US08289644B2

A reader apparatus is disclosed to read data magnetically stored on a storage medium. The apparatus has a sense structure to change resistance in response to a proximity of a stored magnetic field, and a variable magnetic field biasing arrangement to vary an active response length of the sense structure.
US08289636B2

An auto-focus lens module includes a lens holder, a movable member, and a focusing spring assembly. The lens holder includes an immovable member and an upper plate. The upper plate has a surface facing the immovable member. First recesses are defined in the first surface. The movable member is received in the immovable member, and includes a lens barrel and ring. The lens barrel has a top surface. The ring is protruded from the top surface of the lens barrel. Arc portions equidistantly extend upward from the ring and are received in the recesses correspondingly. The focusing spring assembly contacts the immovable member and confines the movable member in the immovable member.
US08289632B2

A zoom lens includes three groups that are a negative first group, a positive second group, and a positive third group in order from an object side. The first group includes a negative cemented lens formed by joining together, from the object side, a first lens formed by a negative single lens and a second lens formed by a positive single lens. The second group includes, from the object side, a third lens formed by a positive single lens and a cemented lens formed by joining together a fourth lens formed by a positive single lens and a fifth lens formed by a negative single lens. The third group includes a sixth lens formed by a positive single lens.
US08289627B2

A lens barrel that causes base portions of cam followers in a first optical member and a second optical member to follow a single straight-ahead movement guide groove along an optical axis even when circumferential phases of the cam followers are staggered, so that the optical members can move straight ahead while being inhibited from rotating. The base portion of the cam follower of one of the first optical member and the second optical member has a slide portion that is guided along both inner wall surfaces of a straight-ahead movement guide groove which face each other in a circumferential direction of a straight-ahead moving cylinder. The slide portion has a guide surface that guides the base portion of the cam follower of the other one of the first optical member and the second optical member in the direction of the optical axis.
US08289625B2

In a zoom lens, a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a third lens group having the positive refractive power are disposed from an object side to an image side; and in a phase of variable magnification from a wide-angle end to a telescopic end, the first lens group is moved and the second lens group is moved to the object side such that an air interval between the first lens group and the second lens group is decreased and an air interval between the second lens group and the third lens group is increased.
US08289610B2

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to electrochromic (EC) devices, assemblies incorporating electrochromic devices, and/or methods of making the same. More particularly, certain example embodiments of this invention relate to improved EC materials, EC device stacks, high-volume manufacturing (HVM) compatible process integration schemes, and/or high-throughput low cost deposition sources, equipment, and factories.
US08289608B2

Formulations are used in organically based electrochromic components, e.g. for producing displays and/or state indicators having a longer service life. The service life is increased by end-capping the 4,4′-bipyridinium salt.
US08289606B2

An optical image shutter having a transparent electro-optical crystal formed on a transparent amorphous substrate and a method of manufacturing the optical image shutter. The light image shutter is created by forming a buffer layer using a material having a similar crystalline structure to an electro-optical crystal, on a transparent amorphous substrate such as glass, and forming an electro-optical thin film layer such as the electro-optical crystal on the buffer layer.
US08289605B2

A dimmer wheel which is formed to absorb large amounts of light and to disperse the light that is absorbed. The dimmer wheel has a bottom surface that is irregular, and a reflective material in that bottom surface to scatter the light. A light absorbing material also receives some of the light.
US08289603B2

Optical pattern generators use rotating reflective axicon segments to produce images that can have different dimensions along the pattern direction compared to the cross pattern direction. Examples include both single axicon pattern generators and dual axicon pattern generators that independently control the image space relative aperture and thereby control the image dimensions in two orthogonal directions.
US08289601B2

An optical scanning device to be employed in an image forming apparatus having a photosensitive member that is scanned with a plurality of beams, and the optical scanning device has a plurality of light emitting elements that are arranged in an area of a parallelogram, in a matrix of M rows and N columns, all the light emitting elements emitting beams, and a deflector for deflecting the beams emitted from the light emitting elements. The light emitting elements are arranged such that the beam emitted from the light emitting element located in the mth row and the nth column and the beam emitted from the light emitting element located in the (m−1)th row and the (n+1)th column are scanned on adjacent scanning lines on the photosensitive member, and a scanning line on which the beam emitted from the light emitting element in the first row and the first column is scanned at a time of the (L+1)th scanning motion of the light emitting elements is located in an area from a scanning line on which the beam emitted from the light emitting element in the first row and the first column is scanned at a time of the Lth scanning motion of the light emitting elements to a scanning line on which the beam emitted from the light emitting element in the Mth row and the Nth column is scanned at a time of the Lth scanning motion of the light emitting elements.
US08289588B2

A method and apparatus for verifying content of partially printed purge sheets of confidential documents just after shredding the purge sheets but before the individual strands become separated and disassociated is disclosed. The purge sheet can be passed through a single nip paper transport to a shredder and then to a scanner in order to verify the content of the purge sheets. The scanned document can also be stored on a DFE (digital front end) disk, which provides visual documentation of, purge sheet destruction and can be utilized for later reconciliation. The individual strands of the purge sheet(s) can be separated and disassociated to a container in order to ensure destruction. A small electronic controller board associated with the scanner provides function control and communications to the DFE.
US08289586B2

A document reading device includes: a document image acquisition unit that scans a document and obtains a document image; a document image storage unit that stores the document image obtained by the document image acquisition unit; a compression unit that compresses the document image stored in the document image storage unit; a determination unit that determines whether or not a document image file compressed by the compression unit has been normally produced; and a setting change unit that, in the case where it is determined that the document image file compressed has not been produced normally, changes a setting so as to recompress the document image stored in the document image storage unit with another setting.
US08289583B2

In a control method for a processing apparatus connected to an image reading apparatus, in a case where the processing apparatus receives a cancellation instruction while the image reading apparatus performs a reading step, the processing apparatus causes the image reading apparatus to terminate the reading step and deletes image data of a page being read, and in a case where the processing apparatus receives a cancellation instruction after the image reading apparatus has performed the reading step, the processing apparatus performs controlling processing for deleting image data that has been acquired in the last reading step and has yet to be stored.
US08289575B2

A method for controlling color in printing technology machines, includes measuring color measured values without/with a UV filter and converting them with a computer to color measured values measured with/without a UV filter. The color measured values measured without/with a UV filter are recorded by a color measurement instrument on a substrate. The spectral remission values of the substrate measured with and without a UV filter are supplied to the computer and the computer converts color measured values measured without/with a UV filter to color measured values measured with/without a UV filter taking into account these supplied spectral remission values of the substrate, and uses them to control the color in the printing technology machine. A printing technology machine having a computer for carrying out the method, is also provided.
US08289561B2

An album creating system is provided for speedily creating an album in which images appropriate for the album are automatically laid out without selecting the images to be laid out in the album by a user. The album creating system according to the present invention includes: a low-quality image receiving section for receiving a low-quality image; a layout information generating section for generating layout information on a low-quality image album in which the low-quality image is laid out; a layout information storage section for storing the layout information in association with order identification information an order identification information transmitting section for transmitting the order identification information to the album orderer terminal; an order identification information acquiring section for acquiring a high-quality image corresponding to the low-quality image from the album orderer; a layout information acquiring section for acquiring layout information; and an album creating section for creating a high-quality image album by laying out the high-quality image according to the layout information.
US08289558B2

Device detection is performed by using a second detection unit which uses unicast transmission with a destination address being changed in addition to a first detection unit which uses broadcasting/multicasting. When unicast transmission can be normally performed, detection using the first detection unit is performed to determine whether broadcasting/multicasting at this point of time can be performed. In addition, the first or second detection unit is selected or the processing order of the first and second detection units is changed in accordance with the permission/inhibition determination result.
US08289548B2

A personal computer connected to a USB port of a printer through a management table managing writing on an ordinary storage region in FLASH ROM recognizes the ordinary storage region in the FLASH ROM of the printer as a removable drive which is a USB mass storage class device. Accordingly, an execution file of an application program stored in a portion of the ordinary storage region in the FLASH ROM can be read with a usual access from the personal computer, enabling the application program to be executed without being installed. When the application program is executed on the personal computer, periodic accesses are made to the ordinary storage region of the printer, and when an access fails, the application program is terminated.
US08289535B2

A method of using a mobile device to authenticate a print medium online before completing printing onto the print medium, the mobile device including processing means, a printhead, a sensor, a transmitter and a receiver, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate, the method comprising the steps of: using the sensor to sense coded data provided on a surface of the substrate; using the processing means to determine, from the sensed coded data: an identity of the print medium; and at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity; using the transmitter to send first data to a remote computer system, the first data being indicative of the identity and the at least part of the signature; using the receiver to receive second data from the remote computer system in reply to the first data, the second data being indicative of whether the print medium is authentic based on the identity and the at least part of the signature; and in the event the print medium is authentic, using the printhead to print onto the print medium.
US08289528B2

A position-determining apparatus, such as measuring or surveying instruments, is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates to a tilt sensor for a measuring instrument including a movable housing that is controllably rotatable around a rotational axis, wherein the rotational axis may be positioned so that it deviates from a true vertical axis being parallel with a gravitational axis. In at least one embodiment, the tilt sensor includes a gravity sensitive gradient indicating element arranged such that a surface of the element is positioned orthogonally to the true vertical axis during movements of the measuring instrument, wherein the gravity sensitive gradient indicating element is arranged in connection to the non-rotating base; and a detecting device adapted to produce at least one detecting signal and to receive at least one response signal, wherein a deviation between the rotational axis and the true vertical axis is detectable using the at least one response signal.
US08289519B2

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microscopy systems, methods of making SPR microscopy systems, methods of measuring and detecting the presence of one or more compounds present in a sample using the SPR microscopy system, and the like, are disclosed. In an embodiment, a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microscopy system can include an integrated microfluidic chip that includes a plurality of layers, an SPR imaging system, and a pressure manifold to actuate flow control components in the integrated microfluidic chip.
US08289517B2

A method for measuring a photoacoustic signal using light sources that emit light at different wavelengths, wherein the method comprises electing a scanning frequency with which signals are recorded, determining a modulation frequency for each light source by dividing the scanning frequency by an integer division value that is different for each light source, exciting a photoacoustic signal in a photoacoustic measuring cell using the light sources and the modulation frequency, measuring, with a sound pressure sensor, a produced sound pressure, digitizing a signal of the sound pressure sensor, determining a signal component assignable to a respective light source by evaluating a sequence of digitized measured values, and filtering out measured value components that occur periodically with a period of a respective modulation frequency.
US08289515B2

A method and system are presented for use in characterizing properties of an article having a structure comprising a multiplicity of sites comprising different periodic patterns. The method comprises: providing a theoretical model of prediction indicative of optical properties of different stacks defined by geometrical and material parameters of corresponding sites, said sites being common in at least one of geometrical parameter and material parameter; performing optical measurements on at least two different stacks of the article and generating optical measured data indicative of the geometrical parameters and material composition parameters for each of the measured stacks; processing the optical measured data, said processing comprising simultaneously fitting said optical measured data for the multiple measured stacks with said theoretical model and extracting said at least one common parameter, thereby enabling to characterize the properties of the multi-layer structure within the single article.
US08289512B2

A device for mass spectroscopy comprising a chamber configured to provide an atomization source, a boost device configured to provide radio frequency energy to the chamber, and a mass analyzer in fluid communication with the chamber and configured to separate species based on mass-to-charge ratios is disclosed. In certain examples, a boost device may be used with a flame or plasma to provide additional energy to a flame or plasma to enhance desolvation, atomization, and/or ionization.
US08289509B2

An inspection device and a method of inspection, for optical examination of object surfaces, particularly wafer surfaces, wherein the object surface is illuminated by a first illumination device and a second illumination device, wherewith the light reflected and/or scattered from irregularities on the object surface is detected by means of a “scattered light detector” operating in the dark field of the first and second illumination devices, and wherewith the object surface is illuminated by a first illumination device and a second illumination device, wherewith the first illumination device has a laser for illuminating a measurement point on the object surface. The second illumination device is disposed (and oriented) to illuminate the same measurement point on the object surface but with a larger image spot, with the use of light of lower coherence and/or with less anisotropy than that of the laser.
US08289499B2

Spectral purity of a radiation beam of a first wavelength may be improved by providing an optical element that includes a structure having at least first layer including a first material, which structure is configured to be substantially reflective for a radiation of the first wavelength and substantially transparent or absorptive for a radiation of a second wavelength, a second layer including a second material, the second layer being configured to be substantially reflective, absorptive or scattering for the radiation of the second wavelength, and vacuum between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the first layer is located upstream in the optical path of incoming radiation with respect to the second layer.
US08289496B2

A method and system for treating a substrate are provided. The system includes a coating unit, a pre/post-exposure treatment unit, and a developing unit. Each of the units includes a load port and an index module. The pre/post-exposure treatment unit includes first and second modules that are arranged in different layers. The first module performs a process for coating a protective layer on the wafer before an exposure process. The second module performs a process for cleaning the wafer and a post-exposure bake process after the exposure process.
US08289488B2

A liquid crystal display device includes an alignment layer having an alignment direction inclined at an angle α where 0°<α<90° with respect to an extending direction of a gate line, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode placed opposite to the pixel electrode with an insulating layer interposed therebetween. One of the pixel electrode and the common electrode has a slit for generating a fringe electric field to liquid crystals with the other of the pixel electrode and the common electrode. The slit includes a first slit lying in the alignment direction or a direction perpendicular to the alignment direction, and a plurality of second slits and a plurality of third slits respectively inclined at an angle ±θ with respect to the first slit.
US08289487B2

An MVA-type LCD capable of displaying with a high contrast ratio is provided. An LCD according to the present invention is an MVA-type LCD including a stripe-shaped rib 21b provided on a first electrode 11 of a liquid crystal layer and a stripe-shaped slit 22 formed in a second electrode 12 of the liquid crystal layer. The rib 21b has a side face whose taper angle in a cross section which is orthogonal to an azimuth direction that the rib 21 extends is 18° or less, and is made of a material such that a film of the material with a thickness corresponding to the height of the rib has an OD value of 0.8 or more.
US08289481B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display, which can surely perform an instillation process used when liquid crystal is sealed between substrates in a cell process, and a fabrication method thereof. A liquid crystal display comprises a sealing material made of a photo-curing type material which seals liquid crystal sandwiched between substrates, and a shading film having a shading area which overlays a red-colored layer transmitting red light, a green-colored layer transmitting green light and a blue-colored layer transmitting blue light, wherein only the blue-colored layer is formed in an area of the shading film contacting with the sealing material and the photo-curing type material of the sealing material is structured to have a light reactive area for a wavelength of blue color band.
US08289473B2

A lens for illumination has a light entrance surface and a light exit surface. The light exit surface has a first light exit surface and a second light exit surface. The first light exit surface projects toward a vertex on the optical axis, and the second light exit surface extends outwardly from the periphery of the first light exit surface. The first light exit surface has a shape allowing light that has been emitted from a starting point, which is the position of a light source on the optical axis, at an angle of a specified value or more with respect to the optical axis and reached the first light exit surface to reach a surface to be irradiated by totally reflecting the emitted light at a first point thereon reached by the emitted light first and then refracting the totally reflected light at a second point thereon reached by the emitted light after being totally reflected. The second light exit surface has a shape allowing light that has been emitted from the starting point and reached the second light exit surface to reach the surface to be irradiated by refracting the emitted light at a point thereon reached by the emitted light.
US08289466B2

In a manufacturing method for a liquid crystal display device, a translucent first adhesive is placed between a first surface of a substrate and a display surface of a liquid crystal panel so that the first adhesive covers the entire surface of the liquid crystal panel. The first adhesive is cured to bond the substrate and the liquid crystal panel. The bonded substrate and liquid crystal panel are positionally aligned relative to a backlight unit. A second adhesive is placed between the substrate and the backlight unit so that the second adhesive surrounds an outer peripheral end portion of the liquid crystal panel. The first adhesive is cured to integrally bond the substrate, liquid crystal panel, and backlight unit to each other.
US08289465B2

A liquid crystal display device, includes: a liquid crystal module in which a liquid crystal cell is arranged in a rear frame that is made by metal and has a rectangular box shape; a front cabinet which has a rectangular frame shape and has a window portion in central part thereof; and a plurality of protruding portions for fixing which have rectangular shape, protruding toward outside from side surfaces that form shorter sides and longer sides of the rear frame, and fastened on to the front cabinet by screws, wherein the front cabinet includes at back surface side thereof: a first positioning rib which contacts with at least an outer peripheral part opposing to the longer side of the rear frame of one of the protruding portions for fixing that protrudes from the longer side of the rear frame, and a second positioning rib which contacts with at least an outer peripheral part opposing to the shorter side of the rear frame of one of the protruding portions for fixing that protrudes from the shorter side of the rear frame.
US08289454B2

A signal conversion device supplies a video signal to each video projection device of plural video projection devices that display a video image by superimposing the projection image. The device includes a characteristic information transmitting unit that transmits, to at least one video projection device of the plural video projection devices, characteristic information representing a light modulation characteristic of a light modulation element provided in the at least one video projection device, and a signal conversion processing unit that performs signal conversion processing corresponding to each of the video projection devices to an input video signal in accordance with the characteristic information transmitted from the characteristic information transmitting unit, and supplies the video signal after the signal conversion processing to each of the video projection devices.
US08289452B2

A method and a system for determining a video deinterlacing strategy are disclosed. First, all the pixels of a (i+2)th field are subtracted from the corresponding pixels of the ith field to obtain a difference field. Next, a specific check-area is located according to the difference field. Next, the ith field is combined with the (i+1)th field into a specific frame. Next, the combing phenomenon of the specific check-area in the specific frame is checked to determine the deinterlacing scheme for the pixels in the specific check-area.
US08289450B2

A video processing apparatus includes an input unit to which a video signal containing content is input, a first detector which detects a color of light in the surroundings, a second detector which detects whether a pattern portion formed of a single color of black or white is contained in the video signal input to the input unit, a corrector which corrects the video signal input to the input unit, and a controller. The controller conducts control so that the corrector corrects the video signal input to the input unit according to the color of light detected by the first detector if the second detector detects that the pattern portion formed of the single color of black or white is contained in the video signal input to the input unit.
US08289449B2

There is provided a display device including a signal receiving unit for receiving a video signal from an external device via a transmission path through a plurality of channels using a differential signal, an information receiving unit for receiving program information from the external device using a bidirectional communication path including predetermined lines of the transmission path, an image display unit for displaying images on image display elements based on the video signal received by the signal receiving unit, and a program information display unit for displaying the program information on the image display elements based on the program information received by the information receiving unit.
US08289446B2

In one embodiment, a method is provided for performing motion compensated interpolation wherein, for any pixels in the interpolated frame to which there is neither a forward vector nor a backward vector projecting: including the pixel in an intermediate frame conceal area if it is not located within the full frame reveal area; including the pixel in an intermediate frame reveal area if it is not located within the full frame conceal area; and using the intermediate frame conceal and reveal areas to interpolate values for pixels within an area of the interpolated frame.
US08289445B2

Pixels extracted from each of an input video signal are thinned out in units of predetermined samples, and the thinned out samples are fetched in equal order frame by frame and mapped into active periods of first, second, third, and fourth sub-images conformable to the HD-SDI format. The mapped first, second, third, and fourth sub-images are each separated into a first-link transmission channel and a second-link transmission channel, and are thus mapped into eight channels. The mapped first, second, third, and fourth sub-images are converted in parallel. Parallel digital data items into which the sub-images are converted in parallel are then outputted.
US08289444B2

A system and method for video frame interpolation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving first motion estimation data representing estimated motion of blocks between a first frame and a second frame, receiving second motion estimation data representing estimated motion of blocks between the second frame and a third frame, determining whether an area in an interpolated frame between the first and second frame is an occlusion area based at least in part on the first and second motion estimation data, and estimating characteristics of pixels of the area based in part on the determination.
US08289439B2

In an image capturing apparatus that carries out TV-AF type autofocus control by setting an AF frame on a predetermined object, for example a person's face, that is detected in an image, in a case in which a in-focus position search direction cannot be determined from an AF evaluation value, changes in the size of the region of the object are detected and focus detection is carried out by determining the in-focus position search direction based on the changes in the size of the region of the object.
US08289435B2

An image displaying method using virtual illumination and a portable terminal using the method are provided. The method includes recognizing a face of a person in a captured portrait, setting virtual illumination in the captured portrait, and displaying a virtual illumination effect according to the set virtual illumination. Therefore, the user can apply desired illumination effect to the captured image to generate an effect that the image was captured under an external light source.
US08289431B2

An image sensing device including a pixel array having a plurality of pixels which form rows and columns. Each pixel is connected to one of a plurality of column signal lines. The image sensing device also includes a plurality of readout units that read out signals from the pixel array via the plurality of column signal lines, each of the plurality of readout units including an input transistor that receives a signal on the column signal line, a first load transistor that supplies an electric current to the input transistor, and a plurality of bias supply units that supply bias voltages to gates of the first load transistors of the plurality of readout units. The first load transistors of the readout units, which are arranged adjacent to each other, are each connected to different bias supply units.
US08289430B2

The present invention relates to improved imaging devices having high dynamic range and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved imaging devices.
US08289429B2

An image sensor array includes image sensors having photo TFTs to generate photocurrent in response to received images. The photo TFTs each have their respective gate electrodes and source electrodes independently biased to reduce the effects of dark current. Storage capacitors are coupled to each photo TFT and discharged upon generation of a photocurrent. Each storage capacitor is coupled to a readout TFT that passes a current from the storage capacitor to a data line. The photo TFT may be disposed above the storage capacitor to increase the exposed surface area of the photo TFT.
US08289420B2

Disclosed herein is an image processing device capable of correcting distortion of au original image picked up bad a wide-angle lens using distortion correcting parameters formed in a form of a lattice. The image processing device includes a processing unit configured to sharably process distortion correcting parameters for at least one of an arbitrary pan angle and an arbitrary tilt angle on a basis of a fact that distortion of the wide-angle lens has symmetry from a central point of an optical axis.
US08289410B2

A recording apparatus includes: a still image acquiring unit configured to acquire a still image from a moving image during recording or playback of the moving image; an information adding unit configured to add information related to the moving image at or slightly before the time the still image is acquired by the still image acquiring means, to the still image acquired by the still image acquiring unit; and a still image recording unit configured to record the still image to which the information related to the moving image has been added by the information adding unit.
US08289409B2

A camera module includes a plurality of lenses with different focal lengths, a supporting plate, an image sensor, and a processor. The supporting plate defines a plurality of through holes receiving the corresponding lenses. The image sensor includes a sensing area. The sensing area is configured for receiving light through the lenses and the through holes and converting the light into electrical signals. The processor is electrically connected to the image sensor. The processor is configured for processing the electrical signals to form sub-images of a same view of same objects with different depths of field and then combining the sub-images into a final image.
US08289408B2

An imaging system includes an imaging instruction issuing apparatus and one or more imaging apparatuses. The imaging instruction issuing apparatus includes a generation unit that generates notification data including identification information unique to each imaging instruction issuing apparatus and an imaging request signal, and a first communication unit that transmits and outputs the notification data to each imaging apparatus. Each imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that obtains captured image data of a subject, a saving unit that saves the captured image data obtained by the imaging unit, a second communication unit that receives the notification data from the imaging instruction issuing apparatus, and a control unit that causes the saving unit to save the captured image data and the identification information included in the notification data in an associated manner in a case where the notification data received by the second communication unit includes the imaging request signal.
US08289406B2

An image stabilization device includes a number of micromechanical actuators, an image recording sensor, and a computational device. The image sense generates image data of an image and is suspendedly mounted to the micromechanical actuators. The computational device receives and processes the image data generated by the image recording sensor. The computational device includes a detection device for detecting shake so as to perform an image analysis on the image data and detect changes in a time sequence of the image data. The detected changes are used to generate control signals for controlling the micromechanical actuators so as to mechanically move the image recording sensor in a manner to counteract the shake and to stabilize the image.
US08289402B2

The image processing apparatus includes an extracting part extracting feature points in each of plural images sequentially generated by an image pickup apparatus, a calculating part calculating motion vectors at the feature points in each of the plural images, a clustering part performing clustering processing on the motion vectors calculated at the feature points, a determining part determining, among plural clusters, a specific cluster including a motion vector indicating motion of the image pickup apparatus. The apparatus further includes an estimation detecting part detecting, by using an estimation method which uses information relating to the specific cluster of a first image, the specific cluster of a second image generated after generation of the first image, and a processing part performing image stabilization processing on the second image based on the motion vector included in the specific cluster of the second image.
US08289399B2

A system and method for stabilization of an image capture device are disclosed. Also disclosed are a system and method for autofocus of an image capture device.
US08289381B2

An endoscope includes an insertion tube having an end, and an imaging catheter assembly. The imaging catheter assembly includes a tubular body, an imaging device, and a shape memory link that connects the imaging device to the tubular body.
US08289380B2

The present invention relates to a polarized stereoscopic display method and a device thereof. In one embodiment, the device comprises a first signal processing part for signal processing the first image and producing a first input image that is input to a first projector so that a first output beam output from the first projector corresponding to the first image is output from the first projector with a 90 degree phase difference with respect to a second output beam outputted from the second projector corresponding to the second image. The first signal processing part may comprise an image rotating part for rotating an inputted image by 90 degree, a resizing part combined with an output terminal of the image rotating part for resizing the image rotated by 90 degree corresponding to a screen and output it to the first projector.
US08289377B1

A method and system for hiding objectionable frames during autofocusing are disclosed. A personal electronic device such as a cameral telephone can have two cameras that have overlapping fields of view. One camera can provide imaging. The other camera can facilitate autofocusing in a manner wherein images produced thereby are not viewed by a user. Because the autofocus frames are hidden, the user is not distracted or annoying thereby.
US08289372B2

The invention is achieved by using a method for displaying a thermal image in an infrared (IR) thermal camera, comprising the steps of registering an outdoor temperature value, registering an indoor temperature value, calculating an isotherm level by using the registered temperature values and a temperature color alarm level, imaging a surface area to create an image of the temperature distribution in at least a part of the surface area, comparing the surface area temperature in at least one image point of the thermal image to the isotherm level, adjusting the color of the at least one image point in dependence of the relation between the surface area temperature in said at least one image point and the isotherm level and displaying the colored thermal image.The invention allows you to determine immediately, on-site, if a building is well insulated or not. It presents an easily interpreted and understandable thermal image which instantly draws a users attention to an identified critical area.
US08289370B2

Scalable video codecs are provided for use in videoconferencing systems and applications hosted on heterogeneous endpoints/receivers and network environments. The scalable video codecs provide a coded representation of a source video signal at multiple temporal, quality, and spatial resolutions.
US08289368B2

The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for synchronizing group switching of multimedia streams for conferencing applications. More specifically, the present invention provides mechanisms for grouping, mapping, and switching endpoints for role-based multimedia collaboration.
US08289367B2

A system comprises a stage area and an audience area with a line of sight view of the stage area. The system also includes a first display that reproduces a first video feed of a first perspective of a remote talent. The first video feed may appear, from the perspective of the audience area, to be within a first region of the stage area. The system further includes a first camera directed at the audience area and aligned so that its field of view corresponds to a line of sight from the first region to the audience area. The system additionally includes a second display viewable from a second region of the stage area and hidden from view of the audience area. The second display reproduces a second video feed of a second perspective, different that the first perspective, of the remote talent. The system also includes a second camera directed at the second region of the stage area and aligned so that its field of view corresponds to a line of sight from the second display to the second region.
US08289361B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide for methods, devices and systems for setting up an agent shortcut operation to be activated at an electronic device in a network. The agent shortcut operation can be setup at an electronic device connected to a network by receiving a selection of an agent shortcut operation from a user on an agent setup device, and sending the selected agent shortcut operation through the network to the electronic device to be available for subsequent activation. The agent shortcut operation can be activated by sending an agent shortcut operation to the electronic device, receiving an activation signal from an agent activation device for the agent shortcut operation, and in response to the received activation signal, sending a signal to the electronic device to activate the agent shortcut operation.
US08289359B2

An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes: a photosensitive member; an exposure member; a support frame supporting the exposure member; a gap keeping member; a pressing member; and an adjustment member. The adjust member is disposed between the exposure member and the support frame and configured to adjust a gap between the exposure member and the support frame to allow the exposure member to move in an optical axis direction.
US08289355B2

To correct distortion in an optical system of an optical scanning, electrophotographic image generating apparatus, a parallel line group 107′ is printed by a printing apparatus to be calibrated on a sheet on which a correction pattern 101 has been printed. The user reads marker positions to find amounts of deviation of the adjustment pattern from the correction pattern and inputs the amounts of deviation in the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus interpolates values between the input amounts of deviation, establishes positions at which a line in the adjustment pattern deviate one pixel in a sub-scanning direction as scan line changing points and generate new conversion information by pairing the scan line changing points with respective directions of deviation. During image generation, the printing apparatus prints an image by correcting image data according to the conversion information.
US08289354B2

Provided are a thermal head that has a cavity portion at a position corresponding to heating resistors and is capable of improving thermal efficiency while ensuring strength of the cavity portion, and a printer including the thermal head. The thermal head (1) includes: a supporting substrate (3) including a concave portion (2) in a surface thereof; an upper substrate (5) bonded in a stacked state to the surface of the supporting substrate (3); and a heating resistor (7) provided at a position, which corresponds to the concave portion (2), of a surface of the upper substrate (5), in which a centerline average roughness of at least a region of a back surface of the upper substrate (5) is set to be less than 5 nm, the region being opposed to the concave portion (2).
US08289353B2

An image erasing apparatus includes: a supply unit which supplies a recording medium; a collection unit which collects the recording medium supplied by the supply unit; plural carrying roller pairs which carry the recording medium supplied by the supply unit, toward the collection unit; a detection unit which acquires information about a metallic foreign matter adhering to the recording medium; a heating unit which heats the recording medium to a color erasing temperature of a developer or higher; and a carrying control unit which decelerates a rotation speed of the plural carrying roller pairs from a first speed to a second speed when the information about the metallic foreign matter is acquired by the detection unit.
US08289352B2

An apparatus and method for providing rewritable or erasable printing or copying that utilizes nanoparticle ink or toner is disclosed. A paper-like material is described using nanoparticles that are selectively controlled to show a substantially dark, gray, or white dot depending on an emitted signal or field in a printer or copier device. Also disclosed is a printer or copier device that erases and writes nanoparticles to a paper-like material depending on an emitted magnetic signal in a printer or copier device.
US08289345B2

