US08275088B2
A perforated plate support supports dual-cooled fuel rods, each of which has concentric outer and inner tubes and is coupled with upper and lower end plugs at upper and lower ends thereof, and guide thimbles, each of which is used as a passage for a control rod. The perforated plate support is formed as a support plate having the shape of a flat plate, which includes internal channel holes, each of which has a diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the inner tube, guide thimble holes, each of which has a diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the guide thimble, and sub-channel holes around each internal channel hole. The upper or lower end of the dual-cooled fuel rod is coupled to the support plate such that the outer diameter of the inner tube is matched with the diameter of the internal channel hole.
US08275084B2
In the case that periodical transmission of transmission signal number-of-sequence quality indicative signal cannot be performed, the number of transmission signal sequences is clarified in association with reception quality information that is generated immediately after the case, and the base station apparatus performs appropriate communication resource allocation. A mobile station apparatus has a feedback information control section 65 that generates feedback information including reception quality information, transmission signal preprocessing information and transmission signal number-of-sequence information, and a radio transmission section 51 that periodically transmits the generated feedback information to the base station apparatus, where when the radio transmission section 51 does not transmit the transmission signal number-of-sequence information with communication resources periodically allocated from the base station apparatus so as to transmit the transmission signal number-of-sequence information, the radio transmission section 51 transmits the transmission signal number-of-sequence information to the base station apparatus with communication resources enabling transmission of the feedback information allocated from the base station apparatus subsequently to the communication resources.
US08275081B2
An approach is provided for supporting carrier synchronization in a digital broadcast and interactive system. A carrier synchronization module receives one or more signals representing a frame that includes one or more overhead fields (e.g., preamble and optional pilot blocks and one or multiple segments separated by pilot blocks). The module estimates carrier frequency and phase on a segment by segment basis and tracks frequency between segments. Carrier phase of the signal is estimated based upon the overhead field. Estimates carrier phase of random data field are determined based upon the estimated phase values from the overhead fields, and upon both the past and future data signals. Further, the frequency of the signal is estimated based upon the overhead fields and/or the random data field. The above arrangement is particularly suited to a digital satellite broadcast and interactive system.
US08275077B1
The present invention pertains to demodulation of GMSK signals by estimating a carrier frequency of the signal having a carrier residual, basebanding the signal, tracking the signal's carrier frequency, removing the carrier residual, detecting a data burst, generating a bank of poly-bit matched filters, applying the bank of poly-bit matched filters to the signal, determining a magnitude and phase of the output of each poly-bit filter of the bank of poly-bit matched filters, determining a maximum magnitude, determining the location of a baud center, generating a plurality of correlation signals by applying the bank of poly-bit matched filters at the baud center, estimating a carrier phase, removing the estimated carrier phase, applying a Viterbi decoding algorithm to the signal, and estimating the transmitted data sequence.
US08275076B2
Provided are a receiver and a method for detecting a signal in a multiple antenna system. The receiver includes a filter coefficient calculator and a signal detector. After separating a first signal portion and a second signal portion, the filter coefficient calculator calculates an MMSE filter coefficient using a Matrix Inversion Lemma such that an inverse matrix of the first signal portion has a predetermined constant value regardless of a repetition signal detection process. The signal detector detects a relevant transmission signal from an interference-removed reception signal using the MMSE filter coefficient.
US08275068B2
A method for processing signals in a communication system includes delaying a baseband signal based on at least one calibration signal, and amplifying the delayed baseband signal. The at least one calibration signal may be generated based on an amount of intermodulation distortion associated with the amplified delayed baseband signal. A bias voltage of an amplifier used for the amplifying may be adjusted, where the adjusting is in proportion to an envelope of the baseband signal. A number of samples used for the delaying may be calculated, by minimizing the amount of the intermodulation distortion at an output of the amplifier. The envelope may be measured by evaluating a plurality of I and Q samples of the baseband signal. A supply and/or bias voltage for the amplifier may be generated by using a switching regulator. The bias voltage may control a gain of the amplifier.
US08275053B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of estimating a channel based on a channel delay spread in a mobile communication system. Pilot subcarriers are inserted between data subcarriers at predetermined intervals to estimate a channel at locations of the pilot subcarriers. An approximate channel delay spread value is estimated by using an autocorrelation value of a pilot signal. Then, a channel for data subcarriers between the pilot subcarriers is estimated by using a Wiener finite impulse response (FIR) filter that has a separate coefficient according to the estimated delay spread value. Accordingly, by changing the Wiener FIR filter coefficient according to the delay spread value of the channel, it is possible to estimate the channel so as to be adaptive for a change of the channel over time. Since the filter coefficients, which are calculated in advance, are used, it is possible to reduce the amount of calculation required when calculating the filter coefficients. As a result, an apparatus for estimating a channel can be easily achieved.
US08275050B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed to map a sequence of data to Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) constellation symbols. The method and apparatus encodes only a portion of the sequence of data and leaves a remaining portion of the sequence of data unencoded. The encoded portion of the sequence of data and the remaining unencoded portion of the sequence of data are then mapped into modulation symbols of the QAM constellation. The encoded portion of the sequence of data selects subsets of the QAM constellation, and the remaining unencoded portion of the sequence of data determines a specific modulation symbol within each subset of the QAM constellation.
US08275032B2
There are provided a distributed video coding apparatus and method capable of controlling an encoding rate, the apparatus including: an intra-frame encoder encoding a key frame and outputting a bit stream of the encoded key frame; an encoder rate control (ERC) module calculating a bit rate according to motion complexity of a present Wyner-Ziv (WZ) frame by using a correlation between the motion complexity and the bit rate; and a turbo encoder encoding the present WZ frame by the bit rate calculated at the ERC module and outputting the encoded WZ bit stream.
US08275027B2
A multi-mode transmitter within an integrated circuit device. The multi-mode transmitter transmits a first data sequence in a baseband signal when a first transmission mode is enabled, and transmits the first data sequence in a multi-band signal when a second transmission mode is enabled.
US08275009B2
The present invention relates to a green laser generation device which can be applied to a cellular phone, and more particularly to a green laser generation device which is ultra compact in size having volume of 1 cc or less, despite having a built-in thermo electric cooler, and has sufficient output power, despite having low power consumption, and a portable electronic machine having a laser projection display using the said device. The present invention provides a green laser generation device comprising an LD pump constituted by a photo diode; a fundamental generator generating infrared light laser according to the driving of the LD pump; a second harmonic generator generating green light using the generated infrared light laser; a polarization maintenance unit inserted between the fundamental generator and the second harmonic generator to maintain the polarization of the laser; and a temperature controller controlling an internal temperature of the green laser generation device.
US08275004B2
A digital broadcasting transmitter, a turbo stream processing method thereof, and a digital broadcasting system having the same. The digital broadcasting transmitter includes a first compressor, forming a normal stream by compressing audio and video signals in a first compression format, a second compressor, forming a turbo stream by compressing the audio and video signals in a second compression format, a transport stream (TS) constructor, compressing the turbo stream in an H.264 format and forming the dual transfer stream by multiplexing the normal stream and the turbo stream, and a TS processor, robustly processing the dual transfer stream transmitted from the TS constructor, thus enhancing the transmission efficiency.
US08275001B1
An interworking function (IWF) at an edge of a packet network comprises a primary receiver and a backup receiver. The primary receiver receives data packets and timing information from a packet network. The primary receiver interworks data from the data packets into a data signal that is based on a local clock signal. The primary receiver uses the timing information from the packet network to adjust the frequency of the local clock signal such that it is synchronous to a network clock signal, such as a clock signal at an IWF, referred to as the “transmitting IWF,” that transmitted the data packets. In addition, the primary receiver from time-to-time provides timing information, such as a frequency control word, to the backup receiver, which uses such timing information to synchronize a clock signal of the backup receiver to the network clock signal upon an occurrence of a switchover from the primary receiver to the backup receiver. By using the timing information from the primary transceiver, the backup transceiver is able to synchronize its clock signal to the network clock signal in less time.
US08274999B2
Packet network performance is assessed using transit delay metrics and compliance masks generated at various evaluation nodes of the network. The evaluation nodes may employ network probes that make precise measurements of transit delays and thereby of transit delay variations. Based on the assessments, a master may be added to the network or relocated within the network, rate of timing packets generated by the master may be adjusted up or down, or oscillators used at the slaves may be upgraded.
US08274987B2
In an interconnection network, multiple nodes are connected to one of a first layer of switches. The first layer of switches is connected to one another through a second layer of switches. Each of the nodes is connected through one of multiple shared links connecting the first layer switches and the second layer of switches. A pipelined broadcast manager schedules a hierarchical pipelined broadcast through at least one switch of the first layer switches comprising non-root nodes by selecting two nodes among the non-root nodes connected to the at least one switch and scheduling each of multiple broadcast steps for the pipelined broadcast with at least one of an inter-switch broadcast phase and an intra-switch broadcast phase using the selected two nodes.
US08274983B2
A policy enforcement point (PEP) attaches to the edge of a packet-switched network to manage loading when the network nears or exceeds its capacity due to changes in the network, e.g., component failures or incremental growth. Autonomous PEP's at the network's edges provide short-term, application-aware controls on their own that are applied to the corresponding network ingress traffic. Changes become necessary when a network event results in a loss of resilient bandwidth that effects the traffic class under admission control. Or, when an unexpected surge in traffic exceeds the PEP's reserved resources to a particular destination. The resources available across the network are recalculated for minimizing impact on existing sessions or calls, and it informs the PEP's of the new resources available. If the new maximum exceeds the current utilization to that destination, the PEP invokes a local priority drop mechanism to back off the traffic until it is under the new limit. A media gateway handling voice calls can keep all emergency calls up, and then invoke a local algorithm, such as random drop, for the remaining calls until calls to the constrained destination are under the new limit. In the second case, where there is an unexpected surge in demand, the PEP can request from the bandwidth manager additional resources to a particular destination.
US08274981B2
Methods and systems for implementing acceleration through a packet encapsulation protocol tunnel, are described. The method includes establishing a packet encapsulation protocol tunnel between a first network endpoint and a second network endpoint, sending packets with a packet encapsulation protocol tunnel header from the first network endpoint to the second network endpoint, and removing the packet encapsulation protocol tunnel headers from the packets. The method further includes storing the packet encapsulation protocol tunnel headers in a storage memory, performing acceleration on the packets, and retrieving the packet encapsulation protocol tunnel headers from the storage memory. Further, the method includes replacing the packet encapsulation protocol tunnel headers on the packets, and sending the packets with the packet encapsulation protocol tunnel headers through the packet encapsulation protocol tunnel to the second endpoint.
US08274975B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for automatically managing a network port based on a calendar function. In one embodiment, a discovery protocol is provided for automatically discovering at least one port of at least one switch in a network. Furthermore, a management protocol is provided. The management protocol is configured to automatically manage the at least one port of the at least one switch in the network based on a programmable calendar function. In addition, a reconfiguration protocol is also provided. The reconfiguration protocol is configured to reconfigure the calendar function of the automatic management of the at least one port of the at least one switch in the network.
US08274970B2
A voice communication device that supports both Internet telephony and public switched telephone network telephony, and maintains the quality of communication. The voice communication device consists of a user interface, a plurality of communication interfaces and a processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the user interface and to the plurality of communication interfaces. The voice communication device maintains quality of service by analyzing the service characteristics of a plurality of communication pathways and determining one communication pathway that compares best in terms of quality of service and cost and transferring to that communication pathway prior to or during the call. Alternatively, a user set service characteristic configurations may also determine the choice of a communication pathway that meets the user requirements of quality of service and cost.
US08274969B2
A method for improving a random access procedure for a mobile device of a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes initiating the random access procedure, starting a time alignment timer of the mobile device when receiving a time alignment message transmitted by a base station of the wireless communication system, and controlling the random access procedure according to expiry of the time alignment timer, wherein the time alignment timer of the mobile device is used for determining a synchronization state between the mobile device and the base station and the time alignment message is utilized by the base station to update a timing advance for the mobile device.
US08274968B2
In one embodiment, a system is provided to restrict VoIP communication. The system may validate a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call initiation message based on demonstrated knowledge of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) call.
US08274965B2
A method and apparatus for providing a network based call processing manager are disclosed. For example, the method receives a call by a call processing manager deployed in a communication network, wherein the call is for a customer that subscribes to a network based call processing service. The method obtains one or more routing instructions for handling the call from an automatic call distribution system, wherein the automatic call distribution system is deployed external to the communication network. The method then forwards the one or more routing instructions to an application server that routes the call in accordance with the one or more routing instructions.
US08274964B2
A method in one example has: implementing an incoming voice call routing preference in a telecommunication system, routing bias settings for incoming packet calls and incoming circuit calls being set for any candidate trunk group lists as per desired call routing preferences; and selecting one of packet routing and a non-packet routing for call routing, the candidate trunk group lists for individual routing destinations being updated to indicate if packet voice technology is to be used for call delivery, wherein if packet voice technology is preferred, then a packet core access trunk group is added to a front of a respective trunk group list, and wherein if packet voice technology is to be used only if no circuit trunks are available, then packet core access trunk groups are added at an end of the list.
US08274962B2
Radio communication system mobile station which can communicate directly with another mobile station
A mobile station of a mobile radiocommunication system for receiving synchronization channels transmitted on at least one carrier so as to be able to synchronize with a base station and transmit data in a traffic channel defined with respect to the synchronization channels.The mobile station may transmit synchronization channels on a carrier normally transmitted by a base station. The mobile station may transmit a traffic channel on the carrier. The synchronization and traffic channels are transmitted to at least one other mobile station so the first mobile station can synchronize with the other mobile station and read the traffic channel.
US08274960B2
In one non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, a method includes: receiving a message including a resource allocation map having a first portion and a second portion; utilizing the first portion to determine a specific mapping scheme of a plurality of mapping schemes, wherein the determined specific mapping scheme is used for the second portion; and obtaining, based on the determined specific mapping scheme, resource allocation information based on the second portion. In another non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, a method includes: generating a message including a resource allocation map having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is indicative of a specific mapping scheme of a plurality of mapping schemes that are applicable to the second portion; and transmitting the generated message.
US08274953B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for transmitting feedback information to a base station. The feedback information transmitting apparatus receives channel allocation information, generates a plurality of payloads regarding feedback information, and multiplexes the plurality of payloads in terms of a plurality of classes so as to generate a plurality of multiplexed payloads. Subsequently, the plurality of multiplexed payloads are code multiplexed so as to generate a code division multiplexing symbol, and a channel code is applied to the code division multiplexing symbol. Then, the code division multiplexing signal applied with the channel code is transmitted to a base station through a wireless resource. Accordingly, a feedback channel that is adaptive to a channel condition is configured, such that a wireless resource for a feedback channel can be efficiently used.
US08274945B2
The disclosure is directed to a mobile communication device that is capable of accessing different types of networks such as a circuit-switched network, or any cellular network, and a packet-switched network. During hand-over from the first network to the second network, the sender of packets/frames expands or compresses the packet-switched packets using well-known time-warping techniques. At the receiver end, the received time-warped packets and frames from the second network are appropriately selected so that no unwanted artifacts are introduced during playback.
US08274938B2
The invention discloses a method for coordinating protocol stack entities to share a single radio resource, executed by a processor of a mobile station, including the step of: after a first protocol stack entity for a first subscriber identity card enters a TALKING mode or enables a dial-up service, forcing a second protocol stack entity for a second subscriber identity card to release the radio resource or suspend utilization of the radio resource, and enabling the radio resource to be utilized to perform requisite operations or procedures of the TALKING mode or the dial-up service.
US08274932B2
The present invention relates to a method to enhance resolution of location information of a mobile user in an Evolved Packet communication System. The system comprises a Mobility Management Entity that provides the user with at least one tracking area in which the user is able to move without location information being reported, The method comprises the following steps: receiving to the Mobility Management Entity, a location activation message valid for the user. receiving to the Mobility Management Entity, a service request related to the user; detecting in the Mobility Management Entity, user location information with higher resolution than the at least one tracking area level resolution; sending from the Mobility Management Entity, a monitoring message comprising high resolution information of the user's location within the at least one tracking area.
US08274921B2
A system communicates data and includes a transmitter for transmitting a communications signal that carries communications data. It includes an efficient modulator for approximating the frequencies of sine/cosine basis waveforms using complex exponential functions and adding and subtracting the complex exponential functions to generate an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) communications signal as a plurality of N data subcarriers that carry communications data as data symbols. A receiver receives the OFDM communications signal and includes a demodulation circuit for demodulating the OFDM communications signal using logical shifts of multiples +/−2p based on complex exponential functions corresponding to sine/cosine basis waveform approximations to extract amplitude and phase values from a plurality of N data subcarriers as data symbols within the OFDM communications signal.
US08274919B2
Various systems and methods for implementing virtual ports within ring networks are disclosed. For example, one method involves allocating a logical port that corresponds to a first port and a second port and instantiating a spanning tree protocol instance. The first port and the second port are both assigned to a first ring network. The spanning tree protocol instance selectively blocks the logical port; however, the spanning tree protocol instance is unable to block the first port independently of blocking the second port. Events (e.g., link failures and recoveries) that occur within the ring network are communicated to spanning tree by transitioning the state of the logical port in response to receiving a ring protocol control packet. The spanning tree protocol instance initiates a bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) exchange from the logical port in response to a transition in the state of the logical port.
US08274912B2
A virtual network has network interfaces coupled by tunnels (100) through a forwarding network (40), each interface having a forwarding address in an address space of the forwarding network, each network interface having a reconfigurable address mapper (320) for determining a forwarding address for a packet, and encapsulating the packet with its forwarding address so that the forwarding network can forward the data packet transparent to its destination address. The network interface automatically configures the address mapper by sending a discovery request for a given virtual network address over the forwarding network, to prompt a response with an indication of the corresponding forwarding address, and to use the indication in such a response to configure the address mapper. This can ease the administrative burden of setting up and maintaining the address mapper and to ease network reconfiguration according to demand or faults for example.
US08274911B2
A network monitoring system that monitors a communication network including plural communication apparatuses and includes an obtaining part for obtaining a transmission traffic amount and a reception traffic amount of each port of the plural communication apparatuses, a determining part for determining whether the transmission traffic amount is no less than a first threshold and whether the reception traffic amount is less than a second threshold for each port of the plural communication apparatuses, a storage part for storing connecting path data of the communication network therein, an extracting part for extracting a loop affected path, and an outputting part for outputting data of the loop affected path.
US08274909B2
Techniques for modifying the performance of a transport layer protocol in response to a request for content are disclosed. A connection can be established between a content distribution server and an end user computer according to preconfigured parameters. When a request for content is received over the connection, the content distribution server can determine one or more parameters relating to the performance of the connection using information from the request. The content distribution server can modify the connection at the transport layer according to the one or more parameters. Thereafter, the transport layer can manage delivery of the requested content to the end user computer in accordance with the modified parameters. In various embodiments, the content distribution server includes a modified TCP protocol stack which adjusts timing, pacing, and buffer allocation associated with a connection in response to requests from an application-layer data source.
US08274904B1
A method and apparatus for collecting and processing line performance data transmitted over cables, e.g., Y-cables, is disclosed. The present invention applies a method based on specific performance measurements, specific measurement time intervals, and compare results from different measurement time intervals to produce a “signature” that indicates deteriorating performance of a particular Y-cable. Once a “signature” is detected, the method will proactively and automatically generate a trouble ticket to trigger the dispatch maintenance staffs to service the cable, e.g., to perform the replacement of the Y-cable in question, thus completing the predictive maintenance process. A trouble ticket is a record used to report and manage the resolution of network related problems.
US08274902B2
A method is provided, according to which data are collected on downstream packet losses at a single point in a network. From from the collected data, packet loss rates are estimated on at least two subnetworks downstream of the collection point. The respective subnetworks may differ by one or more links.
US08274896B2
An apparatus comprising a virtual queue configured to virtually receive virtual data units as the data units are actually received by a real queue. In various embodiments, the virtual queue may include a token counter decrementor configured to, as an entering data unit virtually enters the virtual queue, attempt to allocate the entering data unit to either the committed burst or the excess burst and decrement either the committed token counter (CTC) or the excess token counter (ETC) respectively. In one embodiment, a token counter incrementer configured to, as a data unit virtually exits the virtual queue, increment one of the token counters. In some embodiments, the virtual queue may include a congestion indicator configured to categorize the entering data unit. In various embodiments, the virtual queue may be configured to provide congestion feedback information based, at least in part, upon the state of the CTC & ETC.
US08274888B2
The wireless LAN device 10 includes a packet transmission controller 102 having the function of transmitting a DHCPDISCOVER packet from a LAN switch 130 to wired devices and the function of causing an RF device to transmit a Probe Request packet to other wireless LAN devices through an antenna 150; a first operation controller 104 that can set the wireless LAN device 10 in the operating mode where the wireless LAN device 10 can operate as an access point, when the wireless LAN device 10 receives DCHPOFFER packet; and a second operation controller 106 that can set the wireless LAN device 10 in the operating mode where the wireless LAN device 10 can operate as a client, when the wireless LAN device 10 receives a Probe Response packet.
US08274878B2
A transmitting apparatus for transmitting signals in a multi carrier system on the basis of a frame structure, each frame comprising at least two preamble patterns adjacent to each other in the frequency direction and at least two data patterns, said transmitting apparatus comprising a pilot mapper configured to map the same sequence of pilot signals on frequency carriers of each of said at least two preamble patterns in a frame, each preamble pattern having the same length, a data mapper configured to map data on frequency carriers of said at least two data patterns in a frame, a transformer configured to transform said preamble patterns and said data patterns from the frequency domain into the time domain in order to generate a time domain transmission signal, and a transmitter configured to transmit said transmission signal.
US08274876B2
An optical pickup lens for focusing a light beam from a laser light source on an optical information recording medium is a single lens. The optical pickup lens has two surfaces, and a surface R2 opposite to a surface R1 closer to the laser light source has a continuous shape. When the surface R2 has radii h1, h2 and h3 (h1
US08274874B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed to locate a group of units of digital information in a volume, optical-storage disk. The apparatus includes a first optical recording layer, a second optical recording layer, and an optical disk reading sled. The first optical recording layer stores a first group of units of digital information in a distinct region of the optical disk. The second optical recording layer stores a first locator for the first group of units of digital information in substantially the same distinct region of the optical disk. A first laser in the optical disk reading sled reads the first locator stored in the second optical recording layer, which indicates the contents of the units of digital information stored in the first optical recording layer being read by a second laser, also in the optical disk reading sled.
US08274870B2
An optical disc according to the present invention has a first defect management area to which first defect management information corresponding to non-permanent defects is added, and a second defect management area to which second defect management information corresponding to permanent defects is added. The second defect management information added to the second defect management area is non-rewritable.
US08274869B2
The present invention relates to a method for detecting a blank area of a power calibration area. The method includes the steps of: selecting a recording test area in the power calibration area; writing the recording test area with multiple stages of normal power and detecting power; forming multiple normal blocks and detecting blocks, wherein each of the detecting blocks includes one unit of unrecorded block and one unit of recorded block; and reading information from the unrecorded blocks of the detecting blocks and thus determining whether the unrecorded blocks of the detecting blocks are blank or not. Once all the unrecorded blocks of the detecting blocks are determined to be blank, it represents that the selected recording test area is totally blank.
US08274867B2
Provided is a method for manufacturing a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head with “composite slider structure”. In the method, the waveguide is irradiated with a first light from opposed-to-medium surface side, and the passing first light is detected on back surface side to obtain an image of the light-receiving end surface, and a light-receiving center position is determined from the image. Further, the light source is irradiated with a second light from opposite side to joining surface, and the passing second light is detected on the joining surface side to obtain an image of the light-emitting end surface, and a light-emitting center position is determined from the image. Then, the slider and the light source unit are moved based on the determined positions of the light-receiving and light-emitting centers, aligned and bonded. As a result, alignment can be performed with high accuracy in a short process time under simplified process.
US08274865B2
A master disk for batch transferring of predetermined information recorded therein to a magnetic recording medium includes a substrate transmitting laser light, and convex portions provided on the substrate and formed of material reflecting or blocking the laser light. The convex portions have a pattern corresponding to the predetermined information.
US08274856B2
A semiconductor device including an internal voltage generator circuit that provides an internal voltage having a different level depending on the operation speed is provided. The semiconductor device includes an internal voltage generator circuit configured to receive operation speed information to generate an internal voltage having a different level depending on the operation speed; and an internal circuit operated using the internal voltage.
US08274850B2
A memory system includes a plurality of semiconductor memory devices each including a termination resistance circuit that can be controlled to be turned on or off from an outside by a termination resistance control signal, and a memory controller. The memory controller includes a termination resistance control unit that outputs the termination resistance control signal so that when a read command or a write command is executed on one of the semiconductor memory devices, termination resistances of all of the semiconductor memory devices are turned on, and when any of the semiconductor memory devices does not execute the read command or the write command, the termination resistances of all of the semiconductor memory devices are turned off. The termination resistance circuit of one of the semiconductor memory devices is turned off, irrespective of the level of the termination resistance control signal when the one of the semiconductor memory devices outputs data in response to the read command.
US08274841B2
A unit operator cell includes a plurality of SOI (Silicon on Insulator) transistors, write data is stored in a body region of at least two SOI transistors, and the storage SOI transistors are connected in series with each other to a read port or each of the storage SOI transistors is singly connected to the read port. Therefore, an AND operation result or a NOT operation result of data stored in the unit operator cells can be obtained, and operation processing can be performed only by writing and reading data. A semiconductor signal processing device that can perform logic operation processing and arithmetic operation processing at high speed is implemented with low power consumption and a small occupation area.
US08274840B2
Nonvolatile memory devices include support memory cell recovery during operations to erase blocks of nonvolatile (e.g., flash) memory cells. A nonvolatile memory system includes a flash memory device and a memory controller electrically coupled to the flash memory device. The memory controller is configured to control memory cell recovery operations within the flash memory device by issuing a first instruction(s) to the flash memory device that causes erased memory cells in the block of memory to become at least partially programmed memory cells and then issuing a second instruction(s) to the flash memory device that causes the at least partially programmed memory cells become fully erased.
US08274838B2
Threshold voltage distributions in a non-volatile memory device are narrowed, and/or programming time is reduced, using a programming technique in which the bit line voltage for storage elements having a target data state is stepped up, in lock step with a step up in the program voltage. The step up in the bit line voltage is performed at different times in the programming pass, for different subsets of storage elements, according to their target data state. The start and stop of the step up in the bit line voltage can be set based on a fixed program pulse number, or adaptive based on a programming progress. Variations include using a fixed bit line step, a varying bit line step, a data state-dependent bit line step, an option to not step up the bit line for one or more data states and an option to add an additional bit line bias.
US08274837B2
A NAND flash memory includes a semiconductor substrate, a well region in the semiconductor substrate, memory cells connected in series in the well region, a discharge circuit connected to the well region, a word line connected to the memory cells, and a control circuit which controls potentials of the well region and the word line. The control circuit set the well region to a first potential, and set the word line to a second potential lower than the first potential, in an erase operation. The discharge circuit comprises a constant current source with a constant discharge speed independent on a temperature, and discharges the well region after the erase operation.
US08274836B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and a nonvolatile memory system having a unit which suppresses erroneous reading of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of a multi-level memory system are provided. In the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and the nonvolatile memory system of the multi-level memory system, a first verify voltage is used when data is written before a packaging process, and the verify voltage is switched to a second verify voltage lower than the first verify voltage when data is written after the packaging process.
US08274833B2
A write algorithm is used to remove errors due to back pattern effects, cell-to-cell capacitive coupling, and program disturb in memory cells. Original data to be programmed is adjusted prior to an initial programming operation of the memory cells. The original data is then programmed into the memory cells in another programming operation. A read adjustment weight data value is associated with each series string of memory cells. The weight data value is used to compensate data read during an initial word line read. The weight data value is updated after each read and read adjustment such that the adjusted weight data value is used on the subsequent read operations.
US08274830B2
A non-volatile semiconductor memory circuit capable of improving data retention characteristics and decreasing an area thereof comprises a constant current circuit and a non-volatile memory cell connected in series. A connection point between the constant current source and the non-volatile memory cell is selected to be an output to thereby enable writing, in a reading mode or a retention mode, in the non-volatile memory cell which is in a write state. The non-volatile semiconductor memory circuit includes a power supply for data reading and retaining and a power supply for data rewriting which are provided independently, and a transistor connected between the output and the power supply for data rewriting, in which the transistor is brought into conduction state when data is rewritten.
US08274826B2
According to one embodiment, a NAND type flash memory includes a first transfer transistor disposed between first and second memory planes, the first potential transfer terminal of the first transfer transistor being commonly connected to a first word line in the first NAND block and a second word line in the third NAND block, a second transfer transistor disposed at a first end of the first memory plane, the first potential transfer terminal of the second transfer transistor being connected to a third word line in the second NAND block, and a third transfer transistor disposed at a second end of the second memory plane, the first potential transfer terminal of the third transfer transistor being connected to a fourth word line in the fourth NAND block.
US08274825B2
An access buffer, such as page buffer, for writing to non-volatile memory, such as Flash, using a two-stage MLC (multi-level cell) operation is provided. The access buffer has a first latch for temporarily storing the data to be written. A second latch is provided for reading data from the memory as part of the two-stage write operation. The second latch has an inverter that participates in the latching function when reading from the memory. The same inverter is used to produce a complement of an input signal being written to the first latch with the result that a double ended input is used to write to the first latch.
US08274822B2
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile memory device includes a memory unit and a control unit. The memory unit includes first and second interconnects, and a memory cell. The second interconnect is non-parallel to the first interconnect. The memory cell includes a resistance change layer provided at an intersection between the first and second interconnects. The control unit is connected to the first and second interconnects to supply voltage and current to the resistance change layer. The control unit increases an upper limit of a current supplied to the first interconnect based on a change of a potential of the first interconnect when applying a set operation voltage to the first interconnect in a set operation of changing the resistance change layer from a first state with a first resistance value to a second state with a second resistance value being less than the first resistance value.
US08274821B2
A nonvolatile memory device, includes: a memory layer having a resistance changeable by performing at least one selected from applying an electric field and providing a current, the storage layer having a first major surface; a plurality of first electrodes provided on the first major surface; a plurality of probe electrodes disposed to face the plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of probe electrodes having a changeable relative positional relationship with the first electrodes; a drive unit connected to the plurality of probe electrodes to record information in the memory layer by causing at least the one selected from the electric field and the current between at least two of the plurality of first electrodes via the plurality of probe electrodes, the electric field having a component parallel to the first major surface, the current flowing in a direction having a component parallel to the first major surface.
