US08259633B2
A wireless LAN communication device is provided for making it possible to set beacons including DTIM information elements not to be synchronous in the case that the timing for generating the beacons including DTIM information elements is the same among access points, so that it is avoidable that only a terminal device under a specific access point among access points using the same channel is subjected to a delay and jitters, while anxiety about mutual interference of the terminal devices is removed in the case of broadcast and multicast service, so that a fair broadcast and multicast service can be received. In the device, a wireless LAN control unit (202) detects beacons of other stations received in a prescribed period of time before the transmission of its own station (200). A beacon analyzing unit (203) analyzes the beacons of the other stations and adjusts transmission intervals of its own DTIM beacon.
US08259632B2
A protocol for a peer power save mode (PPSM) in a tunneled direct link setup (TDLS) wireless network and a system therefor are provided. A station (STA) set up a TDLS link can send a frame having a power management bit set to a peer STA to enter into a power save mode (PSM). In this case, the station entering into the PSM operates in a PPSM client mode. When the peer STA operates in the PPSM client mode, the STA can operate in the PPSM access point (AP) mode or can enter into the PPSM client mode. The STA operating in the PPSM AP mode buffers data for the STA operating in the PPSM client mode and informs the peer STA of information indicating that there is buffered data by the use of a peer traffic indication frame or the like. In principle, a U-APSD procedure can be applied to the transmission of data through a direct link from the STA operating in the PPSM AP mode to the STA operating in the PPSM client mode.
US08259630B2
A method and system for assigning subcarrier frequency resource for a relay enhanced cellular communication system including a base station, one or more mobile stations and one or more relay stations, is provided. Subcarrier assignment involves allocating subcarriers to one or more relay communication links between the base station and relay stations, to accommodate minimum data rate requirements of the access communication links; and allocating subcarriers to one or more access communication links between relay stations and mobile stations to approximate the data rates achieved on the corresponding relay communication links, wherein allocating subcarriers to one or more access communication links includes reusing subcarriers among access communication links in different relay cells.
US08259623B2
A content capability clearing house that can act as a trusted and neutral mediator among network providers to manage rich content capabilities among multiple networks is provided. Content capabilities that can be brokered include, but are not limited to, quality of service and content screening. In an embodiment, a content capability clearing house includes a receiver that receives content capability request messages and other messages from network providers. A content capability request message includes a quality of service request and/or a subscriber profile request for use with content screening and subscriber specific advertisements. The present invention includes a series of methods for determining content capabilities for data transmission over a transaction between a content provider and a subscriber in which a content capability clearing house is used to efficiently broker and manage the capability among multiple network providers.
US08259621B2
A method and a system for simultaneously supporting network sharing and data synchronization are provided for a first operating system (OS) and a second OS, wherein the first OS is connected to a network. The present method establishes a virtual network between the first OS and the second OS. Then, the second OS is connected to the first OS through the virtual network, so as to connect to the network through the first OS. The virtual network can also be used for synchronizing data of the first and second OS. As a result, the convenience of using different OS at the same time can be improved.
US08259620B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing protocols for building and maintaining multiple trees in a network and using the trees to route messages through the network. A node in the network initiates the building of a tree having itself as the root, and nodes in the network generally maintain representations of multiple trees, each tree having a distinct node as its root. A node can use the trees to route messages to the root nodes by sending the messages through root-ward ports for the respective trees.
US08259617B2
Aspects of a method and system for timely delivery of multimedia content via a femtocell are provided. In this regard, a femtocell may receive data via an upstream path and transmit data via a downstream path. One of the upstream path and downstream path may comprise a cellular path and the other may comprise a non-cellular path. One or both of the upstream path and the downstream path may be audio video bridging (AVB) paths. Data may be stored in the femtocell based on timing characteristics of one or both of the upstream path and the downstream path. Data may be delivered to the femtocell utilizing best effort delivery and the data may be forwarded by the femtocell with guaranteed quality of service. Resources in the femtocell may be reserved and/or synchronized, utilizing AVB protocols, for communication of one or more data streams.
US08259616B2
A method of configuring a networking device comprises: collecting data regarding the networking device; conveying the data to a remote server; selecting configuration slice instances based on the data using the server, wherein templates for the slice instances are stored on the server; compiling the configuration slice instances using the server; and delivering the compiled configuration slice instances to the networking device; wherein the slice instances are coherent sub-sections of configuration settings for the networking device.
US08259615B2
A method, apparatus and system for displaying topology information of a wireless sensor network includes a plurality of sensor nodes. The method typically includes: receiving node information collected and extracted from the sensor nodes; comparing the received node information with stored node information; computing, when the received node information is unequal to the stored node information, visualization information on a sensor node whose information is not present in the stored node information; and displaying the sensor nodes on concentric circles using the visualization information.
US08259614B2
A personal network, being associated with a user, and a method for securing it are disclosed. The personal network has a plurality of personal devices associated with the user, wherein the personal devices are configured to be interconnected with each other via one or more communication connections, to allow data communication there between; and at least one personal network control unit and/or service configured to control access to the personal network. The control unit and/or service is operable to be in a first mode that allows all of the personal devices to access the personal network, and a second mode wherein at least one of the personal devices has restricted or no access to the personal network.
US08259608B2
A method and apparatus for calculating a cost index in a communication network. In one embodiment, a plurality of first cost factors associated with a first set of network elements is obtained. Subsequently, a plurality of second cost factors associated with a second set of network elements is obtained. A first cost index is then determined based on the plurality of first cost factors associated with the first set of network elements. Similarly, a second cost index is determined based on the plurality of second cost factors associated with the second set of network elements. Afterwards, the first cost index is compared to the second cost index to determine a point in time when a service provider should minimize new investment in the first set of network elements.
US08259605B2
The present invention relates to a data packet header comprising a first bit field consisting of a first sequence of bits with identical values and a second bit field consisting of a second sequence of bits, the second sequence of bits being subject to a run-length restriction, and located immediately after the first sequence of bits in the order of transmission. The number of bits in the first sequence is equal to or exceeding the run-length restriction and the bits of the second sequence have opposite identical values to the value of the first bit of the second sequence of bits. The invention equally relates to a correlator for detecting a data stream and arranged to determine a correct clock phase for the data stream.
US08259600B1
A throughput of an air interface is recorded during a plurality of intervals to produce a set of recorded throughputs. A slot utilization is also recorded during each of the plurality of intervals to produce a set of recorded slot utilizations. A slot is an allocation of time and frequency. A linear regression on the data points of the set of recorded throughputs and the set of recorded slot utilizations is performed to produce a regression line of throughput versus slot utilization. An indicator of air interface quality is calculated based on the slope of the regression line.
US08259599B2
In accordance with a method for distributed beamforming based on carrier to caused interference, a base station may receive channel state information from users. The base station may select a codeword from a codebook. The codeword may be selected so as to maximize a utility function that is based on a signal-to-caused-interference-plus-noise ratio. The base station may use the codeword for beamforming.
US08259598B2
Apparatus and method for accessing a wireless telecommunications network by transmitting a random access signal. The random access signal includes a cyclic prefix signal and a guard interval. The cyclic prefix signal and the guard interval are adapted to optimize random access channel coverage in a telecommunications cell. The disclosed method for transmitting a random access signal includes transmitting a cyclic prefix signal. The duration of the cyclic prefix signal is approximately the sum of a maximum round trip delay duration of the telecommunications cell and a maximum delay spread duration. The method further includes providing a guard interval. The guard interval duration being approximately the duration of the maximum round trip delay of the telecommunications cell.
US08259596B1
Disclosed are systems and methods for managing Internet Protocol (“IP”) addresses in a network gaming environment comprising a plurality of electronic gaming machines, having one or more in-game network devices. In particular an in-game switch is provided, which is configured to receiving an external IP address from a centrals DHCP server and to determine a scope of internal IP addresses associated with the one or more in-game network devices. Once the scope is determined, the in-game switch is configured to lease IP addresses from the address scope block to the associated in-game network devices.
US08259593B2
A gateway is used to segment a network, such as a FAULT TOLERANT ETHERNET (FTE) network, into islands. The gateway receives traffic from a first island, forwards part of the traffic to a second island, and blocks another part of the traffic from being forwarded to the second island. The forwarded traffic could include unicast traffic. The blocked traffic could include broadcast or multicast traffic, including diagnostic messages from one or more nodes in the first island.
US08259591B2
A signal reception method and apparatus for a communication system. One input unit and dc−1 delay nodes each receive one input message. A comparison unit compares magnitudes of the input messages being input to the dc−1 delay nodes, and outputs an input message having a minimum magnitude as an output message. After the comparison unit outputs the output message, a controller cyclic-shifts the input messages being input to the one input unit and the dc−1 delay nodes according to a control signal.
US08259590B2
The present invention provides scalable and rapid Ethernet fault detection which eliminates the requirement to contiguously send heartbeat frames at regular intervals to detect connectivity faults for each Ethernet Path. The present invention generates Continuity Check Message (CCM) frames only when a fault occurs, continues generating CCM frames while the fault remains, and discontinues when the fault clears. The present invention can be utilized with Ethernet Protection Switching to rapidly detect faults. Additionally, the present invention can be used in any Ethernet topology including point-to-point, rings, and the like.
US08259585B1
Techniques are described for load balancing packet flows across parallel data paths. For example, a network device includes a plurality of parallel network interfaces and a control unit that applies each of a first set of hash functions to a packet and one of a second set of hash functions to the packet. Bins of each of the first set of hash functions are mapped to bits of a bit vector. Bins of each of the second set of hash functions are mapped to the plurality of parallel network interfaces. The control unit selects the one of the second set of hash functions to apply to the packet based on values of the bits of the bit vector. The control unit forwards the packet through the network interface that is identified by applying the selected one of the second set of hash functions to the packet.
US08259584B2
In an example embodiment, a method is provided that receives a broadcast of available bandwidth from a first routing device. A congestion of traffic is detected along a downstream path to a second routing device. This second routing device is an immediate downstream neighbor. As such, an alternate path is established to the second routing device by way of the first routing device based on the available bandwidth in the network and a portion of the traffic is transmitted along the alternate path.
US08259579B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling the flow of data between an RNC (R) and a base station (BS) of a UMTS mobile communications system with HSDPA capability via an lub interface (I2), where an HS-DSCH Frame Protocol mechanism is implemented in the lub interface (I2) to provide control and data services for the communication of HSDPA user data between the RNC and the base station, wherein a capacity overload control entity (COCU) monitors information about actual lub interface data transport flow (IDF), and when a determined lub interface (I2) transport capacity value is reached, the data transport flow is reduced in the lub interface (I2).
US08259572B2
An IF unit to an RF unit generate a packet signal containing a control signal and a data signal and transmits the thus generated packet signal. A radio control unit performs a first retransmission control or a second retransmission control on the packet signal transmitted. The radio control unit causes the IF unit to the RF unit to have first control information for the first retransmission control contained in the control signal and have second control information for the second retransmission control contained in the data signal.
US08259571B1
Systems, methods and apparatus for tunneling in a cloud based security system. A multi-tenant cloud-based security system that can distinguish between client computing devices with overlapping private IP addresses is disclosed. Client devices communicate through a processing node to which a tunnel is established. The processing node is able to detect the client devices and apply security policies to the device.
US08259570B2
The invention provides a method of controlling transmission of packets from a transmitter to a receiver via a channel, and a corresponding transmitter and receiver. The method comprises: transmitting packets from a queue, each packet having a packet size based on data in the packet; determining a transmission time for each packet, based on a transmission clock; determining a reception time of each packet, based on a reception clock; supplying to an estimation function successive sets of observations including in each set transmission time, reception time and packet size, the estimate function being arranged to provide an estimate of bandwidth for the channel using the relationship between the bandwidth, the amount of data in the queue, packet size and the delay between transmitting successive packets from the queue; and using the estimated bandwidth to control transmission of packets.
US08259566B2
A close-loop quality of service system is provided that collects real-time network performance indicators at the physical, data link and network layers. Using those indicators, the system dynamically controls the network traffic in order to achieve improved performance according to the priority and policy defined by a data user or system/network administrator. Several features of this quality of service system includes (1) dynamic maximum bandwidth reallocation, (2) dynamic maximum packet sizing, (3) adaptive policing, and/or (4) real-time link status feedbacks to make more efficient use of available bandwidth and adjust to transmission requirements.
US08259561B2
A wireless communication network includes a plurality of base stations capable of wireless communication with a plurality of subscriber stations within a coverage area of the network. At least one of the plurality of base stations is capable of selecting up to four orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in a subframe of a physical uplink shared channel. The up to four OFDM symbols are selected starting from the bottom a resource grid of the physical uplink shared channel in a bottom-up manner, and one or more rank information (RI) coded bits are repeated in each of the selected up to four OFDM symbols.
US08259560B2
A communication system may include a wireless communications device having a wireless transceiver and a controller cooperating therewith, and a wireless base station having a wireless transceiver and a controller cooperating therewith for communicating with the wireless communications device using orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) based upon pilot sub-carriers. The controller of the wireless base station may randomly allocate the pilot sub-carriers over time.
US08259557B2
By avoiding the problem that in a hybrid optical disc, an optical pickup suitable for a standard-density recording area cannot operate as desired in a high-density recording area, damage to the disc drive or optical disc is prevented and optimal control is enabled. Access operation identification information such as reproducing identification information indicating whether or not information recorded in the user data area of the optical disc can be reproduced under the reproducing conditions of the optical disc driving apparatus is recorded in the lead-in area. The optical disc driving apparatus reads this type of access operation identification information, compares it with access operation identification information possessed by the optical disc driving apparatus, and if they do not correspond, does not carry out access operations by the optical head to the user data area, because reproducing or recording compatibility with the optical disc is lacking.
US08259542B1
A gain calibration method for optical storage servo systems in which, plant gain calibration is used by injecting a reference sine wave r into an optical storage servo system, obtaining an effort signal m at the input of the servo plant and an error signal y at the output of the servo plant, using a DFT (Discrete Fourier Transformation) to translate the time domain signals m and y into frequency responses M and Y, calculating a Y-to-M ratio, and using the magnitude of the Y-to-M ratio as the plant gain K of the servo system. The servo system's sensor gain K1 at the outermost layer of a disk may be calibrated by, e.g., the conventional peak-to-peak measurement. Since K=K1·K2, the servo system's actuator gain K2 at the outermost layer of the disk may be obtained. Because the actuator gain K2 is the same for all layers of a disk, the variation of the sensor gain K1 at an inner layer may follow that of the plant gain K at that layer. Accordingly, the sensor gain K1 may be calibrated for each layer of a multilayer disk, and the calibration is independent from the compensator C.
US08259528B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a first anti-fuse element and a second anti-fuse element, respectively composed of a transistor, wherein the first anti-fuse element and the second anti-fuse element are configured so as to be concomitantly programmable, respectively formed in P-wells on a substrate, and the adjacent P-wells are isolated by N-wells of an opposite conductivity type, formed therebetween.
US08259522B1
An integrated circuit is provided with built-in-self test circuitry. The integrated circuit may have multiple blocks of memory. The memory may be tested using the built-in-self test circuitry. Each memory block may include a satellite address generator that is used in generating test addresses for the memory blocks. Each memory block may also include failure analysis logic and output response analyzer logic. Stalling logic may be used to individually stall memory block testing on a block-by-block basis during memory tests. Address buffer circuitry such as first-in-first-out buffers may be used to provide randomized memory addresses during testing.
US08259521B2
A method and circuit for testing a multi-chip package is provided. The multi-chip package includes at least a memory chip, and the memory chip includes a number of memory cells. The method includes performing a normal read operation on the memory cells to check if data read from the memory cells is the same with preset data in the memory cells; and performing a special read operation on the memory cells to check if data read from the memory cells is the same with an expected value, wherein the expected value is independent from data stored in the memory cells.
US08259517B2
A Random Access Memory (RAM) and method of using the same are disclosed. The RAM includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in columns and in rows with each memory cell coupled to at least one word line and at least one bit line. The RAM includes a plurality of switches with at least one of the switches coupled between two of the memory cells to allow data to be copied from one of the two memory cells to the other of the two memory cells. In another aspect, the two memory cells can be considered a dual bit cell that contains a copying mechanism. There are two interleaved memory planes, assembled from bit cells that contain two bits of information. One bit is the primary bit that corresponds to the normal RAM bit. The second bit is able to receive a copy and hold the primary value. When the copying mechanism is over, the two memory planes may act as two completely independent structures.
US08259516B2
Provided is a memory circuit including: memory cells (A) arranged in columns and rows; memory cells (B) each provided for each of the rows for storing information indicative of whether writing into the memory cells (A) of the each of the rows has been completed or not; and a circuit for selecting one of the rows by utilizing the information stored in the memory cells (B). The memory circuit writes information into the memory cell (B) upon completion of writing into the memory cells (A) of a given one of the rows. By utilizing a change in the information stored in the memory cell (B), the given one of the rows is switched from a selected state to a non-selected state, and a next row is switched from the non-selected state to the selected state so that writing is enabled. The operation is repeated to thereby sequentially select a row to be written.
US08259508B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive an external erase command at a control circuit coupled to an erasable memory array located on a substrate. A global select gate voltage may thereafter be enabled for application to wordline transistors coupled to the erasable memory array after a voltage applied to the substrate has reached a preselected initiation voltage level between about zero volts and an ultimate erase voltage.
US08259507B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes an array of rows and columns of memory cells and a plurality of word lines and bit lines associated with the memory cells. The memory device further includes a word line booster circuit coupled with the word lines for supplying a selected word line with a specific voltage as a drive voltage during an operation of the memory device. The word line booster circuit includes a first boosting capacitor and a second boosting capacitor connected in parallel to generate a boosting voltage and a first precharge circuit for precharging the first and second boosting capacitors. The word line booster circuit further includes a third boosting capacitor operatively connected to the first and second boosting capacitors via a charge-sharing transistor, the third boosting capacitor being connected to one end of a load resistor to generate an output signal at the other end of the load resistor when the charge sharing transistor is enabled.
US08259500B2
A non-volatile memory (NVM) circuit is provided, that includes at least a first and second NVM sub-array. The first sub-array is built from first memory cells. The second NVM sub-array is built from second memory cells that are constructed differently from the first memory cells. The NVM sub-arrays share a support circuit. In some embodiments the sub-arrays can be constructed, so that they exhibit different characteristics tailored to their intended use. For example one sub-array might be tailored for data retention, while the next sub-array for programming endurance, still another for write disturb immunity.
US08259492B2
A method of reading a dual-bit memory cell includes a controlling terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The dual-bit memory cell has a first bit storage node and a second bit storage node near the first terminal and the second terminal respectively. First, a controlling voltage and a read voltage are applied to the controlling terminal and the first terminal respectively. The second terminal is grounded to measure a first output current value of the first terminal. Then, the controlling voltage and the read voltage are applied to the controlling terminal and the second terminal respectively. The first terminal is grounded to measure a second output current value of the second terminal. Afterward, the bit state of the first bit storage node and the bit state of the second bit storage node is read simultaneously according to the first output current value and the second output current value.
US08259482B2
A power adapter apparatus and a power management method thereof are disclosed in the invention. The power adapter includes an output interface and a power modulation unit. The power adapter can be electrically connected with an electronic device through the output interface. There is a detective structure disposed on the output interface. The power management method includes steps of: 1) detecting whether the power adapter apparatus is electrically connected with the electronic device by the detective structure; and 2) when the output interface is detected to be disconnected from the electronic device, switching the power modulation unit to a standby state, so as to reduce a total power consumption of the power modulation unit.
US08259470B2
A control circuit, a control method, and a power supply device are provided. The control circuit includes an obtaining sub-circuit, adapted to obtain a voltage signal from a reverse surge current when the reverse surge current appears on a primary side of a switch power circuit of a synchronous rectification circuit; a maintaining sub-circuit, adapted to continuously output a first control signal in a preset first time period when the voltage signal is greater than a preset first voltage threshold; and a control sub-circuit, adapted to control and switch off switch tubes of the secondary side of the switch power circuit of the synchronous rectification circuit according to the first control signal. Thus, a reverse current surge of the switch power circuit of the synchronous rectification circuit can be effectively suppressed, and the safety of a switch power supply of the synchronous rectification circuit can be effectively protected.
US08259458B2
A battery cover assembly for a portable electronic device includes a housing, a battery cover, and a pivot member. The housing forms a first latch portion and a second latch portion, the first latch portion and the second latch portion being arranged at a circle. The battery cover forms a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion engaging with the first latch portion and a second latch portion to allow the battery cover to releasably latch to the housing. The pivot member rotatably connects the battery cover to the housing.
US08259448B2
An image display device is provided with a chassis supporting a display panel on its front surface, circuit boards arranged within a specific region of the back surface of the chassis, a back cover having an edge portion that covers the outside of the specific region of the back surface of the chassis and a projecting portion that accommodates the circuit boards, and a fan arranged inside the space defined by projecting portion. The projecting portion includes a main wall and a peripheral wall, and the peripheral wall is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The edge portion is provided with a sound absorbing material on its outer wall surface in the vicinity of the air outlet.
US08259445B2
A computing device that includes a housing, an accessory interface, and a self-closing enclosure mechanism for the accessory interface. The self-closing enclosure mechanism is positioned over the accessory interface and is pivotable to move between a closed and open position.
US08259442B2
A computer bezel includes a main body, a door secured to the main body, a pushing member slidably secured to the main body, and a driving member rotatably secured to the main body. The main body defines a through opening. The door is rotated between a closed position, where the door covers the through opening, and an open position, where the door is rotated away from the main body to expose the through opening. The pushing member is slid between a first position, where the pushing member is disengaged from the driving member, and a second position, where the pushing member rotates the driving member. When the driving member is slid from the first position to the second position, the driving member is capable of sliding a tray of a disk drive out of the disk drive, and the door will rotate from the closed position to the open position.
US08259439B2
A computer mouse is provided and has a mouse main body, a rubber cover and a foot pad. The mouse main body has engagement holes. The rubber cover is covered on the mouse main body and formed with an opening. The foot pad has a flat foot-pad main body which has engagement members, each of which has a connection portion. The connection portion has a first end connected to the engagement member and having a height matched with that of the engagement hole, and a second end protruded to form an umbrella-like engagement portion. When installing the computer mouse, the connection portion passes through the opening and is then received in the engagement hole, and the engagement portion is engaged against an inner edge of the engagement hole, so that the foot pad is firmly mounted on the computer mouse. Thus, the computer mouse has simpler installation and aesthetic appearance.
US08259438B2
A button locking mechanism includes a latch for being pushed in a first direction by a driving component, and a blocking component connected to the latch. A first incline structure is formed on the blocking component for contacting against a button when the blocking component moves in the first direction so that the blocking component moves in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The button locking mechanism further includes a first elastic component connected to the blocking component for pushing the blocking component to move in a third direction opposite to the second direction so as to prevent the button from being pressed down.
US08259437B2
Technologies are generally described for an adjustable display screen such as for a notebook computer or other portable device. In some examples, at least one display screen rail may be rotatably coupled to a back edge of a notebook computer base unit at a hinge rod. The display screen of the notebook computer may slide along and/or pivot on the at least one display screen rail in a direction to bring the display screen toward a user of the notebook computer while leaving room for the user to access a keyboard located on a top surface of the base unit. Mechanisms may be coupled to the notebook computer to transmit motion of the display screen along a first display screen rail to motion of the display screen along a second display screen rail, thereby mitigating binding of the display screen as it slides along the display screen rails.
US08259433B2
In a ceramic electronic component having a thin structure, the occurrence of cracks due to stress applied when the ceramic component is being mounted or in a mounted state are prevented. Each of first and second external terminal electrodes has a substantially rectangular region on a principal surface of a ceramic element body, the principal surface being directed to the mounting surface side. An end of the first external terminal electrode, which is arranged in contact with a gap region, and an end of the second external terminal electrode, which is positioned in contact with the gap region, each preferably have a concave-convex shape on the principal surface.
US08259422B2
By using switching power supplies a, b, and n, which have detection function of over-current, over-voltage and low voltage, in the case where a short-circuit occurred in a load which is connected to output of a switching power supply, and in the case where a MOSFET of the switching power supply is in a short-circuit state and broken, a main power is forced to be off, and a failure log of the switching power supply is stored in a non-volatile memory unit EEPROM; and also in the case where the main power was turned off and on, even if an abnormal log of the switching power supply logged in the non-volatile memory unit, reclosing of the main power is suppressed and which of the switching power supply occurred failure is notified to the outside.
US08259420B2
A composite free layer having a FL1/insertion/FL2 configuration where a top surface of FL1 is treated with a weak plasma etch is disclosed for achieving enhanced dR/R while maintaining low RA, and low λ in TMR or GMR sensors. The weak plasma etch removes less than about 0.2 Angstroms of FL1 and is believed to modify surface structure and possibly increase surface energy. FL1 may be CoFe, CoFe/CoFeB, or alloys thereof with Ni, Ta, Mn, Ti, W, Zr, Hf, Tb, or Nb having a (+) λ value. FL2 may be CoFe, NiFe, or alloys thereof having a (−) λ value. The thin insertion layer includes at least one magnetic element such as Co, Fe, and Ni, and at least one non-magnetic element selected from Ta, Ti, W, Zr, Hf, Nb, Mo, V, Cr, or B. When CoFeBTa is selected as insertion layer, the CoFeB:Ta ratio is from 1:1 to 4:1.
US08259418B2
According to one embodiment, a head suspension assembly includes an arm includes upper and lower surfaces, a suspension extending from the arm, a head supported by the suspension, and restriction plates bonded on the upper and lower surfaces of the arm. The restriction plates includes extending portions projecting from the arm to a downstream side of an airflow, respectively, and the extending portions are bent in a direction in which the extending portions approach each other.
US08259414B2
Embodiments of the invention provide patterned media in which the center and the direction of the disk can be detected. According to one embodiment, patterned media has a bit pattern including convex portions of a magnetic material on one surface or both surfaces of a nonmagnetic substrate having a central hole. A diffraction grating pattern is formed as an alignment pattern in the inner circumference (or outer circumference) of the patterned media. The diffraction grating pattern is a pattern having a repetitive configuration, and includes a pattern with a repetitive pitch different from that in other portions, or a portion having no pattern, at least one region on a circumference. The diffraction grating pattern is irradiated with detection light and diffracted light is detected, thereby a center and a direction of the disk can be detected.
US08259411B2
A method for forming a magnetic write pole with a trapezoidal cross-section is described. The method consists of first forming a magnetic seedlayer on a base followed by depositing a removable material layer on the seedlayer, and then a resist layer on the removable material layer. A trench is then formed in the resist, and the resist is heated to cause the cross-sectional profile of the trench to assume a trapezoidal shape. The resist is then capped with another resist layer and further heated to cause the width of the trapezoidal trench to become narrower. The cap layer and removable material layer at the bottom of the trench are then removed and the trench filled with magnetic material by electroplating. The resist and seedlayer external to the trench are finally removed to form a write pole with a trapezoidal cross-section.
US08259406B2
A disk drive including a sensor element that senses contact between a head slider and a disk, a head integrated circuit (IC) comprising an amplification circuit section that amplifies a signal of the head slider, a controller IC comprising a controller that accesses a register of the head IC for controlling the head IC, and an identification section, within the head IC, that determines a contact frequency of the contact by the sensor element by using a timing control signal of the controller IC.
US08259403B2
An objective comprises: a first group including a plurality of lens groups arranged at a predetermined interval; a second group composed of a single lens-group; a pressing ring which is screwed in, the pressing ring being for fixing the first group; and an outer frame accommodating the first group, the second group, and the pressing ring, wherein the outer frame includes a first hole at a position facing the second group.
US08259397B2
A wide angle zoom lens system in a three lens group N-P-P configuration wherein the first lens group, the second lens group, and the third lens group are arranged in an order from an object side to an image side, and wherein, when variable power operation is performed from a wide angle to a telephoto position, the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group is reduced, and the second lens group is moved toward the object side, and the distance between the second lens group and the third lens group is increased, and wherein the zoom lens has a large view angle at the wide angle position.
US08259394B2
A diffusing plate is formed so as to have a surface having a larger surface roughness than a predetermined wavelength and having an aperiodic roughness shape. A plurality of fine concave/convex portions are formed on the surface so as to be arranged within a cycle equal to and smaller than a predetermined wavelength.
US08259379B2
An optical scanning device, which scans a surface to be scanned by light, includes a light source, a coupling optical system, which changes light from the light source into approximately parallel light, a light control reflection member which is disposed in an optical path of the light from the coupling optical system, the light control reflection member defining a diameter of a beam of the light which scans the surface to be scanned, and reflecting a part of the light which is not used for the scanning toward the coupling optical system, and a light detector which receives the light reflected by the light control reflection member via the coupling optical system.
US08259376B2
A system, method, and apparatus for delayed optical logic gates based on slow light and enhanced nondegenerate four-wave mixing processes, where a single or multiple delayed optical routers are utilized for dark resonance interactions in which two-color lasers interact with a three-level nonlinear optical medium comprised of two ground states and one excited state through the nondegenerate four-wave mixing processes. The delayed optical logic mechanism is based on combination of single or multiple dark resonance-induced two-photon coherence conversion via slow light phenomenon. The two-photon coherence induced on the ground states is optically detected via nondegenerate four-wave mixing processes. The nondegenerate four-wave mixing generation is enhanced owing to dark resonance or electromagnetically induced transparency. The gating time and bandwidth of the present delayed optical logic gates is invariant to the delayed time of the delayed optical router because IN and OUT bandwidth across the nonlinear medium must be same.
US08259358B2
A method for eliminating moire in scanned digital image comprises the steps of using an average circuit for taking weighted average and error diffusing a gray level difference between an error diffusion pixel Gij and neighbor pixels to neighbor to obtain output image pixel Y′ij; using a second adder for subtracting the error diffusion pixel Gij from the output image pixel Y′ij to obtain a neighbor image error dij; using a error filter H(z) to process the neighbor image error dij to obtain a corrected pixel error H(d(i,j)); and using a first adder for adding the corrected pixel error H(d(i,j)) and the input image pixel Yij to obtain the corrected error diffusion pixel Gij, and then jumping to first step until all pixels being processed. The method provides real time treatment for eliminating moire and provide smooth image.
US08259355B2
A device for converting a color image including multiple character images into a monochrome image is disclosed. The device includes a color conversion unit configured to reduce the image density of black character images included in the color image to a level lower than the image density of specific color character images included in the color image and having a specific color other than black during the conversion of the color image into the monochrome image.