A display device of the present invention displays a first image stored in first memory and a second image stored in second memory, by overlaying the first image on the second image. Once a display size/position of the first image is acquired, a first image generation unit is controlled to start generating the first image complying with the acquired display size/position. Until generation of the first image is completed, (i) a second image generation unit is controlled to generate an opaque second image that is opaque and large enough in size to cover the first image being generated, and (ii) the opaque second image is displayed. Upon completion of generation of the first image, (i) the second image generation unit is controlled to generate a partially transparent second image including a transparent part to be positioned over the first image, and (ii) the partially transparent second image is displayed.
US08289343B2

An array of texture data elements (texels) is subdivided into a plurality of 8×4 texture element blocks, each of which 8×4 texture element blocks encodes two 4×4 texture element sub-blocks 3, 4. Each encoded texture data block includes data indicating a method to be used to generate a set of color values to be used for the texture elements that the encoded data block represents, and data indicating a method to be used for generating the colors of the individual texture elements using that generated set of colors. As well as the individual texture data blocks, a header data block encoding a base set of colors is generated. This base color set defines a set of colors that is used to generate the colors to be used when reproducing each individual encoded texture data block.
US08289339B2

An apparatus for providing enhanced radar video processing may include a processing element. The processing element may be configured to receive, from a state table that is oriented in a fixed orientation, data based on a radar return, to store a texture corresponding to an image based on the received data, the texture being oriented with respect to a center of a radar sweep, to define a plurality of adjacent vertex buffers, and to map the texture to at least one of the vertex buffers in which portions of the texture are capable of being scrambled within at least one of the vertex buffers.
US08289338B2

Methods and systems of generating and displaying textual information for a multimedia file are provided. An optimized font file is created that matches the text data of the multimedia file and optionally a number of predetermined text characters. The optimized font file may also be further configured to conform to a specific memory and/or timing constraint.
US08289333B2

A method of managing multiple contexts for a single mode display includes receiving a plurality of tasks from one or more applications and determining respective contexts for each task, each context having a range of memory addresses. The method also includes selecting one context for output to the single mode display and loading the selected context into a graphics processor for the display.
US08289332B2

In a data processing system for determining intersections between geometric objects, the work is split between a CPU and a stream processor. The intersection determination is controlled by the CPU. Data processing intensive parts of intersection algorithms, such as checking possible overlap of objects, checking overlap of normal fields of objects, approximating the extent of an object, approximating the normal fields of an object, or making conjectures for intersection topology and/or geometry between objects, are run on the stream processor. The results of the algorithmic parts run on the stream processor are used by the part of the algorithms run on the CPU. In cases where conjectures for the computational result are processed on the stream processor, the conjectures are checked for correctness by algorithms run on the CPU. If the correctness check shows that the result found is incomplete or wrong, additional parts of the algorithm are run on the CPU and possibly on the stream processor.
US08289293B2

A dual mode touchscreen display disposed in an information handling system chassis proximate a keyboard selectively presents images from information generated by a central processing unit or from information generated by a secondary processor associated with the touchscreen display. An operating system executing on the central processor unit presents information at the touchscreen through a serial link by treating the touchscreen as a secondary display to a primary display integrated in the chassis. Alternatively, an application executing on the secondary processor presents information at the touchscreen independent of the central processing unit or the operating system. As an example, the touchscreen display presents a number pad under the direction of the operating system to accept number pad inputs or, alternatively, presents a number pad under the direction of an application running on the secondary processor to accept number pad inputs that are forwarded to a keyboard controller.
US08289288B2

Various embodiments related to the location and adjustment of a virtual object on a display in response to a detected physical object are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment provides a computing device comprising a multi-touch display, a processor and memory comprising instructions executable by the processor to display on the display a virtual object, to detect a change in relative location between the virtual object and a physical object that constrains a viewable area of the display, and to adjust a location of the virtual object on the display in response to detecting the change in relative location between the virtual object and the physical object.
US08289270B2

Luminosity of individual LED light sources is measured and a forward voltage control of each LED is set so that each LED has a pre-determined (e.g., uniform) luminosity at a same modulation level. The LEDs are then driven via a modulation technique such as PWM, PCM, polyphase, etc. according to lighting requirements. The LEDs are, for example, a backlight of a dual modulation HDR LCD display system, and the lighting requirements are local dimming signals for the display.
US08289268B2

Provided is an apparatus for improving image quality of a display device including a panel for displaying an image according to an inputted image signal a lamp for illuminating the panel an inverter for applying a drive current to the lamp and a control unit for intermittently applying a driving pulse voltage of the inverter to perform pulse width modulation dimming, and varying an operating frequency of the inverter, wherein the control unit detects frequencies of horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals and varies a pulse width modulation frequency regardless of the horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals.
US08289264B2

A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is provided. The LCD device includes a liquid crystal panel, a backlight unit, first, second and third light emitting diode drivers, a light-intensity detector, and an adaptive light-intensity compensator. The backlight unit includes first, second and third light emitting diode arrays respectively generating red light, green light and blue light to provide white light to the liquid crystal panel. The first, second and third light emitting diode drivers generate operating voltages driving the first, second and third light emitting diode arrays, respectively. The light-intensity detector detects an intensity of white light provided to the liquid crystal panel. The adaptive light-intensity compensator controls the first, second and third light emitting diode drivers to compensate the intensities of the red light, the green light and the blue light, respectively.
US08289260B2

A driving device for a display device includes a gray voltage generator generating a plurality of gray voltages, a voltage selector selecting an output voltage from the plurality of gray voltages, a voltage level converter converting a level of the output voltage selected by the voltage selector and applying the output voltage with a converted level to data lines, a first switching unit connecting the voltage level converter to the voltage selector and the data lines, and a second switching unit directly connecting the voltage selector and the data lines. Operating times of the first and second switching units are different. Accordingly, when a data voltage is charged in or discharged from a data line, since a separate discharging transistor or a separate discharging amplifier is not used, power consumption and an area of a data driver are reduced.
US08289249B2

Provided is a light blocking display device of an electric field driving type, including a barrier layer (150) including a plurality of driving holes (151) and having a first surface and a second surface, driving bodies (101) which are inserted into the driving holes (151) and have charges, a pixel electrode (120) formed on the first surface of the barrier layer (150), and a common electrode (22) formed on the second surface of the barrier layer (150), wherein the area of a cross section parallel to the first and second surfaces of the driving holes (151) is gradually changed from the first surface to the second surface.
US08289244B2

A pixel circuit has a light emitting element and a driver electrically connected to the light emitting element. A reverse bias voltage is applied to the driver to reduce a shift amount of a threshold voltage of the driver.
US08289238B2

A semiconductor device in which a transistor can supply an accurate current to a load (EL pixel and signal line) without being influenced by variations is provided.A voltage at each terminal of a transistor is adjusted by a feedback circuit using an amplifier circuit. A current Idata is input from a current source circuit to the transistor, and a gate-source voltage is set by the feedback circuit so that the transistor can flow the current Idata. The feedback circuit controls the transistor to operate in a saturation region. Thus, a gate voltage required for flowing the current Idata is set. With the use of the set transistor, a current can be supplied to a load (EL pixel and signal line) with accuracy. Note that a desired gate voltage can be set quickly since the amplifier circuit is utilized.
US08289224B2

The invention relates to a structure comprising an enclosed antenna system, and a radome (18), where the structure comprises: a tower (B, C), comprising a main tube (2) fastened on a bottom flange (7) of the tower (B, C), a smaller-diameter tube (5) which hooks within the main tube (2) and further is fastened on an upper flange (8) of the tower (B, C), a nut (6) fastened on the other end of said smaller-diameter tube (5), a rod (3) which screws on within the nut (6), a shaft (4) fastened at the bottom part of the rod (3) and terminating in a nut (1), where the radome (18) is fastened on the upper flange (8) of the tower (B,C), thus making it possible to check the antennas mounted on the main tube (2) by that when screwing the nut (1), the radome (18) is arranged to move upwards, making the bottom of the antenna system accessible.
US08289208B2

Provided is a device for tracking polarizations. A receiving polarization tracking device includes a feeder for finding vertical and horizontal vector components by receiving vertical and horizontal polarizations, a polarization estimator for estimating distortion of polarizations using the vertical and horizontal vector components outputted from the feeder, a polarization controller for controlling amplitudes and phases of vertical and horizontal polarizations based on information about the estimated distortion from the polarization estimator and an output signal from the receiving polarization tracking device, and a combiner for combining the vertical and horizontal polarizations controlled from the polarization controller.
US08289205B2

Embodiments of the invention provide a method of reacquiring satellite signals quickly. A pseudorange of at least one satellite is estimated. A user's position is also estimated. Then a signal from at one or more satellites may be received. By detecting when the user is stationary, the Doppler frequency estimation can be corrected or the SNR can be boosted more both of which lead to improved performance. The embodiments allow a GNSS receiver to process signals in when the signal level would otherwise be too low—for example indoors. The embodiments can improve performance when one or more satellites are temporarily blocked but one or more satellites are still being tracked.
US08289203B2

The present invention is directed to a radar system that includes an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of transmit antenna phase centers. A transmitter portion is configured to transmit a plurality of transmit beams characterized by a transmit beam pattern. The transmit beam pattern has a predetermined transmit beamwidth that is a function of the number of orthogonal transmit waveforms. The number of orthogonal transmit waveforms is less than the plurality of antenna elements. A receiver portion is also coupled to the antenna array and is configured to extract a plurality of orthogonal receive signal components from a received signal provided by the antenna array. A plurality of extracted orthogonal receive signal components are digitally beam formed to implement a virtual antenna array and generate a receive signal having a receive beamwidth.
US08289202B1

A method, system, and computer program product for storing weather radar return data into a three-dimensional buffer. The system located on an aircraft includes a radar system that transmits a radar signal and generates a radar measurement as a result of radar return of the transmitted radar signal. A three-dimensional buffer includes a plurality of storage locations. A processor generates or updates a reflectivity value in storage locations in the three-dimensional buffer based on the generated radar measurement, a previously stored reflectivity value for the storage location, and uncertainty parameters. The uncertainty parameters of normalized radar cross section for ground elements are initialized based on a type of ground associated with each of the elements. The uncertainty parameters for weather reflectivity are initialized based on a priori information. The generated reflectivity values are stored in the three-dimensional buffer according to the storage locations.
US08289196B2

A parallel-serial converter includes a converter circuit that converts parallel data into serial data; a first sampling circuit that samples, according to a first clock signal, the serial data output from the converter circuit; a second sampling circuit that samples, according to a second clock signal that is an inverse of the first clock signal, replica data that is synchronized with the serial data; a third sampling circuit that samples, according to plural third signals respectively having different phases, output from the second sampling circuit; and a control circuit that controls sampling timing of the first sampling circuit, based on each output from the third sampling circuit.
US08289194B2

A key assembly includes a touching portion, and a detecting unit. The detecting unit includes a power source, a first detector, a second detector, a processor, a first resistor layer, and a second resistor layer parallel spaced from the first resistor layer. The first resistor layer includes a first end and a second end. The second resistor layer includes a third end and a fourth end. The first end is connected to a first electrode of the power source via the first detector, and the fourth end is connected to the first electrode of the power source via the second detector. The second and the third ends are connected to a second electrode of the power source. The processor electrically connected to the first detector and the second detector performs a predetermined function of the electronic device in response to electrical signals from the first and second detectors.
US08289165B2

A radio frequency identification (RFID) device includes a conductive loop shield for a loop antenna. The shield may overlap the conductive loop antenna. The preferred frequency of operation may be a frequency or range of frequencies within the ultra high frequency (UHF) range of frequencies. The conductive loop shield provides a distributed capacitance to the loop antenna, which brings the inductance of the combined system of the loop antenna and the conductive shield down to an inductance level that allows impedance matching with the RFID chip (at the desired impedance or range of impedances). The use of the conductive loop allows the RFID device to function as a near-field magnetic communication device, utilizing a loop antenna having a larger area than would normally be possible for impedance-matching with RFID chip. The loop antenna and the conductive shield loop may be on opposed major surfaces of a dielectric material layer.
US08289163B2

The invention provides one or more signal line structures that produce an electromagnetic field having a magnitude of at least an interrogation threshold of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for a substantial portion of an interrogation region. The signal lines may be made from copper and laid across a shelf in a storage area. The electromagnetic field may cause the tag to backscatter radio frequency (RF) signals to an RFID reader via the signal line.
US08289160B1

A data recorder may be installed in a house or other type of building in order to record conditions present at the building. The data recorded may be analyzed in order to forensically assess conditions that have led to damage or destruction of the building, or to prospectively forecast the possibility of future damage or destruction. A decision may be made based on analysis of the data, and an action may be taken based on the decision. Examples of data that may be recorded include temperature, wind speed, humidity, or any other information. Examples of decisions that may be made include insurance claim decisions, underwriting decisions, reinsurance decisions, alert decisions, or any other types of decisions.
US08289157B2

An audio warning monitoring device, system and method including an audio detector, one or more audio screens to determine if monitored sound is an alarm, a processor or logic device to potentially analyze sound data and then instruct a transmitter to send a message with the monitoring device identification and signals representing sound detected by the audio detector to a server. The computer server analyzes the message and authenticates the audio detector, looks up user data associated with the detector, and contacts a user from previously stored user data in order to notify of the alert and then relay the audio signals in an audio file. At the user's option, the server may contact a staffed or automated monitoring center. Here a human operator may listen to the signals in the audio file and take appropriate action, such as calling the location of the alarm for verification or contacting a professional first responder(s).
US08289150B2

A wireless sensor network and data sensing method thereof are provided. A prediction model is established according to sensed data. When statistical value of the sensed data is within a user allowable range, the average value of the sensed data is returned to a user based on the prediction model. Alternatively, when the statistical value of the sensed data is beyond the user allowable range, actually sensed data is returned to the user based on the prediction model. In addition, the prediction model may further be dynamically updated according to subsequently received sensed data.
US08289147B2

A security system that can be used in a home, office, or other building in order to generate alarms or take other actions depending on conditions within the building. The security system may rely on sensors within the building which sense various conditions and collect other data. The information learned from the sensors can be communicated to a location outside the building for processing, such as, but not limited to, processing associated with a need to instigate an alarm.
US08289146B2

A monitoring system for a NAC (Notification Appliance Circuit) is provided. The monitoring system includes a system controller, and a NAC comprised of one or more notification appliances that may be in a series. The NAC and its appliances may be operatively coupled to the system controller. The system controller is operable to determine whether a notification appliance has sufficient voltage at a low voltage operation. The system controller may control the voltage to the NAC in order to provide power to simulate operation of the NAC using battery power. A voltage may be measured during the simulation (such as at one end of the NAC). The measured voltage may be compared with a predetermined minimum operating voltage for the notification appliance. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the one or more appliances on the NAC may operate properly when the NAC is operated using battery power.
US08289145B2

A wireless seatbelt monitoring system and method is provided for informing a driver that a seatbelt that should be latched is unlatched. The system includes a wireless seatbelt assembly having a buckle equipped with a piezoelectric element and a transmitter. The transmitter sends a wireless seatbelt status signal when the seatbelt assembly is buckled by harvesting energy during the insertion process. The wireless seatbelt status signal is transmitted to a dedicated repeater module, which retransmits the wireless seatbelt status signal to a receiver. Based upon the wireless seatbelt status signal, the system informs the driver of the status of the seatbelt assemblies audibly, visually, or both.
US08289140B2

Advanced voice over safety apparatus for vehicles and equipment that operate in a reverse mode using Electro-mechanical or mechanical transmission means. The apparatus is configured for cars, buses, trucks, planes or any other vehicle that moves and uses batteries as part of its power supply. Disclosed embodiment comprises at least one of: a backing safety system, a school bus stop sign arm safety system, vehicle components pre-operation safety system, and a driver information safety system programmed to recognize dangerous vehicle situations and alert the operator of a vehicle in an audible manner the operating conditions to prevent accidents from occurring. The voice over safety apparatus further includes driver inspection program for use before the vehicle is put in operation or put to motion. The apparatus is programmed to sound when the vehicle is backing or unloading occupants, or any other potentially dangerous activity in which a passerby to the vicinity of the vehicle or the operator of the vehicle may become subjected to injuries.
US08289133B2

A mobile-controlled electric entrance device includes an electrically powered entrance body and a control unit. The control unit includes a mobile phone number comparison unit, a storage unit, an oscillation timer, a delay and sequential logical decoding unit, a current driver and a relay switch. The mobile phone number comparison unit receives a call from the mobile phone with a phone number and demodulates the number to be compared with a plurality of predetermined phone numbers. If the phone number is not found in the predetermined phone numbers, the mobile phone number comparison unit is back to a stand-by state. If the phone number is found in the predetermined phone numbers, the mobile phone number comparison unit transmits a signal to trigger the oscillation timer to generate a sequential pulse for opening or closing the electrically powered entrance body.
US08289129B2

A method and RFID tag for locating RFID tags. A passive RFID tag A receives a polling command transmitted from a RFID reader and addressed to another passive RFID tag B. The RFID tag A determines that the polling command is not addressed to the RFID tag A and consequent1y, at time t1, switches the RFID tag A to a catching mode for catching echos from other tags. The RFID tag A receives at time t3>t1 an echo of a message sent by the RFID tag B to the RFID reader. The RFID tag A determines a distance (D.t2t) between the RFID tag A and the RFID tag B based on t3 minus t1. The distance D.t2t does not exceed a specified radius limit and the identification of the RFID tag B and the distance D.t2t are stored in a database within the RFID tag A.
US08289128B2

A monitoring system includes a controller, a plurality of sensors, a plurality of alarms, and a plurality of input/output devices. Each input/output device is connected between the controller and a sensor or an alarm. Each input/output device includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a connector. The input circuit and the output circuit are connected between the controller and the connector. The connector is further selectively connected to a sensor or an alarm and a DC power in series. The controller controls a status of the input circuit and the output circuit. When the connector is connected to the alarm, the input circuit does not operate. The controller outputs a motion signal to the alarm via the output circuit. When the connector is connected to the sensor, the output circuit does not operate. The sensor outputs a detection signal to the controller via the input circuit.
US08289125B2

A semiconductor ceramic includes a BamTiO3-based composition, as a main component, having a perovskite structure represented by general formula AmBO3. The molar ratio m between the A site and the B site satisfies 1.001≦m≦1.01. Part of Ba constituting the A site is replaced with Bi, Ca, a rare-earth element, and Na. The molar content of the Ca when the total number of moles of the elements constituting the A site is 1 mole is 0.05 to 0.20 (preferably 0.125 to 0.175). A PTC thermistor includes a component body formed of the semiconductor ceramic. Accordingly, there is provided a lead-free semiconductor ceramic that substantially does not contain lead and that has desired PTC characteristics and high reliability.
US08289122B2

A reflowable thermal fuse includes a positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) device that defines a first end and a second end, a conduction element that defines a first end and a second end in electrical communication with the second end of the PTC device, and a restraining element that defines a first end in electrical communication with the first end of the PTC device and a second end, in electrical communication with a second end of the conduction element. The restraining element is adapted to prevent the conduction element from coming out of electrical communication with the PTC device in an installation state of the thermal fuse. During a fault condition, heat applied to the thermal fuse diverts current flowing between the first end of the PTC device and the second end of the conduction element to the restraining element, causing the restraining element to release the conduction element and activate the fuse.
US08289120B2

According to one embodiment, an electronic component includes a cylindrical former proper, a thick portion provided at the end of the former proper and projecting from the outer surface of the former proper, a connecting portion adjacent to the thick portion including a terminal assembly, and a wire wound around the former proper and electrically connected to the terminal assembly. The thick portion includes a first retaining portion in which the wire running from the terminal assembly to the former proper is retained.
US08289109B2

An electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) pattern structure includes a nonconductive substrate and a pattern assembly formed on the substrate. The EBG pattern structure also includes regularly arranged closed-loop patterns and open-loop patterns, both of which are made of a conductive material. The EBG pattern structure can be used to manufacture new security products by applying its frequency characteristics to securities or IDs and variously used in security technologies for preventing forgery and alteration because various security codes can be created by adjusting the variables of its EBG pattern.
US08289105B2

An electromagnetic filter, which may include a feed-through conductor. The feed-through conductor may have an integral extension for contacting an electrically conductive clip. The clip may have an extension-engaging portion to contact the extension and a dielectric component-contacting end to contact a dielectric component. The dielectric component may be, for example, a varistor, a chip capacitor, or the like, capable of affecting a signal carried by the feed-through conductor. The dielectric component may be proximate to the feed-through conductor and may be oriented such that a primary dimension of the dielectric component is substantially parallel to the feed-through conductor. Another embodiment may include a bus. The invention may also be embodied as methods for assembling electromagnetic filters.
US08289103B2

A high frequency filter includes an inductor, a serial resonance circuit including an inductor and capacitors, a serial resonance circuit including an inductor and capacitors, and a varactor diode connected between a connection point between the capacitor and the capacitor and a connection point between the capacitor and the capacitor. A controller simultaneously changes two attenuation pole frequencies of the filter device by changing a capacitance of the varactor diode.
US08289097B2

The invention provides a method and a modulation circuit for pulse width modulation with feedback, wherein a pulse width modulated signal is provided on the basis of an input signal and a reference signal that is periodic and has a reference frequency. The pulse width modulated signal is provided in that an output signal is switched from a first voltage level to a second voltage level in dependence on a comparison between the input signal and the reference signal at least once in every cycle of the reference signal, and in that at least once at a fixed moment in time in every cycle the pulse width modulated signal is switched from the second voltage level to the first voltage level. Furthermore, a periodic correction signal is added for compensation of the switching from the second voltage level to the first voltage level in the pulse width modulated signal.
US08289096B2

Some aspects of the present disclosure provide for polar modulation techniques that utilize an 180° phase shift module disposed downstream of a VCO-DCO. In some embodiments, this configuration allows a polar modulator to use the VCO-DCO to achieve small phase shifts (e.g., less than or equal to) 90°, while carrying out 180° phase shifts in the 180° phase shift module downstream of the VCO-DCO.
US08289085B2

An amplifier circuit includes a pair of amplifying devices, a first balun coupled between an input port of the amplifier circuit and RF input ports of the pair of amplifying devices and a second balun coupled between RF output ports of the pair of amplifying devices and an output port of the amplifier circuit wherein the first and second baluns are configured such that the amplifier circuit operates under open condition for signals at a second harmonic frequency even when the second harmonic frequency is within an operating frequency band of a fundamental frequency of the amplifier circuit. In one embodiment, the amplifier circuit includes a bypass circuit which selectively couples balun ports to ground such that in response to a first control signal, the amplifier circuit operates in an amplifying mode and in response to a second control signal, the amplifier circuit operates in a bypass mode.
US08289083B2

A circuit topology in accordance with a system, method and device for an active power splitter with an input and at least two outputs which allows the use of negative feedback and thus improving stability and linearity without substantially increasing the noise figure of the system is provided.
US08289075B2

A class-D amplifier for generating from an input signal a digital signal for driving a load, includes an output limit instruction generating section that detects that the digital signal falls outside a limit range and that outputs an output limit instruction signal, an attenuation instruction pulse generating section that includes an integrator for integrating the output limit instruction signal and that outputs a periodical attenuation instruction pulse having pulse width corresponding to an integrated value in the integrator, an attenuating section provided in an input path for the input signal and that attenuates the input signal based on the attenuation instruction pulse, and a mute control section that controls the integrated value in the integrator independently of the output limit instruction signal to control an amount of the attenuation of the attenuating section applied to the input signal.
US08289056B2

Embodiments include implementing a phase detector for a delay-locked loop (DLL) circuit that is operable to detect substantially 270 degree and substantially 540 degree phase differences between two clock signals. In an embodiment, a DLL circuit comprises a delay line receiving a system clock signal and generating a substantially 270 degree phase shifted clock signal and a substantially 540 degree phase shifted clock signal, a phase detector receiving the system clock signal and the substantially 270 degree phase shifted clock signal, and configured to generate corresponding up and down signals upon detection of a phase shift of substantially 270 degrees between the system clock signal and the substantially 270 degree phase shifted clock signal, a charge pump coupled to the phase detector, and configured to receive the up and down signals and generate a control signal responsive to thereto, and a regulator circuit to receive the control signal from the charge pump and generate a voltage control signal to the delay chain to control delay of the system clock signal.
US08289046B2

According to one exemplary embodiment, an active termination circuit includes at least one active termination branch, where the at least one active termination branch includes at least one transistor for providing an active termination output. The at least one active termination branch further includes an amplifier driving the at least one transistor, where the amplifier has a non-inverting input coupled to the active termination output via a feedback network. The amplifier controls a current flowing through the at least one transistor so as to provide the active termination output. The active termination output can be provided at a drain of the at least one transistor, where a source of the at least one transistor is coupled to ground through a degeneration transistor and a tail current sink.
US08289042B2

A test apparatus features an upper RF impermeable hood and lower RF impermeable hood, wherein each of the hoods have internal dividers. When in a closed position, the hoods and dividers create two or more RF impermeable chambers. The hoods are configured to enclose or sandwich a pallet supporting two or more printed circuit boards. One of the printed circuit boards is disposed in each chamber formed by the hoods and dividers.
US08289030B2

A system is used with a plurality of modules, each module requiring galvanic isolation from the other modules. Galvanic isolators are employed, each having an input and an output, the output galvanically isolated from the input, the output responsive to the input according to a response characteristic of the isolator. Each module has, a respective first isolator and a respective second isolator. The input of each respective first isolator and each respective second isolator for each module is disposed controllably to receive an activation signal from the module indicative of a module fault to be annunciated or to receive a test signal from the module, the test signal being smaller than the activation signal. The outputs of the respective first isolators are aggregated to a first node and the outputs of the respective second isolators are aggregated to a second node. A selection circuit selects from the first node and the second node, yielding a fault signal output when the selected node satisfies a predetermined condition. An analog-to-digital converter is coupled with each of the nodes, the analog-to-digital converter disposed to sense an output from one of the isolators indicative of its response characteristic in the event of a test signal being applied to the isolator.
US08289023B2

A geophysical survey method and system that comprises: measuring along multiple axes at multiple locations within a survey area magnetic field components of a low frequency magnetic field resulting from naturally occurring electromagnetic sources using a first sensor system; measuring along multiple axes magnetic field components of a low frequency magnetic field resulting from naturally occurring electromagnetic sources using a second sensor system; and receiving information about the magnetic field components measured by the first sensor system and the second sensor system and in dependence thereon computing parameters from the received information that are independent of rotation of the first sensor system or the second sensor system about any axis thereof.
US08289016B2

A method of eddy-current flaw detexction where an exciting device and a receiving device are held in the vicinity of a conductor. An eddy current is generated in the conductor by a primary magnetic field generated by excitation, thereby generating a secondary magnetic field, wherein the state of the magnetic field is detected by the receiving device. The exciting device includes a coil and an iron core. The coil has a first current line and a second current line in which electric current flows in opposite directions. The iron core is gate-shaped in cross section and includes a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a beam portion. The receiving device is disposed in a corner between the second leg portion and the conductor, on a side opposite the second current line on the outer side of the iron core.
US08289000B2

When a control circuit detects from a signal CPO4 that a battery voltage is less than a sixth reference voltage, a constant current operation in VFM control is performed with respect to a switching transistor and a synchronous rectification transistor in accordance with signals RVDET and CPO3. Furthermore, when the control circuit detects from the signal CPO4 that the battery voltage becomes equal to or greater than the sixth reference voltage, the constant current operation in PWM control is performed in accordance with a signal CPO2. When an output signal CVDET from a constant current/constant voltage switching detection circuit becomes high level, operation control with respect to the switching transistor and the synchronous rectification transistor is switched from the PWM control of constant current operations to the PWM control of constant voltage operations in accordance with a signal CPO1.
US08288999B2

A charging circuit includes a battery pack having a plurality of serially connected batteries and being connected to a power supply; a changeover switch being serially connected to and between any two adjacent batteries; and a precision voltage detector being parallelly connected to each of the batteries for independently detecting a voltage of the connected battery and sending out a detected result to a charging control circuit for controlling the ON/OFF of the changeover switch corresponding to the battery. When a battery is detected by a corresponding precision voltage detector as having been fully charged, the corresponding charging control circuit sets the changeover switch corresponding to the battery to OFF to stop charging the battery. The remaining batteries that are subsequently fully charged are disconnected from the power source one by one until all the batteries in the battery pack have been fully charged. Thus, all the batteries are balance-charged.
US08288995B2

The present invention provides a battery charging system that includes: an assembled battery, in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in parallel using valve-regulated lead-acid batteries in which separators impregnated with electrolyte are arranged between mutually opposed plate-like positive electrodes and negative electrodes; and a plurality of charging units that are provided corresponding to the respective secondary batteries and that charge the corresponding secondary battery, respectively, wherein each of the charging units executes multistage constant-current charging in which constant-current charging is repeated a preset plurality of times for supplying current of a prescribed set current value to each corresponding secondary battery until the terminal voltage of the each corresponding secondary battery reaches a prescribed charging cutoff voltage, and also the set current value is reduced each time the constant-current charging is repeated.
US08288988B2

A contactless power supply for charging at least one device using magnetic field resonance includes an AC power supply, at least one circuit, a charging surface and at least one indicator to indicate a charging priority relative to the charging surface according to magnetic field strength. Devices placed near a region of the charging surface indicated as having a high priority by the indicators will charge more rapidly than an external device placed near a region of the charging surface indicated by the indicators as having a lower charging priority. Indication of the charging priority regions on the charging surface may be indicated by differing materials, patterns, shapes or offsets. In addition, the contactless power supply may have more than one region of high charging priority.
US08288984B2

For the present invention, under various running speeds statuses, the voltage supplied to the DC brushless motor is relatively increased or decreased on the basis of the internal setting of the motor drive control device according to the increased or decreased rotational output speed, so as to prevent the shortcoming of too much variation of the input impedance caused by the inductive reactance of the winding accordingly changed when the speed of the DC brushless motor is changed, specifically, to prevent the shortcoming of unable producing required torque resulting from the increased inductive reactance caused by increasing the rotational speed which makes the current value become too low when input by the original working voltage.
US08288980B2

In an apparatus, a norm setter sets, based on a request torque for a rotary machine and a rotational velocity of a rotor, a norm of a vector of an output voltage in a two-phase rotating coordinate system defined in the rotor. A phase setter sets, based on a deviation between a generated torque and the request torque, a phase of the vector of the output voltage of the power converter in the two-phase rotating coordinate system. A drive signal determiner determines, based on the norm set by the norm setter and the phase set by the phase setter, a drive signal, and applies the drive signal to a switching member to thereby drive the switching member such that the generated torque is adjusted to the request torque.
US08288973B2

