US08289810B2
A winding state evaluation method of a tape film includes a step of determining the attenuation rate of ultrasonic wave for the tape film (2) by sending an ultrasonic wave to the tape film (2) in parallel with the direction of the axis of rotation of a core (1) and receiving its reflected wave or transmitted wave, and a step of evaluating the winding state of the tape film (2) from the distribution state of the attenuation rate in the tape film (2). The method can judge the winding state of the tape film objectively by presenting its numerical representation concretely without relying upon sensual evaluation.
US08289808B2
In some aspects of the disclosure, a method for creating three-dimensional images of non-linear properties and the compressional to shear velocity ratio in a region remote from a borehole using a conveyed logging tool is disclosed. In some aspects, the method includes arranging a first source in the borehole and generating a steered beam of elastic energy at a first frequency; arranging a second source in the borehole and generating a steerable beam of elastic energy at a second frequency, such that the steerable beam at the first frequency and the steerable beam at the second frequency intercept at a location away from the borehole; receiving at the borehole by a sensor a third elastic wave, created by a three wave mixing process, with a frequency equal to a difference between the first and second frequencies and a direction of propagation towards the borehole; determining a location of a three wave mixing region based on the arrangement of the first and second sources and on properties of the third wave signal; and creating three-dimensional images of the non-linear properties using data recorded by repeating the generating, receiving and determining at a plurality of azimuths, inclinations and longitudinal locations within the borehole. The method is additionally used to generate three dimensional images of the ratio of compressional to shear acoustic velocity of the same volume surrounding the borehole.
US08289805B2
A memory system having a serial data interface and a serial data path core for receiving data from and for providing data to at least one memory bank as a serial bitstream. The memory bank is divided into two halves, where each half is divided into upper and lower sectors. Each sector provides data in parallel to a shared two-dimensional page buffer with an integrated self column decoding circuit. A serial to parallel data converter within the memory bank couples the parallel data from either half to the serial data path core. The shared two-dimensional page buffer with the integrated self column decoding circuit minimizes circuit and chip area overhead for each bank, and the serial data path core reduces chip area typically used for routing wide data buses. Therefore a multiple memory bank system is implemented without a significant corresponding chip area increase when compared to a single memory bank system having the same density.
US08289802B2
A system and method for performing memory operations in a multi-plane flash memory. Commands and addresses are sequentially provided to the memory for memory operations in memory planes. The memory operations are sequentially initiated and the memory operation for at least one of the memory planes is initiated during the memory operation for another memory plane. In one embodiment, each of a plurality of programming circuits is associated with a respective memory plane and is operable to program data to the respective memory plane in response to programming signals and when it is enabled. Control logic coupled to the plurality of programming circuits generates programming signals in response to the memory receiving program commands and further generates programming enable signals to individually enable each of the programming circuits to respond to the programming signals and stagger programming of data to each of the memory planes.
US08289798B2
A memory chip comprises an internal voltage regulator that is selectively enabled/disabled to regulate an external voltage used by the memory chip subunit.
US08289785B2
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes at least one logic circuit supplied by a first supply voltage and at least one memory circuit coupled to the logic circuit and supplied by a second supply voltage. The memory circuit is configured to be read and written responsive to the logic circuit even if the first supply voltage is less than the second supply voltage during use. In another embodiment, a method includes a logic circuit reading a memory cell, the logic circuit supplied by a first supply voltage; and the memory cell responding to the read using signals that are referenced to the first supply voltage, wherein the memory cell is supplied with a second supply voltage that is greater than the first supply voltage during use.
US08289782B2
A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a gate insulator formed on the substrate and serving as an F-N (Fowler-Nordheim) tunneling film, a first floating gate formed on the gate insulator, a first intergate insulator formed on the first floating gate and serving as an F-N tunneling film, a second floating gate formed on the first intergate insulator, a second intergate insulator formed on the second floating gate and serving as a charge blocking film, and a control gate formed on the second intergate insulator.
US08289772B2
Methods, systems, and devices include a system for sequentially writing to a data locations coupled to one another in series. The system includes a plurality of data locations and a controller. The controller is configured to sequentially write data values to the plurality of data locations, starting with the data location at an end of the series and then sequentially writing to each adjacent data location.
US08289766B2
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory unit and a control unit. The memory unit includes a charge storage film and a memory cell transistor. The transistor is provided for each of storage regions configured to store charge in the film. The control unit sets the transistors to an erase threshold by setting erase information in the regions; subsequently sets the transistors to thresholds corresponding to information having n values by programming the information having the n values to at least one of the regions in which the erase information is set; and controls information of at least one storage region before being programmed adjacent to the regions programmed with the information to have a value providing a threshold of the transistor nearer than the erase threshold to the thresholds corresponding to the information having the n values in the state of the transistors provided in the regions being set to the thresholds corresponding to the information having the n values.
US08289764B2
A highly-reliable, highly-integrated large-capacity phase-change memory is achieved. For this purpose, for example, memory tiles MT0, MT1 are provided respectively at points of intersection of global bit line GBL0 and global word lines GWL00B, GWL01B. Word lines WL000 of MT0, MT1 are commonly connected to an output from a word-line driving circuit WD0 which is controlled by GWL00B, and word lines WL001 of MT0, MT1 are commonly connected to an output from a word-line driving circuit WD1 controlled by GWL01B. For example, when WD0 is activated in accordance with a rewrite operation, an output from WD0 is connected to GBL0 via any one of four memory cells MC00, MC01 connected to WL000 of MT0, MT1.
US08289762B2
Double-pulse write for phase change memory including: writing a phase change material from a high RESET state to a weakened RESET state with a first step, writing the phase change material from the weakened RESET state to a SET state with a second step, the second step having a lower current than the first step, verifying a parameter of the phase change material wherein if the parameter is higher than a target for a SET state, then repeating the writing with the first step, the writing with the second step, and the verifying until the parameter is lower than the target wherein a current for the first step is decreased by a decrement with each iteration without becoming lower than a current for the second step.
US08289755B1
Memory elements are provided that exhibit immunity to soft error upsets. The memory elements may have cross-coupled inverters. The inverters may be implemented using programmable Schmitt triggers. The memory elements may be locked and unlocked by providing appropriate power supply voltages to the Schmitt trigger. The memory elements may each have four inverter-like transistor pairs that form a bistable element, at least one address transistor, and at least one write enable transistor. The write enable transistor may bridge two of the four nodes. The memory elements may be locked and unlocked by turning the write enable transistor on and off. When a memory element is unlocked, the memory element is less resistant to changes in state, thereby facilitating write operations. When the memory element is locked, the memory element may exhibit enhanced immunity to soft error upsets.
US08289748B2
Method and apparatus for tuning a variable resistance resistive sense element of an electronic device. In some embodiments, a value indicative of a selected number of consecutive pulses is stored in a memory location and a resistive sense element (RSE) is set to a baseline RSE resistance. A tuning operation is performed by applying the selected number of consecutive pulses to the RSE to tune the baseline RSE resistance to a final adjusted resistance.
US08289746B2
A memory unit includes a magnetic tunnel junction data cell is electrically coupled to a bit line and a source line. The magnetic tunnel junction data cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by passing a write current through the magnetic tunnel junction data cell. A first diode is electrically between the magnetic tunnel junction data cell and the source line and a second diode is electrically between the magnetic tunnel junction data cell and the source line. The first diode and second diode are in parallel electrical connection, and having opposing forward bias directions. The memory unit is configured to be precharged to a specified precharge voltage level and the precharge voltage is less than a threshold voltage of the first diode and second diode.
US08289745B2
Magnetically induced control signals into a transistorized switching circuit that drives an efficient output transformer provides high frequency control to power circuits with low RFI. Improved co-axial transformer embodiments s and co-axial lead acid battery embodiments are also provided.
US08289742B2
A distributed power system wherein a plurality of power converters are connected in parallel and share the power conversion load according to a prescribed function, but each power converter autonomously determines its share of power conversion. Each power converter operates according to its own power conversion formula/function, such that overall the parallel-connected converters share the power conversion load in a predetermined manner.
US08289735B2
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for delivering a controlled voltage. The method involves, during a first electric pulse delivered to a primary transformer, holding a first switching section open to isolate the controlled voltage, where the first electric pulse creates a first magnetic flux in a core of the primary transformer, and where the first magnetic flux generates a direct current (DC) magnetizing current. The method further involves receiving the controlled voltage from a voltage source using the DC magnetizing current at a first switching section, and upon termination of the first electric pulse, closing the first switching section to deliver the controlled voltage to the primary transformer.
US08289733B2
In order to convert an input power to one or more DC power levels that are provided to an output load, some aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for driving a switching regulator as a function of a pulsed voltage signal. In particular, this pulsed voltage signal is provided substantially at a target frequency, but exhibits frequency jitter that causes the pulsed voltage to vary slightly from the target frequency in time. The frequency jitter has a frequency range that varies as a function of the output load.
US08289732B2
A controller of an AC/DC flyback switching power supply uses adaptive digital control approaches to control the switching operation of a BJT power switch based on primary-side feedback to regulate the secondary-side constant output voltage and output current, without using the input line voltage. Switching-cycle by switching-cycle peak current control and limit are achieved based on the sensed primary-side current rather than the input line voltage in both constant-voltage and constant-current modes, operating in PWM, PFM and/or combinations of a plurality of PWM and PFM modes. The controller IC does not need a separate pin and ADC circuitry for sensing the input line voltage. The controller IC directly drives the BJT base, and dynamically adjusts the BJT base current amplitude cycle by cycle based on load change.
US08289731B2
A converter controller is disclosed. In one embodiment, a controller for a flyback converter includes a converter and a flyback controller. The converter is coupled to the flyback converter for receiving an auxiliary voltage and for generating a constant power voltage. The flyback controller is powered by the constant power voltage for controlling an output voltage of the flyback converter. Furthermore, the flyback converter comprises a transformer with a primary side and a secondary side. The output voltage and the auxiliary voltage are produced at the transformer.
US08289724B2
The present invention provides devices for controlling a desired output of an output device. These devices include a first conductor, a second conductor having a varying, predetermined spacing from the first conductor, and a third conductor positioned on the actuator mechanism and having a plurality of interconnecting positions between the first conductor and the second conductor. A predetermined one of a plurality of output signals may be produced when the third conductor connects the first conductor and the second conductor to control the desired output of the output device.
US08289719B2
A flexible display module includes a flexible display panel and at least one flexible circuit board. The flexible display panel includes a flexible plastic substrate, a first driving circuit layer, a display layer and a second driving circuit layer. The thickness of the flexible plastic substrate is smaller than 30 micrometers. The first driving circuit layer having a view area and a peripheral circuit area is disposed on the flexible plastic substrate. The display layer is disposed on the first driving circuit layer and corresponding to the view area. The second driving circuit area is disposed on the display layer. The flexible circuit board is electrically connected to the peripheral circuit area through an anisotropic conductive film. In addition, a method of manufacturing a flexible display module is also provided.
US08289714B2
A mechanical and thermal assembly adapted to absorb heat from a delicate, heat-producing structure having a planar surface includes a slide plate in thermal contact to said planar surface, and being held in place by a resilient system that permits, but gently resists, movement perpendicular to said planar surface and a thermal mass, suspended over said slide plate, but in thermal contact to said slide plate, so that said delicate, heat-producing structure is not damaged due to force applied from said thermal mass through said slide plate to said structure.
US08289702B2
This present embodiment relates in general to an article of hardware providing a shell-like member configured to inserting and docking a standalone hand held computational display, the article of hardware further comprising of a keyboard aligned to the user's fingers when the user grips the article of hardware.
US08289698B1
A docking station is provided for a laptop computer that has access to at least one connector and at least one push button. The docking station includes upper and lower portions. The upper portion has an aft bridge, a starboard arm and a port arm, each the arm having a lip, at least one of the arms having at least one cavity through a top surface for correspondently receiving the push button, and at least one of the arms having at least one orifice for correspondently receiving the connector. The lower portion has an aft spine, a starboard side, a front spine and a port side that bound a base. The computer can be disposed on the base. The lower portion includes front plates at corners to the starboard and port sides. The upper portion is disposed on the lower portion such that each lip aligns to the corresponding plate. The upper and lower portions are secured by mechanical fasteners, such as screws.
US08289690B2
A retention assembly for securing an expansion card includes a support plate, a retention seat mounted on the supporting plate, and a holder located on the retention seat. The support plate defines a through hole therein. The retention seat defines a sliding groove therethrough aligning with the through hole of the support plate. The holder includes a clamping portion at one end thereof. The holder extends through the sliding groove of the retention seat and the through hole of the supporting plate. The clamping portion extends beyond the supporting plate for clamping the expansion card.
US08289689B2
A display for a handheld computing device includes a display panel, a display circuit board carrying display electronics for the display panel, and a light guide coupled to the display panel and the display circuit board. The light guide includes at least one snap clip for securing the display to a circuit board of the handheld computing device. The least one snap clip is configured to allow the display to move relative to the computing device when the display panel is mounted to the computing device.
US08289688B2
A portable computer that is configurable between a plurality of display modes including a laptop mode (in which the portable computer has a conventional laptop appearance) and an easel mode in which the base of the computer and its display component stand vertically forming an inverted “V.” The portable computer includes a hinge assembly that couples the display component to the base of the computer, and allows the display component to be rotated about an axis along an interface between the display component and the base to configure the portable computer between a closed position, the laptop mode and the easel mode. The portable computer further comprises a scroll wheel and optional navigation buttons that permit a user to control or manipulate various aspects of operation of the portable computer (such as volume or display brightness) and/or content displayed the computer.
US08289687B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a multi-panel cover component for a multi-panel body component nested within the cover component. The cover component is moveable with respect to the body component, so as to provide an image or functional change in the component being presented to a user of the apparatus, when the user moves the cover component, so as to cover or uncover the body component.
US08289684B2
An adjustable keyboard includes a first keying module situated pivotably with respect to the second keying module for providing a keyboard having improved ergonomics and comfort, and promoting improved productivity of a user. In one embodiment, the first and the second keying modules are pivotably mounted on a base assembly having fixed opposing tenting angles. In one embodiment the first and the second keying modules are mounted on a pivot link assembly configured to pivot the keying modules with respect to each other. In one embodiment, the first and the second keying modules are configured to also laterally separate. In one embodiment, first and second lift modules space a portion of the first and the second keying modules, respectively, from a supporting surface to form opposing tenting angles.
US08289681B2
This disclosure discloses a control unit comprising a plurality of controllers, each controller having a bus bar portion having: a left and a right bus bar holder; an upper and an lower common bus bar; an upper and an lower rotating bus bar; a upper and a lower connecting body; wherein each bus bar holder has protrusions forming a gap, the upper and the lower rotating bus bar are configured to be changed between a first mode that the upper and the lower rotating bus bar engages rotatably with the left bus bar holder, and a second mode that the upper and the lower rotating bus bar are tightened and secured to the left bus bar holder, and the upper and the lower rotating bus bar of one controller in the second mode is connected in close contact with the upper and the lower common bus bar of another controller.
US08289674B2
Embodiments disclosed herein generally solve a stiction problem in switching devices by using a series of pulses of force which take the switch from being strongly adhered to a landing electrode to the point where it is only weakly adhered. Once in the low adhesion state, the switch can then be pulled away from contact with a lower force provided by either the spring constant of the switch and/or the electrostatic forces resulting from low voltages applied to nearby electrodes.
US08289670B2
The adaptive power management system for aircraft galleys includes one or more programmable circuit breakers for corresponding interchangeable aircraft galley inserts. Current rating settings of the programmable circuit breakers can be changed by direct interrogation by a galley network controller, which can also automatically switch selected circuit breakers to open to shut down the power supply to an entire galley complex or individual galley inserts, as needed, or by a passive signal.
US08289666B2
Disclosed is a memory module having an ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD) prevention structure. The memory module may include a printed circuit board, a first circuit pattern on the printed circuit board, and a second circuit pattern on the printed circuit board. The second circuit pattern may be configured to discharge static electricity introduced to the memory module from outside the memory module. In addition, the second circuit pattern is not connected to the first circuit pattern. Disclosed also is a system that includes the memory module. The system may include a main board, a socket on the main board, and the memory module.
US08289656B1
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head actuated over the disk, a preamp, and an interconnect for coupling the head to the preamp. The interconnect comprises a first transmission line stacked over a second transmission line, and a dielectric between the first transmission line and second transmission line. A shape of the first and second transmission lines varies along a length of the interconnect such that the interconnect comprises an approximation of an inductor/capacitor ladder network.
US08289653B2
A method and apparatus for controlling lubrication in hard disk drives. Hard disk drives often include lubrication on the disks to protect the disks from incidental contact with the head slider. Embodiments of the invention include lubrication control surfaces or dams on the air bearing surface (ABS) of the head slider. The dams redirect air flow on the ABS and/or redirects excess lubrication that migrates from the disk to the head slider. By redirecting excess lubrication, the lubrication control dams remove and/or store the lubrication and avoid failure that may occur as a result of the lubrication interfering with the ABS or the read/write elements of the head.
US08289649B2
A magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole, a shield having an end face located in a medium facing surface to wrap around an end face of the main magnetic pole, and a gap part provided between the main magnetic pole and the shield. The shield includes a bottom shield, two side shields, and a top shield. The gap part includes first and second gap layers. In a manufacturing method of the magnetic head, a mold is formed on the top surface of the bottom shield, the mold having a shape determined by photolithography and being intended to be removed later. Next, the two side shields are formed on the top surface of the bottom shield by performing plating without forming a seed layer. Next, the mold is removed and then the first gap layer, the main magnetic pole, the second gap layer, and the top shield are formed in succession.
US08289646B1
A disk drive includes a spindle that defines a spindle rotation axis, and a disk drive base that has a base depression bounded by a first base depression brim. A disk is attached to the spindle, and the disk includes a disk outer peripheral extent. The disk drive includes a disk limiter protrusion extending over an arc of the disk outer peripheral extent that spans no more than 20° about the spindle rotation axis. According to one aspect of the invention, a first radius that extends from the spindle rotation axis over the first base depression brim is angularly disposed no more than 25° from any second radius that extends from the spindle rotation axis to the disk limiter protrusion. According to another aspect of the invention, the disk limiter protrusion may protrude from an edge of a VCM yoke top plate towards the spindle rotation axis.
US08289645B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a magnetic disk apparatus having a magnetic disk having magnetic dot lines each including magnetic dots arrayed at equal intervals in a down track direction, and a read/write head which uses a plurality of adjacent magnetic dot lines as one track and sequentially performs read and write on the magnetic dots included in the magnetic dot lines constituting the track, in which the magnetic dots included in each of the magnetic dot lines in each track of the magnetic disk are displaced in the down track direction from the magnetic dots included in the adjacent dot line in the track depending on a possible skew angle between the read/write head and the track so that the magnetic dots are sequentially accessed by the read/write head.
US08289642B1
Methods, apparatuses, and systems describing digital techniques to decode signals extracted from computer-readable storage media include, in at least some implementations, a method including receiving a digital signal representing at least a portion of an analog signal from a computer-readable storage medium, the analog signal including a repeatable runout (RRO) signal component, determining an estimate of a magnitude of at least a portion of the RRO signal component, and decoding the digital signal at least in part by configuring a gain target value based on the estimate of the magnitude. In some implementations, the method includes causing the gain target value to change from a predetermined default gain target value to the configured gain target value based on the estimate of the magnitude.
US08289640B2
A method according to one embodiment includes monitoring a data transfer operation for detecting temporary errors; determining whether an error burst has occurred based on the monitoring; if an error burst has occurred, altering a condition of the data transfer operation; monitoring the data transfer operation having the altered condition for detecting temporary errors; determining whether another error burst has occurred based on the monitoring of the data transfer operation having the altered condition; and if another error burst has occurred; altering another condition of the data transfer operation. Additional systems and methods are also presented.
US08289633B2
Imaging optical systems having good transmission and that are well corrected over the full 315 nm-1100 nm ultraviolet-visible-infrared (UV-VIS-IR) wavelength band are disclosed. A wide variety of apochromatic and superachromatic design examples are presented. The imaging optical systems have a broad range of applications in fields where large-bandwidth imaging is called for, including but not limited to forensics, crime scene documentation, art conservation, forgery detection, medicine, scientific research, remote sensing, and fine art photography.
US08289629B2
The imaging optical system of the invention is built up of, in order from its object side, the first lens group G1 having positive refracting power, the stop S, the second lens group G2 having positive refracting power, and the third lens group G3 having negative refracting power. The first lens group G1 comprises a cemented lens consisting of the first lens L1 and the second lens L2. The second lens group G2 comprises the third lens L3. The third lens group G3 comprises the fourth lens L4. The second lens L3 has an object-side surface that is concave on its object side both on and off the optical axis, and an image-side surface being an aspheric surface that is convex on its object side on the optical axis and has one or more off-axis inflection points.
US08289597B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to holographic storage media, and more specifically to an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to holographic storage media having an improved overlap between one or more reference beams and an object beam or a reconstructed object beam. According to the invention, the apparatus has a common aperture arrangement of a reference beam and an object beam or a reconstructed object beam, wherein the focus of the reference beam is shifted relative to the focus of the object beam or the reconstructed object beam within a focal plane of the object beam or the reconstructed object beam inside or close to the holographic storage medium.
US08289591B2
A sheet-fed image scanning method and a scanning device thereof are provided. Firstly, a contact image sensor (CIS) scanning element is equipped with at least two sheet-feeding rollers respectively and passively connected with a driven roller, so that the to-be-scanned sheet is fed into/out between the sheet-feeding rollers and the driven rollers. Then, the to-be-scanned sheet is scanned by the CIS scanning element when the to-be-scanned sheet is fed in, and the driven roller is elastically ascended or descended according to the thickness of the to-be-scanned sheet. The invention enables non-contact or low-friction contact scanning between the scan glass window of the scanning device and the to-be-scanned sheet to avoid the to-be-scanned sheet being scratched or damaged and assure the constant-distance scanning to obtain high-quality scanned image. The position of the scanning element can be adjusted to the optimum scanning focal distance according to the thickness of the to-be-scanned sheet.
US08289590B2
A scanner unit includes a scanner for imaging a print medium, a base unit that supports the scanner, a pressure feed roller disposed opposite the scanning surface of the scanner, a guide member for guiding the print medium to the scanner, a frame member that supports the pressure feed roller and the guide member, and a motor that drives the pressure feed roller. The frame member is supported pivotably to the base. In other embodiments the scanner unit can include a roller shaft such that the pressure feed roller is coaxially affixed to the roller shaft and the frame member supports the roller shaft, a first gear on the roller shaft, and a second gear that transfers drive power from the motor to the second gear.
US08289581B2
An image processing apparatus which is capable of managing a large number of transfer jobs without using a large-capacity storage device. A transfer job for transferring image information input to the image processing apparatus to at least one destination is performed, and character information is extracted from the input image information. History information indicative of the execution result of the transfer job is generated, and recorded in association with the extracted character information in a storage device. At least one of at least one piece of history information and at least one piece of character information recorded in association with the history information are perused.
US08289580B2
An image scanning and processing system includes a scanner for generating a stream of data encoding a scanned image; a controller for controlling and processing data received from the scanner; and a file storage unit. In use, the stream of data is written to a master file saved in the file storage unit. The controller is configured to create a preview image with a lower data size than the scanned image from at least part of the data encoding the scanned image. The controller is configured to extract data encoding the preview image directly from the stream of data, and to write the extracted data to a thumbnail file. A method of scanning and processing an image, includes scanning an original and thereby generating a stream of data, encoding a scanned image, saving the scanned image in a master file, and creating a preview image with a lower data size than the scanned image from at least part of the data encoding the scanned image. Data encoding the preview image is extracted from the stream of data, and written to a thumbnail file.
US08289579B2
A variable guilloche includes at least two guilloche curves, printed in a common space and having at least one point of overlap. The at least two curves are plotted from equations having variables corresponding to a specified data string of steganographic information.
US08289560B2
There is provided a printing device which comprises a print data receiving unit, a transparent property judgment unit, a transparency processing unit, a transparency processing buffer which stores the transparency-processed data generated in the transparency processing, an image data generating unit configured to generate image data based on at least one of the transparency-processed data and the objects, an image data storage control unit, a print engine, and an object placement judgment unit which regards the page memory as a set of bands defined as prescribed areas and judges in which bands each of the objects is to be placed by use of the objects. The transparency processing unit judges whether to execute the transparency processing for a band based on whether the band is judged by the object placement judgment unit to have at least a part of a transparent object.
US08289557B2
An image forming apparatus includes a request portion that requests, from a server machine, access information used for reading out a job, and an access information reception portion that receives the access information. The server machine includes a job reception portion that receives the job and stores the job into a first area, a second area into which the job is to be stored for the image forming apparatus, a storage portion that stores, therein, second read-out information used for reading out the job from the second area, and a response portion that receives a request, and if there is first read-out information used for reading out the job from the first area, then sends the first read-out information to the image forming apparatus as the access information, and otherwise, moves the job to the second area, and sends the second read-out information to the image forming apparatus.
US08289556B2
An image processing apparatus is provided. The image processing apparatus includes, a transport unit configured to transport a sheet, an access unit configured to access a storage medium attached to the sheet transported by the transport unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether access by the access unit is normally completed, and a change unit configured to, when the determination unit determines that access is not normally completed, change control to the transport unit such that a passing time during which a sheet transported by the transport unit passes an access range of the access unit increases.
US08289554B2
Designation of paper and an operator as intended by an MIS while maintaining automation of job processing was not possible, since management of expendables in a POD device and management of performance information by the MIS were not coordinated. In view of this, the MIS acquires usable print sheet information including division management information from the POD device, and, based on a designation of paper designated by a job and a designation of paper associated with an operator relating to the job, selects appropriate paper that the operator is able to use, from the print sheet information provided by the POD device.
US08289551B2
An approach is provided for processing print data without a client print driver. A print agent is configured to discover a conversion service using Web services. A Web services-enabled print service is configured to determine whether print data received from a client is rasterized. In response to determining that the print data is not rasterized, the print service is further configured to transmit the print data to the print agent. The print agent is further configured to receive the print data from the print service and transmit the print data to the conversion service. The print agent is further configured to receive the print data as rasterized print data from the conversion service, and transmit the rasterized print data to the print service. The print service is further configured to receive the print data as rasterized print data from the print agent, and process the rasterized print data for printing.
US08289540B2
It is an object of the present invention to install a print server simply. In the present invention, a port monitor, an IP address and a data sending method corresponding to an installed logical printer are acquired and stored in an installed logical printer information storage module, by an installed logical printer analysis module. A logical printer auto-creation module creates the port monitor of the logical printer to be used by the print server to be installed, based on the stored information, and associates the port monitor as the port monitor of a newly created logical printer or the existing logical printer.
US08289538B2
A system for managing a job in accordance with a job specification and job content includes a database that stores device information and a configuration engine. The configuration engine is responsive to the job specification and the database and identifies one or more device configurations that are capable of producing the job. The system also includes a controller that is responsive to a selection from the one or more device configurations to produce a command stream in a format compatible with the selection.
US08289534B2
In a print system constituted so as to enable a supplying of sheets from a printing apparatus to a sheet processing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus having a print unit that executes a print process of data of a job stored in a storage unit can store data of a plurality of jobs, wherein the sheet processing apparatus having a sheet processing unit that executes a sheet processing operation to sheets of job printed by the printing apparatus, a controller unit allows the print unit to execute a print process of a second job required before a sheet process of the second job in case that a plurality of jobs including the second job after a first job are accepted and in case that a sheet process of the first job required after a print process of the first job is in execution by the sheet processing unit.
US08289530B2
An image forming apparatus for printing on at least one page of a print media is disclosed. The apparatus includes a removable media handling device that directs the printed media to a first location or a second location, the second location functions as a finishing stage to perform a finishing step on the print media. The removable media handling device includes a media diverter to direct the media to either the first or second location. The image forming apparatus also includes a housing, a print engine to fix an image representing data to the page of print media, a formatter to supply data to the print engine, the formatter being configured to supply a first set of data representing the side of the page to be printed and a second set of data to provide instructions on the output of the printed page, and print media supplier to supply pages of print media to the print engine from a stack of print media pages having leading edges.
US08289526B2
An exemplary system and method for analyzing rolling stock wheels helps allow a wheel to be analyzed at speed, reducing any need for manual inspections or other related delays. An exemplary system may include one or more strobe lights and one or more high-speed cameras to capture images of the rolling stock wheel(s) at speed. The images may include one or more markers to assist in analyzing various parameters of the rolling stock wheel. The exemplary system may include one or more backface illumination plates to assist in illuminating the rolling stock wheel(s) and/or the one or more marker(s).
US08289516B2
A method of measuring focus of a lithographic projection apparatus includes exposure of a photoresist covered test substrate with a plurality of verification fields. Each of the verification fields includes a plurality of verification markers, and the verification fields are exposed using a predetermined focus offset FO. After developing, an alignment offset for each of the verification markers is measured and translated into defocus data using a transposed focal curve. The method according to an embodiment of the invention may result in a focus-versus alignment shift sensitivity up to 50 times higher (typically dX,Y/dZ=20) than conventional approaches.