US08259352B2
An image generating device comprises an extraction unit that extracts parameters (specifying an elliptical shape and a gradation pattern) from an instruction for drawing an elliptical radial gradation, a transformation matrix generating unit that generates a transformation matrix for transforming the elliptical shape into a perfect circular shape based on the parameters, an inverse matrix calculating unit that calculates an inverse matrix of the transformation matrix, a perfect circle parameter calculating unit that calculates perfect circle parameters specifying each perfect circle (drawn with a uniform color value inside the perfect circular shape) based on the parameters, an ellipse parameter calculating unit that calculates ellipse parameters specifying each ellipse (drawn with a uniform color value inside the elliptical shape) by inversely transforming the perfect circle parameters using the inverse matrix, and a gradation generating unit that generates the elliptical radial gradation from the ellipse parameters and the gradation pattern parameters.
US08259345B2
An image processing apparatus retrieves attribute values of image data in a storing unit for storing image data read by a reading unit or image data received from an external unit, and sets the retrieved attribute values as at least a part of read settings for document reading to be performed by the reading unit.
US08259343B2
The present invention provides an image processing device which is capable of avoiding disappearance of print data such as thin lines by increasing probability in which an original image is stored even after resolution conversion processing is executed to a binary image. In order to achieve this, the present invention may leave the pixels in any of the two lines halftone-processed with same threshold value row after the resolution conversion in a given ratio.
US08259336B2
In this invention, a combined job obtained by combining a plurality of jobs is authenticated as a single job. According to the arrangement of this invention, when print jobs are to be spooled, these jobs are transferred from a dispatcher to a spooler where the jobs are combined. Upon reception of a print instruction, the print job is read out from a spool file, transferred from a despooler to a graphic engine again, and transferred from the dispatcher to a printer driver. At this time, the printer driver issues an authentication request in printing to a job accounting client. Thus, only one authentication request suffices for one combined job.
US08259330B2
A printer according to the present invention receives a PDL via a network. Thereafter, the printer creates metadata by interpreting the received PDL and extracting rendering attribute information used in each page. The printer generates vector data from the PDL. Based on setting information on the printer, the printer generates a display list from the vector data. The generated vector data, display list and metadata are stored in a storage device in the printer in association with each other. Thus, output efficiency is improved.
US08259326B2
An application folder associated with a client PC and an application software of the client PC is generated in a storage section of a station PC. Scan data stored in the application folder is then moved to an application data folder of the client PC, which folder corresponds to the client PC and application software associated with the application folder. As a result, in a network scanner system in which a scanner apparatus is connected to the client PC over a network, it is possible to efficiently store scan data read out by the scanner apparatus and perform data processing to the scan data by an application software.
US08259314B2
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of functions related to an image forming process. The image forming apparatus includes a presentation layer, a logic layer, and a device layer. The presentation layer manages information received from a user and output for the user. Based on information received from the user in the presentation layer, the logic layer specifies a specific function from among the functions. The device layer controls the functions, and performs the specific function specified by the logic layer.
US08259309B2
An apparatus for optically detecting an object position includes: position detection light sources irradiating light onto the object; a light guide plate receiving the light and emitting it onto a detection area to form an intensity distribution in the detection area; a light detector having light receiving portions receiving the light reflected by the object; and a signal processing portion detecting the object position based on the intensity distribution, wherein light incident portions receiving the light and side portions except for the light incident portions are provided on outer periphery side portions of the light guide plate, a light emission surface emitting the light incident from the light incident portions toward the detection area is provided on a plane portion of the light guide plate, and at least a portion of the side portions is an anti-reflection surface.
US08259307B2
The present invention relates to a device for optically detecting position and/or attitude of an object (5) moving in a given travel range (4), said device comprising electro-optical sensors positioned on said object and distributed in groups, called clusters (6), analysis and computation means (2) making it possible to find the position and/or the attitude of said object, electronic image generation means (1) and optical projection means (1) comprising a display and a projection optic. The optical projection means emit, in a projection cone, a clear image (3) at any point of the travel range, the analysis of the signals received by the sensors of at least one cluster making it possible to identify the position and/or the attitude of the object in the frame of reference defined by the projection means, the latter consisting of a plane perpendicular to the projection axis, called image plane, and the projection axis.
US08259305B2
The surface shape measuring system includes an illumination unit including a main light source, a focusing lens, and a projection lens; a beam splitter to split illumination light emitted respectively irradiated onto a reference surface and a measurement surface; a light detecting element to capture an interference pattern; and a control computer to obtain surface shape data through white-light interference pattern analysis from an image captured and detect whether or not the measurement surface is defective from the obtained data, wherein a subsidiary light source to provide falling illumination to the target object; and two-dimensional data and three-dimensional data regarding the surface shape of the target object are obtained by selectively intermitting the turning-on of the main light source and the subsidiary light source and the irradiation of the illumination light onto the reference surface.
US08259300B2
The invention relates the movement of at least one movable means of an interferometer relative to the body of the interferometer. The system according to the invention, comprises at least two interferometer actuators, that can be operated individually, so that the at least two actuators are capable of moving the at least one movable means of the interferometer. When activating at least one of the at least two interferometer actuators the at least one movable means of the interferometer is moved with a minimum need for correcting for e.g. tilt. In a preferred configuration the system and the method according to the invention comprises three interferometer actuators that can be operated individually.
US08259299B2
Systems and methods for scanning and analyzing characteristics of a gas sample utilizing electromagnetic radiation are disclosed. More particularly, the systems and methods utilize an electromagnetic radiation source connected to a transmitter and an analyzer connected to a receiver. A sample gas volume to be analyzed is placed between the transmitter and receiver and a frequency sweep of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the sample to create a series of spectral data sets, which are developed into a composite spectrogram by the analyzer and processed to determine the one or more characteristics of the sample. A magnetic field can alternatively be applied around the transmitter, receiver and sample to enhance some characteristic analysis applications and to make other characteristic analysis applications possible.
US08259290B2
The invention relates to a pupil filter used for the illumination optical system of a semiconductor aligner or the like that can prevent a decrease in the quantity of light having transmitted through it, enhance the efficiency of semiconductor exposure, reduce loads of correction by the optical proximity effect and yield a stable yet high-resolution optical image without engendering size fluctuations of a pattern imaged on a wafer depending on a mask pattern pitch. Specifically, the invention provides a diffractive optical device for the formation of a pupil filter used for the illumination optical system of an aligner adapted to direct light emanating from a light source to a mask via an illumination optical system and project a pattern on the mask onto an alignment substrate and exposing it to light via a projection optical system. The pupil filter formed by the diffractive optical device is a dipole pupil comprising two light transmissive areas (11). The two light transmissive areas (11) are in a fan-form configuration symmetric at a given distance from the center of the pupil filter, between them there is an area (12) of low light transmittance, and outside the two light transmissive areas (11) and the area (12) of low light transmittance there is a light block area (13).
US08259283B2
An immersion lithographic apparatus is described in which a droplet removal device removes droplets from the substrate, e.g. during exposures, using an angled flow of gas from a gas knife.
US08259282B2
Electronic flat panel displays (FPDs) including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be resized to meet custom size requirements for applications in aerospace and elsewhere. During the resizing process, pixel line defects may occur in the image due to electrical short circuits at the resized cut edge. Methods for repairing such short circuits are described, including use of mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, and/or other means, and any combination thereof, to open the short circuits. The method may be applied to the sealed cut edge to ruggedize the seal, even if image defects are not exhibited initially. The repaired short circuits may be stress tested to ensure the defects will not recur during the life of the display, and the repaired areas may be resealed.
US08259278B2
A liquid crystal display includes; first and second substrates facing each other, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates and including liquid crystal molecules, a first subpixel electrode disposed on the first substrate, the first subpixel electrode receiving a first data voltage, a second subpixel electrode disposed on the first substrate, the second subpixel electrode receiving a second data voltage; and a short protrusion disposed on the second substrate and simultaneously facing the first and second subpixel electrodes, wherein the liquid crystal layer is vertically aligned and has positive dielectric anisotropy.
US08259275B2
Provided is a liquid crystal display device capable of significantly reducing occurrence of a failure such as an interlayer short-circuit. In the liquid crystal device, a first layer formed of a copper film having a purity of 99.5% or more and a second layer formed of an alloy film containing copper as a main component are successively formed on a glass substrate or a substrate on which a transparent conductive film containing indium is formed. The alloy film serving as the second layer is made of an alloy containing copper as a main component, which has a higher etching rate in a wet etching process compared with that of copper. Accordingly, a patterned cross-section of the copper film having a large film thickness can be etched in a tapered shape, to thereby improve coverage of an insulating film or the like laminated on a wiring pattern.
US08259273B2
A liquid crystal includes about 60 wt % to about 80 wt % of a first compound material, about 2 wt % to about 15 wt % of a second compound material, and a neutral compound material. The first compound material has a dielectric anisotropy of a first polarity, and the second compound material has a dielectric anisotropy of a second polarity.
US08259269B2
A VA liquid crystal display device is capable of performing display under the wide environments including a bright place and a dark place, transmission display with a wide viewing angle and a high image quality, and improves the gray scale productivity in an oblique direction. An alignment control structure (projection structure) is disposed in a direction orthogonal to the slits of a common electrode (comb-like electrode), a lateral electric field is applied to a liquid crystal layer that is vertically aligned by the comb-like electrode, and the alignment of the liquid crystal is controlled to a different direction to make multi-domains in the VA liquid crystal display device. Also, the multi-domains are performed by continuously changing the pitches of the slits.
US08259267B2
A manufacturing method of the present invention is a manufacturing method of a display device with a functional film that is adhered to a principal plane of a display panel provided with a display part. A first resin layer is formed outside the display part on the principal plane to surround the display part, a communication part which allows an inner area surrounded by the first resin layer and an outer area outside of the first resin layer to communicate with each other in an in-plane direction of the principal plane is formed, the inner area is coated with a second resin, the functional film is superimposed on the principal plane, and the second resin is pressed and spread throughout the inner area and the communication part by pressing the functional film.
US08259261B2
A liquid crystal display device is provided. The liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment includes a backlight unit; a liquid crystal display panel located on the backlight unit; a polarization plate located on the liquid crystal display panel; and a tempered glass plate located on the polarization plate, the tempered glass plate including an anti-reflection layer having at least one of a non-conductive oxide film and a conductive oxide film, wherein a conductive tape is connected to a portion of the anti-reflection layer.
US08259252B2
In a thin liquid crystal display device having a front window, a cushion material is interposed between a liquid crystal display panel and a mold in which a backlight is housed. When an external force is applied to the front window, the cushion material helps to avoid concentration of stress on a TFT substrate constituting the liquid crystal display panel. Thus, it is possible to prevent the TFT substrate from being cracked. Further, a peripheral wall portion is formed in the mold and is bonded to the front window, in order to prevent the phenomenon that the liquid crystal display panel is removed from the front window when an excess force is applied to a transparent adhesive material that bonds the front window and the liquid crystal display panel together.
US08259251B2
A backlight module includes a back plate having a through opening area, a carrying element disposed on the back plate, a circuit board disposed on the carrying element and at least one light emitting element disposed on the circuit board and corresponding to the through opening area. An LCD includes an LCD panel having a display area and a non-display area opposite to each other, a backlight module including a back plate, a circuit board and at least one light emitting element and a cover disposed at the LCD panel. The back plate disposed at the non-display area has a through opening area corresponding to the non-display area. The light emitting element is disposed on the circuit board and corresponding to the through opening area. The cover has a surface and covers the through opening area. The surface of the cover faces the through opening area and the non-display area.
US08259239B2
An image display system and associated method for image displaying The system includes an image source configured to generate image light, projection optics configured to project the image light, and a polarizing beam splitter optically coupled to the projection optics and configured to propagate into a first optical path first polarized light having a first polarization and to propagate into a second optical path second polarized light having a second polarization The system includes a quarter wave converter disposed in the first optical path and configured to rotate the first polarization by a quarter phase as the first polarized light first passes through the quarter wave converter, and includes a reflective screen disposed in the first optical path and configured to reflect rotated first polarized light from the quarter wave converter back through the quarter wave converter for further quarter phase rotation.
US08259234B2
Disclosed is a method for replacing people in a scene of a film with other people by removing the original people with video space-time completion of the film and inserting the other people with video processing software with user input. The method segments automatically the film with the original people and segments automatically the film with the other people.
US08259232B2
An image display apparatus including an image receiving unit that receives an image signal on which additional display information is superimposed, an image display unit that displays the image signal on which the additional display information is superimposed in a screen, and an information display unit that displays predetermined display information at a display position of the additional display information so that the additional display information displayed in the screen is hidden.
US08259231B2
A portable navigation device with a TV function includes a TV module, a navigation module, a display module, a sound module, a first processing unit, a second processing unit and a TV command storage module. The TV module generates baseband TV signals, the navigation module generates position information, the display module displays image information, the sound module plays sounds, the first processing unit performs navigation programs, the second processing unit performs TV programs, and the TV command storage module stores TV commands from the first processing unit and the second processing unit. TV command transmission between the first processing unit and the second processing unit is achieved by sending interrupt signals or reset signals.
US08259228B2
A method for deinterlacing video includes constructing a temporary frame of deinterlaced video based on a first (i.e., current) field of interlaced video, wherein the temporary frame includes pixels in lines of the temporary frame associated with the first field of interlaced video, placeholder pixels in identified areas of motion in lines of the frame associated with a missing field of interlaced video, and pixels from an opposite field of polarity of interlaced video in areas without motion. The method further includes replacing the placeholder pixels in the identified areas of motion with pixels interpolated using an edge direction interpolation scheme based on pixels in the first field of interlaced video, resulting in a reconstructed frame. In one example, a motion adaptive interpolator may construct the temporary frame, and an edge directional interpolator may generate the reconstructed/deinterlaced the frame.
US08259222B2
Disclosed is a portable magnifier camera that can be selectively positioned into a variety of configurations. At least four distinct viewing configurations are provided: a reading mode wherein the camera rests flatly upon the viewed object; a writing mode wherein the camera rests at an angle upon the viewed object; a hand-held mode wherein the user holds the camera relative to a distant object; and an inspection mode wherein the user holds the viewed object relative to the camera. These configurations enable a user to effectively view objects of differing size and at varying distances.
US08259221B1
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a digital camera configured to be powered by rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. The digital camera includes one or more rechargeable NiMH batteries, and first internal circuitry configured to receive power from a universal serial bus (USB) port associated with an external power source and to charge the rechargeable NiMH batteries without removing the rechargeable NiMH batteries from the digital camera.
US08259220B2
Disclosed herein is an imaging device including: an imaging element configured to carry out photoelectric conversion of subject image light incident through a lens and produce a video signal; an imaging element controller configured to control timing of readout of the video signal from the imaging element; a circular disk shutter configured to have a light-blocking part and a passage part, the shutter being driven to rotate by a motor; a shutter position detector configured to detect a rotational position of the shutter; and a shutter controller configured to control a rotational speed of the shutter and cause the imaging element controller to start readout of a video signal from the imaging element when the light-blocking part of the shutter is located in front of the imaging element based on information on the rotational position of the shutter, detected by the shutter position detector.
US08259213B2
A digital camera includes: a lens unit that forms a subject image on an imaging plane; an image sensor that includes color filters each disposed at one of pixels disposed in a lattice-like pattern over pixel intervals (a, b) along two directions, an x direction and a y direction, extending perpendicular to each other, with color filters corresponding to a first color component among first through nth (n≧2) color components, disposed in a checkered pattern at pixels amounting to at least half an entire color filter density and color filters corresponding to remaining color components disposed at other pixels, and outputs image signals expressing the subject image; and an optical low pass filter unit at which light having passed through the lens unit and yet to enter the image sensor undergoes light beam separation along two diagonal directions ((1/2)a, (1/2)b)×(√2/α) and ((1/2)a, −(1/2)b)×(√2/α) relative to (x, y) coordinate axes, so as to achieve frequency modulation for the subject image to become extinct at a band formed by connecting spatial frequencies (α/(2a), 0) and (0, α/(2b)) at positions calculated by multiplying, by a multiplier α, a Nyquist frequency 1/(2a) and a Nyquist frequency 1/(2b) at the image sensor assumed respectively along the x direction and the y direction. When the pixel intervals (a, b) assumed along the two directions at the image sensor are both within a 2.5˜5 μm/pixel range, a position of an extinction frequency band is set for the optical low pass filter by setting the multiplier α for the Nyquist frequencies at the image sensor within a range of 1.5≦α≦3.5.
US08259212B2
A means of enabling an imaging lens system that overcomes some of the costs and disadvantages of the prior art is disclosed. A lens system in accordance with the present invention reduces or eliminates one or more aberrations of an optical input by separating image collection functionality from image processing functionality. As a result, each function can be performed without compromising the other function. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a collection optic that provides a first optical field, based on light from a scene, to a processing optic that comprises a plurality of lenslets. The processing optic tiles the first optical field into a plurality of second optical fields. Each lenslet receives a different one of the plurality of second optical fields, reduces at least one localized aberration in its received second optical field, and provides the corrected optical field to a different one of plurality of photodetectors whose collective output is used to form a spatially correlated sub-image of that corrected optical field. The sub-images are readily combined into a spatially correlated image of the scene.
US08259210B2
The spherical aberration of an imaging lens changes from an object side of image-plane base position Zo toward the other side thereof as a distance from optical axis Z1 increases, and formulas 0.02
US08259202B2
In a high precision image processor and image processing program, an output of a one-chip Bayer array CCD is A/D converted and noise reduced, and then entered in a G interpolation circuit which comprises interpolation circuit B which implements interpolation processing of a less resolving power but does not reflect on the result of interpolation an apparent sensitivity difference occurring at a pixel value of a G pixel of the one-chip CCD, and interpolation circuit A which implements interpolation processing of an improved resolving power but reflects an apparent sensitivity difference on the result of interpolation. G interpolation circuit estimates a sensitivity difference at a pixel of interest and combines outputs of interpolation circuits A and B such that for a large sensitivity difference, the output of circuit B is used more, and for a small sensitivity difference, the output of circuit A is used more.
US08259198B2
Various techniques are provided for the detection and correction of defective pixels in an image sensor. In accordance with one embodiment, a static defect table storing the locations of known static defects is provided, and the location of a current pixel is compared to the static defect table. If the location of the current pixel is found in the static defect table, the current pixel is identified as a static defect and is corrected using the value of the previous pixel of the same color. If the current pixel is not identified as a static defect, a dynamic defect detection process includes comparing pixel-to-pixel gradients between the current pixel a set of neighboring pixels against a dynamic defect threshold. If a dynamic defect is detected, a replacement value for correcting the dynamic defect may be determined by interpolating the value of two neighboring pixels on opposite sides of the current pixel in a direction exhibiting the smallest gradient.
US08259186B2
A communication terminal comprises a storage unit, a selection unit, and a communication unit. The storage unit stores electronic data and condition information indicating a selection condition of the electronic data. The selection unit selects the electronic data from among the electronic data stored in the storage unit and the electronic data indicated by possession information indicating the electronic data possessed by other communication terminals joining data sharing based on the condition information. The communication unit receives the possession information from the other communication terminals between a first timing and a second timing when the selection unit selects the electronic data.
US08259185B2
A terminal device includes: a communication means radio communicatable to access points; a storage means for storing a database associating identification information and position information of an access point connected with the communication means in association with each other; a position information acquiring section that acquires current position information; and a control section that causes a display section to display related information of the access point based on the database when the communication means does not detect a connectable access point.
US08259183B2
The invention includes a vibration reduction mechanism, a vibration detecting part, a reference signal generating part, a target drive position calculating part, and a driving part. The vibration reduction mechanism reduces a vibration of a subject image. The vibration detecting part outputs a vibration detection signal. The reference signal generating part estimates a reference signal of the vibration detection part. The target drive position calculating part obtains a vibration component from a difference between the vibration detection signal and the estimated reference signal to obtain a target position to which the vibration reduction mechanism is driven. The driving part controls the vibration reduction mechanism to follow the target position. Particularly, the reference signal generating part corrects the reference signal according to a motion signal obtained from a captured image. An accurate reference signal can be obtained by the correction, thereby improving the performance of the vibration reduction.
US08259182B2
The optical apparatus includes an image pickup optical system including a focus lens, a controller controlling movement of the focus lens in an optical axis direction of the image pickup optical system, a shake detector detecting a shake amount of the optical apparatus in the optical axis direction, and a memory storing plural shake amounts sequentially detected by the shake detector. The controller calculates, in response to a start instruction of exposure for the image pickup and before start of the exposure, a predictive value of the shake amount for a time point of the exposure based on the plural shake amounts stored in the memory and including at least one shake amount detected after the start instruction of exposure. The controller moves the focus lens to a position corresponding to the predictive value before the start of the exposure.
US08259175B2
The present invention involves implementation of an intelligent switching program, whereby the processing power required to monitor check-out stations is considerably reduced. The present invention monitors a subset of check-out stations at any given time, instead of monitoring all check-out stations at all times. The subset of check-out stations is determined dynamically according to, but not limited to, cashier records, input parameters from the user, current lane activity, past lane activity, time of day, etc. Statistical models (e.g., effective population sampling and/or population hypothesis tests) are developed along these lines that guide the lane selection process, whereby increases in the false-negative rate due to failure to monitor particular lanes when events of interest occur are controlled. By monitoring fewer check-out stations, while maintaining target performance accuracy, the amount of data that end users must deal with is significantly reduced.
US08259171B2
An imaging system for a microscope comprises: an imaging unit imaging an optical image from a microscope; a display unit displaying the imaged image; a specifying unit specifying at least a given position on the displayed image to set a measurement target; a measurement and drawing unit performing measurement of the measurement target and drawing of the measurement target, as well as making a measurement value obtained by the measurement displayed at a predetermined position on the screen; a magnification change determination unit determining whether there has been a change in an observation magnification of the microscope; a control unit performing, when it is determined that there has been a change in the observation magnification of the microscope after the measurement value is displayed, an output in accordance with the change.
US08259156B2
A television and camcorder combination include an acoustic echo canceller and a videoconference protocol stack in order to provide videoconferencing capabilities using only a television in combination with an attached camcorder. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08259151B2
A dual mode imaging system includes a dual wavelength ROS suitable for imaging xerographic media and erasable media. When included in an imaging system this includes media transport for selectively conveying non-erasable and erasable media to corresponding imaging positions in the dual mode imaging system. The system further includes a photoreceptor and a raster scanned light beam positioned to selectively image one of the photoreceptor and the erasable media. The media transport includes a non-erasable media transport path and an erasable media transport path, the erasable media transport path diverted from the non-erasable media transport path. An erasable medium in the diverted erasable media transport path intercepts a UV imaging raster scanned light beam, and in the absence of an erasable medium, the photoreceptor intercepts an IR raster scanned light beam.
US08259150B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a light source that emits a light beam; a photosensitive member; a driving motor; a rotary polygon mirror, which is rotated by the driving motor, and which periodically deflects the light beam emitted from the light source to sequentially form scanning lines on the photosensitive member; a position detecting unit, which detects a rotational position of the driving motor, and which outputs a detection signal; a sensor, which receives the light beam deflected by the rotary polygon mirror, and which outputs a light receiving signal; a detecting unit, which receives the detection signal and the light receiving signal, and which detects a rotation direction of the driving motor based on a timing pattern of a detection of the rotational position of the driving motor and a reception of the light beam by the sensor.
US08259148B2
A measuring section that measures the position shift in the main scanning direction of a plurality of light sources, a signal generating section that generates synchronized INDEX signals that in which the writing timing of the different light sources has been adjusted according to the position shifts, a signal generating section that generates the signals for driving the light sources based on the synchronized INDEX signals and image data, and a measuring section that detects the timing shift component in the main scanning direction included in the synchronized INDEX signal generated in the condition in which adjustments have been made according to the position shift, and further shift correction is carried out in the main scanning direction based on the timing shift component, for the synchronized INDEX signal which are adjusted and generated in accordance with the position shift of a plurality of light sources.
US08259143B2
A structure for a transport path for a recording material within a transfer portion varies between a margin-less print mode and a normal print mode. A necessity of cleaning of a transfer member also varies between both modes. Thus, provided is an image forming apparatus in which the structure of the transfer portion is switched between the normal print and the margin-less print, and the margin-less print cannot be carried out with a structure of the transfer portion for the normal print. This is because, when the so-called margin-less print is carried out with the structure of the transfer portion for the normal print, there is a possibility that an image defect of a print image to be outputted is caused, or a stain of toner on a rear surface of the recording material is caused.
US08259130B2
According to one embodiment of the invention, by increasing the number of rays issued through adjacent pixels with colors of high contrast while maintaining the number of rays issued through adjacent pixels which do not have colors of high contrast, a ray tracing image processing system may render an anti-aliased image while minimizing the increase in workload experienced by the image processing system. Additionally, according to another embodiment of the invention, by maintaining the number of rays issued through adjacent pixels which have colors of low contrast while increasing the number of rays issued through adjacent pixels which do not have colors of low contrast, the image processing system may reduce workload experienced while performing ray tracing while maintaining the quality of the rendered image.
US08259129B2
There is provided a method of changing a theme for a user interface of a computer system comprising receiving an identification of an image with which to define a color palette of a theme for rendering elements of a user interface on a color display of the computer system; analyzing the image to determine at least one predominant color; and defining the color palette in response to the analysis. The image may comprise a background image selected by a user for display by the computer system. Dynamic generation of the color palette matches the user interface to colors to provide flexible and appealing themes. A computer readable memory having recorded thereon instructions to carry out this method is also provided, as well as a device comprising such memory.
US08259126B2
Systems and methods for enhancing the combined image of multiple attributes without comprising the image of either attribute. The combined image of the multiple attributes is enhanced for analyzing a predetermined property revealed by the attributes. The combined image can be interactively manipulated to display each attribute relative to an imaginary light source or highlighted using a specular component. The systems and methods are best described as particularly useful for analytical, diagnostic and interpretive purposes.
US08259123B2
An image processing apparatus processes compression encoded data of a moving picture and outputs image data divided into a plurality of frames for displaying of the moving picture on a display device. A host CPU outputs a decoding command and a drawing command separately from each other. The decoding process on the compression encoded data can be performed in an independent manner from the drawing process of reflecting the image data, which are the decoding results, on the display object. At this time, a display control section executes the drawing process based on the image data stored in a ring buffer in accordance with the drawing command. Therefore, the host CPU can freely control timings at which the moving pictures are displayed on the display device.
US08259118B2
A client device receives a user interface event corresponding to a spline curve associated with an object displayed on a mobile device. The user interface triggers creation of a new spline curve based on computation of a new spline tangent associated with the spline curve and phase space-based dynamics of a new state. A scene graph having state information associated with the new state is maintained. A rendering event triggers repainting of the object associated with the spline curve using the scene graph.
US08259112B2
The object is to smoothly move the position of the viewing point of the virtual camera with existence of an object between the position of the viewing point of the virtual camera and the position of the subject avoided. A camera peripheral area that has a viewing point as its center and has the radius of R, a subject peripheral area that has a subject toward which a viewing axis of the virtual camera is aligned as its center and has the radius of r, and a camera-to-subject area formed by a circular truncated cone area therebetween are set as a camera collision in which an obstacle cannot exist. When an obstacle exists in the camera collision, the position of the viewing point is adjusted. The radius R and the radius r are adjusted each time the reference distance D is changed.
US08259110B1
A method and apparatus for computing direct lighting in a scene is described. For a sparse set of points in the scene, occlusion information for the points and each of one or more light sources may be computed and stored. For all other surface points in the scene, nearby sample points are examined to determine if their occlusion information agrees. For any light source for which nearby sample points do not agree, lighting computation may be performed, e.g. by the casting of shadow rays. Such areas comprise regions in penumbra or shadow boundaries. For all other regions, it is assumed that they are fully lit or fully occluded, and thus the casting of shadow rays can be avoided.
US08259109B2
Method, computer program and system for tracking movement of a subject. The method includes receiving data from a distributed network of camera sensors employing one or more emitted light sources associated with one or more of the one or more camera sensors to generate a volumetric three-dimensional representation of the subject, identifying a plurality of clusters within the volumetric three-dimensional representation that correspond to motion features indicative of movement of the motion features of the subject, presenting one or more objects on one or more three dimensional display screens, and using the plurality of fixed position sensors to track motion of the motion features of the subject and track manipulation of the motion features of the volumetric three-dimensional representation to determine interaction of one or more of the motion features of the subject and one or more of the one or more objects on the three dimensional display.
US08259106B2
Methods, systems and computer program code (software) products executable in a digital processor operable to generate a synthetic image include (1) selecting a rank-1 lattice in accordance with a maximized minimum distance function (max-min-dist lattice) corresponding to points in the synthetic image to be generated; (2) generating a data structure for efficient access of data stored in points of the rank-1 lattice, the data structure including the number n of lattice points, generator vector g, s basis vectors, and indices of the basis vectors, wherein the basis vectors are lattice points, and (3) generating, using the rank-1 lattice, digital output representative of a synthetic image, wherein the generating includes using the layout of rank-1 lattice points to represent textures of arbitrary dimension.
US08259104B2
In a method for domain decomposition for generating unstructured grids, a surface mesh is generated for a spatial domain. A location of a partition plane dividing the domain into two sections is determined. Triangular faces on the surface mesh that intersect the partition plane are identified. A partition grid of tetrahedral cells, dividing the domain into two sub-domains, is generated using a marching process in which a front comprises only faces of new cells which intersect the partition plane. The partition grid is generated until no active faces remain on the front. Triangular faces on each side of the partition plane are collected into two separate subsets. Each subset of triangular faces is renumbered locally and a local/global mapping is created for each sub-domain. A volume grid is generated for each sub-domain. The partition grid and volume grids are then merged using the local-global mapping.
US08259101B2
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for sketch-based design, construction, and modification of three-dimensional geometry, including a computer drawing system, comprising a two dimensional input device, a display device, and a processor connected to the input device and the display device. The processor includes memory containing computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to define a three dimensional shape model, receive from the two dimensional input device an input indicative of a two dimensional hand drawn element, map the two dimensional hand drawn element to a corresponding portion of the three dimensional shape model, and modify the corresponding portion of the three dimensional shape model to resemble the two dimensional hand drawn element.
US08259099B2
A solution for supporting servicing an outsource operation(s) using a three-dimensional (3D) data center is provided. In particular, a solution is provided in which a 3D data center is created from aggregating information technology (IT) resource data received from a plurality of outsourced operation locations that may be geographically or task distributed amongst multiple IT service providers.