A telescoping mast with a cabling system configured to cover and store cable within the structure of the mast and able to efficiently extend and retract multiple telescoping sections without jar and minimal energy. The telescoping mast has a hollow mast housing. A telescoping section is nested within the interior of the mast housing. A set of upper pulleys affixed to the upper end of the mast housing, while a set of lower pulleys affixed to the lower end of the telescoping section. A cable is threaded through the first upper pulleys and first lower pulleys such that a first end of the cable is attached to the mast housing and the cable remains taut when the telescoping section is raised or lowered.
US08288972B2

The stage device of the present invention includes a linear motor having a coil and a plurality of permanent magnets, a current driver that supplies current to the coil, and a control section that generates a command for the current driver. The control section generates the command through commutation processing in which a sinusoidal wave using an electrical angle obtained by calculation based on the relative position between the coil and the permanent magnet is multiplied by a thrust force command value for the linear motor, and further ensures that a sinusoidal wave component, which has an amplitude proportional to a thrust force command value and is 90 degrees out of phase from the sinusoidal wave, is included in the command.
US08288969B2

A driving method of a light-emitting diode (LED) adapted to a driving apparatus is provided. The driving method includes receiving a dimming signal, detecting whether the driving apparatus performs dimming, and if the driving apparatus performs dimming, determining whether a duty cycle of the dimming signal is smaller than a predetermined value. When the duty cycle of the dimming signal is not smaller than the predetermined value, respective current magnitudes of a plurality of driving currents are regulated according to the dimming signal, and each of the driving currents is output for a full time of a period. Conversely, when the duty cycle of the dimming signal is smaller than the predetermined value, each of the driving currents is output for a partial time of a period. A driving apparatus employing the driving method is also provided.
US08288962B2

A method and circuit for controlling an HID lamp powered by an HID ballast during warm-up includes gradually increasing the lamp power as the lamp voltage increases. The method includes the steps of calculating a variable reference signal as a function of the lamp voltage and controlling the lamp operating conditions based on the variable reference signal and a feedback signal, to thereby keep the lamp current within a range around a substantially constant target value during warm-up.
US08288961B2

The instant disclosure relates to a LED backlight driving module. The driving module utilizes a plurality of second power isolation transformers interconnected to each other in series and connected to a secondary winding of a first power isolation transformer in parallel to produce a plurality of second driving signals with uniform current, and driving corresponding LED light bars with uniform brightness. Optionally, a base voltage circuit can be used to provide a base voltage with negative voltage level on the other end of LED light bars, so as to lower the positive voltage level of the second driving signals. Thus, it is beneficial that the LED backlight driving module provides higher power conversion efficiency and has lower design cost.
US08288954B2

A power control system includes a transformer and a controller regulates a current on a secondary-side of the transformer based on a primary-side signal value. In at least one embodiment, the secondary-side current is a current out of a filter coupled to a rectifier and the secondary-side of the transformer and into a load. In at least one embodiment, the primary-side signal value is a sample of a current in the primary-side windings of the transformer. In at least one embodiment, the primary-side signal value represents a sample value of a primary-side transformer current. Proper timing of sampling the primary-side signal value substantially eliminates contributions of a transformer magnetizing current from the primary-side transformer current sample. Sampling the primary-side signal value when contributions of the transformer magnetizing current are substantially eliminated allows at least an average of the secondary-side current to be determined from the primary-side signal value.
US08288946B2

To provide a flickerless discharge lamp which can remove hydrogen by a simple and safe means even if the lamp is a large discharge lamp with high pressure when lit, the discharge lamp has a pair of electrodes and a hydrogen getter (4) in the interior of an arc tube, the hydrogen getter (4) being formed of a container (41) made of metal which is hydrogen permeable and a hydrogen absorbent body (42) that is composed of a metal which can absorb hydrogen that is enclosed inside of the container (41) and is fixed to an inside wall of the container (41).
US08288945B2

A method for fabrication of substrate having a nano-scale surface roughness is presented. The method comprises: patterning a surface of a substrate to create an array of spaced-apart regions of a light sensitive material; applying a controllable etching to the patterned surface, said controllable etching being of a predetermined duration selected so as to form a pattern with nano-scale features; and removing the light sensitive material, thereby creating a structure with the nano-scale surface roughness. Silanizing such nano-scale roughness surface with hydrophobic molecules results in the creation of super-hydrophobic properties characterized by both a large contact angle and a large tilting angle. Also, deposition of a photo-active material on the nano-scale roughness surface results in a photocathode with enhanced photoemission yield. This method also provides for fabrication of a photocathode insensitive to polarization of incident light.
US08288944B2

An organic light-emitting display apparatus including: a substrate; a display unit disposed on the substrate; an encapsulation substrate disposed on the display unit; and a sealant by which the substrate is combined with the encapsulation substrate and which includes a filler, wherein a height of the sealant is greater than a height of the filler.
US08288933B2

An energy-saving lamp with a high-power double spiral energy-saving light tube. The double spiral energy-saving light tube includes two single spiral light tubes having complementary structure. One spiral light tube rotates into the other in the same direction, they geometrically fit into one another, and they complement one another. The two light tubes work independently. Reliability is improved. Short glass tubes can be used for producing the two single spiral light tubes, and the production process is simple and suitable for mass production. The luminous efficiency of the energy-saving lamp of the invention exceeds 80 lm/W. A single spiral light tube of between 14 and 22 mm in diameter corresponds to the power of the lamp of between 100 and 250 W.
US08288929B2

A spark plug comprising a center electrode, a first noble metal tip joined to the center electrode, an insulator, a metallic shell, a ground electrode joined to the metallic shell and including an outer layer and an inner layer, and a second noble metal tip joined to the ground electrode by way of a melted portion, wherein in a cross section of the ground electrode, the protrusion height A of the second noble metal tip is 0.4mm or more, the ground electrode includes a substantially flat joining surface to which the second noble metal tip is joined and an outwardly curved surface, the inner layer has at the joining surface side a substantially flat surface or recessed surface, and the minimum distance F between the melted portion and the inner layer is 0.1mm or more.
US08288923B2

A piezoelectric based energy supply includes a multiplicity of mechanical actuators able to be displaced through operation by an operator from a first position and a second position. A multiplicity of independent piezoelectric components is disposed below the multiplicity of actuators. Each independent piezoelectric component within the multiplicity of independent piezoelectric components is associated with at least one respective actuator in the multiplicity of actuators and is adapted to be deformed by displacement of the at least one respective actuator within the plurality of actuators from a first position and a second position. An electrical coupler electrically couples each of the multiplicity of independent piezoelectric components.
US08288901B2

In a slowly-running electric machine, such as a bulb turbine generator, air circulation for cooling is supplied by externally driven fans. A cooling device is mounted on the pressure or the suction side of the fan and the rotor and the stator are mounted on the suction side of the fan.
US08288900B2

A stepping motor includes a rotor assembly and a stator assembly including two stator units axially coupled to each other. The two stator units each include a pair of yokes which each include a base portion and a plurality of pole teeth extending from the base portion and which are disposed such that each of the pole teeth of one yoke and each of the pole teeth of the other yoke are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The pole teeth are shaped symmetric and each include a pair of slant sides inclined so as to become closer to each other with an increase of distance from the base portion, and the slant sides of adjacent pole teeth are located close to each other wherein a magnetic pole gap between the adjacent pole teeth pole teeth is about 0.2 times as large as the thickness of the pole teeth.
US08288889B2

A method and arrangement for limiting an electric power required by at least two electric loads, each of which has a predetermined priority level, the arrangement comprising means (31, 32, 33) for monitoring a total electric power required by the at least two electric loads (21, 22, 23), and means (31, 32, 33) for reducing, in a priority-level-wise manner, individual electric powers required by the electric loads (21, 22, 23) having the predetermined priority levels by starting from electric load or loads having the lowest priority level and proceeding, one priority level at a time, towards the highest priority level until the monitored total electric power does not exceed a predetermined threshold value.
US08288884B1

The wind turbine with integrated solar panels involves a wind turbine wherein solar cells attach to the tower supporting the wind turbine. The solar cells are mounted upon a railing system that enables the solar cells to swivel vertically and rotate about the tower in order to follow the sun in the sky.
US08288881B2

A wave power unit including a buoy, adapted to float on a water surface (2), and a electric generator is connected to the buoy through connection means (4, 12, 13). The buoy when floating on a water surface (2) and when seen in a direction perpendicular to the water surface has the shape of a closed loop enclosing a inner opening substantially free of elements related to the wave power unit.
US08288874B2

Stacked semiconductor devices and assemblies including attached lead frames are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor assembly includes forming a plurality of first side trenches to a first intermediate depth in a molded portion of a molded wafer having a plurality of dies arranged in rows and columns. The method also includes forming a plurality of lateral contacts at sidewall portions of the trenches and electrically connecting first side bond-sites of the dies with corresponding lateral contacts of the trenches. The method further includes forming a plurality of second side channels to a second intermediate depth in the molded portion such that the channels intersect the trenches. The method also includes singulating and stacking the first and second dies with the channels associated with the first die aligned with channels associated with the second die. The method further includes attaching a lead frame to the lateral contacts of the stacked first and second dies.
US08288873B2

A stack package includes a first package having a first semiconductor chip and a first encapsulation member which seals the first semiconductor chip. A second package is stacked on the first package, and includes a second semiconductor chip and a second encapsulation member which seals the second semiconductor chip. Flexible conductors are disposed within the first encapsulation member of the first package in such a way as to electrically connect the first package and the second package.
US08288872B2

A system and method for forming under bump metallization layers that reduces the overall footprint of UBMs, through silicon vias, and trace lines is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises forming an under bump metallization layer over a plurality of through silicon vias, whereas the UBM is connected to only a portion of the total number of through silicon vias over which it is located. The trace lines connected to the through silicon vias may additionally be formed beneath the UBM to save even more space on the surface of the die.
US08288868B2

A first Sn absorption layer is formed on a principal surface of a first substrate, the first Sn absorption layer being made of metal absorbing Sn from AuSn alloy and lowering a relative proportion of Sn in the AuSn alloy. A second Sn absorption layer is formed on a principal surface of a second substrate, the second Sn absorption layer being made of metal absorbing Sn from AuSn alloy and lowering a relative proportion of Sn in the AuSn alloy. A solder layer made of AuSn alloy is formed at least on one Sn absorption layer of the first and second Sn absorption layers. The first and second substrates are bonded together by melting the solder layer in a state that the first and second substrates are in contact with each other, with the principal surfaces of the first and second substrates facing each other.
US08288862B2

A semiconductor package, containing two or more stacked IC devices attached to a substrate. Each of the IC devices has a plurality of electrical contact regions which are connected to the substrate by means of electrical connections.
US08288857B2

A tamper-resistant microchip package contains fluid- or nanofluid-filled capsules, channels, or reservoirs, wherein the fluids, either alone or in combination, can destroy circuitry by etching, sintering, or thermally destructing when reverse engineering of the device is attempted. The fluids are released when the fluid-filled cavities are cut away for detailed inspection of the microchip. Nanofluids may be used for the sintering process, and also to increase the thermal conductivity of the fluid for die thermal management. Through-vias and micro vias may be incorporated into the design to increase circuitry destruction efficacy by improving fluid/chip contact. Thermal interface materials may also be utilized to facilitate chip cooling.
US08288839B2

A vertical transient voltage suppressing (TVS) device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type where the substrate is heavily doped, an epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type formed on the substrate where the epitaxial layer has a first thickness, and a base region of a second conductivity type formed in the epitaxial layer where the base region is positioned in a middle region of the epitaxial layer. The base region and the epitaxial layer provide a substantially symmetrical vertical doping profile on both sides of the base region. In one embodiment, the base region is formed by high energy implantation. In another embodiment, the base region is formed as a buried layer. The doping concentrations of the epitaxial layer and the base region are selected to configure the TVS device as a punchthrough diode based TVS or an avalanche mode TVS.
US08288837B2

A semiconductor radiation detector comprises a bulk layer of semiconductor material, and on a first surface of the bulk layer in the following order: a modified internal gate layer of semiconductor of second conductivity type, a barrier layer of semiconductor of first conductivity type and pixel dopings of semiconductor of the second conductivity type. The pixel dopings are adapted to be coupled to at least one pixel voltage in order to create pixels corresponding to pixel dopings. The device comprises a first conductivity type first contact. Said pixel voltage is defined as a potential difference between the pixel doping and the first contact. The bulk layer is of the first conductivity type. On a second surface of the bulk layer opposite to the first surface, there is nonconductive back side layer that would transport secondary charges outside the active area of the device or function as the radiation entry window.
US08288833B2

A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; an interface layer formed on the semiconductor substrate; a high-k gate dielectric film formed on the interface layer; and a gate electrode formed on the high-k gate dielectric film. The high-k gate dielectric film contains La. The high-k gate dielectric film has the higher La concentration in an interface with the gate electrode than in an interface with the interface layer.
US08288831B2

A semiconductor device, which can improve the effect of a hydrogenation treatment in case of using a GOLD structure, and a method of manufacturing thereof is provided. A gate insulating film is formed on a semiconductor layer, and a source region, a drain region, and LDD regions are formed in the semiconductor layer. A main gate is formed on the gate insulating film. A sub-gate is formed on the main gate and the gate insulating film so as to cover a part of the main gate and either the LDD regions adjacent to the source region or the drain region. An interlayer insulating film containing hydrogen is formed on the sub-gate, main gate, and gate insulating film. Subsequently, a heat treatment for hydrogenation is performed to terminate a crystal defect of the semiconductor layer with hydrogen.
US08288822B2

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes a buried oxide layer; a semiconductor layer on the buried oxide layer; and a first and a second MOS device. The first MOS device includes a first gate over the semiconductor layer; a first well region having a portion underlying the first gate; and a first source region and a first drain region in the semiconductor layer. The second MOS device includes a second gate over the semiconductor layer; and a second well region having a portion underlying the first gate. The second well region is connected to a discharging node. The first well region is connected to the discharging node through the second well region, and is not directly connected to the discharging node. The second MOS device further includes a second source region and a second drain region in the semiconductor layer and adjoining the second well region.
US08288813B2

A memory device using tunneling field effect transistors (TFET) and buried bit lines is presented. The memory device includes a matrix containing rows and columns of storage cells. Each storage cell contains at least one cell transistor, which in turn contains first doped regions and second doped regions, one of which is a source and the other a drain. The memory device includes word lines, each of which is connected to storage cells of one row and bit lines, each of which is connected to storage cells of one column. The first doped regions are of a different doping type than the second doped regions.
US08288812B2

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, conductive members, an interlayer insulating film, and a plurality of contacts. The conductive members are provided in an upper portion of the substrate or above the substrate to extend in one direction. The interlayer insulating film is provided on the substrate and the conductive members. The plurality of contacts is provided in the interlayer insulating film. In a first region on the substrate, the contacts are located at some of lattice points of an imaginary first lattice. In a second region on the substrate, the contacts are located at some of lattice points of an imaginary second lattice. The second lattice is different from the first lattice. Each of the first lattice and the second lattice includes some of the lattice points located on the conductive members or on an extension region extended in the one direction of the conductive members. A position of each of the lattice points located on the conductive members and the extension region in the one direction is periodically displaced based on every n consecutively-arranged conductive members (n is a natural number).
US08288811B2

Memories, systems, and methods for forming memory cells are disclosed. One such memory cell includes a charge storage node that includes nanodots over a tunnel dielectric and a protective film over the nanodots. In another memory cell, the charge storage node includes nanodots that include a ruthenium alloy. Memory cells can include an inter-gate dielectric over the protective film or ruthenium alloy nanodots and a control gate over the inter-gate dielectric. The protective film and ruthenium alloy can be configured to protect at least some of the nanodots from vaporizing during formation of the inter-gate dielectric.
US08288810B2

A semiconductor device comprises a capacitor in which a lower electrode, an adhesive layer, a capacitance insulating film, and an upper electrode are provided in series. The capacitance insulating film has laminated films in which a first metal oxide film and a second metal oxide film are alternatively laminated so that the first metal oxide film contacts with the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer has thickness of 0.3 nm or more and is an oxide film including at least one element selected from element contained in the lower electrode.
US08288805B2

A semiconductor device comprises a gate structure on a semiconductor substrate and a recessed region in the semiconductor substrate. The recessed region has a widest lateral opening that is near a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The widest lateral opening undercuts the gate structure.
US08288804B2

Provided is a carbon nanotube field effect transistor manufacturing method wherein carbon nanotube field effect transistors having excellent stable electric conduction property are manufactured with excellent reproducibility. After arranging carbon nanotubes to be a channel on a substrate, the carbon nanotubes are covered with an insulating protection film. Then, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed on the insulating protection film. At this time, a contact hole is formed on the protection film, and the carbon nanotubes are connected with the source electrode and the drain electrode. Then, a wiring protection film, a conductive film and a plasma CVD film are sequentially formed on the insulating protection film, the source electrode and the drain electrode. In the field effect transistor thus manufactured, since the carbon nanotubes to be the channel are not contaminated and not damaged, excellent stable electric conductive property is exhibited.
US08288802B2

A spacer structure contains a carbon-containing oxynitride film positioned on a gate sidewall and a nitride film covering the carbon-containing oxide film. The carbon-containing oxynitride film has low etch rate so that the spacer structure can have a good profile during etching the carbon-containing oxynitride film.
US08288801B2

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, which includes a junction region formed in an active area of a semiconductor substrate; a trench defining a buried gate predetermined area within the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode buried in an lower portion of the trench; an ion implantation region formed in a sidewall of the trench; and a capping insulation layer formed in an upper portion of the gate electrode.
US08288791B2

A package body (1) with an upper side (2), with an underside (22), opposite from the upper side (2), and with a side surface, which connects the upper side (2) and the underside (22) and is provided as a mounting surface (19), the package body (1) having a plurality of layers (8) which contain a ceramic material, and a main direction of extent of the layers (23, 24, 25) extending transversely in relation to the mounting surface (19). Furthermore, a method for producing a package body (1) is provided.
US08288785B2

An LED includes a light-emitting chip, a metal member, and a housing. The light-emitting chip generates light. The light-emitting chip is arranged on the metal member. The housing is combined with the metal member to fix the metal member. The housing has an opening portion exposing at least a portion of the light-emitting chip and the metal member. The metal member includes a base metal layer, a light-reflecting layer arranged on the base metal layer, and a protection layer arranged on the light-reflecting layer and including a metal.
US08288784B2

An organic light emitting display device includes a substrate and a plurality of pixels on the substrate. The pixels include a plurality of first electrodes, a second electrode, a white light emitting layer, and a first thin film layer between the first electrodes and the second electrode. White light emitted from the white light emitting layer causes resonance to occur between the first electrodes and the second electrode.
US08288782B2

The present invention provides a backlight module and a light-emitting source package structure thereof. The light-emitting source package structure comprises: a heat-dissipation base, at least one chip and a heat-dissipation fixing element. The heat-dissipation base has a connection hole. The heat-dissipation fixing element further has a connection post and a heat-dissipation fin with an abutting surface, and the connection post of the heat-dissipation fixing element passes through a through hole of a fixed plate to fix in the connection hole, so that for closely aligning the abutting surface of the heat-dissipation fin and can abut against the fixed plate. Thus, and the heat-dissipation base and the heat-dissipation fixing element are stably fixed on the both sides of the fixed plate to ensure the tightly abutting relationship with the fixed plate and enhance the assembly reliability. Meanwhile, the heat-dissipation fin can additionally increase the heat-dissipation efficiency of the heat-dissipation fixing element. Thus, the temperature of the chip can be surely lowered to prevent from lowing the working efficiency of the chip. Hence, it is advantageous for the chip to stably work, and the lifetime thereof can be increased.
US08288775B2

A photoelectric conversion element includes a light receiving layer that is formed of microcrystal semiconductor, a first semiconductor layer of a first conductive type that is formed on one face side of the light receiving layer, and a first intermediate layer that is interposed between the first semiconductor layer and the light receiving layer and is formed of amorphous semiconductor.
US08288772B2

To provide a through hole electrode substrate and a semiconductor device which uses the through hole electrode substrate which have improved electrical properties in a conductive part which passes through the front and back of a substrate, a through hole electrode substrate 100 of the invention comprises a substrate 102 having a through hole 104 which passes through the front and back of the substrate 102, and a conductive part 106 including a metal material which is filled into the through hole 104, the conductive part 106 including at least a metal material having an area weighted average crystal grain diameter of 13 μm or more. The conduction part 106 also includes a metal material having a crystal grain diameter of 29 μm or more. Further one end of the conductive part includes at least a metal material having an area weighted average crystal grain diameter of less than 13 μm, and the other end of the conductive part includes at least a metal material having an area weighted average crystal grain diameter of 13 μm or more.
US08288762B2

An organic field effect transistor (OFET) having a structure of a conductor layer/an insulator layer/a semiconductor layer is provided. This OFET comprises an insulator layer formed by mixing a polymer compound produced by polymerizing or copolymerizing a monomer represented by the formula (1): CH2═CHCOO—(CH2)2—CN  (1) and/or a monomer represented by the formula (2): CH2═C(CH3)COO—(CH2)2—CN  (2) with a polymerizable and/or crosslinkable organic compound other than the monomer represented by the formula (1) or (2); and a semiconductor layer comprising an organic compound.
US08288759B2

Transistor devices having vertically stacked carbon nanotube channels and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a transistor device is provided. The transistor device includes a substrate; a bottom gate embedded in the substrate with a top surface of the bottom gate being substantially coplanar with a surface of the substrate; a stack of device layers on the substrate over the bottom gate, wherein each of the device layers in the stack includes a first dielectric, a carbon nanotube channel on the first dielectric, a second dielectric on the carbon nanotube channel and a top gate on the second dielectric; and source and drain contacts that interconnect the carbon nanotube channels in parallel. A method of fabricating a transistor device is also provided.
US08288747B2

A structure. The structure includes a substrate, a resistive/reflective region on the substrate, and a light source/light detecting and/or a sens-amp circuit configured to ascertain a reflectance and/or resistance change in the resistive/reflective region. The resistive/reflective region includes a material having a characteristic of the material's reflectance and/or resistance being changed due to a phase change in the material. The resistive/reflective region is configured to respond, to an electric current through the resistive/reflective region and/or a laser beam projected on the resistive/reflective region, by the phase change in the material which causes a reflectance and/resistance change in the resistive/reflective region from a first reflectance and/or resistance value to a second reflectance and/or resistance value different from the first reflectance and/or resistance value.
US08288745B2

A novel method of partial breast radiation utilizing a breast implant which can provide a stable and improved target for stereotactic radiation treatment.
US08288743B2

An ion withdrawal apparatus that withdraws ions emitted from a plasma in an EUV light production apparatus in which a target at an EUV light production point is irradiated with laser light to be made in a plasma state and the target emits EUV light, the ion withdrawal apparatus which includes: a collector mirror that is disposed in a direction opposite to a laser light incidence direction to collect the EUV light and has a hole for the ions to pass therethrough; magnetic line of force production means that produces a magnetic line of force that is parallel or approximately parallel to the laser light incidence direction at or in the vicinity of the EUV light production point; and ion withdrawal means that is disposed on the opposite side of the collector mirror from the EUV light production point and withdraws the ions.
US08288740B2

A method for making a specimen assembly for atom probe analysis in an energetic-beam instrument includes milling a post near a region of interest in a sample in the energetic-beam instrument, so that the post has a free end. The probe tip of a nano-manipulator probe shaft is attached to the free end of the post and the post is cut free from the sample to form a rough specimen, so that the region of interest in the rough specimen is exposed at approximately the location where the post is cut from the sample. A specimen assembly form is provided having an open area inside its perimeter. The probe shaft bearing the specimen is joined to the specimen assembly form, so that the region of interest in the rough specimen is located in the open area. Thereafter, the probe shaft can be cut off outside the perimeter of the specimen assembly form, and the specimen conveniently held and sharpened for atom probe analysis. Specimen assembly forms made by the method are also disclosed.
US08288739B2

An optical property measuring method and an optical property measuring apparatus according to an aspect of the invention are operable to select bi-spectral characteristics relatively close to bi-spectral characteristics of a fluorescent sample, out of multiple bi-spectral characteristics stored in advance, based on a relative ratio between excitation efficiencies of the fluorescent sample illuminated by excitation illuminations whose spectral distributions are different from each other, in calculating an optical property of the fluorescent sample. The inventive optical property measuring method and optical property measuring apparatus are advantageous in calculating an optical property of a fluorescent sample easily and with high precision.
US08288730B2

A portable radiographic image capturing device includes an image capturing unit, a control unit, and a connecting member. The image capturing unit is formed in the shape of a flat plate, captures a radiographic, and includes a radiation detector that outputs electric signals expressing a captured radiographic image, the image capturing unit being able to capture a radiographic image from either an obverse side or a reverse side of the flat plate. The control unit includes a controller that controls image capturing operations of the radiation detector. The connecting member connects the image capturing unit and the control unit such that both units can be opened and closed between an unfolded state, in which the both units are lined-up next to one another, and a housed state, in which the both units are folded-up so as to be superposed one on another.
US08288728B2

A method for creating a look-up table includes arranging a mask configured to cover a subset of crystals of a plurality of crystals in a scintillation array. The method includes collecting a first set of data from at least one photosensor positioned to receive light generated by the scintillation array. The method further includes realigning the mask in a second position on the scintillation array to cover a second subset of crystals of the plurality of crystals. Further, the method includes collecting a second set of data from the at least one photosensor with the mask aligned on the scintillation array in the second position. Additionally, the method includes creating first and second flood histograms from the first and second sets of collected data, respectively. The method also superimposing the first flood histogram with the second flood histogram to create a superimposed flood histogram.
US08288716B2

An aerosol particle analyzer includes a laser ablation chamber, a gas-filled conduit, and a mass spectrometer. The laser ablation chamber can be operated at a low pressure, which can be from 0.1 mTorr to 30 mTorr. The ablated ions are transferred into a gas-filled conduit. The gas-filled conduit reduces the electrical charge and the speed of ablated ions as they collide and mix with buffer gases in the gas-filled conduit. Preferably, the gas filled-conduit includes an electromagnetic multipole structure that collimates the nascent ions into a beam, which is guided into the mass spectrometer. Because the gas-filled conduit allows storage of vast quantities of the ions from the ablated particles, the ions from a single ablated particle can be analyzed multiple times and by a variety of techniques to supply statistically meaningful analysis of composition and isotope ratios.
US08288715B2

An oxygen detection method, includes: preparing a grid, an ion collector, and a filament in which an oxide are formed on a surface of metal; controlling a filament current flowing to the filament so that an emission current becomes constant; discharging thermionic electrons which are caused by heat generation by applying the filament current, and generating ions by ionizing a gas; capturing the ions with the ion collector; and detecting oxygen being present in a vacuum processing chamber by measuring a filament current value.
US08288712B2

A guided coherent atom source (1) includes elements for generating neutral atoms in a gaseous state (2), elements for cooling the atoms gas (3), elements for generating a magnetic field (4), including an electro-magnetic micro-chip (6) deposited on a surface (18) of a substrate (14), and capable of condensing the atoms in a magnetic trap, elements for generating an electro-magnetic RF field capable of extracting the condensed atoms, optical elements (10) for emitting and directing an optical coherent beam (12) toward the condensed atoms able to guide the condensed atoms, characterized in that the optical elements (10) and the electro-magnetic micro-chip (6) are integrated onto the same substrate (14). An atomic interferometer using such a source is also disclosed.
US08288710B2

A camera module (1) is an assembly of a lens holder (4) and a wiring board (2). The lens holder (4) holds an optical structure (3) which forms an image of a subject. The wiring board (2) has formed thereon a solid-state image sensing element (21) which converts the image of the subject formed by the optical structure (3) to electrical signals. Grease (7) is applied to the camera module (1) in such a manner that the grease is not present in an optical path in the optical structure (3). The grease (7) catches the dust (D) produced during manufacture and while in use, thereby prevented the dust (D) from causing image defects. A solid-state image sensing device is thus provided which is capable of preventing the dust produced during manufacture and while in use from causing image defects.
US08288701B2

A system for controlling power applied to pixels in an imager. A first switch coupling the internal power node of the pixels to the power supply of the imager. A second switch coupling the internal power node of the pixels to a ground potential or low potential. The first and second switches are controlled complimentary to each other during integration and readout of the pixels. A third switch providing a high impedance mode where the internal power node and n+ guard ring are isolated from the operating and ground potentials.
US08288696B1

A method for engaging a target missile includes sensing the position of the target and of an interceptor missile, and determining time-to-go to intercept and direction of thrust of the interceptor. A one-step intercept solution is determined based on position estimates of the target and the interceptor and is used to iteratively estimate at least two components of a three-dimensional unit thrust vector, and apply updated guidance commands to the interceptor. A system for thrust vector control of an interceptor against a target missile includes a processor for receiving sensed target signals, determining a one-step initial solution to produce time-to-go and current direction of thrust of the interceptor, iteratively estimating at least two components of a three-dimensional unit thrust vector, and producing a guidance vector for application to the interceptor.
US08288690B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to steam ovens, and particularly to steam ovens configured to generate and deliver steam directly to the oven using a water reservoir in close proximity to an existing oven heat generating system. The steam ovens described may be designed so that they inject steam directly into the oven cavity, and in some instances, generate the steam directly in the oven cavity as well. Certain embodiments are designed with a water reservoir in close proximity to an oven heat generating system such that water in the reservoir is heated, turned to steam, and delivered to the oven cavity via a steam delivery system.
US08288683B2

A dynamic surface anneal apparatus for annealing a semiconductor workpiece has a workpiece support for supporting a workpiece, an optical source and scanning apparatus for scanning the optical source and the workpiece support relative to one another along a fast axis. The optical source includes an array of laser emitters arranged generally in successive rows of the emitters, the rows being transverse to the fast axis. Plural collimating lenslets overlie respective ones of the rows of emitters and provide collimation along the fast axis. The selected lenslets have one or a succession of optical deflection angles corresponding to beam deflections along the fast axis for respective rows of emitters. Optics focus light from the array of laser emitters onto a surface of the workpiece to form a succession of line beams transverse to the fast axis spaced along the fast axis in accordance with the succession of deflection angles.
US08288680B1