US08274811B2
A spin transfer oscillator (STO) structure is disclosed that includes two assist layers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) to enable a field generation layer (FGL) to achieve an oscillation state at lower current density for MAMR applications. In one embodiment, the STO is formed between a main pole and write shield and the FGL has a synthetic anti-ferromagnetic structure. The STO configuration may be represented by seed layer/spin injection layer (SIL)/spacer/PMA layer 1/FGL/spacer/PMA layer 2/capping layer. The spacer may be Cu for giant magnetoresistive (GMR) devices or a metal oxide for tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) devices. Alternatively, the FGL is a single ferromagnetic layer and the second PMA assist layer has a synthetic structure including two PMA layers with magnetic moment in opposite directions in a seed layer/SIL/spacer/PMA assist 1/FGL/spacer/PMA assist 2/capping layer configuration. SIL and PMA assist layers are laminates of (CoFe/Ni)x or the like.
US08274802B2
The present invention includes a voltage clamping circuit 6 for outputting a voltage signal, which has been clamped to a predetermined voltage, from the drain voltage of a switching element 1, and a turn-on detection circuit 7 for detecting the turn-on timing of the switching element 1 from the voltage signal. Thus it is possible to turn on the switching element 1 at the minimum value of the drain voltage without adding external terminals.
US08274799B2
A resonant mode power converter is controlled with a control unit including a current limiting circuit coupled to receive a first current representative of a power converter output and a second current generated in response to a reference voltage. The current limiting circuit is coupled to limit the first current in response to the second current. An oscillator is coupled to receive the first current to generate a control signal having a control frequency in response to the first current. The power converter output is controlled in response to the control frequency of the control signal.
US08274796B2
The invention relates to a mobile data storage device (1) with high storage density, comprising a flat support layer (3) with a first (10) and second (5) flat side, a communication connection (2) with a contact section (9) and at least one semiconductor storage device (4), which is designed as a non-volatile read-write memory. The support layer (3) is arranged with a section of the first flat side (10) on a mounting surface (11) of the contact section (9) and the mounting surface (11) is offset relative to the middle plane (22) of the communication connection (2) in a direction perpendicular to the middle plane (22). Furthermore, the invention relates to a pocket-size tool or tool card with a data storage device.
US08274795B2
A portable electronic device includes a main body, a circuit board in the main body, a rear cover, at least one first conductive member exposed through the rear cover and electrically connected to the circuit board, and a support assembly. The support assembly includes a hollow support detachably connected to the rear cover, at least one second conductive member connected to the hollow support and staying in contact with the at least one second conductive member, and at least one cable extending through the hollow support and comprising a first end electrically connected to the at least one second conductive member, and a second end extending out of the hollow support for connecting with a peripheral.
US08274789B2
A display device according to the present invention comprises a housing having a waterproof structure and provided with an accommodation room formed therein, a ventilation part defined outside the accommodation room and leading to outside of the housing, a display panel arranged inside the accommodation room and including a display screen viewable from a front surface side of the housing, and one or a plurality of heat pipes arranged on a rear surface side of the display panel. The heat pipe passes through a side surface wall forming the accommodation room and extends from inside of the accommodation room to inside of the ventilation part.
US08274784B2
A display support system includes a chassis housing an electronic display and defining a support member channel. A support member is moveably coupled to the chassis. The support member is operable to move between a stored position in which the support member is positioned in the support member channel and a support position in which the support member extends from the chassis. An adjustment member is moveably coupled to the support member. With the chassis engaging a support surface, the adjustment member is operable to engage the support surface and move relative to the support member such that an angle between the electronic display and the support surface may be adjusted. The system allows the electronic display to be supported in either a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation, while allowing the angle between the support surface and the electronic display to be adjusted in either orientation.
US08274782B2
A motor control center comprises a plurality of bays in which switchgear components, circuit protective components, automation components and power electronic components are disposed for driving motors and other loads. Network optical conductors are routed through one or more wireways adjacent to the bays. Distribution nodes are coupled to the conductors and are interconnected with respective network terminals within the bays. Components within individual bays for which EtherNet and/or Internet connectivity is desired are coupled to the network terminals. The conductors may comprise plastic optical fibers and may be designed to operate in the relatively high voltage environment of the motor control center bays.
US08274774B2
An electrical circuit comprising a power supply, a load, a pair of parallel positive cables between the power supply and the load, a pair of parallel negative cables between the load and the power supply, and incendive arc prevention means, comprising: monitoring means adapted to detect if the current and/or voltage in one of the pair of cables deviates from the other, and a control means adapted to fully or partially isolate the power supply from the pair of cables if the monitoring means detects that their current and/or voltage has deviated from the other, characterised in which: the electrical circuit comprises a common positive section between the power supply and the pair of positive cables, and a common negative section between the pair of negative cables and the power supply, in which a first modulation means is adapted to generate a modulated communications signal.
US08274773B2
In a lamination type semiconductor device, in the case where a power source plane is wrapped by a closed area to prevent the needless radiation from being leaked to the outside of the semiconductor package, a planar conductor for shield having an area intersecting with the respective layers is required. However, in a device for manufacturing the lamination type semiconductor device, a process for manufacturing the above-mentioned conductor cannot be realized ordinarily. In order to make the process possible, it is required to modify or replace a manufacturing apparatus of the semiconductor device, and accordingly a manufacturing cost will be considerably increased. In the present invention, a guard ring is arranged in an surrounding area of a power source plane. The guard ring is connected to a GND plane of another layer through a via. Consequently, the RF radiation occurs between the power source plane and the guard ring.
US08274770B2
A semiconductor device includes a pads for receiving a reference voltage and input signals from an external device, a unit gain buffer for receiving the reference voltage as an input, input buffers for identifying a corresponding one of the input signals based on an internal reference voltage outputted from the unit gain buffer, external electrostatic discharge protectors connected to a transmission path of the reference voltage and transmission paths of input signals, and internal electrostatic discharge protectors connected to the transmission path of the reference voltage and the transmission paths of the input signals.
US08274767B2
A protection circuit equipped magnetic energy recovery switch including a magnetic energy recovery switch having at least two reverse-conductive type semiconductor switches and two capacitors employs a protection circuit and control method for protecting the capacitors against an overvoltage or short-circuited discharge, and protecting the reverse-conductive type semiconductor switches and a load against an overvoltage or overcurrent, and can be used as a controller or a current limiter.
US08274765B2
A method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive element includes forming a metal layer on a first ferromagnetic layer, oxidizing the metal layer to form an oxide layer in which unoxidized metal is remained and a magnetic conduction column penetrating the oxide layer in a thickness direction and including at least a part of constituent elements of the first ferromagnetic layer, annealing a resultant structure at a higher temperature than a temperature at which the oxide layer is formed to convert at least a part of a periphery of the magnetic conduction column into a magnetic oxide including a part of constituent elements of the oxide layer and at least a part of constituent elements of the magnetic conduction column, and forming a second ferromagnetic layer.
US08274764B2
A magneto-resistive effect (MR) element includes a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer in which a relative angle of magnetization directions of the first and second magnetic layers changes according to an external magnetic field; and a spacer layer that is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The spacer layer contains gallium nitride (GaN) as a main component. A thin film magnetic head according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided with the following structures: an MR element mentioned above that has a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer, as free layers, in which the magnetization direction in the two layers changes according to the external magnetic field; a bias magnetic field application layer that applies a bias magnetic field to the first and second magnetic layers in an orthogonal direction to an air bearing surface (ABS); the bias magnetic field application layer is formed in a rear side of the MR element seen from the ABS; and a sense current flows in an orthogonal direction to a layer surface of the MR element.
US08274763B2
A Lorentz Magnetoresistive sensor having an ultrathin trapping layer disposed between a quantum well structure and a surface of the sensor. The trapping layer prevents charge carriers from the surface of the sensor from affecting the quantum well structure. This allows the quantum well structure to be formed much closer to the surface of the sensor, and therefore, much closer to the magnetic field source, greatly improving sensor performance. A Lorentz Magnetoresistive sensor having a top gate electrode to hinder surface charge carriers diffusing into the quantum well, said top gate electrode being either a highly conductive ultrathin patterned metal layer or a patterned monoatomic layer of graphene.
US08274762B2
A system in one approach includes a sensor stack formed of a plurality of thin film layers; a shunt formed of at least some of the same layers as the sensor stack, the shunt being spaced from the sensor stack; a first lead coupled to the sensor stack and the shunt; and a second lead coupled to the sensor stack and the shunt. A method in one embodiment includes forming a plurality of thin film layers; removing a portion of the thin film layers for defining at least a portion of a sensor stack and at least a portion of a shunt spaced front the sensor stack; forming a first lead coupled to the at least a portion of the sensor stack and the at least a portion of the shunt and a second lead coupled to the at least a portion of the sensor stack and the at least a portion of the shunt. Additional systems and methods are also presented.
US08274759B1
A main pole has a top surface including a first portion and a second portion. The main pole has a bottom end including a third portion and a fourth portion. Each of the first and third portions has a first end located in a medium facing surface. The first portion is inclined relative to the medium facing surface and a first virtual plane that passes through the first end and is perpendicular to the medium facing surface and to the direction of travel of a recording medium. The third portion is inclined relative to the medium facing surface and a second virtual plane that passes through the first end and is perpendicular to the medium facing surface and to the direction of travel of the recording medium. The first portion is smaller than the third portion in length in a direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface.
US08274757B2
According to one embodiment, a recording head includes a main pole, a trailing core, a first coil wound around the trailing core, a leading core, and a second coil wound around the leading core. The trailing core includes a return pole opposed to a trailing side of the main pole with a write gap therebetween, and side shields arranged individually on opposite sides of the main pole transversely relative to tracks and magnetically separated from the main pole at a distance not more than double a track pitch of the recording medium. The leading core includes a junction opposed to a leading side of the main pole with a gap therebetween and joined to the side shields with a width of 20 μm or less transversely relative to the tracks and a connecting portion joined to the main pole in a position off the recording medium.
US08274745B2
An image pickup lens, comprises sequentially from an object side: an aperture stop, a first lens being a positive meniscus lens which has a convex surface at the object side and a concave surface at an image side opposite to the object side, and a second lens having a concave surface at the object side and an image side surface whose radius of curvature on an paraxial region is infinite or a negative value, wherein the first lens is the second lens and the image side surface of the second lens includes an aspheric surface to make a positive power strong toward a lens peripheral region, and wherein the image pickup lens is made to satisfy the following conditional formulas. 1.55
US08274744B2
Disclosed herein is an article comprising a lens having a width of 0.1 millimeters to 100 millimeters, a length of 0.5 millimeters to 500 millimeters, and a thickness of 0.2 millimeters to 5 millimeters; and the lens transmits light having a wavelength of 600 nanometers to 1600 nanometers, wherein the lens comprises a polymer and the polymer comprises a polyimide comprising structural units derived from specific combinations of compounds wherein the lens is transparent and dimensionally stable at a wall thickness of 0.2 millimeters to 5.0 millimeters and remains transparent and dimensionally stable after being (a) exposed to a precondition of 60° C./60% relative humidity for 120 hours and (b) then subjected to a lead free solder test having a peak temperature of 260° C. for up to 30 seconds.
US08274740B2
A beam splitter includes a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surfaces are linearly offset from one another along an axis. The first and second surfaces are positioned to receive an optical beam projected in a first direction that is generally perpendicular to the axis. The first surface is configured to redirect a first portion of the optical beam in a second direction that has a first rotational offset with respect to the first direction and a second rotational offset with respect to the axis. The second surface is configured to redirect a second portion of the optical beam in a third direction that has a third rotational offset with respect to the first direction and a fourth rotational offset with respect to the axis.
US08274738B2
A method for Space-variant polarization manipulation of enhanced nondirectional thermal emission in a narrow spectral peak is disclosed, comprising providing a subwavelength grating irradiating non-directional thermal emission on the grating and discretely controlling the local orientation of the grating.
US08274734B2
Various embodiments provide an optical system including a plurality of mirrors, each mirror having a rotational axis of symmetry; and a detector configured to detect an image formed by the plurality of mirrors. The plurality of mirrors are configured to scan an object space along a first direction. The plurality of mirrors are configured and arranged so that a focal length of the plurality of mirrors along the first direction is greater than a focal length of the plurality of mirrors in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction so as to obtain a ratio of anamorphism greater than approximately 1.5.
US08274731B2
A magnetic field may be applied to a plasmon path to affect plasmon propagation.
US08274716B2
An image reading apparatus includes a reading system having a plurality of line sensors extending in a main-scan direction, an imaging optical system for imaging, on the line sensors, imagewise information of an original surface, the imaging optical system including at least one anamorphic optical surface having different powers in the main-scan direction and the sub-scan direction, a scanning system for relatively scanning the original surface and the reading means in a sub-scan direction to read the imagewise information of the original surface, and an image correcting system for correcting imagewise information of the original surface read by each line sensor, on the basis of an imaging-position-deviation correction amount of an image in the sub-scan direction corresponding to a reading position in the main-scan direction, calculated based on an imaging position deviation amount of an image in the sub-scan direction corresponding to the reading position in the main-scan direction upon the line sensors, as calculated from optical design value of the imaging optical system.
US08274714B2
Techniques relating to quantifiable color calibration are described. In one instance, a process quantifiably calibrates a first color peripheral device of a system to a known color standard. The process then leverages the first color peripheral device to calibrate other system color peripheral devices.
US08274712B2
A scanning apparatus for scanning a bound document includes a scanning flatbed, a lighting device, and a scanning head assembly. The scanning flatbed includes a platen and an inclined plane, wherein the platen is adjoined with the inclined plane, and the platen supports a document to be scanned. The lighting device, facing the scanning flatbed, projects light onto the document, wherein the lighting device includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and the second portion respectively comprise a plurality of LEDs arranged in an array. The scanning head assembly, coupled to the lighting device, scans the document. The first portion is located closer to the inclined plane than the second portion, and intervals between the LEDs of the first portion are smaller than intervals between the LEDs of the second portion.
US08274711B2
When reading of the documents set on the document feed tray is given priority by user designation, the documents set on the document feed tray are read first, then the document set on the platen plate is read. When reading of the document set on the platen plate is given priority, the document set on the platen plate is read first, then the documents set on the document feed tray are read. Even when originals are composed of documents that can be set on the document feed tray and an original that cannot be set on the document feed tray, use of the above configuration makes it possible to achieve copying of the originals as one job.
US08274708B2
An image processing apparatus includes a color removing unit, a determining unit, and a preventing unit. The color removing unit is configured to remove a specified color from an input image. The determining unit is configured to determine whether information is embedded in the input image. The preventing unit is configured to prevent an image in an area where the information is embedded in the input image from being removed by the color removing unit when the determining unit determines that the information is embedded in the input image.
US08274706B2
Systems and methods are described for halftone independent temporal color drift correction, particularly for correction in hi-addressability xerographic printers. For example, a method includes printing target patches, including two resolutions, measuring printer response from the target patches, and modeling the printer using a transformation to define a correction factor, and a predicted response.
US08274705B2
Machine-enabled methods of, and system, and processor readable media, embodiments for, tone quantization error diffusion comprising a first stage process and a second stage process. where pre-calibrated index tables may be applied by which quantized pixels may be expressed according to halftones.
US08274700B2
Color management in which a spectrally-based ICS color value is spectrally gamut mapped onto a spectral gamut of a destination device using a simplified Gamut Boundary Descriptor (GBD) that represents the spectral gamut of the destination device, and the gamut-mapped ICS value is converted into a destination-side color. The simplified GBD is constructed by generating sample points that span the spectral gamut of the destination device, forming a full spectral GBD by applying a hulling algorithm to the sample points, identifying sample points that are vertices of the full GBD of the spectral gamut, partitioning the vertices of the full GBD into clusters, such that the clusters are at least at a certain threshold distance apart, choosing a representative sample point from each cluster, and forming the simplified GBD by applying the hulling algorithm to the representative sample points from each cluster.
US08274689B2
An image processing apparatus includes a display; a memory for storing first information indicating an acquisition source of image data, second information indicating an editing process of the image data and third information indicating an output destination of the image data associated with one another as a setting information group; an accepting unit for accepting the first information to the third information; a display control unit for displaying images used for accepting the first information to the third information on a first area to a third area, respectively, of the display; and a registration unit for, when the accepting unit accepts at least two pieces of information of the first information to the third information, registering the at least two pieces of information of the first information to the third information as the setting information group in the memory.
US08274683B2
Provided herein is a printing apparatus having a frame image take-in means which takes in a plurality of frame images at a predetermined interval from a content file as recorded target including image information on an optical disk medium, a frame image discriminating means which discriminates whether each of the taken-in frame images is appropriate for printing on a label face by comparing each of the frame images taken in by the frame image take-in means with prior and following frame images thereof and using a discriminating result whether differences between the taken-in frame images and the prior and following frame images thereof are small, a label print data generating means which generates label print data to be printed on the label face of the optical disk medium based on frame images discriminated as appropriate for printing on the label face by the frame image discriminating means, and a label print means which prints the label print data generated on the label face of the optical disk medium.
US08274681B2
A printing system, provided with a first administrating section for administrating the number of sheets remaining until the number of printed sheets reaches to a predetermined upper limit of the number of sheets, a second administrating subsection for administrating the number of reserved sheets being under a waiting condition for being printed and outputted in the printing section, and a judging section for comparing the total number of sheets of the number of reserved sheets and the number of scheduled sheets indicated in a printing permission request with the number of remaining sheets when receiving the printing permission request. The judging section judges from the comparison whether or not the printing requested by the printing permission request is to be permitted, and transmits the judgment result as the response to the printing permission request.
US08274680B2
To provide an optimal service matched with requests from users of a MFP connected with a network. A method for providing a service by a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 10 includes the steps of: receiving a request for the service; receiving information 90 required for executing the service from an external device 30 capable of communicating with the MFP; judging, based on the received information 90, whether the MFP 10 itself executes processing for providing the service or the external device 30 executes the processing (50); and if the MFP itself executes the processing and if the MFP does not have an application required for the execution, downloading the application 100 from the external device.
US08274679B2
This invention deters information leakage by a flexible monitoring method according to the characteristic of an image or document. A job analysis section analyzes a print job and separates image data and attribute information. An image generator generates print image data from the image data by referring to the attribute information. A digital watermark generator and synthesis section embed at least part of the attribute information in the print image data. An image transmitter transmits, to a monitoring server, the print image data with at least part of the attribute information added. A monitoring method selector selectively operates the image transmitter or the digital watermark generator and synthesis section based on the attribute information.
US08274670B2
An information processing apparatus which is capable of generating XPS data having a data sequence suited to print settings for non-normal-order printing, from XPS data generated as a print spool file for normal-order printing. In the information processing apparatus, a layout filter receives an XPS document from a filter pipeline manager, and acquires print setting information indicative of print settings from the XPS document. Then, the layout filter determines a data sequence for printing based on the acquired print setting information. Then, the layout filter changes layout information described in the received XPS document according to the determined data sequence, and rearranges data files in the XPS document in a sequence determined based on the changed layout information, to thereby generate an XPS document.
US08274668B2
An image processing apparatus that generates printing data comprising a scanner mechanism that reads an image of a document to set the read image as image data; a printing-pixel number distribution grasping member that sets a band as one unit, and grasps distribution of the number of printing pixels in a main scanning direction of the serial printer in every band; a processing-band setting member that sequentially sets each band as a processing band; a reference position setting member that sets an analyzing band, obtains a cumulative value and sets a start reference position when the cumulative value exceeds a predetermined range, and obtains a cumulative value and sets a end reference position when the cumulative value exceeds the predetermine range; and a printing-data generating member that generates printing data by setting a printing area based on the start reference position and the end reference position.
US08274667B2
Raster image data is converted into block vector image data corresponding to blocks each having a predetermined size by segmenting the raster image data into the blocks with the predetermined size and executing vectorization processing. The input raster image data is converted into a block vector image. The converted block vector image is stored in a storage means. Transfer of the image data as a processing target in the apparatus is controlled to output the raster image data obtained by rasterizing the stored block vector image data.teh
US08274654B2
A dielectric sheet 3 is arranged between a pair of electrodes 2a and 2b for forming an electric field in a cell 1 that stores therein a sample having particles dispersed movably in a medium, the dielectric sheet 3 being formed to include multiple mutually parallel slits 3a to form a diffraction grating, and a parallel light flux is applied to the diffraction grating to generate diffracted light. A gradient electric field in the vicinity of the slits 3a generated by applying a voltage between the electrodes 2a and 2b causes the particles P to migrate in such a manner as to cover the slits 3a or away from the slits 3a and thereby the contrast of the diffraction grating to vary, and whereby the diffusion coefficient and/or size of the particles P can be calculated from the temporal change of the diffracted light when the particles diffuse freely after stopping the application of the voltage. In this measurement apparatus, the particles P might not migrate toward the electrodes 2a and 2b and are not absorbed there, which can prevent damage of the electrodes 2a and 2b and also the occurrence of an electrode reaction.
US08274652B2
In an inspection subject substrate, there is a problem that a defect signal is overlooked due to scattered light from a pattern and sensitivity decreases in an irregular circuit pattern part. The inventors propose a defect inspection method, characterized by comprising: an illumination step of guiding light emitted from a light source to a predetermined area on an inspection subject substrate under a plurality of predetermined optical conditions; a detection step of obtaining an electric signal by guiding scattered light components propagating in a predetermined range of azimuthal angle and in a predetermined range of elevation angle to a detector for each of a plurality of scattered light distributions occurred correspondingly to the plurality of optical conditions in the predetermined area; and a defect determination step of determining a defect based on the plurality of electric signals obtained in the detection step.
US08274650B2
A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings.
US08274645B2
A method and apparatus for in-situ metrology of a workpiece disposed in a vacuum processing chamber. The apparatus may include an optical assembly external to the processing chamber configured to focus a relatively large optical spot over a relatively large working distance to acquire a TE and TM spectra from a periodic array on the workpiece. The workpiece may be disposed in the processing chamber with an arbitrary orientation which is first determined via a reflectance measurement. TE and/or TM spectra may then be acquired by initiating a periodic triggering of a flash lamp based on the determined workpiece orientation to account for variation in placement of the workpiece within the processing chamber. The periodic array from which spectra are collected may be a memory array being fabricated in a semiconductor wafer.
US08274637B2
The present invention is directed to the provision of a liquid crystal panel that can solve the problem that bubbles are formed in a liquid crystal layer. More specifically, the invention provides a liquid crystal panel includes a first plastic substrate; a second plastic substrate, a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first and second plastic substrates, a transparent conductive layer provided on the first or the second plastic substrate and having a patterned region for driving the liquid crystal layer, and an opening provided in the patterned region of the transparent conductive layer.
US08274632B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a thin phase difference film of a liquid crystal display easily so as not to prevent a liquid crystal from being driven so that cost for manufacturing a liquid crystal display is reduced. A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention has a structure in which phase difference films that have the same function as a conventional phase difference film are formed by using a liquid crystal stabilized with a polymer over a first substrate and a second substrate that have electrodes formed thereover, and a liquid crystal material is interposed between these substrates. In addition to the structure, it is also a feature that the phase difference film formed over the substrate is formed by using a liquid crystal that is stabilized with a polymer including a conductive material.
US08274628B2
In the present invention, it is an object to improve display quality by improving response speed of a liquid crystal element in a liquid crystal display device, in particular, response speed in the case of falling. In the present invention, it is characterized that a liquid crystal layer is divided into plural regions (domains) substantially by mixing a chemical compound including a liquid crystal skeleton in a liquid crystal layer having existing liquid crystal molecules as a technique to improve response speed of a liquid crystal element in a liquid crystal display device for solving the above problem.
US08274620B2
An active device array substrate including a substrate, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of pixel units, each of the pixel units formed between every neighboring two of the scan lines and data lines is provided. Each of the pixel units includes a first active device, a first pixel electrode electrically connected to a corresponding scan line and a corresponding data line through the first active device, a second active device, a second pixel electrode electrically connected to a corresponding scan line and a corresponding data line through the first active device, a second active device and a second pixel electrode electrically connected to a corresponding scan line and a corresponding data line through the second active device. The first pixel electrode has a surface area different from that of the second pixel electrode.
US08274618B2
A pixel structure and a pixel array including the same are provided. The pixel structure includes a scan line, a capacitor electrode, a data line, an active device, and a pixel electrode. The capacitor electrode is electrically independent from the scan line and includes a first portion and at least one second portion. The first portion and the second portion extend in different directions, and an extending direction of the first portion is substantially the same as an extending direction of the scan line. The data line and the scan line are intersected with each other and electrically independent from each other. The data line is overlapped with the second portion of the capacitor electrode. The active device is electrically connected to the scan line and the data line. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the active device and covers the data line and the capacitor electrode.
US08274617B2
A display device includes a pixel electrode disposed on a first substrate, and including a first portion, a second portion and a connection portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, a capacitor line disposed on the first substrate and between the first substrate and the connection portion, a nonsymmetrical shaped capacitor electrode disposed on the first substrate and overlapping the pixel electrode and the capacitor line, and electrically connected to the pixel electrode through contact holes, and a common electrode disposed on a second substrate and including first and second opening patterns disposed overlapping the first portion and the second portion of the pixel electrode, respectively.
US08274603B2
Deinterlacing of video involves converting interlaced video to progressive video by interpolating a missing pixel in the interlaced video from other pixels in the video. A plurality of interpolants are provided, each of which interpolates a pixel value from other pixels that are nearby in space and/or time. The data costs of using the various interpolants is calculated. A particular one of the interpolants is chosen based on the data costs associated with the various interpolants. The chosen interpolant is used to interpolate the value of the missing pixel. The interpolated pixel value may be refined based on exemplars. The exemplars may be taken from the video that is being deinterlaced.
US08274597B2
A system and method for measuring a border of an image of an object includes setting measurement parameters, selecting a start point, an end point, and a image capture direction, and marking isS=true, moving a CCD lens to a current point, capturing an image by the CCD lens, and obtaining sequential border points of the image. The method further includes determining if the sequential border points are fuzzy, performing an automatic focus function if the sequential border points are fuzzy, or further determining the border of the object has been completely captured if the sequential border points are clear, calculating accurate border points if the border of the object has not been completely captured, and determining a new start point to capture the next image of the object.
US08274593B2
An optical lens system comprises, in order from an object side to an image side: the first lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface; the second lens element with positive refractive power; the third lens element with positive refractive power having the object-side surface and the image-side surface being aspheric; the fourth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface and at least one aspheric surface. There are four lens elements with refractive power. Such arrangements can enable a larger field of view, reduce the volume of the system, and further obtain higher resolution for the optical lens system of the present invention.
US08274592B2
A method for browsing a collection of digital images on a display screen with a touch screen user interface, comprising: forming an ordered sequence of digital images; entering an image review mode and displaying a first digital image from the ordered sequence of digital images on the display screen; initiating a sequential image display process in response to a user touching the touch screen, wherein the sequential image display process sequentially displays digital images in the ordered sequence of digital images on the touch screen until such time that the user stops touching the touch screen, wherein a time interval between the display of sequential images is specified by a scroll rate which is controlled responsive to the position that the user is touching the touch screen.
US08274586B2
A solid-state imaging device according to an implementation of the present invention is a solid-state imaging device including a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix, and each of the unit pixels includes a photodiode which performs photoelectric conversion on light so as to convert the light into an electric signal, a top lens which collects incident light, and an intralayer lens which collects, to the photodiode, the incident light collected by the top lens, and a centroid of the photodiode is displaced from a center of the unit pixel into a first direction, the top lens is formed into an asymmetric shape so as to have a centroid displaced from the center of the unit pixel into the first direction, and the intralayer lens is formed to have a centroid displaced from the center of the unit pixel into the first direction.
US08274584B2
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, a light guide mechanism, and a signal processing unit. The imaging device converts light incident on a photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device into electric signals. The light guide mechanism, arranged adjacent to the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device, includes a plurality of apertures that guide light from a subject to the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device. The signal processing unit performs desired signal processing on the electric signals output from the imaging device on the basis of subject information units derived from the light guided onto the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device through the apertures.
US08274577B2
Digital image and/or video data is processed wherein a frame of the data comprises a plurality of rows and columns of pixels with data for each pixel including a luminance value and a chrominance value. Chrominance values and luminance values may be received for a current pixel and at least one adjacent pixel, and the chrominance values of the current pixel and the at least one adjacent pixel may be compared. The luminance value of the current pixel may be filtered wherein a strength of filtering the luminance value is based on the comparison of the chrominance values of the current and at least one adjacent pixels.
US08274574B2
An imaging apparatus having as a shooting mode a normal shooting mode and a continuous shooting mode for generating a plurality of pieces of image data, includes a setting unit operable to set a shooting mode, an imaging element having as a read mode a normal read mode for outputting image signals of all pixels and a mixing read mode for mixing and outputting an image signal of a predetermined pixel and image signals of peripheral pixels of the predetermined pixel, and a pixel mixing controller operable to control the read mode of the imaging element. The pixel mixing controller controls the imaging element to operate in the mixing read mode when the shooting mode is set to the continuous shooting mode.
US08274569B2
A printer system for printing pages belonging to an interactive page system includes a cartridge comprising a data storage area in which is pre-stored a range of identifiers, each identifier being unique throughout the interactive page system; and a printer comprising an interface for receiving the cartridge, a reader for reading an identifier from the range of pre-stored identifiers, a coded data generator for generating a page identifier from the identifier, and a printing mechanism for printing the page identifier onto a page. The reader reads a previously unread identifier from the range of identifiers each time the coded data generator is to generate a page identifier.
US08274567B2
An image processing method comprises receiving, from a camera, a camera captured image comprising a user drawn image. At least part of the user drawn image is within a field of view of the camera. The method comprises applying an image processing operation to the camera captured image so as to generate an image feature within the camera captured image which corresponds to the user drawn image, and thinning the image feature to a line width which is smaller than a line width associated with the image feature so as to generate a modified width image feature. The method further comprises generating vector data from pixels associated with the modified width image feature so that the vector data substantially represents the modified width image feature.
