infrastructure, is composed of gateway nodes and a plurality of wireless nodes, which may be fixed or mobile, and which may act as subscribers, routers, or both. The infrastructure hierarchy is defined by the hop count of each node (distance of that node to a fixed gateway node). The software infrastructure includes two tables associated with each node in the network: the upstream routing table which provides shortest routes to fixed gateway nodes through upstream neighbors, and the downstream routing table which provides shortest routes to subscribers through downstream neighbors. These two tables are used by routing algorithms. A peer table can also be used for alternate routes. The maintenance of the aforementioned tables is performed by autonomous algorithms operating locally on each node by receiving and processing signals from their neighbors.
US08184597B2
A radio resource management technique in a cellular telecommunication system is disclosed. The telecommunication system comprises at least one radio network controlling component and one or more base station components operable to implement an uplink scheduling scheme in relation to one or more user terminals. A method embodiment comprises the steps of receiving, by one of the base station components from the at least one radio network controlling component, at least one interference control parameter, of generating one or more scheduling grants taking into account the at least one interference control parameter, and of issuing the one or more scheduling grants to one or more user terminals.
US08184596B2
A method for setting up a radio traffic channel in a 3G-network shared between at least two operators. The network's traffic channel resources are divided into operator specific parts, the parts not sharing any common traffic channels. User equipment is allocated channel resources in accordance with it's associated operator, according to a coarse level allocation control, which may be overridden in case no idle traffic channels are available. The allocated traffic channel is preferably associated with the user equipment operator and is furthermore idle in as a large area as possible and/or exhibits an optimum QoS, thereby maximizing network capacity and throughput by minimizing the probability of inter-frequency handover signalling and compressed mode operations. A radio network controller includes installed software, which carries out the traffic channel allocation and control.
US08184569B2
Method for terminal to join multicast broadcast service in wireless network and system using thereof
A method for a terminal to join a multicast broadcast service (MBS) in a wireless network and a wireless communication system are provided, so as to enable a terminal to successfully join an MBS and receive MBS content. The method and the system relate to a wireless communication field. A terminal obtains MBS parameters that include a first ID indicating an air interface connection and a second ID indicating MBS content from a network, so that the terminal can receive the MBS content indicated by the second ID from the air interface connection indicated by the first ID after receiving the MBS parameters and thus successfully join the MBS. The terminal may initiate an MBS join process by sending an MBS join request message, so as to obtain the MBS parameters and join the required MBS. The network may actively initiate the MBS join process to send the MBS parameters to the terminal and invite the terminal to join the MBS.
US08184567B2
A communications device is capable of adjusting power consumed thereby and includes a receiver and a control circuit. The receiver includes an analog-to-digital converter and a decoding circuit. The analog-to-digital converter receives receive-data from another communications device, converts the receive-data into a digital signal, and provides the digital signal to the decoding circuit for decoding. Based on the digital signal, the control circuit obtains a signaling index that indicates a communications quality of the receiver. The control circuit determines an operating state of the analog-to-digital converter and the decoding circuit in accordance with the signaling index and a receiving index. When the signaling index conforms with a reference range, the control circuit reduces a reference signal so as to reduce linearity of the analog-to-digital converter in accordance with the receiving index, and reduces a decoding capability of the decoding circuit in accordance with the receiving index.
US08184565B2
Disclosed is a wireless communication apparatus having a self sensing function, which can detect an object by use of a wake-up function without employing a separate sensor. The wireless communication apparatus includes a communication unit wirelessly communicating with a server forming a wireless network, and a wake-up unit waking up the communication unit under the control of the server when the communication unit is in sleep mode, and sensing the presence of an object within a preset communication range according to a reflection signal, which is a signal reflected by the object after being transmitted from the communication unit.
US08184562B2
Field devices or other devices within a process control system are provided with both hardwired and wireless communication ports to enable communications to be performed within the process control system using one or both of hardwired and wireless communications. In particular, a field device for use in a process control system within a process control environment includes a microprocessor-based communication unit adapted to generate or receive communication signals, a first communication port adapted to be connected to a hardwired communication link for providing communications to or from the communication unit via the hardwired communication link and a second communication port adapted to be connected to a wireless transceiver to provide wireless communications to or from the communication unit via the wireless transceiver.
US08184554B2
A method and apparatus for processing a route update in a network are disclosed. For example, the method receives at least one route update from a customer edge (CE) device by a centralized routing registry. The method identifies at least one interface of a provider edge (PE) device associated with the CE device, and forwards the at least one route update to the at least one interface of the provider edge (PE) device.
US08184544B2
A method of transmitting feedback data in a multiple antenna system comprises receiving a request message of feedback data on a downlink channel, the request message comprising uplink scheduling information, selecting a set of M (M≧1) subbands within a plurality of subbands, generating the feedback data, the feedback data comprising a frequency selective PMI (preceding matrix indicator), a frequency flat PMI, a best band CQI (channel quality indicator) and a whole band CQI, and transmitting the feedback data on a uplink channel allocated to the uplink scheduling information.
US08184541B2
A method and system is provided for link layer scheduling for networked applications in a coordinator-based communications system. A network-coordinating device receives a request from a networked application to establish a communications session. The request includes a set of session parameters. The network-coordinating device allocates a first transmission opportunity in response to the request. The network-coordinating device allocates successive transmission opportunities based on the set of session parameters without receiving successive requests. The set of session parameters comprises at least one of a predetermined flow control mechanism, a quality-of-service (QoS) requirement, a bandwidth requirement, and an application type. In one embodiment, the predetermined flow control mechanism is additive increase and multiplicative decrease (AIMD) of transmission control protocol (TCP). Using the novel link layer scheduling, the network-coordinating device is able to allocate and adjust successive transmission opportunities to match the upper-layer resource requirement and traffic pattern dynamically.
US08184539B2
Aspects of a method and system for controlling a clock frequency in a network device based on aggregate throughput of the device are provided. In this regard, for a network device comprising one or more network ports, a limit on aggregate throughput of the device during a time interval may be determined and an operating frequency of a clock within the network device may be controlled based on the determined limit on aggregate throughput. The limit on aggregate throughput may be determined based on past, present, and/or expected traffic patterns; how many of the device's network ports are active during the time interval, a data rate at which each of the active network ports operates during the time interval; a type of data communicated via the network ports; and/or one or more applications running on the network device during the time interval.
US08184533B2
Systems and methods for quality of service control over multiple accesses, more particularly quality of service control over multiple accesses via enhanced quality of service rules. A policy rules and charging function, or similar network entity, can include an indicator in a set of quality of service rules that instructs an access gateway to either setup the quality of service resources/initiate bearer setup immediately, or store the quality of service rules until a request for the quality of service resources s received from the UE or another predetermined event occurs.
US08184529B2
A communication apparatus that includes a media processing device that includes at least one codec and that encodes data, a packet processing device that transmits and receives packet data, a correlation value computation device that computes a correlation value between jitter of packet data transmitted to a partner communication apparatus and jitter of packet data transmitted from the partner communication apparatus, and a session control device that, in a case where the correlation value computed by the correlation value computation device is equal to or larger than a specified value, performs one of an encoding speed conversion within a codec in use, a transmission packet length conversion, a packet transmission interval conversion, a packet transmission priority conversion, and a codec type conversion from the codec in use to another type of codec, based on QoS information of the packet data transmitted from the partner communication apparatus.
US08184515B2
A waveform shaping portion receives a digital reproduced signal generated from an analog reproduced signal reproduced from an information recording medium and shapes the waveform of the digital reproduced signal. A maximum likelihood decoding portion applies maximum likelihood decoding to the digital reproduced signal in the shaped waveform and generates a binarized signal indicating the result of the maximum likelihood decoding. A phase detection portion extracts, during the maximum likelihood decoding, a phase error using state transition patterns having only a single zero cross point among differential metrics at a plurality of merging points at which a set of paths branched from a given state merges. A synchronization detection portion generates a reproduction clock signal using the phase error that has been detected and brings the digital reproduced signal into synchronization with the reproduction clock signal that has been generated. This configuration makes it possible to generate a reproduction clock signal in a stable manner.
US08184507B1
A thermally-assisted recording (TAR) slider has an integrated TAR head and an integrated long laser diode, like an external-cavity VCSEL. The TAR head is integrated with the slider at the trailing end and includes an optical waveguide having a grating coupler oriented in a plane generally parallel to the slider trailing end, and a near-field transducer (NFT) at the slider air-bearing surface (ABS) and coupled to the waveguide. A carrier is attached to the slider front end and supports the external-cavity VCSEL so that the linear path of its output laser beam is directed from the slider front end to the slider trailing end. An optical body is attached to the slider trailing end and has an input surface for receipt of the laser radiation from the laser diode, an output surface for directing the laser radiation to the grating coupler, and at least one reflective surface for turning the laser radiation from the input surface to the output surface.
US08184506B2
A near-field optical head has a slider with first and second inclined surfaces that confront a magnetic recording medium during recording and reproduction of information. A recording element is formed on one of the first and second inclined surfaces and includes main and auxiliary magnetic poles stacked together with an insulation film interposed therebetween. An optical flux introducing device introduces an optical flux toward the first and second inclined surfaces of the slider, the optical flux having an optical axis inclined relative to the first and second inclined surfaces. A metal film is formed on the other of the first and second inclined surfaces of the slider for propagating the introduced optical flux along an interface between the first and second inclined surfaces to generate near-field light that is irradiated on the surface of the magnetic recording medium to effect recording and reproduction of information.
US08184505B1
A method for determining portions of a GPS satellite signal may use non-coherent integration to determine a repeated pattern such as a preamble. Once the repeated pattern is determined, portions of the GPS satellite signal that may be determined with partial correlation sums. Sensitivity to satellite signals may be increased by computing more partial correlation sums on portions of the GPS satellite signal. In one embodiment, time of day information may be determined from the GPS satellite signal with partial correlation sums.
US08184503B2
A process measurement instrument with target rejection comprises a sensor circuit. The sensor circuit comprises a drive circuit for transmitting a pulse signal at a target of interest and a receive circuit receiving reflected echoes of the pulse signal and developing an analog receive signal representative of the reflected echoes. An analog processing circuit receives the analog receive signal and comprises a summer subtracting an analog target rejection signal from the analog receive signal to develop a corrected receive signal. A programmed digital processing circuit is operatively coupled to the analog processing circuit and comprises a memory storing target rejection signal value data representing false target reflections and developing the analog target rejection signal for transfer to the analog processing circuit.
US08184501B2
Systems and methods for stretching clock cycles in the internal clock signal of a memory array macro
Systems and methods for stretching clock cycles of the internal clock signal of a memory array macro to allow more time for a data access in the macro than the period of an external clock signal. In one embodiment, a local clock buffer in the memory array macro receives a regular periodic external clock signal and generates an internal clock signal. The local clock buffer includes a first signal path that has one or more faster-than-nominal components so that the first rising edge of the internal clock cycle occurs early than it would in a clock buffer with nominal components. When the memory array macro is active for a data access, the local clock buffer stretches a clock cycle of the internal clock signal so that the first and second half-periods of the internal clock cycle are each greater than the half-periods of the external clock signal.
US08184497B2
The memory module includes front and back faces. Multiple devices are disposed on each of the faces. A first control line serially connects a first group of devices on both the front and back faces so that the first group of devices commonly contribute multiple bits to a data bus. A second control line serially connects a second group of devices on both the front and back faces so that the second group of devices commonly contribute multiple bits to a data bus.
US08184486B2
A tunable current driver comprising a semiconductor memory device and a selective transistor is provided, in which one of the source/drain pair of the semiconductor memory device is electrically coupled with a lighting device, and one of the source/drain pair of the selective transistor is electrically coupled with the gate electrode of the semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device not only acts as “drive transistor” to drive the lighting device, but also is capable of adjusting the threshold voltage thereof.
US08184485B2
A semiconductor device including a plurality of repairable signal lines, the device including a first driver adapted to maintain a first portion of each defective one of the repairable signal lines at a first voltage level, and a second driver adapted to drive a second portion of each of the defective ones of the repairable signal lines being repaired to the first voltage level.
US08184467B2
In a non-volatile electric memory system a memory unit and a read/write unit are provided as physically separate units. The memory unit is based on a memory material that can be set to at least two distinct physical states by applying an electric field across the memory material. Electrodes and/or contacts are either provided in the memory unit or in the read/write unit and contacts are at least always provided in the read/write unit. Electrodes and contacts are provided in a geometrical arrangement, which defines geometrically one or more memory cells in the memory layer. Establishing a physical contact between the memory unit and the read/write unit closes an electrical circuit over the addressed memory cell such that read, write or erase operations can be effected. The memory material of the memory unit can be polarized into two discernible polarization states.
US08184465B2
A programmable device includes a substrate (10); an insulator (13) on the substrate; an elongated semiconductor material (12) on the insulator, the elongated semiconductor material having first and second ends, and an upper surface S; the first end (12a) is substantially wider than the second end (12b), and a metallic material is disposed on the upper surface; the metallic material being physically migratable along the upper surface responsive to an electrical current I flowable through the semiconductor material and the metallic material.
US08184463B2
The need for mediation operation is eliminated by adoption of a connection topology in which a circuit for executing one transmission (TR—00T), and a circuit for executing a plurality of receptions (TR—10R, TR—20R, TR—30R) are connected to one penetration-electrode group (for example, TSVGL—0). In order to implement the connection topology even in the case of piling up a plurality of LSIs one after another, in particular, a programmable memory element for designating respective penetration-electrode ports for use in transmit, or for us in receive, and address allocation of the respective penetration-electrode ports is mounted in stacked LSIs.
US08184461B2
A first circuit generates a first sequence of square wave voltages having a voltage level that changes to a positive side relative to a first reference potential, which is a potential on a negative-electrode side of a direct current power source, from a direct current voltage. A second circuit generates a second sequence of square wave voltages having a voltage level lower than the voltage level of the first sequence of square wave voltages on the positive side that changes to a negative side relative to a second reference potential. The second chopper circuit further generates a third sequence of square wave voltages having a voltage level that changes to the positive and negative side in turns in the manner of sinusoidal wave relative to the first reference potential by summing the first sequence of square wave voltages and the second sequence of square wave voltages. A third circuit outputs the third sequence of square wave voltages as a charge/discharge output. The third circuit further PWM-controls the charge/discharge output so that a difference of the third sequence of square wave voltages to a sinusoidal wave voltage is corrected and thereby generates a sinusoidal wave voltage that continuously changes to the positive and negative sides relative to the first reference potential from the third sequence of square wave voltages and the PWM-controlled output, and outputs the generated sinusoidal wave voltage to a load.
US08184460B2
A power generation system including a photovoltaic (PV) module to generate direct current (DC) power is provided. The system includes a controller to determine a maximum power point for the power generation system and a boost converter for receiving control signals from the controller to boost the power from the PV module to a threshold voltage required to inject sinusoidal currents into the grid. A DC to alternating current (AC) multilevel inverter is provided in the system to supply the power from the PV module to a power grid. The system also includes a bypass circuit to bypass the boost converter when an input voltage of the DC to AC multilevel inverter is higher than or equal to the threshold voltage.
US08184444B2
Provided is an electrode pad for mounting an electronic component on a surface of a circuit board. The electrode pad includes first and second electrode parts facing each other, and third and fourth electrode parts facing each other. The third and fourth electrode parts are disposed adjacent to the first and second electrode parts for forming corners of the electrode pad together with the first and second electrode parts. At least one of the first to fourth electrode parts includes a chamfered surface formed by cutting a corner of the at least one of the first to fourth electrode parts forming the corner of the electrode pad. Therefore, when the electrode pad is used for mounting an electronic component, the width of an outer electrode of the electronic component can be sufficiently increased, and thus the shape or size of the outer electrode can be easily adjusted.
US08184440B2
In an electronic apparatus comprising a circuit board supporting semiconductor components and traces or conductors for supplying electrical energy to the semiconductor components, and a connection arrangement by which the conductors are connected to a power supply cable, the circuit board being covered by an electrically insulating encapsulating layer, a molded frame part is mounted on the circuit board so as to cover the connection arrangement, the molded frame part having a circumferential edge structure which extends on one end into the encapsulating layer and at the other end projects above the encapsulating layer so as to create an interior space which, when the encapsulating layer is at least partially cured, is filled with additional encapsulating compound to form, after curing, a relatively thick protective layer over the wire or cable and conductor connecting area.
US08184438B2
A modular control device comprises a control board, a sub-module and a housing cover, with a microcomputer mounted on the control board. The sub-module has a sub-module case provided with a wiring layer that is mounted into a wall of the sub-module case. Electronic parts are mounted in the sub-module case to electrically connect to the control board through the wiring layer. A housing cover accommodates the control board and the sub-module. A housing base is joined with the housing cover. The accommodation portion has a shape corresponding to a shape of each of the electronic parts is arranged in the housing cover. The sub-module is mounted to the housing cover with a heat radiation adhesive between the accommodation portion and each of the electronic parts.
US08184436B2
Liquid-cooled electronics racks are provided which include: immersion-cooled electronic subsystems; a vapor-condensing heat exchanger to condense dielectric fluid vapor egressing from the immersion-cooled electronic subsystems; a dielectric fluid vapor return coupling in fluid communication the vapor outlets of the immersion-cooled electronic subsystems and the vapor-condensing heat exchanger; a reservoir for holding dielectric fluid; a gravity drain line coupled to drain dielectric fluid condensate from the vapor-condensing heat exchanger to the reservoir; an immersed, sub-cooling heat exchanger disposed within the reservoir; a dielectric fluid supply manifold coupling in fluid communication the reservoir and the dielectric fluid inlets of the immersion-cooled electronic subsystems; and a pump for supplying under pressure dielectric fluid from the reservoir to the dielectric fluid supply manifold for maintaining dielectric fluid in a liquid state within the immersion-cooled electronic subsystems.
US08184434B2
A video/audio computer display processor comprising a chassis, a video processor, a graphics card, and a ventilation duct. The chassis has first, second and third fans mounted therein and the video processor has a processor heatsink mounted thereon, wherein the processor heatsink has fins extending therefrom. The first fan is mounted on the processor heatsink and the second fan is positioned to direct an airflow parallel to and along the fins of the processor heatsink. The graphics card has a graphics card heatsink mounted thereon, and the graphics card heatsink has fins extending therefrom. The ventilation duct extends along a side of the chassis and has an opening therein adjacent the graphics card heatsink. The third fan is positioned to direct airflow through the ventilation duct, out through the opening and parallel to and along the fins of the graphics card heatsink.
US08184429B2
A capacitor is improved in reliability by suppressing the formation of burrs or protrusions at a joint portion between an aluminum wire round rod and an external terminal in a lead wire used for a capacitor. A metal cap having a higher melting point than aluminum is fitted to an end portion of the aluminum wire round rod and the metal cap is heated, thereby joining the aluminum wire round rod to the metal cap. Thereafter, the external terminal and the metal cap are welded to each other. The metal cap has a curved surface in which an outer periphery is decreased from an opening toward an end portion opposite to the opining. The opening is provided with a stepped portion, so that the sealing degree is increased when the lead wire is inserted into a hole of the sealing member.
US08184426B2
Provided is a dielectric element comprising a dielectric thin film formed of a layer of perovskite nanosheets. The dielectric element has the advantages of inherent properties and high-level texture and structure controllability of the perovskite nanosheets, therefore realizing both a high dielectric constant and good insulating properties in a nano-region.
US08184423B2
An automatic hold switch is disclosed. The automatic hold switch provides a means for automatically switching a hold feature on and off. When the hold feature is on, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are disabled or prevented from providing input signals. When the hold feature is off, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are enabled or allowed to provide input signals. Because the user no longer has to manually control the hold feature, the number of actions that need to be taken by the user is reduced. In one example, the automatic hold switch is embodied with light sensors that detect when the device is in a dark environment and when the device is in a light environment. A dark environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes not to input and therefore the hold feature is turned on. A lighted environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes to input and therefore the hold feature is turned off.
US08184422B2
Systems and methods of overheat detection provide for generating a control signal on a die containing a processor based on an internal temperature of the processor and a control temperature threshold. It can be determined whether to generate a warning temperature event on the die based on a behavior of the control signal. In one embodiment, the warning temperature event provides for initiation of an automated data saving process, which reduces the abruptness of conventional warning temperature shutdowns. Other embodiments provide the user the option of saving his or her work before a shutdown temperature threshold is reached.
US08184413B2
A regulator for a switched mode power supply includes switching regulator logic, a counter and a switching transistor. The switching regulator logic is coupled to receive a feedback signal and to generate a switching signal in response. The feedback signal periodically cycles between a first state and a second state when the power supply operates normally. The counter is coupled to receive the feedback signal and an output of the counter indicates an auto-restart mode of the regulator in response to the feedback signal remaining in the first state for a predetermined count. The switching transistor is turned on and off in response to the switching signal when the output of the counter does not indicate the auto-restart mode and is disabled when the output of the counter indicates the auto-restart mode.
US08184410B2
An example magnetoresistive element includes a first magnetic layer whose magnetization direction is substantially pinned toward one direction; a second magnetic layer whose magnetization direction is changed in response to an external magnetic field; and a spacer layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. At least one of the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer has a magnetic compound that is expressed by M1aM2bXc(where 5≦a≦68, 10≦b≦73, and 22≦c≦85). M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, and Ni. M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, and Mn. X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of N, O, and C.
US08184407B2
An underlying layer (2) made of NiFeN is disposed over the principal surface of a substrate. A pinning layer (3) made of antiferromagnetic material containing Ir and Mn is disposed on the underlying layer. A reference layer (4c) made of ferromagnetic material whose magnetization direction is fixed through exchange-coupling with the pinning layer directly or via another ferromagnetic material layer, is disposed over the pinning layer. A nonmagnetic layer (7) made of nonmagnetic material is disposed over the reference layer. A free layer (8) made of ferromagnetic material whose magnetization direction changes in dependence upon an external magnetic field, is disposed over the nonmagnetic layer.
US08184406B2
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a thin film magnetic head for preventing a short-circuit failure during formation of a track portion or a stripe-height portion and improving a yield. In one embodiment, a stripe-height direction is first formed, and then a track-width direction is formed. A third insulating film having a smoothly shaped wall surface is formed on a first insulating film during stripe-height formation. During formation of the third insulating film, an optimized lift-off pattern is used to smooth an edge shape.
US08184404B2
A suspension board with circuit includes a board main body portion, an auxiliary portion folded back with respect to the board main body portion, a slider disposed close to the board main body portion, and mounting thereon a magnetic head, and a light emitting element disposed close to the auxiliary portion. The conductive pattern includes a first conductive pattern including a first terminal, and a second terminal connected to the magnetic head, and a second conductive pattern including a third terminal and a fourth terminal connected to the light emitting element. The first, second and third terminals are disposed on the board main body portion. The fourth terminal is disposed on the auxiliary portion. The back surface of the board main body portion is formed with a main-body-side interfitting portion. A back surface of the auxiliary portion is formed with an auxiliary-portion-side interfitting portion.
US08184398B2
A magnetic head includes a coil, a pole layer, and a coil adjacent layer. The coil includes a winding portion having two side surfaces. The coil adjacent layer is adjacent to at least part of the whole of the two side surfaces of the winding portion. The coil adjacent layer is formed of a nonmagnetic material having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 5×10−6/° C. or smaller at a temperature of 25° C. to 100° C. and having a thermal conductivity of 40 W/m·K or higher at a temperature of 25° C.
US08184394B2
In one embodiment a transducer head assembly is disclosed having a head module. The head module comprises at least one media bearer element providing a media bearer surface, and a head element block having an array of head elements. The assembly further comprises a carrier structure to carry the head module, and an actuator to move the head element block relative to the at least one media bearer element. Tape drive apparatus having actuator apparatus to cause relative displacement between head element blocks is also disclosed. A transducer head module and a method of making a transducer head assembly are also disclosed.
US08184393B1
Systems and techniques relating to writing servo information on a machine-readable medium. An apparatus can include a self-servo-write controller configured to direct writing of at least two bands of ramp-tracks to different surfaces of at least one machine-readable medium based on a given rotational relationship between the at least one machine-readable medium and at least two collectively controlled transducers, the controller including a self-servo-write clock generator, an angular position generator, a ramp-track pattern generator, and a servo wedge window period generator.
US08184392B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products are described for calibrating servos, and in some implementations, calibrating spiral servos for use in self-servo-write (SSW) processes. In one aspect, a method is provided that includes determining timing reference information on a machine readable medium, locking a clock signal to the timing reference information, detecting a spiral on the machine readable medium, determining a location of the spiral using the clock signal, and calibrating a spiral servo according to the location of the spiral.
US08184389B2
Methods of tuning a notch filter to remove resonant frequency components from an output signal of a vibration sensor. Some methods according to the invention include exciting the vibration sensor with an excitation signal including energy in a frequency band that may include a resonant frequency of the vibration sensor, measuring the output signal of the vibration sensor in response to the excitation signal, detecting a frequency component of the output signal that corresponds to the resonant frequency of the vibration sensor, and configuring the notch filter to attenuate the detected frequency component. Related disk drives are also disclosed.
US08184378B2
A compact zoom lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side along an optical axis thereof, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power and a third lens group also having positive refractive power. The first lens group is stationary and includes a reflecting element for bending the optical path. The second and third lens groups are movable along the optical axis, and each of the first, second and third lens groups has at least one aspheric lens surface. When zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the second lens group moves toward the object side and the third lens group moves toward the image side, so as to reduce the spacing between the first and second lens groups and increase the spacing between the second and third lens groups. By this specific optical configuration, the compact zoom lens system has the advantages of small size, simple structure, low cost, good reliability and better image quality.
US08184363B2
A fiber laser amplifier system including a master oscillator that generates a signal beam. A splitter splits the signal beam into a plurality of fiber beams where a separate fiber beam is sent to a fiber amplifier for amplifying the fiber beam. A tapered fiber bundle couples all of the output ends of all of the fiber amplifiers into a combined fiber providing a combined output beam. An end cap is optically coupled to an output end of the tapered fiber bundle to expand the output beam.