An apparatus for removing heavy metals from a thin film stack. A glass or plastic substrate has a front surface and a back surface and a heavy metal thin film is deposited on the back surface. A laser is provided for generating high density radiation. A scanning means directs the high density radiation through the substrate so that the high density radiation impinges upon the heavy metal thin film. The substrate is disposed in contacting relation to a flowing liquid and a liquid bath is provided for containing the flowing liquid and collecting heavy metal that is ablated by the high density radiation. The heavy metals are filtered from the liquid bath. The same parts can also remove heavy metals from both sides of a substrate or may be used to remove only peripheral edges of a thin film stack.
US08288679B2

A laser processing system for micromachining a workpiece includes a laser source to generate laser pulses for processing a feature in a workpiece, a galvanometer-driven (galvo) subsystem to impart a first relative movement of a laser beam spot position along a processing trajectory with respect to the surface of the workpiece, and an acousto-optic deflector (AOD) subsystem. The AOD subsystem may include a combination of AODs and electro-optic deflectors. The AOD subsystem may vary an intensity profile of laser pulses as a function of deflection position along a dither direction. The AOD subsystem may be used for aligning a processing laser beam to workpiece features.
US08288677B2

The invention relates to a coupling device (24) used for producing a flow path between the tank (6) of a water vapor cutting device (1) and a liquid-filled cartridge (25), wherein said coupling device (24) comprises a housing (29) provided with a receiving area (30) which is formed therein, used for mounting the cartridge (25) on said housing (29) and which comprises a channel (39) provided with an input orifice (40) fluidically connectable to the cartridge (25) and to an output opening (41) which is also fluidically connectable to an external surrounding area, for example to the tank (6). A metering device (38) is arranged in the housing (29) and makes it possible to define a locking position, in which the cartridge (25) is not mounted on the housing (29) and the output orifice (41) is locked, wherein the metering device (38) also makes it possible to define a releasing position, in which said metering device (38) is displaceable, in particular by mounting the cartridge (25) on the housing (29), and in which the output orifice (41) is released. A method for controlling the water vapor cutting device (1) is also disclosed.
US08288668B2

A carousel (1) for supporting and weighing containers (2), comprising: a carrier element (6) supporting at least one container (2), rotatable about a respective axis (X) and presenting at least one opening (13) affording access to an enclosure (14) within the selfsame element (6); a plate (15) associated with the underside of the carrier element (6), serving to close the opening (13), and a system (17) for weighing the container (2), installed at least partially within the enclosure (14). The weighing system (17) comprises a load cell (18) associated with the plate (15) and housed in the enclosure (14).
US08288667B2

A double-packing cable and flexible conduit gland for securing a cable and a flexible conduit to a box member, including a casing having a tapered inner surface portion and a first outer thread, a packing member inserted into the casing and defining a first packing segment compressible to clamp on the flexible conduit, a second packing segment compressible to clamp on the cable, an annular retaining rib protruded from an inside wall thereof for engaging the grooved periphery of the flexible conduit and a beveled end edge located on one end of the first packing segment remote from the second packing segment, and a holding-down cap threaded onto the first outer thread of the casing to hold down the packing member on the flexible conduit and the cable together and having a beveled edge disposed on the inside and stopped against the beveled end edge of the packing member.
US08288664B2

A metal layer 18 is sandwiched between insulating layers 14 and 20 so that required strength is maintained. Hence it follows that the thickness of a core substrate 30 can be reduced and, therefore, the thickness of a multi-layer printed circuit board can be reduced. Formation of non-penetrating openings 22 which reach the metal layer 18 in the insulating layers 14 and 20 is simply required. Therefore, small non-penetrating openings 22 can easily be formed by applying laser beams. Thus, through holes 36 each having a small diameter can be formed.
US08288659B2

A wiring board includes a substrate having a surface made of an insulating resin. An adhesion layer is formed on the substrate. A wiring layer is formed on the adhesion layer. The adhesion layer is formed by a nitrided NiCu alloy containing nitrogen therein. A nitrogen content of the nitrided NiCu alloy is within a range from 1 atoms % to 5 atoms %.
US08288653B2

The invention relates to method for producing a connecting passage node or end node which has a rectangular shape in cross section and consists of electrical conductors. The nodes are produced by compacting and subsequent welding of the conductors by means of ultrasound in a compression chamber of the ultrasound welding machine of which the height and width can be adjusted and which has a rectangular shape in cross section, wherein opposite delimitation surfaces of the compression chamber form sections of a sonotrode and an opposite counter electrode, respectively. To connect electrical conductors which are difficult to weld to an end node and/or connecting passage node, the conductors (50, 52, 54) are brought into a sleeve and, subsequently, the sleeve (62, 65) is welded with the conductors in the compression chamber to form the end node and/or connecting passage node (49) having a rectangular cross section.
US08288649B2

A solar cell may include a quantum dot and an electron conductor. A bifunctional ligand may be disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The ligand molecule may include an electron conductor anchor that bonds to the electron conductor and a first quantum dot anchor that bonds to the quantum dot. A hole conductor such as a conductive polymer may include a second quantum dot anchor.
US08288645B2

A back contact single heterojunction solar cell and associated fabrication process are provided. A first semiconductor substrate is provided, lightly doped with a first dopant type. The substrate has a first energy bandgap. A second semiconductor is formed over a region of the substrate backside. The second semiconductor has a second energy bandgap, larger than the first energy bandgap. A third semiconductor layer is formed over the first semiconductor substrate topside, moderately doped with the first dopant and textured. An emitter is formed in the substrate backside, heavily doped with a second dopant type, opposite of the first dopant type, and a base is formed in the substrate backside, heavily doped with the first dopant type. Electrical contacts are made to the base and emitter. Either the emitter or base is formed in the second semiconductor.
US08288638B2

A multi-panel glass acoustic instrument is provided, wherein the body of the instrument includes a polygon made of flat pieces joined together. In one embodiment, the flat pieces are formed from glass. In a preferred embodiment, the instrument is a drum, wherein the drum shell is fabricated from a plurality of flat pieces of glass that are bonded together. The drum shell may include one or more rim caps for positioning between the edges of the glass panels and the drum head or heads. In a preferred embodiment, the instrument is a snare drum. The musical instruments of the present invention provide functional, audio, and aesthetic improvements over instruments known in the art.
US08288633B1

A novel maize variety designated X00A029 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 X00A029 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X00A029 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X00A029, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X00A029. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X00A029.
US08288627B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH532948. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH532948, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH532948 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH532948.
US08288623B1

A novel soybean variety, designated XB41K10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB41K10, cells from soybean variety XB41K10, plants of soybean XB41K10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB41K10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB41K10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB41K10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB41K10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB41K10 are further provided.
US08288622B1

A novel soybean variety, designated XB29J10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB29J10, cells from soybean variety XB29J10, plants of soybean XB29J10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB29J10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB29J10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB29J10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB29J10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB29J10 are further provided.
US08288610B2

Methods for amplification of nucleic acids in cells are provided. Also provided are cells that contain the nucleic acids.
US08288601B2

A process for reacting an iso-alkane, comprising: a) partially converting one or more olefins in an olefinic feedstock to make a converted olefinic feedstock, wherein the converting is different from isomerization; b) isolating from the converted olefinic feedstock: i. an enriched feed that has linear internal olefins, and ii. products having a boiling point of 150° C. or higher; and c) alkylating the iso-alkane with the enriched feed to make an alkylate gasoline blending component.
US08288599B2

Preparing solid biomass particles for catalytic conversion includes agitating solid biomass particles and providing a biomass-catalyst mixture to a conventional petroleum refinery process unit. The biomass-catalyst mixture includes the solid biomass particles and a catalyst. Agitating solid biomass particles includes flowing a gas to provide a velocity to at least a portion of the solid biomass particles sufficient to reduce their sizes. Co-processing a biomass feedstock and a conventional petroleum feedstock includes liquefying at least a portion of a biomass-catalyst mixture and co-processing at least a portion of the liquefied biomass feedstock and a conventional petroleum feedstock in a conventional petroleum refinery process unit. The biomass feedstock includes a plurality of solid biomass particles and a catalyst, which is liquefied to produce a liquefied biomass feedstock.
US08288594B2

The present invention provides processes for selectively producing ethanol from syngas. In some variations, the process comprises converting biomass-derived syngas to dimethyl ether, carbonylating the dimethyl ether to methyl acetate, hydrogenating the methyl acetate to methanol and ethanol, and recovering the ethanol product. The methanol is preferably recycled by converting to hydrogen and carbon monoxide for introduction back into the process at distinct points. In certain variations of this invention, fresh syngas feed is introduced downstream of the first unit operation in the sequence. High yields of ethanol from biomass can be achieved according to the disclosed processes.
US08288593B2

The present invention relates to a method for preparing L-menthol in solid form, specifically in the form of flakes, by bringing an L-menthol melt into contact with two chilled surfaces distanced from one another. Moreover, the present invention relates to the L-menthol in solid form obtainable by said method, and also to its use for incorporation into utility and consumer goods of all kinds.
US08288585B2

Disclosed are procatalyst compositions having an internal electron donor which include a substituted phenylene aromatic diester and optionally an electron donor component. Ziegler-Natta catalyst compositions containing the present procatalyst compositions exhibit high activity and produce propylene-based olefins with broad molecular weight distribution.
US08288584B2

The present invention relates to a process for preparing diisocyanates from diamines and phosgene in the gas phase.
US08288577B2

Classes of liquid aminosilanes have been found which allow for the production of silicon carbo-nitride films of the general formula SixCyNz. These aminosilanes, in contrast, to some of the precursors employed heretofore, are liquid at room temperature and pressure allowing for convenient handling. In addition, the invention relates to a process for producing such films.The classes of compounds are generally represented by the formulas: and mixtures thereof, wherein R and R1 in the formulas represent aliphatic groups typically having from 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, e.g., alkyl, cycloalkyl with R and R1 in formula A also being combinable into a cyclic group, and R2 representing a single bond, (CH2)n, a ring, or SiH2.
US08288574B2

Method for producing C3H5(OH)3 and at least one of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) includes mixing vegetable oils and animal fats, at least one of CH3OH and C2H5OH and at least one first catalyst to transesterify a portion of triglycerides and provide a first mixture. The first mixture is separated, with a first light phase being withdrawn and fed into a second mixer where it is mixed with at least one second catalyst to transesterify a further portion of the triglycerides to provide a second mixture. The second mixture is separated, with a second light phase being withdrawn and mixed with soapless C3H5(OH)3 to provide a dispersion which is separated by density difference. A phase containing at least one of raw FAME and raw FAEE is mixed with an aqueous acid, washed with water, with the water being expelled to provide FAME and FAEE product.
US08288572B2

The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desaturase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
US08288569B2

This invention relates to processes and intermediates for the stereoselective alkylation of carbonyl groups. The invention in particular allows the stereoselective preparation of the antidepressant drug escitalopram. It has been found that boric or boronic acid derivatives are useful bridging elements for the attachment of a chiral group to a compound containing a carbonyl group to be alkylated. The said borates and boronates are thus useful in a process for the asymmetric alkylation of a carbonyl group in a compound containing a carbonyl group and an anchor group capable of reacting with a boric or boronic acid derivative. The asymmetric alkylation can be carried out by admixing the compound containing a carbonyl group to be alkylated and the anchor group capable of reacting with a boric or boronic acid derivative with a boric or boronic acid derivative, adding a chiral alcohol, and adding an organometallic compound. After the alkylation reaction, the borate and boronate can be easily removed by hydrolysis.
US08288550B2

The invention provides crystalline forms of the novel benzimidazole-carboxamide 5-HT4 receptor agonist compound, 4-(4-{[(2-isopropyl-1H-benzoimidazole-4-carbonyl)amino]methyl}-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)piperidine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline compound, methods of using the compound to treat diseases associated with 5-HT4 receptor activity, and processes useful for preparing crystalline forms of the compound.
US08288547B2

The invention discloses and claims N-Methylnaltrexone zwitterion, of formula (I), substantially in the anhydrous form or a hydrate thereof:
US08288545B2

This invention features bis-amides of pyrophosphoric acid and bisphosphonic acids, their preparation, and their use in synthesis of P1,P4-dinucleoside tetraphosphates, tetraphosphonates, and related compounds.
US08288544B2

The present invention provides novel osmium-based electrochemical species for the detection of wide variety of analytes using immunological techniques. The present invention also provides diagnostic kits and test sensors supporting electrode structures that can be used with the osmium-based electrochemical species. The test sensor can be fabricated to support interdigitated arrays of electrodes that have been designed to provide amplification of the electrical signal amplification desired to analyze analytes that may be present at low concentrations.
US08288536B2

Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and kits are provided for use with kinases that comprise a compound selected from the group consisting of: wherein the variables are as defined herein.
US08288535B2

Disclosed is a synthesis method for synthesizing in a short time and selectively a microcrystal of a polymer complex having three three-dimensionally and regularly arranged channels.Specifically disclosed is a synthesis method of a polymer complex crystal wherein (1) a metallic solution, which is a mixture of zinc halide(II) and a solvent A that can dissolve the zinc halide, is mixed with (2) a ligand solution, which is a mixture of a tridentate ligand that has three coordination sites coordinated to zinc of the zinc halide and a solvent B that can dissolve the tridentate ligand, to be a single-phase solution, thereby synthesizing a microcrystal of a polymer complex having a three-dimensional coordination network formed by coordinating the tridentate ligand to the zinc and having channels that are three-dimensionally and regularly arranged in the three-dimensional coordination network.
US08288529B2

A method of making a compound of Formula I′ comprises reacting a compound of the formula DLCHO, with a compound of the formula to produce the compound of Formula I′. Methods of using the compounds are also described, particularly as intermediates for the synthesis of porphyrin rods, which porphyrin rods are in turn useful for (among other things) the production of molecular memory devices.
US08288527B2

An oligo-aminosaccharide compound formed by binding 3 to 6 saccharides, such as 2,6-diamino-2,6-dideoxy-α-(1→4)-D-glucopyranose oligomers, or a salt thereof, which has high affinity to a double-stranded nucleic acid.
US08288526B2

The present invention provides a method for producing an inosine derivative represented by the following general formula (1) including the steps of subjecting an inosine derivative of general formula (3) to dithiocarbonylation and carrying out radical reduction of the obtained compound. According to the present invention there can be produced compounds useful as anti-AIDS drugs on industrial scale. wherein R1 may be the same or different and are each benzyl group, benzhydryl group or trityl group, each of which may have a substituent in general formulas (1) and (3).
US08288523B2

The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.
US08288521B2

The present invention describes a method for identifying one or more of a plurality of sequences differing by one or more single base changes, insertions, deletions, or translocations in a plurality of target nucleotide sequences. The method includes a ligation phase, a capture phase, and a detection phase. The ligation phase utilizes a ligation detection reaction between one oligonucleotide probe, which has a target sequence-specific portion and an addressable array-specific portion, and a second oligonucleotide probe, having a target sequence-specific portion and a detectable label. After the ligation phase, the capture phase is carried out by hybridizing the ligated oligonucleotide probes to a solid support with an array of immobilized capture oligonucleotides at least some of which are complementary to the addressable array-specific portion. Following completion of the capture phase, a detection phase is carried out to detect the labels of ligated oligonucleotide probes hybridized to the solid support.
US08288515B2

Processes for the synthesis of the Factor Xa anticoagulent Fondaparinux, and related compounds are described. Also described are protected pentasaccharide intermediates as well as efficient and scalable processes for the industrial scale production of Fondaparinux sodium by conversion of the protected pentasaccharide intermediates via a sequence of deprotection and sulfonation reactions.
US08288512B2

The invention relates to the use of amphiphilic self-assembling proteins for formulating poorly water-soluble effect substances.
US08288508B2

Universal Grignard Metathesis (GRIM) reactions which provide access to conjugated polymers by GRIM methods. A method comprising: providing an unsaturated ring compound comprising at least two halogen ring substituents, providing an organomagnesium reagent comprising an organomagnesium component and a metal activation agent, combining the unsaturated ring compound with the reagent to form a second compound by metal-halogen exchange, wherein the metal activation agent activates the metal-halogen exchange, coupling the second compound to itself in an oligomerization or polymerization reaction. Metal activation agent can be lithium chloride. The process is commercially attractive and can be executed in good yields. Polyfluorenes, polypyrroles, and polythiophenes can be prepared for use in OLED, PLED, photovoltaic, transistor, antistatic coatings, and sensor applications.
US08288499B2

A polyester for a toner having a softening point of from 70° to 110° C. and a glass transition temperature of from 38° to 60° C., obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component containing a propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A and an ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A in a total amount of 80% by mole or more, with a carboxylic acid component, wherein the propylene oxide adduct has an average number of moles of from 2.0 to 2.4, and the ethylene oxide adduct has an average number of moles of from 2.5 to 4.2. The polyester for a toner of the present invention is suitably used as a resin binder of a toner, or the like, used for, for example, developing a latent image formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, or the like.
US08288498B2

A sugar-alcohol-modified organopolysiloxane compound represented by formula (1) and processes for producing the compound. (In the formula, R1 represents a hydrocarbon group having 1-8 carbon atoms; X is a group represented by formula (2); Y represents —R4O(AO)nR5 (wherein AO is an oxyalkylene group having 2-4 carbon atoms, R4 is a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3-5 carbon atoms, R5 is any of a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 1-24 carbon atoms, and an acyl group having 2-24 carbon atoms, and n is 1-100); R2 is any of R1, X, and Y; and a is 0-700, b is 0-100, and c is 0-50; provided that when b is 0, at least one of the R2s is X.) (In the formula, R3 is a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3-5 carbon atoms; and d is 1-2.)
US08288487B2

The present invention provides a polymerization process utilizing a dual metallocene catalyst system for the production of broad or bimodal molecular weight distribution polymers, generally, in the absence of added hydrogen. Polymers produced from the polymerization process are also provided, and these polymers can have a Mn in a range from about 9,000 to about 30,000 g/mol, and a short chain branch content that decreases as molecular weight increases.
US08288486B2

Disclosed is an improved coating composition for food containers that is resistant to high pH processing environments. The improved coating composition is based upon an epoxy-amino resin coating composition that has been modified with other components to improve its performance in high pH environments balanced with flexibility, formability and abrasion resistance. Typically, the coating composition includes an epoxy resin, an amino resin cross-linking agent, a blocked polyisocyanate and a saturated polyester.
US08288480B2

This invention relates to in-reactor polymer blends comprising at least 60 mole % of propylene and from 0.01 to 10 mole % of at least one diene selected from the group of C6 to C12 α,ω-diene, norbornadiene, vinyl norbornene and mixtures thereof with the balance being ethylene. The blend comprises first and second polymers having different crystallinities and or different Tg's.
US08288476B2

The invention provides a golf ball material composed of (i) a non-ionomeric thermoplastic resin, (ii) an ionomeric resin and/or an acid-containing polymer which is the base polymer of an ionomeric resin, and (iii) a norbornene dicarboxylic anhydride and/or a derivative thereof. Methods for preparing such a material, and a golf ball which includes as a component therein a part made of the golf ball material are also provided. The golf ball material has a good thermal stability, flow and processability, and can thus be used to obtain high-performance golf balls endowed with an excellent rebound resilience, durability and flexibility.
US08288460B2

One aspect of the invention relates to hardwood lignin derivatives having an aliphatic hydroxyl content of from about 5.2 mmol/g to about 7 mmol/g lignin, and the preparation method thereof. The lignin derivatives have a desired antioxidant activity characterized by the normalized radical scavenging index (RSI). Another aspect of the invention relates to compositions comprising the hardwood lignin derivative. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of the hardwood lignin derivatives comprising incorporating the hardwood lignin derivatives into polymer compositions.
US08288457B2

Epoxy resins are chemically attached to carbon nanotubes (CNTs), in a one-step process in which a reaction mixture comprising the epoxy polymer, the CNTs and a bridging agent which is a chemical compound capable of forming living polymers, e.g. styrene or MMA is formed and radical formation is initiated in the reaction mixture; the epoxy polymer or monomer grafts onto the CNTs through the intermediary block of the bridging agent.
US08288451B2

A photo-curable resin composition for the UV-LED light source, which is rapidly cured and particularly has excellent surface curing property, is disclosed. The resin composition contains (a) polybutadiene (meth)acrylate; (b) a polythiol compound; and (c) a photo radical initiator and is photo-curable by an irradiation with an ultraviolet light-LED. Accordingly, production efficiency can be significantly increased in the production of liquid crystal displays and electrical and electronic components.
US08288446B2

The invention relates to a process of making a syngas mixture containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, comprising a step of contacting a gaseous feed mixture containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen with a catalyst, wherein the catalyst substantially consists of chromia/alumina. This process enables hydrogenation of carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide with high selectivity, and good catalyst stability over time and under variations in processing conditions.The process can be applied separately, but can also be combined with other processes, for example up-stream with other synthesis processes for making products like aliphatic oxygenates, olefins or aromatics.
US08288444B2

A device for iontophoretically delivering a charged curcuminoid across the skin of an Alzheimer's Disease patient.
US08288443B2

Techniques for a surface-modified glass fiber with monolayer of aminocalixarene derivatives and iminecalixrene derivatives are provided.
US08288441B2

The present invention concerns enhancements in the cooling effects of certain physiological coolant-containing compositions such as topically applied cosmetic, toiletry or pharmaceutical products, wherein the cooling effect of the physiological coolants is enhanced by the addition of a substance according to formula (I) or dermatologically acceptable salts thereof: R1—CR2(OR3)—CO—NR4—CR5R6—X—OR7  (I) It was found that substances represented by formula (I) are capable of bringing about greater cooling effects from reduced concentrations of physiological coolants without behaving as physiological coolants themselves, thereby enabling the preparation of compositions that do not necessarily have the characteristic minty odor of menthol-containing products and/or to allow greater freedom in creating perfumed products.
US08288433B2

Compounds of formula (I): wherein: R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a —COOR group, R2 represents a group G or a linear or branched (C1-C6)alkyl group substituted by a group G, wherein G represents a —(CH2)n-A-(CH2)m—B—(CR4R5)p—(CH2)o—R6 group as defined in the description, R3 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an NO2 group. Medicinal products containing the same which are useful in treating hypertension and cardiovascular pathologies.
US08288413B2

Compounds of formula (I) and salts are provided: wherein R6 is selected from hydrogen, 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.
US08288407B2

The instant invention provides for substituted naphthyridine compounds that inhibit Akt activity. In particular, the compounds disclosed selectively inhibit one or two of the Akt isoforms. The invention also provides for compositions comprising such inhibitory compounds and methods of inhibiting Akt activity by administering the compound to a patient in need of treatment of cancer. Compounds disclosed herein have the following chemical structure:
US08288403B2

The invention relates to methods for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis, Dutch-type (HCHWA-D), multi-infarct dementia, dementia pugilistica and Down syndrome which comprise administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, V, W, Y, and Z are as defined herein or a pharmaceutically active acid addition salt of such compounds. The invention also relates to a subgenus of such compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them, as well as methods for their manufacture.
US08288401B2

Novel polymorphic forms of bosentan and processes for their preparation are disclosed. Further, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said polymorphic forms and the use of said compositions in the treatment of patients suffering from endothelin receptor mediated disorders, for example, cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, ischemia, vasospasm and angina pectoris are disclosed.
US08288384B2

Compounds and methods are provided for the treatment of, inter alia, Type II diabetes and other diseases associated with poor glycemic control. The compounds of the invention are orally active.
US08288375B2

Disclosed are compounds of Formulae 1 and 1a, N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein R1, R1a, Y, and J are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling plant disease caused by a fungal pathogen comprising applying an effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention. Further disclosed is a method for preparing compounds of Formula 1 from compounds of Formula 1a.
US08288372B2

Loxapine, amoxapine, or salts or prodrugs of either, is effective in alleviating pain, particularly headache pain such as migraine, cluster headaches and tension headaches. Preferably the loxapine or amoxapine is administered systemically, most preferably by inhalation.
US08288364B2

The present invention relates to a novel botanical compound as provided in structural formula I optionally along with excipients for improving body composition and the factors related to the pre-diabetic and diabetic conditions. It also relates to a process of manufacture of the novel botanical compound for improving body composition and factors related to the pre-diabetic and diabetic conditions. The present invention also relates to the use of the novel botanical compound for improving body composition, reducing body fat, increasing muscle mass, enhancing strength and improving impaired glucose metabolism. The present invention also relates to the use of the novel botanical compound for the improvement of factors related to the pre-diabetic and diabetic conditions.
US08288357B2

The present invention relates to a new use of inhibitors of leukotriene B4 receptor BLT2 for treating human cancers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating human cancers comprising BLT2 inhibitors and a method for treating human cancers using BLT2 inhibitors.The present inventors revealed the role of BLT2 as a survival factor of human cancers, such as bladder, prostate, pancreatic, and breast cancer and found that the BLT2 inhibitors can be used as anti-cancer drugs. The present inventors revealed that BLT2 has an important role in metastasis of cancer cells and angiogenesis of tumor and demonstrated that the anti-cancer activity of the BLT2 inhibitors is accomplished by inducing the apoptosis of cancer cells, inhibiting the metastasis of cancer cells, or inhibiting the angiogenesis of tumor.
US08288343B2

The object is to find a nitric oxide synthase activator, a method for the administration of the activator, and the amount of the activator to be administered. Disclosed is a nitric oxide synthase activator comprising a midkine family protein or a midkine derivative as an active ingredient. Specifically disclosed is a nitric oxide synthase activator which is intended to be administered through the blood, a coronary artery or a vein and which comprises a midkine family protein or a midkine derivative as an active ingredient.
US08288331B2

The present invention relates to a liquid detergent composition containing (a) a specific compound having one alkyl group selected from a 2-ethylhexyl group, an isononyl group and an isodecyl group, (b) a surfactant selected from anionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants, (c) a hydrophobic organic solvent that is liquid at 20° C., and (d) water in specific ratios.
US08288317B2

An agrochemical composition includes a homogeneous single-phase liquid crystal in thermodynamic equilibrium. The agrochemical composition can be a surfactant composition or a pesticide composition. The surfactant composition is a blend of surfactants, whereas a pesticide composition has an active ingredient and one or more surfactant adjuvants. A pesticide composition, or a surfactant composition in combination with an active ingredient, may be used to control pests.
US08288308B2

The invention discloses core/shell type catalyst particles comprising a Mcore/Mshell structure with Mcore=inner particle core and Mshell−outer particle shell, wherein the medium diameter of the catalyst particle (dcore+shell) is ≧20 nm. The thickness of the outer shell (tshell) comprises at least 3 atomic layers. The core/shell type catalyst particles, particularly the particles comprising a Pt-based shell, reveal a high specific activity. The catalyst particles are preferably supported on suitable support materials such as carbon black and are used as electrocatalysts for fuel cells.
US08288307B2

A hydrogenation catalyst including a base material coated with a catalytic metal is made using mechanical milling techniques. The hydrogenation catalysts are used as an excellent catalyst for the dehalogenation of contaminated compounds and the remediation of other industrial compounds. Preferably, the hydrogenation catalyst is a bimetallic particle including zero-valent metal particles coated with a catalytic material. The mechanical milling technique is simpler and cheaper than previously used methods for producing hydrogenation catalysts.
US08288306B2

The present invention provides a preparation process of complex oxides catalyst containing Mo, Bi, Fe and Co, which comprising steps as following: dissolving precursor compounds of the components for catalyst and complexing agent in water to obtain a solution, and then drying, molding and calcining the solution to obtain catalyst. The catalyst is used for gas phase oxidation of light alkenes to unsaturated aldehydes. The catalyst has high activity, selectivity and stability. The reaction condition is mild. The preparation process of the catalyst is easy to operate and can be used for mass production.
US08288304B2

Disclosed are procatalyst compositions having an internal electron donor which includes an adamantane dicarboxylate and optionally an additional electron donor component. Ziegler-Natta catalyst compositions containing the present procatalyst compositions to produce propylene-based olefins with broad molecular weight distribution.
US08288303B2

Provided is a catalyst for hydrocracking a paraffinic hydrocarbon which provides satisfactorily high cracking activity and middle fraction yield as well as the low pour point of the fuel base material (the middle fraction) all together. The catalyst of the present invention comprises a USY zeolite derived from NaY used as the raw material and having a peak intensity of 30 or lower, appearing on the 111 surface upon X-ray diffraction, and a noble metal of Group VIII of the periodic table.
US08288299B2

The present invention relates to an optical glass with a high refractive index and good precision press moldability, and a preform for precision press molding and an optical element that are comprised of the optical glass. The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing an optical element, a lens unit being equipped with an optical element and an image pickup device being equipped with a lens unit.
US08288294B2

An object is to provide an insulating film for a semiconductor device which has characteristics of a low permittivity, a low leakage current, and a high mechanical strength, undergoes less change in these characteristics with the elapse of time, and has an excellent water resistance, as well as to provide a process and an apparatus for producing the insulating film for a semiconductor device, a semiconductor device, and a process for producing the semiconductor device. A gas containing a raw material gas which gasified a predetermined alkylborazine compound is supplied in a chamber (2); an electromagnetic wave is introduced into the chamber (2) using with an inductive coupling type plasma generation mechanism (4, 5, 6) to convert the gas into a plasma; a substrate (8) is placed in a plasma diffusion region of the plasma; gas-phase polymerization is performed with borazine skeletal molecules, as a fundamental unit, dissociated from the alkylborazine compound by the plasma so as to form the insulating film for semiconductor devices on the substrate (8).
US08288292B2

A method of forming a boron nitride or boron carbon nitride dielectric produces a conformal layer without loading effect. The dielectric layer is formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of a boron-containing film on a substrate, at least a portion of the deposition being conducted without plasma, and then exposing the deposited boron-containing film to a plasma. The CVD component dominates the deposition process, producing a conformal film without loading effect. The dielectric is ashable, and can be removed with a hydrogen plasma without impacting surrounding materials. The dielectric has a much lower wet etch rate compared to other front end spacer or hard mask materials such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride, and has a relatively low dielectric constant, much lower than silicon nitride.
US08288284B2

To provide a substrate processing method and a semiconductor chip manufacturing method that enable low-cost formation of a mask for etching using plasma etching. During formation of a mask used in plasma dicing for separating a semiconductor wafer 1 into discrete semiconductor chips 1e by means of etching using plasma processing, there is adopted a method including printing a lyophobic liquid in an area on a rear surface 1b that is to be an objective of etching, thereby forming a lyophobic pattern made up of lyophobic films 3; supplying a low viscosity resin 4a and a high viscosity resin 4b, in this sequence, to the rear surface 1b on which the lyophobic pattern is formed, thereby forming a resin film 4 that is thicker than the lyophobic films 3 in an area where the lyophobic films 3 are not present; and curing the resin film 4, to thus form a mask 4* that covers an area except for the area to be etched. Thus, a mask for etching purpose can be formed at low cost without use of a high-cost method, like photolithography.
US08288278B2