US08274566B2
A method is provided for determining a modulation of a CATV channel, the modulation being one of a digital modulation and an analog modulation. The method includes passing at least a portion of a tuner output from a tuner to a RF detector, and passing a RF detector output from the RF detector to a sync detector. The method further includes attenuating at least a portion of a sync detector output to create a remaining portion of the sync detector output, and passing the remaining portion of the sync detector output to a peak detector. The method further includes passing an output of the peak detector to a subsequent device, the output of the peak detector indicating whether the modulation of the CATV channel.
US08274565B2
In the method disclosed, three or more infrared images of a body having concealed objects are acquired, each image resulting in a response of a detector having a spectral sensitivity in the infrared that is analogous to one of the spectral sensitivities of the color response of the human eye, and each image corresponding to a different spectral sensitivity. At least the center of the spectral sensitivity corresponding to the Green response at the human eye is selected to allow increasing the detected radiation difference between the concealed object and the body. The responses of the detector to each of the three or more images are utilized to provide RGB signals to a display device. The color image displayed in the display device allows identifying the concealed object.
US08274564B2
An interface and display of video from multiple fixed-position cameras is provided. A main video stream captured by a camera is selected to be the main video stream and is displayed to the interface. Video streams captured by the set of cameras and the main camera that are temporally related to the displayed main video stream are selected, including playback positions from one or more of a first segment of time in each of their respective video streams at the time of the main video stream, a second segment of time in each of their respective video streams prior to the time of the main video stream, and a third segment of time in each of their respective video streams after the time of the main video stream. The selected video streams are displayed to the interface in temporal relation to the display of the main video stream.
US08274561B2
A surveillance camera comprising an image capturing portion having a rotational drive portion for rotatingly driving an image capturing lens about a pan axis and an initial position sensor providing a reference to the pan angle of the image capturing lens, a base for the image capturing portion to be attached thereto with the pan axis positioned toward a changeable direction, a controller electrically connected to the drive portion and the initial position sensor, and restrictive portion for mechanically restricting the permissible pan angle of the image capturing lens to different angles in accordance with the direction of the image capturing portion as attached to the base. The controller detects the direction of the image capturing portion as attached to the base based on the angle of rotation of the drive portion and the position of the initial position sensor.
US08274559B2
A video imaging system is provided including a camera head for transmitting image data to a CCU, a CCU for receiving and processing the image data into a usable format, a storage device accessible by the camera control unit, information stored on the storage device, and wherein the information is used by the camera control unit for selecting hardware in the camera control unit to process the image data.
US08274554B2
A display device for a vehicle includes a display LCD and a control LCD, which has transmission switching portions, each of which has three segment units. When the vehicle is running, left-side two-third segment units of each transmission switching portion are set to a non-transparent state in a portion of the control LCD corresponding to the left half screen of the display LCD. In contrast, in a portion of the control LCD corresponding to the right half screen of the display LCD, all the segment units are set to a transparent state. Thus, an image in the right half screen is visible from a driver seat, while an image in the left half screen is not visible from the driver seat. Both the images in the right half screen and the left half screen are visible from a front passenger seat.
US08274552B2
Disclosed herein are primary and auxiliary image capture devices for image processing and related methods. According to an aspect, a method may include using primary and auxiliary image capture devices to perform image processing. The method may include using the primary image capture device to capture a first image of a scene, the first image having a first quality characteristic. Further, the method may include using the auxiliary image capture device to capture a second image of the scene. The second image may have a second quality characteristic. The second quality characteristic may be of lower quality than the first quality characteristic. The method may also include adjusting at least one parameter of one of the captured images to create a plurality of adjusted images for one of approximating and matching the first quality characteristic. Further, the method may include utilizing the adjusted images for image processing.
US08274527B2
A method and apparatus for converting an m-dimensional color space comprising first through m-th input color components to an n-dimensional color space comprising first through n-th output color components. specified A method of converting an m-dimensional color space having first through m-th input color components into an n-dimensional color space having first through n-th output color components, m being less than n, includes: extracting first through nth intermediate color components by linearly combining the first through m-th input color components; determining whether m+1-th through n-th intermediate color components are within a specified dynamic range and compensating the first through n-th intermediate color components when signal values of the m+1-th through n-th intermediate color components are not within the dynamic range to obtain the first through n-th output color components.
US08274522B2
An image generation apparatus provides interpolation and distortion correction. The interpolation and distortion correction may be provided in one or two dimensions. Nonlinear image scan trajectories, such as sinusoidal and bi-sinusoidal trajectories are accommodated. Horizontal and vertical scan positions are determined using a linear pixel clock, and displayed pixel intensities are determined using interpolation techniques.
US08274519B2
A memory access system and method for efficiently utilizing memory bandwidth is disclosed. A data arrangement unit arranges video data into at least a primary block and a supplemental block, which are then stored in a memory device. The video data are arranged such that the video data of the primary block stored in the memory device can be sequentially read by a device, thereby increasing efficiency in memory bandwidth usage and memory data access.
US08274518B2
Systems and methods for applying virtual machines to graphics hardware are provided. In various embodiments of the invention, while supervisory code runs on the CPU, the actual graphics work items are run directly on the graphics hardware and the supervisory code is structured as a graphics virtual machine monitor. Application compatibility is retained using virtual machine monitor (VMM) technology to run a first operating system (OS), such as an original OS version, simultaneously with a second OS, such as a new version OS, in separate virtual machines (VMs). VMM technology applied to host processors is extended to graphics processing units (GPUs) to allow hardware access to graphics accelerators, ensuring that legacy applications operate at full performance. The invention also provides methods to make the user experience cosmetically seamless while running multiple applications in different VMs. In other aspects of the invention, by employing VMM technology, the virtualized graphics architecture of the invention is extended to provide trusted services and content protection.
US08274513B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for obtaining a boundary attribute value from a polygon mesh, during voxelization. In operation, voxelization is performed. Furthermore, during the voxelization, a boundary attribute value is obtained from a polygon mesh. Additionally, the boundary value includes a value of a boundary attribute of an object that is capable of being linearly interpolated across a boundary of a polygon mesh.
US08274508B2
A 3D object is represented by a descriptor, wherein a model of the 3D object is a 3D point cloud. A local support for each point p in the 3D point cloud is located, and reference x, y, and z axes are generated for the local support. A polar grid is applied according to the references x, y, and z axes a along an azimuth and a radial directions on an xy plane centered on the point p such that each patch on the grid is a bin for a 2D histogram, wherein the 2D histogram is a 2D matrix F on the grid and each coefficient of the 2D matrix F corresponds to the patch on the grid. For each grid location (k, l), an elevation value F(k, l) is estimated by interpolating the elevation values of the 3D points within the patches to produce the descriptor for the point p.
US08274506B1
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for generating 3D views of 2D images are disclosed. Image data representing a 2D map may be included in an input document in a portable document format, along with embedded geospatial information related to the map. A document-based 3D translator may extract image data and other information from the input document and may translate the image into a map projected on a 3D model of the Earth's surface, using embedded location and/or extent information. Additional information may be projected on the map image or displayed as a height, texture, or color, or as separate, anchored, or floating text. Image data representing the 3D view may be output to the same or a different document file. The methods may be implemented in a system comprising a CPU and/or a GPU, and/or as program instructions, stored on computer-readable media, executable by the CPU and/or GPU.
US08274504B2
Disclosed is an output amplifier circuit including a differential stage, a first output stage that receives outputs of the differential stage, and a second output stage having an output thereof electrically connected to a load. The differential stage receives an input signal at a non-inverting input thereof. In the first connection configuration, an output of the first output stage is electrically disconnected from the output of the second output stage, outputs of the differential stage are electrically disconnected from inputs of the second output stage, and a second input of the differential stage is electrically connected to the output of the first output stage. In the second connection configuration, the output of the first output stage is electrically connected to the output of the second output stage, and the outputs of the differential stage is electrically connected to the inputs of the second output stage.
US08274501B2
Techniques are described to monitor a level of graphics processing activity and control power usage based on the level. When no graphics processing activity is detected for a period of time, then a timing controller for a display device is instructed to capture a current image and repeatedly display the captured image. The graphics processing devices can be powered down. When graphics processing activity is detected, the graphics processing devices are powered up and the components used to capture an image and display the captured image are powered down.
US08274491B2
Various embodiments of readout circuits are disclosed where no touchscreen or touch panel recharge is required, and the amount of time available for signal acquisition is twice that relative to prior art touchscreen or touch panel readout circuits. Voltage offsets of the integrating amplifiers may be compensated for by notch filtering signals stored in readout circuit capacitors. Some embodiments of readout circuits disclosed herein permit large dynamic range capacitive touchscreen or touch panel signals to be processed, and do not require panel reset. Readout circuits are disclosed that permit doubling of the signal acquisition rate and pre-filtering of acquired touch panel signals for improved immunity from harmonic EMI. Signal acquisition and temporary storage may be carried out using the same capacitors in such readout circuits.
US08274488B2
The present invention relates to a touch location detecting panel and, more particularly, to a touch location detecting panel having a plurality of sensing areas arranged two-dimensionally. The touch location detecting panel of the invention has on a surface at one side of a single film a plurality of sensing areas arranged two-dimensionally. Each of the sensing areas includes a plurality of partitioned areas electrically isolated from each other, and the partitioned areas are respectively connected to separate channels of a circuit for detecting a user's touch on each of the partitioned areas. Accordingly, durability and productivity of the touch location detecting panel can be improved by simplifying the panel structure.
US08274481B2
A touch-sensored display device 20 according to the present invention includes: a counter substrate 6 disposed on a viewer side of an active matrix substrate 8 via a display medium layer 4, the counter substrate 6 having a counter electrode 5 which opposes pixel electrodes; a display panel driving circuit 14 for supplying to the counter electrode 5 a common voltage which undergoes periodic inversion in polarity; a transparent conductive film 7 for position detection placed so as to oppose the counter electrode 5 via the counter substrate 6; a strobe signal generation circuit 32 for generating a strobe signal which is in synchronization with a polarity inversion period of the common voltage, and a noise-cut current signal generation circuit 30 for generating a noise-cut current signal which is obtained by eliminating based on the strobe signal a predetermined portion from a current flowing from a terminal connected to the transparent conductive film 7 for position detection.
US08274476B2
The present invention provides a computer cursor control system comprising a touchpad device and a cursor control program. The cursor control program displays a virtual pointer on a screen according to a finger's touch on the touchpad device and simultaneously moves a computer and the virtual pointer according to the finger's movement on the touch pad device. Finally, the compute cursor is moved to the virtual pointer's position responding to a switch signal generated by the touchpad device.
US08274472B1
Driving methods are described for display devices which have one or more dielectric layers in the path of an electric field driving the display. In an embodiment, image uniformity is improved by periodically refreshing, using an intermediate color state, pixels that remain in one color state before and after a change in displaying a first image and a second image, and by applying driving signals using voltage levels and durations that maintain a global DC balance in the display at near zero to avoid contrast reduction and image artifacts in the image.
US08274468B2
A flat panel display includes first and second signal drivers which drive a first and second group signal lines of a display panel in accordance with an input first and second group video data respectively. A controller controls a timing of sending the first group video data to the first signal driver via the first data line, and a timing of sending the second group video data to the second signal driver via the second data line. A delay time generating section shifts a relative timing between a timing at which the first signal driver receives the first group video data and a timing at which the second signal driver receives the second video data by a determined time. The problem of the deterioration of the EMI caused by synchronization of the peak currents respectively generated in signal drivers for driving a flat panel display can be suppressed.
US08274459B2
A display apparatus for use in a vehicle has a liquid crystal display panel, and the panel includes a first pixel area for displaying a meter image that represents vehicle condition values, and a second pixel area for displaying an outside image that calls attention of occupants as a warning image. Further, an input unit of the apparatus receives inputs of adjustment value from occupants of the vehicle for adjusting brightness of the meter image and the outside image. A main control unit and a drawing unit of the apparatus cooperatively serve as a controller of the apparatus by changing gradation ratio of the first and second pixel areas so that the gradation ratio of the second pixel area becomes greater than the gradation ratio of the first pixel area according to the input of the adjustment value.
US08274458B2
Degradations in light emitting elements occur with the passage of time. A method of driving a light-emitting device is characterized by including the steps of: supplying a light-emitting element with the current in response to an analog video signal during a sustaining period; and turning switch off thereby to make the light-emitting element nonluminous or making first and the second electrodes identical in potential thereby to make the light-emitting element nonluminous during an off time period.
US08274455B2
A pixel driving circuit for a display device in which a plurality of gate lines and data lines are arranged. The pixel circuit is disposed at an intersection between the gate lines and data lines, and includes at least two light emitting elements for emitting certain colors within a certain section; an active device commonly connected to the at least two light emitting elements to drive the at least two light emitting elements; and an power source control part connected to the active device to transmit driving control signals for the at least two light emitting elements to the active device. The active device sequentially drives the at least two light emitting elements in the certain section per a certain period of time in response to the power source signals transmitted through the power source control part, and the at least two light emitting elements are sequentially emitted.
US08274447B2
A digital mobile TV transceiver having improved performance is integrated as a USB dongle device for wireless devices. The antenna is not readily obvious to the user as it is hidden in the swing arms and cap of the device. The extendable arms act as telescoping antenna that increase the antenna length for improved antenna performance in the frequency range of 700 to 780 MHz. The antenna can swing into a position away from the body of the device, greatly improving the antenna gain performance and its radiation patterns. In addition, the antenna can be top-loaded design with dielectrics in the cap to further improve its performance. The USB transceiver comprises a USB adaptor, a retractable antenna, and a cap for protecting the USB adaptor when the antenna is retracted. The adaptor, antenna and cap lie in a plane rotatable by 360 degrees.
US08274438B2
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing having a surface, a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable housing, and wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the PCB. The device may further include an antenna connected to the transceiver, and at least one electrically floating, electrically conductive, antenna beam shaping element secured to the surface of the portable housing for directing a beam pattern of the antenna.
US08274427B2
A radar device including: a reception antenna that receives radio waves, includes at least three antennas and is arranged so that the phase center points thereof form an isosceles triangle; an arrival direction detection unit that detects an arrival direction of the radio waves by a phase monopulse method; and a phase correction unit that corrects a phase difference between phases of radio waves respectively received by two adjacent antennas among the three antennas based on the relationship of the phases of the radio waves respectively received by the three antennas.
US08274422B1
A system for generating images may include an interactive SAR processor for generating an image using SAR data. The system may also include a module associated with the SAR processor for allowing a user to interactively select different settings for each of a group of parameters for generating different images by the interactive SAR processor using the SAR data.
US08274411B2
A circuit arrangement (1) comprises a current source (10), a comparator (50) and a control device (90). The current source (10) serves for supplying a light-emitting diode (41). The comparator (50) may be coupled to the light-emitting diode (41) at a first input (51) via a push-button (101). The comparator (50) may be fed with a reference voltage (VREF) at a second terminal (52). The control device (90) selectively puts the current source (10) into a first operational state (A) for polling a push-button position of the push-button (101) or into a second operational state (B) for emitting radiation by means of the light-emitting diode (41).
US08274404B2
The change of the status of a traffic light at a crosswalk is controlled based on an impaired individual's location with respect to the crosswalk. An appropriate alert indicating the status of the traffic light is determined based at least on the location of the impaired individual. The type of impairment may also be used in determining the appropriate alert. The appropriate alert is generated to inform the impaired individual of the status of the traffic light.
US08274396B2
A local positioning system uses at least one node to track a location of a mobile tag. The system measures flight times of signals communicated between the node and the tag to determine values indicative of the range of the tag from the node. If desired, the values may be filtered in an effort to increase the accuracy of the range estimation. As an example, a Kalman filtering algorithm may be used. Multiple antennas are used at both the node and the tag to provide more accurate range estimates and to determine when the tag is entering a dead zone where signals are blocked or attenuated by obstacles.
US08274395B1
A system for monitoring batteries comprises a current control element coupled in parallel to a diode and across a battery. The current control element measures current on the cathode end of the diode. Once the voltage potential reaches a threshold, the current control element routes the current from the cathode end of the diode to the anode end of the diode thereby reducing the voltage potential across the battery terminal. Accordingly, a battery sensing element is prevented from falsely sensing a presence of an operable battery due to leakage current of the diode.
US08274390B2
A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) method, computer-readable medium, apparatus, and system are provided. In one embodiment, the method acquires dimensions of an item. The dimensions and speed of the item are used to determine the item's location on a conveyor (i.e., to track the item on the conveyor). The location of the item is used to determine which switch RFID reader antenna in a plurality of RFID reader antennas is the most suitable RFID reader antenna to communicate with a transponder located on the item. In other embodiments, the apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium are also provided which perform similar features recited by the above method.
US08274387B2
A shipping and tracking system has a number of tracking stations that are geographically distributed. The tracking stations gather information from shipping items processed by the shipping and tracking system. The shipping and tracking system provides an enhanced level of security for selected shipping items. The enhanced level of security for the selected shipping items is based at least on the information gathered at the tracking stations. The enhanced security is provided in such a way that personnel of the shipping and delivery system cannot physically discern whether or not a shipping item is being shipped with enhanced security.
US08274383B2
A system for monitoring activities relating to movable and removable items within a vehicle is described. The system includes an electrical energy storage device, an energy harvesting device operable to store harvested energy in the electrical energy storage device, a sensor element configured to output signals corresponding to one or more of removal, installation, and a shift in position of a corresponding item within the vehicle, and a transmitter configured to receive the signals from the sensor element. The transmitter is also configured to transmit unique identification information and data corresponding to the signals received from the sensor element, where the unique identification information corresponds with a location of the item on the vehicle. The sensor element and the transmitter are configured to use energy from one or both of the energy harvesting device and the electrical energy storage device.
US08274380B2
Responsive to intercepting an outbound command, a command interceptor may, upon determining that the command is associated with a particular category of commands, transmit an anticipatory response to the source of the command, for example, to prematurely indicate that the command has met with success. Accordingly, a given application whose further execution is dependent upon the successful completion of the command may further execute earlier than would be the case if the given application was to await the transmission of the command, the generation of a response indicating success and the receipt of the response indicating success.
US08274376B2
A system and method for controlling a body-scanning device with a wireless footswitch is disclosed. The method includes polling a status of a plurality of switches on a wireless footswitch using a microprocessor. A pulsed signal is sent from the microprocessor to a watchdog timer. The pulsed signal is pulsed at a predetermined rate when the microprocessor is operating within selected operating parameters. The microprocessor is reset when the pulsed signal is pulsed at a rate less than the predetermined rate. The status of the plurality of switches on the wireless footswitch is transmitted to a receiver connected to the scanning device to enable the scanning device to be controlled by actuating at least one of the plurality of switches on the wireless footswitch.
US08274375B2
A communication apparatus includes a first communicating part that reads data stored in a storage device of an outside apparatus and writes data in the storage device of the outside apparatus, a second communicating part that transmits and receives data with respect to the outside apparatus, and an operation controlling part that operates either the first communicating part or the second communicating part. The operation controlling part is configured to operate the first communicating part when power is supplied to the communication apparatus and operate the second communicating part when power is not supplied to the communication apparatus.
US08274371B2
A technique for simultaneously acquiring vehicle identification information and speed information of an RFID tag-attached vehicle by calculating the vehicle speed by using a Doppler shift value extracted from transmission and reception signals between the RFID tag and the RFID reader is disclosed. A method for measuring a vehicle speed by using an RFID reader installed right up on the road or at the roadside includes: transmitting a continuous wave; receiving a reflected wave with respect to the continuous wave from an RFID tag attached to a vehicle which has received the continuous wave; extracting a Doppler shift value from the continuous wave and the reflected wave; and calculating the speed of the vehicle by using the Doppler shift value.
US08274370B2
In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a rectifier and a switch. The rectifier is configured to modulate a received carrier signal. The switch is coupled to at least one node of the rectifier. The switch is configured to modify an impedance of the rectifier to modulate the received carrier signal by providing a potential to the at least one node of the rectifier based on a field strength of the received carrier signal and a modulation-control signal.
US08274364B1
Methods and devices provide flexible demarcation points in order to determine whether access to individual stackers, rollers or areas in a cash handling device should be allowed. A plurality of stackers may be provided in a cash handling device and may store different denominations of currency. An input means may receive user input to request access to one or more of the stackers. One or more variables stored in memory may indicate whether user access is authorized for a given stacker. One or more electromechanical locks may secure one or more of the stackers. Computer-executable instructions executing on a processor may access the variable(s) in order to determine whether to allow user access to a requested stacker and may unlock the lock if access is authorized.
US08274363B2
A system and/or method to control access to medication and/or medical supplies may be implemented by providing secured compartments for the medication spread through a medical facility, such as in or adjacent patient rooms and/or connecting locking mechanisms to the secured compartments. Computers positioned throughout the facility are interfaced to respective locking mechanisms to operate the locking mechanism in response to access codes, which may be transmitted over the network. Additional steps may involve programming an authorization computer for providing access codes in whole or part for use with the computers. One or more access points may be functionally coupled to a computer system and/or to the locking mechanism and accessible to users for entry of requests for access to the secured compartment.
US08274362B2
Disclosed herein is an electronic device that is connected to one or more other devices via a specified signal line and capable of operating in accordance with a control signal transmitted from any of the one or more other devices connected to the electronic device. The electronic device includes: a reception section configured to receive the control signal transmitted from any of the one or more other devices connected to the electronic device; a control section configured to perform a specified process if, after receiving a specific control signal, the reception section does not receive a control signal corresponding to the specific control signal within a set signal waiting period; and a waiting period adjustment section configured to adjust the signal waiting period based on traffic in the signal line.
US08274359B2
A wireless access point communicates messages in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) network. The EAS network includes at least one EAS sensor hard-wired to at least one wireless device node. The wireless access point includes a wired communication interface, a wireless communication interface and a controller. The controller is electrically coupled to the wired communication interface and to the wireless communication interface. The wired communication interface operates to receive a message. The message includes a sub-layer address corresponding to an EAS sensor. The wireless communication interface operates to broadcast the message and to receive an acknowledgement of the broadcast message. The acknowledgment originates from the EAS sensor corresponding to the sub-layer address. The controller operates to transfer the message between the wired communication interface and the wireless communication interface.
US08274350B2
An electrical winding body includes an electrically conductive winding and an insulation surrounding the winding. The surrounding insulation surrounds the entire winding and forms a mechanically stable winding body. At least one continuous channel having an opening in the electrical winding body is disposed inside the winding body. An extension element is placed in the openings of the continuous channels to elongate the channels beyond the dimensions of the electrical winding body, thus providing for improved cooling. Side elements are additionally attached on the outer wall of the electrical winding body to create an intermediate space which forms a new cooling channel that produces an additional cooling effect due to an air current created by the chimney effect.
US08274347B2
Disclosed is an electromagnetic switch, in which an arc protection member is installed in an extinguishing chamber for housing stationary electrodes and a movable contact arm, thereby protecting internal components including an upper yoke from damages caused due to arc, which is generated immediately when the movable contact arm is separated from the stationary electrodes, resulting in improvement of operation reliability as well as increase in a lifespan of the electromagnetic switch.
US08274345B2
An electromagnetic relay includes a coil, a movable member, first and second fixed contact supports each having first and second fixed contacts, and a movable body having first and second movable contacts. A third fixed contact is arranged on the second fixed contact support at a position away from a line passing through the first and second fixed contacts, and a third movable contact is arranged on the movable body. When the movable member is driven by electromagnetic force of the coil, the movable contacts contact the fixed contacts at a contact portion between the first fixed contact and the first movable contact, a contact portion between the second fixed contact and the second movable contact, and a contact portion between the third fixed contact and the third movable contact.
US08274344B2
An electromagnet for use in a relay having a coil bobbin with flange portions at both ends of a coil winding portion where a coil is wound and an iron core with a flange-like head portion at one end of a body portion, the coil bobbin being so fitted onto the iron core that the flange-like head portion and the other end of the body portion of the iron core respectively project out of each of openings formed at the flange portions of the coil bobbin. The iron core has at the other end an engageable portion to be engaged with an engaging portion formed on a grasping part of a coil winding chuck device. The electromagnet further has between the coil bobbin and the iron core a means for preventing misregistration of the coil bobbin fitted onto the iron core.
US08274336B1
A saturated power amplifier system has a saturated power amplifier that receives an input signal. The saturated power amplifier has one or more stages, including one or more output stages. Each output stage produces multiple signals which are combined. Each output stage has one or more levels of cascoding including one or more thick oxide devices and one or more thin oxide devices.
US08274326B2
An equalization circuit includes a first differential amplifier having first and second transistors, and a first differential high-pass filter coupled to respective gate terminals of the first and second transistors. A source terminal of the first transistor is coupled to a first input node, and a source terminal of the second transistor is coupled to the second input node. The equalization circuit further includes a second differential amplifier having third and fourth transistors, and a second differential high-pass filter coupled to respective gate terminals of each of the third and fourth transistors. A source terminal of the third transistor is coupled to the first input node, and a source terminal of the second transistor is coupled to the second input node. Using such a circuit, continuous time decision feedback equalization may be performed.
US08274316B2
A semiconductor apparatus comprises a power-up signal generation section configured to generate a power-up signal, a driver configured to drive and output the power-up signal, and a main circuit block configured to perform predetermined functions in response to an output from the driver, wherein the power-up signal generation section and an input terminal of the driver are connected by a disconnectable element.
US08274311B2
A system and method are provided for transmission of data bits across a data bus. To reduce power usage, noise, or some combination of the two, the data bus utilizes differential transmission using a three level signal in which a reference signal signifies no difference between input bits. Before the signals are transmitted an analysis is made to choose which one of a set of predetermined polarity reversal combinations is advantageous to encode the data bits. The data bits are so encoded and a formatting value F associated with the chosen polarity reversal is differentially transmitted with the encoded bits over the data bus. The three level differential signal is received at the far end of the bus, the encoded bits are recovered and decoded with use of F. The system and method achieves up to N bits transmitted per N data lines.
US08274300B2
A thermal control unit with a heat pipe that conducts heat away from a device under test during burn-in. The heat pipe has a heater that allows control of the rate at which heat is transferred from the DUT to the heat pipe. A sensor and controller are provided to control the heat in response to the measured temperature of the DUT. The sensor and controller control the heater to maintain the surface temperature of the DUT within a specified range.
US08274297B2
The present invention relates to a method for testing power lines and signal lines onboard of an aircraft, wherein the power lines and signal lines normally connect a 3-phase AC motor with the power supply system of the aircraft, and wherein the 3-phase AC motor has separate input terminals onto which, during operation of the 3-phase AC motor onboard of the aircraft, predetermined voltages of predetermined phase difference are to be applied. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of connecting the power lines and signal lines with input terminals (24) of a testing equipment (1), in place of the 3-phase AC motor; applying voltages on the power lines and signal lines; conducting a voltage test, and simultaneously with the voltage test, a phase test by the testing equipment (1) in respect of whether the voltages and the phase difference of the voltages applied to the power lines and signal lines is equal to the predetermined voltages and the predetermined phase difference. The invention further relates to a kit comprising a testing equipment (1) and a plurality of adapters (5).
US08274294B2
A method for detecting a ground fault in an electrical supply system includes using a combination of components and their connections within the supply system to form virtual components, allowing presetting of fault indicators for incoming and outgoing supply lines to individual components. A fault index can be determined for each virtual component in conjunction with a respective association of a correlation coefficient with fault indicators and a subsequent normalization over all fault indicators using a correlation coefficient. Comparison of the indices of all virtual components of the supply system permits a determination of that virtual component in which the highest fault index occurs, and therefore in which there is the highest probability of a fault. The fault search in a supply system can therefore be determined quickly and easily independently of power supply system geometry and configuration. An apparatus performing the method and computer program product, are also provided.
US08274293B2
A sensor for measuring the pH of a solution of the present invention includes: (a) a tubular body portion constructed from a flexible electrically-insulating material, the tubular body portion having an interior passage; (b) a first reverse osmosis membrane disposed in the interior passage; (c) a second reverse osmosis membrane disposed in the interior passage; (d) a proton conducting membrane disposed between the first reverse osmosis membrane and the second reverse osmosis membrane in the interior passage; (e) a first electrode; and (f) a second electrode.
US08274290B2
Method for real time monitoring of the waveform transmitted by an electromagnetic survey source, using a near-source monitoring receiver to measure electromagnetic field and transmitting the measured signal in real time to a control location.
US08274283B2
An apparatus and method for obtaining diffusion weighted magnetic resonance images (DW-MRI) is described. The properties of the diffusion tensor in tissue are measured by applying a diffusion weighting gradient oriented along a plurality of measurement axes. The value of the magnetic field is increased by using as many of the magnetic gradient coils as are effective in contributing the gradient field strength along the axis being. In regions where the magnetic field gradient is increased, the echo time (TE) may be decreased, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurements. Alternatively, the number of measurements than are averaged to achieve a particular image quality may be decreased, reducing the patient exposure time.
US08274282B2
The invention concerns a method for producing an assembly of at least one transmission coil (B1) and one reception coil (B2) for eddy current testing, the reception coil receiving in the absence of fault a complex amplitude signal VR, subject to a variation δVR in the presence of a characteristic fault to be detected. The method consists in selecting the distance ΔER between the axes of the transmission coil and the reception coil so as to maximize the ratio IδVR/VRI.
US08274280B2
A device for nondestructive and noncontact detection of faults in a test piece, with a stationary measurement device (16) for taking an eddy current or a magnetic stray flux measurements on a test piece (10) continuously advanced relative to the measurement device; and a device (12) for positioning the test piece with respect to the measurement device in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of the test piece. The device also has a monitoring unit (20) with at least three distance sensors (22) arranged distributed around the test piece in the peripheral direction for contactless detection of the distance between the surface of the test piece facing the respective sensor and the respective sensor, as well as a unit for evaluating the signals from the sensors.
US08274270B2
An adaptive pulse width control power conversion device includes a pulse width adjustable pulse frequency module (PFM) control circuit, a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit, a PWM/PFM switching unit, a switching circuit, and a load status detection circuit. When the power conversion device is to be switched from a PWM mode to a PFM mode, pulse width of a series of PFM control signals is sequentially adjusted from a low value to a high value according to a predetermined pulse width increment until an optimum pulse width is determined and thereafter, an output voltage is supplied to a load in the PFM mode, whereby ripple of output voltage in the PFM mode can be improved and improved stability of output of the power conversion device is realized.