US08289506B2
A first image formation point for a workpiece is provided between a camera and the workpiece. An image of the workpiece is at the first image formation point, and picked up by the camera. Meanwhile, an image for a protection glass is not formed at the first image formation point, and is instead diffused and then picked up by the camera. For this reason, an image caused by dirt on the protection glass is diffused. As a result, in the image picked up by the camera, images due to dirt become few and images due to the workpiece become relatively many. Therefore, the accuracy of an evaluation on the quality of the workpiece can be improved.
US08289495B2
A motion picture printing system having a digital micromirror device for manipulating light used to expose a film negative is disclosed. A motion picture printing system having an organic light emitting diode for emitting light to expose a film negative is disclosed.
US08289489B2
Provided are a fringe-field-switching (FFS)-mode liquid crystal display (LCD) and a method of manufacturing the same. The FFS-mode LCD includes a transparent common electrode, a conductive reflection structure electrically connected to the transparent common electrode, and a transparent pixel electrode formed on the conductive reflection structure and including a plurality of slits. The transparent common electrode is formed on a region including a data line and a gate line so that respective unit pixel regions can be electrically connected to one another.
US08289479B2
A liquid crystal display including a backlight unit and a liquid crystal display panel is provided. A spectrum of the backlight unit has relative relative maximum brightness peaks at wavelength between 460 nm to 480 nm, between 505 nm to 525 nm, and between 610 nm to 630 nm. The liquid crystal display panel is disposed above the backlight unit. The liquid crystal display panel has a red color filter layer (Rx, Ry, RY), a green color filter layer (Gx, Gy, GY), a blue color filter layer (Bx, By, BY) and a yellow color filter layer (Yx, Yy, YY), wherein under the backlight source, the red color filter layer, the green color filter layer, the blue color filter layer and the yellow color filter layer satisfy following conditions: Rx≧0.654; Ry≦0.330; Gx≦0.253; Gy≧0.605; Bx≦0.136; By≦0.146; Yx≦0.408; Yy≦0.534; 0.83≦RY/GY≦0.87; 0.86≦GY/BY≦0.92; 0.83≦BY/YY≦0.87 and 1.5≦YY/RY≦1.55.
US08289477B2
A backlight apparatus is provided that enables a balance of brightness to be maintained over the entire area of a display screen and long life to be achieved. The surface of substrate 130 is opposite the rear surface of liquid crystal panel 110. LEDs 140 are placed on the surface of substrate 130. LED drive circuits 150 supply LEDs 140 with a current that causes LEDs 140 to emit light that illuminates liquid crystal panel 110. LED drive circuits 150 supply a lower current to LEDs 140 placed in an area having a higher ambient temperature within the surface area of substrate 130.
US08289468B2
A liquid crystal module includes a rear frame, a light source, an optical sheet, a liquid crystal panel and a bezel. The bezel includes first and second bezel pieces. The first bezel piece has a first recess portion and a first tab portion that protrudes from a first bottom portion of the first recess portion toward the second bezel pieces. The second bezel piece has a second recess portion and a second tab portion that protrudes from a second bottom portion of the second recess portion toward the first bezel pieces. The first bottom portion and the first tab portion of the first bezel piece are superposed with the second tab portion and the second bottom portion of the second bezel piece, respectively.
US08289462B2
A thin film transistor array panel includes a substrate; a plurality of gate lines that are formed on the substrate; a plurality of data lines that intersect the gate lines; a plurality of thin film transistors that are connected to the gate lines and the data lines; a plurality of color filters that are formed on upper parts of the gate lines, the data lines, and the thin film transistors; a common electrode that is formed on the color filters and that includes a transparent conductor; a passivation layer that is formed on an upper part of the common electrode; and a plurality of pixel electrodes that are formed on an upper part of the passivation layer and that are connected to a drain electrode of each of the thin film transistors.
US08289461B2
A transflective-type liquid crystal display device with a high image quality which has a high aperture ratio and an excellent efficiency of utility of reflected light is provided at low cost. A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is a liquid crystal display device having a transistor and a reflection section in each of a plurality of pixels; the reflection section includes a metal layer, an insulating layer formed on the metal layer, a semiconductor layer formed on the insulating layer, and a reflective layer formed on the semiconductor layer; a plurality of recesses are formed on the surface of the reflective layer; a storage capacitor is formed between at least a portion of the metal layer and at least a portion of the reflective layer; and at least one of the metal layer and the reflective layer includes two portions which are electrically isolated from each other.
US08289455B2
A remote control device is presented which includes a user interface, control logic, a memory and a transmitter. The user interface is configured to accept an input from a user. The control logic is configured to generate a random number as an address for the remote control device, and to generate a command for an electronic device based on the input from the user. The command comprises the address. The memory is configured to store the address for the remote control device. The transmitter is configured to transmit the command to the electronic device.
US08289451B2
A method and apparatus for automatic reduction of noise in video signals transmitted over conductors is presented. The present invention provides an adjustable amount of noise filtering matched to the amount of gain provided by an adjustable gain amplifier to a received video signal. One or more stages of a multi-stage discrete gain amplifier is provided with a corresponding noise filter circuit. The filter circuit is matched to the frequency response of and the amount of gain provided by the discrete gain amplifier stage. When the amplifier stage is applied to the received signal, the corresponding noise filter for that stage is invoked as well. In that manner, the amount of noise filtering applied to a video signal automatically varies with the amount of amplification provided to that signal.
US08289448B2
An information storage medium containing subtitles and a subtitle processing apparatus, where the information storage medium includes: audio-visual (AV) data; and subtitle data in which at least one subtitle text data and output style information designating an output form of the subtitle texts are stored with a text format. With this, output times of subtitle texts included in the text subtitle data can be overlapped, a subtitle file can be easily produced, and subtitles for an AV stream can be output with various forms.
US08289443B2
The present invention relates to computer capture of object motion. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to capturing of facial movement or performance of an actor. Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting bracket for a head-mounted motion capture camera system. In many embodiments, the mounting bracket includes a helmet that is positioned on the actor's head and mounting rods on either side of the helmet that project toward the front of the actor that may be flexibly repositioned. Cameras positioned on the mounting rods capture images of the actor's face.
US08289441B2
According to the present invention, the imaging apparatus of the rolling shutter system first exposes/reads odd lines of an imaging sensor and then exposes/reads even lines. An image of one line is formed by sorting information of the lines, which is obtained by reading the information of the odd lines first and reading the information of the even lines later, in order of line positions. As a result, exposure start timing of adjacent odd/even lines is significantly shifted, and the exposure unevenness has a periodic stripe pattern when the exposure unevenness caused by flash emission of another person, etc. occurs on an image of one frame. Therefore, accurate detection of exposure unevenness caused by flash emission of another person in an imaging apparatus of a rolling shutter system can be achieved.
US08289437B2
An image pickup optical system made of five lenses, includes in order from an object side, an aperture stop, a first lens L1 having a positive refracting power, a second lens L2 having a negative refracting power, a third lens L3 having a positive refracting power, a fourth lens L4 having a positive refracting power, and a fifth lens L5 having a negative refracting power. Moreover, an image pickup apparatus includes this image pickup optical system.
US08289425B2
A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of light sensing sections; a plurality of vertical transfer registers configured to transfer signal charge of the plurality of light sensing sections in the vertical direction; a horizontal transfer register configured to transfer the signal charge in the horizontal direction; a floating gate amplifier that is placed at an output side of the horizontal transfer register; a floating diffusion amplifier that is placed in a horizontal transfer register which is provided at a stage subsequent to the floating gate amplifier; and an overflow drain mechanism that is placed in the horizontal transfer register between the floating gate amplifier and the floating diffusion amplifier.
US08289418B2
Systems and methods of receiving image content in a first format and storing converted image content in a second format are disclosed. A method includes receiving image content in a first format from a camera at an interface of a data storage device that includes a controller coupled to a memory. The data storage device emulates a printer via the interface. The image content in the first format is converted to image content in a second format and stored at the memory of the data storage device.
US08289417B2
There is provided an imaging device including a first processor having a list creating unit for, when a group is specified and a creation process of a data list is requested for data divided to one or a plurality of groups, creating a data list related to data of the specified group, and a list transmission unit for transmitting a data list created by the list creating unit through a first line when a transmission request of the data list based on the PTP is acquired through the first line; and a second processor having a list creation requesting unit for specifying the group and requesting for the creation process of the data list with respect to the first processor through a second line different from the first line, and a list transmission requesting unit for transmitting the transmission request of the data list to the first processor.
US08289413B2
An image processing apparatus has an inputting unit for inputting: image data including image data shot using a bracket shooting function; and an instruction for correction processing on the image data. The image processing apparatus also has a selecting unit for, in a case where the image data stored in the storage unit is image data that has been shot using a bracket shooting function corresponding to the correction processing instruction, selecting the image data shot using the bracket shooting function corresponding to the correction processing instruction from the image data stored in the storage unit. And, the image processing apparatus also has a processing unit for, in a case where there is no image data in the storage unit that corresponds to the correction processing instruction, performing the correction processing on the image data input by the inputting unit.
US08289403B2
A recognition object detecting portion detects a recognition object existing in each of images which are captured in series at different time points by a camera. Images of the detected recognition object are stored in a memory. A recognition object condition judging portion determines whether image areas of the recognition object are recognizable. A movement amount detecting portion detects a movement amount of the recognition object by using the image areas of the recognition object stored in the memory. A sub-area detecting portion detects a sub-area to be recognized, by using the image areas of the recognition object read out from the memory, in accordance with the movement amount of the recognition object. A recognition portion performs recognition processing on the sub-areas. A recognition result integration portion integrates recognition results of the sub-areas including recognized characters and/or recognized patterns and the corresponding reliabilities, respectively.
US08289400B2
Methods, devices, and systems for continuous image capturing are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes continuously capturing a sequence of images with an image capturing device. The method may further include storing a predetermined number of the sequence of images in a buffer. The method may further include receiving a user request to capture an image. In response to the user request, the method may further include automatically selecting one of the buffered images based on an exposure time of one of the buffered images. The sequence of images is captured prior to or concurrently with receiving the user request.
US08289395B2
An imaging apparatus with adjustable imaging plane, the apparatus having mechanical, electronic or optical devices to adjust the position and the orientation of the imaging plane, which successively captures a plurality of images while adjusting the imaging plane, and a method to integrate the captured images to a single high-resolution image by exploration of the mutual information not available in a single image, such as the sub-pixel observations due to the spatial misalignment, thus achieving an image resolution higher than the sensor resolution.
US08289389B2
A visual inspector for inspecting a flat panel display device and a visual inspecting method using the same are disclosed. The visual inspector includes an inspection unit including a base frame and a loading stage rotatably coupled to the base frame to load a display panel on a front side thereof and to transmit a light to the flat panel device; a reflective illumination unit installed in the upper space of the inspection unit to illuminate the display panel loaded on the front side of the loading stage; and a transparent illumination unit coupled to the rear side of the loading stage of the inspection unit to illuminate the display panel loaded on the front side of the loading stage.
US08289386B2
Object: To provide an inspecting method and device which can distinguish black dirt, non-black dirt and a tear, without determining a pattern as a defect, in a defect inspection of dirt, a tear, a deformed shape, etc. in sheet-like products having differences in color reproducibility (such as variations, color unevenness and/or color fading).Solving Means: A sheet-like product inspecting method and device are characterized in preparing an inspection plate having a plurality of different color regions and a color camera capable of picking up images of plural lines of R, G and B components, acquiring R, G and B image data of a sheet-like product that is passed over the inspection plate, obtaining a synthesized image of an R component image, a G component image, and a B component image, detecting a color changed region in the synthesized image, and determining a defect type depending on whether a color of the color changed region falls within a certain range of setting parameter, which is stored in advance per defect type.
US08289371B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling cropping areas of video images to match the allocated area associated with the image in a video conferencing layout. The disclosed methods can protect regions of interest from being cropped. A region of interest within a video image is identified to adjust the cropping in such a way that the region of interest is preserved within the cropped image. The region of interest may be identified based on motion detection or flesh tone detection, for example.
US08289362B2
In one embodiment, a method includes setting a target value for each audio source received from a plurality of remote participants to a telepresence conference, the gain coefficient array feeding a mixer associated with a loudspeaker associated with a display. A gain increment value is then set for each audio source, the gain increment value being equal to a difference between the target value and a current gain coefficient, the difference being divided by N, where N is an integer greater than one that represents a number of increments. Then, for each audio source, and for each of N iterations, the gain increment value is added to a current gain coefficient to produce a new current gain coefficient that is loaded into the mixer, such that after the N iterations the new current gain coefficient is equal to the target value. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
US08289356B2
A light output device comprises a controller configured to generate a set signal that sets a reference voltage for determining a predetermined value of an output power of the light in a case of power adjustment wherein the output power is changed to a power different from in a case of power accuracy requirement, and a reference voltage generating section configured to generate the reference voltage according to the set signal. The controller in the case of power accuracy requirement puts a set-signal output port in a high-impedance state, while in the case of power adjustment generates the set signal using a predetermined voltage, the set signal alternating between a high level and a low level. The reference voltage generating section in the case of power accuracy requirement generates the reference voltage on a basis of a level shift voltage generated by level shifting the predetermined voltage.
US08289348B2
An image signal processing device 1 comprises a delay part 10, a basic correction value output part 20, and a corrected image data output part 30. To the basic correction value output part 20, data G1[7:4] of high order 4 bits of image data G1[7:0] of a first frame to be output from the delay part 10 is input and data G2[7:4] of high order 4 bits of image data G2[7:0] of a second frame to be input to the delay part 10 is input, and the basic correction value output part 20 outputs basic correction values D1 to D4 corresponding to the data. To the corrected image data output part 30, G1[7:0], G2[7:0] and D1 to D4 are input, and the corrected image data output part 30 performs when “G1[7:4]=G2[7:4]” holds and performs different processing when “G1[7:4]≠G2[7:4]” holds, and acquires corrected image data G2′[7:0] corresponding to data (G1[7:0], G2[7:0]) by interpolation calculation.
US08289344B2
Methods and apparatus for achieving color and luminance uniformity in color output devices. In one embodiment, measurements of luminance and chrominance are taken at various regions of the display surface for a range of color inputs. Using the collected data, a color volume is formed for each of the measured regions. This color volume comprises a set of all colors producible at the measured region. The color volumes for each of the measured regions are then used to generate a common color gamut, i.e., a volume of colors that are producible in each of the measured regions. A gamut mapping can then be performed for all or a portion of the positions on the display surface to a target color gamut. Input data for the gamut mapping process may be determined by conventional interpolative techniques.
US08289335B2
A programmable processor and method for improving the performance of processors by expanding at least two source operands, or a source and a result operand, to a width greater than the width of either the general purpose register or the data path width. The present invention provides operands which are substantially larger than the data path width of the processor by using the contents of a general purpose register to specify a memory address at which a plurality of data path widths of data can be read or written, as well as the size and shape of the operand. In addition, several instructions and apparatus for implementing these instructions are described which obtain performance advantages if the operands are not limited to the width and accessible number of general purpose registers.
US08289334B2
A floating point rasterization and frame buffer in a computer system graphics program. The rasterization, fog, lighting, texturing, blending, and antialiasing processes operate on floating point values. In one embodiment, a 16-bit floating point format consisting of one sign bit, ten mantissa bits, and five exponent bits (s10e5), is used to optimize the range and precision afforded by the 16 available bits of information. In other embodiments, the floating point format can be defined in the manner preferred in order to achieve a desired range and precision of the data stored in the frame buffer. The final floating point values corresponding to pixel attributes are stored in a frame buffer and eventually read and drawn for display. The graphics program can operate directly on the data in the frame buffer without losing any of the desired range and precision of the data.
US08289330B2
A method and system that provides a unique data display tool for use in the investment area and utilizes color coated entries in various data displays to aid in the client's assimilation of investment data and information. More specifically, the method and system uses a plurality of colors that are superimposed over data contained in various data category displays. Any one category data may contain a number of different such colored overlays. It is between different data displays, the same color would be used for the same data category presented in each display.
US08289329B2
In a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging display system, the values of at least two quantitative MR parameters for a given Region of Interest (ROI) are displayed and dynamically updated when the ROI is changed.
US08289328B2
Provided are a content information display method and apparatus. The method includes: extracting a content file list; extracting additional information having a same property from among additional information on each of content files included in the content file list; generating a graph representing a degree of the property by comparing the extracted additional information on each content file with additional information on another content file; and displaying the graph and the content file list.
US08289327B1
A system includes a computing device that includes a memory for storing a three-dimensional model that represents particles of a coarse fire simulation. The computing device also includes a graphics refiner for producing two-dimensional simulation segments from the three-dimensional model that represents particles of a coarse fire simulation. The separation distance between two or more of the two-dimensional simulation segments is based upon a level of spatial detail provided by the coarse fire simulation. The graphics refiner is configured to separately process the two-dimensional simulation segments to produce a detailed fire simulation.
US08289326B2
The present disclosure relates to the development of terrain image analogy filters which may be used to convert visible terrain imagery from a first condition to a second condition. For example, from a seasonal “daytime/summer” view to a “nighttime/winter” appearance. The image analogy filters may be generated using processors such as one or more graphics processing units.
US08289322B1
Techniques for coarsening a quadrilateral mesh are described. These techniques include identifying a coarsening region within the quadrilateral mesh to be coarsened. Quadrilateral elements along a path through the coarsening region are removed. Node pairs along opposite sides of the path are identified. The node pairs along the path are then merged to collapse the path.
US08289321B2
In a plane detection apparatus, a plane detection unit (3) includes a line fitting block (4) to select a group of distance data points being in one plane from distance data forming an image and extract lines from the distance data point group, and a region growing block (5) to detect one or more planar regions existing in the image from a group of all lines included in the image and extracted by the line fitting block (4). The line fitting block (4) first draws a line D1 connecting end points of the distance data point group, searches a point of interest brk whose distance to the line L1 is largest, segments the data point group by the point of interest brk when the distance is larger than a predetermined threshold, and determines a line L2 by the least-squares method when the distance is smaller than the predetermined threshold. In case there exists a larger number of data points than a predetermine number on one side of the line L2, the data point group is determined to be in a zig-zag shape, the data point group is segmented by the point of interest brk. These operations are done repeatedly. Thus, a plurality of planes robust against noises is detected simultaneously and accurately from distance data including measurement noises.
US08289319B2
An apparatus for rendering an image includes a command binning module. The command binning module generates binned image information by classifying command information into bins that each correspond to a display tile of an image to be rendered. The command binning module generates image depth information for each display tile based on the binned command information.
US08289307B2
A source driver with low consumption and the driving method thereof are provided herein. The source driver includes an output buffer with a first input terminal receiving a pixel signal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal coupled to the second input terminal and a display panel. The source driver also includes a pre-charge circuit pre-charges a first terminal of the display panel to a first preset voltage or a second preset voltage for a pre-charge period according to a polarity of a common voltage coupled to the display panel. The second preset voltage is smaller than the first preset voltage. The output buffer is inactivated during the pre-charge period and activated for a preset period after the pre-charge period. Therefore, the present invention reduces power consumption of the source driver.
US08289305B2
A liquid crystal display device, includes: a liquid crystal panel; a point light source which emits light to the liquid crystal panel; and a light source driver which comprises a power input terminal to receive initial power, a power supply to supply power to the point light source according to the initial power and a reference current, and a reference current controller to output the changed reference current according to the changed initial power, to the power supply.
US08289304B2
A display device for receiving and displaying an image signal is disclosed. The display device comprises a display screen, a light sensor, a light information determining unit, an image analysis unit, a luminance determining unit, and a control unit. The light sensor is installed near the display screen for detecting an ambient luminance level. The light information determining unit is utilized for determining a first luminance adjusting value according to the ambient luminance. The image analysis unit is utilized for analyzing the image signal to obtain a color level value. The luminance determining unit is utilized for calculating a second luminance adjusting value according to the color level value, and for determining a final luminance adjusting value according to the first luminance adjusting value and the second luminance adjusting value. The control unit is utilized for adjusting the luminance of the display screen according to the final luminance adjusting value.
US08289302B2
An output buffer circuit with enhanced slew rate is disclosed. A first and a second slew-rate enhancing transistor are configured to enhance the slew rate of the source transistor and the sink transistor of an output stage. A first control circuit and a second control circuit turn off the first and the second slew-rate enhancing transistors during the static state, and turn on the first and the second slew-rate enhancing transistors during the transition.
US08289291B2
Examples of methods, systems and computer accessible mediums related to tactile imaging are generally described herein. Some examples may comprise using a receiver to receive information related to a tactile image. Examples may also comprise using a processing arrangement to determine a top hierarchical area of the display corresponding to the image information and/or determining a sub-hierarchical area of the display within the top hierarchical area corresponding to the image information. Some Examples may further comprise using a transmitter to transmit a signal to a tactile display based on the determined sub-hierarchical area for activating a toxel in the determined sub-hierarchical area of the tactile display. Activation of the toxel may comprise activating a plurality of toxels in a determined sub-hierarchical area in response to the transmitted signal. The hierarchical area may include a plurality of sub-hierarchical areas within the top hierarchical area.
US08289284B2
A touchpad controller for a componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The touchpad controller facilitates use beneath a sterile drape and sensitivity to gloved touch. Furthermore, the touchpad controller is sized for handheld use during an imaging session. A rail mount facilitates easy attachment of the touchpad controller alongside a patient table.
US08289279B2
The present invention provides a wireless keyboard system for a digital computer. The keyboard system further comprises a housing having a keyboard section, function key section, and numeric key section cooperatively arranged on the top surface area of the housing. The keyboard section has keys for generating key signals. The keys of the keyboard section are substantially arranged in a standard QWERTY or DVORAK typewriting key format. The function key section has keys configured to generate application or system specific key signals. The numeric key section has keys configured to generate numeric key signals. The keyboard system further comprises a switch configured to switch the numeric key section between a keyboard mode and a calculator mode. A small display is operationally mounted on the top surface of the housing near the numeric key section. The display is operational within the calculator mode. A wireless communication means is required for transmitting the key signals of each section to the digital computer. The keyboard system can further comprise a ergonomic integrated pointing device.
US08289278B2
A pointing device includes: a magneto-electric transducer for detecting a variation in magnetic field of a magnetic element carried on an operator due to movement of the operator relative to an original position and for generating a voltage signal based on a detection result made thereby; a sampling unit for sampling the voltage signal to generate a sampling voltage; and a processing unit operable to generate a control signal corresponding to the movement of the operator upon detecting one of that the sampling voltage is not within a voltage range and that the sampling voltage is within the voltage range while a displacement of the operator from the original position is greater than a predetermined distance. A method of enabling a pointing device to generate a control signal is also disclosed.
US08289276B2
A handheld electronic device enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are provided by logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided. Additionally, the device can facilitate the selection of variants by displaying a graphic of a special
US08289262B2
A liquid crystal display and a shift register device thereof are provided. The shift register device includes a plurality of shift registers connected in series. In the invention, the channel lengths of the transistors, which are responsible to stop outputting scan signal, in the shift register are manufactured greater than the channel lengths of the transistors, which are responsible to output the scan signal, in the shift register. As a result, the degree of influence that the leakage currents of the N-type transistors being responsible to stop outputting the scan signal in the shift register affect the transistors being responsible to output the scan signal when the transistors being responsible to stop outputting the scan signal are in the sub-threshold region is reduced. And thus each of the shift registers is able to output the scan signal normally.
US08289261B2
A gate driving circuit that may be capable of improving driving margin and maintaining reliability even after long use, and a display device having the gate driving circuit. The gate driving circuit includes a shift register having a plurality of stages dependently connected to one another, wherein each stage includes a pull-up unit outputting a first clock signal as a gate signal in response to a signal of a first node, to which a first input signal is applied, a pull-down unit discharging the gate signal to a gate-off voltage in response to a second input signal, a discharging unit discharging the signal of the first node to the gate-off voltage in response to the second input signal, and a holding unit maintaining the signal of the first node at the gate-off voltage in response to a delay signal of the first clock signal.
US08289252B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a data analysis unit to analyze image data of an input image data stream for variation of luminance between the image data, a black data processing unit to insert black data into the input image data stream based on the variation of luminance analyzed by the data analysis unit and to output an output image data stream, and a liquid crystal panel to display images based on the output image data stream output from the black data processing unit.
US08289250B2
A bistable electro-optic display is updated by writing an image on the display using a first drive scheme capable of driving pixels to multiple gray levels, and thereafter varied using a second drive scheme using only two gray levels, at least one of which is not an extreme optical state of the pixel.
US08289247B2
A display device and a method of driving the same are provided. The display device includes a plurality of display pixels, a plurality of data lines that are connected to the display pixels, and a plurality of sensing lines that are connected to the display pixels. Each display pixel includes: a driving transistor that has a control terminal, an input terminal, and an output terminal; a capacitor that is connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor; a first switching transistor that is connected to the data line and the control terminal of the driving transistor; a light-emitting element that receives a driving current from the driving transistor to emit light; a second switching transistor that is connected between the sensing line and the light-emitting element; and a third switching transistor that is connected between the output terminal of the driving transistor and the light-emitting element.
US08289246B2
In a pixel circuit 100, a switching TFT 114, a driving TFT 110, and an organic EL element 130 are provided between a power supply wiring line Vp and a common cathode Vcom and a capacitor 121 and a switching TFT 111 are provided between a gate terminal of the driving TFT 110 and a data line Sj. A switching TFT 112 is provided between a connection point A between the capacitor 121 and the switching TFT 111 and a power supply wiring line Vr, a switching TFT 113 is provided between the gate and drain terminals of the driving TFT 110, and a capacitor 122 is provided between the gate terminal of the driving TFT 110 and the power supply wiring line Vr. Thus, a display device is provided that can freely set a period during which variations in the threshold voltage of a drive element are compensated for, and performs high-quality display by holding a control terminal potential of the drive element during light emission from an electro-optical element.
US08289234B2
An Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) that is capable of decreasing the number of output lines for a data driver using a demultiplexer, displaying an image with uniform brightness, and adjusting white balance includes: a plurality of red, green and blue sub-pixels, and each sub-pixel is provided with an auxiliary capacitor to compensate a decreased driving voltage. The respective auxiliary capacitors are different in capacitance according to emission efficiency of the red, green and blue sub-pixels. The auxiliary capacitor of the green sub-pixel has a larger capacitance than the auxiliary capacitor of the red sub-pixel, and the auxiliary capacitor of the red sub-pixel has a larger capacitance than the auxiliary capacitor of the blue sub-pixel. This enables the white balance to be adjusted with the same data voltage.
US08289225B2
The antenna includes a power-feeding radiation electrode and a non-power-feeding radiation electrode are provided adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween on the flexible substrate, which also is bendable. The power-feeding radiation electrode is used to perform antenna operation in a basic mode in which resonant operation is performed at a basic frequency and antenna operation in a high-order mode in which resonant operation is performed at a frequency higher than the basic frequency. The power-feeding radiation electrode includes a loop path configured such that the power-feeding radiation electrode first extends in a direction away from a power-feeding end and an open end is bent toward the power-feeding end. The non-power-feeding radiation electrode has one end serving as a ground-side end and the other end serving as an open end. A dielectric body having permittivity higher than the bendable, flexible substrate is provided on a front surface or a back surface of the power-feeding radiation electrode provided in a region including a portion in which voltage of a resonant frequency in the high-order mode is zero potential and a region in the vicinity of that portion.
US08289221B1
A center-fed deployable reflectarray antenna system comprised of a stack of flat reflectarray panels, a deployment mast, a waveguide, and an antenna feed. The flat reflector in its deployed configuration is subdivided about its center into n equal panels. The stowed configuration has the n panels arranged in a vertical stack with each separated from the next by a small distance. Panel mounting brackets are attached to each panel at the center area where they would have converged in their deployed configuration. The deployment mast is a hollow cylinder with guide slots cut through its wall. The bottom panel is fixedly attached to the bottom of the deployment mast while the remaining panels are moveable attached to the guide slots. The guide slots are designed so that when going from the stacked to the deployed configuration each panel is moved with respect to the fixed panel along its guide slots a predetermined angle at which point it is dropped to the plane of the fixed panel. The waveguide is located along the central axis of the deployment mast and the antenna feed attached to the waveguide at the appropriate distance from the antenna reflector.
US08289217B2
An antenna system connectable to a vehicle includes an exterior antenna and an interior antenna. The vehicle has a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface generally opposing the outer surface. The inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture. The wall defines an exterior environment and an interior cabin of the vehicle. The exterior antenna is disposed on the outer surface of the wall, where the exterior antenna transmits and receives RF signals to and from an external RF device that is located in the exterior environment. The interior antenna is located within the interior cabin defined by the inner surface of the wall. The interior antenna receives and transmits RF signals to and from an interior RF device located within the interior cabin.
US08289212B2
An apparatus includes a transmitter and a receiver device, which includes a receiver section and a processing module. The transmitter transmits a high carrier frequency signal. The receiver section includes first and second antennas that have an antenna radiation relationship for receiving the high carrier frequency signal. A receiver module of the receiver section determines first and second signal properties of the received high carrier frequency signal. The processing module determines a position of the receiver device with respect to the transmitter based on the first and second signal properties and maps the position to a coordinate system.