A semiconductor device includes a substrate, and a through electrode passing through the substrate. The semiconductor device has a pad region and a through electrode region. A pad covers the pad region, extends into the through electrode region, and delimits an opening in the through electrode region. A through electrode extends through the semiconductor substrate below the hole in the pad in the through region.
US08288275B2

Provided are methods of forming a contact plug of a semiconductor device. Methods of forming a contact plug of a semiconductor device may include forming an interlayer insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate on which a lower structure is formed, forming a contact hole in the interlayer insulating layer, the contact hole exposing the lower structure, and forming a W layer and then a WN layer to form a W/WN barrier layer in the contact hole. Methods may include H2 remote plasma treating the W/WN barrier layer, forming a W-plug on the H2 remote plasma treated W/WN barrier layer to fill the contact hole, and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) the W-plug and then the W/WN barrier layer in order to expose the interlayer insulating layer.
US08288274B2

A noble metal layer is formed using ozone (O3) as a reaction gas.
US08288269B2

An integrated circuit package substrate includes a first and an additional electrically conductive layer separated from each other by an electrically insulating layer, a contact pad formed in the first electrically conductive layer for making a direct connection between the integrated circuit package substrate and a printed circuit board, and a cutout formed in the additional electrically conductive layer wherein the cutout encloses an area that completely surrounds the contact pad for avoiding parasitic capacitance between the additional electrically conductive layer and the printed circuit board.
US08288264B2

A multi-functional and multi-level memory cell comprises a tunnel layer formed over a substrate. In one embodiment, the tunnel layer comprises two layers such as HfO2 and LaAlO3. A charge blocking layer is formed over the tunnel layer. In one embodiment, this layer is formed from HfSiON. A control gate is formed over the charge blocking layer. A discrete trapping layer is embedded in either the tunnel layer or the charge blocking layer, depending on the desired level of non-volatility. The closer the discrete trapping layer is formed to the substrate/insulator interface, the lower the non-volatility of the device. The discrete trapping layer is formed from nano-crystals having a uniform size and distribution.
US08288259B2

With the evacuation of an interior of a vacuum chamber halted and with gas supply into the vacuum chamber halted, in a state that a mixed gas of helium gas and diborane gas is sealed in the vacuum chamber, a plasma is generated in a vacuum vessel and simultaneously a high-frequency power is supplied to a sample electrode. By the high-frequency power supplied to the sample electrode, boron is introduced to a proximity to a substrate surface.
US08288257B2

Methods for implanting material into a substrate by a plasma immersion ion implanting process are provided. In one embodiment, a method for implanting material into a substrate includes providing a substrate into a processing chamber, the substrate comprising a substrate surface having a material layer formed thereon, generating a first plasma of a non-dopant processing gas, exposing the material layer to the plasma of the non-dopant processing gas, generating a second plasma of a dopant processing gas including a reacting gas adapted to produce dopant ions, and implanting dopant ions from the plasma into the material layer. The method may further include a cleaning or etch process.
US08288253B1

A process for fabricating a semiconductor device. The process including (a) growing a channel layer on a buffer layer, (b) growing a barrier layer on the channel layer, (c) epitaxially growing a quaternary etch-stop layer on the barrier layer, (d) growing a first contact layer on the quaternary etch-stop layer, (e) growing a second contact layer on the first contact layer, (f) etching portions of the second contact layer to reveal a first recess surface, and (g) etching portions of the first contact layer to reveal a second recess surface. The second contact layer may be a highly doped contact layer. The second recess surface generally forms a gate region. The first and the second contact layers have a first etch rate and the quaternary etch-stop layer has a second etch rate in a chosen first etch chemistry.
US08288250B2

A method for making a stack of at least two stages of circuits, each stage including a substrate and at least one component and metallic connections formed in or on this substrate, the assembly of a stage to be transferred onto a previous stage including: a) ionic implantation in the substrate of the stage to be transferred through at least part of the components, so as to form a weakened zone, b) formation of metallic connections of the components, c) transfer and assembly of some of this substrate onto the previous stage, and d) a step to thin the transferred part of the substrate by fracture along the weakened zone.
US08288237B2

A compound metal comprising TiC which is a p-type metal having a workfunction of about 4.75 to about 5.3, preferably about 5, eV that is thermally stable on a gate stack comprising a high k dielectric and an interfacial layer is provided as well as a method of fabricating the TiC compound metal. Furthermore, the TiC metal compound of the present invention is a very efficient oxygen diffusion barrier at 1000° C. allowing very aggressive equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) and inversion layer thickness scaling below 14 Å in a p-metal oxide semiconductor (pMOS) device.
US08288230B2

A transistor with a gate electrode structure is produced by providing a semiconductor body with a first surface, and with a first sacrificial layer extending in a vertical direction of the semiconductor body from the first surface. A first trench extending from the first surface into the semiconductor body is formed by removing the sacrificial layer in a section adjacent the first surface. A second trench is formed by isotropically etching the semiconductor body in the first trench. A third trench is formed below the second trench by removing at least a part of the first sacrificial layer below the second trench. A dielectric layer is formed which at least covers sidewalls of the third trench and which only covers sidewalls of the second trench. A gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer in the second trench. The gate electrode and dielectric layer in the second trench form the gate electrode structure.
US08288229B2

Fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a hard mask on the substrate having a top substrate surface; forming a gate trench in the substrate, through the hard mask; depositing gate material in the gate trench; removing the hard mask to leave a gate structure; implanting a body region; implanting a source region; forming a source body contact trench having a trench wall and a trench bottom; and disposing an anti-punch through implant along at least a section of the trench wall but not along the trench bottom.
US08288227B2

A reduction of a resistance of a bit line of a memory cell array and a reduction of a forming area of the memory cell array are planed. Respective bit lines running at right angles to a word line are composed of a diffusion bit line formed in a semiconductor substrate and a linear metal bit line on an upper side of the diffusion bit line. The diffusion bit line is formed in a linear pattern on a lower side of the metal bit line in the same manner, and the metal bit line is connected with the diffusion bit line between the word lines. An interlayer insulating film is formed on the memory cell array, and the metal bit line is formed with being buried in it.
US08288216B2

A thin film transistor (TFT) and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The TFT includes a substrate, a gate electrode disposed over the substrate, a gate insulating layer disposed over the gate electrode, a semiconductor layer disposed over the gate insulating layer and including a polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) layer, an ohmic contact layer disposed over a predetermined region of the semiconductor layer, an insulating interlayer disposed over substantially an entire surface of the substrate including the ohmic contact layer, and source and drain electrodes electrically connected to the ohmic contact layer through contact holes formed in the interlayer insulating layer. A barrier layer is interposed between the semiconductor layer and the ohmic contact layer. Thus, when an off-current of a bottom-gate-type TFT is controlled, degradation of characteristics due to a leakage current may be prevented using a simple process.
US08288215B2

A single crystal semiconductor substrate including an embrittlement layer is attached to a base substrate with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, and the single crystal semiconductor layer is separated at the embrittlement layer by heat treatment; accordingly, a single crystal semiconductor layer is fixed over the base substrate. The single crystal semiconductor layer is irradiated with a laser beam so that the single crystal semiconductor layer is partially melted and then is re-single crystallized, whereby crystal defects are removed. In addition, an island-shaped single crystal semiconductor layer for forming an n-channel transistor is channel-doped using a photomask and then is etched back using the photomask so that the island-shaped single crystal semiconductor layer for forming an n-channel transistor is thinner than the island-shaped single crystal semiconductor layer for forming a p-channel transistor.
US08288214B2

A method of manufacturing an electronic device (10) provides a substrate (20) that has a plastic material and has a metallic coating on one surface. A portion of the metallic coating is etched to form a patterned metallic coating. A particulate material (16) is embedded in at least one surface of the substrate. A layer of thin-film semiconductor material is deposited onto the substrate (20).
US08288212B2

A method of fabricating a pixel structure of a thin film transistor liquid crystal display is provided. A transparent conductive layer and a first metallic layer are sequentially formed over a substrate. The first metallic layer and the transparent conductive layer are patterned to form a gate pattern and a pixel electrode pattern. A gate insulating layer and a semiconductor layer are sequentially formed over the substrate. A patterning process is performed to remove the first metallic layer in the pixel electrode pattern while remaining the gate insulating layer and the semiconductor layer over the gate pattern. A second metallic layer is formed over the substrate. The second metallic layer is patterned to form a source/drain pattern over the semiconductor layer. A passivation layer is formed over the substrate and then the passivation layer is patterned to expose the transparent conductive layer in the pixel electrode pattern.
US08288208B1

Methods for making a substrate for semiconductor packaging with improved warpage and an apparatus. A method includes providing on a die side of a substrate at least one flip chip mounted integrated circuit die. The substrate may include through substrate vias (TSVs). An underfill is dispensed between the integrated circuit die and the substrate. Initially the underfill is left uncured. A thermal interface material is provided on the upper surface of the at least one integrated circuit die. A heat sink is mounted over the integrated circuit die and in thermal contact with the thermal interface material. A thermal cure is performed to simultaneously cure the underfill material and the thermal interface material. In another embodiment, the thermal cure may simultaneously cure an adhesive mounting the heat sink to the substrate. Solder balls are disposed on a board surface of the substrate to form a ball grid array package.
US08288206B2

A Three-Dimensional Structure (3DS) Memory allows for physical separation of the memory circuits and the control logic circuit onto different layers such that each layer may be separately optimized. One control logic circuit suffices for several memory circuits, reducing cost. Fabrication of 3DS memory involves thinning of the memory circuit to less than 50 μm in thickness and bonding the circuit to a circuit stack while still in wafer substrate form. Fine-grain high density inter-layer vertical bus connections are used. The 3DS memory manufacturing method enables several performance and physical size efficiencies, and is implemented with established semiconductor processing techniques.
US08288198B2

A system and method for forming a phase change memory material on a substrate, in which the substrate is contacted with precursors for a phase change memory chalcogenide alloy under conditions producing deposition of the chalcogenide alloy on the substrate, at temperature below 350° C. with the contacting being carried out via chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition. Various tellurium, germanium and germanium-tellurium precursors are described, which are useful for forming GST phase change memory films on substrates.
US08288177B2

A method for detecting soft errors in an integrated circuit (IC) due to transient-particle emission, the IC comprising at least one chip and a substrate includes mixing an epoxy with a radioactive source to form a hot underfill (HUF); underfilling the chip with the HUF; sealing the underfilled chip; measuring a radioactivity of the HUF at an edge of the chip; measuring the radioactivity of the HUF on a test coupon; testing the IC for soft errors by determining a current radioactivity of the HUF at the time of testing based on the measured radioactivity; and after the expiration of a radioactive decay period of the radioactive source, using the IC in a computing device by a user.
US08288175B2

A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit, IC, package comprising radio frequency, RF, components, the method comprising: electrically connecting a printed circuit pattern on an external major surface of an IC assembly to an RF testing motherboard by bringing them together with an interposed adaptor layer, the adaptor layer comprising a double-sided PCB, printed circuit board, with conductive vias between its printed circuit layers; RF testing the IC assembly using the RF testing motherboard, while RF tuning components of the IC assembly; and separating the IC assembly and connecting its major surface to a solder ball grid array, BGA, which has substantially the same RF impedance as the adaptor at RF signal paths from the IC assembly to the BGA.
US08288174B1

An Electrostatic Post Exposure Bake (EPEB) subsystem comprising an Electrostatic Bake Plate (EBP) configured in a processing chamber in an EPEB subsystem, wherein the EPEB wafer comprises an exposed masking layer having unexposed regions and exposed regions therein and the EPEB wafer is developed using the EBP.
US08288166B2

The invention provides a chip comprising a substrate with at least one surface and a layer of particles having a non-metallic core and a coating made of a metal or a metal alloy, characterized in that each non-metallic core, on average, forms a metal-surrounded contact point with at least one other non-metallic core and/or the substrate surface.The invention also provides a method for preparing a chip, comprising the steps of, adsorbing non-metallic particles on said surface of the substrate, and, subsequently, adsorbing colloids of a metal on said non-metallic particles to provide the shell made of a metal or a metal alloy, and a chip which is obtainable by said method. The chip can be employed in optical devices for the detection of analytes.
US08288164B2

The present invention provides a highly reliable reaction cuvette in which air bubbles are adhered little and mutual contamination can be prevented among samples and reagents in adjoining reaction cuvettes, a method of surface treatment for a reaction cuvette, and an automatic analyzer with the reaction cuvette mounted therein. The reaction cuvette according to the present invention, in which a sample and a reagent are mixed with each other and its concentration is measured, has an area subjected to hydrophilic treatment by electric discharging on inner and outer surfaces of the reaction cuvette. Further the reaction cuvette has a container-like form with its upper portion opened to provide an opening and its lower portion closed to provide a bottom. The hydrophilic area is present from a bottom of the reaction cuvette up to a midway to the opening.
US08288160B2

The invention is directed to a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding an Activation Induced Deaminase (AID) polypeptide, a fusion protein comprising an AID polypeptide, and methods of using a nucleic acid encoding an AID polypeptide.
US08288156B2

An analytical chip and analyzer are disclosed. The analytical chip comprises a substrate and reaction cells that are formed in the substrate for receiving a sample collected from a living body. A reagent storage portion is used to store reagents to be supplied to the reaction cells. Flow paths are provided to connect the reaction cells to the reagent storage portions, thereby allowing the reagents stored in the reagent storage portions to flow into the reaction cells.
US08288151B2

A biochemical reaction cassette is designed to uniformize the flow of liquid in the reaction chamber by using a simple additional arrangement. A member for reducing the cross sectional area of the flow channel that includes an injection port, a reaction chamber and a discharge port is arranged in the flow channel and a buffer room is provided.
US08288133B2

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.
US08288128B2

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring a real-time quantification of multiple target molecules during their binding on capture molecules of a micro-array. The method comprises the steps of: placing, in a chamber (14), a support (15) having fixed upon its surface a micro-array comprising at least 5 capture molecules (20) being immobilized in specifically localized areas (21) of said support; introducing said labeled target molecules solution (13) into the chamber; incubating said labeled target molecules under stable and controlled temperature conditions to allow the binding between said target and capture molecules; directing an excitation light (2) from a light source (1) on the surface of the micro-array; measuring the electromagnetic light emission (7) from the bound target molecules in response to said excitation light in presence of the solution containing the target molecules wherein the surface of emission for a localized area is comprised between about 0.1 μm2 and about 10 mm2 and wherein each of the at least 4 localized areas is monitored with time with at least two measurements being done per localized area (21), and processing and storing the values of the different measurements and quantifying at least 4 different target molecules present in solution using at least one measurement value for each said target.
US08288127B2

The present invention provides an improved expression system for the production of recombinant polypeptides utilizing auxotrophic selectable markers. In addition, the present invention provides improved recombinant protein production in host cells through the improved regulation of expression.
US08288126B2

The present invention relates to novel methods of making soluble proteins having free cysteines in which a host cell is exposed to a cysteine blocking agent. The soluble proteins produced by the methods can then be modified to increase their effectiveness. Such modifications include attaching a PEG moiety to form pegylated proteins.
US08288106B2

Sample preparation processes for in situ RNA or DNA analysis, methods and compositions therefor are provided. Processes provided herein allow DNA or RNA analysis to be carried out in the same tube or on an aliquot of the prepared sample without centrifugation or extraction. The preparation process can be carried out at room temperature in as little as seven minutes and is amenable to high throughput processing using manual or robotic platforms.
US08288100B2

This application describes the discovery that, in a pregnant woman, certain genes (such as RASSF1A, APC, CASP8, RARB, SCGB3A1, DAB2IP, PTPN6, THY1, TMEFF2, and PYCARD) originated from a fetus are highly methylated, whereas the same genes of maternal origin are unmethylated. This discovery allows the easy detection of one or more of these methylated fetal genes in a biological sample from a pregnant woman, serving as a universal indicator of the presence of fetal DNA in the sample. These fetal methylation markers are particularly useful as positive controls for a non-invasive analytical process during which the quality and quantity of fetal DNA are monitored. These newly identified fetal markers can also be measured directly for diagnosis of certain pregnancy-related conditions.
US08288098B2

This invention relates to agents and conjugates to detect and isolate target components from complex mixtures such as nucleic acids from biological samples, cells from bodily fluids, and nascent proteins from translation reactions. Agents comprise a detectable moiety bound to a photoreactive moiety. Conjugates comprise agents coupled to substrates by covalent bounds which can be selectively cleaved with the administration of electromagnetic radiation. Targets substances labeled with detectable molecules can be easily identified and separated from a heterologous mixture of substances. Exposure of the conjugate to radiation releases the target in a functional form and completely unaltered. Using photocleavable molecular precursors as the conjugates, label can be incorporated into macromolecules, the nascent macromolecules isolated and the label completely removed. The invention also relates to targets isolated with these conjugates which may be useful as pharmaceutical agents or compositions that can be administered to humans and other mammals.
US08288096B2

A method for the diagnosis of SMEI in a patient comprising: (1) detecting an alteration in the SCN1A gene, including in a regulatory region of the gene, in a patient sample; (2) ascertaining whether the alteration is known to be SMEI associated or non-SMEI associated; and (3) (a) establishing a diagnosis of a high probability of SMEI where the alteration is known to be SMEI associated; or (b) establishing a diagnosis of a low probability of SMEI where the alteration is non-SMEI associated; or (e) or, if not known to be either, (i) considering genetic data for parents and/or relatives; (ii) establishing whether the alteration has arisen de novo or is inherited; and (iii) establishing a diagnosis of a low probability of SMEI where the alteration is inherited but a diagnosis of a high probability of SMEI if the alteration is de novo.
US08288095B2

The invention relates to methods and systems for sequencing and constructing a high resolution physical map of a polynucleotide. In accordance with the invention, nucleotide sequences are determined at the ends of restriction fragments produced by a plurality of digestions with a plurality of combinations of restriction endonucleases so that a pair of nucleotide sequences is obtained for each restriction fragment. A physical map of the polynucleotide is constructed by ordering the pairs of sequences by matching the identical sequences among the pairs.
US08288085B2

The present invention provides a pancreatic islet isolation method comprising the steps of (1) injecting a protection solution containing a protease inhibitor into the pancreatic duct of an procured pancreas; (3) digesting the pancreas into which the protection solution has been injected; and (4) purifying the digested pancreatic tissue using a purification solution containing a density gradient reagent. The present invention also provides a protection solution for injection into the pancreatic duct, a pancreas preservation solution for the two-layer method, and an islet purification solution.
US08288079B2

A photocurable resin composition containing a photopolymerization initiator and a (meth)acrylate monomer and/or oligomer, said (meth)acrylate monomer or oligomer having a cyclic structure, in which the atomic weight of carbon (Mcr) in said cyclic structure and the number of whole carbon atoms (MTOT) in said composition have the relation of Mcr/MTOT>0.1, or the total number (N) of carbon atoms in said cyclic structure, the total number of carbon atoms (Nc) in said composition and the total number of oxygen atoms (No) have the relation of N/(Nc−No)<4, and the composition has a kinetic viscosity of 10 mPa·s or below. This low-viscosity photocurable resin composition has excellent dry etching resistance and is applicable to optical nanoprinting.
US08288076B2

A chemically amplified resist composition comprises a polymer comprising units having polarity to impart adhesion and acid labile units adapted to turn alkali soluble under the action of acid. The polymer comprises recurring units having formula (1) wherein R1 is H, F, CH3 or CF3, Rf is H, F, CF3 or CF2CF3, A is a divalent hydrocarbon group, R2, R3 and R4 are alkyl, alkenyl, oxoalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or aryloxoalkyl. Recurring units containing an aromatic ring structure are present in an amount ≧60 mol % and the recurring units having formula (1) are present in an amount <5 mol %.
US08288074B2

There is herein described a method and apparatus for photoimaging. In particular, there is described a method and apparatus for photoimaging a substrate covered with a wet curable photopolymer, wherein the photoimaged substrate is used to form images such as electrical circuits.
US08288071B2

A resin particle liquid dispersion for an electrostatic image developing toner, comprising: an aqueous medium; and a resin particle dispersed in the aqueous medium to have a median diameter of 0.05 to 2.0 μm, the resin particle comprising a polycondensable polymer obtained by polycondensing polycondensable monomers, wherein a storage modulus GL(30) of the resin particle at 30° C. is 1×107 Pa or more, and a melting point of the polycondensable polymer is from 45 to 110° C.
US08288070B2

The present invention relates to a toner for electrophotography which exhibits an excellent heat-resistant storage property and a wide fusing temperature range, and a process for producing the toner for electrophotography. There are provided a process for producing a toner for electrophotography which includes (A) a step of emulsifying a resin binder containing a polyester having a constitutional unit derived from a trivalent or higher-valent carboxylic acid in an aqueous medium; (B) a step of aggregating emulsified particles contained in an emulsion obtained in the step (A); and (C) a step of coalescing aggregated particles obtained in the step (B), said process further including the following steps which are to be conducted after the step (A): (a) a step of adding a compound having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of an oxazoline group and a glycidyl group; and (b) a step of forming a chemical bond between the compound having the at least one functional group and the resin binder containing the polyester, as well as a toner for electrophotography obtained by the process.
US08288052B2

An aspect of the present invention provides a fuel cell that includes, hollow structural bodies each provided with an internal space for reacting a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, each hollow structural body including, a separator having a perimeter wall section that follows along a rim, a cell plate having an electricity-generating cell having its outer perimeter joined to the separator such that a space for a gas to flow through is formed between the separator and the cell plate, a gas supply manifold to supply one of the reactant gases, a gas discharge manifold to discharge the reactant gas, and a gas introducing flow passage to introduce said reactant gas from the gas supply manifold to the perimeter wall section of the separator, wherein the reactant gas introduced into the gas introducing passage flows from the vicinity of the perimeter wall section of the separator to the gas discharge manifold.
US08288049B2

An energy management system controls the temperature of a fuel cell system while a vehicle is not running. The energy management system includes a fuel cell stack, a blower that provides air to the fuel cell stack, a water supply, and a hydrogen supply. A hydrogen supply valve is connected between the hydrogen supply and the fuel cell stack. A heater is connected to an output of the fuel cell stack. A controller controls the hydrogen supply valve and the blower to power the heater to warm the fuel cell stack and the water supply. The controller starts the blower and opens the hydrogen supply valve if heating is necessary and if a tank level signal exceeds a first tank level value. The controller activates a purge, drains water from the water supply, and inhibits vehicle startup if the tank level signal does not exceed a first tank level value.
US08288045B2

A fuel cell or fuel cell stack heater using resistive heat. A resistive conductor (preferably some type of metal wire) is attached to a source of electricity such as a battery. The resistive conductor is in proximity with the fuel cell or stack so that when the resistive conductor is heated, the cell or stack will also become hot. An insulating material surrounds the outside of the fuel cell or stack, so that it encloses the cell or stack and the resistive conductor. The insulating material will capture heat from the resistive conductor and any waste heat given off by the operation of the fuel cell or stack. A means for modifying the amount of electrical current in the resistive conductor is attached to the apparatus. When the fuel cell or stack reaches the desired temperature, the means is employed to reduce or turn off current in the resistive conductor.
US08288041B2

A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit, and a fuel heat exchanger containing a fuel reformation catalyst. The fuel heat exchanger is connected to the fuel inlet conduit and to at least one fuel cell system exhaust conduit which in operation provides a high temperature exhaust stream to the fuel heat exchanger. The fuel heat exchanger is thermally integrated with an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) exhaust conduit such that in operation an ATO exhaust stream in the ATO exhaust conduit heats a fuel inlet stream passing through the heat exchanger.
US08288036B2

A secondary battery and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the secondary battery includes 1) an electrode assembly having an outer surface, 2) a sealing tape attached to and surrounding at least part of the outer surface of the electrode assembly and 3) a can accommodating the electrode assembly and sealing tape. The sealing tape includes i) an adhesive layer contacting the outer surface of the electrode assembly and ii) a base layer formed on and at least partially covering the adhesive layer. The base layer contacts an inner surface of the can. At least part of the adhesive layer is not covered by the base layer.
US08288035B2

A modular battery pack comprised of multiple modular batteries arranged in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel combinations is described. Each of the modular batteries is comprised of a first pair of opposed keyed side walls for series connection between adjacent modular batteries, and a second pair of opposed keyed side walls for parallel connection between adjacent modular batteries. The modular batteries are only able to connect to each other when the keys are matched and aligned. Additionally, the opposed end walls of the modular batteries have specifically configured terminals that prevent the possibility of making undesired connections between adjacent modular batteries.
US08288026B2

The secondary battery according to the present invention has a vent deformation accelerator which promotes the operation of a vent formed on a wide side of a can in the cap plate, a bottom side of a can or a narrow side of a can so that the vent operates at the low pressure. Therefore, a secondary battery is provided with a vent which operates at a lower pressure than the operating pressure of existing vents. Also, the vent can be formed relatively thick when the operating vent which operates at the same pressure as the operating pressure of an existing vent so that it can avoid forming a vent having a minute thickness, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs and processing time.
US08288025B2

The present invention includes method, compositions and devices including acid-base polymer membranes with high proton conductivity at low relative humidity, good thermal and mechanical stabilities and low methanol crossover. The acid-base polymer membrane includes an acidic polymer mixed with a basic polymer. The acidic polymer includes an acidic group attached to an aromatic polymer, while the basic polymer includes at least one heterocyclic ring structure attached to an aromatic polymer.
US08288020B2

Provided are a piezoelectric thin film including a lead-free ferroelectric material and exhibiting high piezoelectric performance comparable to that of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), and a method of manufacturing the piezoelectric thin film. The piezoelectric thin film of the present invention comprises: a LaNiO3 film having a (001) orientation; a NaNbO3 film having a (001) orientation; and a (Bi, Na, Ba) TiO3 film having a (001) orientation. The LaNiO3 film, the NaNbO3 film, and the (Bi, Na, Ba)TiO3 film are laminated in this order.
US08288019B2

A surface coating film includes, a base material which is a hard material; and an oxidation-resistance coating layer containing, as a main component, a complex oxide of Li and at least Al and covering a surface of the base material. Further, a method of manufacturing a surface coated member, includes, supporting a base material which is a hard material in a hermetic container with the use of a holder arranged in the container; arranging a complex oxide forming target containing Li and at least Al, as main components, in the container; feeding oxygen into the container; and forming an oxidation-resistance coating layer that covers the base material to obtain the surface coated member by effecting electric discharge between the complex oxide forming target as an anode and the holder as a cathode.
US08288018B2

An amino compound for an organic light-emitting device of general formula [1]: wherein X1 is bonded to the pair of fluorenyl groups at meta-positions to each other and is substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring, fused polycyclic ring, or heterocyclic ring; Y1 and Y2 are each substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, or heterocyclic and are the same or different; Z1 to Z4 are each hydrogen, halogen, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, or heterocyclic and are the same or different; R1 to R4 are each hydrogen, halogen, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, or heterocyclic and are the same or different; a and d are each 1 to 4; and b and c are each 1 to 3.
US08288015B2

Disclosed is a triphenylene based aromatic compound, wherein a benzene center is substituted with a triphenylene group and another aromatic group such as triphenylenyl, pyrenyl, phenylvinyl, carbazolylphenyl, or arylanthryl in the meta position of the benzene center. The meta-substituted aromatic compound of the invention has better thermal stability (Tg) than the conventional para-substituted aromatic compound. The meta-substituted aromatic compound, served as a hole transporting layer or a host material applied in a light emitting layer in an OLED, is more preferable than the conventional para-substituted aromatic compound.
US08288012B2

The present invention provides novel anthracene derivatives. In particular, the present invention provides light-emitting elements with high luminous efficiency, and light-emitting elements with long lifetime. Further, the present invention provides light-emitting devices and electronic devices having long lifetime by using these light-emitting elements. An anthracene derivative represented by the general formula (1) is provided. In addition, since the anthracene derivative represented by the general formula (1) has high luminous efficiency, a light-emitting element using the anthracene derivative represented by the general formula (1) can also have high luminous efficiency. By using the anthracene derivative represented by the general formula (1), light-emitting elements with long lifetime can be provided.
US08288000B2

Coating compositions are disclosed that include corrosion resisting particles such that the coating composition can exhibit corrosion resistance properties. Also disclosed are substrates at least partially coated with a coating deposited from such a composition and multi-component composite coatings, wherein at least one coating later is deposited from such a coating composition. Methods and apparatus for making ultrafine solid particles are also disclosed.
US08287999B2

The present invention relates to an absorbent structure suitable in, or being an adult or infant diaper or feminine hygiene article, comprising a water-absorbing material comprising water-absorbing particles that comprise a film coating, comprising an elastic film-forming polymer and an antioxidant.The invention also relates to an absorbent structure comprising a water absorbent material obtainable by a process of: a) spray-coating water-absorbing polymeric particles with an elastic film-forming polymer in a fluidized bed reactor at a temperature in the range from 0° C. to 150° C. and b) heat-treatment of the coated polymeric particles at a temperature above 50° C., wherein in step a) and/or b) an antioxidant is added.
US08287998B2

A composition for a Coating System (paint) which forms an insulating material being designed to both reflect infrared radiation and have reduced thermal conductivity. The coating system may be either a single Thermal Coating or may be a Thermal Coating used in combination with a Thermal Primer. The Thermal Coating is formulated using conventional techniques and a resin used in paint manufacture, but utilizes primary pigments and extender mineral pigments which preferentially reflect in the infra red area of the solar spectrum. A method of characterizing particulate materials for their infra red reflectivity is described, which provides a means for preferential selection of particulate additives based on their relative visible light and infrared reflectivity. Additionally the incorporation of hollow micro-spheres is desired to reduce thermal conductivity. The Thermal Primer is designed to provide adhesion between the Thermal Coating and the substrate on which it is applied and uses conventional techniques to achieve those properties. However it has been found advantageous to incorporate hollow micro-spheres with low thermal conductivity, such as glass, ceramic or polymeric micro-spheres and/or an extender pigment with low thermal conductivity such as calcined clay to further reduce heat flow through the Coating System.
US08287980B2

A dielectric material layer is deposited on exposed surfaces of a bonded structure that includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The dielectric material layer is formed on an exposed planar surface of a second substrate and the entirety of peripheral sidewalls of the first and second substrates. The dielectric material layer can be formed by chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, or plasma induced deposition. Further, the dielectric material layer seals the entire periphery of the interface between the first and second substrates. If a planar portion of the dielectric material layer can be removed by planarization to facilitate thinning of the bonded structure, the remaining portion of the dielectric material layer can form a dielectric ring.
US08287970B2