US08274267B2
Power converter circuits, structures, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a hybrid converter can include: (i) a first switching device controllable by a control signal; (ii) an inductor coupled to the first switching device and an output; and (iii) a control circuit configured to receive feedback from the output for generation of the control signal to control the first switching device, where the control circuit includes a first detection circuit configured to detect first and second output conditions, the control circuit being configured to operate the first switching device in a switch control in response to the control signal when the first output condition is detected, and to operate the first switching device in a linear control region when the second output condition is detected.
US08274248B2
A rotation speed detection circuit includes an internal clock generation portion which receives an input of a period signal whose period varies in accordance with rotation speed of a motor and generates an internal clock signal having a predetermined number of pulses in one period of the period signal, and an internal clock counter portion which counts the number of pulses of the internal clock signal for a predetermined period every one period of the period signal and delivers a count value thereof as a digital data signal.
US08274242B2
The present invention provides a power supply apparatus for an LED lamp, which mainly uses an isolation transformer to convert a high voltage AC input signal into a low voltage AC signal and thus generate a driving voltage for driving an LED lamp, comprising: a waveform and frequency modulation module disposed on the primary side of the isolation transformer for modulating an input waveform and a frequency f; and a secondary rectifier filter module disposed on the secondary side of the isolation transformer for converting the low voltage AC signal after passing through the isolation transformer into the driving voltage. In this way, the power supply apparatus for an LED lamp utilizes the principle of persistence of vision of human eyes to modulate the waveforms and frequencies of voltages for driving LEDs and can still maintain the normal operation.
US08274238B2
An electronic circuit includes circuit portions for identifying a largest voltage drop through one of a plurality of series connected diode strings and for controlling a boost switching regulator according to the largest voltage drop. The electronic circuit can sense an open circuit series connected diode string, which would otherwise have the largest voltage drop, and can disconnect that open circuit series connected diode string from control of the boost switching regulator. Another electronic circuit includes a current limiting circuit coupled to or within a boost switching regulator and configured to operate with a diode load. Another electronic circuit includes a pulse width modulation circuit configured to dim a series connected string of light emitting diodes.
US08274234B1
An electronic ballast is provided for powering one or more discharge lamps independently connected in parallel. An inverter having a pair of switching elements converts a DC supply signal into AC power. A transformer has a primary winding coupled to an output terminal of the inverter. A load circuit includes independently operable discharge lamp circuits coupled in parallel with each other and across a secondary winding of the transformer. An inductance control circuit includes an inductive element coupled in series with the primary winding of the transformer and a bi-directional switch coupled in parallel across the inductive element. A switch state of the bi-directional switch is controllably adjustable between first and second switch states and in accordance with a desired duty ratio. A magnitude of a voltage across the secondary winding of the transformer and thereby across each lamp circuit is dependent on the switch state of the bi-directional switch.
US08274232B2
A communications apparatus and techniques are presented for communicating with ballasts or drivers through lighting system power connections in which the power connections are energized with low levels of power to power communications components in the ballast/drivers while the light sources are off and low frequency AC communications signals are transmitted through the power connections.
US08274230B2
A light emitting diode (LED) module is disclosed. The LED module includes a plurality of LED strings each including a plurality of LEDs in a serial connection with each other and disposed with respect to a central axis of a base board in a co-axial fashion, a plurality of drivers each connected to the corresponding LED string for providing adjustable driving currents to trigger each of the LED strings respectively and to adjust a color temperature of each of the LED strings, and a controller, connected to the plurality of drivers, for generating a plurality of output signals and outputting the output signals to the plurality of drivers respectively in response to a predetermined setting so as to adjust the color temperature.
US08274229B2
The present invention of a reverse polarity series type LED is formed by two sets of LED and diode assemblies in reverse polarity series connection wherein the first set is consisted of at least one or multiple homopolar series or parallel connected or series and parallel connected LEDs, and the second set consisting of at least one or more homopolar parallel or series connected or series and parallel connected LEDs for further connection to the drive circuit formed by current-limiting impedance and/or power storage and discharging devices and/or voltage-limit circuit devices in order to produce the required operational characteristics.
US08274221B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming plasma-generating microstructures. Aluminum may be anodized to form an aluminum oxide body having a plurality of openings extending therethrough. Conductive liners may be formed within the openings, and circuitry may be formed to control current flow through the conductive liners. The conductive liners form a plurality of hollow cathodes, and the current flow is configured to generate and maintain plasmas within the hollow cathodes. The plasmas within various hollow cathodes, or sets of hollow cathodes, may be independently controlled. Such independently controlled plasmas may be utilized to create a pattern in a display, or on a substrate. In some embodiments, the plasmas may be utilized for plasma-assisted etching and/or plasma-assisted deposition. Some embodiments include constructions and assemblies containing multiple plasma-generating structures.
US08274196B2
A control apparatus detects the relative position between a vibration member and a driving-member-side vibration detection portion on the basis of a signal that shows a vibrational state of the vibration member and a signal output from the driving-member-side vibration detection portion, the driving-member-side vibration detection portion being provided on a driving member and detecting a vibration of the driving member.
US08274189B2
A window lift has a motor and a gearbox. The motor is a permanent magnet motor, comprising a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted to the stator. The stator or the rotor comprises a housing and magnets fixed to inner surface of the housing. The radial cross section of the housing comprises n side portions and n connecting portions, where n is an integer greater than 2. Adjacent side portions are connected together by one corresponding connecting portion and the magnets are fixed at portions corresponding to the connecting portions. The radial cross section of each side portion is like a convex curve line, which is curved outwardly relative to a straight line passing through the two ends of the convex curve line.
US08274182B2
A linear motor includes a stator having field poles arranged linearly with opposing polarities arranged in an alternating manner; and a rotor having an armature core with teeth that faces a pole face of the field poles with a gap, and coils wound around the teeth. The stator and the rotor are supported in a slidable manner, a direction perpendicular to a sliding direction of the rotor and in parallel with the pole face is defined as a stacking direction. A head of each of the teeth has an extended portion extended in the sliding direction. At least heads of the teeth arranged at both ends of the armature core along the sliding direction is divided into a plurality of areas along the stacking direction. At least one of extended portions arranged on adjacent areas is extended by a different length along the sliding direction.
US08274173B2
An auxiliary drive circuit including a first energy storage device coupled to a first DC bus and configured to output electrical power to the first DC bus, and a first DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first DC bus and to a second DC bus, the first DC-to-DC voltage converter configured to convert the electrical power to a first voltage and to output the first voltage to the second DC bus. The auxiliary drive circuit also includes a second DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the second DC bus and coupled to an auxiliary bus, the second DC-to-DC voltage converter configured to convert the first voltage to a second voltage and to provide the second voltage to the auxiliary bus, the auxiliary bus configured to provide an auxiliary voltage to an auxiliary load, wherein the second voltage is different from the first voltage.
US08274171B2
A two-wire power and communication system is provided, having a decoder that draws a constant amount of current for communication signals despite changes in the voltage on the power and communication wires. In one example, decoders have a constant current sink circuit that includes a shunt regulator that controls a field effect transistor.
US08274169B2
The present invention is directed to wind powered apparatus for recharging batteries in an electric powered vehicle, the system includes at least one generator adapted to alternately recharge batteries that supply power to the vehicle, and at least one windmill with turbine blades that automatically adjust blade pitch and operate the generator. Each adjusting turbine blade includes at least one fluid handling system that contains a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluid, the handling system including means to reposition the non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluid between a first location and a second location within the fluid handling system in response to a fluid viscosity is changed by shear created from blade rotation, the blade pitch changed by a shift in blade center of gravity from the repositioned fluid.
US08274161B2
A linear, serial chip/substrate assembly processing machine for stepwise advancing a pre-assembled chip/die substrate on a support plate through a series of sealable chambers beginning at a loading station and ending up at an unloading station after various melting and vacuuming of chip/substrate components has been stepwise indexed through those various chambers to the final joining thereof.
US08274158B2
Structures, methods, and systems for assessing bonding of electrodes in FCB packaging are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises mounting a semiconductor chip with a plurality of first electrodes of a first shape to a mounted portion with a second electrode of a second shape, wherein the second shape is different from the first shape, bonding a respective one of the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode using a first solder bump, generating an X-ray image of the first solder bump, and determining an acceptability of the bonding of the respective one of the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode based on the X-ray image of the first solder bump.
US08274151B2
An object including at least one graphic element, including at least one layer including at least one metal and etched according to a pattern of the graphic element, a first face of the layer being positioned opposite a face of at least one at least partly transparent substrate, a second face, opposite to the first face, of the layer being covered with at least one passivation layer fixed to at least one face of at least one support by wafer bonding and forming with the support a monolithic structure, and the layer including at least at the second face, at least one area including the metal and at least one semiconductor.
US08274135B2
The present invention relates to a fuse for a semiconductor device, and discloses the technique capable of preventing fuse damage, which might occur during a fuse blowing step, with reducing area of the fuse occupying the semiconductor device. The present invention includes a common source region, wherein a plurality of fuses are radially arranged about the common source region, and a fuse box wall is formed outside the fuses.
US08274134B2
A semiconductor device (200) includes an electric fuse (100) including: an upper layer fuse interconnect (112) formed on a substrate (not shown); a lower layer fuse interconnect (122); and a via (130) which is connected to one end of the upper layer fuse interconnect (112) and connects the upper layer fuse interconnect (112) and the lower layer fuse interconnect (122). The upper fuse interconnect (112) includes a width varying region (118) having a small interconnect width on a side of the one end.
US08274132B2
An electrical device with a fin structure, a first section of the fin structure having a first width and a first height, a second section of the fin structure having a second width and a second height, wherein the first width is smaller than the second width and the first height is lower than the second height.
US08274127B2
A photodiode array includes a substrate of a common read-out control circuit; and a plurality of photodiodes arrayed on the substrate and each including an absorption layer, and a pair of a first conductive-side electrode and a second conductive-side electrode. In this photodiode array, each of the photodiodes is isolated from adjacent photodiodes, the first conductive-side electrodes are provided on first conductivity-type regions and electrically connected in common across all the photodiodes, and the second conductive-side electrodes are provided on second conductivity-type regions and individually electrically connected to read-out electrodes of the read-out control circuit.
US08274125B2
An insulation is provided in a portion surrounding a light receiving portion in a semiconductor element, and a sealing resin is provided around the insulation, thereby warping the insulation outward when viewed from the light receiving portion to prevent diffuse light from returning to the light receiving portion of the semiconductor element.
US08274121B2
Aspects provide for reducing the size and cost of a compound semiconductor power FET device while increasing yield and maintaining current handling capabilities of the FET by distributing portions of the current in parallel to sections the source and drain fingers to maintain a low current density, and applying the gate signal to both ends of the gate fingers to increase yield. The current to be handled by the FET may be divided among a set of electrodes arrayed along the width of the source or drain fingers and oriented to cross the fingers along the length of the source and drain fingers. The current may be conducted from the electrodes to the source and drain fingers through vias disposed along the surface of the fingers. Heat developed in the source, drain, and gate fingers may be conducted through the vias to the electrodes and out of the device.
US08274119B2
A Ge and Si hybrid material accumulation mode GAA (Gate-All-Around) CMOSFET includes a PMOS region having a first channel, an NMOS region having a second channel and a gate region. The first channel and the second channel have a racetrack-shaped cross section and are formed of p-type Ge and n-type Si, respectively; the surfaces of the first channel and the second channel are substantially surrounded by the gate region; a buried oxide layer is disposed between the PMOS region and the NMOS region and between the PMOS or NMOS region and the Si substrate to isolate them from one another. In an accumulation mode, current flows through the overall racetrack-shaped channel. The disclosed device has high carrier mobility, high device drive current, and maintains the electrical integrity of the device. Meanwhile, polysilicon gate depletion and short channel effects are prevented.
US08274118B2
A Ge and Si hybrid material accumulation mode GAA (Gate-All-Around) CMOSFET includes a PMOS region having a first channel, an NMOS region having a second channel and a gate region. The first channel and the second channel have a circular-shaped cross section and are formed of p-type Ge and n-type Si, respectively; the surfaces of the first channel and the second channel are substantially surrounded by the gate region; a buried oxide layer is disposed between the PMOS region and the NMOS region and between the PMOS or NMOS region and the Si substrate to isolate them from one another. In an accumulation mode, current flows through the overall cylindrical channel, so as to achieve high carrier mobility, reduce low-frequency noises, prevent polysilicon gate depletion and short channel effects and increase the threshold voltage of the device.
US08274116B2
A high-k metal gate stack and structures for CMOS devices and a method for forming the devices. The gate stack includes a germanium (Ge) material layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, a diffusion barrier layer formed on the Ge material layer, a high-k dielectric having a high dielectric constant greater than approximately 3.9 formed over the diffusion barrier layer, and a conductive electrode layer formed above the high-k dielectric layer.
US08274115B2
A hybrid orientation substrate includes a base substrate having a first orientation, a first surface layer having a first orientation disposed on the base substrate in a first region, and a second surface layer disposed on the base substrate in a second region. The second surface layer has an upper sub-layer having a second orientation, and a lower sub-layer between the base substrate and the upper sub-layer. The lower sub-layer having a first stress induces a second stress on the upper sub-layer.
US08274112B2
A semiconductor memory device includes first and second active pillar structures protruding at an upper part of a substrate, buried bit lines each extending in a first direction, and first gate patterns and second gate patterns each extending in a second direction. The first and second active pillar structures occupy odd-numbered and even-numbered rows, respectively. The first and the second active pillar structures also occupy even-numbered and odd-numbered columns, respectively. The columns of the second active pillar structures are offset in the second direction from the columns of the first active pillar structures. Each buried bit line is connected to lower portions of the first active pillar structures which occupy one of the even-numbered columns and to lower portions of the second active pillar structures which occupy an adjacent one of the odd-numbered columns.
US08274102B2
A semiconductor device includes a PMOS transistor of a peripheral circuit region. The PMOS transistor is formed over a silicon germanium layer to have a compressive strain structure, thereby increasing hole mobility of a channel region in operation of the device. The semiconductor device may include a second active region including a silicon layer connected to a first active region of a semiconductor substrate, a silicon germanium layer formed over the silicon layer expected to be a PMOS region, and a PMOS gate formed over the silicon germanium layer.
US08274098B2
Provided are a field effect transistor, a logic circuit including the same and methods of manufacturing the same. The field effect transistor may include an ambipolar layer that includes a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source region and the drain region, wherein the source region, the drain region, and the channel region may be formed in a monolithic structure, a gate electrode on the channel region, and an insulating layer separating the gate electrode from the ambipolar layer, wherein the source region and the drain region have a width greater than that of the channel region in a second direction that crosses a first direction in which the source region and the drain region are connected to each other.
US08274096B2
The present invention is directed to a semiconductor device that includes at least one p-n junction including a p-type material, an n-type material, and a depletion region. The at least one p-n junction is configured to generate bulk photocurrent in response to incident light. The at least one p-n junction is characterized by a conduction band energy level, a valence band energy level and a surface Fermi energy level. The surface Fermi energy level is pinned either near or above the conduction band energy level or near or below the valence band energy level. A unipolar barrier structure is disposed in a predetermined region within the at least one p-n junction. The unipolar barrier is configured to raise the conduction band energy level if the surface Fermi energy level is pinned near or above the conduction band energy level or lower the valence band energy level if the surface Fermi energy level is pinned near or below the valence band energy level such that the unipolar barrier is configured to propagate the bulk photocurrent and substantially block surface leakage current. The at least one p-n junction and the unipolar barrier are integrally formed.
US08274088B2
A fabrication method of a surface-emitting laser element includes a step of preparing a conductive GaN multiple-region substrate including a high dislocation density high conductance region, a low dislocation density high conductance region and a low dislocation density low conductance region, as a conductive GaN substrate; a semiconductor layer stack formation step of forming a group III-V compound semiconductor layer stack including an emission layer on the substrate; and an electrode formation step of forming a semiconductor layer side electrode and a substrate side electrode. The semiconductor layer and electrodes are formed such that an emission region into which carriers flow in the emission layer is located above and within the span of the low dislocation density high conductance region. Thus, a surface-emitting laser element having uniform light emission at the emission region can be obtained with favorable yield.
US08274084B2
The roughness and structural height of printed metal lines is used to pin a fluid. This fluid deposits a top contact material which is connected to the bottom printed contacts through pinholes in the hydrophobic polymer layer. This results in a sandwich-like contact structure achieved in a self-aligned deposition process and having improved source-drain contact for all-additive printed circuits. In one form, the present technique is used for thin film transistor applications, but it may be applied to electrodes in general.
US08274074B2
A polymer material comprising a composition containing a fluorescent conjugated polymer (A) and a phosphorescent compound (B) or comprising a polymer having the structure of (A) and the structure of (B) in the same molecule, wherein the following conditions (1), (2) and (3) are satisfied: (1) at least one of the light emission peak wavelengths of the fluorescent conjugated polymer (A) is less than 500 nm, (2) the light emission peak wavelengths of the phosphorescent compound (B) are not less than 500 nm, (3) the following relation is satisfied: ETA−ESA 0≧(ETB−ESB0)−0.2 (unit; eV) (Eq 1) (wherein, ESA 0 represents energy of the fluorescent conjugated polymer (A) at the ground state, ETA represents energy of the fluorescent conjugated polymer (A) at the lowest excited triplet state, ESB 0 represents energy of the phosphorescent compound (B) at the ground state, and ETB represents energy of the phosphorescent compound (B) at the lowest excited triplet state).
US08274064B2
Exemplary embodiments of system and apparatus can be provided for treating various dermatological and biological conditions using electromagnetic energy in the form of optical radiation. For example, energy can be provided by a chemical reaction, such as by combustion of a fine metallic filament, which can be used to generate a high-intensity pulse of energy without requiring external energy sources. Various parameters of the reactive materials and enclosures can be selected and/or applied to provide a radiation pulse having particular characteristics, including fluence, peak intensity, and radiation wavelength distribution. Various filters may be provided to further modify characteristics of the radiation. Such radiation pulses can be used to irradiate tissue such as skin to obtain various therapeutic or beneficial effects, including improvement in the appearance of pigmented or venous lesions.
US08274044B2
Provided is a mass spectroscope employing electron capture dissociation wherein the peak number of detectable fragment ions is increased. The mass spectroscope comprises an ion source (2) for generating ions from a sample, an ion trap (3) for storing and selecting ions, an ion dissociation section (4) performing electron capture dissociation on ions, and a time-of-flight mass spectrometry section (7) performing mass spectrometry on ions, wherein the reaction time of electron capture dissociation is variable depending on the valence of ions subjected to mass spectrometry.
US08274040B2
This invention provides substrates for use in various applications, including single-molecule analytical reactions. Methods for propagating optical energy within a substrate are provided. Devices comprising waveguide substrates and dielectric omnidirectional reflectors are provided. Waveguide substrates with improved uniformity of optical energy intensity across one or more waveguides and enhanced waveguide illumination efficiency within an analytic detection region of the arrays are provided.
US08274033B2
Disclosed is a photoelectric converter.According to the present invention, a photoelectric converter comprises a plurality of substrates, which are located adjacent to each other and on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices are two-dimensionally arranged, either scan circuits or detection circuits, at least, that are arranged on two opposing sides of the photoelectric converter, whereby scanning directions either from the scan circuits or from the detection circuits, which are arranged on the two opposing sides, are capable of being set so as to be performed in like directions.
US08274028B2
An active tracking solar assembly includes a main actuator cable and a secondary cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the main actuator cable and the second end is connected to a roof weight. An actuator bar has a counter weight attached to a first end and a first pulley attached to a second end, and the secondary cable engages the first pulley.
US08274023B2
The present invention is directed to missile training systems, especially to those relating to the provision of a mechanism that allows missiles and similar devices to be fired at a target in a realistic, but safe, manner. The use of live fire exercises, in which army or other armed forces personnel use fully functioning weapons systems is well established. Live fire exercises can be used to provide realistic training scenarios, but also present obvious dangers. The present invention provides a module for attachment to an object (such as a missile), the object being adapted to be directed towards a target (such as a ship), the module comprising a control system providing an output signal indicative of whether or not said object is to be destroyed.
US08274019B2
This invention generally relates to a connector for attaching an electrical power source to a conductive fiber tow comprising: a flat surface having an upper and a lower mating portion substantially opposing each other; said upper portion includes a plurality of parallel ribbed troughs and said lower portion includes plurality of parallel ribbed protrusions wherein the upper and lower portions of said surface engagingly fasten a portion of said fiber tow between the ribbed protrusions and the ribbed troughs to hold the said fiber in a fixed position; and at least one electrical contact integral to the flat surface to supply electrical energy to said fiber for producing heat energy.
US08274017B2
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a semiconductor processing chamber and, more specifically, a heated support pedestal for a semiconductor processing chamber. In one embodiment, a pedestal for a semiconductor processing chamber is provided. The pedestal comprises a substrate support comprising a conductive material and having a support surface for receiving a substrate, a resistive heater encapsulated within the substrate support, a hollow shaft coupled to the substrate support at a first end and a mating interface at an opposing end, the hollow shaft comprising a shaft body having a hollow core, and a cooling channel assembly encircling the hollow core and disposed within the shaft body for removing heat from the pedestal via an internal cooling path, wherein the substrate support has a heat control gap positioned between the heating element and the ring-shaped cooling channel.
US08274004B2
A fluidic operator presence control and safety system for walk-behind and riding equipment, such as lawn mowers and the like, is provided. The system includes a first handle member mounted to a portion of the equipment, the first handle member having an internal fluid flow channel containing a fluid therein, the fluid flow channel being closed to the environment. The system further includes a first electrical switch mounted adjacent the fluid flow channel and interacting therewith. The first electrical switch being in physical communication with the fluid flow channel so that pressure variances transmitted by the fluid within the fluid flow channel as a result of manual compression of a portion of the first handle member are conveyed through the internal fluid flow channel to the first electrical switch thereby actuating the first electrical switch for enabling operation of one or more functions of the equipment.
US08273999B2
A chassis 2 as a first sheet-metal part has an L-shaped hooking section 27 formed at a cover mounting opening end of each side plate thereof, and an assembly guide section 28 dimpling inwardly the opening end of the chassis 2 by the thickness of a cover 8; the cover 8 as a second sheet-metal part has a hooking claw 81 extending from each side edge of the cover to the mounting side thereof and engaging with the L-shaped hooking section 27, and a guide lug 82 engaging with the assembly guide section 28, wherein an engaging claw 85 and an engaging hole 102, and a tapped hole 101 and a screw passing-through hole 84 are relatively provided on the abutment faces between the chassis 2 and the cover 8, respectively.
US08273987B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing, an outer wall, a rib, a cable, and a stopper. The housing houses at least part of an electronic component. The outer wall constitutes at least part of an outer contour of the housing. The rib is located between the outer wall and the electronic component, and the outer surface of the rib faces the inner surface of the outer wall. The cable is routed between the outer wall and the rib. The stopper is housed in the housing, and engages the rib to prevent the rib from inclining toward the outer wall.
US08273966B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016274. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016274. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016274 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016274 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08273965B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1015862. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1015862. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1015862 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1015862 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08273959B2
The present invention provides a DNA construct that confers tolerance to transgenic corn plant. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the PV-ZMGT32(nk603) corn event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the corn genome and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion site.
US08273954B1
This invention relates to genetically transformed, non-tumorous plant cells. A modified Ti plasmid is created which contains a left T-DNA border, one or more desired genes, and a right T-DNA border. This region does not contain tumorigenic or phytohormone-altering genes. The Ti plasmid is inserted into plant cells, where the T-DNA region is transferred into the plant genome. The transformed plant cells may be regenerated into morphologically normal plants which will pass the desired gene(s) to their descendants.
US08273950B2
Polynucleotides encoding polypeptides that comprise the biosynthetic pathway for phenylpropanoids and flavonoids in the coffee plant are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for using these polynucleotides and polypeptides for the manipulation of flavor, aroma, and other features of coffee beans, as well as the manipulation resistance to pathogen, herbivore, and insect attack in the coffee plant.
US08273948B1
A novel maize variety designated X7M651 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X7M651 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7M651 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7M651, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7M651. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7M651.
US08273946B1
A novel maize variety designated X7M672 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X7M672 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7M672 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7M672, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7M672. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7M672.
US08273935B2
This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using a catalyst comprising a zeolite having specific particle-size characteristics, a platinum-group metal and a silica binder. A relatively minimal amount of hydrogen is supplied to the process on a once-through basis, resulting in low saturation of aromatics while achieving effective xylene isomerization with reduced processing costs.
US08273929B2
A method comprising: providing an alkyl halide stream; contacting at least some of the alkyl halides with a coupling catalyst to form a product stream comprising higher hydrocarbons and hydrogen halide; contacting the product stream with a solid reactant to remove at least a portion of the hydrogen halide from the product stream; and reacting the solid reactant with a source of oxygen to generate a corresponding halogen.
US08273927B2
A process is provided for the recovery of alcohol from its aqueous solution by dissolving caustic in the solution to generate a phase separation. One layer contains the alcohol product and the other layer waste water. By recovering and recycling the caustic, a self-contained process is realized.
US08273924B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing 1,2-propanediol, in which a glycerol-containing stream, especially a stream obtained on the industrial scale in the production of biodiesel, is subjected to a low pressure hydrogenation.
US08273920B1
The surfactants of this invention are quaternary ammonium compounds based upon 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol. These surfactants, not only decrease the surface tension of aqueous systems, but by virtue of the cationic nitrogen containing moiety have outstanding substantivity for hair, skin and textile fibers, lacking in the parent non-ionic.
US08273910B2
A process for preparing silylated monocarboxylic acids by reacting C2-C10-monocarboxylic acids with halosilanes of the general formula (I) SiHal4-xRx (I) in which Hal is a halogen atom selected from the group of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, R is independently hydrogen, C1-C10-alkyl or aryl and x is an integer of 0 to 3 to form hydrogen halide in the presence of an auxiliary base, wherein the auxiliary base and the hydrogen halide form a salt which forms two immiscible phases with the product of value or the solution of the product of value in a suitable solvent and is removed.
US08273906B2
It is intended to provide a method for producing aglycone from a glycoside efficiently at low cost without using an acid catalyst or an organic solvent. The method for producing aglycone, characterized by bringing a glycoside into contact with high temperature high pressure water. The temperature of the high temperature high pressure water is generally from 100 to 374° C., preferably from 140 to 320° C., more preferably from 200 to 300° C. The pressure of the high temperature high pressure water may be not lower than the saturated water vapor pressure at the temperature, i.e., a pressure at which the liquid state is maintained.
US08273897B2
Process for preparing 2,2-difluoroethylamine derivatives, wherein compounds of the general formula (IV) are reduced to the corresponding 2,2-difluoroethylamine derivatives of the general formula (III), where the A radical is as defined in the description:
US08273894B2
This invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein a, b, c, d, m, n, p, s, t, W, Ar1, R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, R7, and R8 are as defined in the specification. The compounds of formula I are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat pulmonary disorders.
US08273885B2
Provided is a fluoroboron compound which is highly safe and stable and is capable of forming a cyclic ether-fused ring by the intramolecular alkoxymethylation reaction, or a salt thereof. The compound can be synthesized by the intramolecular alkoxymethylation reaction of a fluoroboron compound represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof in the presence of a metal catalyst. (wherein the moiety represented by the formula represents an aromatic ring; L represents a substituent such as a halogen atom; R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms; and M represents an alkali metal cation or the like, with the proviso that L and —R—OCH2BF3M are respectively located on contiguous carbon atoms on the aromatic ring, or in the case of a fused aromatic ring, on two carbon atoms adjacent to one carbon at the fused position).
US08273877B1
Substituted tetraazapentalenes have two benzenoid rings and eight substitutable positions. Substitutions are made of hydrogen or C—H groups in favor of amino groups, nitro groups or nitrogen atoms. The tetraazapentalenes are synthesized through an intermediate azo, which is made from a 1:1:1 molar ratio of a nitroaniline, sodium nitrite and an amine.
US08273862B2
This invention describes processes for the convergent synthesis of calicheamicin derivatives, and similar analogs using bifunctional and trifunctional linker intermediates.
US08273860B2
Novel conjugates and immunogens derived from imatinib and monoclonal antibodies generated by these immunogens are useful in immunoassays for the quantification and monitoring of imatinib or its pharmacologically active salts in biological fluids.
US08273859B2
The present invention provides a novel diagnostic or therapeutic method for pancreatic cancer employing a blood marker. The present invention provides a diagnostic or therapeutic drug for pancreatic cancer containing an anti-AMIGO2 antibody.
US08273853B2
Disclosed is a process for the preparation of emulsifiers E1 which are obtained by (a) reacting a polyol with propylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, to give an intermediate Z1, (b) reacting the intermediate Z1 with epichlorohydrin, forming an intermediate Z2, (c) reacting the intermediate Z2 with an adduct of ethylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, with a C1-C22 monoalcohol, provided that on average at least one epoxide function of the intermediate Z2 is reacted and on average at least one epoxide function originating from the intermediate Z2 is retained. Compounds E1 are suitable as emulsifiers for preparing aqueous emulsions or dispersions of epoxy resins.
US08273852B2
A method is provided for producing medium chain length poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (MCL-PHA) with a selected ratio of monomers. A method of controlling the ratio of monomers in MCL-PHA is also provided which includes fermenting naturally occurring microorganisms with a fatty acid substrate, a food source and an additive. The methods provided do not sacrifice cell growth and maintenance and provide high yields of MCL-PHAs. MCL-PHAs are provided that are copolymers of Cn and Cn−2 monomers, where (n is 6-18).
US08273848B2
The present invention relates to polymeric materials having enhanced properties. In some cases, the materials may comprise polymers having shape-persistent portions which may enhance the mechanical properties of the material. The materials may exhibit higher stiffness or strength and ductility values, resulting in higher energy absorption and enhanced protection, as well as, longer lifetimes for product usage. In some cases, the materials may be optically transparent and lightweight, making them suitable for various applications including protective materials.
US08273841B1
The present invention is directed to a series of polymeric citrate esters that have unique liquidity, and outstanding feel when applied to the skin. The polymers of the present invention are made by polymerizing citrate mono and di fatty esters with a hydroxypropyl functional silicone to provide a polymer with a very low surface tension and outstanding skin feel.