US08259098B2
Supplying first and second measuring voltages to a source terminal of a drive transistor to obtain first and second voltage variations at the source terminal of the drive transistor when a parasitic capacitance of a light emitting element is charged by currents flowed through the drive transistor by the supply of the voltages, obtaining first and second current values of the drive current of the drive transistor based on the first and second voltage variations, obtaining characteristic values of the drive transistor based on the first and second measuring voltages and the first and second current values, and outputting a data signal based on the obtained characteristic values and a drive voltage of the drive transistor corresponding to the amount of emission of the light emitting element to the source terminal of the drive transistor.
US08259081B2
While taking X-Y coordinate measurements to determine the location of a point of contact on a touch screen, a controller circuit drives the touch screen with a selectable voltage. Voltages output from the touch screen are converted by an ADC into the X-coordinate and Y-coordinate values. The ADC has a convertible input voltage range. If only a low touch screen detection resolution is required, then the voltage with which the touch screen is driven is made to be substantially less than the convertible input voltage range. Only a portion of the convertible input range is usable, but this is adequate for the application and power consumption is reduced. If a higher touch screen detection resolution is required, then the touch screen is driven with a higher voltage. Power consumption is increased, but more or all of the convertible input voltage range of the ADC is then usable.
US08259079B2
A thin input device with a flat input side surface is provided in which a flexible circuit board is disposed inside a chassis so as to extend to the outside or inside of the chassis while preventing the flexible circuit board from bending awkwardly. An opening for exposing a portion of a bottom surface of an input panel is formed on a bottom wall of the chassis. A through-hole for guiding the flexible circuit board to the anti-input side of the input panel is formed on a second base disposed on the anti-input side so that the through-hole is inside a first base disposed on the input side at a position corresponding to the opening. The flexible circuit board is disposed to extend to the outside or inside of the chassis through the through-hole.
US08259077B2
An electronic device for 3-dimensionally inputting a user command and a method employing the same are provided. The electronic device includes a touch pad sensing a 3-dimensional interface and a controller controlling a GUI (graphical user interface) in response to the 3-dimensional interface sensed by the touch pad. Thus, a user command can be 3-dimensionally input so as to harmonize a 3-dimensional varying method of a 3-dimensional GUI with a 3-dimensional input manipulation of a user.
US08259076B2
The present disclosure discloses an object position detector. The object position detector comprises a touch sensor formed as a closed loop and having a physical constraint formed on an upper surface of the touch sensor and coextensive with the closed loop. The touch sensor is configured to sense motion of an object proximate to the closed loop. The object position detector also comprises a processor coupled to the touch sensor and is programmed to generate an action in response to the motion on the touch sensor.
US08259073B2
A display for a multi-function keypad and an electronic device including the display. The display for a multi-function keypad includes: a display panel having a plurality of display regions arranged in a matrix pattern and a non-display region surrounding the plurality of display regions; a circuit board on the display panel and including a plurality of openings corresponding to the display regions, and a plurality of keys near peripheral edges of the openings and corresponding to the non-display region; and a pad on the circuit board and including a plurality of transparent windows corresponding to the openings, and a plurality of pressing units near peripheral edges of the transparent windows and corresponding to the plurality of keys.
US08259072B2
An input control apparatus and an interactive system using the same are disclosed. The input control apparatus comprises: a switch unit, for selecting an input mode for the input control apparatus selected from the group consisting of a mouse mode, a joystick mode, a keyboard mode and the combination thereof; an interface unit, for generating an input signal according to the input mode selected by the switch unit; a remote control unit, for generating and thus transmitting a control signal according to the input mode and the input signal. By transmitting the control signals of two aforesaid input control apparatuses to an electronic device, such as a computer, an interactive gaming device or an interactive multimedia device, two such input control apparatuses can be integrated as a handheld apparatus with a left-hand unit and a right-hand unit for meeting the control requirements of a comparatively more complicated game executing on the electronic device. However, for those less complicated game, the two input control apparatuses can be configured as independent devices to be operated by different users. Thereby, users are able to interact with the electronic device.
US08259070B2
A display for a keypad and an electronic device including the display that can improve a user interface environment and stability of input in which the display for the keypad includes: a display panel having a first display region and second display regions; a circuit board disposed on the display panel and including a first opening corresponding to the first display region, second openings corresponding to the second display regions, and keys formed adjacent to the second openings; a touch panel, formed in the first display region in a shape corresponding to the first display region and arranged to fill the first opening; and a pad disposed on the circuit board and including pressing units formed to correspond to the keys.
US08259062B2
An electrophoretic display device is constituted by a first substrate and a second substrate which are disposed with a spacing therebetween, a partition wall disposed in the spacing, electrophoretic particles sealed in a closed space defined by the first and second substrates and the partition wall, a first electrode disposed at a side surface of the closed space, and a second electrode disposed at a bottom surface of the closed space. In the electrophoretic display device, a distribution state of the electrophoretic particles is changed to effect display, and the first electrode has an area substantially equal to or larger than an area of the second electrode.
US08259060B2
The present invention relates to a drive circuit of light source by color sequential method for generating a full-color image based on sequential switching between red, green and blue illuminations. The drive circuit of light source by color sequential method includes a color-sequential control circuit and a plurality of radiating areas coupled to multiple light units. The color-sequential control circuit is connected to those radiating areas to control the operation thereof by the color sequential method.
US08259055B2
A display device comprises a driver circuit having a shift register circuit having a level conversion function is provided with a simple circuit configuration of first, second, and third basic circuits connected in tandem at multistages. A common clear signal is supplied to a control electrode or a third transistor of each basic circuit, a first clock is supplied to a control electrode of a first transistor of each of the first and third basic circuits, a second cock different in phase from the first clock is supplied to a control electrode of a first transistor of the second basic circuit, outputs of the first and second basic circuit are respectively supplied to control electrodes of second transistors of the second and third basic circuits, and an inversion output of the third basic circuit is supplied to a control electrode of a fourth transistor of the first basic circuit.
US08259051B2
A liquid crystal display includes a plurality of subpixels respectively having switching elements and arranged in a matrix, a plurality of gate lines connected to the subpixels via the switching elements and transmitting a gate signal for turning on or off the switching elements, and a plurality of data lines connected to the subpixels via the switching elements and transmitting a data voltage. The respective subpixels are located in areas defined by two adjacent gate lines and two adjacent data lines, which are uniquely connected to a pair of gate line and data line, and at least one of the subpixels is connected to the different gate lines or the data line positioned at opposite side with respect to the other subpixel of the same row. In this case, a pair of subpixels adjacent above and below are connected to the gate line therebetween or the gate lines positioned at opposite side each other. In this way, any inversions for each color can be performed without changing conventional driving ICs.
US08259039B2
A difference between the black level potential VB and the white level potential VW in the effective bright environment is smaller than a difference between the black level potential VB and the white level potential VW in the effective dark environment, and the black emission luminance in the effective bright environment is lower than or equal to a diffuse reflection luminance in the effective bright environment and higher than a black emission luminance in the effective dark environment.
US08259030B2
The invention relates to an antenna of the helix type, comprising a plurality of radiating strands wound in a helix in an axisymmetric form (15), characterized in that each radiating strand is made up of at least one reference pattern (MR1, MR2, MR3) defined by an analytic function defined in a reference frame, the axis of the abscissae of which is the director axis of the radiating strands and is a periodic function of (I) or (II) and Ak correspond respectively to the frequency and to the amplitude of the sinusoid of index k. y = A 0 sin ( 2 π x T ) + ∑ k = 1 ∞ A k sin ( 2 π σ k x T ) ( I ) 2 π σ k 1 T ( II )
US08259026B2
A method (1400) and an RF circuit (100, 400, 700, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300) for a wireless communication device that mitigates near field radiation generated by the wireless communication device. At least one counterpoise (104, 404, 1304) can be configured to resonate at or near at least one operating frequency of an antenna (102) of the wireless communication device. The antenna can be a component of the RF circuit. The counterpoise can be electromagnetically coupled to the antenna to mitigate near field radiation of the antenna at the at least one operating frequency of the antenna in order to comply with an applicable hearing aid compatibility (HAC) specification.
US08259025B2
A multi-band antenna assembly that is operable to receive and/or transmit signals at one or more frequencies generally includes at least two radiating elements, a transmission line coupled to each of the at least two radiating elements, and a tunable match resonator coupled to the transmission line. The tunable match resonator is operable to vary input impedance of a signal received and/or transmitted by the antenna assembly by changing an electrical field within the tunable match resonator.
US08259011B2
An improved network enabled extended ephemeris navigation system includes a network server able to collect ephemeris, clock, and almanac information from orbiting GPS satellites, and to use that information to build up extended ephemeris predictions that will be valid and useful for at least a week. A mobile client is able to request and use the extended ephemeris predictions to search for and track orbiting GPS satellites visible to it. The improvement is characterized by a satellite position and clock compact model construction and database unit that constructs a compact short-term satellite model to be sent first in response to a request for extended ephemeris predictions from the mobile client, and that constructs several consecutive long-term satellite models each representing a unique portion of a day in at least a seven day series.
US08259004B2
In a device for monitoring the position of a tool or machine element on or in a work spindle or tool chuck, in particular, in a machining apparatus, the work spindle or tool chuck has at least one channel that defines a waveguide, which is suitable for propagating electromagnetic waves, that leads from an external surface of the work spindle or tool chuck to the tool or machine element. At least one radar system is provided and arranged outside the work spindle or tool chuck in such a manner that it is capable of irradiating a radar signal from the outer surface into the channel and or receiving a radar signal reflected back from the channel. The radar signal is connected to a signal-processing device that determines a measure of the position of the tool or machine element relative to the work spindle or tool chuck based on at least one radar signal irradiated into the channel and reflected back from the channel.
US08259001B2
A weather radar includes an antenna unit configured to transmit a radio wave from a plurality of antenna elements, and receive a reflected wave from a weather target by carrying out beam scanning in an elevation angle direction by phase control, a drive unit configured to control an elevation angle of an aperture of the antenna unit, and a controller configured to cause the antenna unit to carry out the beam scanning in a state where the aperture is faced to a point which presents a maximum range in the observational range by the drive unit, and direct, at a time point when the weather target is detected based on a received signal of the reflected wave, the aperture toward the weather target by the drive unit.
US08258992B2
A sequential comparison-type analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that has improved precision and which is capable of high-speed operation is disclosed, the analog-to-digital converter comprising a digital-to-analog converter that outputs a plurality of different reference analog signals according to a multibit digital signal, a plurality of comparators that compare an input analog signal with the plurality of reference analog signals, and a sequential comparison control circuit that changes bit values of the multibit digital signal in order from higher bits so that at least one of the plurality of reference analog signals becomes closer to the input analog signal and decides the bit values in order from higher bits based on the comparison results and at the same time, correcting the decided higher bit values, wherein the sequential comparison control circuit decides the bit values of the multibit digital signal down to a predetermined bit based on the comparison results of the plurality of comparators and at the same time, correcting the bit values, and decides the bits lower than the predetermined bit based on the comparison result of one of the plurality of comparators.
US08258991B2
Successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) generally use one or more comparators to convert an analog signal to a digital signal. These comparators, however, can consume a great deal of power, so it is desirable to have a comparator configuration that consumes less power. Here, a multi-bandwidth comparator is provided, which can be switched between different coarse resolution and fine resolution. By using this single multi-bandwidth comparator, lower power consumption with a small amount of area can be achieved.
US08258986B2
An apparatus and method for detecting activation of one or more capacitive keys when presences of the one or more touches are detected on unique combinations of three or more sensor elements at the respective locations of the capacitive keys on which the one or more touches are detected. In one embodiment, the method correctly detects the activations of multiple keys when multiple substantially simultaneous touches are detected.
US08258977B1
A manhole cover is for use with a system for transmitting data to an above surface receiver. The manhole cover includes a body suitable for covering a manhole. At least a portion of the body is formed from a radio wave penetrable material so that radio waves may pass through the body. A microprocessor is provided for receiving a signal representing at least one environmental parameter inside a manhole enclosure measured by a sensor, and for responding to the signal by directly or indirectly causing a change to a parameter in the enclosure. A transmitting element in communication with the microprocessor transmits the signal to the surface above the manhole cover. Circuitry connects the microprocessor and the transmitting element for driving the transmitting element to transmit the signal. The microprocessor may be programmed to run an energy conservation cycle, which preserves power from the power source. Any one of numerous antenna designs may be embedded in the body of the cover.
US08258971B2
A low voltage warning circuit includes an input terminal configured to receive a supply voltage, a reference voltage connected to the input terminal for providing a reference voltage, a transistor connected to the reference voltage circuit and the input terminal, and a silicon controlled rectifier connected to the transistor and the input terminal via a indicating device, the low voltage warning circuit raise a warning through the indicating device when the supply voltage is below the reference voltage.
US08258964B2
A recording unit includes one or more signal sensors and a recording controller. The recording controller is configured to execute a first recording instruction to record first data received from the one or more signal sensors. The first data is recorded according to first recording rules that specify a first value of a parameter. The recording controller is also configured to, in response to an irregularity detected in the first data, execute a second recording instruction to record second data received from the one or more signal sensors. The second data is recorded according to second recording rules that specify a second value of the parameter, where the second value differs from the first value.
US08258955B1
RFID tags, tag circuits, and methods are provided that reduce at least in part the distortion to received wireless signals, which is caused by interference in the environment. Two or more thresholds are used to digitize the received signal implemented by two or more demodulators. Multiple low pass and digital filters may be implemented with the demodulators, allowing removal of narrow pulses caused by the interference and reduction of beat tone amplitude.
US08258947B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for translation verification of source strings for controls in a target application graphical user interface (GUI). In an embodiment of the invention, a method for translation verification of source strings for controls in a target application GUI can include loading a target GUI for an application under test in a functional testing tool executing in memory by a processor of a computing system, retrieving different translated source strings in a target spoken language for respectively different control elements of the target GUI and, determining a score for each one of the translated source strings. Thereafter, an alert can be provided in the functional testing tool for each translated source string corresponding to a determined score failing to meet a threshold value, such as a score that falls below a threshold value, or a score that exceeds a threshold value.
US08258946B2
An electronic device includes a detecting module, a processor module, a reminding module and a parameter module. The detecting module includes at least one detecting sensor installed on the electronic device, such that a user contacts the detecting sensor when operating the electronic device. The parameter module stores predetermined acceptable ranges of physiological parameters of users. The detecting module detects physiological parameters of the user operating the electronic device via the detecting sensor, the processor module compares the detected physiological parameters with the acceptable ranges and controls the reminding module to remind the user to relax when at least one physiological parameter is outside of the acceptable range.
US08258943B2
The present invention relates to a ubiquitous sensor network-based system and method for automatically managing food sanitation. The system includes at least one sensor node (100) configured to measure and store sensing information, compare measured values with preset values, and generate a warning message. A sink node (200) mediates between the sensor node and a management server (400) and between the mobile terminal and the management server. A mobile terminal (300) reads food information using an RFID reader or a barcode reader, transmits the food information, measures and stores sensing information, compares the measured values with preset values, and generates a warning message. The management server (400) generates a control command, transmits the control command to the sensor node or the mobile terminal, and notifies a manager of an urgent situation and a location of the kitchen appliance if received data is a warning message.
US08258932B2
An occupant detection system for detecting an occupant within a vehicle includes a sensor for sensing movement or acceleration of the vehicle, first and second processors and a decider. The sensor generates a sensor output. The first processor processes the sensor output in a first manner and generates a first output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant within the vehicle. The second processor processes the sensor output in a second manner and generates a second output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant within the vehicle. The decider processes the first and second outputs and determines whether the combination of the first and second outputs is indicative of an occupant in the vehicle.
US08258931B2
The invention relates to a method of positioning sensors on wheels (200 and 300) installed coaxial to the same end of one and the same axle of a vehicle (C) comprising a receiving module (100) associated with the body of the vehicle, noteworthy in that it consists in positioning the sensors (210 and 310) at an angular interval greater than or equal to ninety (90) degrees of a wheel (200) relative to the other (300) so that, when operating in displacement mode, the distance between the receiving module and the sensor varies according to the wheel rotation, and in using a link of low frequency (LF) type so that the creation of a distance between the points of emission makes it possible to vary the power of the signals received, thus rendering them distinct. The invention also relates to a device making it possible to implement the method described hereinabove. Applications: measurement and transmission of data associated with the wheels of a vehicle.
US08258929B2
A system and method for encoding and printing RFID record members with a continuous moving web is provided. In particular, a printer such as a RFID printer is capable of encoding an inlay or multiple inlays within a record member while the web is continuously moving. While a record member is being encoded on a moving web, the record member may be printed upon when a leading edge of a record member reaches the print position.
US08258925B2
A frequency synthesizer for providing clock signals with different frequencies for corresponding band transceivers and associated frequency synthesizing method are provided. The frequency synthesizer includes a phase-locked loop module having a single voltage controlled oscillator, a first frequency divider and a second frequency divider. At first, the single voltage controlled oscillator is activated to generate a primary clock signal. The first frequency divider frequency-divides the primary clock signal to generate a first clock signal for a first band transceiver. The first clock signal is further frequency-divided into a second clock signal for a second band transceiver. Therefore, the frequency synthesizer with the single voltage controlled oscillator can generate clock signals covering more than one frequency band.
US08258924B2
Techniques are disclosed for writing data directly onto a product to record each ownership transfer. As a result, the product itself now carries a traceable, auditable, non-forgeable, non-repudiable proof of ownership (and, optionally, ownership history) that can be used in a variety of ways. This recorded ownership transfer information provides an electronic receipt, which may be used by the present owner to prove his or her ownership. (Optionally, other types of transfers may be recorded in addition to, or instead of, ownership transfers.) A transfer agent or registrar creates a unique transaction identifier to represent the transfer, and preferably creates a cryptographic signature over fields representing the transfer. This information is then recorded in a repository that is external from the product.
US08258923B2
An object locator system utilizes a microtransponder (12) that is used in association with an object to be located. A remote locator (10) transmits an encoded signal in which is embedded an identification code associated with the object to be located. The microtransponder (12) receives the encoded transmitted signal and processes such signal utilizing fast fourier transform techniques. The microtransponder (12) correlates the transformed received signal with a fast fourier transformed version of an identification code associated with the microtransponder (12) and upon detection of a correlation, transmits an acknowledgement signal to the remote locator (10). The remote locator (10) determines the distance to the microtransponder (12) based upon the round trip time from transmission of the coded signal to the microtransponder (12) to the receipt of the acknowledgement signal.
US08258921B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique relating to an electronic shelf label system that is capable of suppressing malfunction of an electronic shelf label caused by the increase of internal resistance of a battery. In order to achieve this object, in an electronic shelf label system of the present invention, an electronic shelf label 5 includes a battery 56 for supplying power of this electronic shelf label 5, a to-be-charged part 572 to be charged by power supplied from the battery 56, a light emission part 52 for sending data to a distribution device by using power accumulated in the to-be-charged part 572, and a boost circuit 571 and a control circuit 570 for controlling power supplied from the battery 56 to the to-be-charged part 572. In the electronic shelf label 5, on receipt of change notification data from the distribution device, a charge operation mode of this electronic shelf label 5 is changed from a normal charge mode to a long-term charge mode in which the to-be-charged part 572 is charged in a period of time longer than that in the normal charge mode. Power supplied from the battery 56 to the to-be-charged part 572 is lower in the long-term charge mode than in the normal charge mode.
US08258919B2
Implementation of mobile device communications (MCD) management is provided. A method includes intercepting an input command received on an MCD, the command intercepted in response to detecting a presence of a fixed communications device (FCD), which is embedded in a vehicle within range of the MCD. The method also includes acquiring biometric data from a user of the MCD. The method includes determining an activity status of the vehicle. If the activity status reflects the vehicle is active, the method includes acquiring biometric data for an operator of the vehicle via a biometric scanner of the vehicle and comparing the biometric data from the vehicle with the biometric data for the user of the MCD. If the biometric data from the vehicle matches the biometric data from the MCD, the method includes retrieving an account record for the user and implementing an action specified in the account record. If the activity status reflects the vehicle is inactive, the method includes executing the command.
US08258915B2
A NTC thermistor ceramic having higher voltage resistance and a NTC thermistor are provided. The NTC thermistor ceramic either contains manganese and nickel, the manganese/nickel content ratio being is 87/13 to 96/4, or the manganese/cobalt content ratio being is 60/40 or more and 90/10 or less. The NTC thermistor ceramic includes a first phase, which is a matrix, and a second phase composed of plate crystals dispersed in the first phase, the second phase has an electrical resistance higher than that of the first phase and a higher manganese content than the first phase, and the first phase has a spinel structure. A NTC thermistor includes a ceramic element body composed of the NTC thermistor ceramic having the above-described features, internal electrode layers formed inside the ceramic element body, and external electrode layers disposed on two side faces of the ceramic element body.
US08258912B2
Magnetic flux in a magnetic flux distribution inside a wound iron core for a stationary apparatus is mal-distributed toward the inner periphery side where the magnetic path of a laminated magnetic steel sheet is short with respect to the total lamination thickness and magnetic resistance is small and the inner periphery side on which magnetic flux is concentrated has a high magnetic flux density and increased iron loss, and therefore magnetic steel sheets of different magnetic characteristics are disposed at an arbitrary lamination ratio to make uniform the magnetic flux distribution inside the same wound iron core. In order to make uniform the magnetic flux distribution inside the wound iron core for a stationary apparatus, such a structure is adopted that a magnetic steel sheet having a magnetic characteristic inferior to that on the outer periphery side is disposed on the inner periphery side having a shorter magnetic path and smaller magnetic resistance and a magnetic steel sheet having a magnetic characteristic superior to that on the inner periphery side is disposed on the outer periphery side having a longer magnetic path and greater magnetic resistance to thereby make uniform the magnetic flux distribution in a sectional area of the iron core.
US08258908B2
A transformer and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The transformer comprises a magnetic core, a winding coil with a primary winding coil and a secondary winding coil, a bobbin with a primary input port and a bobbin connecting member, and an insulating slipcase. The bobbin is mounted by the winding coil. The insulating slipcase includes a first opening to receive the magnetic core, the winding coil and the bobbin, and includes a first side wall, a second side wall with a slipcase connecting member which is engaged with the bobbin connecting member, and a secondary output port for dealing with the output of the transformer. The first side wall is opposite to the first opening and has a second opening for the output of the secondary winding coil.
US08258903B2
A superconducting, actively shielded magnet has a first and second superconducting coil modules that generate a homogeneous magnetic field in a first direction in an operating volume of the magnet and that reduces the scatter magnetic field in an environment of the magnet. A third superconducting coil module is arranged in proximity to the first and second coil modules. The third coil module is fashioned to generate a compensation gradient field given occurrence of an interference gradient field in the environment so that the effect of the interference gradient field in the operating volume is reduced.
US08258902B2
A sealed magnetically controlled electric switch assembly comprising an electric switch having an on/off operating means, an active magnet means, a follower magnet means, and a sealable insulating housing. The electric switch and the follower magnet means both are sealed in the housing in such a way that the on/off operating means of the switch is coupled with the follower magnet means for motion therewith. The active magnet means is disposed outside the housing in such a way that a resulting magnetic force is formed between the active magnet means and the follower magnet means to switch the on/off operating means of said switch back and forth between the on and off positions.
US08258896B2
A microstrip filter having a plurality of hairpin microstrip resonators each having two substantially rectangular legs connected at one end and generally configured in a “U” shape. The microstrip filter may comprise a first of the plural resonators operatively connected to a first feed point, a second of the plural resonators operatively connected to a second feed point, and a third of the plural resonators operatively connected between the first and second resonators where an end portion of one of the legs of one of the resonators is tapered so that a thickness of the one leg is greater at one end of the one leg than at another end of the one leg.
US08258895B2
An electroacoustic component includes a carrier substrate and a piezosubstrate having piezoelectric properties. The electroacoustic component also includes a layer system between the carrier substrate and the piezosubstrate.
US08258884B2
A system is disclosed for charging a compact vapor cell, including placing an alkali-filled capillary into a reservoir cell formed in a substrate, the reservoir cell in vapor communication with an interrogation cell in the substrate and bonding a transparent window to the substrate on a common face of the reservoir cell and the interrogation cell to form a compact vapor cell. Capillary action in the capillary delays migration of alkali in the alkali-filled capillary from the reservoir cell into the interrogation cell during the bonding.
US08258883B2
A system and method for characterizing process variations are provided. A circuit comprises a plurality of inverters arranged in a sequential loop, and a plurality of transmission gates, with each transmission gate coupled between a pair of serially arranged inverters. Each transmission gate comprises a first field effect transistor (FET) having a first channel, and a second FET having a second channel. The first channel and the second channel are coupled in parallel and a gate terminal of the first FET and a gate terminal of the second FET are coupled to a first control signal and a second control signal, respectively.
US08258881B2
A radio circuit may be driven by a high frequency oscillator such as a crystal oscillator that may have sleep and wake time intervals. The sleep time interval length may be adjusted. A low frequency oscillator or low power oscillator (LPO) that may experience frequency drift may regulate the sleep and/or wake time intervals. The frequency drift may be detected based on two or more LPO calibrations and/or one or more clock adjustments. The LPO frequency drift may be detected based on an LPO frequency sampled after a first LPO calibration and a corresponding LPO clock adjustment, a second LPO frequency sampled after a second LPO calibration and a time interval between the two frequency samples. The LPO may be calibrated based on the HFCXO output. Sleep time intervals may be adjusted by adding and/or subtracting a time interval to an expected time to wake the radio circuit.
US08258879B2
A quadrature oscillator includes a first oscillator having a first second-order harmonic node, a second oscillator having a second second-order harmonic node, and at least one capacitor coupling the first second-order harmonic node and the second second-order harmonic node. The first oscillator is configured to supply an in-phase signal and the second oscillator is configured to supply a quadrature signal.
US08258875B1
A power amplifier system is provided that includes a power amplifier configured to receive an RF input. A DC-DC converter is coupled to the power amplifier. Clocking circuits drive the DC-DC converter. The clocking circuits use the RF input to generate a clock. The clock acts with the DC-DC converter to provide an output voltage used in the power amplifier.
US08258869B2
An LNA circuit for providing a wide range of gain while maintaining the output headroom. In a radio frequency (RF) receiver, the signal received by the receiver may be extremely small. For a transmitter in a short distance, the received signal may be relatively strong. A low power amplifier usually is used to amplify the input signal. The LNA has to be designed to accommodate a wide range of gain. A convention LNA circuit supporting a wide range of gain often suffers from reduced output headroom due to increased current through the load resistor. The present invention discloses the use of current bleeding branch to allow a portion of current to flow through the current bleeding branch and consequently reduces the current that would have flown through the load resistor. Consequently, the voltage across the load resistor may be maintained low to allow adequate output headroom.
US08258868B2
Differential input pairs have been used in analog electronics with both CMOS and bipolar transistors for many years. Conventional designs for differential input pairs, though, may not be suitable for emerging technology transistors, such as graphene transistors, carbon nanotube (CNT) transistors, or other ambipolar transistors. Here, a differential input pair has been provided that uses ambipolar transistors, which accounts for the more unusual I-V (drain current to gate-source voltage) characteristics of ambipolar transistors.
US08258857B2
Embodiments of the present invention include charge pump circuits and methods. In one embodiment, a first charge pump receives a voltage and generates a first charge pump output voltage and current for supplying the power requirements of a circuit. A second charge pump is coupled in series with the first charge pump. The second charge pump generates a second charge pump output voltage and current for supplying different power requirements of the circuit. In one embodiment, the first charge pump provides a high current low voltage output to a first circuit and the second charge pump provides a low current high voltage output to a second circuit. Capacitors of the first charge pump may be external to an integrated circuit and capacitors of the second charge pump may be internal to the integrated circuit.
US08258853B2
A power switch circuit includes a voltage selecting circuit, an auxiliary transistor and a control circuit. The control circuit includes an inverter, or a first inverter and a second inverter forming a latch. The power switch circuit is capable of tracing a higher supply voltage and outputting the voltage level of the higher supply voltage without a voltage drop, so the junction leakage can be eliminated and the drive capability of the power switch circuit is ensured.
US08258846B2
A receiving method and apparatus is disclosed. The method comprising steps of: receiving a plurality of data according to a symbol clock signal, and reading out the plurality of data according to a first clock signal and generating a water level; receiving a second clock signal so as to generate a third clock signal, and adjusting the speed of the third clock signal according to the water level; determining a sampling frequency of the plurality of data according to a data amount of the plurality of data during a unit time period or parameters of the plurality of data; and dividing the third clock signal by a dividing value or multiplying the third clock signal by a multiplying value so as to obtain the first clock signal and adjust the water level by a clock generator.
US08258844B2
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for implementing a system-wide reset of multiple devices. The techniques ensure that when any one of the devices of the system is reset, all the devices are reset. For example, a system includes a master reset device and a plurality of slave reset devices that are interconnected by a single reset line to provide improved robustness against electrostatic discharge (ESD) and electromagnetic pulse events. The master reset device detects a reset signal on the reset line and retransmits a true reset signal on the reset line in response to detecting the reset signal. Additionally, the master reset device may enter a blocking state after retransmitting the true reset signal to prevent detecting the reset signal that it transmitted on the reset line to avoid reset lockup.
US08258840B2
A delay locked loop includes a first delay unit configured to output an output clock by delaying an input clock by a delay; a replica delay unit configured to output a feedback clock by delaying the output clock with a delay equal to a sum of a first delay amount for a first operational frequency of the delayed locked loop and an additional delay amount for a second operational frequency of the delayed locked loop, wherein the second operational frequency is lower than the first operational frequency; and a delay amount control unit configured to control the delay of the first delay unit by comparing a phase of the input clock with a phase of the feedback clock.
US08258834B2
A lock detector for a phase lock loop (PLL) includes: first and second pulse width extenders, performing pulse width extension on first and second pulses for generating third and fourth pulses, respectively; first and second delay circuits, delaying the third and the fourth pulses into first and second sampling clocks, respectively; and a cross-sampling circuit, sampling the third pulse based on the second sampling clock and sampling the fourth pulse based on the first sampling clock to indicate whether the PLL is locked.
US08258825B2
A spread-spectrum circuit including an inverter, a current source, a control unit and a shaping circuit is provided. An input terminal of the inverter receives an original clock signal. The current source is coupled to a current transmission terminal of the inverter. The control unit includes a control circuit, and changes the current magnitude of the current source according to the original clock signal to control the charging/discharging speed of an output terminal of the inverter, so that the output terminal outputs a voltage signal. The shaping circuit shapes the voltage signal into a spread-spectrum clock signal.
US08258819B2
Traditionally, latched comparators have suffered from performance problems related to exposure of the latch to load capacitances. Even attempts to isolate the latch from the load capacitances by way of resistors has resulted in performance problems (namely, voltage swing degradation). Here, however, a latched comparator is provided that employs inductors to generally provide isolation from load capacitances, which generally improves performance. Moreover, the latch has been modified to accommodate the inductors during a track period (namely, provision of grounding paths).