US08184350B2
The image display apparatus includes an image-forming element configured to form an original image, a first optical element configured to reflect a light flux from the image-forming element sequentially by plural reflective surfaces to cause the light flux to emerge from the first optical element, and an optical system configured to introduce the light flux from the first optical element to an exit pupil of the optical system. The optical system includes a diffractive optical element. In the optical system, a first portion closer to the exit pupil than the diffractive optical element has a negative optical power. No decentered surface having an optical power is provided between the diffractive optical element and the exit pupil.
US08184349B2
The present invention provides a color conversion device that can be applied to a color management system. The color conversion device provides a color conversion device capable of generating a color conversion table used for color reproduction with high precision. The color conversion device generates a color conversion table that describes a correspondence relationship between color data in a first color space and color data in a second color space and corrects the correspondence relationship described in the color conversion table based on calorimetric values of color sample charts obtained by the reading of a plurality of the color sample charts. The color conversion device according to the present invention can correct the output values based on the calorimetric values of the color sample charts.
US08184342B2
A recording apparatus, performing recording by time-division driving of multiple recording elements on a recording head in increments of blocks, includes: a storing unit storing recording data; an obtaining unit obtaining information relating to inclination of the recording elements in the main scanning direction; a changing unit changing, in increments of recording elements, the main scanning direction storage position of recording data stored in the storing unit to be provided to recording elements of a group, configured of consecutive recording elements in each block of the recording elements, based on the obtained information; and a determining unit determining the driving order of the recording elements subjected to time-division driving in increments of the blocks, for each of the scans; wherein recording is performed based on recording data with the main scanning direction storage position having been changed by the changing unit, and the driving order determined by the determining unit.
US08184339B2
When a feeding amount for multi-pass printing is changed, the purpose related to an image quality using a binary data generation pattern can still be attained by, for example, a density pattern method. Specifically, a multi-pass printing mode is identified, and a density pattern selection matrix associated with a cycle of binary data generation is selected in accordance with the selected printing mode. That is, a density pattern selection matrix employed for binary data generation using a density pattern is changed to a size corresponding to the feeding amount designated by the selected printing mode. Thereby, a phenomenon that a unit used for image processing to gain a predetermined purpose related to an image quality does not match a unit area used for a printing operation is avoided, and an image printing purpose using a binary data generation pattern can be appropriately attained.
US08184338B2
A method for controlling printing of an image forming apparatus includes receiving a printing command from a user, determining whether a condition for auto color registration is satisfied, asking the user whether to perform auto color registration if the condition for auto color registration is satisfied, and performing either printing or auto color registration according to a response to the asked question. Accordingly, even though a condition for auto color registration is satisfied after a printing command is input, the user can select either printing time or printing quality according to his or her priority. Therefore, user convenience can be enhanced.
US08184326B2
An information dissemination system that obtains information from a multifunction document production device that is programmed to store documents along with user provided dissemination level authorizations and with one or more keywords extracted from the document, and to disseminate such documents according to persons authorized to receive the documents based on prior and real time inquiries of a requestor, with a knowledge agent matching the extracted keywords against the queries.
US08184318B2
A method for a computer system includes receiving a facsimile including a digitized transmission page including an optical representation of the electronic destination address encoded in a facsimile format, determining the electronic destination address from the optical representation of the electronic destination address, combining the transmission page with a graphics template to form a composite document, formatting the composite document into a second format, determining additional service provider data in response to the facsimile, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the composite document in the second format to the electronic destination address.
US08184315B2
A method and apparatus for providing devices with job history information on image forming jobs are provided, in which job history information corresponding to image forming jobs of the devices are generated. The job history information is transmitted to any device selected from the devices.
US08184314B2
An image forming apparatus having a main body and optional trays and a communication method between the main body and the optional trays, the apparatus including: the main body having a main controller; at least one optional tray detachably set up in the main body and having a tray controller for communicating with the main controller to transmit and receive data; and communication lines forming a communication channel connecting the main controller and the tray controllers, for data exchange, and for informing the main controller that the data is provided from tray controllers to the main controller. Since the main body and the optional trays communicate through a single UART communication channel, the number of communication channels is decreased thereby saving time and simplifying protocol as well as reducing costs and simplify circuits. Also, it is possible to assign IDs rapidly and simply, prevent generation of errors in ID assignment, and make use of the image forming apparatus convenient.
US08184312B2
When a log-in is accepted at an image processing apparatus (for example, an MFP), a user terminal logged-in with the same log-in information is searched for, and information related to applications being active on that terminal is obtained. An interaction processing key indicative of an application related to a basic function selected as a function to be used is displayed out of the applications. When the user selects the interaction processing key to execute the desired processing, the MFP requests a job to the user terminal to execute the processing interactively with the corresponding application.
US08184305B2
The present invention, as evidenced from the drawings and descriptions provided herein, can be characterized in various, different, through unifying, ways. For example, from a methodologic point of view, the invention may be seen as providing a method which (1) procedurally engages a PDF data stream that is en route to printing, (2) determines whether, in that data stream, there is an image-only data file, and (3), if the answer to that determination is Yes, channels that data file into a novel PDF image-only pipeline for expedited pre-printing preparation (image decoding, resizing, rendering, etc.). From a systemic point of view, the invention proposes an interactive and cooperative assembly of structures, as illustrated in the drawing figures, which are constructed specifically to perform the methodologic functions just described. One will thus understand that an important expressive feature of the invention is its identification, and then dedicated processing-isolation, of image-only files in a PDF data stream. This special singulation, and focused attention-giving, to PDF image-only data squarely addresses the mentioned unsatisfactoriness of various, related, conventional PDF data-handling practices.
US08184292B2
Provided is an unevenness detecting apparatus comprising a determining section that determines a polarization state of returned light obtained from radiated light; an uneven portion judging section that judges whether an uneven portion is present based on the polarization state determined by the determining section; a convex/concave identifying section that identifies whether the uneven portion is convex or concave based on image data, captured by an image capturing element, of the uneven portion; and an output section that outputs information identifying whether the uneven portion is convex or concave.
US08184281B2
Methods for determining an inconsistency characteristic of a composite structure, such as inconsistency density-per-unit area. In one implementation, a method is disclosed for determining an inconsistency characteristic of a composite structure. The method involves determining a first distance from a first reference point of the composite structure to an inconsistency; determining a second distance from a second reference point of the composite structure to the inconsistency; using the first and second distances to establish a reference area of the composite structure; and considering each inconsistency detected within the reference area and producing therefrom an inconsistency characteristic representative of the composite structure.
US08184278B2
An optical sensing device includes a shell, at least one light emitting member, a rotating type shading assembly and at least one optical sensing member. The shell is formed with a black-body condition space having a light emitting chamber, a shading chamber and at least one optical sensing chamber. The light emitting member projects a light beam. The rotating type shading assembly includes a pivot and a shading member. The shading member is pivotally connected to the pivot in the shading chamber, and has a weight center offset from the pivot center. When the optical sensing device is tilted, the shading member is rotated to make the weight center located in a lowering azimuth with respect to the pivot. The optical sensing member is arranged in the optical sensing chamber, and senses the light beam to accordingly send out a sensing signal.
US08184275B1
Vehicle headlamp illumination is monitored and data is communicated to a host control unit. The host control unit implements a network accessible user interface to communicate with a user computer, which can include a graphical display of illumination information as well as a numerical indication of an automatically detected location of the edge of the headlamp beam. The network accessible user interface can also include the capability to manually audit the headlamp beam by allowing a user to specify a headlamp beam location, which will then update system parameters. The network accessible user interface may be a web-based interface where the host control unit implements a web server and the user computer is running a web browser. The system can include a collection of intelligent, independent sensor units, each incorporating a vertical array of sensing elements capable of detecting headlamp illumination. Multiple sensor units can be provided, which allows multiple vehicles and multiple headlamp types to be monitored without physical movement of the sensor units.
US08184270B1
A system and method for viewing an object in a visually obscured environment includes a laser for generating a beam of light which is directed at the object. A pulse generator generates a reference pulse which triggers the laser and also a triggers a range generator which generates a range window positioned at a desired range. A gated optical detector (1) receives reflected light from the object, (2) receives the range window from the range generator, and (3) produces a gated optical output which contains reflections from ranges corresponding with the range window. A display is connected to the gated optical detector for displaying the gated optical output. In one embodiment, the transmitted light beam is polarized, and the received light beam passes through a selectable polarizing filter. In another embodiment, a plurality of received reflected light returns are integrated into a combined image.
US08184269B2
A method for inputting information by an input device with photosensitive elements uses laser light to illuminate a target and two photosensitive elements to sense the time at which beams reflected by the target and then reflected respectively by rotatable first and second mirrors, and determines an included angle between a virtual connecting line of the target and the first mirror and a virtual connecting line of the first mirror and the second mirror and an included angle between a virtual connecting line of the target and the second mirror and the virtual connecting line of the first and second mirrors depending on the time, thereby calculating a coordinate of the target and taking it as relative input information, capable of saving the time for obtaining the target's coordinate and the production cost of the input device.
US08184268B2
In order to derive distance information according to the phase measuring principle, a periodic signal with at least two, in particular modulated, wavelengths λi are transmitted to two or more objects, their reflections are received again and the associated phases φi are determined and decomposed into their individual object phases φij which are assigned to the J objects. In order to resolve phase ambiguities, an ambiguity interval in which at least one object is located is divided into cells (5) with a defined width, with each cell (5) being assigned a counter reading and a distance. The counter reading is incremented for the cells (5) which are assigned to a possible object distance, with the incrementation being carried out for a periodicity sequential variable and for all the phases. An absolute phase or a true object distance Dj from the at least two objects is determined from the distribution of the counter readings.
US08184263B2
A measurement apparatus which measures spatial coherence in an illuminated plane illuminated by an illumination system, comprises a measurement mask which has at least three pinholes and is arranged on the illuminated plane, a detector configured to detect an interference pattern formed by lights from the at least three pinholes, and a calculator configured to calculate the spatial coherence in the illuminated plane based on a Fourier spectrum obtained by Fourier-transforming the interference pattern detected by the detector.
US08184259B2
A decorative plate for a casing is attached to a casing, and utilized. The decorative plate is configured by a plate-shaped transparent base member, a color half mirror layer, placed on the lower face of the transparent base member, that is made of a metal thin film subjected to a tint treatment, a transparency-switching film, formed on the lower face of the color half mirror layer, that is capable of switching between transmitting and non-transmitting states, a transparent reflection-increasing film layer, placed on the lower face of the transparency-switching film, that is a composite film formed by alternately laminating a high refractive-index film and a low refractive-index film, and a backing layer that is formed on the lower face of the reflection-increasing film layer in a tightly contact state without having an air layer interposed therebetween, which are successively laminated.
US08184256B2
A display panel and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The display panel includes: a first substrate, a touch spacer formed on a first substrate, a common electrode formed on the touch spacer, a second substrate opposing the first substrate, a sensing electrode facing the touch spacer on the second substrate and an alignment layer on the sensing electrode or the touch spacer, wherein the alignment layer has a thickness equal to or less than 500 Å.
US08184243B2
A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a substrate; a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter arranged on the substrate and respectively including a red pigment, a green pigment, and a blue pigment; and a transparent color filter including a passivation layer including at least one of the red pigment, the green pigment, and the blue pigment, and the passivation layer is simultaneously formed with a spacer, the spacer including the same material as the passivation layer.
US08184241B2
The present invention mechanically protects a surface of a miniaturized liquid crystal display device for mobile phone or the like without deteriorating image quality and without increasing a thickness of a whole display device. To achieve such an object, in the present invention, a liquid crystal display panel is constituted of a TFT substrate and a color filter substrate, a lower polarizer is adhered to a lower surface of the TFT substrate, and an upper polarizer is adhered to an upper surface of the color filter substrate. A face plate is adhered to the upper polarizer using an acrylic adhesive material which is cured by ultraviolet rays. For enhancing strength and adhesion property of the face plate, corners and side portions of the face plate are chamfered. By making a profile of the face plate smaller than a profile of the upper polarizer, the adhesion property of the face plate is enhanced. The present invention can protect the surface of the liquid crystal display panel without deteriorating image quality and without largely increasing a thickness of the display device.
US08184226B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) structure is provided. The TFT comprises a gate, a first electrode, a second electrode, a dielectric layer, and a channel layer. By overlapping the area between the first electrode and the gate, the TFT structure acquires a parasitic capacitor that is unaffected by manufacture deviations. Therefore, the TFT needs no compensation capacitor, thereby, increasing the aperture ratio of the TFT.
US08184221B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel which can reduce the transmittance and further improve the response speed. The liquid crystal display panel of the present invention is a liquid crystal display panel including the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and the second substrate in this order, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates has a linear alignment control structure for dividing a pixel into a plurality of regions, and the linear alignment control structure has a comb-tooth structure extending toward one side, and preferably wherein the liquid crystal display panel has three or more alignment control structures for dividing a pixel into a plurality of regions, the three of more alignment control structures including the linear alignment control structure, the liquid crystal display panel has a region where the linear alignment control structure, a linear alignment control first structure of the three or more alignment control structures, a linear alignment control second structure of the three or more alignment control structures extend in parallel with one another and an interval between the linear alignment control structure and the linear alignment control first structure is larger than an interval between the linear alignment control structure and the linear alignment control second structure, and the comb-tooth structure of the linear alignment control structure extends toward the linear alignment control first structure.
US08184220B2
A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) capable of improving display quality includes a first insulating substrate, gate wiring lines formed on the first insulating substrate and extending in a first direction, pixel electrodes, each of which includes first and second sub-pixel electrodes that are, respectively, applied with different data voltages from first and second wiring lines insulated from and crossing the gate wiring lines, extending in a second direction and an insulting layer interposed between the first data wiring line and the second data wiring line overlapped by the first data wiring line. Therefore, an aperture ratio of the LCD increase because the first data wiring line overlapped the second data wiring line have less area between pixel electrodes. A display quality of the LCD improves.
US08184218B2
An electromagnetic source has an electrode structure coupled to a substrate. The electrode structure has interspaced electrodes, at least one of which is spiral-shaped. At least one electrical contact interconnects the electrodes of the electrode structure. The electrode structure is responsive to an applied electrical current to generate a spatially non-uniform magnetic field. This field can act on a LC layer such that optical properties of the layer are controllable.
US08184213B2
A portable screen includes: a frame body having a rectangular shape; and a screen sheet provided with tension within the frame body and having an image projection surface, wherein one opposing side of two sets of opposing sides forming the frame body is configured to allow the frame body to be extendable along the side, and the other opposing side of two sets of opposing sides forming the frame body is configured to allow the frame body to be spreadable or foldable.
US08184207B2
An image signal input circuit includes an input terminal configured to receive an image signal, a clamp circuit configured to hold a sink chip voltage contained in the image signal to be a constant value, a level shift circuit that includes a first emitter follower having a first transistor and a first current source, and a second emitter follower having a second transistor and a second current source, a base of the second transistor being connected to an emitter of the first transistor, and that is configured to shift a level of the sink chip voltage which is held constant, and an electric current source configured to attract a base current of the first transistor.
US08184200B1
Systems and methods for converting a picture frame rate between a source video at a first rate and a target video at a second rate. A system may include a phase plane correlation calculator configured to determine a first motion vector estimate. The system may further include a global motion calculator configured to determine a second motion vector estimate based on the previous frame data, the current frame data, and the first motion vector estimate. The system may also include a motion compensated interpolator for assigning a final motion vector through a quality calculation and an intermediate frame generator for generating the intermediate frame using the final motion vector.
US08184194B2
A polarization image capturing section 103 obtains a first polarization image containing polarization information. A polarization information obtaining section 104 obtains first polarization information from the first polarization image. An illumination control section 102 changes an illumination section 101 and again obtains a second polarization image by means of the polarization image capturing section 103. The polarization information obtaining section 104 obtains second polarization information from the second polarization image. A light source dependency estimation section 105 obtains light source dependency from the first and second polarization information obtained from the first and second polarization images. An area dividing section 106 performs an area division by using the polarization information and light source dependency information.
US08184188B2
A pixel circuit providing high dynamic operation, and methods of operating the pixel circuit providing for high dynamic operation. Methods include a lateral overflow and a double exposure mode, and a pixel output signal is determined according to whether a photosensor of the pixel circuit is saturated.
US08184182B2
An image processing apparatus and method are provided. The image processing apparatus includes a blur kernel estimator and an image restorer. The blur kernel estimator is configured to estimate a blur kernel of a first image using the first image and a second image, wherein the first image includes multi-channel color image data and the second image includes single-channel image data and is obtained with a shorter exposure time than the first image. The image restorer is configured to generate a blurred image of the second image using the blur kernel, and restore an image using residual images between images for respective channels of the first image and the blurred image of the second image, the second image, and the blur kernel.
US08184181B2
Image capturing system and computer readable recording medium for recording image processing program
An image capturing system includes: a first noise reduction unit which roughly removes the effects of an edge component by performing edge-preserving adaptive noise reduction processing on a target pixel within a local region including the target pixel and the neighboring pixels extracted from an image signal acquired from a CCD; a noise estimation unit which dynamically estimates the noise amount with respect to the target pixel based upon the target pixel value thus subjected to the noise reduction processing by the first noise reduction unit; and a second noise reduction unit which performs noise reduction processing on the target pixel based upon the target pixel value thus subjected to the noise reduction processing by the first noise reduction unit and the noise amount thus estimated by the noise estimation unit.
US08184180B2
An audio/video (A/V) capture device and method that capture audio and video in a spatially synchronized manner. In one implementation, the device and method automatically adjust the shape of a spatial directivity pattern of a microphone array used for acquiring audio so that the pattern is spatially synchronized with an amount of video zoom being applied by a video acquisition section to acquire video. For example, a wider spatial directivity pattern may automatically be used during wide-angle shots and a narrower spatial directivity pattern may automatically be used during close-ups. This beneficially allows for the consistent attenuation of audio signals received from audio sources that lie outside the field of view of the video acquisition section while passing or even enhancing audio signals received from audio sources that lie within the field of view even though the width of the field of view has changed.
US08184156B2
An image displaying system for displaying an image operable to change a displayed image according to a direction of a image displaying apparatus, including: an image storing unit storing thereon the image; a displaying unit operable to display the image, the displaying unit being carried by a user; a photographing unit operable to photograph exterior as a plurality of photographed images, the photographing unit being carried with the displaying unit all together; a travel distance computing unit operable to compute a travel distance of the displaying unit by analyzing the plurality of photographed images which are photographed by the photographing unit at different times; and a display control unit operable to change the image, which is different from the photographed images, based on the travel distance computed by the travel distance computing unit and to causes the displaying unit to display the image.
US08184149B2
A method for producing an image with an increased resolution from a plurality of aliased ophthalmic images having an original resolution is described. The method comprises the steps of—providing an imaging system capable of acquiring said aliased ophthalmic images,—acquiring said aliased ophthalmic images by the imaging system, thereby generating non-integer pixel displacements between said images by using voluntary or involuntary eye movements,—determining the displacements between said images, and—producing an image with an increased resolution in an overlapping area of said aliased ophthalmic images compared to the original resolution of said images, based on said images and said displacements, using a super-resolution algorithm.
US08184141B2
A telecommunications system includes a network; a plurality of user devices coupled to the network; a multipoint control unit coupled to the network and configured to supervise multipoint conferencing among the plurality of user devices, the multipoint control unit including a presentation mixer, the presentation mixer configured to remove one or more backgrounds from a presentation and mix a live video feed into the presentation as a substitute background; a screen for displaying a resulting mixed presentation such that a full area of the screen is used to display the mixed presentation; and a feature recognition system configured to identify a party from one or more features displayed on the screen and selectively adjust a transparency of said one or more features other than said party.
US08184125B2
The invention relates to a processing method of a sequence of images comprising image points each of which is associated with a color component. The method comprises a processing step of at least one image of the sequence from reference images, the processing step being adapted to reduce the flicker effects. According to the invention, the reference images are selected according to the following stages: calculate, for at least one image part of each of the images of the sequence, the mean value of the colour component, the mean value being associated with the image, and a first selection step to select from the mean values a first series of reference images forming a subset of the sequence.
US08184124B2
The present invention generates a color template design to format a presentation. According to one aspect, a plurality of template designs are provided on a visual display. A selection of one of the plurality of template designs is received from a user. A plurality of source images that are separate from the plurality of template designs are provided on the visual display. A selection of a color from one of the plurality of source images is received from the user. Colors of the selected template design are automatically adjusted to contrast with the selected the color from the source image. The selected template design may include framing, mat, background, and foreground portions, at least one of which is adjusted. After automatically adjusting the colors, the selected template design may be displayed and/or stored for use as a template.
US08184121B2
Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods, systems, and apparatus for multi-domain markers.
US08184119B2
A method of direct volume rendering is provided comprising combining ambient occlusion volumes terms from a plurality of different filtered volumes using filters with different radii. During an ambient occlusion computation phase, the method obtains ambient occlusion terms from a plurality of different filtered volumes and, combining the ambient occlusion terms from the plurality of different filtered volumes into a composite ambient volume occlusion. During a subsequent volume rendering phase, data acquired from the subject is processed using the composite ambient volume occlusion to obtain a shaded rendition of an image of the subject.
US08184111B2
A driver for display provides a driving signal having a frequency synchronized with that of an image signal when the image signal is normal and provides a driving signal having a predetermined frequency when the image signal is abnormal, thereby performing a stable operation. The driver includes a frequency detection unit detecting a frequency difference between a frequency of an inputted image signal and a frequency of a frequency-divided driving signal, a driving signal generation unit generating the driving signal having a frequency synchronized with the frequency of the image signal according to a detection result of the frequency detection unit, and a control unit stopping a frequency detection operation of the frequency detection unit when the detection result of the frequency detection unit shows an abnormal operation.
US08184106B2
A position detection device including a substrate; a first ohmic resistor applied to the substrate and extending along an active surface of the position detector, whereby the first ohmic resistor is connected between a first terminal and a second terminal of the position detection device; a plurality of electric conductors connected to the first ohmic resistor at places that are distinct therefrom, the electric conductors extending from the first ohmic resistor inside the active surface alternating between the first electric conductors, whereby one first end of the conductor elements is connected to a third terminal of the position detection device. The conductor elements are configured as ohmic resistors extending through the active surface of the device and a second end of the conductor elements is connected to a fourth terminal of the position detection device.
US08184103B2
The present invention provides a mobile terminal including a moving keypad. The mobile terminal includes: a main body; a touch screen disposed at a surface of the main body; a fixed keypad disposed adjacent to the touch screen at the surface of the main body; and a moving keypad to move on the fixed keypad and the touch screen.
US08184096B2
Responsive to a trigger event, a first cursor state having a first visual appearance is transitioned into a second cursor state having a second visual appearance. A transition type and transition time can be specified so that the transition can be visually perceived by a user. The cursor states can be associated with different cursor types and/or cursor schemes.
US08184095B2
A control device includes a housing, a control module having a movable member mounted in the housing and movable by the user and having a magnet located on each of the two distal ends thereof, and a circuit module that includes a microprocessor, a rotation sensor module electrically connected to the microprocessor and adapted for sensing rotation of the movable member or a sleeve on the movable member and producing a respective control signal, and a magnetic sensor module electrically connected to the microprocessor and adapted for sensing the strength of the magnetic field emitted by each magnet indicative of the direction and amount of a linear displacement of the movable member and producing a respective control signal. Subject to non-contact sensing design, the control device avoids any mechanical fatigue or contact failure.
US08184093B2
A device and method for selecting one option from a plurality of options is disclosed. A sequential selection of one option from the plurality of options proceeds when a detecting unit detects an operation associated with movement. A selecting unit sequentially selects one option from a plurality of options, and then the detecting unit detects if the operation associated with movement is stopped and the operation associated with movement is stopped.
US08184092B2
A method and system of utilizing a game console with motion sensing technology is provided. The present invention, in various implementations, provides for a method for generating one or more symbols in response to one or more gestures using an input device of a gaming system. The method comprises providing the input device being capable of generating one or more gesture signals in response to one or more gestures and being operable to select a mode of one or more operational states. The method also provides for generating one or more gesture signals corresponding to the one or more gestures, respectively; mapping the one or more generated gesture signals in relation to one or more symbols, respectively; and, transmitting the one or more symbols corresponding to the respective one or more gesture signals to an output.
US08184088B2
An image display apparatus includes: a luminance modification unit configured to modify the luminance setting value so as to make a luminance difference between adjacent partial regions of a back light smaller; a luminance distribution calculation unit configured to calculate a predicted value of luminance distribution of light incident on a liquid crystal panel from the back light on the basis of the modified luminance setting value; a liquid crystal transmittance correction unit configured to correct an optical transmittance of the image signal at each pixel of the liquid crystal panel on the basis of the image signal and the luminance distribution; a back light control unit configured to control the back light on the basis of the modified luminance setting value; and a liquid crystal control unit configured to control the liquid crystal panel so that the transmittance of the image signal becomes the corrected optical transmittance.
US08184071B2
A method for driving a plurality of LEDs comprises the steps of: driving the plurality of LEDs according to a series of display signals; synchronously detecting the plurality of LEDs in a display mode for obtaining fault information; and serially outputting the fault information.
US08184064B2
A conical radiator coupled to an antenna patch disposed along a first end of the radiator, said patch disposed on an insulator. A ground plane is connected to the insulator and a radome is disposed opposite a second end of the radiator. The radome has a first region presenting a convex surface towards the radiator, and the radome has a second region presenting a concave surface towards the radiator. The first end of the conical radiator is the apex of the cone. A ground plane is included and a portion of the ground plane is a planar surface and another portion extends away from the planar portion towards the radome.Also disclosed is a method for forming a radiation pattern by shaping the radome to effectuate a predetermined radiation pattern using localized convex and concave surfaces positioned on the radome at different points in relation to the conical radiator.