US08273837B2
A radiation-sensitive resin composition which has high transparency to radiation, excelling in basic properties as a resist such as sensitivity, resolution, and pattern shape, and, in particular, exhibiting high resolution performance, excellent DOF and LER, and high resistance to a liquid medium used in liquid immersion lithography is provided. Also provided are a polymer which can be used in the composition, a novel compound useful for synthesizing the polymer, and a method of producing the composition. A radiation-sensitive resin composition having an excellent resistance to a liquid medium can be obtained by using the novel compound shown by the following formula (1), wherein R1 represents a methyl group or a hydrogen atom, R2, R3 and R4 individually represent a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent organic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 0 to 3, A represents a methylene group, a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or an arylene group, and X− represents a counter ion of S+.
US08273832B2
A polyester block terpolymer comprising an amorphous block comprising a polystyrene dicarboxylate; a crystallizable block comprising a polyethylene glycol; and an aliphatic diol block; wherein the amorphous block is a continuous phase and the crystallizable block is a dispersed phase, and wherein the dispersed phase is less than about 200 nanometers in size.
US08273826B2
Impact modified compositions having good impact performance can be made from a thermoplastic (e.g., a polyolefin such as polypropylene or HDPE) and a multi-block ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer. The compositions are easily molded and often have particular utility in making, for example, automotive facia, parts and other household articles.
US08273823B2
The invention is directed to a microemulsion polymerization comprising adding a polymerization catalyst precursor, such as a transition metal complex in the higher of two accessible oxidation states, an ATRP initiator, and an organic solvent to an aqueous solution to form an emulsion. Radically polymerizable monomers and a reducing agent may then be added to the emulsion. The reducing agent converts the catalyst precursor to a catalyst for polymerization of the first monomer from the initiator. In certain embodiments the organic solvent may comprise radically polymerizable monomers. The aqueous solution may comprise a surfactant. Further embodiments are directed to an ah initio polymerization process comprising adding a polymerization catalyst precursor; an ATRP initiator, and an organic solvent to an aqueous solution to form an emulsion, wherein the organic solvent comprises second radically polymerizable monomers, adding a reducing agent to convert the catalyst precursor to a catalyst for polymerization of the first radically polymerizable monomer from the initiator; and adding first radically polymerizable monomers to the emulsion.
US08273813B2
The invention concerns fire-extinguishing and/or fire-retarding compositions comprising at least one water-absorbing polymer and at least one alkali metal salt of a nonpolymeric saturated carboxylic acid, processes for their production and the use of the compositions for firefighting or as fire-retarding coatings.
US08273812B2
Nano-silver infused container arrangements are presented including: a nano-silver infused container body defining at least one opening; and a nano-silver infused container lid configured to close off the at least one opening. In some embodiments, the arrangement is a composition of a polymeric compound and a concentration of nano-silver particles. In some embodiments, the polymeric compound includes polyvinyl-pyrrolidione, polypropylene and polycarbonate. In some embodiments, the nano-silver infused container lid includes: a lid top disposed along a plane, a gasket channel disposed along the contiguous lid wall edge, a channel opening, two opposing concave surfaces disposed perpendicular to the channel opening, and a bottom surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the two opposing concave surfaces and a compressible gasket disposed within the gasket channel and retained by the two opposing concave surfaces; and wherein, the nano-silver infused container body includes: a container bottom, a container wall, and a sealing ridge.
US08273811B2
A coating material composite, comprising containing: a silane compound represented by the general formula (A); and an epoxy group-containing organic compound containing one or more epoxy groups in each molecule; wherein the silane compound has a content of 60 to 97% by weight relative to a total amount of resin components; and wherein the epoxy group-containing organic compound has a content of 3 to 10% by weight relative to the total amount of resin components; XmR13−mSi—Y—SiR13−mXm (A) [R1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 1 to 6; Y is a divalent organic group containing one or more fluorine atoms; X is a hydrolytic group; and m is an integer of 1 to 3]. The coating formed by such a coating material composite is capable of keeping a higher anticrack property even upon exposure to high-temperature.
US08273808B2
A polymer P as a dispersant for gypsum compositions, as well as gypsum compositions including the polymer P. The polymer P includes at least one acid unit and at least one long side chain with a molecular weight of at least 1800 g/mol, including polyoxyalkylene groups, and has an acid content of 1.5 to 4 acid groups per gram of polymer.
US08273805B2
An ink-jet ink is provided. The ink-jet ink includes a compound of formula (1) to form a cured film with high-flame retardancy. In the formula, R is hydrogen, hydroxyl, or an organic group of 1 to 100 carbon atoms; and n is an integer of 1 to 20:
US08273800B2
A surfacing composition made of recycled paint, which requires no priming, has a non-reflective “flat” appearance, and is partially composed of dried paint. The composition provides a useful application for used or excess household paint, which would otherwise require special methods of disposal and potentially create future toxic cleanup problems. The composition is made of granular dried paint and a water-based sealer, which can be spread on a surface to repair imperfections. The surface can then be finished, and no priming is required. Due to the composition's flat appearance, the patch does not display any characteristic sheen where the repair has been made. The composition provides a simple means of recycling paint, and provides a simple and inexpensive means of repairing imperfections in walls and other surfaces while saving the step of priming the patch before painting or repainting.
US08273798B2
A tamper resistant drug delivery system made of at least one lipid, at least one gelling agent and at least one drug active, such as oxycodone, where the system gels rapidly in the presence of water or a solution containing water, and the drug active releases into the digestive system, wherein the weight ratio of gelling agent to lipid is less than 1:1.4.
US08273790B2
This application discloses a novel process for the synthesis of himbacine analogs, as well as the compounds produced thereby. The synthesis proceeds by alternative routes including the cyclic ketal amide route, the chiral carbamate amide route, and the chiral carbamate ester route. The compounds produced thereby are useful as thrombin receptor antagonists. The chemistry disclosed herein is exemplified in the following synthesis sequence:
US08273785B2
The present invention relates to substituted 2-indolinone containing zinc-binding moiety based derivatives that have enhanced or unique properties as inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) receptors and their use in the treatment of PTK related diseases and disorders such as cancer. The said derivatives may further act as HDAC inhibitors.
US08273781B2
The present invention provides a process for preparation of 1-alkyl-5-benzoyl-1H-tetrazole derivative including a step 1 of reacting a ketoamide derivative represented by formula (I) (in formula (I), A represents a halogen atom or the like; n represents an integer of 0 to 5; Y represents an alkyl group) with a halogenating agent to obtain an imidoyl halide derivative represented by formula (II) (in formula (II), A, n and Y are as defined above; X represents a halogen atom); and a step 2 of reacting the imidoyl halide derivative represented by formula (II) with an azide represented by formula (III) (in formula (III), M represents an alkali metal or the like; m represents 1 or 2) to obtain a 1-alkyl-5-benzoyl-1H-tetrazole derivative represented by formula (IV) (in formula (IV), A, n and Y are as defined above).
US08273780B2
Described herein are compounds that are antagonists of lysophosphatidic receptor(s). Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the compounds described herein, as well as methods of using such antagonists, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating LPA-dependent or LPA-mediated conditions or diseases.
US08273773B2
Compounds having the formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b, R4c, R5, R6, R9 and n are as defined herein are Hepatitis C virus NS5b polymerase inhibitors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for treating an HCV infection and inhibiting HCV replication.
US08273765B2
Bicyclo-pyrazole compounds of formula (I), as herein defined, are useful for treating diseases linked to disregulated protein kinases.
US08273762B2
Certain hexahydro-pyrrolo-isoquinoline compounds are histamine H3 receptor and serotonin transporter modulators useful in the treatment of histamine H3 receptor- and serotonin-mediated diseases.
US08273761B2
The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group optionally having substituent(s), amino optionally having substituent(s), hydroxy optionally having a substituent or a heterocyclic group optionally having substituent(s), R2 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group optionally having substituent(s), R3 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group optionally having substituent(s), amino optionally having substituent(s), hydroxy optionally having a substituent or mercapto optionally having a substituent, Xa to Xe are each a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, m is 0 to 2, and ring A to ring C are each a ring optionally having substituent(s), or a salt thereof, which is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease relating to an action of melatonin, and the like.
US08273757B2
The present invention is a novel analgesic combination and its use. It is classified to be an invention in the field of medicine and technology. The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that existing analgesics does not effectively attenuate pain or produces serious side-effects in clinic. The ingredients of the analgesic combination include ketanserin and propranolol. This combination is used to make a drug to treat pain. Because the ingredients of the analgesic combination target peripheral receptors, the unwanted effects could be only minimal. The big advantage of this combination is that each of the ingredients acts on the different receptors producing the synergizing analgesic. Therefore, the analgesia that the combination produces is remarkable and the effective doses are low.
US08273753B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating anxiety, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and insomnia, for inducing sedation-hypnosis, anesthesia, and muscle relaxation, and for modulating the necessary time to induce sleep and its duration, which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Polymorph B of N-{2-Fluoro-5-[3-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-phenyl}-N-methyl-acetamide characterized by a powder X-Ray diffraction pattern containing specific peaks at 2θ=7.1° (±0.1°) and 21.4° (±0.1°) to a patient in need thereof.
US08273744B2
The present invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters and prodrugs of Formula (I) or (II): which are useful as AMPK modulators effective in treating diabetes, obesity and cancer in a subject.
US08273730B2
The invention relates to the use of low doses of estriol by vaginal route for treatment and/or prevention of urogenital atrophy due to estrogen deficit in women.
US08273729B2
The present invention discloses a method of treating an individual having irritable bowel syndrome or a related disorder, comprising the step of administering to said individual a pharmacologically effective dose of a luminally active anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound with minimal or no systemic side effects. Further provided is a method of inhibiting the onset of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or a related disorder in an individual in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering to the individual a prophylactically effective dose of a luminally active anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound with minimal or no systemic side effects.
US08273722B2
Compositions, kits, systems, equipment, and protocols utilize synthetic siRNA having a delivery facilitating moiety in improved bioprocesses that enhance the production of biomaterials. The siRNA can target genes associated with the following: 1) deleterious vector derived genes; 2) genes that confer non-optimal growth or differentiation properties to the cells; 3) genes that can influence heterogeneity or post-translational modification pattern of the desirable gene product; 4) genes that highly express non-desired proteins; 5) genes that express proteins which interfere with purification of the desired protein; and 6) other genes that can interfere with the bioprocess.
US08273717B2
An inhibitor for perioperative blood sugar elevation characterized by containing a branched amino acid, a compound which can be converted into a branched amino acid in vivo or a compound to which an amino group has been transferred from a branched amino acid. This inhibitor for perioperative blood sugar elevation is useful as a drug which is safe to the living body including human, inhibits abnormal elevation in the blood glucose level caused by anesthesia, surgery, etc., and enables proper blood sugar control, when administered to a perioperative patient.
US08273716B2
The invention relates to methods of treatment or prophylaxis of physiological and/or pathological conditions with at least one LHRH antagonist, in particular at least one peptidomimetic LHRH antagonist such that the at least one LHRH antagonist is administered in a dose, which does not cause chemical (hormonal) castration.
US08273713B2
Methods and compositions are disclosed to treat metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and increased cardiovascular risk comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a PYY or a PYY agonist.
US08273711B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for transdermal drug delivery comprising formulating a phosphatidylcholine carrier composition containing the drug and applying the composition to the skin.
US08273704B2
The present invention provides personal care compositions, and more particularly, personal care compositions comprising a bioactively effective amount of a repeat sequence protein polymer. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides personal care compositions comprising an effective amount of at least one fragment of a repeat sequence protein polymer having bioactivity.
US08273701B2
The present invention relates to the constitutive activity of the Hedgehog pathway in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). A method for diagnosing NSCLC by detecting the level of a component of the Hedgehog pathway is provided, as is a method for identifying subjects that will respond positively to treatment with a Hedgehog pathway antagonist. Methods for treating subjects with cancer or cancers resistant to Hedgehog pathway antagonists are also provided.
US08273698B2
The present invention relates to siloxane compositions having a VOC of about 19 g/l, a flash point above 140° F., and a vapor pressure of less than seven millimeters of mercury (7 mm Hg). The siloxane compositions consist essentially of unsubstituted and/or alkylated cyclicsiloxanes having 5 or 6 silicon atoms, an alkylated cyclicsiloxane having 3 or 4 silicon atoms, a linear alkylated siloxane fluid, at least one alkylene glycol alkylether and an alkylene glycol having at least six carbon atoms.
US08273693B2
Coacervate gels having excellent shear viscosities and other properties are made with anionic or cationic polymers, a smaller amount of a surfactant having a charge opposite that of the polymer, and a hydrophobic alcohol and an effective amount of a phosphorus-containing compound sufficient to increase the viscosity of coacervate gels up to 3 times as compared to the gels in the absence of the phosphorus-containing compound. The Zeta Potential of the gel is maintained at an absolute value of at least 20. Optional gel promoting additives include betaines and amine oxides. A preferred gel comprises poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, a lesser amount of sodium lauryl sulfonate, and lauryl alcohol. The gels are particularly useful in well drilling fluids and well fracturing fluids.
US08273691B2
The present invention relates to a process for binding non-consolidated oxidic inorganic materials with curable formulations which comprise etherified amino resins, and to cured compositions obtainable by the process. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a process for stabilizing underground formations composed of oxidic inorganic materials, wherein the curable composition is injected into the underground formation and cured at the temperatures which exist in the formation.
US08273689B2
Lubricants and drilling fluid systems comprising lubricants which form a coherent lubricating film on metal equipment, thereby prolonging equipment life even under a wide variety of conditions, including high temperature and/or high pressure conditions.
US08273686B2
The present invention relates to the use of an active compound that inhibits the mitochondrial breathing chain at the level of the b/c1 complex for combating phytopathogenic fungi.
US08273678B2
The reaction product of the reaction product of A.) a ligand of the formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 in each occurrence independently are the same or different hydrocarbyl substituents of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, hydrogen, halogen, or alkoxy groups of 1 to 8 carbon atoms; X in each occurrence independently is CR6 with R6 being hydrogen or an alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R5 is an organic divalent group of 4 to 40 carbon atoms with the proviso that the two nodes X are not bound to the same atom or to vicinal atoms in the group R5; B.) an aluminum compound of the formula AlR7R8R9, wherein R7, R8 and R9 each independently is a C1 to C12 hydrocarbyl group, hydrogen, halogen, or an alkoxy group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and C.) a Lewis base selected from the group consisting of amines, phosphines, amides, nitriles, isonitriles, and alcohols is useful as a polymerization catalyst, particularly for the homopolymerization or copolymerization of an alkylene oxide.
US08273667B2
The present invention related to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. More particularly, this method describes how to manufacture a semiconductor device having a porous, low dielectric constant layer formed between metal lines, comprising an insulation layer enveloping fillers.
US08273664B2
A method of etching and tilling deep trenches is disclosed, which includes: forming an ONO(oxide-nitride-oxide) sandwich layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming deep trenches by using top oxide of the sandwich layer as a stop layer; removing the top oxide and middle SiN of the sandwich layer; tilling the deep trenches with epitaxial film or polysilicon film; polishing the wafer to get a planarized surface by stopping at the surface of the bottom oxide layer; removing the bottom oxide layer.
US08273658B2
Integrated circuit arrangement including vias having two sections, and method for producing the same
An integrated circuit arrangement containing a via is disclosed. The via has an upper section having greatly inclined sidewalls. A lower section of the via has approximately vertical sidewalls. In one embodiment, a liner layer is used as a hard mask in the production of the via and defines the position of the sections of the via.
US08273656B2
Provided are a method of forming a conductive layer on an inner portion of a through-electrode in which uniform adhesion property of plating in the inner portion of a through-hole is enhanced and a tact time is short, and a semiconductor device. The method of forming a conductive layer includes: a first plating step of forming a first plating layer on the inner portion of the through-hole; a plating suppression layer forming step of forming a plating suppression layer including a material different from a material of the first plating layer in an opening portion of the through-hole after the first plating step; and a second plating step of forming a second plating layer by plating on the inner portion of the through-hole after the plating suppression layer forming step.
US08273655B2
A GaN layer and an n-type AlGaN layer are formed over an insulating substrate, and thereafter, a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed on them. Next, an opening reaching at least a surface of the insulating substrate is formed in the source electrode, the GaN layer and the n-type AlGaN layer. Then, a nickel (Ni) layer is formed in the opening. Thereafter, by conducting dry etching from the back side while making the nickel (Ni) layer serve as an etching stopper, a via hole reaching the nickel (Ni) layer is formed in the insulating substrate. Then, a via wiring is formed extending from an inside the via hole to the back surface of the insulating substrate.
US08273653B2
A method of packaging a micro electromechanical structure is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming the structure on a substrate, depositing a sacrificial layer over the structure, patterning the sacrificial layer, depositing a porous layer over the patterned sacrificial layer, removing the patterned sacrificial layer through the porous layer, treating the porous layer with a plasma and depositing a capping layer over the plasma-treated porous layer. The plasma treatment step ensures that the capping layer material cannot enter the cavity formed by the removal of the sacrificial layer through the porous layer. A device formed by this method is also disclosed.
US08273651B2
A method for fabricating a wiring structure of a wiring board is provided. First, a substrate including an insulation layer and a film disposed on the insulation layer is provided. Next, an intaglio pattern exposing the insulation layer is formed on an outer surface of the film. The intaglio pattern is formed by removing a portion of the insulation layer and a portion of the film. Next, an activated layer is formed on the outer surface and in the intaglio pattern. The activated layer completely covers the outer surface and all surfaces of the intaglio pattern. Then, the film and the activated layer on the outer surface are removed, and the activated layer in the intaglio pattern is remained. After the film and the activated layer on the outer surface are removed, a conductive material is formed in the intaglio pattern by chemical deposition method.
US08273650B2
A high-quality epitaxial silicon thin layer is formed on an upgraded metallurgical grade silicon (UMG-Si) substrate. A thin film interface is fabricated between the UMG-Si substrate and the epitaxial silicon thin layer. The interface is capable of internal light reflection and impurities isolation. With the interface, photoelectrical conversion efficiency is improved. Thus, the present invention is fit to be applied for making solar cell having epitaxial silicon thin layer.
US08273649B2
A method of preventing surface decomposition of a III-V compound semiconductor is provided. The method includes forming a silicon film having a thickness from 10 Å to 400 Å on a surface of an III-V compound semiconductor. After forming the silicon film onto the surface of the III-V compound semiconductor, a high performance semiconductor device including, for example, a MOSFET, can be formed on the capped/passivated III-V compound semiconductor. During the MOSFET fabrication, a high k dielectric can be formed on the capped/passivated III-V compound semiconductor and thereafter, activated source and drain regions can be formed into the III-V compound semiconductor.
US08273648B2
Back-end-of-line (BEOL) circuit structures and methods are provided for blocking externally-originating or internally-originating electromagnetic edge interference. One such BEOL circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate supporting one or more integrated circuits, and multiple BEOL layers disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The multiple BEOL layers extend to an edge of the circuit structure and include at least one vertically-extending conductive pattern disposed adjacent to the edge of the circuit structure. The vertically-extending conductive pattern is defined, at least partially, by a plurality of elements disposed in the multiple BEOL layers. The plurality of elements are uniformly arrayed at the edge of the circuit structure in a first direction or a second direction throughout at least a portion thereof. The plurality of elements are sized and positioned in the first direction or the second direction to block electromagnetic interference of a particular wavelength from passing therethrough.
US08273647B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming patterns in substrates by utilizing block copolymer assemblies as patterning materials. A block copolymer assembly may be formed over a substrate, with the assembly having first and second subunits arranged in a pattern of two or more domains. Metal may be selectively coupled to the first subunits relative to the second subunits to form a pattern of metal-containing regions and non-metal-containing regions. At least some of the block copolymer may be removed to form a patterned mask corresponding to the metal-containing regions. A pattern defined by the patterned mask may be transferred into the substrate with one or more etches. In some embodiments, the patterning may be utilized to form integrated circuitry, such as, for example, gatelines.
US08273639B2
Disclosed are atomic layer deposition method and a semiconductor device including the atomic layer, including the steps: placing a semiconductor substrate in an atomic layer deposition chamber; feeding a first precursor gas to the semiconductor substrate within the chamber to form a first discrete monolayer on the semiconductor substrate; feeding an inert purge gas to the semiconductor substrate within the chamber to remove the first precursor gas which has not formed the first discrete monolayer on the semiconductor substrate; feeding a second precursor gas to the chamber to react with the first precursor gas which has formed the first discrete monolayer, forming a discrete atomic size islands; and feeding an inert purge gas to the semiconductor substrate within the chamber to remove the second precursor gas which has not reacted with the first precursor gas and byproducts produced by the reaction between the first and the second precursor gases.
US08273637B2
Suppression of generation of a stripe pattern (unevenness) when an SOI substrate is manufactured by a glass substrate and a single crystal semiconductor substrate bonded to each other. A single crystal semiconductor substrate is irradiated with ions so that a fragile region is formed in the single crystal semiconductor substrate; a depression or a projection is formed in a region of a surface of an insulating layer provided on the single crystal semiconductor substrate, the region corresponding to the periphery of the single crystal semiconductor substrate; the single crystal semiconductor substrate is bonded to a base substrate; thermal treatment is performed thereon to separate the single crystal semiconductor substrate at the fragile region, so that a single crystal semiconductor layer is formed over the base substrate; and the single crystal semiconductor layer in the region corresponding to the periphery is removed.
US08273633B2
A method of enhancing dopant activation without suffering additional dopant diffusion, includes forming shallow and lightly-doped source/drain extension regions in a semiconductor substrate, performing a first anneal process on the source/drain extension regions, forming deep and heavily-doped source/drain regions in the substrate adjacent to the source/drain extension regions, and performing a second anneal process on source/drain regions. The first anneal process is a flash anneal process performed for a time of between about 1 millisecond and 3 milliseconds, and the second anneal process is a rapid thermal anneal process performed for a time of between about 1 second and 30 seconds.
US08273632B2
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a patternable layer over a substrate. The method includes forming a first layer over the patternable layer. The method includes forming a second layer over the first layer. The second layer is substantially thinner than the first layer. The method includes patterning the second layer with a photoresist material through a first etching process to form a patterned second layer. The method includes patterning the first layer with the patterned second layer through a second etching process to form a patterned first layer. The first and second layers have substantially different etching rates during the second etching process. The method includes patterning the patternable layer with the patterned first layer through a third etching process.
US08273630B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a silicon substrate having first and second surfaces, the silicon substrate including no oxide film or an oxide film having a thickness no greater than 100 nm, forming a first oxide film at least on the second surface of the silicon substrate, forming a first film by covering at least the first surface, forming a mask pattern on the first surface by patterning the first film, forming a device separating region on the first surface by using the mask pattern as a mask, forming a gate insulating film on the first surface, forming a gate electrode on the first surface via the gate insulating film, forming a source and a drain one on each side of the gate electrode, and forming a wiring layer on the silicon substrate while maintaining the first oxide film on the second surface.
US08273608B1
A copper-compatible fuse target is fabricated by forming a target structure at the same time that a trace structure is formed on a passivation layer, followed by the formation of an overlying non-conductive structure. After the overlying non-conductive structure has been formed, a passivation opening is formed in the non-conductive structure to expose the passivation layer and the side wall of the target structure.
US08273607B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a package carrier having a dispense port; attaching an integrated circuit to the package carrier and over the dispense port; placing a mold chase over the integrated circuit and on the package carrier, the mold chase having a hole; and forming an encapsulation through the dispense port or the hole, the encapsulation surrounding the integrated circuit including completely filled in a space between the integrated circuit and the package carrier, and in a portion of the hole, the encapsulation having an elevated portion or a removal surface resulting from the elevated portion detached.
US08273604B2
A semiconductor device can include a carrier substrate, and a first semiconductor die disposed on a surface of the carrier substrate. An encapsulant can be disposed over the first semiconductor die and the carrier substrate. The semiconductor device can include first vias disposed through the encapsulant as well as second vias disposed through the encapsulant to expose first contact pads. The first contact pads are on upper surfaces of the first semiconductor die. The semiconductor device can include conductive pillars that fill the first vias, and first conductive metal vias (CMVs) that fill the second vias. The conductive pillar can include a first conductive material, and the first CMVs can be in contact with the first contact pads. The semiconductor device can include a conductive layer disposed over the encapsulant. The conductive layer can electrically connect one of the first CMVs with one of the conductive pillars.
US08273599B2
Improved processing methods for enhanced properties of conjugated polymer films are disclosed, as well as the enhanced conjugated polymer films produced thereby. Addition of low molecular weight alkyl-containing molecules to solutions used to form conjugated polymer films leads to improved photoconductivity and improvements in other electronic properties. The enhanced conjugated polymer films can be used in a variety of electronic devices, such as solar cells and photodiodes.
US08273598B2
A method of forming bit line aligned to a phase change material that includes forming a pedestal of a sacrificial material on a portion of a lower electrode and forming at least one dielectric material adjacent to the sacrificial material, wherein the at least one dielectric material has an upper surface substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the pedestal of the sacrificial material. The pedestal of the sacrificial material is removed selective to the at least one dielectric material and the lower electrode to provide an opening to an exposed surface of the lower electrode. A phase change material is formed on the exposed surface of the lower electrode, and the opening is filled with a conductive fill material. A self-aligned etch back process is also provided.
US08273595B2
The present invention provides for cost-efficient methods for on-line deposition of semi-conducting metallic layers. More specifically, the present invention provides on-line pyrolytic deposition methods for deposition of p-type, n-type and i-type semi-conducting metallic layers in the float glass production process. Furthermore, the present invention provides for on-line pyrolytic deposition methods for production of single-, double-, triple- and multi-junction p-(i-)n and n-(i-)p type semi-conducting metal layers. Such p-type, n-type and i-type semi-conducting metal layers are useful in the photovoltaic industry and attractive to manufacturers of photovoltaic modules as “value-added” products.
US08273590B2
Disclosed is a patterned photoresist layer on a passivation layer, formed by a lithography process with a multi-tone photomask, having a non-photoresist region, a thin photoresist pattern, and a thick photoresist pattern. The passivation layer corresponding to the non-photoresist region is removed, thereby forming vias to expose a part of a drain electrode in a TFT and a part of a top electrode in a storage capacitor, respectively. The thin photoresist pattern is then ashed to expose the passivation layer in a pixel region. Thereafter, a conductive layer is selectively deposited on the exposed passivation layer and on the sidewalls/bottoms of the vias. Subsequently, the remaining thick photoresist pattern is ashed.
US08273580B2
The invention provides an accurate, economical, automatable, high throughput method for the determination of the concentration of glycosaminoglycan anticoagulants, including low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) anticoagulants, in aqueous solutions. A method for cleaning a unit of manufacturing equipment used in the preparation of a LMWH to obtain an acceptable residual concentration of LMWH is further provided.
US08273568B2
A method for killing malignant brain tumor cells in vivo entails providing replication competent herpes simplex virus vectors to tumor cells. A replication competent herpes simplex virus vector, with defective expression of the γ34.5 gene and the ribonucleotide reductase gene, specifically destroys tumor cells, is hypersensitive to anti-viral agents, and yet is not neurovirulent.
US08273562B2
A highly active L-isoleucine dioxygenase from Bacillus thuringiensis is provided. A method for manufacturing (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine or a salt thereof by reacting L-isoleucine in an aqueous solvent in the presence of L-isoleucine dioxygenase and isolating (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine is also provided.
US08273561B2
High pressure to treat aggregated interferons, particularly recombinant human interferon-β, to reduce the aggregate content of interferon material. Highly pure, soluble monomeric recombinant interferon-β is prepared in representative embodiments. Multiple strategies may be used in combination that make nonglycosylated IFN-β more amenable to high pressure treatment. It has been found that refolding yields of high pressure treatment can be significantly improved by use of a combination of strategies, including, or example a pre-treatment of the IFN-β that involves solubilizing and then precipitating the protein. This pre-treatment is particularly effective with respect to recombinant IFN-β inclusion bodies recovered from host cells such as E. coli cells. According to another strategy, refolding under high pressure is much more effective when the refolding reagent incorporating the IFN-β incorporates a zwitterionic surfactant and/or a cholate salt. When a solubilization and precipitation pre-treatment is used, the effectiveness of the high pressure treatment is further enhanced when the refolding reagent incorporating the protein incorporates a disulfide shuffling chemistry such as cysteine/cystine. According to still yet another strategy, high pressure treatment is more effective when using atypically high treatment pressures. When coupled with purification techniques, these strategies singly or in combination provide a low aggregate or substantially aggregate free, biologically active solution. Biologically active solutions comprising nonglycosylated interferon, said interferon comprising less than about 5 weight percent of protein aggregation has been found to exhibit improved PK/PD characteristics.
US08273556B2
4-(Indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of monatin, may be synthesized from indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid (and/or oxaloacetic acid) by using a novel aldolase derived from the genus Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, or Xanthomonas.
US08273552B2
We describe modified growth hormone fusion proteins and dimers comprising said fusion proteins; nucleic acid molecules encoding said proteins and methods of treatment that use said proteins in the treatment of conditions that result from growth hormone excess.
US08273541B2
The present invention relates to antibodies, antibody fragments, and derivatives thereof that specifically bind to TLR3 cell receptors present on the surface of cells. The invention also relates to hybridomas producing such antibodies; methods of making such antibodies; fragments, variants, and derivatives of the antibodies; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same; methods of using the antibodies to detect TLR3 levels on the surface of cells, and the use of such antibodies and compositions for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in subjects.
US08273536B2
Human MARK genes are identified as modulators of the PTEN pathway, and thus are therapeutic targets for disorders associated with defective PTEN function. Methods for identifying modulators of PTEN, comprising screening for agents that modulate the activity of MARK are provided.
US08273527B2
The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to particular agents and/or reduced interactivity with immunological reagents. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside analogues and/or reduced interactivity with antibodies to viral surface components including reduced sensitivity. The present invention further contemplates assays for detecting such viral variants which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimes and in developing new or modified vaccines directed against viral agents and in particular hepatitis B virus variants.
US08273525B2
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for forming defects on graphitic materials. The methods for forming defects include applying a radiation reactive material on a graphitic material, irradiating the applied radiation reactive material to produce a reactive species, and permitting the reactive species to react with the graphitic material to form defects. Additionally, disclosed are methods for removing defects on graphitic materials.