US08258816B2
An integrated circuit comparator comprises a differential amplifier, a source follower circuit coupled to a gate terminal of a first transistor in the differential amplifier, and an output circuit. One or more source follower circuits may be utilized in connection with the differential amplifier, and one or more source follower circuits may be utilized in connection with the output circuit.
US08258812B2
Systems, circuits and methods for software programmable logic using Spin Transfer Torque Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (STT-MRAM) technology are disclosed. Magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) storage elements can be formed into input planes and output planes. The input planes and output planes can be coupled together to form complex arrays that allow for the realization of logic functions.
US08258807B2
A computer system on/off test apparatus includes a parameter setting and test control circuit, a test indicating circuit, a voltage converting circuit, and an on/off signal switch circuit. The parameter setting and test control circuit includes a micro control unit (MCU) to set a number of test times and control an on/off test of a motherboard. The test indicating circuit is operable to display the number set by the parameter setting and test control circuit, and display a successful number of test times of the on/off test. The voltage converting circuit is operable to convert a first voltage received from a first standby power connector to a second voltage. The on/off signal switch circuit is operable to switch the first and second voltages according the control by the MCU.
US08258804B2
A test tray for a test handler is disclosed that is loaded with semiconductor devices and then carries them along a predetermined circulation route. The test tray allows one fixing unit to fix a plurality of adjacent insert modules to the receiving spaces of the frame, thereby efficiently using the space of the frame and allowing a relatively large number of insert modules to be installed in the same area, in comparison to the conventional test tray.
US08258800B2
Various methods are described to characterize interferometric modulators or similar devices. Measured voltages across interferometric modulators may be used to characterize transition voltages of the interferometric modulators. Measured currents may be analyzed by integration of measured current to provide an indication of a dynamic response of the interferometric modulator. Frequency analysis may be used to provide an indication of a hysteresis window of the interferometric modulator or mechanical properties of the interferometric modulator. Capacitance may be determined through signal correlation, and spread-spectrum analysis may be used to minimize the effect of noise or interference on measurements of various interferometric modulator parameters.
US08258798B2
A method and a circuit for measuring an on chip duty cycle. The circuit includes a capacitor, a switching circuit, a current source, a comparator circuit and a counter. The circuit receives a first clock signal and a second clock signal. The first clock signal has a 50% duty cycle and the second signal has an unknown duty cycle signal. The switching circuit first receives the first clock signal and then the second clock signal for measuring the duty cycle. The comparator circuit compares a comparator voltage with a reference voltage for the first clock signal to measure a first elapsed cycle using the counter. The comparator circuit again compares a comparator voltage with a reference voltage for the second clock signal to measure a second elapsed cycle using the counter. The counter measures the first elapsed cycle and the second elapsed cycle corresponding to the first clock signal and the second clock signal for a duration in which the comparator voltage equals the reference voltage. The duty cycle for the second clock signal is then calculated using the first elapsed cycle and the second elapsed cycle.
US08258796B2
A system for testing an electronic device comprises a first output, a second output, and a third output connected to a positive input, an identification input, and a negative input of the electronic device, respectively. The system further comprises a switch comprising at least two dynamic contacts, each of which is connected to a resistor for the use of identification.
US08258790B2
An apparatus for evaluating an earth formation, the apparatus including: a logging tool configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth formation; a coil inductively coupled to the earth formation, the coil being disposed at the logging instrument; and a circuit coupled to the coil wherein the circuit and the coil form an oscillator circuit, the oscillator circuit being configured to oscillate when a circuit parameter of the oscillator circuit satisfies an oscillation criterion, the circuit parameter being related to a property of the earth formation.
US08258789B2
An apparatus includes a first RF coil integrated into a first printed circuit board (PCB) and a second RF coil integrated into the first PCB. The apparatus also includes a tuning member positioned adjacently to the first PCB and inductively coupled to the first and second RF coils, the tuning member configured to minimize a mutual inductance formed between the first and second RF coils via modification of a coupling constant between the first and second RF coils.
US08258782B2
An angle detecting apparatus includes a rotor fixed to a rotating shaft, a pair of magnetic sensors arranged close to the outer periphery of the rotor so as to have a difference in angle (π/2) with respect to the center of rotation of the rotor, a differential operational circuit performing differential operation on detection signals output by the magnetic sensors to output a differential signal, and the angle calculating circuit calculating the angle of rotation of the rotating shaft based on the differential signal. The planar shape of the rotor is such that the sum of the distances between the center of rotation and the respective two points where two straight lines crossing at the center of rotation at a crossing angle of (π/2) cross the outer periphery of the rotor is constant, and the planar shape is symmetric with respect to a straight line passing through the center of rotation.
US08258772B2
The present invention is a DC-DC converter characterized by including a switch element that is provided between one end of a DC power source and one end of a load and turns ON and OFF current input from the DC power source, an inductance element that is provided between one end of the switch element on a load-side end and includes a doughnut-shaped magnetic core and a conductive wire wound around the magnetic core, a commutation switch provided between a node between the switch element and the inductance element and a ground potential, and a capacitance element provided between a node between the inductance element and the load and the ground potential, wherein a magnetic flux density of the magnetic core varies partially.
US08258767B2
A power conversion system and power control method for reducing cross regulation effect uses a voltage feedback adjustment circuit to modulate an error signal fed back from an output voltage so as to predict the energy of an output corresponding to its load states. While the energy delivered to an output terminal with its load remaining the same does not change, the energy delivered to an output terminal with its load changing is adjusted accordingly. The power conversion system thus effectively reduces the cross regulation effect and obtains excellent steady system output and transient response.
US08258761B2
Electrical energy consumption control apparatuses and electrical energy consumption control methods are described. According to one aspect, an electrical energy consumption control apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to receive a signal which is indicative of current of electrical energy which is consumed by a plurality of loads at a site, to compare the signal which is indicative of current of electrical energy which is consumed by the plurality of loads at the site with a desired substantially sinusoidal waveform of current of electrical energy which is received at the site from an electrical power system, and to use the comparison to control an amount of the electrical energy which is consumed by at least one of the loads of the site.
US08258760B2
An exciter assembly for supplying a field current to the rotor windings of a superconducting synchronous machine includes a pulse transformer having a stationary primary winding, a secondary winding and a tertiary winding. A switched mode power supply supplies a pulsed voltage to the primary winding of the pulse transformer. The pulsed voltage developed at the secondary winding of the pulse transformer is supplied to the rotor windings through a pair of transfer leads. A controller controls synchronous rectification of the pulsed voltage supplied to the rotor windings based on a signal from the tertiary winding of the pulse transformer.
US08258758B2
A system to improve a multistage charge pump may include a capacitor, a first plate carried by the capacitor, and a second plate carried by the capacitor opposite the first plate. The system may also include a clock to control charging and discharging of the capacitor. The system may further include a power supply to provide a power supply voltage across the first plate and the second plate during charging of the capacitor. The system may also include a voltage line to lift the second plate to an intermediate voltage during discharging of the capacitor. The system may further include an output line connected to the first plate during discharging of the capacitor to provide an output voltage.
US08258756B2
A current breaking method of a rechargeable battery and a battery pack using the same. The current breaking method includes: measuring a current value of a current flowing through a high current path of a rechargeable battery; measuring a duration time of the current flowing through the high current path; setting a permission time for which the current is permitted to flow; and interrupting the current flow when the duration time exceeds the permission time. Thus, the timing for interrupting the current flowing through the high current path of the rechargeable battery is accurately calculated, thereby preventing overheating and explosion of the rechargeable battery.
US08258754B2
A battery-management method is performed by a battery-operated device. The method includes allocating a first portion of a battery capacity to a first function and a second portion of the battery capacity to a second function. The method further includes simultaneously displaying a first indicator relating to the first portion of the battery capacity and a second indicator relating to the second portion of the battery capacity.
US08258752B2
The present invention discloses an integrated PMOS transistor and Schottky diode, comprising a PMOS transistor which includes a gate, a source, a drain and a channel region between the source and drain, wherein the source, drain and channel region are formed in a substrate, and a parasitic diode is formed between the drain and the channel region; and a Schottky diode formed in the substrate and connected in reverse series with the parasitic diode, the Schottky diode having one end connected with the parasitic diode and the other end connected with the source.
US08258743B2
The E-Grid Sub-Network Load Manager operates to regulate the demands presented by the vehicles to the associated Sub-Network thereby to spread the load presented to the service disconnect over time to enable the controllable charging of a large number of vehicles. The load management can be implemented by a number of methodologies, including: queuing requests and serving each request in sequence until satisfaction; queuing requests and cycling through the requests, partially serving each request, then proceeding to the next until the cyclic partial charging service has satisfied all requests; ordering requests pursuant to a percentage of recharge required measurement; ordering requests on an estimated connection time metric; ordering requests on a predetermined level of service basis; and the like. It is evident that a number of these methods can be concurrently employed thereby to serve all of the vehicles in the most efficient manner that can be determined.
US08258739B2
A power converter includes: a determination section which, prior to an actual operation, determines presence/absence of a common mode filter connected to a line for supplying power to a motor, switching elements being driven with a predetermined PWM on/off drive signal corresponding to a carrier frequency prior to the actual operation; and a PWM control method changing/setting section which, during the actual operation, changes and sets a PWM control method in accordance with a result of the determination of the presence/absence of the common mode filter.
US08258733B2
A washing machine and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The washing machine detects a back electromotive force of a washing motor, and controls output of an alarm sound by analyzing periodicity of a waveform period of the back electromotive force. The washing machine determines whether a child or pet is in a drum washing machine on the basis of the back electromotive force generated from the washing motor, and informs a user or guardian of the determined result.
US08258732B2
A drive system of a permanent magnet motor is constituted of a mode switching trigger generator which monitors a state of a permanent magnet motor and issues a mode switching trigger, a conduction mode determining unit which receives the mode switching trigger and switches the mode of the permanent magnet motor, and a PWM generator which outputs a PWM signal to an inverter in accordance with the output of the conduction mode determining unit. The mode switching trigger is generated on condition that the speed electromotive force of the permanent magnet motor exceeds a constant or variable threshold value.
US08258729B1
Systems, methods and computer program products for removing speed adjustment errors attributed by pole asymmetry are described. In some implementations, the spindle motor speed can be down sampled. Down sampling the spindle motor speed can include determining the spindle motor speed every two (or multiple of two) electrical cycles. Determining the spindle motor speed every two electrical cycles can lead to an accurate determination of the actual spindle motor speed, as the timing and position differences between two adjacent poles can be equalized (e.g., timing and position errors associated with the second pole can be used to cancel out the timing and position characteristics errors with the first pole).
US08258719B2
The invention provides a method for regulating a LED current (ILED) flowing through a LED circuit arrangement at a mean LED current level. The method includes establishing an oscillating converter current (IL), establishing a first and a second current control indicator representative of a flow of a converter current (IL); regulating a peak and valley current level of the converter current in dependence on the first current control indicator; controlling a converter current period (T) of an oscillation of the converter current in dependence on the second current control indicator to be within a period control range (Tref) and feeding at least part of the converter current to the LED circuit arrangement. The invention also provides a circuit arrangement for regulating a LED current using the method, a LED driver IC using the circuit arrangement, a circuit composition with at least one LED and the circuit arrangement, and a lighting system with the circuit composition.
US08258718B2
A lighting device (8) including a cold-cathode fluorescent tube (light source) (9) includes an inverter circuit (16) connected to the cold-cathode fluorescent tube (9) and configured so as to driving the cold-cathode fluorescent tube (9), using PWM dimming. The inverter circuit (16) drives the cold-cathode fluorescent tube (9) while a dimming signal in the PWM dimming and a driving signal for driving the cold-cathode fluorescent tube (9) are synchronized.
US08258703B1
A trailer light adapter that is adapted to supply signals to operate the lights of a towed vehicle from modulated signals of a lighting circuit of a towing vehicle, includes at least one input that is adapted to receive a modulated signal from the lighting circuit of the towing vehicle and at least one output that is adapted to supply an output signal to operate a light of the towed vehicle. The adapter further includes a decoder that is adapted to decode a modulated signal and to provide a decoded signal indicative of a desired state of the light of the towed vehicle. The adapter further includes a power circuit that is responsive to the decoded signal and is adapted to supply the output signal to operate the light of the towed vehicle. The adapter may be responsive to a variable voltage modulated signal, a pulse-width modulated signal, or the like.
US08258701B2
A plasma display panel equipped with a front substrate and a back substrate facing each other to form a discharge space. On the discharge space side of the front substrate there are disposed a metal oxide layer and magnesium oxide crystal particles. Among the magnesium oxide crystal particles there are magnesium oxide crystal particles having a particle diameter of at least 3500 angstroms.
US08258698B2
According to one embodiment, a light emitting device includes a first lead, a light emitting element, a second lead and a molded body. The first lead includes a die pad portion having a major surface and a recess provided in the major surface, and a bent portion bent toward above the major surface. The light emitting element is bonded to a bottom surface of the recess. The second lead with one end portion is opposed to one end portion of the first lead. The molded body covers the light emitting element, the bent portion, the die pad portion, and the one end portion of the second lead, and is made of a resin. A position of barycenter of the molded body is set between a lower surface of the die pad portion and a plane including an upper end of the bent portion.
US08258689B2
To aim to provide a lighting apparatus that is compact yet easy in lamp replacement. A lighting apparatus 1 comprises: a lamp 6 including an outer tube 13 and an arc tube 15 provided inside the outer tube 13; and an opening-type lighting fixture 3 having a mirror part 11 having a concave reflective surface 9 inside which the lamp 6 is disposed. The mirror part 11 reflects light emitted from the lamp 6 at the reflection surface 9 such that the reflected light is emitted through an opening 10 of the mirror part 11. Relational expressions 22≦r≦28, R≦130, and 3.5≦R/r are satisfied, with r denoting a maximum outer diameter [mm] of the outer tube 13, and R denoting an opening diameter [mm] of the mirror part 11.
US08258682B2
One or more solid state light emitting elements are mounted on a hardcoat anodized aluminum substrate. One or more bars also may be provided that slidably contact an edge of the hardcoat anodized aluminum substrate. The substrate and the bar(s) may be mounted in a housing with the bars mounted in apertures in the housing wall. Related assembling methods for solid state light emitting apparatus also are disclosed.
US08258681B2
A heat dissipating device for lightings includes a light source module, a heat sink, and a converter. The heat sink has a substrate and a plurality of heat dissipating fins extending outward from the substrate. A plurality of channels is formed between the heat dissipating fins. Insides of the channels respectively have a port open to the center of the heat sink. Thereby, the channels of the heat sink can effectively direct the airflow into the center of the heat sink, enhancing the heat dissipating effect of the heat sink.
US08258680B2
Solutions for reducing key bar rattle in dynamoelectric machines are disclosed. In one embodiment an apparatus includes: a plurality of key bars operably coupling a stator core to a stator wrapper in which the stator core is at least partially contained; a cable surrounding the plurality of key bars; and at least one anchor device connecting a portion of the cable to the stator wrapper to produce a compressive load on at least one of the plurality of key bars by tightening the cable around the plurality of key bars.
US08258678B2
An apparatus comprises a first transducer support configured to receive a first transducer in a first opening. A face of the first face of the transducer is located in a first plane. The apparatus also comprises a second transducer support configured to receive a second transducer in a second opening. A face of the second transducer is located in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane.
US08258667B2
A reverse electromotive force generating motor includes a stator yoke; a rotor disposed in the stator yoke; a first coil disposed in the stator yoke and connected to a first input line of a power source with a first phase; a second coil disposed in the stator yoke and connected to the first coil in series, said second coil being connected to a first neutral point; a third coil disposed in the stator yoke and connected to the first neutral point; a fourth coil disposed in the stator yoke and connected to the third coil in series, said fourth coil being connected to a first output line for outputting power; and a rotational shaft disposed in the rotor.
US08258665B2
The present invention is an electrical rotating apparatus comprising stator coils wound around the inside and outside of the stator. In a further embodiment, the machine contains a high number of phases, greater than three. In a further embodiment, the phases are connected in a mesh connection. In a further embodiment, each half-phase is independently driven to enable second harmonic drive for an impedance effect. Improvements are apparent in efficiency and packing density.
US08258663B2
An apparatus for animating a magnetically levitated object. The apparatus includes a display with an overhead housing. A magnetic levitation and oscillation assembly is included with an electromagnet in the overhead housing. A levitated object with a body in which a magnetic element is embedded is positioned proximate to the electromagnet and levitated within the display. The levitation and oscillation assembly includes a levitation actuator driving the electromagnet with a control signal to generate a levitating magnetic field. The assembly includes an oscillating signal generator that oscillates the levitating magnetic field at an oscillating frequency. During magnetic field oscillation, the object body is levitated by the electromagnet and is concurrently subjected to first oscillating movements while attached elements such as wings are subjected to second oscillating movements near their resonant frequency with larger displacements, whereby the object body appears stationary while attached elements vibrate with a reciprocating or flapping motion.
US08258661B2
A motor includes a tubular housing having flat side walls along each side of rectangular joined with each other by joining sections, a magnet, having magnet poles in the jointing section, disposed along the inner peripheral surfaces of the housing, a shaft inserted along the axis of the housing, an armature fixed to the shaft in such a position as to be opposite to the magnet, a commutator mounted on the shaft, a carbon brush in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the commutator, and electrical components provided within the housing. The electrical components in the longer direction are arranged such that they are not parallel with all the sides of the housing.
US08258660B2
A stator arrangement for an electric motor. The stator arrangement including a laminated stator core with stator windings running through stator grooves and forming winding overhangs at each end face of the laminated stator core. The stator arrangement also includes an interconnection unit having a switching disk covering the winding overhangs on one end face of the stator. The switching disk further including at least one temperature monitor mounted thereon for monitoring the temperature of the stator windings. The temperature monitor being seated in a holding pocket that is resiliently connected to the switching disk in such a manner that, when positioned in one of the stator grooves, it is resiliently biased into engagement with a stator winding.
US08258657B2
A vibration motor is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the vibration motor includes a base, a vibrator, which reciprocates in the base, a protruding part, which is formed on at least one of the base and the vibrator, and an elastic body, which is interposed between the base and the vibrator and has a through-part formed therein and in which the protruding part is inserted into the through-part and the elastic body is coupled to the base or the vibrator by caulking or bending the protruding part which is protruded through the through-part. Thus, the vibration motor can have a uniform resonant frequency characteristic since a spring is coupled by way of caulking or bending.
US08258654B2
A portable switching device may include a wireless receiver to receive a wireless signal from an occupancy sensor, and a power switch to control power to a load in response to the wireless signal. In some embodiments, the wireless signal may include an occupancy signal that indicates the occupied state of a monitored space. In other embodiments, the wireless signal may include a detector signal that requires further processing to determine the occupied state of the space.
US08258650B2
The invention relates to an electric circuit for an automobile, that comprises a ground line (M), an onboard network (R) with a battery (1) connected to the network (R) and to the ground (M) by a branch (b1) comprising a switch (K1) and by a second branch (b2) including a switch (K2), an alternator (3) connected to the battery, a starter and consumer members (4) connected to said onboard network and to the ground. The circuit further includes a voltage holding device that comprises a bridge (b3) connecting the branch (b1) to the branch (b2) and a capacitor (2) connected to the bridge (b3) at a location between the third switch (K2) and the second branch (b2), and an internal supply device (8) that allows the current flow in the second branch (b2) only when recharging the capacitor (2).
US08258644B2
A device and method for harvesting electrical power from kinetic energy of a flow. The electricity generator includes a vibration assembly and magnetic field source. The external gas or liquid flow causes a vibration of the assembly with an integrated conductive element, producing electricity in proximity of a magnetic field. The vibrating assembly has a set of resonant frequencies that correspond to a set of the frequencies of the flow vortices within a predetermined range of the external flow velocities. An arbitrary number of adjustable generators can be connected into a single circuit, either in-series or in-parallel, to increase an overall power output. It is capable to operate under wide range of flow characteristics and can serve as a virtually maintenance-free source of electrical power.
US08258642B2
A resonance damping system for a wind turbine having a generator connected to a power grid, the resonance damping system comprising an adaptive resonance damper, operable to provide a control signal for the generator, wherein the variable torque signal of the adaptive resonance damper is automatically adjusted according to a parameter which represents a grid condition.
US08258633B2
A polymer layer is generated on a wafer. The wafer is then separated into semiconductor chips. At least two semiconductor chips are placed on a carrier with the polymer layer facing the carrier. The at least two semiconductor chips are covered with an encapsulating material to form an encapsulant. The carrier is removed from the encapsulant, and the encapsulant and the polymer layer are thinned.
US08258632B1
An improved photoconductive switch having a SiC or other wide band gap substrate material with opposing contoured profile cavities which have a contoured profile selected from one of Rogowski, Bruce, Chang, Harrison, and Ernst profiles, and two electrodes with matching contoured-profile convex interface surfaces.
US08258631B2
Provided is a pad layout structure of a semiconductor chip capable of preventing lead-broken problems when packaging the semiconductor chip with a high aspect ratio in a tape carrier package (TCP). In the pad layout structure of the semiconductor chip, a plurality pads are arranged along upper, lower, left and right sides of the semiconductor chip with a high aspect ratio, and a longitudinal width of pads arranged at the left and right sides and a transverse width of pads arranged at both edges of the upper and lower sides are greater than a transverse width of pads arranged at centers of the upper and lower sides.
US08258629B2
An integrated circuit structure including reflective metal pads is provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first low-k dielectric layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first low-k dielectric layer is a top low-k dielectric layer; a second low-k dielectric layer immediately underlying the first low-k dielectric layer; and a reflective metal pad in the second low-k dielectric layer.
US08258628B2
An integrated circuit arrangement includes a substrate with a multiplicity of integrated semiconductor components arranged therein, the substrate having a wiring interconnect near to the substrate, a middle wiring interconnect and a wiring interconnect remote from the substrate, which are arranged in this order at increasing distance from the substrate.
US08258625B2
In a structure for connecting a semiconductor element having a fine pitch electrode at 50 μm pitch or less and a pad or wirings on a substrate, for preventing inter-bump short-circuit or fracture of a connected portion due to high strain generated upon heating or application of load during connection, the substrate and the semiconductor element are connected by way of a bump having a longitudinal elastic modulus (Young's modulus) of 65 GPa or more and 600 GPa or less and a buffer layer including one of tin, aluminum, indium, or lead as a main ingredient and, further, protrusions are formed to at least one of opposing surfaces of the bump and the pad or the wirings on the substrate to each other, and the surfaces are connected by ultrasonic waves.
US08258623B2
A circuit layout of a circuit substrate having a plurality of device bonding areas is provided. The circuit layout includes first pads, second pads, bridging lines, first outer leads and second outer leads. Each device bounding area is configured with one first pad and one second pad. The bridging lines are respectively disposed between any two adjacent device bounding areas and extended from a side of the first pad inside one device bounding area to a side of the second pad inside another one device bounding area adjacent to the first pad. Each first outer lead and each second outer lead are respectively corresponding to one first pad and one second pad, are respectively correspondingly extended into the device bounding area which the first pad and the second pad are located at, and are beside the first pad and the second pad correspondingly.
US08258622B2
Provided are a power device package coupled to a heat sink using a bolt and a semiconductor package mold for fabricating the same. The power device package includes: a substrate; at least one power device mounted on the substrate; a mold member sealing the substrate and the power device; and at least one bushing member fixed to the mold member to provide a through hole for a bolt member for coupling a heat sink to the mold member.
US08258619B2
An integrated circuit die stack including a first integrated circuit die mounted upon a substrate, the first die including pass-through vias (‘PTVs’) composed of conductive pathways through the first die with no connection to any circuitry on the first die; and a second integrated circuit die, identical to the first die, shifted in position with respect to the first die and mounted upon the first die, with the PTVs in the first die connecting signal lines from the substrate through the first die to through silicon vias (‘TSVs’) in the second die composed of conductive pathways through the second die connected to electronic circuitry on the second die; with the TSVs and PTVs disposed upon each identical die so that the positions of the TSVs and PTVs on each identical die are translationally compatible with respect to the TSVs and PTVs on the other identical die.
US08258615B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor device capable of eliminating voltage (IR) drop of a semiconductor die inside the semiconductor device and a fabricating method of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device comprises the semiconductor die, and the semiconductor die comprises a first surface area, a plurality of first pads potentially equivalent to each other, a passivation layer, a plurality of first openings, and a first conducting medium layer. The passivation layer is disposed on the plurality of first pads. The plurality of first openings is formed on the passivation layer, and utilized for exposing the plurality of first pads. The first conducting medium layer is formed on the first surface area, and utilized for fulfilling the plurality of first openings to connect the plurality of first pads.
US08258613B1
A semiconductor package for a semiconductor chip, e.g., a memory chip, is disclosed. The semiconductor package includes a substrate having a generally rectangular perimeter with four sidewalls and a chamfer between adjacent first and second ones of the sidewalls. The memory chip is electrically coupled contacts provided on an opposite surface of the substrate. The contacts are in a row along only the one sidewall of the substrate. A body of a plastic encapsulant covers the first surface of the substrate, the memory chip, and at least two of the sidewalls of the package. The entire perimeter of the substrate, including all four sidewalls and the chamfer, are covered by the plastic encapsulant. Alternatively, only two or three of the sidewalls are covered by the plastic encapsulant, with the other sidewall(s) being exposed and vertically coplanar with a respective sidewall of the plastic encapsulant.
US08258611B2
A leadframe structure for an electronic package is provided, wherein the leadframe structure comprises a die-pad, a barrier area, and a bonding area, wherein the barrier area is arranged between the die-pad and the bonding area, and wherein the barrier area is adapted to electrically connect the die-pad and the bonding area, and is further constructed in such a way that delamination growth between the leadframe structure and a moulding compound fixable to the leadframe structure is reduced.
US08258609B2
An integrated circuit package system is provided including forming a paddle having an integrated circuit die thereover, an outer lead, and an inner lead between the paddle and the outer lead. The integrated circuit package system is also provided including placing a lead support over the inner lead without traversing to an inner body bottom side of the inner lead, connecting the integrated circuit die and the inner lead, and encapsulating the inner lead having the lead support thereover and the inner lead exposed.
US08258607B2
An integrated circuit packaging apparatus includes a first conductive layer disposed between an integrated circuit die and a conductive die paddle. Bond wires connect the first conductive layer to the lead frame package and to the integrated circuit die. A first dielectric layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the conductive die paddle such that the first conductive layer, the first dielectric layer, and the conductive die paddle provide bypass capacitance. A method for providing bypass capacitance and power routing for an integrated circuit packaging apparatus includes; depositing a first dielectric layer on a conductive die paddle, depositing a first conductive layer on the first dielectric layer, and connecting the first conductive layer to the lead frame package and to the integrated circuit die. The first conductive layer, the first dielectric layer, and the conductive die paddle cooperate to provide bypass capacitance.
US08258606B2
A high frequency flip chip package substrate of a polymer is a one-layer structure packaged by a high frequency flip chip package process to overcome the shortcomings of a conventional two-layer structure packaged by the high frequency flip chip package process. The conventional structure not only incurs additional insertion loss and return loss in its high frequency characteristic, but also brings out a reliability issue. Thus, the manufacturing process of a ceramic substrate in the conventional structure still has the disadvantages of a poor yield rate and a high cost.
US08258602B2
Design and methods for fabricating bipolar junction transistors are described. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first fin comprising a first emitter region, a first base region, and a first collector region. The first emitter region, the first base region, and the first collector region form a bipolar junction transistor. A second fin is disposed adjacent and parallel to the first fin. The second fin includes a first contact to the first base region.
US08258600B2
A semiconductor device includes a capacitor element including a first comb-shaped interconnection formed over a substrate and including a first comb tooth, a second comb-shaped interconnection formed over the substrate and including a second comb tooth opposed to the first comb tooth, and a first electrode and a second electrode opposed to each other with opposed surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode intersecting a longitudinal direction of the first comb tooth and the second comb tooth, a first dielectric layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first electrode being connected to the first comb tooth, and the second electrode being connected to the second comb tooth.
US08258599B2
An apparatus and a method for producing passive components on an integrated circuit device. The integrtated circuit device has post wafer fabrication integrated passive components situated on the opposite substrate side of the device's integrated circuitry. Electrical contact pads of the passive components are configured to be coupled to the electronics package contact pads to complete the electronic package.
US08258597B2
A pyroelectric detector includes a support member, a capacitor and a fixing part. The support member includes a first side and a second side opposite from the first side, with the first side facing a cavity. The capacitor includes a pyroelectric body between a first electrode and a second electrode such that an amount of polarization varies based on a temperature. The capacitor is mounted and supported on the second side of the support member with the first electrode being disposed on the second side of the support member. A thermal conductance of the first electrode is less than a thermal conductance of the second electrode. The fixing part supports the support member.
US08258594B2
The invention relates to an avalanche photodiode (1) for detecting radiation, including a semiconductor substrate (11), an upper diode layer (15), an oppositely doped, laterally delimited lower diode layer (16), an avalanche region situated between the upper diode layer (15) and the lower diode layer (16), wherein the radiation to be detected triggers an avalanche breakdown in the avalanche region, and also including a contact-making layer (12) at the underside (10) of the semiconductor substrate (11), a laterally delimited quenching resistance layer (18) arranged in the semiconductor substrate (11) between the lower diode layer (16) and the contact-making layer (12), wherein the quenching resistance layer (18) quenches the radiation-generated avalanche breakdown in the avalanche region, and also including a depletion electrode (15) arranged laterally alongside the laterally delimited lower diode layer (16), such that the depletion electrode (15) depletes the semiconductor substrate (11) laterally alongside the laterally delimited lower diode layer (16), while the quenching resistance layer (18) is screened from the depletion electrode (15) by the lower diode layer (16) and is therefore not depleted.
US08258590B2
A method for producing a component, especially a micromechanical, micro-electro-mechanical or micro-opto-electro-mechanical component, as well as such a component which has an active structure that is embedded in a layer structure. Strip conductor bridges are formed by etching first and second depressions having a first and second, different etching depth into a covering layer of a first layer combination that additionally encompasses a substrate and an insulation layer. The deeper depression is used for insulating the strip conductor bridge while the shallower depression provides a moving space for the active structure with the moving space being bridged by the strip conductor bridge.