The invention is generally directed to baby bottles and other articles produced by blow molding from polymeric materials having glass transition temperatures ranging from 100° C. to 130° C., as well as to processes for producing them. These articles can be exposed to boiling water and can be produced by using a suitable combination of a stretch ratio of less than 3 and a preform temperature at least 20° C. greater than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymeric material.
US08287953B2

A method for spin coating a surface of an optical article, includes the steps of: selecting as the optical article an article (10) with a concave face (12) able to adopt a facing up position in which its uppermost portion is an edge (15) and selecting the concave face as the surface to be coated; dispensing a predetermined volume of a coating solution (18) on the concave face (12) along the edge (15), the concave face (12) facing up and the solution being dispensed in a top down manner; waiting with no motion of the article (10) for the solution to flow on the concave face (12) until it collects centrally; and spinning the article (10) to force the solution back to the edge (15) of the concave face (12).
US08287945B2

The invention is a method of treating, restoring or sealing a surface comprising applying an emulsion comprising a latex polymer, a cationic emulsifier, and optionally a recycling agent to the surface to wet the surface and depositing a surface treatment layer on the surface, wherein the depositing step occurs while the surface is wetted. The invention also includes a surface pretreatment composition comprising water, at least one acrylic latex polymer, an aromatic recycling agent, and at least one cationic emulsifier. Furthermore, the invention includes the surface resulting from the application of the emulsion used in the invention and concentrated emulsions for use with the surface treatment composition.
US08287944B2

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.
US08287939B2

A substrate for biochips is manufactured so that the substrate has a substrate surface having a reaction region capable of reacting with biological substances and a non-reaction region not reacting with the biological substances, sunken bottomed wells formed in the substrate surface, and a layer of a material capable of reacting with the biological substances having a surface exposed only at the bottoms of the bottomed wells, the exposed surface forming the reaction region.
US08287935B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to food products and methods and systems for producing such products. The food products of the present invention may include uncooked crab meat from species within Decopada Infrorders Anomura (i.e., King Crab and the like) and Brachyura (i.e., Swimming Crabs and the like) that has been treated with an agent to promote gelation without cooking the meat.
US08287923B2

Green tea polyphenol compositions and methods of their use are provided. Certain aspects provide methods for modulating expression of one or more autoantigens using the disclosed green tea polyphenol compositions. Representative green tea polyphenols include, but are not limited to (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Other aspects provide methods for treating autoimmune disease.
US08287920B2

Provided are a composition and method of increasing health of the human body includes placing a composition inside a solution jar of a solution jar assembly, wherein the composition comprises at least one of a garlic solution comprising garlic extract, ethanol, and water; a 10-undecenoic acid solution comprising 10-undecenoic acid and at least one of water and alcohol; and a Pau d'Arco solution comprising Pau d'Arco extract, corn starch, ethanol, and water, wherein the solution jar assembly includes a device comprising either a radial appliance or a wet-cell battery appliance; a first metal disc connected to the device by a first wire; a solution jar, connected to the device by a second wire, for holding the solution; a second metal disc connected to the solution jar by a third wire; and a connecting loop, located inside a removable lid of the solution jar, connecting the first and third wires and passing through the solution; wherein if the device is the radial appliance, placing the radial appliance in a container having ice and water; and applying the first and second discs to skin of a human body.
US08287913B2

An apparatus and method for the extraction of material from glands of arthropods. The apparatus comprises a container in which at least part of the glands are placed and a buffer solution at least partially immersing the glands. Gland material is collected in the material collection area of container. In use the material is released from glands into the buffer solution and sedimented at the bottom of the container. The method comprises: a first step of removing from a body of the arthropod the gland containing at least partially the material; a second step of making an opening in an epithelium of the gland; and a third step of placing the gland in a container at least partially immersed in a buffer solution such that the materials exit the glands and sediments in the material collection area of the container.
US08287912B2

A composition of matter comprising an agent beneficial to a non-skin keratinous substance and at least one stinging capsule and methods of use are disclosed.
US08287903B2

An oral methylphenidate powder which is reconstitutable into a final oral aqueous sustained release formulation containing at least about 50%, or at least about 80% by weight water based on the total weight of the suspension, is provided. The powder is a blend containing a combination of an uncoated methylphenidate-ion exchange resin complex, a barrier coated methylphenidate-ion exchange resin complex-matrix, and a water soluble buffering agent such that upon formed into an aqueous liquid formulation, the formulation has a pH in the range of about 3.5 to about 5, or about 4 to about 4.5. Following administration of a single dose of the oral aqueous methylphenidate suspension, a therapeutically effective amount of methylphenidate is reached in less than one hour and the composition provides a twelve-hour extended release profile.
US08287900B2

There is provided a medicated patch including 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone. A medicated patch comprising a percutaneously absorbable preparation layer, wherein the percutaneously absorbable preparation layer includes 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active component, a dissolving agent and an aqueous base material (or a rubber-type base material), and the active component is contained in an amount of 0.1 to 30 mass % relative to the total amount of the percutaneously absorbable preparation layer.
US08287894B2

This application provides methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer. The application provides compositions comprising hyaluronic acid and a chemotherapeutic agent such as irinotecan that are useful in the treatment of cancer.
US08287891B2

Physically and chemically stable, oxidation-resistant, cosmetic/dermatological inverse emulsions contain a therapeutically effective amount of at least one avermectin compound, notably ivermectin, a glycolic or aqueous/glycolic dispersed hydrophilic phase, a continuous lipophilic phase and an emulsifier having an HLB ranging from 2 and 7, and are useful for the treatment of a variety of dermatological conditions/afflictions, e.g., rosacea.
US08287888B2

The present invention relates to a poly(organophosphazene)-bioactive molecule conjugates in which biodegradable and thermosensitive poly(organophosphazene) with a functional group showing the sol-gel phase transition with change of temperature is combined with various bioactive molecules, such as drugs, a preparation method thereof, and a use thereof for delivery of bioactive molecules.
US08287887B2

The present invention is an antigen-and-drug (AD) vehicle and a mucosal vaccine utilizing a novel synthetic peptide. The antigen-and-drug (AD) vehicle is capable of inducing the production of secretory IgA antibodies, and is a complex of a synthetic peptide having the following amino acid sequence: PVHLKRLm (e.g., peptide of SEQ ID NO 1, 6, or 7) or KnLm (e.g., peptide of SEQ ID NO 2, 3, or 8), and a lipid(s). The mucosal vaccine is obtainable by allowing a mucosal-immunity-IgA-inducing amount of an antigen to coexist with, contact, be captured by, or be adsorbed onto the AD vehicle.
US08287881B2

The present invention relates to synthetic gag and gagpol genes optimized for high level expression via codon optimization and the uses thereof for the efficient generation of vector particles. The invention further relates to the generation of packaging cells and vaccines based on the synthetic gag and gagpol genes.
US08287879B2

Immunogenic compositions comprising recombinant intracellular pathogens that have been transformed to express recombinant immunogenic antigens of the same or other intracellular pathogens and immunostimulatory molecules are provided. Exemplary immunogenic compositions include, but are not limited to, recombinant BCG expressing Mycobacteria major extracellular proteins and immunostimulatory molecules.
US08287877B2

The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising at least one antigen in association with micropar-tides, wherein the microparticles are in the same size range as viruses. In addition the invention also provides vaccine compositions and methods of eliciting immune responses in a subject.
US08287876B2

Recombinant chimeric antigens comprising unmodified and modified reactive polypeptide fragments of expressed product of the recombinant 56 kDa proteins of multiple strain of scrub typhus, such as Karp, Kato (Ktr56), Gilliam (Gmr56), and TA763 (TAr56). The invention is useful for detecting prior exposure to a number of strains of scrub typhus, based on the strength of reaction toward the chimeric protein and as a component in vaccine formulations and production of immune globulins for passive prophylaxis and immunity in subjects against heterologous infections.
US08287875B2

Isolated nucleic acids encoding an allergen of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p III, are disclosed. A cDNA encoding a peptide having a Der p III activity and a predicted molecular weight of about 24,985 daltons is also described. The nucleic acids can be used as probes to detect the presence of Der p III nucleic acid in a sample or for the recombinant production of peptides having an activity of Der p III. Peptides having an activity of Der p III can be used in compositions suitable for pharmaceutical administration or methods of diagnosing sensitivity to house dust mites.
US08287871B2

Immunoglobulin chains or antibodies having light or heavy chain complementarity determining regions of antibodies that bind to P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1. Also disclosed are methods of inducing death of an activated T-cell and of modulating a T cell-mediated immune response in a subject.
US08287860B2

The invention relates to the isolation, characterization and expression of DNA fragments encoding sphingomyelinases D from three species of Loxosceles genus spiders, namely L. boneti, L reclusa and L. laeta, and the toxoids thereof. The invention also relates to the production of active sphingomyelinases D and the toxoids thereof using recombinant means and to the use of same as an immunogen for the production in vertebrates of antibodies that neutralise the corresponding venom and the respective fragments F(ab′)2. The invention further relates to the use of recombinant sphingomyelinases D as part of an antigen matrix which can be used in the immunopurification of antibodies and the fragments thereof or as part of any diagnostic device used to obtain clinical confirmation that the causal agent of poisoning in a patient is a spider of the Loxosceles genus. In addition, the invention includes molecular vectors for the expression of the DNA fragments, strains comprising same, which can express Loxosceles sphingomyelinases D, and methods for the expression thereof. AA Porcentaje de identidad de aminoacidos entre necrotoxinas de diferentes especies de Loxosceles. especie BBLb1Lr1Lr2LaLiLl-H17Ll-H13Ll-1Ll-2 Lb1— Lr191— Lr28490— La868887— Li82848880— Ll-H175760605959— Ll-H13576061586080— Ll-156595958599980— Ll-25760615959829482— AA . . . AMINO ACID PERCENTAGE OF IDENTITY BETWEEN NECROTOXINS OF DIFFERENT LOXOSCELES SPECIES BB . . . SPECIES
US08287853B2

Stem cells obtained through in vitro culture with heparan sulphate are described.
US08287846B2

The present invention relates to odour improved dermatological or cosmetic preparations comprising N-acetylcysteine and a polyol system containing one or more polyols as masking odour agents. The emulsions of the present invention are useful in the treatment of dermatological disorders or cosmetic skin conditions.
US08287839B2

The present invention is directed to low toxicity boronated compounds and methods for their use in the treatment, visualization, and diagnosis of tumors. More specifically, the present invention is directed to low toxicity carborane-containing porphyrin compounds with halide, amine, or nitro groups and methods for their use particularly in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), X-ray radiation therapy (XRT), and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of tumors of the brain, head and neck, and surrounding tissue. The invention is also directed to using these carborane-containing porphyrin compounds in methods of tumor imaging and/or diagnosis such as MRI, SPECT, or PET.
US08287832B1

A hydrothermal method of synthesis of a family of rare-earth Group 5 oxides, where the Group 5 oxide is a niobate or tantalate. The rare-earth Group 5 oxides can be doped with suitable emitter ions to form nanophosphors.
US08287830B2

The present invention relates to a method for preparing ammonium bicarbonate with flue gas and device thereof. The method includes quantitatively collecting flue gas with a carbon dioxide concentration of about 8% to about 15% (volume), decreasing the temperature of the flue gas to about 50° C. or less with an air-cooling apparatus, then increasing the pressure of the flue gas to about 0.4 to about 1.2 MPa, and finally allowing the flue gas to react with liquid ammonia to produce ammonium bicarbonate. The device for preparing ammonium bicarbonate with flue gas includes a flue gas collecting apparatus, an air-cooling apparatus, a gas storing and pressurizing apparatus and an ammonium bicarbonate synthesizing apparatus. The issue of energy consumption brought by conventional cooling approach using cooling water is addressed by using an air-cooling apparatus. Meanwhile, the use of CO2 obtained from recycling the flue gas in synthesizing ammonium bicarbonate may achieve dual objects of not only reducing the discharge of CO2 and improving the environment, but also producing nitrogen fertilizer.
US08287827B2

Process for the treatment of a lateritic nickel/cobalt ore consisting of a mixture (2) of limonite and saprolite, characterized in that: the mixture (2) in the presence of an iron-precipitating agent is made into a pulp (1), having a solids content of between 10 and 40% by weight; the pulp undergoes a leaching operation (4) with sulphuric acid (5), at a temperature between 70° C. and the boiling point and at atmospheric pressure; and a solid-liquid separation (8) is carried out so as to obtain an iron-containing solid residue (9) and a solution containing nickel and cobalt ions. Process for producing nickel and/or cobalt intermediate concentrates or commercial products using the above process.
US08287823B2

A slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer includes an upper ring and a lower ring secured together but rotatable with respect to each other. The upper and lower rings define a plurality of reaction chambers between them, which receive dry analyte test slides. A gear track formed in the underside of the lower ring engages a pinion gear attached to a stepping motor of the chemical analyzer in order to rotate the slide cartridge. The slide cartridge is rotated under a sample fluid metering device, which deposits a sample fluid on the test slides through a plurality of spotter ports formed in the upper ring, and above a reflectometer, which performs a colorimetric measurement on the spotted test slides through viewing windows formed in the lower ring of the slide cartridge. A chemical analyzer with which the slide cartridge may be used includes a reflectometer, a sample fluid metering device and a stepping motor for rotating the slide cartridge.
US08287822B2

A reaction surface array diagnostic apparatus and method of making the same includes a substrate carrying a plurality of reaction surfaces, a plate and a gasket, each having a plurality of through bores, alignable with one of the reaction surfaces and forming a fluid tight well about each reaction surface when the gasket and the plate are sealingly affixed to the substrate to form a stack. Clamp members engage opposite side edges of a stack to compress the gasket. A plurality of side-by-side disposed clamped stacks of plates, gaskets and substrates are mounted in a tray in the standard footprint of a microtitre plate. Alternately, the plate and the gasket are combined into a single plate formed of a flexible material having an adhesive on one surface.
US08287819B2

The invention concerns a device for synthesis of radiopharmaceutical products based on chemical reagents contained in bottles, said device comprising several reaction compartments, transfer means between said bottles and said reaction compartments as well as mechanical means acting on said transfer means and enabling to monitor and control mechanically the transfer of chemical reagents. The invention is characterized in that it comprises: a fixed module including at least the mechanical means; a removable and disposable module, essentially in the shape of a support, whereon are arranged the transfer means between said bottles and said reaction compartments, said removable and disposable module not including any mechanical means; and means for securing said removable and disposable module to said fixed module.
US08287810B2

A membrane strip biosensor device using a fluid mobile conductive composition of ferromagnetic particles bound to a conductive polymer bound to a capture reagent is described. The biosensor device is designed to detect analytes at low concentrations in near real-time with an electronic data collection system and can be small. The device can be used to detect pathogens, proteins, and other biological materials of interest in food, water, and environmental samples.
US08287801B2

An operation method of a flash smelting furnace includes blowing a gas for dispersing raw material and contributing to a reaction, from a lance at an upper portion of a shaft so that the gas forms a spiral flow. A raw material supply apparatus includes a supply portion supplying raw material and a gas for dispersing the raw material and contributing to a reaction into a flash smelting furnace, wherein the supply portion has a lance provided at an upper portion of a shaft that blows the gas so that the gas forms a spiral flow.
US08287798B2

The invention relates to a method of gas blow forming packaging in a mould using a preform and comprising recovery of the blow gas. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in: —) pre-blowing the gas into the preform at a first pressure (P1); —) blowing the gas into the pre-blown packaging at a second pressure (P2) which is greater than the first pressure (P1); —) blowing the gas into the partially-blown packaging at a third pressure (P3) which is greater than the second pressure (P2); —) recovering the gas in a recovery volume until a pre-determined pressure is obtained in the packaging or for a pre-determined period of time; —) using the recovered gas in order to preform pre-blowing operations and the first blowing step; and expanding the air that is free of residual gas in the packaging during and after the recovery phase. The invention also relates to a device that is used to implement said method.
US08287789B2

A process for the production of a molded article is disclosed. The process comprise a) placing a plastic film abutting the inside wall of a first half of a mold, said mold including a first and second halves, b) combining said second half with said first half in a manner creating a mold cavity, c) injecting resin into said cavity to produce an article to which surface adherently bonded is said plastic film, d) separating one of the halves from the other half, said article remaining with said other half, e) combining a supplemental half with said other half in a manner forming a gap between the inner wall of said supplemental half and the surface of said molded article, f) injecting lacquer into said gap, g) curing the lacquer to produce a lacquered molded article, and h) cooling and removing the lacquered molded article from the mold. The inventive process is particularly suitable for making vehicular mirrors.
US08287780B2

A method for manufacturing a Fresnel lens includes the flowing steps: a. providing a mixture for forming the Fresnel lens; b. providing a lower mold on which the mixture is disposed; c. vacuumizing the mixture on the lower mold; d. providing an upper mold to exert a pressure on a top surface of the mixture; e. vacuumizing the mixture on the lower mold again; and f. heating the mixture on the lower mold to harden the mixture whereby the Fresnel lens can be obtained.
US08287778B2

A synthetic resin composition containing, 100 parts by mass of a synthetic resin, 0.001-10 parts by mass of a triazine compound represented by (1) below, and 0.001-10 parts by mass of a diarylpentaerythritol diphosphite compound represented by general formula (2) shown below and/or 0.001-10 parts by mass of an organic cyclic phosphite compound represented by formula (3) below and/or 0.001-10 parts by mass of a hindered phenol compound represented by formula (4) below. In formula (1), R1 is C1-C12 alkyl group, etc.; R2 is C1-C8 alkyl group, etc.; R3 is hydroxyl group, etc.; and R4 is —O—R1, etc. In formula (2), R5 is C1-C4 alkyl group, etc. In formula (3), R6 and R8 is each C1-C4 alkyl group, etc, and R7 is C1-C18 alkyl group. In formula (4), R9 is a residue remaining after removing n hydroxyl groups from a mono- to tetravalent alcohol, and n is an integer 1-4.
US08287777B2

The present invention relates to a method of protecting organic material, especially from the pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs sectors, against light, wherein at least one pigment of formula (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) and (8) as defined in claim 1 and optionally a UV absorber as well as optionally further pigments and/or colorants is applied to or incorporated in a carrier material and the carrier material so treated is positioned between the light source and the organic material to be protected.
US08287776B2

The present invention relates to a photochromic ink, the process for its preparation which is based on a spiropyran powder obtainable by melting, cooling and crushing, and to a new form of a spiropyran obtainable thereby. Said process to prepare a photochromic ink comprises the steps of a) heating and melting the spiropyran at a temperature below 250 C, b) cooling the melt to obtain a solidified spiropyran, c) crushing the solidified spiropyran to obtain a powder, d) optionally adding the powder to a binder providing the basis for the photochromic ink.
US08287769B2

The present invention relates to charge transport compositions. The invention further relates to electronic devices in which there is at least one active layer comprising such charge transport compositions.
US08287768B2

A thermoelectric conversion device including a thermoelectric conversion material including a polythienylenevinylene including units represented by formula (1), wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, or an alkoxy or alkyl group, and the thermoelectric conversion material is doped with a dopant.
US08287764B2

The invention relates to coated particles comprising a core material and a shell and wherein said core material is an organic compound and wherein said shell comprises a layered double hydroxide comprising a hydroxide or an organic anion as charge-balancing anion.
US08287761B2

A method is provided for preparing luminescent semiconductor nanoparticles composed of a first component X, a second component A, and a third component B, wherein X, A, and B are different, by combining B with X and A in an amount such that the molar ratio B:(A+B) is in the range of approximately 0.001 to 0.20 and the molar ratio X:(A+B) is in the range of approximately 0.5:1.0 to 2:1. The characteristics of the thus-prepared nanoparticles can be substantially similar to those of nanoparticles containing only X and B while maintaining many useful properties characteristic of nanoparticles containing only X and A. The nanoparticles so prepared can additionally exhibit emergent properties such as a peak emission energy less than that characteristic of a particle composed of XA or XB alone; this method is particularly applicable to the preparation of stable, bright nanoparticles that emit in the red to infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Luminescent semiconductor nanoparticles having exemplary properties are also provided.
US08287748B2

A magnetic head includes: a pole layer including a track width defining portion and a wide portion; and an accommodation layer disposed on a bottom forming layer and having a groove that accommodates the pole layer. The groove includes a first portion for accommodating at least part of the track width defining portion, and a second portion for accommodating at least part of the wide portion. A manufacturing method for the magnetic head includes the steps of: forming a groove defining layer on a nonmagnetic layer that is intended to later become the accommodation layer; forming a mask that covers an area of the nonmagnetic layer where to form the first portion of the groove; etching the nonmagnetic layer so that the second portion of the groove is formed in the nonmagnetic layer; removing the mask; and taper-etching the nonmagnetic layer so that the first portion of the groove is formed in the nonmagnetic layer and the groove is thereby completed.
US08287737B2

The present invention relates to a sealing assembly for use in chromatography columns and methods for forming a seal in such columns. The assembly comprises a sealing element composed of a material having a low coefficient of friction and a separate resilient member co-operating therewith. The seal provided is stable over a temperature range of +2° C. to +30° C.
US08287730B2

The present invention relates to a safety insert or transducer protector 10, suitable for an extra-corporeal circuit 8. The transducer protector 10 comprises a first shell 11 comprising a first hydrophobic semi-permeable membrane 13 and a first tubular connector 15 adapted to be connected to a branch pipe 17 from the extra-corporeal circuit 8; a second shell 12, at least partially translucent, comprising a second hydrophobic semi-permeable membrane 14 and a second tubular connector 16 adapted to be connected to a transducer 18. The transversal area of said second shell 12 is larger than the transversal area of said first shell 11.
US08287728B2

An elevated swale comprising a porous and water-permeable interior zone, a permeable and compressible exterior shell, and vertically oriented cylindrical inserts. The exterior shell surrounds the interior zone, and the cylindrical inserts are placed within cylindrical cavities that are cut vertically into the interior zone. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is an elevated swale comprising stacked layers of polymer matting and vertically oriented cylindrical inserts. The cylindrical inserts are placed within cylindrical cavities that are cut vertically into the stacked layers of polymer matting.
US08287721B1

A method for reducing asphaltene and paraffin content in oil material for recuperating and improving production of heavy, medium and light crude oils by reducing asphaltene and paraffin content in crude oil and oil-containing tar sands; and schist and clay for recuperation of exposed oxidized oil; and tar petroleum, schist petroleum, and clay petroleum, whereby a molecule elimination process of very polymerized hydrocarbons, including asphaltene and paraffin, are responsible for medium, heavy and extra heavy crude oil poor properties, as well as the difficult recuperation of most high containing long chain asphaltene and paraffin light crude oils, resulting in the production of more light and short hydrocarbon chains to greatly reduce viscosity, thus facilitating its recuperation and transportation.
US08287719B2

Disclosed are apparatuses for detecting hemoglobin in patient samples. The apparatuses include a primary electrode and a reference electrode. The apparatus is configured to measure current or voltage generated between the primary electrode and the reference electrode in response a redox reaction catalyzed by hemoglobin. The apparatuses can detect a variety of hemoglobins, including dimeric hemoglobin associated with malaria. Also disclosed are biosensor systems including the apparatuses and methods of using the biosensor systems.
US08287712B2

Components of a mixture are separated by feeding charged molecules of the components into a end surface of a suitable medium, for example a gel. The molecules are drawn in a first direction through the medium by means of an DC electric field, while at the same time being subjected to an alternating voltage with a strongly asymmetric profile in a direction transverse to the first direction. The nonlinear behavior of the electrically-generated migration causes a large number of molecules to migrate transversely out of the medium while only a small number of molecules reach the opposite end surface of the medium. A superimposed DC voltage in the transverse direction selects which of the mixture components migrate all the way through the medium in the first direction. The separated components can be sampled from the opposite end surface and from points on the upper and lower medium surfaces.
US08287710B2

The system for electrostatic desalination provides evaporative desalination of salt water utilizing ionized gas formed through corona discharge. The system includes a plurality of stacked water collection plates, each water collection plate having an upper surface and a lower surface. A thin film of salt water is formed on the upper surfaces thereof. A plurality of cathodes are provided, each cathode extending between a pair of adjacent ones of the plurality of stacked water collection plates. A plurality of anodes are attached to a corresponding one of the lower surfaces of the plurality of stacked water collection plates. Each anode and cathode is in communication with an external voltage source to generate an electrostatic field between the cathodes and the anodes. Thus, corona-induced ionized gas is produced between each of the stacked water collection plates in order to enhance condensation of pure evaporated water.
US08287703B2

An electrochemical biosensor with electrode elements that possess smooth, high-quality edges. These smooth edges define gaps between electrodes, electrode traces and contact pads. Due to the remarkable edge smoothness achieved with the present invention, the gaps can be quite small, which provides marked advantages in terms of test accuracy, speed and the number of different functionalities that can be packed into a single biosensor. Further, the present invention provides a novel biosensor production method in which entire electrode patterns for the inventive biosensors can be formed all at one, in nanoseconds—without regard to the complexity of the electrode patterns or the amount of conductive material that must be ablated to form them.
US08287702B2

The commercial unipolar activation of water to disinfect raw water supply from rivers or wells, seawater, or waste water from sewage, animal waste, processing plant waste, cooling tower water, swimming pool and spa water, ship ballast water and similar polluted waters. Disinfection is accomplished by hydrogen peroxide and ozone including biocides from chlorine and sulphur compounds in the water that are produced during the electrolytic unipolar activation of the water. Unipolar activation can also be used to perform chemical reactions such as in the activation of seawater. This invention can also produce alkaline water that is beneficial for health.
US08287698B2

The present invention relates to a process and a system for producing alcohol by distillation with energy optimization using split-feed technology. The process of the present invention comprises the steps of: a) splitting a stream of wine to feed two depuration columns , the depuration column generating a stream of phlegma and the depuration column generating a stream of phlegma and a stream of vinasse; b) feeding the stream of phlegma into at least one rectification column generating a top flow and a stream of hydrated alcohol; c) effecting the heat exchange between the top flow from at least one rectification column and the stream of vinasse from the depuration column in at least one heat exchanger; and d) feeding the stream of phlegma into a rectification column generating a stream of hydrated alcohol. The present invention further relates to hydrated alcohol produced by the process described above and to a process for producing anhydrous alcohol.
US08287693B2

A papermaking belt for carrying an embryonic web of paper fibers is disclosed. The papermaking belt has an embryonic web contacting surface and a non-embryonic web contacting surface opposite thereto. The papermaking belt also has a reinforcing structure having a patterned framework disposed thereon and a plurality of non-random distinct pores disposed within the continuous network region. The patterned framework has a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete deflection conduits. The deflection conduits are isolated one from another by the continuous network region. Each of the pores has an opening disposed at a predetermined location upon the embryonic web contacting surface and an opening disposed at a predetermined location upon the non-embryonic web contacting surface. Each of the pores defines a single pathway between the embryonic web contacting surface and the non-embryonic web contacting surface.
US08287685B2

A process for assembling an airbag for use in vehicle applications is disclosed. The airbag has a seam made from two or more different materials (102, 104). The combination of the materials and the process for assembling the airbag minimize the need for sewn seams.
US08287684B2

By providing a high speed welding system for fusing adjacent foam profiles in a continuous manufacturing operation, a unique, integrated, foam welding and profile manufacturing system is attained which is capable of producing virtually any desired foam product from foam extrusions without requiring the use of expensive molds or forming components, and which significantly reduces expensive scrap found in prior art construction systems. In accordance with the teaching of the present invention, any desired cross-sectional shape or configuration is capable of being manufactured in fully automated, high-volume, rapid production conditions, with virtual ease and simplicity. Furthermore, by employing the present invention, foam profiles which previously were unattainable due to their structural configurations, are quickly and easily constructed in a mass production operation.
US08287680B2

A method of manufacturing a bag (20) for the cryopreservation of thermolabile liquids. The manufacturing method is characterized by being versatile, simple and inexpensive and allows to manufacture single and multi-compartment bags without modifying the main sealing molds (31, 32). The relative size and the number of the compartments (28) can be modified without change in the molds. Only a closure sealing tool (50) must be adjusted as a function of the number of chosen compartments (28). The process is compatible with standard high frequency sealing processes. This method provides bags (20) with uniformly thick walls and with a predetermined bag volume.
US08287670B2

Disclosed is an electronic component bonding method which interposes a bonding resin between first and second electronic components to bond the first and second electronic components to each other. The electronic component bonding method includes providing the bonding resin between the first and second electronic components, aligning the first and second electronic components with each other, pre-curing the bonding resin to generate elasticity in the bonding resin, performing a main curing operation to apply vibration energy to the bonding resin, which has elasticity according to pre-curing, to securely fix the first and second electronic component to each other, and control the amplitude of the vibration energy applied during the main curing operation to be restricted within an elastic region of the bonding resin.
US08287669B2

A copper alloy for electric and electronic equipments, containing from 0.5 to 4.0 mass % of Ni, from 0.5 to 2.0 mass % of Co, and from 0.3 to 1.5 mass % of Si, with the balance of copper and inevitable impurities, wherein R{200} is 0.3 or more, in which the R{200} is a proportion of a diffraction intensity from a {200} plane of the following diffraction intensities and is represented by R{200}=I{200}/(I{111}+I{200}+I{220}+I{311}), I{111} is a diffraction intensity from a {111} plane, I{200} is a diffraction intensity from a {200} plane, I{220} is a diffraction intensity from a {220} plane, and I{311} is a diffraction intensity from a {311} plane, each at the material surface.
US08287660B2

A dishwashing machine includes a washing chamber, a spray jet, and a spray arm positioned below the spray jet. The spray arm has a deflector fin extending upwardly there from. The spray arm is rotated when the fluid stream generated by the spray jet contacts the deflector fin.
US08287658B2

A degreasing composition is disclosed comprising an alkyl polyglucoside; and a nonionic surfactant having a carbon chain of C6 or less. The nonionic surfactant comprises linear C6 alcohol ethoxylate. In an embodiment the linear C6 alcohol ethoxylate comprises from about 3 to about 6 moles of ethylene oxide. In another embodiment the alkyl polyglucoside and the alcohol ethoxylate comprise an active ratio of from about 3:1 to about 1:1 in the composition. The composition of the invention is useful in formulating a laundry detergent, a hard surface cleaner, an automatic dishwashing detergent, a hand dishwashing detergent, an oven cleaner, hand soap, or an automotive detergent.
US08287654B2