US08273524B2
A producing method of a liquid discharging head includes a discharge port discharging a liquid and a flow path communicating with the discharge port, the method comprising the steps of forming a pattern of a shape of the flow path on a substrate, forming a layer of a negative type photosensitive resin composition including a photo-initiated polymerization initiator on the substrate so as to coat the pattern, at least a region of the layer in a vicinity of the substrate including a sensitizing agent of the photo-initiated polymerization initiator, a density of the sensitizing agent in the layer formed to be higher in the region than in a part where the discharge port is formed, forming the discharge port by exposing the layer to pattern the layer, and removing a pattern to form the flow path.
US08273519B2
A hardmask composition includes a solvent and an organosilicon copolymer. The organosilicon copolymer may be represented by Formula A: (SiO1.5—Y—SiO1.5)x(R3SiO1.5)y (A) wherein x and y may satisfy the following relations: x is about 0.05 to about 0.9, y is about 0.05 to about 0.9, and x+y=1, R3 may be a C1-C12 alkyl group, and Y may be a linking group including a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched C1-C20 alkyl group, a C1-C20 group containing a chain that includes an aromatic ring, a heterocyclic ring, a urea group or an isocyanurate group, or a C2-C20 group containing one or more multiple bonds.
US08273518B2
An electrophotographic toner which is thermally stable in storage or as an image after being fixed and exhibits a sufficiently low melt viscosity and a high fluidity when heated during fixing is disclosed, comprising a colorant and a binder resin, wherein the binder resin contains a poly-branched resin composition in an amount of 0.5 to 20% by mass. There is also disclosed a method of producing the electrophotographic toner.
US08273514B2
The present embodiments are generally directed to an improved imaging member exhibiting various advantages over conventional imaging members. More specifically, the present embodiments are directed to an improved interfacial layer formed from an aqueous-based coating solution which exhibits improved formation and coating properties, such as increased homogeneity and adhesion, and methods for making the same. The aqueous-based coating solution is environment-friendly and avoids the need to use more expensive organic solvents which involve higher safety risks in the manufacturing process.
US08273513B2
An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member having an electroconductive substrate on which are provided at least a photosensitive layer and a protection layer, in that sequence, a charging device that charges the surface of the image bearing member to form a latent electrostatic image thereon, a development device that develops the latent electrostatic image with a development agent containing toner to obtain a developed toner image, a cleaning device that removes toner remaining on the surface of the image bearing member and a lubricant material applicator that applies a lubricant material to the surface of the image bearing member, the protection layer containing a cured resin and a filler and the surface form of the protection layer having an arithmetical mean waviness Wa of from 0.05 to 0.3 μm and an average length WSm of profile elements of from 0.5 to 1.5 mm, which are obtained from a waviness profile obtained by filtering a coarse component with a λc profile filter of 0.25 mm and filtering a wavelength component longer than a waviness with a λf profile filter of 2.5 mm.
US08273511B2
The invention provides an electrophotographic photoreceptor having comprising at least an electrically conductive substrate and a photo-sensitive layer provided on the conductive substrate, the outermost layer is being a cured film of comprising a composition containing at least one compound (a) having a triphenylamine structure and four or more methacryloyl groups in one and the same molecule.
US08273504B2
The invention provides a method for manufacturing supported noble metal based alloy catalysts with a high degree of alloying and a small crystallite size. The method involves using polyol solvents as reaction medium and comprises a two-step reduction process in the presence of a support material. In the first step, the first metal (transition metal; e.g. Co, Cr, Ru) is activated by increasing the reaction temperature to 80 to 160° C. In the second step, the second metal (noble metal; e.g. Pt, Pd, Au) is added and the slurry is heated to the boiling point of the polyol solvent in a range of 160 to 300 ° C. The catalysts manufactured according to the method are used as electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), direct-methanol fuel cells (DMFC) or as gas phase catalysts for CO oxidation or exhaust gas purification.
US08273498B2
In an electrolyte membrane (10) for a solid polymer fuel cell, sealing ribs (12) of a predetermined height made of an electrolyte resin is formed integrally with the electrolyte membrane (10). Using the electrolyte membrane, a membrane-electrode assembly (20) is formed, which is further processed into a fuel cell (30). Thus, an electrolyte membrane and a membrane-electrode assembly which are capable of improving the sealing characteristic when incorporated into a fuel cell are obtained. Besides, a fuel cell improved in the sealing characteristic is obtained.
US08273493B2
A solid state electrolyte fuel cell stack includes: layered solid state electrolyte fuel cells, each formed by a solid state electrolyte body having a fuel pole in contact with a fuel gas and an air pole in contact with an oxidant gas; and inter-connectors arranged between the solid state electrolyte fuel cells so as to separate a gas flow path between the solid state electrolyte fuel cells and assure electric conduction between the solid state electrolyte fuel cells. The solid state electrolyte fuel cell stack has two or more air vents for supplying a fuel gas or two or more air vents for supplying the oxidant gas which vents penetrate a part or the whole of the fuel cell stack in the stack layering direction. The different air vents communicate with the different solid state electrolyte fuel cells.
US08273489B2
A hydrogen generator (100a) includes: a heater (1) which combusts a mixture gas of combustion fuel and combustion air to generate a combustion gas; a preheat evaporator (6) which heats a raw material and water by the combustion gas generated by the heater to generate a mixture gas of the raw material and the water; a reformer (2) which generates a hydrogen-containing gas by causing the mixture gas generated by the preheat evaporator to pass through a reforming catalyst (2a) heated by the combustion gas; and a shift converter (3) which incorporates a shift catalyst (3a) which reduces, by a shift reaction, carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-containing gas generated by the reformer, and further includes a water trapping portion (7) which traps liquid water discharged from the preheat evaporator, and the hydrogen generator (100a) is configured to carry out heat exchange between the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the reformer to the shift converter and the water in the water trapping portion.
US08273484B2
Nitrogen silylated compounds are useful as additives in a nonaqueous electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution including such additives is suitable for use in electrochemical cells such as lithium and lithium ion batteries. Batteries using this electrolytic solution have long cycle life and high capacity retention.
US08273479B2
A negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to the present invention includes a current collector 12, and an active material layer 14 formed on the current collector 12. The active material layer 14 includes a plurality of negative-electrode active material members 16 disposed on the current collector 12. Each negative-electrode active material member 16 is oxide, including a first region 18 of a relatively high oxygen concentration and a plurality of second regions 20 having an oxygen concentration which is lower than that of the first region 18. The first region 18 extends from a bottom face of each negative-electrode active material member 16 in a direction away from the surface of the current collector. The plurality of second regions 20 are alternately disposed on both sides of the first region 18.
US08273472B2
An electrochemical energy generation system includes plural electrochemical cells connected electrically in series that utilize a common electrolyte that can be delivered to each of the cells and/or collected from each of the cells using one or more manifolds. The system provides a possibility for reducing shunt currents by applying a shunt-current minimizing voltage to terminals of the manifolds from the terminal electrodes of the cells connected in series.
US08273467B2
An organic electroluminescent device, which comprises: a pair of electrodes; and an organic compound layer including a light-emitting layer between the pair of electrodes, wherein the organic compound layer comprises a compound represented by formula (I): wherein Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 each independently represents an atom selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen and necessary for forming an unsaturated 6-membered ring skeleton, the atom may have a hydrogen atom or a substituent; a bond in the unsaturated 6-membered ring indicates a single bond or a double bond; and R1 represents a substituent.
US08273466B1
A non-cadmium multi-layered composite coating is disclosed. Such coating achieves desirable lubricity, retains electrical conductivity, meets high performance industry standards for corrosion resistance, and avoids certain environmental and health hazards. Further disclosed are methods of applying such coating on various substrates using a combination of electrolytic and electro-less plating techniques. Such coating may be advantageously applied in machining and electrical interconnects, and are particularly useful in the defense and consumer electronics and appliances industries.
US08273465B2
A slide member including a base material; and an overlay that is formed over the base material and that consists of Ag or Ag alloy including crystal planes (hk1) represented by Miller indices; wherein a relative X-ray diffraction intensity of crystal plane (200) to a sum of X-ray diffraction intensities of crystal planes (200), (111), (220), (311), and (222) of the overlay ranges between 1%≦(200)/{(200)+(111)+(220)+(311)+(222)}≦20% and the relative X-ray diffraction intensity of the crystal plane (200) to the X-ray diffraction intensity of the crystal plane (111) ranges between 1%≦(200)/(111)≦30%.
US08273457B2
An adhesive for bonding and securing a semiconductor chip to a circuit board and electrically connecting the electrodes of the two, and containing an adhesive resin composition and an inorganic filler being contained in an amount of 10 to 200 parts by weight of 100 parts by weight of the adhesive resin composition.
US08273451B2
Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
US08273450B2
A composite fiber and resin reinforcement for strength members for use in the composite wood industry. The composite fiber and resin reinforcement is a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite comprising a thermoset polyurethane resin matrix and a plurality of fibers. Typical uses will be as a reinforcing material for wood laminates, such as wood support beams (glulam), truck floors and truss fabrication.
US08273441B2
A garage door display and decorative article include a first closed cell foam layer having a thickness of at least 0.1 inches having a front face and a rear face. A rare earth metal magnet is fused to previously melted and presently solidified portions of the first closed cell foam layer on the rear face. A decorative piece is fused to previously melted and presently solidified portions of the first closed cell foam layer on the front face.
US08273440B2
An artificial patch of snow has a curved outer perimeter. A white hydrophobic pile is affixed to the base layer to form a white turf surface with structures projecting from a plane of the back side of the base layer. The white turf, from a distance, gives the appearance of snow. To secure the pad to a roof, the base layer has areas that are free of pile about the perimeter of the base layer. The pad may include lights, a microcontroller, a music generator, a music jack, and an electrical port. A method for simulating patches of snow on a sloped roof includes placing a first pad on a sloped portion of a roof, such that the white turf surface of the first pad is visible from ground level. The pad is secured to the roof. Other pads may also be placed and secured on the roof at a spaced distance from the first pad, such that the white turf surface of the other pads is visible from ground level.
US08273433B2
A label assembly that includes a face sheet with at least one label shape defined by one or more tearable lines of separation, a back sheet adjacent to the face sheet, and an adhesive material disposed between the face sheet and the back sheet. The back sheet has a removable panel disposed over the label shape adhesive material and a registration structure aligned with the label shape. The registration structure is one of raised or raisable above the back sheet surface and includes an edge extending at a non-perpendicular angle from the back sheet surface or the removable panel.
US08273422B2
The invention relates to a liquid crystal display used as a display unit of an electronic apparatus and provides a liquid crystal display which can achieve high display quality. The liquid crystal display includes a pair of substrates provided opposite to each other, a liquid crystal having negative dielectric constant anisotropy sealed between the substrates, an alignment film formed on each of surfaces of the substrates facing each other for vertically aligning the liquid crystal, the film being formed using a material including an epoxy type cross linking agent at a concentration in the range from 0% by weight to 0.01% by weight inclusive, and a polymer layer for regulating the direction of alignment of the liquid crystal formed in the vicinity of an interface between the liquid crystal and the alignment film as a result of polymerization of a polymeric component included in the liquid crystal.
US08273421B2
The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large negative dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics; and is to provide a AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth; wherein the liquid crystal composition has negative dielectric anisotropy and includes a specific compound having tertahydropyran-2,5-diyl as a first component and a specific four-ring compound having a high maximum temperature as a second component, and the liquid crystal display device contains this composition.
US08273413B2
A method of forming a metal oxide nanostructure comprises disposing a chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor on a solvent-soluble template to form a first structure comprising a deformable chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor layer; setting the deformable chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor layer to form a second structure comprising a set metal oxide precursor layer; dissolving the solvent-soluble template with a solvent to form a third structure comprising the set metal oxide precursor layer; and thermally treating the third structure to form the metal oxide nanostructure.
US08273412B2
Process for applying integrated pretreatment layers to metallic surfaces, particularly the surfaces of coil metals, by treatment with a composition comprising at least one binder, crosslinker, a finely divided inorganic filler, and compounds containing at least two thioamide groups or containing one thioamide group and at least one functional group. Integrated pretreatment layer obtainable by the process.
US08273406B1
This invention provides a process for coating particulate solids with a curable novolac resin without employing heat as a step of the process, comprising placing an epoxy resin which is curing on the particulate followed by placing a novolac resin capable of being heat cured on the epoxy resin before curing of the epoxy resin is complete.
US08273402B2
A method for manufacturing a drug carrying stent includes applying at least a first therapeutic agent to at least an outer portion of a stent framework and applying a first magnesium coating on at least a first portion of the applied first therapeutic agent.
US08273396B1
The hard shells or hulls of whole nuts are effectively cracked and separated from the nut meat by propelling and impacting the whole nuts at a predetermined trajectory velocity against an adjustable impacting plate set at the appropriate impacting angle. By controlling the manner in which the whole nuts impact against the impacting plate, the fracturing of the hard shell may be controlled so as to optimize the whole nut meat recovery while minimizing the production of split nut meats. A variable speed impeller in combination with adjustability of the impacting plate optimizes the nut cracking and nut meat separation for any type of whole nut. An orderly sequential feed of whole nuts to an off-set feed zone of rotating impellers equipped with vanes having a catching section and an accelerating section at a regulated rotational speed effectively propels the whole nuts against the adjustable impacting plate.
US08273390B2
Compositions are provided that contain a TRPV1 agonist, such as capsaicin, and a solvent system. Topical application of the composition results in rapid delivery of agonist to the dermis and epidermis. Method of using the compositions for reducing nociceptive nerve fiber function in subjects, and for treatment of capsaicin-responsive conditions are also provided.
US08273385B1
New oral rinse solutions and mouthwashes are provided. The oral rinse solutions comprise essential oil and alcohol, supplemented with hydrogen peroxide, and natural extracts. The essential oil and/or alcohol can be provided as part of a base composition. The most preferred base compositions are antiseptic mouthwashes containing the essential oil and/or alcohol. Alternatively, the ingredients can be individually added to the inventive composition. The oral rinse solutions provide antimicrobial activity while soothing oral inflammations and irritations, thus being useful for treating, alleviating, and promoting healing of a wide variety of oral ailments such as periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), plaque, oral inflammation, toothaches, oral ulcerations, dry socket, dentin hypersensitivity, and halitosis, as well as address aesthetic issues such as bad breath and tooth discoloration.
US08273380B1
A beverage for minimizing or reducing jet lag symptoms preferably includes vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, calcium, iodine, magnesium, manganese, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, grape seed extract, Echinacea extract and water. A method for minimizing or reducing jet lag symptoms including ingestion of the beverage by a traveler, one hour prior to a flight, and/or during the flight, and/or after a flight.
US08273374B2
This invention provides methods and compositions to preserve bioactive materials in a matrix of powder particles. Methods provide high-pressure gas spraying and/or near supercritical spraying of formulations followed by drying in a stream of conditioned gas to form stable powder particles containing bioactive materials.
US08273369B2
The present invention is directed to a reinforced absorbable hemostat comprising at least one hemostatic agent in a single layer of nonwoven synthetic fabric having a mixture of compressed fiber staples of a polyglycolide/polylactide copolymer and a polydioxanone.
US08273366B2
A drug delivery system comprising a contact lens having dispersed therein as nanoparticles having a particle size less than about 200 nm, an ophthalmic drug nanoencapsulated in a material from which said ophthalmic drug is capable of diffusion into and migration through said contact lens and into the post-lens tear film when said contact lens is placed on the eye.
US08273356B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for the use of antigenic peptides derived from the Fc portion of the epsilon heavy chain of an IgE molecule as vaccines for the treatment and prevention of IgE-mediated allergic disorders. In particular, the invention provides compositions, methods for the treatment and prevention of IgE-mediated allergic disorders comprising an immunogenic amount of one or more antigenic peptides derived from the CH3 domain or junction of Ch-3/CH4 domain of an IgE molecule and methods for the evaluation of IgE mediated allergies in dogs.
US08273355B2
The present invention provides a family of binding proteins that bind and neutralize the activity of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), in particular human HGF. The binding proteins can be used as diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents. With regard to their therapeutic activity, the binding proteins can be used to treat certain HGF responsive disorders, for example, certain HGF responsive tumors.
US08273350B2
An IL-1β binding molecule, in particular an antibody to human IL-1β, especially a human antibody to human IL-1β is provided, wherein the CDRs of the heavy and light chains have amino acid sequences as defined, for use in the treatment of an IL-1 mediated disease or disorder, e.g. osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and other inflammatory arthritides.
US08273342B2
The present invention provides the use of IFN-β, an agent that increases the expression of IFN-β, or a polynucleotide which is capable of expressing IFN-β or said agent for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of rhinovirus-induced exacerbation of a respiratory disease selected from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, wherein said treatment is by airway delivery of said medicament, e.g. by use of an aerosol nebulizer. Also provided is IFN-λ for the same purpose.
US08273340B2
A method for attracting cockroaches to an object or area, involving treating said object or area with a cockroach attracting composition containing a cockroach attractant effective amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl esters of C3-7 saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof, and optionally a carrier material or carrier. A method for repelling cockroaches from an object or area, involving treating said object or area with a cockroach repelling composition containing a cockroach repelling effective amount of at least one compound selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl esters of C3-7 saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids or mixtures thereof, and optionally a carrier material or carrier.
US08273339B2
Provided herein are water-soluble polymer conjugates and polymer-based compositions of antimicrobial agents. Also provided are methods for synthesizing and administering such conjugates and compositions.
US08273330B2
The present invention relates to active substances in particulate form, to methods for preparing them and to their uses. The present invention provides particulate powders, such as might be of use for delivery using a dry powder inhaler (DPI) or similar delivery device, having properties which may be beneficial to the DPI delivery process.
US08273329B2
A compound having the general formula I or a conjugate thereof, wherein various groups are as defined in the specification. A composition includes: (i) a compound having the general formula I or a conjugate thereof; and (ii) at least one surfactant selected from cationic surfactants and nonionic surfactants. Also disclosed is a preparation method for the composition and a kit comprising the composition. Further disclosed is a method for identifying and differentiating erythroblasts, basophils and lymphocytes simultaneously using the composition according to the present disclosure.
US08273327B2
Radio-opaque biodegradable compositions are formed by modifying terminal groups of synthetic and natural biodegradable polymers such as polylactones with iodinated moieties. The biodegradable property of the compositions renders them suitable for use in medical field such as drug delivery, imaging. Compounds disclosed in this invention exist as neat liquid. Certain compositions disclosed in this invention form hydrophobic iodine rich domains when dissolved in water, such domains provide better contrasting properties as well as ability to dissolve hydrophobic bioactive drugs. Certain iodinated moieties disclosed in the invention are capable of cross linking natural proteins in situ in presence of suitable catalysts and co-catalysts.
US08273319B1
An improved method for enriched chirality of single wall carbon nanotubes is described. Genomic DNA, particularly salmon DNA (SaDNA) is shown to sort out single wall carbon nanotubes of specific chirality by a process of solubilization (dissolving in solution) and separation (such as centrifuging), without requiring more complex processes such as anion exchange chromatography. A possible reason for enhanced chirality separation using DNA may be attributed to its lowered GC (guanine-cytosine) content.
US08273317B2
An method for manufacturing a high purity polycrystalline silicon is characterized by comprising: supplying a silicon chloride gas from a silicon chloride gas supply nozzle and a zinc gas from a zinc gas supply nozzle into a vertical reactor, and generating downward a polycrystalline silicon agglomerated in an almost tube shape on the leading end part of the silicon chloride gas supply nozzle by the reaction of the silicon chloride gas and the zinc gas.
US08273311B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for injecting liquid-drops of particle mixture liquid including a mixture of biological particles, affecting magnetic field, and having only positive particles, which are combined with magnetic responsive material, separated by magnetic force, and having negative particles, which are not combined with magnetic responsive material, precipitated by gravity.
US08273307B2
The invention relates to a microdispenser (1) for dispensing a liquid sample in a dispensing device, with a sample container (2) for receiving the liquid sample, and with a nozzle (7) for dispensing the sample located in the sample container (2). The microdispenser (1) with the filled sample container (2) can in this case be stored independently of and fluidically separately from the dispensing device, without the sample escaping from the sample container (2) during storage.
US08273305B2
A specimen sample collection device includes a handle having a sufficiency indicator and absorbent pad partially contained therein with one or more test strips, a pad compression tube insertable over the absorbent pad within the handle and around an end of the handle, and a collection tube having one or more sample chambers, attachable to the pad compression tube, and wherein the compression tube defines one or more chambers, and wherein when the collection tube is attached to the pad compression tube, the chambers are in fluid communication with the pad compression tube. A sufficiency indicator includes a light pipe indicator. The system includes a ratcheting pad compression tube lock. An electro-optical reader captures and records test strip results through the window and communicates the results to a printer or other device.
US08273299B2
Process for removing heat from at least two reactors forming at least part of a polymerization reactor system for a multimodal polymerization in which the reactors are linked in series and all produce at least one component of the same polymer. The process includes cooling a stream of fluid in one or more heat exchangers and passing part of it to the cooling system of a first reactor and part of it to the cooling system of a second reactor, so as to remove the heat from said reactors, and passing back through the heat exchangers a return flow having a portion of the combined exit flows of the cooling fluids used to remove the heat from each of the reactors. The heat exchangers provide at least 90% of the cooling requirement for the reactors, and a portion of the combined exit flows from the reactors bypasses at least one of the heat exchangers and is passed directly to the cooling system of one or more of the reactors. The cooling circuit is powered by no more than one pump at any one time.
US08273298B2
A device for detecting human body odors produced from ammonia and amino acids—chemicals naturally excreted through the skin and sweat glands. Unless eliminated, such odors can alert game animals to a hunter's presence. Worn on the exterior of odor-absorbing clothing, the device includes both a packet and an indicator chemical sensitive to extremely low concentrations of nitrogen-containing compounds. The packet defines first and second openings which, in use, are directed away from and toward the wearer's body, respectively. Affixed to the packet, a transparent tape forms an airtight window through which one can continually view the indicator chemical, held in place within the first opening by the tape's adhesive backing. Accessible only to substances which pass through the wearer's clothing and then into the packet's interior via the second opening, the indicator chemical undergoes a permanent color change, once odor-producing chemicals begin to break through the clothing.
US08273286B2
Systems and methods are described where at least one roller (e.g., a kicker roller) is used to impregnate fibers (i.e., a charge or reinforcement) with a liquid resin (i.e., matrix) by eliminating air from the resin and fibers as they enter a pressurized zone. Air is forced out as the resin is first drawn into an entry zone of the roller, then into an entry gap adjacent to the roller, and then into the pressurized zone on the opposite side of the roller. The pressurized zone is an enclosed area at the output side of the roller where the resin is allowed to accumulate and the resin and composite combination are then forced out through a small exit gap. Shear forces between the surface of the quickly rotating driven roller and the resin provide the driving force. The fibers may be continuous (e.g., from a roller) or discontinuous or loose cut.
US08273284B2
The present invention relates to a position adjusting means for hot runner nozzles comprising a main inlet, a manifold, a rotational transitional piece and a nozzle; the rotating transitional member is disposed with an inlet and an outlet; the inlet and the outlet of the rotating transitional member each has a symmetry axis and the two symmetry axes are disposed in parallel with and spaced apart from each other for a particular distance; the inlet of the rotating transitional member and the outlet of the manifold are connected to each other in a rotatable and sealed manner; the outlet of the rotating transitional member and the inlet of the nozzle are connected to each other in a rotatable and sealed manner; the nozzle or a nozzle assembly formed by the nozzle and a nozzle extension member of the nozzle combining together is disposed with an inlet and an outlet; the inlet and the outlet of the nozzle or the nozzle assembly each has a symmetry axis and the two symmetry axes are disposed in parallel with and spaced apart from each other for a particular distance. With the symmetry axis of the inlet of the nozzle or the rotating transitional member as circle center, rotate either one of the rotating transitional member or the nozzle or rotate both the rotating transitional member and the nozzle to position the outlet of the nozzle at a desired position within a particular area, thereby attaining adjustment of the position of the hot runner nozzle. The present invention may be applied to hot runner systems of plastics injection molding.
US08273279B2
A microporous membrane having a structure in which its pore size distribution curve obtained by mercury intrusion porosimetry has at least two peaks, which is produced by extruding a combination of a diluent or solvent and a polyolefin resin composition comprising from about 75 to about 99% of a polyethylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from about 2.5×105 to about 5×105 and a molecular weight distribution of from about 10 to about 100, and from about 1 to about 25% polypropylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from about 1×104 to about 4×106, a heat of fusion of 80 J/g or higher, and a molecular weight distribution of from about 1 to about 100, percentages based on the mass of the polyolefin composition; cooling the extrudate to form a high polyolefin content cooled extrudate; stretching the cooled extrudate at a high stretching temperature to form a stretched sheet; removing the diluent or solvent from the stretched sheet to form a membrane; stretching the membrane to a high magnification in at least one direction to form a stretched membrane; and heat-setting the stretched membrane to form the microporous membrane.
US08273273B2
A manufacturing method for an optical film via a solution casting method on a transparent substrate film comprising the steps of: (i) ejecting a micro-particle dispersion containing micro-particles having a average particle diameter of at least 25-200 nm as liquid droplets by use of an ink-jet head when a residual solvent content in a web is 5-400 weight %, and (ii) depositing the liquid droplets to adhere onto one side surface of a web and to form a micro convex structure, and further to form 1-10,000 points of convex parts per 10,000 μm2 having a height of the convex parts of the convex structure of 0.01-0.5 μm.
US08273272B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a lens used in a camera module including the steps of: preparing a preform for manufacturing a lens; forming a front lens on a front surface of the preform; and forming an array lens by forming a rear lens on a rear surface of the preform during the formation of the front lens.
US08273270B2
Disclosed are a photosensitive resin composition that includes (A) a cardo-based resin including repeating units represented by the following Chemical Formulae 1 and 2, wherein the substituents of Chemical Formulae 1 and 2 are the same as defined in the specification, (B) reactive unsaturated compound, (C) a pigment, (D) an initiator, and (E) a solvent, and a light blocking layer using the photosensitive resin composition.
US08273268B2
An electrically conductive polymer compound is disclosed. The compound comprises a matrix comprising two polyolefin copolymers having different melt mass flow rates and electrically conductive functional additive particles dispersed in the matrix. The compound is useful for making extruded and molded plastic articles that need electrical conductivity.
US08273258B2
A disclosed fine pattern forming method includes steps of: forming patterns made of a first photoresist film, arranged at a first pitch on a film; trimming the patterns made of the first photoresist film; depositing a protection film on the patterns made of the first photoresist film on the trimmed patterns made of the first photoresist film, the protection film being made of reaction products of an etching gas, thereby obtaining first patterns; forming other patterns made of a second photoresist film, arranged at a second pitch, on the protection film, the other patterns made of the second photoresist film being shifted by half of the first pitch from the corresponding patterns made of the first photoresist film; trimming the other patterns made of the second photoresist film into second patterns; and etching the film using the first patterns and the second patterns.
US08273248B1
A method for separating neutral lipids from plant material, in particular, intact algal cells, using an amphipathic solvent set and a hydrophobic solvent set. Some embodiments include dewatering intact algal cells and then extracting neutral lipids from the algal cells. The methods provide for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal neutral lipids from a wet algal biomass while avoiding emulsification of extraction mixtures. The neutral lipids are removed after first removing a polar lipid fraction and a protein fraction. These neutral lipids can be used to generate renewable fuels as well as food products and supplements.
US08273244B2
Systems and methods for extracting recoverable materials (e.g., petroleum and/or other hydrocarbons) from source materials (e.g., tar sands) are provided. According to one embodiment a method is provided for extracting bitumen from tar sand. Tar sands are introduced into a batch or continuous processing plasma furnace. The bitumen contained within the tar sand is then vaporized by exposing the tar sands to a plasma energy field that penetrates the tar sands. The vaporized bitumen is captured for subsequent processing.
US08273241B2
A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry; and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08273227B2
A process for the manufacture of small sensors with reproducible surfaces, including electrochemical sensors. One process includes forming channels in the surface of a substrate and disposing a conductive material in the channels to form an electrode. The conductive material can also be formed on the substrate by other impact and non-impact methods. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes cutting the substrate to form a sensor having a connector portion and a transcutaneous portion, the two portions having edges that define one continuous straight line.
US08273224B2
A collector bar for electrical connection to a busbar system of an electrolytic cell, the collector bar being received within a recess in a cathode block of the cathode of the electrolytic cell; wherein the collector bar comprises a first conductor which electrically connects to the busbar system, the first conductor having an external surface or surfaces which electrically contact the cathode block and at least one second conductor having a lower electrical resistance to the first conductor, the second conductor being positioned on at least one external surface of the first conductor in electrical contact with the first conductor.
US08273214B2
A process for producing a veil comprising glass fibers and cellulose fibers which includes dispersing cellulose fibers and chopped glass fibers into a white water, forming a bed in a forming device by passage of the dispersion over a forming fabric through which the white water is drained off, the fibers being retained on the fabric and the dispersion including, during passage, a cationic white water, and performing a heat treatment step an oven device.
US08273212B2
The method increases the yield and improves the beatability of kraft pulp. During the progression of the cooking process, more than one cooking liquor with a dissolved content of hemicellulose is drawn off and then reintroduced to the last phases of the cooking process, to re-precipitate the hemicellulose on the fibers. The hemicellulose rich cooking liquors are adjusted so that they, upon being added to the last phase of the cooking process are optimized. Early dissolved hemicellulose has a longer chain length than the hemicellulose that dissolves in the cooking liquor in the later phases of the cooking process, and they also have different tendencies to precipitate on the wood chips softened in the cooking process.
US08273211B2
Disclosed herein is a flat panel display manufacturing apparatus in a predetermined process is performed using plasma generated therein. In such a flat panel display manufacturing apparatus, a process gas is supplied into a chamber in an evenly diffused state to generate even plasma inside a symmetrical interior space of the chamber. Consequently, the flat panel display manufacturing apparatus can appropriately control flow rate of the plasma, thereby being capable of performing even processing on a large-scale substrate. In the flat panel display manufacturing apparatus, a substrate pedestal thereof is provided with a combination of vertical and horizontal shielding members, thereby being entirely protected from attack of the plasma, resulting in an increased life-span.