US08258589B2
A semiconductor device includes a gate stack structure. The gate stack structure includes an interfacial layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, a high-k dielectric formed on the interfacial layer, a silicide gate including a diffusive material and an impurity metal, and formed over the high-k dielectric, and a barrier metal with a barrier effect to the diffusive material, and formed between the high-k dielectric and the metal gate. The impurity metal has a barrier effect to the diffusive material so that the diffusive material in the silicide gate can be prevented from being introduced into the high-k dielectric.
US08258586B1
In an embodiment of the invention, a non-volatile anti-fuse memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell consists of a programmable n-channel diode-connectable transistor. The poly-silicon gate of the transistor has two portions. One portion is doped more highly than a second portion. The transistor also has a source with two portions where one portion of the source is doped more highly than a second portion. The portion of the gate that is physically closer to the source is more lightly doped than the other portion of the poly-silicon gate. The portion of the source that is physically closer to the lightly doped portion of the poly-silicone gate is lightly doped with respect to the other portion of the source. When the transistor is programmed, a rupture in the insulator will most likely occur in the portion of the poly-silicone gate that is heavily doped.
US08258579B2
A stressed semiconductor using carbon is provided. At least one carbon layer containing diamond is formed either below a semiconductor layer or above a semiconductor device. The carbon layer induces stress in the semiconductor layer, thereby increasing carrier mobility in the device channel region. The carbon layer may be selectively formed or patterned to localize the induced stress.
US08258571B2
The invention provides a MOS semiconductor memory device that achieves excellent data retention characteristics while also achieving high-speed data write performance, low-power operation performance, and high reliability. A MOS semiconductor memory device 601 includes a first insulating film 111 and fifth insulating film 115 having large bandgaps 111a and 115a, a third insulating film 113 having the smallest bandgap 113a, and a second insulating film 112 and fourth insulating film 114 interposed between the third insulating film 113 and the first and fifth insulating films 111 and 115, respectively, and having intermediate bandgaps 112a and 114a.
US08258568B2
A first isolation is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a first element region is isolated via the first isolation. A first gate insulating film is formed on the first element region, and a first gate electrode is formed on the first gate insulating film. A second isolation is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a second element region is isolated via the second isolation. A second gate insulating film is formed on the second element region, and a second gate electrode is formed on the second gate insulating film. A first oxide film is formed between the first isolation and the first element region. A second oxide film is formed between the second isolation and the second element region. The first isolation has a width narrower than the second isolation, and the first oxide film has a thickness thinner than the second oxide film.
US08258561B2
In connection with a semiconductor device including a capacitor element there is provided a technique capable of improving the reliability of the capacitor element. A capacitor element is formed in an element isolation region formed over a semiconductor substrate. The capacitor element includes a lower electrode and an upper electrode formed over the lower electrode through a capacitor insulating film. Basically, the lower electrode and the upper electrode are formed from polysilicon films and a cobalt silicide film formed over the surfaces of the polysilicon films. End portions of the cobalt silicide film formed over the upper electrode are spaced apart a distance from end portions of the upper electrode. Besides, end portions of the cobalt silicide film formed over the lower electrode are spaced apart a distance from boundaries between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.
US08258556B2
A thin film transistor is provided, which includes: a gate electrode (124); a gate insulating layer (140) formed on the gate electrode; a semiconductor layer (154) formed on the gate insulating layer and disposed opposite the gate electrode; a source electrode (173) and a drain electrode (175) that are formed at least in part on the semiconductor layer and face each other, a passivation layer (180) formed on the source electrode, the drain electrode, and a portion of the semiconductor layer that is not covered with the source electrode and the drain electrode; and a shielding electrode (196) formed on the passivation layer and disposed on a region between the source electrode and the drain electrode.
US08258550B2
A cell layout of a semiconductor device includes a diffusion level layout including a plurality of diffusion region layout shapes. The cell layout also includes a gate electrode level layout defined to include linear-shaped layout features placed to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent linear-shaped layout features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing that is substantially equal across the gate electrode level layout and that is minimized to an extent allowed by a semiconductor device manufacturing capability. The gate electrode level layout includes linear-shaped layout features defined along at least four different lines of extent in the first parallel direction. The cell layout also includes a number of interconnect level layouts each defined to pattern conductive features within corresponding interconnect levels above the gate electrode level of the cell.
US08258548B2
A cell of a semiconductor device includes a substrate portion formed to include a plurality of diffusion regions, including at least one p-type diffusion region and at least one n-type diffusion region separated from each other by one or more non-active regions. The cell includes a gate electrode level including a number of conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Each of the conductive features within the gate electrode level is fabricated from a respective originating rectangular-shaped layout feature. Some of the conductive features form respective PMOS and/or NMOS transistor devices. A number of the PMOS transistor devices is equal to a number of the NMOS transistor devices in the gate electrode level of the cell. The cell also includes a number of interconnect levels formed above the gate electrode level.
US08258545B1
An integrated circuit includes a bipolar transistor disposed over a substrate. The bipolar transistor includes a base electrode disposed around at least one germanium-containing layer. An emitter electrode is disposed over the at least one germanium-containing layer. At least one isolation structure is disposed between the emitter electrode and the at least one germanium-containing layer. A top surface of the at least one isolation structure is disposed between and electrically isolating a top surface of the emitter electrode from a top surface of the at least one germanium-containing layer.
US08258544B2
A field-effect transistor provided with a substrate, a channel layer, a carrier supply layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a gate electrode, a first insulating layer that is laminated on the carrier supply layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and suppresses current collapse, an opening that is formed between an edge of the first insulating layer opposing the drain electrode and the drain electrode, and a second insulating layer that is laminated on the carrier supply layer exposed in the opening.
US08258535B2
Phosphor coating method for fabricating light emitting semiconductor device and applications thereof
In one aspect, a light emitting unit comprises: a first semiconductor layer having a first electric property; a second semiconductor layer having a second electric property disposed over the first semiconductor layer; an active layer disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; a first electrode disposed on the second semiconductor layer; a second electrode disposed under the first semiconductor layer; and a phosphor layer disposed on the first semiconductor layer. The phosphor layer covers the active layer and the second semiconductor layer. The first electrode is exposed out of the phosphor layer.
US08258531B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate and an epitaxy layer positioned on the substrate. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the substrate includes an upper surface and a plurality of bumps positioned on the upper surface, and each of the bumps includes a top plane substantially parallel to the upper surface and a plurality of wall surfaces between the top plane and the upper surface. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the epitaxy layer has the same crystal orientation on the upper surface of the substrate and the wall surfaces of the bumps to reduce defect density and increase protection from electrostatic discharge.
US08258524B2
A light emitting diode device which includes at least one light emitting diode, a heat-sink chassis having a surface upon which the at least one light emitting diode is mounted, and a waveguide having one end coupled to the at least one light emitting diode for receiving light therefrom. The waveguide has another end which includes a light extraction and redistribution region, and the waveguide is configured to guide light received from the at least one light emitting diode away from the heat-sink chassis and towards the light extraction and redistribution region. The light extraction and redistribution region is configured to extract and redistribute the light from the waveguide.
US08258516B2
A thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate includes a gate electrode, a gate insulation pattern, a channel pattern, a first organic insulation pattern, a source electrode and a drain electrode. The gate electrode is formed on a base substrate. The gate insulation pattern is formed on the gate electrode and is smaller than the gate electrode. The channel pattern is formed on the gate insulation pattern and the channel pattern is smaller than the gate electrode. The first organic insulation pattern is formed on the base substrate to cover the channel pattern, the gate insulation pattern and the gate electrode.
US08258515B2
To improve the reliability of contact with an anisotropic conductive film in a semiconductor device such as a liquid crystal display panel, a terminal portion (182) of a connecting wiring (183) on an active matrix substrate is electrically connected to an FPC (191) by an anisotropic conductive film (195). The connecting wiring (183) is manufactured in the same process with a source/drain wiring of a TFT on the active matrix substrate, and is made of a lamination film of a metallic film and a transparent conductive film. In the connecting portion with the anisotropic conductive film (195), a side surface of the connecting wiring (183) is covered with a protecting film (173) made of an insulating material. Accordingly, the portion in which the metallic film is surrounded by the transparent conductive film, the insulating base film, and the protecting film (173) to which it is in contact with, can be avoided from exposure to air because the side surface of the metallic film of the connecting wiring is covered with the protecting film (173).
US08258513B2
A thin film transistor matrix device including an insulating substrate and a plurality of lines arranged on the substrate. The lines are defined as odd-number-th lines alternating with even-number-th lines. A first connection line extends in a direction transverse to the plurality of lines. The first connection line and the odd-number-th lines are configured and arranged to be electrically connected to each other. A second connection line extends in a direction transverse to the plurality of lines. The second connection line and the even-number-th lines are configured and arranged to be electrically connected to each other. The first connection line and the second connection line are both formed on the same side of an image display region, when considered in plan view.
US08258512B2
An object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device manufactured in short time by performing the step of forming the thin film transistor and the step of forming the photoelectric conversion layer in parallel, and to provide a manufacturing process thereof. According to the present invention, a semiconductor device is manufactured in such a way that a thin film transistor is formed over a first substrate, a photoelectric conversion element is formed over a second substrate, and the thin film transistor and the photoelectric conversion element are connected electrically by sandwiching a conductive layer between the first and second substrates opposed to each other so that the thin film transistor and the photoelectric conversion element are located between the first and second substrates. Thus, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device which suppresses the increase in the number of steps and which increases the throughput can be provided.
US08258498B2
Embodiments described include straining transistor quantum well (QW) channel regions with metal source/drains, and conformal regrowth source/drains to impart a uni-axial strain in a MOS channel region. Removed portions of a channel layer may be filled with a junction material having a lattice spacing different than that of the channel material to causes a uni-axial strain in the channel, in addition to a bi-axial strain caused in the channel layer by a top barrier layer and a bottom buffer layer of the quantum well.
US08258497B2
A method for manufacturing an electronic-photonic device. Epitaxially depositing an n-doped III-V composite semiconductor alloy buffer layer on a crystalline surface of a substrate at a first temperature. Forming an active layer on the n-doped III-V epitaxial composite semiconductor alloy buffer layer at a second temperature, the active layer including a plurality of spheroid-shaped quantum dots. Depositing a p-doped III-V composite semiconductor alloy capping layer on the active layer at a third temperature. The second temperature is less than the first temperature and the third temperature. The active layer has a photoluminescence intensity emission peak in the telecommunication C-band.
US08258496B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit device including: a semiconductor substrate on which a circuit is formed; a plurality of functional device arrays stacked on the semiconductor substrate; and vertical wirings so disposed outside of the functional device arrays as to couple the signal lines of the functional device arrays to the circuit, wherein the vertical wirings include multi-layered metal pieces, each layer of which has a plurality of the metal pieces dispersedly arranged in a stripe-shaped contact trench formed on an interlayer insulating film in the elongated direction.
US08258486B2
An electron beam emitter including a vacuum chamber having a width. An electron generator can be positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons. An elongate nozzle can extend from the vacuum chamber along a longitudinal axis and have an exit window at a distal end of the nozzle. The nozzle can have a width that is less than the width of the vacuum chamber. The electron generator can be shaped and dimensioned, and positioned with the vacuum chamber to form and direct a narrow electron beam that enters and travels through the nozzle, and exits out the exit window.
US08258481B2
A system for selectively enabling or disabling an optical device. In an illustrative embodiment, the system implements an optical-device theft-prevention system. The theft-prevention system includes a material that is selectively positioned on, in, or relative to the optical device so that the transparency of the material affects a desired operation of the optical device. An energy beam is selectively employed to enable or disable the optical device by affecting the transparency of the material. In a specific embodiment, the fist material includes a dye, such as an energy-sensitive dye. The optical device includes an optical disc, such as Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Video Disc (DVD). The energy-sensitive dye is disposed over an entire readable surface of the optical device.
US08258477B2
An inspection apparatus for inspecting a subject (sample) (for example, performing identification or imaging of the subject) using an expansion coefficient with a relatively small amount of data. The inspection apparatus includes a transforming unit that performs a wavelet transform on a terahertz time waveform obtained using a terahertz wave detected by a detecting unit. In addition, the inspection apparatus includes a selecting unit that selects, from a first expansion coefficient in the wavelet transform, a second expansion coefficient stored in advance and included in the first expansion coefficient. Furthermore, the inspection apparatus includes a comparing unit for comparing a first value of the second expansion coefficient with a second value of the second expansion coefficient selected by the selecting unit.
US08258476B1
Radiation detection systems and methods. In one approach, optical radiation can be detected by using the radiation to be detected as input to a high index contrast waveguide modulator that modulates a wavelength of light that falls within the detection band of a detector. In another approach, the optical radiation that is to be detected is combined with a high power CW boost mode signal in a waveguide, and the sum and/or difference frequencies are detected. In either approach, one can use grating couplers to couple the optical radiation of interest into a waveguide.
US08258475B2
There is provided a charged particle radiation device provided with an aberration corrector capable of correcting aberration with high precision in a short time by automatically setting an aberration coefficient measuring condition to thereby realize measurement with high precision. The charged particle radiation device has a feature that a value of defocus and a value of astigma, occurring owing to aberration at the time of the beam tilting, are estimated on the basis of results of aberration measurement, thereby adjusting an electron optical system on the basis of these values.
US08258474B1
One embodiment relates to an apparatus for generating two spatially overlapping electron beams on a specimen. A first electron beam source is configured to generate a low-energy electron beam, and an energy-dispersive device bends the low-energy electron beam towards an semitransparent electron mirror. The semitransparent electron mirror is biased to reflect the low-energy electron beam. A second electron beam source is configured to generate a high-energy electron beam that passes through an opening in the semitransparent electron mirror. Both the low- and high-energy electron beams enter the same energy-dispersive device that bends both beams towards the specimen. A deflection system positioned between the high-energy electron source and semitransparent electron mirror is configured to deflect the high-energy electron beam by an angle that compensates for the difference in bending angles between the low- and high-energy electron beams introduced by the energy-dispersive device. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08258472B2
A charged particle radiation device wherein the position or the size of a FOV can be easily determined even if a number of measuring points are provided on a sample, and an image capturing condition determining method using the charged particle radiation device are provided. An image capturing condition determining method wherein the field of view of a charged particle radiation device is determined so as to include a plurality of measuring points, characterized in that whether or not the measuring points are overlapped with four sides of the field of view is judged; the field of view is moved so that the measuring points are moved to the inside or outside of the field of view; and the position of the field of view after being moved is determined as a position of the field of view of the charged particle radiation device, and a device to realize the method are proposed. Further, a method for judging whether or not the measuring points are overlapped with the four sides, and changing the size of the field of view so as not to overlap the measuring points with each side, and a device therefor are proposed.
US08258457B2
A scanning endoscope comprising a light transmitter, an actuator, and a force transmitter, is provided. The light transmitter emits a beam of the light exiting the first emission end. The light transmitter is flexible. A longitudinal direction of the light transmitter is a first direction. The actuator is mounted near the first emission end. The actuator bends the light transmitter in a second direction by pushing a side of the light transmitter in the second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. A force transmitter is oriented lengthwise in the first direction. The force transmitter is elastic. The force transmitter is positioned between the light transmitter and the actuator. The force transmitter exerts a pushing force supplied by the actuator on the side of the light transmitter while the force transmitter is deformed elastically toward the first direction.
US08258456B2
The present invention provides an image sensor. The image sensor comprises: a substrate, a plurality of optical elements, a first insulation layer, an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer, a second insulation layer, and a color filter array. The optical elements are disposed in the substrate. The first insulation layer is disposed on the substrate and the optical elements. The ARC layer is disposed on the first insulation layer. The second insulation layer is disposed on the ARC layer. The color filter array is disposed on the second insulation layer, and the color filter array comprises a plurality of color filters corresponding to a plurality of different colors of light, respectively. The ARC layer comprises a plurality of sections directly below the color filters in a vertical direction, respectively, and the sections have different inherent reflection characteristics. The image sensor of the present invention can increase sensitivity and reduce crosstalk.
US08258448B2
An autofocus device includes an objective lens, an observation optical system, a driving mechanism that displaces the objective lens in an optical axis direction thereof, an illumination-optical-system optical path used to illuminate a measurement surface of a measurement object through the objective lens with light, and a pattern-projection-optical-system optical path. An electronic control shutter, a pattern projection plate having a predetermined pattern formed thereon, and a projection lens are provided in the pattern-projection-optical-system optical path.
US08258440B2
Apparatus for and methods of rethermalizing a package of refrigerated or frozen food are disclosed. In general, heating mechanisms are brought into conductive heat transfer contact with the package of food and operated for a duration of rethermalization time to rethermalize the package of food by heating the food to a rethermalized temperature, and then, if desired, to hold the rethermalized package of food at a desired holding temperature for a duration of holding time. The rethermalization time can be relatively short (e.g., thirty minutes or less), and the holding time can range from a very short period of time to a very long period of time (e.g., four, six, eight or more hours) without significant loss of food quality. Other features of the apparatus and methods are disclosed.
US08258437B2
A cooking appliance has a cooktop including a plurality of separately controlled cooking areas. A first heating element and a second heating element are positioned below one of the separately controlled cooking areas. A control switch is coupled to the first heating element and the second heating element and is operable to selectively energize the first heating element and the second heating element.
US08258423B2
An improved plasma torch and method of starting the torch are provided. The torch may comprise a main torch body with an electrode assembly coupled to a piston therein. The piston and electrode assembly are moveable between a starting position whereby the electrode assembly contacts a nozzle, and an operating position whereby the electrode assembly does not contact the nozzle. The piston is moveable by directing fluid, which may comprise coolant, through the plasma torch either in a first direction which biases the piston to the starting position, or in an opposite second direction which biases the piston so as to retract the electrode assembly to the operating position. A reversing valve or reversible pump may be used to control the direction of the flow of the fluid. Thereby, the coolant supply may be used to both cool the torch and control the starting and operation of the torch.
US08258415B2
A method, and a device that is operable according to the method, for monitoring the condition of a force-measuring device, particularly a weighing device having a movable force-transmitting portion through which a force that is acting on the force-measuring device is transmitted to a measurement transducer that generates a measurement signal corresponding to the applied force, whereupon the signal is brought into the form of a display indication or passed along for further processing. In the method and device of the invention, at least one parameter is determined, which parameter characterizes the free mobility of the force-transmitting portion, or a change in the free mobility of the force-transmitting portion over time. The parameter is then compared to at least one threshold value, and based on the result of the comparison an action of the force-measuring device may be triggered.
US08258412B2
A furniture system including at least one furniture element having at least one raceway and a modular electrical wiring system at least partially located in the raceway. The electrical wiring system includes a plurality of wire distribution assemblies, an electrical assembly and an electrical switch. The plurality of wire distribution assemblies includes a first wire distribution assembly and a second wire distribution assembly. The electrical assembly partially electrically connects the first wire distribution assembly and the second wire distribution assembly. The first wire distribution assembly has a first number of electrical conductors. The electrical assembly is electrically connected to a second number of electrical conductors of the first wire distribution assembly, the second number being smaller than the first number. The electrical switch is configured to electrically connect a first electrical conductor of the first wire distribution assembly that is a member of the second number of electrical conductors to a second electrical conductor of said first wire distribution assembly that is a member of the first number of electrical conductors and not a member of the second number of electrical conductors.
US08258408B2
As a multi-layered board, an EMI noise reduction board, having an electromagnetic bandgap structure with band stop frequency properties inserted into an inner portion of the board, includes a first area, in which a ground layer and a power layer are formed, and a second area, placed on a side surface of the first area, in which it has the electromagnetic bandgap structure formed therein so as to shield an EMI noise radiated to the outside through the side surface of the first area. The electromagnetic bandgap structure includes a plurality of first conductive plates, placed along the edge of the board, a plurality of second conductive plates, disposed on a planar surface that is different from the first conductive plates such that the second conductive plates are alternately disposed with the first conductive plates, and a via, which connects the first conductive plates to the second conductive plates.
US08258404B2
Busbars of a busway system are insulated so as to minimize or eliminate air gaps between busbars. In an embodiment, an insulating sheath is provided with corrugations in regions corresponding to busbar bends. The corrugations allow the sheath to follow the busbar bends without the need to cut or interrupt the sheath. Busbars may therefore be fully insulated without the need for further insulating materials (e.g., tape). Good thermal contact between busbars throughout their length is achieved, improving heat dissipation and efficiency.
US08258398B2
A heterojunction photovoltaic cell. The cell includes a nanoporous substrate, a transparent conducting oxide disposed on the nanoporous substrate, a nanolaminate film deposited on the nanoporous substrate surface, a sensitizer dye disposed on a wide band gap semiconducting oxide and a redox shuttle positioned within the layer structure.
US08258392B2
A percussion instrument striking detection device is configured to minimize time lag from striking the head until detection of head vibrations and for reliable detection of the vibrations in conformance with the striking force without regard to the head condition. A striking member has a vibration sensor. Therefore, the distance from the striking location on the head to the vibration sensor can be short, to minimize time lag. In addition, the effect of the tension or the material of the head on the vibrations detected by the vibration sensor can be minimized and vibrations in conformance with the striking force can be reliably detected.
US08258390B1
Methods and systems for generating playlists of media items with audio data are disclosed. Based on two received feature sets, media items corresponding to each feature set are identified. Transition characteristics are also received. Based on the identified media items and transition characteristics, a dynamic playlist is generated that transitions from media items having characteristics of the first feature set to media items having characteristics of the second feature set. Each time the playlist is generated, it may include a different set of media items.
US08258388B2
A kit or puzzle for making an ocarina is provided having six planar pieces representing the top, bottom, front and two sides of a cuboid-shaped chamber, wherein the side pieces have arms that extend past the front of the chamber to support a planar mouthpiece having a windway directed at a labium positioned in the forward edge of the top piece forming the chamber. Finger holes in the top piece allow different notes to be played in the assembled ocarina.
US08258380B1
A novel maize variety designated PHWNJ and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHWNJ with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHWNJ through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHWNJ or a trait conversion of PHWNJ with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHWNJ, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHWNJ and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US08258378B1
Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated NPLC8632, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPLC8632 with plants of another corn plants. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred NPLC8632 including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line NPLC8632 and plants produced by said methods.
US08258361B2
The invention provides transition metal complex compounds, high-activity olefin oligomerization catalysts containing the compounds, and olefin oligomerization processes using the catalysts.A transition metal complex compound [A] according to the invention is represented by Formula (I) or Formula (I′) below. An olefin oligomerization catalyst includes the transition metal complex compound [A]. In an olefin oligomerization process of the invention, an olefin is oligomerized in the presence of the catalyst.
US08258360B2
A process for producing a monoalkylated aromatic product in a reactor by reacting a mixed phase mixture of an alkylatable aromatic compound feedstock with another feedstock comprising alkene component in a reaction zone containing an alkylation catalyst. An effluent comprising the monoalkylated aromatic product and polyalkylated aromatic compounds exits from the reaction zone in liquid phase. The polyalkylated aromatic compounds can be separated as feed stream for transalkylation reaction in a transalkylation reaction zone.
US08258357B2
This invention relates to an integrated process for the efficient production of olefins from C4 feedstocks comprising butane and more particularly to a method of producing propylene and butadiene. The process combines a dehydrogenation unit with an olefin conversion unit to convert butane feedstock to propylene and butadiene products. The combined catadiene-OCT process produces yields of propylene from normal butane in excess of 70%.
US08258353B2
The present invention provides one-step processes for the production of chlorinated and/or fluorinated propenes. The processes provide good product yield with low, e.g., less than about 20%, or even less than 10%, concentrations of residues/by-products. Advantageously, the processes may be conducted at low temperatures relative to conventional processes, so that energy savings are provided, and/or at higher pressures so that high throughputs may also be realized. The use of catalysts may provide enhancements to conversion rates and selectivity over those seen in conventional processes, as may adjustments to the molar ratio of the reactants.
US08258351B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing a hydrogenolysis product of a polyhydric alcohol in the presence of a catalyst in which a conversion rate of the polyhydric alcohol as well as a selectivity to the hydrogenolysis product, in particular, a selectivity of glycerol to propanediols, can be enhanced. The process for producing a hydrogenolysis product of a polyhydric alcohol according to the present invention includes the step of subjecting a polyhydric alcohol solution having a water content of less than 10% by mass to hydrogenolysis by a fixed-bed continuous liquid phase reaction method in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst.
US08258350B2
Process for manufacturing dichloropropanol via reaction between glycerol and/or monochloropropanediol and a chlorinating agent in a reactor which is supplied with one or more liquid streams, in which the sum of the glycerol and monochloropropanediol contents in all the liquid streams introduced into the reactor is less than 50 wt % and in which all the liquid streams introduced into the reactor comprise at least one liquid recycling stream, the recycling stream forming at least 10 wt % of all the liquid streams introduced into the reactor.
US08258346B2
Provided is a composition comprising hexagonal boron nitride particles having a surface and a substituted phenyl radical bonded to the surface, the substituted phenyl radical being represented by the structure: where X is a radical selected from NH2—, HO—, R2OC(O)—, R2C(O)O—, HSO3—, NH2CO—, halogens, alkyl or aryl, including substituted aryl; where R1 is hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy, and R2 is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl, including substituted aryl. A process for preparing the composition is also provided.
US08258343B1
Preventing skin aging by targeting multiple causes by a single bullet is of primal scientific and consumer interest. A treatment based on compositions of compound (I) for cellular senescence to control cellular degradation offers such a solution to multiple skin ailments including skin degradation from cancer, diabetes, radiation treatments, chemotherapy, and sun-burn; mitochondrial dysfunction, age spots, acne, loss of cellular antioxidants, collagen loss, loss of skin pliability, loss of skin suppleness, skin wrinkles including fine lines, oxidation, damage from radiation, damage from free radicals, damage from UV, dry skin, xerosis, ichthyosis, dandruff, brownish spots, keratoses, melasma, lentigines, liver spots, pigmented spots, dark circles under the eyes, skin pigmentation including darkened skin, blemishes, oily skin, warts, eczema, pruritic skin, psoriasis, inflammatory dermatoses, topical inflammation, disturbed keratinization, skin changes associated with aging, scalp dryness, skin depigmentation, intracellular dehydration, and combinations thereof;
US08258331B2
A method for preparation of N-methyl-3-(2-tributylstannylphenoxy)-3-phenylpropanamine is provided, which includes formation of N-methyl-3-(2-tributylstannylphenoxy)-3-phenylpropanamine, useful as a precursor of a norepinephrine transporter (NET) contrast label [123Iodine](R)—N-methyl-3-(2-iodophenoxy)-3-phenylpropanamine ([123I]MIPP) with a leaving group Bu3Sn.
US08258326B1
Provided herein are compounds of the formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R1, R3, and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched, wherein at least one of R1, R2, R3, or R4 is sulfurized or epoxidized. Also provided are compositions containing the compounds and methods of making both the compounds and compositions thereof.
US08258324B2
Methods for forming maleimide functionalized polymers are provided. In one such embodiment, a maleimide functionalized polymer is prepared in a method that includes a step of carrying out a reverse Diels-Alder reaction. Intermediates useful in the methods, as well as methods for preparing the intermediates, are also provided. Also provided are polymeric reagents, methods of using polymeric reagents, compounds and conjugates.
US08258319B2
This application discloses a novel process for the preparation of himbacine analogs useful as thrombin receptor antagonists. The process is based in part on the use of a base-promoted dynamic epimerization of a chiral nitro center. The chemistry taught herein can be exemplified by the following:
US08258318B2
There is provided a one-step process for producing a dihydroxy-substituted coumarin dimer compound by a photodimerization reaction of a hydroxy-substituted coumarin compound. The process comprises subjecting a hydroxy-substituted coumarin compound to a photodimerization reaction in a solvent selected from aliphatic ketones having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, aliphatic carboxylic acid esters having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, aliphatic alcohols having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, aliphatic nitriles having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, ethers having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, amides having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and a mixture thereof to obtain a dihydroxy-substituted coumarin dimer compound.
US08258315B2
A process for forming amorphous atorvastatin comprising the steps of dissolving atorvastatin in a non-hydroxylic solvent and removing the solvent by freeze-drying, as well as processes of dissolving atorvastatin in a hydroxylic solvent with a solubilizing agent or an alkalizing agent or an antioxidant and removing the solvent by freeze-drying to afford amorphous atorvastatin.
US08258310B2
An object is to provide a novel material having a bipolar property. Another object is to provide an oxadiazole derivative having a wide band gap. Another object is to reduce power consumption of a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, and an electronic device. The present invention provides an oxadiazole derivative represented by General Formula (1). In the formula, Ar1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms in a ring, A represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene group, R11 to R15 and R21 to R25 are independently any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms in a ring, and a substituted or unsubstituted 9H-carbazol-9-yl group.
US08258294B2
A process for the preparation of compounds of formula IA, where R═CH3 (i.e. temozolomide): comprising diazotizing a compound of the formula IIA: where in R is as defined above in the presence of at least one metal halide, an acid and a source of nitrous acid, followed by conversion of acidic solution containing temozolomide. The conversion can be carried out by a liquid-liquid extraction technique in a water immiscible solvent. The temozolomide may be further purified in an acetone-water mixture.
US08258293B2
The present invention relates to tetrahydroquinoline derivatives having general formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is formyl, (1-6C)alkylcarbonyl or (1-6C)alkylsulfonyl; R2 and R3 are H or (1-4C)alkyl; R4 is phenyl; R5 is (1-4C)alkyl; Y—X is C(O)—O, S(O)2-O, NHC(O)—O, NHC(S)—O, OC(O)—O, bond-O, C(O)—NH, S(O)2-NH, NHC(O)—NH, NHC(S)—NH, OC(O)—NH, bond-NH, NH—C(O), O—C(O), NH—S(O)2, or O—S(O)2 or Y—X is a bond; R6 is H, trifluoromethyl, (1-6C)alkyl, 1- or 2-adamantyl(1-4C)alkyl, (2-6C)alkenyl, (2-6C)alkynyl, (3-9C)heteroaryl, (3-6C)cycloalkyl, (2-6C)heterocycloalkyl, (1-4C)alkylthio(1-4C)alkyl, (6-10C)aryl(1-4C)alkyl, (3-9C)heteroaryl(1-4C)alkyl, (3-6C)cycloalkyl(1-4C)alkyl, (2-6C)heterocycloalkyl(1-4C)alkyl, R8,R9-aminocarbonyl(1-4C)alkyl, R8,R9-amino(1-4C)alkyl, R8-oxycarbonyl(1-4C)alkyl, R8-oxy(1-4C)alkyl, R8-carbonyl(1-4C)alkyl or (6-10C)aryl; R7 is H, (1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl; and R8 and/or R9 is H, (1-4C)alkyl, (2-4C)alkenyl, (2-4C)alkynyl, (6-10C)aryl, (3-9C)heteroaryl, (6-10C)aryl(1-4C)alkyl, (3-9C)heteroaryl(1-4C)alkyl, (3-6C)cycloalkyl(1-4C)alkyl, (2-6C)heterocycloalkyl(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)(di)alkylamino(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkylthio(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkylcarbonylamino(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxycarbonyl(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxycarbonylamino(1-4C)alkyl, (3-6C)cycloalkyl, (2-6C)heterocycloalkyl, or R8 and R9 may be joined in a (2-6C)heterocycloalkyl ring. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives and the use of these derivatives to control fertility.