An apparatus for clearing tubing includes a grip assembly connected to the pair of rollers. The grip assembly is operable to move the rollers to engage the tubing therebetween. The movement of the grip assembly is limited such that a minimum tubing gap between the rollers is equal to approximately twice a wall thickness of the tubing. The rollers are moved along the tubing to clear obstructions. The apparatus can also include a clamp assembly having one or more plates that limits movement of the grip assembly to bring the rollers no closer than the minimum tubing gap. Alternately, the grip assembly can include first and second shell halves movable between open and closed positions with a channel defined therebetween, and the rollers are mounted in the grip assembly.
US08287647B2

The embodiments provide apparatus and methods of depositing conformal thin film on interconnect structures by providing processes and systems using an atomic layer deposition (ALD). More specifically, each of the ALD systems includes a proximity head that has a small reaction volume right above an active process region of the substrate surface. The proximity head dispenses small amount of reactants and purging gas to be distributed and pumped away from the small reaction volume between the proximity head and the substrate in relatively short periods, which increases the through-put. In an exemplary embodiment, a proximity head for dispensing reactants and purging gas to deposit a thin film by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is provided. The proximity head is configured to sequentially dispensing a reactant gas and a purging gas to deposit a thin ALD film under the proximity head. The proximity head covers an active process region of a substrate surface. The proximity head also includes at least one vacuum channel to pull excess reactant gas, purging gas, or deposition byproducts from a reaction volume between a surface of the proximity head facing the substrate and the substrate. The proximity head includes a plurality of sides, each side being configured to dispense either a reactant gas or a purging gas on the substrate surface underneath the proximity head. Each side has at least one vacuum channel.
US08287644B2

In a method for growing a silicon carbide single crystal on a silicon carbide single crystal substrate by contacting the substrate with a solution containing C by dissolving C into the melt that contains Si, Cr and X, which consists of at least one element of Sn, In and Ga, such that the proportion of Cr in the whole composition of the melt is in a range of 30 to 70 at. %, and the proportion of X is in a range of 1 to 25 at. %, and the silicon carbide crystal is grown from the solution.
US08287641B2

Calcium phosphate particles having A) a specific surface area (SSA) larger than 0.1 m2/g; B) a mean diameter smaller than 5 mm; C) a Ca/P molar ratio superior to 0.95; and wherein D) said particles have been subjected as a last processing step to a heat treatment at a temperature superior to 400° C. for a period of time such that the specific surface area (SSA) of said particles after the heat treatment is not decreased by more than 10% compared to the SSA before said heat treatment.
US08287627B2

The present invention provides a novel piperazinium trifluoroacetate compound prepared by reacting piperazine with trifluoroacetic acid and a carbon dioxide absorbent prepared by dissolving the compound in an ionic liquid or organic solvent. According to the present invention, the carbon dioxide absorbent has excellent carbon dioxide absorption capacity and low solvent loss, and the energy consumption required for the carbon dioxide absorption and desorption is significantly reduced.
US08287622B2

The present disclosure provides a method for making aluminum-based composite material. The method includes the following steps. First, a aluminum-based material in semi-solid state is provided. Second, at least one nanoscale reinforcement is added into the aluminum-based material in semi-solid state to obtain a mixture in semi-solid state. Third, the mixture in semi-solid state is heated to a mixture in liquid state. Fourth, the mixture in liquid state is ultrasonically processed. Fifth, the mixture in liquid state is cooled to obtain the aluminum-based composite material.
US08287620B2

A method for the melting of pig iron in a blast furnace (1) operated with oxygen or in a melt-reduction plant, with a reduction region. Purified crude gas is discharged from the reduction region and is recirculated into the reduction region with the addition of hydrocarbons. The purified crude gas is mixed with hydrocarbons and is also blended with a reduction gas which has a temperature of above 1000° C. and which is generated by partial oxidation of hydrocarbons by means of oxygen gas having an oxygen content of above 90% by volume, in order to form a recirculation gas with a temperature of above 800° C. The recirculation gas is recirculated into the reduction region according to an auto-reforming process.
US08287616B2

A composition for cyanide leaching which comprises at least one nonionic surfactant and a process for extracting metals using the abovementioned composition are described.
US08287614B2

A supplemental filter media support insert is provided for use with a filter element to reinforce the filter media against filter media deformation resulting from fluid flow induced forces. The support insert is configured for installation into an air cleaner near the filter outlet face and includes support ribs which may be generally aligned to overlay reinforcement bands provided on filter media.
US08287609B2

A hydrogen generating apparatus including a reformer which performs a reforming reaction using a material and steam to generate hydrogen-containing gas; a water evaporator which generates the steam supplied to the reformer; a first water pathway through which reforming water to be supplied to the water evaporator flows; a pump which supplies the reforming water to the water evaporator 1a; a second water pathway 7 branching from the first water pathway on the downstream side of the pump; a first water tank to which the water flowing through the second water pathway flows; a first flow rate controller provided on the second water pathway; and a controller which operates the pump and controls the first flow rate controller so that water flows through the second water pathway, thereby stably generating hydrogen and preventing degradation of the reformer thereof is realized.
US08287600B2

The present invention relates to a mounting system and method for enhancing implant fixation to bone. That is, the present invention relates generally to the field of orthopaedics. Various embodiments of the present invention relate to the replacement (totally or partially) of a joint. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the present invention provides a modular system with different anchoring mechanisms for optimized fixation of a joint implant to the bone (wherein “optimized” fixation may be as desired by a surgeon).
US08287595B2

A prosthesis for replacing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk is an expandable container having flexible walls, the container being adapted to be inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk through a narrow cannula, and the flexible walls are made from a biocompatible hydrogel. A preferred hydrogel is a cryogel formed from an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The prosthesis may be prepared by dip-coating a mandrel with an aqueous solution of a hydrogel-forming polymer or mixture of such polymers, gelling the coated solution by chilling, and subjecting the gelled coating to a series of repeated freeze-thaw treatments. In use, the prosthesis is inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk and filled with biocompatible material, e.g., a biocompatible liquid, a biocompatible polymer, and a biocompatible hydrogel, particularly a thermogelling hydrogel.
US08287588B2

A stent may comprise a plurality of serpentine bands and connectors. A first connector may overlap a second connector when the stent is unexpanded. The first connector may also overlap the second connector in an unexpanded state when the stent is subject to compressive forces in the local area of the connectors, such as when the connectors are located on the inside of a curve. The second connector may be shaped according to a rotation of the first connector about the centroid of the cell between the first connector and the second connector.
US08287584B2

A medical implant deployment tool and deployment method are disclosed. One aspect of the invention provides an implant system including an implant adapted for endovascular delivery and deployment; and a deployment tool adapted to deploy the implant, with the deployment tool having an actuation controller; a plurality of actuation elements adapted to apply forces to one or more implant deployment mechanisms and each adapted to extend along an actuation element path within a patient's vasculature; and an actuation element compensation mechanism adapted to compensate for differences in length between the actuation element paths. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of deploying an implant including the steps of endovascularly delivering an implant and implant deployment mechanisms to an implant site and applying an actuation force to the implant deployment mechanisms through actuation elements extending through the patient's vasculature while compensating for differences in length between actuation element path lengths to deploy the implant.
US08287579B2

The present invention is directed to using cryogenic compositions, which are non-toxic, non-flammable, and have desirable ozone depletion and global warming potential, for cooling heated skin during skin treatments with a skin treatment apparatus.
US08287578B2

A handpiece can treat biological tissue using electromagnetic radiation, which can be substantially fluorescent light. The handpiece includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and a nonlinear waveguide. The nonlinear waveguide is adjacent the source, receives electromagnetic radiation from the source, and delivers the electromagnetic radiation to the biological tissue. The handpiece also includes a system for circulating a fluorescent substance through the nonlinear waveguide. The fluorescent substance is capable of modulating at least one property of the electromagnetic radiation.
US08287576B2

Provided is a novel mono-axial taper lock screw for connecting a connecting rod to bone. The screw is capable of being secured to the underlying bone while the screw head adapted to securely hold a connecting rod is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the screw to facilitate a stable connection to the connecting rod. The screw head can be partially locked to hold the device in place while permitting manipulation of the spine. The screw head can then be fully locked securing the connecting rod into a selected position. The screw is configured for easy insertion and connection as well as easy removal and disconnection from the connecting rod. Also provided is a bone fragments. A method of fixing bones or bone fragments is also provided.
US08287573B2

A mandibular bone transport device includes a carriage block and a set of flanges operable to couple to a transport bone plate. The device also includes a flexible connector configured to flexibly couple the set of flanges to the carriage block such that the flanges can be displaced relative to the carriage block when a force is applied. Further, the device includes a screw housed within the carriage block which is operable to engage a track and operable to advance the carriage block along the track. The device also includes a coupling configured to engage the screw and operable to rotate the screw when rotational force is applied to the coupling.
US08287567B2

A device is described for securing a cranial limb to the cranial top and for simultaneously closing craniotomy holes, comprising: a cortical support riser; first closing means operatively connected to the cortical riser; second closing means adapted to be secured to the cortical riser; and at least one handle removably connected to the cortical riser and adapted to drive the device to take it from its rest position to its operating securing position. A process for using such device is further described.
US08287551B2

A medical device removal system includes a vessel filter repositioning or removal device to remove and/or reposition a medical device, such as a vessel filter. The system includes a gripper to grip a medical device that is located within a body vessel, and a detector, linked to the gripper, to detect the proximity of the medical device to the gripper. The system may also include an output to indicate a signal from the detector.
US08287550B2

An implant has a bone plate with a bone contacting surface and an opposite outwardly facing surface. The plate includes a split-ring receiving recess open to the outwardly facing surface located intermediate first and second bone screw receiving openings in the plate. The first and second bone screw receiving openings each having a slot spaced from the outwardly facing surface towards the bone contacting surface. The slot is formed in a wall of the first and second bone screw receiving openings. The slot is open to the split ring receiving recess. A resilient split-ring has a thickness less than a height of the slots in the first and second bone screw openings when measured along the bone screw receiving opening axis. The split-ring having a contracted position wherein its maximum dimension is less than a maximum dimension of the split-ring receiving recess and an expanded position wherein an outer circumference of the split-ring extends through the slots and into the first and second bone screw receiving openings.
US08287548B2

A wire or pin fixation and tensioning device has a wire post having a head portion with an opening having a predetermined longitudinal axis for reception of a wire or pin. The wire post has a neck portion for engaging an opening of the medical device. A locking element is adapted to be introduced into opening having an opening with inclined sections inclined to the longitudinal axis. A clamping cone abuts an abutment element and has a clamping opening to accommodate a wire and has outer surfaces inclined to the longitudinal axis and encompassed within the conical section of the locking element. Upon an axial displacement of the locking element relative to the cone a radial force is exerted onto the cone leading to a reduction of the diameter of the clamping opening to apply a radial force onto a wire or pin therein.
US08287545B2

A prosthetic implant utilizes lateral retaining structures as part of the interior surface of the implant to more effectively secure and retain the implant while reducing the overall size and mass of the implant. In one embodiment, the prosthetic implant is provided with one or more T-shaped members extending from the inner surface of the implant, with the cross-member of the T-shaped member forming the laterally retaining structure that mate with a correspondingly shaped channel formed in the bone and are inserted into that channel at one or more oversize locations along the channel. In another embodiment, the prosthetic implant is provided with one or more retentions apertures in a projection structure extending inwardly from the inner surface of the implant that are laterally secured with a force fitted cross pin inserted through the retention aperture.
US08287544B2

A method and apparatus for drilling a bone for receipt of a first and second bundle includes drilling a first tunnel in the bone. A locating member extending along a first axis from the tool may be positioned into the first tunnel. A cutting guide may be moved relative to the locating member to define a lateral offset between the locating member and the cutting guide. The cutting guide may then be located at a desired offset. The second tunnel may then be formed in the bone with a cutting member associated with the cutting guide, the cutting member having a second axis in a defined orientation relative to the first axis.
US08287542B2

The repositioning and fixation system according to the invention comprises at least two bone plates that are designed to be interconnected. Each bone plate is provided with a connector element for connection to another bone plate. The connector element of a first bone plate comprises a plurality of projections. The connector element of a second bone plate comprises an opening. In a first connection state, the projections engage in the opening and produce a hinge-type connection between the first bone plate and the second bone plate. In a second connection state, the projections are tensioned and produce a rigid connection between the first bone plate and the second bone plate. With the repositioning and fixation system according to the invention, bone fragments secured to the bone plates can be repositioned by pivoting of the bone plates. Once the bone fragments have been brought to their final position, the projections can be tensioned in such a way that the bone plates are rigidly interconnected.
US08287540B2

An intramedullary nail (20) for insertion into the medullary canal (26) in a bone (24) surrounded by the cortex (28) and defines a bore (34) extending transverse to the intramedullary nail (20). A threaded fastener (22) extends along a fastener axis (A) and has a compression portion (48) having a compression portion diameter (DCP), and a threaded portion (50) having a threaded portion diameter (DTP) extending through a near cortex hole (40) and a far cortex hole (42), both holes (40, 42) radially overlapping the bore (34) and the threaded portion diameter (DTP) threadedly engaging the bore (34). A compression transmission device (54) has an exterior (56) and an interior (58) and defines an interior space for transmitting the compressional load of the threaded fastener (22) to the intramedullary nail (20). The threaded fastener (22) extends through the compression transmission device (54) and the intramedullary nail (20) and the far cortex hole (42) for threadedly engaging the bore (34) and fixating the intramedullary nail (20) within the medullary canal (26). The interior space of the compression transmission device (54) is greater than the compression portion diameter (DCP) of the fastener (22) for providing space at least partially about the threaded fastener (22) for allowing the fastener axis (A) to be variously disposed relative to the interior space.
US08287539B2

A bone fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and having a first state in which at least a portion of the body is flexible and a second state in which the body is generally rigid, an actuateable gripper disposed at a distal location on the elongated body, and an actuator operably connected to the gripper to deploy the gripper from a retracted configuration to an expanded configuration. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprises inserting a bone fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of an elongate body of the fixation device in a flexible state on one side of the fracture and at least a portion of a hub on another side of the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy at least one gripper of the fixation device to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone.
US08287529B2

A circuit for controlling the discharging of stored energy in an electrosurgical generator includes a pulse modulator which controls an output of a power supply. At least one comparator is configured to provide an error signal to the pulse modulator based on a comparison between an output signal generated by the power supply and a feedback signal generated in response to the application of energy to tissue. A discharge circuit is configured to control the discharge of the output of the power supply to an inductive load disposed in parallel with the output of the power supply based on the comparison between the output signal and the feedback signal. The discharge circuit provides a rapid response and time rate control of the delivered electrosurgical energy by controlling the power supply and delivered RF energy in real time, based on a feedback signal generated in response to the application of energy to tissue.
US08287522B2

A method for controlling a surgical device is provided. The method includes manipulating the surgical device to perform a procedure on a patient; determining whether a relationship between an anatomy of the patient and a position, an orientation, a velocity, and/or an acceleration of a surgical tool of the surgical device corresponds to a desired relationship between the anatomy and the position, the orientation, the velocity, and/or the acceleration of the surgical tool; and imposing a constraint on the surgical device if the relationship does not correspond to the desired relationship and/or a detection device is unable to detect a position of the anatomy and/or the position of the surgical tool.
US08287520B2

Techniques for testing integrity of various elements of implantable medical device systems are described. Some embodiments automatically test the integrity of one or more system elements in response to detecting an event. Examples of events in response to which an integrity test may be performed include the patient being within a target activity state, a symptomatic event experienced by a patient, an external impact on the patient that exceeds a damage threshold, or an indication that the patient is receiving inappropriate therapy. Some embodiments automatically test integrity in response to failure to autonomously detect an event, which may be indicated by input from a patient. An implantable lead carrying electrodes or a therapeutic substance delivery element, such as a catheter, are examples of system elements for which integrity may be tested in some embodiments.
US08287519B2

An indwelling endourethral drainage catheter includes a tubular distal portion and a spiral proximal portion. A central lumen extends along substantially the entire length of the catheter. The spiral proximal portion defines an outer spiral channel in fluid communication with the central lumen. The distal end of the catheter is anchored externally so that the catheter is held against advancement into or out of the urethra. In certain methods, the diameter of the spiral proximal portion may be changed to address obstructions within the urethra or facilitate navigation of the catheter along the urethra.
US08287512B2

A method for producing a closure element (10) for disposable pant-like absorbent sanitary products (52) formed by two parts basically symmetrical with respect to a central transverse plane (26), wherein each of said parts is able to form a side panel (76) of an absorbent sanitary product (52). The method comprises the steps of:—folding two continuous strips (22, 24) according to a configuration that comprises at least two parallel branches (30, 40, 44, 46) joined to one another by at least one fold (42, 50, 48); and—fixing permanently respective end branches (30) of said folded strips (30, 40, 44, 46) to a plane base layer (28), with said folded strips (30, 40, 44, 46) basically symmetrical respect to a central plane (26) of said base layer.
US08287509B2

Hydrophilized compositions including normally hydrophobic thermoplastic polymers, e.g., polypropylene, and hydrophilizing amounts of anionic surfactants, e.g., sodium alkylsulfonates, are shaped into such articles as molded objects having hydrophilic surfaces.
US08287504B2

An ocular device for insertion into an eye is provided and includes a body having an anterior surface and a posterior surface for placement on one of superior sclera and inferior sclera of the eye. The posterior surface is defined by a base curve that is substantially identical to a radius of curvature of the one of the superior sclera and inferior sclera of the eye. In one embodiment, the ocular device serves as an ocular drug delivery device and contains an active pharmaceutical agent, a lubricant, etc.
US08287500B2

An administration instrument for medical use that can perform injection of a drug solution with stability and with great reliability. For example, at administration, it is possible to prevent a force that presses the injection button from acting in a direction of inserting the needle that is inserted into the skin deeper, and enables the administration under a stable state where the needle does not wobble, thereby alleviating physical and mental pain of the administration patient. With a structure in which an injection button is pressed at an angle that is not parallel to the needle with respect to a direction in which the needle is inserted into the skin, it is possible to prevent the force of pressing the injection button from being transmitted in a direction of inserting the needle into the skin deeper than the initial insertion of the needle, thereby achieving an administration under a stable state.
US08287499B2

A syringe comprising a clear syringe barrel, a clear hollow plunge which can be pushed and pulled within the syringe barrel and is open at both ends, a gasket having a throughhole for providing communication between the inside of the plunger and the inside of the syringe barrel and provide a fluid tight seal with the syringe barrel, and a return-flow prevention mechanism which allows the fluid flowing into the plunger to flow in an outward direction from the inside of the plunger.
US08287492B2

A needle tip assembly includes a needle tip, a needle tip cover structured and arranged to facilitate installation of the needle tip onto at least one of a pen needle, a pre-loaded syringe, and an injection device, and a slot arranged on a sidewall of a body of the needle tip. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08287484B2

In one aspect of the invention, a multi-purpose phacoemulsification needle comprises a needle body disposed about a centerline and has a lumen disposed therein. The lumen has a first cross-sectional area that is normal to the centerline. The needle further comprises a distal tip comprising an arcuate surface and a face with a port therein. The port has a second cross-sectional area in a plane generally parallel to the face and is in fluid communication with an internal cavity that has a third cross-sectional area normal to the centerline, the internal cavity being in fluid communication with the lumen. The needle is configured such that the third cross-sectional area is greater than either the first cross-sectional area or the second cross-sectional area. In another aspect of the invention, the needle comprises a plurality of fins projecting inwardly from the lumen.
US08287483B2

According to the present invention, a method for enhancing transdermal transport is disclosed. The method includes the steps of increasing a permeability of an area of a membrane with a permeabilizing device. The membrane may be, inter alia, biologic skin or synthetic skin. The permeabilizing device may be an ultrasound-producing device. A substance is transported into and through the area of the membrane. The substance may be a drug, a vaccine, or a component of interstitial fluid.
US08287482B2

Devices, methods and kits are described for reducing intraocular pressure. The devices include a support that is implantable within Schlemm's canal and maintains the patency of the canal without substantially interfering with transmural fluid flow across the canal. The devices utilize the natural drainage process of the eye and can be implanted with minimal trauma to the eye. Kits include a support and an introducer for implanting the support within Schlemm's canal. Methods include implanting a support within Schlemm's canal, wherein the support is capable of maintaining the patency of the canal without substantial interference with transmural fluid flow across the canal.
US08287478B2

A multi-layered orthosis designed to stabilize the human shoulder joint. A base harness includes a shoulder enclosure, an anterior panel, and a posterior panel. An adjustable break separates free ends of the anterior and posterior panels which are distal to the shoulder enclosure. The base harness is applied to a patient by slipping the shoulder enclosure around the affected shoulder. Anterior and posterior straps are passed over the deltoid region of the affected shoulder and secured to the base harness. An additional large strap is placed over the anterior and posterior straps.
US08287476B2

A protective device for a joint, particularly for a knee, comprising a first frame to which a second frame is articulated by means of a pair of hinges that during use are arranged proximate to the two sides of the joint, the hinges being constituted by a first base and a second base, which are associated respectively with the first and second frames and are rotatably connected to each other by means of a first arm and a second arm, which are mutually crossed. The ends of the first arm are rotatably associated with the first and second bases, both by means of substantially hemispherical mutual engagement surfaces; one end of the second arm is associated rotatably with the first base by means of a substantially hemispherical mutual engagement surface and the other end of the second arm is associated with the second base by means of a substantially flat mutual engagement surface.
US08287465B2

An biopsy apparatus includes a pressure and vacuum generator including a first cylinder and a first piston movably disposed within the cylinder. The cylinder has a pressure generating region and a vacuum generating region. The biopsy apparatus also includes an outer cannula and an inner cannula having a lumen. The inner cannula is movably disposed within the outer cannula, and the vacuum generating region is in one-way fluid communication with the inner cannula lumen.
US08287462B2

The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a computer network to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements.
US08287459B2

Exemplary techniques and systems for interpolating left ventricular pressures are described. One technique interpolates pressures within the left ventricle from blood pressures gathered without directly sensing blood pressure in the left ventricle.
US08287453B2

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.
US08287452B2

A portable apparatus for monitoring on site near an emergency field at least one vital sign of a patient reclined thereon includes a fluid bladder transformable between a stowable arrangement and a deployed arrangement. The fluid bladder in the deployed arrangement has a comfortable top surface of sufficient size to fully support at least a torso of the patient in a reclined position, and the fluid bladder has a ruggedized puncture resistant bottom layer. A sensor is configured to detect a pressure within the fluid bladder. A controller is configured to determine the at least one vital sign based on the pressure within the fluid bladder. A triage condition indicator is configured to indicate a care urgency level based on the at least one vital sign.
US08287449B2

An endoscope device having a control unit and a bendable probe unit arranged at the distal end of a wire extending from the control unit. The control unit includes a ball shaft and a control lever arranged on the ball shaft. The ball shaft includes a ball member and an outer case that encases the ball member and rotates along the outer peripheral surface of the ball member when the control lever is tilted. The wire is attached to the outer case. The construction facilitates control unit operation, which reduces inspection time and improves inspection accuracy.
US08287448B2

An endoscope with a flexible, multilumen catheter probe, a grip provided at the proximal end of the probe, a control element attached to the distal end of the probe and movably guided in the axial direction on catheter probe, wherein the catheter probe is to be connected non-rotatingly to the grip by means of a releasable lock, the distal end of the optical lumen has a transparent seal, and optical system is displacably disposed inside optic lumen and can be removed from optic lumen.
US08287440B2

The apparatus for erecting ribbed cardboard for protecting packed products comprises a collecting device provided with gripping means which are mobile between a gripping station of a single blank sheet of ribbed cardboard from a collecting store and a folding station of the sheet. A folding matrix is destined to receive a single sheet of ribbed cardboard supplied by the collecting device. The forming punch is destined to cooperate with the folding matrix in order to fold opposite lateral flaps of the sheet by contact with the folding means. The forming punch is destined to retain the sheet on completion of the folding stage. A transfer device hingedly bearing the forming punch and destined to move the forming punch between the folding station and a release station of the sheet, which sheet is retained in a folded configuration by the forming punch and a packing line of the products.
US08287433B2

A work vehicle includes an engine, a travel mechanism, a clutch, an inching operation member, and a controller. The travel mechanism is configured to cause the vehicle to travel. The clutch is configured to selectively transmit drive force from the engine to the travel mechanism. The inching operation member is configured to be operated to create slippage in the clutch to reduce vehicle speed. The controller is configured to calculate load of the clutch during inching, and to reduce a rotational speed of the engine when the calculated load of the clutch during the inching exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US08287428B2

A power transmission apparatus disposed includes: a motor for driving wheels, and transforms kinetic energy at the driving path to electrical energy; a normal close type clutch that includes an input and an output and is selectively set in an engaging state and a released state, wherein the clutch is normally set in the engaging state by a biasing member and is set in the released state when hydraulic pressure is applied; a hydraulic-pressure feeding device for supplying the adjusted hydraulic pressure to the clutch; and a control device for controlling the feeding device. When changing the clutch from the engaged state to the released state, if the difference between rotation numbers of the input and the output becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the control device controls the feeding device to bring the clutch to a state just before the engaged state.
US08287419B2

A shale shaker comprises a base and at least one deck coupled to the base. The deck is configured to support a mud screen. The shake also comprises a support frame coupled to the base and further includes an asymmetric planetary drive assembly coupled to the support frame for vibrating the support frame and the deck. The asymmetric planetary drive assembly comprises a flywheel gearbox a planetary gear and at least one eccentric weight coupled to the planetary gear. The planetary gear comprises a central axis bore that receives a planetary gear shaft through a central hole in the planetary gear. The gearbox receives a main shaft through a central hole in the flywheel gearbox. The planetary gear shaft is offset from the main shaft. The eccentric weight is coupled to the planetary gear offset from the main shaft.
US08287413B2

The invention relates to a power transmission device (1.1) that comprises an input shaft (2) to be connected to a thermal engine (3) and an output shaft (4) to be connected to a wheel shaft (5). The device (1.1) includes first and second electric machines (6, 7) and a mechanical assembly (12) ensuring the mechanical link between the input shaft, the output shaft and the shafts (8, 9) of the machines (6, 7). According to the invention, in order to limit the use of the epicyclic gear trains, at least one of the electric machines (8, 9) comprises a rotor (6.1) and a stator (6.2) connected to the mechanical assembly (12).
US08287403B2

An iron-based alloy for a golf club head includes: chromium in an amount ranging from 16.3 to 17.2 wt %; nickel in an amount ranging from 5.8 to 6.5 wt %; nitrogen in an amount ranging from 0.10 to 0.20 wt %; carbon in an amount ranging from 0.01 to 0.12 wt %; silicon in an amount ranging from 0.3 to 1.2 wt %; manganese in an amount ranging from 0.3 to 1.2 wt %; and a balance of iron and impurities, based on a total weight of the iron-based alloy. The alloy has a duplex-phase microstructure including a martensite phase and 10 to 30 percent austenite phase, and has a tensile strength greater than 120 Ksi and an elongation greater than 35%.
US08287395B2

A golf training apparatus is provided that includes one or more components, such as a chipping mat, a putting mat, and a chipping basket. The chipping mat includes a base and at least one section of artificial turf disposed over the base and at least one section of artificial turf includes at least one simulated divot disposed therein. The chipping mat may include a plurality of sections of artificial turf, each simulating a different type of grass found on a golf course, such as the fairway, rough, and deep rough. The putting mat has a section in a first geometric shape that tapers toward or into a section in a second geometric shape smaller than the first geometric shape having the hole disposed therein. The chipping basket has a plurality of sides with at least one of the sides having a variable sized hole disposed therein.
US08287390B2

The powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft, and a transmission having a transmission input member. A damper assembly is included that has an engine-side cover plate facing the engine, a transmission-side cover plate facing the transmission, and a retaining member between the cover plates. Resilient members are positioned between the engine-side cover plate and the transmission-side cover plate and supported by the retaining member. The engine-side cover plate is directly connected to the crankshaft for common rotation therewith.
US08287376B2

A game drum includes a drum body, a compressible member and a MEMS pressure sensing module. The drum body includes an output interface circuit for coupling with a terminal electronic device. The compressible member is accommodated in the accommodating room of the drum body. The MEMS pressure sensing module includes a MEMS sensor, located under the compressible member, for sensing a pressure applied on the compressible member and converting the pressure values into electronic signals, a processing unit for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the processing unit and the transmitting unit. The processing unit is connected with the output interface circuit such that a user is able to obtain the pressure value from the terminal electronic apparatus.
US08287367B2

A gaming system is provided having a display and a game controller. The system implements a game wherein random events are caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event results, the system awards a prize. A feature game of the gaming system includes a series of prize outcomes and a series of intervening games, which provide a player with a chance of advancing to a subsequent prize outcome in the event of a winning outcome in an intervening game. A monitoring means may be provided for monitoring and indicating the number of non-winning game outcomes and triggering a penalty event in the event of the non-winning outcomes exceeding a threshold number. In another aspect, a prize outcome of a feature is a progressive prize and a progressive prize modifier for modifying the progressive prize before awarding the prize.
US08287363B2

In contrast to slot-type gaming machines with their preset paylines designating predetermined array positions, the paylines of this novel wagering game are unknown until the indicia in the array have been selected. The randomly selected indicia determine the paylines, if any, in the array of indicia. Conditions may be imposed that limit the size and geometry of the paylines in this wagering game.Each indicium in the array, in one embodiment, may have an indicator for determining a subset of indicia in the array. In one embodiment, a winning game outcome occurs when the subset of indicia: 1) forms a payline, and 2) the combination of indicia designated by the payline meet predetermined requirements.
US08287361B2

A method of populating symbol spaces on a gaming device includes providing a plurality of designated spaces arranged to display a plurality of symbols, wherein one of the designated spaces is populated with a symbol from the plurality of symbols by moving the symbol from an initial location, to a final location within the designated space, wherein the game outcome is at least partly dependent on the final location of the symbol.
US08287360B2

A method for playing a game with a gaming machine is provided, which includes the steps of: (a) receiving a signal indicating an instruction of starting a game; (b) starting the game; (c) executing the game; (d) displaying a plurality of symbols on a display device; (e) each time a predetermined symbol or a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed on the display device as a result of the game, adding a predetermined point; (f) if the point cumulatively added in step (e) has reached a threshold, performing a lottery to determine a payout rate for a specific combination of symbols prior to the step (d); and (g) if the specific combination of symbols is displayed on the display device, multiplying an award entitled to the specific combination of symbols by the payout rate determined in the step (f) and paying the resulting amount.
US08287353B2