US08273206B2
The invention provides a method for continuously forming a composite material shape member having a varied cross-sectional shape. A C-shaped movable mold 100 having a center portion 110 and both end portions 120 and 130 with a smaller surface dimension than the center portion is prepared, and prepreg sheets are laminated in advance to the both end portions 120 and 130 and the center portion 110, then these plies of prepreg sheets are denoted as the laminate 320, so that the whole body has a flat planar surface. Prepreg sheets 300 are drawn out from rolls 210 and 220 and passed through a preforming device 230 so that a C-shaped member 310 having a uniform cross-sectional shape is preformed. The movable mold 100 with pre-laminate 320 is superposed to the preformed member 310, which is passed through a hot press device, an after-cure furnace 260 where thermosetting of the member is completed, and then the movable mold 100 is removed to complete a formed product.
US08273201B2
A fiber mixture of natural fibers and binder fibers are blown from a storage container onto a first transport belt with a three-dimensional alignment of the fibers resulting in a fiber fleece. Thermally activatable synthetic resin granules are blown onto the fiber fleece and the fleece is defibered and remixed. The remixed fiber mixture is blown onto a second transport belt with a three-dimensional alignment of the fibers resulting in a mat. The thickness of the mat is obtained by the circulating speed of the second transport belt. The mat is transferred to an oven belt and is moved through a heating/cooling oven, for softening of the binder fibers and the synthetic resin granules, resulting in an intimate bonding of the wood fibers, the binder fibers, and the synthetic resin granules. The final thickness and the bulk density are set to specified ranges.
US08273200B2
A method of disposing a tubular covering sleeve for electric-cable joints on a supporting element may include arranging the sleeve in a rest and not yet expanded condition; causing radial expansion of the sleeve starting from axially opposite end portions; and arranging the sleeve in a radially expanded condition on the supporting element. Radial expansion of the sleeve may be carried out gradually, starting from the end portions of the sleeve toward an axially intermediate portion of the sleeve. The method of may include arranging the sleeve; arranging a pair of expanders, each at a respective end of the sleeve and at a substantially coaxial position relative to the sleeve; introducing the expanders into the respective ends of the sleeve; abutting distal ends of the expanders against each other at an axially intermediate portion of the sleeve; and arranging the sleeve in a radially expanded condition on the supporting element.
US08273197B2
Pyrotechnic priming charge (1) intended to be used preferably for starting up one or more ignition chains, comprising a coherent porous fuel structure (2) and at least one oxidizer (4). According to the invention, the primer also comprises a moisture inhibitor (5) applied to the surface of the primer with a view to increasing the safety of the primer and reducing the risk of unintentional ignition due to breakdown of the oxidizer under the influence of ambient moisture and temperature.
US08273194B2
This invention discloses a method, using pure niobium as a transient liquid reactive braze material, for fabrication of cellular or honeycomb structures, wire space-frames or other sparse builtup structures or discrete articles using Nitinol (near-equiatomic titanium-nickel alloy) and related shape-memory and superelastic alloys. Nitinol shape memory alloys (SMAs), acquired in a form such as corrugated sheet, discrete tubes or wires, may be joined together using the newly discovered joining technique. Pure niobium when brought into contact with nitinol at elevated temperature, liquefies at temperatures below the melting point and flows readily into capillary spaces between the elements to be joined, thus forming a strong joint.
US08273188B2
In a constant velocity universal joint component and a manufacturing method thereof capable of achieving increased strength without significant procedural changes, and that can contribute to size reduction and weight reduction, a sharp-angled portion 15 is formed by machining after cold plastic working is applied. A carburization process is then performed in which surface carbon concentration of 0.45 mass % to less than 0.60 mass % is obtained. Quenching is then performed. High-frequency induction hardening is subsequently performed.
US08273187B2
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning measuring probes (18) of a gas turbine engine (1). The invention further relates to a method for cleaning measuring probes (18) of an gas turbine engine (1). The apparatus comprises distribution means (30) comprising a plurality of supply means (31, 32, 33), each comprising connection means (33) arranged for connection to a probe (18), and each supply means (31, 32, 33) being arranged to, when connected to a probe (18), distribute pressurized cleaning liquid to said measuring probe (18), wherein a substantially simultaneous cleaning of probes connected to said distribution means (30) via said supply means (31, 32, 33) can be obtained.
US08273184B2
The present invention is directed to a system and method for optimizing a wash procedure. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system for optimizing a wash procedure. In a first embodiment, the system comprises: means for collecting a sample of fouling, the sample comprising one or more contaminates; means for identifying the one or more contaminates; and means for selecting one or more washing products for removing the one or more contaminates from a turbine. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for optimizing a wash procedure. The method comprises: collecting a sample of fouling, wherein the sample comprises one or more contaminates; identifying the one or more contaminates; and selecting one or more washing products for removing the one or more contaminates from a turbine.
US08273181B2
The present invention provides a process for obtaining a product stream comprising one or more sulfate salts of potassium, sodium or ammonium from a sugar stream resulting from [processing a lignocellulosic feedstock, said sugar stream which includes calcium sulfate and one or more of these sulfate salts. The process comprises (i) treating the sugar stream to remove calcium, thereby producing a sugar stream containing substantially no calcium, and obtaining a salt stream comprising a calcium salt; (ii) choosing a feed stream that is either (a) a clarified salt stream derived from the salt stream of step (i) after removal of calcium therefrom; or (b) the sugar stream containing substantially no calcium that is produced in step (i); (iii) introducing the feed stream chosen in step (ii) to an ion exchange bed; and (iv) regenerating the ion exchange resin bed of step (iii) with sulfuric acid to produce the product stream.
US08273178B2
A thin film deposition apparatus and a method of maintaining the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thin film deposition apparatus includes: a chamber including a removable chamber cover; one or more reactors housed in the chamber; a chamber cover lifting device connected to the chamber cover. The chamber cover lifting device is configured to move the chamber cover vertically between a lower position and an upper position. The apparatus further includes a level sensing device configured to detect whether the chamber cover is level, and a level maintaining device configured to adjust the chamber cover if the chamber cover is not level. This configuration maintains the chamber cover to be level as a condition for further vertical movement of the chamber cover.
US08273175B2
PVC compositions, concrete composition including the PVC compositions, and reinforced concrete structures that contain the concrete compositions are described. Methods for manufacturing the reinforced concrete structures of the present technology, methods for repairing reinforced concrete structures having corroded rebar, and methods for reducing rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete structures are also described.
US08273172B2
A phosphate cement composition is provided. The cement composition comprises about 10 to 40 percent by weight calcium or magnesium oxide, about 10 to 40 percent by weight acid phosphate, and about 10 to 50 percent by weight vermiculite or perlite or mixture thereof.
US08273170B2
An ink jet ink composition containing an aralkyl-modified silicone surfactant, an organic solvent, and a metallic pigment.
US08273169B2
In one embodiment, an aqueous dispersion liquid contains at least one particles selected from tungsten oxide particles and tungsten oxide composite particles. A mean primary particle diameter (D50) of the particles is in the range of 1 nm to 400 nm. In the aqueous dispersion liquid, concentration of the particles is in the range of 0.1 mass % to 40 mass %, and pH is in the range of 1.5 to 6.5. The aqueous dispersion liquid excels in dispersibility of particles and capable of maintaining good liquidity for a long period.
US08273165B2
A total water desalination system is disclosed that includes a centrifugal separator, a feed-water device controlled by a relative humidity sensor, an air pump, an evaporator core, an air dryer, a non-particulate coalescent air filter, and an air flow/brine gravity separating tank. The evaporator core typically contains multiple conical processing chambers and introduces a physical dynamic that increases the surface area of the water, using low-level thermal energy to vaporize micron-size water particles into a gaseous state, suitable for reconstitution into desalinated (or lower salt content) water. The evaporator core operation principles are based on creating a highly dynamic environment that separates impurities from sea, brackish, river, or turbid water; evaporating the water into a residual clean vapor, and returning the vapor to water composition with high efficiency.
US08273162B2
The objective of the unit 10 is mainly to adsorb Hydrogen Sulfide gas (also known as H2S) and other gases including but not limited to Carbon Dioxide 26 from plumbing, sewer, and wastewater management system vents 21 thereby removing the odor and or greenhouse gasses associated with the air stream/gas 26. The unique “T” housing 12 shaped design, along with the unique perforated disc containment system 14 holds the filtration media 16 in the horizontal portion 120 of the “T” housing 12. configuration allows fresh air circulation 28 to blend with the odorous gasses 26 passing through the filtration media 16 within the containment chamber and reduces their concentration (PPM) thereby increasing the life of the unit 10. Having the inlet to the filtration media at the base of the vertical portion of the “T” 120 and two outlets at the distal ends 119 of equal or greater size and diameter as each other or as the inlet, also reduces Pressure drop across the media 16. The disc within the containment system 14 eliminates the need for a Media bag or cartridge reducing maintenance costs.
US08273161B2
An air vent air purifier includes a grill portion and a housing that is attached to the bottom of the grill portion. The housing fits within a forced air vent. The housing encloses an ionization grid, control circuitry and energy source. When energized, air flowing through the vent from the air handling device passes through the ionization grid, where it is ionized, thereby cleaning the air throughout the entire room. The grill may include a decorative element to match the décor of a room. Batteries provide the energy. A series of indicator lights indicate a power on condition and the level of the battery.
US08273150B2
A high dimensional cored wire is provided containing de-oxidant material arranged in a core of the wire, the de-oxidant material being in finely divided granular or powdery form coated with a protective coating material, the diameter of the cored wire varying between 13 and 40 mm. A process for manufacturing the wire is also provided.
US08273145B2
A filter holder assembly includes at least one frame having a peripheral wall and an inwardly directed peripheral edge substantially perpendicular to said peripheral wall and adapted to support a filter. At least one cam lock lever is secured to the peripheral wall at a first predetermined distance from the inwardly directed peripheral edge for compressing the filter in the frame and against said inwardly directed peripheral edge. The cam lock lever has a handle portion at one end thereof and a cam head provided with a cam foot at an opposite end thereof. The cam lock lever is rotatable to cause the cam foot to move between an open position and clamping position where the cam foot exerts a compressive force on the filter.
US08273144B2
Various embodiments of air treatment devices (and housings therefor) are provided. The housings are generally configured to provide air treatment devices that lessen the perceived size of the air treatment devices. Further, embodiments provide housings that are typically easier to clean and maintain and to provide ease in access to internal components of the air treatment devices. Embodiments may also position a control display associated with an air treatment device, such that the control display is visible from a position in front and above the air treatment device. Embodiments may also be configured to minimize and/or inhibit air exiting from the air outlet of the air treatment device from immediately reentering the air inlet and thus being recirculated.
US08273134B2
A method for spinning and washing aramid fiber and for recovering sulfuric acid by (a) spinning an aramid polymer from a sulfuric acid spin dope to a yarn and coagulating the yarn in a coagulation bath having an inlet for water or diluted sulfuric acid and an outlet for sulfuric acid enriched water; (b) washing the yarn with water to obtain a washed yarn and a washing water containing sulfuric acid; (c) recycling the sulfuric acid enriched water and optionally the washing water to a sulfuric acid recovery unit; (d) increasing the sulfuric acid content of the recycled sulfuric acid enriched water, and optionally the washing water, by evaporation to obtain 20 to 98% sulfuric acid and water; (e) mixing the 20 to 98% sulfuric acid with oleum to obtain 98-105% sulfuric acid; and (f) recycling the 98-105% sulfuric acid to the spinning unit for use as sulfuric acid spin dope.
US08273126B2
In a vertebral body replacement implant having a bottom locating part for positioning against a lower vertebral body and having a top locating part for positioning against an upper vertebral body, wherein both locating parts are telescopically displaceable relative to one another in the manner of a piston-cylinder unit, having a sealed hydraulic chamber formed by the locating parts, having a charging opening leading into the hydraulic chamber for a hydraulic medium, which upon entering the hydraulic chamber pushes the two locating parts apart from one another, and having a locking device, which may be activated by means of an instrument and upon activation fixes the two locating parts non-displaceably relative to one another, in order to facilitate the handling of the vertebral body replacement implant it is proposed that the locking device is disposed on the vertebral body replacement implant in the region of the charging opening. An instrument for handling the vertebral body replacement implant is also proposed.
US08273112B2
Disclosed are spinal fusion assemblies for use in skeletal systems. The assembly includes a coupling element that can be coupled to a fixation element, such as, for example, a screw with a head that removably mates with the coupling element. The coupling element and fixation element are configured to be coupled to an elongate stabilizer, such as a rod, that is positioned between a top and a bottom saddle. A compression member, such as a compression nut, is configured to mate with the coupling element and provides a compressive force to the top and bottom saddles to secure the elongate stabilizer therebetween. The top and bottom saddles are movably positioned within the coupling element such that they can gradually reposition and self-align into a secure engagement with the stabilizer as the compression member provides the compressive force.
US08273107B2
Systems and method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can includes an implant comprising a spacer and a frame having a central body and a helical shaped wing extending from the central body. The frame can be positioned near about adjacent spinous processes, and can be rotated and urged so that the adjacent spinous processes pass within a groove of the wing, thereby allowing the wing to be arranged on an opposite side of the adjacent spinous processes. The spacer can then be arranged over the frame so that the spacer contacts and distracts the spinous processes, thereby limiting relative movement of the adjacent spinous processes during extension.
US08273105B2
A compound barb medical device is provided which includes an elongated body having at least one barb formed along the length of the body, the barb defining an inner surface with a first portion disposed at a first orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body, and a second portion disposed at a second orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. Optionally, the barb defines a third portion disposed at a third orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. A method for forming a compound barb on a medical device is also provided.
US08273101B2
A system and method for deploying an occluding device that can be used to remodel an aneurysm within the vessel by, for example, neck reconstruction or balloon remodeling. The system comprises an introducer sheath and an assembly for carrying the occluding device. The assembly includes an elongated flexible member having an occluding device retaining member for receiving a first end of the occluding device, a proximally positioned retaining member for engaging a second end of the occluding device and a support surrounding a portion of the elongated flexible member over which the occluding device can be positioned. The elongated flexible member may be a integral portion formed thereof that form a coil portion.
US08273100B2
A vaso-occlusive device includes inner, intermediate, and outer elements arranged coaxially. The inner element is a filamentous element, preferably a microcoil. The intermediate element is made of a non-metallic material, preferably an expansile polymer. The outer element is substantially non-expansile and defines at least one gap or opening through which the intermediate element is exposed. In a preferred embodiment, when the intermediate element is expanded, it protrudes through the at least one gap or opening in the outer element and assumes a configuration with an undulating, convexly-curved outer surface defining a chain of arcuate segments, each having a diameter significantly greater than the diameter of the outer element. The expanded configuration of the intermediate element minimizes friction when the device is deployed through a microcatheter, thereby reducing the likelihood of buckling while maintaining excellent flexibility. The result is a device with enhanced pushability and trackability when deployed through a microcatheter.
US08273096B2
An aneurysm clip with two rotatably connected scissors-shaped clip parts, each part having one clamping arm and one operating arm. The two clip parts are guided in such a fashion that they can be rotated in a working rotation range between a closed and an open end position. The two clip parts are connected to each other by a push-fit rotary lock, with the two clip parts axially inserted into one another in an open assembly rotation position outside of the working rotation range, and are axially locked to one another by subsequent rotation into the working rotation range.
US08273093B2
An instrument for recording and replicating the spatial orientation of a dialable component of an implant relative to a bone engaging component of the implant includes a base assembly for supporting the bone engaging component and a fixture supported on the base assembly for supporting an alignment tool. The alignment tool is configured to engage a portion of the dialable component when the implant is supported by the base assembly. The fixture includes a locking assembly for locking the spatial position of the alignment tool relative to a pre-determined datum on a trial implant. The same instrument can be used to support a final implant and to replicate the spatial position of the alignment tool relative to the same datum on the final implant. The alignment tool can then be used to align the dialable component of the implant. The alignment tool can also constitute an impacting tool so that it can be used to impact the dialable component into locking engagement with the implant using the same instrument.
US08273092B2
The present invention relates to an intramedullary nail distal targeting device (20) adapted to be installed to an external jig system (A) having a proximal attachment (B) to support an intramedullary nail (C) thereon and an extension arm (D) secured to the proximal attachment (B), the nail distal targeting device including a drill guide (21) being defined by an abbreviated cylindrical body (23) having at least a pair of guide slots (24, 24′) each of the guide slots (24, 24′) having a scalloped inner surface (25), an attaching mechanism (22) being provided at the upper portion of the drill guide (21), the attaching mechanism (22) secured in a rotating and sliding manner to a distal end of the extension arm (D) and at least a pair of guide sleeves (10, 10′) being telescopically fitted correspondingly into the slots (24, 24′) of the drill guide (21), each of the guide sleeves (10, 10′) having a scalloped outer surface to correspondingly fit into the guide slots (24, 24′), each of the guide sleeves (10, 10′) being provided with aligned and spaced apart drill-guiding holes (13, 14, 15) extended between the opposed end portions thereof.
US08273084B2
An atrial ablation catheter and methods for its use. The endocardial catheter includes an electrode array particularly adapted to locate and ablate foci of arrhythmia which are required for sustained atrial fibrillation is provided. The array is easily deployed and retracted from the catheter, and presents a distally oriented electrode array that can be pressed against the wall of the atrium.
US08273082B2
The invention relates to irrigated ablation catheter assemblies and methods of facilitating parallel irrigation fluid flow along irrigated assemblies. An irrigated catheter assembly according to an embodiment includes a catheter, an irrigated ablation electrode assembly, and a flow member. The catheter includes a catheter shaft having a fluid lumen. The irrigated ablation electrode assembly includes a proximal portion having at least one irrigation passageway and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the electrode assembly may include a proximal member and the distal portion of the electrode assembly may include a distal member which is connected to the proximal member. The proximal end of the flow member is coupled or connected to the catheter shaft and the distal end of the flow member is disposed about the proximal portion of the electrode assembly. Fluid flows through the irrigated electrode assembly and is guided, at least in part, along the outer surface of the proximal portion by the flow member towards the distal portion along the outer surface of the distal portion substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly.
US08273080B2
The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.
US08273076B2
Medical and/or robotic devices, systems and methods provide an indicator associated with a manipulator assembly of a multi-arm telerobotic or telesurgical system. An example of an indicator comprises a multi-color light emitting diode (LED) mounted to a manipulator moving an associated surgical instrument, allowing the indicator to display any of a wide variety of signals. The invention may provide an additional user interface to facilitate communications between the telesurgical system and/or members of a telesurgical team.
US08273072B2
Apparatus and methods for injecting biological agents into tissue. Devices are provided having elongate shafts and distal injection heads for transversely driving needles into tissue and injecting medical agents into the tissue through the needles. A longitudinal force directed along the shaft can be translated to a needle driving force transverse to the shaft. Some devices provide controllably variable needle penetration depth. Devices include mechanical needle drivers utilizing four link pantographs, rack and pinions, and drive yokes for driving a first needle bearing body toward a second tissue contacting body. Other devices include inflatable members for driving and retracting needles. Still other devices include magnets for biasing the needles in extended and/or retracted positions. The invention includes minimally invasive methods for epicardially injecting cardiocyte precursor cells into infarct myocardial tissue.
US08273070B2
Provided a port member for an infusion solution bag that is capable of suppressing occurrence of gaps or wrinkles in a sealed portion in a manufacturing process, and preventing damages to resin sheets of a bag body during storage or transportation. A port member for an infusion solution bag includes a tubular body portion having one end sealed by a plug member structured to enable a hollow needle to be pierced into the plug member, and a tubular to-be-sealed portion continuously formed with an other end of the body portion and having an inner space communicated with the inside of the body portion, the to-be-sealed portion being held between and sealed to end portions of resin sheets overlapped together to form a bag body having an inner space for accommodation of at least a medicine, in which the to-be-sealed portion thus sealed has a radially flattened shape.
US08273069B2
A stretchable composite sheet used in a waist region of a disposable wearing article. The stretchable composite sheet has a stretchable sheet and a non-stretchable sheet, and the stretchable sheet is stretched. Nip roll mechanisms are respectively arranged on one end side in the stretch direction (SD) and the other end side, and the stretchable sheet is bonded to the non-stretchable sheet by the nip roll mechanisms with the stretchable sheet contracted in the direction (CD) orthogonal to the stretching direction (SD). The above processes provide the stretchable composite sheet with basic weight change regions in which the basis weight of the stretchable sheet is changed depending on stretch conditions of the stretchable sheet. The basic weight of the basic weight change regions is greater than that of a center region of the stretchable composite sheet.
US08273067B2
Manufacturers of disposable absorbent articles may produce a wide range of sizes of articles. The design of these articles has generally remained the same as the product increases in size to fit larger and larger users. Generally speaking, the proportions of the articles remain the same in smaller and larger sizes. For example, the longitudinal length of the absorbent core as a percentage of the total longitudinal length of the article may be approximately the same for small, medium, and large sizes.
US08273065B2
An improved ostomy bag comprises an outwardly facing irrigation line attachment adapter. A removable vent housing may be attached to the attachment adapter, where the vent housing is attached during normal operation of the ostomy bag, where the vent housing may comprise a charcoal filter and a scent absorbing medium for reducing odors which may vent from the ostomy bag. The vent housing is attached with quick-connect connectors, and is easily removed so that a conduit may be attached to the attachment adapter, where the conduit is attached to a source of flushing liquid, such as a squeezable reservoir or faucet.
US08273061B2
Apparatuses and methods for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump are provided. A base is provided which is adapted to receive a reservoir and engage a cap. A piercing member, such as a needle, is disposed in the interior of the cap in such a manner that the needle is separated from the reservoir septum when the base is in a first detent position, and the needle pierces a reservoir septum when the base is in a second detent position. When the reservoir, the base and the cap are connected to form an integrated unit, this unit is then capable of being inserted and secured in the infusion pump housing. In some embodiments, an integral connector couples directly to the reservoir.
US08273053B2
Embodiments of a patient status sensor can be applied to a patient or trauma victim to provide a quick visual and/or audible indication of the patient's vital signs (e.g., respiration, heart rate, or other vital signs). Certain embodiments are configured as an adhesive patch that includes electrodes for measuring heart rate (and respiration in some implementations), a processor configured to perform calculations for determining one or more vital signs using information from the electrodes, and audible or visual indicators to communicate information about vital signs or patient status to a medical attendant. Certain embodiments include an access opening for providing intraosseous delivery of fluids to bone marrow (e.g., through sternal or long bone) and can be integrated or used with an intraosseous delivery system. Certain embodiments include wired or wireless components to communicate vital signs or patient status to an external monitoring device.
US08273045B2
A method is provided for securely fitting an orthopedic brace to the body by means of a plurality of straps, strap locks, strap attachment members, and strap connection members. The method retains the close fit of the brace to the body without the need for substantial readjustment of the fit even after repeated removal and remounting of the brace on the body. The method also enables repositioning the brace on the body without requiring removal of the brace from the body or substantial readjustment of the fit.
US08273044B1
A traction splint device for providing aid to a person suffering from a broken or fractured lower extremity. The device generally includes a collapsible shaft adapted to be positioned alongside a leg of a patient, a first support connected to a first end of the shaft, and a second support connected to a second end of the shaft. The first support is adapted to be positioned forwardly of a lower end of the leg and includes a center brace having a notch. A plurality of stabilizing straps traverse the shaft and are adapted to constrain the leg. At least one of the straps is adapted to wrap around the notch of the center brace to secure a lower end of the leg and at least one of the straps is adapted to extend through an opening of the second support to secure an upper end of the leg.
US08273043B2
The present invention provides a new and improved orthosis for use in effecting relative movement between bones in an arm of a patient. The apparatus includes a lower cuff gripping distal bone, such as a wrist, and an upper cuff gripping a proximal bone, such as an upper arm. The lower cuff is secured in a rotatable drive assembly substantially coincident to a longitudinal axis of a medial bone, such as the forearm, during rotational distal adjustment. The angle between the forearm and the upper arm is adjustable and can be securely fixed at a desired angle. The rotation of the rotatable drive assembly effectuates the pronation and supination of the hand and wrist relative to the patient's forearm. The orthosis of the present invention can be disassembled with interchanging parts substituted depending on the patient's needs.
US08273035B2
This invention relates to the detection of human biovibrations using a digital signal processing (DSP) actigraph worn by the individual, and in at least one method using any noise existing in the signals. Human biovibrations result from the human body having reverberations and oscillations from bodily functioning. The DSP actigraph has been shown to be able to identify heart beat and breathing of an individual. The invention includes a method comprising: recording movement data of an individual that includes biovibrations data, determining when the movement data substantially falls within a predetermined threshold representative of death, and providing a notification. The invention in at least one embodiment includes a method comprising: monitoring activity counts for zero crossing mode, above threshold mode, and proportional integrative mode, providing a notification when all three activity counts are within a respective predetermined range for a period of time.
US08273024B2
An improved ultrasound transmission gel adapted to induce a therapeutic effect and/or palliative effect in a patient. An ultrasound transmission gel may include a water-based gel having a conductivity adapted to facilitate ultrasound signal transfer, and an essential oil. An essential oil may be selected according to its ability to calm and/or relieve certain medical conditions. In some embodiments, an ultrasound transmission gel may be customized to suit a particular patient's medical needs.
US08273019B2
A health monitoring device that includes a data logger module that collects health information from a subject or clinician during specific time ranges that are part of a health monitoring schedule. The collected health information and/or the time ranges are determined in part by the content of the collected health information. The device records the collected health information along with a time stamp. The device also includes a clock and a time shift mode that allows a user to adjust the clock to a specified point in the health monitoring schedule so that the device operates at the specified point in the same manner as if the device had reached the specified point without intervention by the user to adjust the clock.
US08273017B1
A surgical devices comprises a roll-up wound protector with a distal ring, a proximal ring, and a flexible sleeve having a length extending between the proximal and distal rings. The proximal ring has proximal, distal, medial, and lateral faces and is rollable to gather the flexible sleeve around the proximal ring and shorten the length of the flexible sleeve. A hand access port comprises a frame circumscribing an aperture. The aperture is aligned with the proximal and distal rings and is adapted to receive and seal against a surgeon's arm. A latching mechanism is connected to the frame and circumscribes the proximal ring, the latching mechanism having an engaged state wherein the hand access port is attached to the proximal ring and a disengaged state wherein the hand access port is not attached to the proximal ring. An actuation ring is operably connected to the latching mechanism to select between the engaged and disengaged states.
US08273016B2
An esophagus isolation catheter for deflecting an esophagus of a patient away from an ablation site in the left atrium of the patient's heart is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body and a deflectable section. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a deflectable intermediate section mounted at the distal end of the catheter body and a generally straight tip section mounted at the distal end of the intermediate section. In this embodiment, the catheter comprises two puller wires, one anchored proximal the other. The intermediate section deflects to form a generally C-shaped curve. In an alternative embodiment, the catheter comprises a deflectable tip section mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. In this embodiment, the catheter comprises only one puller wire. The tip section carries a tip electrode having an atraumatic design to prevent damage to the esophagus upon deflection.
US08273008B2
A shielding assembly for an infusion system includes a plurality of compartments and a door for each compartment, and provides a radioactive radiation barrier for the compartments. One of the compartments contains a radioisotope generator of the infusion system and another of the compartments may contain a waste bottle of the infusion system. An opening into each of the generator and waste bottle compartments may be oriented upward, and the opening into the latter may be at a higher elevation than the opening into the former, for example, to facilitate independent removal and replacement of each. A door of at least one of the compartments, other than the generator compartment, when closed, may prevent the door of the generator compartment from being opened. A cabinet structure for the infusion system may enclose the shielding assembly and secure the generator.
US08273007B2
An apparatus is described for transporting and positioning a capsule, in which a radioactive source is present, from a screened safe into an applicator to be temporarily placed in the body of the patient. The apparatus is provided with a safe for storing at least one capsule and with a larger number of applicators, which can be connected, via transport tubes, to passages in a switch-connecting plate, wherein the capsules, or a dummy instead of one of the capsules, can each, via their own tube and switch, independently of one another, be introduced into a transport tube selected by the respective switch and can be displaced therein independently of one another in a manner programmable with regard to location and residence time, by a transport wire slidable via a drive motor.
US08273000B2
An articulated coordination punching bag includes: a flexible central core; a first target enclosing a first potion of the central core; and a second target enclosing a second potion of the central core. The first and second targets may move independently of each other.
US08272994B2
An apparatus includes a clutch control unit to control a control amount of a clutch and a brake to temporarily stop an output side rotating body while the clutch is disconnected. A clutch-control-amount detector detects the control amount of the clutch and an engagement start detector detects an engagement start of the clutch when a rotational speed difference between the input side rotating body and the output side rotating body becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. An engagement-start control-amount detector detects the control amount of the clutch in the engagement start and a clutch-correction-control-amount deriver derives a correction control amount of the clutch based on the control amount of the clutch at the time when the engagement start is detected after the output side rotating body is temporarily stopped. The clutch control unit feedback-controls the control amount of the clutch based on the correction control amount.
US08272982B2
A drive system for a rotary device, such as an automotive alternator compensates for and dampens the effect of sudden bidirectional rotational velocity variations of the pulley caused by sudden acceleration and deceleration of an internal combustion engine without using a one-way clutch. The drive system in one aspect comprises an axially movable cam member rotatably supported on a hub that is connected to the alternator shaft and that is journaled within the pulley. The cam member is coupled to the pulley by splines so that it rotates with the pulley while affording axial movement. Springs urge the cam member into engagement with a cam follower on the hub. Upon sudden acceleration or deceleration of the pulley, the cam member rotates angularly relative to the cam follower and moves axially to compress the springs, which exert a restoring force on the cam member and cam follower to eliminate their relative angular rotation. In other aspects, projections on the pulley and the hub operate on springs or fluid filled chambers to dampen sudden velocity changes.
US08272975B2
A golf club head with improved striking face performance is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head having a thickened central region surrounded by an internal and an external transition region; wherein the thickened central region has an inner perimeter that takes on a shape that substantially resembles the shape of an outer perimeter of the striking face of the golf club head.
US08272971B2
Golf balls with a reduced flight path are disclosed. In some cases, foam incorporated into a middle layer increases impact absorption and reduces a ball's flight path. In other cases, a dimple pattern may be selected to reduce a ball's flight path. In other instances, a parachute or other drag inducer may be deployed as a result of striking the ball to induce drag and minimize the ball's flight path.