US08258291B2
In one embodiment of the invention a method to prepare sucralose-6 -acylate through chlorinating sucrose-6-acylate by BTC in the process of sucralose preparation is disclosed. In this embodiment a Vilsmeier reagent is firstly prepared below 0° C. by dissolving BTC in DMF or in component solvent, containing DMF, toluene, dichloroethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. Consequently, sucrose-6-ester was chlorinated by Vilsmeier reagent. BTC can also be dissolved in one or several organic solvent such as toluene, dichloroethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride, and added to a DMF solution of sucrose-6-acylate for chlorination. Sucralose was prepared through de-esterifying the obtained sucralose 6-ester using sodium methoxide/methanol or sodium ethoxide/ethanol.
US08258284B2
The invention relates to the identification and selection of novel biomarkers and the identification and selection of novel biomarker combinations which are differentially expressed in blood and useful in diagnosing schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder as well as monitoring therapeutic efficacy of treatment for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The measurement of expression levels of the products of the biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers of the invention can be used to diagnose schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder. Measurement of the expression level of products of biomarkers of the invention using polynucleotides and proteins which specifically and/or selectively hybridize to the products of the biomarkers of the invention are also encompassed within the scope of the invention as are compositions and kits containing said polynucleotides and proteins. Further encompassed by the invention is the use of the polynucleotides and proteins to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic regimens. The invention also provides for the identification of methods of using the products of the biomarkers of the invention in the identification of novel therapeutic targets of schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder and a method of screening the genes of said biomarkers for additional markers of disease.
US08258281B2
The present invention relates to a sex-specific marker for shrimps and prawns. More specifically, it relates to a sex-specific PCR-based molecular marker, derived from Penaeus monodon, that can be used to determine the sex in shrimps and prawns and can be used for any and all requirements for the determination of genetic sex in shrimp and prawn including, but not limited to, sex determination of very young animals, determination of genetic sex on any animals and setting up monosex cultures.
US08258278B2
The instant invention provides compositions for the treatment of cancer. Specifically, the invention provides polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules comprising tumor-associated embryonic antigens, e.g., OFA-iLRP, and chemoattractant ligands, e.g., a proinflammatory chemokine such as MIP3α/CCL20 or β-defensin mDF2β. The invention further provides cancer vaccines and methods for treating subjects having, or at risk of developing, cancer.
US08258277B2
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include polynucleotides that encode mutant Cnidarian luciferases that exhibit modulated properties as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferases, and the modulated properties include at least one of: modulated stability; enhanced light output; and modulated emission maximum. Embodiments of the present disclosure also include polypeptides or fragments thereof encoded by the polynucleotides, constructs including the polynucleotide, expression cassettes, cells, methods of producing the polynucleotides and polypeptides, antibodies, transgenic cells and/or animals, kits, and the like.
US08258276B2
A compound having the general formula shown below: where R1-6 are independently selected from the group consisting of an electron withdrawing group, an alkyl group, an aryl group, hydrogen, a heteroaryl group, and a five or six member ring structure formed from the R1 and R2 pair, the R3 and R4 pair, the R4 and R5 pair, or the R5 and R6 pair; R7 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; and Y is a nucleophile.
US08258269B2
It is an object of the present invention to obtain a soluble thrombomodulin substantially not containing a denatured product of soluble thrombomodulin that may be generated under acidic conditions. The present invention provides a method for producing soluble thrombomodulin substantially not containing a denatured product of the soluble thrombomodulin that may be generated under acidic conditions, from a soluble thrombomodulin-containing material that contains or is suspected to contain the denatured product of the soluble thrombomodulin, which comprises; a step of subjecting the soluble thrombomodulin-containing material to an anion exchanger or hydroxyapatite; and a step of carrying out linear gradient elution, stepwise gradient elution, or gradient elution in which linear gradient elution is combined with stepwise gradient elution under separation conditions in which the denatured product of the soluble thrombomodulin can be separated, wherein said gradient is a gradient of salt concentration, so as to obtain an elution fraction containing soluble thrombomodulin that does not substantially contain the denatured product of the soluble thrombomodulin, either (a) after the position of a fraction has previously been confirmed, or (b) while confirming the elution fraction.
US08258264B2
An albumin preparation may be produced efficiently on a commercial basis that has reduced possibility of contamination of infectious viruses and has high safety and stability. The process according to the present invention comprises a step of filtration of a serum albumin-containing solution with a virus-removing membrane preferably with a pore size of 10 to 20 nm. In particular, said filtration is performed before heat treatment for inactivation of viruses. In a more preferable embodiment, said serum albumin-containing solution is treated with an anion exchanger and/or a prefilter before a step of said filtration.
US08258258B2
Disclosed is a polypeptide comprising at least two microproteins, which preferably comprise an amino acid sequence having a specific binding activity to a target protein. Furthermore, disclosed are polynucleotides encoding such a polypeptide as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising said polypeptide or polynucleotide. Also disclosed herein are methods of treatments and second medical uses applying the disclosed polypeptide or polynucleotide. Additionally, the disclosure of the present application relates to a method for forming a covalent bond in a microprotein which can be used for producing the disclosed polypeptides.
US08258256B2
The instant invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer, e.g., cancers characterized by the expression of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA).
US08258255B2
The present invention relates to novel phosphorus-containing compounds with polymeric chains, and methods of making and using the same. In part, subject compositions containing phosphorus-containing compounds with polymeric chains and a therapeutic agent, and methods of making and using the same, are described. Certain of the subject compositions exhibit reverse thermal gelation.
US08258253B2
Disclosed is a method for increasing the solid state polymerization (SSP) rates of metal catalyzed polyesters. The method comprises in a first step, reacting a dicarboxylic acid or a C1-C4 dicarboxylic diester with a diol at a suitable temperature and pressure to effect esterification or transesterification to prepare a precondensate and in a second step, reacting the precondensate to effect polycondensation at a suitable temperature and pressure to prepare a high molecular weight polyester and in a third step, further increasing the molecular weight and viscosity of the polyester under SSP conditions of a suitable temperature and pressure, where a metal catalyst is added in the first step or in the second step as a reaction catalyst, and where a certain phosphinic acid compound is added in the first step, in the second step or just prior to the third step. The polyester product exhibits low aldehyde formation during melt processing steps as well as excellent color.
US08258252B2
Present invention is to provide a sustained-release composition which contains a physiologically active substance in high content even when gelatin is not included, and suppresses its initial excessive release and, thus, can achieve a stable release rate over about one month. A sustained-release composition containing a lactic acid-glycolic acid polymer having a ratio or weight average molecular weight and number average molecular weight of about 1.90 or lower, or a salt thereof, and a physiologically active substance.
US08258248B2
The present invention is directed to cationic terpolymers, methods to make them, and the use of compositions containing said terpolymers in personal care compositions. The polymers are useful in personal care applications. The cationic terpolymers of this present invention provide the extra conditioning benefits required in a personal care product. These cationic terpolymers also contribute useful conditioning properties to hair-care and skin-care products.
US08258247B2
The object is to provide a catalyst component for ethylene polymerization which can produce an ethylene polymer of high molecular weight which has substantially only an ethyl branch, and a process for producing the catalyst component for ethylene polymerization which can produce an ethylene polymer of high molecular weight which has substantially only an ethyl branch. A catalyst component for polymerization of ethylene obtained by contacting the following components (A), (B), (C) and (D): component (A): a meso-metallocene compound, component (B): a compound which ionizes a metallocene compound to form an ionic complex, component (C): an organoaluminum compound, and component (D): an electron donating compound, and a process for producing the ethylene polymer by polymerizing ethylene in the presence of the above catalyst component for ethylene polymerization.
US08258236B2
The present invention relates to tubular forming material made of a composition comprising block copolymers each made of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene, which has a uniaxial elongation viscosity at 88° C. at a strain rate of 0.5 sec−1 satisfying the following formula between 1.0 sec and 2.8 sec after initiation of elongation, 0.25<(LOG η2.8−LOG η1.0)/(2.8−1.0)<0.4 wherein η1.0 and η2.8 represent uniaxial elongation viscosities (Pa·sec) at elongation times of 1.0 sec and 2.8 sec, respectively, when measured by a Meissner model elongation viscometer. The composition contains three block copolymers at a specified blend ratio.
US08258235B2
Polymers comprising a polyethylenimine, a biodegradable group, and a relatively hydrophobic group are useful for the delivery of bioactive agents to cells.
US08258234B2
A process for preparing aqueous dispersions of composite particles using nonpolymerizable silane compounds.
US08258227B2
Laminating resin compositions of the invention enable excellent productivity in the lamination processes, and are free from deterioration in optical characteristics such as transparency or surface properties inherent to resins such as polypropylenes. Multilayer structures obtained by laminating the composition on a substrate have tear strength which is as high as that of multilayer structures obtained by simply laminating a polyolefin resin such as polypropylene on a substrate. The laminating resin composition includes a polyolefin resin and a polyethylene wax having a density in the range of 890 to 955 kg/m3 as measured by a density gradient tube method in accordance with JIS K 7112 and a number average molecular weight (Mn) in terms of polyethylene in the range of 500 to 2900 as measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
US08258222B2
A composition for epihalohydrin vulcanized rubber excellent in heat resistance while keeping good vulcanization rate and store stability, comprising (a) an epihalohydrin robber, (b) a metal soap, (c) an acid acceptor, and (d) a vulcanizing agent, the composition further preferably containing (e) a fatty acid for suppressing vulcanization, or preferably containing (f) an alcohol for accelerating vulcanization.
US08258214B2
A polymer stabilizing composition comprising a sterically hindered phenol and a phosphite that provides low gel content and enhanced resistance to gas-fading. The stabilizer composition is particular useful for stabilizing polyethylene homopolymers and copolymers, such as linear low density polyethylenes produced from metallocene catalyst. The sterically hindered phenol is, for example, selected from the group consisting of 1,3,5-tris-(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)isocyanurate, 1,3,5-tris-(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, 1,3,5-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, 1,3,5-tris(4-t-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)-1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6-(1H,3H,5H)-trione, and 1,3,5-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene.
US08258209B2
The present invention provides a resin composition comprising: (A) a thermoplastic resin, (B) a granular material which has a number average particle diameter of 0.5 to 5 mm and is obtainable by granulating a fiber mainly having alumina with a number average fiber diameter of 1 to 50 μm, and (C) a filler composed of a material of which electric resistivity at 300 K is 102 Ωm or less. The resin composition can be molded into a molded article with electric insulation. The electric resistivity of the molded article has sufficient electric insulation in applications such as in electric and electronic parts.
US08258201B2
Photocurable composition and process for producing molded product having fine pattern on its surface
To provide a photocurable composition whereby it is possible to obtain a cured product provided with both release property and high refractive index, and a process whereby it is possible to produce a molded product having a high refractive index and having on its surface a fine pattern having a reverse pattern of a mold precisely transferred. The photocurable composition comprising from 61 to 90 mass % of a compound (A) having a refractive index of at least 1.55 at a wavelength of 589 nm before curing and having at least two (meth)acryloyloxy groups, from 2 to 15 mass % of a compound (B) having fluorine atoms and at least one carbon-carbon unsaturated double bond (provided that compound (A) is excluded), from 5 to 35 mass % of a compound (C) having one (meth)acryloyloxy group (provided that compound (B) is excluded), and from 1 to 12 mass % of a photopolymerization initiator (D) (provided (A)+(B)+(C)+(D)=100 mass %).
US08258195B2
A method is disclosed for converting syngas to Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) hydrocarbon products. A synthesis gas including carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas is provided to a F-T reactor. Also, acetylene is supplied to the F-T reactor. The ratio of the volume of acetylene to the volume of synthesis gas is at least 0.01. The synthesis gas and acetylene are reacted under suitable reaction conditions and in the presence of a catalyst to produce F-T hydrocarbon products. The F-T hydrocarbon products are then recovered from the reactor. The synthesis gas and acetylene may be provided in a combined feed stream or introduced separately into the reactor. The acetylene enhanced syngas conversion in a F-T reactor results in the synthesis of F-T products which have a tighter distribution of intermediate length carbon products than do F-T products synthesized according to conventional methods.
US08258186B2
Disclosed herein are new oral pharmaceutical compositions of MGBG and related polyamine analogs, polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors, polyamine inhibitors of AMD-I and regulators of osteopontin, and their application for the treatment of disease.
US08258185B2
Use of neboglamine, (S)-4-amino-N(4,4-dimethyl-cyclohexyl)glutamic acid (CR 2249) (CAS Registry Number 163000-63-3), the racemic mixture thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment of toxicodependency induced by drugs such as CNS sedatives such as opiates, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, alcohol, stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine, and hallucinogens such as LSD, mescalin, cannabis (marijuana) or fencyclidine.
US08258184B1
A vegetable butter based dietary supplement of cetyl myristoleate for use in the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system in animals, especially equines. In its preferred form, the cetyl myristoleate is a vegetable butter-based and is administered in doses of about 1750 to about 6750 mg. The dosage may also include 3000 mg methylsulfonylmethane, 3000 mg glucosamine HCL and 1000 mg of Vitamin C.
US08258182B2
The present invention involves substituted 1,3-diphenylpropane derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and the therapeutic uses thereof, in particular in the fields of human and animal health.
US08258176B2
The invention discloses a dithiolopyrrolone compound represented by formula I or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, wherein X1, R1, R2, R3, R4 are defined as in the description. The invention also discloses the preparation of such compounds, and the use of such compounds in preparation of medicaments for increasing peripheral white blood cells and in preparation of ancillary medicaments for inhibiting the decrease of peripheral white blood cells in radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
US08258173B2
The present subject matter relates generally to antioxidant compounds having the formula (I): wherein each of R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined below. These compounds are potentially useful as, for example, antioxidants.
US08258172B2
The present invention provides compounds and methods of administering compounds to a subject that can reduce βAPP production and that is not toxic in a wide range of dosages. The present invention also provides non-carbamate compounds and methods of administering such compounds to a subject that can reduce βAPP production and that is not toxic in a wide range of dosages. It has been discovered that either the racemic or enantiomerically pure non-carbamate compounds can be used to decrease βAPP production.
US08258171B2
A compound represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1 represents an amino group which may be substituted with one or two alkyl groups; R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represent an alkyl group; and R6 and R7 independently represent a monocarboxyalkyl group, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, which is useful as a pH-sensitive fluorescent probe which emits intense fluorescence in an acidic region.
US08258167B2
Disclosed herein is a method of treating stress urinary incontinence comprising administering a compound to a mammal in need thereof, wherein said compound has the formula Compositions and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed.
US08258165B2
To provide a pharmaceutical composition containing a 2-nitroimidazole derivative, which has high solubility in an aqueous carrier and high stability.The pharmaceutical composition is characterized by containing 1-(1-hydroxymethyl-2,3-dihydroxypropyl)oxymethyl-2-nitroimidazole and creatinine, and containing creatinine of 0.001 to 1 part by mass with respect to 1 part by mass of 1-(1-hydroxymethyl-2,3-dihydroxypropyl)oxymethyl-2-nitroimidazole.
US08258156B2
The invention provides compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent diseases or disorders associated with the activity of GPR119.
US08258151B2
Novel compounds of the formula I, in which X, Y, R, R′, R1, R1′, R1″, R2, R2′, R2″, R3, R3′, R4, R4′ and n have the meanings indicated in Patent Claim 1, are suitable as antidiabetics
US08258150B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of inflammatory diseases of the peripheral nervous system. More particularly, it concerns methods for treating inflammatory diseases of the peripheral nervous system by modulating sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor activity. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a subject with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) or other autoimmune neuropathies comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of FTY720.
US08258144B2
The present invention is directed to compounds of formula I-II and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, and prodrugs thereof which are inhibitors of syk and/or JAK kinase. The present invention is also directed to intermediates used in making such compounds, the preparation of such a compound, pharmaceutical compositions containing such a compound, methods of inhibition syk and/or JAK kinase activity, methods of inhibition the platelet aggregation, and methods to prevent or treat a number of conditions mediated at least in part by syk and/or JAK kinase activity, such as undesired thrombosis and Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
US08258133B2
A drug effective for the treatment and prevention of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety and related ailments thereof, depression, bipolar disorder and epilepsy. The drug antagonizes the action of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors and shows high activity in oral administration. A 2-amino-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic ester derivative represented by formula [I] [wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-10alkyl group or the like; X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; Y represents —OCHR3R4 or the like (wherein R3 and R4 are identical or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-10alkyl group or the like; and n represents integer 1 or 2)], a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof.
US08258132B2
The present invention is directed to novel pharmaceutical compositions of the compound 2-(R)-(1-(R)-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethoxy)-3-(S)-(4-fluoro)phenyl-4-(3-(5-oxo-1H,4H-1,2,4-triazolo)methylmorpholine. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention useful in the treatment or prevention of disorders such as psychiatric disorders including depression and anxiety, inflammatory diseases and emesis.
US08258121B2
A composition comprising a glyceryl salicylate compound and/or a glycol salicylate compound. The compositions can be used to reduce the amount of moisture evaporated from skin, protect the skin from UV light, and treat aged or damaged skin.
US08258114B2
Compositions and methods are provided for decreasing blood glucose levels in an animal, comprising administering to said animal an antisense inhibitor of glucose-6-phosphatase translocase expression alone or in combination with at least one glucose-lowering drug. Also provided are compositions and methods for treating diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
US08258110B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions that decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. The compositions of the invention comprise short interfering nucleic acid molecules (siNA) including, but not limited to, siRNA that decrease expression of genes associated with production or drainage of intraocular fluid. The compositions of the invention can be used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of an eye conditions displaying increased IOP such as glaucoma, infection, inflammation, uveitis, and diabetic retinopathy. The methods of the invention comprise the administration to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of one or more siNAs of the invention.
US08258108B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the specific inhibition of kinase suppressor of Ras (KSR). In particular, the invention provides genetic approaches and nucleic acids for the specific inhibition of KSR, particularly of KSR expression. The invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides and the expression of nucleic acid which is substantially complementary to KSR RNA. Oligonucleotide and nucleic acid compositions are provided. The invention provides methods to inhibit KSR, including inhibition of KSR expression. Methods for blocking gfRas mediated tumorigenesis, metastasis, and for cancer therapy are provided. Methods for conferring radiosensitivity to cells are also provided.
US08258105B2
The present invention provides antisense compounds and methods for modulating the expression of target genes expressed in the kidney. In particular, this invention provides antisense oligonucleotide compounds optimized for targeting nucleic acid molecules expressed in the kidney. Such compounds are shown herein to efficiently modulate the expression of target genes SGLT2 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the kidney.
US08258095B2
Disclosed herein are improved methods of treating hyperglycemia with a combination of an ultrarapid acting insulin and insulin glargine comprising prandial administration of the ultrarapid insulin, and administration of a first dose of insulin glargine within 6 hours of waking for a day.
US08258094B2
The invention comprises peptidyl analogs according to formulae (I) or (II) as depicted below: (R2R3)-A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9-A10-A11-A12-A13- A14-A15-A16-A17-A18-A19-A20-A21-A22-A23-A24-A25- A-26-A27-A28-R1 wherein the definitions of A1 to A28 and R1 to R3 are provided for in the specification for each of formulae (I) and (II), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), that possess agonist or antagonist ghrelin activity, along with therapeutic and non-therapeutic uses thereof.
US08258092B2
A cleaning composition comprises a water-in-oil emulsion which upon breakdown of the emulsion undergoes a physical change which is accompanied by an increase in the temperature of the composition.
US08258076B2
A phosphorus compound adsorbent; a phosphorus compound adsorption system, wherein the phosphorus compound adsorbed can be desorbed in a neutral solvent; and a method of using the phosphorus compound adsorbent are provided. The phosphorus compound adsorbent includes a nitrogen-containing compound having an amino group at an end of the molecular structure, a support carrying the nitrogen-containing compound, and at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of a zinc ion, a copper ion, an iron ion, and a zirconium ion, which is fixed to the nitrogen-containing compound.
US08258069B2
The invention provides a process for production of a zeolite separation membrane having a porous support and a zeolite layer formed on the porous support, the process comprising: a seed crystal attaching step in which zeolite seed crystals are attached to the porous support; a layer forming step in which: the porous support to which the zeolite seed crystals have been attached is contacted with a reaction solution containing zeolite raw material, and the temperature of the reaction solution is raised to a prescribed temperature to form a zeolite layer on the porous support; and a support separating step in which the porous support on which the zeolite layer has been formed is separated from the reaction solution; wherein in the layer forming step, after the start of contact between the porous support and reaction solution, the temperature of the reaction solution is held at or below 40° C. for at least 30 minutes before being raised to the prescribed temperature. The production process of the invention yields a zeolite separation membrane that can accomplish reliable and satisfactory separation of alcohol and water even when the water content relative to alcohol is low.
US08258066B2
This invention relates to a cleaning device comprising a cleaning composition and a substrate. The cleaning composition comprises an absorbent particulate, a binding agent, and optionally, a thickening agent. The cleaning composition may be applied to a substrate, such as a textile substrate, by applying the composition to at least one portion of the surface of the substrate or by incorporating the composition throughout the substrate. The absorbent particulate generally exhibits a high affinity for particles, color, grease, oil, and other staining materials and is a soft material which allows for gentle cleaning of most surfaces without detrimentally abrading and scratching soiled surfaces. The absorbent particulate also serves as an indicator providing a visual cue of its cleaning efficacy and may be used in either a wet or dry state.
US08258064B2
Methods of forming a metal silicate layer and methods of fabricating a semiconductor device including the metal silicate layer are provided, the methods of forming the metal silicate layer include forming the metal silicate using a plurality of silicon precursors. The silicon precursors are homoleptic silicon precursors in which ligands bound to silicon have the same molecular structure.
US08258062B2
In a replacement gate approach, the dielectric cap layers of the gate electrode structures are removed in a separate removal process, such as a plasma assisted etch process, in order to provide superior process conditions during the subsequent planarization of the interlayer dielectric material for exposing the sacrificial gate material. Due to the superior process conditions, the selective removal of the sacrificial gate material may be accomplished with enhanced uniformity, thereby also contributing to superior stability of transistor characteristics.
US08258058B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. A dielectric layer having a opening therein is formed on a semiconductor substrate. An inner surface of the opening is treated by plasma. A barrier metal layer is formed on the plasma-treated inner surface of the opening. A seed layer is formed on the barrier metal layer. A metal bulk layer is formed on the seed layer. High quality semiconductor devices can be fabricated by using these methods, which may stably fill the opening formed in the dielectric layer.
US08258054B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes etching a substrate to form a plurality of trenches, forming first liner layers over bottom surfaces and inner sidewalls of the trenches to a first height, forming sacrificial liner layers on one of the inner sidewalls of the trenches where the first liner layers are formed, forming third sacrificial layers to a second height, so that the third sacrificial layers are buried over the trenches where the sacrificial liner layers are formed, removing portions of the sacrificial liner layers exposed by the third sacrificial layers to form sacrificial patterns, forming second liner layers on the inner sidewalls of the trenches exposed by the third sacrificial layers, and removing the third sacrificial layers to form side contact regions opening one of the inner sidewalls of the trenches in a line form.
US08258049B2
A method of manufacturing a nanowire, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus including a nanowire and a semiconductor apparatus formed from the same are provided. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus may include forming a material layer pattern on a substrate, forming a first insulating layer on the material layer pattern, a first nanowire forming layer and a top insulating layer on the substrate, wherein a total depth of the first insulating layer and the first nanowire forming layer may be formed to be smaller than a depth of the material layer pattern, sequentially polishing the top insulating layer, the first nanowire forming layer and the first insulating layer so that the material layer pattern is exposed, exposing part of the first nanowire forming layer to form an exposed region and forming a single crystalline nanowire on an exposed region of the first nanowire forming layer.
US08258048B2
A semiconductor laser device capable of reducing the threshold current and improving luminous efficiency and a method of fabricating the same are obtained. This semiconductor laser device comprises a semiconductor substrate having a principal surface and a semiconductor element layer, formed on the principal surface of the semiconductor substrate, having a principal surface substantially inclined with respect to the principal surface of the semiconductor substrate and including an emission layer.
US08258042B2
Various aspects of the technology are directed to integrated circuit manufacturing methods and integrated circuits. In one method, a first charge type buried layer in a semiconductor material of an integrated circuit by implanting first charge type dopants of the first charge type buried layer through a sacrificial oxide over the semiconductor material and through an intermediate region of the semiconductor material transited by the implanted first charge type dopants. When the implanted dopants pass through the sacrificial oxide, damage to the semiconductor crystalline lattice is averted. If the sacrificial oxide were absent, the implanted dopants would have passed through and damaged the semiconductor crystalline lattice instead. Later, a pre-anneal oxide is grown and removed.
US08258041B2
A method of fabricating metal-bearing structures in an integrated circuit such as metal-polysilicon capacitors using conductive metal compounds. Defects due to organometallic polymers formed during the etch of a hard mask material are minimized by using a process that includes a plasma etch for the hard mask that achieves a predominantly chemical character using a fluorine-based etch chemistry. Using a low-temperature liquid-phase strip of the hard mask photoresist instead of an ash prevents further cross-linking of polymers formed during the plasma etch. Etching the metal-bearing material using a hot fully-concentrated mixture of ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide allows short etch times that are particularly shortened for tantalum nitride films deposited with a nitrogen concentration of about 30 percent or greater.
US08258040B2
It is disclosed a semiconductor device including a silicon substrate, provided with a plurality of cell active regions in a call region, an element isolation groove, formed in a portion, between any two of the plurality of cell active region, of the silicon substrate, a capacitor dielectric film, formed in the element isolation groove, a capacitor upper electrode, formed on the capacitor dielectric film, and configuring a capacitor together with the silicon substrate and the capacitor dielectric film. The semiconductor device is characterized in that a dummy active region is provided next to the cell region in the silicon substrate.
US08258031B2
Exemplary embodiments include a method for fabricating a heterojunction tunnel field-effect-transistor (FET), the method including forming a gate region on a silicon layer of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, forming a drain region on the silicon layer adjacent the gate region and forming a vertical heterojunction source region adjacent the gate region, wherein the vertical heterojunction source region generates a tunnel path inline with a gate field associated with the gate region.
US08258016B2
Embodiments of the invention include a semiconductor integrated circuit package that includes a substrate having an integrated circuit die attached thereto. The package includes a ESD shield attached to the substrate. The ESD shield configured to increase the ESD hardness of the package. The ESD shield can further serve to stiffen the package to prevent warping and operate as a heat spreader.
US08258013B1
An integrated circuit package assembly includes a substrate, a semiconductor die having opposing first and second surfaces, and a head-spreader. The semiconductor die is mounted on the substrate with the first surface facing the substrate. The heat-spreader includes a central region thermally coupled to the second surface of the semiconductor die, a flange region mounted on the substrate, and a side wall region between the central and flange regions. A cavity is formed between the heat-spreader, the substrate, and the semiconductor die. The heat-spreader has at least one vent extending from the cavity through the heat-spreader.
US08258006B2
A semiconductor component includes a carrier and multiple semiconductor substrates stacked and interconnected on the carrier. The carrier includes conductive members bonded to corresponding conductive openings on the semiconductor substrates. The component can also include terminal contacts on the carrier in electrical communication with the conductive members, and an outer member for protecting the semiconductor substrates. A method for fabricating the component includes the steps of providing the carrier with the conductive members, and providing the semiconductor substrates with the conductive openings. The method also includes the step of aligning and placing the conductive openings on the conductive members, and then bonding the conductive members to the conductive openings. A system includes the carrier having the conductive members, the semiconductor substrates having the conductive openings, an aligning and placing system for aligning and placing the semiconductor substrates on the carrier, and a bonding system for bonding the conductive members to the conductive openings.
US08258004B2
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a manufacturing method of a display device includes forming a plurality of gate wires comprising a gate electrode on an insulating substrate, forming an electrode layer comprising a source electrode and a drain electrode spaced apart from each other to define a channel region on the gate electrode interposed therebetween, forming a first barrier wall having a first opening for exposing the channel region, a portion of the source electrode, and a portion of the drain electrode on the electrode layer where the first barrier wall has a surface, forming a shielding film to cover the channel region inside the first opening, treating the surface of the first barrier wall, removing the shielding film, and forming an organic semiconductor layer inside the first opening.
US08257997B2
In one aspect, a method includes forming a pit in a top surface of a substrate by removing a portion of the substrate and growing a semiconductor material with a bottom surface on the pit, the semiconductor material different than the material of the substrate. The pit has a base recessed in the top surface of the substrate. In another aspect, a structure includes a substrate having a top surface, the substrate including at least one pit having a base lower than the top surface of the substrate, and a semiconductor material having a bottom surface formed on the base of the pit.
US08257994B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a solar cell, including: diffusing p type impurity into at least a portion of a first surface, which is one surface of a silicon substrate, to form a high concentration p type impurity diffusion layer; and etching one of the first surface of the silicon substrate and a second surface of the silicon substrate opposite to the first surface, using as a mask at least one of the high concentration p type impurity diffusion layer and a film formed on the high concentration p type impurity diffusion layer upon forming the high concentration p type impurity diffusion layer.
US08257991B1
A sensor for force is formed from an elastomeric cylinder having a region with apertures. The apertures have passageways formed between them, and an optical fiber is introduced into these passageways, where the optical fiber has a grating for measurement of tension positioned in the passageways between apertures. Optionally, a temperature measurement sensor is placed in or around the elastomer for temperature correction, and if required, a copper film may be deposited in the elastomer for reduced sensitivity to spot temperature variations in the elastomer near the sensors.
US08257985B2
A method and structure for uncovering captive devices in a bonded wafer assembly comprising a top wafer and a bottom wafer. One embodiment method includes forming a plurality of cuts in the top wafer and removing a segment of the top wafer defined by the plurality of cuts. The bottom wafer remains unsingulated after the removal of the segment.
US08257983B2
Disclosed herein is a method for measuring the contractility of intestinal tissue upon treatment with GLP-2 or a GLP-2 ligand. Also disclosed is an assay which directly measures the activity of GLP-2 or GLP-2 ligands ex vivo and permits the screening of putative GLP-2 ligands in native tissue.