US08289207B2
An improved method is provided for positioning a directional antenna coupled to a radio towards a satellite. The method includes: receiving an input to the radio from an operator of the radio, where the input indicates a desired time period for positioning the antenna; transmitting, during the desired time period, a plurality of burst data transmissions from the radio over a channel associated with the satellite; receiving a plurality of reply data transmissions from the satellite which correspond to the plurality of burst data transmissions sent by the radio; determining a metric indicative of signal quality for each of the reply data transmissions; and outputting from the radio an indicator for each metric. The operator of the radio can use the indicator output by the radio to better position the antenna towards the satellite.
US08289204B2
An object is to enhance certainty of a positioning process in a mobile communication terminal even with a large error of approximate location information. A mobile communication terminal 1 is a mobile communication terminal for performing GPS positioning using GPS positioning assist data and signals received from GPS satellites. The mobile communication terminal 1 has an assist data requesting unit 13 which receives as the GPS positioning assist data, approximate location information of the mobile communication terminal 1 and error information indicative of an error of the approximate location information, a GPS positioning unit 11 which performs the GPS positioning, a positioning result determining unit 14 which determines whether the error information used in the GPS positioning is not less than a threshold THM, with a failure in the GPS positioning, and an input accepting unit 15 which accepts input of approximate location information when the error information is not less than the threshold THM. The GPS positioning unit 11 again performs positioning using the approximate location information accepted by the input accepting unit 15.
US08289198B2
A switched capacitor circuit, which may be an SAR ADC, includes a plurality of bit switching circuits (33) each including a high-voltage sampling switch circuit (18) having a first terminal (28) coupled to a first terminal of a corresponding capacitor (22) and a second terminal coupled to receive an analog input signal (VSIG). A third terminal of the sampling switch circuit is coupled to an intermediate conductor (19). Each switching circuit (33) also includes a low-voltage conversion switch circuit (30) coupled to the intermediate conductor (19) and a combinational logic circuit (12) applying low-voltage signals to the conversion switch circuit and a level-shifting circuit (16) that generates corresponding high-voltage signals (HV_SIG_DRV) which control coupling of the first terminal (28) to the analog input signal and the intermediate conductor.
US08289193B2
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable, handheld housing, and a display and keyboard carried by the portable, handheld housing. The keyboard may include a plurality of multi-symbol keys each having indicia of a plurality of respective symbols thereon, and a predetermined multi-symbol key may have a comma/apostrophe symbol and at least one other symbol thereon. A controller may be used for generating, in response to an ambiguous input including an ambiguous punctuations input, a menu of possible desired words including at least one word with a comma and at least one word with an apostrophe and at least one other character additional to the ambiguous input. The device further includes a multiple-axis input device that is operable to provide movement inputs to move to, for example, a variant output and is further operable to provide a selection input as to, for example, the variant output.
US08289191B2
A hazard area protection system wherein it includes a projection device designed to project a light beam on at least part of the surface area on the ground of the hazard area.
US08289183B1
A system and method for monitoring performance of one or more solar panels in a photovoltaic array. The system and method includes a number of sensors are configured to measure an output of individual solar panels. A telemetry gateway collects data from the sensors and transmits the collected data to a monitoring system. The monitoring system includes an event signature recognizer; a trend analyzer; and a symmetry analyzer. The monitoring system detects events, trends and solar panel array asymmetry. Additionally, the monitoring system displays realtime graphs, proposed corrective actions, and alerts via a user interface.
US08289182B2
A method and system of virtual energy management display involves periodically receiving via a mesh local area network electronic data representing energy management-related information by a RF communication-enabled memory storage device coupled to an electronic display device within a home area network. Electronic data representing telemetry information is likewise periodically received by the RF communication-enabled memory storage device from at least one RF communication-enabled energy management-related device within the home area network. The electronic data is converted to a common format by an application running at least in part on the memory storage device and displayed on a screen associated with the display device.
US08289177B2
A photo-electric smoke detector includes a source of radiant energy and a closed loop control circuit which responds to a radiant energy feedback signal to adjust an output characteristic of the emitted radiant energy and which evaluates a quality characteristic of the emitted radiant energy. The feedback circuit and the source can be intermittently activated. Emitted radiant energy is directed toward a lens. The feedback signal is proportional to radiant energy reflected or scattered off of the lens.
US08289176B2
A recess-mounted detector assembly has a housing configured to be recess mounted in a structure located in a preselected zone. The housing has an interior space configured to receive a detecting device operable to detect a condition in an airstream in the preselected zone. A cover removably attaches to the housing and has an aperture for allowing an airflow of air from the airstream in the preselected zone into the interior space of the housing. A base plate is mounted in the housing for undergoing pivotal movement between a first position, in which the base plate separates the interior space of the housing into a first compartment configured to receive the detecting device and a second compartment disposed between the open end of the housing and the base plate, and a second position in which the base plate is pivoted toward the open end of the housing to enable access to the first compartment from the open end of the housing.
US08289174B2
A sealing bolt for sealing a container lid to a container body, the sealing bolt including: a first identity element configured so as to provide a first identification signal when sensed with an ultrasonic reading device; a second identity element configured so as to provide a second identification signal when sensed with an ultrasonic reading device; and a third identity element. The third identity element includes the first and second identity elements and a third identification signal is formed by the intersection points created by an overlap of the first and second identification signals. The invention also concerns a method for sealing a container lid to a container body using such a sealing bolt.
US08289171B2
To alert a user of dangerous driving or parking conditions, a personal navigation device for providing a safety notification includes a positioning device for determining position of the personal navigation device, a networking device for receiving safety information corresponding to the position from a safety data server, a display for displaying a user interface and a map, and a processor. The processor generates a query including the position, controls the networking device to send the query to the safety data server, parses the safety information received from the safety data server, and modifies the user interface displayed by the display based on the safety information.
US08289170B2
A system and method for detecting a proximity of a person to a machine includes a first transmitter unit carried by the person, a plurality of receiver units located on the machine at know locations, and a processing unit including data defining a first boundary around the machine. The first transmitter unit transmits a magnetic proximity signal having a predetermined signal strength and a predetermined signal frequency. Each of the plurality of receiver units is for determining a received signal strength of the received magnetic proximity signal. The processing unit: determines a location of the first transmitter unit relative to the machine based on the received signal strength of the magnetic proximity signal and the known location of the plurality of receiver units; and outputs a proximity warning signal if the location of the transmitter relative to the machine is within the first boundary around the machine.
US08289162B2
Methods and systems for providing a gesture-based user interface for a wearable portable device are described. A gesture including a movement of the wearable portable device is received, and at least one character associated with the gesture is identified and displayed on the wearable portable device, thereby allowing entry of characters on the user interface of the wearable portable device using the gestures.
US08289159B2
The location of a device may be determined with respect to another device. For example, a locating device may be moved as it measures at least one distance to a target device. The locating device may then generate one or more indications relating to the measured distance or distances. The locating device also may generate one or more indications relating one or more determined directions to the target device. The target device may be moved in a predetermined manner to determine the location of the target device. Each of the devices may employ a single transceiver and a single antenna for the location determination operations.
US08289149B2
A control method for an air compressor including a compressor body for compressing air and an item to be replaced used during the operation of the compressor body. The method includes computing a service time of the item to be replaced, being based upon an operating time of the compressor body, discriminating whether the item to be replaced is a manufacturer's recommended item or not, determining whether or not the service time of the item to be replaced discriminated as the manufacturer's recommend item is not longer than a first reference time, but determining whether or not the service time of the item to be replaced discriminated as one which is not the manufacturer's recommended item is not longer than a preset second reference time which is shorter than the first reference time, and issuing an alarm when determining that the reference time is exceeded.
US08289144B2
A tire parameter monitoring system has a plurality of sensor units for monitoring tire parameters, with each sensor unit mounted with a different vehicle tire. Each sensor unit has an RFID tag reader for interrogating an RFID tag securely mounted to the vehicle adjacent the corresponding tire and containing a unique identification code. Each sensor unit has a microcontroller for combining each RFID identification code with corresponding tire parameter signals, and a transmitter for transmitting the combined signals to a receiving location. Received tire parameter signals are correlated with the tire location using the RFID identification code, and driver advisory signals are presented to the driver by a display/alarm unit. Two alternative power supplies are provided. A first type uses a battery and a power management circuit for eliminating power drain when the RFID tag reader is energized. A second type uses inductive power to provide an inexhaustible power source.
US08289143B2
An energy gauge includes a first section indicating a remaining amount of fuel, a second section indicating a remaining amount of stored electric power and a baseline. The first section and the second section extend to the right and left with respect to the baseline. A sub-section indicating the remaining amount of fuel and a sub-section indicating the remaining amount of stored electric power are displayed continuously and integrally across the baseline, commonly starting from the baseline. The first section and the second section are arranged at the right and left sides, respectively, with respect to the baseline in correspondence with the positions at which a fuel inlet and a charging inlet are disposed.
US08289121B2
Low profile, shielded magnetic components for circuit board applications include self centering core and coil assemblies with coil receptacle and centering projections formed in core pieces that are assembled around a preformed coil. Welding and plating techniques for forming termination structure for the preformed coil avoid thermal shock issues. External gapping elements and agents to form a gapped core structure are avoided, and gap size in the cores may be tightly controlled over large production lot sizes.
US08289119B2
A conductive winding module is used in a magnetic element. The conductive winding module includes multiple conductive units and multiple output terminals. The conductive units have respective hollow portions. The output terminals are arranged on the conductive units. The conductive units are folded with respect to a connecting line between the conductive units such that the hollow portions are aligned with each other to define a through-hole and the multiple output terminals are staggered to form at least three output terminals to be inserted into a circuit board.
US08289118B2
A stacked inductor with combined metal layers is represented in this invention. The stacked inductor includes: a top layer metal coil, and at least two lower layer metal coils, the metal coils being aligned with each other; adjacent metal coils being connected at the corresponding ends through a via; wherein, each of the lower layer metal coils is consisted of plural layers of metal lines which are interconnected. With the same chip area, the stacked inductor of the present invention can achieve higher inductance and Q factor because of the mutual inductance generated from the plural layers of metal lines and the reduced parasitic resistance.
US08289115B2
Accurate and reliable techniques for determining a current status of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.
US08289112B1
An apparatus (1) monitors a protective device (2) of a machine (4). The apparatus (1) has a switch housing (22) with a switch head (24) and an actuator (8). In the closed state of the protective device (2), the actuator interacts with the switch head (24) with that closed state being signaled. The apparatus (1) has a tumbler device (20) with a tumbler element (30) mounted movably in the apparatus (1) to lock releasably the closed state. The tumbler device (20) has a permanent magnet (34). The magnetic force fixes the tumbler element (30) in a first position when the power supply to the apparatus (1) is switched off to lock the closed state of the protective device (2), in a second position with the tumbler device (20) not locking the closed state.
US08289111B2
The electromagnetic contactor enables a reliable return to a pole open position without increasing the spring force of a return spring. In an electromagnetic contactor, an electromagnetic device having an exciting coil and a contact mechanism having a return spring are disposed in parallel, and the electromagnetic device and contact mechanism are linked by a drive lever. The electromagnetic device has a polarized electromagnet having a magnetic circuit that includes a permanent magnet generating a suction force that moves the contact mechanism to a pole open position side when the exciting coil is not energized. The drive lever is fixed to either one of the electromagnetic device or contact mechanism and contacts with the other with no gap at least when the contact mechanism is moved to the pole open position side. The return force of the contact mechanism is covered by the suction force of the permanent magnet.
US08289078B2
An electronic device has a manipulation part which outputs a control signal including a first analog signal and a second analog signal obtained by inverting a phase of the first analog signal; and a display part which includes a semiconductor integrated circuit supplied at an input terminal thereof with the control signal to output a signal depending upon the control signal from an output terminal thereof, and which displays a predetermined image based on the signal output from the semiconductor integrated circuit.
US08289076B2
When an output voltage from the amplifying circuit includes a positive DC voltage, an electric current continuously flows in a power source voltage, a load, and a reference voltage in this order. As a result, the reference voltage increases so as to be a first threshold voltage or more . The detecting section detects that the reference voltage is the first threshold voltage or more. When the output voltage from the amplifying circuit includes a negative DC voltage, an electric current continuously flows in the reference voltage, the load, a grounding potential in this order. As a result, the reference voltage reduces so as to be a second threshold voltage or less. The detecting section detects that the reference voltage is the second threshold voltage or less.
US08289073B2
A semiconductor device includes a voltage regulator. The device includes an operational amplifier configured to compare an input voltage with a feedback voltage and output an output voltage, an up-resistor connected between an output of the operational amplifier and a first node, a down-resistor connected between a second node and a ground voltage terminal, and a switching unit including a fuse box connected between a third node outputting the feedback voltage and a fourth node having a variable resistance value, and configured to connect the first node with the fourth node and the second node with the third node, or connect the first node with the third node and the second node with the fourth node.
US08289072B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor switch includes a voltage generator, a driver, a switch section, and a power supply controller. The voltage generator is configured to generate a first potential and a negative second potential. The first potential is higher than a power supply voltage supplied to a power supply terminal. The driver is connected to an output of the voltage generator and includes a first level shifter and a second level shifter. The first level shifter is configured to output the first potential in response to input of high level and to output low level in response to input of low level. The second level shifter is configured to output the first potential in response to input of the first potential an output of the first level shifter and to output the second potential in response to input of low level of the output of the first level shifter. The switch section is configured to switch connection between terminals in response to an output of the driver. The power supply controller is configured to control the output of the voltage generator to be connected to the power supply terminal during a first period after supplying the power supply voltage to the power supply terminal and control the output of the voltage generator to be disconnected from the power supply terminal after expiration of the first period.
US08289070B2
A fuse circuit comprises a fuse set and an enable circuit. The enable circuit is configured to receive a test mode enable signal and a power up signal to generate an enable signal and a voltage level to the fuse set for indicating whether an external supply voltage reaches a predetermined value and whether a test mode is enabled. In particular, an output signal of the fuse set is constant in the test mode, regardless of whether a fuse in the fuse set is blown or not.
US08289064B2
A differential offset circuit adapted for an adaptive filter of a receiver front end is provided. The differential offset circuit includes four controllable current sources which are respectively coupled to two differential output terminals of the adaptive filter. The current magnitudes of the controllable current sources are capable of being adjusted according to design requirements so that the differential offset of the adaptive filter is mitigated to avoid that the adaptive filter outputs a distorted signal to affect the accuracy of signal transmission.
US08289061B2
A method is provided for improving clock recovery signal jitter in digital communication based on a phase adjustment technique in a phase interpolation. A clock signal is expressed as the combination of two sinusoidal signals. The phase interpolating process determines the amplitude of the first sinusoidal signal, and the amplitude of the second sinusoidal signal that is 90° out of phase from the first sinusoidal signal. The clock signal is then formed by combining first sinusoidal signal with the second sinusoidal signal by choosing the first and second amplitude such that the amplitude of the clock signal is substantially a constant. Modulation of the clock signal amplitude is significantly improved by the disclosed technique over the conventional technique when the sum of the first and second amplitudes of the two sinusoidal functions is kept a constant.
US08289060B2
A flip-flop includes a functional latch and a retention latch. The functional latch is configured to maintain a logic state of the flip-flop in a power-up mode and the retention latch is configured to maintain the logic state of the flip-flop in a power-down mode. The retention latch is selectively coupled to the functional latch and the retention latch is configured to maintain the logic state in the power-down mode irrespective of a level of an associated clock signal when the power-down mode is entered. A clock pulse that clocks the flip-flop is derived from the associated clock signal.
US08289059B2
Duty-cycle correction circuits, clock distribution networks, and methods for correcting duty-cycle distortion are disclosed, including methods and apparatus for correcting duty-cycle distortion of differential output clock signals provided from a clock distribution network. In one such method, a single-ended clock signal is generated from differential input clock signals for distribution over a clock distribution network and from which the differential output clock signals are generated. A delay of a model delay path is matched to a propagation delay of the clock distribution network, and the single ended clock signal is adjusted to compensate for duty-cycle distortion.
US08289057B2
A phase locked loop (PLL) which has a desired frequency characteristic even though a manufacturing process of a semiconductor integrated circuit has fluctuations. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes the PLL and a control unit. The PLL has a phase frequency detector, a loop filter, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a divider. The VCO comprises a voltage-current converter (VIC) and a ring oscillator. In response to a control voltage, the VIC generates a control current for setting each operating current of the ring oscillator. The control unit switches the PLL to a calibration operating period of its open loop and a normal operating period of its closed loop.
US08289053B2
An inverter is configured by double gate TFTs, and an inverter is configured by double gate TFTs. Top gate terminals of the TFTs that configure the inverter are connected to an input terminal DAT(+), and bottom gate terminals are connected to an output of the inverter and an output terminal OUT. Bottom gate terminals of the TFTs that configure the inverter are connected to an input terminal DAT(−), and bottom gate terminals are connected to an output of the inverter. With this, threshold voltages of the inverters are controlled so as to facilitate switching operations of the inverters, and whereby the comparator circuit operates at a high speed. It is possible to obtain a comparator circuit that is insusceptible to a variation in the threshold voltages of the transistors and fluctuation of a common mode voltage of an input signal and capable of operating at a high speed.
US08289049B2
A signal level adjustment system adjusting a level of signal outputted from a signal output circuit is realized. An input buffer threshold adjustment unit sets a threshold of a signal input circuit to a first variable value. A signal level adjustment unit adjusts an output level of a first signal at the signal output circuit until a voltage of the first signal outputted from the signal output circuit and inputted to the signal input circuit falls into a given range determined based on the threshold.
US08289037B2
A method and an apparatus to measure current in power switching supplies are disclosed for simplification of in-circuit measurement. The method and apparatus to measure current include a sensing capacitor, which in series with a resistor, is placed across the output inductor of the power supply in order to utilize the parasitic resistance of the inductor, in conjunction with a measurement controller which performs initial calibration and temperature compensation. Initial and secondary measurements are performed using an adjustable current sink in order to eliminate thermal effects. The method and apparatus to measure current in power switching supplies are particularly useful for overcoming invasive measurement techniques for measuring current known in the art.
US08289032B2
An integrated circuit capable of on-chip jitter tolerance measurement includes a jitter generator circuit to produce a controlled amount of jitter that is injected into at least one clock signal, and a receive circuit to sample an input signal according to the at least one clock signal. The sampled data values output from the receiver are used to evaluate the integrated circuit's jitter tolerance.
US08289022B2
A device to detect a magnetic field is disclosed. The device includes a first set of nano-magnets and a second set of nano-magnets. The first set of nano-magnets may be operable to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal to a target, and a second set of nano-magnets may be operable to induce an electrical signal in response to a magnetic resonance signal generated from the target.
US08289012B2
The invention relates to a signal transmission/reception device (DER) which can cooperate with an antenna device (A) capable of emitting a magnetic field. The invention is characterized in that the device (DER) comprises the following elements for transmission, namely: a power stage (P) for sending a symmetrical square-wave voltage signal (U0) to the input of the antenna device (A) in order to supply same with a current that can be used to generate the emitted magnetic field; and a current measuring stage (C) for measuring the current circulating in the antenna device (A). The invention is suitable for motor vehicles.
US08289010B1
Embodiments of a system and method to control the overlap times—and deadtime delays—in power converters may support both overlapping and non-overlapping gate control signals, which may provide improved efficiency optimization across a wider range of applications. Various embodiments may be configured to provide careful partitioning between hardware implementation and software control, in order to better accommodate microprocessor-based power converters. Software algorithms may be used to avoid restrictions such as high gate impedance and changing load effects, and protection against errant operation may be provided using an overlap watchdog circuit. Various control circuits may be operated according to one or more algorithms configured to optimize both the HS-to-LS and LS-to-HS deadtime delays for obtaining minimum possible PWM duty cycle values to achieve improved power efficiency.
US08288992B2
A cell management system and method for balancing energy across a plurality of cells coupled to a circuit bus. The system can include a transformer, two transformer switches, and for each cell, a first switch pair allowing transfer of energy between the transformer and the cell, and a second switch pair allowing removal or inclusion of the cell in the serial connection of cells. The system can include an energy storage device, a switch pair allowing transfer of energy between the transformer and the storage device, and for each cell, a third switch pair allowing transfer of energy between the storage device and the cell. The system can include cell, bus and storage device sensors and state estimators. The system can include a controller that controls the transformer switches, cell switches, and storage device switches based on the sensor readings and states.
US08288989B2
A method for managing charge of a plurality of battery-driven AGVs (automated guided vehicles) circulating on the main route provided with an automatic charge station includes: a first step of detecting, using an AGV, a marker for battery voltage check provided on a main route to measure the voltage of a battery of the AGV; a second step of changing the route of the AGV to advance it into a charge route provided in an automatic charge station, stopping the AGV in a charging position, and charging the battery automatically by using an automatic charger, if the measured battery voltage has lowered to a level requiring charging; and a third step of conveying the AGV that has been automatically charged to a standby place provided in the automatic charge station.
US08288958B2
A controller device and corresponding method for modifying an AC input power to provide a reduced power AC output power to a load when coupled to the controller device. The AC output power has a series of cut-out pulses in half cycles of the AC output power waveform. The device includes a switching system having a plurality of switching elements for positioning the series of cut-out pulses in the half cycles of a waveform of the AC input power to result in said reduced power AC output power; and a switch control system for coordinating opening and closing of the plurality of switching elements during positioning of the series of cut-out pulses. The switch control system includes a synchronization system for synchronizing the switching system with timing of said half cycles of the AC input power waveform; wherein the series of cut-out pulses includes at least two cut-out pulses having different durations and different positioning in said half cycles.
US08288957B2
A lighting control system (100) includes a first adapter (150) configured to be operationally coupled to a first light source (110) to provide a first power level, and a second adapter (160) configured to be operationally coupled to a second light source (120) to provide a second power level. A controller (170) is configured to control the first adapter (150) to change the first power level to a current power level. The first adapter (150) is further configured to detect the changed or current (absolute or relative) power level so that the second adapter (160) is controlled, e.g., by first adapter (150), based on the detected current power level.
US08288953B1
An apparatus includes pulse width modulation (PWM) circuitry configured to generate a PWM signal based on a feedback voltage associated with current flowing through a load, such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The apparatus also includes a power switch configured to control the current flowing through the load on the PWM signal. The apparatus further includes averaging circuitry configured to provide an average of the feedback voltage to the PWM circuitry. The averaging circuitry is may be configured to provide the feedback voltage to the PWM circuitry during a first phase of operation and to provide the average of the feedback voltage to the PWM circuitry during a second phase of operation. The average of the feedback voltage may be referenced to a reference voltage received by an error amplifier in the PWM circuitry during both the first and second phases of operation.
US08288951B2
A lighting system includes a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices. By selecting the plurality of OLED devices, or by selectively controlling the plurality of OLED devices, the color characteristics of the lighting system can be tuned. The lifetime of the lighting system can be improved.
US08288948B2
A plasma display panel including a front substrate and a rear substrate facing each other; a barrier wall interposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate, including base portions arranged on either side of a main discharge space and protruding portions protruding on the base portions, and defining stepped spaces on either side of the main discharge space; a scan and a sustain electrode pair including a pair of bus electrodes disposed in the main discharge space and a pair of transparent electrodes extending from the bus electrodes toward the stepped space; an address electrode that generates, together with the scan electrode, an address discharge and crossing the scan electrode; a phosphor layer formed across the main discharge space and the stepped spaces; and a discharge gas filled in the main discharge space and the stepped spaces.
US08288943B2
The invention provides an illumination device (10) with a light emitting diode (20), a transmissive support (50) comprising a luminescent material (51), and a translucent exit window (60). The ratio of the diffuser cavity cross section (212) and LED cavity cross section (211) is larger than (1). With the proposed illumination device (10), the lamp may in particular look white when it is in the off-state and illuminated with white light. Other advantages are that an intrinsically efficient system may be provided and that a warm white option may be provided.
US08288940B2
An electroluminescent article is described, wherein the article includes one or more electroluminescent structures, which may in some embodiments be discontinuous from each other. The article further includes one or more retroreflective structures and, optionally, a removable carrier film disposed over the electroluminescent structures and the retroreflective structures. In some embodiments, the retroreflective structures may be disposed at least partially in the light path capable of being emitted by one or more of the electroluminescent structures. Exemplary articles may, optionally, include connectors between electroluminescent structures that comprise conductive adhesive. Exemplary articles according to the present disclosure may be disposed in roll form. The present disclosure also includes methods for making such articles.
US08288937B2
A white LED includes a light emitting element with a light emission peak wavelength equal to or longer than 380 nm and equal to or shorter than 420 nm, and a phosphor layer containing three or more types of phosphors including at least a blue phosphor, a green phosphor, and a red phosphor and disposed in a manner to cover at least part of the light emitting element. The phosphor layer has a first phosphor layer and a second phosphor layer disposed in an opposite side of a side of the light emitting element of the first phosphor layer. In the first phosphor layer, a content of the blue phosphor in an entire phosphor contained in the first phosphor layer is equal to or less than 5 mass %, or the blue phosphor is not contained. In the second phosphor layer, a content of phosphor other than the blue phosphor in an entire phosphor contained in the second phosphor layer is equal to or less than 5 mass %, or no phosphor other than the blue phosphor is contained.
US08288927B2
A spark plug (20) includes a center electrode (24) and a ground electrode (22). The electrodes (22, 24) include a core (26) formed of a copper (Cu) alloy and a clad (28) formed of a nickel (Ni) alloy enrobing the core (26). The Cu alloy includes Cu in an amount of at least 98.5 weight percent, and at least one of Zr and Cr in an amount of at least 0.05 weight percent. The Cu alloy includes a matrix of the Cu and precipitates of the Zr and Cu dispersed in the Cu matrix. The Ni alloy of the clad (28) includes Ni in an amount of at least 90.0 weight percent. The Ni alloy also includes at least one of a Group 3 element, a Group 4 element, a Group 13 element, chromium (Cr), silicon (Si), and manganese (Mn) in a total amount sufficient to affect the strength of the Ni alloy.
US08288911B2
An electrical machine including a winding made of a conductive material is disclosed. The electrical machine also includes an insulating layer disposed around at least a portion of the winding having a dielectric constant that varies as a function of voltage.
US08288910B1
A multi-winding homopolar electric machine and method for converting between mechanical energy and electrical energy. The electric machine includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation, first and second magnets, a shielding portion, and a conductor. First and second magnets are coaxial with the shaft and include a charged pole surface and an oppositely charged pole surface, the charged pole surfaces facing one another to form a repulsive field therebetween. The shield portion extends between the magnets to confine at least a portion of the repulsive field to between the first and second magnets. The conductor extends between first and second end contacts and is toroidally coiled about the first and second magnets and the shield portion to develop a voltage across the first and second end contacts in response to rotation of the electric machine about the axis of rotation.
US08288908B2
A reconfigurable electric motor includes a rotor containing rotatable permanent magnets or non-magnetically conducting shunting pieces. The magnets and/or shunting pieces have a first position producing a weak magnetic field for asynchronous induction motor operation at startup and a second position producing a strong magnetic field for efficient synchronous operation. The motor includes a squirrel cage for induction motor operation at startup with the permanent magnets and/or shunting pieces positioned to product the weak magnetic field to not interfere with the startup. When the motor approaches or reaches synchronous RPM, the permanent magnets and/or shunting pieces rotate to produce a strong magnetic field for high efficiency synchronous operation. The position of the magnets and/or shunting pieces may be controlled by a centrifugal mechanism, or viscous damping may delay rotation of the magnets and/or shunting pieces, or electrically controlled apparatus may control positions of the magnets and/or shunting piece.
US08288906B2
A maglev motor and a pump using the maglev motor can be provided with strong magnetic bearing force generated by a simple structure, rotation losses of a rotor reduced with the generation of an eddy current suppressed, and a configuration of magnetic bearing can downsize by using a thin rotor.
US08288904B1
Apparatuses for coupling magnetic forces into motive force are disclosed having a spinner arm, a power bed, and a hub. The spinner arm has a helical array of magnets mounted about a shaft. The apparatus also has a rotational timing coupling such as a stationary rack and spinner shaft pinion. The power bed has two arrays of magnets defining a power track. The spinner arm shaft may be mounted in the hub, allowing rotation of the spinner arm about its axis. The hub is further constructed to allow the hub and spinner arm to move translationally within a plane parallel to a plane containing the power bed. High coercive force magnets in the spinner and power bed interact to displace the spinner arm and rotate it about its axis. Multiple spinner arms and power beds may be arranged to move a load linearly or drive a load about an axis.
US08288895B2
A tunable capacitor device may be provided in accordance with example embodiments of the invention. The tunable capacitor device may include a first capacitor; a second capacitor; a third capacitor, where the first, second, and third capacitors are connected in series, wherein the second capacitor is positioned between the first capacitor and the second capacitor; and at least one switch transistor, where the at least one switch transistor is connected in parallel with the second capacitor.
US08288894B2
Power electronics equipment includes a switching device directing current flow to a load and interrupting the current flowing to the load, a control circuit generating a control signal directing the conduction and non-conduction of the switching device, a driver circuit driving a control terminal of the switching device based on the control signal, and at least one air-cored insulating transformer insulating the control circuit and the driver circuit from each other. Each air-cored insulating transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding configured to generate a voltage by a change of interlinkage of a magnetic field. The secondary winding includes a plurality of coils configured such that voltages generated by external magnetic flux intersecting the secondary winding are canceled and a voltage generated by the signal magnetic flux intersecting the secondary winding is increased.