US08184059B2
Gimbal power systems and methods are operable to provide power to a device attached to the gimbal. An exemplary embodiment is configured to rotate a rotational member of the gimbal system about an axis, wherein a stator of a rotary power transformer affixed to the rotational member rotates about the axis, and wherein an end of an electrical connection coupled to a power connector of a rotor winding of the rotary power transformer remains substantially stationary as the stator of the rotary power transformer rotates about the axis.
US08184050B2
An antenna alignment and monitoring system is provided for telecom antennas and includes a pair of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antennas mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) for installation in a telecom antenna enclosure. Multiple telecom antennas are configured in an antenna array for mounting on a transmission tower or other elevated structure. A common GNSS receiver cycles among the GNSS antenna pairs for initially aligning and subsequently monitoring the azimuth alignment of the telecom antennas relative to a reference azimuth using GNSS triangulation.
US08184035B2
The present invention provides an insulated ultrafine powder containing electrically conductive ultrafine particles coated with an insulation coating, characterized in that the electrically conductive ultrafine particles are formed of a carbon material which is in the form of spherical particles having a diameter of 1 nm or more and 500 nm or less, fibers having a cross-sectional diameter of 1 nm or more and 500 nm or less, or plate-like particles having a thickness of 1 nm or more and 500 nm or less; the insulation coating is formed of an insulating metal oxide or a hydrate thereof; and the thickness of the insulation coating is 0.3 nm or more, and, when the electrically conductive ultrafine particles are in the form of spherical particles, the coating thickness is equal to or less than the diameter of the particles; when the electrically conductive ultrafine particles are in the form of fibers, the coating thickness is equal to or less than the cross-sectional diameter of the fibers; or when the electrically conductive ultrafine particles are in the form of plate-like particles, the coating thickness is equal to or less than the thickness of the plate-like particles; and as well a high-dielectric-constant resin composite material containing the insulated ultrafine powder. The resin composite material exhibits high dielectric constant and radio wave absorbability, while maintaining fundamental characteristics of resin material (i.e., excellent moldability and workability, and light weight).
US08184031B1
A distributed weighting network that employs a summing line including distributed summing blocks disposed thereon. Each summing block includes a plurality of resistors that define a resistor divider network. Each summing block includes at least three ports having an input port, an output port and at least one signal port. A signal applied to each signal port of the summing blocks is modified in amplitude by the resistor divider network and summed with the signal propagating along the summing line being input to the input port and output from the output port of each summing block to provide a combined signal. The distributed weighting network can be part of a digital-to-analog converter or a QAM modulator.
US08184016B2
A method of graphically representing values of at least one selected parameter at multiple monitoring points in a utility system, comprises receiving data measured at the multiple monitoring points; determining the values of the selected parameter at the multiple monitoring points, based on the received data, and using the values to generate a graphical representation of the values of the selected parameter at the multiple monitoring points, the graphical representation including shapes having (1) sizes representative of the magnitudes of the values and (2) locations representative of the hierarchy of the monitoring points. In one application, the selected parameter is at least one of electrical power and energy consumed in portions of an electrical power distribution system that correspond to the multiple monitoring points.
US08184011B2
An arc fault detector includes a means for repeatedly measuring an elapsed time. The arc fault detector also includes at least one means to perform arc detection at each repeated elapsed time. Means for initiating a tripping mechanism is activated after the elapsed time. When a fault occurs, means for generating at least one fault code is activated. The fault code is stored in at least one non-volatile memory. The fault code is selected from a group consisting of an arc fault interrupt code, a ground fault interrupt code, and a push-to-test interrupt code. The arc fault detector includes at least one means to display the fault code such as at least one LED. At least a first LED indicates an arc fault interrupt code and at least a second LED indicates a ground fault interrupt code. At least a third LED indicates a push-to-test interrupt code.
US08184006B2
Disclosed is a remotely monitorable shipping container security and integrity system and radio frequency identification device. The system permits remote monitoring of shipping containers via RFID devices capable of data storage. The RFID devices are adapted to become at least partially non-functional in the event of substantial tampering.
US08184004B2
A system to detect a presence in a space is provided and includes a sensor to issue a signal at an instance when a door to the space closes, a detector to periodically issue packets that identify when a presence was last detected in the space, and a processing unit, coupled to the sensor and the detector, which is configured to receive the signal and the packets and which has executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the processing unit to identify when the door closes based on the signal and to judge the space to be unoccupied after a wait time if the packets indicate the presence was last detected prior to the closing.
US08184003B1
A motion detecting apparatus and method which comprises a plurality of area-sensors each generating or modifying an electrical signal in response to a stimulus, and thereafter monitoring the signal to locate the object and its relative position, moment to moment.
US08183989B2
An emergency exit indicator includes a light source, a visual indicator and a power line communication unit, wherein the visual indicator is disposed within the illumination scope of the light source, and the power line communication unit is electrically connected to the light source. The emergency exit indicator is capable of altering the displayed escape information. The present invention further provides an emergency exit indicating system using the above-mentioned emergency exit indicator and can more precisely display the escape information.
US08183987B2
A method and system for advanced patient communication have been disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises providing a patient communication device through which a patient communicates a first message from a hospital bed. The first message is received at a central processing server. The first message is processed to identify an urgency level of the message. One or more additional messages are generated based on the first message. The one or more additional messages are transmitted to specific health care provider devices of specific health care providers who are expected to respond to the patient.
US08183981B2
A passive tag receiving a reader signal provided by a reader is disclosed. The passive tag includes an antenna, an oscillator circuit, and an internal chip. The antenna receives the reader signal. The reader signal is within an operation frequency band. The oscillator circuit is coupled to the antenna and generates a frequency signal. The internal chip processes the reader signal according to power provided by the reader signal and the frequency signal when the reader signal is received and the frequency signal is generated.
US08183974B2
For production of a high-temperature sensor, in which a platinum resistance film is applied on a metal-oxide substrate, in particular sapphire or a ceramic plate, and a ceramic intermediate layer is laid on the resistance film, a self-supporting cover, in particular a ceramic or glass-ceramic cover, is bonded on the ceramic intermediate layer or a glass ceramic is mounted on the intermediate layer over its entire surface. Advantageously, the glass ceramic is electrically conductive or an ion conductor above 750° C. and is laid on up to the cathode of the resistance film up to beyond the intermediate layer. In particular, the cover is bonded with a metal-doped glass ceramic, which is laid on the cathode of the resistance film up to beyond the intermediate layer. Preferably, the electrically insulating intermediate layer is coated with a glass ceramic or a glass ceramic doped with metal, which coating has a resistance of at most one megaohm per square at 850° C. or above.
US08183964B2
A trip unit having a current carrying element, an anchor having an up and a down position, and an oscillator having a first position and a second position. The oscillator in the first position permits the anchor to move into the down position, and the oscillator in the second position blocks the anchor from moving into the down position. Additionally, a magnetic yoke surrounds the current carrying element and the anchor. A magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic yoke moves the anchor into the down position. A magnetic yoke surrounding the current carrying element and the oscillator provides a magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic yoke moves the oscillator into the first position, or into the second position.
US08183962B2
A leakage protective plug comprises a case and electric contacts. A protective cap is fixed on the top of the case and includes a reset button protective cap and a test button protective cap. The reset button protective cap is interiorly provided with a reset button connected with a push rod which in order penetrates an electric contact upper panel, an upper spring, an electric contact lower panel and a lower spring. The electric contact upper panel is provided at a right side thereof with a locking member linked with a brake connecting rod which is linked with a brake plate. The brake plate is located at a lower right side of the locking member. Below the brake plate are disposed an electromagnet pole shoe, an electromagnet coil, and an electromagnet core. The test button protective cap is provided with a test button having a test electric contact.
US08183961B2
The present invention provides a complementary-conducting-strip (CCS) structure for miniaturizing microwave transmission line. The CCS structure comprises a substrate; a transmission part formed on the substrate, the transmission part consisted of M metal layers and at least one connecting arm extending from the metal layers to connect to an adjacent CCS structure, the M metal layers interlaminated M−1 dielectric layer(s) perforating a plurality of first metal vias to connect the M metal layers, wherein M≧2 and M is a nature number; and a frame part formed on the substrate, the frame part surrounding the transmission part and consisted of M−1 metal frame(s), the M−1 metal frame(s) interlaminated M−2 dielectric frame(s) perforating a plurality of second metal vias to connect the metal frames.
US08183941B2
An electronic device (ED) is intended for generating a local oscillator signal having a chosen frequency FLO from a main signal outputted by a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and having a fundamental frequency FVCO and harmonics thereof. This electronic device (ED) comprises a frequency division means (D1, D2) arranged to divide the frequency of a signal by a chosen factor N and a filter means (F1, F2) arranged to select a chosen Mth order harmonic of a signal, these frequency division means (D1, D2; D) and filter means (F1, F2) being arranged to process the main signal in common to output the local oscillator signal with a chosen frequency FLO equal to MxFVCO/N.
US08183938B2
A method is provided for controlling a resonant circuit (1) of an ICPT system. The resonant circuit has a controlled variable reactance (2), and a predetermined perturbation is introduced in the magnitude of variable reactance. The change in a property of the resonant circuit in response to the perturbation is sensed, and the variable reactance is varied to alter the resonant frequency of the circuit in response to the sensed change.
US08183937B2
An integrated circuit frequency generator is disclosed. In some embodiments, the frequency generator comprises an electronic oscillator configured to generate an oscillator frequency and calibration circuitry configured to periodically calibrate the electronic oscillator with respect to a reference frequency source. When a primary power source is unavailable, an output frequency is generated from the oscillator frequency, and the reference frequency source is periodically pulse powered-on to calibrate the electronic oscillator.
US08183932B2
Aspects of a method and system for processing signals via an integrated low noise amplifier having a configurable input signaling mode are provided. In this regard, one or more circuits comprising an integrated amplifier may be configurable such that, in a first configuration, the one or more circuits are operable to handle a differential input signal, and, in a second mode of operation, the one or more circuits are operable to handle a single-ended input signal. The one or more circuits may output a differential signal when handling a differential input signal and when handling a single-ended input signal. In some instances, whether the one or more circuits are operable to handle a differential input signal or a single-ended input signal may determined by an inductance of a bond wire coupling the integrated amplifier to an integrated circuit package.
US08183927B2
According to one embodiment, a variable attenuator is arranged in an input stage, a plurality of transistors are cascaded on the later part of this variable attenuator, temperature sensors are arranged in the vicinity of two or more of the plurality of transistors to detect temperatures, the amount of gain change of the plurality of transistors is calculated from the temperature detection results individually obtained by the temperature sensors, the variable attenuator is controlled in such a manner as to reduce the amount gain change so that the input signal level can be controlled, and thereby the gain that tends to vary in accordance with temperature changes can be stabilized.
US08183923B2
Constant and accurate signal gain systems based on controlling signal amplifier gain level by applying the signal amplifier output signal to a signal level divider with a set ratio. The output signal of the signal level divider is applied to one input of the gain control amplifier, which is a differential amplifier, while the signal amplifier input signal is applied to the other input. The gain control amplifier output level is used to control the gain level of the signal amplifier. The gain control amplifier output level forces by negative feedback the gain control amplifier input levels to be substantially equal thus maintaining the signal amplifier gain level substantially constant.
US08183921B1
One embodiment relates to a continuous-time circuit configured with an offset cancellation loop. The continuous-time circuit includes a multi-stage amplifier chain, including a first amplifier stage and a last amplifier stage, and an offset cancellation loop. The offset cancellation loop is configured to receive an output of the last amplifier stage and to provide an offset correction voltage signal to the first amplifier stage. The offset compensation loop may create one dominant pole and a single consequential parasitic pole so as to have greater stability and may advantageously achieve a second-order roll-off in response magnitude at higher frequencies. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.
US08183917B2
A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier system adjusts the supply voltage provided to a power amplifier (PA) adaptively, responsive to the measured or estimated power of the RF output signal of the PA. The RF PA system includes a power amplifier (PA) which receives and amplifies an RF input signal to generate an RF output signal at a level suitable for transmission to an antenna. A PA supply voltage controller generates a supply voltage control signal, which is used to control the supply voltage to the final stage of the PA. The supply voltage control signal is generated responsive to the measured or estimated power of the PA RF output signal, and also may be responsive to a parameter indicative of impedance mismatch experienced at the PA output. By controlling this supply voltage to the RF PA, the efficiency of the PA is improved.
US08183914B2
Structures and methods for providing a temperature independent constant current reference are provided. A constant Gm circuit is disclosed with embodiments including a voltage controlled resistor providing a current into a current mirror, the current mirror sinking a reference current at its output. By providing a feedback loop that controls the voltage controlled resistor, a temperature compensated circuit may be obtained. The temperature dependence of the voltage controlled resistor is positive and the feedback circuitry maintains this resistor at a value that compensates for the negative temperature dependence of the current mirror circuit. The reference current is thus obtained at a predetermined level independent of temperature. A method for providing a reference current is disclosed wherein a voltage dependent resistor is provided supply current to a current mirror, the voltage dependent resistor receiving a feedback voltage from the current mirror and the feedback controlling the resistor so that a temperature independent reference current is obtained.
US08183894B2
A device (100) for generating an output signal (So) having substantially same or increased output frequency compared to an input frequency of an input signal (Si), the device (100) comprising: a bipolar transistor (102) having a base (B), a collector (C), and an emitter (E); a control unit (104) adapted for controlling application of the input signal (Si) to the base (B) and adapted for controlling application of a collector-emitter voltage between the collector (C) and the emitter (E) in a manner for operating the bipolar transistor (102) in a snap-back regime to obtain a non-linear collector current characteristic to thereby generate the output signal (So) having the substantially same or increased output frequency resulting from a steeply rising collector current.
US08183889B2
An approach to rejecting input common-mode voltage variations in a sampler/converter that avoids the use of a differential amplifier in the signal path, and without introducing added distortion or noise. In one embodiment, the input common-mode variations are sensed on a pair of matched resistors that straddle the common mode analog inputs, on a node ‘Vcmi’. An alternative, switched-capacitor-based sensing scheme is also possible. Using this measured Vcmi, adjustments are then made to the rest of the sampler/converter to take out any variations observed at Vcmi.
US08183887B2
A high-speed signaling system with adaptive transmit pre-emphasis. A transmit circuit has a plurality of output drivers to output a first signal onto a signal path. A receive circuit is coupled to receive the first signal via the signal path and configured to generate an indication of whether the first signal exceeds a threshold level. A first threshold control circuit is coupled to receive the indication from the receive circuit and configured to adjust the threshold level according to whether the first signal exceeds the threshold level. A drive strength control circuit is coupled to receive the indication from the receive circuit and configured to adjust a drive strength of at least one output driver of the plurality of output drivers according to whether the first signal exceeds the threshold level.
US08183886B2
A multi-interface integrated circuit (IC) comprises a plurality of transistors, and a level detection block. At least one transistor of the plurality of transistors is in communication with a first terminal and either a first or a second lead of the multi-interface IC, and at least one of the plurality of transistors is in communication with the first terminal, a second terminal and either the first or a second lead of the multi-interface IC. The level detection block is in communication with at least one of the plurality of transistors and the first and second leads.
US08183881B1
Method and apparatus for using configuration memory for buffer memory is described. Drivers associated with a portion of the configuration memory are rendered incapable of creating a contentious state irrespective of information stored the portion of configuration memory. Configuration data is received in a non-configuration data format and buffered in the portion of the configuration memory.
US08183877B2
Probe pins related to the present invention are formed from a material which consists essentially of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, ruthenium, osmium, palladium and rhodium. A material obtained by adding one or more elements selected from the group consisting of tungsten, nickel and cobalt to this metal may also be used.
US08183874B2
A method and a device for converting an electrical current include at least one phase module having an AC voltage connection and at least one DC voltage connection. A phase module branch is disposed between each DC voltage connection and the AC voltage connection. Each phase module branch includes a series circuit of submodules, each having a capacitor and at least one power semiconductor. The apparatus can establish aging of an energy storage device in a simple manner by using a capacitor diagnosis device for a time-dependent determination of the capacitance of each capacitor.
US08183868B2
Apparatus and method for a steerable horizontal electric dipole source system for underwater deployment as a moving source in electromagnetic surveying of subsurface regions for hydrocarbons. Position locating sensors (195) are placed near each electrode (26, 27), and means (197, 198) are provided for correcting the electrodes to be at the same elevation with azimuth aligned with the source tow line (11) and the electrode mid-point positioned over the source tow line, based on instantaneous location information from the sensors. The streamer (28) connecting the electrodes may also be monitored for shape by sensors, with corrections made by lateral and vertical control means disclosed herein. The invention can be applied to any marine streamer used in geophysical surveys, including a towed streamer (191) of electromagnetic or seismic receivers (192).
US08183848B2
A switching regulator for fixing a frequency which includes a power stage circuit, comprising an upper gate switch, a lower gate switch and an inductor; a reference voltage generator for generating a reference voltage; a comparator for outputting a comparing result according to the output voltage and the reference voltage; a constant frequency compensating circuit for a control signal according to the comparing result, a phase signal and a compensating signal. The constant frequency compensating circuit comprises a charging capacitor. The phase signal corresponding to the cross voltage of the lower gate bridge, and the compensating signal corresponding to the output voltage, and the constant frequency compensating circuit utilizes the phase signal to initialize a voltage of a terminal of the charging capacitor.
US08183847B2
In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to turn off a first output transistor but inhibit turning off a second output transistor.
US08183842B2
A control device for a multi-phase DC-DC converter is disclosed. The multi-phase DC-DC converter includes a plurality of converting channels. The control device includes an error amplifier for comparing a feedback signal of the multi-phase DC-DC converter and a reference signal to generate a comparison result, a main comparator for comparing the comparison result and a first sawtooth signal corresponding to a first converting channel of the plurality of converting channels to generate a first PWM signal, and at least one computing module each corresponding to one of the plurality of the converting channels, for generating a PWM signal according to the comparison result, a corresponding sawtooth signal, a corresponding sensing signal, and a sensing signal corresponding to a previous converting channel of the converting channel to control the converting channel.
US08183839B2
An error voltage Verr, being a difference between DC output voltage Vout and output reference voltage Vref, and an input voltage Vin are multiplied to produce first threshold voltage signal Vth1 in phase with and similar to input voltage Vin and proportional to Verr. Second threshold voltage signal Vth2 is produced from first threshold voltage signal Vth1. The input current is detected as a current detection signal Vi across a resistor 12, whether it is between the threshold value signals is detected by a current range detecting circuit, and accordingly, the timing of turning on or off switching device is controlled so that at least one of an duration on and an off duration of the switching device is limited to enhance a power factor. Unfixed off duration disperses a noise spectrum to prevent an increase in switching frequency, to reduce noise.
US08183832B2
After the initial current set processing is performed, by which a feed amount of a charge current Ic by a charge current feed portion 35 is set to a first current value I1 exceeding a reference current value Ie preset as a current value of the charge current at which the charge current is flown without causing substantially any deterioration in secondary batteries 141, 142, and 143 while negative electrode potential of the secondary batteries 141, 142, and 143 has dropped to substantially 0 V, the charge current is changed in such a manner that the current value keeps decreasing with an increase of a terminal voltage Vt detected by a voltage detection portion 15 until the terminal voltage Vt detected by the voltage detection portion 15 reaches an end voltage Vf, which is the terminal voltage across a set battery 14 when the negative electrode potentials of the secondary batteries 141, 142, and 143 have dropped to substantially 0 V.
US08183830B2
An adjustable charger for compatibly charging at least one rechargeable alkaline battery and at least one first rechargeable battery includes a charger housing and an adjustable charging arrangement. The adjustable charging arrangement includes an upper charging platform, a lower charging platform, and a charging circuitry. The upper charging platform is formed on the top charging side of the charger housing for fittedly and adjustably receiving one of the alkaline battery and the first rechargeable battery in the first charging slot. The lower charging platform is also formed on the top charging side of the charger housing at a position underneath the upper charging platform for fittedly and adjustably receiving another of the alkaline battery and the first rechargeable battery in the second charging slot.
US08183829B2
A system employing wheeled vehicles, such as strollers. A plurality of the wheeled vehicles is provided, each having a docking element. A vehicle station has a docking port for each of at least some of the wheeled vehicles. Each docking port has a charging device and is shaped to engage a docking element of an engaged wheeled vehicle. At least two display screens are provided on the wheeled vehicle, one for an occupant and one for an operator. One or more screen drivers is provided for the display screens.
US08183826B2
Battery charging control methods, electric vehicle charging methods, battery charging apparatuses and rechargeable battery systems. According to one aspect, a battery charging control method includes accessing information regarding a presence of at least one of a surplus and a deficiency of electrical energy upon an electrical power distribution system at a plurality of different moments in time, and using the information, controlling an adjustment of an amount of the electrical energy provided from the electrical power distribution system to a rechargeable battery to charge the rechargeable battery.
US08183812B2
A synchronous fan system is provided which intermittently calibrates the fans by rotating periodically the fans each to a common stop position.
US08183807B2
A motor driving method for driving a direct-current (DC) motor, designed for avoiding a reverse current induced by the Back Electromotive Force (BEMF), includes providing a driver circuit for driving the DC motor; comparing a signal level of a terminal of the DC motor and a predetermined voltage value to produce a comparing result; and controlling a specific lower gate switch to avoid the occurrence of a reverse current of the DC motor according to the comparing result.
US08183792B2
In order to provide open-lamp protection to a backlight module, a pseudo open-lamp voltage is first generated according to the current flowing through a light source. If the backlight module receives a mode signal corresponding to a high contrast mode, a compensation voltage is added to the pseudo open-lamp voltage for generating a reference voltage. If the reference voltage is larger than a feedback voltage received from an input node of the light source, a driving voltage is outputted to the light source.
US08183788B2
The present invention discloses a LED luminance control circuit comprising one or several LEDs and a driving circuit, the driving circuit being connected in series with said one or several LEDs to provide energy to the one or several LEDs, wherein a control circuit is connected in parallel on both terminals of said one or several LEDs and controls on/off of the LEDs connected in parallel thereto. Connections between the several LEDs may be in parallel, in series, or combination thereof. The present invention also discloses an LED backlight source of a liquid crystal display using the above LED luminance control circuit. The present invention can implement the luminance control of various power LEDs quickly on basis of simplicity and low cost without influence on the luminance of other LEDs, by individual luminance control for every one or several LEDs, so as to solve some display technical problems when using LEDs as a display device.
US08183787B2
A power supply system includes a power converter, a switch, and a controller. The power converter is operable for providing power to a load. The switch is coupled to the power converter and is operable for adjusting the power to the load. The switch has a gate, a source and a drain. The controller is coupled to the switch and is operable for controlling a state of the switch. The controller has a first control terminal for providing a gate voltage to the gate of the switch, a second control terminal for providing a source voltage to the source of the switch, and an input terminal for receiving a supply voltage via the source of the switch. The controller is also operable for limiting the supply voltage within a predetermined maximum level by regulating the gate voltage to a preset level.
US08183785B2
The invention relates to a method of controlling a lighting system with multiple controllable light sources 3a, 3b and a system therefor. According to a first aspect, influence data of the lighting system are obtained, which data represent the effect of one or more of the light sources 3a, 3b on the illumination of one or more sections of an illuminated environment. In an optimization method, sets of control commands are continuously determined, a predicted light distribution for these control commands is determined from the influence data, and a colorimetric difference between the predicted light distribution and a target light distribution is determined. A plurality of adjustment steps are performed to minimize the colorimetric difference. According to a second aspect, a neural network is trained with the influence data and a set of control commands for controlling the lighting system is determined with the use of the neural network.
US08183777B2
A high definition plasma display panel which can display a video of a higher brightness and yet can be driven at a low power consumption is realized. To this end, a plasma display panel includes front panel including display electrode formed on glass substrate, dielectric layer 8 covering display electrode, and protective layer formed on dielectric layer; and a rear panel opposing to front panel to form a discharge space filled with discharge gas, and including an address electrode formed along a direction intersecting with display electrode, and a barrier rib partitioning the discharge space. Protective layer is formed of a metal oxide made of magnesium oxide and calcium oxide and contains silicon. In an X-ray diffraction analysis on a surface of protective layer, a diffraction angle where a peak of the metal oxide occurs exists between a diffraction angle where a peak of the magnesium oxide occurs and a diffraction angle where a peak of the calcium oxide occurs.
US08183776B2
A plasma display panel is provided. The plasma display panel includes a front substrate, a rear substrate positioned opposite the front substrate, a barrier rib positioned between the front substrate and the rear substrate, and a seal layer positioned between the front substrate and the rear substrate. The seal layer includes a bead. An angle between the front substrate and the rear substrate in a disposition area of the seal layer ranges from 0.2° to 1.0°.
US08183768B2
An organic light emitting display apparatus including a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel includes a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and an intermediate layer disposed between the first and second electrodes and including a plurality of layers including a light emitting layer, at least two pixels adjacent in a first direction form a pixel group, and at least one of the layers of the intermediate layer of the at least two adjacent pixels of the pixel group is integrated, and a distance between pixels in the pixel group is smaller than a distance between adjacent pixel groups.
US08183765B2
An electronic apparatus including a common substrate, a plurality of controlled electronic devices disposed over the common substrate, and a wiring layer having a plurality of conductors formed on the common substrate. A plurality of chiplets are located over the common substrate, each chiplet having an independent substrate separate from the common substrate, each independent substrate having a bottom side opposing a top side with one or more connection pads formed on the bottom side of the chiplet, and each chiplet including circuitry for controlling functions of one or more of the controlled electronic devices. The chiplets are adhered to the common substrate with the bottom side of the chiplet closer to the common substrate than the top side of the chiplet, and each connection pad is electrically connected to one of the plurality of conductors.