US08272965B2
A shaft arrangement for a transmission comprises a shaft having an axial bore into which oil can be introduced via an oil supply system, at least one loose wheel which is rotatably supported on the shaft via a bearing, and a shift clutch arrangement which is arranged for connecting the loose wheel with the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. The shift clutch arrangement comprises a guide sleeve which is connected with the shaft via a tooth engagement in a rotationally fixed manner. The axial bore is connected via at least one transversal bore with the outer circumference of the shaft, so as to supply oil to the bearing and to the shift clutch arrangement. The transversal bore is arranged in an area of the tooth engagement between the guide sleeve and the shaft. A channel is provided in at least one of an area of a toothing of the guide sleeve and an area of the toothing of the shaft, which, together with the guide sleeve toothing, forms the tooth engagement. The channel connects the transversal bore with an area between the guide sleeve and the bearing.
US08272957B2
Gaming systems having touch panels as user control devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming system includes a curved display system for displaying a game. The curved display system has a curved material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a radius of curvature similar to a mechanical reel. The curved display system also includes a digital light projection device for projecting images of one or more reels onto the curved material. The gaming system also includes a touch screen system positioned in front of the curved material. The touch screen system has a touch sensor assembly having a substantially transparent touch panel that produces touch data when activated, a touch panel controller for controlling and interpreting the touch data, and touch panel software for controlling and interpreting touch data.
US08272950B2
A parlay-based tournament playable by a plurality of players is provided. The tournament includes a plurality of successive games. Each game has a ticket pool and a plurality of results.
US08272948B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive information associated with a wagering game machine capable of engaging in the process of presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value may be wagered, print a first portion of the information in human perceivable form on a tangible object, such as a wagering game machine ticket, and record a second portion of the information in a wireless memory device to be attached to the wagering game machine ticket. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08272947B2
This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for managing of cashless wagering game systems. An apparatus comprises a first cashless wagering game media input device, operable to access a first cashless wagering game medium associated with a first cashless wagering system; a second cashless wagering game media input device, operable to access a second cashless wagering game medium associated with a second cashless wagering system; and a control module operable to: receive a transfer amount, the transfer amount associated with the first cashless wagering game medium and to be debited from the first cashless wagering system; and credit at least a portion of the transfer amount to the second cashless wagering system.
US08272942B2
A gaming machine 13 starts a game, determines symbols to be rearranged, and variably displays symbol groups. Next, in a case where at least a predetermined number of identical symbols for providing an award is rearranged or in a case where identical symbols for providing an award are rearranged in “REACH (ready-to-win)” state, the gaming machine 13 displays a rendered effect that corresponds to the identical symbol on a display device. Accordingly, in a case where a combination with a “REACH” state is achieved even if it ends up with a losing combination, a rendered effect, which is the same as that performed when a winning combination is achieved, is performed to allow the player to maintain the feeling of suspense for winning to the end.
US08272932B2
The ventilation system for a cab (1) of an agricultural machine involved in spraying operations comprises; at least one outside air intake (7); at least one air outlet (29) opening out into said cab (1); means (14) for causing air coming from said outside air intake (7) to flow towards said air outlet (29); means (11) for selectively closing said outside air intake, referred to as first closure means; and means (21, 23) for controlling the spraying function. The first closure means (11) are slaved to said control means (21, 23) in such a manner that activating and deactivating the spraying function lead respectively to said air intake (7) being closed and opened by said first closure means (11).
US08272917B2
A flying vehicle in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention includes a propeller control mechanism for flying the vehicle. The propeller control mechanism includes a propeller having a center shaft for connecting to the drive shaft; first and second propeller blades extending from the center shaft; and a control mechanism including a first linkage connecting the center shaft to the first propeller blade and a second linkage connecting the center shaft to a region defined on the propeller, wherein a change in a driving torque of the drive shaft causes the first linkage and the second linkage to change the pitch and height of the propeller blades while substantially unchanging the tip path plane of the propeller blades.
US08272915B2
A bubble generating assembly has a housing having a motor, an air generator coupled to the motor, and a bubble generator associated therewith. The assembly also includes a source of bubble solution, and a pump system provided inside the housing that draws bubble solution from the source to the bubble generator. The bubble generator includes a plurality of openings, with bubble solution delivered to the bubble generator flowing through the openings. The air from the air generator is delivered upwardly through the openings.
US08272907B2
A sectionalized sports board including a plurality of board sections and a post-tensioning apparatus incorporated into a board stringer and operatively disposed between the sections along the longitudinal axis of each section. The post-tensioning apparatus includes a post-tensioning cable slidably inserted into a cable chase disposed in each of the board sections, and a cable tension adjustment for selectively coupling the sections into a configuration for use of the board or for separating the board sections so that they can be folded into a compact collapsed configuration. The post-tensioning cable is permanently anchored at its ends, and when the post-tensioning cable is in a stressed condition, the board sections are abutted to provide a useable and rigid board configuration, and when the post-tensioning cable is unstressed, the board sections may be folded into a compact collapsed configuration.
US08272906B2
An outboard motor control device is arranged to control a plurality of outboard motors. The outboard motor control device includes a malfunction determination unit arranged to determine whether any of the outboard motors is malfunctioning in turning angle control, a turning angle control stop unit arranged to stop turning angle control of an outboard motor determined as malfunctioning in turning angle control by the malfunction determination unit, a turning angle range limitation unit arranged to limit a turning angle range of other normally functioning outboard motor according to a turning angle of the outboard motor malfunctioning in turning angle control, and a turning angle control unit arranged to perform turning angle control of the normally functioning outboard motor in the turning angle range limited by the turning angle range limitation unit.
US08272905B2
The present invention relates to a field of electric connector, and in particular, to a structure for a terminal in an electric connector. In one preferred embodiment, a structure for a terminal in an electric connector is provided. The structure comprises: a terminal fixation part; a terminal elastic part; and an overstress prevention element. The terminal elastic part is extended from the terminal fixation part, wherein the terminal elastic part enables elastic deformation relative to the terminal fixation part and is configured to bend toward the terminal fixation part upon application of an external force. The overstress prevention element is provided between the terminal fixation part and the terminal elastic part, and is adapted for restricting overbending of the terminal elastic part. Furthermore, the present invention provides an electric connector incorporating the structure for the terminal therein. According to the present invention, the structure for a terminal in an electric connector realizes an overstress preventing performance. Furthermore, the structure for the terminal in the electric connector is compact in structure, has high efficiency in material utilization and low cost, and enables precise control of the stress on the structure for the terminal.
US08272896B2
A plug assembly comprises a molded plug first and second ends, front and back surfaces, and extending along a longitudinal axis. The plug includes a socket extending from the front surface at least partially through the plug along a width axis. The socket defines at least one hole extending at least partially therethrough. The plug assembly also includes a retainer at least partially molded within the plug, with a first end adjacent the first end of the plug and a second end adjacent the second end of the plug. Additionally, the plug assembly includes a first wire set connected to the socket within the plug. The plug assembly further includes a first securing member securing the first wire set to the retainer within the plug, adjacent the first end of the retainer, to hold the first wire set in a fixed position within the plug during the overmolding process.
US08272895B2
A sealed electrical connector includes a housing having a terminal-fixing portion, a mating portion for connecting to a counterpart connector and a partition wall therebetween. Contact terminals are fixed into a terminal holder with contact portions protruding out of the terminal holder. The terminal holder is disposed in the terminal-fixing portion. A grommet is placed between the terminal holder and the partition wall. The contact portions extend to the mating portion through the partition wall and the grommet. Molten resin is injected into the terminal holder and fix and seal the contact terminals in the terminal holder. The grommet prevents the resin from leaking into the mating portion through the partition wall. Each contact terminal has a support bracket fixed thereon which supports the terminal in the terminal holder before resin injection. The support bracket allows contact terminals of difference dimension to be fitted and sealed in the housing.
US08272885B2
There is disclosed a connector, such as a wet-mateable connector, comprising first and second components having first and second contacts respectively and arranged to be coupled together such that the first and second contacts make a connection. The connector comprises a shuttle associated with the first component and moveable between at least a decoupled position in which the shuttle protects the first contact and a coupled position in which the first contact is exposed. During coupling of the first and second components the shuttle is moved to the coupled position so as to expose the first contact such that it can make an electrical connection with the second contact. The connector also comprises a latch arranged to latch the second component to the shuttle such that upon decoupling of the first and second components, the shuttle is returned to the decoupled position.
US08272874B2
Speech data from the operation of a speech recognition application is recorded over the course of one or more language learning sessions. The operation of the speech recognition application during each language learning sessions corresponds to a user speaking, and the speech recognition application generating text data. The text data may a recognition of what the user spoke. The speech data may comprise the text data, and confidence values that are an indication of an accuracy of the recognition. The speech data from each language learning session may be analyzed to determine an overall performance level of the user.
US08272852B2
A fan assembly includes a fan, a first plate, and a rack. The fan includes at least one power line. The first plate is mounted on one side of the fan. The first plate mounts an adjustable resistor assembly thereon. The adjustable resistor assembly connects the at least one power line to a power source. The adjustable resistor assembly includes a first resistor and a slider. The slider includes a conducting point. One end of the first resistor is connected to the power source. The at least one power line of the fan is connected to the conducting point. The slider is capable of sliding on the first side plate to have the conducting point contacting different parts of the first resistor to vary the resistor value of the adjustable resistor assembly. The rack is capable of receiving the fan with the first plate mounted therein.
US08272850B2
An electromagnetic driven membrane pump has a pump housing inside which at least one pump chamber (15) having at least one intake and outlet is formed and delimited between a gable (1) of the pump housing and at least one completely-sealed membrane (14) attached to a wall (4) of the pump housing and, in an axial direction of the pump housing, to a running axle (13) suspended in at least two separated suspensions in a longitudinal direction of the axle (13). At least one of the suspensions is composed of a flat spring (9) attached to the axle (13) in a radial direction out toward the wall (4) of the pump housing. The axle (13) is composed of magnetic material to be driven by a magnetic field from an electromagnet (7) for oscillation in its longitudinal direction and moving the membrane (14) in corresponding oscillating movement. The flat spring (9) is composed of an inner and at least one outer part, with the inner part attached to the axle (13) and the outer part(s) attached to the pump housing. These parts are connected with one another by two elastic legs, arranged at each side of the point where the spring is attached to the axle (13).
US08272848B2
A positive-displacement reciprocating compressor, comprising a plunger slidingly coupled inside a cylinder, in which a compression chamber is located, and operatively connected to a motor which put it in motion inside the cylinder. The motor has a rotation shaft coupled with an eccentric cam mechanically connected to the plunger and able to impose longitudinal displacements to the plunger according to an orthogonal direction with respect to the rotation axis of the shaft.
US08272844B2
A liquid driver system having a flow channel for delivering a liquid, includes a conductor member placed in the flow channel, electrodes for applying an electric field to the conductor member and delivering the liquid by application of a driving force to the liquid by electroosmotic flow produced around the conductor member by the electric field, and a first flow limiter at a position displaced from the conductor member to limit a liquid flow in a reverse direction of liquid flowing in forward and reverse directions relative to the conductor member, wherein a maximum length of the flow limiter is smaller than a length of the conductor member in the forward flow direction, and the flow limiter is placed relative to the conductor member, having a thickness (2c), such that a gap (δ) between the conductor member and the flow limiter satisfies the relation of δ
US08272835B2
A gas turbine engine comprising of a turbine blade, an adjustable casing, and a clearance control arrangement. The clearance control arrangement further comprises an actuator operatively connected to a piston within a cylinder wherein the piston divides the cylinder by a sealing engagement with a wall of the cylinder into a first volume and a second volume. The first volume is operatively connected to a first piezo electric pump that increases a pressure in the first volume, and the second volume is operatively connected to a second piezo electric pump that increases a second pressure in the second volume, such that the relative displacement of the piston is determined by a pressure balance between the first and second pressure.
US08272827B2
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment a semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing tool for processing semiconductor workpieces, a container for holding at least one semiconductor workpiece therein for transport to and from the at least one processing tool and a first transport section elongated and defining a travel direction. The first transport section has parts, that interface the container, supporting and transporting the container along the travel direction to and from the at least one processing tool. The container is in substantially continuous transport at a substantially constant rate in the travel direction, when supported by the first transport section. A second transport section is connected to the at least one process tool for transporting the container to and from the at least one processing tool.
US08272825B2
A substrate processing tool including a frame forming at least one isolatable chamber configured to hold a controlled atmosphere, at least two substrate supports located within each of the at least one isolatable chamber, each of the at least two substrate supports being stacked one above the other and configured to hold a respective substrate and a cooling unit communicably coupled to the at least two substrate supports such that the at least two substrate supports and cooling unit effect simultaneous conductive cooling of each of the respective substrates located on the at least two substrate supports.
US08272821B2
At least one embodiment pertains to a portable tie-down anchor device, system, and kit comprising: a fabric body having a first end; a first clasp coupled to the first end of the fabric body; a tie-down hardware device coupled to the fabric body and configured to adjust a length of the anchor device; a second clasp coupled to the tie-down hardware device; and a plurality of holes positioned along a length of the fabric body, and wherein the anchor device is configured to secure cargo to a truck bed. The plurality of holes provide additional anchor points for the truck bed, and are adapted to receive an end of a securement device, such as a bungee cord, netting, rope, tarp, or an adjustable strap. The first clasp and the second clasp are each configured to removeably couple to a permanent anchor located in or about the truck bed.
US08272809B2
An active control releasable ballast system for dive equipment is disclosed which in one embodiment includes a removable pocket that is secured with a side release buckle within a fixed pocket. The buckle is required to be opened before the weight contained in the pocket can be dropped or given to another individual in or out of the water. Thus, the release of the weights is a conscious and deliberate act.
US08272803B2
A shaft assembly using spring clips to confine components mounted on the shaft in selected positions. The shaft assembly includes a shaft with components mounted along its length. Each component is confined by a pair of flanking spring clips. Each spring clip has a pair of confronting side panels resiliently coupled together. Holes through the side panels receive the shaft. The side panels are biased to converge toward each other so that a laterally applied force from a confined component acts in the direction of the bias to prevent the clip locked on the shaft from unlocking.
US08272800B2
Crayons are formed of a unitary material with interior distances between surfaces to prevent insertion through the maximum mandibular opening of a child five years of age or younger.
US08272790B2
A cable connector assembly for outdoor connection to transceivers. Electrical connection between a component of the cable connector assembly and a connector inside an electronic assembly to which the cable connector assembly is attached is made through a force generated by a biasing member within the cable connector assembly. The biasing member may generate the force as the cable connector assembly is attached to an adapter. Once the cable connector assembly is disengaged from the adapter, the force is released, allowing easy removal of the cable connector assembly, without the need to release a latch. In an environmentally sealed connector in which access to a release mechanism may be restricted, such a structure provides ease of use for either electrical or optical connectors. For optical cable connector assemblies, the optical cable connector may be coupled to a transceiver such that biasing force generated within the cable connector assembly holds the transceiver in a mating relationship with a connector within an electronic assembly but can be easily removed.
US08272781B2
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for the dynamic power control of a memory device thermal sensor. In some embodiments a memory device includes an on-die thermal sensor and enable logic to dynamically enable or disable the on-die thermal sensor. In some embodiments, the on-die thermal sensor senses thermal data responsive to a thermal data sense indication. The thermal data sense indication may be received subsequent to the expiration of a delay period.
US08272777B2
The invention relates to a method for mixing an exhaust gas flow with a fluid in an exhaust gas pipe 40 of an exhaust gas system 4, in which the fluid is injected by means of an injection device 5 into the exhaust gas pipe 40. The exhaust gas flow is guided in the exhaust gas pipe 40 in the area of the injection device 5 in a direction of flow S parallel to the exhaust gas pipe 40. The fluid is injected directly onto a deflection element 6 which is arranged in the exhaust gas pipe 40 in a central direction of injection E which deviates from the direction of flow S by an angle se, wherein by means of at least one sheet metal part 60 which is provided on the deflection element 6 and which is raised at least partially at an angle sv with reference to the direction of flow S, the exhaust gas flow is diverted with reference to the direction of flow S from its direction of flow S into a central direction of distribution V. Before and after it impacts the deflection element 6, the fluid is carried along at least partially by the diverted part of the exhaust gas flow into the direction of distribution V and is diverted into the direction of distribution V by the raised sheet metal part 60.
US08272769B2
A modular lighting fixture (10) is provided with a plurality of arms (16) branching off a central support (14) wherein they are inserted pressure-wise starting from the respective bottom ends. The central support comprises a containment body (18) wherein a plate (20) is arranged, with concentric seats (22,24) for as many spiral electrical conductors (22′, 24′) surmounted by a cylindrical plate (26) of insulating material wherein a plurality of through seats (28) with circular plan or wells is peripherally obtained, starting from a plane (30), wherein the bottom ends of arms (16) are inserted, provided with the electrical cables (42) for powering a lighting body connected to the opposite top end of the same arms. The bottom end of the arms is made integral to a sleeve (40) provided, along the base perimeter, with a vertical notch (40′) intended for coupling with a projection (52) protruding from the outer side surface of a cylindrical body (48), whereon the sleeve is fitted pressure-wise.
US08272767B2
An LED module includes an LED having a central axis I, and a lens. The lens has an incident face for incidence of the light of the LED and an opposite emitting face for refracting the light of the LED out of the lens. The emitting face of the lens has a central axis II. The central axis II is offset from the central axis I and located at one side of a plane ZOX of an XYZ coordinate with an original O which is located at a center of the LED, in which the central axis I is coincident with the Z axis. The light beams emitted from the one side of the plane ZOX are stronger than the light beams emitted from the another side of the plane ZOX after the light beams emitted from the LED pass through the lens.
US08272765B2
The improved heat sink system for a lighting fixture includes a conductive mount configured to selectively receive and retain a lighting subassembly. An inner heat sink couples to the conductive mount and is positioned to encompass the lighting assembly. A plurality of cooling fins couple to and extend away from the inner heat sink. An outer heat sink couples to the cooling fins and is offset from the inner heat sink to permit air flow therebetween and over the cooling fins. This enables air convection cooling of the inner heat sink, the outer heat sink and the cooling fins simultaneously to draw heat energy away from the lighting subassembly.
US08272761B2
An LED lamp includes a housing comprising a receptacle, first and second bossed holes in the receptacle, each bossed hole having internal threads, and a cover plate including parallel ribs projecting outward, and holes, the cover plate being secured to the receptacle by driving threaded fasteners therethrough into the second bossed holes; two opposite shoulders each formed lengthwise along a central line of an inner surface of either side of the receptacle; a PCB supported by the shoulder and the first bossed holes, the PCB being fastened in the receptacle by driving threaded fasteners therethrough into the first bossed holes; rows of units of LEDs electrically connected to the PCB wherein each row of units of LEDs is parallel to and adjacent the rib; and a waterproofing member in the housing for protecting the PCB. The LED lamp is shallow.
US08272759B2
An LED lampshade has a body and multiple light concentrators. The body has a light exit plane. The light concentrators are formed on the body. Each light concentrator has a light incident recess, a light transmitting recess and an third concentration wall. The light incident recess has a first concentration wall and a first chamber defined by the first concentration wall. The light transmitting recess corresponds to the light incident recess, and has a second concentration wall, a second chamber defined by the second concentration wall and opposite to the first chamber, and an opening formed through the light exit plane. The third concentration wall is formed around a periphery of the light concentrator. Given the opposite light incident recess and light transmitting recess and the three concentration walls, the LED lampshade enhances light transmittance and concentration therethrough.
US08272757B1
A solid-state LED lighting lamp (SSL-LED lamp), based on AC or DC-emitters, which runs under a high AC or DC voltage, with high light generation capability, high reliability and long lifespan, is disclosed. A plurality of AC or DC-emitter chips are integrated on a thermally conductive submount and the electrically conductive element pathways on the submount provide electrical interconnections between the mounted chips and also between the individual LEDs on each chip. The conducting elements also provide redundant current paths at the AC or DC-emitter chip level and individual LED level. Depending on the detail design, the LED SSL-lamp may be directly powered by an AC voltage (i.e. 110/120V or 220/240V power grid) or a high DC voltage. With this design, the LED SSL-lamp can provide sufficient illumination to replace the incandescent or florescent light bulbs for general lighting purpose. The distributed emitter array design ensures the heat dissipation. The redundant current path design ensures the long lifespan and high reliability.
US08272756B1
A lighting system comprises a row of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) receiving electricity and producing light and heat. The row of LEDs can be located in a channel or a groove of a piece of material, such as an aluminum extrusion or a bent piece of metal. The channel can have an optically reflective lining, for example, providing either diffuse or specular reflection. Accordingly, the channel can reflect light emitted by the LEDs. The piece of material can also include a heat sink for transferring heat from the LEDs to air via convection or air flow. The heat sink can comprise fins or protrusions that facilitate convection.
US08272742B2
Linearly polarized illumination light that is emitted from a light source unit and then reaches a polarized light separation plane along the optical axis of an illumination optical unit is reflected from the polarized light separation plane at a right angle and reaches a reflection optical unit. The reflection optical unit reverses the phase of the linearly polarized illumination light and reflects the illumination light to the polarized light separation plane. The illumination light passes through the polarized light separation plane and reaches a reflective liquid crystal display device. The reflective liquid crystal display device converts the illumination light into modulated light having image information thereon. In this case, the phase of the linearly polarized light is reversed again and reflected from the polarized light separation plane at a right angle to reach a projection lens. The light is enlarged and projected onto a screen.
US08272736B2
A method for treating an ophthalmic lens comprising two main sides, wherein at least one side comprises an organic or mineral external layer coated with a MgF2 temporary protective layer, said method comprising the specific treating step of depositing the MgF2 temporary protective layer on the external layer through vacuum evaporation at a speed lower than or equal to 0.5 nm/s. The lens obtained from the above method is capable of being submitted to a trimming operation within 48 hours after the ophthalmic lens has been treated, i.e. after the various layers have been deposited.
US08272731B2
An image-forming apparatus includes a recording head configured to eject ink droplets, a transport belt disposed facing the recording head and configured to transport a sheet, a suction mechanism to suctionally attract the sheet to the transport belt, a release mechanism configured to change a position of the transport belt between a home position close to the recording head and a release position away from the recording head, and a control mechanism configured to control transport and discharge of the sheet. The control mechanism, is configured to move the transport belt from the home position to the release position with the sheet being attracted to the transport belt when the control mechanism detects a sheet jam, rotate the transport belt in a direction in which the sheet is transported at the release position, and then discharge the sheet from the transport belt.
US08272728B2
There is provided a method and apparatus for reverse printing a plurality of images interlaced with each other on an underside surface of an appropriate flexible lenticular substrate. The method includes analyzing a viewing orientation of either portrait configuration or landscape configuration of at least one of the plurality of images; determining whether the appropriate flexible lenticular substrate is used for the printing of the plurality of images interlaced with each other in accordance with the viewing orientation of one of the plurality of images; analyzing an orientation of a first marker on the underside surface of the appropriate flexible lenticular substrate; and printing the plurality of images interlaced with each other in accordance with the orientation of the first marker on the underside of the appropriate flexible lenticular substrate. It is advantageous that the printed plurality of images interlaced with each other, when viewed through a top surface of the appropriate flexible lenticular substrate, appear to have characteristics selected from the group consisting of: depth, morphing characteristics, can appear to have motion, and the capability to alternate from one image to another.
US08272726B2
An inkjet head is provided. The inkjet head includes an ink reservoir to store ink, an ink inlet, through which the ink is introduced to the ink reservoir, an ink outlet, through which the ink in the ink reservoir is allowed to flow to the inkjet nozzle. The ink reservoir has a wall arising from a bottom of the ink reservoir to divide the ink reservoir into a plurality of ink chambers. The plurality of ink chambers include a first ink chamber and a second ink chamber. The plurality of ink chambers are in fluid communication with each other over a top edge of the wall. The wall is formed to include a through hole, which is formed in a vicinity of the bottom of the ink reservoir and allows the plurality of ink chambers to be in fluid communication with each other.
US08272721B2
A liquid-drop ejecting apparatus comprises: a liquid-drop ejection head; a first tank; a second tank; and a negative pressure generation unit. The first tank includes: a liquid storage chamber for storing therein a liquid to be supplied to the liquid-drop ejection head; a gas chamber formed above the liquid storage chamber in a first direction; a communication hole connecting the liquid storage chamber and the gas chamber; a gas-permeable membrane affixed to an inner surface of the gas chamber so as to cover the communication hole; and a first groove formed on the inner surface of the gas chamber so as to surround an area where the gas-permeable membrane is affixed. The second tank is for storing therein a liquid to be supplied to the liquid storage chamber in the first tank. The negative pressure generation unit which is configured to generate a negative pressure in the gas chamber.
US08272694B2
A passenger seat, having a seat back, and a seat bottom, including a seat pan, supported by a frame mounted on laterally spaced-apart legs for being mounted to the deck of the aircraft by track fittings. A seat back frame assembly and a seat bottom assembly are joined for articulating movement such that when the seat back is reclined, the seat pan is shifted forward and the forward end of the seat pan and thus the seat bottom is raised in order to maintain an appropriate passenger seating angle.
US08272674B2
A partition for use in vehicles having interior cabin space including at least one row of seats includes a deformable frame and at least one attachment device. The deformable frame is covered at least partially with a fabric material. The at least one attachment device attaches the deformable frame to a portion of a vehicle. Upon installation in a vehicle, the deformable frame separates a first passenger seat of the vehicle from a second passenger seat in the same row.
US08272668B2
A composite wall structure formed from a plurality of layers. The composite wall structure can be used to form a composite storage tank having a tank cavity and a longitudinal axis. A composite tank trailer can be formed using the composite tank, a platform structure and a suspension and wheel assembly.
US08272665B2
A vehicle seat air bag assembly (17) having an air bag module (18) includes an air bag guide (44) that is foldable from a flexible sheet (46) to provide both left and right hand embodiments with connection of distal ends of the flexible sheet to each other after the folding fabrication. The air bag guide (44) guides an air bag (40) of the air bag module (18) during inflation and movement to and through a trim cover deployment seam (34).
US08272653B2
A suspension system for a land vehicle has at least one rear suspension device and at least one front suspension device. The rear suspension device includes a first biasing member disposed within a first housing and is configured for mounting on a rear axle housing of the land vehicle. The front suspension device includes a second biasing member disposed in a second housing and is configured to be at least partially received within a bump stop support of the land vehicle.
US08272649B2
A steering knuckle pin bearing assembly includes a bearing and a steering knuckle pin pivotably supporting a steering knuckle relative to an axle beam. A sealing collar seals a space between the bearing and the steering knuckle pin, which space may include a spacer washer. The sealing collar is slidably borne on a radial outer surface of the bearing. In addition, the sealing collar has at least one sealing region that is in slidable contact with an at least substantially cylindrical sealing surface of the axle beam.
US08272638B2
A device for transporting flat objects, such as mail items, has two transport tracks and an acceleration device arranged between the transport tracks. The acceleration device includes a clamping pair for holding the objects in a clamped manner on their opposing flat sides while the objects are moving. To be able to carefully accelerate objects of different thicknesses, it is proposed that at least one clamp of the clamping pair includes a segment unit with several segments of different configuration for clamping objects of different thicknesses.
US08272635B2
An image forming apparatus includes a medium placing portion on which a medium is placed, a feed roller rotatably provided in contact with the medium placed on the medium placing portion so as to feed the medium, guide members disposed on both sides of the feed roller for guiding the medium being fed. The guide members are movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the medium. A biasing unit is provided for biasing the guide members in a direction toward the medium.
US08272627B2
Disclosed is an air spring device having a free-standing air spring bellows and an outer guide which is fastened to the air spring bellows by means of an inner clamping ring, wherein the outer diameter of the inner clamping ring is greater than the outer diameter of the air spring bellows in the unpressurized state, and the inner clamping ring generates a radially outwardly pointing encircling bulge in the unpressurized air spring bellows.
US08272625B1
A retaining bracket for a fence gate used to secure the gates in a closed position relative to the fence includes a pair of axial members and a center “U”-shaped neck portion. Each opposing axial member is comprised of a straight rod and is attached to the neck portion. In use, a user holds an existing gate in the closed position and inserts an end portion of each axial member downward into a top-facing aperture located in a fence post and an adjacently opposing gate posts, thereby retaining the gate in its closed position.
US08272622B2
An electromagnetic actuator comprises a core (1), a ferromagnetic component (2) movable in a gap (5) in the core, and a magnet (4) for attracting the component to one side of the gap. A flux concentrator (12) concentrates the magnetic flux on that side of the gap (5) and a solenoid (8) produces magnetic flux in the gap. A magnetic circuit of the solenoid is defined by part of the core (1), part of the gap (5) and by a further gap (6) between the ferromagnetic component (2) and the core (1). A demagnetiser (7) has a magnetic circuit defined by another part of the core (1), another part of the gap (5) and by the further gap (6). The demagnetiser is arranged to demagnetise the magnet (4) at least to the extent that the magnetic flux produced by the solenoid (8) is diverted from the flux concentrator (12) into the further gap (6) and the movable component (2) is movable away from the magnet (4) under the magnetic force of the solenoid (8).
US08272620B2
The invention relates to a formwork system which comprises formwork elements having opposite formwork interior surfaces, which can be interlinked at a distance to one another by means of formwork ties. Said formwork ties are constituted of a bolt element and two locking elements that are configured so as to be coupled to the bolt elements in the two distal areas thereof facing away from each other and that are adapted to transmit tensile forces from the formwork elements onto the bolt element. The formwork system is characterized in that the locking elements comprise coupling elements for transmitting pressure forces from the formwork elements onto the bolt element.
US08272616B2
A rotation mechanism for mounting and rotatably supporting a laser emitter thereon includes a casing including a bottom wall and a side wall connected to the bottom wall, said casing defining therein a receiving space. A plurality of rotation rings are arranged as being layered with each other in the receiving space of the casing. The rotation rings include an uppermost rotation ring in the form of a manual coarse rotation ring that is directly connected to the laser emitter so as to support the laser emitter, for manually rotating the laser emitter to achieve a coarse angular positioning thereof, an automatic coarse rotation ring for rotating the laser emitter at a relatively high speed together with the rotation ring thereon, a manual fine rotation ring for slightly rotating the laser emitter manually together with the rotation ring thereon, and an automatic fine rotation ring for rotating the laser emitter at a relatively low speed, together with the rotation ring thereon. The automatic rotation rings are each provided with a driving means that is arranged on the rotation ring immediately below the relevant rotation ring.