US08288890B2
This invention creates a simple, low cost mechanical transfer switch (called Gen/Safe) which provides users the ability to connect nearly any portable household generator to supply whole house power (to the limit of the particular generator) in the event of an emergency outage. Installed by the utility in less than five minutes, the switch provides visual confirmation of utility isolation while still allowing user supplied power not only from emergency sources, but also allows PV, wind, and other on-site power to operate normally to supply the home directly without interruption when possible. This connection is also suitable as an ongoing utility connection for user generated alternate energy power systems while providing an additional utility safety isolation factor for alternate power sources which must shut down when utility power fails; (to protect repair personnel).
US08288886B2
Method and apparatus for avoiding electrical resonance in a vehicle having a shared high-voltage bus
A method for avoiding electrical resonance in a vehicle having a high-voltage (HV) direct current (DC) bus shared by a first and a second power electronic converter device, such as an air conditioning compressor module (ACCM) and a traction power inverter (TPIM), includes determining an impedance characteristic of the bus, defining resonance points for the bus, selecting lower and upper switching frequency boundaries for the TPIM, and preventing the TPIM from operating within a range defined by these boundaries. A vehicle includes the first and second power electronic converter device, e.g., the APPM and the TPIM, the shared HV DC, and a controller having the algorithm set forth above, wherein the controller is adapted for avoiding electrical resonance in the HV DC bus by executing the algorithm.
US08288882B2
A water current power generation system is provided, including a plurality of flotation tubes joined by a body structure; a plurality of ballast chambers joined by a body structure; a plurality of induction type power generation units disposed within housings associated with one or more of the flotation chambers, ballast chambers and body structure; and a plurality of propellers disposed in mechanical communication with each of the induction type generator units. In one presently preferred embodiment, a plurality of propellers disposed in communication with a plurality of induction type generator units, wherein the propellers each include one or more concentrically disposed rings, with each of the concentrically disposed rings having an inner ring member, an outer ring member, and a plurality of curved fin members separated by gap spaces disposed between the inner and outer ring members. Methods and means of deploying, positioning, maintaining, controlling and operating the system are also provided, as are detailed descriptions of novel inductor type generators used to obtain power from fast moving water currents, flotation tanks for tensioning the system against a submerged anchoring system disposed on an associated seafloor, and fluid-filled ballast chambers equipped with multiple sub-chambers that lend precision control and continuous adjustability to the system.
US08288880B2
A power generating system includes a main engine operated over a range of speeds, an electric generator, and a hydrostatic transmission drivably connecting the engine with the generator to drive the generator at a desired speed. The hydrostatic transmission includes one or more variable pumps. A controller monitors the pump pressure and the generator frequency. The pressure set point is used with the monitored pressure to control the pump output. The pressure set point varies with the generator load, and is adjusted based on the deviation of the generator frequency from a predetermined desired electric power frequency. When multiple pumps are used to drive the motor, the pumps are operated sequentially such that all except one pump is either off or at maximum output.
US08288877B1
In some embodiments, provided is a microstructure assembly having a capture receptacle, a key, and an actuator associated therewith. The capture receptacle is associated with a substrate and includes alignment projections projecting upward from the base of the capture receptacle. The key is associated with a microstructure device and configured to mate in the capture receptacle, the key has alignment receptacles in a bottom surface of the key constructed to mate with the alignment projections. The actuator is adjacent to the key so as to be capable of contacting the key to trap the key against the capture receptacle.
US08288875B2
A board on which a wiring having an electrode pad is formed is prepared. A resist film is formed on the board in order to cover the wiring and then the resist film is left on the electrode pad through patterning. An inorganic insulating film is formed on the board in order to cover the wiring and then the resist film is removed, thereby removing the inorganic insulating film provided on the resist film to leave the inorganic insulating film between the wirings. A solder resist layer is formed on the board in order to cover the wiring and then the electrode pad is exposed.
US08288856B2
A step of forming a through hole in a semiconductor substrate, or a step of polishing the semiconductor substrate from its back surface requires a very long time and causes decrease of productivity. In addition, when semiconductor substrates are stacked, a semiconductor integrated circuit which is formed of the stack is thick and has poor mechanical flexibility. A release layer is formed over each of a plurality of substrates, layers each having a semiconductor element and an opening for forming a through wiring are formed over each of the release layers. Then, layers each having the semiconductor element are peeled off from the substrates, and then overlapped and stacked, a conductive layer is formed in the opening, and the through wiring is formed; thus, a semiconductor integrated circuit is formed.
US08288852B2
In order to solve a problem of increased noise accompanying increased area of a return path in a stacked package structure, provided is a semiconductor device which is formed in a stacked package such as a PoP package, which realizes low noise without changing a package size. An additional power supply wiring that runs along a signal wiring between an upper PoP and a lower PoP is newly added in the lower PoP of a package having a PoP structure.
US08288844B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes forming a lead frame including providing a tie bar plate, forming conductive columns on the tie bar plate, forming a dielectric layer on the conductive columns, applying a conductive shield layer on the dielectric layer, and exposing the conductive columns through the dielectric layer and the conductive shield layer; forming a base package substrate; mounting a base integrated circuit die on the base package substrate; mounting the tie bar plate, over the base integrated circuit die, conductively coupled to the base package substrate to form the conductive shield layer into an electro-magnetic interference shield; and removing the tie bar plate to expose the conductive columns from the dielectric layer.
US08288836B2
A solid state imaging device having a light sensing section that performs photoelectric conversion of incident light includes: an insulating layer formed on a light receiving surface of the light sensing section; a layer having negative electric charges formed on the insulating layer; and a hole accumulation layer formed on the light receiving surface of the light sensing section.
US08288826B2
A semiconductor-on-insulator structure includes a buried dielectric layer interposed between a base semiconductor substrate and a surface semiconductor layer. The buried dielectric layer comprises an oxide material that includes a nitrogen gradient that peaks at the interface of the buried dielectric layer with at least one of the base semiconductor substrate and surface semiconductor layer. The interface of the buried dielectric layer with the at least one of the base semiconductor substrate and surface semiconductor layer is abrupt, providing a transition in less than about 5 atomic layer thickness, and having less than about 10 angstroms RMS interfacial roughness. A second dielectric layer comprising an oxide dielectric material absent nitrogen may be located interposed between the buried dielectric layer and the surface semiconductor layer.
US08288824B2
A semiconductor device includes a vertical IGBT and a vertical free-wheeling diode in a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of base regions is disposed at a first-surface side portion of the semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of collector regions and a plurality of cathode regions are alternately disposed in a second-surface side portion of the semiconductor substrate. The base regions include a plurality of regions where channels are provided when the vertical IGBT is in an operating state. The first-side portion of the semiconductor substrate include a plurality of IGBT regions each located between adjacent two of the channels, including one of the base regions electrically coupled with an emitter electrode, and being opposed to one of the cathode regions. The IGBT regions include a plurality of narrow regions and a plurality of wide regions.
US08288821B2
A structure, and a method for forming the same. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate which includes a top substrate surface, a buried dielectric layer on the top substrate surface, N active semiconductor regions on the buried dielectric layer, N active devices on the N active semiconductor regions, a plurality of dummy regions on the buried dielectric layer, a protection layer on the N active devices and the N active semiconductor regions, but not on the plurality of dummy regions. The N active devices comprise first active regions which comprise a first material. The plurality of dummy regions comprise first dummy regions which comprise the first material. A first pattern density of the first active regions and the first dummy regions is uniform across the structure. A trench in the buried dielectric layer such that side walls of the trench are aligned with the plurality of dummy regions.
US08288816B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a base, a stacked body, a memory film, a channel body, a contact plug, a global bit line, and a plurality of local bit lines. The base has a substrate and a peripheral circuit formed on the substrate. The stacked body has a plurality of conductive layers and insulating layers stacked alternately above the base. The memory film includes a charge storage film provided on an inner wall of a memory hole formed in a stacking direction of the stacked body. The channel body is provided inside the memory film in the memory hole. The contact plug is provided by piercing the stacked body. The global bit line is provided between the peripheral circuit and the stacked body and connected to a lower end portion of the contact plug. The plurality of local bit lines are provided above the stacked body and divided in an extending direction of the plurality of local bit lines. The plurality of local bit lines are connected to the channel body and commonly connected to the global bit line through the contact plug.
US08288809B2
Dielectric layers containing a zirconium-doped tantalum oxide layer, where the zirconium-doped tantalum oxide layer is formed of one or more monolayers of tantalum oxide doped with zirconium, provide an insulating layer in a variety of structures for use in a wide range of electronic devices.
US08288806B2
Disclosed are embodiments of an asymmetric field effect transistor structure and a method of forming the structure in which both series resistance in the source region (Rs) and gate to drain capacitance (Cgd) are reduced in order to provide optimal performance (i.e., to provide improved drive current with minimal circuit delay). Specifically, different heights of the source and drain regions and/or different distances between the source and drain regions and the gate are tailored to minimize series resistance in the source region (i.e., in order to ensure that series resistance is less than a predetermined resistance value) and in order to simultaneously to minimize gate to drain capacitance (i.e., in order to simultaneously ensure that gate to drain capacitance is less than a predetermined capacitance value).
US08288800B2
A method of forming a device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate having an active area. A gate is formed on the substrate. First and second current paths through the gate are formed. The first current path serves a first purpose and the second current path serves a second purpose. The gate controls selection of the current paths.
US08288795B2
Semiconductor devices including a plurality of thyristor-based memory cells, each having a cell size of 4F2, and methods for forming the same are provided. The thyristor-based memory cells each include a thyristor having vertically superposed regions of alternating dopant types, and a control gate. The control gate may be electrically coupled with one or more of the thyristors and may be operably coupled to a voltage source. The thyristor-based memory cells may be formed in an array on a conductive strap, which may function as a cathode or a data line. A system may be formed by integrating the semiconductor devices with one or more memory access devices or conventional logic devices, such as a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device.
US08288794B2
On a processed substrate having an engraved region as a depressed portion formed thereon, a nitride semiconductor thin film is laid. The sectional area occupied by the nitride semiconductor thin film filling the depressed portion is 0.8 times the sectional area of the depressed portion or less.
US08288790B2
A light-emitting device includes a base and a light-emitting element that is disposed on the base. The light-emitting element is made up of a plurality of semiconductor layers including a light-emitting layer, and at the same time, is covered with a wavelength converting portion that includes a wavelength converting material. The light-emitting layer emits primary light, and the wavelength converting material absorbs part of the primary light and emits secondary light. The luminance of the primary light emitted from the edge portion of the light extraction surface of the light-emitting device is higher than the luminance of the primary light emitted from the inner region located inside the edge portion, and the ratio of the primary light and the secondary light that are emitted from a light extraction surface of the wavelength converting portion is substantially uniform across the light extraction surface of the wavelength converting portion. Thereby, a light color difference across the light extraction surface of the wavelength converting portion that covers the light-emitting element can be reduced further, and it is possible to irradiate an irradiation surface with light of uniform color.
US08288780B2
An organic light emitting display device. The organic light emitting display device includes a substrate having a pixel region in which pixels are formed and a non-pixel region in which a light sensor is formed, an insulating film formed on the substrate, a first electrode formed on the insulating film and formed of a reflective material reflecting light, the first electrode being formed on the entire surface of the insulating film except for a region between the pixels and a region over the light sensor, a pixel defining film exposing a region of the first electrode and formed on the insulating film, an organic light emitting layer formed on the exposed region of the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the organic light emitting layer. The first electrode is formed to have a greater area than that of the organic light emitting layer.
US08288778B2
A semiconductor device having a semiconductor elements formed with higher density is provided. Furthermore an image display device using the semiconductor device is also provided.A semiconductor device comprising a resin film that has a through hole that penetrates from one surface to the other surface thereof, an organic semiconductor disposed inside the through hole, an insulating film on one end of the organic semiconductor, a gate electrode on the insulating film, a source electrode connected electrically to the other end of the organic semiconductor and a drain electrode connected electrically to the other end of the organic semiconductor.
US08288770B2
A solid-state imaging device is disclosed. In the solid-state imaging device, plural unit areas, each having a photoelectric conversion region converting incident light into electric signals are provided adjacently, in which each photoelectric conversion region is provided being deviated from the central position of each unit area to a boundary position between the plural unit areas, a high refractive index material layer is arranged over the deviated photoelectric conversion region, and a low refractive index material layer is provided over the photoelectric conversion regions at the inverse side of the deviated direction being adjacent to the high refractive index material layer, and optical paths of the incident light are changed by the high refractive index material layer and the low refractive index material layer, and the incident light enters the photoelectric conversion region.
US08288758B2
A lateral heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) is formed on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The HBT includes a base including a doped silicon-germanium alloy base region, an emitter including doped silicon and laterally contacting the base, and a collector including doped silicon and laterally contacting the base. Because the collector current is channeled through the doped silicon-germanium base region, the HBT can accommodate a greater current density than a comparable bipolar transistor employing a silicon channel. The base may also include an upper silicon base region and/or a lower silicon base region. In this case, the collector current is concentrated in the doped silicon-germanium base region, thereby minimizing noise introduced to carrier scattering at the periphery of the base. Further, parasitic capacitance is minimized because the emitter-base junction area is the same as the collector-base junction area.
US08288751B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cell arrays each includes a plurality of memory cells, the plurality of memory cell arrays being stacked on a semiconductor substrate to form a three-dimensional structure, a first well formed in the semiconductor substrate and having a first conductivity type, an element isolation insulating film including a bottom surface shallower than a bottom surface of the first well in the first well, and buried in the semiconductor substrate, a second well including a bottom surface shallower than the bottom surface of the first well in the first well, formed along a bottom surface of at least a portion of the element isolation insulating film, and made of an impurity having a second conductivity type, and a contact line electrically connected to the first well.
US08288742B2
The invention comprises a patient positioning method and apparatus used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle or proton beam radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. The patient positioning system is used to translate the patient and/or rotate the patient into a zone where the proton beam can scan the tumor using a targeting system. The patient positioning system is optionally used in conjunction with systems used to constrain movement of the patient, such as semi-vertical, sitting, or laying positioning systems.
US08288734B2
Apparatus and methods for locating certain substances of interest within remote targets. The detection apparatus includes a neutron beam generator, a pixilated gamma ray detector, data collection modules and sensors, and a detection processing module. If the remote target contains substances of interest, gamma rays radiate isotropically from the remote target when it is bombarded by the neutrons. A portion of these gamma rays are intercepted and detected by a plurality of discrete gamma sensing elements contained in the gamma ray detector, which is spaced apart from the neutron source. The detection processing module determines whether the remote target contains explosive substances and further locates the target by processing the collected data from the gamma ray detector, status information collected from the neutron source, and the position sensor(s) associated with the neutron shield.
US08288723B2
A transmission electron microscope (TEM) micro-grid includes a metallic grid and a carbon nanotube film structure covered thereon. A method for making a TEM micro-grid includes the steps of: (a) providing an array of carbon nanotubes, quite suitably, providing a super-aligned array of carbon nanotubes; (b) drawing a carbon nanotube film from the array of carbon nanotubes; (c) covering the carbon nanotube film on a metallic grid, and treating the carbon nanotube film and the metallic grid with an organic solvent.
US08288720B2
A technique for performing precursor isolation with a desired mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) in a digital ion trap while maintaining the q value at a substantially constant value is provided. A data obtained by digitizing an FNF signal having a notch is stored beforehand in an FNF waveform memory 15. In the process of precursor isolation, a main voltage timing controller 7 and a main voltage generator 9 generate a rectangular-wave voltage based on a reference clock signal CK. An auxiliary signal generator 14 reads data from the FNF waveform memory 15 and generates an FNF signal by performing digital-to-analogue conversion of the data in accordance with a clock signal synchronized with the reference clock signal CK. Under the command of a controller 30, a reference clock generator 6 produces the reference clock signal CK having a frequency corresponding to the m/z value of a target ion. Accordingly, a change in the m/z of the target ion leads to a change in the frequency of the reference clock signal CK, which causes the frequency of the rectangular-wave voltage and the central frequency of the notch of the FNF signal to change in the same proportion.
US08288718B2
An ion mobility spectrometer comprises an electrode and two storage electrodes disposed at the two opposite sides of the electrode respectively. Ions from an intermediate part between the two storage electrodes are stored and the stored ions are released from the storage electrodes by changing electric potentials of the two storage electrodes. The present invention further discloses a detecting method using an ion mobility spectrometer.
US08288711B2
A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an attachment element at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield and an interior rearview mirror assembly that includes a housing having a mount for attaching the mirror assembly to the attachment element. An interior rearview mirror head is pivotable about the housing by a single ball and socket pivot joint and is adjustable by a driver of the vehicle about the single pivot joint to adjust a rearward field of view. The housing houses a forwardly-viewing camera and, with the interior rearview mirror assembly attached at the attachment element, the forwardly-viewing camera views through the vehicle windshield. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a control that may receive an input and/or deliver an output via a bus communication, and that may at least partially control a braking system and/or a traction control system of the equipped vehicle.
US08288708B2
An optical filter 2 is disposed on an image sensor 12 including a plurality of sensor pixels 12a which are aligned, and includes a elongated translucent substrate 4; a first optical filter layer 6 laminated on the translucent substrate 4, and a second optical filter layer 8 laminated on the first optical filter layer 6. The translucent substrate 4 includes a photodetecting part 4a which is long in the alignment direction X of the sensor pixels 12a and disposed on the image sensor 12; and a frame part 4b surrounding the photodetecting part 4a. The photodetecting part 4a includes a light transmitting region 41a on one side in the longitudinal direction of the photodetecting part 4a; a first filter region 42a adjacent to the light transmitting region 41a in the longitudinal direction of the photodetecting part 4a, and a second filter region 43a which is adjacent to the first filter region 42a in the longitudinal direction of the photodetecting part 4a and disposed on the side opposite to the light transmitting region 41a across the first filter region 42a. The first optical filter layer 6 covers the first and second filter regions 42a and 43a and the frame part 4b, and the second optical filter layer 8 covers the second filter region 43a and the frame part 4b.
US08288707B2
An optoelectronic sensor includes at least one light transmitter for the transmission of light signals into a monitored zone and at least one light receiver for the reception of transmitted light signals. In this respect, the received light signals are converted into electrical received signals in the light receiver. The light signals transmitted by the light transmitter are each generated on the basis of an output signal spread in accordance with a frequency spreading technique (spread spectrum) and provided with an offset applied for the generation of a unipolar signal. The electrical received signals can be supplied to a high-pass filter in the light receiver. Means for interference suppression are provided to automatically measure repeatedly or continuously respective then current interference; to analyze it in the time domain and/or in the frequency domain; and to compensate it at least substantially in dependence on the respective result of the interference analyses.
US08288706B2
The invention relates to an optical sensor for the detection of objects in a detection range, comprising a transmitter emitting transmitting light beams, a receiver that receives receiving light beams, and an evaluation unit, in which an object determination signal is generated by the evaluation of the receiving signals of the receiver. An optical element, having at least one boundary surface in the form of a free-form surface, is associated with the transmitter and/or the receiver for forming the beams of the transmitting light beams and/or the receiving light beams.
US08288702B2
A light-sensing pixel for detecting at least a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum includes a first detector element having a micro-structured surface for detecting an infrared range of wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. The light-sensing pixel further includes a second detector element for detecting a second range of wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, wherein the second range of wavelengths is shorter than the first range of wavelengths and the first and second detector element are formed monolithically on a silicon substrate.
US08288695B2
A cooking device for performing cooking using a microwave and steam, in which a door of a heating chamber includes, as constituting components, an inner frame, a choke cover, and a gasket. The inner frame is made of metal and has at its periphery a choke structure constructed from a large number of comb teeth. The gasket is installed in the door with a base section of the gasket held between the inner frame and the choke cover. A lip section of the gasket has a bag-like cross-section whose side that faces the inside of the heating chamber is an entrance. The forward end of the lip section is bent to the door side. The comb teeth, except those positioned at the corners of the door, are bent at a larger angle than in a case in which the gasket is not installed.
US08288691B2
A warmer device includes a protection device, a rechargeable warmer bag and a monitoring device. The rechargeable warmer bag includes a bag, a heating unit, a charging unit, and a monitoring unit for protecting the rechargeable warmer bag. When the rechargeable warmer bag is being charged in the cavity of the protection device, the rechargeable warmer bag is monitored by the monitoring device. When the rechargeable warmer bag is heated to be over expanded, the monitoring device disconnects the external circuit to protect the rechargeable warmer bag from being broken or explosion. When the rechargeable warmer bag is being used, the rechargeable warmer bag and the monitoring device are separated.
US08288686B2
A welding system including a welding power supply coupled to a wire feeder via a spool gun connection is provided. The welding system is adapted to utilize the power and control capabilities originating from the spool gun connection for wire feeder operations during an initial period. The wire feeder is adapted to utilize the welding arc power and an internal controller to power and control wire feeder operations after the initial period.
US08288676B2
A supply chute 11 has a nut send-in port 14 at its upper end, and is composed of an inclined chute 12 inclined obliquely downward, and a curved chute 13 coupled to the lower end of the inclined chute 12 and curved like an arc obliquely downward. A nut support mechanism 40 is disposed at a nut send-out port 15 provided at a terminal end of the curved chute 13, for supporting the nuts 60 being forwarded so that their bonding side 62 may be in an oblique downward position nearly orthogonal to the axial line of a guide rod 20. The inclined chute 12, the curved chute 13, the guide rod 20, and driving means 25 for moving the guide rod 20 back and forth in an oblique downward direction are mounted on a stand 22 installed rotatably on a support member 33 by way of a horizontal support shaft 35, and the support member 33 is coupled and fixed to a main body arm 2 of the bonding machine 1. When the guide rod 20 moves forward obliquely downward, the holding pin 21 protruded on the front end of the guide rod 20 penetrates through screw holes 61 of the nuts 60 supported on the support mechanism 40, and pieces through and holds, and the leading end of the holding pin 21 approaches and moves to the leading end of a positioning pin 5, and the screw holes 61 of the nuts 60 held on the holding pin 21 are supplied in fitting with the positioning pin 5.
US08288670B2
An electric deadman switch includes a body having a cavity, with an activation switch adapted to be placed in the cavity, and an electrical cord assembly having conductor wires adapted to be connected to the switch, wherein activation of the switch closes an electrical circuit and deactivation of the switch opens the electrical circuit, the electrical cord assembly having an end adapted to be carried in the cavity. A removable body cover is adapted to be placed over the body cavity for securing the electrical cord assembly and the activation switch in the body. The body cavity includes a seat for receiving a mated member and the electrical cord assembly includes the mated member whereby the mated member is seated in the seat when the electrical cord assembly is carried in the cavity to secure the electrical cord assembly in a non-rotating relationship with the body.
US08288662B2
A circuit structure including a circuit board, an insulating layer, a conductive via, a platable dielectric layer and a conductive pattern is provided. The insulating layer is disposed on the circuit board and covers a circuit layer of the circuit board. The conductive via passes through the insulating layer and connects the circuit layer and protrudes from a surface of the insulating layer. The platable dielectric layer having a trench pattern is disposed on the surface of the insulating layer wherein the portion of the conductive via protruding from the surface is located in the trench pattern. The material of the platable dielectric layer includes a chemical platable material. The conductive pattern is in the trench pattern and connects the conductive via wherein an interface exists between the conductive pattern and the conductive via and protrudes from the surface of the insulating layer.
US08288658B2
A multilayer circuit board in which wirings are arranged so that the inductance thereof is reduced. A ground wiring and a power source wiring which are provided in a multilayer circuit board are arranged so that most of the wirings are superposed vertically along a direction of a longer side of the circuit board, and since currents flow in an opposite direction to each other in the portions which are superposed, magnetic fields generated by the currents so flowing are canceled by each other. Similarly, a W-phase wiring, a V-phase wiring and a W-phase wiring are also arranged so that the wirings are partially superposed along their longer side direction vertically, and magnetic fields generated by currents flowing in the portions which are superposed vertically are canceled by one another. By this, the inductance of the wirings can be reduced by increasing a mutual inductance between these wirings.
US08288657B2
An improved multi-layered ceramic package comprises: a plurality of signal layers, each having one or more signal lines; a plurality of vias, each providing one of a voltage (Vdd) power connection or a ground (Gnd) connection; at least one reference mesh layer adjacent to one or more signal layers; and a plurality of via-connected coplanar-type shield (VCS) lines, with a first VCS line extending on a first side of a first signal line within the plurality of signal layers and a second VCS line extending on a second opposing side of the first signal line. Each of the plurality of VCS lines interconnect with and extend past one or more vias that are located along the directional path in which the VCS lines runs. The placement of the VCS lines relative to the signal lines reduces coupling noise and controls impedance discontinuity in the ceramic package.
US08288655B2
A circuit board structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The circuit board structure includes a composite substrate, a dielectric layer, and a circuit layer. The composite substrate includes a metal substrate doped with non-metal powders and a metal buffer layer. A surface of the metal buffer layer opposite to the other surface of the metal buffer layer in contact with the metal substrate is treated by a polishing process. The dielectric layer is formed on the polished surface of the metal buffer layer, and the circuit layer is formed on the dielectric layer. Alternatively, a barrier layer is interposed between the dielectric layer and the metal buffer layer for preventing a diffusion effect of the metal buffer layer.
US08288654B2
A feedthrough assembly includes a ferrule, an insulating structure, at least one terminal pin and a glass seal that fixedly secures the insulating structure within the ferrule. The insulating structure has a top portion, a bottom portion, and an inner diameter portion. The inner diameter portion defines at least one aperture extending from the top portion to the bottom portion of the insulating structure. The at least one terminal pin extends through the at least one aperture. The glass seal comprises about 30% B2O3, about 30% to about 40% of a member selected from the group consisting of CaO, MgO, SrO, and combinations thereof, with the proviso that the individual amounts of CaO and MgO are each not greater than about 20%, about 5% La2O3, about 10% SiO2, and about 15% Al2O3, wherein all percentages are mole percentages.
US08288651B2
A weatherproof power inlet box and mating plug wherein the inlet box and mating plug are asymmetrical, positively latched and include more robust elements and a visual indicator of the status of the interconnect. Also included is a thermostat that trips to prevent overheating.
US08288644B2
A photovoltaic power generation system, wherein electrical power generated by multiple photovoltaic power generator units is gathered in a single unit group power collection control section and, in addition, supplied (transferred) to a single power converter corresponding to a single unit group power collection control section. The photovoltaic power generation system comprises generator unit groups formed by arrangement of multiple photovoltaic power generator units and unit group power collection control sections, which are connected with the photovoltaic power generator units through unit cables, and collect and control the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generator units.
US08288637B2
The present invention is directed to a contrabass guitar which oscillates the pitch of the guitar by the use of torsion. The strings of the guitar are adjusted by use of a torsion control means connected to a foot pedal to allow a player to easily adjust the pitch of the guitar while playing. The contrabass guitar includes a floating bridge and a stationary torsion block with a plurality of helically twisted tuning control rods attached. The floating bridge contains a plurality of pitch tuning cylinders connected on one end to respective strings and on the other to the tuning rods. The floating bridge moves along the body of the guitar in response to the torsion control means causing the tuning cylinders to slide over the tuning control rods and to rotate according to the twists of the rods creating greater or lesser torsion uniformly in the strings. Depressing and releasing the foot pedal allows a player to adjust the string torsion force by using only the foot pedal without having to manually adjust string tension interrupting the playing of the guitar.
US08288636B1
The invention is for a solid body type guitar having a pickup selector switch located closely adjacent to the volume controls. The invention is a specially developed pickup selector switch tip knob having an extension arm which is contoured to conveniently fit the human finger for easy manipulation of the pickup selector switch. The contoured extension arm can have one or both sides contoured to accommodate easy pickup selection from either direction with the guitar player's hand. The invention can be mounted on the pickup selector switch post such that the extension arm is facing either toward the guitar strings or away from the guitar strings.
US08288624B1
A soybean cultivar designated e2611 is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention include the seeds of soybean e2611, the plants of soybean e2611, to plant parts of soybean e2611, and methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean e2611 with itself or with another soybean variety. Embodiments of the invention include methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more genes or transgenes and the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. Embodiments of the invention also relate to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean e2611, methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean e2611, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. Embodiments of the invention further include hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing e2611 with another soybean cultivar.
US08288620B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP06002 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP06002, cells from soybean variety XBP06002, plants of soybean XBP06002, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP06002. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP06002 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP06002, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP06002. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP06002 are further provided.
US08288619B2
A novel soybean variety, designated XB007F10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB007F10, cells from soybean variety XB007F10, plants of soybean XB007F10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB007F10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB007F10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB007F10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB007F10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB007F10 are further provided.
US08288618B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP49004 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP49004, cells from soybean variety XBP49004, plants of soybean XBP49004, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP49004. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP49004 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP49004, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP49004. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP49004 are further provided.
US08288617B2
A squash plant having high level geminivirus resistance and a method for developing a squash plant having high resistance to geminvirus.
US08288613B2
The invention provides an enzyme having a lignan-hydroxylating activity, particularly an enzyme capable of catalyzing the reaction of transferring a hydroxyl group to a lignan, an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydroxylation of piperitol to 9-hydroxylpiperitol or pinoresinol to 9-hydroxylpinoresinol. The invention provides a polypeptide having a lignan-hydroxylating activity; a polynucleotide encoding the same; a vector or transformant comprising the polynucleotide; a method for producing a polypeptide having a lignan-hydroxylating activity which comprises using the transformant; and so on. The transformant wherein the polynucleotide is expressibly introduced is useful for the hydroxylation of a lignan or for the production of a product using the same in the food sector and a variety of industry sectors.