US08183763B2
An organic light emitting display and a method of fabricating the same, in which the resistance of a cathode electrode is reduced by applying a conductive ink material on the cathode electrode. A pixel defining layer is formed on a substrate, with a recess or depression in a non-light emitting region of the pixel defining layer. An electrode on the substrate includes a portion within the recess of the pixel defining layer. The conductive ink is in the portion of the electrode in the recess.
US08183762B2
An organic electroluminescent display (OELD) device includes first and second substrates facing each other, a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of power lines on the first substrate, the gate and data lines crossing each other to define a plurality of pixel regions, a switching element and a driving element connected to each other in each pixel region, a first electrode connected to the driving element, an organic luminescent layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the organic luminescent layer. The organic luminescent layer includes a hole injection layer, a hole transporting layer, an emission material layer, an electron transporting layer, and an electron injection layer in order. Further, the hole injection layer includes a crystallizable hole injection material and a hole transporting material, and the hole transporting layer includes the hole transporting material.
US08183754B2
An alumina-based sintered body for a spark plug having enhanced mechanical strength and a method of manufacturing the same, as well as a spark plug having the alumina-based sintered body for a spark plug and a method of manufacturing the same.
US08183750B2
A resonator element includes: a resonating body having a first region and a second region, the first region receiving a compression stress or an extension stress by a vibration, the second region receiving an extension stress responding to the compression stress in the first region, or a compression stress responding to the extension stress of the first region; and at least one film layer, on a surface of the resonating body between the first and the second regions, having thermal conductivity higher than thermal conductivity of the resonating body. In the element, the film layer includes a recessed section in which at least one film layer is removed between the first and the second regions.
US08183745B2
An example ultrasound device, such as a transducer array, includes a plurality of ultrasound transducers, each ultrasound transducer having a first electrode, a second electrode, a thin piezoelectric film located between the electrodes, and a substrate supporting the plurality of ultrasound transducers. In some examples, the electrode separation is less than 10 microns, facilitating lower voltage operation than conventional ultrasound transducers.
US08183742B2
Piezoelectric motor that provides high speed and bi-directional operation. A first rotor is disposed about a first shaft, and a second rotor separate from the first rotor is disposed about the first shaft and a second shaft. Each of the rotors and shafts are centered on a common axis. An annular shaped first piezoelement is centered on the axis and fixed to the housing. First and second annular piezoelements are disposed within the first rotor, configured to motivate rotation of the second shaft in a first rotation direction when stimulated with a first exciter voltage. The third and fourth piezoelement are disposed within the second rotor, configured to motivate rotation of the second shaft in a second direction (opposed from the first direction) when stimulated with an exciter voltage.
US08183739B2
Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. The devices include pumps, valves, cameras (where electroactive polymer actuators control either one or both of zoom and focus), vibrators (for inclusion in cell phones, game console controls, etc.) and audio speakers. These devices advantageously incorporate the actuator configurations described. The devices generally incorporate a diaphragm-type actuation having a central section of material that is less flexible than adjacent material.
US08183733B2
A brushless motor includes a two-phase winding stator having 4×n winding poles and auxiliary poles provided between the winding poles, and a rotor constituted by 6×n permanent magnet rotating poles having divided angle. The two-phase brushless motor can be driven by a control device for the two-phase motor which can transform electric power and rectify electronically. The two-phase brushless DC motor can increase a permeance coefficient of the rotor, improve the efficiency and the starting of the motor, and reduce torque ripple and noise thereof.
US08183732B2
To improve tranquility and controllability of an iron core-equipped permanent magnet motor with an improved maximum energy product (BH)max by improving shape compatibility of a radial anisotropic magnet, there is provided a radial anisotropic magnet manufacturing method of fixing magnet powder in a net shape so as to maintain a magnetic anisotropic (C-axis) angle of a magnet with respect to a tangential line and for performing a deformation with a flow so as to have a predetermined circular arc shape or a predetermined annular shape. Particularly, by performing a deformation with a viscous flow or an extension flow, a deformability of the magnet is improved, and thus shape compatibility with respect to a thickness is. improved. A C-axis angle θ with respect to a tangential direction is controlled at an arbitrary position and an arbitrary angle so as to reduce cogging torque without separating a magnetic pole into segments.
US08183730B2
A small DC motor includes a motor frame having a cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion having a constant thickness and having a cross section in a shape that comprises four sides and connecting portions, each of the connecting portions connecting adjacent two of the four sides and being located inward from a corresponding corner in a quadrangle comprising the four sides; and a magnet having a circumferential surface on an inside thereof and having conformable contact with the motor frame on an outside thereof.
US08183728B2
A stator for an electric machine includes an annular stator yoke at which a plurality of radially projecting stator teeth carrying coils with coil terminals is circumferentially arranged. Annular connection conductors are arranged concentrically at a carrier member adjacent to the coils so as to be electrically insulated relative to one another and are connected to the coil terminals in a predetermined manner in the connection area of the carrier member. The coil terminals emerge axially from the coils and apertures corresponding to the coil terminals are formed in a wall area of the carrier member. The coil terminals extend axially through these apertures into the connection area of the carrier member, wherein the wall area of the carrier member radially overlaps an exit area where the coil terminals emerge from the coils.
US08183721B2
An oscillation drive device includes an oscillating unit that includes attaching portions on either sides thereof, the attaching portions being arranged on an oscillation axis; a base that includes an oscillating fulcrum that supports the oscillating unit on the oscillation axis and supporting portions that firmly support the oscillating unit; and a pair of strip-shaped leaf springs that is arranged so as to intersect with the oscillation axis and oscillates the oscillating unit on the oscillation axis, each of the strip-shaped leaf springs includes a fixing portion attached to the attaching portions of the oscillating unit; and a flexible beam portion that both ends of which are attached to the supporting portions of the base, and causes the oscillating unit to oscillate on the base by flexure behavior thereof.
US08183718B2
A method for controlled reclosing of branch elements in an electric power system that has been subjected to a disturbance and that includes at least one branch element and at least one circuit breaker connected thereto. The angular difference between voltage vectors on both sides of the circuit breaker or at two end points of the branch element is detected and compared with a comparison value. In dependence on a magnitude of a deviation of the angular difference from the comparison value, the reclosing is either completed or blocked. The comparison value is updated automatically and regularly in such a way that an adaptive value is obtained. A system includes an element arranged to update the comparison value automatically and regularly in such a way that an adaptive value is obtained.
US08183716B2
A bipolar pulse generator includes two, two-conductor transmission lines coupled together with a load positioned between the two transmission lines. Each conductor of a transmission line we define as a segment. Two segments of one transmission line are charged and switchably coupled to two segments of the other transmission line to produce a bipolar pulse on the matched load. This bipolar pulse generator may be implemented in a flat or a folded design. The generator may include two transmission line structures coupled together with a load positioned between each transmission line structures. The first transmission line structure may include a stepped transmission line and an embedded transmission line segment. A switch may be coupled between the embedded transmission line segment and another segment of the transmission line structure. During operation, the first transmission line structure may be charged to a potential with the switch in the open position and, when the switch is closed, the charge on the first transmission line structure together with the second transmission line structure generates a bipolar pulse on the matched load.
US08183711B2
A power extractor suitable for locations proximate to the sink of a signal channel is disclosed. The power extractor can generate power from the signal channel without substantially disturbing a quality of signals within the channel. In one embodiment, the power extraction circuit can include: a current source coupled to a sink side of a signal channel, where the signal channel is independent of any power supply signal, the current source being high impedance to maintain signal quality within the signal channel; a first regulator configured to generate a first regulated supply from a current derived from the signal channel using the current source; and a second regulator coupled to the first regulator, where the second regulator is configured to generate a second regulated supply from the first regulated supply.
US08183706B2
A variable speed wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine comprises a generator, a power converter for converting at least a portion of electrical power generated by the generator wherein the power converter comprises a generator side converter, a grid side converter and a DC (direct current) link therebetween, a power dissipating unit operatively coupled to the DC link and a controller. The controller is adapted to determine a DC link voltage error signal, the DC link voltage error signal being the difference between a function of an actual DC link voltage and a function of a predefined reference DC link voltage, determine a DC link error power based on the DC link voltage error signal, determine a feed forward power and generate a duty ratio for operating the power dissipating unit based on the DC link error power and the feed forward power.
US08183687B2
Methods and apparatus for improved electrical, mechanical and thermal performance of stacked IC packages are described. An IC package comprises a substrate, a first die, a second die, and an interposer with an opening in a first surface of the interposer configured to accommodate the first die. The first IC die is attached a first surface of the substrate. The interposer is mounted on the first surface of the substrate such that the first IC die is placed within the opening in the interposer. The second die is mounted on a second surface of the interposer. Wire bonds couple bond pads on the first surfaces of IC die are coupled to the first surface of the substrate. A mold compound encapsulates the first IC die, the second IC die, the interposer and the wire bonds.
US08183681B2
A semiconductor device which includes a semiconductor chip; an electrically conductive base electrode bonded to the lower surface of the chip by a first bonding member; an electrically conductive lead electrode bonded to the upper surface of the chip by a second bonding member; and a first stress relief member for reducing stress developed in the first bonding member due to the difference in thermal expansion between the chip and the base electrode. Both the base electrode and the first stress relief member are in direct contact with the lower surface of the first bonding member. A protrusion is formed upstanding from the base electrode in direct contact with the first bonding member, and the first stress relief member surrounds a circumferential portion of the protrusion.
US08183673B2
A microelectronic device structure as provided herein includes a conductive via having a body portion extending into a substrate from an upper surface thereof and a connecting portion laterally extending along the upper surface of the substrate. The connecting portion includes a recess therein opposite the upper surface of the substrate. The recess is confined within the connecting portion of the conductive via and does not extend beneath the upper surface of the substrate. A microelectronic device structure is also provided that includes a conductive via having a body portion extending into a substrate from an upper surface thereof and an end portion below the upper surface of the substrate. The end portion has a greater width than that of the body portion. A solder wettable layer is provided on the end portion. The solder wettable layer is formed of a material having a greater wettability with a conductive metal than that of the end portion of conductive via. Related methods of fabrication are also discussed.
US08183669B2
A nitride semiconductor wafer is planar-processed by grinding a bottom surface of the wafer, etching the bottom surface by, e.g., KOH for removing a bottom process-induced degradation layer, chamfering by a rubber whetstone bonded with 100 wt %-60 wt % #3000-#600 diamond granules and 0 wt %-40 wt % oxide granules, grinding and polishing a top surface of the wafer, etching the top surface for eliminating a top process-induced degradation layer and maintaining a 0.5 μm-10 μm thick edge process-induced degradation layer.
US08183667B2
A device includes an epitaxially grown crystalline material within an area confined by an insulator. A surface of the crystalline material has a reduced roughness. One example includes obtaining a surface with reduced roughness by creating process parameters which result in the dominant growth component of the crystal to be supplied laterally from side walls of the insulator. In a preferred embodiment, the area confined by the insulator is an opening in the insulator having an aspect ratio sufficient to trap defects using an ART technique.
US08183664B2
An electrostatic discharge protection device, a method of manufacturing the same, and a method of testing the same. The electrostatic protection device includes a plurality of device isolation regions formed in a semiconductor substrate at a predetermined width and a predetermined depth that each sequentially increase from a circuit device formation region of the semiconductor substrate to a ground region of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of gate electrodes formed over the semiconductor substrate in spaces between adjacent ones of the device isolation regions, and a plurality of source regions and drain regions formed in the semiconductor substrate at both lateral sides of the gate electrode.
US08183658B2
A Field-Effect Transistor (FET) is provided that includes a first portion and a second portion separated from the first portion by a gap. The FET further includes at least one diode embedded within the gap between the first and second portions. A plurality of FETs also may be provided with adjacent FETs electrically isolated.
US08183657B2
A solid state imaging device, includes: a sensor cell array having a plurality of sensor cells arranged in a matrix on a substrate, each sensor cell including: a photoelectric transducer provided in the substrate and generating photo-generated electric charges according to an incident light; a transfer gate formed on the substrate with a gate insulating layer therebetween; a charge retention region formed under the gate insulating layer and storing the photo-generated electric charges that are transferred from the photoelectric transducer by applying a predetermined potential to the transfer gate; a buried layer formed between the charge retention region and the gate insulating layer; and a floating diffusion storing the photo-generated electric charges that are transferred from the charge retention region by applying a predetermined potential to the transfer gate.
US08183654B2
Apparatus and associated method for writing data to a non-volatile memory cell, such as spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM). In accordance with some embodiments, a resistive sense element (RSE) has a heat assist region, magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ), and pinned region. When a first logical state is written to the MTJ with a spin polarized current, the pinned and heat assist regions each have a substantially zero net magnetic moment. When a second logical state is written to the MTJ with a static magnetic field, the pinned region has a substantially zero net magnetic moment and the heat assist region has a non-zero net magnetic moment.
US08183653B2
A magnetic tunnel junction includes an amorphous ferromagnetic reference layer having a first reference layer side and an opposing second reference layer side. The first reference layer side has a greater concentration of boron than the second reference layer side. A magnesium oxide tunnel barrier layer is disposed on the second side of the amorphous ferromagnetic reference layer. The magnesium oxide tunnel barrier layer has a crystal structure. An amorphous ferromagnetic free layer is disposed on the magnesium oxide tunnel barrier layer.
US08183648B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for enhancing the electron transport property measurements of a molecule when the molecule is placed between chemically functionalized carbon-based nanoscopic electrodes to which a suitable voltage bias is applied. The invention includes selecting a dopant atom for the nanoscopic electrodes, the dopant atoms being chemically similar to atoms present in the molecule, and functionalizing the outer surface and terminations of the electrodes with the dopant atoms.
US08183647B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor device comprising: a silicon based semiconductor substrate provided with a step including an non-horizontal surface, a horizontal surface and a connection region for connecting the non-horizontal surface and the horizontal surface; a gate insulating film formed in at least a part of the step; and a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film, wherein the entirety or a part of the gate insulating film is formed of a silicon oxynitride film that contains a rare gas element at a area density of 1010 cm−2 or more in at least a part of the silicon oxynitride film.
US08183641B2
A silicon oxynitride film is formed on entire surface of a semiconductor substrate, a lanthanum oxide film is formed on the silicon oxynitride film and the lanthanum oxide film is removed from a pMOS region. Then, a nitrided hafnium silicate film serving as a highly dielectric film is formed on the entire surface, an aluminum-containing titanium nitride film is formed, a polysilicon film is formed, and the stacked films are patterned into a gate electrode configuration. Next, impurities are introduced into a source/drain region, and an annealing for activating the impurities is utilized to diffuse the aluminum included in the aluminum-containing titanium nitride film to the interface between the silicon oxynitride film and the nitrided hafnium aluminum silicate film in the pMOS region.
US08183633B2
Provided is a semiconductor and a method for forming the same. The method includes forming a buried insulating layer locally in a substrate. The substrate is etched to form an opening exposing the buried insulating layer, and a silicon pattern spaced in at least one direction from the substrate is formed on the buried insulating layer. A first insulating layer is formed to enclose the silicon pattern.
US08183630B2
A microelectronic device including: a substrate surmounted by a stack of layers, at least one first transistor situated at a given level of said stack, at least one second transistor situated at a second level of said stack, above said given level, the first transistor including a gate electrode situated opposite a channel zone of the second transistor, the first transistor and the second transistor being separated by an insulating zone, and said insulating zone being constituted of several different dielectric materials include a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material.
US08183629B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a trench metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (TMOSFET) device. The TMOSFET device includes a source-side-gate TMOSFET coupled to a drain-side-gate TMOSFET 1203. A switching node metal layer couples the drain of the source-side-gate TMOSFET to the source of the drain-side-gate TMOSFET so that the TMOSFETs are packaged as a stacked or lateral device.
US08183628B2
In contrast to a conventional planar CMOS technique in design and fabrication for a field-effect transistor (FET), the present invention provides an SGT CMOS device formed on a conventional substrate using various crystal planes in association with a channel type and a pillar shape of an FET, without a need for a complicated device fabrication process. Further, differently from a design technique of changing a surface orientation in each planar FET, the present invention is designed to change a surface orientation in each SGT to achieve improvement in carrier mobility. Thus, a plurality of SGTs having various crystal planes can be formed on a common substrate to achieve a plurality of different carrier mobilities so as to obtain desired performance.
US08183612B2
Provided are an optical receiver and a method of forming the same. The optical receiver includes a lens, a photo detector, and a hetero-junction bipolar transistor. The lens is attached to a backside of a substrate. The photo detector is disposed on a top surface of the substrate. The hetero-junction bipolar transistor is disposed on the top surface of the substrate. The lens condenses an incident optical signal to transmit the condensed optical signal to the photo detector.
US08183606B2
A semiconductor device comprises an insulated gate field effect transistor and a protection diode. The insulated gate field effect transistor has a gate electrode formed on a gate insulating film, a source and a drain. The source and the drain are formed in a first area of a semiconductor substrate. A first silicon oxide film is formed on a second area of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the first area. The first silicon oxide film is thicker than the gate insulating film and contains larger amount of impurities than the gate insulating film. A poly-silicon layer is formed on the first silicon oxide film. The protection diode has a plurality of PN-junctions formed in the poly-silicon layer. The protection diode is connected between the gate electrode and the source so as to prevent breakdown of the gate insulating film.
US08183600B2
A technique permitting reduction in size of a standard cell is provided. In a semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising a first tap formed in a first direction to supply a power-supply potential, a second tap formed in the first direction to supply a power-supply potential and positioned so as to confront the first tap in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a standard cell formed between the first and second taps, a cell height (distance) between the center of the first tap and that of the second tap both in the second direction is set to ((an integer+0.5)×a wiring pitch of the second-layer wiring lines) or [(an integer+0.25)×a wiring pitch of the second-layer wiring lines].
US08183589B2
Substrate for fabricating light emitting device and method for fabricating the light emitting device
Provided is a substrate for fabricating a light emitting device and a method for fabricating the light emitting device. The method for fabricating the light emitting device may include forming a sacrificial layer having band gap energy less than energy of a laser irradiated on a substrate, forming a growth layer on the sacrificial layer, forming a light emitting structure including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer on the growth layer, and irradiating the laser onto the sacrificial layer to pass through the substrate, thereby to lift-off the substrate.
US08183587B2
The present invention relates to light emitting diodes, LEDs. In particular the invention relates to a LED comprising a nanowire as an active component. The nanostructured LED according to the embodiments of the invention comprises a substrate and at an upstanding nanowire protruding from the substrate. A pn-junction giving an active region to produce light is present within the structure. The nanowire, or at least a part of the nanowire, forms a wave-guiding section directing at least a portion of the light produced in the active region in a direction given by the nanowire.
US08183586B2
The invention provides an organic EL device including an anode, a cathode, and a luminescent portion positioned between the anode and cathode, the luminescent portion including two or more luminescent layers, each of the luminescent layers including plural primary luminescent layers that emit light of different colors, and each of the primary luminescent layers having a thickness of 5 nm or less.
US08183580B2
A light-emitting device (LED) package component includes an LED chip and a carrier chip. The carrier chip includes a first bond pad and a second bond pad on a surface of the carrier chip and bonded onto the LED chip through flip-chip bonding, and a third bond pad and a fourth bond pad on the surface of the carrier chip and electrically connected to the first bond pad and the second bond pad, respectively. The first bond pad and the second bond pad are on a same side of the carrier chip facing the LED chip. The carrier chip further includes at least one through substrate via (TSV) connected to the first and second bond pads.
US08183572B2
A vertical type GaN series field effect transistor having excellent pinch-off characteristics is provided. A compound semiconductor device includes a conductive semiconductor substrate, a drain electrode formed on a bottom surface of the conductive semiconductor substrate, a current blocking layer formed on a top surface of the conductive semiconductor substrate, made of high resistance compound semiconductor or insulator, and having openings, an active layer of compound semiconductor burying the openings and extending on an upper surface of the current blocking layer, a gate electrode formed above the openings and above the active layer, and a source electrode formed laterally spaced from the gate electrode and formed above the active layer.
US08183569B2
To realize a semiconductor device including a capacitor element capable of obtaining a sufficient capacitor without reducing an opening ratio, in which a pixel electrode is flattened in order to control a defect in orientation of liquid crystal. A semiconductor device of the present invention includes a light-shielding film formed on the thin film transistor, a capacitor insulating film formed on the light-shielding film, a conductive layer formed on the capacitor insulating film, and a pixel electrode that is formed so as to be electrically connected to the conductive layer, in which a storage capacitor element comprises the light-shielding film, the capacitor insulating film, and the conductive layer, whereby an area of a region serving as the capacitor element can be increased.
US08183567B2
An array substrate for an LCD device includes a first TFT including a first semiconductor layer, a first gate electrode, wherein the first gate electrode is directly over the first semiconductor layer; a first protrusion extending from the first gate electrode along an edge of the first semiconductor layer; a second TFT including a second semiconductor layer, a second gate electrode, wherein the second gate electrode is directly over the second semiconductor layer; a second protrusion extending from the second gate electrode along an edge of the second semiconductor layer; a third TFT connected to crossed data and gate lines including a third semiconductor layer, a third gate electrode, wherein the third gate electrode is directly over the third semiconductor layer; a third protrusion extending from the third gate electrode along an edge of the third semiconductor layer; and a pixel electrode.
US08183565B2
A rewritable nonvolatile memory includes a test cell that is dedicated to testing the storage characteristics of other, similar, storage cells formed within the same integrated circuit memory. The test cell may be share the same structure and composition as storage cells and may be positioned proximate storage cells.
US08183561B2
A method and device in which the light emitted from a color sub-pixel in an organic light emitted display panel can be the sum of two or more light beams of slightly different colors in the same wavelength range. The difference in color is the result of difference in the length of the resonant cavity within the same color sub-pixel. In the manufacturing process, the non-uniformity in the layer thickness can cause a shift in the color coordinates in the color sub-pixels. The color shift when the width of the color spectrum is narrow is more noticeable. By broadening the width of the color spectrum, the color shift would become less appreciable. Thus, broadening the width of the color spectrum would ease the strict requirements in manufacturing.
US08183548B2
A field use optical grain characterising system (101) includes a generally rectangular prismatic composite body (102) that defines a component cavity (103). A substantially vertical elongate channel (104) extends within cavity (103) for housing a grain sample (not shown). An electromagnetic radiation source, in the form of a 12 Volt halogen lamp (105), is disposed within cavity (103.) for directing NIR light into channel (104). An optical detection system (107) is disposed within cavity (103) for sensing selected light emerging from channel (104) and for providing a sensor signal. A processor, which is included within detection system (107), is also disposed within cavity (103) and is responsive to the sensor signal for providing data indicative of a characteristic parameter of the grain sample. A display device, in the form of a 5.7-inch touch screen LCD display (108), is connected with body (102) for selectively presenting the data.
US08183538B2
A sensor interface system interfaces a collection of one or more sensors that can sense chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) materials. The system includes one or more digital and/or analog sensor interfaces for communicating with one or more sensors including: chemical sensors, biological sensors, radiation sensors, nuclear sensors, and explosives sensors. A processor is configured to receive and process signals from the one or more digital and/or analog sensor interfaces, and when the one or more sensors include a radiation sensor and/or nuclear sensor, the processor differentiates between gamma pulses and neutron pulses, by: receiving a signal from an output of a neutron detector; analyzing a pulse shape of the signal; differentiating the pulse shape between gamma pulses and neutron pulses; and determining that the pulse shape of the signal is one of a gamma pulse and a neutron pulse.
US08183535B2
A Silicon detector for x-ray imaging is based on multiple semiconductor detector modules (A) arranged together to form an overall detector area, where each semiconductor detector module includes an x-ray sensor of crystalline Silicon oriented edge-on to incoming x-rays and connected to integrated circuitry for registration of x-rays interacting in the x-ray sensor through the photoelectric effect and through Compton scattering and for an incident x-ray energy between 40 keV and 250 keV to provide the spatial and energy information from these interactions to enable an image of an object. Further, anti-scatter modules (B) are interfolded between at least a subset of the semiconductor detector modules to at least partly absorb Compton scattered x-rays.
US08183522B2
The present invention is related to a water phantom for measuring and determining the dose distribution of radiation produced by a particle beam or photon radiation beam comprising: a water tank, the water tank having a lower base and side walls; supply means for supplying water to the water tank. The water tank comprises an intermediate base that forms, together with side walls and said lower base, a closed lower tank underneath said intermediate base and an upper tank above said intermediate base, the closed lower tank being connected to the supply means and allowing the flow of water toward said upper tank through a plurality of water admission passages defined in the intermediate base to provide an unturbulent water flow within said water tank 2.
US08183519B2
A light concentrating module includes an optical film having a light incident surface and a light outgoing surface facing the light incident surface, an optical wedge element having a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface and having an angle with respect to the first surface and a third surface adjacent to the first and second surfaces, and at least one photoelectric chip disposed near the third surface. Light from a light source penetrates the optical film, and the light enters the first surface of the optical wedge element by an appropriate incident angle and has total reflection between the first and second surfaces, whereby the light propagates in the optical wedge element, and the light leaves the optical wedge element from the third surface and is received by the photoelectric chip.
US08183517B2
An integrated circuit having a photosensitive cell with an entry face, a photosensitive element and at least two elements forming a light guide and placed between the entry face and the photosensitive element. The second element is located between the first element and the entry face such that the two elements guide the light coming from the entry face onto the photosensitive element and each element forms a light guide. The inner volume has a first surface located on the same side as the photosensitive element, a second surface located on the same side as the entry face, and a lateral surface joining said first surface to said second surface and separating the inner volume from the outer volume. The first surface of the inner volume of the second element has a smaller area than that of the second surface of the inner volume of the first element.
US08183516B2
Several detailed layout designs are disclosed, for the monolithic integration of avalanche devices in large arrays, that can be operated as Avalanche Photo-Diodes (APDs) or Avalanche Light Emitting Diodes (ALEDs) depending only on the applied bias conditions, which can be software-controlled from peripheral circuitry. If the deposited films have direct bandgaps, then the devices can emit light even in the absence of avalanche operation. In particular, the layouts according to the invention comprise a sensor/emitter matrix achieved through the replication of basic Pixel/Lixel cells.