In a gaming method, player symbol data indicative of a plurality of sets of player symbols associated with a player may be received. Each player symbol is selected from a plurality of possible symbols. An indication that the player submitted a wager associated with the plurality of sets of player symbols may be received. Winning symbol data indicative of a set of winning symbols from the plurality of possible symbols may be received. A value payout based on respective numbers of winning symbols in respective sets of player symbols may be determined, wherein for at least some value payouts the value payout is different than a sum of a plurality of individual value payouts, each individual payout based on the respective number of winning symbols in the corresponding set of player symbols. Player payout data indicative of the value payout may be transmitted.
US08287342B2

A media game that employs a method for randomly shuffling through a large set of video and/or audio clips stored on readable media using a media player, such as a DVD player, is disclosed. In addition to the readable media, the game also includes a game board, moveable play pieces, trivia question cards, random name cards, a numbered die, and a challenge die. The game board can be converted from long play to short play by lifting the endmost sections of the game board and placing them next to each other on top of intermediate sections of the game board. A path circumnavigates the game board and appears to be continuous in both long and short play modes. The begin and end regions reside at least partially on the endmost sections and appear as unbroken shapes when configured for both long and short play.
US08287340B2

An employee incentive game overlies a sales application used with POS terminals. The game includes a back office portion and a front end employee interface portion. The game parameters, which are set up on the back office portion, identify a start time, a stop time, and a predetermined sales item which is the subject of the game. Each time the predetermined item is sold, the selling cashier receives a point. The front end interface portion informs the cashier of the predetermined sales item, identifies the game parameters, and graphically displays a score card whenever prompted to do so. The score card also shows the standings of the other cashiers in the game. The standings are updated in real time via the POS terminal data gathered by the sales application. At the end of the game, the cashier with the most points is recognized.
US08287336B2

A tamper resistant enclosure for an electronic circuit includes an inner copper case, a tamper sensing mesh wrapped around the inner case, an outer copper case enclosing the inner case and the tamper sensing mesh, and a venting device forming a vent channel from inside the inner case to outside the outer case, the vent channel passing between overlapping layers of the tamper sensing mesh and having at least one right angle bend along its length. The venting device consists of two strips of a thin polyamide coverlay material laminated together along their length, and a length of wool yarn sandwiched between the two thin strips and extending from one end of the strips to the other end of the strips to form the vent channel. The length of yarn follows a zig-zag path between the first and second strips, the zig-zag path including at least one right angle bend.
US08287332B2

An apparatus is provided for machining workpieces that, when in use, functionally cooperate with each other. The apparatus includes a frame for mounting each of the workpieces, and a machining tool mountable to the frame such that the tool is capable of defined relative movement with respect to the frame. The frame includes one or more adjustable supports for adjusting the position of the workpieces relative to the frame for operative engagement between the tool and the workpieces. The adjustable supports are fixable to maintain the position of one of the workpieces relative to the frame for machining in accordance with the defined relative movement, and the apparatus is adapted to permit the workpiece to be removed and replaced with one of the other workpieces, for machining in accordance with the defined relative movement. A method is also provided.
US08287330B1

A chemical mechanical polishing pad is described. A chemical mechanical polishing pad has an outer layer that includes a polishing surface, a first thinned region defined by a recess on a bottom surface of the pad, a first thick region surrounding the first thinned region, a second thinned region surrounding the first thick region, and a second thick region surrounding the second thinned region. The first thick region is not vertically extendable. The second thinned region defines one or more flexure mechanisms configured to make the first thinned region and the first thick region movable relative to the second thick region in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the polishing surface.
US08287326B2

The present invention relates to a remote controller for an aircraft model, which includes a body, a mode selection switch, and a signal acquisition unit. The body is adapted to be held in a first direction and a second direction. The mode selection switch may be configured to issue a mode selection signal. The signal acquisition unit acquires the manipulation signals manipulated by the first joystick and the second joystick in the remote controller, and processes the manipulation signals according to the mode selection signal, so as to enable the remote controller to operate respectively in the first manipulation mode and the second manipulation mode. The remote controller of the present invention merely switches the electric signals for switching between the manipulation modes without modifying the mechanical structure, thereby simplifying the switching operations.
US08287306B2

A ganged electrical connection system includes an arrangement defining a plurality of receptacles. A plurality of first connectors is receivably coupled in the plurality of receptacles. A plurality of second connectors is matable to the plurality of coupled first connectors of the arrangement along mating axes. Positional mating tolerance variation associated with the plurality of second connectors in relation to the plurality of coupled first connectors manifested at the plurality of receptacles when the plurality of second connectors are mated to the plurality of coupled first connectors is absorbed by the arrangement. The plurality of the plurality of second connectors mate with the plurality of coupled first connectors in a single unimpeded, uninterrupted mating connection. A ganged electrical system for an electric-type vehicle is also presented.
US08287303B2

Disclosed is a flat signal transmission cable with bundling structure, including at least one flexible circuit. The flexible circuit includes a plurality of clustered flat cable components that are formed by slitting in a direction parallel to extension direction of the flexible circuit to impose free and independent flexibility for bending to each clustered flat cable component. At least one bundling structure is formed on a lateral side edge of a predetermined clustered flat cable component of the cluster section of the flexible circuit. The bundling structure forms a fastening section. When the clustered flat cable components of the cluster section of the flexible circuit are stacked to form a bundled structure, the bundling structure bundles the plurality of clustered flat cable components and is secured by being fastened by the fastening section.
US08287302B2

A cable end connector has a main body portion and male connector portions extending therefrom. The male connector portions are respectively receivable in recesses in an end portion of a cable connection component. The cable end connector is adapted to display status light signals emitted from between the recesses at the end portion of the cable connection component.
US08287296B2

An electrical connector adapted for electrically connecting an electronic package includes a base and at least a cam. The base has a receiving space for receiving the electronic package and at least a flange located on side of the receiving space. The cam is positioned on the flange. Each cam has a shelf and defines a first position and a second position. The cam is able to rotate between its first position and its second position for urging the electronic package to move, and when the cam is located in the second position, the shelf blocks the electronic package from a vertical direction motion.
US08287292B2

An expandable power and data center (300) is adapted to be mounted within a slot (304) of a work surface (302). The power and data center (300) includes a stationary housing (306) and a carriage (328). The carriage (328) includes socket areas where power receptacles (338) and data ports (340) can be inserted. A top surface (330) of the carriage (328) and a top surface (350) of a frontal cover (348) form a pressure area (360). With the carriage in a closed position (328), a user can exert a downward pressure on the pressure area (360), causing the carriage (328) to move to an open position. A damper (368) restricts the speed at which the carriage (328) moves between the closed position and an open position.
US08287291B1

A circuit includes a first plurality of contacts configured to be in electrical communication with a plurality of electronic devices. The circuit card further includes a flexible portion including a dielectric layer, a second plurality of contacts, and a plurality of electrical conduits extending across a region of the flexible portion and in electrical communication with one or more contacts of the first plurality of contacts and with the second plurality of contacts. The flexible portion further includes an electrically conductive layer extending across the region of the flexible portion. The electrically conductive layer is superposed with the plurality of electrical conduits with the dielectric layer therebetween. The electrically conductive layer does not overlay one or more portions of the dielectric layer in the region of the flexible portion.
US08287287B2

A film-shaped electrically-connecting body 1 is used for electrically connecting a plurality of electronic devices and includes: two insulation sheets having a plurality of opening portions formed therein at a regular interval, and a plurality of plate-shaped connection elements; a part of each of the connection elements being held between the two insulation sheets, the other part where the connection element is not held being extended from the portion held to the opening portion and bent to form a contact point with a terminal of the electric device, and the two insulation sheets being unified at a portion where the connection element is not present therebetween. The two insulation sheets are formed by screen printing using a material having electrical insulation and elasticity and being dissolved in a solvent as an ink for printing.
US08287279B2

The invention concerns a non rotation-symmetric but root-analogue or tooth socket-analogue dental implant of the same size and shape as the root of the extracted tooth with macro retentions protruding from the implant surface (107, 113, 116).Macro retentions (107, 113, 116) are strictly limited to surface areas of the implant in the interdental space next to spongy and thick bone and in case of the last molar, facing the bone at the end of the tooth row. The diameter of the dental implant in transverse direction next to the thin cortical bone buccal and lingual/palatinal is identical to the alveolar bone or preferably stands back to avoid any pressure induced resorption and fracture of the thin cortical bone layer, respectively, at any cost.
US08287275B2

A mouthpiece for forming custom dental trays intraorally having a sheet of low-melting custom tray material sealingly containing a moldable filler. The mouthpiece may also have flexible walls along the facial-buccal or lingual sides for additional support. The mouthpiece can form custom trays for both arches simultaneously, or for a single arch. In typical use, the mouthpiece is heated, opposing arches of teeth forcefully bite into the tray material and contained filler, thereby molding the tray material to fit the teeth, the tray material is cooled, the mouthpiece is removed from the teeth, and excess tray material is trimmed away to form trays for both arches.
US08287271B2

A moulding unit for a plant for blow-moulding plastic containers (2) from respective parisons (3) comprises: two half-moulds (17a, 17b), movable relative to each other between a position of opening and a position of closing at least one cavity (19) for blow-moulding a respective container (2); and a locking device (21) for locking the two half-moulds (17a, 17b) in the closed position, the locking device (21) comprising two first fastening elements (22, 28) which are moved to, and normally held in, a locked position by at least one elastic actuating element (30).
US08287268B1

A device for producing a high density compact livestock feed from a loose granular material according to various embodiment can include a source for supplying a loose granular material to be treated. A series of successive treatment zones comprises a heating zone, a compression zone, and a cooling zone. The heating zone comprises at least one heater and at least one screw compression dryer configured to receive the loose granular material to be treated for drying. Rotation of the screw transfers the treated material to the compression zone. The compression zone comprises a compression chamber for compacting the treated material to form a high density compact body. The treated material is pressed through the compression chamber while a two-dimensional cross-section compression is applied to the treated material. The cooling zone comprises a cooling unit for cooling the high density compact body received from the compression zone.
US08287259B2

An oil-cooled type screw compressor includes shafts mounted on rotors in a casing and extended to two sides of the rotors. Thrust plates rotate with the shafts. The thrust plates are sealed while spacing them from the rotors and define first and second spaces. Thrust bearings are arranged in the first and second spaces. An oil feed passage communicates with the one of the first and second spaces that is located on the side to apply a force against the thrust force to the thrust plates when boosted. An oil discharge passage communicates with the one of the first and second spaces that is located on the side to apply a force against the anti-thrust force to the thrust plates when boosted, to establish the communication between the space inside and an oil discharge target. An oil distribution passage distributes oil between the first space and the second space.
US08287257B2

A rotary compressor including a housing, a first scroll member, a second scroll member in meshing engagement with the first scroll member, and an Oldham coupling coupled to the second scroll member to inhibit the relative rotational movement between the first scroll member and the second scroll member. The Oldham coupling including a first riding pad, a second riding pad, a third riding pad is positioned, and a fourth riding pad positioned such that the first riding pad and the fourth riding pad are in an overlapping arrangement.
US08287255B2

A variable displacement rotary pump includes a main pump unit, an auxiliary pump unit, a discharge passage, a bypass passage, a suction passage, a check valve and a control valve. The suction passage is in communication with the discharge passage through the bypass passage and a second discharge port. The check valve is disposed in the discharge passage for preventing fluid in a first discharge port of the main pump unit from flowing into the bypass passage. The control valve is operable for opening and closing the bypass passage. When the control valve opens the bypass passage and the check valve closes the discharge passage, flow rate of the fluid discharged from the discharge passage is reduced. A throttle passage is provided in the bypass passage or the control valve for regulating flow of the fluid in early phase of operation of the control valve to open the bypass passage.
US08287249B2

A two-stage membrane pump having a first pump head and a second pump head is provided. The pump heads are typically crank operated with a camshaft set up such that one pump head is in exhaust mode and the other in inlet mode, and vice-versa, during operation. The membrane and the inlet and outlet valves of the pump heads are designed to work together, along with each pump head working synchronously such that the inlet of the second pump head and exhaust of the first pump head are sealed by the actions of the two membranes. As a result an inlet valve in the second pump head is not needed. The costs of such a pump are thereby reduced while increasing the reliability of the two-stage pump.
US08287247B2

A combined pumping system comprising a getter pump and an ion pump is described. The getter pump and the ion pump are mounted in series on a same flange and are respectively arranged on opposite sides thereof so that both getter and ion pumps conductance are maximized towards gas flux sources in a vacuum chamber in order to improve the vacuum level of the system.
US08287245B2

A system is provided for transmitting control signals to the internal devices of a compressor. The compressor includes a housing, a hermetic power terminal and a motor for powering the compressor. The system includes a frequency converter that is located external to the compressor housing and a frequency decoder that is positioned inside the compressor housing. The frequency converter can convert a control signal from a controller to a high frequency signal. The frequency decoder decodes and converts the high frequency signal to a control signal for an internal device of the compressor. An AC input power source provides electrical power to the motor, and power transmission lines connect the AC input power source to the hermetic power terminal. The frequency converter is electrically coupled to the frequency decoder by two power transmission lines.
US08287222B2

A transfer system includes: a first shelf disposed to block an original transfer path from a transfer position at which the transporting vehicle transfers the transported object to the port and can transfer the transported object with the transporting vehicle; a second shelf which puts the transported object; a displacing device can reciprocate the transported object with respect to the first shelf and the port in a first direction, toward and away from the processing apparatus, and which can reciprocate the transported object at first direction position, which is away in the first direction by the transported object from the first shelf and the port, in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a communicating device which receives a transfer request from the transporting vehicle, which can transmit a transfer permission to the transporting vehicle.
US08287217B2

An expansion anchor comprising a tubular body, which extends along a longitudinal axis and displays a deformable end portion on which there are obtained longitudinal slots which divide the end portion itself into a series of anchoring fins, and an expansion nut, which is partially engaged onto said end portion and is adapted to be displaced by a screw so as to radially expand said anchoring fins outwards; each anchoring fin being shaped so as to display an annular ridge on its end and two protruding side teeth, which are arranged on the side edge of said anchoring fin at the two ends of the ridge; each anchoring fin further displaying an external friction surface provided with a plurality of annular notches or cavities coaxial to the longitudinal axis.
US08287216B2

A harness assembly for restraining freight having a relatively high center of gravity comprises first and second junction rings, and four tensile members. Two of the four members form a bifurcated harness when connected to the junction rings. The third and fourth tensile members each have a ring end and an anchor end. The ring ends are connected to the junction rings. The bifurcated harness, having a top-contacting member and a side-contacting member, respectively contacts a top end and a side portion of positioned freight. The anchor ends anchor the third and fourth tensile members to a support structure such as a railcar floor. The third and fourth tensile members thereby diagonally direct tension into the bifurcated harness relative to the support structure so as to force the top end of the freight toward the support structure and the side portion of the freight toward the anchor ends.
US08287206B2

The present invention is an anchoring device for joining three boards. It includes a substantially flat horizontal top element having a top view configuration which includes two sides and has a first predetermined width as measured wide to side at its maximum width between the two sides. There is at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element along an imaginary center line and extending downwardly from the top element for a predetermined length, which has two sides and a second predetermined width as measured at its maximum width. There is a substantially flat horizontal bottom element with two sides and has a third predetermined width at its maximum width. The first predetermined width is greater than the second predetermined width and the third predetermined width, and the third is greater than the second.
US08287205B2

A helical plastic coil is used for binding a collated book having a stack of pages with aligned holes along one edge of the book where a leading end of the filament is fed into a first hole at a first end of the book and the coil is rotated about its axis such that the leading end is threaded through the holes by entering each of the holes until the coil is threaded through all of the holes. The leading end of the coil is sheared by an anvil and blade so as to define a leading apex and a leading surface inclined rearwardly from the leading apex along the filament and across the filament. The leading apex is arranged such that, as the leading end enters each of the holes in turn, the leading apex is located on the leading end of the filament at a position thereon facing away from the trailing end of the coil and spaced from the end of the hole facing the first end of the book.
US08287202B2

This invention generally relates to a method of dispensing an adhesive material using an applicator comprising: a body having a cavity; at least one breaking member integral with the body and having a surrounding gap, the breaking member deflectable into the cavity and having a first engagement member; an annular housing movable with respect to the body and having a second engagement member complementary with the first engagement member, the first and the second engagement members being cooperatively engageable; a reservoir secured to body and having applicator means; a retaining member between the body and reservoir; and a frangible container of adhesive material disposed within the cavity; moving the annular housing relative to the body from a first position to a second position where the engagement members are cooperatively engaged; deflecting the breaking members and breaking the frangible container; and squeezing the reservoir and dispensing adhesive material.
US08287194B2

A weighted mounting arrangement stably supports a motion-sensitive, image capture device incorporated in a cellular telephone. The arrangement includes a handheld equipoising structure having a platform and a handle connected to the platform at a handle connection, a mount on the platform for holding the device during image capture, and a ballast weight mounted on the mount with the held device as an assembly. The assembly and the equipoising structure together have a combined center of gravity positioned in close adjacent proximity below the handle connection for balancing the arrangement during image capture.
US08287192B2

In one example embodiment, a pluggable ONU transceiver module comprises a top shell, a bottom shell configured to mate with the top shell to form a cavity, and a PCB disposed within the cavity. A plurality of pins are coupled to the PCB and are configured to be inserted into a protruding socket of a host device through the bottom shell. The protruding socket is mounted on a PCB of the host device. The pluggable ONU transceiver module further comprises one or more guiding features integrated with the bottom shell and configured to ensure that the pins are inserted correctly into the protruding socket, and means for positioning the top shell at a predetermined height above the PCB of the host device to allow coupling of the top shell to a heatsink of the host device.
US08287191B2

A blocking member is sized and shaped to be installed beneath a trigger or triggers of a duplex connector. The blocking member prevents depression of the trigger(s) of the duplex connector and hence prevents depression of latches to release the plugs of the duplex connector from mated receptacles. The blocking member does not block actuation of the latches of the duplex connector. Through the use of a tool, the trigger(s) may be bypassed and the latches operated directly by the tool to release the plugs of the duplex connector when mated to receptacles.
US08287188B2

A bag includes a first portion. The first portion is attached to a second portion of the bag. The reusable bag also includes a mailing label having an addressee section preprinted with an address of a recycler. When the bag is in an unpacked state, the first portion is configured to carry items. When the bag is in a packed state, the first portion is secured in the packed state using the second portion such that the mailing label is visible.
US08287187B2

A system and method for determining the location of an x-ray source of an x-ray machine and adjusting grid lines in an anti-scatter grid are disclosed. An ideal beam path is obtained and is used to adjust grid lines in the anti-scatter grid. In one embodiment, the invention uses a source locator to locate the x-ray source, communicate this location to the said adjustable anti-scatter grid which could align the grid lines mechanically, by means of servos attached to the grid lines, to the ideal x-ray beam path. In other embodiment electrical currents are used to align grid lines with the beam source. By aligning the grid lines with the beam path, images with increased contrast and reduced noise can be produced.
US08287182B2

A method for testing a measuring device is used to determine a permittivity of a frying fat which permittivity is inter alia dependent on the temperature, while taking into consideration the temperature. The method is characterized in that the permittivity is measured at least two different temperatures and the temperature dependence is determined and is used to make a statement on the ability to function of the measuring device.
US08287181B1

A one-piece stackable container restraining apparatus incorporates a flat surface and four legs. The restraining apparatus can be used on the crest of a roof or on other surfaces. The stackable feature is used to accommodate roofs of differing pitches and to create a more stable combination. In certain embodiments attachment holes are utilized for ease in transportation and movement. Additionally, the container restraining apparatus can be used on a flat surface to prevent overturning of the container during transportation, such as paint buckets transported in a truck or van. Mounting holes on each leg can be used to accommodate a variety of fixtures such as wheels or articulating pads.
US08287176B1

Systems and methods relating to improvements in automotive facilities/service stations that utilize antifreeze engine coolant while servicing multiple manufacturer vehicles. Antifreeze dyeing systems and methods are disclosed to provide single inventory bulk colorless antifreeze and small inventory custom dye to closely match Original End Manufacturer (OEM) colored antifreeze; and, reduce costs of product and inventory of multiple antifreeze colors, types and containers.
US08287157B2

A light may comprise a light body having an opening for receiving an electrical power source, and a head including a light source and having an end for engaging the light body. A head for a light may comprise a light source, a reflector, an end for engaging a light body; and an insulating member. At least three concentric and/or coaxial electrical contacts of the head are enclosed by the head and light body when the head and light body are engaged. One of the three concentric electrical contacts may provide an electrical connection to the light source and one of the three concentric electrical contacts may be for making an electrical connection to an electrical power source.
US08287153B2

A lighting apparatus comprises: an upper housing having a graduated stepped cylindrical profile, forming an upper portion of the lighting apparatus; a substantially annular heat sink having a round profile around its outer periphery and a hexagonal profile around its inner periphery, and being shaped so as to have an opening at the bottom of the heat sink; a plurality of LEDs located around the inner periphery of the heat sink, the LEDs being oriented so as to emit light in an upward direction at an angle; and a hexagonal reflector situated between the upper housing and the heat sink, the hexagonal reflector having a downwardly reflective lower surface. When the lighting apparatus is assembled and power is applied to the LEDs, light emitted from the LEDs is reflected off of the lower surface of the reflector so as to exit through the opening at the bottom of the heat sink.
US08287147B2

An LED based omni-directional light engine includes a toroidal lens coupled to a controller circuit board and two or more evenly spaced LEDs mounted to the controller circuit board. The toroidal lens includes an inner surface coated with a layer of reflection materials, an outer surface, and a flat base surface. The controller circuit board is electrically coupled to a power source. The LEDs are located immediately under the flat base surface. The inner surface substantially reflects light beams emitted from the LEDs to the outer surface which refracts the beams to the omni-directions.
US08287132B2

A projector includes: a first solid-state light source device which includes a first solid-state light source emitting main excitation light, and a fluorescent layer converting main excitation light to light including a first color light component and a second color light component different from the first color light component, and emitting converted light; a second solid-state light source device which includes a second solid-state light source emitting a third color light component different from the first color light component and the second color light component; a light modulation device modulating the first color light component, the second color light component, and the third color light component in accordance with image information; a projection optical system projecting the modulated light components from the light modulation device as a projection image; and a third solid-state light source device which includes a third solid-state light source emitting auxiliary excitation light, wherein the fluorescent layer is configured such that auxiliary excitation light is input thereto in a direction different from a direction in which main excitation light is input, and the fluorescent layer is configured to convert auxiliary excitation light to light including the first color light component and the second color light component, and to emit converted light.
US08287130B2

A projector, that projects an image on a projection surface in accordance with an image signal, includes: an optical system that includes a light source and projects projection light representing the image; an optical sensor that receives the light from the projection surface; and an adjuster that carries out a first adjustment process of adjusting the brightness of the projection light in accordance with the output from the optical sensor before the light source illuminates.
US08287120B2

A recording apparatus, includes: a record head having an image formation surface which forms an image on a recording medium; a conveyance belt which conveys the recording medium to a position to face the image formation surface; a media attracting platen having a pair of electrodes, which is disposed in such a manner that the conveyance belt is sandwiched between the media attracting platen and the image formation surface; a voltage supply unit which applies a voltage to the pair of electrodes so as to attract the recording medium to the conveyance belt; and a transport unit which moves at least one of the conveyance belt and the media attracting platen so that a spacing distance between the conveyance belt and the media attracting platen is selectively switched between a first distance and a second distance longer than the first distance.
US08287115B2

A recording apparatus is provided which includes recording means for ejecting liquid so that the liquid is recorded on a recording medium; transporting means for transporting the recording means relative to the recording medium; microwave irradiation means for irradiating microwaves to the recording medium; microwave reception means for receiving the microwaves reflected from the recording medium; and microwave irradiation control means for determining a dryness level of the recording medium based on a reception level of the microwave reception means and controlling an irradiation dose or an irradiation intensity of the microwaves irradiated by the microwave irradiation means in accordance with the dryness level.
US08287114B2

An aqueous ink composition including a colorant, a polymer including a hydrophobic structural unit (a) represented by the following formula (1), a polymerization initiator, a polymerizable compound including an ethylenically unsaturated bond, and water: wherein, in formula (1), R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or a halogen atom; L1 represents —COO—, —OCO—, —CONR2—, —O—, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; L2 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; and R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, an alkyl group, an alkyloxy group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, or a nitro group.
US08287112B2

An inkjet printing method includes in order the steps of: a) providing to an inkjet printer one or more colorless liquids and a white ink including a pigment with a refractive index greater than 1.60; b) mixing the white ink in a controlled amount with the one or more colorless liquids to form a white ink-mixture wherein the viscosity is reduced by at least 5 mPa·s by reference to the white ink when measuring the viscosity at 40° C. with a Brookfield DV-II+Pro at 12 rotations per minute; and c) printing the white ink-mixture with the inkjet printer onto an ink-receiver. Additionally, a color inkjet ink set includes the one or more colorless liquids and the white ink, and an inkjet printer for use in the inkjet printing method.
US08287104B2

An inkjet printhead includes a die having a heating element formed thereon. The inkjet printhead also includes a graded die carrier. The graded die carrier is coupled to the die. The graded die carrier has lands that are separated by an ink slot. Each of the lands is graded such that its proximity to the die varies.
US08287099B2

A printhead is provided having a plurality of fluid ejection nozzles. Each nozzle has a chamber on a printing surface having an ejection port, and an annular shaped heater for heating fluid in the chamber to cause ejection from the ejection port.
US08287098B2

A liquid ejection head, a liquid supply apparatus, a liquid ejection apparatus, and a liquid supply method can enable the channel resistance and pressure loss of liquid in the liquid ejection head to be reduced to increase the speed at which liquid is supplied to the nozzles. To achieve this, an ink supply chamber is placed so as to be laminated on a main ink supply chamber. A filter interposed between the main ink supply chamber and the ink supply chamber extends along a surface substantially parallel to a nozzle arrangement plane on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged.
US08287095B2

A printhead integrated circuit comprising a silicon substrate defining a frontside and a backside, inkjet nozzle assemblies positioned at the frontside, drive circuitry for supplying power to the inkjet nozzle assemblies and through-silicon connectors extending from the frontside towards the backside. The through-silicon connectors provides electrical connections between the drive circuitry and corresponding integrated circuit contacts. The integrated circuit contacts are positioned for connection to a backside-mounted connector film supplying power to the drive circuitry.
US08287087B2

An ink discharging device may comprise a head that is configured to print an image by discharging black ink and ink other than the black ink onto a print medium. The ink discharging device may further comprise a print controller that is configured to control the head such that the image is printed on the print medium on the basis of print data. The print controller may be configured to control the head such that flushing of the ink other than the black ink is performed at a black-color print area on the print medium onto which the head discharges the black ink on the basis of the print data.
US08287081B2

A modular printing device has been developed that may be configured with different numbers of ink colors and ink types and with a different cross-process direction print resolution for each ink color and ink type. The modular printing device configurable to print with multiple combinations of ink colors and ink types at different print resolutions includes a plurality of printhead arrays, each printhead array being configured to eject ink onto an image receiving surface at a first print resolution in a cross-process direction, a plurality of ink supplies, each ink supply being configured to store ink and to provide ink to one printhead array in the plurality of printhead arrays, and a controller configured to operate the plurality of printhead arrays at one of at least two combinations of ink colors and ink types, each combination identifying an ink color or an ink type to be ejected by each printhead array and the controller operating the printhead arrays ejecting a same ink color or a same ink type at a print resolution in the cross-process direction corresponding to the number of printhead arrays ejecting the same ink color or the same ink type.
US08287075B2

An apparatus includes a printing unit configured to print a plurality of images sequentially onto a continuous sheet while conveying the sheet, a cutter configured to cut the printed sheet into every print unit length, a drying unit configured to dry the cut sheet cut while conveying the sheet piece by piece, and at least one feeding roller situated between the cutter and the drying unit configured to apply a driving force via a torque limiter, wherein a conveyance speed of the cut sheet is larger than the conveyance speed of the sheet conveyed through the drying unit, and the feeding roller absorbs a difference of the conveyance speed according to a function of the torque limiter.
US08287071B2

An inkjet recording apparatus including a recording head having a nozzle, a pressure chamber, and a pressure generation section; and a drive signal generator which generates a drive signal for applying at least one drive pulse, wherein the apparatus ejects the ink droplet from the nozzle by applying the drive signal to activate the pressure generation section, wherein the drive signal generator generates the drive signal within one pixel period in chronological order including a first expansion pulse to expand the volume of the pressure chamber, a contraction pulse, and a second expansion pulse, and wherein a contraction pulse width is 0.1 AL through 0.5 AL, where AL represents a half of an acoustic resonance period of the pressure chamber, and |Von|/|Voff| is 1.3 through 10, where Von and Voff respectively represent drive voltages of the first expansion pulse and the contraction pulse.
US08287070B2

A control circuit of a printer makes a signal selecting circuit select a connection signal of a checking circuit, and then make output, to one driver IC which detects a connection state with the control circuit. The control circuit outputs a selection signal which makes the signal selecting circuit select a temperature detection signal of a temperature sensor, and then make output, to the remaining driver ICs.
US08287068B2

A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a head having a nozzle surface having a plurality of nozzles which are open in the nozzle surface and through which a liquid is discharged toward an object; a transporting device which transports the object relative to the nozzle surface in a transporting direction and which positions the object to face the nozzle surface; a platen having a flexibility or bendability and provided with an attachment portion to which the object is attached; and a platen moving device which moves the platen in a direction orthogonal to the transporting direction to position the attachment portion at a nozzle facing position facing the nozzle surface under the condition that the liquid is discharged toward the object.
US08287067B2

A recording apparatus includes a recording head which has a plurality of recording elements, a drive unit, a selection-data generating mechanism which generates data for selecting a certain operation mode of the recording elements, a data transmitting mechanism which outputs a predetermined particular bit patterns at a tail end of the selection data, and a control-signal generating mechanism which generates a control signal for controlling the drive unit. The data transmitting mechanism inserts dummy data between the selection data.
US08287056B2

A lobed bushing is provided for a track assembly of a track-type machine. The track assembly includes a first chain and a second chain coupled together with a track pin. A bushing, defining a longitudinal axis, includes a central bore oriented along the longitudinal axis and extending from a first end of the bushing to a second end of the bushing for receiving the track pin. The bushing includes a first lobe positioned at a first location about the longitudinal axis and a second lobe positioned at a second location about the longitudinal axis that is less than about 180° from the first location. The first end of the bushing has a substantially cylindrical shape.