US08288612B2
The present invention relates to genetically modified plants expressing altered inflorescence. More particularly, expression of at least two flavonoid 3′S′ hydroxylases and at least one dihydroflavonol-4-reductase is achieved, leading to the production of dephinidin pigments and altered color phenotypes.
US08288611B2
Methods of increasing nitrogen utilization efficiency in monocot plants through genetic modification to increase the levels of alanine aminotransferase expression and plants produced there from are described. In particular, methods for increasing the biomass and yield of transgenic monocot plants grown under nitrogen limiting conditions compared to non-transgenic plants are described. In this way, monocot plants may be produced that maintain a desired yield while reducing the need for high levels of nitrogen application.
US08288609B1
A novel maize variety designated X8K838 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 X8K838 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8K838 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8K838, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8K838. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8K838.
US08288604B2
A method of rapid methylation of an aromatic compound or an alkenyl compound, which is capable of obtaining an aromatic compound or an alkenyl compound labeled with a methyl group or a fluoromethyl group under a mild condition rapidly in high yield using an organic boron compound whose toxicity is not so high as a substrate. A kit for preparing a PET tracer and a method of producing a PET tracer can be practiced using the rapid methylation method. In an aprotic polar solvent, methyl iodide or X—CH2F (wherein X is a functional group which can be easily released as an anion), and an organic boron compound in which an aromatic ring or an alkenyl group is attached to boron are subjected to cross-coupling in the presence of a palladium(0) complex, a phosphine ligand, and a base.
US08288598B2
The present invention involves methods for isomerization of 1234zc. Also provided are methods for managing 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropene produced as a byproduct in a process for synthesizing trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from 245fa, wherein 1234zc is converted into trans/cis-1234ze with the help of a catalyst in the absence of HF and in an isomerization reactor, or is converted into 1234zc and/or 245fa with the help of a catalyst in the presence of HF in a separate reactor or preferably in the same reactor of 245fa dehydrofluorination.
US08288591B2
A variety of curing agents for epoxy resins and methods for preparation thereof are disclosed, including compounds having the structures of formulas III and IV: wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, a butyl, and phenyl. Epoxy-based compositions including various curing agents are also disclosed. Other epoxy curatives containing amino, phenol, and/or imine groups are disclosed.
US08288589B2
The invention disclosed in this document is related to field of pesticides and their use in controlling pests. In particular compounds having the following formula are disclosed.
US08288587B2
A method for producing chelate compounds is disclosed. A nitrogen source, an acidic source, and a first element source including sodium, chlorine, potassium, and/or lithium are received in a mixture. A second element source and water can also be received. The chelate compound can be optionally purified.
US08288583B2
The present invention relates to processes for preparing carboxylic acid derivatives, comprising the reaction of at least one carboxylic acid and/or of a carboxylic acid derivative with at least one alcohol and/or an amine in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst, wherein, after the reaction has ended, the metal-containing catalyst is contacted with water and a superabsorbent, the contacting of the catalyst with the water leading to hydrolysis of the catalyst. The present invention further relates to the use of superabsorbents for removing a metal-containing catalyst from a mixture after hydrolysis of the catalyst.
US08288576B2
The invention relates to novel carbene ligands and their incorporated monomeric and resin/polymer linked ruthenium catalysts, which are recyclable and highly active for olefin metathesis reactions. It is disclosed that significant electronic effect of different substituted 2-alkoxybenzylidene ligands on the catalytic activity and stability of corresponding carbene ruthenium complexes, some of novel ruthenium complexes in the invention can be broadly used as catalysts highly efficient for olefin metathesis reactions, particularly in ring-closing (RCM), ring-opening (ROM), ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and cross metathesis (CM) in high yield. The invention also relates to preparation of new ruthenium complexes and the use in metathesis.
US08288565B2
A process for the preparation of (2S,3aR,7aS)-octahydro-1H-indole-20carboxylic acid hydrochloride.
US08288564B2
The invention provides a process for production of trans-dibenzoxenopyrrole compounds, in which reduction, leaving group conversion, hydrogenation and methylation are carried out in that order. The process of the invention allows trans-dibenzoxenopyrrole compounds to be produced by a simpler procedure than conventional processes. The invention further provides novel compounds obtained as intermediates in the process, and a process for their production.
US08288555B2
The present invention relates to novel alkene derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08288554B2
The invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5; R6 and A are as described in the description, their preparation and their use as pharmaceutically active compounds. Said compounds particularly act as immunomodulating agents.
US08288533B1
This invention relates to syntheses for the preparation of benzoxazine, including benzoxazine monomers and benzoxazime oligomers, from phenolic compounds, aldehyde compounds, and either primary diamine compounds, such as diamino alkylene compounds, e.g., methylene diamine, or diamino arylene compounds, e.g., phenylene diamine, using water, and optionally an organic solvent, as the reaction solvent.
US08288530B2
Disclosed are methods of preparing a macromolecular conjugated ligand and a metal complex thereof. The metal complex is targeted for use as a contrast agent, for example, in MRI. The method of preparing a macromolecular conjugated ligand comprises: (a) providing a compound of formula (I) wherein R, A, and Pg are as defined herein, (b) reacting the compound of formula (I) with a macromolecular compound (e.g., dendrimer) in an organic solvent medium which is substantially free of water to obtain a macromolecular conjugated compound, and (c) removing the carboxyl-protecting groups to obtain a carboxyl-deprotected macromolecular conjugated compound. The metal complex can be prepared by reacting the carboxyl-deprotected macromolecular conjugated compound with an ion (e.g., Gd(III)). Also disclosed are two carboxyl-protected 1B4M-DTPA intermediate compounds.
US08288528B2
Meso-substituted porphyrins of general formula (I) suitable for the use as photosensitizing agents, in particular in photodynamic therapy, are herein described.
US08288525B2
The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of the CD45 gene.
US08288513B2
In one aspect, there is provided a cell culturing substrate including: a cell culture surface having a film attached thereto, wherein the film includes one or more plasma polymerized monomers; and a coating on the film-coated surface, the coating deposited from a coating solution comprising one or more extracellular matrix proteins and an aqueous solvent, where the total extracellular matrix protein concentration in the coating solution is about 1 ng/mL to about 1 mg/mL.
US08288510B2
The invention provides for isolated peptides having phospholipase inhibitory activity, polypeptides comprising phospholipase inhibitory activity and lipases capable of being inhibited by the isolated peptides and/or polypeptides comprising phospholipase inhibitory activity. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, recombinant expression vectors, and recombinant host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the peptides and the polypeptides having lipase inhibitory activity.
US08288500B2
The present invention relates to a sulfonated poly(arylene ether) copolymer, a manufacturing method thereof and a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell using the same.
US08288497B2
Provided are ethyne synthons comprising boron and related methods. Also provided are related water-soluble arylethynylene polymers capable of being synthesized in neat water under aerobic conditions.
US08288493B2
Provided is a siloxane compound having one end modified with at least one (meth)acrylic group via a spacer, the spacer being a straight chain having at least three ether bonds or a branched structure having at least one ether bond. The (meth)acrylic-modified siloxane compound is added to a heat or photo-curable composition, which cures into a product exhibiting water repellent, antifouling, lubricating and other properties inherent to siloxane.
US08288492B2
Oligomers of perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) with vinylidene fluoride or tetrafluoroethylene are disclosed that contain 40-90 mole percent copolymerized units of vinylidene fluoride or tetrafluoroethylene and 10-60 mole percent copolymerized units of perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), said oligomers having two functional endgroups and having a number average molecular weight between 1000 and 25,000.
US08288490B2
A production process of a contact product, which can be used as a polymerization catalyst component, comprising contacting a metal oxide such as zinc oxide with a compound defined by a specific formula such as trifluoroacetic acid; a production process of a polymerization catalyst, comprising contacting the polymerization catalyst component with a transition metal compound; and a production process of a polymer, comprising polymerizing an addition-polymerizable monomer in the presence of the polymerization catalyst.
US08288485B2
Disclosed are anhydrous transparent dispersions of polyurethane(meth)acrylate particles in a reactive diluent, which can be obtained by reacting a polyisocyanate with at least one polyol and a nucleophilically functionalized (meth)acrylic acid ester in the reactive diluent. The inventive dispersions are characterized in that the polyurethane(meth)acrylate particles have an average diamert of less than 40 nm. The invention further relates to a method for producing such dispersions, the use thereof as an adhesive, cut glass, or impact resistance modifier, and a molded article made from said dispersion.
US08288479B2
Propylene-based polymer, propylene-based polymer composition, pellet and pressure-sensitive adhesive
Propylene-based polymers (A) are provided which, when used as pressure-sensitive adhesives to various adherends, show a desired initial adhesion and will not contaminate the adherends and which have excellent pellet handling properties. Pellets of the invention contain the propylene-based polymers (A). Pressure-sensitive adhesives of the invention contain the propylene-based polymers (A). The propylene-based polymer (A) includes 65 to 80 mol % of a structural unit derived from propylene, 5 to 10 mol % of a structural unit derived from ethylene and 15 to 25 mol % of a structural unit derived from a C4-20 α-olefin (wherein these percentages are calculated based on 100 mol % of the total of the structural unit derived from propylene, the structural unit derived from ethylene and the structural unit derived from a C4-20 α-olefin) and has a heat of crystal fusion of 5 to 45 (J/g) as measured by DSC. Compositions of the invention contain the propylene-based polymers (A).
US08288477B2
Flowable bioabsorbable compounds are provided which are useful in producing surgical adhesive or sealant compositions.
US08288466B2
Provided is a composite comprising a polymer and a plurality of surface-modified hexagonal boron nitride particles dispersed therewithin. Suitable polymers include polyimide and epoxy. A process is also provided. The surface modified hexagonal boron nitride particles comprise surface-bonded substituted phenyl radicals.
US08288456B2
The present invention relates to a process for the production of impact-modified filled polycarbonate compositions and molding compositions. A process of the present invention involves: (i) mixing the CNT (component C) with rubber-containing vinyl copolymer (component B) and/or rubber-free vinyl copolymer (component D) on a twin screw extruder, to obtain a CNT masterbatch, (ii) mixing the CNT masterbatch with polycarbonate (component A) and optionally with Component B and/or Component D and optionally with an additive on a twin screw extruder. A polycarbonate composition prepared according to the present invention does not experience degradation of the molecular weight of the polycarbonate during compounding a compared to processes known in the art.
US08288455B1
A flame retardant additive includes red phosphorus adsorbed into a porous carrier. The carrier may be mixed with white phosphorus above its melting point (41° C.), so that liquid phosphorus is pulled into the pores of the carrier by capillary action. The phosphorus-loaded carrier may be heated above 250° C. to convert the white phosphorus to red phosphorus. The resulting red phosphorus-loaded carrier may retain flame retardant activity, and may also be protected from the environment for easier handling and formulation. By employing a carrier of a suitably small particle size, it is practical to incorporate the flame retardant red phosphorus-loaded carrier in thin films.
US08288454B2
Disclosed herein is a composition having a thermoset polymer and a plurality of hollow microsphere homogenously dispersed in the composition. The polymer is a cyanate ester thermoset, a phthalonitrile thermoset, a crosslinked acetylene thermoset, or a hydrosilation thermoset. Also disclosed herein is a method of: providing a thermosetting compound; adding microspheres to the thermosetting compound; and mixing the thermosetting compound while initiating crosslinking of the thermosetting compound.
US08288450B2
An adhesive composition and an optical member, the adhesive composition including 100 parts by weight of a polymer prepared by polymerization of (meth)acrylic ester containing monomers; 0.01 to about 3 parts by weight of an antistatic agent containing an ionic compound and/or a lithium salt; 0 to about 1 part by weight of a silane coupling agent; and about 3 to about 20 parts by weight of a benzotriazole group containing compound; and about 0.05 to about 5 parts by weight of a cross-linking agent, or about 3 to about 30 parts by weight of a multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer, and 0 to about 5 parts by weight of an active energy-ray initiator.
US08288447B2
Expandable, thermally curable compositions containing at least one epoxy resin, at least one polyester, at least one blowing agent, and at least one curing agent are useful as adhesives and structural reinforcement materials. When foamed and adhered to a metal substrate surface, such polyester-modified foamable compositions can exhibit improved adhesion to the substrate surface after exposure to a corrosive environment, as compared to compositions that do not contain polyester. Furthermore, these compositions can exhibit improved flow properties in the uncured state at temperatures between 50 and 100° C. They are granulatable, with the granules produced thereby having non-tacky surfaces at room temperature and being capable of being readily processed into molded objects by injection molding processes.
US08288431B2
There is provided a compound of the formula wherein X, Y, W, R1, R2 and R3 are as described herein. The compounds have activity as anticancer agents.
US08288430B2
The invention relates to compounds that have an affinity to the μ-opioid receptor and the ORL 1-receptor, methods for their production, medications containing these compounds and the use of these compounds for the treatment of pain and other conditions.
US08288427B2
A method of treating emesis with growth hormone secretagogues, particularly ipamorelin.
US08288422B2
N-Substituted (6-haloalkylpyridin-3-yl)alkyl sulfoximines are effective at controlling insects.
US08288414B2
The present application describes deuterium-enriched lenalidomide, pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, and methods of treating using the same.
US08288412B2
Compounds of formula (I) and salts are provided: wherein R5 is selected from halogen, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkyl substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 alkoxy substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, and cyano; R6 is selected from halogen, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkyl substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, C3-6cycloalkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 alkoxy substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, and cyano; and Q is hydrogen or C1-6alkyl. The compounds are M1 agonists and are useful for therapy, for example in the treatment of psychotic disorders and cognitive impairment.
US08288410B2
The present invention relates to quinolinium antiinfective agents in which the qunolinium nucleus is fused to an indole ring or the qunolinium nucleus is linked to a cyclic structure through an opened indole or a benzothiophene or benzofuran ring. The compound is further substituted with various substituent groups.The compounds are represented by formula (I), (II) and (III): Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are also included.
US08288408B2
The invention relates to a method of inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating a hyperproliferative disorder in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an imidazopyridine of formula I with anti-hyperproliferative activity.
US08288406B2
The invention relates to compounds which have an affinity for the μ opioid receptor and the ORL1 receptor, processes for the preparation thereof, medicaments containing these compounds and the use of these compounds for the preparation of medicaments.
US08288405B2
The invention provides a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound, wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as described herein; pharmaceutical compositions thereof; and the use thereof in treating diseases, conditions or disorders modulated by the inhibition of an acetyl-CoA carboxylase enzyme(s) in an animal.
US08288402B2
The present invention relates to novel 4-(4-cyano-2-thioaryl)dihydropyrimidin-2-one derivatives, to processes for their preparation, to their use alone or in combination for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases and also to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases, in particular for the treatment and/or prevention of disorders of the lung and the cardiovascular system.
US08288395B2
The invention relates to novel pyrimido-benzimidazole derivatives. Said products exhibit a good affinity for certain melanocortin receptor sub-types, in particular MC4 receptors. Said products represent a particular interest for treating pathological disorders and diseases associated with one or several melanocortin receptors. Pharmaceutical compositions containing said products and the use thereof for a drug preparation are also disclosed.
US08288393B2
The present invention relates to a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound or salt thereof, represented by the following formula (I), and a pest control agent containing the compound or salt thereof, as an active ingredient of the pest control agent: (wherein, R0 represents a halogen atom, or the like; Z represents an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, or the like; Y represents a nitro group, or the like; n represents an integer of 0 to 3; D represents a 5-membered to 8-membered hydrocarbon ring group or heterocyclic group; X represents a functional group represented by the following formula (II)-1 or formula (II)-2: (wherein, in the formula (II)-1, the dotted line represents a single bond or double bond, and R1 and R2 respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom, nitro group, hydroxyl group, mercapto group, unsubstituted or substituted amino group, or organic group; and, in the formula (II-2), W represents an oxygen atom or sulfur atom; and, R11 represents a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, mercapto group, unsubstituted or substituted amino group, or the like); n1 represents an integer of 0 to 2; and, A represents a carbon atom or nitrogen atom).
US08288391B2
The present invention relates to blocking salt taste using compounds of Formula I as defined herein.
US08288388B2
The present invention relates to novel piperazine derivatives; to processes for their preparation; to pharmaceutical compositions containing the derivatives; and to the use of the derivatives in therapy to treat diseases for which blocking the Cav2.2 calcium channels is beneficial.
US08288385B2
The present invention relates to 6-(3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-yl)-2-phenyl-pyrimidine derivatives and their use as P2Y12 receptor antagonists in the treatment and/or prevention of peripheral vascular, of visceral-, hepatic- and renal-vascular, of cardiovascular and of cerebrovascular diseases or conditions associated with platelet aggregation, including thrombosis in humans and other mammals.
US08288380B2
A compound of formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 represent hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl or R3 represents hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower cycloalkyloxy, aryloxy, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, or NRaRb of the formula R4 and R5 represent halogen, lower alkyl, hydroxyl, or lower alkoxy; R6 represents halogen, lower alkyl, aryl, heterocyclic, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, mercapto, lower alkylthio, lower alkylcarbonyl, amino, nitro or cyano; R7 represents lower alkyl, hydroxyl or lower alkoxy; Ra and Rb represent hydrogen or lower alkyl; ring A represents a cyclic hydrocarbon or a heterocyclic ring; ring B represents a heterocyclic ring; X represents lower alkylene; Z represents a single bond or lower alkylene; Y represents lower alkylene and W1—W2 represents CH—CH, or Y represents a single bond and W1—W2 represents N—CH, CH—N or CH—CH; and 1, m, n and o represent 0, 1, 2, or 3.
US08288373B2
Compounds having formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates or N-oxides thereof are provided and are useful for binding to CXCR7, and treating diseases that are dependent, at least in part, on CXCR7 activity. Accordingly, the present invention provides in further aspects, compositions containing one or more of the above-noted compounds in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
US08288371B2
Compounds of the formula are disclosed. The compounds are CCR1 antagonists which are useful for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08288366B2
A composition and method for hair growth are described. The composition may include a dihydrotestosterone blocker and a thyroid source. Alternatively, the composition may include an estrogen source and a thyroid source. The composition may further include a base to facilitate application of the composition. A progestagen source, an antioxidant and/or a vitamin may further be added to the composition. The method may be a method of application comprising applying 0.5 ounces of a composition comprising a dihydrotestosterone blocker and a thyroid source to human skin, rubbing the composition into the skin, allowing the composition to remain on the skin for a period of between five minutes and ten minute and removing the composition.
US08288363B2
Disclosed are compositions comprising and methods of using sulphated or phoshated polysaccharides for the treatment of diseases caused by herpes viruses, more particularly by alpha-herpes viruses, and in particular by HSV-1 and HSV-2, as well as by strains of these viruses which are resistant to known antiviral agents.
US08288361B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, for human and veterinary use, that may be used to induce, potentiate and normalise the various phases of the tissue repair process triggered following ulceration and wounding—either involving the loss of matter or not—of neurogenic, vasogenic or traumatic origin, even in cases where the lesions are directly or indirectly associated with underlying systemic pathologies.Particularly, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an N-acyl derivative of an amino alcohol belonging to the ALIAmides class of molecules, a polyhydroxy alcohol and trans-traumatic acid or a derivative thereof.
US08288337B2
Compositions and methods are provided for creating and identifying mutant carbohydrate-binding proteins that reversibly bind to carbohydrate substrates under conditions where the native protein remains bound. Examples of modified chitin-binding domains are provided which can be eluted from chitin in the presence of a reducing agent or at a pH within the range of 5-10.
US08288334B2
The present invention relates to new peptides, pharmaceutical composition and cosmetic composition including them and their use for wound healing.
US08288330B2
The present invention is a composition for removal of multi-layer photoresist layers on an electronic device substrate for rework of the photoresist on the substrate, comprising; (i) a solvent blend of at least three discrete solvents, (ii) at least one organic sulfonic acid, and (iii) at least one corrosion inhibitor. The present invention is also a method for using the composition. This composition and method succeed in removing such multi-layer photoresist at temperatures less than 65° C. and in contact times under three minutes, allowing high throughput on single wafer tools.
US08288329B2
Provided is a hair-treatment composition containing: a first amphoteric surfactant having a structure represented by general formula (1) below; at least one type of second amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of fatty acid amide propyldimethylaminoacetic acid betaines, alkyldimethylaminoacetic acid betaines, N-acylaminoethyl-N-2-hydroxyethylaminocarboxylic acid salts and N-acylaminoethyl-N-carboxymethoxyethylaminocarboxylic acid salts fatty acid amide propyldimethylaminoacetic acid betaines, alkyldimethylaminoacetic acid betaines; and an acidic amino acid. In general formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group the carbon number of which is 6 to 20; R2 represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, or a hydroxyethyl group; R3 represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, or a —CH2COOH group; and n is an integer from 1 to 3.
US08288326B2
A lubricating oil composition is disclosed which comprises (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity, (b) one or more phosphorus-containing anti-wear additives other than a zinc dithiophosphate, (c) one or more ashless dispersants, (d) one or more metal-containing detergents, and (e) one or more antioxidants, wherein the lubricating oil composition contains no more than about 0.03 weight percent of phosphorus, based on the total weight of the natural gas engine lubricating oil composition, and further wherein the lubricating oil composition is substantially free of any zinc compounds.
US08288319B2
4-(3-Alkylthiobenzoyl)pyrazoles of the formula (I) are described as herbicides. In this formula (I), X, Y, R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl, and other radicals such as halogen.
US08288315B2
Fungicidal mixtures comprising, as active components: 1) metconazole of the formula I and 2) prochloraz of the formula II, in a synergistically effective amount, and also compositions comprising these mixtures.
US08288309B2
A highly durable mercury oxidation catalyst contains V2O5 and MoO3 as active components, and is capable of preventing volatilization of MoO3 in the mercury oxidation catalyst. A method of producing the mercury oxidation catalyst is provided. A mercury oxidation catalyst oxidizing mercury in an exhaust gas into mercury oxide includes: TiO2 as a carrier, V2O5 and MoO3 supported on the carrier as active components, and at least one kind of element or compound selected from the group consisting of W, Cu, Co, Ni, and Zn or the compounds thereof supported on the carrier as a MoO3 volatilization preventing component.
US08288305B2
Naphtha is selectively hydrodesulfurized with retention of olefin content. More particularly, a CoMo metal hydrogenation component is loaded on a silica or modified silica support in the presence of an organic additive to produce a catalyst which is then used for hydrodesulfurizing naphtha while retaining olefins.
US08288293B2
Semiconductor devices are provided with encapsulating films for protection of sidewall features during fabrication processes, such as etching to form isolation regions. In a non-volatile flash memory, for example, a trench isolation process is divided into segments to incorporate an encapsulating film along the sidewalls of charge storage material. A pattern is formed over the layer stack followed by etching the charge storage material to form strips elongated in the column direction across the substrate, with a layer of tunnel dielectric material therebetween. Before etching the substrate, an encapsulating film is formed along the sidewalls of the strips of charge storage material. The encapsulating film can protect the sidewalls of the charge storage material during subsequent cleaning, oxidation and etch processes. In another example, the encapsulating film is simultaneously formed while etching to form strips of charge storage material and the isolation trenches.
US08288291B2
The invention provides a single-step method for removing bulk metal contamination from III-V semiconductor substrates. The method comprises immersing a metal contaminated III-V semiconductor substrate in a mixture of sulfuric acid and peroxide with a volume ratio of sulfuric acid to peroxide (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) between about 3:1 and about 9:1. After treating the III-V semiconductor substrates with the sulfuric acid-peroxide mixture, the bulk metal contamination may be substantially removed from the substrate while a surface roughness of the substrate after treatment of below about 0.5 nm RMS (2 μm×2 μm) is obtained. The invention further provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device by removing bulk metal contamination according to the single-step method of the invention before performing processing steps for forming the semiconductor device.
US08288290B2
A method is provided for the integration of an optical gain material into a Complementary metal oxide semiconductor device, the method comprising the steps of: configuring a workpiece from a silicon wafer upon which is disposed an InP wafer bearing an epitaxy layer; mechanically removing the InP substrate; etching the InP remaining on epitaxy layer with hydrochloric acid; depositing at least one Oxide pad on revealed the epitaxy layer; using the Oxide pad as a mask during a first pattern etch removing the epitaxy to an N level; etching with a patterned inductively coupled plasma (ICP) technique; isolating the device on the substrate with additional pattern etching patterning contacts, applying the contacts.
US08288287B2
The invention provides an etching method for realizing trench etching without causing any damages to the side walls of the trench while maintaining a high-etching rate. The plasma etching method relates to forming a groove or a hole by forming a silicon trench to a silicon substrate or a silicon substrate having a silicon oxide dielectric layer via a mixed gas plasma containing a mixed gas of SF6 and O2 or a mixed gas of SF6, O2 and SiF4 and having added thereto a gas containing hydrogen within the range of 5 to 16% (percent concentration) of the total gas flow rate of the mixed gas.
US08288283B2
A process of forming an integrated circuit using a palladium CMP operation in which 25 to 125 ppm aluminum is added to the CMP slurry, allowing a palladium removal rate of at least 80 nanometers per minute at a polish pad pressure less than 9 psi and a surface speed between 1.9 and 2.2 meters per second. The palladium CMP operation may be applied to form a palladium bond pad cap after which an external bond element is formed on the palladium bond pad cap. Alternatively, the palladium CMP operation may be applied to form a palladium interconnect conductor in a first dielectric layer.
US08288282B2
Disclosed is a metal-polishing liquid comprising: a metal-oxide-dissolving agent; a metal-oxidizing agent; a metal anticorrosive; a water-soluble polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 8,000 or higher and having an anionic functional group and a nonionic functional group; and water, and having a pH within the range of 2.5 or higher but 5.0 or less. The metal-polishing liquid is effective in reducing the frictional force in polishing which generates during CMP. And is highly effective in flattening the surface of a work to be polished.
US08288280B2
A conductor removal process is described, which is applied to a substrate that has thereon a plurality of patterns and a blanket conductor layer covering the patterns. An upper portion of the blanket conductor layer entirely over the patterns is oxidized to form a dielectric layer. A CMP step is performed to remove the dielectric layer and a portion of the remaining conductor layer in turn and thereby expose the patterns.
US08288279B1
A method for fabricating a conductive contact is provided, including: providing a semiconductor substrate with a gate structure and a pair of first conductive regions in a first region, and a pair of second conductive regions and an isolation element in the second region, and a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer thereon; forming a third dielectric layer and a fourth dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate in the first region; forming a pattern mask layer with a first opening over the second dielectric layer in the second region; performing an etching process to the third and fourth dielectric layers in the first region and a portion of the first and second dielectric layers in the second region exposed by the first opening; removing the patterned mask layer; forming a first conductive semiconductor layer over the first conductive regions and a second conductive semiconductor layer over the isolation element and portions of the top surface of the second conductive regions; forming a fifth dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; forming a third opening in the fifth dielectric layer in the second region; and forming a conductive layer in the third opening.
US08288277B2
A method of processing a substrate with a conductive film formed thereover and method of forming a micromagnetic device. In one embodiment, the method of processing the substrate includes reducing a temperature of the substrate to a stress-compensating temperature, and maintaining the temperature of the substrate at the stress-compensating temperature for a period of time. The method also includes increasing the temperature of the substrate above the stress-compensating temperature.
US08288262B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A polysilicon layer is formed on a substrate. The polysilicon layer is doped with an N-type dopant. A portion of the polysilicon layer is then removed to form a plurality of dummy patterns. Each dummy pattern has a top, a bottom, and a neck arranged between the top and the bottom, where the width of the neck is narrower than that of the top. A dielectric layer is formed on the substrate to cover the substrate disposed between adjacent dummy patterns, and the top of each dummy pattern is exposed. Thereafter, the dummy patterns are removed to form a plurality of trenches in the dielectric layer. A plurality of gate structures is formed in the trenches, respectively.
US08288255B2
ZnTe is implanted with a first species selected from Group III and a second species selected from Group VII. This may be preformed using sequential implants, implants of the first species and second species that are at least partially simultaneous, or a molecular species comprising an atom selected from Group III and an atom selected from Group VII. The implants may be performed at an elevated temperature in one instance between 70° C. and 800° C.
US08288252B2
There is provided a damage recovery method capable of recovering electrical characteristics of a low dielectric insulating film sufficiently while suppressing oxidation of buried metal and generation of pattern defaults.A damaged functional group generated in a surface of the low dielectric insulating film by a processing is substituted with a hydrophobic functional group (ST. 2). A damaged component present under a dense layer generated in the surface of the low dielectric insulating film by the substitution process is recovered by using an ultraviolet heating process (ST. 3).
US08288249B2
Manufacturing cost of an SOI substrate is reduced. Yield of an SOI substrate is improved. A method for manufacturing an SOI substrate includes the steps of irradiating a single crystal semiconductor substrate with ions to form an embrittled region in the single crystal semiconductor substrate, bonding the single crystal semiconductor substrate to a base substrate with an insulating film therebetween, and separating the single crystal semiconductor substrate and the base substrate at the embrittled region to form a semiconductor layer over the base substrate with the insulating film therebetween. In the step of forming the embrittled region, ion species which are not mass-separated are used as the ions and a temperature of the single crystal semiconductor substrate is set to 250° C. or higher at the time of irradiation with the ions.