US08183509B2
The present invention relates to a laser processing apparatus and the like having a structure for implementing at the same time both an efficient laser processing in the place where a laser beam is difficult to reach and a laser processing without damages in the place where the laser beam is easy to reach. This laser processing apparatus comprises a laser light source, an irradiation optical system applying a laser beam to an object while scanning the laser beam, a photo-detector detecting the laser beam applied from the irradiation optical system, and a control section of making switching between a continuous oscillation and a pulse oscillation of the laser beam at the laser light source. In particular, the control section makes a continuous oscillation of the laser beam with respect to the laser light source in the case in which the laser beam applied from the irradiation optical system is detected at the photo-detector; while it makes a pulse oscillation of the laser beam with respect to the laser light source in the case in which no laser beam applied from the irradiation optical system is detected at the photo-detector.
US08183508B1
A fin retention and deployment mechanism includes a detent in each of a plurality of fins, a mechanism that engages the detent, and at least one spring clip that maintains each of the fins in a non-deployed position. The mechanism also includes a gas generator, a manifold, coupled to the gas generator and having a plurality of cylinders in fluid communication with gas from the gas generator, and a plurality of pistons disposed in the cylinders. A bottom of each of the pistons is coupled to each of the fins to provide deployment thereof when a corresponding top of each of the pistons is acted upon by gas from the gas generator. In response to the gas generator expelling gas, the pistons may move the fins to a deployed position.
US08183505B2
A heat-generating element includes at least one PTC heating element, strip conductors lying flat on it on both sides, and a frame which forms at least one frame opening for holding the at least one PTC heating element. The frame, as a part of a housing, forms a structural unit with a wedge element having a first wedge surface that extends parallel to the strip conductor and a second wedge surface that lies exposed on the exterior side of the housing and that is aligned diagonally to the first wedge surface. For fixing the heat-generating element precisely in place in a slot in the housing, the heat-generating element has spacing surfaces positioned upstream or downstream of the at least one PTC heating element in the direction of the length of the slot. Also provided is a method of manufacturing an electric heating device.
US08183502B2
A mounting table structure arranged in a processing chamber is provided for mounting a target object to be processed on the upper surface. The mounting table structure is characterized in having a mounting table wherein a heating unit are embedded to heat the target object to perform a specified heat treatment to the target object, and a supporting column which stands on the bottom portion of the processing chamber and supports the mounting table. The mounting table structure is also characterized in that a heat-equalizing member spread in a planar direction is embedded above the heating unit in the mounting table.
US08183498B2
A thin beam directional crystallization system configured to process a substrate comprises a laser configured to produce laser light, the laser configured to have a high energy mode and a low energy mode. The high energy mode is configured to produce light energy sufficient to completely melt a substrate coated with amorphous silicon film, while the low energy mode is configured to produce light energy that is not sufficient to completely melt a substrate coated with amorphous silicon film. The system further comprises beam shaping optics coupled to the laser and configured to convert the laser light emitted from the laser into a long thin beam with a short axis and a long axis, a stage configured to support the substrate and film, and a translator coupled with the stage, the translator configured to advance the substrate and film so as to produce a step size in conjunction with the firing of the laser.
US08183496B2
A method of forming a pattern (700) on a work piece (1260) includes placing a pattern mask (1210) over the work piece, placing an aperture (100, 500, 600, 1220) over the pattern mask, and placing the work piece in a beam of electromagnetic radiation (1240). The aperture includes three adjacent sections. A first section (310) has a first side (311), a second side (312), and a first length (313). A second section (320) has a third side (321) adjacent to the second side, a fourth side (322), a second length (323), and a first width (324). A third section (330) has a fifth side (331) adjacent to the fourth side, a sixth side (332), and a third length (333). The first and third lengths are substantially equal. The first and third sections are complementary shapes, as defined herein.
US08183490B2
An improved circuit breaker having an improved shield apparatus provides protection to components that are internal to the circuit breaker during an arc event. A contact arm carrier assembly of the circuit breaker comprises a number of springs that bias a number of movable contacts that are disposed on contact arms into engagement and electrical connection with a stationary contact. The shield apparatus is disposed on a carrier housing of the contact arm carrier assembly and is situated adjacent the springs. A shield member of the shield apparatus is biased into engagement with the contact arms. When the circuit breaker is moved between the ON position and the OFF or TRIPPED positions, the shield of the shield apparatus moves between a retracted position and a deployed position, with the shield remaining in engagement with the contact arms and protecting the springs from damage in an arc event. In one embodiment, the shield member is formed of a material that generates gases when struck by an arc.
US08183486B2
The invention describes a spring arrangement for spring drive unit, which spring arrangement comprises a spring, a pullrod connected at a first pullrod end to a first spring end of the spring and connected at an opposite second pullrod end to a rotary shaft of the spring drive unit, a frame plate against which a second spring end of the spring is mounted and the frame plate being provided with an opening through which the pullrod extends to be connected to the shaft. Further, the first spring end of the spring, to which the pullrod is connected, is unguided, and the parameters of the spring are chosen in response to the operating conditions of the spring drive unit such that the spring is stable during operation.
US08183484B2
A detection device having a body including an electric contact with at least two electric operating states, and a movable operating device having at least two operating positions. The movable operating device is connected to the body by a sliding connection permitting translational movement of the movable operating device, and a connection permitting the operating device, to swivel with respect to the body. A change of position of the movable operating device actuates the electric contact. The swivel connection is between the movable operating device and the body, and the movable operating device actuates the change of electric operating state of the electric contact by pressing directly on a contact surface of the electric contact.
US08183480B2
Disclosed is a withdrawable device of main circuit for a circuit breaker. A ring-shaped guide recess is formed at a central part of a transfer nut screw-coupled to a lead screw, and supporting surfaces are formed on side surfaces of the guide recess. And, rotation prevention pins are elastically supported by springs in a moving direction of the transfer nut, and are selectively locked, thereby allowing the transfer nut to perform an idle operation. Accordingly, a structure for an idle operation of the transfer nut is simplified, and the number of components is reduced. An axial load is attenuated to a plane-contact distributed load, not a point-contact concentrated load, thereby preventing damage of the components. Also, a vacuum circuit breaker has enhanced reliability of the idle operation at a run position and a test position.
US08183473B2
Disclosed is a power package for an electrical device of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system, the power package including: a housing which is formed with an upper part and a lower part and is formed to be in a two-step structure where substrate layers are provided on each of the upper and lower parts; a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layer which is provided on the lower part of the housing and has a path line formed thereon to flow a current; and an LTCC layer which is provided on the upper part of the housing, is connected to the PCB layer through wire-bonding, and is formed of a Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics. The power package for an electrical device can expand areas of the PCB and LTCC layers, thereby enhancing freedom degree of design of the PCB and LTCC layers and reducing a size of the entire case.
US08183462B2
A barrier tape used as part of a communication cable is described. The barrier tape is provided with one or more barrier layers of discontinuous conductive segments. Conductive segments of one barrier layer are preferably sized and shaped to overlie gaps between conductive segments of another barrier layer.
US08183454B2
A graphical view of a file component associated with an audio that is displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI) is automatically switched during playback of the audio. The switching is based on a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) view-switching track associated with a project file for the audio. In various embodiments, a musical instrument displayed in the GUI is automatically switched during playback of the audio based on a MIDI instrument-switching track associated with the same project file. Additionally, a metronome beat associated with the audio is automatically switched between on and off during playback of the audio based at least in part on a MIDI metronome-switching track associated with the song audio.
US08183431B2
The present invention provides an absorbent body containing absorbent fibers in which fiber orientation is mainly adjusted, and fiber basis weight and shape are additionally adjusted. The absorbent body 110 of the present invention is an absorbent body containing absorbent fibers, a plurality of low fiber basis weight regions formed continuously in the first direction with a fiber basis weight that is less than an average fiber basis weight of the absorbent body 110, and a plurality of high fiber basis weight regions, formed along and on both sides of the low fiber basis weight regions in relation to the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, with a fiber basis weight that is greater than the average fiber basis weight of the absorbent body 110. The content of longitudinally oriented fibers in the fibers 101 making up the high fiber basis weight regions is greater than that of laterally oriented fibers, and the content of longitudinally oriented fibers in the fibers 101 making up the low fiber basis weight regions is greater than that of laterally oriented fibers.
US08183428B2
Devices, bandages, kits and methods are described that can control or regulate the mechanical environment of a wound to ameliorate scar and/or keloid formation. The mechanical environment of a wound includes stress, strain, and any combination of stress and strain. The control of a wound's mechanical environment can be active, passive, dynamic, or static. The devices are configured to be removably secured to a skin surface in proximity to the wound site and shield the wound from endogenous and/or exogenous stress.
US08183425B2
Provided is a process for producing low volatility, high quality gasoline blending components from a number of isoparaffin feed streams, olefin feed streams, and ionic liquid catalyst streams. The process entails providing an isoparaffin feed stream comprising isoparaffins, an olefin feed stream comprising olefins, and a catalyst stream comprising ionic liquid catalyst, and subsequently splitting at least the reactive olefin feed stream for feeding into the reaction zone at different locations.
US08183411B2
The present application relates to an improved process for preparing 6-hydroxycaproic esters from the by-product mixtures which are obtained in the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone with oxygen or oxygen-comprising gas mixtures.
US08183408B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing an N-carbamoyl-tert-leucine, characterized in mixing tert-leucine with an isocyanic acid compound while a pH of the mixture is kept at not less than 8.0 and not more than 13.5, wherein an amount of the isocyanic acid compound is not less than 0.9 times by mole and not more than 1.1 times by mole relative to an amount of the tert-leucine. According to the present invention, it becomes possible to easily produce an N-carbamoyl-tert-leucine with high efficiency, while the generation of by-products such as a dipeptide-like compound and a urea compound is prevented.
US08183405B2
Disclosed herein are novel obovatol derivatives represented by Chemical Formula 1, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Having the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and induce apoptosis in cancer cells, the derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful in the prevention and treatment of cancer and in the suppression of cancer metastasis. Also, a method for preparing the derivatives, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the derivatives as active ingredients are disclosed. wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in the specification.
US08183401B2
A method is provided for preparing an aromatase inhibitor of formula (I) wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, independently, is hydrogen, halogen or C1-C6 alkyl. In one form, the aromatase inhibitor is exemestane wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4 is hydrogen. In the method, a compound of formula (II) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 are as defined above and R is alkylene, is reacted with a deprotonating agent and a compound of the formula R5SO2X wherein R5 is C1-C5 alkyl and X is halogen so as to obtain a compound of formula (III) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 are as defined above. The compound of Formula (III) is then reacted with a base to form an aromatase inhibitor of formula (I).
US08183393B2
A dye compound is described, which is expressed by formula (I): wherein A1, A2 and A3 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted 1,4-phenylene or 2,5-thiophene group, and B1 and B2 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. The dye compound is suitably used as a dye sensitizer in a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC).
US08183392B2
The present invention provides a process for producing (E)-N-monoalkyl-3-oxo-3-(2-thienyl)propenamine represented by Formula (1); wherein R is a C1-4 alkyl, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining a solution containing (Z)-N-monoalkyl-3-oxo-3-(2-thienyl)propenamine dissolved therein at 25° C. or below to deposit crystals and separating crystals having a particle diameter of 100 μm or less from the deposited crystals; and a process for producing (E,Z)-N-monoalkyl-3-oxo-3-(2-thienyl)propenamine comprising the steps of: reacting an alkali metal salt of β-oxo-β-(2-thienyl)propanal with a monoalkylamine compound; adding a water-insoluble organic solvent to the resulting reaction mixture; adding seed crystals containing (E)-N-monoalkyl-3-oxo-3-(2-thienyl)propenamine to an organic layer obtained by conducting separation; and keeping the resulting mixture at 25° C. or below.
US08183386B2
A surface treating agent containing a novel phenylnaphthylimidazole compound represented by the following formula is brought into contact with the surface of copper or a copper alloy. In the formula, when A1 is a phenyl group, then A2 represents a 1-naphthyl group or a 2-naphthyl group, and when A1 is a 1-naphthyl group or a 2-naphthyl group, then A2 represents a phenyl group; and R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.
US08183385B2
Provided are methods for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds such as benzimidazole carboxylic acid core structures having Formula Ia-2 and their synthetic intermediates: wherein X1, X2, X5, R1, R2 and R4 are as defined herein. Compounds of Formula Ia-2 and their synthetic intermediates can be used to prepare heterocyclic derivatives such as benzimidazole derivatives.
US08183380B2
The present invention is concerned with 2-aminoquinoline derivatives of formula I where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, A, and n are as defined in the specification and claims, their use 5-HT5A receptor antagonists, their manufacture, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US08183377B2
A process for the preparation of imidazopyridines of formula (I), comprising reacting 6-methyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine with oxalyl chloride, followed by conversion of the chloride to oxoacetic acid, and further to compound of Formula (I).
US08183369B2
4-[3-(4-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperazine-1-carbonyl)-4-fluoro-benzyl]-2H-phthalazin-1-one as crystalline Form L, methods of obtaining form L, pharmaceutical compositions comprising Form L and methods of using Form L and compositions comprising Form L.
US08183367B2
The present invention relates to methods of preparing polymorphic Form A of bazedoxifene acetate and polymorphic Form A prepared by such methods.
US08183362B2
The invention relates to an isolated RNA that mediates RNA interference of an mRNA to which it corresponds and a method of mediating RNA interference of mRNA of a gene in a cell or organism using the isolated RNA.
US08183355B2
Method for the synthesis of nucleotide derivatives wherein molecules of interest are grafted on the oligonucleotide with the help of a “click chemistry” reaction between an azide function on the molecule of interest and an alkyne function on the oligonucleotide, or between an alkyne function on the molecule of interest and an azide function on the oligonucleotide.Intermediate molecules, notably alkyne functionalized oligonucleotides, grafted oligonucleotides, azide functionalized oligonucleotides, oligonucleotide micro arrays containing them and the use of those grafted oligonucleotides for biological investigation and for cell targeting.
US08183354B2
The invention relates to chimeric molecules comprising a virus coat sequence and a receptor sequence that can inter-act with each other to form a complex that is capable of binding a co-receptor. Such chimeric molecules therefore exhibit functional properties characteristic of a receptor-coat protein complex and are useful as agents that inhibit virus infection of cells due to occn-panty of co-receptor present on the cell, for example. In particular aspects, the chimeric polypeptide includes an immunodeficiency virus envelope polypeptide, such as that of HIV, SIV, FIV, FeLV, FPV and herpes virus. Receptor sequences suitable for use in a chimeric polypeptide include, for example, CCR5 and CXCR4 sequences.
US08183344B2
The present invention provides novel purified and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding procoagulant-active FVIII proteins. The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention encode amino acid sequences corresponding to known human FVIII sequences, wherein residue Phe309 is mutated. The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention also encode amino acid sequences corresponding to known human FVIII sequences, wherein the APC cleavage sites, Arg336 and Ile562, are mutated. The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention further encode amino acid sequences corresponding to known human FVIII sequences, wherein the B-domain is deleted, the von Willebrand factor binding site is deleted, a thrombin cleavage site is mutated, an amino acid sequence spacer is inserted between the A2- and A3-domains. Methods of producing the FVIII proteins of the invention, nucleotide sequences encoding such proteins, pharmaceutical compositions containing the nucleotide sequences or proteins, as well as methods of treating patients suffering from hemophilia, are also provided.
US08183340B2
The invention provides GLP-1 compounds coupled to two polyethylene glycol molecule or derivative thereof, resulting in a biologically active peptide with an extended half-life and a slower clearance when compared to that of unPEGylated peptide. These PEGylated GLP-1 compounds and compositions are useful in treating conditions or disorders benefited by lowering blood glucose, decreasing food intake, decreasing gastric or intestinal emptying, increasing beta (β) cell population, or decreasing gastric or intestinal motility.
US08183337B1
Methods for the purification of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers are provided.
US08183334B2
Process for producing a multimodal polyethylene in at least two reactors connected in series, in which 20-80 wt % of a high molecular weight (HMW) polymer is made in suspension in a first reactor and 20-80 wt % of a low molecular weight (LMW) polymer is made in suspension in a second reactor in the presence of the HMW polymer, wherein the solids concentration in the second LMW reactor, defined as the mass of polymer divided by the total mass of slurry, is at least 35 wt %, most preferably between 45 wt % and 60 wt %, and/or the ratio of solids concentration in the first reactor to that in the second reactor is maintained at less than 1.0, preferably between 0.6 and 0.8, and further wherein the volume of the second reactor is at least 10%, preferably at least 30% and more preferably at least 50% greater than the volume of the first reactor.
US08183331B2
In a process for producing water-absorbing polymeric particles which comprises generating droplets comprising monomers, polymerizing the monomers in a heated gas phase surrounding the droplets and flowing the gas through the polymerization reactor, the temperature of the gas leaving the polymerization reactor is closed-loop controlled.
US08183326B2
A polymer includes directly bonded aromatic pendent groups and at least one moiety defined by one of the following formulas >N—N═CR1R2 or —N═N—CR1R2— where R1 and R2 (a) are independently H or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, allyl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or alkynyl group, or (b) together form a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, alkenylene, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, or arylene group. The moiety can be attached to the polymer through one or both of the two open bonds and, where it is attached through only one bond, the other bond attaches to a hydrogen atom, i.e., the moiety is at a terminus of the polymer. Such polymers can be used to provide compositions that also include particulate fillers.
US08183319B2
An aqueous dispersion including a partially fluorinated dispersant, an electrically conductive polymer and a film forming additive. The film forming additive includes a boiling temperature greater than about 85° C. (185° F.). In addition, the concentration of the film forming additive is less than the solubility limit of the additive in water. The dynamic surface tension of the dispersion including the film forming additive is less than about 60 dynes/cm at 100 ms surface age. A method for making an electrically conductive polymer film and devices including electrically conductive polymer film are also disclosed.
US08183304B2
A high-performance solid polyelectrolyte film is provided which is produced by the radiation-induced graft polymerization method without causing solution gelation and which is excellent in mechanical strength, chemical stability, and dimensional stability and reduced in methanol permeability. According to the present invention, the solid polyelectrolyte film is produced by graft-polymerizing either a polymerizable monomer having an alkoxysilyl group alone or the polymerizable monomer having an alkoxysilyl group and another polymerizable monomer with a resin film which has been irradiated with a radiation, followed by hydrolyzing the alkoxysilyl groups to conduct dehydrating condensation. In addition, this solid polyelectrolyte film is disposed between a fuel electrode and an air electrode to fabricate a fuel cell.
US08183287B2
The present invention provides compositions as well as kits and methods based on a selective antagonist of either CXCR2 or both CXCR1 and CXCR2 that are useful for treating inflammatory disorders.
US08183284B2
In accordance with the present invention, novel methods and formulations are provided for treating and preventing the incidence of drug-induced pro-arrhythmia, including torsades de pointes. The methods and formulations comprise a combination of a drug that induces torsade de pointes, such as Class III antiarrhythmics, certain antimicrobials, antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, diuretics, with an aspirin and/or a statin. In certain embodiments, the compositions and methods for treatment comprise azimilide and aspirin and/or a statin. These compositions may be administered by different routes, including orally. In certain embodiments where the antiarrhythmic is azimilide it may be administered orally in a dose of about 25 mg to about 300 mg.
US08183278B2
The present invention pertains generally to certain compounds of the deoxyactagardine A and B type. Such compounds are suitable for use in the treatment of microbial infections, for example Clostridium infection, such as C. perfringens, C. difficile, C. tetani, and/or C. botulinum, in particular C. difficile, especially infection of the colon and/or lower intestines and diarrhea associated with the microbial infection.
US08183277B2
Inhibitors of HCV replication of formula (I) wherein W is a heterocycle of formula and the remaining variables are as defined in the specification.
US08183275B2
Certain novel substituted imidazoles are ligands of the human bombesin receptor and, in particular, are selective ligands of the human bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3). They are therefore useful for the treatment, control, or prevention of diseases and disorders responsive to the modulation of BRS-3, such as obesity, and diabetes.
US08183272B2
Compounds exhibiting calcium receptor antagonist activity that are safe and orally administrable having Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:
US08183270B2
N-Substituted (2-substituted-1,3-thiazol)alkyl sulfoximines are effective at controlling insects.
US08183265B2
The present invention relates to 2-adamantyl-butyramide derivatives of formula I as selective inhibitors of the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD-1) and the use of such compounds for the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders, glaucoma, osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, anxiety, depression, immune disorders, hypertension and other diseases and conditions.
US08183264B2
The present invention provides an antifungal agent that has excellent antifungal action, and is also excellent in terms of its properties, safety, and metabolic stability. The present invention discloses a compound represented by the following formula I or a salt thereof, and an antifungal agent comprising the compound or the salt: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an amino group, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkoxy group, or a C1-6-alkoxy-C1-6-alkyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an amino group; X, Y, Z, and W independently represent a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or —CH—, provided that at least two among X, Y, and W are nitrogen atoms; the ring A represents a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl ring or a benzene ring; Q represents a methylene group, an oxygen atom, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —NH—, —NHCH2—, or —CH2NH—; and R3 represents a C1-6 alkyl group, a C3-8 cycloalkyl group, a C6-10 aryl group, or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl group, each of which may have one or two substituents.
US08183261B2
Disclosed is a microorganism control agent containing not less than 1% by weight but less than 10% by weight of N,N′-hexamethylenebis(4-carbamoyl-1-decylpyridinium bromide), not less than 35% by weight but less than 60% by weight of at least one alcohol having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, water and an acid.
US08183259B2
Substituted bicyclic heteroaryls and compositions containing them, for the treatment of general inflammation, arthritis, rheumatic diseases, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disorders, inflammatory eye disorders, inflammatory or unstable bladder disorders, psoriasis, skin complaints with inflammatory components, chronic inflammatory conditions, including but not restricted to autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), myestenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, multiples sclerosis, Sjoegren's syndrome and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, allergic conditions including all forms of hypersensitivity, The present invention also enables methods for treating cancers that are mediated, dependent on or associated with p110δ activity, including but not restricted to leukemias, such as Acute Myeloid leukaemia (AML) Myelo-dysplastic syndrome (MDS) myelo-proliferative diseases (MPD) Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) Non Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL) B-cell lymphoma and solid tumors, such as breast cancer.
US08183258B2
Substituted bicyclic heteroaryls and compositions containing them, for the treatment of general inflammation, arthritis, rheumatic diseases, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disorders, inflammatory eye disorders, inflammatory or unstable bladder disorders, psoriasis, skin complaints with inflammatory components, chronic inflammatory conditions, including but not restricted to autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), myestenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, multiples sclerosis, Sjoegren's syndrome and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, allergic conditions including all forms of hypersensitivity. The present invention also enables methods for treating cancers that are mediated, dependent on or associated with p110δ activity, including but not restricted to leukemias, such as Acute Myeloid leukaemia (AML) Myelo-dysplastic syndrome (MDS) myelo-proliferative diseases (MPD) Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) Non Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL) B-cell lymphoma and solid tumors, such as breast cancer.
US08183257B2
Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Antagonists and methods of using them are provided.
US08183256B2
A method of treating schizophrenia, which method can treat especially positive symptoms of schizophrenia and does not cause impaired information processing related to cognitive deficiencies or the like which is a symptom of schizophrenia. The method of treating schizophrenia includes as an effective ingredient a compound having a specific morphinan skeleton or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.
US08183255B2
The present invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of Formulas A and B: (A) and (B) wherein A, B, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are as defined above. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and to methods of treating diabetes mellitus and its complications, cancer, ischemia, inflammation, central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and dermatological disease pression, virus diseases, inflammatory disorders, or diseases in which the liver is a target organ.
US08183252B2
Disclosed are compounds of the formula I or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein W is a bond, —C(═S)—, —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —C(═O)—, —O—, —C(R6)(R7)—, —N(R5)— or —C(═N(R5))—; X is —O—, —N(R5)— or —C(R6)(R7)—; provided that when X is —O—, U is not —O—, —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —C(═O)— or —C(═NR5)—; U is a bond, —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —C(O)—, —O—, —P(O)(OR15)—, —C(═NR5)—, —(C(R6)(R7))b— or —N(R5)—; wherein b is 1 or 2; provided that when W is —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —O—, or —N(R5)—, U is not —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —O—, or —N(R5)—; provided that when X is —N(R5)— and W is —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —O—, or —N(R5)—, then U is not a bond; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are as defined in the specification; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I. Also disclosed is the method of inhibiting aspartyl protease, and in particular, the methods of treating cardiovascular diseases, cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases, and the methods of inhibiting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, plasmepins, cathepsin D and protozoal enzymes.Also disclosed are methods of treating cognitive or neurodegenerative diseases using the compounds of formula I in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor or a muscarinic m1 agonist or m2 antagonist.
US08183246B2
The present application relates to novel, acyclically substituted furopyrimidine derivatives, methods for their production, their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and their use for the production of medicinal products for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cardiovascular diseases.
US08183245B2
The present invention relates to pyrazine substituted pyrrolopyridines having formula (I) useful as inhibitors of JAK kinases (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and/or TYK2) and/or PDK1 and for the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders or other cancers.
US08183241B2
The present invention concerns 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals.
US08183232B2
An external preparation containing acetylsalicylic acid or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt as an active ingredient for treating anal diseases having therapeutic activity on hemorrhoids (internal hemorrhoid, external hemorrhoid), hemorrhoidal disease owing to anal fissure and other anal diseases together with activity on pain and pruritus.
US08183230B2
The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing a therapeutically effective amount of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (“API”), a pharmaceutically acceptable cyclodextrin and a pharmaceutically acceptable preservative. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds of Formula (I) wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl and a pharmaceutically acceptable cyclodextrin and preservative. Formula (I): In particular, the invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions of the compound of Formula 1a, and a pharmaceutically acceptable cyclodextrin and a preservative.