US08257978B2
Provided are novel technical means for obtaining useful knowledge in practical application of antioxidation action of dissolved hydrogen and in practical application of active oxygen scavenging action in water.Based on the temporal profile of the difference between the dissolved oxygen amount measured with forcibly dissolving hydrogen and the dissolved oxygen amount measured with blowing any other gas than hydrogen, the reaction between dissolved hydrogen and dissolved oxygen is quantitatively evaluated. Based on the temporal profile of the difference between the dissolved oxygen amount measured with making a photosensitizing dye contained in water and with forcibly dissolving hydrogen therein, and the dissolved oxygen amount measured without making a photosensitizing dye contained in water and with forcibly dissolving hydrogen therein, the reaction between dissolved hydrogen and dissolved oxygen is quantitatively evaluated.
US08257976B2
Herein are disclosed methods and devices for optically monitoring multiple parameters of an oil sample. In one embodiment, the methods and devices can be used for determining the quality of cooking or flying oil in terms of the free fatty acid content and total polar compound content of the oil. The methods use an optical absorbtive/reflective property in evaluating the free fatty acid content, and use optical fluorescence in evaluating the total polar compound content, with both measurements using a single sampling substrate and a single measuring device.
US08257974B2
In the case of passing a reagent in a reaction channel in a microchip, which carries a reactant capable of reacting with the reagent on the wall thereof, and bringing the reactant into contact with the reagent so as to carry out a reaction, the reagent is efficiently passed to the reactant to thereby promote the progress of the reaction. In carrying out the reaction as described above, the reagent (30a) is passed in such a manner that the periphery of the gas/liquid interface at the front end of the reagent moves forward and backward along the wall face of the reaction channel (10). After the completion of the reaction between the reagent (30a) and the reactant, another reagent (30b), which is to be reacted with the reactant capable of reacting with the reagent that is carried on the reaction channel, is passed into the reaction channel (10) while providing a gas in the front edge side thereof. In carrying out the reaction, the reagent (30b) is passed in such manner that the periphery of the gas/liquid interface at the front end of the reagent moves forward and backward along the wall face of the reaction channel (10).
US08257973B2
The present invention relates to a method for co-culture of stem cells using feeder cells, more particularly to a method for culturing stem cells by using a membrane having a number of pores to separate stem cells and feeder cells. In the present invention, the culture condition of stem cells optimized is provided, in which stem cells and feeder cells are cultivated independently in separate spaces while permeating essential substances selectively. The stem cells prepared in the present invention continue to remain indifferent and be supported by feeder cells until needing being sub-cultured. In addition, the stem cells even for therapeutic use can be obtained without any contaminant since not pretreated with a cytostatic agent such as mitomycin or irradiated. Therefore, the method for co-culturing stem cells by using a membrane of the present invention can be widely used for clinical applications.
US08257966B2
Disclosed is a reaction kit for preventing the entry of foreign matter into a reaction plate from the outside and the pollution of a surrounding environment. The reaction kit includes: a reaction plate (2) having, on the top surface side thereof, a reaction container (4) for carrying out the reaction of a sample and a reagent container (12) containing a reagent used for the reaction of a sample and sealed with a film (14); a dispensation tip (20) arranged on the top surface side of the reaction plate (2); a cover (24) covering a space above the top surface of the reaction plate (2) and movably supporting the dispensation tip (20) so that a distal end thereof is located inside the space covered with the cover (4) and a proximal end thereof is located outside the space; and a sample container (32) for introducing a sample into the space covered with the cover (24) from the outside through a sealable opening (31) provided in a part of the cover (24).
US08257964B2
Methods for fabricating microfluidics devices, microfluidics cell-culture device and systems having a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, the fabrication methods using semi-rigid materials during molding that are incorporated into the final device.
US08257963B2
Devices and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent produced via a genetically-altered chondrocyte are provided. More specifically, the device includes a housing which defines a cell chamber configured to retain a large volume of chondrocytes while selectively releasing therapeutic agents produced via these entrapped cells. In an exemplary embodiment, the cell chamber can be configured such that a portion of cells can be positioned at least about 1.5 mm from an external wall of the device (i.e., about 1.5 mm away from an external nutrient supply). For example, the cell chamber can have a tubular configuration having a length and a diameter wherein each of these dimensions is at least about 3 mm (thereby the central core to the chamber is at least about 1.5 mm from the outer wall of the device).
US08257958B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a microorganism which places little burden on the environment, shows an extremely low possibility of a resistant pathogenic bacterium to emerge, and has a superior controlling ability against various plant diseases (in particular, soft rot and canker of leaf and root vegetables); a plant disease controlling agent containing the microorganism; and a method for controlling plant diseases comprising applying the plant disease controlling agent to the plant and/or the grove soil thereof. A plant disease controlling agent is used which contains a bacterial cell of Pseudomonas rhodesiae having controlling ability against plant diseases, preferably a bacterial cell of Pseudomonas rhodesiae FERM BP-10912 or its variant having controlling ability against plant diseases.
US08257956B2
Compositions and methods relating to the use of sulfonylurea-responsive repressors are provided. Compositions include polypeptides that specifically bind to an operator, wherein the specific binding is regulated by a sulfonylurea compound. Compositions also include polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as constructs, vectors, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and eukaryotic organisms including plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotide, and/or produced by the methods. Also provided are methods to provide a sulfonylurea-responsive repressor to a cell or organism, and to regulate expression of a polynucleotide of interest in a cell or organism, including a plant or plant cell.
US08257952B2
The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds.
US08257951B2
An improved ethanol production process providing novel stillage treatment is disclosed wherein the stillage is separated into four value added product streams that are subjected to drying conditions reducing or eliminating volatization of any VOC's in the product streams.
US08257949B2
The invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a bifunctional sialytransferase and a poly-sialytransferase and methods to use the fusion proteins for production of poly-sialylated end products, e.g. oligosaccharides and glycoproteins.
US08257946B2
Disclosed are fusion proteins, polynucleotides that encode the disclosed fusion proteins, and methods for expressing and autoprocessing of the disclosed fusion proteins to obtain a target protein. The disclosed fusion proteins include an autoproteolytic cysteine protease fused to a heterologous polypeptide, which may be isolated as the target protein. Preferably, the protease activity of the cysteine protease is inducible. Suitable autoproteolytic cysteine proteases for the fusion proteins include the cysteine protease of the Vibrio cholerae RTX toxin.
US08257940B2
A diagnostic chewing gum for identifying a risk for diabetes includes a mixture of an enzyme, a conjugated protein of the glucose enzyme, a substrate, and a gum base. The enzyme and the conjugated protein facilitate a conversion of the substrate to produce a detectable signal in the presence of glucose to produce a detectable change in the gum. In use, the gum is chewed, the resulting change in the gum is compared against a chart, and the risk for diabetes is determined from the chart.
US08257939B2
A mutant hydrolase optionally fused to a protein of interest is provided. The mutant hydrolase is capable of forming a bond with a substrate for the corresponding nonmutant (wild-type) hydrolase which is more stable than the bond formed between the wild-type hydrolase and the substrate. Substrates for hydrolases comprising one or more functional groups are also provided, as well as methods of using the mutant hydrolase and the substrates of the invention. Also provided is a fusion protein capable of forming a stable bond with a substrate and cells which express the fusion protein.
US08257936B2
The invention provides methods of detecting a change in cell growth patterns.
US08257924B2
Described herein are methods and kits for prognosis of prostate cancer in a subject. The methods comprises: (a) determining the ratio of PCA3 and of a prostate-specific marker expression in a urine sample and (b) correlating the value of the PCA3/prostate-specific marker ratio with the aggressiveness and mortality risk of prostate cancer in the subject. Kits for prognosing prostate cancer are also described. More particularly, the present invention features a method for prognosing prostate cancer in a biological sample of a patient comprising: assessing the amount of a prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA and the amount of prostate-specific marker in the biological sample; determining a ratio value of this amount of prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA over the amount of prostate-specific marker; comparing the ratio value to at least one predetermined cut-off value, wherein a ratio value above the predetermined cut-off value is indicative of a higher risk of mortality of prostate cancer as compared to a ratio value below the predetermined cut-off value.
US08257915B2
Although it can be farnesylated, the mutant lamin A protein expressed in Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) cannot be defarnesylated because the characteristic mutation causes deletion of a cleavage site necessary for binding the protease ZMPSTE24 and effecting defarnesylation. The result is an aberrant farnesylated protein (called “progerin”) that alters normal lamin A function as a dominant negative, as well as assuming its own aberrant function through its association with the nuclear membrane. The retention of farnesylation, and potentially other abnormal properties of progerin and other abnormal lamin gene protein products, produces disease. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) (both direct effectors and indirect inhibitors) will inhibit the formation of progerin, cause a decrease in lamin A protein, and/or an increase prelamin A protein. Decreasing the amount of aberrant protein improves cellular effects caused by and progerin expression. Similarly, treatment with FTIs should improve disease status in progeria and other laminopathies. In addition, elements of atherosclerosis and aging in non-laminopathy individuals will improve after treatment with farnesyltransferase inhibitors.
US08257908B2
[Object] To provide a coating-type underlayer coating forming composition that is applied for multi-ply coating process by thin film resist in order to prevent collapse of resist pattern after development with miniaturization of resist pattern, and that shows a sufficient etching resistance against a semiconductor substrate to be processed on processing of the substrate by having a low dry etching rate compared with the photoresist and substrate.[Means for solving problems] A coating-type underlayer coating forming composition that is used for lithography process by multi-ply coating, comprising a polymer containing a vinylnaphthalene based structural unit and an acrylic acid based structural unit containing an aromatic hydroxy group or a hydroxy-containing ester. A coating-type underlayer coating forming composition further comprising an acrylic acid based structural unit containing an aliphatic cyclic compound-containing ester or an aromatic compound-containing ester.
US08257904B2
A resist composition including: a base component (A) which exhibits changed solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of an acid; an acid generator component (B) which generates an acid upon exposure; and an organic solvent (S), wherein the base component (A) includes a polymeric compound (A1) which contains a structural unit (a0) represented by the general formula (a0-1) shown below: [Chemical Formula 1] (in the formula, R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a halogenated lower alkyl group; R2 represents a bivalent linking group; and R3 represents a cyclic group which has —SO2— within the ring skeleton), and the organic solvent (S) includes a cyclic ketone having a 5 to 7-membered ring or an ether represented by the general formula (S-1) shown below: [Chemical Formula 2] (in the formula, R4 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R5 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and n represents an integer of 0 to 2).
US08257900B2
A method for preparing a toner including primarily pulverizing a toner composition powder including at least a binder resin and a colorant using a mechanical pulverizer to prepare a first particulate material with a weight average particle diameter of 7 to 30 μm; secondarily pulverizing the first particulate material using a jet air pulverizer having a pulverization plate to prepare a second particulate material; and classifying the second particulate material in two steps to prepare particles of the toner with a weight average particle diameter of 2 to 6 μm and an average circularity of 0.93 to 0.96. A toner including toner particles including at least a binder resin and a colorant and prepared by the method. An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member configured to bear an electrostatic image thereon; and a developing device configured to develop the electrostatic image with a developer including the toner.
US08257896B2
A carrier which is capable of avoiding excess blocking of the carrier particles at the time of forming a covering layer and is excellent in durability, a developer containing the carrier, and a developer container containing the developer, as well as an image forming method and a process cartridge which use the developer are provided. A carrier including at least a core material particle and a covering layer, a surface of the core material particle being covered with the covering layer, wherein the covering layer contains a condensate which is obtained by condensation of a silicone resin having at least one of a silanol group and a functional group which can be converted to the silanol group by hydrolysis, using a titanium diisopropoxy bis(ethylaceto-acetate) catalyst.
US08257880B2
In at least one of flow distribution areas 35 provided on a separator 15, plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a first section (parted regions 32a and 32c) of a center area (including parted regions 32a through 32c) having a relatively high flow rate of a first fluid (refrigerant) are designed to have a larger diameter of a cross section than plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a second section (parted region 32b) of the center area having a relatively low flow rate of the first fluid. This arrangement effectively attains a substantially uniform flow rate distribution of a fluid in a fluid flow path formed on a separator, which is configured to have concavo-convex structures formed in a mutually reversed relation on two opposed sides thereof.
US08257874B2
The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fuel cell temperature sensor for measuring the internal temperature of the fuel cell, a voltage sensor for measuring the power generation voltage of the fuel cell, a current sensor for measuring the current flowing from the fuel cell, a radiator for radiating heat generated by the fuel cell, a fan attached to the radiator for controlling the heat radiation amount, a cooling water pump for increasing the pressure of a cooling fluid, a bypass valve for controlling the cooling fluid amount entering the radiator, and a controller, on the basis of the voltage information measured by the voltage sensor, the temperature information measured by the temperature sensor, and the current information measured by the current sensor, for controlling at least one of the operation amount of the cooling water pump, the operation amount of the fan, and the cooling fluid amount flowing through the bypass valve.
US08257873B2
The fuel cell power generation system includes a fuel cell, a reformer, a carbon monoxide decreasing unit, a first raw material supply source, a first valve which is provided to a first raw material flow passage, a second valve which is provided downstream of the carbon monoxide decreasing unit, a second raw material supply source which supplies a raw material to the inside of a flow passage which is closed by the first valve and the second valve from downstream of the carbon monoxide decreasing unit, and a control unit which controls the first valve and the second valve, wherein the control unit, after the first valve and the second valve are closed, supplies the raw material fed from the second raw material supply source to the inside of the flow passage closed by the first valve and the second valve at the time of stopping the system.
US08257866B2
Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.
US08257865B2
The positive electrode active material in accordance with the present invention is used for a positive electrode for a lithium-ion secondary battery, includes Li, Mn, Ni, Co, and O atoms, and has a substantially halite type crystal structure. Specifically, it is preferably expressed by LiaMnbNicCodOe, where a is 0.85 to 1.1, b is 0.2 to 0.6, c is 0.2 to 0.6, d is 0.1 to 0.5, and e is 1 to 2 (the sum of b, c, and d being 1). Because of such composition and crystal structure, the positive electrode active material of the present invention reduces the amount of elution of the battery into the liquid electrolyte and enhances the stability at a high temperature.
US08257862B2
Disclosed is an alkaline storage battery comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator and an alkaline electrolyte solution in a package can. The negative electrode contains a hydrogen storage alloy represented by the following general formula: Ln1-xMgx(Ni1-yTy)z (wherein Ln represents at least one element selected from lanthanoid elements, Ca, Sr, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr and Hf; T represents at least one element selected from V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, In, Cu, Si, P and B; and 0
US08257858B2
An active material of silicon, tin or a compound containing silicon or tin is formed on a current collector of a negative electrode in form of a plurality of island regions so that the island regions are separated from one another. Furthermore, a conductive protective film is formed on the current collector so as to cover the island regions. The conductive protective film is formed so as to also cover exposed regions (space portions) of the current collector on which the island regions are not formed. Thus, expansion/shrink of the active region following charge/discharge can be absorbed by the conductive protective film formed in the space portions between the island regions. Also, adhesiveness of the active material with the current collector can be improved.
US08257856B2
To improve the penetration short-circuit resistance of a valve-regulated lead-acid battery. A mixed and scooped mat of glass fibers and organic fibers is used as a separator 3 of a battery comprising an electrode plate pack 4 obtained by inserting the separator 3 between a positive electrode plate 2 and a negative electrode plate 1 and housed in a container 5 and an electrolyte retained in the electrode plate pack 4 and the separator 3, wherein the separator is a mixed and scooped mat of glass fibers and organic fibers and the electrolyte is silica sol mixed with silica and silica sol is injected as the electrolyte.
US08257854B2
An electronic device includes a battery box receiving two batteries for providing power. The battery box includes a holding base defining two neighboring receiving rooms and a sliding groove and a slidable block slidably installed in the sliding groove to position the batteries in the receiving rooms. The batteries are received in the receiving rooms via passing over the sliding groove. The slidable block includes a retaining shoulder, a positioning portion protruding from one side of the retaining shoulder and used to match with the sliding groove, a stopper plate and a tab connected between the stopper plate and the retaining shoulder. The stopper plate and the tab are protruding from the other side of the retaining shoulder.
US08257853B2
A portable electronic device includes a base, a battery cover defining a notch, and a latching module. The base has two latching tabs. The latching module comprises an operating element, and two latching element fixed on the battery cover. The operating element is slidably received in the notch. When the operating element slides towards the battery cover, the two latching elements separate from corresponding latching tabs.
US08257842B2
A zinc oxide semiconductor has a zinc oxide-based laminated structure including two layers of a zinc oxide layer with a lattice volume of Va and a donor concentration of Na, and a zinc oxide or zinc oxide solid solution layer with a lattice volume of Vb and a donor concentration of Nb. The relationships of Va
US08257839B2
Provided are a polyvinyl pyrrole host material emitting highly efficient phosphorescence, a luminescent layer using the material, and an organic electroluminescent display device. The polyvinyl pyrrole host material shows highly efficient luminescence having improved energy transfer, and thus is useful for an organic electroluminescent display device and other various light emitting devices.
US08257835B2
The invention relates to an orthopedic implant made of a ceramic metal composite. The composite (28, 48, 54) includes one phase that is a biocompatible metal or metal alloy and a second phase of ceramic particles examples of which include carbides, nitrides and/or oxides. In some embodiments, the implant comprises a homogeneous ceramic layer (24) as part of a multi-layered composition. In some embodiments, the multilayered composition comprises a homogeneous metal layer (32).
US08257832B2
The invention relates to aminoplast or phenoplast resins comprising the reaction product of the following compounds: a substituted or unsubstituted amine derivative or a substituted or unsubstituted phenol derivative; at least one glyoxal monoacetal; and glyoxylic acid, and also the compositions containing them and their uses as adhesives or binders.
US08257829B2
The present invention fluorescence material has a particle diameter of the crystal area defined as dc, and the scope of dc is: 150 nm≧dc≧10 nm. The coat of the outside of the fluorescence material has one sheet of coating medium at least. Of course, there is at least a geometrical etching layer on the particle of the fluorescence material. The above-described structures will promote the extraction efficiency of light.
US08257828B2
A coated microcarrier for cell culture includes a microcarrier base and a polymeric coating grafted to the base via a polymerization initiator. A method for forming the coated microcarrier includes (i) conjugating a polymerization initiator to the microcarrier base to form an initiator-conjugated microcarrier base; (ii) contacting the initiator-conjugated microcarrier base with monomers; and (iii) activating the initiator to initiate polymerization and graft the polymer to the base.
US08257827B1
A silicone composition having anti-microbial properties contains well distributed silica and nanoparticles of a noble metal. Silica and nanoparticles of a noble metal are added to liquid vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane. A coupling agent is then added to the mixture and heated, the coupling agent comprising trialkoxysilane having a formula R1Si(OR2)3, wherein R1 is vinyl or allyl, and R2 is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. In one embodiment, trimethylsiloxy terminated polymethylhydrosiloxane is then added to the mixture and heated in the presence of a catalyst so as to cross-link and cure the same into a silicone elastomer. In another embodiment, in place of the trimethylsiloxy terminated polymethylhydrosiloxane, a peroxide is added to mixture and heated to form the silicone. In this later example, no catalyst is needed.
US08257819B2
The invention concerns a security element (1) and a value-bearing document safeguarded by such a security element. The security element (1) includes a strip-form multi-layer body (10) with a carrier film (11) and at least one decorative layer (12), as well as a first and a second adhesive layer (14, 15). The first adhesive layer (14) is provided on a first surface of the multi-layer body (10). The second adhesive layer (15) is provided on an opposite second surface of the multi-layer body. The security element has two or more first regions (21) in which the first adhesive layer (14) respectively covers the first surface of the multi-layer body and two or more second regions (22) in which the second but not the first surface of the multi-layer body is respectively covered by the second and the first adhesive layer respectively and in which a surface structure is respectively formed in the first surface. First and second regions (21, 22) are in this case arranged in mutually juxtaposed adjacent relationship.
US08257818B2
The present invention relates to a low oil and basis weight, apertured dusting wipe exhibiting improved particulate pick up performance.
US08257814B2
Composite structures and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed. An embodiment of a composite structure, among others, includes: a backing substrate; a layer of structures distributed over the backing substrate; and a thermoplastic disposed onto the structures and the backing substrate, wherein the thermoplastic substantially binds the backing substrate and layer of structures together.
US08257804B2
A recording medium includes a substrate and two or more ink receiving layers on each of a first surface and a second surface of the substrate. The ink receiving layers each contain a pigment and a binder. A1, A2, B1, and B2 (nm) satisfy the relationships (1), (2), and (3), where A1 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the outermost ink receiving layer on the first surface side, A2 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the ink receiving layer adjacent to the outermost layer, B1 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the outermost ink receiving layer on the second surface side, and B2 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the ink receiving layer adjacent to the outermost layer. The arithmetic average roughness Ra specified in JIS B 0601 of each of the outermost ink receiving layers is 0.50 μm or more.
US08257795B2
A paste including metal or metal alloy particles (which are preferably silver or silver alloy), a dispersant material, and a binder is used to form an electrical, mechanical or thermal interconnect between a device and a substrate. By using nanoscale particles (i.e., those which are less than 500 nm in size and most preferably less than 100 nm in size), the metal or metal alloy particles can be sintered at a low temperature to form a metal or metal alloy layer which is desired to allow good electrical, thermal and mechanical bonding, yet the metal or metal alloy layer can enable usage at a high temperature such as would be desired for SiC, GaN, or diamond (e.g., wide bandgap devices). Furthermore, significant application of pressure to form the densified layers is not required, as would be the case with micrometer sized particles. In addition, the binder can be varied so as to insulate the metal particles until a desired sintering temperature is reached; thereby permitting fast and complete sintering to be achieved.
US08257794B2
A discontinuous capillary coating device is disclosed. A discontinuous capillary coating device. At least one capillary tube is filled with a coating material. At least one coating substrate receives a liquid coating film. At least one capillary tube holder holds the capillary tube, guiding movement of the capillary tube. At least one traversing mechanism drives the capillary tube holder or coating substrate to move.
US08257789B2
A film formation method, in a vertical batch CVD apparatus, is preset to repeat a cycle a plurality of times to laminate thin films formed by respective times. The cycle alternately includes an adsorption step of adsorbing a source gas onto a surface of the target substrates and a reaction step of causing a reactive gas to react with the adsorbed source gas. The adsorption step is arranged to make a plurality of times a supply sub-step of performing supply of the source gas to the process field with an intermediate sub-step of stopping supply of the source gas to the process field interposed therebetween, while maintaining a shut-off state of supply of the reactive gas. The reaction step is arranged to continuously perform supply of the reactive gas to the process field, while maintaining a shut-off state of supply of the source gas.
US08257788B2
Nanostructured layers with 10 nm to 50 nm pores spaced 10-50 nm apart, a method for making such nanostructured layers, optoelectronic devices having such nanostructured layers and uses for such nanostructured layers are disclosed. The nanostructured layer can be formed using precursor sol, which generally includes one or more covalent metal complexes, one or more surfactants, a solvent, one or more optional condensation inhibitors, and (optionally) water. Evaporating the solvent from the precursor sol forms a surfactant-templated film. Covalently crosslinking the surfactant-templated film forms a nanostructured porous layer. Pore size is controlled, e.g., by appropriate solvent concentration, choice of surfactant, use of chelating agents, use of swelling agents or combinations of these.
US08257786B2
A printing or coating composition has a non-volatile liquid vehicle carrying a conductive polymer to be deposited on a substrate and is cleavable by heat or acidification without decomposition of said material, cleavage of said vehicle producing decomposition products that are more volatile than said vehicle and which can be evaporated to dry the composition. Suitably, that vehicle is a carbonic acid diester or a malonic acid diester, e.g. of the formula: wherein R2 is an organic substituent such that R2—OH is a volatile alcohol; R1 is an aliphatic or aromatic substituent of more than three carbon atoms such that is volatile; and R3 is C1-3 alkyl.
US08257784B2
In one embodiment, a method for identifying an article of manufacture may include: producing a plurality of multilayer photonic structures, wherein each of the plurality of multilayer photonic structures has a unique intensity profile; incorporating one of the plurality of multilayer photonic structures that produces the unique intensity profile into a coating; and generating an electronic code corresponding to the unique intensity profile of one of the plurality of multilayer photonic structures.
US08257777B2
Methods and devices for coating a medical device, such as a stent, including the steps of coating the medical device with a photoresist polymeric coating, irradiating a portion of the medical device, optionally applying a post-exposure bake step, and removing all or a portion of the coating from the irradiated portion of the medical device, if a positive photoresist coating material is used, or from a portion of the medical device not exposed to the radiation, if a negative photoresist coating material is used. The photoresist polymeric coating may optionally include a drug.
US08257774B2
The present invention relates to a mycotoxin adsorbent, as well as to the process for the preparation of said adsorbent. The adsorbent of the invention is based on the combination of an organic silicate with an amorphous structure and dodecylamine, that is to say, a primary amine having an apolar, linear, aliphatic long-chain of twelve carbon atoms. The invention also relates to the use of said adsorbent in feeds for the adsorption of mycotoxins, especially for the adsorption of mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, zearalenone, ochratoxin A or fumonisin B1. Furthermore, the invention relates, on the one hand, to a feed additive comprising said adsorbent and, on the other hand, to the feeds comprising said additive.
US08257768B2
A method for preparing a beverage suitable for human consumption and having a fine-bubble form a layer including delivering the beverage under pressure with at least one nozzle which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for supplying the beverage to the nozzle such that the nozzle can generate a jet of beverage. The method further using a receiving unit into which the jet is directed for obtaining the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer, said receiving unit being provided with a chamber with at least one drain opening for delivering the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer and a jet impact member accommodated in said chamber and having a top that lies free from an inner wall of said chamber. The nozzle and the jet impact member are mutually oriented such that the jet hits against a portion of the top of the jet impact member, so that the jet after hitting against the jet impact member forms a mist of the beverage. The beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer subsequently leaves the drain opening. The method further involved use of a device constructed such that air can only be supplied to the chamber through the at least one drain opening and/or through an air supply channel which extends through the jet impact member into the chamber.
US08257767B2
A desiccating device and method providing variable drying conditions allowing the desiccated material to substantially maintain its natural characteristics upon rehydration as well as have a low microbial content. The method provides a process of subjecting the material to ultrasound and flowing hot air or gas for a defined period of time. The ultrasonic frequency, temperature, air flow and time of exposure can be varied to produce the most efficient drying conditions depending on the material to be dried. The apparatus has plurality of drying chambers with forced heated air or gas input and output ducts and ultrasonic emitter. The material passes through each chamber at a pre-determined rate on a perforated conveyor belt in one embodiment of the invention. Optionally, the material may be placed on a drying bed or substrate comprising a number of spheres.
US08257764B2
A ruminant mineral feed additive for dairy cattle and ruminant animals includes a unique combination of zeolite and dolomitic hydrate mineral fines that are prilled and hydrothermally reacted to produce a valuable dietary supplement for control of acidosis.
US08257757B1
An environmentally safe rodent control composition for exterminating rodents such as mice and rats without the use of chemicals. The rodent control composition generally includes an attractant base, a digestive upset catalyst such as oleander leaves, a coma catalyst such as lily flowers, a paralysis catalyst such as water hemlock roots and a cardiac arrest catalyst such as lily of valley berries. The attractant base is generally comprised of materials which attract a rodent to the present invention and encourage a rodent to ingest the same. The attractant base may be comprised of such materials as peanut butter, mixed bird seed, mixed grains and the like. A rodent will generally die within 12-36 hours after ingestion of the present composition, which does not include any chemicals or additives which are damaging to the environment.
US08257751B2
A composition comprising an extract of a deep sea fish; and an extract of rooibos aspalathus linearis); and optionally an extract of bearberry (arctostaphylos uva-ursi) as active components thereof; and optionally one or more fillers or ancillary agents conventionally used in the formulation of compositions is provided. Upon administration, the composition has beneficial effect in relation to the cosmetic treatment of age-related dermatological symptoms, such as wrinkled and/or aged skin as well as hair loss.
US08257747B2
A method to treat propolis includes conducting at least one first extraction of propolis performed on a batch of raw propolis with a first pure solvent to obtain a first extract having first properties. A second extraction may be performed with a second different pure solvent on the filtration residues obtained after the first extraction, so as to collect and make usable the entirety of the components of propolis using organic solvents only; and finally the method may include a third extraction following after the second extraction, performed on the filtration residues obtained after this second extraction, using a third pure solvent different from the two others; the first solvent then being water, the second being alcohol and the third being oil. The method applies to the production of extracts of propolis for use in the manufacture of hygiene, care, cosmetic products, food products and food supplements.
US08257738B2
Encapsulation compositions in which an encapsulate (A) is encapsulated in a matrix (B) may be prepared by: (i) mixing matrix (B) with a liquid plasticizer and encapsulate (A) in an extruder, to obtain a melted mixture of encapsulate (A) and matrix (B); and (ii) extruding the melted mixture, to obtain an extruded mixture.
US08257735B2
The instant invention is drawn to a hepatocyte targeted composition comprising a mixture of free recombinant human insulin isophane and free Recombinant human regular insulin insulin and a mixture of recombinant human insulin isophane and Recombinant human regular insulin insulin associated with a water insoluble target molecule complex, wherein the complex comprises multiple linked individual units and a supra-molecular lipid construct matrix. Recombinant human insulin isophane and Recombinant human regular insulin insulin are present within the complex in at least one form wherein the recombinant human insulin isophane and Recombinant human regular insulin insulin have regions of positive charge which interacts with a negative charge on the complex. The invention also includes methods for the manufacture of the composition and methods of managing blood glucose levels in individuals with Type I and Type II diabetes.
US08257730B2
Biocompatible intraocular implants include a steroid and a polymer associated with each other to facilitate release of the steroid into an eye for a period of time greater than about two months. The steroid may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. Or, the steroid may be associated with a polymeric coating having one or more openings effective to permit the steroid to be released into an external environment. The implants may be placed in an eye to treat one or more ocular conditions. The steroid is released from the implant for more than about two months, and may be release for more than several years.
US08257724B2
An apparatus and system for delivering a lipophilic agent associated with a medical device including: a medical device, a first lipophilic agent capable of penetrating a body lumen, wherein the transfer coefficients of the first lipophilic agent is by an amount that is statistically significant of at least approximately 5,000, wherein the first lipophilic agent is associated with the medical device, wherein the first lipophilic agent/medical device is placed adjacent to said body lumen, and wherein a therapeutically effective amount of the first lipophilic agent is delivered to a desired area within a subject. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for improving patency in a subject involving placement of a medical device in a body lumen for treating and/or preventing adjacent diseases or maintaining patency of the body lumen.