US08288247B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which, in the case where an InP-based device is formed with a sacrificial layer in between, is capable of obtaining better device characteristics than those in the case where an AlAs single layer is used as the sacrificial layer, and which does not have the possibility that the device layer is etched together with the sacrificial layer during etching of the sacrificial layer. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: a formation step of forming a sacrificial layer which is pseudomorphic to InP on an InP substrate, and then forming an InP-based device layer on the sacrificial layer; and a separation step of separating the InP substrate and the device layer from each other by etching the sacrificial layer.
US08288245B2
An object of an embodiment of the disclosed invention is to provide a method suitable for reprocessing a semiconductor substrate which is reused to manufacture an SOI substrate. A semiconductor substrate is reprocessed in the following manner: etching treatment is performed on a semiconductor substrate in which a step portion including a damaged semiconductor region and an insulating layer exists in a peripheral portion, whereby the insulating layer is removed; etching treatment is performed on the semiconductor substrate with the use of a mixed solution including a substance that oxidizes a semiconductor material included in the semiconductor substrate, a substance that dissolves the oxidized semiconductor material, and a substance that controls oxidation speed of the semiconductor material and dissolution speed of the oxidized semiconductor material, whereby the damaged semiconductor region is selectively removed with a non-damaged semiconductor region left; and heat treatment under an atmosphere including hydrogen is performed.
US08288239B2
A method including introducing a species into a substrate including semiconductor material; and translating linearly focused electromagnetic radiation across a surface of the substrate, the electromagnetic radiation being sufficient to thermally influence the species. An apparatus including an electromagnetic radiation source; a stage having dimensions suitable for accommodating a semiconductor substrate within a chamber; an optical element disposed between the electromagnetic radiation source and the stage to focus radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source into a line having a length determined by the diameter of a substrate to be placed on the stage; and a controller coupled to the electromagnetic radiation source including machine readable program instructions that allow the controller to control the depth into which a substrate is exposed to the radiation.
US08288224B2
A method for manufacturing capacitor lower electrodes includes a dielectric layer, a first silicon nitride layer and a hard mask layer; partially etching the hard mask layer, the first silicon nitride layer and the dielectric layer to form a plurality of concave portions; depositing a second silicon nitride layer onto the hard mask layer and into the concave portions; partially etching the second silicon nitride layer, the hard mask layer and the dielectric layer to form a plurality of trenches; forming a capacitor lower electrode within each trench and partially etching the first silicon nitride layer, the second silicon nitride layer, the dielectric layer and the capacitor lower electrodes to form an etching area; and etching and removing the dielectric layer from the etching area, thereby a periphery of each capacitor lower electrode is surrounded and attached to by the second silicon nitride layer.
US08288221B2
A base insulating film containing hafnium and oxygen is formed on a silicon oxide (SiO2) film formed on a main surface of a substrate. Subsequently, a metal thin film thinner than the base insulating film and made of only a metal element is formed on the base insulating film, and a protective film having humidity resistance and oxidation resistance is formed on the metal thin film. Then, by diffusing the entire metal element of the metal thin film into the base insulating film in a state of having the protective film, a mixed film (high dielectric constant film) thicker than the silicon oxide film and having a higher dielectric constant than silicon oxide and containing hafnium and oxygen of the base insulating film and the metal element of the metal thin film is formed on the silicon oxide film.
US08288220B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device may include forming a terminal region of a first conductivity type within a semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type. A well region of a second conductivity type may be formed within the semiconductor layer wherein the well region is adjacent at least portions of the terminal region within the semiconductor layer, a depth of the well region into the semiconductor layer may be greater than a depth of the terminal region into the semiconductor layer, and the first and second conductivity types may be different. An epitaxial semiconductor layer may be formed on the semiconductor layer, and a terminal contact region of the first conductivity type may be formed in the epitaxial semiconductor layer with the terminal contact region providing electrical contact with the terminal region. In addition, an ohmic contact may be formed on the terminal contact region. Related structures are also discussed.
US08288218B2
A semiconductor device and method for fabricating a semiconductor device include providing a strained semiconductor layer having a first strained axis, forming an active region within a surface of the strained semiconductor layer where the active region has a longitudinal axis along the strained axis and forming gate structures over the active region. Raised source/drain regions are formed on the active regions above and over the surface of the strained semiconductor layer and adjacent to the gate structures to form transistor devices.
US08288217B2
A field effect transistor device includes a gate stack portion disposed on a substrate, and a channel region in the substrate having a depth partially defined by the gate stack portion and a silicon region of the substrate, the silicon region having a sloped profile such that a distal regions of the channel region have greater depth than a medial region of the channel region.
US08288213B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming memory arrays. A stack of semiconductor material plates may be patterned to subdivide the plates into pieces. Electrically conductive tiers may be formed along sidewall edges of the pieces. The pieces may then be patterned into an array of wires, with the array having vertical columns and horizontal rows. Individual wires may have first ends joining to the electrically conductive tiers, may have second ends in opposing relation to the first ends, and may have intermediate regions between the first and second ends. Gate material may be formed along the intermediate regions. Memory cell structures may be formed at the second ends of the wires. A plurality of vertically-extending electrical interconnects may be connected to the wires through the memory cell structures, with individual vertically-extending electrical interconnects being along individual columns of the array. Some embodiments include memory arrays incorporated into integrated circuitry.
US08288207B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a metal carrier, attaching chips to the carrier, and applying a metal layer over the chips and the metal carrier to electrically couple the chips to the metal carrier. The metal carrier is segmented, after applying the metal layer, to obtain metal contact elements.
US08288204B1
Methods for fabricating components with precise dimension control are described. One such method includes providing a workpiece including a top layer and a bottom layer of silicon separated by a layer of SiOx, where each of the three layers has about the same length and width, removing edge portions of the top layer, thereby exposing portions of the SiOx layer, etching the exposed portions of the SiOx layer and portions of the SiOx layer disposed between the top layer and bottom layer, thereby forming undercut sections between the top layer and bottom layer, growing a second layer of SiOx having a preselected thickness on the workpiece, depositing metal on the workpiece such that the metal deposited on the top layer is not continuous with the metal deposited on the bottom layer, and removing the bottom layer and a portion of the SiOx layer having a preselected thickness.
US08288196B2
A process for fabricating a silicon-based thin-film photovoltaic cell, applicable for example in the energy generation field. The fabrication process includes a) depositing a p-doped or n-doped amorphous silicon film, the X-ray diffraction spectrum of which has a line centered at 28° that has a mid-height width, denoted by a, such that 4.7°≦a<6.0°, on a substrate.
US08288193B2
The present disclosure uses ammonia plasma for nitrification and for further forming a barrier pattern on a substrate. Then, a selective emitter is fabricated by forming light doping and heavy doping at one time through diffusion into the substrate. Therein, a plurality of trenches for obtaining a front contact is formed at the same time on forming the barrier pattern. Thus, the fabrication process is simplified and the cost is reduced for fabricating a selective emitter solar cell.
US08288188B2
To provide a compact and high performance gyroscope.A gyroscope (10) comprises an outer frame (11); an inner frame (12) positioned inside the outer frame and supported to be movable in one reciprocating direction; a plurality of proof masses (15) positioned inside the inner frame and supported to be movable in the direction orthogonal to the one reciprocating direction; a plurality of outer support suspensions (13) which connect the outer frame and the inner frame; a plurality of inner support suspensions (14) which connect the inner frame and each of the proof masses; actuators (16) for accelerating each of the proof masses; and detectors (17) for detecting displacement of the inner frame against the outer frame. The actuators oscillate the plurality of proof masses in-phase, and wherein Coriolis forces induced on each of the proof masses are summed up in the inner frame.
US08288183B2
An optically coupled device includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element which are electrically isolated from each other, and an optical waveguide allowing therethrough transmission of light from the light emitting element to the light receiving element, wherein the optical waveguide is covered with an encapsulation resin containing a light reflective inorganic particle which is typically composed of titanium oxide, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are respectively provided on a base (for example, package terminals), and the entire portion of the outer surface of the optical waveguide, brought into contact with none of the light emitting element, the light receiving element and the base, is covered with the encapsulation resin.
US08288172B2
The invention described herein teaches methods of removing microvesicular particles, which include but are not limited to exosomes, from the systemic circulation of a subject in need thereof with the goal of reversing antigen-specific and antigen-nonspecific immune suppression. Said microvesicular particles could be generated by host cells that have been reprogrammed by neoplastic tissue, or the neoplastic tissue itself. Compositions of matter, medical devices, and novel utilities of existing medical devices are disclosed.
US08288171B2
Provided is a biochip and an apparatus for detecting a biomaterial. The biochip includes a metal thin film on the surface of a substrate, restraining autofluorescence of the substrate, and a spacer on the metal thin film, having capture molecules immobilized on the surface of the spacer and specifically bound to target molecules. The spacer has a thickness controlled to enhance the strength of a fluorescence signal emitted from a fluorophore labeled with the target molecules and immobilized on the spacer by the specific binding between the capture molecule and the target molecule.
US08288170B2
The invention provides parylene membrane filters, filter devices and methods of making them and using them in the mechanical separation of cells and particles by size. The provision of parylene membrane filters with high figures of merit and finely controlled hole sizes allows the separation of cells and particles in a variety of biological and other fluids according to sizes.
US08288161B2
Articles of manufacture and methods of making and using same concern a container having an internal space and a passivated internal metal surface. The container contains a composition of an acid gas and a balance gas contained within the internal space and in contact with the passivated internal metal surface. The stability of the acid gas concentration over time is enhanced.
US08288154B2
A Nanomotion Sensor comprises a micromechanical device for the detection and characterization of specimen motions when they interact with one or an array of cantilevered sensors set in the path of the moving specimen. In particular, the present invention provides a method for direct sensing and characterization of motion, including position, torsion, magnitude and direction of velocity, acceleration, force, torque, as well as binding, which may include hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attractions, hydrophobic effects, dipole interactions, or through other forces through the deflection of a micromechanical cantilever sensor. The present invention is particularly useful for the detection and characterization of the motion of biological cells such as bacteria and sperm, biological systems including motor proteins, cilia of the hearing organ and the lining of the airways in asthmatics, and microfabricated systems.
US08288149B2
The present invention provides systems for producing engineered oleaginous yeast or fungi that express carotenoids.
US08288148B2
The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells.
US08288147B2
Methods for synthesizing isopentenyl pyrophosphate are provided. A first method comprises introducing into a host microorganism a plurality of heterologous nucleic acid sequences, each coding for a different enzyme in the mevalonate pathway for producing isopentenyl pyrophosphate. A related method comprises introducing into a host microorganism an intermediate in the mevalonate pathway and at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence, each sequence coding for an enzyme in the mevalonate pathway necessary for converting the intermediate into isopentenyl pyrophosphate. The invention also provides nucleic acid sequences, enzymes, expression vectors, and transformed host cells for carrying out the methods.
US08288143B2
A novel cold-active beta-galactosidase is enzyme specific for lactose. The enzyme is thus useful in e.g. the food industry for catalyzing at low temperatures the hydrolysis of lactose disaccharide into its constituent monosaccharides, glucose and galactose. A method produces the cold-active beta-galactosidase by recombinant DNA technology.
US08288138B2
A process and system for the conversion of biomass, such as spent brewers grain, into ethanol and other commercial products, such as pelletized fuel, biogas, fertilizer, and livestock feed, is disclosed. The method may include biomass pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation, distillation, and dehydration phases.
US08288137B2
Recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria that have enhanced acetyl-CoA synthetase activity and the ability to produce glycerol and glycerol-derived products, such as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, methylglyoxal, 1,2-propanediol, and 1,3-propanediol, are described. The recombinant E. coli comprise a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having acetyl-CoA synthetase enzyme activity, wherein the promoter and nucleotide sequence are each independently either native or non-native.
US08288134B2
The present invention provides a process for growing eukaryotic microorganisms which are capable of producing lipids, in particular lipids containing polyenoic fatty acids. The present invention also provides a process for producing eukaryotic microbial lipids.
US08288130B2
A palladate palladium-promoted hydrolytic polypeptide cleavage process which selectively cleaves the polypeptide at a Cys-His cleavage site comprising solubilizing the polypeptide in a reaction mixture comprised of a palladate palladium promoter dissolved in a high-concentration acidic organic acid solvent.
US08288125B2
The present invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of exogenous sequences into the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus genome. The present invention further provides plasmid vectors to insert exogenous DNA into the genome of MVA. Furthermore, the present invention provides recombinant MVA comprising an exogenous DNA sequence inserted into the new insertion site as medicine or vaccine.
US08288124B2
The present invention relates to a new method of producing functionally active recombinant porcine Intrinsic Factor as well as the protein (i.e., porcine Intrinsic Factor) produced thereby. In particular, the vector comprising the DNA encoding the protein is introduced into a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) host cell under conditions sufficient for optimal expression of functional protein. The expressed protein may then be subjected to three methods ultimately resulting in a protein having at least 97% purity.
US08288116B2
The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions for detection and isolation of cancer cells with metastatic potential. The invention further relates to assays for measuring the metastatic potential of such cancer cells and drug screening assays for the identification of agents having anti-metastatic potential. The present invention further provides methods and compositions for inhibiting the metastatic potential of cancer cells by modulating the activity of serine integral membrane proteases [(SIMP) consisting of seprase and dipetidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV)] expressed on the surface of metastasizing cancer cells.
US08288110B2
The disclosure features, inter alia, a variety of biomarkers (e.g., biomarker peptides), compositions, and kits for use in methods for diagnosing a cancer. The biomarkers can be used, e.g., in methods for detecting a cancer in a subject. In addition, the disclosure also features methods of selecting a therapy for, and/or administering a therapy (e.g., a therapy comprising an anti-cancer agent) to, a subject having a cancer.
US08288108B2
A rapid, safe method for predicting sepsis, or a condition similar to sepsis, in a mammal is disclosed, which comprises the following steps: I) isolating RNA from a biological sample of a mammal; ii) labeling the isolated RNA of step I) with a detectable marker; iii) hybridizing the labeled isolated RNA of step ii) with at least one DNA of genes Seq.-ID 1 to Seq.-ID 6705 (Table 1), which is spotted onto a microarray and which is a sepsis-specific gene or gene fragment, under the reaction conditions for hybridizations; iv) quantitatively recording labeling signals of the hybridized RNA of step iii) in an expression profile; v) comparing the expression profile of step iv) with a control sample with respect to a stronger or weaker expression of genes or gene fragments which are specific for sepsis; and vi) combining the expression profile of step v) with protein- and metabolite patterns of the biological sample.
US08288105B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for real-time measurements of PCR with multiplexing capability. Certain embodiments relate to methods and systems that use fluorescently encoded superparamagnetic microspheres for the immobilization of amplification products during the PCR process, and an imaging chamber of a measurement device that is also capable of controllable thermal cycling for assisting the PCR process.
US08288104B2
A method for detecting a Chinese diabetic subject suffering from, at risk for developing, or suspected of suffering from a nephropathy. The method includes determining whether a sample from the subject has at least one of the following polymorphic sequences: an I/D genotype of an ACE gene, an M235T genotype of an AGT gene, a (CA)n-5′(z−2) genotype of an ALR2 gene, an C106T genotype of an ALR2 gene in the promoter region, a G-308A genotype of a TNF-α gene, or a complement thereof, provided that the ALR2 gene cannot be used alone, in which the presence of the polymorphic sequence indicates the subject suffering from, at risk for suffering from a nephropathy. An array for detecting a Chinese diabetic subject suffering from, or at risk for suffering from, a nephropathy.
US08288101B2
The present invention relates to a method and a kit for the detection of low abundance RNA species in a biological sample and to a method and a kit for the detection of a mycoplasma contamination in a biological sample.
US08288099B2
The present invention discloses methods of using the methylation status of the COX-2 gene promoter region as a biomarker for a gastric cancer patient to determine a prognosis and a treatment regimen, and to monitor the progress of a treatment regimen.
US08288097B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for asymmetrically tagging a nucleic acid fragment using asymmetric adapters.
US08288092B2
The invention is directed to nucleic acid sequences having decreased thermodynamic stability to complementary sequence as well as a method for producing these sequences.
US08288086B2
A method for operating a tissue processor and a respective tissue processor for performing this method are described for the processing tissue samples. The tissue processor comprises at least one retort for receiving the tissue samples and at least one container for receiving a process medium. The process medium is transferred at least one of from the container into the retort and from the retort into the container. A value is automatically measured in the course of transferring the process medium, the value representing a characteristic property of the process medium. The process medium is identified based on the value.
US08288084B2
Materials and methods for preserving biological materials (e.g., organs, tissues, and cells) under cold or cryo conditions while reducing or minimizing damage to the materials.
US08288081B2
The present disclosure provides a method of making a mask. The method includes providing a substrate having a first attenuating layer on the substrate and a first imaging layer on the first attenuating layer; performing a first exposure to the first imaging layer using a first radiation energy in writing mode; performing a first etching to the first attenuating layer; performing a second etching to the substrate; forming a second imaging layer on the first attenuating layer and the substrate; performing a second exposure to the second imaging layer using a light energy and another mask; and performing a third etching to the first attenuating layer after the second exposure.
US08288073B2
This invention provides a method for resist under layer film formation, which can form a resist under layer film which can function as an anti-reflection film, is excellent in pattern transfer properties and etching resistance, and does not cause bending of a pattern even in the transfer of a fined pattern, and a composition for the resist under layer film for use in the method, and a method for pattern formation. The method for resist under layer film formation comprises the steps of coating a composition for resist under layer film formation (for example, a composition comprising a compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group, a solvent, and an accelerator) onto a substrate to be processed, and treating the formed coating film under an oxidizing atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of not less than 1% by volume and a temperature of 300° C. or higher to form a resist under layer film.
US08288072B2
A resist lower layer film composition, wherein an etching speed is fast, thus an etching time period can be shortened to minimize a film thickness loss of a resist pattern and a deformation of the pattern during etching, therefore, a pattern can be transferred with high accuracy and an excellent pattern can be formed on a substrate is provided.The resist lower layer film composition comprising at least a polymer having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1).
US08288058B2
This invention provides a binder for a fuel cell which has high adhesion, low methanol solubility, high methanol permeability and high proton conductivity, a composition for electrode formation, an electrode for a fuel cell, and a fuel cell using them. The binder is particularly suitable for a binder for a direct methanol type fuel cell which requires high proton conductivity.The binder for a fuel cell comprises a block copolymer which comprises a block having a repeating structural unit of a divalent aromatic group that contains a protonic acid group and a block having a repeating structural unit of a divalent aromatic group that does not contain a protonic acid group, and which has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 180° C. or less. In particular, it is preferable that the block copolymer has an ion exchange group equivalent of from 200 to 1,000 g/mole and a weight retention ratio of 90% or more as measured by immersion in a 64 weight % aqueous methanol solution at 25° C. for 24 hours.
US08288050B2
There is disclosed a fuel cell system in which a poisoned electrode catalyst can be recovered while meeting a demand for an output power. When a controller detects that an electrode catalyst is poisoned, the controller derives a target operation point adequate for recovering a function of the poisoned electrode catalyst to realize shift of an operation point so that the output power is kept constant. Specifically, a fuel cell voltage is controlled using a DC/DC converter, and an amount of an oxidizing gas to be fed from an oxidizing gas supply source is adjusted, thereby controlling a fuel cell current.
US08288040B2
A battery that includes a cathode, anode and an electrolytic solution containing an organic electrolyte solvent including a compound of the formula: R1—CO—NR2—OR3 wherein R1 is selected from alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aryls and their substituted derivatives and perfluorinated analogues; R2 is selected from alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aryls and their substituted derivatives; R3 is selected from alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aryls and their substituted derivatives wherein the electrolyte is stable at voltages of greater than 4.0 volts.
US08288037B2
A reserve activated lithium ion battery is provided with a number of safety features designed to prevent a thermal run-away condition. The reserve activated battery may include a non-flammable electrolyte, a phosphate-based cathode, an anode with a non-fluorinated binder, and/or a solid electrolyte interface on the anode.
US08288031B1
A battery disconnect unit for selectively coupling a battery pack to a load is provided. The unit includes a base portion that holds first and second contactors, a pre-charging relay, and a charging relay, thereon. The unit further includes a circuit board having first, second, third and fourth bus bars disposed thereon. The first and second bus bars are coupled to first and second terminals, respectively, of the first contactor. The first bus bar is further coupled to the battery pack, and the second bus bar is further coupled to the load. The third and fourth bus bars are coupled to third and fourth terminals, respectively, of the second contactor. The third bus bar is further coupled to the battery pack, and the fourth bus bar is further coupled to the load.
US08288029B2
A battery cover assembly is used for a portable electronic device. The battery cover assembly includes a base body, a battery cover, a latching member and an elastic rod. The battery cover forms two hooks. The latching member is slidably attached to the base body. The latching member defines two hook holes. The elastic rod is attached to the base body and provides an elastic force to the latching member.
US08288028B2
A power storing container replacement and charging method and system which allows continuous/uninterrupted power enables a user to continuously use a device without the device being relegated to a wired device for an extended period of time. The method and system includes an apparatus which is able to retain a power storing container for charging, and then receive a device with another power storing container which is replaced with the charged power storing container contained in the apparatus. The system reduces the wait time for a power storing container to charge and encourages use of the device without fear of the draining all the power from the device being unable to use the device for even a short period of time. The system also allows the power storing container in the device to be replaced without the device losing power and without involving any complicated steps from the user.
US08288023B2
A magnetic tunnel junction cell having a free layer, a ferromagnetic pinned layer, and a barrier layer therebetween. The free layer has a central ferromagnetic portion and a stabilizing portion radially proximate the central ferromagnetic portion. The construction can be used for both in-plane magnetic memory cells where the magnetization orientation of the magnetic layer is in the stack film plane and out-of-plane magnetic memory cells where the magnetization orientation of the magnetic layer is out of the stack film plane, e.g., perpendicular to the stack plane.
US08288022B2
A perovskite phosphor film emitting red light from among the three primary colors (i.e., red, green and blue) underlying the construction of displays which is fabricated by adsorbing a nanosheet as a seed layer on a solid substrate and forming an oriented film of an oxide phosphor thereon, characterized in that the perovskite phosphor film comprises a film of an oxide phosphor (3) having a high transparency that is formed on a seed layer comprising a nanosheet (2) that is adsorbed on a solid substrate (1) such as a glass substrate or the like, and the oxide phosphor (3) is (SrxCa1-x)1-yPryTiO3: 0≦x≦0.8, 0.001≦y≦0.01.
US08288016B2
Provided is an organic light-emitting device having good durability. The organic light-emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, and organic compound layers interposed between the anode and the cathode, and at least one of the organic compound layers contains a fused polycyclic compound represented by the following general formula [1]: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17, and R18 each represent, independently of one another, a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted amino group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, provided that at least one of R1 to R18 is a substituted phenyl group represented by the following general formula [2]:
US08288013B2
A material for an organic electroluminescence device including an indenofluorenedione derivative shown by the following formula (I): wherein X1 and X2, which may be the same or different, are any of specific divalent groups; R1 to R10, which may be the same or different, are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a heterocycle, a halogen atom, a fluoroalkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group or a cyano group; and R3 to R6 or R7 to R10 may be bonded to each other to form a ring.
US08288011B2
Adhesiveless copper clad laminates wherein a base metal layer is directly formed on at least one side of an insulating film without using an adhesive and a copper conductor layer having a desired thickness is formed on the base metal layer, the adhesiveless copper clad laminates is characterized in that a base metal layer having a thickness of 3 to 50 nm is formed on an insulating film by a dry plating method and a copper film layer is formed on the base metal layer, and the base metal layer mainly contains (1) a vanadium-molybdenum-nickel alloy consisting of 4 to 13% by weight of vanadium, 5 to 40% by weight of molybdenum, and the balance of nickel or (2) a vanadium-chromium-molybdenum-nickel alloy consisting of 4 to 13% by weight of vanadium and chromium in total including at least 2% by weight of vanadium, 5 to 40% by weight of molybdenum, and the balance of nickel.
US08288002B2
A process for producing and a powdery water-absorbing polymers comprising: about 0.01 to 20 wt. % of a fine particle with a particle size of less than about 200 μm; about 0.001 to 10 wt. % of a thermoplastic adhesive; and about 60 to 99.998 wt. % of a water-absorbing polymer particle with a particle size of about 200 μm and above, wherein the powdery water-absorbing polymers have: a flow value (FFC) within the range from about 1 to 13, and/or a dust portion of at most about 6 are disclosed. Also disclosed are a transport process, a composite, chemical products, and a use of a thermoplastic adhesive.
US08287990B2
The present invention provides a radio wave transmission cover, which is provided in front of a radar device for vehicles, and a method of manufacturing the radio wave transmission cover. In the radio wave transmission cover, cover-side wall surfaces (50) are formed in a second cover layer (35) at positions adjacent to each other. Furthermore, substrate-side wall surfaces (60), which have shapes complementary to the cover-side wall surfaces (50), are formed in a substrate layer (4), which is provided on the rear surface of the second cover layer (35). The cover-side wall surfaces (50) and the corresponding substrate-side wall surfaces (60) are engaged to each other.
US08287986B2
Visibility of ply-bonding created by glassining spot embossing on decorative pattern embossed tissue products is provided by obscuring the glassined spot embosses by distributing them along a meandering path through the decorative pattern, obscuring the edges of the glassined spot embosses by providing a gradual transition therefrom and combinations of the two techniques.
US08287985B2
Embossed decorative boards (1) having a first and a second opposite edge (1I and 1II respectively) with a third and a fourth adjacent edge (1III and 1Iv respectively). The board (1) include an upper side decorative surface (2) an upper side embossing and a base layer. The embossing is comprised by surface structure areas (10) of which at least four are first and second outermost surface structure areas (10L and 10R respectively). The first outermost surface structure areas (10L) has each one end edge coinciding with the first edge (1I) of the board (1) while the second outermost surface structure areas (10R) has each one end edge coinciding with the second edge (1II). At least two surface structures having different visual characteristics is used, wherein two adjacent outermost surface structure areas (10L and 10R respectively) within the same board (1) has different surface structures. The first outermost surface structure areas (10L) of the first edge (1I) is numbered LI, LII, LIII etc. in a subsequent order starting from the third edge (1III) while the second outermost surface structure areas (10R) of the second edge (1I) is numbered RI, RII, RIII etc. The end edge of the outermost surface structure areas (10L and 10R respectively) with the same ordinal number of the first edge (1I) and the second edge (1II) has mainly the same length while of the surface structure is similar.
US08287983B2
The invention describes a velour needle-punched nonwoven material, which is produced by placing an optionally pre-strengthened nonwoven material on a brush-like stitch base and needling of the nonwoven on this stitch base. The velour needle-punched nonwoven material according to the invention is characterized in that the nonwoven material comprises a spun-bound nonwoven with filaments, wherein the filaments comprise multicomponent filaments with at least one component with a high melting point and at least one thermally activatable component with a low melting point. The velour needle-punched nonwoven material according to the invention not only has excellent mechanical properties, it is also particularly compatible with the environment and health and therefore suited for applications as a textile lining not only in the private field, but particularly in the public domain.
US08287981B2
Provided is a diaphragm that can be securely and firmly fixed to a predetermined fixing position without deteriorating the function of a film part. The diaphragm is provided with a film part (1a) that is elastically deformable by a predetermined pressure, a thick part (1b) that is disposed at a rim portion of the film part (1a) and has a thickness greater than the film part (1a), and a protection part (1d) that is disposed between the film part (1a) and the thick part (1b) in contact with the film part (1a) and is elastically deformable along with elastic deformation of the film part (1a) to protect the film part (1a).
US08287979B2
A flooring system comprising a carrying panel with edges, said edges being provided with means for joining. The carrying panel is further being provided with an upper side and a lower side. The flooring system comprises a plurality of panels where each panel is provided with an upper decorative surface. The flooring system comprises panels with at least two of decorative surface selected from the group consisting of a thermosetting composite, a thermoplastic composite, an elastomeric foil, a thermoplastic foil, a metal sheet, a fabric, a mineral and a mineral composite.
US08287978B2
A flooring system comprising a carrying panel with edges, said edges being provided with means for joining. The carrying panel is further being provided with an upper side and a lower side. The flooring system comprises a plurality of panels where each panel is provided with an upper decorative surface. The flooring system comprises panels with at least two of decorative surfaces selected from the group consisting of: a thermosetting composite, a thermoplastic composite. an elastomeric foil, a thermoplastic foil, a metal sheet, a fabric, a mineral and a mineral composite.
US08287974B2
Disclosed herein is an adhesive release article comprising an absorbent substrate, a cross-linking agent, and a polymer; wherein the substrate is first coated with the cross-linking agent and is then coated with the polymer.
US08287971B2
Spalted wood veneer, which can be used in the commercial production of engineered wood flooring having a spalted wood veneer decorative layer, is produced by forming a wood veneer piece, inoculating the wood veneer piece with spalting spores, subjecting the inoculated veneer piece to a predetermined environment, then inspecting the inoculated veneer piece to determine the degree of spalting, and when a desired degree of spalting is reached, deterring continued spalting.