US08183224B2
The invention relates to Purine Derivatives; compositions comprising an effective amount of a Purine Derivative; and methods for reducing an animal's rate of metabolism, protecting an animal's heart against myocardial damage during cardioplegia; or for treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease, a neurological disorder, an ischemic condition, a reperfusion injury, obesity, a wasting disease, or diabetes, comprising administering an effective amount of a Purine Derivative to an animal in need thereof.
US08183220B2
A double-effective vaccine vector against foot-and-mouth disease virus having a bicistronic expression vector sequence, the bicistronic expression vector sequence is an antisense gene sequence capable of conjugating with 5′ UTR of RNA of the foot-and-mouth disease virus genome and an intact sequence of VP1 structural protein gene of the foot-and-mouth disease virus. Animal experiments show that the vaccine vector provides double effects in terms of gene therapy and gene immunization for the prevention and treatment of foot-and-mouth disease in animals. Also provided are construction methods and methods of use of the vaccine vector.
US08183216B2
A class of nucleoside derivatives of formula (I), as defined herein, that are useful as inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and in particular HCV replication, are provided. Also provided are processes for the synthesis and use of such compounds for treating or preventing HCV infection. formula (I).
US08183213B2
Combination therapy comprising RXR modulators and glucose reabsorption inhibitors useful for the treatment of diabetes and Syndrome X are disclosed.
US08183210B2
Reconstituted surfactants comprising a lipid carrier, a polypeptide analog of the native surfactant protein SP-C, and a polypeptide analog of the native surfactant protein SP-B are useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of RDS and other respiratory disorders.
US08183203B2
A method and device for discharging an electrical defibrillation pulse or an electrical demand pacer pulse or delivering at least one pharmaceutical agent to treat conditions such as cardiac arrest, bradycardia, arrhythmia, cardiac standstill, PEA, EMD and other heart conditions are disclosed. The pharmaceutical agent can be delivered into the heart tissue, the heart cavity, or the peritoneal cavity. The pharmaceutical agent can also include analgesics such as morphine. Also included are pharmaceutical agents used to increase myocardial contractility or inhibit platelet aggregation and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and thyroid hormones such as T3 and T4 can be delivered. A method for the treatment of cardiac arrest or pulmonary hypertension patients by administering a therapeutically effective amount of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide is also encompassed by the invention.
US08183194B2
The present invention relates to certain ester and nitrile derivatives of formula (I): wherein one dotted line represents a carbon-carbon single or double bond and the other dotted lines each represent a carbon-carbon single bond; R1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 is a methyl or ethyl group, R3 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R4 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group or said R4 taken together with the bond between carbon atom 2 and 3 form a cyclopropane; and X represents a CN or a COOR5 group, R5 representing a C1-5 alkyl group; with the compound being in the form of any one of its pure stereoisomers or mixtures thereof. These compounds are useful perfuming ingredients.
US08183192B2
An overbased salt of an oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound for use in a lubricating oil composition is disclosed, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is derived from an olefin mixture comprising propylene oligomers having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D86. Also disclosed is a propylene oligomer having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D8, wherein the propylene oligomer contains a distribution of carbon atoms that comprise at least about 50 weight percent of C14 to C20 carbon atoms.
US08183189B2
The invention is directed to oil soluble additive compositions, lubricating oil compositions derived from a process for preparing a sulfurized oil soluble molybdenum complex having reduced active sulfur comprising: reacting an acidic molybdenum compound with an amide derived from a carboxylic acid component an polyamine component in a ratio from 2:1 to 1:1; there after sulfurizing to provide a sulfurized oil soluble molybdenum which is subsequently treated with at least one compound capable of reacting with the active sulfur of step b).
US08183174B2
A method for preparing a metal-doped ruthenium oxide material by heating a mixture of a doping metal and a source of ruthenium under an inert atmosphere. In some embodiments, the doping metal is in the form of iridium black or lead powder, and the source of ruthenium is a powdered ruthenium oxide. An iridium-doped or lead-doped ruthenium oxide material can perform as an oxygen evolution catalyst and can be fabricated into electrodes for electrolysis cells.
US08183172B2
A catalyst is described which comprises at least one zeolite with structure type EUO, at least one zeolite selected from IM-5 zeolite and zeolites with structure type MFI, MOR, BEA and MTW, at least one group VIII metal, at least one group IIIA metal and at least one porous mineral matrix. The catalyst of the invention is used in a process for isomerizing a feed comprising aromatic compounds containing 8 carbon atoms per molecule.
US08183169B2
A fluorophosphate glass having a fluorine content of 25% or more by anionic %, which is produced from a glass raw material containing 0.1 to 0.5%, by anionic %, of a halide containing a halogen element selected from chlorine, bromine or iodine, and a phosphate glass having a fluorine content of less than 25% by anionic %, which is produced from a glass raw material containing 0.1 to 5%, by anionic %, of a halide containing a halogen element selected from chlorine, bromine or iodine.
US08183167B1
Substrates that exhibit antimicrobial and/or antifungal characteristics that persist through the useful life of the substrate, and more particularly textile substrates infused with or covalently bound to well-dispersed antimicrobial nanoparticles, such as silver and/or copper nanoparticles, which exhibit persistent and demonstrable bacteriocidal, bacteriostatic, fungicidal, fungistatic behavior through numerous wash cycles. Methods of manufacturing such substrates are also provided.
US08183161B2
A method and system for etching a hafnium containing material using a boron tri-chloride (BCl3) based process chemistry is described. A substrate having a hafnium containing layer, such as a layer of hafnium dioxide (HfO2) is subjected a dry etching process comprising BCl3 and an additive gas including: an oxygen-containing gas, such as O2; or a nitrogen-containing gas, such as N2; or a hydrocarbon gas (CxHy), such as CH4; or a combination of two or more thereof.
US08183160B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a patterned hard-mask layer. The hard-mask layer is provided on an exposed surface of one or more layers to be patterned of a semiconductor intermediate product. The hard-mask layer covers the exposed surface in covered areas of the one or more layers to be patterned and does not cover the exposed surface in bared areas of the one or more layers to be patterned. One or more recesses are formed in the layers to be patterned by at least partially removing the layers to be patterned in the bared areas. The hard-mask layer is ten removed. After removing the hard-mask layer the recess is filled with a filling material.
US08183158B2
A method for using a semiconductor processing apparatus includes supplying an oxidizing gas and a reducing gas into a process container of the processing apparatus accommodating no product target substrate therein; causing the oxidizing gas and the reducing gas to react with each other within a first atmosphere that activates the oxidizing gas and the reducing gas inside the process container, thereby generating radicals; and removing a contaminant from an inner surface of the process container by use of the radicals.
US08183153B2
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device which is decreased in resistance of a copper wiring containing a ruthenium-containing film and a copper-containing film, thereby having improved reliability. Also disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device. Specifically, an Ru film is formed on a substrate having a recessed portion by a CVD method using a raw material containing an organic ruthenium complex represented by the general formula and a reducing gas (step S12). Then, a Cu film is formed on the Ru film by a CVD method using a raw material containing an organic copper complex represented by the general formula and a reducing gas, thereby forming a copper wiring containing the Ru film and the Cu film in the recessed portion (step S14).
US08183151B2
Methods of forming conductive elements on and in a substrate include forming a layer of conductive material over a surface of a substrate prior to forming a plurality of vias through the substrate from an opposing surface of the substrate to the layer of conductive material. In some embodiments, a temporary carrier may be secured to the layer of conductive material on a side thereof opposite the substrate prior to forming the vias. Structures, including workpieces formed using such methods, are also disclosed.
US08183147B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes: forming a semiconductor chip portion having an electrode on a main surface of a wafer; forming a first resist pattern having a first opening on the electrode; filling the first opening with a first electrically conductive material, thereby forming an electrically conductive post; removing the first resist pattern after said forming of the electrically conductive post; forming an interlayer dielectric film having a second opening positioned on the electrically conductive post; and forming an electrically conductive redistribution layer extending from an upper surface of the electrically conductive post over an upper surface of the interlayer dielectric film.
US08183146B2
A manufacturing method for a buried circuit structure includes providing a substrate having at least a trench therein, forming a conductive layer having a top lower than an opening of the trench in the trench, performing a selective metal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to form a metal layer having a top lower than the substrate in the trench, and forming a protecting layer filling the trench on the metal layer.
US08183136B2
Provided are a method of forming an insulating layer and a method of manufacturing a transistor using the method. The method of forming the insulating layer includes forming a preliminary insulating layer including silicon oxide (SiO2) on a silicon (Si)-containing substrate. A reactive gas containing ammonia (NH3) gas is supplied to the preliminary insulating layer. Nitrogen radicals (N*) and hydrogen radicals (H*) are generated from the ammonia gas using plasma. The hydrogen radicals combine with oxygen of the preliminary insulating layer, and the nitrogen radicals combine with the silicon oxide so that an insulating layer including hydroxides (OH) and silicon oxynitride (SiON) can be formed.
US08183130B2
A semiconductor wafer has an insulating layer over a first surface of the substrate. An IPD structure is formed over the insulating layer. The IPD structure includes a MIM capacitor and inductor. A conductive via is formed through a portion of the IPD structure and partially through the substrate. The conductive via can be formed in first and second portions. The first portion is formed partially through the substrate and second portion is formed through a portion of the IPD structure. A first via is formed through a second surface of the substrate to the conductive via. A shielding layer is formed over the second surface of the substrate wafer. The shielding layer extends into the first via to the conductive via. The shielding layer is electrically connected through the conductive via to an external ground point. The semiconductor wafer is singulated through the conductive via.
US08183129B2
Mark and method for integrated circuit fabrication with polarized light lithography. A preferred embodiment comprises a first plurality of elements comprised of a first component type, wherein the first component type has a first polarization, and a second plurality of elements comprised of a second component type, wherein the second component type has a second polarization, wherein the first polarization and the second polarization are orthogonal, wherein adjacent elements are of different component types. The alignment marks can be used in an intensity based or a diffraction based alignment process.
US08183125B2
A semiconductor device and manufacturing method is disclosed. One embodiment provides a common substrate of a first conductivity type and at least two wells of a second conductivity type. A buried high resistivity region and at least an insulating structure is provided insulating the first well from the second well. The insulating structure extends through the buried high resistivity region and includes a conductive plug in Ohmic contact with the first semiconductor region. A method for forming an integrated semiconductor device is also provided.
US08183120B2
One or more embodiments relate to a method, comprising forming an implant on a substrate surface; selectively etching the wafer surface to form an elongated fin including portion of the implant; forming collector/emitter regions adjacent opposing ends of the fin; and forming a base region intermediate the collector/emitter regions.
US08183115B2
There is provided an SOI-MISFET including: an SOI layer; a gate electrode provided on the SOI layer interposing a gate insulator; and a first elevated layer provided higher in height from the SOI layer than the gate electrode at both sidewall sides of the gate electrode on the SOI layer so as to constitute a source and drain. Further, there is also provided a bulk-MISFET including: a gate electrode provided on a silicon substrate interposing a gate insulator thicker than the gate insulator of the SOI MISFET; and a second elevated layer configuring a source and drain provided on a semiconductor substrate at both sidewalls of the gate electrode. The first elevated layer is thicker than the second elevated layer, and the whole of the gate electrodes, part of the source and drain of the SOI-MISFET, and part of the source and drain of the bulk-MISFET are silicided.
US08183102B2
To improve field effect mobility of an inverted-staggered TFT using amorphous silicon. In an inverted-staggered TFT, a thin amorphous semiconductor layer which is made to have n-type conductivity is formed between a gate insulating film and an amorphous semiconductor layer. By depositing an amorphous semiconductor layer after a substrate over which up to a gate insulating film is formed is exposed to an atmosphere which contains a phosphine gas in a small amount, an amorphous semiconductor layer which contains phosphorus is formed during the early stage of deposition of the amorphous semiconductor layer. The thus obtained amorphous semiconductor layer has the concentration peak of phosphorus around the surface of the gate insulating film.
US08183087B2
A semiconductor device is made by providing a temporary carrier for supporting the semiconductor device. An integrated passive device (IPD) is mounted to the temporary carrier using an adhesive. The IPD includes a capacitor and a resistor and has a plurality of through-silicon vias (TSVs). A discrete component is mounted to the temporary carrier using the adhesive. The discrete component includes a capacitor. The IPD and the discrete component are encapsulated using a molding compound. A first metal layer is formed over the molding compound. The first metal layer is connected to the TSVs of the IPD and forms an inductor. The temporary carrier and the adhesive are removed, and a second metal layer is formed over the IPD and the discrete component. The second metal layer interconnects the IPD and the discrete component and forms an inductor. An optional interconnect structure is formed over the second metal layer.
US08183086B2
Semiconductor devices and methods of making thereof are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for making a semiconductor device can include polishing a working surface of a diamond layer to a substantially flat surface, depositing a buffer layer on the working surface of the diamond layer, and depositing a semiconductor layer on the buffer layer. In one specific aspect, the c-axis of the buffer layer is oriented perpendicular to the working surface of the diamond layer.
US08183080B2
An image sensor has a large bridge margin from a repulsive force between adjacent micro lenses having different surface properties. The image sensor has a larger bridge margin with a configuration of a stepped portion between two areas, where the first and the second group of micro lenses are formed, over a planarization layer below these two areas. Thus, a zero gap is realized, where no gap between micro lenses exists, and the fill factor of micro lens is maximized. By the realization of the zero gap, interference effects decrease, noise decreases, and fill factor increases, and thus the sensitivity of an image sensor increases, especially the green sensitivity.
US08183076B2
The present invention discloses a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device, comprising: a mass including a main body and two capacitor plates located at the two sides of the main body and connected with the main body, the two capacitor plates being at different elevation levels; an upper electrode located above one of the two capacitor plates, forming one capacitor therewith; and a lower electrode located below the other of the two capacitor plates, forming another capacitor therewith, wherein the upper and lower electrodes are misaligned with each other in a horizontal direction.
US08183074B2
A method for manufacturing a light emitting element includes the steps of (A) forming sequentially a first compound semiconductor layer having a first conduction type, an active layer, and a second compound semiconductor layer having a second conduction type on a substrate, (B) forming a plurality of point-like hole portions in a thickness direction in at least a region of the second compound semiconductor layer located outside a region to be provided with a current confinement region, and (C) forming an insulating region by subjecting a part of the second compound semiconductor layer to an insulation treatment from side walls of the hole portions so as to produce the current confinement region surrounded by the insulating region in the second compound semiconductor layer.
US08183072B2
Disclosed are a light emitting device having a plurality of non-polar light emitting cells and a method of fabricating the same. This method comprises preparing a first substrate of sapphire or silicon carbide having an upper surface with an r-plane, an a-plane or an m-plane. The first substrate has stripe-shaped anti-growth patterns on the upper surface thereof, and recess regions having sidewalls of a c-plane between the anti-growth patterns. Nitride semiconductor layers are grown on the substrate having the recess regions, and the nitride semiconductor layers are patterned to form the light emitting cells separated from one another. Accordingly, there is provided a light emitting device having non-polar light emitting cells with excellent crystal quality.
US08183062B2
The invention can provide apparatus and methods of creating metal gate structures on wafers in real-time using Lithography-Etch-Lithography-Etch (LELE) processing sequence. Real-time data and/or historical data associated with LELE processing sequences can be fed forward and/or fed back as fixed variables or constrained variables in internal-Integrated-Metrology modules (i-IMM) to improve the accuracy of the metal gate structures.
US08183060B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a luminescent polymer that is useful as a luminescent signal probe for labeling and detecting a target substance at high sensitivity in bioassay, and to provide the application of said luminescent polymer to bioassay.The luminescent polymer of the present invention comprises at least one biotin covalently attached to a polymer that includes monosaccharide or amino acid as a constituent monomer covalently attached to a luminescent substance. Preferably, two or more biotins are attached. Examples of the above-mentioned luminescent substance include cyanoisoindoles, luminols, and acridinium esters, and examples of the polymer include polysaccharides, polyamino acids, peptides, polypeptides, and proteins.
US08183057B2
A biomaterial structure containing a larger amount of biomaterial than the conventional art with maintaining the reactivity of the biomaterial is provided by linking particulate lumps in which the biomaterial is bound with a compound capable of binding to the biomaterial, wherein the particle diameter of the particulate lumps is 10 μm or smaller.
US08183056B2
A method for determining the risk of an individual of suffering from inflammation, opportunistic infection or disruption of immunoglobulin metabolism, comprising (a) determining the level of fragmentation or modification of Fc function of immunoglobulins in a sample taken from the individual and (b) determining thereby the risk of inflammation, impaired immune response or opportunistic infection. The invention also provides the use of a trypsin inhibitor in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment or prevention of a disorder associated with elevated trypsin activity which is correlated with IgG fragmentation or modification.
US08183050B2
Detection of lysophosphatidylcholine for prognosis or diagnosis of a systemic inflammatory condition
The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for the diagnosis or prognosis of a systemic inflammatory condition such as sepsis.
US08183049B2
With respect to a lead detection method that uses rhodizonic acid, it is made possible to clearly identify pink or red coloration caused by a reaction between lead and rhodizonic acid even in cases where Sn is present in a specimen. To this end, an acidic aqueous solution or a buffer solution thereof (e.g., tartaric acid) in which hydrogen peroxide coexists is used as a reagent. Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes Sn2+ into Sn4+. Since Sn4+ does not react with rhodizonic acid, the presence of Sn does not interfere with the visual identification of any pink or red coloration caused by the reaction between lead and rhodizonic acid.
US08183047B2
Method and systems for determining if one or more animals has mastitis and for monitoring animals and the quality of the milk they produce are disclosed. Systems and test assays disclosed are used to determine the quantity of proteasomes and proteins thereof, the activity of proteasome enzymes, the quantity of proteasome bound and regulating proteins, and the quantity of ubiquinated protein. Components and reagents for use in the systems and assays are also disclosed.
US08183034B2
An apparatus for carbon dioxide-capture system has a cultivating vessel and at least one basking mechanism. The cultivating vessel has a reservoir for accommodating alga culture. The basking mechanism is mounted in the reservoir of the cultivating vessel and has multiple trays and a circulating mechanism. The trays are imbricately mounted on the basking mechanism with predetermined intervals and each has at least one spout formed at an overlap with an adjacent tray. The circulating mechanism is mounted between the trays and the reservoir. The alga culture is pumped into one tray by the circulating mechanism, flows through the spout into another tray, enhancing a rate of carbon fixation by alga.
US08183032B2
A semi-closed loop diesel photobioreactor system and method are provided for producing diesel fuel from wild algae or from specialized algae that has been biologically modified for high efficiency oil production using waste water as a primary food source. The diesel photobioreactor provides a semi-closed loop system with an opening to acquire waste water below the surface to obtain waste water nutrients and to protect the algae species from contamination. The semi-closed loop diesel photobioreactor includes a container that can be designed in a variety of shapes with a tube design preferred, and containing a liquid culture medium for cultivating photosynthetic organisms. The system can utilize natural light and can also deploy an innovative lighting system integrated into the photobioreactor container. The diesel photobioreactor system also has one or more cleaning devices mounted within the container for cleaning the surface of the photobioreactor container.
US08183031B2
It is intended to utilize β-glucan produced by a bacterium belonging to Aureobasidium sp. From a bacterium belonging to Aureobasidium sp., a mutant with little pigment accumulation is constructed by a mutagenesis means of, for example, irradiating with ultraviolet light or treating with a mutagen. A culture obtained by culturing this mutant in a liquid culture medium is usable as a composition with a large β-glucan content without showing any intense dark green color caused by the accumulation of melanin-like pigments. This composition may be taken as such as a functional food having the physiologically active functions of the β-glucan-containing composition. Alternatively, it may be added to foods, drinks. food additives, cosmetics and so on.
US08183026B2
Live attenuated bacteria vaccines are provided. Also provided are methods by which such vaccines can be obtained, including: a method by which a copy of the dam gene from a pathogenic bacteria is cloned into a plasmid capable of replication in the same bacteria species such that it is overexpressed from either a lac promoter, tac promoter, araBAD promoter, trc promoter, trp promoter, T7, SP6, or T5 bacteriophage promoters, a native promoter from that species, or other appropriate promoter. The plasmid containing the dam gene is then transferred into the pathogens to cause increased expression of Dam resulting in the formation of a live attenuated bacterial vaccines. Alternative methods for producing the vaccine are also provided including altering or replacing the chromosomal promoter for the native dam gene so as to alter Dam expression or mutating or replacing the native dam gene so as to alter the expression of Dam in a pathogenic bacteria.
US08183024B2
The present invention provides a subtilisin variant that is particularly well suited to cleaning applications. In particular, the present invention provides a Bacillus sp. subtilisin variant and cleaning compositions comprising this variant.
US08183017B2
The ability and speed with which a coryneform bacterium can produce L-lysine are improved when the coryneform bacterium contains an aspartokinase in which feedback inhibition by L-lysine and L-threonine is substantially desensitized. This is accomplished by successively enhancing the DNA coding for dihydrodipicolinate reductase, the DNA coding for dihydrodipicolinate synthase, the DNA coding for diaminopimelate decarboxylase, and the DNA coding for diaminopimelate dehydrogenase.
US08182997B2
The present invention provides methods for detecting and diagnosing cancer, which method involves the determination of the expression level of the STYK1 gene. The gene was discovered to discriminate cancer cells from normal cells. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods of screening for therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of cancer, methods for treating cancer, and methods for vaccinating a subject against cancer. Moreover, the present invention provides siRNAs targeting the STYK1 gene, which are suggested to be useful in the treatment of cancer.
US08182994B2
Improved compositions, methods, apparatus, and kits for high-throughput nucleic acid amplification, detection and sequencing are disclosed. A nucleic acid cluster having an identifiable center is produced by generating on a solid support an immobilized nucleic acid complement from a template, one of which comprises a detectable label; and amplifying the complement and the template to obtain a nucleic acid cluster on the support, the cluster having a substantially central location marked by the detectable label and a surrounding region comprising immobilized copies. Also disclosed are nucleotide sequence determination in nucleic acid clusters so produced, center position annotation in the clusters, assignment of sequence information to overlapping clusters, and related compositions and methods.
US08182990B2
Disclosed is a set of genetic polymorphisms linked to optic neuropathy including glaucoma and Leber's disease. Those polymorphisms are useful for diagnosing and predicting susceptibility to optic neuropathy.
US08182988B2
A homogenous bioassay including i) a first group containing a short lifetime fluorescent acceptor, and ii) a second group containing a quencher, with the first and second groups linked by at least a first linkage. The bioassay measures the acceptor's fluorescence increase resulting from cleavage of the first linkage and also includes iii) a third group containing a donor for energy transfer to the acceptor, where the donor is an up-conversion fluorescent compound, a long-lifetime fluorescent compound or an electrogenerated luminescent compound. A conformational or terminal epitope is created on the first group through linkage cleavage, and the third group includes a binder with affinity for this epitope. The acceptor's fluorescence is caused by exciting the donor. Also disclosed are bioassay kits for this method.
US08182986B1
Methods and compositions are provided for assaying for enzymes capable of releasing an enzyme donor fragment (ED) conjugated to a nucleic acid strand bonded to a surface. Conveniently, the beads are magnetic allowing segregation of the beads during the determination. Upon addition of enzyme acceptor fragment (EA) and substrate to the assay mixture, the method allows for discrimination between ED free in solution and ED bound to the bead. The complexing of ED and EA provides an active β-galactosidase enzyme. The method permits the assay of any substance involved in a pathway that can result in a reaction releasing the ED.
US08182982B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and apparatus useful in the nanopatterning of rotationally symmetric disk materials, like magnetic and optical disks, where a rotatable mask is used to image a radiation-sensitive material. Typically the rotatable mask comprises a cone. The nanopatterning technique makes use of Near-Field photolithography, where the mask used to pattern the disk is in contact or close proximity with the disk. The Near-Field photolithography may make use of an elastomeric phase-shifting mask, or may employ surface plasmon technology, where a rotating cone surface comprises metal nano holes or nanoparticles.
US08182978B2
Compositions characterized by the presence of an aqueous base-soluble polymer having aromatic moieties and aliphatic alcohol moieties have been found which are especially useful as developable bottom antireflective coatings in 193 nm lithographic processes. The compositions enable improved lithographic processes which are especially useful in the context of subsequent ion implantation or other similar processes where avoidance of aggressive antireflective coating removal techniques is desired.
US08182976B2
A positive resist composition including a base component (A) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of acid and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, the resin component (A) including at least one structural unit (a0) selected from the group consisting of a structural unit represented by general formula (a0-1) [R2 represents a divalent linking group, and R3 represents a cyclic group containing —SO2— within the ring skeleton thereof] and a structural unit (a2) derived from an acrylate ester containing a lactone-containing cyclic group, and the polymeric compound (A1) containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group within the structure thereof.
US08182971B2
A toner and a resin for toner are provided which are of good low-temperature fixing ability and good anti-blocking property of toner at high temperature and high humidity and good pulverisability. The present invention is directed to a resin for toner, the resin comprising a polyester resin (A) produced by reacting a polyester resin (a) having an acid value of 6 mgKOH/g or less and a hydroxyl value of 10 to 80 mgKOH/g with at least one carboxylic acid (b) selected from the group consisting of aliphatic carboxylic acids, aromatic carboxylic acids, their anhydrides and lower alkyl (C1-C4) esters, wherein the equivalent ratio OHa/COOHb is 0.55 to 1.0 where OHa represents the equivalent of the hydroxyl groups originating in (a) in the reaction of (a) and (b) and COOHb represents the equivalent of the carboxyl groups originating in (b) in the reaction of (a) and (b), and wherein the polyester resin (A) has an acid value of 13 to 50 mgKOH/g and a hydroxyl value of 8 mgKOH/g or less; and a toner composition including the same.