US08257720B2
Stabilized cationic ammonium compounds are described. The compounds are stabilized with metal chelators that impede the generation of nitrogen comprising groups from the cationic ammonium compounds.
US08257712B2
An antiviral vaccine that encodes costimulation molecules for increasing immune response to the particular virus at issue is provided herein. In an illustrative embodiment, in mice lacking both B7-1 and B7-2 (B7KO), the increased severity of HSV infection has confirmed the importance of these molecules in generation of HSV-specific immunity. To test the concept that B7-1 or B7-2 expression by replication-defective HSV could augment its immunogenicity and protective capacity, the present inventors constructed replication-defective HSV-2 encoding B7-1 or B7-2. Both viruses partially reconstituted immune responses to HSV compared with replication-defective virus alone when used to immunize B7KO mice, indicating that the increased responsiveness to virus could be attributed to virus-encoded B7 molecules.
US08257710B2
Method for the humanization of the VH and VL variable regions of an animal antibody of known sequence, humanized animal antibody obtainable according to the method, in particular anti-NGF and anti-TrkA humanized animal antibodies.
US08257706B2
This invention relates to CD30 binding agents and methods of using such binding agents for treating disease characterized by expression of CD30 antigen.
US08257704B2
Humanized and chimeric antibodies are provided that specifically bind human sclerostin and are characterized as having high affinity and strong neutralizing properties. The antibodies of the invention are useful for increasing bone mass, bone mineral density and bone strength and for the treatment of various disorders, e.g., osteoporosis, in human subject.
US08257696B2
Cell culture conditions for the isolation, maintenance, and indefinite expansion of human glia are established favoring the growth of neural precursor cells. Cultured cells proliferate indefinitely, express catalytic telomerase, and retain a non-immortalized phenotype. Compositions allow for the indefinite expansion of non-immortalized neural tissue for bioassay applications and restorative neuroscience.
US08257695B2
Use of at least one strain of a microorganism and/or a metabolite thereof in the manufacture of a support for administration to a subject for modulating satiety signalling, wherein the support is a pharmaceutically acceptable support or a food product. Suitably, the at least one strain of a microorganism and/or a metabolite thereof may be administered to the subject for the treatment and/or prevention of excess weight and/or a disease caused by excess weight. Likewise, the at least one strain of a microorganism and/or a metabolite thereof is administered to the subject for the treatment and/or prevention of obesity and/or a caused by obesity. Preferably, the microorganism is a probiotic microorganism. Suitably the microorganism may be a lactic acid bacterium. Li one embodiment the microorganism is a strain of Lactobacillus spp. and/or Bifidobacterium spp., for example a strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. curvatus, L. salivarius and/or B. lactis.
US08257690B2
Tissue adhesives formed by crosslinking albumin and/or gelatin with certain polyamines and/or polycarboxylates using a water-soluble carbodiimide are disclosed. The use of the tissue adhesives for medical and veterinary applications such as topical wound closure; and surgical procedures, such as intestinal anastomosis, vascular anastomosis, tissue repair, and ophthalmic procedures; drug delivery; anti-adhesive applications; and as a bulking agent to treat urinary incontinence are described.
US08257688B2
A topical sustained release delivery system for delivery of antifungal agents to the finger or toenails achieving high penetration through the nails by combining the antifungal agent with a keratolytic agent and a humectant. The pharmaceutical sustained release topical preparation is provided in a varnish or spray form for treating the nail and surrounding tissues, where the active ingredient is an antifungal agent, a keratolytic agent or combination thereof. The composition may further include an antibacterial, an antiviral, an antipsoriatic agents, or combinations thereof.
US08257685B2
Swellable particles for delivery of a drug or other working agent to the pulmonary system are provided. The swellable particles include a dehydrated (dry) aerodynamic particle diameter of 5 μm or less to enable delivery to the respiratory tract, such as for example to the tracheo-bronchial airways of the upper respiratory tract and/or to the alveolic regions of the deep lung, and a hydrated particle diameter that is greater than 6 μm volume mean diameter to retard or prevent their phagocytosis by the macrophages present in airways of the respiratory tract.
US08257683B2
An organized mobile multicomponent conjugate (OMMC) and method of using to enhance binding of weakly binding compounds to a target. A lamellar structure containing at least two binding compounds is assembled under conditions in which the binding compounds self-regulate in or on the lamellar structure, forming a cooperative ensemble that is capable of binding with enhanced affinity to a complementary affinity site on a target. Each binding compound is bound to the lamellar surface, and may be connected by a linker. The OMMC may contain an effector molecule, such as a diagnostic or therapeutic agent, for administration to a patent who is then diagnosed or treated using the effector molecule.
US08257676B2
A method for preparing a precursor solution for synthesis of carbon nanomaterials, where a polar solvent is added to at least one block copolymer and at least one carbohydrate compound, and the precursor solution is processed using a self-assembly process and subsequent heating to form nanoporous carbon films, porous carbon nanotubes, and porous carbon nanoparticles.
US08257675B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial quartz member inhibited from suffering the decrease in transmittance in a laser light wavelength region which is caused by long-term irradiation with a laser light having a wavelength of 200 nm or shorter; and a process for producing the artificial quartz member. The invention provides an artificial quartz member for use as an optical element to be irradiated with a laser light having a wavelength of 200 nm or shorter, having an aluminum content of 200 ppb or lower.
US08257666B2
The invention relates to a microfabricated device for the rapid detection of DNA, proteins or other molecules associated with a particular disease. The devices and methods of the invention can be used for the simultaneous diagnosis of multiple diseases by detecting molecules (e.g. amounts of molecules), such as polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) or proteins (e.g., antibodies), by measuring the signal of a detectable reporter associated with hybridized polynucleotides or antigen/antibody complex. In the microfabricated device according to the invention, detection of the presence of molecules (i.e. Polynucleotides, proteins, or antigen/antibody complexes) are correlated to a hybridization signal from an optically-detectable (e.g. fluorescent) reporter associated with the bound molecules. These hybridization signals can be detected by any suitable means, for example optical, and can be stored for example in a computer as a representation of the presence of a particular gene.
US08257662B2
The present invention provides a structure in which the surface of a solid substrate of any shape is covered with metal oxide, in particular, a nanostructure composite in which polyethyleneimine, which is an organic substance, and metal oxide, which is an inorganic substance, are combined in nano-meter scale, spreads at the entire surface of a substrate, and the nanostructure composite forms a nano-boundary of complex shapes so as to thoroughly cover the entire surface of the substrate; a structure in which metal ions, metal nano-particles, organic pigment molecules are contained in the nanostructure composite; a process for producing these structures which can produce these structures with ease and efficiently; and an application method for the structures as an immobilized catalyst type reactor.
US08257657B2
A device for discharging, through a central rotating chimney, fluids from a fluidized bed driven in a rotational movement in the same direction by the rotation of the outer circular wall of a reaction chamber and/or by injection of part of these fluids along the circular wall of a fixed or rotating chamber, and methods for catalytic polymerization, drying, or other treatments of solid particles in suspension in a rotating fluidized bed or for cracking or other catalytic conversions of fluids using this device.
US08257656B2
A lead portion (25) of a heater coil (22) is constituted of a single coil wound into a coil and a bead portion (24) is constituted of a double coil formed by further winding the single coil into a coil. By constituting a detecting element (2) by burying the bead portion (24) in a heat conductive layer (21) and adhering a catalyst layer (23) on the surface of the heat conductive layer (21), improvement of the gas sensitivity and the response speed of a catalytic combustion gas sensor is facilitated. Zero point variation is reduced by improving impact resistance. When both ends of the heater coil are fixed to electrode pins, both ends of the heater coil are welded to the electrode pins using a resistance welding method, etc., with a platinum wire, etc., wound on a primary core wire, and thereafter, the primary core wire is melted and eliminated while leaving the platinum wire, etc., by a wet etching process.
US08257644B2
An iron core annealing furnace that is used in annealing of an amorphous iron core requiring strict control of annealing temperature. There is provided an iron core annealing furnace comprising a furnace body fitted at its superior area with a heat source and a fan, wherein the furnace body has a double layer structure consisting of a furnace interior defined by the inside division wall of the furnace body and an interspace defined by the division wall and the outside wall of the furnace body, and wherein the fan is disposed in the center of a superior area of the furnace body, and wherein the fan is adapted to introduce hot air from the furnace interior of the double layer structure, feed the hot air to the outside of the double layer structure, allow the hot air to enter the furnace interior from an inferior area of the furnace body and heat the iron core, and circulate the hot air.
US08257642B2
The method of an embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps: (A) filling a melted thermoplastic material for a first time; (B) closing the forming mold and blowing air into the forming mold; (C) opening the first forming mold and removing the chair legs; (D) placing at least two of the chair legs into a second forming mold; (E) filling the melted thermoplastic material for a second time; and (F) closing the second forming mold and blowing air into the second forming mold.
US08257637B2
A method is provided for removing a resin layer of a resin-coated metal tube. The resin layer is removed with a laser beam. More particularly, the resin layer of a desired range is burned out by focusing the laser beam into a pinpoint without defocusing the sectional shape of the laser beam in the axial direction o the resin-coated metal tube.
US08257635B2
A method for manufacturing a separated tip catheter includes the following steps: positioning first and second cores in a cavity of a mold, the cavity having a substantially elongated shape and including a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first and second cores are oriented substantially parallel to each other; placing a sheet of material having a higher melting temperature than a molding material across the first end portion of the cavity; and injecting the molding material into the cavity of the mold.
US08257618B2
A conductive composition consisting essentially of (a) 50-95 wt % finely divided particles of an electrically-conductive material dispersed in (b) a liquid vehicle, for use in the manufacture of an electrically-conductive pattern on a substrate for the use of reducing cross-sectional area and width while retaining conductivity and resistivity.
US08257616B2
The present invention concerns electrode materials capable of redox reactions by electron and alkali-ion exchange with an electrolyte. The applications are in the field of primary (batteries) or secondary electrochemical generators, supercapacitors and light modulating systems of the electrochromic type.
US08257610B2
The present invention provides a water absorbing agent, and a method for producing the water absorbing agent. The water absorbing agent includes water absorbent resin particles, an organic acid and/or salt thereof having carbon number of 10 or more and not more than 30 in its molecule, and a water-soluble polyvalent cation. The method includes the step (i) of mixing the water absorbent resin particles, the organic acid and/or salt thereof having carbon number of 10 or more and not more than 30 in its molecule, and the water-soluble polyvalent cation with one another.
US08257604B2
The etching processing method is characterized in that, when performing an etching processing on a resin member by using a desmear liquid containing an alkaline permanganate etching liquid, the etching processing is performed by dipping the resin member into the desmear liquid of which an etching rate for a resin forming the resin member is adjusted by using at least one of an accelerator for accelerating the etching rate of the desmear liquid and a suppressor for suppressing the etching rate.
US08257601B2
A substrate processing method is used for a substrate processing system having a substrate processing device and a substrate transfer device. The substrate processing method includes a substrate transfer step of transferring a substrate and a substrate processing step of performing a predetermined process on the substrate. The substrate transfer step and the substrate processing step include a plurality of operations, and at least two operations among the plurality of the operations are performed simultaneously. Preferably, the substrate processing device includes an accommodating chamber, a mounting table placed in the accommodating chamber to be mounted thereon the substrate, and a heat transfer gas supply line for supplying a heat transfer gas to a space between the substrate mounted on the mounting table and the mounting table.
US08257600B2
A method of chemically milling a workpiece includes depositing a masking material on portions of the workpiece according to a predefined masking pattern such that other portions of the workpiece that are desired to be milled are unmasked. Material from the unmasked desired milling areas of the workpiece is chemically removed.
US08257595B2
A control apparatus for a liquid dispense system having at least one liquid outlet and at least one flow control device for controlling the dispense of liquid from said outlet(s) during a dispense operation, said control apparatus including an operating device for controlling the operation of at least one flow control device to permit dispense of a desired volume of liquid from the outlet(s) during a dispense operation; a recording device for recording one or more parameters of the liquid dispense system and/or the operating device during the dispense operation to create a dispense profile for the dispense operation, at least one of the recorded parameters being indicative of the flow rate of liquid at the outlet(s); and a control device for controlling the operation of the operating device during a subsequent dispense operation based upon the recorded dispense profile.
US08257588B2
An oil-water separator with a self-priming pump of high oil-water separation ability enables a mixed liquid to be introduced into the oil-water separator without causing emulsification. A separator portion separating a mixed liquid includes a rough cyclone separation portion. A main separation portion downstream of the rough separation portion performs main separation according to specific gravity. A water discharge portion connected to the main separation portion discharges water. An oil storage tank stores the oil separated from the water and overflowing the main separation portion. A self-priming liquid pump connected downstream of the separator portion and connected to the water discharge portion sucks the mixed liquid from an exterior to enable venting and discharging of air.
US08257586B2
A valve arrangement is disclosed for providing a switchable fluid connection between a fluid delivery system for driving a mobile phase and a stationary phase adapted for separating compounds of a sample fluid comprised in the mobile phase. The valve arrangement comprises a first valve comprising a first port adapted to be coupled to the fluid delivery system, a second port, and a third port, wherein the first valve is adapted to switch, in a first switch transition, from a first state wherein the first port is coupled with the second port, over a second state wherein the first port, the second port and the third port are coupled altogether, to a third state wherein the first port is coupled with the third port, a second valve comprising a fifth port adapted to be coupled to the stationary phase, a sixth port, and a seventh port, wherein the second valve is adapted to switch, in a second switch transition from a fourth state wherein the fifth port is coupled with the sixth port, to a fifth state wherein the fifth port is coupled with the seventh port, a first fluid path connecting the second port and the sixth port, and a second fluid path connecting the third port and the seventh port, wherein the second fluid path comprises a sample introduction path adapted for introducing the sample fluid into the mobile phase.
US08257583B2
A fuel separation apparatus comprises a stock fuel storage tank storing stock fuel, a separator provided with a separation film separating the stock fuel into high octane value fuel with an octane value higher than the stock fuel and a low octane value fuel with an octane value lower than the stock fuel, and a high octane value fuel storage tank storing the high octane value fuel separated by the separator. When the temperature of the separation film is lower than the high octane value fuel separation temperature, the high octane value fuel stored in the high octane value fuel storage tank is supplied to the separator. Due to this, vaporization of fuel is suppressed and the fuel can be quickly raised in temperature. Due to this, a vehicle mounted fuel separation apparatus able to quickly raise the temperature of the fuel supplied to the separation film so as to quickly raise the temperature of the separation film at the time of engine cold start can be provided.
US08257579B2
The invention relates to a method for the dehydration of, and in-line removal of asphaltenes from, heavy and extra-heavy crudes. The method is performed at the well head at pressures of between 414 and 689 KPa and temperatures of between 60 and 100° C. and includes two phases, namely a dehydration phase and a deasphalting phase. The first phase includes the addition of solvent, removal of free water, heating, addition of emulsion breakers and settling for removal of emulsified water. The asphaltenes are extracted in the second phase. Said phase comprises the use of low-force in-line static mixers and contactors having a specific design and a sedimentation device with specific internal arrangements for separation. The recovered solvent is recirculated into the method, the improved crude is separated and the asphaltenes are used as fuel for cogeneration which supplies the energy requirements for production and the improvement method.
US08257577B2
There is provided a gas sensor, which includes a sensor element extending axially of the gas sensor and having a gas sensing portion at a front end thereof and an electrode portion at a rear end thereof, a cylindrical metal shell retaining therein the sensor element with the gas sensing portion and the electrode portion protruding from front and rear ends of the metal shell, respectively, and having a flange portion and a rear end portion located on a rear side of the flange portion, a cylindrical protection cover having a front end fitted onto the rear end portion of the metal shell so as to cover the electrode portion and a weld joint through which the entire circumference of the front end of the protection cover is joined through the metal shell. The weld joint extends from an end face of the protection cover to the metal shell.
US08257575B2
An ammonia gas sensor is disclosed that includes a reference electrode, an ammonia selective sensing electrode and an electrolyte disposed therebetween. The ammonia sensing electrode comprises vanadium silicide, vanadium oxysilicide, vanadium carbide, vanadium oxycarbide, vanadium nitride, or vanadium oxynitride.
US08257573B1
Multi-layer fabrication methods (e.g. electrochemical fabrication methods) for forming microscale and mesoscale devices or structures (e.g. turbines) provide bushings or roller bearing that allow rotational or linear motion which is constrained by multiple structural elements spaced from one another by gaps that are effectively less than minimum features sizes associated with the individual layers used to form the structures. In some embodiments, features or protrusions formed on different layers on opposing surfaces are offset along the axis of layer stacking so as to bring the features into positions that are closer than allowed by the minimum features sizes associated with individual layers. In other embodiments, interference is used to create effective spacings that are less than the minimum features sizes.
US08257561B2
Methods are generally provided for forming a conductive oxide layer on a substrate. In one particular embodiment, the method can include sputtering a transparent conductive oxide layer on a substrate at a sputtering temperature from about 10° C. to about 100° C. A cap layer including cadmium sulfide can be deposited directly on the transparent conductive oxide layer. The transparent conductive oxide layer can be annealed at an anneal temperature from about 450° C. to about 650° C. Methods are also generally provided for manufacturing a cadmium telluride based thin film photovoltaic device. An intermediate substrate is also generally provided for use to manufacture a thin film photovoltaic device.
US08257557B2
A dehydration method for removing water from a hydrolysis reaction mixture containing unreacted water generated when monochlorobenzene is hydrolyzed to produce phenol, the method for dehydrating the hydrolysis reaction mixture includes supplying a hydrolysis reaction mixture to a distillation tower, supplying a liquid containing monochlorobenzene to the tower top portion of the distillation tower, and removing the substantially whole amount of the water in the hydrolysis reaction mixture together with monochlorobenzene from the tower top portion by distillation.
US08257555B2
A wet paper web transfer belt 10 comprises a wet paper web side layer 20 having hydrophilic fibers 41 and a machine side layer 23. The machine side layer 23 is a batt layer having a core-sheath conjugate fiber comprising a core member made of nylon with a high melting point and a sheath member made of nylon with a lower melting point than the core member, and said machine side layer has a fused layer of the sheath member on the surface thereof.
US08257552B2
An absorbent cellulosic sheet having a variable local basis weight. The sheet includes a papermaking-fiber reticulum having (a) a plurality of fiber-enriched pileated regions of a relatively high local basis weight each extending a distance in the cross-machine direction (CD) of the sheet, and (b) a plurality of elongated densified regions of compressed papermaking fibers that interconnect the plurality of fiber-enriched pileated regions. The elongated densified regions (i) have a relatively low local basis weight and each extend a distance in the machine direction (MD) of the sheet, (ii) are arranged in a repeating pattern having leading and trailing edges, such that the elongated densified regions are longitudinally staggered with respect to each other, and (iii) have MD/CD aspect ratios of at least 1.5.
US08257547B2
A surface activation device comprises a holding compartment, a nozzle support, and a sealing assembly. The holding compartment defines a receiving chamber and defining a plurality of recesses for holding workpieces therein. The nozzle support is rotatably received in the receiving chamber and comprises an outer barrel, an inner barrel is received in the outer barrel, and at least one ultraviolet (UV) lamp is embedded in the outer barrel. The outer barrel and the inner barrel cooperatively define a first chamber therebetween, and the inner barrel defines a second chamber therein. The sealing assembly seals the first chamber and the second chamber, and comprises at least one first inlet tube communicated with the first chamber and at least one second inlet tube communicated with the second chamber.
US08257540B2
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device includes forming an alignment film on each of a first large-sized substrate and a second large-sized substrate each on which a plurality of substrates are arranged by an oblique evaporation method, dividing the plurality of substrates arranged on the first large-sized substrate while holding positional information of the plurality of substrates, and bonding one of the plurality of the divided substrates and a substrate arranged on the second large-sized substrate to each other in accordance with the held positional information.
US08257535B2
A manufacturing method of an absorbent article according to the present invention includes the steps of a leg circumference forming process of forming a leg circumferential region on a web which is continuously fed in an MD, in a conveyance device, and a folding process of folding the web in two after the leg circumference forming process, so that a second half region on one divided by a center line in a CD comes closer to or overlaps a first half region on the other side. In the folding process, the first half region is conveyed on a conveyance belt which drives horizontally in parallel to an installation surface of the conveyance device (for example, a folding device) and the second half region is folded towards the first half region by a guide unit that guides the second half region.
US08257532B2
A method for manufacturing a protection device includes the steps of forming a plurality of cells in a support strip, filling the cells with a non-cross-linked compound, cross-linking the compound to form at least one module made of viscoelastic gel in the plurality of cells, depositing an adhesive substance on each module, and depositing a strip of fabric on the support strip to obtain a final compound strip. The at least one module made of viscoelastic gel is glued onto the strip of fabric by the adhesive substance.
US08257528B2
A pair of substrates each having a bonding surface are joined together by interposing a bond layer precursor coating between the bonding surfaces of the substrates and heating the precursor coating to form a bond layer. Prior to the joining step, the substrate on the bonding surface is provided with a gas-permeable layer. Even when a material which will evolve a noticeable volume of gas upon heat curing is used as the precursor coating, substrates can be joined via a robust bond without the peeling problem by gas evolution.
US08257526B2
The present invention provides a system of jointing and finishing plasterboard sheets. The system comprises adjacently abutted first and second plasterboard sheets and a connective material. The connective material is applied to a region at or near the side edge portions of the first and second plasterboard sheets and which securely joins the side edge portion of the first plasterboard sheet to the side edge portion of the second plasterboard sheet. There is also provided a joint filling compound and a finishing compound, which are optionally also applied to the region of the first and second plasterboard sheets.
US08257516B2
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing ultra-high strength steel products and, more particularly, to a method of manufacturing ultra-high strength steel products suitable for production of articles having a complicated shape or a high processing depth. The method includes preparing a steel sheet by blanking the steel sheet having hardenability to form a rough shape of a final product, cold-pressing the steel sheet to form a 50˜80% shape of the final product, precisely trimming the cold-formed steel sheet along a contour line corresponding to an outer contour of the final product, and hot-pressing the trimmed product to form the remaining 20˜50% shape of the final product and quenching simultaneous with hot-pressing, after heating the trimmed product to an austenite region of 700° C. or more.
US08257503B2
A method for detecting plasma unconfinement in a reaction chamber during a bevel edge cleaning operation is provided. The method initiates with selecting a wavelength associated with expected by products of a bevel edge clean process. The method includes cleaning the bevel edge area of a substrate and monitoring the intensity of the selected wavelengths during the cleaning for deviation from a threshold wavelength intensity. The cleaning is terminated if the deviation from the threshold wavelength intensity exceeds a target deviation.
US08257491B2
Growth conditions are developed, based on a temperature-dependent alignment model, to enable formation of cubic group IV, group II-V and group II-VI crystals in the [111] orientation on the basal (0001) plane of trigonal crystal substrates, controlled such that the volume percentage of primary twin crystal is reduced from about 40% to about 0.3%, compared to the majority single crystal. The control of stacking faults in this and other embodiments can yield single crystalline semiconductors based on these materials that are substantially without defects, or improved thermoelectric materials with twinned crystals for phonon scattering while maintaining electrical integrity. These methods can selectively yield a cubic-on-trigonal epitaxial semiconductor material in which the cubic layer is substantially either directly aligned, or 60 degrees-rotated from, the underlying trigonal material.
US08257484B1
A microemulsion paint thinner includes a hydrocarbon solvent, a glycol ether, a carboxylic acid, a base, and water, wherein the carboxylic acid is partially neutralized by the base. A process for thinning oil-based paint includes mixing uncured oil-based paint and the above composition.
US08257483B2
A bituminous cold glue for cold gluing of construction material and comprising at least 35% by weight of bitumen and at least 10% by weight of oil, and further comprising clay and a dispersing agent, said oil being a vegetable oil compound, based on a carbon chain comprising at least one of the C6 to C12 carbon atoms and further comprising between 0.1 and 5% by weight of a solvent.
US08257482B2
A water base ink for ink jet recording contains a self-dispersible pigment; water; at least one glycol ether selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol butyl ether, dipropylene glycol propyl ether and triethylene glycol butyl ether; and methyl cellulose in an amount of 0.01% by weight to 0.5% by weight. The water base ink is capable of preventing the strike-through to the back surface of a recording paper, and further the water base ink is excellent in the printing density and drying property on the paper surface.
US08257480B2
An ink set, comprising: an oil based ink composition containing a metallic pigment; and at least one or more oil based ink compositions selected from a group consisting of a chromatic color ink composition containing chromatic color pigment, a black ink composition containing black pigment, and a white ink composition containing white pigment.
US08257477B1
A dust control system for efficiently collecting dust laden air within and around a mining area. The dust control system generally includes a support structure, a duct assembly supported by the support structure, wherein the duct assembly includes an inlet for receiving dust laden air, an outlet for discharging a dust slurry, and a passageway connecting the inlet with the outlet and an injection pipe assembly directed within the passageway for injecting a mixture of a compressed air and a liquid within the passageway to mix with the dust laden air. The outlet of the injection pipe assembly is positioned forward the inlet of the duct assembly relative travel of the dust laden air through the passageway for generating a suction to force the dust laden air within the inlet.
US08257471B2
A moisture adsorbing device 1 comprising a type Y zeolite, and an NOx adsorbing device 2 being put in place on an exhaust-gas downstream side of the moisture adsorbing device 1, and comprising a zeolite that includes a transition metal ion in the cation exchange sites are included. In NOx adsorbing apparatuses, since the less the moisture content in exhaust gases is the more the NOx adsorbing capability improves, the NO adsorbing capability in low-temperature region is improved especially by means of the combination with a moisture adsorbing device that comprises a type Y zeolite whose Al2O3 proportion is great and whose moisture adsorbing amount is great compared with the other zeolites.
US08257469B2
An electrostatic filter for the separation of dust particles has collecting electrodes fixed in a housing through which the gas flows and discharge electrodes arranged parallel to them and held stretched between insulators. For the cleaning of the collecting electrodes, a cleaning equipment is fixed to a cable having the discharge electrodes, which can be moved along the surface of the collecting electrodes to be cleaned by using a pulling device having a coiling drum.
US08257467B2
A process for partial dehydration of a gas by contact with a solvent that can be regenerated by: a) A stage for absorption of H2O by contact of the gas to be treated and regenerated solvent producing a dehydrated gas effluent and a liquid solvent effluent that is charged with H2O and absorbed gas, b) A stage for cooling the solvent charged with H2O at ambient temperature, c) A stage for separation by segregation during which liquid H2O and the solvent are separated at ambient temperature, d) A stage in which the regenerated solvent that is obtained at the end of stage c) is heated, e) A stage in which the regenerated and heated solvent that is obtained at the end of stage d) is recycled to the absorption stage a).
US08257461B2
A method of producing fertilizer out of sludge, in which method sludge is heated with superheated steam for achieving hygienization to destroy pathogenic microorganisms. In the method, the sludge is heated to a temperature of 60 to 100° C. with superheated steam having a temperature of 200 to 600° C. to activate increasing of the amount of soluble carbon in the sludge and to restart biodegradation of the sludge by using non-pathogenic microorganisms still remaining in the sludge after the heating.
US08257451B2
A fossil-fuel-fired system, which includes an emissions-control-agent dispenser, a furnace, an emissions monitor and, optionally, a controller, is disclosed. The emissions-control-agent dispenser provides a prescribed amount of organic-emissions-control agent, such as, for example, an opacity-control agent to the fossil-fuel-fired system. The furnace includes an exhaust communicating with the atmosphere. The emissions monitor is capable of measuring at least one property of the flue-gas communicated through the exhaust to the atmosphere. For example, when an organic-emissions-control agent is an opacity-control agent, the emissions monitor has the capability of at least measuring opacity. When included, the controller communicates with at least the emissions-control-agent dispenser and the emissions monitor.
US08257449B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing a niobium solid electrolytic capacitor using niobium as an anode body, which comprises a step of chemically converting the anode, wherein the chemical conversion step comprises a first chemical conversion step of forming a chemical conversion coating of the anode, a step of heating the anode body having been subjected to the first chemical conversion step, and a second chemical conversion step of once again chemically converting the heated anode body; wherein electrolytic chemical conversion is performed in the first chemical conversion step and the second chemical conversion step using a chemical conversion liquid, which contains a metal nitrate salt as an electrolyte, at a temperature from 40° C. to the boiling point of the solvent; and wherein the heating step is performed at a temperature of 150 to 300° C. The method for producing a niobium solid electrolytic capacitor of the present invention can increase the stability of an oxide film which functions as a dielectric body and prevent increase in leakage current, thereby improving the yield and reliability in the method for producing a niobium solid electrolytic capacitor.
US08257438B2
The present invention overcomes the problem of undesirable bone growth and/or unwanted scar tissue formation on the articulating surfaces and in the articulating spaces of prosthetic intervertebral discs. The invention comprises a method for preserving motion in a prosthetic disc having at least one articulating surface comprising applying an anti-infiltration agent on and around an articulating surface of the prosthetic disc. Suitable anti-infiltration agents include but are not limited to, hemostatic compounds, anti-adhesion compounds, bone-formation inhibiting compounds, or any combination thereof.
US08257430B2
An endoluminal prosthesis includes two stent grafts with a flexible bridge extending between and connected to the stent grafts. The prosthesis can be part of a prosthesis assembly for treatment of branched vascular systems and can function as an interconnected leg extension prosthesis in combination with a main bifurcated prosthesis. In treating abdominal aortic aneurysms, the prosthesis can be deployed within both iliac arteries.
US08257428B2
A system for improving cardiac function is provided. A foldable and expandable frame having at least one anchoring formation is attached to an elongate manipulator and placed in a catheter tube while folded. The tube is inserted into a left ventricle of a heart where the frame is ejected from the tube and expands in the left ventricle. Movements of the elongate manipulator cause the anchor to penetrate the heart muscle and the elongate manipulator to release the frame. The installed frame minimizes the effects of an akinetic portion of the heart forming an aneurysmic bulge.
US08257417B2
A system and method for thermal regulation, the system comprising a bedding element that is configured to enclose at least a part of a living being or other object. The system further comprising a temperature regulation element that is included in the bedding element and that includes a phase change material which changes between a liquid phase and a solid phase within the desired temperature range.
US08257414B2
The present invention is directed to a thermal pump for controlling air bubbles, thermal therapy to allow the patient to perceive that the thermal therapy is constantly being applied, and ensure the appropriate amount of water flows through the thermal pump.