US08287954B2
There is provided an apparatus including: a processing cup having an opening opened upward to allow a substrate to be loaded and unloaded, an exhaust port for exhausting an unnecessary atmosphere produced in forming a film applied on the substrate, and an aspiration port for aspirating external air; and an aspiration device aspirating the unnecessary atmosphere through the exhaust port, wherein when the substrate is accommodated in the opening of the processing cup, the substrate has a perimeter spaced from the opening by a predetermined gap, and below the substrate accommodated in the processing cup there is formed an exhaust flow path extending from the aspiration port to the exhaust port.
US08287952B2
This invention relates to a method of making a composition comprising a colloid comprising particles having a colloidal silica core and a shell, said method comprising the steps of: simultaneously introducing into a vessel a first liquid stream containing silica core particles, a second liquid stream containing a polymer having amine functionalities; and a third liquid stream having a pH adjusting substance such that said vessel is maintained at a pH below 6.0, and followed by readjusting the pH of the colloid to a pH between about 7-10; the addition of a cross-linking reagent, and adjusting the pH of the colloid to approximately physiological conditions, wherein the core-shell colloid contains between 10 and 30 μmol amine-monomer/m2 core surface area.
US08287950B2
The invention relates to a method for obtaining polyamide or copolyamide particles which are spheroidal and whose average diameter is between 40 and 150 μm, preferably between 60 and 100 μm. Said method consists of introducing a mineral charge, preferably silica, having an average diameter of 1-30 μm into the reaction mixture. The invention also relates to a polyamide or copolyester amide powder and to the use thereof in order to manufacture coatings, ink compositions, paint compositions, cosmetic compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, alloys with metal powders or metal oxide powders and parts by agglomerating said powder by laser sintering, IR radiation or UV radiation.
US08287949B2
A method and composition for forming an adhesive bond is described. The method includes depositing an aqueous dispersion on a substrate to form a selectively activatable coating, the aqueous dispersion including (A) a polymer capable of forming an adhesive, (B) at least one dispersing agent; and (C) at least one of a tackifying resin, a wax, or an oil wherein the dispersion has at least one of an average particle size of from about 0.1 to about 100 microns and a polydispersity of less than 5; and selectively activating at least a portion of the coated substrate to form the adhesive bond.
US08287948B2
An image sensor includes a color filter, an over-coating layer formed on the color filter, and a medium layer formed on the over-coating layer, wherein the medium layer is configured with at least two medium layers of which refractive indices are different from each other.
US08287943B2
The invention relates to the preparation of multilayer microcomponents which comprise one or more films, each consisting of a material M selected from metals, metal alloys, glasses, ceramics and glass-ceramics.The method consists in depositing on a substrate one or more films of an ink P, and one or more films of an ink M, each film being deposited in a predefined pattern selected according to the structure of the microcomponent, each film of ink P and each film of ink M being at least partially consolidated before deposition of the next film; effecting a total consolidation of the films of ink M partially consolidated after their deposition, to convert them to films of material M; totally or partially removing the material of each of the films of ink P. An ink P consists of a thermoset resin containing a mineral filler or a mixture comprising a mineral filler and an organic binder. An ink M consists of a mineral material precursor of the material M and an organic binder. The inks are deposited by pouring or by extrusion.
US08287938B1
This invention relates to a method to produce reproducible and homogeneous coatings and to fine-tune the coating morphology. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the particle formation and deposition process to form a biocompatible coating on a medical implant or a tissue.
US08287934B2
The invention relates to the use of 5-acetyl-2,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxy-tetrahydrofuran-3-one (diacetyl dimer of formula (I)) in the form of one of its stereoisomers or in the form of a mixture consisting of or containing two, three or four of its stereoisomers (i) for imparting, intensifying and/or modifying a creamy and/or fatty sensation in the mouth, (ii) for imparting, intensifying and/or modifying a sweet, buttery, cream-like and/or creamy flavor; and/or (iii) as an aromatic and/or flavoring substance. The invention furthermore relates to a process (i) for imparting, intensifying and/or modifying a creamy and/or fatty sensation in the mouth, (ii) for imparting, intensifying and/or modifying a sweet, buttery, cream-like and/or creamy flavor, to corresponding aromatic compositions, to formulations selected from a nutrition formulation (foodstuff), an oral hygiene formulation, a luxury product formulation, a formulation for oral pharmaceutical use or a semi-finished good formulation for the preparation of nutrition formulations or luxury product formulations, as well as preparations comprising one or more of said compositions and/or formulations.
US08287932B2
A nutritional composition including a lipid or fat; a protein source; at least about 5 mg/100 kcal of a source of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which comprises docosahexanoic acid; and at least about 0.2 mg/100 kcal of a prebiotic composition, wherein the prebiotic composition comprises a plurality of oligosaccharides such that the overall fermentation rate profile of the prebiotic composition provides an increased population of beneficial bacteria in the human gut over an extended period of time.
US08287930B2
A free-flowing composition for reducing or replacing the egg and emulsifier content in baked goods and baked good mixes and a method of making the composition. In some embodiments, the composition may include a single free-flowing ingredient. In certain embodiments, the composition includes a wheat protein isolate and an emulsifier. In other embodiments, the composition additionally includes a flow agent. In one embodiment, the composition includes a wheat protein isolate, a propylene glycol ester, a glyceride, and a lecithin. Other embodiments may include a food product comprising the composition.
US08287929B2
Galatinous protein foodstuff and process for its preparation, comprising water, cane sugar, glucose, a protein element, xanthan gum, linseed fibre, vitamins, citrus seed extract, citric acid, malic acid, bifidus and lactobacilli, coloring agent and essence. This product improves human digestion and maximized utilization of the ingested foodstuff. It permits the restoration of the intestinal flora, improves digestive function and activates the immune system when ingested regularly and continuously.
US08287924B2
A novel medical indication of myrrh, namely the treatment of menopausal symptoms, is disclosed. Furthermore, pharmaceutical preparation in vaginal dosage form for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, a method for preparing a pharmaceutical preparation against menopausal symptoms, and a method for treating the human or animal body with myrrh to relieve menopausal symptoms are disclosed.
US08287922B2
In one embodiment, a method for lobelia delivery is provided comprising: providing a lobelia solution suitable for vaporization in a compact handheld device; providing the compact handheld device; vaporizing the lobelia solution at a low temperature upon activation by a user such that an effective serving of lobelia is provided to the user. In various aspects of this embodiment the lobelia solution comprises propylene glycol, water, alcohol and glycerin, the step of vaporizing the lobelia solution comprises using a vaporizer to vaporize the lobelia solution, and the effective serving of lobelia is provided to the user in less than 20 activations, less than 15 activations, less than 10 activations, less than 5 activations, or between about 8-10 activations.
US08287921B1
Treatment of leishmaniasis in animals and humans using the methanolic extract of Physalis minima in petrolatum is described.
US08287917B2
A hydrogel particle contains a continuous phase portion of non-crosslinked hydrogel and a large number of disperse phase portions dispersed in the continuous phase portion. Each of the large number of disperse phase portions is a solid phase containing an oil component and particles of zinc oxide dispersed therein.
US08287910B2
The present invention provides micelles having a polynucleotide encapsulated therein, the micelle comprising copolymers comprising hydrophobic moieties in a cationic complexing block. The invention further provides methods of preparing and using said micelles, and compositions thereof.
US08287907B2
There are described solid compositions or examining drug solubility comprising bile salts and phospholipids, optionally containing buffer components suitable for preparation of intestinal media that simulate the composition of the intestinal fluids in fasted and fed states.
US08287904B2
A stable soft gel dosage form for acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), aspirin, is provided wherein soft gel capsules containing the ASA can be stored for prolonged periods under typical home storage conditions with better than 98% or 99% ASA integrity and with negligible physical or chemical deterioration of the soft gelatin capsule over the period of six months. A suspension of ASA in a monoglyceride component comprising more than about 50% glyceryl monooleate is packaged in a soft gelatin capsule, which can be substantially free of other components. The ASA in this composition is resistant to hydrolysis from water contained within the soft gelatin matrix or diffusing through the matrix. Methods of preparation and methods of use are also provided.
US08287902B2
An ingestible capsule is provided for delivering medication to a subject. A capsule coating dissolves in a gastrointestinal tract of the subject. An inner core of the capsule has an outer surface associated therewith. The outer surface is disposed within the coating and expands when the coating dissolves. A medication is disposed on the outer surface, and the outer surface is configured such that the medication contacts an intestinal wall of the subject when the outer surface expands. Other embodiments are also provided.
US08287901B2
A monomeric adhesive composition includes a stabilized polymerizable monomer, such as a 1,1-disubstituted monomer, including a cyanoacrylate, and a wound healing agent, wherein the wound healing agent is 5,5-disubstitutedhydantoin, including phenyloin; and a method for making said composition.
US08287899B2
The invention relates to a patch for cutaneous application of a substance, the patch comprising a substance designed to penetrate the epidermis, means for placing the substance in contact with the skin and a peelable cutaneous exfoliation film enabling exfoliation of the skin, after placing the patch, at the level of the contact zone between said substance and the skin.
US08287897B2
A particulate jelly beverage which facilitates the intake of a bitter drug and/or supplement. The beverage comprises 0.1 to 15.0% bitterness-masking ingredient comprising a vegetable fat or animal fat, 5 to 20% bitterness-masking aid comprising a sugar alcohol, 0.1 to 5.0 % gellant such as an agar or carrageenan, and water as the remainder. It may optionally contain an ingredient for reducing water repellency, such as a sucrose/fatty acid ester, glycerol/fatty acid ester, or propylene glycol, in an amount of 0.01 to 1.5%.
US08287880B2
Disclosed are immunogenic composition, fusion proteins, and related methods for inducing immune response to dengue virus infection.
US08287873B2
The present invention provides vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) antagonists and methods of using VEGF antagonists. VEGF antagonists contemplated by the invention include VEGF antibodies and VEGF receptor fusion proteins. Methods of treating edema and stroke using VEGF antagonists are also provided.
US08287872B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods relating to or derived from anti-PAR-2 antibodies. In particular embodiments, the invention provides antibodies that bind human PAR-2, PAR-2-binding fragments and derivatives of such antibodies, and PAR-2-binding polypeptides comprising such fragments. Other embodiments provide nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, cells comprising such polynucleotides, methods of making such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, and methods of using such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, including methods of treating or diagnosing subjects having PAR-2-related disorders or conditions.
US08287850B2
Conjugates of hydroxyalkyl starch and a protein are provided. The conjugates are formed by a reductive amination reaction between at least one aldehyde group or keto group or hemiacetal group of the hydroxyalkyl starch or of a derivative of the hydroxyalkyl starch, and at least one amino group of the protein, so that the hydroxyalkyl starch or the derivative thereof is covalently linked to the protein via an azomethine linkage or a amino linkage. Methods of producing these conjugates and specific uses of the conjugates also are provided.
US08287845B2
Hair-binding peptides were isolated for their use in a variety of personal care formulations and applications. The isolation of hair-binding peptides was accomplished by enrichment using mRNA-display selection technology. Hair care compositions comprising peptide-based reagents prepared comprising the hair-binding peptides are also provided.
US08287843B2
The invention provides oral compositions including a safe and effective amount of a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from a hydrogen atom and an alkyl group and X− is an anion, and n is an integer of 1 to 25; and (b) a surfactant.
US08287833B2
A method is provided for treating silica sand scrubs (SSS) generated and accumulated as waste in the chloride manufacturing process of titanium dioxide pigment. A hydrothermal process is used to produce sodium silicate solutions of modulus 3.0 to 3.8, and precipitated silicas. In some embodiments, the process uses two specific principal reaction stages. A sodium silicate solution having a low SiO2:Na2O molar ratio, in the range from 2.0 to 2.8, is first produced by reaction of the SSS, as a cost-effective SiO2 source, with aqueous caustic soda. The conversion of this intermediate sodium silicate solution of low modulus to a high SiO2:Na2O molar ratio is made possible by using a SiO2 source that is prepared as precipitated amorphous silica from the intermediate sodium silicate solution produced above.
US08287829B2
The invention generally relates to methods of selectively removing lithium from various liquids, methods of producing high purity lithium carbonate, methods of producing high purity lithium hydroxide, and methods of regenerating resin.
US08287828B2
A process for producing a lithium-containing composite oxide for a positive electrode active material for use in a lithium secondary battery, the oxide having the formula LipQqNxMyOzFa (wherein Q is at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, niobium and tantalum, N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, alkaline earth metal elements and transition metal elements other than Q and N, 0.9≦p≦1.1, 0≦q<0.03, 0.97≦x≦1.00, 0≦y<0.03, 1.9≦z≦2.1, q+x+y=1 and 0≦a≦0.02), which comprises firing a mixture of a lithium, Q element source and N element sources, and an M element source and/or fluorine source when these elements are present, in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, wherein the Q element source is a Q element compound aqueous solution having a pH of from 0.5 to 11.
US08287826B2
A method of purifying an aluminum source includes dissolving an aluminum ion source to provide a first solution including aluminum ions having a pH of not greater than 4.0, adjusting the pH of the first solution with a tetraalkylammonium hydroxide solution to a pH in range of 4.1 to 8.4 thereby forming an aluminum hydroxide precipitate, separating the aluminum hydroxide precipitate from the first solution, washing the separated aluminum hydroxide precipitate with an aqueous solution having a pH in a range of 4.1 to 8.4, dissolving the washed aluminum hydroxide precipitate using an acid to provide a second solution having a pH of not greater than 4.0, and forming an aluminum salt from the second solution.
US08287820B2
The technology described herein generally relates to systems for extracting polynucleotides from multiple samples, particularly from biological samples, and additionally to systems that subsequently amplify and detect the extracted polynucleotides. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on multiple samples of nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides. The technology still more particularly relates to automated devices for carrying out pipetting operations, particularly on samples in parallel, consistent with sample preparation and delivery of PCR-ready nucleotide extracts to a cartridge wherein PCR is run.
US08287818B2
Improved systems and methods are provided for monitoring compliance with an order for a patient specimen. Broadly, an inventive system incorporates a machine readable wireless identification and sensor technology to provide feedback to a caregiver regarding compliance with a specimen order. In particular, a system for monitoring compliance with an order for a specimen is provided which includes a specimen container having an attached machine readable wireless tag. The tag contains specimen container characteristic information. The tagged container aids in indicating to a user whether the correct specimen container type has been chosen. Further, a system is provided which includes a sensor useful in indicating whether a sufficient quantity of specimen has been obtained in order to perform the requested laboratory test as part of the patient's care.
US08287814B2
A chemical reactor and method for converting a first material into a second material is disclosed and wherein the chemical reactor is provided with a feed stream of a first material which is to be converted into a second material; and wherein the first material is combusted in the chemical reactor to produce a combustion flame, and a resulting gas; and an electrical arc is provided which is passed through or superimposed upon the combustion flame and the resulting gas to facilitate the production of the second material.
US08287809B2
A method and device are provided for stimulating and increasing the production of saliva during immunoassay tests for drugs or other analytes wherein a scent or odor capable of stimulating saliva production is incorporated into a device for obtaining an oral sample from a test subject. The scent or odor may be impregnated into the oral sample collection device or may be part of an attachment to such a device, and the scent or odor is disposed in such a manner so as to maximize the exposure of the scent to the test subject and thus stimulate the production of saliva. The method and device of the invention are advantageous because the increased production of saliva will facilitate the testing of an oral sample for drugs or other analytes and will increase the likelihood of obtaining a complete and accurate result.
US08287803B2
A novel blaster nozzle used for assisting in the pneumatic removal of cloggings and cakings during the transport of particulate matter through an enclosure housing is set such that it can be removed and replaced from outside the enclosure housing. The blaster nozzle includes a nozzle head having an orifice for the conduction of high-pressure fluid, wherein the nozzle head is composed of a refractory concrete having from about 4-20% by volume metal fibers therein. The blaster nozzle also includes a flange member connected to the nozzle head and a connection tube extends from the flange member for connecting the blaster nozzle to an air cannon.
US08287800B2
A method for making a polymeric web exhibiting a soft and silky tactile impression on at least one side thereof. The method comprises the steps of providing a forming structure being moveable upon a forming drum and comprising a plurality of protrusions extending from the forming structure, the protrusions being generally columnar forms having an average aspect ratio of at least about 1. The forming structure is disposed adjacent a vacuum chamber and vacuum is applied at a sufficient level to induce a sufficient partial pressure to conform a precursor web to the forming structure, thereby forming the polymeric web. The precursor web can be cast directly onto the forming structure, or it can be re-heated by re-heat means to elevate its temperature sufficiently to permit vacuum formation.
US08287795B2
The present invention relates to a wood composite panel having a major planar portion, at least one panel portion, and an inwardly extending contoured portion surrounding the panel portion and interconnecting the major planar portion and the panel portion. The contoured portion defines an inter-relationship between a vector angle and a deep draw depth that achieve a satisfactory stretch factor. The present invention also relates to a door having the disclosed wood composite door facings, and methods of forming the facing and door.
US08287793B2
Methods for producing in-situ grooves in CMP pads are provided. In general, the methods for producing in-situ grooves comprise the steps of patterning a silicone lining, placing the silicone lining in, or on, a mold, adding CMP pad material to the silicone lining, and allowing the CMP pad to solidify. CMP pads comprising novel groove designs are also described. For example, described here are CMP pads comprising concentric circular grooves and axially curved grooves, reverse logarithmic grooves, overlapping circular grooves, lassajous grooves, double spiral grooves, and multiple overlapping axially curved grooves. The CMP pads may be made from polyurethane, and the grooves produced therein may be made by a method from the group consisting of silicone lining, laser writing, water jet cutting, 3-D printing, thermoforming, vacuum forming, micro-contact printing, hot stamping, and mixtures thereof.
US08287785B2
The present invention concerns a process for the manufacture of solid regenerated viscose fibers, comprising the steps of: —spinning a viscose spinning dope through a spinneret comprising spinning holes into a regenerating bath thereby forming filaments, —said viscose spinning dope having an alkali ratio immediately before spinning of from 0.7 to 1.0, preferably from 0.8 to 0.9, —at least part of said spinning holes having a circular orifice, —said regenerating bath containing—from 70 to 120 g/l, preferably 90 to 110 g/l sulfuric acid, —from 240 to 380 g/l, preferably 330 to 370 g/l sodium sulphate, —from 20 to 50 g/l, preferably 25 to 35 g/l zinc sulphate and said regenerating bath having a temperature of from 45 to 55° C., preferably 48 to 50° C., —stretching said filaments after leaving said regenerating bath in a secondary bath and/or in air at a stretching ratio of from 70% to 90%, preferably 80% to 90% of the maximum stretching ratio as hereinbefore defined and —treating said filaments with a fatty acid ester.
US08287784B2
A method for obtaining a composition of at least two components, comprising the steps of: providing at least one first fluid component; providing at least one second solid component and processing it so that the first component can diffuse into the second component; and diffusing the first component into the second component. A composition prepared by such a method.
US08287770B2
An improved conductor shielding composition for power cables is disclosed. The composition includes a base polymer, conductive carbon black, polyethylene glycol and a waxy additive. Cable shields prepared from the composition exhibit improved aging performance in accelerated cable life tests (ACLT).
US08287762B2
A method of operating a multi-stage ion transport membrane oxidation system. The method comprises providing a multi-stage ion transport membrane oxidation system with at least a first membrane oxidation stage and a second membrane oxidation stage, operating the ion transport membrane oxidation system at operating conditions including a characteristic temperature of the first membrane oxidation stage and a characteristic temperature of the second membrane oxidation stage; and controlling the production capacity and/or the product quality by changing the characteristic temperature of the first membrane oxidation stage and/or changing the characteristic temperature of the second membrane oxidation stage.
US08287754B1
Provided herein are compostions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are uses of the compositions described herein.
US08287749B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a high-molecular thin film having a fine structure from a block-copolymer compound containing a block copolymer A as a main constituent composed of at least a block chain A1 and a block chain A2, and a block copolymer B as an accessory constituent composed of a block chain B1 miscible with a polymeric phase P1 mainly composed of the block chain A1 and a block chain B2 miscible with a polymeric phase P2 mainly composed of the block chain A2, and a substrate having a surface on which the block-copolymer compound is applied and on which a pattern member formed of a second material is discretely arranged to a surface part formed of a first material.
US08287747B2
A method of processing a substrate includes the steps of providing a silicon substrate that has an etching mask layer with an opening portion at a first surface thereof and has plane orientation of {100} with the surface of the silicon being exposed from the opening portion; preparing a recessed portion that faces from the first surface to a second surface, opposite to the first surface, in the opening portion of the silicon substrate; and forming a penetration port that passes through the first surface and the second surface of the silicon substrate by executing crystalline anisotropic etching in the silicon substrate using an etching liquid in which an etching rate for etching a (100) surface of silicon is higher than an etching rate for etching a (110) surface of silicon, from the recessed portion of the silicon substrate toward the second surface.
US08287745B2
Disclosed is a method for fabricating a probe tip, capable of preventing a rapid increase of a surface size of a front end of the probe tip as the probe tip is worn out by a frequent contact with a wafer chip and, also, capable of improving the precision of the front end of the probe tip. The method for fabricating a probe tip includes forming a front end of the probe tip on a silicon wafer; forming a first protective layer which is patterned to expose a part of the front end of the probe tip; and forming a body of the probe tip in a portion opened by the pattern of the first protective layer.
US08287733B2
The present invention relates to wastewater treatment facilities, and more particularly to an improved membrane bioreactor for treatment of wastewater. In one embodiment, a membrane bioreactor for treatment of wastewater includes first and second anoxic basins for anoxic treatment of such wastewater, and first and second aerobic basins for aerobic treatment of such wastewater. The bioreactor also includes a first flow path connecting the first anoxic basin and the first aerobic basin, and a second flow path connecting the second anoxic basin and the second aerobic basin, for flow of the wastewater from the respective anoxic basin into the respective aerobic basin. The bioreactor also includes a membrane chamber with a plurality of membrane tanks, the membrane chamber being arranged in series with the aerobic basins, and the membrane tanks being arranged in parallel with each other, and third and fourth flow paths connecting the membrane chamber to the first and second aerobic basins. The membrane chamber may extend into the aerobic basin.
US08287718B2
A liquid sample measurement apparatus of the present invention is provided with a timer for measuring the time from when a biosensor is attached to a liquid sample measurement device which measures the concentration of a specific component in a liquid sample that is applied to the biosensor to when the liquid sample is applied to the biosensor, and correction based on the time measured by the timer is performed to the measurement result of the concentration of the specific component in the liquid sample that is applied to the biosensor. Thereby, the measurement precision can be enhanced with utilizing the correction algorithm in which the ambient temperature and the temperature of the biosensor itself are considered.
US08287715B2
The invention relates generally to elemental boron, particularly to elemental boron having a high purity level and to a method of recovering elemental boron by the electrolysis of a molten boron-containing electrolyte.
US08287714B2
A continuous plating system with mask registration is disclosed herein that uses drums and rollers with protruding pins which engage with guide holes in a masking belt and a lead frame. Through engagement with the pins the masking belt is keyed to the lead frame as the lead frame passes through a plating solution tank.
US08287711B2
An apparatus for manipulating droplets is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a substrate having a set of electrical leads for connecting electrodes to a controller, a first set of electrodes, each connected to a separate one of the electrical leads, and a second set of electrodes, all connected to a single one of the electrical leads. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a substrate having a set of X electrodes, and a set of Y electrical leads, each connected to one or more electrodes, wherein X is greater than Y.
US08287709B2
An immersion treatment method with which a vehicle body horizontally immersed in liquid is taken out in a tilted position. The vehicle body is taken out of the liquid at high speed in a tilted position. Foreign matter is separated from the vehicle body and removed together with the liquid.
US08287692B2
Cellulose nanofibers are produced using a 4-hydroxy TEMPO derivative by treating a cellulosic material with an oxidizing agent in water in the presence of a cellulose oxidation catalyst containing an N-oxyl compound to prepare oxidized cellulos, and microfibrillating the oxidized cellulose.
US08287687B1
The present disclosure provides a cyanoacrylate-based composition comprising a cyanoacrylate component and an organic micropulp component dispersed in a curable (meth)acrylic monomer matrix. The composition is particularly useful as an adhesive composition for zero gap applications.
US08287681B2
The present invention concerns a composite article comprising a plurality of layers, wherein at least one of the layers is a defective polymeric layer. The defective polymeric layer has at least one artificial defect, in the form of a volume of air confined by walls made of said defective polymeric layer, and by layers adjacent thereto. The invention further provides the use of a composite article for calibrating equipment and a method for making such a composite article.
US08287679B2
A method of forming a protective coat about a cutback between pipes forming part of an underwater pipeline provides for laying a thermoplastic sheet on a supporting sheet; and winding the thermoplastic sheet and the supporting sheet about the cutback to join the thermoplastic sheet to the cutback.
US08287678B2
A method for fabricating a carbon nanotube film is disclosed. A carbon nanotube array is contacted by an adhesive device having an inclined surface to adhere the carbon nanotubes. The adhesive device is then moved away from the substrate.
US08287676B2
A seal agent D and liquid crystal C are clamped to a lower substrate 6, a pair of the lower substrate 7 and an upper substrate 7 are laminated with the seal agent D and the liquid crystal C interposed therebetween, and at least one of the pair of substrates is a roll-shaped long flexible resin film. When the substrates are laminated, the lower substrate 6 on one hand is aligned to the upper substrate 7 on the other hand in every arbitrary length. With this arrangement, productivity can be improved as well as a positional dislocation due to accumulation of positioning errors can be prevented.
US08287672B2
The invention relates to a portable strapping device to strap packaged goods using a strapping band, the device comprising a tightening mechanism for applying tension to a loop of a strapping band, a frictional welding element (5) to generate a friction weld connection of two overlapping strapping-loop segments, and a rechargeable energy-storing device (10) for storing energy, in particular mechanical, elastic or potential energy that may be released as drive energy applied to a frictional welding system (5) to produce a frictional weld connection. One objective of the invention is to attain applicability, in the absence of an electric storage battery, at the highest possible efficiency, to such an above described portable strapping device. This objective is attained in that the energy storage (10) may be loaded using a manually triggered drive component and in that, when energy stored in the storage is released, the energy storage carries out a displacement devoid of any reversal of motion.
US08287668B2
New 2xxx aluminum alloys containing vanadium are disclosed. In one embodiment, the aluminum alloy includes 3.3-4.1 wt. % Cu, 0.7-1.3 wt. % Mg, 0.01-0.16 wt. % V, 0.05-0.6 wt. % Mn, 0.01 to 0.4 wt. % of at least one grain structure control element, the balance being aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. The new alloys may realize an improved combination of properties, such as in the T39 or T89 tempers.
US08287667B2
Ferritic nitrocarburized surface treatment of cast iron brake rotors providing oxidation resistance, good braking performance and absence of distortion. Machined brake rotors are pre-heated, then immersed into a high temperature molten nitrocarburizing salt bath for a first predetermined dwell time. After removing the brake rotors from the nitrocarburizing salt bath, the brake rotors are directly immersed into an oxidizing salt bath at a lower temperature than the nitrocarburizing salt bath so that the brake rotors are thermally quenched. After a predetermined second dwell time in the oxidizing salt bath, the brake rotors are removed therefrom and further cooled to room temperature, either by water application thermal quenching or slow cooling in air. A fixture provides stable holding the brake rotors with a minimum of contact during placement in the salt baths.
US08287663B2
A process for forming a magnetite coating on a ferrous metal surface and for chemical reagents used to implement the coating process. The process comprises the step of making the ferrous metal surface more reactive by contacting the surface with an activating reagent and then contacting the activated surface with an oxidizing reagent to form the coating at a relatively low temperature range. The surface is activated by contact with an acid solution to form a surface rich in reactive iron. The activated surface is then oxidized by contact with an aqueous reagent of alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal nitrate, alkali metal nitrite, and mixtures thereof.
US08287651B2
A process for the production of ethanol from biomass is disclosed. The process relates to the pretreatment of corncob biomass and includes the steps of exposing corncob to steam in a reaction vessel at an elevated temperature and reaction pressure for a preselected exposure time. Volatile compounds are continuously vented during pretreatment. The reaction pressure is released for explosive decomposition of the corncob biomass into fibrous solids and condensate. The exposure is preferably carried out at a temperature of 190-210° C. and a pressure of 190 psig to 275 psig and an exposure time of 3 to 10 minutes.
US08287649B2
The present invention is a vertical boat for heat treatment having an auxiliary supporting member removably attached to each of supporting parts of a boat body, the auxiliary supporting member on which a substrate to be treated is to be placed, in which the auxiliary supporting member has a guiding member attached to the supporting part and a substrate supporting plate on which the substrate to be treated is to be placed, a hole is formed on an upper surface of the guiding member, the substrate supporting plate is inserted and fitted into the hole of the guiding member so as to be fixed, a height position of a placing surface for the substrate to be treated is higher than a height position of the upper surface of the guiding member, the substrate supporting plate is composed of silicon carbide and the guiding member is composed of quartz.