US08182964B2
A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell of the present invention includes: an anode and a cathode facing each other; and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode. The anode and the cathode or both include an electrode substrate and a catalyst layer. The catalyst layer includes a catalyst, a hydrophilic ionomer, and a hydrophobic binder.
US08182960B2
A metal separator for fuel cells formed with a metal plate and provided between cells accumulated, in which the metal plate is formed like trapezoidal irregularities to separate channels for a fuel gas from ones for an oxidant gas. Slope portions are formed after forming uniformly and thinly wall thickness of both upper and lower flat portions or either of the upper or the lower flat portion to 90% or less of that of the metal plate to be formed to obtain trapezoidal irregularities by forming flat portions which contact upper and lower cells and slope portions which interconnect the upper and the lower flat portions.
US08182958B2
A membrane membrane-reinforcement-member assembly, membrane catalyst-layer assembly, membrane electrode assembly, and polymer electrolyte fuel cell are provided, which are so configured as to ensure sufficient durability and a cost reduction in unit cells and be suited for mass production. To this end, a membrane membrane-reinforcement-member assembly (20) of a membrane catalyst-layer assembly (30) provided in an MEA (5) of a cell (100) has a polymer electrolyte membrane (1), a pair of first membrane reinforcement members (10a) and a pair of second membrane reinforcement members (10b) which members (10a), (10b) are embedded in the polymer electrolyte membrane (1) such that their main surfaces are not exposed therefrom. The first and second membrane reinforcement members (10a), (10b) are embedded in a parallelogrammatic fashion so as to overlap each other in the four corners of the polymer electrolyte membrane (1) when viewed in a thickness direction of the polymer electrolyte membrane.
US08182953B2
A fuel cell system capable of reducing time spent before actual execution of low-temperature countermeasure processing is provided. At the time of activation, a control unit for the fuel cell system refers to, for example, a detected FC temperature and judges whether or not the low-temperature countermeasure processing is necessary for the activation. If the control unit determines that the low-temperature countermeasure processing is necessary, it controls an output voltage of the fuel cell to be a target voltage for the low-temperature countermeasure processing, without having the fuel cell enter an OCV state, and then executes the low-temperature countermeasure processing.
US08182952B2
There is disclosed a fuel cell system capable of drying a fuel cell in a short time after a system stop instruction is issued. The fuel cell system includes a controller to control the execution of a normal operation and a dry operation which decreases the water content of the fuel cell as compared with the normal operation. The controller executes the dry operation prior to the system stop instruction so that the water content of the fuel cell is decreased as compared with the normal operation at a time of the system stop instruction. The controller may execute the dry operation before the system stop instruction in a case where it is predicted that the temperature of the fuel cell at the system stop or the next system start is a predetermined low temperature.
US08182950B2
A metal oxide electrode catalyst which includes a metal oxide (Y) obtained by heat treating a metal compound (X) under an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The valence of the metal in the metal compound (X) is smaller than the valence of the metal in the metal oxide (Y). Further, the metal oxide electrocatalyst has an ionization potential in the range of 4.9 to 5.5 eV.
US08182949B2
A polymer electrolyte membrane comprising as a main ingredient a block copolymer (P) which comprises, as its constituents, a vinyl alcoholic polymer block (A) and a polymer block (B) having ion-conducting groups, which block copolymer (P) is cross-linking treated, and a membrane-electrode assembly and a fuel cell using the polymer electrolyte membrane, respectively. Preferred as polymer block (B) is one having a styrene or vinylnaphthalene skeleton or a 2-(meth)acrylamido-2-methylpropane skeleton. The ion-conducting group includes a sulfonic acid group, a phosphonic acid group or the like.
US08182946B2
An improved Ni—Zn cell with a negative electrode substrate plated with tin or tin and zinc during manufacturing has a reduced gassing rate. The copper or brass substrate is electrolytic cleaned, activated, electroplated with a matte surface to a defined thickness range, pasted with zinc oxide electrochemically active material, and baked. The defined plating thickness range of 40-80 μIn maximizes formation of an intermetallic compound Cu3Sn that helps to suppress the copper diffusion from under plating layer to the surface and eliminates formation of an intermetallic compound Cu6Sn5 during baking to provide adequate corrosion resistance during battery operation.
US08182945B2
A current collector includes a substrate, a plurality of projections formed on a first portion of the substrate, and at least two adjacent minute projections formed on a second portion of the substrate. The substrate is a metal sheet. The first and second portions are formed on the surface of the substrate. The second portion includes 2 to 100 of minute projections. The minute projections have a height of below 35% of the average height of the plurality of projections. By forming an electrode active material layer on the face of the current collector where the plurality of projections are formed to make an electrode, the detachment of the electrode active material layer, and the spread of the detachment are significantly curbed.
US08182939B2
Disclosed is an anode material comprising a metal core layer capable of repetitive lithium intercalation/deintercalation; an amorphous carbon layer coated on the surface of the metal core layer, and a crystalline carbon layer coated on the amorphous carbon layer. The anode material not only maintains a high charge/discharge capacity, which is an advantage of a metal-based anode material, but also inhibits changes in the volume of a metal core layer caused by repetitive lithium intercalation/deintercalation in virtue of an amorphous carbon layer and a crystalline carbon layer, thereby improving the cycle life characteristics of cells.
US08182935B2
An electrochemical energy store, including at least one electrochemical cell as well as at least one latent heat storage unit, which includes at least one phase change material. The at least one electrochemical cell is a lithium ion accumulator. The exemplary embodiments and/or exemplary methods of the present invention also includes the use of the electrochemical energy store in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments and/or exemplary methods of the present invention relates to a method for temperature regulation of an electrochemical energy store.
US08182931B2
A coating process for fatigue critical components is provided. The coating process comprises the steps of providing a substrate having a first modulus of elasticity, depositing a layer of a material having a second modulus of elasticity less than the first modulus of elasticity onto the substrate, and depositing a coating over the material layer.
US08182930B2
A twisted wire 1 is produced by twisting two wires 2 together. When that portion of the twisted wire 1 extending from one ends 3 of the two wires 2 to a first predetermined position 4 is defined as a one end-side twisted portion 5, and that portion of the twisted wire 1 extending from the first predetermined position 4 to a second predetermined position 6 is defined as an intermediate twisted portion 7, and that portion of the twisted wire 1 extending from the second predetermined position 6 to the other ends 8 of the two wires 2 is defined as an other end-side twisted portion 9, a twisting pitch of the one end-side twisted portion 5 and the other end-side twisted portion 9 is smaller than a twisting pitch of the intermediate twisted portion 7.
US08182926B2
Surface protection films are disclosed that comprise an outer surface contact layer, an outer stiffening layer, and optionally a core layer, wherein the surface contact layer consists essentially of (A) a mixture of a tackified quadblock styrene block copolymer elastomer and a triblock styrene block copolymer containing up to 30 wt % of a diblock styrene copolymer; (B) a mixture of a tackified quadblock styrene block copolymer elastomer, a tackified triblock styrene block copolymer and a triblock styrene block copolymer containing up to 30 wt % of a diblock styrene copolymer; (C) a mixture of a tackified triblock styrene block copolymer and a triblock styrene block copolymer containing up to 30 wt % of a diblock styrene copolymer; or (D) a triblock styrene block copolymer containing up to 30 wt % of a styrene diblock copolymer and a low density polyethylene polymer.
US08182922B2
An improved economically produced clean room ceiling tile formed as a composite comprising a base board and a finish coated paper facer laminated to the base board. The base board is preferably made with excess thickness and is machined to a desired caliper. The machined board is sealed with a clay coating and thereafter coated with a water-based adhesive. The paper facer is laminated to the board with the water-based adhesive and is finish coated with a water-based wet scrubbable coating. The paper facer is easy to laminate, exhibits excellent coverage of surface defects in the base board surface, is fully compatible with the water-based finish coating, and contributes to the sag resistance of the tile.
US08182914B2
The present invention discloses an adhesive article. The adhesive article comprises a first layer comprising a fluid transport substrate, comprising a low molecular weight hydrophilic polymer resin, the first layer having a first major surface and a second major surface. The adhesive article additionally comprises a second layer comprising a fluid transportable ink, the second layer being associated with the second major surface of the second layer. The adhesive article also comprises an adhesive layer.
US08182902B2
A labeled in-mold shaped article in which an in-mold label having a thermoplastic resin-containing substrate layer and a heat-seal layer that contains a heat-seal resin and a water-soluble binder is stuck to a shaped article and in which the in-mold label does not peel off from the shaped article even when the labeled in-mold shaped article is dipped in water at 40° C. for 4 days. The labeled in-mold shaped article satisfies both label adhesiveness and delabelability.
US08182898B2
A touch panel of the invention comprises a first panel having a first film base with transparency and a first transparent conductive thin film provided on one surface of the first film base; and a second panel having a second film base with transparency and a second transparent conductive thin film provided on one surface of the second film base, wherein the first panel and the second panel are arranged so as to face each other with a spacer therebetween, in such a manner that the first conductive thin film and the second conductive thin film face each other, wherein the surface of the first conductive thin film has a hardness of 1 GPa or more and a modulus of elasticity of 5 GPa or more, the surface of the second conductive thin film has a center line average roughness (Ra) of 0.3 nm to 1.0 nm, and that of the center line average roughness (Ra) of the surface of the second conductive thin film is smaller than that of the surface of the first conductive thin film. The touch panel has good durability.
US08182884B2
A process comprising: depositing a coating on a fuel cell bipolar plate using plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition.
US08182881B2
A process for applying a coating to an axially split component includes the steps of installing at least one expansion or contraction device to at least one half of an axially split component; expanding at least one half to change a radius and maintain a constant curvature of at least one masked piece; applying a coating to the half; and, removing at least one expansion or contraction device from at least one half.
US08182877B2
A method of manufacturing a composite material, the method comprising: growing two or more layers of reinforcement in-situ; and impregnating each layer with a matrix before growing the next layer. The reinforcement layers may be formed by a chemical vapor deposition process. The method can be used as an additive layer manufacturing technique to form a component with a desired shape and physical characteristics.
US08182874B2
A process for coating a metallic surface by contacting the metallic surface with a first coating composition to form a first coating on the metallic surface, wherein the first coating composition contains water and at least one compound a) selected from a silane, a silanol, a siloxane and a polysiloxane. The first coating is the rinsed with an aqueous surfactant-containing fluid without drying so that the at least one compound a) does not condense before the rinsing step. The silane, silanol, siloxane or polysiloxane is capable of condensation.
US08182869B2
A method for controlling a temperature of a mounting table includes a first and a second temperature control mode in which a first and a second coolant passageway of a coolant circulator are connected in parallel between an output port and a return port of the coolant circulator. The first temperature control mode includes: making a part of a coolant of a reference temperature flow in the first coolant passageway after raising or lowering the temperature thereof to a desired set temperature; and making a residual coolant flow in the second coolant passageway while substantially maintaining the reference temperature thereof. The second temperature control mode includes: making a part of the coolant flow in the first coolant passageway while substantially maintaining the reference temperature thereof; and making a residual coolant flow in the second coolant passageway while substantially maintaining the reference temperature thereof.
US08182867B2
A method for producing a composite nanoparticle, including the steps of, collapsing at least a portion of a polyelectrolyte polymer in solution about one or more precursor moieties to form a composite precursor moiety having a mean diameter in the range between about 1 nm and about 100 nm, wherein the polyelectrolyte polymer has an extended conformation in a first solution state and a more compact conformation in a second solution state; and cross-linking the polyelectrolyte polymer of the composite precursor moiety to form a composite nanoparticle wherein the precursory moiety is a charged organic ion.
US08182864B2
The present invention provides a method for modification of microchannels of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchip, which includes the steps of: a) mixing an alkoxysilane precursor, an alkyl alkoxysilane precursor, and a solvent to prepare a sol-gel solution; b) oxidizing microchannels of the PDMS microchip; and c) coating the oxidized microchannels with the sol-gel solution prepared in step a). The PDMS microchip modified according to the method of the present invention shows higher hydrophilicity than an unmodified PDMS microchip. And, when the modified PDMS channels are filled with an organic solvent, channel swelling can be reduced, and thus various organic solvents can be used for the modified PDMS microchip compared to an unmodified PDMS microchip. Further, it can be widely applied for various fields because absorptivity of non-polar substances can be reduced.
US08182861B2
Thin film processing systems and methods are provided having a moving deposition sensor capable of translation and/or rotation in a manner that exposes the sensor to thin film deposition environments in a flux region substantially the same as the deposition environments experienced by one or more moveable substrates during a selected deposition period. In one embodiment, a thin film monitoring and control system is provided wherein one or more moveable substrates and a moveable deposition sensor are moved along substantially coincident trajectories in a flux region of a thin film deposition system for a selected deposition period. Systems and methods of the present invention may include SC-cut quartz crystal microbalance sensors capable of excitation of at least two different resonant modes.
US08182859B2
The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for delivering therapeutic agent to a medical device. Under some methods, processes, and systems of the invention, particles including a magnetic material and a therapeutic agent may be directed towards a medical device via magnetic attraction. In another embodiment particles including a magnetic material may force a therapeutic agent/solvent solution into porous matrix by using a magnetic attraction. In still another embodiment, a medical device having at least a portion thereof including a magnetic material is used to attract and adhere particles comprising magnetic material and therapeutic agent to a target surface of the medical device, wherein the particles are fused to the target surface.
US08182851B2
This invention provides a control release formulation or rumen-bypass dietary supplement in compacted form. The formulation or supplement has the capability to transport fatty acid calcium salt and between about 1-75 percent of one or more rumen-protected undegraded biologically active agents to the post-ruminal digestive system of a ruminant. A feedstock containing the formulation or supplement for ruminants beneficially improves feed efficiency and body growth. The feedstock also is adapted to improve the lactational performance of dairy cattle.
US08182846B2
Plant extracts obtainable by extracting various plant materials with an alkaline agent, methods for preparing such extracts, compositions comprising such extracts, and methods for using the extracts or compositions thereof are described.
US08182836B2
An opioid-antagonist oral dosage form which does not release a therapeutically effective amount of the opioid antagonist when the oral dosage form is orally administered to a human being, but whereby a physical alteration of the oral dosage form results in a release of the therapeutically effective amount of the opioid antagonist. An embodiment of the oral dosage form includes an opioid-antagonist layer coated onto a biologically inert pellet, and a non-releasing membrane coated onto the opioid-antagonist layer. Optionally, the oral dosage form can also include an opioid agonist, such that a method of preventing the abuse of an oral dosage form of an opioid agonist is provided by forming the oral dosage form including an opioid agonist and an opioid antagonist.
US08182831B2
A stable and taste masked pharmaceutical dosage form includes porous apatite grains and a drug entrapped in pores of said grains, wherein said grains have a size of 0.1-1000 μm and said pores of said grains have an opening of 0.5-300 nm. A process for preparing the stable and taste masked pharmaceutical dosage form is also disclosed.
US08182830B2
Described herein are hydrogen sulfide (H2S) generating polymers and polymer systems suitable for coating or forming medical devices and methods for making and using the same. More specifically, described are H2S generating polymers comprising at least one thioamide group. The H2S generating polymers can provide controlled site-specific release of H2S once implanted at or within the target surgical site by hydrolysis of the thioamide group in physiological media. The H2S generating polymers can be coated onto a medical device, formed into a medical device or combined with one or more other polymers to form a polymer system. Also described are methods of treating restenosis and inflammation and promoting vasodilation utilizing such medical devices.
US08182826B2
A refreshment towel with applied solution is an apparatus consisting of a carrying agent, most likely a high quality cotton towel or towelette, that has been saturated with an aqueous solution comprised of various ingredients. The resulting saturated towel can be rubbed on a user's skin such that the aqueous solution that has been absorbed by the towel is transferred. The aqueous solution is compounded specifically to provide cooling, insect repellant, sun protection, freshness, cleansing and other uses. More specifically, the aqueous solution is specially formulated so that desired sensory results take place when the towel comes in contact with the skin.
US08182820B2
The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for detecting, preventing and treating retroviral infections in humans and other animals susceptible to infection by retrovirus. It has been discovered that FIV can be transmitted from cats to humans and that the FIV can infect human cells in vivo and that antibodies generated by the infected person cross-react with HIV antigens. Thus, the methods and compositions of the subject invention can be used to detect, prevent and treat FIV infection in humans and other non-feline animals that are susceptible to FIV infection. The methods and compositions of the invention can also be used to prevent and treat infection by HIV in humans.
US08182818B2
In accordance with the invention, the development and use of antibodies within the digestive tract is provided. Antibodies are described that are used to treat disorders associated with altered permeability of the digestive tract. Antibodies are described with increased stability within the environment of the digestive tract. Antibodies are described with enhanced permeability to a compromised digestive tract.
US08182810B2
Purified genes encoding cytokine referred to as interleukin-B30 (IL-B30) from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding this molecule are provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.
US08182806B2
Synovial villi derived explants and related surgical tools used to repair or prevent damage to injured or diseased tissue, including connective tissue. The tools including a harvesting tool for selectively harvesting synovial villi from the joint of patient and a delivery tool having a bulbous end for delivering the synovial villi derived explants while reducing damage to surrounding tissue.
US08182800B2
This invention relates to high surface area materials, such as nanoparticles, that are coated with metal ions. These modified nanoparticles have active sites that bind various gases and/or odorous compounds, thereby removing these compounds from a medium such as air or water. Metal ions are adsorbed onto the surface of the nanoparticle and bound strongly to the surface. By selection of the metal ion, specific gaseous compounds and/or odorous compounds can be targeted and removed efficiently and effectively from both aqueous phase and from the air. The modified nanoparticles are useful in numerous article of manufacture for industrial and consumer use.
US08182798B2
A method of hair styling or straightening comprising: i) a straightening active selected from adenine, guanine or derivatives thereof.
US08182796B1
The present invention is directed to a series of polymeric citrate esters that have two different molecular weight ester chains, one solid and one liquid, which when combined into a single molecule make a polymer that is solid, but has very unique flow properties. These materials find applications as additives to formulations in personal care products where there is a desire to have a structured film (provided by the solid fatty group) and flow properties, (provided by the liquid fatty group). These compounds by virtue of their unique structure provide outstanding skin feel and outstanding waterproof properties in cosmetic formulations most notable sunscreens.
US08182793B2
Aqueous sunless tanning formulations employed for automatic spray systems with enhanced tanning and skin moisturization properties.
US08182783B2
A novel microwave-assisted process is described for the rapid removal of catalytic metal and non-desirable carbon impurities in fullerene, single wall, and multiple wall carbon nanotube preparations. The purification process is carried out at various programmed pressures, power levels and reaction times in a suspension of the nanocarbon moieties in the presence of strong acids (for example, a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid), in weak acids (for example, acetic acid) and in the presence of chelating agents (for example, EDTA—ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). In one embodiment, high metal removal efficiency of 70 to 90% is observed.
US08182779B2
The disclosure provides a process for removing phosphorus-containing colloids and their precursors from an iron chloride solution comprising: (a) heating the iron chloride solution comprising impurities selected from the group consisting of phosphorus-containing colloid, phosphorus-containing colloid precursor, and mixtures thereof, at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 300° C., at least autogenous pressure and for a period of time sufficient to transform the impurities into a filterable solid; and (b) separating the solid from the iron chloride solution. In one embodiment, the iron chloride solution is a byproduct of the chloride process for making titanium dioxide.
US08182776B2
An integrated process for operating a fossil fuel fired power plant including: producing hydrogen gas and an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide via a process including: dissociating hydrogen gas and oxygen gas from water; pressurizing the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas; and mixing, under pressure, the oxygen gas and at least about a stoichiometric portion of the hydrogen gas with an aqueous solution of a catalyst and a promoter to form the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide; supplying a remainder of the hydrogen gas to at least one of (a) a storage means, (b) a boiler detonation cleaning system of the fossil fuel fired power plant, and (c) an electrical generator of the fossil fuel fired power plant; and injecting the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide into an air pollution control system of the fossil fuel fired power plant.
US08182771B2
A system comprising a multi-stage reactor. The multi-stage reactor may include a water gas shift (WGS) reactor and a sour methanation reactor configured to generate methane without prior removal of acid gas. Furthermore, the multistage reactor may be a single unit having both the WGS reactor and the methanation reactor.
US08182763B2
A rack for holding samples and various reagents, wherein the rack may be used for loading the samples and reagents prior to using the reagents. The rack accepts complementary reagent holders, each of which contain a set of reagents for carrying out a predetermined processing operation, such as preparing biological samples for amplifying and detecting polynucleotides extracted from the samples.
US08182757B2
A method and apparatus for producing a calcium carbonate product formed of small <100 μm sized separate calcium carbonate particles. Calcium hydroxide is fed through a disintegration and spraying apparatus (14), operating on the principle of a pin mill, into a gas which contains carbon dioxide for precipitating calcium carbonate particles and which is inside a precipitation reactor (10). The temperature in the precipitation reactor is maintained at <65° C.
US08182754B2
The apparatus is proposed for termination of radioactive and other wastes particularly for physical processing of radioactive waste with simultaneous production of hydrogen, oxygen, and electric energy. It includes an ion divider, a plasma chamber communicated with the ion divider, a controllable hydrogen-oxygen dispenser introducing hydrogen and oxygen into the plasma chamber, transformer pipe coils, a transformer chamber surrounded by the transformer coils, the transformer chamber communicated with the plasma chamber, equipment for supplying water and steam into the transformer coils, cooling equipment for receiving ionized steam from the transformer coils and cooling the steam, a sprayer receiving the ionized steam from the cooling equipment and introducing the steam into the ion divider; and dispenser equipment for introducing radio-active wastes and/or worked-out rocket fuels into the transformer chamber, wherein the radio-active wastes and/or worked-out rocket fuels are terminated. Supplemental equipment is also illustrated and described.
US08182739B2
A concentric-circular-gradient functional material for biogenic use is produced using first, second, third and forth cylindrical partitions, and a cylindrical dice which are concentrically stood on a supporting stand. Ti powder (A) fills the first cylindrical partition. A first mixed powder including Ti powder (A) and biogenic material powder (B) fills between the first and second cylindrical partitions. A second mixed powder including a smaller amount of Ti powder (A) than the first mixed powder fills between the second and third cylindrical partitions. A third mixed powder including a smaller amount of Ti powder (A) than the second mixed powder fills between the third and fourth cylindrical partitions. The biogenic material powder (B) fills between the fourth cylindrical partition and the dice. The first to fourth partitions are pulled out. The dice is capped using a punch. The powders are sintered using a discharge plasma sintering machine.
US08182733B2
The present invention discloses the use in rotomolding or slush molding applications of a composition comprising a polyolefin, a processing aid and optionally a UV-stabilizer.
US08182726B2
A lime pellet for use in asphalt applications is prepared to include lime fines and an asphalt-compatible binder. The pellet is characterized as having a rigid structure with a dimension greater than about 1.5 mm and being compatible with a hot mix asphalt so as to dissolve in liquid asphalt. The pellet is manufactured by mixing the lime fines with the asphalt-compatible binder and forming pellets therefrom. A benefit of the present method is the elimination of steps that cost time and money because limestone can be converted to quicklime, the quicklime is hydrated, and the pellet is formed in a continuous process or in a single system. The pellets are useful for conditioning an end product of hot mix asphalt during the manufacture of such an asphalt.
US08182720B2
An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.
US08182718B2
Ligand exchange of thermochromic, LETC, systems exhibiting a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation as the temperature of the system is reversibly changed are described. The described LETC systems include one or more than one transition metal ion, which experiences thermally induced changes in the nature of the complexation or coordination around the transition metal ion(s) and, thereby, the system changes its ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation as the temperature changes.In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, a thermochromic system is disclosed comprising a transition metal ion and a ligand wherein the ligand comprises a nitrogen-containing five or six membered heterocyclic compound that coordinates through the nitrogen atom to the transition metal ion in a HεMLC formed between the transition metal ion and the ligand.In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, thermochromic systems are disclosed comprising a transition metal ion with particularly useful ligands, such as phosphine compounds, tridentate ligands that coordinate through three nitrogen atoms, bidentate ligands, or ortho hindered pyridine monodentate ligands.
US08182716B2
Disclosed is a novel liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same, and an optical film using the same liquid crystal composition. More particularly, there is provided a liquid crystal material of a viewing angle compensation film with high quality characteristics, which can improve a contrast ratio and minimize variations in color with viewing angles in a black state, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same liquid crystal material, and a compensation film obtained from the same liquid crystal composition.
US08182714B2
Solid ice melters are improved with a small exterior coating of glycerin which prevents caking and bridging and enhances melt value.
US08182707B2
A method for etching a layer that is to be removed on a substrate, in which a Si1-xGex layer is the layer to be removed, this layer being removed, at least in areas, in gas phase etching with the aid of an etching gas, in particular ClF3. The etching behavior of the Si1-xGex layer can be controlled via the Ge portion in the Si1-xGex layer. The etching method is particularly well-suited for manufacturing self-supporting structures in a micromechanical sensor and for manufacturing such self-supporting structures in a closed hollow space, because the Si1-xGex layer, as a sacrificial layer or filling layer, is etched highly selectively relative to silicon.
US08182706B2
In a method for texturing silicon wafers for producing solar cells, the step of introducing a silicon wafer involves the use of a texturing solution which is at a temperature of at least 80 degrees Celsius and which comprises water admixed with 1 percent by weight to 6 percent by weight KOH or 2 percent by weight to 8 percent by weight NaOH and with a surfactant or a surfactant mixture constituting less than 0.01 percent by weight. Very economic texturing can be performed in this way.
US08182704B2
A thin-film magnetic head structure has a configuration adapted to manufacture a thin-film magnetic head configured such that a main magnetic pole layer including a magnetic pole tip on a side of a medium-opposing surface opposing a recording medium, a write shield layer opposing the magnetic pole tip so as to form a recording gap layer on the medium-opposing surface side, and a thin-film coil wound about the write shield layer or main magnetic pole layer are laminated. The magnetic pole tip of the main magnetic pole layer includes an even width portion having a substantially even width along an extending direction.
US08182703B2
A tuning fork resonator element that has a base portion, first and second resonating arms extending from the base portion in a first direction, and a support frame sandwiching the first and second resonating arms and being connected to the base portion includes: a first excitation electrode, formed in an area close to a connection portion with the base portion of the support frame, being connected to a mount electrode with a conductive adhesive; a second excitation electrode, formed in at least one of an area sandwiching the first and second resonating arms of the support frame and an area positioned farther than the first and second resonating arms in the first direction, being connected to a mount electrode with the conductive adhesive; and a cut portion of the support frame formed on an external surface of the support frame.
US08182702B2
A strainer is disclosed for filtering a flow stream passing therethrough, while reducing vortex shedding and related minimizing noise and vibration. The strainer includes an elongated member which defines a generally longitudinal axis, and having an opening at one end and a closed end at the opposite end. The opening has a greater dimension than the closed end. The elongated member includes a plurality of rows of apertures located between the opening and the closed end, with the apertures of each row being of generally equal dimension and located in a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The pluralities of rows of apertures are of distinct dimensions and form a semi-random pattern such that a flow stream passing therethrough causes distinct frequencies associated with each row, which frequencies generally reduce or cancel any pulsation resulting therefrom.
US08182698B2
A chemical process to improve the filtration performance for the removal of gypsum from phosphoric acid/gypsum slurry using a filtration aid that is selected from a class of polymers, lower molecular weight anionic polyelectrolytes, which previously have not been used for this application. The polymer is CMC or Carboxymethyl Cellulose, which is a polymerized cellulose ether. CMC is found to be extremely effective for phosphoric acid/gypsum slurry that was produced from igneous phosphate rock. CMC is also available in food grade, which is novel for filtration aids for the production of phosphoric acid which may be used for human or animal feed.
US08182693B2
A method and apparatus for purifying water are provided. A feed water such as seawater can be fed to a filter such as a microporous or nanofiltration membrane to produce a permeate that can, in turn, be fed to an electrodeionization system to produce fresh water.
US08182689B2
A method of dewatering algae and recycling water therefrom is presented. A method of dewatering a wet algal cell culture includes removing liquid from an algal cell culture to obtain a wet algal biomass having a lower liquid content than the algal cell culture. At least a portion of the liquid removed from the algal cell culture is recycled for use in a different algal cell culture. The method includes adding a water miscible solvent set to the wet algal biomass and waiting an amount of time to permit algal cells of the algal biomass to gather and isolating at least a portion of the gathered algal cells from at least a portion of the solvent set and liquid of the wet algal biomass so that a dewatered algal biomass is generated. The dewatered algal biomass can be used to generated algal products such as biofuels and nutraceuticals.
US08182686B2
A hollow fiber membrane separation device with two flow spaces, of which a first space is formed by the capillary tube passages of a hollow-fiber bundle cast at its ends into a sealing compound, and a second space is formed by a housing enclosing the fiber bundle. The first space is sealed off by caps, placed on the sealing compounds, with seals running over the peripheral areas of the sealing compounds. The housing, into which the hollow-fiber bundle is drawn, at each end of its casing has tooth-like or pinnacle-like projections formed by axial notches or indentations running out freely. The tooth-like or pinnacle-like projections have extensions extending from the sides of the projections and extending to the adjacent tooth-like or pinnacle-like projection.
US08182685B2
A gas baffle for a waste water treatment plant filter housing that includes a first and second deflecting plate. The gas baffle has at least one flow-through opening defined by the first and second deflecting plates. The combination of the first and second deflecting plates deflects rising gas bubbles and any solid particulates so that the bubbles and particulates do not enter the filter housing. The gas baffle may include exterior apertures to dissipate the rising gas bubbles that travel on the bottom surface of each deflecting plate. The gas baffle may be integrally formed with the filter housing or created separately and subsequently connected.
US08182682B1
Fluid treatment elements and assemblies include a spring-biased electrical contact arrangement to dissipate electrical charge from the fluid treatment pack and/or the end caps to the housing.
US08182681B2
An oil filter assembly (10) has a receiving chamber that can be closed by a cover element and a spring-loaded supporting tube (22) that is fixed in the receiving chamber (18) and is designed to receive a filter element (20) that can be radially traversed by oil, the supporting tube being axially displaceable between an operating position and a drain position in such a way that, in the operating position when the receiving chamber is closed by the cover element (14), the tube closes a drain opening (42) and when the receiving chamber is open in the drain position, the tube releases a drain opening (42). The cover element (14) has a supporting tube contact area (58) on the side facing the receiving chamber in such a way that during the closing of the receiving chamber (14) when the filter element is located on the supporting tube (22), pressure is exerted on the tube by the support tube contact area (58), thus displacing the tube into the operating position.
US08182680B2
A method for controlling operation of a pump unit, where the pump unit includes a primary piston pump having a primary piston and a secondary piston pump having a secondary piston. The primary piston pump is fluidically connected with the secondary piston pump. The primary piston pump includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve, and the pump unit operates periodically according to a pump cycle. The method includes determining a fluid pressure of fluid dispensed by the pump unit, and performing a closed loop control of a position of the primary piston in dependence on the fluid pressure of the fluid dispensed by the pump unit during a first time interval of the pump cycle.
US08182679B2
The present invention, provides novel silicon compounds, methods for making these novel silicon compounds, compositions comprising these novel silicon compounds attached to substrates, methods for attaching the novel silicon compounds to substrates and methods for using the compositions in a variety of chromatographic applications.
US08182670B2
A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08182667B2
A method for the electrophoretic coating of workpieces with a coating medium, in particular lacquer, and a coating installation are described. In the method, at least one workpiece is immersed in the coating medium. With a voltage source, a d.c. voltage is applied between the workpiece and at least one electrode immersed in the coating medium. The d.c. voltage is increased continuously, in an essentially stepless manner, throughout virtually the entire coating operation in such a way that the coating current density on the surface of the workpiece remains essentially constant over time.
US08182666B2
Particles of interest, such as DNA molecules, are injected into a medium by applying a first field. Once in the medium the particles are concentrated by applying one or more fields that cause mobilities of the particles in the medium to vary in a manner that is correlated with motions of the particles. Particle injection and particle concentration may be performed concurrently or in alternation.
US08182665B2
A sensor element is provided for gas sensors, in particular to determine particles in gas mixtures, the sensor element including at least one electrochemical measuring element exposed to the gas mixture to be determined, and at least one temperature-measuring element integrated into the sensor element. The temperature-measuring element includes a resistor track, which has an electric resistance of less than 180 Ohm at 0° C. The resistor track may thus be produced by thin-foil technology, such as screen printing, for example.
US08182660B2
A power supply apparatus includes a power supply mechanism which supplies, from an external power supply, electric power to be supplied to an electrostatic chuck. The power supply mechanism includes a first conductive annular member fixed to the end portion of a strut, and capable of rotating together with the strut, a second conductive annular member fixed to a housing, and brought into surface contact with the first conductive annular member, and a first power supply member which supplies a supplied first voltage to an electrode of the electrostatic chuck via the second conductive annular member and the first conductive annular member.
US08182657B2
The invention relates to a method, a treatment installation (26) and a treatment component (29) for the destruction of microorganisms and macroorganisms in a flowing liquid. The destruction takes place instantaneously, while the liquid passes through said component (29) in said installation (26). The treatment is performed in that the liquid is led in a forced movement through a passage (49) in a case (48) of electrically insulating material. In flowing through the passage, the liquid is subjected to an influence from one or more alternating current fields in that alternating current is short-circuited in the flow of water through alternating current conductors (50) that are arranged internally in said case (48).
US08182649B2
It is an object to provide a fixing jig which can unmovably suction a chip group produced by segmenting a semiconductor wafer into pieces, and can suction one chip by detaching the chip selectively and reliably from the chip group. A fixing jig 3 is composed of a jig base 30 and an contact layer 31. A concave part 2 is formed on one side of the jig base 30. The concave part 2 is sectioned into small chambers 15 by a partition 12 having a height almost equivalent to that of a sidewall 35. The contact layer 31 is disposed on the upper edge of the sidewall 35 and the partition 12 for covering the concave part 2. A through hole 17 that is communicated with the outside is formed in each small chamber 15.
US08182644B2
The present invention related to a process to improve the adhesion between a thermosetting laminate and a thermoplastic shell in making reinforced plastic laminates for sanitary fixtures, such as shower receptors, spas, bathtubs, sinks, lavatories and the like, and composites laminates for transportation, marine, and construction applications. The adhesion improvement is through a designed post-curing process of the cured composites laminates. The thermosetting resin used in the construction of composites laminate can be unsaturated polyester resin of any kind, vinyl ester resin, or combination of both.
US08182635B2
A method to manufacture microfluidic sensors, typically including componentizing substrate layers One such method includes providing a plurality of layers of material configured to permit their stacking to form at least a first cap layer, a first channel layer, an interrogation layer, and a second channel layer During assembly, ribbon sections of substrate layers are sandwiched to cooperatively align elements through-the-thickness of the sandwich Individual sensors are then removed from the sandwich ribbon A componentizing step includes forming one or more elements for successive sensors spaced along the axial length of a ribbon Certain elements include electrically conductive patterned structures preferably printed onto a substrate using conductive ink and a printing process, sometimes placing material in operable position to conduct electricity through the thickness of at least one nbbon Other elements may include channels, tunnels, and vias that can be machined, stamped, or cut into a ribbon section.
US08182632B2
The wafer table (31) for holding a wafer (20) having the back surface thereof supported by a mount frame (36) via a dicing film (3) and the front surface thereof with a surface protective film (11) attached thereon is described. A groove (60) is formed in the area of the table corresponding to at least a part of the outer periphery of the wafer. Further, the table includes a holding means (33) for holding the wafer to the front surface of the table and a suction means for suction of the air in the groove. Thus, the dicing film can be positively collapsed in the groove while at the same time being restored to the original position.
US08182625B2
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a sandwich panel (10). Such a sandwich panel consists of a foamed core layer (12) and at least one thermoplastic cover layer (14). The sandwich panel is made by in situ foaming. In a first assembling step a core web, comprising at least one sheet of a thermoplastic material (12) containing an amount of a suitable physical blowing agent is positioned between two cover layers (14). The assembly of core web and cover layers is arranged between two press plates. Due to heat and pressure applied in a subsequent foaming step, foaming of the core web and effective bonding thereof to the cover layers is achieved. Subsequently the foamed assembly is allowed to cool down. Remaining physical blowing agent is removed during a subsequent drying step at elevated temperature while the outflow of physical blowing agent via the peripheral edges of the panel (10) is restricted, e.g. by taping (24) or clamping by clamps (16, 20).
US08182619B2
First, an R—Fe—B based rare-earth sintered magnet body including, as a main phase, crystal grains of an R2Fe14B type compound that includes a light rare-earth element RL, which is at least one of Nd and Pr, as a major rare-earth element R is provided. Next, an M layer, including a metallic element M that is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In, Sn, Pb, Bi, Zn and Ag, is deposited on the surface of the sintered magnet body and then an RH layer, including a heavy rare-earth element RH that is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Dy, Ho and Tb, is deposited on the M layer. Thereafter, the sintered magnet body is heated, thereby diffusing the metallic element M and the heavy rare-earth element RH from the surface of the magnet body deeper inside the magnet.
US08182617B2
The present invention comprises the nitrogen alloying of stainless steel with a gaseous nitrogen compound such as nitrogen gas (N2), or ammonia (NH3) at high temperature wherein the reaction pressure is lowered. A base powder with properties similar to those of a martensitic stainless steel is prepared from a molten metal with the subsequent incorporation of selective additives such as cobalt, chromium, boron, copper, vanadium, niobium and mixtures thereof to improve high temperature resistance to scuffing and adhesive wear. The molten mixture is then atomized by water- or air-atomization to yield a base powder which is mixed with nitrogen or ammonia gas at various pressures in a static or fluidized bed to provide a nitrogen alloyed particulate, i.e., a nitrided particulate alloy. The powder is heated in a hot isostatic press under vacuum with argon gas at reduced pressure and later cooled to ambient temperature.
US08182613B2
A radiometer is provided. The radiometer includes a sensor and a radiation transparent dome. The radiation transparent dome surrounds the sensor. The radiometer also includes one or more fluid nozzles. The one or more fluid nozzles are adapted to apply a fluid on the radiation transparent dome in order to clean the surface of the radiation transparent dome.
US08182611B2
The invention relates to a cleaning method, and in particular, to a vacuum cleaning apparatus and a vacuum cleaning method thereof. A vacuum cleaning method comprising (a) positioning a dust receiver joined to one end of a vacuum suction device in the vicinity of the object of cleaning, (b) positioning a spray nozzle joined to one end of an air spray system adjacent to the object of cleaning, (c) operating the vacuum suction device, and (d) removing the foreign substances adhered to a surface of the object of cleaning by adjusting the pneumatic pressure of the air sprayed from the spray nozzle, may efficiently remove foreign substances adhered to the object of cleaning located in a narrow space.
US08182596B2
The invention provides a discolorable ink composition which is irreversibly erasable by heating to about 40° C. to 120° C. A discolorable ink composition, where an electron-donating color-forming organic compound and an electron-accepting compound are incorporated in wax particles, whereby the electron-donating color-forming compound in a state color-developed by the electron-accepting compound is separated from a decolorizer and kept in the color-developed state, while when the wax is liquefied by heating, the decolorizer reacts with the electron-accepting compound to convert the electron-donating color-forming organic compound into a decolorized state.
US08182595B2
A correcting fluid with a colored drying indicator that includes as fluorescent dye, sodium 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrenetrisulfonate and a good solvent for the fluorescent dye, in which the solubility of the fluorescent dye at 20° C. is at least equal to 0.1 g/l, and, a poor solvent for the fluorescent dye, in which the solubility of the fluorescent dye is less than or equal to 0.01 g/l at 20° C., the poor solvent being miscible with the good solvent for the fluorescent dye.
US08182594B2
An electroless nickel plating liquid capable of forming an underbarrier metal for metal bumps or solder bumps by electroless nickel plating with a uniform film thickness on silicon wafers composed of multiple IC chips contains a water-soluble nickel salt, a reducing agent, a complexing agent, and a pH buffer, wherein_lead ion is contained at 0.01-1 ppm, cobalt ion is contained at 0.01-1 ppm, and a sulfur compound is contained at 0.01-1 ppm.
US08182589B2
Methods and systems of purifying an acetylene process gas are described. The methods may include the steps of providing an acetylene vessel containing source acetylene mixed with a solvent impurity, and flowing the source acetylene through a purification container that holds a cooled purifying medium, where at least a portion of the solvent impurity in the source acetylene separates as a liquid impurity on the purifying medium. The method may also include removing the liquid from the purification container and flowing a purified acetylene gas from the purification container. The purified acetylene gas has a concentration of the solvent impurity of about 5 vol. % or less, and the separated liquid impurity is removed without interrupting the flow of the acetylene while the purified acetylene gas flows from the purification container to keep the concentration of the solvent impurity substantially constant in the purified acetylene gas.
US08182588B2
A kitchen exhaust system includes a dispenser and a receiver, with a supply spool of grease absorbent material provided in the dispenser. In a process to replace the contaminated material, portions of the web can be selectively removed from the air flow path into the receiver while drawing uncontaminated portions of the web from the dispenser to the path of air flow.
US08182587B2
A system for use with an inlet of a gas turbine through which an airflow toward the gas turbine proceeds is provided and includes a first self-cleaning stage to remove dust, snow and ice from the airflow, a second water tight stage, disposed downstream from the first stage, to prevent aerosol droplets and aqueous solutions of deliquesced particulates, which include at least portions of the dust not removed by the first stage and which are re-released into the airflow from the first stage, from proceeding along the airflow and to remove solid particulates not removed by the first stage from the airflow, and a third water removal stage, disposed downstream from the second stage, to remove from the airflow aerosol droplets leaking from the second stage.
US08182584B1
A water recovery method which uses a desiccant, such as lithium chloride, to recover water vapor from the engine exhaust of a vehicle.
US08182582B2
Provided are gas storage medium, a gas storage apparatus having the same and a method thereof. The gas storage medium includes a plurality of material layers each having a variable valence, wherein each of the material layers includes redundant electrons that are not participated in chemical bonding.
US08182578B2
An engine exhaust after-treatment system is provided, which may include a particulate trap configured to remove at least some constituents of the exhaust flowing from an engine through an exhaust system. The system may also include a controller configured to collect in-service data related to an operating parameter indicative of the amount of time the engine operates. In addition, the system may include a memory device attached to the particulate trap and including a memory. The memory may be configured to store usage data indicative of how much time the particulate trap has been used in service. The memory may be configured to communicate with the controller to receive information related to the in-service data collected by the controller and update the usage data in the memory, based on the communication with the controller, to reflect a total amount of time the particulate trap has been in service.
US08182576B2
The present invention is a biogas processing system having a compressor having a biogas input and output, a pump having a water input and output, a scrubber tower having a mixing chamber connected to a biogas input, a water pump input, a water output, and a processed biogas output, and a filtration member connected to the water output to remove contaminants from the water exiting the first scrubber tower. The system also includes devices for heating and cooling the recycled flow of water to enhance the ability of the water to absorb contaminants from the biogas and the ability of a stripper to remove absorbed contaminants from the water in a closed loop water system, and a controller for closely controlling the operating parameters of the system to achieve safe and optimal operation of the system.
US08182568B2
The two-stage air filter is formed of a nonwoven glass fiber first or inlet filter element and a second or outlet filter element formed of nonwoven fiber. The outlet filter element is preferably formed of either polyester material, or a blend of polyester and cotton fiber material. The first or inlet filter element is coarser than the second or outlet filter element, with the first element serving to capture larger particles while allowing smaller particles to pass therethrough to be captured by the finer second filter element. The two filter elements have a continuous and unbroken, homogeneous interface therebetween, with the attachment of the two filter elements with one another being solely at their mutual peripheries by a peripheral frame. Additional air freshening and cleaning, deodorizing, odor neutralizing, scent applying, fungicidal, bactericidal, and/or germicidal chemicals or materials may be applied to either or both filter elements.
US08182564B2
A multi-layer bag assembly is used with a housing for collecting particles from air flowing through the multi-layer bag assembly. Multi-layer bag assembly includes at least two bags arranged one inside the other. Each of the bags includes an air permeable filtering material for collecting particles carried by air flowing through the material. The air permeable filtering material being may be the same or different for the at least two bags. The multi-layer bag assembly includes structure for holding the at least two bags in a wide open position. The structure may be a cooperating bag structure incorporated in the at least two bags for cooperating with the housing for selectively holding the respective bags in their respective open conditions. The structure may also be a removable collar attached to at the open portion of the at least two bags, where the removable collar is part of an integral collar of the multi-layer bag assembly. The removable collar of the innermost bag is separable from the remaining portion of the integral collar for enabling the withdrawal of the innermost bag of the at least two bags.
US08182563B2
The present invention relates to a separating apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having such a separating apparatus for removing dust particles from a dust laden airstream. The separating apparatus includes a first cyclonic cleaning stage, a second cyclonic cleaning stage arranged downstream from the first cyclonic cleaning stage, and an elongate filter arranged downstream from the second cyclonic cleaning stage, wherein the filter is at least partially surrounded by the first cyclonic cleaning stage.
US08182561B2
The invention is directed to a process to provide a particulate solid carbonaceous material to a pressurized gasification reactor comprising following steps, (a) transporting the solid material from a first lower pressure zone to a higher pressure zone using a bulk materials pump comprising a housing having a flow path for the solid material between an inlet fluidly connected to the first lower pressure zone and an outlet fluidly connected to the higher pressure zone, wherein said flow path in said housing is further defined by a space between two rotatable drive disks spaced from each other and wherein a materials scraper is present between said drive disks at the outlet to route a cake of solid material that is being transported between said drive disks to a transport conduit, which transport conduit fluidly connects the outlet of said housing and a burner as present in the gasification reactor, and (b) injecting a gaseous stream into the cake of solid material where the cake of solid material is discharged from the housing and enters the transport conduit, and (c) transporting the solid material and the gaseous stream in a transport conduit to the burner.
US08182551B1
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, and/or device adapted for washing and drying a product via a continuous forward flow of product and a reverse flow of aqueous content. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide an auger, a rotating paddle wheel, a perforated spiral drum, a perforated cylindrical drum, and/or a hydraulic ram press.
US08182544B2
A method for placing an embolic coil into an aneurysm utilizing a delivery system having a deflected distal section. The delivery system stabilizes an embolic coil deployment system thereby placing the embolic coil with greater accuracy.
US08182543B2
A medical implant is disclosed, said implant having a flexible hollow body (1) which can be implanted inside the stomach (8) of a patient and which has a first tube-like end section (2) and a second tube-like end section (3), wherein the first tube-like end section (2) is dimensioned such that it can be fitted into the esophagus (7) of the patient, and the second tube-like end section (3) is dimensioned such that it can be connected to the small intestine loop (9) of the patent in a sealing manner.
US08182539B2
An intervertebral implant includes a body for insertion between adjacent vertebrae, and one or more anchors extending from the body for securing the body between the vertebrae. A linear motion control mechanism is mounted in the body and operable to limit linear translation of the anchor(s) relative to the body. Also, a pivot control mechanism in the body operates to limit pivot motion of the anchor(s) relative to the body. The linear and pivot control mechanisms are configured in various arrangements and embodiments exhibiting adjustable dynamic settings, allowing a single implant to provide various types of dynamic fixation with ranges of motion that permit loads to transfer to graft material contained in the disk space.
US08182538B2
This invention relates to an expandable intervertebral fusion cage and a method for its use for spinal fusion that reduces annular, vertebral body and cage damage and that is compatible with anterior, posterior as well as minimally invasive surgical techniques.
US08182535B2
A height-adjustable spinal implant has first and second components that are rotationally fixed relative to one another and axially movable along a central longitudinal axis of the implant. Each of the components have at least two wall segments that are fixed on a base and that extend in the direction of the central longitudinal axis and are at a radial distance from the latter. Circumferentially adjacent wall segments each flank a space in which a wall segment of the respective other component extends and is axially guided. A drive element is disposed in the interior of the implant that engages with the second component in a meshing relationship. The drive element bears, in the load direction, on the first component and has a toothed ring that is used for its rotary actuation. For the rotary actuation of the drive element, an access opening is present in a wall segment of the first component. The free ends of the wall segments of the first component are connected to each other by a holding element.
US08182531B2
An intraocular lens for providing accommodative vision to a subject includes a frame disposed about an optical axis, a first optical element, a second optical element, and a connecting element operably coupling the frame to the optical elements. The frame comprises an anterior frame element and a posterior frame element. The connecting element is configured to convert a first displacement between the frame elements in a direction that is substantially parallel to the optical axis into a second displacement between the optical elements that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. The second displacement may be translational and/or rotation. In some embodiments, the optical elements are two varifocal lenses.
US08182529B2
The invention is a method of delivering and deploying a tissue shaping device in a lumen within a patient, with the tissue shaping device including an anchor. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: inserting a delivery catheter into the lumen; percutaneously delivering the device to a target site within the lumen through a delivery catheter; operating an actuator to expose an anchor; and operating the actuator to lock the anchor. In other, the method includes the steps of: inserting a delivery catheter into the lumen; moving the device from a cartridge into the delivery catheter; delivering the device to a target site within the lumen; operating an actuator to move the delivery catheter with respect to the anchor to expose the anchor; and expanding the anchor.
US08182526B2
An apparatus is provided that includes a graft for coupling two vascular conduits within a patient. The graft includes: 1) an anchor system that forms an arc at one end of the conduits; and 2) a body element coupled to the anchor system. The anchor system comprises a biodegradable stent. In particular embodiments, portions of the graft are either self-expandable or balloon-expandable. In still other embodiments, anchor system includes NITINOL and the anchor system is substantially self-sealing at one end of the conduits. In one embodiment, the body element comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE). In yet other embodiments, the body element includes either a gelatinous or an elastomeric coating disposed on its surface.
US08182525B2
Aneurysms are treated by filling a double-walled filling structure with a curable medium. The structures may be delivered over balloon deployment mechanisms in order to shape and open tubular lumens therethrough. The filling structures are preferably used in pairs for providing flow into the iliac arteries when treating abdominal aortic aneurysm.
US08182522B2
An apparatus for delivering an intraluminal prosthesis within a patient's body includes an inner sheath having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal inner sheath ends, and a nose cone connected to the distal inner sheath end. An intraluminal prosthesis sheath has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal intraluminal prosthesis sheath ends and a hollow intraluminal prosthesis sheath bore at least partially surrounding the inner sheath. A stopper is connected to the inner sheath at a location longitudinally spaced from the nose cone and extends radially between the inner sheath and the intraluminal prosthesis sheath. An annular intraluminal prosthesis space is defined radially between the intraluminal prosthesis sheath and the inner sheath and longitudinally between the stopper and the nose cone. A method for delivering an intraluminal prosthesis within a patient's body is also described.
US08182509B2
A method includes loading a longitudinal member comprising holes located at distal ends of the longitudinal member into a holder, the holder comprising a tip end comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein any of the first portion and the second portion comprise a prong tip; a handle end located distally away from the tip end, wherein the handle end comprises a first gripping arm and a second gripping arm; and an engaging member operatively connecting the first gripping arm to the second gripping arm, wherein the engaging member comprises tooth-like features. The method further comprises engaging the tooth-like features of the engaging member with the second gripping arm; and fitting the prong tip of any of the first and second portions of the tip end of the holder into a hole of the longitudinal member.
US08182508B2
An embolic protection device including a core wire and a basket is disclosed. The basket includes struts and a filter portion formed from a cannula. The struts extend from a first end of the basket to the second end of the basket. The filter portion extends from the struts and is formed unitarily therewith. The filter portion extends between a middle portion of the basket and the second end of the basket and includes openings in the cannula configured to allow the passage of blood cells therethrough.