US08287642B2
Devices and methods for providing stimulated Raman lasing are provided. In some embodiments, devices include a photonic crystal that includes a layer of silicon having a lattice of holes and a linear defect that forms a waveguide configured to receive pump light and output Stokes light through Raman scattering, wherein the thickness of the layer of silicon, the spacing of the lattice of holes, and the size of the holes are dimensioned to provide Raman lasing. In some embodiments, methods include forming a layer of silicon, and etching the layer of silicon to form a lattice of holes with a linear defect that forms a waveguide configured to receive pump light and output Stokes light through Raman scattering, wherein the thickness of the layer of silicon, the spacing of the lattice of holes, and the size of the holes are dimensioned to provide Raman lasing.
US08287623B2
Disclosed is a method of efficiently leaching copper not only from a readily-soluble copper ore but also a poorly-soluble copper sulfide ore partially containing or consisting of chalcopyrite and/or covellite by means of ore heap leaching under versatile conditions for actual operation. Also disclosed is a method of leaching copper from a copper sulfide ore, including leaching copper from an ore including a copper sulfide ore by heap or dump leaching with the use of a sulfuric acid solution containing ferric (III) ions and iodide ions at a total iodine concentration of 8 to 100 mg/L as a leaching solution.
US08287619B2
A process and apparatus for refining iron from high-phosphorus content iron ores. The process involves mixing a high-phosphorus iron oxide ore and an alkaline solution of pH between about 12.5 and 13.5, screening the mixture by gravity to separate an alkaline-high-phosphorus solution from a low-phosphorus iron ore; and treating the low-phosphorus iron ore with lime and a natural gas.
US08287617B2
A method for producing an alloy fine particle colloid by heating and evaporating a raw material binary alloy which is in a solid state in an ambient temperature and pressure environment in a reduced-pressure environment, cooling a generated vapor for condensation and solidification and collecting a formed alloy fine particle in a liquid medium, wherein (1) when an atomic fraction of a component element in the raw material alloy is defined as X, a component ratio of each of the elements of the raw material alloy is regulated such that a fraction of a vapor pressure of the component element to the total vapor pressure of the raw material alloy falls within the range of from (X−0.1) to (X+0.1); and (2) the raw material binary alloy is an alloy species which forms a homogeneous alloy phase in an alloy ingot. Thus, an alloy fine particle colloid is rationally and efficiently produced.
US08287612B2
A filter element has of a filter medium (10) folded in a zig-zag manner and designed in a tubular shape. End plates (11, 12) are arranged on the filter medium end faces. End plate (12) has a concentric opening as well as a first annular ring (14) and a second annular ring (15), and a sealing groove (16) arranged between the rings. A reinforcement plate (17) is arranged at the end plate and has an annular surface (23) extending in axial direction across folds of the filter element.
US08287610B2
Methods for carrying out high temperature reactions such as biomass pyrolysis or gasification using solar energy. The biomass particles are rapidly heated in a solar thermal entrainment reactor. The residence time of the particles in the reactor can be 5 seconds or less. The biomass particles may be directly or indirectly heated depending on the reactor design. Metal oxide particles can be fed into the reactor concurrently with the biomass particles, allowing carbothermic reduction of the metal oxide particles by biomass pyrolysis products. The reduced metal oxide particles can be reacted with steam to produce hydrogen in a subsequent process step.
US08287602B2
A urinary stent includes an elongate member that defines a lumen extending therethrough and that is configured to be disposed at least partially within a prostatic portion of a urethra of a patient. The elongate member includes a collapsible portion disposed at a proximal end portion of the elongate member. The collapsible portion has a first configuration in which an outer perimeter at a proximal end of the collapsible portion is substantially equal to an outer perimeter of a remaining portion of the elongate member and a second configuration in which the outer perimeter at the proximal end of the collapsible portion is smaller than the outer perimeter of the remaining portion of the elongate member.
US08287598B1
A modular spinal disc prosthesis, with up to three independent rotational and up to three independent translational degrees-of-freedom. The prosthesis can maintain non-separable, and non-restrictive, mechanical linkage by establishing a linked series of kinematic pairs between components. Embodiments can include a superior plate, fixedly attached to a superior vertebra in an FSU that links to a planar pair, which links to an orthogonal prismatic pair, which links to a spherical pair, which links to an inferior plate that is fixedly attached to an inferior vertebra of an FSU, completing the jointed kinematic chain. The subject invention can enforce the kinematic constraints to realize the kinematic pairs and can also limit the range of operation of the degrees of freedom for each pair. A surrounding, protective boot can be used to isolate the elements of the invention.
US08287594B2
A medical device and methods to relieve joint pain and adapted for knee joint repair, replacement and augmentation. The invention discloses joint lubricant, particularly hyaluronate compositions and methods for treatment of osteoarthritis.
US08287593B2
An adjustable multifocal intraocular lens system for an individual's eye, includes a base multifocal intraocular lens having an optic with an optical axis, a peripheral edge, a multifocal optical power anterior surface and a posterior surface along with an attachment for maintaining the base multifocal lens in the individual's eye with the optical axis centered along an eye optical axis. An enhanced multifocal intraocular lens is provided with an optic with a peripheral edge, an anterior surface and a reverse multifocal optical power posterior surface, and a coupling enables assembly of the base lens and enhance lens with the enhance lens posterior surface overlaying the base lens anterior surface in order that the enhance intraocular lens reverse multifocal surface adjust multifocal powers of the base IOL by substantially masking near power of the base multifocal intraocular lens.
US08287591B2
The invention is an annuloplasty ring, and associated methods therefore, configured to reshape a native heart valve annulus to correct heart valve function, and also configured to be reshaped into a generally circular form in order to receive and/or support a prosthetic heart valve. The annuloplasty ring may be configured to have a generally D-shaped configuration when initially implanted to correct native valve function, but to assume a generally circular form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon.
US08287590B2
This invention relates to stents having medicated multi-layer hybrid polymer coatings, useful for the treatment of stenosed vasculature or other body passages.
US08287583B2
The present invention provides devices and methods for fabricating and deploying an implantable device within the body. The invention is particularly suitable for delivering and deploying a stent, graft or stent graft device within a vessel or tubular structure within the body, particularly where the implant site involves two or more interconnecting vessels. The delivery and deployment system utilizes a plurality of strings which are releasably attached to the luminal ends of the implantable device.
US08287570B2
Devices and methods for anchoring one or more elongate connecting members along the spinal column include a transverse linking member positionable through a spinous process in a generally orthogonal orientation to the sagittal plane. At least one coupling assembly is engageable about an end of the linking member extending from the spinous process. The elongate connecting member is engaged to the coupling assembly in a transverse orientation to the transverse linking member.
US08287564B2
An improved embolic protection filtering device. In at least some embodiments, an embolic protection filtering device includes a filter wire assembly. The filter wire assembly may include an elongate shaft, a tubular member, and an embolic protection filter.
US08287558B2
A medical device for providing wall apposition of two bodily walls in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The medical device is used at a previously formed puncture site having perforations formed in the walls. By way of example, the two walls are described herein as the abdominal and gastric walls, although it will be recognized that any two bodily walls may be fastened together utilizing the medical device and the methods described herein. It will also be understood that the procedures described herein may be performed using image guidance such as fluoroscopy, although the device and method may readily be performed without such assistance.
US08287553B2
Embodiments are directed to eluting coils having a relaxed coiled state and a straightened state that may be deployed at a fixed location within a patient's body and may accurately dispense and distribute fluids and or dissolvable substances at site specific locations of the body. Some embodiments of eluting elements are configured to be subsequently retrieved from a delivery site.
US08287547B2
A drill guide for use with an orthopaedic drilling device includes a base and a sleeve movably coupled to the base. The base is configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared surface of a patient's bone and includes cylindrical body defining a passageway therethrough and a pin coupled to the body. The sleeve includes a slot and the pin of the base is received through the slot of the sleeve.
US08287538B2
Apparatus and methods for bone fracture repair. The apparatus may include a structural support for positioning a first bone segment relative to a second bone segment. The apparatus may include an anchoring substrate. The anchoring substrate may be configured to compress the first bone segment to the second bone segment. The anchoring substrate may transmit tension from a distal bone segment anchor in the first bone segment to a proximal bone segment anchor in the second bone segment. The apparatus may be configured to be deployed percutaneously in an inner cavity of a bone. The apparatus may be installed in an open fracture. The apparatus may be expanded, self-expanding or configured for mechanically actuation. Some embodiments of the apparatus may include a central axis member that may be used in conjunction with expansion of one or both of the structural support and the anchoring substrate to configure the apparatus.
US08287537B2
Head fixation devices and methods of fixating heads of patients for surgical procedures. The head fixation devices generally respectively comprise a skull clamp, a skull clamp arc assembly movable relative to the skull clamp, and a plurality of skull pins operable to engage and fixate heads of patients during neurosurgical and cervical spine procedures. The skull clamp can comprise a single skull pin on each end of the clamp. The two skull pins apply substantially equal compressive forces to the head of a patient. The skull clamp arc assembly, and an arc skull pin thereof, is pivotable to engage and disengage the patient's head for additional fixation support of the head.
US08287528B2
A method for electrosurgically sealing a tissue includes steps of: (A) applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue; and (B) applying at least one subsequent RF energy pulse to the tissue and keeping constant or varying RF energy parameters of individual pulses of subsequent RF energy pulses in accordance with at least one characteristic of an electrical transient that occurs during the individual RF energy pulses. The method terminates the generation of the at least one subsequent RF pulse upon a determination that the electrical transient is absent.
US08287525B2
An illumination device for use in an ophthalmic surgical apparatus, the illumination device including a fiber optic having a proximal end and a connector coupled to the fiber optic. The connector includes one or more of (1) a datum surface disposed a predetermined distance from the proximal end to position the proximal end at a predetermined location within the surgical apparatus, (2) a shutter actuation surface configured and arranged to open a shutter in the surgical apparatus when the connector is being connected to the surgical apparatus, and (3) a visual indicator position to provides a visual indication that the connector is fully inserted into the surgical apparatus. The illumination device may be in a combination with an ophthalmic surgical apparatus.
US08287524B2
An apparatus and method to apply photo-stimulation, photo-dynamic therapy and/or ablation laser treatment to biological tissue. The apparatus includes a plurality of radiation energy sources, preferably laser beams. Additionally, the apparatus allows either a single wavelength or a combination of various wavelengths, either coincidentally or adjacently, to be utilized to achieve a desired treatment effect. Laser beams are transmitted to the treatment area by one or more fiber optic cables which terminate at an assembly structured to collimate the emitted radiation prior to application to the tissue. In addition, the apparatus includes a focal length setting mechanism which assures that a constant, fixed distance exists between the point of discharge of the laser beam and the biological tissue, thus assuring a constant energy density at the point of application. A method is presented for applying photo-stimulation, photocollagen stimulation and/or ablation laser treatment utilizing the above apparatus.
US08287518B2
A connecting structure for a connector in which a male-side connector and a merging pipe are connected by screwing together a female screw having protrusions formed on the inner peripheral surface of a lock ring and a male screw comprising protrusions formed on the outer peripheral surface of the merging pipe is provided with engaging recess parts on the female screw and engaging projections on the outer peripheral surface of the merging pipe which are able to engage with the engaging recess parts whereby when the male screw and the female screw are screwed together to reach an appropriate screwed state, the engaging protrusions engage with the engaging recess parts.
US08287516B2
The invention relates to an infusion set for an intermittent or continuous administration of a therapeutical substance, such as insulin. The infusion set comprises an infusion part (OB) for insertion into a patient and a connector (OA) for connecting the infusion part with a medical device through a tube (7), the connector being axially displaceable relative to the infusion part. The infusion part comprises an adhesive support (1), a base part (2) with a first set of guiding means (13) and at least two retention devices (4) for locking the connector to the infusion part, a cannula extending from said base part and being in fluid communication with a cavity which is optionally covered with a membrane, the cavity is further adapted to receive a second cannula extending from the connector, which second cannula is in fluid communication with the tube.
US08287503B2
A balloon trocar includes a cannula assembly including a cannula and an outer sleeve fitting over the cannula. The distal end of the outer sleeve is proximal to the distal end of the cannula. A balloon is coupled to a distal portion of the sleeve and a distal portion of the cannula. The outer surface of the cannula includes a plurality of longitudinal channels for transmitting gas or fluid to the balloon. A bolster having a gel pad at its distal portion is slidably mounted to the cannula assembly and may be locked in a desired position. In use, the trocar is inserted into an incision through a body wall and into a body cavity. The balloon is inflated and the cannula assembly pulled proximally against the incision while the bolster is slid distally to the body wall and locked in place to seal the incision with the compressed balloon.
US08287495B2
Embodiments are directed to portable infusion devices, systems, and methods of using the same for dispensing materials. In some cases, the devices, systems and methods may be used for infusing a material such as medicament, e.g., insulin, into a body in need thereof.
US08287491B2
A single-use auto-disable syringe device of reduced size utilizes a locking element to prevent re-use of the syringe by locking the plunger rod with respect to the barrel upon completion of an injection stroke. The plunger rod includes a plurality of teeth comprising distally facing shoulders provided on a majority of the length of an elongate portion of the plunger rod and a breakable section configured to break upon the application of excessive axial or torsional force. The breakable section is preferably provided at a distal end of the plunger rod so that a proximal end of the locking element engages the syringe barrel and plunger rod at a position more proximal than the breakable section. In this way, the locking element resists some of the force that would otherwise be applied to the breakable section if the plunger rod were twisted. The plunger rod also includes an intermediate tooth provided on a distal-most tooth to prevent the user from repeatedly drawing in doses too small to activate the safety mechanism.
US08287481B1
An apparatus method for establishing a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (“TIPS”) between the portal vein from a hepatic vein. The apparatus comprises a multi-needle TIPS device designed to facilitate safer and more rapid catheterization of the portal vein. The method utilizes the multi-needle TIPS device to access the portal vein from the hepatic vein approach. The multi-needle TIPS device and method provides numerous benefits over previous TIPS devices and procedures and results in shorter and safer procedures. Use of multiple needles increases the probability of finding the portal vein more quickly.
US08287473B2
A device for assisting a user's motion in an appropriate rhythm by bringing a user's motion rhythm close to its target rhythm while harmonizing the motion rhythms of different parts of the user's body and a rhythm for assisting the user's motion is provided. The inventive walking assist device generates a first oscillator which attains mutual entrainment with a first motion oscillator in such a way as to reflect a natural angular velocity. A new natural angular velocity is set based on a phase difference between the first motion oscillator and the first oscillator. Further, a second oscillator which oscillates in a rhythm reflecting the natural angular velocity is generated based on a second motion oscillator. An assist oscillator is then generated based on the second oscillator, and a variable force responsive to the assist oscillator is applied to the user's body.
US08287472B2
A method and a device to deliver heat and mechanical agitation in a liquid with ultrasound. The method and device may be used for thermal treatment of tissue within a living body, the device comprises a housing extending from a distal end to a proximal end, the housing including a first opening exposing an inner chamber of the device to the fluid, the housing being sized and shaped for insertion to a target location within the body and a piezoelectric element fixed within the housing and generating pulses of ultrasound energy directed substantially along a longitudinal axis of the housing in combination with first and second deflecting elements, the first deflecting element being mounted within the housing on a distal side of the piezoelectric element, the second deflecting element being mounted within the housing on a proximal side of the piezoelectric element, the first and second deflecting elements deflecting a portion of ultrasound energy from the piezoelectric element away from the axis of the housing so that the deflected ultrasound energy exits the housing via the first opening.
US08287471B2
A medical system and method for treating a disorder of a subject by thermal ablation, e.g., focused ultrasound thermal ablation, are provided. The method includes obtaining medical images that include at least one image of subject's chest and ribs to reconstruct a three-dimensional chest-rib distribution; and applying ultrasound waves on a target point beyond the subject's ribs by selectively activating one or more elements of an ultrasound phased array to avoid ultrasonic energy absorption or reflection by an intervening rib based on a calculation of a relationship between the three-dimensional chest-rib distribution and an acoustic emission direction.
US08287467B2
The invention relates to a puncturing system for generating a puncture wound for obtaining a sample of a body fluid, comprising a press-on part to be pressed onto a body part in which a puncture wound is to be generated, a triggering means, by the actuation of which a user can trigger a puncturing motion of a puncturing element after the press-on part is pressed on, and a testing facility for determining at least one test parameter on which a sample-obtaining probability depends. A securing facility is also provided that, in a locked state, locks the triggering means such that no puncturing motion can be triggered, and, in a triggering state, releases the triggering means such that a puncturing motion can be triggered by actuation thereof, whereby the securing facility is transitioned from the locked state to the triggering state by the testing facility when the test parameter determined by the testing facility meets defined minimum requirements. A signaling facility is also provided for signaling a transition of the securing facility to the triggering state and/or for signaling that the securing facility is in the triggering state. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a puncturing system for generating a puncture wound.
US08287458B2
Disclose herein is a method of measuring pressures in a coronary sinus. In one embodiment, the method includes: introducing a distal portion of a lead or tool into the coronary sinus, wherein the distal portion includes first and second pressure sensors and at least one selectably expandable member; expanding the at least one expandable member such that the first and second sensors are isolated from each other within the coronary sinus; and taking pressure measurements with the first and second sensors when isolated from each other.
US08287457B2
An ultrasound system and method are described for assessing cardiac performance which is particularly useful for diagnosing heart remodeling. A 3D data set of a surface of the heart is acquired and the principal curvatures determined at one or more points of the surface. A curvature metric is produced which is the difference of the two principal curvatures at each point. Metrics produced from the heart surface acquired at systole have been found to correlate strongly with ejection fraction.
US08287456B2
An ultrasound imaging system with pixel oriented processing is provided in which an acoustic signal is generated, echoes from the acoustic signal are received at a plurality of receiving elements to obtain echo signals that are then stored, a given pixel is mapped into a region of the stored signals, the mapped region of the stored echo signals is organized into array for the given pixel after which the array is processed to generate a signal response for the given pixel to obtain acoustic information for the given pixel. The system can be implemented entirely on plug-in cards for a commercial PC motherboard. The system and method can be implemented for pixel-oriented or voxel-oriented image processing and display, eliminating intermediate data computations and enabling extensive use of software processing methods. Advantages include improved acquisition of signal dynamic range, flexible acquisition modes for high frame rate 2D, 3D, and Doppler blood flow imaging.
US08287454B2
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08287450B1
The present invention relates to a laryngoscope having two selectable blades, straight and curved, foldable to the side grooves of a handle piece, so that doctors/nurses can react to the need to handle tracheal intubation for different patients, resulting in better airway management tasks. A battery compartment is made inside the body of the handle, providing a battery power source for optional LED lighting, or other type of lighting.
US08287441B2
Apparatus for separating liquids, such as oils from solids, such as drill cuttings, comprises a decanter-type centrifuge. In example implementations the centrifuge has a bowl angle of four degrees or less and a low fluid depth of two inches or less. A material conveyor such as an auger is provided to carry material having a relatively high initial solids content, such as 50% or more into the centrifuge. The apparatus may comprise heaters to heat the material. In example implementations the decanter-type centrifuge processes solids from a main centrifuge and/or a shale shaker.
US08287439B2
A manually operated back stretching device may relieve compressive forces of the lower lumbar vertebrae and may safely stretch lower back muscles. The device may include a platform to support a user's lower legs. As the user moves a portion of the device with their arms towards their legs, the forward edge of the platform may rise up and tilt away from the user's torso, causing the user's hips to lift off the floor and stretching the user's back at the same time. As the user moves their arms back over their head, the user's back and legs may relax while the arms are pulled above the user's head. The result may be a back-and-forth dynamic rotational arching motion to repetitively raise the completely relaxed hips and tilt them forward to decompress the spine using appropriate longitudinal and torsion forces at the most pain causing compression points of the lower lumbar vertebrae. The device may safely stretch lower back muscles by incrementally stretching and releasing totally relaxed muscles a relative amount to squeeze out and remove toxic biochemicals from damaged muscle areas unreachable by direct massage.
US08287438B2
A vertical stack of weights is disposed beneath a base member, and at least one selector rod is rotatably mounted on the base member and selectively rotated into engagement with a desired number of the vertically stacked weights. A horizontal stack of weights is disposed on opposite sides of a base member, and at least one selector rod is movably mounted on the base member and selectively moved into engagement with the desired number of horizontally stacked weights. Various combinations of these arrangements may be used to provide adjustable resistance to exercise on dumbbells and/or weight stack machines.
US08287434B2
Strength training exercise is facilitated by a video gaming system (VGS). VGS communicates information about the exercise resistance force with an exercise device. Strength training machine coupled with the VGS and acts as a game controller. The machine provides resistance by an electrical motor. Resistance can be adjusted using data send from the VGS. Further, the resistance can pulsate during an exercise motion, providing internal muscle massage. The video gaming system uses a non-contact method to monitor a physiological parameter of the user. For example, a video camera is used to detect heart rate. Pose tracking information is used to detect the level of user exhaustion. Those and other monitored parameters are used to adjust the regime for either current or future exercises. The regime is optimized to increase workout efficiency. An activity not directly related to exercise, for example game, is unlocked if exercise performance is on track.
US08287426B2
A method for controlling a powertrain system includes monitoring voltage of an energy storage device. The method further includes modifying a preferred voltage limit when the voltage of the energy storage device transgresses a trigger voltage limit, and determining the power constraint of a first power actuator based on the estimated output power of the energy storage device when the voltage of the energy storage device transgresses the preferred voltage limit.
US08287422B2
A model helicopter includes a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism comprising a battery powered motor comprising a toothed motor shaft; a main rotor comprising a main shaft aligned with the motor shaft, the main shaft including a main gear; and a reduction gear assembly comprising four lower first gears arranged around the motor shaft, a lower outer ring gear meshed with the first gears, four lower second gears each being smaller than the first gear and fixed to top of the first gear, four upper third gears, an upper outer ring gear meshed with the third gears, four upper fourth gears each being smaller than the third gear and fixed to top of the third gear, the fourth gears being meshed with the main gear, and four shafts each axially passing through the fourth gear, the third gear, the second gear, and the first gear.
US08287420B2
A transmission with forward and reverse gears comprising planetary gearsets, shafts and shift elements. The sun gear of gearset (P1) couples shaft (5) that is connectable, via brake (05), to housing (G). The carriers of gearsets (P1, P2) couple shaft (8) which is connectable, via clutch (18), to drive input shaft (1). Input shaft (1) is connectable, via clutches (16, 14), respectively to shafts (6, 4). Shaft (6) couples the ring gear of gearset (P3). Shaft (4) is connectable, via brake (04), to housing (G) and couples the sun gears of gearsets (P4, P3). The ring gears of gearsets (P1, P2) couple drive output shaft (2). The carrier of gearset (P3) couples shaft (7) which couples a component connecting the ring gear of gearset (P4) and the sun gear of gearset (P2). The carrier of gearset (P4) couples shaft (3) which is connectable, via brake (03), to housing (G).
US08287418B2
A differential gear assembly is disclosed. In some embodiments, the differential gear assembly includes a first sun gear and a second sun gear coaxially aligned with each other; a first set of planetary gears in mating engagement with the first sun gear; and a second set of planetary gears in mating engagement with the second sun gear. The first and second sets of planetary gears can be in mating engagement with each other. In some embodiments, the differential gear assembly also includes a first set of friction members, each of which faces a respective one of axial ends of the first set of planetary gears; and a second set of friction members, each of which faces a respective one of axial ends of the second set of planetary gears.
US08287408B2
A training game ball is described having cues for visually indicating the rotational alignment of the ball when it is thrown. If the ball is improperly thrown so that the axis of rotation does not stay perpendicular to the direction of flight, then the rotational alignment cue line will appear to wobble as the ball travels. The ball also has a rotational speed cue formed from a plurality of spaced panels arranged parallel with the alignment cue. If the ball is thrown with a high rotational speed, the panels will appear to the player as a solid line. Still further, the ball also includes hand alignment cues for assisting a player in properly positioning his or her hands for throwing the ball. The hand alignment cues include finger positioning pads, which are positioned sufficiently close together about the circumference of the ball to allow even a small youth's hand to easily reach a finger positioning pad from any position of the ball. The hand alignment cues may also include a stabilizing hand positioning mark located over one or both opposite poles of the ball. Each of the cues may have a different appearance, so that they may be visually distinguished. The hand alignment cues may also have a different surface to provide a tactile indication of their location to a player.
US08287406B2
Methods and devices, including kits, are disclosed herein for playing a flying disc game. For instance, some aspects are directed to kits for playing flying disc game that can include one or more poles (e.g., two), one or more target objects (e.g., two), and/or a flying disc. The pole can be insertable into a ground surface, or can optionally be inserted into a free standing base. The target object can be detachably placed on the a target support of the pole, which can be dislodged by a player throwing the flying disc at the target object. Various configurations for the poles, target objects, and flying disc are discussed. As well, a method for playing a flying disc game, (e.g., one using some assembly of the equipment disclosed) is also revealed.
US08287401B2
A putter head includes: a face; a first group of grooves which are mutually-parallel grooves; and a second group of grooves which differ in depth from the first group of grooves, wherein the face includes the first group of grooves and the second group of grooves.
US08287400B2
Fairway wood-type golf clubs as described herein may include: (a) a club head with a volume of at least 300 cc; (b) a shaft member attached to the club head, wherein the golf club has a length between 37 and 43 inches; and (c) a grip or handle member attached to the shaft member. The club head may further include: (1) a ball striking face, wherein the ball striking face has a loft angle between 12 and 32 degrees; and (2) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, with a sole portion that includes a ground-engaging surface.
US08287398B2
A golf practice mat includes an impact sensor disposed in a vicinity bounding the location of where a golf ball would be placed for striking. The golf practice mat may also include, for example, a “crosshair” target imprint that is disposed on a golf club impact sensor portion of the practice surface and indicates the point/line of contact that the club face should hit the ground after the ball has been struck with the club head in a descending blow. A microcontroller receives and analyzes the output of the impact sensor and generates a display/output message that is coupled to a display that is, for example, embodied on the golf practice mat to provide user shot-related feedback. The display may indicate, for example, the user's golf club, the estimated distance the ball will travel depending upon the impact data analyzed, the club chosen by the user, input backswing data and/or a three-dimensional simulation of the resulting golf stroke.
US08287387B2
A convertible gaming machine includes a gaming cabinet, at least one display, and a convertible area. The gaming cabinet has a ledge portion with a top surface. The at least one display is mounted to the gaming cabinet and is configured to display a randomly selected outcome from a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input from a player. The convertible area is located entirely below the at least one display and partially below the top surface of the ledge portion. The convertible area is convertible at least between a first configuration and a second configuration, the first configuration including a player tracking system, the second configuration including an insert having a storage portion configured to store one or more patron items. The insert replaces the player tracking system.
US08287386B2
Various card devices and methods involving card devices are described. Other embodiments are also described.
US08287384B2
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations.
US08287382B2
The present invention is a method of providing role based game play on a social computer network. User inputs are received via a computer network from user computers. These inputs are stored in a memory, and at least a portion of the memory is located away from the user computers. A group of two or more characters for a single user are created based on inputs from a user. One or more of these characters is associated with a friend user on the social computer network. At least a portion of information related to an outcome from the game is displayed on a device of the single user. Finally, the single user controls all the inputs for the actions of their characters during the game.
US08287380B2
A technique is disclosed for facilitating play of a casino table game at a casino gaming table system which includes a casino gaming table and at least one handheld device. At least a portion of operations or activities relating to the casino game may be performed at a first handheld device. Examples of such operations may include electronically dealing a first card to a first player via the first handheld device, displaying a representation of the first card to the first player via a display at the first handheld device, etc. In at least one embodiment, an association between a selected handheld device and the first player station may be created and used for subsequent game play activities to enable the selected handheld device to be operable to display game play data relating to game play activities associated with the first player station. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the features of a selected handheld device may be enabled/disabled based on the detection of one or more conditions or events. According to specific embodiments, the handheld device may be adapted to provide various functionality for facilitating game play at a casino gaming table. Examples of such functionality may include, for example, allowing a player to select cards for discard/holding; allowing a player to perform wagering activities; retrieving and/or displaying player tracking data; retrieving and/or displaying player account data; displaying game play assistance information; displaying casino layout information; displaying promotional information; etc.
US08287366B2
A gaming machine 10 has a display 14 and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display 14. The game controller is arranged to play a game 16 in which at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display 14. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine 10 awards a prize to a player. When a trigger condition occurs in a base game of the game 16, a bonus game feature is awarded comprising a series of bonus games. If a particular special symbol outcome occurs during any of the bonus games, the particular special symbol outcome is collected towards a jackpot prize awarding event.
US08287358B2
Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming device is presented that includes a wager input device, a display, and a wagering game. The wagering game includes a plurality of reels each having distinct symbol positions and bearing an array of symbols. Some of the symbols are grouped into corresponding symbol clumps. A window is associated with each of the reels. The display displays outcomes of the wagering game. Some of the outcomes are represented by a segment of each reel being displayed through a respective one of the windows. The probability that a particular one of the windows will be filled with one of the symbol clumps as part of an outcome decreases between at least two of the windows.
US08287349B2
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage, for wagering on a game of chance which includes (a) offering, before a game of chance progression commences, an initial wager on any of a plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, an initial payout for the initial wager based on the pieces having equal chances of winning; and (b) offering, during the progression, a real time wager on any of a plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, a real time payout for the real time wager based on computed chances of a selected piece first completing the progression based on current positions of the plurality of pieces.
